Issuu

WELCOME TO OUR WELLNESS ISSUE!

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

We are excited to present our Queer Wellness Passport – a curated guide to some of the most welcoming spas and wellness retreats for the LGBTQ+ community. In

For those seeking a more adventurous weekend, consider these exciting events: •

this issue, you’ll also find National Wellness Month tips,

VIEWS

EDITOR’S LETTER

skincare product recommendations, and travel options

LA: September 3-7, 2026 •

that cater to the unique needs of our community. We’re dedicated to helping you live your best life, and this issue is packed with resources to help you do just that.

Southern Decadence, New Orleans,

Jennifer Day Kevin Perry Mark A. Thompson Michael Westman

Folsom Street Fair, San Francisco, CA: September 27, 2026

•

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Daniel Hirsch

Fantasy Fest, Key West, FL: October 16-25, 2026

Our cover feature is literary icon David Sedaris, who

And, while planning your Pride adventures, be sure

shares his thoughts on his latest book The Land and Its

to calendar the FIRST PRIDE in California for 2027 –

People, his creative process, some of his pet peeves (there

Cathedral City Pride on March 12-14, 2027. The next-door

are many), cancel culture, politics, his whimsical sense of

neighbor to Palm Springs, kicks off pride season by cel-

fashion, Jesus’ teeth and whether or not there’s an afterlife.

ebrating the history and accomplishments of the LGBT+

We’re honored to have him grace our cover and share his

community, as well as demonstrating Cathedral City’s

stories with you.

commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. From its

Although Pride Month has passed, there are still

inception, Cathedral City Pride has set the tone for events

plenty of opportunities to celebrate and connect with the

statewide by blending activism, art, and celebration in

LGBTQ+ community. Dozens of events are coming up in

a welcoming desert setting. This 11th year will shine an

late summer and early fall, offering a great excuse to plan

even brighter spotlight on this legacy, with surprises and

a weekend getaway to one of these vibrant cities:

special guests to be announced in the coming months. The

•

Silicon Valley, CA Pride: August 29-30, 2026

2027 celebration will feature a high-energy weekend of

•

Atlanta, GA Pride: October 10-11, 2026

headliner entertainment, community programming, drag

•

Las Vegas, NV Pride: October 16-17, 2026

performances, live music, local vendors, and the infamous

•

Palm Springs, CA Pride: November 6-8, 2026

BED RACE tradition. Visit cathedralcitypridefest.com for

NATIONAL DISPLAY ADVERTISING

Rivendell Media 212.242.6863 sales@rivendellmedia.com

Los Angeles 6475 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., #438 Long Beach, CA 90803 New York 511 Avenue of the Americas, #901 New York, NY 10011 Palm Springs 4751 E Palm Canyon Dr, #C-50 Palm Springs, CA 92264 800.818.0480 info@metrosource.com

more information. We hope this issue inspires you to prioritize your well-being and explore new ways to achieve balance and fulfillment in your life. Thank you for being a part of the Metrosource family.

Michael Westman Editor-in-Chief

Subscriptions: One year (six issues): $29.95 Subscribe online at metrosource.com 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. ©2025 Bent Share Entertainment, LLC. Advertisers in Metrosource acknowledge that they do business in the spirit of cooperation, fairness and service, maintaining a high level of integrity and responsibility. Providers of products or services are fully and solely responsible for same as advertised. Metrosource assumes no responsibility or liability for improper or negligent business practices by advertisers. The appearance of any person, model, business or organization in this publication, by name, advertisement or photograph is not an indication of sexual orientation. Advertisers and their agencies assume all responsibility and legal liability for the content of their advertisements in Metrosource. Publisher assumes no liability for safe-keeping or return of unsolicited art, manuscripts or other materials. Metrosource reserves the right to edit all material for clarity, length and content. All contents are copyright Bent Share Entertainment, LLC. All rights reserved. Content may only be reproduced with written permission from Bent Share Entertainment, LLC. Metrosource assumes no liability for any claims or representations contained anywhere in this magazine and reserve the right to cancel or refuse advertising at publisher’s discretion.

@metrosource @MetrosourceMagazine @metrosourcemag

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AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2026

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CONTENTS

August / September, 2026 | VOLUME 37, NO. 4

THIS PAGE: DAVID SEDARISPHOTO BY ANNE FISHBEIN • PHOTO COURTESY OF VISIT TUCSON • KAMALAYA TREATMENT ROOM-SUN

12 12 TUSCON, ARIZONA WHERE YOU DON’T FIT IN; YOU STAND OUT AND STAND PROUD

18 DAVID SEDARIS LITERARY ICON AND THE KING OF CRINGE

24 24

A QUEER WELLNESS PASSPORT UNWINDING AT THE WORLD’S BEST LGBTQ-FRIENDLY SPAS

COVER: David Sedaris Photography by: Anne Fishbein METROSOURCE.COM

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DEPARTMENTS

August / September 2026 | VOLUME 37, NO. 4

36 CULTURE

HEALTH & WELLNESS

ENTERTAINMENT

Scope This month’s MetroSource Scope brings together a vibrant mix of LGBTQ+ books, film, music, art, history, and travel. Read Sebastian Tillinger’s candid memoir, How the Ferris Wheel Was Broken, chronicling acting, love, family, and self-discovery. Watch the latest season of Finding Fire Island, exploring the island’s colorful history, nightlife, community, and chosen family. Listen to Nashvillebased LGBTQ+ artist Abby Nissenbaum’s new EP, Want to Be Wrong. Visit New York’s Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art for a conversation on queer nightlife and visual culture, then experience Southern Decadence in New Orleans, a legendary Labor Day celebration of LGBTQ+ culture and community.

Redefining Clean Beauty Inside Guy Vybe, the LGBTQ-Owned Skincare Line Tailored for Queer Confidence

Injustice Delayed Redlining Puts Empowerment on the Map

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Tips for a Healthy Relationship with Your Money

Staying Healthy During National Wellness Month and Beyond

Movies Are So Gay!

EDITOR’S LETTER

Welcome to our Wellness Issue!

CURATED BY MICHAEL WESTMAN

HOW THE FERRIS WHEEL WAS BROKEN: A LOVE LETTER TO LOS ANGELES

THESCOPE

READ

HOW THE FERRIS WHEEL WAS BROKEN: A LOVE LETTER TO LOS ANGELES, AUTHOR SEBASTIAN TILLINGER WRITES AN HONEST, stream-of-conscious-

ABOUT THE AUTHOR -Sebastian Tillinger is an artist, writer, actor, musician, and painter. Born in Connecticut in 1974, he grew up in the bowels of the New York drama scene around hundreds of brilliant actors, writers, set designers,

CULTURE

THESCOPE

ness memoir that details his struggles to find work as an actor, audition after demoralizing audition, with 57 characters crammed in his head, while walking the tightrope between art and making money, celebrity parents, and his own insecurities. Along with his search for work, purpose, and meaning, Tillinger writes about love in all its messiness. Years after they first met in acting class, he reconnects with Sarah, a “petite stunner” with black hair who grew up in Boulder, Colorado, and was a drummer in an all-girl punk band in the ’80s when it mattered. Six years his senior, she is the first woman he had sex with whom he truly loved. He asks Sarah to marry him, mostly to prove he’s a man. (“I don’t believe in marriage,” he muses. “I don’t really know what I’m getting into.”) And he nearly screws up that chance when he gets high in the courthouse while they’re waiting to get their marriage license. (Imagine going through the X-ray machine with an eighth of weed and a metal pipe stashed in pockets … that was Tillinger.) Deeply introspective and wildly entertaining, How the Ferris Wheel Was Broken captures a year of uncertainty, reinvention, and hard-earned self-discovery on the eve of a new millennium. Available from amazon.com/How-Ferris-Wheel-Was-Broken/dp/B0FY3G57LF. producers, and directors, including his father, Broadway theater director John Tillinger, and his mother, actress, director, and writer Dorothy Lyman. He spent 20 years living and working in Los Angeles, landing roles in a few major movies — notably, Hart’s War (2002) Eagle Eye

(2008), The Wolf of Wall Street (2013), and Café Society (2016) — and numerous commercials. He lives in Connecticut with his wife, makeup artist and beauty specialist Pilar DeMann, and their daughter. How the Ferris Wheel Was Broken is his first book.

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THESCOPE CULTURE

FINDING FIRE ISLAND

WATCH

FINDING FIRE ISLAND, THE GLAAD-NOMINATED DOCUMENTARY SERIES CREATED, EXECUTIVE PRODUCED,

and narrated by Jess Rothschild, has released its Season 2 finale, “The Pine Walk Collection” (Episode 8), and is available everywhere. The final episode centers on Nate Pinsley and his husband, Peter Kriss, co-founders of Share Girl — the app that, in the summer of 2013, quietly upended how gay men found housing, community, and each other on Fire Island. What started as a winter project among friends looking to solve their own problem — never knowing which weekend which friend would be out on the island — grew into a 25,000-download phenomenon within a single summer, and eventually into a string of realworld ventures: The Botel, The Madison, and the guest house Pines Club. The episode’s title nods to another discovery at the heart of the hour: while clearing out a newly purchased house, Pinsley and Criss found

AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2026

METROSOURCE.COM

two milk crates of handwritten cassette tapes tucked in a closet — recordings from legendary Pines DJ sets, including sets by Roy Thode. With help from DJ and friend DJ Joe D’Espinosa, the tapes were digitized and preserved as the Pinewalk Collection, now streaming on Mixcloud, SoundCloud, and SiriusXM. The finale closes out a season of Finding Fire Island produced in partnership with the Fire Island Pines Historical Society, which has spent the year excavating the community’s history, culture, and chosen family across generations. The episodes covered: • Share-house rituals • The Doll Invasion • Early rivalry with Cherry Grove • Entrepreneurs and architects who shaped the Pines’ look and identity • Shift from pre-Stonewall secrecy to open Tea dances and cruising culture • The DJs and dance floors that built the Pines into a nightlife capital • The Pantry girls and volunteer firefighters who keep the community

running Broadway community’s response to the AIDS crisis. Available online at findingfireisland.com. •

ABOUT FINDING FIRE ISLAND Finding Fire Island is a documentary podcast series created, executive produced, and narrated by Jess Rothschild, co-produced with the Fire Island Pines Historical Society. Sound design by Caitlin White; video editing by Evelyn Darr. Special thanks to The Pines Foundation and SAGE USA. The series has been nominated for a GLAAD Media Award and features interviews with figures including Billy Porter, John Waters, Julio Torres, Jerry Mitchell, Cody Rigsby, and Jay Jurden.

