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42 DESIGNING WOMAN
Kathy Anderson’s Eklektik Interiors helps clients bring their personal design aesthetic to life
48 ‘JAGGED LITTLE PILL’
Nonbinary actor Jade McLeod portrays a queer character in the rock musical’s national touring production
54 A 1980’s MEMOIR
Historian JD Doyle’s new book chronicles his epic 1981 road trip
44 SELFLESS LEADER
Onjheney Warren speaks out for full access to sexual health care
50 SUMMER CHILLS AT THE ALLEY
A beloved Agatha Christie murder mystery gets a fresh adaptation
58 COVER STORY JAZELL BARBIE ROYALE
Houston’s multi-crown and title holder is busy producing a new dance single
46
EXPANDING ON THE BEER BINARY
Hannah Schaible celebrates craft beer and community at Frost Town Brewing
52 KING OF HEARTS
Director Matthew López debuts a steamy gay romance story on Amazon Prime
82 WIGGING OUT
Queen Persephone rules the stage as both a performer and producer
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Lesbians
16 NEWS
Two teachers fired after attending a drag show; Tracking the nation’s transgender and intersex populations is still a challenge ( p. 20)
22 OPINION
Ryan M. Leach ponders his vivid childhood Barbie memories
26 SMART HEALTH
31 MONEY SMART
35 L EFT OUT
58 MUSIC
Pride Chorus Houston has a new director ( p. 60); DaddyPrincess uses their alt-pop platform to champion gender-nonconforming fans ( p. 62); Man on Man’s Roddy Bottum and Joey Holman reflect on their second album ( p. 64 ); Pink Elephant Pop-Outs will give LGBTQ hip-hop artists a local monthly showcase ( p. 66)
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O ut S mart is published monthly. Estimated readership in Houston and surrounding areas is 60,000. OutSmart Media Company is not responsible for claims and practices of advertisers. The opinions and views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the staff or management of O ut S mart Inclusion in O ut S mart does not imply sexual orientation. ©2023 by OutSmart Media Company. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. Unsolicited material is accepted. No manuscript returned without SASE.
Welcome to O utSmart magazine’s annual Music Issue, which this year celebrates five remarkable musical artists who are challenging gender norms and reaffirming music’s power to inspire us to overcome adversity.
Our cover story profiles Jazell Barbie Royale, Houston’s own multi-crown and title holder known for her elegance and vocal prowess. Her journey—which included a successful appearance on Queens of the Universe Season 2—testifies to the need for fearless self-expression in the face of rigid societal expectations.
Next, we catch up with Jade McLeod, a nonbinary actor who is in town next month for the touring production of Jagged
Little Pill, a rock musical inspired by the music of Canadian rock icon Alanis Morissette. And don’t miss our profiles on three other talented local musicians: Pride Chorus Houston’s new director, David York; alt-pop composer and producer DaddyPrincess; and hiphop musician and producer Japan, whose Pink Elephant Pop-Out events should become a popular showcase for promising queer hip-hop talent.
Our focus on nonbinary issues this month also includes commentary by columnist Daryl Shorter, MD, who explores our evolving understanding of gender diversity and our ingrained attitudes about gender norms. Shorter’s observation that ancient societies actually celebrated nonbinary expression is both hopeful and empowering. Perhaps we are moving past the days when the toxic adage “Real men don’t cry” was internalized
and passed on to each successive generation.
We also visit with trailblazing Houston entrepreneur Hannah Schaible, the nonbinary cofounder at Frost Town Brewing. This craft-beer evangelist has created a radically inclusive environment at the downtown brewery—and attracted a few social-media trolls who take issue with “the liberals in the beer world” who list their pronouns in their bios. To those potential customers who have an unfounded fear of pronouns, Schaible simply says, “It’s OK, you’ll be fine.”
Local historian and archivist extraordinaire JD Doyle fills us in on his newly published memoir entitled 1981—My Gay American Road Trip, which offers insight into the nation’s blossoming gay culture in the innocent days just before the worldwide AIDS crisis changed everything.
For 30 years, OutSmart has brought award-winning coverage of LGBTQ news to Houston. Consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Outsmart Foundation for Community Media, a 501(c)(3) organization that supports OutSmart’s journalism. Your support helps us to continue telling the stories that impact our lives and celebrating the diversity of our community.
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Additional profiles in this August issue celebrate the strength and diversity of our local LGBTQ community, whose resilience is being tested by the relentless far-right attacks on our civil rights. Thank you for joining us on this journey, and don’t forget to go online this month and vote for your favorite personalities and businesses in our annual Gayest & Greatest Readers’ Choice Awards. (see page 57)
Until next month, try to stay cool and motivated as the triple-digit heat continues unabated!
Greg Jeu Publisher
COMMUNITY
August 26
Pearl Bar Houston will host EDEN, a music and lifestyle festival for queer women and their friends. The event will feature queer female DJs including Alex D and Jayne Gray as well as go-go dancers. Cuppie from Tampa Baes will host the event, and other performers will be announced throughout August.
The festival is 21+. Ticket
holders are encouraged to arrive before 11 p.m., since walk-up attendees will be admitted after that time and Pearl cannot guarantee space for advance ticket holders (who will still be given priority admission throughout the night). Early-bird tickets for this six-hour festival are on sale for $11 at tinyurl.com/ tdfecucd
STAGE
August 1
Comedians McKenzie Goodwin and Rachel Scanlon host this comedy podcast and live show. Their raunchy and hilarious event at Houston Improv will have you rocking with laughter and sexual tension. Tickets available now online. tinyurl.com/9ffz27yb
COMMUNITY
August 3
Hamburger Mary’s will host this drag show benefit for two local teachers who were fired for attending a drag performance at that restaurant. Reservations are recommended for the two performances featuring drink specials. tinyurl.com/334v8b3s
STAGE
August 5
Dixie Longate is the fast-talking, gum-chewing, ginger-haired Alabama gal who is bringing your grandma’s Tupperware party into the 21st century. Not suitable for those under 16. Purchase tickets online. tinyurl.com/25yv36pr
STAGE
August 6
Crystal Night Club hosts live performances from some of Houston’s best and brightest LGBTQ hip-hop artists
Tickets are available online. tinyurl.com/3nnmpws6
STAGE
August 11–20
The Garden Theatre brings this Tony-nominated script to the stage. Revisit the infamous gangster couple Bonnie and Clyde in this “electrifying” story of love, adventure, and crime. tinyurl.com/2p8d32m7
COMMUNITY
August 12
The Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus will meet to endorse candidates in the 2023 municipal election. This is a closed meeting; to be eligible to attend and vote, one must have become a member of the Caucus by July 13. tinyurl.com/bdp8thke
COMMUNITY
August 24
Put your Broadway-musical knowledge to the test at this trivia event downtown at Post HTX, featuring the cast of Houston Musical Theater Company. Prizes will be available, and reserved seating is based on party size. tinyurl.com/pfjyk97d
COMMUNITY
August 6
The T.R.U.T.H. Project and Bunnies on the Bayou partner to honor the legacy of James Baldwin through a multi-disciplinary spoken-word, sung, and danced performance. Brunch will be available. (The event is sold out, but standby tickets are available.) tinyurl.com/5n7dxkj8
STAGE
August 9
Everyone’s favorite alien drag queen, Juno Birch, stars in her theatrical one-woman show at House of Blues Houston. This is an 18+ event. tinyurl.com/2p8yyfcm
COMMUNITY
August 12
SOUL CARE
Join The Mahogany Project for Soul Care, a healing sound-bath experience led by Liam J. Adair. This community event is open for online registration now. tinyurl.com/4mskf42s
STAGE
August 24
Two Star Symphony, ODP Dance company, and their pre-professional dance company revisit the Peter Pan story at Miller Outdoor Theatre. Free admission, tickets available for the reserved seating area.
tinyurl.com/pdr86zdd
COMMUNITY
August 27
Third Ward Jiu-Jitsu will offer a free LGBTQ community selfdefense class teaching the fundamentals of jiu-jitsu, a martial art suitable for all body types. The event is free, but donations are welcomed.
tinyurl.com/46mmjyua
in
September 2 - 7pm - MATCH Houston 3400 Main Street Houston, Texas 77002
Tickets available at authenticallyme.ticketleap.com 25% o with promo code “outsmart”
STAGE
September 8
SAM SMITH
Iconic nonbinary musician Sam Smith is coming to the Toyota Center next month. Don’t miss the artist behind hits such as “Unholy” and “Stay with Me.” Online tickets available. tinyurl.com/2sd8x835
STAGE
September 10
Theatre Under the Stars presents Jagged Little Pill. This Out@TUTS performance brings Houston’s LGBTQ community together after the show with a reception featuring drinks, light bites, and live music. tinyurl.com/4z9fe8w2
October 6
The Montrose Center presents their annual Out for Good fundraising gala. Join them for a lively night that celebrates National Coming Out Day with a delicious dinner, inspiring program, and great company. Ann J. Robinson, recipient of the 2023 LGBTQ Community Vision Award, will be honored. There will also be an after-party. tinyurl.com/3br3vus2
STAGE
November 25
Come on, Barbie, your party hasn’t ended yet! Attend this Barbie drag performance and celebrate every possible shade of pink. Tickets available online. tinyurl.com/mr2zasuk
Submit your events at calendar@outsmartmagazine.com
Hamburger Mary’s motto is “Eat, Drink, and be …Mary!”
That’s exactly what the drag queen-themed burger chain had planned for when they moved their Houston location from Grant Street last year into a downtown building previously occupied by Prohibition Supper Club. The building has multiple dressing rooms, a balcony, and a large stage. Customers can enjoy regular “Mary-oke” nights (karaoke), ’80s-themed parties, and a buffet brunch on the weekends.
Baytown teacher Kristi Maris thought it all sounded like fun, but her employer, First Baptist Academy of Baytown, didn’t find the humor in her July 24 Facebook post describing her July 13 visit to Hamburger Mary’s. Maris attended the drag show with a co-worker and her daughters, and they had such a good time that they posed for photos with several drag queens, which Maris then posted on Facebook. Both Maris and the co-worker were fired.
This is what Maris then posted on her Facebook page on July 24:
Hey everybody just wanting to let everyone know what has been going on in my life! As of today I was fired from my Job of 20 years for attending a sing along show at Hamburger Mary’s. Before ever getting the news of my termination it had spread like wildfire in the church and school. They told me because I went to this show and posted a picture I wasn’t walking in a Godly manner. So that being said, please remove yourself from my page if this offends you, if you think this is UnGodly, makes me a pedophile, or causes you to feel uncomfortable.
According to ABC-13, school officials claimed that her attendance at the show violated this line in the school’s operating manual: “I will act in a godly and moral fashion at work, on Facebook and in my community.”
Maris had agreed to the clause, but didn’t think going to a drag show was ungodly. She
➝
told an ABC-13 reporter, “They’re entertainers. I would’ve never thought in a million years that this would happen. Never. We were in disbelief. We still are. We were heartbroken. We had relationships with parents and the kids, and I didn’t even get to say goodbye to a lot of the kids.”
O utSmart reached out to both Maris and school officials, but neither responded by press time.
The Baptist Church does not have a standard position on drag performances, since each congregation sets their own code of conduct. Some pastors appreciate the art of drag, while others condemn it. In Texas, anti-drag sentiment has been building as the 88th Legislative Session ultimately passed Senate Bill 12. Originally intended to prohibit children from watching drag shows, SB 12’s language was changed to remove specific references to drag shows, but it also broadened the definition of prohibited shows to include any sexually explicit show in front of children. It was just one of many anti-LGBTQ bills passed by the Republican-majority Texas Legislature this year.
Hamburger Mary’s hosted a fundraiser to benefit Maris and her co-worker on
August 3, featuring Alexye’us Paris and Dessie Love-Blake. Love-Blake was hosting the July 13 drag show that Maris attended, and appeared in the photo Maris shared on Facebook.
“We all agreed to do the benefit, and all of our tips will go to Kristi. Hopefully it will make up for some of her loss,” Love-Blake said. “I believe Christians are supposed to love. [To fire] someone who has given so much of her life to teaching and take that away from her, I call that ungodly. They are weaponizing the Bible.”
The August 3 drag show fundraiser for the Baytown teachers who were fired
“WE ALL AGREED TO DO THE BENEFIT, AND ALL OF OUR TIPS WILL GO TO KRISTI. HOPEFULLY, IT WILL MAKE UP FOR SOME OF HER LOSS. I BELIEVE CHRISTIANS ARE SUPPOSED TO LOVE. TO FIRE SOMEONE WHO HAS GIVEN SO MUCH OF HER LIFE TO TEACHING, I CALL THAT UNGODLY. THEY ARE WEAPONIZING THE BIBLE.”
—Dessie Love-Blake, Hamburger Mary’s drag performer
Plus, learn which HIV prevention and treatment options work for you.
New laws targeting LGBTQ+ people are proliferating in GOPled states, but often absent from policy decisions is a clear understanding of how many people will be directly affected.
There has been relatively scant data collected on the number of LGBTQ+ residents in the US, particularly intersex people—those born with physical traits that don’t fit typical definitions for male or female categories. That means lawmakers are often writing laws without the same kind of baseline information they might have for other demographic groups.
“We can’t study the impact without knowing the population,” said Christy Mallory, legal director of the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law. The Williams Institute is a think tank that researches sexual orientation and gender identity demographics to inform laws and public policy decisions.
Here’s a look at what we know and what we don’t know about the number of people in the US who are LGBTQ+ or intersex.
Legislative decisions to ban transgender women and girls from playing school sports often fail to consider the impact on intersex students.
Meanwhile, conversations about genderaffirming care bans were at times clouded by a discredited 2018 study that claimed kids might experience gender dysphoria because of peer influence. This led to erroneous suggestions that the number of trans people was inflated.
Arguments based on the discredited study helped gender-affirming care bans pass in Georgia, Idaho, and elsewhere.
“Social media and social pressures are put on our youth, and I do think that could play into this a little bit,” said Idaho Republican Sen. Doug Ricks during a statehouse debate earlier this year. “It’s difficult. And the conflicting testimony about the studies—there’s good arguments that validate those, and others that disvalidate that.”
While most states’ bans on gender-affirming care have attempted to carve out exceptions for people who are born intersex, they could still make it harder for intersex people to receive medical care, said Erika Lorshbough, executive director of InterACT, an advocacy group that works to advance the rights of children born with intersex traits. Physicians and other medical practitioners who treat intersex people might be confused by the laws or unsure about their potential liability, especially if an intersex patient also identifies as LGBTQ+, Lorshbough said.
Most advocacy groups estimate that 1.7% percent of people are born intersex—the equivalent of about 5.6 million US residents. That estimate is based on a review published in the American Journal of Human Biology that looked at four decades of medical literature from 1955 to 1998. The estimate includes people with extra or missing sex-linked chromosomes, and those born with other physical variations that don’t fit into categories of “male” or “female.”
Intersex people are born with at least one of about 40 naturally occurring variations relating to their genitalia, internal reproductive organs, chromosome patterns, or hormones.
Not all intersex people are identified as such at birth, and those who are may still be listed as either “male” or “female” on their birth certificate. That’s because only about 16 states currently allow a gender marker designation other than “male” or “female” on birth certificates, and not all hospitals have intersex-affirming policies.
Some intersex characteristics might not be evident until puberty or later—in fact, sometimes people don’t know they are intersex until they seek treatment for infertility or undergo other unrelated medical procedures. Others might only find out if they run across medical records from their childhood, because many in-
tersex infants and children are subjected to surgeries and treatments without their consent to make their bodies conform to categories of male or female, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Since 2018, the AAFP has opposed medically unnecessary genital surgeries performed on intersex children.
“Some people never know they’re intersex if they have what we think of as a milder variation,” said Lorshbough. “And there are plenty of folks with variations in sex characteristics who don’t identify as intersex, and these issues impact them equally. It’s all about consent and autonomy.”
Hospitals aren’t required to track information about how many babies are born with intersex characteristics, and there has never been a nationwide survey on intersex status done by the US Census Bureau, the National Institutes of Health, or other government agencies that normally collect demographic data, said Lorshbough.
That means there isn’t enough data to calculate a definitive population number.
There are more than 13 million people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or trans-
gender in the US ages 13 and older, including about 300,000 young people and 1.3 million adults who identify as transgender, according to The Williams Institute. Nearly half of them live in states without protections from discrimination at work, in school, or in housing, public accommodations, and credit.
Polling by KFF and the Washington Post shows that there are nearly 2 million people nationwide who identify as transgender or trans, representing less than 1% of all adults. The poll found that most trans adults are younger than 35 years old, and the vast majority—nearly 8 in 10—say that transitioning made them more satisfied with their life. Two-thirds of trans adults say they realized they were trans in childhood, and about one-third say they began to understand when they were 10 years old or younger.
The Census Bureau did not add questions about sexual orientation and gender identity until 2021, though it did begin collecting data about households led by same-sex couples in the 2010 census. The 2021 US Census Household Pulse Survey found that .06% of responding adults described themselves as transgender and 1.7% described themselves as neither male, female, nor trans.
The same census survey found that
4.4% of adult respondents thought of themselves as bisexual, 3.3% said they were gay or lesbian, and 88.3% said they were straight. Around 2% said they were “something else” or that they didn`t know.
