Gay San Diego: Vol. 9, Issue 25 by LGBTQ San Diego County News

Volume 9 Issue 25 Dec. 7-21, 2018

#POSITIVEISBEAUTIFUL

Check out community events Page 14

FEATURE

Cross country runner reaches Pacific Ocean

5 COMMUNITY VOICES

Contributing to local LGBT history

THEATER

In remembrance

Mama’s Kitchen held its 27th annual Tree of Life Ceremony on the common grounds of Village Hillcrest with a candlelight vigil on Dec. 1, World AIDS Day. (Photo by Albert H. Fulcher)

Mama’s Kitchen celebrates annual Tree of Life Ceremony Albert H. Fulcher | Editor

Investigative theater

HOLIDAY GUIDE

Candles were lit as the San Diego Men’s Chorus sang at the candlelight vigil in remembrance for those that have passed before due to complications from HIV and AIDS. As solemn as the moment was, Alberto Cortéz, executive

director of Mama’s Kitchen, said it was also a night for celebration with the advancement of treatment and prevention for AIDS and HIV. Rocking the Ribbon was the theme of the night, remembering the times when those suffering from HIV remained hidden, ostracized and marginalized

because of their illness. Created by a group of 12 New York artists, the red ribbon became the most recognized symbols of the decade, signifying awareness and support for those living with HIV, fighting the stigma, and those that were lost.

see Mama’s Kitchen, pg 3

Out of the office and onto the rink Doctor finds healing and peace through ice skating By B. J. Coleman

Favorite holiday plays

Index Opinion ................................... 6 Classifieds............................ 11 Business & Services ............ 11 Puzzle ................................... 14

Brian Kim, M.D., is a Scripps Coastal family physician with an extraordinary talent far outside his medical training and skills. Kim is a championship amateur figure skater who had a banner year during 2018, crowned the U.S. Adult Figure Skating Champion in the adult gold men’s category, and then finishing strong with a gold medal at the Gay Games held in Paris during August. In earlier national competitions, he was awarded silver and bronze medals.

Kim competed at the adult gold level of skating, for those in the 30-40 age range. Taking a mid-practice timeout from training at the San Diego Ice Arena in late November, Kim described the circuitous path that brought him to being a highly skilled figure skater. “I always wanted to do this,” Kim said. He was captivated by figure skating in his 1980s childhood years in Santa Clarita. But there were no ice rinks nearby. Kim spoke further about resisting his

see Ice Skater, pg 2

Hillcrest family physician and figure skater Dr. Brian Kim (center), on the podium with his gold medal as the U.S. Adult Figure Skating Champion for 2018. (Courtesy of Brian Kim)

Advertising 619-961-1958 mike@sdcnn.com

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“Count Edwin” by Steve Cambaliza Albert H. Fulcher | Editor In tribute for World AIDS Day, Impulse San Diego and The Legacy Walk held a pop-up art installation featuring local artists. At a reception on Dec. 1, artists and the community gathered at The Legacy Project to celebrate and remember those lost to AIDS and HIV complications. The focus of the event was to start a conversation about the stigma that is still prevalent, celebrate those that have survived and bring awareness of the global effect of HIV/AIDS epidemic. This exhibit featured three artists; Rory Chrz, Jesus Gomez and Steve Cambaliza. Right after high school, Rory Chrz moved to San Diego, living here for 25 years. For 27 years now, he’s been HIV+. Chrz painted in high school and was a theater major in college. A couple of years ago, he was hit by a distracted driver while riding his motorcycle and spent around three months in

see Pop up exhibit, pg 16 Always Dependable, Always There for You, Always Prepared

Editorial/Letters 619-961-1960 albert@sdcnn.com

Pop-up exhibit displays local artists for World AIDS Day

1/20H SD Gay Men's Chorus

1/20H Andy Cook

Located in Bankers Hill and proudly supporting families for over 23 years! • Divorce • Paternity

• Spousal Support • Child Custody & Support

FEATURE

GAY SAN DIEGO Dec. 7-21, 2018

FROM PAGE 1

ICE SKATER interest because figure skating had a “gay association” to it. After Kim took his medical school admissions test, he realized he was burned out and needed a break. Instead of applying to attend medical school immediately, Kim spent a year taking skating classes. He elaborated, saying that he was depressed from being closeted, overweight at 220 pounds, and unable to lose weight with common forms of exercise. “I thought I was obese for life,” Kim said. Figure skating changed that.

And then, he came out of that closet that had held him in so long. “That was very freeing,” Kim said. “And when I started skating, the weight started coming off.” Kim now weighs 165 pounds. He manages that with the skating as exercise and a sensible diet. “And I try not to enjoy too many cocktails on the weekend,” he continued, laughing. This success with healthy living provides advice Kim shares with his patients. He splits his physician practice between family medicine and HIV medicine. Kim estimated that about 40 percent of his work is in the HIV practice. The demand is high for experienced HIV doctors because of a shortage, Kim

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noted, adding that current treatments better manage HIV, with patients tolerating the treatments well these days, unlike prior responses to treat HIV infection and AIDS. “But the prevalence is going up,” he said. “The No. 1 consideration for healthy living is to like the activity for exercise. Find something you like,” Kim said. “People should think outside the box to find an activity they enjoy.” Kim suggested that running, walking and gym sessions may not keep adults engaged and active for long. He mentioned not only ice skating as an adult sport, but also ballet, or circus school to learn walking the tightrope or flying the trapeze. “I don’t regret starting late,” Kim said.

NOW SELLING Dr. Brian Kim, embracing his whippets, Priscilla and Samsoon. (Courtesy of Brian Kim)

The attraction to figure skating for Kim is more than the exercise, artistic expression, choreography, and competitive accomplishment, though. “Skating is very technical,” Kim said. “You achieve small rewards from every practice, and this is almost addicting. This is a gift to my own life.” Kim acquired a new coach in September, Dr. Chea Hutton-Chitwood. “[Kim] is really good. He doesn’t know how good he is,” she said. A championship medalist in figure skating herself, Hutton-Chitwood holds a doctorate in sport psychology, and she specializes in technical training and psychological aspects of ice skating. “Brian is just a gem,” Hutton-Chitwood said. “He is a pleasure to work with. He gives 110 percent every lesson. He’s a great guy everyone should know.” Hutton-Chitwood continued, describing the allure of ice skating. “People see the sport on TV, and they appreciate the beauty of it,” she said, stating further that the sport is both aesthetic and dramatic. She and Kim discussed the intriguing personal interest stories behind ice-skating athletes, including comebacks from injury as well as long-standing rivalries. The coach-athlete team is gearing up Kim’s training for the 2019 season. Kim was breaking in new skate boots in late November. “This affects confidence,” Kim said, “and this [breaking in new skate boots] affects technique, but that is coming back. This is a very psychological sport.” He is working on new jumps and new choreography. Kim has a warm, supportive home life. He has been engaged to his partner, Gary

Rice, for two years. “Without Gary’s endless support, I could never manage to do competitive skating alongside my career,” Kim said. They have two whippets. “I kind of consider the dogs my kids.” And Kim plans to move up from adult gold to master’s level competition. “This will be harder and more competitive,” he said. “I want to prove to myself that this is the right level for me.” Sectionals competition will be in March. Kim explained that around 500 skaters, up to 80 years of age, compete. —B. J. Coleman is a local freelance journalist and editor/staff reporter with 22nd District Legionnaire. B.J. can be reached at bjcjournalist@gmail.com.t

Hillcrest family physician and gold medal figure skater Dr. Brian Kim, trains at the San Diego Ice Arena. (Photo by B. J. Coleman)

NEWS

gay-sd.com FROM PAGE 1

MAMA’S KITCHEN Cortéz said the event acknowledges the AIDS epidemic across the globe, memorializes those who have passed, and celebrates accomplishments and people that made a difference in the fight against HIV. He also said this event looks to create awareness about the current realities of HIV, the importance of prevention, and the resources available today to fight the suppression and transmission of the HIV virus. “Resources are available for people to access that have helped bring us to a place where we can finally eliminate the transmission of HIV, which may sound like a pretty ambitious goal, but more than ever we believe that it is obtainable,” Cortéz said. “We need to be more vocal about the milestones we have made [in the fight against HIV]. We need to be more acknowledging about the advances we have made and more vocal about the resources that are available for folks that are living with HIV. We also need to recognize the resources to the folks that are vulnerable to becoming HIV infected to reduce or eliminate the risk of infection.” Cortéz said over recent months and the past couple of years, a lot of changes were implemented at Mama’s Kitchen. “We have expanded our mission to serve people with other critical illnesses,” Cortéz said. “We have increased access to services for people with cancer, we started a pilot program earlier this year for people with congestive heart failure and soon we will be initiating a project that is focusing on people with Type 2 diabetes and we are making significant improvements to the quality of service that we are providing.” Cortéz said Mama’s Kitchen is sharing a message of what it has learned in serving people with HIV, which provides the organization an opportunity to expand that net and impact other lives — regardless of who they are or what they suffer with — and to make their lives better. Rep. Scott Peters gave thanks to all of the staffers, volunteers and donors who supported the people that were “shut in and shut out” over the past 27 years. “For those people, it means the world to them,” Peters said. “It is nothing that any government could do. It is a person to person thing and means a lot. It’s Christmas time and the story of Christ is the story of a God that saves. And there is no better message than Mama’s Kitchen about saving people. For me, as a Christian, it is awe inspiring to see the love that you give these folks. That’s an example.” State Senate pro Tempore Toni Atkins said she loved