ABOUT THE FIRE ISLAND PINES HISTORICAL SOCIETY The Fire Island Pines Historical Society preserves and shares the history of the Fire Island Pines community.

LISTEN

ABBY NISSENBAUM WANT TO BE WRONG

CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED, NASHVILLE-BASED LGBTQ+ INDIE-ROCK ARTIST AND ADVOCATE ABBY NISSENBAUM AND HER VIDEO “GENTLEMAN,” THE HIGHLIGHT TRACK FROM HER NEW EP WANT TO BE WRONG. Abby divulges, “’Gentleman’

is an outrageous, rip-roaring, unabashedly LGBTQ country song that serves as a cheeky response to the fantasy “dream man” sold in country music. Sonically, it blends 80s-90s country-pop with a touch of Sapphic honkytonk attitude. For the music video, I thought it would be humorous to completely rebuke the concept of a tractor-driving, beer drinking, football-playing, big country dream guy by showing me (a barely 5 foot tall, Connecticut-raised, femme lesbian) playing perhaps the most New England sport of all: Tennis. The music video was shot by Oceanna Colgan, and she did an amazing job capturing all the action (“especially when my ball machine freaked out and would only give me NTRP 7.0 drills that I could barely run to, let alone return!”) Nissenbaum has deep roots in Canada as her grandparents were Holocaust survivors and refugees to Canada. They raised their kids there and still have extensive family there, so it’s no surprises she has a large listenership in Canada. Abby writes from the heart, exploring themes of depression, isolation, and heartbreak, but anchored by messages of hope, empowerment, and community. Complemented by her effortlessly honest and raw vocal delivery, Nissenbaum offers relatable, honest and heartfelt lyricism amidst catchy melodies, beautifully contrasting the energetic indie-rock soundscape which surrounds her. “...Nissenbaum’s evocative vocal delivery, one that critics have consistently praised for its emotional precision and expressive depth. The song moves effortlessly between wistful melancholy and quiet strength, capturing the internal shift that comes with choosing self-worth over uncertainty.” -The Concert Chronicles Listen on soundcloud.com or watch “Gentleman” at tinyurl.com/metrosource. METROSOURCE.COM

AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2026

THESCOPE CULTURE

VISIT

LESLIE-LOHMAN MUSEUM OF ART 26 WOOSTER STREET NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10013 AUTHOR TALK: SEX, CLUBS, DISSENT: VISUALISING QUEER NIGHTLIFE (SEPTEMBER 8, 2026)

Writer and editor Amelia Abraham is joined by TBC in celebration of the recently published work, Sex, Clubs, Dissent: Visualising Queer Nightlife. Together, they explore the visual cultures of queer nightlife, considering how photography and image-making

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have shaped spaces of pleasure, resistance, and community across generations. Reflecting on themes from Sex, Clubs, Dissent, the conversation will trace the power and tension of documenting nightlife, at once preserving fleeting histories and exposing them to new forms of visibility. Books will be available for purchase. Sex, Clubs, Dissent charts an expansive visual history of queer nightlife through the lens of photographers, filmmakers, and artists. Edited by author Amelia Abraham, the book explores

how image-making has fostered, and at times jeopardised, the formation of queer practices, subcultures, and forms of resistance. It asks what our decades-long quest to catalogue and understand nightlife spaces through photography and film can tell us about our various relationships with them, and how photography intersects with pleasure, politics, and protest. Free tickets are available online at leslielohman.org. For questions or access requests, please email info@leslielohman. org with 1 week advance of your visit.

EXPERIENCE

SOUTHERN DECADENCE

(SEPTEMBER 3-7, 2026) NEW ORLEANS, LA THIS LABOR DAY WEEKEND EXTRAVAGANZA IS A CORNERSTONE OF QUEER CULTURE IN NEW ORLEANS. The multi-day

event is often regarded as a combination of New Orleans Pride and Gay Mardi Gras, though with a bawdier, adultfocused twist. Southern Decadence attracts attendees from all over the world and encompasses street parties, concerts, club events, a parade, and much more. Southern Decadence is one of the largest LGBTQ+

celebrations in the United States. This annual festival takes place in New Orleans over Labor Day weekend, drawing thousands of revelers from around the world. The event began in 1972 as a small gathering of friends and has since evolved into a massive multi-day celebration featuring parades, parties, and live performances. The highlight of the festival is the Southern Decadence Parade, which winds through the historic French Quarter with extravagant costumes, themed floats, and high-energy music. Known for its vibrant and inclusive atmosphere, Southern Decadence is a must-experience event for anyone looking to embrace the spirit of New Orleans. For more, visit metrosource.com. METROSOURCE.COM

AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2026

Entrance to Mission Garden (photo courtesy of Visit Tucson)

Cacti flowers at sunset (photo courtesy of Visit Tucson)

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Chinese Chorizo wrapped in collard green (photo courtesy of MRNY)

TUCSON, ARIZONA WHERE YOU DON’T FIT IN; YOU STAND OUT AND STAND PROUD BY MARK THOMPSON

Feng-Feng Yeh of Chinese Chorizo Project (photo courtesy of MRNY)

“THESE ARE STORIES THAT CONFIRM HUMANS ARE GOOD PEOPLE,” says Feng-Feng Yeh of Chinese

Chorizo Project—and, at this point in human history, who isn’t seeking confirmation of goodness? A group of us are squeezed inside a tiny cooking demo kitchen not far from the Chinese Garden at Tucson’s Mission Garden. Located at the base of Tucson’s signature “A” Mountain (aka Sentinel Peak), the four-acre garden is an immersive outdoor museum that blooms on the site of the original Native American village of S-cuk Shon (pronounced “Chuk-shon”). Outside, the sun is shining with triple-digit intensity while scores of volunteers harvest and weed and prune heritage crops and heirloom trees. Already we’ve nibbled on Seville oranges, loquats, quince, fava beans, peas, and several edible plants—and now Yeh is preparing her signature Chinese chorizo wrapped in collard green sourced from the garden. In 2015, Tucson was designated as the first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in the United States. For 4,000 years, the fertile floodplain along the Santa Cruz River has been cultivated by the Indigenous, Mexican, European, Chinese, and African communities, all of whom have left their mark upon the cuisine of Tucson. In short, what you eat in Tucson is the result of millennia of gastronomic heritage. While Chinese chorizo might sound like a slip of the tongue, this Spanishstyle sausage made with Chinese spices is a culinary legacy of Tucson’s Chinese groceries and a symbol of cultural resilience. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, nearly 600 Chinese grocers served Tucson’s burgeoning population, providing credit and community for Mexican residents and their neighborhood restaurateurs. In the face of racist legislation such as the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, Chinese chorizo fostered a symbiotic solidarity amongst Tucson’s various ethnic populations. According to local folklore, Mexican restaurateurs would take down a patron’s order and then slip out the back door to the Chinese grocer where they would buy on credit so they could prepare the restaurant food. As Yeh attests, “My family is alive because of these groceries.” Tucson is located about 60 miles from the Mexican border and the state of Sonora, so it’s not surprising that the city proudly bears the title of America’s Best Mexican Food. After all, this is the town that made the Sonoran Dog METROSOURCE.COM

AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2026

the winner of a James Beard Award. Tucson’s signature street food is a griddle-crisp hot dog wrapped in bacon and slathered with pinto beans, chopped tomato and onion, mayonnaise, mustard, and salsa. Fresh seafood from the Sea of Cortez enables Tucson chefs to prepare bold ceviches, aguachiles, and mariscos. At Tito + Pep, the mesquite-flamed food is overseen by the James Beard semi-finalist, Chef John Martinez. If you feel inclined to add some mesquitegrilled shrimp to your vegan posole, you can wash it all down with a mezcal cocktail named for the Chiricahua hoodoos. In Barrio Hollywood, patrons line up outside Barista del Barrio for the mouth-watering breakfast burritos that started from a small coffee cart run by a single mother supporting two children. As we eat our way through Tucson’s neighborhoods, it’s clear that Mexican culinary influence is woven into nearly every aspect of food in Tucson; it’s the foundation from which every kitchen rises. The story of Tucson is one of collective power and community spirit. Due to its close proximity to the Mexican border, Tucson has been on the front line of the immigrant experience in the United States. As we wander into Barrio Viejo, one of Tucson’s most historic neighborhoods notable for its collection of Sonoran row houses, our guide Mauro reminisces about his extended family and the multicultural bonds that existed within the blue-collar community throughout the 20th century. Once home to numerous Chinese grocers, Barrio Viejo has undergone a 21st-century renaissance with the opening of numerous bars and restaurants and the upcoming redevelopment of the beloved Teatro Carmen. Diane Keaton kept a home in Barrio Viejo and it’s easy to see why she succumbed to the neighborhood’s low-key charms and historic character. Similarly, the neighborhood known as Menlo Park is home to Mercado San Agustin, Tucson’s first public market, and the Annex, an open-air plaza of 15 local businesses housed inside retrofitted shipping containers complete with A/C. According to Tony Ray Baker (aka The Gay Realtor), the Mercado District is in the process of becoming a quasi gayborhood, due to its centralized location and design-savvy homes interspersed with clever shops. In other words, every bougie gay’s dreamhood. As Baker states with

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Mural in Downtown Tucson, AZ (photo courtesy of MRNY)

Seis Kitchen restaurant at Mercado San Agustin (photo courtesy of Visit Tucson)