Are More People Identifying as LGBTQ+ Now? It’s difficult to tell. Efforts to quantify the number of LGBTQ+ people, including intersex people, in the US were scarce until the last few decades, and stigma likely prevented some from disclosing their identities. There is some overlap between the groups; intersex people are included in the plus sign in LGBTQ+, and some intersex people also identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer.
From their demographic studies in 2017 and 2022, The Williams Institute noted a slight increase in the number of young people identifying as transgender, but Mallory said additional research will give a more accurate picture.
“This kind of data collection on transgender status is very new for youth,” and some of the increase could be because more states are asking about transgender status during surveys of high school students,” Mallory said. “But you know, some of it is probably youth feeling more comfortable identifying as trans.”
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press.
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My Western Winking Barbie had a white cowboy hat, feathered blonde hair, and a shimmery white, fringed jumpsuit with black piping and boots. When you pressed her back, she would “wink” flirtatiously, lowering one powder-blue shaded eyelid. Eventually, the mechanism for the eyelid wore out, causing her to look like she might have had a stroke. But that’s OK, because Barbie can do anything, including surviving a stroke.
She was my first and only Barbie. Although my parents weren’t super-crazy about buying their only boy a Barbie, they eventually relented. It is still my favorite thing they ever got for me, and it ranks above raising me in a loving home and providing me an education.
I was not unlike many little gay boys who loved (and still love) Barbie. She wasn’t like the other stupid baby dolls that wet their pants. Barbie had a life. And in my little gay-boy mind, Barbie and her Barbie friends lived for drama. On rainy afternoons at daycare, we would take out carpet squares and play indoors. The girls always had what seemed like a treasure trove of Barbie paraphernalia that included houses, cars, trailers, apartments, clothes, and furniture. I envied them as they pulled out all of their Barbie stuff.
I would watch them take out the Barbies and groom them and change their outfits. I would judge them as they fumbled with trying to tell the story of Barbie’s life or unfashionably arrange the Barbie furniture. These little girls never had quite the designer’s eye that I did. I knew that Barbie had a story to tell. I was an early expert on television dramas like Dallas, Dynasty, and Falcon Crest. I was eager to fill the role of executive producer, and it was my job to bring these girls along with me.
I would strategically insinuate myself into their play. Ken was my entry point, of course, but he was quickly tossed aside as I began taking over higher-ranking Barbies. Ken to start, then maybe a Skipper. On rare occasions, I would get a main Barbie, but I had to play it
cool. The girls could at any point alert the other mean boys to my interest in “girl toys,” and they would then ruin my life. However, if I played my cards right, what would unfold would be a multi-dimensional drama that included sex and betrayal. Love won and lost. A funeral for a Ken who died young, leaving a widowed Barbie to pick up the pieces. So tragic.
I loved Barbie.
I always understood, on some level, that the world did not understand or accept a little boy like me who played with Barbies. Barbies were for girls, after all. In third grade, I was betrayed by a friend named Ali when she revealed to the class that I had spent the weekend at her house playing Barbies. Everyone, especially the mean boys, ridiculed me and called me a “girl,” which was apparently a terrible thing to be. Even the girls—without a wisp of irony—called me a “girl.” (When we grew out of playing with Barbies, the word “girl” was traded for “faggot.” But I digress.)
Most of the other mean boys seemed to
hate Barbie. They considered her to be frivolous, and the children who enjoyed Barbies were equally as frivolous. That’s not to say that they invited the girls (and gay boys) to join in their activities. But if we attempted to, we were met with hostility and criticism for “catching like a girl,” “running like a girl” or just, in fact, being a girl. According to these mean boys, all things “girl” (aka Barbie) were bad. That’s the messaging we got very early on.
But the girls (and gay boys) who played Barbies found her to be empowering. She was our vessel to a world where our imagination could run wild, where Barbie was front and center and Ken sat in the dustbin unless he was needed for a Ken funeral. (I don’t know why I always wanted Ken to be dead, but we will leave that for my therapist.) The mean boys never understood that about Barbie, and they still don’t.
Fast-forward to 2023 and the $150
million premiere of the summer blockbuster movie Barbie. This accomplishment was fueled by women, girls, and gay men’s nostalgia for Barbie and their memories of escaping as a child through her.
But many of the mean boys who are now mean men still don’t seem to get it. They want Barbie to exist for their pleasure only. To be valued for the aesthetics that men value. They want that other stuff—the independence, the career, the powerful femininity—to go away. Barbie, in their opinion, is better seen and not heard. They think Barbie 2023 has become too “woke.” Since her creation, Barbie has always been “woke” for the reasons described above. Maybe they’re just too “asleep” to understand that.
Women, girls, and gay men aren’t going to the Barbie movie in droves because it simply trots out Barbie in a beautiful gown and calls it a day. They are going because the Barbie movie is telling the story about Barbie that we always understood on some level. Barbie has layers—and I am not talking about crinoline. She can do anything, be anything, have anything. Barbie isn’t rejected or limited by men. She cares not about how Ken’s gaze falls upon her. She can even be trans!
Barbie does not exist to delight or pleasure Ken or the mean boys. Whether they approve or not, she’s still going to be an astronaut by day and a disco queen by night. She’s there to spark the imagination of the children who see something in her, which too many mean boys are conditioned to often miss. Try as they might, the concept, the idea of Barbie can’t be suppressed. Barbie isn’t perfect, of course; she has no nipples or genitals and is made of plastic. But Barbie transcends the subjective concept that is perfection.
What Barbie 2023 shows me is that those mean boys who are now mean men still only value women based on what they can see with their eyes. Barbie doesn’t technically have a functional mirror (although Winking Western Barbie does have an autograph stamp) because Barbie is the mirror. What Barbie is reflecting in 2023 is that her new movie is speaking to women (and gays) in a way that mean men are still failing to comprehend.
If box-office dollars translate to votes, Barbie may end up teaching the mean men a lesson in the end: Never underestimate Barbie.
Ryan Leach is a frequent contributor to OutSmart magazine. Follow him on Medium at medium.com/@ryan_leach.
What is the study about?
Black/African American and Latino Gay and Bisexual Men are needed for a study to understand the things that may make it easy or hard for you to use an injection or shot every other month that can prevent you from getting HIV
What will you do?
Complete a confidential online questionnaire that will take no more than 30 minutes. You may also be invited to participate in a focus group.
Compensation: Compensation in the form of electronic Visa Gift Card will be provided for your time completing the survey
•
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• Black /Latino
APRETUDE is a prescription medicine used for HIV-1 PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection in adults and adolescents who weigh at least 77 pounds (at least 35 kg).
APRETUDE is the first and only long-acting, injectable PrEP for reducing the risk of getting HIV-1
It’s an injection given every other month, instead of a pill you take every day
Studied in HIV-1 negative cisgender men, transgender women, and cisgender women at risk of getting HIV-1
APRETUDE is given every other month by a healthcare provider after initiation injections have been given 1 month apart for 2 consecutive months. Stay under a provider’s care while receiving APRETUDE. You must receive it as scheduled. If you will miss a scheduled injection by more than 7 days, call your provider right away.
IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT APRETUDE
This is only a brief summary of important information about APRETUDE and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your medicine.
AP-reh-tood
MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT APRETUDE
Important information for people who receive APRETUDE to help reduce their risk of getting human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection, also called pre-exposure prophylaxis or “PrEP”:
MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT APRETUDE (cont'd)
Before receiving APRETUDE to reduce your risk of getting HIV-1:
• You must be HIV-1 negative to start APRETUDE. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1 infection.
• Do not receive APRETUDE for HIV-1 PrEP unless you are confirmed to be HIV-1 negative.
• Some HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. If you have flu-like symptoms, you could have recently become infected with HIV-1. Tell your healthcare provider if you had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting APRETUDE or at any time while receiving APRETUDE. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include: tiredness; joint or muscle aches; sore throat; rash; enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin; fever; headache; vomiting or diarrhea; night sweats.
Please see additional Important Facts About APRETUDE at right.
Eligible patients may pay as little as a $0 co-pay per injection on prescribed APRETUDE.
While you are receiving APRETUDE for HIV-1 PrEP:
• APRETUDE does not prevent other sexually transmitted infections. Practice safer sex by using a latex or polyurethane condom to reduce the risk of getting sexually transmitted infections.
• You must stay HIV-1 negative to keep receiving APRETUDE for HIV-1 PrEP.
° Know your HIV-1 status and the HIV-1 status of your partners.
° Ask your partners with HIV-1 if they are taking anti-HIV-1 medicines and have an undetectable viral load. An undetectable viral load is when the amount of virus in the blood is too low to be measured in a lab test. To maintain an undetectable viral load, your partners must keep taking HIV-1 medicine as prescribed. Your risk of getting HIV-1 is lower if your partners with HIV-1 are taking effective treatment.
° Get tested for HIV-1 with each APRETUDE injection or when your healthcare provider tells you. You should not miss any HIV-1 tests. If you become HIV-1 infected and continue receiving APRETUDE because you do not know you are HIV-1 infected, the HIV-1 infection may become harder to treat.
° Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. These infections make it easier for HIV-1 to infect you.
° If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. They may want to do more tests to be sure you are still HIV-1 negative.
° Get information and support to help reduce sexual risk behaviors.
° Do not miss any injections of APRETUDE. Missing injections increases your risk of getting HIV-1 infection.
° If you do become HIV-1 positive, you will need to take other medicines to treat HIV-1. APRETUDE is not approved for treatment of HIV-1.
If you have HIV-1 and receive only APRETUDE, over time your HIV-1 may become harder to treat.
APRETUDE is a prescription medicine used for HIV-1 PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection in adults and adolescents who weigh at least 77 pounds (at least 35 kg). HIV-1 is the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
It is not known if APRETUDE is safe and effective in children younger than 12 years of age or weighing less than 77 pounds (less than 35 kg).
DO NOT RECEIVE APRETUDE IF YOU:
• already have HIV-1 infection. If you are HIV-1 positive, you will need to take other medicines to treat HIV-1. APRETUDE is not approved for treatment of HIV-1.
• do not know your HIV-1 infection status. You may already be HIV-1 positive. You need to take other medicines to treat HIV-1. APRETUDE can only help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection before you are infected.
• are allergic to cabotegravir.
• are taking any of the following medicines: carbamazepine; oxcarbazepine; phenobarbital; phenytoin; rifampin; rifapentine.
Tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:
• have ever had a skin rash or an allergic reaction to medicines that contain cabotegravir.
• have or have had liver problems.
• have ever had mental health problems.
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if APRETUDE will harm your unborn baby. APRETUDE can remain in your body for up to 12 months or longer after the last injection. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while receiving APRETUDE.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if APRETUDE can pass to your baby in your breast milk. Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while receiving APRETUDE.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some medicines may interact with APRETUDE. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of medicines that interact with APRETUDE.
Do not start a new medicine without telling your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider can tell you if it is safe to receive APRETUDE with other medicines.
APRETUDE may cause serious side effects, including:
• Allergic reactions. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop a rash with APRETUDE. Stop receiving APRETUDE and get medical help right away if you develop a rash with any of the following signs or symptoms: fever; generally ill feeling; tiredness; muscle or joint aches; trouble breathing; blisters or sores in mouth; blisters; redness or swelling of the eyes; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue.
• Liver problems. Liver problems have happened in people with or without a history of liver problems or other risk factors. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your liver function.
Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop any of the following signs or symptoms of liver problems: your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice); dark or "tea-colored" urine; lightcolored stools (bowel movements); nausea or vomiting; loss of appetite; pain, aching, or tenderness on the right side of your stomach area; itching.
• Depression or mood changes. Call your healthcare provider or get medical help right away if you have any of the following symptoms: feeling sad or hopeless; feeling anxious or restless; have thoughts of hurting yourself (suicide) or have tried to hurt yourself.
The most common side effects of APRETUDE include: pain, tenderness, hardened mass or lump, swelling, bruising, redness, itching, warmth, loss of sensation at the injection site, abscess, and discoloration; diarrhea; headache; fever; tiredness; sleep problems; nausea; dizziness; passing gas; stomach pain; vomiting; muscle pain; rash; loss of appetite; drowsiness; back pain; upper respiratory infection. These are not all the possible side effects of APRETUDE.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
• Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
• Go to APRETUDE.com or call 1-877-844-8872 where you can also get FDA-approved labeling.
December 2021 APR:1PIL
Trademark is owned by or licensed to the ViiV Healthcare group of companies. ©2022 ViiV Healthcare or licensor.
CBTADVT220018 September 2022
Produced in USA.
By DARYL SHORTER MDOver the past several years, the concept of gender diversity has become one of our most hotbutton issues. There is constant debate in our local, state, and federal government bodies, discussions at school-board meetings, daily news coverage, and innumerable social-media thought pieces. How did we get here?
An increasing number of Americans report that they personally know someone who is transgender. While the general impression might be that the number of persons who identify as transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) has gone up, a recent report from UCLA School of Law’s Williams Institute found “the percentage and number of adults who identify as transgender in the US has remained steady over time.”
Interestingly, the sense that there are more TGD persons is likely related to their increased visibility in the media, as well as a growing number of brave TGD persons who are “out” in their lives. Optimistically, we might take this to suggest there has been some progress as people feel more empowered to live authentically. At the same time, we must also recognize that not all media coverage is intended to cast TGD persons in a positive, accurate light, but rather to stoke the flames of fear and prejudice.
Much of the recent conversation has focused on TGD children, adolescents, and young adults. Studies suggest that increasing numbers of young adults report being transgender or nonbinary. For example, according to the Pew Research Center, roughly 5 percent of young adults in the US report their “gender is different from their sex assigned at birth.” With greater visibility and conversation, it is not surprising that younger generations feel more comfortable discussing the complexity of their gender identity while also expressing greater acceptance of friends and loved ones who are TGD.
Politically, there have been a few wins. In June 2023, the US Supreme Court (SCOTUS) declined to review a ruling from a federal appeals court that found people with gender
dysphoria are entitled to protections afforded by the Americans with Disabilities Act. By doing so, SCOTUS affirmed that TGD persons who experience gender dysphoria must be protected from discrimination on that basis. The importance of this cannot be overstated, since it may ultimately allow TGD persons to challenge state legislation that currently restricts gender-affirming medical care and other accommodations to those struggling with gender dysphoria. Over the next several months, particularly in light of the upcoming presidential election, it will be important to continue monitoring news coverage and legislation related to TGD persons—especially given the easy ways that people use the entire LGBTQ community as a wedge issue.
Globally, there have been many diverse cultures that did not historically subscribe to the notion of the gender binary. In fact, these cultures not only permitted, but celebrated
those who experienced gender across the spectrum. However, with European colonization and the spread of rigid religious beliefs, native ideologies regarding gender expression and identity were stamped out in favor of the gender binary. As a result, those who might have once been embraced for gender diversity instead experienced marginalization, judgment, and rejection. Over time, social mores and laws evolved to reflect this negative perspective.
There is activism inherent in the work of supporting gender diversity, particularly since it challenges divisive notions resulting from religious and/or exclusionary ideology. When we stand with, and among, TGD persons, we directly resist historical and hetero-patriarchal structures within society—the very same ones that impact all members of the LGBTQ community.
Additionally, for many, the psychological and spiritual work of understanding and embracing gender diversity has come
Nonbinary expression was once celebrated in many ancient cultures.
to represent not only activism, but an appreciation of the nuances of gender and the wisdom of indigenous cultural practices.
The ways in which we have been conditioned to adhere to rigid standards of gender, as well as the ideals of masculinity and femininity, have had a profound effect on how we see ourselves, the world, and the nature of our relationships.
Consider the adage “Boys and men don’t cry.” Is it possible that this widely held belief has paved the way for men (both cis and trans) to feel they cannot truly own their emotional experience of the world? This sentiment ultimately communicates that it is unacceptable— and unsafe—to express emotion because it signifies weakness. This is only one example out of so many in our culture that persuades us to think, behave, and respond in narrowly defined ways that deny our individuality and personhood.
We can begin to combat these notions in our own lives by first allowing ourselves, and those around us, greater freedom of expression. Begin by asking yourself: Do I hold onto beliefs about gender that no longer fit or serve me and others? Is it difficult for me to allow others to express and experience their gender identity in a way that is different from my own?
What steps can you take to move beyond the binary, and how can you encourage other members of the LGBTQ community to do the same?
Daryl Shorter, MD, is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and is board certified in both general and addiction psychiatry. His clinical practice focuses on veteran care, and he lectures widely on LGBTQ mental health. Dr. Shorter can be reached at dr.darylshorter@gmail.com.
“EMBRACING GENDER DIVERSITY FOSTERS AN APPRECIATION OF THE NUANCES OF GENDER AND THE WISDOM OF INDIGENOUS CULTURAL PRACTICES.”
WE'VE NEVER SHIED AWAY FROM WHAT IS RIGHT.
For over 40 years, we have provided exceptional health care services with a warm welcome to our entire community. And that will never change.
While those of you who are approaching age 65 have many things to consider, the issue that deserves special attention is the healthcare expenses you’ll be facing in retirement. This is important because those expenses can have a significant impact on the type of lifestyle you can afford in your golden years.