(l to r) San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts receives Mama’s Kitchen’s first Humanitarian Award from Mama’s Kitchen Executive Director Alberto Cortéz for his more than 35 years of service in the treatment and prevention of HIV. (Photo by Albert H. Fulcher) Mama’s Kitchen and its expanded mission. She shared that her brother-in-law died of AIDS and her mother of cancer. She noted Mama’s Kitchen eagerness to serve anyone in the community proves that it continues to be the incredible organization that is has been since its smaller beginnings. Atkins said she was aware that the event was “rocking the ribbon,” but also mentioned that this year’s theme was about transparency, accountability and partnership, and that it was the partnerships that she wanted to focus on. She added that her seat at the state allocates money which goes through the county and distributed throughout community organizations. “There is a lot of conversation about PrEP and PEP and pushing us to do more,” Atkins said. “I will say that HIV and AIDS is not a gay disease, but it took the LGBT caucus at the state of California to push in the budget to get more. We did an additional $5 million this year to enhance comprehensive local services. San Diego County gets $425,000 of those dollars. Every one of those dollars goes to individuals directly.” Part of that money is used to fund HIV testing to high risk populations. Atkins said the message for today is “to know our status.” Atkins said that now there are PrEP assistance programs that

provides medical out-of-pocket costs for medications. An additional $2 million was allocated to expand the PrEP assistance program, as well as financial assistance for PEP and PrEP. Also, there is full cost coverage for uninsured individuals under the age of 18 and for those who cannot use their insurance for confidentiality and safety reasons, and for individuals whose insurance does not cover. “For me, who lost my brother-in-law, my nephew grew up without his dad,” Atkins said. “My cousin, my dear Aunt Betsie — the kindest woman in the world — had to watch her son die before anyone ever knew what

GAY SAN DIEGO Dec. 7-21, 2018 the disease was. So when I look at that tree [Tree of Life] and I see the names and I think about all the people that we have lost, the world would be a very different place if all those people were here. It is for them that we continue to work in the fight.” Councilmember Chris Ward said the education, prevention, treatment, visibility, and ending the stigma is all helping to bring HIV transmission to zero. “I promise that we are going to get there because we get together on days like World AIDS Day,” Ward said. “There are so many parts of the world that do not have the treatment and education and are very stigmatized, much more so than we find here in America. When we find the pathways here in the community we need to continue those pathways until we get to zero worldwide.” Cortéz said Mama’s Kitchen was giving its first annual Humanitarian Award. The purpose of which is to acknowledge work, effort, and impacts that have gone above and beyond in making our community a better place. He said it was a joy to announce San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts as the first recipient. “Ron [Roberts] has been an early advocate for HIV here in San Diego for 35 years, providing access to the resources that he can to make our community a better a better place in response to the AIDS epidemic,” Cortéz

said. “He has facilitated funding that has provided for the essentials needs of our [Mama’s Kitchen] organization and allowed our mission to move forward. For that, I am grateful.” Roberts delivered Mama’s Kitchen’s three millionth meal, four millionth meal, five millionth meal … and eighth millionth meal. “His availability to help us spread the mission and the awareness of HIV in my estimation is exceptional and it hasn’t just been with Mama’s Kitchen,” Cortéz continued. “It has been with other organizations over the years as we continue our fight with this epidemic.” Roberts said in working with Mama’s Kitchen he has seen much accomplished through this organization. “Getting to zero is not just a slogan,” Roberts said. “In two years we have seen incredible reductions in the number of new cases of AIDS in San Diego. From 2016 to 2017 there was a 20 percent decrease. We are going to get to zero. We are going to get this done sooner. The only thing standing against us is getting to the people that need this information and them acting on it. There is no excuse for anybody to take advantage. There are no financial barriers out there, there’s no waiting list. We have the availability to the drugs that people need.”

see Mama’s Kitchen, pg 16

THECENTER events @THE Holiday Hours The Center, the Nicole Murray-Ramirez Latino Services at The Center, and the Hillcrest Youth Center will be closed in observance of the Christmas Holiday on Saturday, Dec. 22 through Tuesday, Dec. 25, re-opening at 9am on Wednesday, Dec. 26. We will close again for the New Years Holiday on Saturday, Dec. 29, through Tuesday, Jan. 1, re-opening on Wednesday, Jan. 2., 2019 at 9am.

Through Mon, Dec. 31

2019 YPC Academy Applications Open

The mission of the Young Professionals Council (YPC) is to develop and empower young LGBT professionals and their allies through the YPC Academy. The YPC Academy helps to expand the ranks of young LGBT leaders that are ready to further equality for our community through board service for a variety of agencies, not-for-profit organizations and government commissions. Approximately 20 candidates will be selected for the 2019 class. Applications and supporting documentation must be received by 11:59 pm, Dec. 31, 2018 to be considered. Those who want more information about the Academy are encouraged to attend an upcoming Information Session on Thursday, Dec. 13 in Chula Vista; or on Tuesday, Dec. 18 at The Center. For more information and the application visit http://www.thecentersd.org/ programs/young-professionals-council/.

Tuesdays, starting Jan. 8, 2019

Acting Class Series

Instructor Dana Hooley invites you to an 8-week Acting Class Series, limited to 12 students. The class is from 10 am - 12 noon, Jan. 8 through Feb. 26. Course fee is $125 for the entire series. The class will consist of scene-study and monologues. For further info and registration contact Dana at 619.723.1421 or danathummipad@icloud.com.

Expanded Behavioral Health Services Are you receiving Behavioral Health Services from The Center through the Ryan White Act program? Did you know we now have options to visit us in the greater San Diego area, Monday-Friday, as we’ve partnered with the following LGBTQ competent organizations: CASA (3045 Beyer Boulevard, Suite D-101, San Diego, CA 92154), Our Place (286 Euclid Ave #309, San Diego, CA, 92114) and Vista Community Clinic (1000 Vale Terrace Dr., Vista, CA, 92084). To make an appointment contact onduty@thecentersd.org or 619.692.2077 x208.

www.thecentersd.org The San Diego LGBT Community Center 3909 Centre Street • 619-692-2077 Twitter: @LGBTCenter

facebook.com/At.The.Center

FEATURE

GAY SAN DIEGO Dec. 7-21, 2018

gay-sd.com

Run, Keeler, run! Englishman runs from Lubec, Maine to San Diego for spinal cord research By Jess Winans Eric Keeler was getting pretty bored of his daily routine at home in the United Kingdom. So he decided to run across the United States to raise money for Spinal Research.

“When I was 6 or 7 years old, someone turned on the news back in the U.K. and someone was about to start a run across America. I thought that must be the best way to learn about a country,” Keeler said. “When I started doing some research for

Eric Keeler hits the Pacific Ocean after a seven-month marathon from Lubec, Maine to San Diego raising money for spinal cord research on Dec. 3. (Photos by Jess Winans)

Eric Keeler was introduced to Spinal Research — a nonprofit in the U.K., which researches treatments for spinal cord injuries — five years ago while training for the London marathon.

Spinal Research, I figured why not give it a go.” Keeler was introduced to Spinal Research — a nonprofit in the U.K., which researches treatments for spinal cord injuries — five years ago while training for the London marathon. “I signed up for the marathon way too late and was looking through the chart of charities to run for, and Spinal Research was the only one I was connected to,” he said. “I have friends who have broken their backs from accidents, so at the time I had a connection to the charity. The more I’ve learned about them, the more I wanted to fundraise for them.” Seven months ago, Keeler quit his job and began his run in Lubec, Maine. His run lasted 188 days and covered 16 states including New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Illinois, Colorado, New Mexico and others. Keeler ran for eight hours straight during the day, pushing his cart with his personal belongings, food, water and tent. At night, he would eat, explore and camp out. Keeler’s run was remarkably smooth, and he shared pictures and memories eating chicken wings in Saratoga Springs, New York; enjoying a beer in Battleboro, Vermont; eating a lobster in Lubec, Maine for his birthday; buying sneakers in Phoenix, Arizona; and other memories on his blog. Things took a tumultuous turn, however, in Iowa when he

was run off the road by a large truck. “The driver was on his mobile, drifting over onto my narrow hard shoulder. I moved as far as I could off the road when I saw him coming,” he said. “Thankfully, there was a huge, deep ditch running alongside the highway. He didn’t see me, not at all, and he could have finished me off there and then.” After that incident, Keeler decided to take a day off to “catch his breath” and stayed at a hotel. He planned to run another eight hours that day and camp out at night. “Whilst holed up in my motel, I got a phone call from the receptionist saying, ‘Look out of your window, but stay inside!’” he said. “There were two tornadoes in the far distance in just about the same place where that evening’s campsite would be. This [his time in Iowa] gave me the conviction that I could pretty much make it through anything else.” On Monday, Dec. 3, at 11:55 a.m., Keeler reached the finish line at Mission Beach, running under a Spinal Research banner into the Pacific Ocean. “Thank you for coming out,” he said after he got out of the water. “This trip was 3,800 miles, 7.2 million steps, 16 states, eight pairs of shoes, 50 pounds and two oceans.” Keeler was greeted by his brother, sister, mother and father; Thomas Curran, a San Diegan who is walking across America later this year to fundraise for children’s cancer