Mercado San Agustin Annex (photo courtesy of Ulises Escobar & Visit Tucson)

enthusiasm, “I’ve been in Tucson my entire life, and never have I been uncomfortable as a gay person in Tucson.” Indigenous people have lived in what is now known as Arizona for thousands of years, and many of these people have celebrated human sexuality and gender variance. It was the Tohono O’odham who used the term “wi:k’ovat” for males who acted, dressed, and behaved as female. This history of inclusion and acceptance has filtered down through the centuries, and in 1977, Tucson became one of the first municipalities in the States to pass anti-discrimination ordinances to protect sexual minorities. Tucson’s first queer bar opened in 1970 and when Tucson Pride was founded in 1977, it was the first Pride in the state of Arizona. At Galeria Mitoteria in South Tucson, co-owners Mel Dominguez and Melissa Brown-Dominguez have created a Latinx/ queer-owned gallery and community space that offers a safe place for queer and Latin artists to cultivate their creativity and celebrate their culture. After more than seven years in South Tucson, the two Mels have become youth mentors and an integral part of the evolving neighborhood. Similarly in Barrio Hollywood, Yōlia Botánica is a Mexican apothecary owned and operated by Lupita Tineo who was born in Sonora, Mexico. As a queer undocumented American for nearly 17 years, Lupita achieved legal status in 2019, whereupon she opened her botanica to assist others in the practice of ancestral spiritual healing traditions. Tucson’s tourism slogan is “Don’t Fit Right In”—because in Tucson, residents invite you to stand out and stand up for who you are. Tucsonans respect difference and expect it. In Tucson, it’s what’s original that matters. Instead of a reception desk to welcome us into our hotel, there’s a unicorn zebra—because in Tucson, you showcase your horn and wear your stripes with pride. As one local purveyor puts it, Tucson is The Underestimated City—and there’s no greater motivation for punching above your grade. Misfits and dreamers have been hugely influential throughout Tucson’s history, and as we tour through town on a Tucson Trolley Tour, we hear folklore about unsolved murders, eccentric philanthropists, stolen art, and Wyatt Earp. Back at the Hotel Congress which dates from 1919, we head into the Cup Café where the menu features John Dillinger on its METROSOURCE.COM

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Barrio Window (photo courtesy of Visit Tucson)

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Barrio Viejo (photo courtesy of MRNY)

Hotel Congress in downtown Tucson (photo courtesy of Steven Meckler & Visit Tucson)

Sculpture Park at Tucson Museum of Art (photo courtesy of MRNY)

cover. Dillinger and his gang were guests at the hotel when a fire broke out and caused their capture due to a suitcase stuffed with stolen cash. The University of Arizona was established in Tucson in 1885, partially as a consolation prize for losing the capital to Phoenix, but Tucson has had the last laugh as the university has become the center of Optics Valley (or Silicon Desert), notable for its optics technology and telescope research and the next generation of monolithic honeycomb mirrors. Equally groundbreaking for the university was the founding of the Center of Creative Photography (CCP) in 1975 by photographer Ansel Adams. Currently, the CCP holds more than eight million objects, including 270 archival collections from photographers such as Adams, Edward Weston, and Garry Winogrand. Notable for its spectacular sunsets and breathtaking landscapes, Tucson provides daily inspiration to its many artists, many of whom are featured at the Tucson Museum of Art. The museum’s permanent collection includes the works of Indigenous, Latin American, and Asian artists, as well as art of the American West. On another triple-digit afternoon, we wander the museum’s grounds which encompass a block of historic buildings from Tucson’s past. As we enter La Casa Cordova, an adobe home from the 1840s, we’re greeted by an immersive installation of a typical Tucson Chinese grocery store. Created by Feng-Feng Yeh and the Chinese Chorizo Project, Vivamos Siempre Como Hermanos is an homage to the many Chinese grocers and small businesses that contributed to the multicultural story of Tucson. As Yeh states with pride, “In Tucson, there’s a lot of trust, and a willingness to collaborate. There’s a lot of thoughtfulness here in Tucson.” The installation’s title Vivamos siempre como hermanos translates to “Let us always live as brothers”—and in Tucson, that utopian dream might be close to reality. ■ METROSOURCE.COM

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DAVID SEDARIS LITERARY ICON AND THE KING OF CRINGE

PAGE 18-23 : PHOTOS BY ANNE FISHBEIN

BY STEVE GOTTFRIED

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METROSOURCE.COM

AS A WRITER, I’VE ADMIRED DAVID SEDARIS FROM AFAR EVER SINCE HEARING A LIVE READING FROM ONE OF HIS EARLIEST SEMINAL ESSAYS SANTALAND DIARIES (CIRCA 1992) RECOUNTING HIS EXPERIENCE APPLYING FOR A JOB AS AN ELF AT MACY’S DURING THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY WHEN HE WAS IN HIS EARLY 30S. At a mere 5’5”, Sedaris was a shoo-

in for the job and despite the meager income it generated at the time, the story paid dividends beyond Sedaris’ wildest imagination, forming the foundation of a career that would go on to span decades. The essay (recorded for National Public Radio) is re-aired annually and has become a staple of the holiday season, much like the Charlie Brown Christmas and It’s a Wonderful Life. It catapulted Sedaris to the forefront of the literary scene as a wry humorist who could mine the humor out of mundane often soulcrushing experiences. Thirty-some years later, Sedaris is still at it, churning out collections of essays which routinely grace the New York Times bestseller list with head-scratching titles like A Carnival of Snackery and When You Are Engulfed in Flames turning the dross of quotidian minutiae into gold. Despite his low-key persona or perhaps because of it, Sedaris has emerged as a cultural icon, known for his unassuming manner and dry delivery. Back in the day, Sedaris was a frequent guest on David Letterman, bested only by his famously kooky sister Amy Sedaris best known for Strangers with Candy. He was awarded the prestigious Thurber Prize for American Humor in 2001 though he has groused [in jest I suppose] at being passed over for the illustrious Mark Twain Prize, though he certainly doesn’t want for fame or accolades. He has authored 13 books over the course of his career filled with enough biographical data to justify a university curriculum in Sedaris-ology. Through it all, his trademark humor has remained remarkably consistent. During our hour-long phone conversation (as he was being driven to his next live reading on a multi-city national speaking tour), I had a chance to speak with him about his latest book The Land and Its People, his creative process, some of his pet peeves (there are many), cancel culture, politics, his whimsical sense of fashion, Jesus’ teeth and whether or not there’s an afterlife. I just finished reading your book The Land and Its People and I particularly enjoyed the chapter where you talk about your relationship with your godson. Having no children of your own, you’ve really made an effort to

involve yourself in his life, sending gifts and offering advice, despite his seeming disinterest. You’ve tried to instill the importance of work ethic. Well, I had a job when I was his age. My parents made us all get jobs. But none of the people I know now who have kids have jobs. Or if they do, they’re just fake jobs. Like they’re consulting at a summer camp. It’s not a real job. They’re not putting on a McDonald’s uniform in the trenches, you know. It’s really important to have that experience, I think, because it gives you life-long empathy. In the chapter “Friends,” you and your friend Dan had a few jobs together, right? We sold popcorn, peanuts and drinks at the Dorton Arena [in North Carolina]. We had to

say “Popcorn, Peanuts, Ice Cold Drinks.” We had to yell that over and over and over again. Every job I got fired from, I just cried and cried. It seemed so unfair to me, even if I hated the job. It’s one thing to quit, that’s your idea. But being fired is their idea. I was fired once from a job as a bicycle messenger in San Francisco. I had just moved there so I didn’t know the streets. It was a different time; you had to have a map with you. If I just had another week, I swear I could’ve gotten it. Having authored some 13 books over the course of your career, it seems like you’ve excavated every aspect of your past, and yet you keep coming up with new material. Do you ever have a fear that you’ll run out of stories? I’ve been keeping a diary for 50 years. METROSOURCE.COM

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I’m always struck by the detail. Do you include that level of detail in your diary entries or is some of it from memory. Quite often I do. Especially if it’s something that I think might lead to something. If it’s something that feels special to me. My friend Austin told me recently that he went to a Mexican restaurant in the suburbs of Seattle and the waiter referred to him as Brotato Chip. Austin told me about Bro-tato Chip. And then I made it a point to write down the name of the restaurant we were at, and what we had ordered. And what he was wearing. Because I thought this might come in handy. Bro-tato Chip. I never thought it would get any worse than “Bro.” But apparently, it can. You’re very honest in your stories. And I think that’s what makes your writing so captivating. Are you as honest and direct in real life as you are in your writing? No, it’s pretty hard for me. Like if I were uncomfortable and someone asks me, are you uncomfortable. I would say, not at all. I wouldn’t want to hurt somebody’s feelings. Like if they said, do you think I look good in this jacket. I would never say… you look awful in that jacket. I mean, if it were my sister Amy or Hugh, I would. But when it comes to other people, I probably wouldn’t. It’s not a good quality. As a contributor to CBS Sunday Morning, I wondered what you think of the whole controversy with Bari Weiss and her allegiance to the Trump administration. A lot of people have suggested that I quit. I’m just not sure who that serves. I’m not even a big enough presence that anyone would even know that I quit. I don’t understand what she’s doing there. And I don’t understand why she’s messing with something that works. I don’t see the point in it. You talk about your mom in the chapter titled “Cool Mom” and the impact she had on your writing. I tend to be like my mother in that when I was a child, they’d go to the dry-cleaner and my mother would talk to everybody. So, she would have a conversation with the person at the dry-cleaner. And then you’d hear her talk about it later in the day, and you’d think oh, she made it more interesting than what it was. And then you’d hear her talk about it again, and then all of a sudden there was dialogue – things that she’d wished she’d said. You

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would hear her work a story over the course of a day until the end of the day it was all polished. I tend to do the same thing. So, I repeat myself a lot. Hugh [Sedaris’ boyfriend/husband] will say to me, you told that story 4 times already today. And I’m like, yeah, and I’m gonna tell it eight more times, so get used to it. How long does it take for you to workshop your material? Like for this book, how much did you read it in public before you said, okay this is ready to publish. There were things in the book that were read on stage 50 times at least. And they’re

rewritten like 16, 17, 18 times. There was something I rewrote from my last speaking tour that was about feeding crows. And I think I’m on the 18th draft. And so now, I’m ready to send it to my agent and have her send it to The New Yorker. Cause I’ve learned everything I can on my own. There’s nothing else I’m gonna learn without a professional. I like to do it that way. Do you get interesting feedback from The New Yorker? I get my best feedback from the audience. It’s not that we talk about it. I can read on stage for

I DON’T KNOW WHY, BUT I’VE ALWAYS HAD BOYFRIENDS WHO WERE SO MUCH BETTER LOOKING THAN ME.”

an hour and a half, and then I can sign books for you know, three hours. But no one’s going to mention anything I read on stage. It’s like that never happened. They’ll ask me questions, but not about that. Whether they laugh or they don’t laugh, or whether they make a sound, they go aww. Or they groan. So, they tell me that way. Or else they just check out. And I know they’ve checked out. I can feel it, you know. Then I think, okay, it gets boring here on the top of page four, I’ve gotta do something about that.