Age 65 is a big milestone because it is the age when people typically qualify for Medicare. Traditionally, 65 is also the age where many people either retire or begin to make serious plans to do so.
Health care can be one of your biggest costs in retirement. In fact, it is estimated that an average 65-year-old (in 2023) may need approximately $157,500 saved (in today’s dollars, after taxes are paid) in order to cover healthcare expenses. And this figure does not include the cost of any long-term care needs that might become necessary.
Medicare is the federal health insurance program in the US for qualified individuals who are age 65 and older, as well as for some who are under the age of 65 and have certain disabling conditions.
There are two primary options for receiving Medicare benefits: Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.
In the past, there was only Medicare Part A (for hospitalization coverage) and Part B (for doctors’ services, equipment and supplies, and certain preventive-care services). That’s why Medicare Parts A and B are often referred to as Original Medicare.
While Medicare Part A and Part B provide coverage for a long list of healthcare items and services, the important benefits that are omitted from these plans include prescription drugs, dental, and vision coverage.
If you want to add prescription drug coverage, you can do so by purchasing a stand-alone Medicare Part D plan. Unlike
Medicare Part A and B, which are offered through the government, Part D prescriptiondrug plans are sold through authorized independent insurance carriers. Therefore, depending on the policy and the insurer, your premium amount for Medicare Part D can vary.
In addition, because there are many out-ofpocket charges with Original Medicare—such as deductibles and co-payments—it is a good idea to also purchase a Medicare Supplement insurance plan that can pay for some or all of these charges. Medicare Supplement coverage is often referred to as Medicare Part C, or “Medigap,” because the benefits help to fill in various gaps in Original Medicare coverage.
There are actually ten different Medigap supplemental plans to choose from: Plans A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N. Plan A provides the most basic set of “core” benefits, while the other plans offer core benefits plus additional coverage.
If you participate in Original Medicare as well as Medicare Supplement and/or Part D, you can typically see any doctor(s) and receive services from any provider or hospital.
If you participate in Original Medicare as well as Part C, or Medicare Advantage, you will have similar coverages as Medicare Parts A and B, and you may also have additional benefits such as vision and/or dental. However, many Medicare Advantage plans are less flexible and require you to receive your healthcare services from providers that are listed within a specific network—either a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO).
Medicare Advantage plans are sold through insurance companies, so the actual list of covered benefits and premium costs can vary from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
As you prepare for retirement, you may wonder whether you must apply for Medicare coverage—especially if you are still working. The answer is: It depends.
For instance, you (and/or your legally married spouse) will need to have earned a certain number of “work credits” through the years in order to qualify. In 2023, one credit is earned
If you’re approaching age 65, it’s time to plan ahead.
for every $1,640 in covered earnings you generate. You are allowed to earn up to four credits per year, and you will be qualified for Medicare (as well as Social Security retirement benefits) after you have accumulated 40 credits.
If you have 40 credits, you will not be required to pay a premium for Medicare Part A. If you do not have 40 credits, though, you may still be eligible to purchase Medicare Part A coverage, but the premium could be over $500 per month (in 2023) if you must pay for Part A outright.
If you have the credits to qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A, this coverage will begin during the month in which you turn age 65, without the need to actively enroll. It is, however, necessary for you to enroll in Medicare Part B.
There are also different Medicare “enrollment periods,” which can help you narrow down what, if anything, you need to do in order to secure the coverage you need. These are the:
- Initial Enrollment Period
-General Enrollment Period
- Special Enrollment Period
- Open Enrollment Period
Your Initial Enrollment Period will begin three months before the month in which you turn age 65 and continue for three more months after your birthday month.
If you did not enroll in Medicare during the Initial Enrollment Period, you can sign up during the General Enrollment Period, which runs between January 1 and March 31 of each year. In this case, because you waited to enroll in Medicare, you will be “penalized” with a higher monthly premium cost for the rest of your life.
In some circumstances, if you were covered by health insurance via an individual plan or an employer-sponsored one (either through your own or that of your spouse or partner), then you can enroll in Medicare Part B during a Special Enrollment Period. Because you had “creditable” health coverage during your Initial Enrollment Period, you will not be penalized with a higher premium in this instance.
There is also an annual Open Enrollment Period that runs from October 15 to December 7 of each year. During this period, you are allowed to switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage or vice versa. Not everyone’s situation is the same, though, so there is not a one-size-fits-all strategy for choosing the best enrollment period.
A Medicare specialist can help you to determine how much you’ll have to pay for your Medicare premiums, based on the income you’ve earned. For example, even if you receive Medicare Part A for free, the Medicare Part B premium is $164.90 per month (in 2023) for most participants.
But based on how much taxable income you earned two years prior to turning 65, you may have to pay an additional surcharge known as the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount. IRMAA is an amount you may pay in addition to your Part B or Part D premium if your income is above a certain level. The Social Security Administration sets income brackets that determine your (and your spouse’s) IRMAA.
Therefore, depending on your taxable income when you were 63, as well as your income tax filing status (i.e., single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, or head of household), your monthly Medicare Part B premium could currently be as high as $560.60.
It is a similar scenario with the additional Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. In this case, based on your age 63 taxable income and tax filing status, the monthly premium you pay for your plan (in 2023) would be the base premium amount (which is set by each individual insurance company) plus an additional $76.40 per month.
So if you are retired, or plan to be retired soon, these added premium amounts could make a big difference in the amount of retirement income you have remaining for other expenses.
As you can see, the many different “cogs” of your retirement plan must all fit seamlessly together to keep your retirement wheels spinning properly. If you have a spouse or partner and you are preparing for retirement together, that can add even more pieces to the overall puzzle. That is why working with a professional financial planner who is also well versed in issues facing the LGBTQ community can be extremely beneficial.
Grace S. Yung, CFP ®, is a Certified finanCial P lanner practitioner with experience in helping LGBTQ individuals, domestic partners, and families plan and manage their finances since 1994. She is the managing director at Midtown Financial Group, LLC, in Houston. Member FINRA / SIPC. For more information, visit: www.midtownfg.com
Oh y’all, the Deep State has finally gone jim-dandy deep. Congress-critter
Marjorie Taylor Greene (who represents the part of Georgia that favors marriage between relatives) thinks her teevee is spying on her. Let me quote her own words on Twitter:
Last night in my DC residence, the television turned on by itself and the screen showed someone’s laptop trying to connect to the TV.
She goes on to add that she is very happy, and that she eats well, doesn’t smoke, and doesn’t take any medicine. And of course, she is not vaccinated, so she’s therefore “not concerned about blood clots, heart conditions, strokes, or anything else.”
I dunno for sure, but I think she’s trying to tell us she could wake up dead and it wouldn’t be her fault.
But there’s more. After her true confessions, Marjorie claims she doesn’t have anything to hide, and then adds this flourish:
I just love my country and the people and know how much they’ve been screwed over by the corrupt people in our government and I’m not willing to be quiet about it, or willing to go along with it.
Well that would be really nice, except that she is “the corrupt people in our government.”
To be frank, I am not overly concerned about being spied on through my teevee. I generally do not sit naked in front of it, smoking dope while trying to hack into the IRS on my laptop. I know this sounds suspicious, but when I’m sitting in front of my teevee, I’m usually just watching a show.
Now, make no mistake: I have also seen some weird things on my teevee. Zombies are real, and so is Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Both of them rate about even on the scare-thecrap-outta-you scale.
In addition, I also have appliances in my house that spy on me. For example, I have a pint of Blue Bell ice cream in my freezer that, out of the clear blue, will call me by name in this pitiful yet seductive voice. It won’t stop calling me until I put a few scoops of Blue Bell in a bowl, and then it’s downhill from there.
My dryer also hollers at me. If I have company in my house, it just buzzes loudly. But if I’m alone, it clearly beckons, “Come take these damn clothes out of me before I wrinkle them up faster than a knife fight in a phone booth.”
And sometimes my toilet will gurgle at me annoyingly: “Now! Come jiggle this handle right now, Susan.” How the toilet knows my name, I don’t know. But I suspect there’s some kind of government DNA analysis involved.
Inspired by Ms. Taylor Greene, I will now share my deepest secrets with you: I am happy, but only if I’m getting my way. I am overweight because of, well, that Blue Bell thing for one. And also because the most interesting talks I’ve had, with people that I like, usually happen
over a plate of cheese enchiladas. And, like Willie, I no longer smoke but I do enjoy the edibles, my friend. I am fully vaccinated, even against polio, so I worry about everything: rare tropical diseases the doctors have never heard of, or falling and not being able to get up (in spite of the lady on the teevee telling me I need to buy some damn gadget that calls 911).
I am 76 years old, and my heart rate, blood flow, and brain are all in working order today. Who the hell cares how long they are going to last? I figure they’ve worked so far, so don’t you agree that I’m already way ahead of the game?
I have found that when I hear all these strange voices around the house, a simple “Shuddup, bitch!” works a whole lot better than going on Twitter and making a national issue out of it.
When you go to bed tonight, please take the time to thank God that you’re not whoever it is that Marjorie Taylor Greene thinks is spying on her.
Until next month, Darlin’, it’s hotter than the bedsheets at those motels that rent by the hour, so drink plenty of water, and if all else fails, go sit in your refrigerator. And remember that you’re made out of magic and resilience, so act accordingly.
Susan Bankston lives in Richmond, Texas, where she writes about her hairdresser at The World’s Most Dangerous Beauty Salon, Inc., at juanitajean.com.
On July 7, 2023, Art Factory Houston present the musical Hair. Pictured are members of the cast and crew.
Texas Pride Impact Funds held a Houston Community Leadership Roundtable at the Hilton Garden Inn on July 20, 2023. Pictured are board members and staff (l-r, back row) Jay Galea, Ron Guillard, Tanner Williams, Phillip Schnarrs, Felipe Gutierrez; (middle row) Hector Ruiz, Pete Makopoulos-Senftleber, Wally Ropchan, Bryan Hlavinka, Bob Mosser, Matt Hernandez, and Ahmad Goree; (front row) Michel Macklin, Lisa Madry, Anna Sanchez, Naomi Green, and Ian L. Haddock
Round Top Festival Institute held its 2023 closing orchestra concert on July 15, 2023. Pictured is world-renowned pianist James Dick with members of the orchestra.
On July 16, 2023, Legacy Community Health held its 21st Mint Julep fundraiser at White Oak Music Hall. Pictured are performers and crew.
On July 20, 2023, the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce held its monthly breakfast at Harold’s. Pictured are Alli Jarrett, Dr. Cody Pyke, and Kristi Marchand
EPAH held its July dinner meeting at Miss Carousel on July 18, 2023. Pictured are Alireza Tavakkoli, Dr. Stewart Zuckerbrod, deborah lawson, and Cameron Rivers
From the very first experience that professional photographer Victor Contreras had with a camera, he knew it was a match made in heaven.
“The first time I thought photography would be a profitable passion for me was when I was a student in the university. I took two semesters of photography. I remember it challenged my hungers, and that was the start of my entry into photography,” he recalls. “Every time when I would take pictures, I felt excited to see the results of my work.”
Actually, the seeds of this interest were planted long before he took those college courses, even if he did not realize it. Contreras was a shy child growing up in Nicaragua, so his mother bought him a camera to help him overcome his bashfulness—and it took off from there.
“I like to capture everything happening around me,” he adds. “I feel I have a connection with the camera.”
That passion sparked something within the eagle-eyed artist, who later went on to launch his media career. Prior to establishing his own studio, he worked as a television and radio producer in Nicaragua’s capital city of Managua. He decided to immigrate to the United States to enhance his prospects of succeeding in his newfound career in a new land.
By SAM BYRD
Photos by VICTOR CONTRERAS
“I miss my home country because I used to be a different person, but here I am thriving in the United States,” he muses. “I’m innovating in my life. I try to look for meaning. I like it here, because in Nicaragua I would never have the opportunities that I have in the United States.”
His big step into the unknown has worked out well. He is a sought-after photographer
who has built his empire from the ground up, and he has established a healthy list of clients. In fact, Contreras has done several photo shoots for O utSmart magazine, most recently for the cover of the June Pride Month issue.
“The beginning for me was difficult because I did not have contacts and nobody knew me. I really worked hard to put myself
Contreras
out there and get people to learn about me and my skills,” he recalls.
Even now, his freelance career can experience a few ups and downs. “This month, I have 20 to 22 photo-shoot bookings and three projects going on. Last month, I had only three clients,” he explains.
Traversing the ever-changing landscape of self-employment is not really a daunting challenge for this mogul. After all, he takes inspiration from a well-known source when it comes to rolling with the punches. “Madonna reinvents herself to death,” Contreras mentions of the Material Girl. “In each phase of my life, I keep reinventing and looking for a new version of myself.”
It seems to be working, as he’s made the leap from Central America to the United States, and he holds down a second job as a customer service representative to make ends meet when his photography business is not booming.
He has also invested in professional lighting, specialty camera lenses, and backdrops that he brings along to all of his photo shoots in an effort to capture the ideal image. In other words, he is a one-man band in the photography world.
Despite his busy schedule, Contreras finds time to give back to the community. With the limited discretionary time he has, he volunteers with Somos LOUD—the Latino Outreach and Understanding Division (LOUD), a program of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF). LOUD works to fight against HIV/AIDS transmission and the associated stigma in underserved communities. The organization employs initiatives that are culturally relevant and effective at encouraging positive behavioral changes in Latino communities throughout the United States.
Contreras has been volunteering with the group in a marketing role for almost two years. “The mission is to educate about HIV [and promote] PrEP medication and condoms to prevent its spread,” he notes. “We also educate others about how you can live safely in a romantic relationship if you or your partner is HIV-positive.”
It’s a mission worth investing in. Through his philanthropic efforts, Contreras helps LOUD promote the resources that are available to live a healthy life. He enjoys helping the organization provide a platform for unheard voices and empower individuals to take action for the betterment of the community.
Follow Contreras at instagram.com/ closeyoureyesphoto.
By DAVID BRASHER
Photo by AL TORRES PHOTOGRAPHY
When you meet Kathy Anderson, the owner of Eklektik Interiors, the first thing you notice is how charismatic she is. She immediately makes you feel at ease with her openness and witty banter, and there isn’t a curse word she hasn’t used to pepper a conversation if it helps emphasize her point. It’s easy to see why her clients love her.
But outside of owning one of Houston’s most successful interior design firms, she is also a proud parent to three children, one of whom is a trans man who lives in Oregon. It’s no surprise, then, that a person who spends her time creating unique, beautiful spaces uses that same approach in her personal life.
Anderson says she grew up on a dirt farm road in East Texas “with not a pot to pee in.” Her family never had money, so she spent her time helping around the farm and milking cows, something that actually helped her segue into being a successful business owner. “It didn’t matter what was going on—you worked. I can even remember milking cows during a hurricane,” she says, laughing.
That strong work ethic helped propel Anderson to the next chapter of her life at Brigham Young University, where she first discovered interior design. Originally intending to study drama, Anderson fell into interior design by accident. After taking one design class just to fulfill a humanities credit, she found her true passion. She would go on to get a degree in interior design and eventually move to Houston, where she settled down and started a family. She quickly realized that Houston was also the perfect place to open an interior-design firm.
In 1997, Anderson opened Eklektik Interiors—spelled with a “K,” as in “Kathy”—in the Champions area of North Houston. To her, “eclectic” means “the best of various styles.”
“I find most people are eclectic,” she notes, before taking a beat and correcting herself. “Well, at least the interesting ones are,” she says with a knowing wink.
Since she opened her firm, Eklektik has
grown exponentially—so much so that she eventually moved to her current Katy Freeway location around 15 years ago. She attributes the growth to her client-first approach, and also her ability “to outwork anyone.”
“Other designers have ‘a look,’ and they are beautiful, and I think people gravitate toward them because they like that look. We don’t have a look. I hope to hell I never have a look. We want the client’s look. We take the time to find out what their design aesthetic is, even when they don’t know what it is. We are very conscious of their budget, and we are very
transparent about how we do business. I am very client-driven, because that’s who I work for.”
Eklektik’s customer reviews praise both Anderson and her staff for the excellent work they do, and for their ability to work with any budget. She suggests that someone who just purchased a home or is remodeling should find a good designer to collaborate with. “Designers at Eklektik can help you as little or as much as you want. People always say, ‘I would love to have a designer, but I can’t afford one.’ But if you don’t have a lot
of money, you can’t afford not to have one because you can’t afford to make a mistake.”
Even though Anderson devotes so much time to her business, she has always managed to put her family first. Her youngest son, Jude, is a proud trans man, and Kathy is equally proud of him. “When he decided to transition, he wrote me a letter that he read to me. In the letter he said, ‘For the first time, I am reconnecting to who I was as a child.’ And when he said that, I just broke down,” Anderson says after pausing to keep from crying.
“Everything then made sense. When Jude was little, he never played with dolls. He played sports with my other son. He didn’t want to wear a shirt outside, and I couldn’t get him to wear a dress. The only time I could get him in a dress was for church. I would say, ‘You have to wear a dress for Jesus.’ And every Sunday he would cry. So when Jude began to transition, it wasn’t a surprise to me.”