Eric Keeler celebrates in the waves after his seven-month journey

research; a couple of passersby’s and a young man who heard word of Keeler’s trek from a Facebook video posted on the page “Yes Theory Fam.” “I saw something from the Yes Theory Fam Facebook page and was like, ‘Wow, this guy is doing an amazing journey,’” Tyler Henson said. “I woke up today and checked my Facebook feed and I saw that [Keeler] was finishing here and I was like wow. So, I canceled everything I had planned today, like work and school, and I was like alright, I’m coming down here.” Keeler isn’t sure what his next endeavor will be but said he will be returning to the U.K. for the holidays. “When I started, I thought I had seven months to figure it out what to do next, but now I’m not sure,” he said. “I've become a lot more content with what's going through my head and what’s going on. Before, I was always worried about what I was gonna do next, what job I had or if I would get to go on holiday next year, all the stuff that clouds your brain. Now I’m like, let’s see what happens. I've become a lot more content with being in the moment.” In total, Keeler has raised $13,957.48 for Spinal Research. For more information about Eric Keeler, visit cornertocorner.run. For more information about Spinal Research, visit spinal-research.org. —Reach Jess Winans at jess@sdcnn.com.t

COMMUNITY VOICES

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GAY SAN DIEGO Dec. 7-21, 2018

An archive is only as good as the information it can share with the world Out of the Archives Walter G. Meyer

n the front of Pattee Library at my alma mater, Penn State, was a quote from Thomas Carlyle, “The true university is a collection of books.” Lately, with all the projects Lambda Archives has undertaken, it has become more apparent to me that a true archive is the dissemination of knowledge. Just having information stored in boxes and on computer servers is meaningless unless that information is accessible and shared with the world. The ongoing exhibit, “LGBTQ+ San Diego: Stories of Struggles & Triumphs” at Balboa Park’s San Diego History Center has generated many more requests for Lambda Archives to share its knowledge, as did our having assisted with Paul Detwiler’s production of the KPBS documentary “San Diego's Gay Bar History.” Our sharing of knowledge takes many forms: walking tours of the LGBTQ history of Hillcrest, which encompass much of the history beyond Hillcrest as well; our Out at the Archives series is often introduced by a brief history lesson about the topic; presentations to schools about how archiving can inform

activism; and recent talks at branches of the library about the connections between the AfricanAmerican civil rights movement and the local struggle for LGBTQ rights. All of these activities are informed by the holding in the archives. Much of the material presented in these events, both words and photos, came from the collections held within the climate-controlled rooms, acid-free boxes and computer equipment of the archives. We are now making arrangements to back up much of this material in cloud storage provided by San Diego State University. I have been asked to be one of the speakers at the annual convention of the Society of California Archivists. They are having representatives of all the LGBTQ+ archives in the state in honor of the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, and what they are particularly interested in hearing from me is the work we are doing outside the walls of the archives. Many archives are content to just house information and not reach out to share that knowledge The material stored in the archives is meaningless without good indexing so that it can be located for researchers. We have digitized our full runs of the newspapers Update, Gay & Lesbian Times, Bravo and Scene so they can now be searched online instead of manually combing

through paper issue after paper issue. We have volunteers and interns working to catalog our collections to create better finding aids so that the searching is more precise and efficient. The information is accessed often. We’ve had researchers come from Germany and Canada, Harvard and Yale, Santa Cruz and Stanford, University of California Los Angeles and Berkeley. Mostly we have journalists and students working on everything from their doctoral dissertations to middle-school students writing papers. Most of these students are from local schools but we have had visitors from much farther away including a group from Ohio Wesleyan University. We have been asked by publications both local and national to use some of our photos and other materials. From a large media organization, we do request a fee for use, but from students and others who cannot afford it, we never refuse to help anyone based on their inability to pay. Often, even though we don’t ask for money, it comes anyway. After we led a tour of the San Diego History Center exhibit for a class at the University of San Diego, the professor insisted on making a donation to the archives to cover our time and trouble. We have allowed people to come on our walking tours for free and some have repaid us

What’s on your back burner? Life Beyond Therapy Michael Kimmel

ome of us are used to living in an ongoing state of crisis; we don’t know what it’s like to have a calm, peaceful life. And when we begin to feel more peaceful, it can actually be scary. We’re not used to it; it makes us anxious to feel good. Ironic, isn’t it? When things start to settle down in our lives — and the crises subside — we may realize that there’s a whole bunch of stuff that we’ve been avoiding: problems that didn’t feel like a high priority, so we just put them on the “back burner.” What’s on the back burner may not feel important, but, often, it’s stuff that doesn’t seem to have a “solution.” So, we’re been avoiding it … for years. I had a client I saw for several months, we worked on her high priorities (relationship, work, family) and made real progress in those areas. I thought we were about ready to complete our work together when she said to me, “There’s something I’ve put on the back burner for a long time: it’s my relationship to food.” I had no idea. She’d never mentioned it. It turned out that she thought her relationship with food was so unsolvable that she didn’t even want to talk about it … so she put it on the back burner. It was only when all the stuff on her “front burner” had been handled

that she decided that it was time to address her long-unresolved back-burner problem. Let’s be clear: we all have back-burner stuff. No matter how well-adjusted we are, there are always some problems that just don’t seem workable, so we delegate them to our mental back burner and don’t pay any attention to them until they threaten to blow up. I encourage you to take a minute and ask yourself, “What’s on my back burner? What problems have I been avoiding for so long that I gave up on them?” It’s never too late to move that “pot” of problems from the back burner to the front burner. Now you can see just what’s back there … and it may not be pretty. There may be stuff there that you tried to forget about, wishing that it was “handled” a long time ago. But, you knew, in your heart, it was still unresolved. Here are some examples: I had a client whose main focus in therapy was his marriage and his high-stress job. We worked on these issues and, one day, seemingly out of the blue, he told me, “You know, I drink too much.” He’d seldom mentioned this before, but he decided that since his marriage and job were now humming along pretty smoothly, it was now time to go to his back burner and look at his long-troubling relationship with alcohol. Another client came in because he couldn’t maintain a relationship. He said that he kept picking “the wrong kind of guy” and didn’t know why. We addressed that and he, slowly, began attracting

and dating the kinds of men he’d long wanted to get to know and fall in love with. Once he had a solid, healthy dating relationship underway, he told me, “You know I think I used to push good guys away because I was afraid that, once they got to know me, they’d see that there was really something wrong with me.” This was his back-burner issue that he’d avoided it for years — decades, actually — because he didn’t think there was anything he could do about it. And, of course, it was related to the kinds of men he used to date: he picked guys who wouldn’t get to know him because he was terrified that someone WOULD get to know him and see how flawed he was. These back-burner problems have a way of messing with our lives. We hope that they’ll work themselves out; they rarely do. As 2018 draws to a close, give yourself the gift of taking a good look at what’s on your back burner. Every problem, no matter how seemingly big or awful, is workable. Don’t leave stuff on the back burner, bring it to the front burner and start to deal with it. That’s a great holiday gift to yourself! —Michael Kimmel is a licensed psychotherapist who specializes in helping LGBT clients achieve their goals and deal with anxiety, depression, grief, sexually addictive behavior, coming out, relationship challenges and homophobia. Contact him at 619-955-3311 or visit lifebeyondtherapy.com.t

in hours of volunteering at the archives. But we cannot disseminate what we do not have. We know we have large gaps in our collections and wish we had more early history. Even now, history is being made every day, but too few people think to record it or save it. A couple examples: This year was the first time Lambda Archives videotaped the moving speeches as veterans were inducted into The Center’s Benjamin F. Dillingham III and Bridget Wilson LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor. In looking for a photo of the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus to display as part of the History Center exhibit, we really wanted a photo of them singing at White House in 1997 for President Bill Clinton, but surprisingly neither the archives nor the chorus have a good photo of this historic moment. So at this giving time of year, we ask you to give. Give your collections of photos, materials from the organizations in which you’ve participated. Give us your oral history. If you are

wondering what sorts of things we like, check out our website: lambdaarchives.org/donate/ material-donations. And as you and your organizations are going about your business, please record it in video and photos and notes. Someday, someone will be very glad you did. And of course, all this work requires money so please consider making a year-end monetary donation as well. Thank you. With your help, Lambda Archives will be able to continue to collect, preserve and teach the LGBTQ+ history of the greater San Diego region. Side note: If you want to learn more about your history, the next Lambda Archives walking tour of the LGBTQ+ history of Hillcrest is Saturday, Dec. 15 at 10:30 a.m. Tickets: Lambdaarchives.ticketleap.com —Walter G. Meyer is a local freelance writer and the author of the award-winning gay novel, “Rounding Third.” He can be reached at walt.meyer28@gmail.com.t

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OPINION

GAY SAN DIEGO Dec. 7-21, 2018

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Guest Editorial

Why the city must stay committed to solving our homelessness crisis By Chris Ward When I took office two years ago, San Diego’s urban core neighborhoods were in the midst of a homelessness crisis with no clear strategy to tackle the issue. My top priority has been improving our response to this devastating crisis, but one council member can’t do it alone. Building on successful approaches in other cities and national best practices, I outlined ideas and policies for a holistic response. My colleagues and I have made important progress to increase funding, expand life-saving supportive services and house our homeless. In early 2017, the City Council created a Select Committee on Homelessness dedicated to reviewing and improving city approaches for reducing homelessness. The EDITOR Albert H. Fulcher (619) 961-1960 albert@sdcnn.om CONTRIBUTING EDITORS (619) 519-7775 Sara Butler, x118 Jeff Clemetson, x119 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS B. J. Coleman Michael Kimmel Jean Lowerison Walter G. Meyer Nicole Murray Ramirez Frank Sabatini Jr. Chris Ward WEB AND SOCIAL MEDIA Sara Butler, x118 Jess Winan, x102

committee held its final meeting Thursday, Nov. 15, and our ongoing work now continues through standing committees. It’s important to review our accomplishments, and identify what challenges and opportunities remain ahead to ensure all San Diegans have a safe, stable home. Last year, the hepatitis A emergency demanded quick action. With the leadership of the council and Mayor Kevin Faulconer, we successfully implemented temporary safe camping and parking programs, additional public restrooms, hand-washing stations, targeted street sanitation, storage facilities, and bridge shelters providing safety and services for 700 homeless San Diegans. Meanwhile, as chair of the Select Committee, I started with the basics. We

updated the council’s Policy on Homelessness for the first time since 1995, with a commitment to proven Housing First strategies. Collaborating with our state legislators, we streamlined housing development opportunities. The city also officially declared a Shelter Crisis, unlocking millions of dollars in new state funding for housing and services. With the county, we’ve doubled the Psychiatric Emergency Response Teams providing emergency assessment and referrals to help people with mental illness. At the Regional Task Force on the Homeless, we’re improving the region’s underlying data systems and coordination, while paving the way to receive millions more in state homeless dollars and private investment to scale up successful programs countywide. As we identified gaps in our