Do you have any favorite chapters from this current book? Yeah, I think that the essay “Good Year” about my friend Dawn. I like that. Because I think it’s really hard to write about friendship. And I think I really captured our friendship. I captured the love that I feel for her. We’ve never discussed whatever love she feels for me, but I think I captured that too. And I think so many people have a “Dawn” in their lives. I’ve had a lot of people come up and say that. “Oh, this is my Dawn.” That makes me feel good. That makes me feel like I connected with people. That I did my job.

I also really liked the chapter about your first boyfriend who was so good-looking and you felt self-conscious about the disparity. Can you talk a little about that? You mentioned that you’re still in touch with him. Yeah, I see him from time to time. I don’t know why, but I’ve always had boyfriends who were so much better looking than me. No one could ever believe we were together. And I don’t know why or how I’d get them. But you know, it does a number on you. I would want to accuse him of being shallow. But then I thought, wait a minute, aren’t I the shallow one? The one who METROSOURCE.COM

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has to be involved with a beautiful person. Doesn’t that make me shallow and not them? And you don’t want to admit that either. That doesn’t make you look good. Like, someone said to my current boyfriend [husband] Hugh, they said he was handsome and he’s like “Me? Really?” And I was like, oh c’mon, you hear that all the time. I think you can drop the act of being shocked by it. It would be the same as people saying to me that I’m funny. But Hugh has never weaponized his beauty. Whereas my ex-boyfriend did. And boy, that’s a powerful weapon, you know? How did you and Hugh meet? When I first moved to New York, I only knew one person. And she was doing odd jobs and hired me to paint an apartment. We needed a ladder, and she knew a guy who had a ladder. And it was Hugh. So we went to his apartment and borrowed a ladder from him. Did you hit it off pretty quickly? He was still seeing someone at the time, a French guy. For me, personally, when I saw him, I thought, oh, okay, that’s settled. He is going to be my boyfriend. That was October, and then we got together in February. I was not part of his breakup with the French guy. Hugh didn’t break up with him because of me or anything. They were in a long-distance relationship, and it wasn’t working out. So, when we met up in February, he was single by then. Because I didn’t want to break up anybody’s relationship. But it was all a part of my plan, you know. Hugh had no idea I’d been thinking he was my boyfriend for months. We hadn’t even seen or spoken to each other. When you say that was your plan, did you manifest it? There was a book that came out like 20 or 30 years ago. I can’t remember the name, but it was about wishing something into existence. Sometimes people will wish for something just for ten minutes. I’m talking about really investing in it. Like hours a day. I would get on my bike and fantasize about this life that I would have. How I would move to New York City, and I would live in another country and I would have this boyfriend and write books. I never asked anybody to give me a reading or read my writing. I always waited to be invited. So I didn’t go out of my way. I didn’t promote myself. Never anything like that. I just daydreamed, you know. Harder than anybody else.

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What do you think about cancel culture? There are a lot of people in the public eye who we really don’t hear from much anymore, like Rosanne Barr and Kevin Spacey and Woody Allen. Do you think that once people have been canceled there should be a statute of limitations to some extent where they’re allowed back in polite society. Well I have to say, that’s a problem, right? Let’s say, if Rosanne Barr were convicted of a crime. And then they said, okay you have to go to prison for six months. Then she’d be in prison for six months and she’d get out. She’ll have served her time. But the way we do it, you have to go away and we’ll decide when you can come back. I kind of like that Louis CK was told to go away. And he went away for close to 9 months, and then he’s like, okay, I’m coming back. And I really admire him for thinking, I’m sorry I’ve got a career here, this is what I do. What do you think of the whole looks-maxing phenomenon? It just makes me sad. If you’re young like that, you’re already good-looking. You know

what I mean? You’re wearing your youth. So why are you even bothering with all of this other shit. You already look amazing. But if it’s all about adding some volume to your cheekbones, it’s just sad to me. It’s like, what’re you worried about? You’re a kid. Worry about it 10, 20 years from now. Not when you’re already beautiful. Let’s talk about fashion. When you appear on talk shows, you seem to be fearless about your outfits. You have a very distinctive style. I love dressing up. You know, any excuse to dress up, I’ll dress up. It’s just fun for me. I’ve got a closet full of clothes, so I might as well wear them. I wake up in the morning and I lie in bed and think about what I’m going to wear to my desk. And I change clothes, sometimes four to five times a day. Because, like I said, I’ve got a lot of clothes, and I like swapping them out. I went on Bill Maher the other day and a friend of mine said I looked like I should’ve been hovering above a city in flames. I thought, that is exactly the look I was going for. Like a warlock. I like to dress now like I’m in a cult.

Switching to politics, how much of the current political climate occupies your daily thought. Do you focus on it a lot, or do you try to shut it out? I focus on it a lot, but at the same time I refuse to let it ruin my life. That’s a tricky balance. Well, it is. I know people whose lives have been ruined by it. The news is bad enough. I don’t need anybody winding me up. I don’t need it pointed so that I’m actually not just saddened and concerned and angry, but just constantly outraged. I don’t know who that serves. What did you think about the UFC cage match Trump hosted on the White House lawn as part of America’s 250th Anniversary? It was such a disgrace in my opinion. Such a total disgrace. And then when that guy got up there and said that Michelle Obama is a man. It’s just a complete degradation of everything. Which was what he wanted, so mission accomplished I suppose.

I went to that afterparty for Stephen Colbert’s last show, and there was a rumor that the Pope might be there. And several people thought I was the Pope because of what I was wearing. At first I was insulted. And then I thought, well no, the Pope’s my age, so it wasn’t an age thing. But I was wearing like a burlap skirt that came to my ankles with this white – I can’t even call it a jacket – it was a white kind of a thing over it. And then I had lots of these different layers hanging down. And the layers were alternately beige and white. So actually, then I thought well that’s great. If someone says, I thought you were the Pope, that speaks highly of your clothing I think. And I don’t want to make people uncomfortable. Like sometimes people think, oh, what are your pronouns? But it’s different. I don’t wear makeup. I don’t want to be a woman. I just want to wear what I want to wear. Do you get recognized a lot? I get stopped maybe four times a day. It’s not a hardship. It’s not like you go to a restaurant and people film you while you’re eating. It’s lovely. It doesn’t bother me the least bit.

You have some pet peeves. Oh I have a million of them. In the hotel that I’m staying in, they put little mats on the floor. It’s a marble floor. So the mats get caught on the door when you try to open the door. Or those skirt hangers they put in closets? They all fall onto the floor the second you try to take a regular hanger out. People doing shit on their phones and not having headphones on. That’s my number one thing that bothers me. And a lot of times, I’ll be at the airport and you see airport employees on their break and they’re watching a game and they don’t have headphones on. I was in the airport the other day, I passed a pile of dog shit on my way to the baggage claim. A pile of dog shit on the floor at the airport. I’ve seen that five times now. Because people have their little service dogs. They’re walking along, looking at their phone and the dog’s shitting on the floor and they don’t even realize it. People say, oh the French love their dogs. You don’t see dogs inside grocery stores and department stores in France the way you do here. In New York, they’re just absolutely everywhere. There’s an American way with dogs that I just can’t stand. I was talking to someone and I asked, do you have kids? And she said, I have dogs. She was just dead to me after that. She had a bunch of questions, but she was just dead to me. She was just a corpse. That’s such an insult to people with kids. It’s not the same thing. You

see dog mom. Number one Dog mom. I just hate all that shit. If you had a dinner party where you could invite anyone, who would you invite? Shirley Chisolm. I would want to hear her view on contemporary political life. She was such a dignified person. I think I already know what she’d say. But I’d like to hear it from her, in her voice. Anyone else? I supposed it would be Jesus. Because then the question would be like, what was your story? I don’t think he’s God’s son or anything like that. I’d ask, what was your adolescence like? Because you never hear about him when he was 12. Or say, did you ever have a pimple? What do you think Jesus’s teeth looked like. I mean really. I’d be really curious to see what Jesus’s teeth looked like. Do you believe in an afterlife? No. I feel like when you die, it’s just like turning a light off. I know people who think that our energy is so great, that it doesn’t dissipate. But I don’t think our energy is all that great. When a squirrel dies, it’s just curtains and that’s the end of the squirrel’s life. I don’t see any reason why we should be any different. I’ve heard that when fans write to you, you respond. Do you still do that? Yeah. I’ll get a sack of mail and I’ll answer it. And then I turn around and there’s another one. So then I started thinking, what if I just respond to interesting ones, or memorable ones. As it is now, I answer all my mail. Before I was writing professionally, I wrote to an author after reading a book I’d checked out from the library. She wrote me back and it just meant the world to me. It’s not hard to do. To my surprise, and I daresay delight, I received a handwritten postcard in the mail a few days after our phone call from Sedaris himself. It was an unexpected gesture even though he’d asked for my address at the end of the interview. It was not the perfunctory type of missive but included a few personal questions for me based on our conversation which gave it that personal touch, so rare in this digital age. ■ The Land and Its People is now available at booksellers nationwide. METROSOURCE.COM

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A QUEER WELLNESS PASSPORT

UNWINDING AT THE WORLD’S BEST LGBTQ-FRIENDLY SPAS

LIFESTYLE

HEALTH & WELLNESS

BY MICHAEL WESTMAN THERE IS A DISTINCT MAGIC IN PACKING A BAG, BOARDING A FLIGHT, AND LEAVING EVERYDAY NOISE BEHIND IN PURSUIT OF TOTAL BODY RESTORATION. As a gay traveler who has spent

years testing massage tables, mineral baths, and steam rooms across six continents, I have learned that true luxury isn’t just about highthread-count robes or champagne on arrival… it is about feeling completely seen, comfortable, and celebrated in your own skin. Whether you are looking for clothingoptional desert sanctuaries, serene island retreats, or geothermal volcanic sanctuaries, here is my curated guide to luxurious spa destinations for LGBTQ+ travelers.