Today, Jude is enjoying life in Oregon with his partner, and Anderson couldn’t be prouder. “You’re as happy as your most unhappy child, and I am very happy.”
As she looks to the future, Anderson doesn’t see herself slowing down. She is
even thinking about running for public office as a State representative. She loves being an interior designer, but also sees the benefit in being a voice for the underrepresented. “Texas is so f’d up right now. Here the government is telling parents that they can’t help their child be who they are. I don’t think there is a parent worth their salt who, if their child said, ‘OK, I want to be a boy’ or ‘I want to be a girl,’ wouldn’t just say, ‘OK, yeah, let’s make that transition.’ You know your kids. You know who they are when they are tiny, and who they will grow up to be.”
And don’t get her started on all of the state bans on drag performances. “If you don’t want
to go to a drag show, then by God, don’t go. But if you ever did go, that’s the most fun you will probably ever have. I just think there are so many things that need to be changed. Bottom line: Why does this hurt any of you people? Why does any of this affect you personally? Who made you [the judge] and jury? Nobody. It’s not your place to tell a parent what they can and cannot do with their child. That parent will reap the rewards, or face the consequences, with their own child.”
Even though Anderson has worked hard and has seen so much success in both her personal and professional life, she still knows there is more she can do to help. She reminds people that no matter how busy she is, she will always make time for those around her and will always support the LGBTQ community. “At this point in my life, it isn’t about the money. It’s about the joy in sharing with other people. I may not be wealthy in the traditional sense, but I am wealthy in other ways. For me, anyone that has the courage to live authentically deserves praise. Let people be people, and just love each other and accept each other. And guess what? We might learn something about each other during the process.”
For more info, visit eklektikinteriors.com
“LET PEOPLE BE PEOPLE, AND JUST LOVE EACH OTHER AND ACCEPT EACH OTHER. AND GUESS WHAT? WE MIGHT LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT EACH OTHER DURING THE PROCESS.”
—Kathy Anderson
Warren, MSW, uses their voice to advocate for reproductive rights and sexual health care for all Texans, all while balancing other crucially important volunteer and employment responsibilities. Warren is often found on the front lines of various causes, championing and empowering vulnerable populations. And at the age of 28, they are just getting started.
Warren’s journey to discovering their nonbinary identity culminated in an “aha moment” during the COVID-19 lockdown. “I feel like a lot of people realized things during the pandemic,” they explain. “I started doing research on what it means to be nonbinary, and what the terminology actually meant. I talked to one of my friends who is nonbinary and they said, ‘Onjheney, cisgender people don’t stress about their gender as much as you do. You should think about these things, because it sounds like you’re going through a lot with figuring out your gender identity.”
For Warren, the puzzle pieces eventually fell into place. “I didn’t feel as comfortable in my body as I thought I did. To many people, I come off as very feminine and, as a woman, that is how I’ve been socialized. I think realizing I am nonbinary was a rejection of that—a realization that I don’t know if I really identify with that as much as I thought I did.”
Although they have found authenticity in their identity, Warren explains the experience wasn’t easy. “I had to reject everything I thought about myself to be true. To me, gender isn’t binary. You can be any gender and express yourself—identify yourself—in any way that you want. I had to realize that I could do that for myself.”
In their full-time job, Warren supports
students at the beginning of their college journey and beyond. “I work for a nonprofit in the college-access field. We support high school students through their journey into higher education. We help them apply to colleges and figure out the financial aid. My job, specifically, is to support them in their transition to college.”
Those students are in capable hands as Warren guides them through the process of being a college student. “I’m all-hands-ondeck, helping them figure out what they need to successfully make it to the first day of class. As they become sophomores and juniors, I’m more
of a mentor or coach advising them. They come to me when they don’t know where to go or who to contact in various situations.”
In addition to empowering the next generation of leaders, Warren serves on the board of directors for Grace Place, a local nonprofit with a mission of supporting youth and young adults of all genders and sexualities who are experiencing homelessness.
Warren’s lifelong passion for public service ultimately led to their advocacy work. “My journey with Planned Parenthood began when I moved to Houston in 2018. I
Speaking the truth isn’t always easy, but it is always necessary. Onjheney
was looking for a reproductive and sexual healthcare clinic and I hadn’t had positive experiences in the past with other OB/ GYNs, so I was trying to find a place where I could feel affirmed and validated,” they explain. During one visit, Warren shared their personal story on a comment card and was soon invited to be a Planned Parenthood Storyteller. “A storyteller is basically a champion for Planned Parenthood. In April 2023, I was chosen to be a national storyteller, which is really amazing because I get to participate in monthly calls where I learn how to be a better advocate for Planned Parenthood and other causes.”
Watching politicians roll back reproductive and sexual-health rights fuels Warren’s fire. “These are targeted attacks, and we need to fight back.” That advocacy work even landed Warren in front of a microphone at the Texas State Capitol during the 2023 Legislative Session. “I was there with Planned Parenthood Texas Votes, which is the advocacy arm of the Planned Parenthood affiliates in Texas. We were showing support for legislation regarding comprehensive access to reproductivehealth entities, which would allow Planned Parenthood and other providers to receive federal and state funding to do their work.”
Standing alongside Texas reproductiverights icon Wendy Davis, Warren’s presence at the event gave voice to the voiceless. “My job was to just share my story and talk about how Planned Parenthood has helped me feel safe, heard, and validated. I spoke about my experiences with them and how I have been judged by previous healthcare providers who were supposed to be there for me regarding my sexual reproductive health care, but ended up making me feel like I was wrong.”
Warren invites others with a passion for advocacy and public service to join them in the fight. “It can be very scary and very intimidating, but advocacy needs to be equitable. People need to be met where they are and give what they can, because there are a lot of things happening and a lot of fighting that needs to be done.”
Follow along with Onjheney on Instagram at @onjh.warr.
“THERE IS A LOT OF FIGHTING THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.”
—Onjheney Warren
Frost Town Brewing, named after one of Houston’s oldest downtown areas, is the perfect place for local queers, cheers, and beers. Hannah Schaible is Frost Town’s nonbinary chief marketing officer who has segued from a career in professional basketball to the world of craft brewing. They invite everyone to come visit and enjoy a pint in the downtown brewery’s beautifully inviting space.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 28-year-old Orlando native had a promising future playing professional basketball abroad. “I played in college at George Washington University and was very successful. I had the amazing opportunity to play professionally in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Newcastle, England, where I was also able to get my master’s degree,” they explain. “It was a wonderful time, and I’m truly blessed for everything that basketball has given me.”
When their husband, John, decided to move back to his hometown of Houston, the pair relocated and set out to bring Frost Town Brewing to fruition. “The brewery is familyowned: myself, John, and the rest of his family. I do most of the customer-facing things— social media, design, event planning, decorations, and the different programs we want to work with or bring into the brewery. Frost Town hosts weekly trivia nights, game nights, a run club, and even ‘Emo Yoga.’”
The two-story brewery boasts a sprawling outdoor space and a spacious interior that was designed with the intention of helping customers feel right at home. “We really focused on finding that balance between a welcoming space and being light and colorful,” Schaible
notes. “We got this great compliment one time on a Reddit forum where somebody suggested Frost as a good place to work remotely. Oddly enough, this brewery has a very ‘coffee shop’ vibe to it. We want it to feel homey.”
Frost Town beers cater to a range of palettes. “We offer light lagers, dark lagers, ambers—it’s pretty special to be able to have such a big lager program,” they explain. “We have three fantastic core light beers that are always around. We also have a Southern-style pre-Prohibition pilsner, and more.”
The queer-friendly brewery is also a favorite with Astros fans because of its proximity to Minute Maid Park. Schaible notes that Frost Town serves customers of all backgrounds.
“We have an interesting crowd—it’s a welcoming place where worlds collide.”
Being a fully affirming brewery in Texas doesn’t come without its fair share of socialmedia trolls, however. “John and I have our pronouns in our Instagram bios, and I remember a comment that said, ‘You can spot the liberals in the beer world when they got pronouns in their bios!’” To those prospective customers who have an unfounded fear of pronouns, Schaible simply says, “It’s okay, you’ll be fine.”
But beyond the occasional rude remarks the brewery has received, the former pro basketball player points out that their customers’ support has eclipsed any negativ-
ity. “The people who have become regulars show that things are skewing in a good way. They find the space welcoming with a queer focus [that they see from] the queer-related events that we’re able to put together.”
Being nonbinary in the craft brewery world is territory that Schaible has to navigate regularly. “The concept of being nonbinary is still so new to people, and they don’t understand it. It’s a learning curve for a lot of people, and a big part of the difficulty that I’ve seen is the fact that I am a business partner with my cis male spouse.” The perception that their husband is in some way more qualified in the beer world is just one sexist microaggression Schaible points to. “I think the craft beer world is moving into a space of being more welcoming [as they] realize that there has always been a ton of different kinds of people that work in beer. They’re just a little slow to recognize that. We’re getting there, but obviously not as quickly as would be ideal.”
For those who are curious about stepping into the world of local breweries, Schaible invites folks looking for a great place to enjoy a frosty pint to stop by Frost
Town Brewing. “Most Houston breweries are small businesses. You might even be served by the brewers who actually own it. A special thing about craft beer is that it is brewed for people who visit the brewery. So much passion is put in the beer that they’re serving across the bar. If you want to connect to community and support small businesses, breweries are the way to do that.”
Keep up with Frost Town Brewing on Instagram @frosttownbrew.
“IF YOU WANT TO CONNECT TO COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES, BREWERIES ARE THE WAY TO DO THAT.”
—Hannah SchaibleFrost Town Brewing
By ZACH McKENZIE
Photo by MATTHEW MURPHY
Musical theater fans oughta know about Jade McLeod, who is bringing their showstopping voice and artistry to the Theatre Under the Stars stage in Jagged Little Pill from August 29 to September 10. As a nonbinary artist, portraying a queer character is a professional and cultural role McLeod doesn’t take lightly. The performer and activist is thrilled to delight Houston audiences, along with the rest of the show’s cast, with this story inspired by the music of rock icon Alanis Morissette.
“I play Jo, and Jo’s best friend Frankie is one of the main characters. The show centers around this mother-daughter relationship, similar to the album itself. Joe is Frankie’s best friend-with-benefits,” McLeod explains. “Their relationship depicts this young, very pure love where two misfits have found each other and are helping each other—it’s them against the world. Jo is queer and in a family that doesn’t accept that. They are playing with gender and exploring their gender identity, which is something their family is not super down with.”
The musical, named after the 1995 Alanis
Morissette album, is packed with rock classics that audiences will recognize. McLeod is both a fan of the production and a key player. “‘Hand in My Pocket’ comes at the beginning of the show. It’s a moment of levity and is just really fun to sing,” the artist says of the song. “It’s very fun to flirt onstage with [Lauren] Chanel, who plays Frankie. As far as my favorite song in the show, I really love ‘All I Really Want,’ which also comes at the top of the show. It’s the start of the album, and it’s this perfect moment when we get a glimpse into what all the different characters in this family are
struggling with.”
The pressure of performing recognizable, iconic songs that have transcended generations is something McLeod is well aware of. “Oh my God, yeah, there’s pressure! ‘You Oughta Know’ definitely catches me off guard every once in a while with how intense that moment is. Audiences really have to wait until the end of the show. I know that everybody’s kind of looking at their program like, ‘Okay, when is this song gonna happen?’ And then I get to do it. [As soon as] the first lyric comes out of my mouth, people in the audience react and I can hear them go, ‘Oh my God!’”
Although the songs are rock standards, McLeod emphasizes how each character shapes their songs in unique ways. “You never want to just let it be these iconic rock songs and rock moments. It’s gonna still come from a place of depth and honesty with the characters, and that’s the truth. The hard part is keeping it grounded in what each character is experiencing.”
McLeod uses their social-media presence to advocate for LGBTQ rights and other social-justice causes, even protesting injustice at the US Capitol and beyond. “I
can’t help it. I have to walk in this way. I have a lot of privilege as a white person and a principal in a huge Broadway show. I feel like the least I can do is shout to the rooftops.”
Traveling the country and performing this material as a nonbinary performer is deeply important to McLeod. “It means everything—it truly means the world. This tour is not easy, and this show is not an easy story to tell, but I would not give that up for the world. I think,
especially right now, it is such a privilege and honor.”
Being a highly visible nonbinary presence onstage is something that McLeod realizes carries a much greater weight today. “There are so many kids that see the show—teenagers or young people in their early 20s, and even people well into adulthood—who are trans or nonbinary, or simply figuring it out. They see the show and they’re like, ‘Oh my God, I feel seen. I feel like I’m not alone. I feel like I am not wrong in a world that’s telling me I’m wrong and not perfect as I am.”
Still, McLeod assures us that this musical is for everyone. “This show is incredibly human. Everyone on that stage is giving you their heart and soul, and it is a very cathartic show. I think there’s something for everyone to relate to and feel something. It’s a very human experience seeing Jagged Little Pill. If you need to get some stuff out, we’re there to do that for you and to help that empathetic release happen.”
What: Theatre Under the Stars presents Jagged Little Pill
When: August 29–September 10
Where: The Hobby Center, 800 Bagby St. Tickets: my.tuts.com/events
By OLIVIA FLORES ALVAREZ | Photo by LAWRENCE ELIZABETH KNOX
The Alley Theatre’s latest “Summer Chills” production is Mark Shanahan’s fresh adaptation of Agatha Christie’s charming The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. Set in the early 1920s, the play is classic Christie with plenty of plot twists and misdirection.
There’s an ensemble cast of suspicious and colorful characters, among them the recently retired detective Hercule Poirot (played by David Sinaiko). When Roger Ackroyd (Shawn Hamilton), the richest man in the village, is murdered, Poirot is called into action.
Poirot has plenty of helpers—and suspects. There’s James Sheppard (Christopher Salazar), the dead man’s doctor, and Caroline Sheppard (Elizabeth Bunch), the doctor’s sister and village gossip queen. Inspector Raglan (David Rainey) is the bumbling policeman—a regular character in Christie’s plots.
The victim’s money-hungry houseguests and relatives are also on hand: his friend (Brandon Hearnsberger), sister-in-law (Susan Koozin), niece (Melissa Molano), and foster
son (Dylan Godwin). Ackroyd’s household staff round out the cast: his butler (Todd Waite), maid (Skyler Sinclair), and secretary (Melissa Pritchett).
Roger Ackroyd was skillfully adapted for the stage and directed by Mark Shanahan. Most importantly, his casting of David Sinaiko is pitch-perfect as the persnickety Poirot. (Get that wrong, and the whole play is doomed.) Here, Sinaiko is flawless as he alternates between funny, fastidious, and frighteningly insightful.
Christopher Salazar’s very solid Dr. Sheppard holds his own against Sinaiko’s masterful Poirot. Sheppard acts as a narrator for the play. He’s extremely likable—unlike his sister Caroline.
Elizabeth Bunch’s Caroline is nosy and noisy. She knows all the gossip, rumors, and scuttlebutt about everyone for miles around. And what she doesn’t know, she makes up. She’s willing to repeat everything to everyone, whether they want to hear it or not. Of course, Agatha Christie didn’t mean for us to like Caroline, so Bunch makes sure we don’t.
Brandon Hearnsberger, recently seen in
Sherlock Holmes and The Case of the Jersey Lily and Cowboy Bob, continues to show his expansive range here. He’s a completely different character in each production (very un-Tom Cruise).
Melissa Molano, Dylan Godwin, and Skyler Sinclair give lovely performances. Melissa Pritchett plays the secretary as stiff and rather repressed, just as Christie meant her to be. And David Rainey slips into the role of the clueless inspector easily enough.
But it’s Susan Koozin and Todd Waite, as the greedy sister-in-law and the oldschool butler, respectively, who steal the show. Koozin plays over-the-top without overacting (a neat trick) and Waite proves that there are no small parts, only small actors. He is a consummate professional as the rock-steady manservant. They are both a joy to watch onstage.
WHAT: Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
WHEN: Through August 27
WHERE: Alley Theatre, 615 Texas Ave. INFO: alleytheatre.org
Multi award-winning director and playwright Matthew López remembers how he felt when he closed the back cover of the novel Red, White & Royal Blue by American author Casey McQuiston after he finished reading it for the first time. He knew he wanted audiences to experience that same emotional response to his on-screen adaptation of McQuiston’s hilarious and heartstringtugging tale of a female American president’s son and his romantic relationship with a British prince. López is thrilled to premiere his latest project—one he describes as a fairy tale about modern queer love—on Amazon Prime Video on August 11.
Alex Claremont-Diaz (Taylor Zakhar Perez), the son of the president of the United States (Uma Thurman), and Britain’s Prince Henry (Nicholas Galitzine) have a lot in common: stunning good looks, undeniable charisma, international popularity—and a total disdain for each other. Separated by an ocean, their long-running feud hasn’t really been an issue until a disastrous—and very public—altercation at a royal event becomes tabloid fodder, driving a potential wedge into US/British relations at the worst possible time. Going into damage-control mode, their families and handlers force the two rivals into a staged “truce.” But as Alex and Henry’s icy relationship unexpectedly begins to thaw into a tentative friendship, the friction that existed between them sparks something deeper than they ever expected.