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system, the Select Committee acted on new approaches to house our homeless. That has included a targeted rapid housing effort, emphasizing diversion programs, and tapping state funding to lay the groundwork for a new flexible housing spending pool to support innovative rental assistance strategies. We’re currently moving forward a pilot program coupling intensive employment services with our rapid rehousing programs, and implementation of the Housing Commission’s Housing 3.0 plan is providing $79 million to boost affordable housing. As success stories from other regions have demonstrated, real change takes years of sustained effort. We have a strong foundation — and Downtown’s on-street homeless population is decreasing — but there’s much more work ahead.

Last month, the council unanimously adopted my resolution setting a goal of building 140 permanent supportive housing units in each council district — enough to house every chronically homeless San Diego household. And city staff have now begun assessing cityowned properties to identify possible housing sites and ways to expedite projects. Our committee also moved forward on creating a citywide outreach protocol, improving our proactive work meeting homeless San Diegans where they are in order to resolve encampment issues as well as connect them with the specific services and housing they need. And now the Housing Commission is underway on my request to develop a comprehensive plan to help ensure our limited homelessness dollars go to our most acute needs. In 2019, we need a regional solution to provide recuperative care beds allowing people to fully recover from acute health issues after leaving area hospitals, and revival of the Resource Access Program (RAP) to relieve pressure on our 911 emergency services. Additionally, we need a workable strategy to convert dilapidated motels into supportive housing, which brings new units online faster and cheaper. We’ve made critical progress to develop services and outreach programs aligned with clearly-defined needs, and soon we’ll have the analysis for a comprehensive homelessness strategy to guide future city investments. Ultimately, we will be judged by the most important metric of all: making housing attainable for all San Diegans. I am confident we’re finally on the right track, and we have identified opportunities that will bring us closer to resolving our homelessness crisis. I remain committed to prioritizing this work throughout San Diego until every homeless individual is housed. —Councilmember Chris Ward serves the 13 communities in District 3, which include the Uptown neighborhoods of Old Town, Mission Hills, Hillcrest, University Heights, North Park, South Park, Normal Heights, Bankers Hill and others. He is also the chair of the City Select Committee on Homelessness and vice-chair of the Regional Task Force on the Homeless.t

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GAY SAN DIEGO Dec. 7-21, 2018

LGBT community feeds more than 600

Mayor Kevin Faulconer and Katherine Faulconer help serve meals at the annual Scott Carlson Thanksgiving Dinner at the LGBT Community Center on Nov. 22. (Photos by Nicole Murray Ramirez)

Conversations with Nicole Nicole Murray Ramirez

or more than 30 years, the annual Scott Carlson Thanksgiving Dinner has fed thousands of people. While yes, it’s sponsored annually by the Imperial Court de San Diego and the LGBT Community Center, it is the always-giving LGBT community businesses, organizations, bars, friends and family that make it happen. Yes, you — the community. We are not only able to feed hundreds at the dinner at The Center, but more than 100 seniors, 30 AIDS patients in the hospital, homeless people on the streets and the youth center. I want to especially thank our Mayor Kevin Faulconer, first lady Katherine Faulconer and their two children; state Assembly member Todd Gloria; City Councilmember Chris Ward; San Diego Unified School Board President Kevin Beiser; and State Board of Equalization member Mike Schaefer for showing up on Thanksgiving Day and helping serve. Also our deep appreciation goes

(l to r) Jon Van Sciver and Craig Morgan

to Sen. Toni Atkins, the Rob Benson Foundation, Robert Gleason and Mark Matys family, state Assembly member Lorena Gonzalez, Sarah Critchlow, Milo Angel, Jessica Carter, Courtney Ray, Sarah Bunney, Noel Guanzon, Ken Gough, Ashley O’Day, Michael Torres and Joey Padilla-Torres, The Rail, Tom Urbanski, T Brian Dickerson, Jaeda Reign, Mark & James, Ben Orgoven-Lee, Patty Zwolinski, Cynthia Uybungo, Dave Myers, Chris Orlando, Michael Lunstoro, Sherman Mendoza, Jack George, The Center staff, co-chairs Bike Mike and Mikie, and all the great volunteers and everyone who gave. Thank you and God bless you.

In Memory: Craig Morgan

As many of you know, I have lived in San Diego for more than a half a century and recently, one of my longest lasting friends, who I met in the early 1970s, died. Craig Morgan, aka Empress Morgana and Emperor Craig. He was a pillar and a strong, early and lasting foundation of the Imperial Court de San Diego and the community. He was a tireless charity fundraiser

and a legendary auctioneer, who raised countless thousands of dollars for almost every LGBT organization and causes especially in the 1970s and 80s. When I first met Craig, I was a wild street queen with a lot of problems, yet Craig extended his hand to me and accepted me — warts and all. When I was first elected Empress de San Diego, he was my Princess Royale and later, was my Emperor. During our one-year reign, Craig, our court members and I raised more than $100,000 and started the annual Toys for Kids drive. When I learned of his passing, my heart was broken as he was one of the most caring, accepting, kind and giving friends I have ever had the honor to know. My deep condolences go out to his family and friends, especially to the Royal House of Asia. I know Craig is now in heaven with his beloved husband of 33 years, Jon.

Gay Bar History” documentary film, and Fernando “Junior” Buendia. Get your tickets soon as the Nicky Awards always sell out! For further info: 619-254-6372 or 619-807-7324

many media awards including from the prestigious San Diego Press Club. Reach Nicole at Hillcrestqueen5@ gmail.com.

—Nicole Murray Ramirez has been writing a column since 1973. He has been a Latino/gay activist for almost half a century and has advised and served the last seven mayors of San Diego. Named the “Honorary Mayor of Hillcrest” by a city proclamation, he has received

Editor’s Note: The opinions written in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the staff and/or publisher of Gay San Diego and/or its parent company, San Diego Community News Network (SDCNN). The newspaper and its staff should be held harmless of liability or damages.t

Transgender advocate Sam Moehlig to be honored at the 2018 Nicky Awards on Dec. 16.

Fernando “Junior” Buendia to be honored at the 2018 Nicky Awards

2018 special Nicky Awards honorees

The 43rd annual Nicky Awards are coming up on Sunday, Dec. 16, and the Board of Governors has announced this year’s very special honorees: Judy and Dennis Shepard, 18-year-old transgender advocate Sam Moehlig, The San History Museum, the “San Diego

DINING

GAY SAN DIEGO Dec. 7-21, 2018

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A palatial new home for India Palace Restaurant Review Frank Sabatini Jr.

he massive and beautifully decorated space that Bombay Exotic Cuisine of India abruptly abandoned two months ago is now inhabited by India Palace. The restaurant’s fast move from its smaller, nearby address on University Avenue into these much larger digs is both a welcome and unexpected sight to Hillcrest diners. Aside from rumors that Bombay was pushed out because of high rent, nobody

A theatrically lit hallway leads into a second dining room.

really knows why it vanished. Equally mysterious is that staffers at India Palace repeatedly denied they were taking over the triple-storefront structure, even days before they actually did. (I heard several weeks ago from a couple of business owners in the area that India Palace had been eyeing the property.) Two visits and three phone calls later, I still haven’t been able to get the 411 from India Palace’s ownership to learn why they moved and what fresh plans might be in the pipeline. Secrecy prevails among everyone I’ve spoken to there. But I did come away content over the Palace’s lunch buffet, offered from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., daily within the restaurant’s chandelier-adorned atmosphere. The cost is $12 per person. Visiting as a group of five, the repast featured about 14 hot and cold dishes, including a noteworthy shredded cabbage salad accented with mustard seeds and light vinaigrette. Crisp, cool and snappy tasting, most of us loaded up on seconds. Parked alongside was a bowl of iceberg lettuce housing hard-to-find tomatoes and cucumbers. Romaine is normally used, but it was missing in action because of the recent E. coli outbreak. The choice of dressings are ranch (if you must) or heavenly mint chutney, which offers such a spicy depth of flavor, you’ll want to

India Palace 3960 Fifth Ave. (Hillcrest) 619-294-8886 indiapalacehc.com Daily lunch buffet: $12 drizzle it onto everything, including the charred naan bread servers bring to your table and the somewhat parched vegetable samosas and pakoras you pluck from the chafing pans. The chutney, along with saffron-kissed chicken biryani rice (the best I’ve had in a while) were the spiciest items in the entire lineup, although not quite sweat-inducing. Which brings me to two of my favorite Indian dishes that taste exceptional when given some chili heat: butter chicken and chana masala. The buffet carried each. Both were expertly constructed but tailored to the tenderest of palates. I’m guessing their mildness must have also come as a disappointment to the majority of Indian-descent patrons occupying the dining room on this particular afternoon. Nearly every person I’ve ever met from the subcontinent can withstand extraordinary levels of capsaicin from hot curries and chilies. Nonetheless, the butter-laced sauce camouflaging the boneless chicken pieces was