THE SPA AT SÉC-HE & SANTIAGO RESORT PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, USA Vibe: High-desert relaxation, deep history, and effortless queer culture. Target Traveler: Solo gay travelers, couples, and groups of friends seeking sunshine and mineral healing. Palm Springs has long been the crown jewel of gay leisure in North America, but its wellness scene reached a whole new tier with the opening of The Spa at Séc-he. Owned by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, this 73,000-square-foot complex is built directly over hot mineral springs that have drawn healers for thousands of years. Signature treatments include Taking of the Waters (Sacred Mineral Bath): A 15-minute soak in private, untreated, warm geothermal spring water packed with trace minerals, followed by a custom deep-tissue massage; and Quartz Clay Detox Wrap: A localized desert clay body mask designed to draw out impurities before a soothing botanical oil finish.

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DESTINATION

BEST KNOWN FOR

Palm Springs, USA

Sacred mineral waters & desert sunshine

VIBE Relaxed, social, clothingoptional option nearby

LGBTQ+ HIGHLIGHT Men-only boutique resorts & historic gay haven

Palm Springs is inherently built for us. If you stay at the nearby Santiago Resort, a lush, boutique hotel catered exclusively to gay men, you can spend your morning soaking in a clothing-optional poolside paradise before stepping over to Séc-he for world-class bodywork. Every staff member is attuned to welcoming diverse guests without an ounce of pretense. The Spa at Séc-he 200 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262, USA (866) 777-3243 thespaatseche.com Santiago Resort 650 E San Lorenzo Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92264, USA (760) 322-1300 santiagoresort.com

Photos courtesy of the Spa at Séc-he

KAMALAYA WELLNESS SANCTUARY KOH SAMUI, THAILAND

Photos courtesy of Kamalaya Wellness

Vibe: Spiritual alignment, lush rainforest, and holistic Asian healing. Target Traveler: Wellness seekers, burnout recovery, queer couples on honeymoons or solo resets. Perched on a steep, jungle-covered hillside tumbling down to a private beach cove, Kamalaya is built around an ancient cave that once served as a place of meditation for Buddhist monks. Thailand is widely celebrated for its open-hearted culture and warm embrace of the LGBTQ+ community, making this sanctuary feel like an immediate warm hug. Kamalaya combines traditional Eastern healing arts with Western medical science to offer customized wellness programs. Common areas encourage a mindful digital detox, maintaining quiet spaces free from phone calls and screen distractions to foster deep mental rest. Signature treatments include Royal Thai Massage with Herbal Compresses: A rhythmic, joint-stretching session utilizing heated linen bundles filled with lemongrass, ginger, and turmeric to melt away tension; Chi Nei Tsang (Abdominal Massage): A specialized Taoist detox therapy focusing on the abdominal region to release held emotional stress and digestive stagnation; and Infrared & Herbal Steam Cavern: A steam session set inside a natural granite rock cavern surrounded by lush tropical ferns. Thailand leads Asia in progressive LGBTQ+ hospitality. Kamalaya welcomes many queer solo travelers, gay couples, and trans guests who seek holistic healing, fitness, or emotional detox programs. The atmosphere is completely non-judgmental, inclusive, and serene. Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary 102 9 Laem Set Road, Tambon Na-Muang, Koh Samui District, Surat Thani 84140, Thailand +66 (0) 77 429 800 res@kamalaya.com kamalaya.com

DESTINATION

BEST KNOWN FOR

Koh Samui, Thailand

Jungle steam caves & Thai bodywork

VIBE

LGBTQ+ HIGHLIGHT

Spiritual, holistic, deeply tranquil

Universal Thai warmth & high inclusivity

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LIFESTYLE

HEALTH & WELLNESS

MYCONIAN IMPERIAL & THALASSO SPA ELIA BEACH, MYKONOS, GREECE Vibe: Sun-drenched Mediterranean luxury, cliffside views, and vibrant queer beach energy. Target Traveler: Luxury lovers, gay couples, and social spa enthusiasts. Mykonos needs little introduction to gay travelers, but far from the partyheavy town lies Elia Beach, home to the Myconian Imperial Resort and its worldclass Thalasso Spa Center. Overlooking the turquoise waters of the Aegean, this sanctuary blends ancient Greek marine therapy with modern pampering. The property combines traditional Cycladic whitewashed architecture with ultra-modern luxury, but its centerpiece remains its dedicated Thalasso Spa Center. Thalassotherapy (derived from the Greek word thalassa, meaning sea) relies on the healing properties of ocean water, mineral-dense sea mud, and marine flora. Signature treatments include Thalassotherapy Pool Circuit: A heated saltwater pool sequence infused with ocean minerals designed to improve circulation and soothe joint pain; Greek Olive Oil & Sea Salt Scrub: A revitalizing full-body exfoliation using local Aegean sea salts and cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil; and Pro-Collagen Marine Facial: A hydrating facial utilizing seaweed extracts to counter the effects of the Mediterranean sun. Elia Beach is renowned as Mykonos’ principal gay-friendly beach strip. The hotel staff at the family-owned Myconian Collection are well-accustomed to hosting queer jet-setters, gay honeymooners, and LGBTQ+ groups with understated Mediterranean warmth. Myconian Imperial & Thalasso Spa Elia Beach, Mykonos 84600, Greece +30 22890 79500 imperial@myconiancollection.gr myconianimperial.gr

Photos courtesy of Myconian Imperial

DESTINATION

BEST KNOWN FOR

VIBE

LGBTQ+ HIGHLIGHT

Mykonos, Greece

Marine hydrotherapy & cliffside Aegean views

Upscale, social, glamourous

Famous gay beach access (Elia) & queer heritage

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THE RETREAT SPA AT BLUE LAGOON REYKJANES PENINSULA, ICELAND (NEAR REYKJAVIK) Vibe: Minimalist Nordic architecture, volcanic landscapes, and geothermal bliss. Target Traveler: Eco-conscious luxury travelers, couples, and cold-weather relaxation junkies. Carved directly into an 800-year-old lava field, The Retreat Spa at Blue Lagoon elevates Iceland’s geothermal bathing tradition into an architectural masterpiece. Iceland consistently ranks as one of the safest and most LGBTQ+-inclusive countries on Earth, making it a dream destination for travelers seeking total security and world-class luxury. The spa extends subterraneanly into the earth. It incorporates lava-carved steam caves, cold plunge wells, suspended nesting chairs overlooking the waters, and panoramic viewing decks facing the volcanic horizon. Signature treatments include The Blue Lagoon Ritual: A multi-step self-care journey performed in private lava chambers utilizing the lagoon’s core elements: mineral salt (scrub), silica (cleansing and radiance), and algae (nourishment and anti-aging); and In-Water Massage: Floating on a padded mat directly in the secluded, mineral-rich geothermal waters while wrapped in a light blanket and receiving a full-body deep-tissue massage. Iceland’s commitment to human rights and gender equality is embedded in its daily life. You can hold hands with your partner across the lava canyon, relax in gender-neutral or private changing suites, and enjoy seamless service without a single blink from the staff. The Retreat Spa at Blue Lagoon Norðurljósavegur 9, 240 Grindavík, Iceland +354 420 8700 retreat@bluelagoon.is bluelagoon.com Photos courtesy of Blue Lagoon

DESTINATION

BEST KNOWN FOR

VIBE

LGBTQ+ HIGHLIGHT

Grindavík, Iceland

Silica mud baths & in-water geothermal massage

Minimalist, ultraluxury, elemental

Top-ranked global LGBTQ+ safety & equality

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SAYANNA WELLNESS SPA AT EPIC SANA PRAIA DA FALÉSIA, ALBUFEIRA, PORTUGAL

LIFESTYLE

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Vibe: Pine forest tranquility, cliffside ocean vistas, and Scandinavian-style detoxing. Target Traveler: Wellness enthusiasts, gay couples, and beach-and-spa devotees. Portugal stands out as one of Europe’s most progressive destinations for LGBTQ+ travelers. Located on the red-cliffed coast of the Algarve, EPIC SANA’s Sayanna Wellness Spa spans 1,500 square meters of serene pine gardens overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The spa blends indoor luxury facilities with outdoor garden treatment spaces set among coastal pine trees overlooking the Atlantic cliffs, and features nine individual treatment rooms, a specialized Vichy shower room, and outdoor terraces, including and outdoor Couple’s Pavillion with private outdoor treatment tents with dedicated gardens, a private jacuzzi, and ocean views. The Spa is also equipped with a heated indoor hydrotherapy pool with water jets/waterfalls, a sauna, a Turkish bath (steam room), a jacuzzi, an ice fountain, and sensory showers. Signature treatments include Sayanna Ocean Escape Massage: An outdoor canopy treatment performed under the shade of coastal pine trees with the sound of the Atlantic waves crashing below; and Aromatherapy Detox & Body Wrap: A deep-drainage treatment using marine algae and lemon essential oils to boost lymphatic flow. Portugal consistently ranks at the top of the Rainbow Europe Index. The resort embraces all travelers with equal warmth, offering tailored couples’ packages, wellness retreats, and personal training without heteronormative assumptions. Sayanna Wellness Spa at EPIC SANA Av. Eng. Duarte Pacheco 15, 1070-100 Lisboa, Portugal +351 21 159 7390 info.algarve@sanahotels.com sanahotels.com/pt/hotel/epic-sana-lisboa/ sayanna-wellness-spa

Photos courtesy of Epic Sana Lisboa Hotel

DESTINATION

BEST KNOWN FOR

VIBE

LGBTQ+ HIGHLIGHT

Algarve, Portugal

Outdoor oceanfront massage & pine forest detox

Refreshing, coastal, refined

Highly progressive European country

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UPCOMING EVENTS

SCHEDULE 2026-2027 2026-2027 NOV 2026 Local restaurants, food trucks, and artists come together for an evening of music, food, and fun. Tuesdays from 5:30pm7:30pm. (NOV 3 - DEC 1)