“The most important thing to me is the end
result. You’d have to be a moron to make this movie without certain themes in it. I would be justifiably run out of this business if I didn’t include certain things in this book,” López says with a laugh. “Any act of adaptation is almost exclusively an act of exclusion. In any adaptation, there’s going to be more left out than there is included, because that’s just the nature of the beast. My main goal for myself was to make sure audiences feel the same way at the end of the movie as they felt when they finished reading the book.”
When news broke earlier this year about the film receiving an R rating for “language, some sexual content, and partial nudity,” fans rejoiced. The director explains that giving the film’s sex scenes the royal treatment was an important factor for him. “One of the things in the novel that I knew needed to be in the film
was the fundamental truth that these two people have really good sex with each other, they are very attracted to each other, and they find ways of expressing it physically. I inherently knew that there were a multitude of ways that we were going to express intimacy in this movie and that we were tracking the progression of their closeness. They sort of meet-cute and not only go from being enemies to lovers, but one of them is not fully aware of the extent to which he’s into guys before they meet. I thought a lot about the intimacy themes in the movie as a way of bringing them incrementally closer and closer together.
“By the time we got to the real lovemaking scene in the movie, I knew that I wanted to create something that was beautiful, loving, and tender. It’s not about maximizing an
opportunity to get as much sex in the movie as possible. It’s about maximizing what I’ve got in order to tell the story effectively and honestly, in a way that the people for whom the movie is being made understand that it is being made for them.”
Taylor Zakhar Perez portrays the halfLatino son of the president, and that character’s experience is one that López handled
with familiar gloves. “I, like Alex, grew up in a house with a white mom and a Latino dad. I know that I was lucky that my Latino father was loving and supportive when I came out to him, and I know that’s not always the case for young queer Latin kids. I really wanted to show, in this film, a different idea of what Latin machismo looks like—being a supportive dad of an LGBTQ kid. That was very,
very important to me because that’s what I had growing up, but it wasn’t always a guarantee.”
The film’s set had strong familial energy, which made the director’s job that much easier. “The cast and crew all really wanted to be there. We all were really happy that this was our job. I think that energy, that love of the story, that genuine affection for one another really shows on the screen,” López notes. Looking back fondly, he jokes, “I didn’t have to manufacture chemistry between Nick and Taylor. My biggest problem on set was getting them to shut up and do the scene.”
With the film’s highly-anticipated release approaching, López reflects on the imaginary world that his cast and crew created in this film, and how this story of queer love can impact people of all ages who yearn to see more representation on screen. “It’s aspirational. We knew we were very consciously making a fairy tale. But I think it’s within fairy tales that we we express our truest desires in some way. I think that, for me, seeing this kid living this life is something that, if this book had been around when I was 18, 19, 20, or maybe even younger, it might have helped me. I’m hoping that the movie can do that, as well.”
For more info, visit tinyurl.com/5544shj7
JD Doyle is renowned as Houston’s LGBTQ archivist and historian, capturing and sharing the untold stories of our queer past. His websites, including Queer Music Heritage , Texas Obituary Project, and Houston LGBT History, have won praise and awards—most notably in 2019, when the Library of Congress selected the JD Doyle Archives for inclusion in their internet LGBTQ studies web archive.
Now, in his new book, Doyle shares a deeply personal story of his cross-country odyssey at age 34 through the burgeoning gay American subculture developing in cities large and small. Entitled 1981—My Gay American Road Trip: A Slice of Pre-AIDS Culture, the book is based on a journal that Doyle kept of his adventures as he traveled from the East Coast to the West Coast and back again. It vividly evokes a lost world: the high summer of gay sexual liberation that blossomed in the decade after Stonewall, before the catastrophe of AIDS would brutally extinguish it.
1981—My Gay American Road Trip arrives with praise from notable LGBTQ historians and writers including George Chauncey, director of the Columbia Research Initiative on the Global History of Sexualities. He hails Doyle’s “remarkable journey,” praising the book as “full of insights and vivid sketches of people and places.”
In 1981, when Doyle was laid off from his job as a chemical engineer in Norfolk, Virginia, he heeded his father’s advice to seize the opportunity and take a cross-country trip. Over the next four and a half months, he drove over 12,000 miles, explored 24 states, and visited 180 gay bars in addition to dozens of queer businesses and several lesbian and gay conferences.
Doyle paints a marvelous portrait of gay Houston in the early 1980s prior to a devastating oil bust. The city was buzzing with bars, discos, social groups, and a thriving gay sports association. While in the Bayou City, he also encounters a handsome young insurance adjuster named Clark, and their blossoming affair played a key role in bringing Doyle back
to Space City toward the end of his journey. During his cross-country wanderings, Doyle crosses paths with a number of celebrated gay figures. In Houston, he meets legendary gay-rights activist Ray Hill, then in his prime as general manager of Pacifica’s KPFT radio station. While touring around California’s Russian River in June 1981, he got to spend the night with the pioneering Vietnam veteran Sgt. Leonard Matlovich, who had won a Purple Heart, came out as a gay man in the Air Force, and landed on the cover of Time magazine in 1975. In San Francisco, he encounters writer Armistead Maupin, author of the beloved novel Tales of the City
In Virginia prior to beginning his trip, Doyle had served in a volunteer role as editor of the gay community publication Our Own Community Press in 1979 and 1980. This experience provided him an entrée to meet with writers, editors, and publishers of gay newspapers during his road trip, including the popular Lone Star weekly magazine This Week in Texas. Doyle’s memories of these meetings offer a fascinating window into the development of institutions that would prove crucial in building the cohesiveness of queer communities in cities large and small.
Since Doyle was just a few years out of the closet, the attractive, introverted young
man took every opportunity to explore his sexuality. In retrospect, there is a poignancy to Doyle’s accounts of the many carefree connections he forged just as the worldwide HIV pandemic was about to explode. In San Diego, for example, Doyle enjoys a tryst with a handsome, enigmatic physician named Brad Truax. Seven years later, the doctor—a pioneering figure in California’s response to the HIV crisis—would die from AIDSrelated complications.
The book also recounts a much deeper love affair, one which would come to define Doyle’s life: his passion for LGBTQ music. It would eventually lead him to dedicate 15 years to producing the local radio program Queer Music Heritage and the ensuing online archive of the same name. “It was always important for me to play lyrically gay music,” he observes. “If an artist sent me a CD that contained one lyrically gay song, well that was very likely the one I would pick to play. Our voices needed to be heard— not just by others, but also by ourselves.”
O utSmart spoke to Doyle about his new book, his epic 1981 road trip, and his plans for the future.
OutSmart: When did you rediscover your diaries from 1981, and what was your emotional response upon re-reading them?
JD Doyle: Well, I always knew they were in a file in my office closet, but I had not really looked at it until about six years ago. Now that I am a historian, I started thinking that my accounting of this time had some “history value,” and that I should do something with it. I don’t believe anyone else has made available writings about that time just before the AIDS crisis hit us.
What surprised you most about revisiting this period of your life?
Probably the way I looked at my sexual life. I was already out for about three years, in Norfolk. But while I was active there, I certainly was not experiencing how very easy it was to meet folks in many different cities. ➝
“I HOPE READERS GAIN AN UNDERSTANDING OF THOSE TIMES IN OUR CULTURE.”
—JD Doyle
I was alone on the trip and had to force myself out of my box. I guess I looked good enough and was the new kid in town, so I got noticed.
Has focusing on that seminal time in 1981 changed how you view the narrative arc of your life and your psychological development as a gay man?
I have always considered myself an introvert, and being the editor of the gay newspaper in Norfolk before the trip certainly forced me to interact with more people than I had been accustomed to. The cross-country journey only amplified this. I had to figure it out on my own, and the trip was successful. While that was not my objective, it put in motion one of the biggest changes in my life—my move to Houston.
What do you hope that readers of your book will take away from the experience?
An understanding of those times in our culture.
Do you have plans for future books or memoirs?
After I decided to turn the journal into a book, the process has taken five years to get this far. I have learned so very much about publishing, and I still have a lot more to learn about promotion and marketing. And there are still plans for an e-book and audiobook, which will be a huge time commitment. From doing radio, I developed the skills to do the recording, but still, the amount of time required will be considerable. And I have no trouble filling my time already with my efforts to preserve our history. I feel like I am on a treadmill with all the things I want to do.
JD Doyle’s book 1981—My Gay American Road Trip: A Slice of Our Pre-AIDS Culture is available on Amazon at amzn.to/3pqziXf.
Houston, we have royalty walking amongst us. If you don’t know Jazell Barbie Royale, you’re missing out on a rising star.
“This was the first place that I ever traveled to on an airplane, and I got acquainted with so many people in that time that it just became a second home for me,” says Floridian-turned-Houstonian Royale. “I came here to visit, and some opportunities came to me to work at different nightclubs. I took them up on the offers, and I moved.”
No stranger to music, Royale has even sung on the opera stage. “The first type of singing that I was ever exposed to was gospel music. Singing is what I did before I ever did any type of drag performance,” Royale explains. “I was heavily involved in school choirs from first grade all the way until the twelfth grade. I was also in an all-city choir where I sang with several celebrities as a child.” That roster of celebrities included Barry Manilow, Melba Moore, Isaac Hayes, Ashford & Simpson, Peabo Bryson, and others.
Royale’s vocal training also sparked her interest in drag. “When I saw my first drag show, I was like, ‘Wow! I can dress how I want to dress, identify the way that I want to, and be able to lip sync to these artists that I love so much.”
With the world’s current Barbie mania, Royale’s full drag name is sure to garner even more attention. The name came to her as she was preparing for her first drag pageant. “I was practicing my presentation, I was trying to be spicy, and I said, ‘My name is Jazell Barbie Royale,’” she explains. “I wanted to be
this beautiful human being. I wanted to be able to dress up and become this beautiful person. And that was how Barbie came [to embody] my drag persona.”
After winning the Miss Continental pageant in 2016, Royale showcased her beauty by becoming the first woman of African descent to win Miss International Queen in 2019. In January 2023, she competed in the Femme Queen Face category for the Haus of Tisci and won $12,000—ballroom’s largest grand prize to date. This year, Royale was also seen on Queens of the Universe. In the second season’s premiere episode, she blew away everyone but Mel B with her stunning cover of Adele’s “Easy on Me” and went on to finish in fourth place overall.
Thankfully, Mel B’s criticisms that kept her from winning the competition didn’t dampen Royale’s desire to stay in the spotlight. “Being on Queens of the Universe was just such a great opportunity. It pushed me to become my own artist,” Royale notes. “I’ve lip-synced to so many different artists [for almost] 20 years of my drag career. [That show] gave me an opportunity to have my own voice, to put my own voice to a song, and to show the world that drag queens are more than just people that dress up and lip-sync to other people’s music.”
Her vocal talent and growing platform are not gifts that Royale takes lightly. “Being Black and trans in this world is no easy task,” she states. “Queens of the Universe gave me an opportunity to inspire, and that’s something that I always want to do because someone had to inspire me. Hopefully, me going up there and being unapologetically myself inspired someone.”
Coming of age in the ’90s and early 2000s gave Royale an eclectic musical taste, thanks MTV and TRL . Yet, she admits that one style does speak to her more than others. “I love disco music, and I love ’70s music,” Royale explains. “I think if we could bring disco back, it would connect us more. Disco is one of those rare gifts where you don’t even realize a song is 20 minutes long when you’re out there on the dance floor.”
This summer, Royale has been busy in the studio recording new music. “Inspiration comes with life, because every day we wake up and new life is happening,” she says of her studio process. As for her progress on a forthcoming and hotly anticipated single, she is currently busy fine-tuning the lyrics for the song.
In no time, Houston will be dancing to Royale’s single. But until we are, Royale has one request: “Destigmatize going to get tested, destigmatize taking care of your sexual health, know that PrEP is available, and know that HIV treatment is available,” she emphasizes. “If you need help, do research to find clinics or nonprofits that can assist you with accessing any type of treatment that you need, including mental health and hormone replacement therapy. All these things are available somewhere.”
Keep up with Jazell Barbie Royale on Instagram @jazellbarbieroyale.
“[APPEARERING ON ‘QUEENS OF THE UNIVERSE’] GAVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE MY OWN VOICE, TO PUT MY OWN VOICE TO A SONG, AND TO SHOW THE WORLD THAT DRAG QUEENS ARE MORE THAN JUST PEOPLE THAT DRESS UP AND LIP-SYNC TO OTHER PEOPLE’S MUSIC.”
—Jazell Barbie Royale
Why do so many in the LGBTQ community love coming together to sing? Is it musical, social, or political?
Pride Chorus Houston’s new artistic director, Dr. David York, believes it is the synergy of all those things. Singing is a way for people in the gay community to have a voice, and for that voice be heard through a shared experience. York even calls it “healing.”
Perhaps that is why Pride Chorus Houston
(PCH) has grown so much that it is moving to a larger venue for their upcoming season. Or maybe it’s just because a PCH concert is great entertainment. In any case, it is a way for the community to come together with one voice to celebrate each other through music.
York first discovered his love for gay men’s choirs when he lived in Portland, Oregon. His partner, Chris, was one of the founders of Portland Gay Men’s Chorus in the 1980s, and together they sang songs of hope throughout the darkest days of the AIDS crisis. Years later,
they sang songs demanding action during the cry for legalizing gay marriage.
As the chorus grew, the couple’s life in Portland flourished until everything changed in 2017 when Chris passed away from ALS. “As much as I loved Portland, I loved Portland with Chris. Without Chris, the overcast skies and the 65-degree temperatures were just not as comfortable as they once were.” So in 2019, York, along with his son, decided to leave Portland and move to Houston.
Soon after moving, the world shut down due to COVID. Once it was safe to be in crowds again, York realized he needed community and to be with people like those he felt connected to when he was in the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus. After some research, York discovered Pride Chorus Houston.
PCH has been a part of Houston’s queer community for decades, but it wasn’t always a blended chorus. Founded as The Montrose Singers in 1979, it was later renamed the Gay Men’s Chorus of Houston and would eventually broaden to include the Bayou City Women’s Chorus. The inclusion of all genders is something that drew York to the chorus. “Something really magnificent and unique happens in Houston. We are one of the few cities that has a soprano, alto, tenor, and bass Pride Chorus. There are several cities that have a men’s chorus and a lesbian chorus, and sometimes they do collaborative things together. But not too many of them identify as a solid unit.”
York admits that in most cases, people simply want to be with their tribes. And while that may be appealing to some, PCH is special because all are welcome. “It creates this celebration of figuring out who you are, and it attracts allies. There are several people who sing with the chorus because they have gay family members. They sing in Pride Chorus because of the safety they feel. They want to set the example of loving, embracing, and celebrating these really colorful people in their lives.”
York also sees it as an opportunity to
learn more about others in the LGBTQ community. Not only is it a way to create a safe, loving space, but it’s also educational because singers learn how to be inclusive in their language with gender and pronouns. “It’s a learning environment where there is a huge spirit of goodwill and a generosity of understanding. That has value, and adding music to it is a winning formula.”
In the spring of 2022, York sang for the
first time with PCH and immediately loved it. “I was there just to have fun, but when [artistic director] Matt Jones left, I was invited to help out as the artistic director. I was hired in July of 2022 and had to put together my [first] season in just a few weeks.”
York’s choir enjoyed a successful season that involved some hard work and a focus on his mission to always have fun and to choose joy. “Enrollment in the choir went up. Audi-
ences have been robust. Spirits have been high. We are doing good.”
But he doesn’t believe the choir’s growing success has anything to do with him. He thinks it has more to do with the current political climate in Texas, and the sense of safety and solidarity in taking a stand against hate that PCH provides. “Texas politics are for shit. It is a hostile environment for those who do not conform to traditional gender norms. It’s incumbent on me, and people like me, to hold vigil for people who do not conform easily, because they are under attack and we should all feel it personally. And the gay-chorus community is a wonderful place for us to act that out. We incorporate drag and trans folk as much as possible, and it is a beautiful part of who and what we are. We create space for it. We create a safe space for all kinds of people.”
With a new season approaching, PCH is looking to add more members. Auditions will be held on August 17, and for those who aren’t singers but want to get involved, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities. The first concert is scheduled for October 14 in the new performance venue at Unity of Houston.
For more info, visit pridechorus.org.
“I’m releasing a song in August called “Secret Getaway,” dedicated to the joys of gay sex. I think my parents would love this song—minus the part about “fucking in the Taj Mahal,” says DaddyPrincess (aka singer-producer Uliya).
That one line says so much about this South Asian, gender-nonconforming queer musician who now calls Houston home. Prior to arriving in the Bayou City about five years ago to be closer to family, DaddyPrincess lived in the Bay Area and then Brooklyn, New York. However, their roots are Midwestern, having grown up in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Their mother and step dad, who immigrated from India, played a large role in DaddyPrincess’ early musical influences, which included everything from disco to Bollywood.