JOE'S CLIENT SUCCESS STORY

What used to be Bombay is now India Palace. (Photos by Frank Sabatini Jr.) electric-red from various curries and luxuriously flavorful from hints of garlic, turmeric and perhaps ginger. The chana masala — a vegetarian go-to consisting of garbanzo beans braised in tomato sauce, curry and spices — offered robust flavor and a coveted soft texture from proper slow cooking of the beans. It was while loading my plate with this dish of street-food origin that I discovered generic hot sauce further down the line. I dabbled a few drops onto my plate and never went back to it again. Another meatless item was mushroom korma, a creamy mild curry that received unanimous thumbs up from the vegetarians in our group. They also lavished praise on the aloo gobi, a mix of steamed cauliflower and potatoes coated in oil and Indian spices. I was too distracted by the lamb meatballs to try those dishes. The little orbs sat in a lake of thick brown gravy likely punctuated with fresh mint, coriander and onions. Along with the butter chicken, they

steered me into fits of gluttony that ended in a couch-worthy food coma when I got home. The large amounts of downy basmati rice I used for soaking up the curry sauces didn’t help either. Much like Bombay, the atmosphere at India Palace is cushy and Zen-like. The soothing waterfall in front remains intact, as does theatrical lighting and Bollywood videos playing on a few flatscreens and extending onto smaller screens in the restrooms. It’s really one of the loveliest dining rooms in Hillcrest, albeit showy. My only hope is that the new tenant can handle the expansive layout financially and operationally so that the intoxicating scent of curries wafting from the open facade doesn’t suddenly go poof again. —Frank Sabatini Jr. is the author of ‘Secret San Diego’ (ECW Press) and began his local writing career more than two decades ago as a staffer for the former San Diego Tribune. You can reach him at fsabatini@san.rr.com.t

Cabbage salad and chana masala

Assorted items from the buffet included butter chicken in bright-red sauce.

DINING

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Keaton Heston of Saiko Sake & Sushi Bar is now a certified sake specialist (Photo by Arlene Ibarra) The 33-year-old Saffron Thai in Mission Hills has opened a second location in La Jolla in a 2,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor space formerly occupied by Chipotle. The expansion comes nearly two years after Saffron’s founder, SuMei Yu, teamed up with San Diego-based hospitality firm, Fast food alert: Vegetarians who think they’re dodging saturated fats at Panda Express when ordering meatless dishes should note that nothing is the fast-casual restaurant is conducive to their diets. After following up with the company on a tip we received from a surprised vegetarian, it was confirmed the chow mein and re-fried rice are made with chicken broth, and the vegetable egg rolls are deep-fried in the same oil used for various meats. The menus are the same at all Panda Express locations, which include Hillcrest, Mission Valley, Fashion Valley Mall and the Midway District. pandaexpress.com.

After plunging into an intensive syllabus on the making and usages of sake, and then completing an exam on the subject, sous chef Keaton Heston of Saiko Sake & Sushi Bar (2884 University Ave.) in North Park has become a certified sake specialist. He earned the level 1 achievement through the Sake Educational Council, which offers certification training programs globally. “Sake is such a diverse beverage and it takes a lot of study to understand it,” said Heston, who sometimes cooks with the Japanese rice wine and also tends bar at Saiko Sushi (116 Orange Ave.) in Coronado. The course was held in Las Vegas, and the level 2 program for becoming an advanced sake specialist will be held in 2020 in Japan. “I’ve already reserved my spot for it,” Heston added. Karina’s Group. Fans of the India Street location will find many of their favorite dishes at the new outpost, such as the signature Thai-grilled chicken, noodle soups, various stir fries, and robust curries. 1055 Torrey Pines Road, 858-263-4324, saffronthai.com.

GAY SAN DIEGO Dec. 7-21, 2018

A brewery with a New Zealand slant is preparing to open on Park Boulevard. (Courtesy of Kairoa Brewing Co.) The flavors of New Zealand are sailing into University Heights next month as the 10-barrel Kairoa Brewing Co. completes reconstruction of a nearly 100-yearold building at the corner

of Park Boulevard and Madison Avenue. The project, spearheaded in part by New Zealand native Shanan Spearing of nearby Red House Pizza, promises a menu of “New Zealand comfort

food” and small-batch beers using that country’s hops. The spacious two-level structure will feature rooftop seating and areas tailored for private and public events. 4601 Park Blvd., kairoa.com.

Look for dishes such as curry chicken puff pastries, tofu soup, roasted pork loin and various breakfast dishes with Asian f lair at The

Nood Bar in North Park, rumored to soft open in early January. According to preliminary information stated on the eatery’s incomplete

website, the space will also feature a cozy bar lounge that seats up to 40 guests. 4596 30th St., nooodbar.com.

San Diego’s LGBT News source Volume 9 Issue 6 March 16-29, 2018

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Vote for your favorites Page 16

2 NEWS

q INTERVIEW

Vegetarians beware of this chow mein from a popular Chinese food chain (Google)

First openly lesbian fighter makes Albert H. Fulcher | Editor In 2010, when Liz Carmouche decided she wanted to compete in the MMA (mixed martial arts) professionally, she did so with a “head on” approach. She was

i THEATER

—Frank Sabatini Jr. can be reached at fsabatini@san.rr.com.t

By William E. Kelly Editor’s Note: This is the second in a three-part series. Read the first in the series online at bit.ly/2tGWqD9.

Liz Carmouche, a 125-pound bantamweigh t women's MMA fighter, is ranked No. (Courtesy of 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu) 6 in the world.

Former Christian rocker comes out

The much-anticipated second location of Wich Addiction is up and running in the Friars Mission Center shopping plaza in Mission Valley. Launched originally six years ago in Sorrento Valley by Mark Manning and his wife, Dyann (an alum of the Culinary Institute of America), their newest spot brings to the area an array of gourmet sandwiches that change so frequently, the shop doesn’t issue printed menus. The choices are instead updated regularly online and listed on a large menu board inside the eatery, which previously housed Elva’s Bowls & Wraps. 5664 Mission Center Road, 619-269-7269, wichaddiction.com.

Candidate Malbrough speaks, Nordstrom drops out

BEATING THE ODDS

Dockless bikes in Hillcrest

A chimichurri steak sandwich from a gourmet sandwich shop that opened in Mission Valley (Courtesy of Wich Addiction)

her way to the top of MMA rankings

told it would take a year or more of training before she ever saw the ring. But the veteran Marine Corps aviation electrician beat the odds, getting her first chance to fight professionally within four months of starting her training.

Now after 11 wins and six losses, Carmouche is currently the No. 6 ranked 125-pound bantamweight women’s MMA fighter in the world.

see MMA, pg 11

Homelessness in the LGBTQ comm unity

Mayor brings interfaith discussion Albert H. Fulcher | Editor

OnStage Playhouse's "Spike Heels"

DINING

Magic with cast iron

Index Opinion

Classifieds

Calendar

Puzzle

The Interfaith Shelter Network (ISN) has been an effective program for the homeless throughout San Diego County, so far helping 8,000 homeless individuals gain access to resources and services to get their lives back on track. San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer joined the (ISN) in asking LGBT-friendly congregations to join the network and open their doors to homeless individuals at the ISN Summit on March 5 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral. “We know there are a number of LGBTQ individuals experiencing homelessness and they need our help. That’s why we are asking LGBTQ-friendly congregations, who understand their needs, to join our care network and provide a temporary place for them to begin turning their lives around,” said Faulconer in a press release.

to LGBT–affirming congregations

Candidate Ken Malbrough

(l to r) ISN Summit panelists, The Very Rev. Penny Bridges, Trisha Brereton, Fernando Lopez, Gary Owen, and Jonathan Herrera (Photo by Albert H. Fulcher)

The ISN Summit discussion addressing the summit. “This panel consisted of The Very is a network that works and Rev. Penny Bridges, dean, with your help and participaSt. Paul’s Cathedral; Trisha tion, I think you will see the Brereton, ISN executive dibenefits in so many ways. That rector; Fernando Lopez, San is why I am optimistic about Diego LGBT Pride executive our opportunities to begin makdirector; Gary Owen, ISN voling a real difference.” unteer; and Jonathan Herrera, Faulconer said that combatsenior advisor on homelessne ss ting homelessness is about crecoordination for the city of San ating that safe space for those Diego. in need, regardless of someone’s “You all represent the fabrace, color, religion, gender, sexric of our city for wanting to ual orientation, national origin, do the right thing and helpage or disabilities. ing people get back on their feet,” Faulconer said when see ISN,

● Opening statement “The county has $2 billion in reserve tax dollars just floating in a cloud of unknown use by county supervisors,” Malbrough said. He said he pledges to “seek community input” on how these reserve tax dollars can best be utilized and would like to see them invested in “chronically neglected or underfunded areas,” such as housing and public safety in underserved communities. “My priority is reducing our homelessness epidemic and addressing this issue region-wide,” he said. “Providing access to health and human services is the primary and more affordable method to avoid the pathway to homelessness and incarceration.”

pg 15

Editorial/Letters

see Candidates, pg 5

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On June 5, San Diego County will hold primary elections for the following seats: county board of supervisors; county assessor/ recorder/county clerk; county treasurer/tax collector; district attorney; county sheriff; county board of education members; community college district members; and superior court judges. In the first of this series, I spoke to Omar Passons and Lori Saldana, two of the six candidates I interviewed who wish to represent District 4 on the San Diego County board of supervisors . Each candidate I spoke to agreed to focus on the challenges facing seniors, and was offered the opportunity to state their priorities, objectives, goals and plans to address and achieve those priorities, as well as share their experience and qualifications. Following are the highlights of responses by candidates Ken Malbrough and Marcia Nordstrom.