NOV 2026

12th Annual Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival will fill the skies, and get up close for tethered rides and experiences. (NOV 20-22)

MAR 2027

The 11th Annual PRIDE celebration is three days of fun with live entertainment, music, food, and drinks featuring Saturday FESTIVAL and the famous BED RACE on Sunday. (MAR 12-14, 2027)

MORE INFORMATION

DISCOVERCATHEDRALCITY.COM

HEALTH & BEAUTY LIFESTYLE

REDEFINING CLEAN BEAUTY

INSIDE GUY VYBE,

THE LGBTQ-OWNED SKINCARE LINE TAILORED FOR QUEER CONFIDENCE BY EDITORIAL STAFF

AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2026

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FOR DECADES, THE SKINCARE INDUSTRY OFFERED QUEER MEN AND GENDER-EXPANSIVE INDIVIDUALS A FRUSTRATING CHOICE: hyper-

gendered, harsh drugstore products laden with synthetic scents and abrasive scrub particles, or overly complex luxury lines with staggering price markups. Enter Guy Vybe, a LGBTQ-owned, PETA-certified clean skincare brand rewriting the narrative on grooming. Built on transparency, vegan formulations, and a philosophy that demystifies skincare, Guy Vybe offers high-performance products crafted to support active, real-world skin without the corporate fluff. THE ORIGINS: BRIDGING THE GAP IN MEN’S SKINCARE Guy Vybe emerged out of a simple realization: while male and non-binary skin has subtle biological distinctions—such as being up to 20% thicker with higher sebum production and active pores—the fundamental need for clean, bio-available ingredients remains universal.

•

The “No & Never” Standard: Free from sulfates, parabens, phthalates, mineral oils, petroleum, synthetic fragrances, and PFAS “forever chemicals.” Bio-Availability: Formulated so active botanical ingredients penetrate efficiently without clogging pores or disrupting the natural skin barrier.

THE ESSENTIALS Whether you’re streamlining a multi-step routine or looking for everyday essentials, here is a breakdown of Guy Vybe’s standout lineup:

Rather than leaning on outdated tropes of hyper-masculinity or gimmick-heavy marketing, Guy Vybe was created to prioritize dermal health. The brand coined the term “Dermal Topics” to shift the conversation away from traditional “cosmetics” and focus on what actually interacts with the dermis and epidermis. CORE BRAND PILLARS • Clean & Cruelty-Free: Officially endorsed by PETA as 100% vegan and animal-test-free. • Transparent Pricing: By ditching traditional retail markups and selling direct-to-consumer, Guy Vybe provides medical-grade formulations at half the price of department store equivalents.

1. THE ORIGINAL FLUIDE SERUM (1 OZ / 30 ML) THE HOLY GRAIL MULTI-TASKER The hero product of the line, Fluide Serum was engineered to soothe inflammation, reduce redness, and restore balance to stressed skin. Packed with anti-pollution actives and free-radical fighters, this fluid serum works across all skin types—from dry and sensitive to acne-prone. • How to use: Apply 4 drops to clean skin after cleansing and before heavier moisturizers or SPF. • Why we love it: It acts as an efficacy booster for the rest of your routine without leaving a shiny or sticky residue. 2. ONE WASH FOAM CLEANSER FOR FACE THE DAILY CLEANSE WITHOUT THE STRIP Formulated specifically to tackle active pores, excess oil, and sweat from daily workouts without stripping essential lipids. Unlike harsh bar soaps or synthetic foaming agents, ONE WASH uses a gentle plant-derived formula that leaves the skin feeling clean, supple, and refreshed. • Key perk: 100% sulfate- and chloridefree, making it safe for daily morning and night use.

3. DAILY MOISTURE PLUS FACE MOISTURIZER WEIGHTLESS HYDRATION FOR DAILY WEAR Finding a face cream that provides deep hydration without creating excess shine by midday can be tricky. Daily Moisture Plus delivers a balance of lightweight hydration using skin-identical lipids that absorb quickly. It’s ideal for post-shave soothing or under sunscreen. • Best for: Anyone seeking non-comedogenic daily moisture that won’t clog pores. 4. KISSABLE LIPS LIP REPAIR TREATMENT & PROTECT STICK THE ULTIMATE LIP CARE DUO Lips have thinner skin than the rest of the face and lack oil glands, making them susceptible to environmental wear. • Kissable Lips Protect Stick ($4.99): A pocket-sized, smooth-gliding stick for daytime nourishment. • Kissable Lips Lip Repair Treatment ($12.99): An intensive, rich lip treatment formulated to heal chapped, dry lips overnight. WHY GUY VYBE DESERVES A SPOT ON YOUR VANITY Guy Vybe represents an evolving shift in queer-owned beauty: moving beyond basic pride-themed packaging toward thoughtful, high-performance skincare made by the community, for the community. By combining clean science, ethical production, and accessible pricing, it proves that caring for your skin can be straightforward, effective, and unpretentious. ■

Visit guyvybe.com for products and more information. METROSOURCE.COM

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TIPS FOR A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR MONEY BY JENNIFER DAY

AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2026

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

demonstrated a clear correlation between stress about money and poor physical and psychological health. If we add general economic volatility, wage disparities, and rising costs of living into the mix, financial stress can feel almost unavoidable. Recent research from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation highlights the ongoing financial disparities impacting our community. HRC reports that full-time LGBTQ+ workers typically earn roughly 90 cents for every dollar earned by the typical worker, with the gap widening significantly for trans men (70 cents), trans women (60 cents), and LGBTQ+ women of color. Furthermore, systemic issues like workplace discrimination mean about 20% of LGBTQ+ adults live in poverty—nearly double the rate of non-LGBTQ+ peers. These structural hurdles make building a healthy financial cushion both more challenging and more vital for our overall wellness.

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 as well.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 chronic anxiety about bills or debt, can trigger a bump in cortisol, which increases appetite. There’s also evidence that stress alters food preferences, prompting us to reach for high-fat and high-sugar comfort foods. Indulging in these regularly can lead to weight gain and physical health problems like obesity and Type 2 diabetes, creating a difficult, unvirtuous cycle.

MONEY STIRS UP ALL KINDS OF EMOTIONS.

SOME EXERCISES TO GET YOU STARTED.

Financial education is often touted as the ultimate solution for managing money, but financial coaches and therapists say education is only one piece of the puzzle. The more anxious someone feels about money, the less likely they are to engage with it. Many people who feel deeply anxious about their finances cope through avoidance. Unfortunately, avoiding bank accounts or unpaid bills only compounds the anxiety, strengthening the urge to look away. Because of this emotional block, telling someone who is stressed to immediately start tracking every cent or draft a rigid budget can be a tall order. Instead, start with small, manageable steps toward regaining control over your finances.

While the emotional brain often wants to take the driver’s seat, naming those feelings allows you to set them aside and appeal to your rational self. This shift empowers you to make clearer, more intentional choices about your money— and about life in general. Remember that small daily choices add up, whether it’s regarding spending habits, nutrition, or self-care. Every dollar really does make a difference, and best of all, you hold the power to control those choices. So, while it is human nature to stress about career paths, financial goals, and the unknown, try this simple advice I give to myself: Take small, intentional steps to build your credit, lower your debt, and prioritize saving where you can. We can reap the rewards both physically and mentally and look forward to a brighter, more secure future.

BE RATIONAL AND TRAIN YOUR BRAIN.

Because dealing with money—or avoiding it—is heavily fraught with emotion, therapists suggest the first step is simply acknowledging that emotional component. The goal is to recognize the emotional side of the brain and gently shift focus toward executive functioning and rational decision-making. Changing habits isn’t easy, and shifting your mindset can be even harder. But building a healthy, grounded relationship with money is better for your mind and body—and ultimately, better for your wallet too.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, health, mental health, or financial advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional, mental health provider, or certified financial planner for advice specific to your personal health and financial situation. ■ METROSOURCE.COM

AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2026

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INJUSTICE DELAYED

REDLINING PUTS EMPOWERMENT ON THE MAP BY KEVIN PERRY

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NO MATTER HOW STRONG, SMART, OR SUCCESSFUL WE BECOME, THERE’S ALWAYS THAT QUIRKY, QUEER KID WITHIN QUIVERING AT THE BIG, BAD WORLD TOWERING OVER OUR HEADS. Society

wants to convince us that we’re just funny or just artsy or just weird, but here’s the truth: we’re just everything. “As a gay man, you get limited,” assesses Jason Stuart, creator and star of the groundbreaking new short film Redlining. “People think of you as limited. And I’m anything but.” Indeed, Stuart is a mega-accomplished actor, writer, director and comedian with hundreds of credits to his name. Check him out on IMDb and bring a sherpa to navigate his mountain of mentions. But he wasn’t always so confident. “I’m dyslexic and I was browbeaten and bullied as a kid for being gay and a little bit for being Jewish. And I would go into the theater, and I could see a movie or watch something on television or see a play and see something in a completely different light. I could see a story, and that was my education. So, the idea that somebody goes in this room and doesn’t know about redlining and doesn’t know about generational wealth. This is a big, big subject matter, redlining, but it’s a very small story about two families.” The narrative spans 40 years in the lives of neighbors who must maneuver the racist realities of redlining, a discriminatory method of denying marginalized communities the ability to build and keep a home. “I wanted a quiet film. And I wanted to film in the style of Terrence Malick,” Stuart explains. “I’m a talker and nobody talks in this film very much… I feel like I’m watching somebody else. This character is not like me at all.” The multitalented filmmaker discovered that once he closed his mouth, he opened his consciousness. “What my job is is to take my shoes off, put on the shoes of my Black siblings, and shut up and listen. It’s not my place to give my opinion. Because it’s not my experience.” Stuart tapped into the universal injustices we all face, crafting a tale of two star-crossed men who pit a bigoted system against itself to carve out their life together. “I wrote the film originally myself, and I did a reading of it with my friend Lee Garlington, and I thought, ‘What can I do to make this better?’ Because she’s a wonderful writer, as much as she’s such a prolific actress. She’s been in over, God knows, 200 films and TV shows... And she said, ‘Look, I’ll write it with you.’” METROSOURCE.COM