“My parents used to throw these big parties at our house. They played lots of music, but all I remember is ‘Dancing Queen’ on repeat,” DaddyPrincess recalls. “My mom and I used to listen to Sade a lot in the car, and my bio dad and I would listen to Lenny Kravitz full-blast, windows down. My first cassette was probably Diwaale Dulhania Le Jayenge (we lovingly called it DDLJ), which my cousin brought when she moved in with us from India. My first American cas-
sette was Ace of Base. As a child, I’d love to dance to Bollywood music and perform in plays, but I think I discovered I could sing in high school.”
DaddyPrincess is a self-taught musician who started posting their early works on YouTube around 2012. Their talent evolved, and they eventually graduated from guitaronly songs to more polished mixes using a proper condenser mic and Logic Pro X.
“I took mixing and sound design a bit more seriously. I began to get feedback from fellow songwriters, producers, and poets. I started to collaborate more and build community with musicians I admired, even if I felt a little awestruck by their talent. ‘DaddyPrincess’ is a recent invention of mine. Before that, I was releasing music under Uliya from 2012 to 2022.”
The artist produces practically every element of their work, from the music to the cover art and visuals. “I love being a selftaught musician. I’m very proud of it! [But I also] admire my friends who’ve been to, let’s say, Berklee—I learn so much from them, as well. We all have our place.”
DaddyPrincess now describes their current music as sensual, effervescent, melancholic alt-pop. “Usually when I say
‘alt-pop,’ people catch the vibes. But everyone has their own thoughts on it. It’s a fun convo,” they say with a wry smile.
Although their music is intended for everyone to enjoy, DaddyPrincess wants to use their platform to champion trans, GNC (gender-noncomforming), and queer people—in particular those who also identify as BIPOC. This is especially important now, given the attacks on trans and GNC people.
“I see music as a way to bring people together into spaces where we can create community and grow closer,” DaddyPrincess
explains. “Through these spaces, we can form bonds where we can uplift one another, despite the BS. I’m not alone in this—there are so many trans, GNC, and queer musicians, DJs, and performers in Houston. Artists like Coy, Jotan, and Amarji are doing this same thing. So many!”
DaddyPrincess just wrapped up a single called “deep space broadcast (origin unknown)” and four extraordinary remixes done by other QTBIPOC artists. Another DaddyPrincess single, “Secret Getaway,” is a “shimmery, easy-breezy tune for those sultry, humid Houston summer evenings,” according to the musician.
“I consider my music and work as a performer a gift for my listeners and my community. Literally, listen wherever you feel called to—wherever you get music.”
The future for this inventive artist looks bright. In addition to their new music, DaddyPrincess is planning “more music videos, more bandmates, more stages, more community love, and more music collabs with amazing artists—including other queer Houston artists like Attxla, Nate Drop, and Isaac Niaz.”
Follow DaddyPrincess on social media and at daddyprincess.gay.
When queer musical duo Man On Man—Roddy Bottum and Joey Holman, whose partnership is both creative and romantic—released its eponymous debut album in 2021, it was as if someone opened a gallon drum of poppers and we were all experiencing the same thrilling head rush. Bottum, who many know from his time in Faith No More, hinted at some of what we heard through his other band, Imperial Teen. However, when combined with Holman’s youthful exuberance, Man On Man took the sound and the style to a whole new level.
Even if you’ve been listening to other contemporary gay bands, nothing could prepare you for what this pair has in store with their latest album, Provincetown (Polyvinyl). Not shying away for a moment from its sexy subject matter, Man On Man effortlessly avoids the dreaded sophomore slump and proves they are in peak condition on songs including “Take It From Me,” “Gloryhole,” “Piggy,” “Showgirls,” “I Feel Good,” and “Kids.”
I had the pleasure of interviewing Bottum and Holman ahead of their show at Gramps in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood.
Gregg Shapiro: I’d like to begin by thanking you both for coming here to Florida to play in Orlando and Miami at a time when the state isn’t being seen in the most favorable light, especially when it comes to its treatment of LGBTQ people. Did you have any hesitation about returning to the region to play?
Roddy Bottum: Thanks for saying that. We totally addressed it amongst ourselves. When we were talking about coming down to Florida, we were like, “Yeah, it is fraught with a whole bunch of shit. Someone said to me the other day, “That’s so good that you can go down there and represent.” Which is a really good way to look at it, and the way we would have looked at it anyway. We’ve been talking a lot in the car about what Florida means—how queers and women, specifically, in Florida have to
work really hard to represent themselves. As a result, Joey was estimating that the queers and the women are way fiercer down here because they have to work so hard to represent.
People think that by not coming here, they’re punishing the state. But there are a lot of gay people who live in this state. Don’t punish the gay people who live here, because I’m pretty sure most of us didn’t vote for DeSantis.
Joey Holman: We also don’t want to give the impression that we’re coming down to Florida to do it a favor. I think one of the most repulsive views of Florida, even more so than the actual shit that’s going on, is that Floridians aren’t amazing. That they aren’t progressive, that they aren’t fighting, and that they aren’t relevant. We need Florida and Floridians. I think that there’s a slight perspective that can be a little bit condescending to places like Florida. Wait a minute! Florida is getting resistance because Florida resists. It would be silly for us to come down here and ignore that strength.
I went to college in Boston in the 1980s and we made frequent trips to Provincetown, which is one of my favorite places on earth. The new Man On Man album is titled Provincetown. Please say a few words about your connection to that gay mecca.
RB: Geographically, it was a reference point for us because it’s where we made our record. But then also, in a spiritual sense, it’s where an assemblage of our community, in a really extreme and specific way, exists. The balance of those two things spoke volumes to us when we were thinking about the title of our record. We were a little bit wary of claiming it as our own, but I don’t think there’s a danger in that. Every spectrum is there. [So the title speaks to] what we wanted to put out there with our record.
Do you ever run into John Waters?
RB: For sure. We’ve seen him riding around on his bike. We meet all sorts of people there. Even
J. Mascis of the band Dinosaur Jr., who’s on our record on the song “Hush”.
Provincetown, as well as Man On Man’s 2021 eponymous debut album, is gayer than most of the current albums I’ve heard, even from gay artists. It also reminds me of my favorite 1980s gay Boston band Human Sexual Response. Would you consider them an influence?
RB: No. I think the lack of influence [from] those sorts of bands in my life, and in Joey’s life growing up, influenced us more than anything.
Provincetown opens with the song “Take It From Me,” which contains the lyrics “Poppers, disco/1980s San Francisco/Steve Lady, Bambi/At the Crystal Pistol.” In terms of the 1980s being an influence, were you born in the ’80s, Joey?
JH: Yes, 1983. The 1980s influenced me more than you realize. I think you have an intrinsic tie to the decade you are born in. Those were my formative years. The things that I noticed—the nuance, the culture, the attitude, the energy—that’s what informed me in my most formative years. I think, also, when you go to college with people in your age group, there’s this mandatory “go back in time” thing with music.
JH: You have to go to the ’80s. That’s where I discovered going beyond emotion, going beyond time and place, and going more into atmosphere. There’s a simplicity that exists from the ’80s and a repetitiveness in the music that really inspired me as a guitar player and as a songwriter. There’s a lot from the ’80s that I think informs both of us. I think the attitude of the music, and the culture that the music was creating—the core of it resonates with both of us.
RB: Probably so. Like in the opening lines of that song, I talked about living in San Francisco at that time as a 17- or 18-year-old kid. Being influenced by that culture, on
the frontlines of the introduction of AIDS and queer sensibilities. Particularly in San Francisco, it was a rampant time for those ideologies.
“I Feel Good” sounds like the kind of summer song that would sound great blasting from a car with the windows down, or at a P-town tea dance. Are there remixes in the works?
JH: We aren’t closed off to it.
RB: We haven’t pursued it.
JH: If the right person came along to do it, we’d be totally into it.
RB: It’s a funny song. It’s one that we started playing, and then we turned off to it, and then it turned into a thing. When we play it [in our concerts, Joey explains] that this song story started as sort of a tongue-incheek sort of reference. Like, “I feel good, but we didn’t really feel good.” But it’s actually more literal now. I do feel good.
JH: It’s a song about owning your choices, and not being a victim of your choices. Being in a relationship, doing what Roddy and I do. You can view it as “It’s hard, we’re an indie rock band, we’re two queer people, we don’t make sense in the bigger conversation with where queerness is headed right now.” But it’s also, “Look at the beautiful world we’ve been able to carve out because of what we do and who we are.” That’s something to be proud of. In that way, I do feel good.
This past weekend was the Pitchfork Music Festival, and Lollapalooza is coming up soon. I’ve seen plenty of queer bands at both. Would Man On Man like to play those festivals?
JH: Of course!
RB: Yeah, absolutely. We started our band and we had a specific agenda. It was a little bit naive, but we honestly thought the places that we would do best were queer festivals, playing to
our queer family. That works to a large extent. Also, there’s a process where people who aren’t necessarily queer get on board with our ideology of being queer. That’s [a process that is just] as satisfying as preaching to the choir.
I love the way that “Piggy” addresses hookup culture with some heartfelt advice: “You gotta first love you/If you wanna fuck me.”
RB: That gets a chuckle when we explain it onstage. Gay men definitely relate. We recently did a collaboration thing with Grindr. I don’t know if Grindr reached out for that reason or if they were aware of us referencing queer hookup apps.
This brings me back to the up-front sexuality of the album, which you can hear on the cruisy “Who Could Know” and the sexy “Gloryhole.” What does it mean to you as queer artists to be able to share songs such as these with queer listeners?
JH: I’m so comfortable talking about gay sex, even lyrically. It’s a balance of us being proud of our story, proud of our interests, and proud of what we write about. And also, this is part of our culture. All of our friends talk like this.
RB: I feel the same way. It goes back to what we talked about at the beginning. Going back to our truths. I just want to put truth out into the world. I’m aware of that truth not being there when I was growing up. I want to address that in a provocative way that I didn’t have [the ability to do] when I was a kid.
Do you remember what you would consider the first queer song you ever heard?
RB: Yeah! “Relax” by Frankie Goes To Hollywood. There was so much talk about that song at the time. I didn’t really understand that that was a queer song, but I remember clocking it. Like, “Oh, OK, this is gay.”
JH: What was that song in the ’90s that was “I Kissed a Girl”? Not the Katy Perry one.
Yes, the real one by Jill Sobule—by a real queer artist.
JH: The song had a great video. That was big. Also, in some ways, Tracy Chapman. I think her queerness was connected to what she was doing. She looked like a lesbian to me, and that made me feel like I need to pay attention to her.
RB: Phranc, too—early on.
WHAT: Man On Man’s Houston appearance
WHEN: October 12
WHERE: White Oak Music Hall
INFO: whiteoakmusichall.com
Japan was a virtuoso from a very young age. Raised by a single mother in Houston who had an enormous amount of love and support for the arts, he found himself writing poetry, songs, and lyrics as early as elementary school. Being raised in a family that accepted who he was becoming, Japan was also able to explore his bisexuality— a term he didn’t learn until he was in junior high school.
His mom’s love and acceptance was all he knew, and Japan even used his writing to chronicle his feelings about her. These words are from his song Mama Said, written years earlier:
Because she pulled me aside, And put me up on some game.
Don’t swallow your pride, Or let ’em dirty ya’ name.
Don’t let ’em push you aside, They should be glad that you came!
My little beautiful boy, You put their ***** to shame.
After leaving the sheltered space of his private elementary school, Japan went to public school and had his first realization that people were not attracted to both genders. Up until this point, since most of his thoughts were only shared through his writing, he had no idea that his sexuality would be scrutinized and lead him to being ostracized by his peers.
“This is when I turned to listening and making music as an outlet. Music was a safe space and a tool that I used to protect, comfort, and defend myself. Music was a way of expression to remind me and others of how powerful I was,” Japan says. “My motto became, ‘Always en route, never in doubt.’”
Using this outlet as fuel for the soundtrack of his life, Japan set out to ensure that creatives across the country would have a space where they could feel affirmed, welcomed, and appreciated. So, in 2016, he founded Pink Elephant Music Group.
Pink Elephant Music Group’s vision was to celebrate and amplify a community of people who often go underrepresented in hip-hop. Before the onset of hip-hop artists like Lil Nas X, Saucy Santana, and Janelle Monáe being celebrated in popular music,
queerphobia was even more present in this genre of music than it is currently. Pink Elephant Music Group’s sole purpose was to create a platform for skilled talent who happened to be queer.
Through their platform, which was not focused solely on music, Pink Elephant Music Group gave creatives a voice to talk about the myriad issues affecting the communities in which artists intersect—including transgender murders, the HIV epidemic, and reproductive rights.
The history of Pink Elephant is one of drive and forward movement, all inspired by the fire that Japan had felt burning inside him for years as he found his outlet in music. It all started with a collaboration with Allgo, a nonprofit organization in Austin, Texas, now led by visionary leader Kelle’ Martin. Allgo received a cultural-arts grant in 2016 to partner with Pink Elephant to produce a two-day music festival with 25 LGBTQ artists at the historic Victory Grille. The first two festivals were a huge success, bringing hundreds of queer people of color together in the same venue where the likes of Tina Turner, Bobby Blue Bland, and James Brown played. The combination of Allgo’s vision and Pink Elephant’s momentum was a winning combination.
Pink Elephant Music Group expanded in 2018 with Pink Elephant Radio. This online radio platform featured exclusive new music and in-depth interviews from LGBTQ artists in hip-hop.
“One of the things we pride ourselves on was highlighting talented LGBT artists,” says Japan. “It wasn’t just a place to play artists because they were LGBT; these artists were talented first, and they just happened to be LGBT. We set a standard of giving platforms to people who deserve one.”
A huge shift came a year later when Pink Elephant was invited to produce what would become the first—and only—LGBTQ hip-hop showcase at South by Southwest (SXSW). Founded over three decades ago, SXSW is the premier destination and prime platform for creatives across the globe. With a long history of rising talent getting their break on SXSW stages (including Janelle Monáe, Kid Cudi, and John Mayer), this was a huge opportunity and win for the LGBTQ community of hip-hop artists. In the first year alone, they had the amazing talents of Kidd Kenn, Bobby Lytes, and OMB Bloodbath to grace the stage, along with other talent from across the nation.
Austin was a major catalyst to the success of the brand, as the city lauds itself as “the live music capital of the world.” With the programming doing so well based in
Austin, Japan found himself traveling to the city from Houston on at least a weekly basis to scope out venues, opportunities, and complete the radio show episodes. It was difficult to imagine expanding into any other cities beyond Austin, even though Houston was Japan’s home base.
“Houston was put on the mainstream map by Megan Thee Stallion and KenTheMan, along with other artists, but I was still hesitant to bring Pink Elephant here,” Japan explains. “COVID-19 did a lot for [developing] the range of Houston-based LGBT artists, though. COVID allowed people the space to make good music, but it kept people from developing a stage presence because there were minimal live-music opportunities.”
Fortunately, Japan’s creative mind and vision has inspired him to launch his latest performance venue right here in Houston, beginning this month. His “Pink Elephant Pop-Out” will be a monthly showcase created explicitly to give new queer hip-hop artists a platform to develop their talent post-pandemic.
Through this platform, Japan is hopeful that he will be able to co-curate, along with local performers, a space that is focused on bringing performances to life and nurturing prime talent across the nation. De’Wayne, Milli Bucks, and Steven Mayweather will be among the featured talent at the August 6 Pop-Out.
WHAT: Pink Elephant Pop-Out
monthly hip-hop showcase
WHEN: August 6, 8 p.m. until midnight
WHERE: Crystal Nightclub, 6680 Southwest Frwy.
TICKETS: @pinkelephantradio on social media
“MUSIC WAS A SAFE SPACE AND A TOOL THAT I USED TO PROTECT, COMFORT, AND DEFEND MYSELF. MUSIC WAS A WAY OF EXPRESSION TO REMIND ME AND OTHERS OF HOW POWERFUL I WAS.”
—Japan
July 9, 2023
Christmas in July hosted their 45th annual event at South Beach, presented by Bobby Bass and Joe Melton. The event’s hosts were Jimmy Bogert, Alex Bubulka, Dominic Cusano, Donna Griffith, Max Lambert, DeVonta Lee, Billy Michaels, Jonathan Mount, Johnnie Parsons, and Reno Wist.
July 30, 2023
Lululemon wrapped up their Summer 2023 series Proud, Present + Future with their Sunday Funday event, The Homecoming, at Heights House Hotel. Proud, Present + Future is about recognizing both the progress that’s been achieved and action still in motion. It means ensuring the safety of everyone in the LGBTQ2IA+ community with a commitment to key partner organizations like Save Our Sisters United and Transgender Education Network of Texas. It also means sharing power and hope in the feeling of Pride.
July 16, 2023
Hundreds of partygoers got into the space-themed spirit as Legacy Community Health presented the 21st Annual Mint Julep at White Oak Music Hall. The event’s honorees were Linda Cantu, a longtime healthcare advocate and tireless volunteer; renowned LGBTQ historian JD Doyle; and Doug Boyd aka Kimberly Anne O’Neil, a drag performance artist, multiple-title holder, and legendary fundraiser.
TEXAS PRIDE IMPACT FUNDS
HOUSTON COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP ROUNDTABLE
July 22, 2023
Texas Pride Impact Funds held their Houston Community Leadership Roundtable at Hilton Garden Inn Medical Center, followed by a Wine
Down Happy Hour at Harold’s Restaurant, Bar & Terrace.