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THEATER

GAY SAN DIEGO Dec. 7-21, 2018

‘This Beautiful City’ An investigative play following the fight over equality and religion in 2006 Colorado Springs Albert H. Fulcher | Editor With meticulous musical direction, flawless casting, and an engaging and moving story, Diversionary Theatre’s “This Beautiful City” is masterfully done, poignant at every turn. The story combines history, music, comedy and anguish in a play that is as relevant today as it was at its opening debut in 2008. It seems to have no beginning, middle or end. Rather it is more like drifting down a remarkable river, never knowing what lies around the

next bend. Based on original interviews from people on both sides of the political cultural war in Colorado Springs in 2006 over marriage equality, “This Beautiful City” evokes a full range of emotions as you hear the words of the large evangelical movement and the LGBT community in Colorado Springs. Many scenes are difficult to hear, in the sense of the anti-LGBT rhetoric and the strong fight against marriage equality. Reactions, for some viewers, seemed to bring about

The cast of “Beautiful City,” now playing through Dec. 16

Explore the history of San Diego’s LGBTQ+ community in the ♥ of Balboa Park.

OPEN DAILY FROM 10AM - 5PM

sandiegohistory.org

“post evangelical trauma,” while others seemed to find the same words funny, understanding the pure absurdity of evangelicals’ beliefs. Regardless of the impact on the audience, The Civilians (a New York-based center for investigative theater) created a work of art — in song, prose and dialogue — and Diversionary Theatre delivered its message with precision. Covering a wide range of differences in the Colorado Springs evangelical and secular world, the rise and fall of the city’s New Life Church Pastor Ted Haggard, and the impact that the war between evangelicals and seculars had on the people caught in its midst, “This Beautiful City” is an engaging artistic endeavor. (Haggard resigned after confessing of allegations of sex and drug abuse with a young male in 2006.) Never knowing where the production was going next, the play was full of blunt surprises, inspiring lyrics and testimonials, and constantly left the audience guessing. This clash of comedy, drama and musicality propelled the storyline in a very unconventional way yet kept the integrity of The Civilians’ original interview transcripts intact, and fully exposed the multiplicity of differences in the beliefs of people who lived through this experience. The direction and execution of every line in this show left an indelible mark that stays with viewers long after the performance is over. It is also a striking reminder of the influence that evangelicals still hold in the political arena, even in the midst of scandal. With music and composition by the late Michael Friedman, the intertwining of the interviews into sung and spoken word is the thread that holds this wild ride of extremities together. Songs with no names become sonnets of spoken words by the people that lived through this part of American history. With six actors all playing multiple roles, it was impressive that the revolving door of characters did not distract from the musical at any time. Additionally, four out of the six made an extraordinary debut at Diversionary for this play. Theo Allyn’s performances — which run from a Pentecostal worshiper to a recovering abused drug addict and a transgender who refused to allow evangelicals to expel her out of her own city — were seductively gorgeous and heart-wrenching. The emotions conveyed through spoken word and song left the audience silent or in tears. Simply superb in delivery and believable in perspective, her performances lifted the veils of any uncertainty in the construction of this play. Part of the band and the cast, Diversionary veteran Michael Louis Cusimano blends all of his talents into some of the most difficult transitions from character to character without missing a beat. A brilliant performer in every aspect, he adds an originality to the several people he portrays, and his acting is only rivaled in his ability as a musician.

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Playing multiple roles, Michael Louis Cusimano leads in prayer and worship as part of the evangelical movement in Colorado Springs in 2006. (Photos courtesy of Simpatika)

Jasmine January, portraying a preacher that came out of the closet and the evangelical whistleblower who aided in exposing this preacher, strides through the two roles of striking drama to comedy without a flinch. The man who does it all, Tony Houck (also the music director), is a wizard of song, theater and music. His ability to bring out the best of himself in a performance is as evident in those that work with him. From the music to his acting, he brought many touching moments throughout the production. Kim Heil and Victor Chan stand out with their vocals, both astounding story-tellers. And their roles and actions within the play carry some pivotal moments. They are integral in their roles, Chan’s powerful vocals and Heil’s gorgeous tone fill the room with talent, but most of all, with a presence. In reading Artistic Director Matt Morrow’s reasoning on why he chose this play to direct, it is obvious the current attacks against the entire

LGBT community played a role in his decision. But with this play being so complex, I’m astounded at his dedication to the LGBT community in getting important and vital material out there for all to see. “This Beautiful City” is incredible in its depth of portraying both sides of the story equally and doing more than justice to the hours of interviews and personal stories collected by The Civilians that first put this amazing piece of art on stage in 2008. It will make you laugh, cringe, cry and get angry, but it also enlightens an important part of history — the real struggle between groups of people holding opposite beliefs — and is a phenomenal tool for opening dialogue on conversations too long overlooked. Just extended, “This Beautiful City” is running through Dec. 16. For show times, tickets and more information, visit diversionary.org. —Albert Fulcher can be reached at albert@sdcnn.com.t

Theo Allyn, making her Diversionary Theatre debut, plays a transsexual that refuses to leave her beautiful city amidst the rise of the evangelical movement in one of her many roles.

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Holiday

GAY SAN DIEGO Dec. 7-21, 2018

Guide

gay-sd.com

Stealing hearts Theater Review Jean Lowerison Uh-oh. It’s November again. Time for His Grinchiness to reappear (in a moldy green costume that matches his disposition) to growl, grumble and glower about all those happy, smiling Whos down in Whoville. But instead of just staying up there in his frigid digs on Mt. Crumpit and ignoring them, the Grinch (Ed Watts) wants to meddle and make everybody in Whoville as miserable as he is. “Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” is narrated by Old Max (Steve Gunderson), the Grinch’s old dog who has retired and is about to move away. Old Max narrates the story as he looks around the old homestead one last time. The thing that really gets the old grouch’s goat is Christmas, that cheery time when everybody runs out to buy gifts for friends and family, sings happy holiday songs, and plans a big feast with roast beast. The Grinch can’t stand all that cheer, and vows to put an end to it. This year, he gets a wonderful, awful idea: he’ll go down to Whoville and steal Christmas.

‘Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!’ Through Dec. 29 The Old Globe’s Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage 1363 Old Globe Way Balboa Park Tuesday—Friday: 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: 11 a.m., 2 and 5 p.m. Tickets: 619-234-5623 or theoldglobe.org Surely when everybody wakes up to no gifts, no stockings hung by the chimney with care and no dinner fixings, that’ll do the trick. His poor dog Young Max (Tommy Martinez) is forced to go along when the Grinch dresses Western style (complete with a 10-gallon hat) and goes down to Whoville to case the joint. They bump into several Whos, who think the Grinch weird but graciously invite him to dinner the next night. You know what happens: the Grinch — and poor, unwilling Max — come to dinner and wait until everyone’s in bed. Then the green menace grabs

The cast of "Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (Courtesy of Ken Howard) all the packages, stockings and even the Christmas tree and stuffs them all up the chimney. Then they pack the “sleigh” (powered by poor Max) and whisk all the goodies away to Mt. Crumpit. But what the Grinch doesn’t count on is little Cindy-Lou Who (the irresistibly adorable Sadie Tess Coleman) and her ability to touch his two-sizestoo-small heart. When Christmas Day arrives, the Grinch eagerly listens for weeping and wailing from Whoville. But he’s

shocked to hear them singing. It makes him wonder if maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store. This is The Old Globe’s 21st iteration of this Christmas tradition. By now there are regular cast members, some of whom have played more than one role over the years. But this whole cast — regulars and newbies — is excellent. And so is the fine orchestra led by Elan McMahan and the tech team that has been in place for some time. James Vásquez directs and

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has restaged some of the choreography with great élan. Every year the Grinch packs houses, and every year audience members leave the show with a smile, many humming the tunes. If you haven’t seen it — or even if, like me, you’ve seen every single one — grab a kid and get down to the Globe. You won’t regret it.