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“OBVIOUSLY, WE HAD A TIMELINE THAT WE HAD TO STICK TO, AND WE GOT IT SHOT. I HAVE TO GIVE CREDIT TO JASON, AND I’M NOT JUST SAYING IT BECAUSE HE IS MY FRIEND. I TRULY THINK HE HAS A GREAT MIND… I WAS SKEPTICAL BECAUSE I THOUGHT, ‘THESE THINGS TAKE FOREVER.’ I MEAN, I’VE BEEN WORKING ON PROJECTS FOR YEARS THAT HAVEN’T HAPPENED.” 38

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Once their script was rock solid, it was time to cast the film. In classic Jason Stuart fashion, he hands this interviewer his phone and casually invites me to chat with Baywatch legend Alexandra Paul. Though I was woefully unprepared, she disarmed and dazzled in our brief, exclusive conversation. “I always like to do homework on characters, and she was interesting because she ages and I’m actually taking care of my mother, who’s 90. So, when Jason said, ‘I want you to play her when she’s in her 80s,’ I’m like, well, first I was concerned because I was worried the makeup would look cheesy.” But cheese was not on the menu, thanks to the brilliant makeup work of Amy Lederman. She allowed the actors to truly become their characters, losing themselves behind a tableau of seamless cosmetic effects. Ms. Paul was able to focus on the deeper themes of the film, commenting, “Most of white people’s wealth comes from homes that they inherited from their families. So Black people didn’t get that opportunity because of redlining, and it’s one of the reasons that there is an income disparity in our country now. All those people like Trump who say, ‘Whoa, you should pull yourself up by your bootstraps and yada, yada,’ it’s like, okay, yeah, well, their bootstraps were cut and they couldn’t even pull on them.” As our chat winds to a close, she can’t help but share her endless admiration for Stuart. “Jason being such a close, close friend of mine, we know each other so well that actually I felt very comfortable with him and so I was able to connect with him immediately. It was really about my love for Jason. That was able to inform the mother character, even though he’s older than me, by the way. And also, he’s a wonderful director because he’s an actor, so he knows how to speak to actors, and he cares about motivation and moment.” From the next room, Stuart interjects playfully that he’s not older. Their dynamic is sibling-rivalry-esque, which makes their onscreen chemistry so compelling, and it all reaches a fever pitch of emotion in the mother/son deathbed scene. “During my close up, she was in complete tears, she couldn’t even talk. She was in such tears and during her close up, I was in ugly tears. And if we used it, it would have been just way too self-indulgent. So, I used the other angles to show we were there for each other. Right? It worked better. The tears were there, but not in the same way, yeah. Not like a faucet.” METROSOURCE.COM

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Stuart coins a phrase for the maudlin, overdramatic thespian theatrics he avoids. “I love that you can’t see the acting. There’s no schmackting.” Schlove it! Even though the subject matter may be heavy, the creative team found the silver lining in Redlining. Despite the government’s best efforts to keep folks down, they rise up by fudging their paperwork and finding gay romance in the deep south. As Stuart describes it: “Everybody grows an inch or two in this quiet story of people who are not telling everybody everything they do.” Kareem Ferguson triumphs in the role of Stuart’s lifelong love interest, and the actor brought his real-life partner into the crew as lead hairstylist. “Kareem actually got his husband, Dennis Bailey, who’s nominated for an Emmy for Fallout,” narrates Stuart. “Susan Hopper did our sets, and she redid that house for four different decades, just by changing little things... I don’t know what to say about Shon LeBlanc - he had two and three outfits for every person. He had extra clothes. What is he doing? That’s just too much. But he was right. He was so prepared. Just wonderful. So, I had an incredible team of people.” Striking a hushed, reverent tone, Stuart continues, “Billy, who was my editor and my DP [director of photography], Billy Clift, a filmmaker in his own right. He said, ‘Yeah, this is great and it’s just intimate.” His shout-outs reach a crescendo as he turns his attention and affection to Redlining producer Steve Campbell. “Steve, for me, was my right-hand man,” beams Stuart. “When things didn’t work out, I could go to him, and he was terrific that way… He was indispensable. And he’s my friend, and I love him. He was there to hold my hand quite a bit. Because there were a lot of people, and a lot of personalities, and a lot of stuff to do in a very short amount of time. It was only a three-day shoot. But we rehearsed for one day with the company… Steve was very instrumental in helping me organize all of that.” Campbell felt the urgency to bring Stuart’s vision to vibrant life. “Obviously, we had a timeline that we had to stick to, and we got it shot. I have to give credit to Jason, and I’m not just saying it because he is my friend. I truly think he has a great mind… I was skeptical because I thought, ‘These things take forever.’ I mean, I’ve been working on projects for years that haven’t happened.”

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But failure wasn’t feasible once Campbell got hooked on the project. “When I read the script, I just thought it was so beautiful, and I related to it,” recounts the producer. “The story is important, and I think anyone that’s had any kind of adversity should be able to relate to it.” While Stuart was in the weeds as director and star, Campbell was able to provide a big picture perspective. “When it’s a short film, you’ve got to get the point across quickly,” he argues. “Give people a chance, make everything fair. I believe in that.” The proof is in the production. Campbell compares Redlining to one of the great gay filmmakers of all time. “It makes me kind of think of Todd Haynes, you know, that kind of feel.” Well said, well earned. Stuart is unveiling his opus at events ranging from the Hip Hop Film Festival in New York to Cinema Diverse in Palm Springs. The fact that queer audiences and Black audiences share a voracious appetite for Redlining speaks to both its universality and authenticity. But for Stuart, the bottom line is entertainment. He’s positively giddy over the reaction he received at his first screening. “People were there for two and a half hours after it. It was a school night… That was my first sign.” And it won’t be the last. Redlining is poised to take awards season by storm, but Stuart refuses to take himself too seriously. He’s headlining a standup show at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs, noting: “Stephanie Hodge from The Comeback and my friend Ethan Herschenfeld will be my special guest comedians on September 18.” But the true star of the show will be Stuart’s real-life mom. “There’ll be more antics about my mother and her newfound stardom in the AT&T commercial that we’re in together. She actually said, ‘If they used me more in the commercial, people would like it better.’” He is a whirlwind, he is a wit, he is a wonder, but when asked for a final comment to tie together all of his fabulous philosophies, Jason Stuart grows contemplative. After an earnest pause, he says simply yet profoundly, “Remember where we came from.” History is written in the margins. We can’t be erased, we can’t be silenced, and we can’t be wiped off the map. Redlining reminds us that every time they try to eradicate us, they only succeed in empowering us. Our bonds are stronger than their boundaries. Catch Redlining at a film festival near you! Screening soon in New York, San Francisco, Tarzana, Hollywood, Palm Springs, and more. For tickets and details visit JasonStuart.com/Redlining. ■ METROSOURCE.COM

AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2026

SEPTEMBER 4TH When a lifelong bigot says they’re not racist, it’s as believable as when your ‘straight’ buddy claims “I’m not gay” while prying open all of his orifices simultaneously (and seductively). So, pardon the heck out of us if we’re not buying Marky Mark Wahlberg’s progressive potboiler By Any Means. This throwback thriller involves a 1960s mobster who helps a beleaguered Black FBI agent played by the sublime Yahya Abdul-Mateen II - as he investigates the murders of several civil rights activists. The plot sounds promising, but casting Mark “Daddy’s Home 2” Wahlberg makes the film as fake as Marky’s prosthetic nose. S’not for us, thanks. Things don’t go swimmingly for The Girl in the River. In other words: she’s dead. Small town law enforcers chase a big time criminal, but they just can’t seem to bring him in. We

MOVIES ARE SO GAY!

WITCHES AND ZOMBIES AND SEPTEMBER RELEASES, OH MY! BY KEVIN PERRY LABOR DAY IS A TIME FOR REFLECTION, REBIRTH, AND RIGHTEOUS POOL PARTIES. IT MIGHT BE YOUR LAST CHANCE THIS YEAR TO WHIP OUT THOSE SWIM TRUNKS AND SIMMER IN QUEER CAMARADERIE AND COMMUNAL COCOA BUTTER. OR YOU COULD SKIP THE NOROVIRUS BUFFET AND HEAD TO THE CINEMA INSTEAD!

Air conditioning awaits! Silky popcorn aromas beckon you to ditch your diet! And they also have films! Sure, this month’s movie menu is a mixed bag of meh, but remember all that stuff we said about A/C and popcorn? Focus on those perks and get your sweet behind to the theater… just remember to sit on a towel if you’re coming from an aforementioned pool party. Lights, camera, adequacy!

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know this because of the movie’s utterly cliched trailer, in which characters breathlessly and redundantly warn, “He’s out there!” and “He’s still out there!” and “What are you doing in here? He’s out there!” So, maybe it’s safer to avoid this theatrical release and wait for streaming instead. After all, HE’S OUT THERE! Which leads us to the most promising premiere of the weekend: Onslaught. It’s a feel-good yarn about a mega-awesome mother protecting her daughter from a squad of Nazi-esque assailants. Sounds like a preview of this year’s midterm election! So, vote like hell in November and check out Onslaught in the meantime.