By RYAN M. LEACH
Photos by CHRISTY ANNA PHOTOGRAPHY
Emmett and Andrea Morales-Yoon are famous in Texas for their activism and support of the LGBTQ community at large. Both have a long list of credentials that demonstrate their deep commitment to the community and to the state. They love their advocacy work “under the dome” at the Texas Capitol, and it was there that their romantic love for each other blossomed. On January 21, 2023, they were married in San Antonio.
“During the 2017 Legislative Session (known as “the Bathroom Bill session”), Andrea worked for the Human Rights Campaign as the Houston organizer, and I was onboarding to become TENT’s new executive director.
Through long days and difficult nights at the State Capitol, we got to know each other—first exchanging snapchats, and then exchanging phone numbers. We began dating before the [2017 Legislative Session ended in May] before entering a brutal special session.” says Emmett.
For LGBTQ Texans, the end of a legislative session is always a tense time of waiting to see what new horrors are in store for their lives when the ultra-conservative governor and state legislature finish their business. It is the warriors like Emmett and Andrea who push back on the worst of those intentions— which have recently gotten even worse. That makes the work they do harder and even more important, so fortunately they have each other to lean on as they spend endless days trying
to convince state leaders that their love and their existence is important.
“When I used to do campaign work more on the ground, Emmett used to surprise me with flowers and drive me home on days where I was too exhausted to even drive,” Andrea recalls.
“Andrea truly is the reason I’m still standing here today,” Emmett says. “She helped to make sure I was able to have top surgery, but she also knew when something wasn’t right—twice. She was there to rush me to the ER, stayed by my side, all while also ensuring that the 2021 Legislative Session wasn’t going to turn into an all-out war on trans Texans.”
Emmett is the executive director of the Transgender Education Network of Texas
(TENT), and Andrea pulls double duty as executive director for Gender Infinity as well as senior policy and field advisor for TENT. She is a proud UH alum, and Emmett jokes that he has joined Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg on the roster of proud college dropouts.
Though Emmett and Andrea share a life primarily in Houston, they came from circumstances that could not have been more different. Andrea grew up on the west side of San Antonio before moving to Houston to attend college. Aside from a short period of time, she has called Houston home since 2012. Emmett was born in Seoul, South Korea, and came to the US by foreign adoption. He grew up in the Midwest and moved to San Antonio around 2015.
Eventually, as their relationship progressed, Emmett made the decision to move to Houston and join Andrea in 2018. They currently reside in the Med Center area, and have lived in various places within that neighborhood.
“We love to explore the different neighborhoods in Houston. Sharpstown is my favorite place to visit because of the broad array of Asian restaurants, shopping, and grocery options,” says Emmett.
“I love to go to the East End, especially the Houston Farmers Market, because it reminds me of home,” Andrea adds. “We have both found some incredible small-business owners that we’ve enjoyed building a relationship with.”
Emmett proposed to Andrea in the Texas Capitol, taking Andrea by complete surprise. He did so with the help of family and friends, including State Representative Jessica González. She helped coordinate with Emmett to make it happen, since the Capitol building had been closed due to COVID restrictions.
Andrea recalls the marriage proposal fondly. “Emmett talked about our past and
where he hoped our future would go, together.”
Representative González also officiated their January wedding ceremony. “We had a big, beautiful wedding at the McNay Art Museum in San Antonio,” says Andrea. “[But] our official marriage on paper happened in Houston via the incredible judge Shannon Baldwin. We did this due to our concern, after the Dobbs decision, for how a rollback in rights could then move to affect marriage for trans and queer folks.”
The San Antonio ceremony included many traditions and special moments that demonstrated who the couple was, and who was most important to them.
“We included Korean wedding ducks to tie in Emmett’s Korean culture, as well as
him and our kid Alex wearing traditional Korean hanbok for our ceremony. Being in San Antonio, we of course had to have mariachis,” Andrea notes. “We had a full women’s quartet during our cocktail hour. A special touch we included was having a drag performance by our local favorites, Los Mentirosos. While faith is especially important to Emmett, we made the active decision to not include our religious beliefs since our family and friends have such a wide range of beliefs. We also had a table where our guest book was located that showcased our loved ones that are no longer with us.”
They also selected many LGBTQ vendors for their special day in addition to the Los Mentirosos performers, including photographer Christy Anna, makeup artist Viva La Glam, and Frostin’ ATX for their wedding cake.
The couple has not been able to take their honeymoon yet because in true Emmett and Andrea fashion, they are still fighting on behalf of LGBTQ Texans at the State Capitol— perhaps an appropriate way for them to spend their first few months as a married couple. They are also currently in the process of expanding their family and preparing for a little one to arrive, hopefully in the near future.
Papi’s
Houston’s newest Latin LGBTQ club offers dancing, drag, and game shows all week long. Visit Papi’s and experience the spicy side of Montrose!
570 Waugh Dr, Houston TX 77019
Pearl Bar
Houston’s only lesbian bar—one of just 21 left in the nation—is home to a wide variety of events including weekly drag-king shows, nationally known LGBTQ DJs, and a queer farmers market on the patio.
4216 Washington, Houston TX 77007
ReBar
This full-service venue offers distinctive food with Southern flair, a popular patio, multiple bars, VIP bottle-service areas, a large dance floor, and some of Houston’s most acclaimed resident DJs.
202 Tuam St, Houston TX 77006
Sabroso Patio Bar and Restaurant
Northwest Houston’s newest LGBTQ destination, serving delicious food and cocktails in a beautiful
5503 Pinemont Dr, Houston TX 77092
Montrose’s favorite dance club has re-opened to rave reviews. South Beach’s state-of-the-art sound, laser light show, and world-class DJs make the club a must-visit destination.
810 Pacific Street, Houston TX 77006
Since 1982, this leather bar has been a fixture in Houston’s LGBTQ community. It’s where the wild, the weird, and the kinky gather on a nightly basis—no pretense, no gatekeeping, just pure camaraderie and
715 Fairview, Houston TX 77006
Tony’s Corner Pocket
If you love a friendly bar staff, sexy male dancers, and entertaining showgirls, Tony’s Corner Pocket is the perfect spot. The bar is open seven days a week and hosts shows like Tornado Tuesdays, Wepa Wednesdays, and Sassy Saturdays.
817 W. Dallas, Houston TX 77019
Viviana’s Nite Club
This weekend-only LGBTQ Latin dance club is home to a variety of DJs, singers, talent shows, and Sunday strippers.
4624 Dacoma St, Houston TX 77092
23rd St. Station Piano Bar
This upscale piano bar with an extensive martini menu offers daily drink specials. Happy Hour prices from 4 to 7pm and live entertainment every evening. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Weekends include a full-service outside garden patio bar. 1706 23rd Street
Galveston 77550
Robert’s Lafitte
Texas’ oldest bar has been open for over half a century, and is home to Galveston’s original drag show. 2501 Avenue Q, Galveston TX 77550
Island Time Bar and Grill
Located at the historic Seawall Boulevard on 31st Street, this Galveston spot offers dancing, food, drinks, drag, and a wide variety of themed nights. 3102 Seawall Blvd, Galveston TX 77550
HUNTSVILLE
Ranch Hill Saloon
The first (and only) LGBTQ bar in Walker County offers DJs, dancing, drink specials, and drag shows. 1000 12th St, Huntsville TX 77340
SPRING
The Room
This bar and video lounge has a laid-back atmosphere and features daily drink specials, karaoke, free pool, drag shows, and live DJs several nights a week. 4915 FM 2920 #148, Spring TX 77388
Halo
The only LGBTQ dance club in Bryan/College Station is this sleek spot located smack in the middle of Aggieland.
121 North Main Street, Bryan TX 77803
A diverse multi-generational, multi-cultural feminist group for all women where each one defines her own feminism.
Speakers, conversation, and lunch afterward
EVERY SUNDAY • 10:30 AM
FIRST UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST
5200 Fannin St. @ Southmore Blvd. Room 302 • Elevator accessible where women learn, connect, and rise! www.facebook.com/houstonwomensgroup
Recently renovated and furnished 2/1 cottage, just two blocks from the beach at 34th Street, has plenty of charm for your next vacay or quick getaway. It’s also walking-distance to many restaurants, clubs, and attractions. If you don’t see your preferred dates available, send me a message—we might be able to unblock those dates for you. For more information, use the QR Code or text Tom at 713-677-9921. Email: Fricke.tom@gmail.com • Lic# GVR 07057
s h k a n m e d i a c o m M a t H a t M ave n C r e a t i ve m a d h a t m a v e n
A IR C O N DI T I O N IN G /H E AT IN G N e w p o r t A /C & H e a t i n g n e w p o r t a c . c o m .. ...... ...... ...... ...... ..... ..... ..2 8 1 / 8 0 8 - 8 6 3 0
A R T/A R T G A L L E R IE S/M U S E U MS B o g d a n F o t o A r t 2 0 0 0 E d w ar d s , S t e 3 1 4 ...... ...... ... b o g d an f o t o ar t . c o m H o l o c a u s t M u s e u m H o u s t o n H M H o r g 7 1 3 /9 4 2- 8 0 0 0 T h e M e n i l C o l l e c t i o n 1 5 3 3 S u l R o s s m e n il o r g
A S T R O L O G E R L i l l y R o d d y A s t r o l o g y
AT T O R N E Y S/L E G A L S E R V I C E S B i l l G r e e n
A l l i e s i n H o p e
A lli e s inh o p e o r g
B e r i n g C o n n e c t
B u n n i e s o n t h e B ayo u . ...... ..... ..... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... B u nn i e s O nT h e B ay o u . o r g
K e s h e t H o u s t o n k e s h e t h o u s t o n o r g
D i a n a F o u n d a t i o n T h e D i an a F o u n d a t i o n o r g
E PA H E PA H o r g
G r e a t e r H o u s t o n L G B T C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r c e H o u s t o n L G B T C h am b e r. c o m.
H o u s t o n L G B T Q + P o l i t i c a l C a u c u s t h e c au c u s o r g
K P F T R a d i o k p f t o r g
L e s b i a n H e a l t h I n i t i a t i ve (L H I)
4 0 1 B r an ar d lh ih o u s t o n o r g
L e s b i a n s O ve r A g e F i f t y (L O A F )
l e s b ian s o v e r a g e 5 0 o r g 7 1 3 /9 0 7- 5 3 7 8
H o u s t o n L G B T H i s t o r y O r g a n i z a t i o n h o u s t o n l g b t h i s t o r y o r g
P e t P a t r o l . ...... ..... ..... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ..... ..... ....T h e P e t P a t r o l . o r g
FI T NE S S CL U B S/PE R S O N A L T R
C l u b H o u s t o n 2 2 0 5 F an n in
J o h n A a r o n O n l i n e F i t n e s s w w w j a o f i t c o m
FL O O R C OV E R IN G S
F l o o r C ove r i n g s I n t e r n a t i o n a l f l o o r c o v e r in g s in t e r n a t i o n a l c o
G A R DE N IN G /L A N D S C A PIN G
F o u n t a i n s & S t a t u a r y
1 1 8 0 4 H e m p s t e a d
J o s h u a ’s N a t i ve P l a n t s & A n t i q u e s 5 0 2 W 1 8 t h S t
G R O C E R Y S T O R E
H - E - B M u l t ip l e l o c a t i o n s h e b c
H A IR /N A IL /M A K E - U P S A L O NS N U - C u t s H a i r S a l o n 5 1 5 We s t h e im e r
HEALTH CARE–COUNSELING/THERAPY
D “ Wo o d j a
7 1 3 / 5 2 9 - 5 8 4 2
7 1 3 -7 7 5 -1 9 1 2 d e b o r a h L aw s o n l aw s o n l e g a l n e t 7 1 3 /4 7 8 -2 6 1 8
G o n z a l e z O l i v i e r i L L C g o n z al e z o li v i e r ill c c o m 7 1 3 /4 8 1 - 3 0 4 0
K a t i n e & N e c h m a n L L P
2 0 0 0 B e r in g D r S u i t e 7 0 0 7 1 3 / 8 0 8 - 1 0 0 1
L u i s R u i z A t t o r n e y s w w w lu i s r u i z l aw c o m 2 8 1/4 1 0 -1 3 6 0 Wa l k e r K i r k p a t r i c k
7 1 3 / 5 5 2 - 1 1 1 7
J am e s S Walk e r Wa l k e r t e x a s l a w y e r c o m E r i c K ir k p a t r i c k K i r k p a t r i c k l a w c o m J e ff r e y D Wa t t e r s w w w. g r ay r e e d c o m ...... ...... ...... ..... ..... .... . 7 1 3 - 9 8 6 - 7 1 1 3
AU T O M O T I V E R E PA IR S
Te c h A u t o M a i n t e n a n c e 3 7 Wau g h D r
U n l i m i t e d O ff - R o a d , L L C w w w u n lim i t e d o ff r o a d t x c o m
AU T O M O T I V E S A L E S Fr e d H a a s Toyo t a Wo r l d F r e d H aa sTo y o t a c o m ..
0 5 K a t y F r w y
B A N K IN G /FIN A N C I A L INS T I T U T I O NS H o u s t o n F e d e r a l C r e d i t U n i o n
o u s t o n F C U o r g
HEALTH
-
P r i m e way F i n a n c i a l C r e d i t U n i o n w w w p r im e w ay f c u c o m 7 1 3 / 7 9 9 - 6 2 0 0
B A K E R IE S/CU S T O M C A K E S
D e s s e r t G a l l e r y D e s s e r t G a ll e r y. c o m ...... ...... ...... ..... ..... ...7 1 3 - 5 2 2 - 9 9 9 9
C OAC H IN G & W E L L N E S S
H ave n S p a c e C o a c h i n g
2 1 24 We l c h S t h a v e n s p a c e c o a c h i n g c o m
C H U R C H E S/S PIR I T UA L C E N T E R S B e r i n g C h u r c h
1 4 4 0 H ar o l d ... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ..... b e r in g c h u r c h . o r g R e s u r r e c t i o n M C C
2 0 2 5 W 1 1 t h
S t P a u l ’s U n i t e d M e t h o d i s t C h u r c h
7 1 3 / 8 6 1 - 9 1 4 9
5 5 0 1 M ain 7 1 3 / 5 2 8 - 0 5 2 7
S t . S t e p h e n ’s E p i s c o p a l C h u r c h
1 8 0 5 W A l ab am a s t s t e p h e n s h o u s t o n o r g U n i t a r i a n F e l l o w s h i p o f H o u s t o n
0
W ir t R d u f o h o r g
P l a n n e d P a r e n t h o o d G u l f C o a s t . ...... ..... ..... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ..... p p g u l f c o a s t . o r g / l g b t q
R ya n W h i t e P l a n n i n g C o u n c i l
r w p c H o u s t o n o r g 7 1 3 - 5 7 2- 3 7 24
T h e Wo o d l a n d s P R I D E t h e w o o d l an d s t x p r i d e o r g
C O M P U T E R S/IN T E R N E T/I T S E R V I C E S
C o p y c o m
1 2 0 1 - F We s t h e im e r 7 1
C O NS T R U C T I O N/H O M E R E M O DE L IN G
M r H a n d y m a n . ...... ..... ..... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... .....
V C S C o n s t r u c t i o n & R e m o d e l i n g w w w v c s h o u s t o n c o m
E D U C AT I O N
L o n e S t a r C o l l e g e N o r t h
H N - I n f o @ L o n e S t ar e d u l o n e s t ar e d u
E N T E R TA IN M E N T/N I G H T L IFE
A l l e y T h e a t r e
6 1 5 Te x a s Av e ..... ...... ...... ...... ..... ..... ..... a ll e y t h e a t r e . o r g
Fr o s t To w n B r e w i n g
1 0 0 N . J a c k s o n S t .... ...... ...... ..... ..... ...... ..... 7 1 3 -2 24 - 5 3 2 6
J R ’s /S a n t a F e
8 0 8 P a c i f i c
M i d t o w n H o u s t o n M i d t o w n h o u s t o n c o m
M i l l e r O u t d o o r T h e a t r e
M ill e r O u t d o o rT h e a t r e c o m
2 8 1/ 3 7 3 - 3 3 8 6
O u t & P r o u d L i ve o u t an d p r o u d li v e c o m
P e a r l B a r
4 2 1 6 Wa s h in g t o n P e ar l H o u s t o n c o m
R e B a r
2 0 2 Tu am
S o c i e t y F o r T h e P e r f o r m i n g A r t s
S PA H o u s t o n . o r g ..... ...... ...... ..... ..... ...... ......
S t a g e s T h e a t r e S t a g e sT h e a t r e . c o m ..... ...... ..... ..... ...... ......