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Guide

‘Looking for Christmas’

GAY SAN DIEGO Dec. 7-21, 2018

A heartwarming holiday musical for all Albert H. Fulcher | Editor If you’re looking for a friendly, warm story that upholds the meaning of Christmas for the entire family, look no further than The Old Globe’s world premiere of “Clint Black’s Looking for Christmas.” Based on the album of the same name by Grammy Award-winning country music legend Clint Black, the play is a story of love, faith, and the strength of family and friends told through the singer-songwriter’s lyrics and music. With a few exceptions, all of the songs are from the album or songs he wrote specifically for this play and intertwined into a chocolate-box tale. Black worked extensively with writer James D. Sasser and The Old Globe to bring his first piece of theatrical art to San Diego. Once it debuted, the play was extended through Dec. 31. And it’s no wonder, as “Looking for Christmas” is a beautiful story with an exceptional message for the holiday season. The plot centers around Staff Sergeant Mike Randolf (Aaron C. Finley), who returns home right before Christmas, but only after tragically losing his best friend just days before the deployment was over. Carrying the ghost of his friend Douglas Miller (DeLeon Dallas) with him, they go through conversations as Mike tries to deal with the guilt, anguish and problems in reconnecting with his family, friends and society. It is with the help of his wife, young daughter and his ghostly friend that he’s given chances to find the spirit of Christmas once again. The musical brigade begins with Mike and his wife Ellie (Kaylin Hedges) video-chatting, which leads to the musical basis of the play, “Looking for Christmas.” Finley exhibits the classic country vocal sound with a few of Clint Black’s signature breaks in his voice, that for the Clint Black fan, is a sure pleasure to hear. With a voice beyond her years, their daughter Jessie (Liana Hunt) is a remarkable talent for her age and brings childlike wonder into the play’s storyline. For those familiar with Black’s album, you will hear the classics “Looking for Christmas,” “The Coolest Pair,” “Christmas for Every Boy and Girl,” and “Under the Mistletoe.” With the addition of new Black songs in the collection, there are some amazing numbers not to be missed. The widow of Miller, Alissa (Syndee Winters), who attempts to cope with the holiday season with as much difficulty as Mike, produces a most compelling evening, soloing two of Black’s originals for the play. Winters’ performance of “Me and the Moon” leaves the audience in awe — as does her performance with “Never Knew Love.” This heartwarming tale is perfection for the holiday season and San Diego is fortunate to be ground zero in the

production of this play. The Old Globe has another definitive classic to add to its already impressive repertoire. This play is 90 minutes with no intermission, but sadly, it goes by as quickly as the holiday season. The venue is quaint with no bad seats in the house

and the entire ensemble brings the joys of the holidays with a relevant message of peace, hope and joy. For more information, visit theoldglobe.org. —Albert Fulcher can be reached at albert@sdcnn.com.t

Cast members of “Clint Black’s Looking for Christmas” perform the Christmas story at their local church.

(l to r) Ellie Randolf (Kaylin Hedges), Jessie Randolf (Liana Hunt) and Mike Randolf (Aaron C. Finley) in a heartwarming reunion after Mike returns from deployment in Afghanistan. (Photos courtesy of The Old Globe)

GAY SAN DIEGO Dec. 7-21, 2018

gay-sd.com out from the trenches on Christmas day, setting off a series of unofficial ceasefires. Soldiers from both sides laid down their arms for a single day. Playing Dec. 7-9. $57$442. bit.ly/2SpV8DO

Friday, Dec. 7

Holi-slay Viewing Party – MO’s Bar and Grill invites guests to join them to watch RuPaul’s Drag Race Holislay Spectacular — a one-off, seasonally themed episode that will pit former and current contestants against each other for the title of America’s first “Drag Race Xmas Queen.” Free. Dance floor seating opens at 6:30 p.m. 308 University Ave. bit.ly/2BSpbyQ Hillcrest holiday Celebration – The Hillcrest Town Council (HTC) welcomes all Hillcrest residents and friends to its third annual holiday celebration at insideOUT from 6-8 p.m. for a casual but festive holiday gathering. There will be hosted appetizers, drinks for purchase and guests who wish to dine are encouraged to make a reservation at insideoutsd.com. The annual celebration is another way HTC works to bring neighbors together in the great neighborhood that we live, work and play in. For more information email info@hillcresttc.org. bit.ly/2APQNCS

‘All is Calm’ – Hosted by the San Diego Opera and Balboa Theatre, “All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914” is the remarkable true story of the 1914 Christmas truce, a poignant reminder of the humanity behind the statistics of war and often forgotten annals of history. Performed by 12 actors and singers, the life-affirming acapella piece is told through real poetry, diary entries, letters and war documents, chronicling the special moment when a German soldier stepped

December Nights 2018 – The countdown has begun for the city of San Diego’s 41st annual holiday festival. December Nights features favorite holiday traditions including light displays, choir performances, Santa Claus and the annual tree lighting. This year’s event features five stages with entertainment, more than 100 vendors selling handmade goods, and a food truck alley featuring more than a dozen food trucks. Dec. 7, 3-11 p.m. and Dec. 8, noon-11 p.m. Free. bit.ly/2E79u8z

Saturday, Dec. 8

Home for the Holidays – The Center invites you to celebrate the diverse cultures and holiday traditions within the San Diego LGBT community in a welcoming and affirming space. This family-friendly event will feature live music, dancing, festive decorations, and refreshments. Event runs from 5-8 p.m. at The Center. 3909 Centre St. bit.ly/2PlafMY

through the bay decorated to this year’s theme: “Tropical Island Christmas.” A parade will take place at 5 p.m. both on the night of Dec. 9 as well as on Dec. 16. Parades will start at Shelter Island and end at Ferry Landing in Coronado. Free. bit.ly/2RHmdTn

Monday, Dec. 10

Spring Open Registration – Open registration for the Spring semester begins at the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) on Dec. 10. Those interested in enrolling are encouraged to register for classes early, with the semester beginning Jan. 28. To apply or register: bit.ly/2rh6Ipr

Wednesday, Dec. 12

Dreamgirls Revue – Join Urban Mo’s for an evening of entertainment hosted by Chad Michaels with the Dreamgirls Revue. All proceeds of the evening will benefit TransFamily Support Services (TFSS). In addition to a wonderful show, guests can enjoy raffles, Jello shots, and other great ways to support TFSS. Tickets available online. 308 University Ave. bit.ly/2rn0vIM

Sunday, Dec. 9

‘Jingle’ with SDGMC – The San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus presents their holiday annual holiday show, “Jingle.” The show promises a range of holiday favorites from “White Christmas,” “Happy Holidays,” and “O Holy Night,” to modern classics like “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas,” “Suzy Snowflake,” and the recent “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.” Make Jingle part of your holiday tradition. Tickets range from $19-$29. 6 p.m. at the Sycuan Casino’s Live and Up-Close Stage, 5469 Casino Way. bit.ly/2quZaiD Parade of Lights – The 47th annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights returns this year to dazzle crowds along the bayfront. Ships will float

Saturday, Dec. 15

LGBT Walking Tour – Learn all about Hillcrest’s LGBTQ past and present on this stroll through the gayborhood’s history. The walk covers a little more than two miles and takes approximately two hours. 10:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. $20. Fifth and Robinson Ave. Purchase tickets at: bit.ly/2FYhDyC

Thursday, Dec. 13

Love Affair – Love Affair is San Diego’s only free queer dance night of House, Garage, Techno, Disco, Bounc, and more. Located at the Whistle Stop Bar. Doors open at 9 p.m. 2236 Fern St. bit.ly/2E2OBv0

Friday, Dec. 14

Trans Game Night – Join the folks at The Center the second Friday of each month for an evening of food and fun. This all-ages event features games of all kinds and $1 pizza by the slice. 6-8:30 p.m. 3909 Centre St. bit.ly/2UhD8gS

Tuesday, Dec. 18 Hillcrest Car Show – Rev your engines and join classic car collectors for a “tire-kicking” good time at the Hillcrest Classic Car Show. This monthly show allows avid collectors to share their love of cars with the community. So roll down your windows, crank up the tunes, and cruise on down to the Hillcrest pride flag to check out dozens of classic cars. Free. 1-4 p.m. bit.ly/2BSQJ73 GMSR Spaghetti Dinner – The Gay Men’s Spiritual Retreat will host its annual spaghetti dinner and dessert auction at The Center from 6-9 p.m. Guests can sit on Santa’s lap, take in some holiday cheer, and enjoy the stylings of some international entertainment. Tickets are $20. 3909 Centre St. gmsr.org

Sunday, Dec. 16

The Nicky Awards - The 43rd annual Nicky awards is nearly here! Join what has been called "the gay academy awards of San Diego" and pay tribute to those in the LGBT community who have helped to make a difference and improve the quality of life of those around them. Located at the Courtyard Marriott at Liberty Station, with the red carpet rolling out for guests at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $65. nickyawards.org.

MANY HAPPY (ELECTION) RETURNS ACROSS

36 Sharice Davids, first LGBTQ ___ elected to congress 40 “Hollywood Squares” choice 41 Church sections 42 Saint, in Rio 43 Daly of “Judging Amy” 44 Home of the Bruins 48 “Claire of the Moon” actor Todd 51 Greet with loud laughter 53 Kim Davis, who lost the race for this office 56 Blue bottoms 59 “Houston, we have a problem” 60 Reagan's Star Wars letters 61 Like an eagle in flight 62 Pride of lions? 63 Half a score 64 First gay man elected governor Jared 65 Title for Uncle Remus’ bear 66 AARP members

Sisters’ Saturnalia – The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will host their annual Saturnalia celebration this year at FruitCraft winery. Join them as they recognize their accomplishments throughout the year and celebrate the Winter solstice. Doors open at 6 p.m., meeting will begin at 7 p.m. 477 University Ave. bit.ly/2Eg5N0P

Friday, Dec. 19

Bi Coming Out Group – Join The Center’s discussion group on bisexuality from 7-8:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month. It’s a welcoming space to share your experiences, ask questions, discuss community issues and meet like-minded people. 3909 Centre St. bit.ly/2G1Z24E

Ongoing Events:

Mobile Medical – The Family Health Centers of San Diego mobile medical unit will be located in The Center’s parking lot every Monday from 3-7 p.m. Services include basic primary care, immunizations, PrEP (through Rx), STD screening & treatment, chest/breast cancer screening, family planning, pap smears, pregnancy testing, hormone therapy and sick & well visits. For appointments, contact The Center at 619692-2077 ext. 211.