SEPTEMBER 11TH We’ve been drinking midnight margaritas in anticipation of Practical Magic 2 and now it’s finally here! Please ignore the fact that we’ve imbibed 28 years’ worth of late-night booze, because that’s how long it took for this bewitching sequel to rise from the dead. You owe us a new liver, Warner Bros! The Owens sisters are back and they’re bringing sass, class and ass to PM2 - most notably, they splay a naked hunk on their kitchen counter in hopes of ‘resurrecting’ him, but they have trouble finding unmarked flesh on his tattooed bod. Oh well, they can always grab his magic wand! Penile references aside, the cast is abraca-awesome, so we’ll steer our brooms to the nearest multiplex. In other movie news: yikes. The Fix tells the tale of a troop of disillusioned Afghanistan vets who decide to infiltrate Tehran and steal 25 million dollars. Because things are so peachy in Iran? Runner stars professional boner-maker Alan Ritchson (rawr) as a courier trying to deliver a liver (hey, that rhymes) to a dying little girl… until black market profiteers hijack his mission. And The Uprising is about a bratty king who taxes his people to their breaking point. Sensing a pattern here? Even in the face of abject human suffering, there are always a-holes attempting to exploit the situation. Humans kinda suck…

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SEPTEMBER 18TH …That’s why we prefer cuddly cartoon creatures! Aardman Animations presents Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom… NGL, we totally thought the title said ‘Bossy Bottom’ at first blush. Cheeky indeed! Packed with sight gags, subtle humor, and savagely cute characters, this sequel depicts Shaun as a Dr. Frankenstein type who accidentally unleashes a furry monster on the public kinda like that time you brought your drunk bear friend to a dinner party. Bad Shaun! We’ve heard of mad cows, but mad-scientist sheep? EWE gotta be kidding! Zach Cregger effed our brains last year with his Oscar-winning horror hit Weapons, so we’re ghoulishly excited for his reboot of Resident Evil. A hapless medical worker drives a donated organ into the snowy wasteland for a few extra bucks. Don’t judge - you’ve made worse decisions while trying to get your hands on an organ. But surprise! The area is lousy with mutant zombie thingies. Atmospheric, suspenseful, clever… and that’s just the trailer! We can’t wait for the full, freaky flesh-feast.

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Desperation is a common thread tying several of this month’s releases together. Thanks, economy! Filmmakers are inspired to harken back to the Great Depression to create movies like The Weight, a harrowing misadventure about a group of downtrodden men duped into transporting gold through unforgiving terrain. There’s a lot of brooding and bare-knuckle fighting, but we’re most excited for the rickety rope-bridge scene that reminds us of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Wheee! Depression over!

SEPTEMBER 25TH Oops, spoke too soon. Our depression is back with a vengeance, courtesy of this week’s bleak blockbusters. Heart of the Beast stars hunky Brad Pitt and his even more adorbsies co-star: a German Shepherd. Sounds sweet, right? Wrong. They both have PTSD. Oh, and to add the icing on the s*** cake, they crash land in Alaska and have to fight for survival. Did we mention the dog has a prosthetic paw and teeth due to past abuse? Damn, what else is in theaters? Primetime charts the rise of one of tv’s biggest success stories. This could be promising! Wait, it’s about Chris Hansen and To Catch a Predator. What are you doing to us, Hollywood?!? It’s hard to believe that the true story of a suicidal daredevil would be the cheery pickme-up of this week’s offerings, but The Stunt Driver delivers offbeat charm by the mile. Ken Carter attempts to jump the St. Lawrence River in a rocket-powered Lincoln Continental that keeps exploding in trials. But that doesn’t stop Carter from racing forward and running his mouth to anyone who doubts him… which is everyone, basically. Will this lovable loser beat the odds and best his rival, Evel Knievel? Don’t hold your breath. Oy, is there any end to the ennui? Why, yes! Yes, there is. But the full title of our final film is longer than the armpit hair at Lilith Fair. Here goes – You Had To Be There: How the Toronto GODSPELL Ignited the Comedy Revolution, Spread Love & Overalls, and Created a Community That Changed the World (In a Canadian Kind of Way). Inhale! It’s astounding that one production could launch the luminary careers of Gilda Radner, Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Dave Thomas, Jayne Eastwood, Victor Garber and Paul Shaffer. Inhale again! This documentary uses interviews from several of the aforementioned legends as well as icons like Mike Myers, Lin-Manuel Miranda and the eternally amazing Catherine O’Hara to chart how the stage smash hit spawned talent that would make Saturday Night Live and Schitt’s Creek possible. Oh, Canada - adopt us, please! While we wait patiently for our neighbor to the north to take us under its poutine wings, we’ll stay vigilant, stay entertained, and stay way gay. Toodles! METROSOURCE.COM

AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2026

LIFESTYLE

HEALTH & WELLNESS

EVERY AUGUST, NATIONAL WELLNESS MONTH SERVES AS AN ANNUAL INVITATION TO PAUSE, EVALUATE OUR DAILY HABITS, AND REALIGN WITH PRACTICES THAT SUPPORT OUR PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND MENTAL HEALTH. For the LGBTQ+ community, however, “well-

ness” cannot simply be reduced to trendy juice cleanses, luxury spa visits, or generic self-care mantras. Historically, queer and trans individuals have had to navigate systemic discrimination, minority stress, healthcare disparities, and social isolation. True wellness for the LGBTQ+ community is an act of radical self-preservation, community care, and body autonomy. It is the active reclamation of peace in a world that frequently demands vigilance. To move from survival mode into genuine thriving, we must examine how the core pillars of health—physical vitality, mental and emotional resilience, and daily intentional habits—intersect specifically with the queer experience.

STAYING HEALTHY DURING NATIONAL WELLNESS MONTH AND BEYOND BY EDITORIAL STAFF

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PHYSICAL HEALTH Physical wellness within the LGBTQ+ community extends far beyond standard fitness metrics. It begins with repairing our relationship with our own bodies. • Overcoming Healthcare Avoidance: According to public health data, LGBTQ+ individuals are significantly more likely to delay or forgo medical care due to fears of discrimination, misgendering, or provider incompetence. Reclaiming physical health requires actively building a team of culturally competent, LGBTQ-affirming healthcare providers—from primary care physicians and endocrinologists to dentists and gynecologists. • Somatic Trust and Body Autonomy: Transgender, non-binary, and gender-expansive individuals often experience gender dysphoria or somatic disconnection. Physical wellness involves practices that foster somatic trust—listening to physical cues, honoring fatigue, and engaging in movement that feels liberating rather than punitive. • Joyful Movement over Aesthetic Conformity: Fitness spaces, particularly mainstream gyms, can feel hyper-gendered and intimidating. Transitioning from aesthetic-driven exercise toward “joyful movement”—such as queer dance collectives, bouldering groups, hiking clubs, or trauma-informed yoga—allows physical activity to become a source of empowerment and community rather than anxiety. • Cardiovascular and Metabolic Resilience: Chronic exposure to minority stress maintains elevated cortisol levels, which directly increases risks for cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and metabolic dysregulation. Prioritizing nutrientdense foods, metabolic health, and restful sleep is essential for counteracting the physical wear and tear of systemic stress.

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AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2026

LIFESTYLE

HEALTH & WELLNESS

MENTAL & EMOTIONAL HEALTH

Mental health disparities within the LGBTQ+ population are well-documented. According to the CDC, the gay and lesbian community experiences mental health conditions at more than twice the rate of heterosexual adults, while transgender individuals are nearly four times as likely to experience clinical depression or anxiety compared to cisgender peers. • Deconstructing Minority Stress: Formulated by Dr. Ilan Meyer, Minority Stress Theory demonstrates that sexual and gender minorities experience chronic, unique psychological stress resulting from prejudice, discrimination, and internalized stigma. Unpacking this stress requires identifying when hyper-vigilance is operating and consciously creating spaces where safety is guaranteed. • Cultivating Chosen Family: Relational health is vital for emotional well-being. Chosen family—networks of friends, mentors, and partners who offer unconditional affirmation act as a crucial buffer against familial rejection or broader societal hostility. • Accessing Affirming Therapy: Navigating trauma, identity integration, and coming out requires mental health support that is not merely “tolerant,” but deeply knowledgeable about queer dynamics, non-monogamy, gender transition, and intersectionality.

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HABITS & ROUTINES When living under persistent stress, human brains default to survival coping mechanisms such as emotional eating, isolation, or substance reliance. National Wellness Month serves as a catalyst to audit these habits and install intentional daily routines. • Redefining Nightlife and Socialization: Historically, bars and clubs were among the few safe places for LGBTQ+ people to gather. Consequently, substance use rates are disproportionately higher in the queer community. Healthy habit formation involves diversifying social rituals to include soberfriendly spaces, morning coffee meetups, arts groups, and athletic clubs. • Boundary Hygiene: Setting clear emotional, professional, and digital boundaries is vital to preserving energy reserves and preventing burnout.

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FIVE ACTIONABLE STRATEGIES To move these concepts into actionable daily practice, here are some strategies to consider implementing for managing stress and establishing sustainable wellness habits.

STRATEGY

LIFESTYLE

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Somatic Nervous System Reset Boundaries & Energy Budgeting

Community & Sober Connection

Sleep & Circadian Anchoring

Affirming Healthcare Audit

FOCUS AREA

IMMEDIATE ACTION STEP

LONG-TERM WELLNESS BENEFIT

Physical & Mental

Practice 4-7-8 breathing or physiological sighs for 3 minutes twice daily.

Lowers baseline cortisol, regulates heart rate variability, and interrupts hyper-vigilance.

Emotional Health

Audit your weekly commitments; identify two energy drains and say “no” or delegate.

Prevents emotional burnout and preserves capacity for meaningful relationships and rest.

Habit Formation

Replace one alcohol-centric social event per week with a nature walk, creative meetup, or tea date.

Reduces reliance on substances while building deeper, authentic social connections.

Physical Health

Get 10–15 minutes of natural morning sunlight within 30 minutes of waking; set a fixed sleep schedule.

Optimizes hormonal balance, improves mood stabilization, and enhances immune function.

Health Systems

Research and schedule a consultation with an LGBTQ-affirming health provider or clinic.

Eliminates medical avoidance and ensures preventive care is received in a safe environment.

National Wellness Month provides a valuable moment to reflect, reset, and reestablish our personal health goals. However, queer wellness cannot end when the calendar turns to September. By building daily somatic habits, establishing clear boundaries, curating affirming healthcare networks, and taking time to recharge in restorative environments, we invest in our personal longevity and collective resilience. Reclaiming our health is one of the most powerful statements of self-love and liberation available to us. Prioritize your peace, nourish your body, honor your journey, and remember: your wellness is essential.

DISCLAIMER: This article is provided for informational and discussion purposes only and is not intended as medical, psychological, or healthcare advice. The content is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, mental health concern, or before starting any new exercise, diet, or wellness routine.

AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2026

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