T h e a t r e U n d e r T h e S t a r s
8 0 0 B a g b y S u i t e 2 0 0 t u t s c o m /o u t
To ny ’s C o r n e r P o c k e t
8 1 7 W D a ll a s
E L EC T R I C I T Y P r a t t P o w e r P a r n e r s , L L C p r a t t p o w e r p ar t n e r s c o m
FIN A N CI A L PL A N N IN G
B r o u g h t o n I nve s t m e n t G r o u p t h e b r o u gh t o ninve s t m e n t gr o up c o m
R i c h a r d D i c k s o n /G a l e n e F i n a n c i a l
5 2 0 P o s t O ak S t e 7
S h a n e T h e r i o t / E d wa r d J o n e s 8
an ar d .. ...... ...... ...... ...... ..... ..... ...... ..... 7 1 3 / 5 2 9 - 0 0 3 7 M a t t Tr i e t s c h M a t t-Tr i e t s c h c o m 5 1 2 / 5 9 1 - 8 5 1 0 M i n d f u l i n P r a c t i c e D r M a n i z e h M i r z a - G r u b e r, M D
1 7 2 8 B i s s o n n e t S t r e e t 3 4 6 / 2 0 4 - 5 4 74
C h r i s t i n e W y s o n g
2 3 0 We s t c o t t , S t e 2 1 0 7 1 3 / 8 6 9 - 74 0 0
H E A LT H C A R E – C O S M E T I C S U R G E R Y
G W P l a s t i c S u r g e r y/G e o r g e Wa s h i n g t o n , M D
74 0 0 F an n in S t S t e 8 5 0 7 1 3 / 6 7 8 - 0 0 1 9
H E A LT H C A R E – DE N T IS T S
B ayo u C i t y S m i l e s / M a r c u s d e G u z m a n , D D S
2 3 1 3 E d w ar d s S t . , S t e 1 5 0 ..... ..... ...... ...... .. 7 1 3 / 5 1 8 - 1 4 1 1
B ayo u C i t y S m i l e s /C y n t h i a C o r r a l , D D S
2 3 1 3 E d w ar d s S t , S t e 1 5 0 7 1 3 / 5 1 8 - 1 4 1 1
C o r y L o g a n , D D S
5 3 0 Wau g h D r 7 1 3 / 9 4 2 - 8 5 9 8
L i f e S m i l e s b y R a n d y M i t c h m o r e , D D S
1 7 2 2 W A l ab am a 7 1 3 /
0 W A l ab am a
o n t r o s e D D S/A u s t i n T F a u l k , D D S
FE R T IL I T Y C L IN I C S
9
- 9 3 0 0 M o n t r o s e D D S/S a m u e l A C a r r e l l , D D S
Tenenbaum Jewelers
4310 Westheimer .................TenenbaumJewelers.com
Zadok Jewelers 1801 Post Oak Blvd, Ste. 100 ............................Zadok.com
LEATHER GOODS
Montrose Forge 3423 White Oak ................................................713/893-5002
Sir Rat Leather and Gear LLC
711 Fairview .................................................sirratleather.com
PEST CONTROL SERVICES & TRAPPING
Andy’s All Star Pest Control
......................................................................713/732-7742
PET SERVICES & SUPPLIES
Bayou City Veterinary Hospital 4720 Washington ............................................713/343-9909
DOGTOPIA
1839 W. Alabama St ........................................281/985-5158
Midtown Veterinary Hospital
MidtownVetHospital.com ..........................713-528-4900
Vergi 24/7 Emergency & Critical Care Hospital
8921 Katy Freeway ..........................................713/932-9589
West Alabama Animal Clinic 2030 W. Alabama .............................................713/528-0818
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Dalton DeHart Photography
DaltonDehart.com ...........................................713/622-2202
Yvonne Feece Photography
yvonnefeece.com ...........................................832/876-1053
PLUMBING
In The Loop Plumbing Services
....................................................................................346/253-4444
MET Plumbing
......................................................................................832-221-7628
Metro Plumbing metroplumbing.us ...........................................346-401-0511
U-Plumb-It Plumbing Supply
1424 Montrose .....................................................713-942-2277
POOLS & POOL SERVICES
Venture Pools
.......................................................................................713/447-9201
PRINTING/COPY CENTERS
2daypostcards.com
621 Richmond ....................................................713/224-8808 Copy.com 1201-F Westheimer ............................................713/528-1201
Janet Friedman/J Friedman Mortgage JFriedmanLoans.com ....................................713-785-5626
Chicago Title –Inner Loop 3700 Buffalo Speedway ................................713/418-7000
Cody Grizzoffi/NRL Mortgage Codygrizzoffi.com ............................................832-541-1103
Cari Middaugh/AmCap Mortgage myamcap.com/cari-middaugh/............281/450-2235
Lyn Sullivan /Alamo Title 4265 San Felipe, Ste 520 .............................713/228-0801
Brooks Ballard/Engel & Volkers 309 Gray..................................................................713/522-7474
David Batagower/Compass Realty bayoucitypropertygroup.com ................713/253-8609
David Bowers/The House Company/Galveston David@DavidBowers.com .......................409/763-2800
Mike Copenhaver/Remax Metro mikecopenhaver@remax.net ................713/528-4963
Karen Derr/Karen Derr Realty Group/Compass karenderr.com ...................................................713/875-7050
Tom Eickleberry/Pride Street Realty TomSellsHoustonHomes.com...................713/201-5257
Paul Gomberg/The Rock Star Real Estate Group ......................................................................................713-446-8810
Jason Knebel/Greenwood King .......................................................................................713/232-9712
Houston Association of Realtors har.com ..................................................................713/629-1900
Debbie Levine/Sotheby’s International Realty sothebysrealty.com .....................................713/942-6857
Lynette Lew/Better Homes and Gardens LynetteLew.com...............................................713/582-2202
Steve Markham/ Sotheby’s International Realty
1 717 West Loop South, Ste 1700 .........713/823-4729
Danny Pleason/Martha Turner/Sotheby’s dannypleason.com .........................................832/661-1502
Richard Ray / Douglas Elliman Real Estate ........................................................................................713-416-3931
Tom Schwenk/Tom’s Galveston Real Estate Tomsgalvestonrealestate.com ...............713/857-2309
VJ Tramonte/Joe Tramonte Realty 1802 Broadway/Galveston ........................409/765-9837 Colby Wulf/Compass har.com/colbywulf ......................................713-444-8919 1
REAL ESTATE-RENTALS/MANAGEMENT
iTrip Vacations
itrip.net/hcw........................................................877-233-1195
RECREATION
Rainbow Ranch Campground www.rainbowranch.net ............................254-729-8484
RESTAURANTS/COFFEE/WINE BARS
Cantina Laredo
11129 Westheimer Rd ...................................713-952-3287
Chapultepec Lupita
813 Richmond .....................................................713/522-2365
Dessert Gallery
DessertGallery.com .......................................713-522-9999
Eugene’s 1985 Welch St .....................................................713/807-8883
Free Grillin’/Chef Michele
......................................................................................832/419-0165
Frost Town Brewing 100 N. Jackson St ..............................................713-224-5326
Giacomo’s cibo e vino
3215 Westheimer.............................................713/522-1934
Harold’s In the Heights
350 W. 19th ..........................................................713/360-6204
Niko Niko’s
2520 Montrose...................................................713/528-4976
93’ Til
1601 W Main St .................................................281/846-6405
Pho 518!
9330 Broadway, #416 ..................................832/736-9903
Riva’s Italian Restaurant
1117 Missouri St .................................................713/529-3450
Low Tide Kitchen
2030A Bingle......................................................713/360-6304
Tacos Doña Lena
8788 Hammerly ................................................713/993-6486
Urban Eats
3414 Washington Ave ....................feasturbaneats.com
SPECIALTY RETAIL
Phoenicia Specialty Foods phoeniciafoods.com ....................................832/360-2222
STORAGE
Morningstar Storage The Heights
4495 Katy Fwy ..................................................281-728-4509
TOURS
Mr. McKinney’s Historic Houston Tours MisterMcKinney.com ....................................713/364-8674
TRAVEL/TRAVEL AGENCIES
Concierge Travel, Inc
4920 Mimosa .........................................................713/661-2117
Why would you buy a cake from someone who doesn’t want to sell you one?
call 713/520-7237.
This month begins with Venus, our planet of love and money, retrograde until the middle of September. This will make us rethink our commitments and investments. Old friends from the past could show up! Mercury, our planet of communications and local travel, also goes retrograde on August 19 through September 20. This is the time to clean out your storage areas, review transactions, and connect with people from your past. This is definitely not the time to invest in anything new. Venus is in Leo and will impact the fixed signs of Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius, and Taurus. Mercury retrograde will have the strongest impact on the mutable signs of Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces, and Gemini. The Sun enters Virgo on the 22rd. Mercury will be retrograde in Virgo and Venus is retrograde in Leo. Mars travels through Virgo, and at the end of the month enters Libra.
Tense days this month are August 1, 9, 22, 23, 27 and 30. Easier days are August 6, 13, and 16.
ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)
Your energies are divided this month. You are interested in things that give you pleasure in life, but you’re also paying attention to those daily demands. You may also want to connect with your children more than usual. Co-workers could be grumpier than usual, and your tolerance for that could be very low. This is a very good time to restart a health program, especially with Mercury going retrograde. You are still on the lookout for alternative resources and doing something you feel more passionate about. This is a very good month to get rid of things you don’t need and organize the things you keep.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20)
This is going to be an active month for the Cows and Bulls. Home and family matters are significant with Venus retrograde in this area. It may be a good time to resolve separations, attend a family reunion, and give your home a makeover. There are family power shifts occurring as a result of aging, which creates a leadership struggle. This is also activating you to pay more attention to how happy you are with your career. You have been on the hunt for things that give your life more meaning. Later in August, you are looking to have more fun and connect with your children, or with hobbies that you have been ignoring. With your ruler, Venus, retrograde until mid-September, it’s time to review your options—but put off decisions until after that retrograde.
GEMINI (May 21–June 21)
The desire to be heard is very important this month.
You are addressing issues that have been building, and you are ready to share! Home and family are also big topics for you. You may be thinking about moving, remodeling, and taking more of a protective leadership role in your extended family. Your ruler, Mercury, will be retrograde in your home and family area. Career continues to be strong over the next couple of years. You may be starting your own business, getting a promotion, or, if you are older, retiring to focus on more personal desires. Pay attention to your boundaries so you don’t have to be so adaptable!
CANCER (June 22–July 22)
Finances and investments take center stage this month. Venus is retrograde in this area, so you could explore ways to cut back on expenses. You are also looking at investments for retirement, bringing your stock portfolio up to date, and thinking about asking for a raise. You are more direct in your communications this month, and you may even come across as aggressive. At the end of the month, you are ready to get your life more organized. This is a great time for clearing out the clutter that’s stashed away. This is also a great time to market yourself to old and new customers. You may hear from old friends at the end of the month, and this will continue through September.
With Venus, our planet of love and money, retrograde in your sign until mid-September, you are seriously rethinking your relationships. In positive relationships, this is a great time to renew those bonds. Difficult partnerships need to be resolved, one way or the
other. Your sense of self-worth will be extremely important this month, and you won’t tolerate others treating you poorly. Finances are at the forefront through the end of September as you take a hard look at your resources and investments. Your career opportunities are still plentiful, even though it’s best to wait until late September to commit to any path. Your relationship energies are going through a big cleanse. You are overhauling the way you do relationships and setting your sights on more confident interactions.
As the month begins, you are in a time of rest and retreat. Your psychic sensitivities are stronger than usual, and things that you normally ignore come to the forefront. The early part of the month is better for a retreat to connect with your spirit and explore your artistic side. In contrast to this energy, Mars (traveling through your sign this month) could cause you to be ready to act without waiting to make sure everyone is happy. This is a great time to restart exercise or health routines, market yourself, and avoid any BS in relationships. This can be a more confrontational time if you are having problems. If you are doing well, this is a great time for an adventure or project with your partners. Your ruler, Mercury, goes retrograde at the end of the month. This is the time to connect with your past.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 23)
Early August is a great time for connecting with old friends and colleagues. This is also an excellent
time to get marketing help. Venus, your ruler, is retrograde until mid-September. With relationships, this is about making them stronger and weeding out problems. You may be reconsidering commitments you have made over the last five months. With finances, this is a good time to refinance existing debts. In late August, you are ready for some “me” time to step away from those social obligations you had earlier in the month. Improving your health regimen can be beneficial this month. Also at the end of the month, Mars, planet of action, selfprotection, and impatience, enters your sign for the next 44 days, so you’ll have plenty of motivation in September.
Career is the primary focus this month with Venus retrograding in that area of your horoscope. You will be reconsidering the career path you have chosen. If it is not meeting your needs, you may be considering a different path altogether. This energy will get much stronger in October. You may feel that you need to do something this month, but that’s just a warm-up for October! This could be the time to switch careers, start your own company, or possibly retire. Friends and colleagues can be very supportive if you seek out their advice. Relationships should continue to be positive, even with Venus retrograde. This is definitely a better time to connect with old partners! You will be ready for some time alone in late August.
A part of you wants to take off and travel in August, while another part of you knows you should take care of responsibilities. If you can do both, you will be a winner! Career is a big issue, and with Mercury going retrograde in your career area by mid-August, you will be dealing with old issues that you just can’t tolerate any more. For some, this can be the impetus to move forward into something you enjoy. For others, this is the time to step up and take on a leadership role. Older folks may be looking to retire or cut back on career demands. Relationships are doing OK, but you are looking for more commitment. If you are single, you are considering a permanent partnership. In existing partnerships, you are looking to renew the alliance. Best to wait until late September to take action.
Finances have your attention this month as you look at investments and prepare for retirement. Debt can make you feel trapped and diminish your inner well-being. This month will bring those issues to a head. Another part of you is looking to step away for a retreat or extended travel. This will be especially strong from midAugust to late September. You may alter your schedule so you can have more time to yourself. Relationships are getting better because you are being more vocal about your needs and telling others about your boundaries. Your career energies increase at the end of the month, even with your need to have more personal time. Do what’s best for you.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)
Relationships, both business and personal, are the main themes this month. Venus is retrograde in your relationship sector. In good relationships, this is a time to reconnect. In difficult alliances, problems must be resolved or you won’t move forward. This time for review ends by mid-September. This review also activates your thoughts about moving and downsizing. You are looking to free yourself from existing demands where you live now, and you are also paying more attention to your finances and excessive spending. You are looking for a career option that is more interesting. This energy gets much stronger by October. Take your time—you don’t need to decide until then.
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)
Boundaries and career choices are the focus this month. You are looking to really commit to a career, and not just a job. You may be considering going into business with someone as Venus, planet of collaboration, is retrograde—an excellent time to brainstorm about ideas and long-term plans. This is the time to consider plans, but not the time to put those ideas into action. The best time for that is in the third week of September. August is the time to take better care of yourself with health and exercise programs and by paying attention to your boundaries. Finances become more important at the end of the month. What are you doing with your money?
For more astro-insight, visit lillyroddyshow.com.
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Queen Persephone originally picked her name based on the mythical Greek daughter of Zeus and Demeter. Persephone became the queen of the underworld after her abduction by (and marriage to) her uncle Hades, the king of the underworld. Truly a romantic story, right? But unlike her epic namesake, our Queen Persephone very much exists in the everyday world, and she’s making the most of it. The whip-smart goddess is currently working on her media production degree at the University of Houston.
Pronouns? She/Her
Inner Avatar?
Selina Meyer trying to win the presidency
Hometown? Houston
Drag birthday? August 10, 2017
What got you interested in drag?
I have always loved feminine things since I was a child, and I admired powerful women onstage. I would continuously watch Selena, The Bodyguard, What’s Love Got to Do with It, and tons of Britney Spears music videos. I think I always knew I wanted to be a queen, and when I worked around the grand divas at Hamburger Mary’s and had the chance to perform, it felt like a fever dream.
Describe your performing persona. I would consider my performance persona to be sexy and funny. I’m flirtatious, alluring, and can lock eyes with anyone in the room. I’m also really silly and fun! The combination of being beautiful and funny intrigues people. Persephone is the girl next door who has everything. She’s the prom queen, she is the valedictorian, she is your crush, and she is president. I’m basically a 6-foot (6’ 3” in heels) Latina walking Barbie with semi-big shoulders—but
the hips match.
How did you pick your name?
I always had a fascination with Greek mythology, and I loved the story of Persephone and how she is representative of seasons and change.
Drag is under attack right now. What are your thoughts on all of that legislation? Drag is art. Drag is theater. Drag has been around for centuries. Tell me, where was the outrage regarding Mrs. Doubtfire, The Nutty Professor, Big Momma’s House, White Chicks, Madea, and all these other forms of straight men dressed as women for entertainment? This legislation is not to protect children but simply an attack and attempt at the erasure of a minority group based not on fact, but on pure homophobia.
Have you ever had a defining moment in your life?
When I was 25, I was bartending, doing drag, and drinking really heavily. I was pretty aimlessly going through life without a real purpose or plan. My dad had passed away, and I started to develop depression. I was overanalyzing everything in my life, and I had a bit of a “quarter-life crisis.” Through therapy and self-control, I was able to get my life into order. I am 29 now, and I am close to completing my bachelor’s degree in media production. I have five shows, and I am a successful entrepreneur.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
A bowl of Hot Cheetos or hot fries topped with freshly squeezed lime juice, cilantro, diced cucumber, and avocado. A Hot Cheeto salad, so to say.
Where do you perform?
I have monthly shows at Winnies, Tiny Champions, Wicklow Heights, Star Sailor, and a biweekly show at The Nook Cafe!