see Calendar, pg 15 QSyndicate.com

Q Q PUZZLE PUZZLE

1 They get checked at bathhouses 4 Abbreviated Broadway musical? 8 First out governor Kate, who was re-elected 13 Prefix with classical 14 Anti-gay prejudice, e.g. 15 Milk, in Madrid 16 Mineo, who played Plato 17 “All's Well That ___ Well” 18 Emma Stone plays a beard in this movie 19 Rights law upheld by Massachusetts voters 22 Whoopi, et al., at the Oscars 23 Underdog victories 27 Fruit cover 28 “___ Ordinary Man” (“My Fair Lady”) 31 Squealer 32 Lay in the hammock 34 Role for Madonna or LuPone

Gender Affirming Yoga – This free class is designed to help friends in the trans community manage dysphoria through the use of mindfulness and yoga. Located in the Brown Building, 4133 Poplar St. from 9-10:30 a.m. bit.ly/2rlSLq8

solution on page 11 DOWN 1 It's found under the tongue 2 Diary entry start by Anais Nin? 3 Comfort in sorrow 4 Hardly like a muscle Mary 5 Even bigger than a bed for a queen 6 Fill with freight 7 The A in GLARP (abbr.) 8 Censor's sound 9 Tails of the city, when cruising? 10 Place for future Lts. 11 Porter's “___ Shouldn't I?” 12 PBS helper 20 “South Pacific” heroine 21 Plague for payment 24 Mabius of “Ugly Betty” 25 "Toodles" 26 Gay-dog owner on TV 29 Former labor leader George 30 Darrin Stevens, for one 33 St. crosser 34 Preposition that goes either way

35 Type of aids 36 First of the Democratic ass drawers 37 Tutti-frutti ingredient 38 “Star Trek” counselor Deanna 39 Who should be against homophobia 43 T, to a “Homer-phile” 45 Wave tops 46 “Harder days, empty ___ days” (“Oliver!”) 47 Big name in dieting 49 Field of Ursula Le Guin 50 Ellen DeGeneres and others 52 Earth tone 54 Ready to get drilled by the dentist 55 Direction for seamen 56 Race unit in “The Front Runner” 57 “Xanadu” band, for short 58 Tennessee foot player

CALENDAR

gay-sd.com FROM PAGE 14

CALENDAR

A Christmas Carol

Through Dec. 30 – Cygnet Theatre’s holiday smash hit is back for its fifth season. Guests are invited to enjoy the holiday classic adapted from Charles Dickens’ timeless tale of hope and redemption. This re-imagined, fully staged production features original new music, creative stagecraft and puppetry, and live sound effects. Tickets start at $45. 4040 Twiggs St. For tickets and showtimes: bit.ly/2qI82Bt Stonewall Salon – The Diversionary Theatre will host auditions for its Stonewall Salon theater workshop, which opens the stage to older adults interested in studying stagecraft. This is a unique opportunity to be a part of an LGBT+Allied group, meet new friends, and try new things in a casual and fun environment. Rehearsals are Tuesdays and Thursdays, Jan. 15-Feb. 28 from 10 a.m.-noon at the Diversionary Theatre, with performances scheduled for March 1 and 2 at 2 p.m. on the Diversionary mainstage. Free. 4545 Park Blvd. bit.ly/stonewallsalon. Lambda Archives Donation Match – The Lambda Archives has announced a pledge from the California Institute of Contemporary Arts, which has agreed to match all

‘This Beautiful City’ – The Diversionary Theatre presents its rendition of “This Beautiful City,” a musical exploring faith and the organized resistance against gay rights. Show runs through Sunday, Dec. 16 with tickets ranging from $15-$30. 4545 Park Blvd. bit.ly/2QlmXg8. ‘Struggles and Triumphs’ – The San Diego History Center in partnership with the Lambda Archives of San Diego brings the first-ever exhibition in Balboa Park focused on the history of San Diego’s LGBTQ+ community. Visitors will experience and learn about the struggles to overcome persecution, the battle with AIDS, bullying and intolerance, the power of the community, and the tremendous strides taken in the fight for equal rights. The exhibit curator is noted author and historian Lillian Faderman. Runs through January 2020. 1649 El Prado, Suite #3. bit.ly/2o5PrxG .t

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donations to the Archives until Dec. 31. You can help by making a one-time donation, start or renew your membership, or set up a recurring monthly donation. bit.ly/donateLambda. ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ – The Old Globe Theatre’s 21st annual presentation of Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” runs this year through Dec. 29 and returns with its sensory-friendly performance for children on the autism spectrum. A seasoned cast and crew bring this holiday classic to life each year. Tickets range from $19$79. 1363 Old Globe Way. bit.ly/2QnvGP0

GAY SAN DIEGO Dec. 7-21, 2018

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ARTS / NEWS

GAY SAN DIEGO Dec. 7-21, 2018

gay-sd.com

FROM PAGE 1

POP UP EXHIBIT intensive care and rehabilitation to see if he would ever walk again. That is when he asked someone to bring him some paints, and he has been painting ever since. Chrz said that a friend challenged him to paint his story of living with HIV. With three paintings, Chrz captured the pivotal moments in his life in reflection of living with the virus. “These three [art pieces] are my story,” Chrz said. “This first piece, ‘Fall from Grace’ really, from my personal aspect, is when I was diagnosed as being HIV+. That feeling of having everything pulled out from under you. You were falling down to your knees, you were coming to death. I was told I had three years to live. Basically, this was that falling knowing there was nothing that could be done.” All three paintings are of himself as an angel. “Fall from Grace” is a spectacular piece, capturing a moment that is like being thrown out of heaven — with dark black wings, whirling down from the sky. The second piece, “Dawn of the Soul,” represents that point when Chrz actually realized that he was going to survive. “I’m actually going to live through this, now what do I do? It took me a couple of years to get there,” Chrz said. “That recognition of everything that I had known before had fallen away and I had to reimagine myself. And through grace, a lot of support and a lot of soul searching, you see that the wings go from dark black to grey. A rebirth and deciding where you wanted to go from that point.” The final piece, “Ascension,” comes past the point of “Dawn of the Soul,” where Chrz fully realized with “the grace of the divine” that he had survived through 30 years — and that there are many like him that are still here and still striving and rising above. “I would have never imagined that I would have had the chance to paint these,” Chrz said. “This one, comes from an actual photo of me 30

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM YOUR DUI DEFENSE FIRM!

(clockwise from top left) Rory Chrz’s three-piece exhibit of his different stages in life in dealing with HIV. “Fall from Grace,” “Dawn of the Soul” and “Ascension” (Photos by Albert H. Fulcher) years ago when I did a photo shoot for a photographer in San Diego. When I originally painted it, I didn’t have the AIDS ribbon on it and kept thinking something is really missing. So I painted it on. I was raised Christian, so I thought of St. Michael, so when I painted the AIDS ribbon around it, I didn’t sketch it out, I just started painting.” A Catholic friend of his asked him to turn the painting upside down. She asked him if he realized what he had done with the AIDS ribbon and she pointed out that he had painted a dragon. “What I didn’t know was that the archangel Michael, slayed the dragon, or Satan,” Chrz said. “I didn’t realize that I had painted that in and didn’t fully believe it until I went to a friend’s service for her funeral and I looked up at the Catholic stained-glass window and there was the archangel Michael fighting the dragon. I came to mind then that I had been given a gift and it’s my purpose to fill that gift and put it out there.” (View his

work at paintingsbychrz.com) In addition to Chrz’s work, abstract art was featured by artist Jesus Gomez. His “Duality” series shows two sides on one canvas, like an imperfect mirror image. All stemming from the same colors, textures and composition, there was a distinct difference between each side as they melded together in the middle. His prose that went along with each painting talked about the anguish that comes from the inside — which eventually is seen from the outside. The contrasting sides exposed the conflict from within. Picking people that he knew or saw, the third artist Steve Cabaliza displayed two paintings, “Count Edwin” and “Nicholas, The guy next door.” His portraits captured a moment in time of his subjects, simply but powerfully. Donations from the pop-up exhibition went to the LGBT Legacy Walk project. —Albert Fulcher can be reached at albert@sdcnn.com.t

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MAMA’S KITCHEN Dr. Adam Zweig, medical director of AIDS Healthcare Foundation, spoke for the fourth year at this event. This year, Zweig wanted to touch on some points that he felt needed repeating. He said people tend to focus on the important people in our lives that were lost to AIDS but looking forward to a future of a cure and the eradication of AIDS and HIV transmission is becoming a reality. But, he added that as a community, we should focus a little more on the present and to be honest with ourselves. “With such effective treatment and prevention many of us

have become somewhat complacent when it comes to HIV and AIDS,” Zweig said. “Community activism has waned, and we’ve lost many AIDS organizations out of the perception that there is no longer is a need. Nothing is further from the truth. We know that a person that is living with HIV can live as long as someone that is negative. We know that viral suppression pretty much eliminates the risk of transmission. With little risk from those HIV people on meds [medications] and the increase use of PrEP for those at risk, why do we continue to see increases in transmission rates in people of color, women and transgender groups?” Zweig said he could argue that much of the blame can be based on stigma.

“Stigma prevents people from getting tested and seeking prevention care,” he continued. “Sadly, what concerns me the most is the significant amount of stigma generated within our own community. When I see patients, I really have no advice to give on how to avoid the sting of rejection and the embarrassment that my patient will face when they disclose their status to another partner. Likewise, I have no advice on how to avoid PrEP shaming that often happens when men using PrEP are labeled as promiscuous. So I think our own community has a little bit of work to do before we can claim success to HIV treatment and prevention.” —Albert Fulcher can be reached at albert@sdcnn.com.t