ISSUE #15 | 12.17.20 DISPLAY UNTIL 01.27.21
ERIC GUILMETTE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: ENJOY THE PRESENTS
OUT & ABOUT:
Happy Holidays!
ALWAYS A FUN, SAFE GROOVE AT TWIST
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TABLE OF CONTENTS: 10. HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: ENJOY THE PRESENTS Enjoy our Holiday Gift Guide and check out the presents you could buy for that special someone in your life, family, friends, and yourself!
14. COVER STORY: GORGEOUS MODEL ERIC GUILMETTE
This week’s cover model Eric Guilmette is sexy, beautiful, and in phenomenal physical shape. Check out what Eric had to say and enjoy his very alluring photos taken by Anthony Kosinchuk.
20. OUT & ABOUT: ALWAYS A FUN, SAFE GROOVE AT TWIST
TWIST was closed during several months of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is now open and welcoming guests back with a fun and safe groove everyone can enjoy.
WIREMAG.COM:
ENJOY OUR LIFESTYLE CONTENT Check out our past issues of Wire Magazine with lots of beautiful men and interesting lifestyle content for the LGBTQ community.
Publisher/Editor in Chief/Design Director
Rafa Carvajal Columnists
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Wire Magazine is published, produced, and owned by Wire Media Group L.L.C. All Rights Reserved. Distributed in print in Miami, The Beaches, and Fort Lauderdale, and digitally worldwide through wiremag.com The views, opinions or positions expressed by contributors to and interview subjects of Wire Magazine are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or positions of Wire Magazine, its staff or publisher. Cover photo by Anthony Kosinchuk kozzphoto.com Model: Eric Guilmette
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PUBLISHER’S CORNER HAPPY HOLIDAYS! As we approach the end of a very difficult year for millions of our fellow citizens and members of our LGBTQ community, there are some signs of hope on the horizon. Our country has started rolling out the life-saving COVID-19 vaccine, and President-Elect Joe Biden has been certified by the Electoral College to become the 46th President of the United States. My hope is that our lives will go back to normal from the pandemic in the coming year, and that our nation will heal and move forward from the very divisive policies of Donald Trump, and towards a better Union where respect, decency, honor, duty, and setting a good example for our children will once again become the norm in the White House and across our great nation. I know many of you are suffering the economic and health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. I also know that many members of our community have lost loved ones, close friends and neighbors to this deadly virus. The holidays and New Year will not be the same this year. Despite all the many challenges we have lived through, and the ones we will face in the coming months, I firmly believe in hope and a better future for all of us. One of the highlights of the holiday season every year is the Annual Winter Concert by internationally acclaimed jazz recording artist Nicole Henry. This year, due to the pandemic, Nicole will premier her beloved concert in virtual format, and I am looking forward to hearing her beautiful voice again. Nicole’s I Sing Because I'm Happy 8th Annual Winter Concert will be available starting this Saturday, December 19th, at 8 p.m. EST through December 26th. The concert is supported by presenting sponsor Savage Ticket and benefits a wonderful nonprofit organization called Miami Music Project. It will be filmed from Pinecrest Gardens, Miami, and provide a safe, front-row seat to a six-camera, 8-piece band concert experience. Awardwinning TV personality Laurie Jennings will host the 2020 celebration, featuring a range of jazz, soul, Broadway, inspirational and holiday classics. Only one ticket is needed for each household. General admission tickets are $35. VIP tickets are $75 and include a pre-concert virtual backstage experience, encore performances, a post-concert Zoom meet and greet, and an official Nicole Henry 8th Annual Winter Concert beach bag (U.S. only). Visit buytickets.at/nicolehenry to purchase your ticket. I want to wish you the very best this holiday season. I also want to extend my best wishes for a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year, and a very Merry Christmas! Cheers,
Rafa Carvajal Publisher & Editor in Chief rafa@wiremag.com
“THE BEST AND MOST BEAUTIFUL THINGS IN THE WORLD CANNOT BE SEEN OR EVEN TOUCHED. THEY MUST BE FELT WITH THE HEART. WISHING YOU HAPPINESS.” - HELEN KELLER 8 WIREMAG.COM #15 2020
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IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®
This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment.
(bik-TAR-vee)
MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY
BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:
BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including: Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section. Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking BIKTARVY. Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking BIKTARVY. Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. The most common side effects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%).
Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking BIKTARVY. Do not stop taking BIKTARVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.
ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults and children who weigh at least 55 pounds. It can either be used in people who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS. Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a medicine that contains: dofetilide rifampin any other medicines to treat HIV-1
BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY Tell your healthcare provider if you:
These are not all the possible side effects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY.
Have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis infection. Have any other health problems. Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY. Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY.
HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-thecounter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. BIKTARVY and other medicines may affect each other. Ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist about medicines that interact with BIKTARVY, and ask if it is safe to take BIKTARVY with all your other medicines.
Get HIV support by downloading a free app at
MyDailyCharge.com
GET MORE INFORMATION This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more. Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5 If you need help paying for your medicine, visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.
BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, DAILY CHARGE, the DAILY CHARGE Logo, KEEP CREATING, LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. Version date: February 2020 © 2020 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. BVYC0197 03/20
CHAD LIVING WITH HIV SINCE 2018 REAL BIKTARVY PATIENT
KEEP CREATING.
Because HIV doesn’t change who you are.
BIKTARVY® is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in certain adults. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS.
Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you. See Chad’s story at BIKTARVY.com. Featured patient compensated by Gilead.
Please see Important Facts about BIKTARVY, including important warnings, on the previous page and visit BIKTARVY.com.
Anthony Kosinchuk photographs gorgeous men, and this week’s cover model Eric Guilmette is certainly one of them. Eric is sexy, beautiful, and in phenomenal physical shape. Check out what Eric had to say and enjoy his very alluring photos as our parting holiday gift for 2020. Rafa Carvajal: Where are you originally from and where do you live now? Eric Guilmette: I was born and raised just outside Boston, Massachusetts, and now I live in Long Beach, California, when I’m not traveling.
By Rafa Carvajal. Photos by Anthony Kosinchuk. kozzphoto.com. @antonykozz
ERIC GUILMETTE
14 WIREMAG.COM #15 2020
RC: What do you do for work? EG: I am a full time model, actor and online fitness coach. RC: What do you enjoy the most about modeling for photography? EG: The creative flow. I love turning up the music and getting lost in myself during a shoot. There’s something very freeing about letting the environment take over your body and mind during a shoot. So in short, editorials. Lol! RC: How do you stay in such great physical shape? EG: My background is in fitness. I used to bodybuild and had a lot more mass t h a n I h a v e n o w, s o maintaining my look is pretty straightforward. I train hard five to six times a week and eat a flexible, healthy diet. Nothing crazy.
RC: What is the most important fitness tip that you would recommend to our readers? EG: It is you versus you. Social media can make it very easy to compare yourself to others, but you must not do this. Your progress should be benchmarked to you. Also stay natural.
RC: What are the top three exercises that have helped you develop your physique most effectively? EG: Squats, pull ups and squats – not a typo. Squats have helped me develop my legs which feed every other muscle group in my body.
#15 2020 WIREMAG.COM 15
RC: Who is the person that inspires you the most? Why? EG: Over my journey, I’ve drawn inspiration from a lot of different people and life experiences that have “fueled my fire.” So a lot of people inspire me every day, but the person I take inspiration from the most is Ma luciole. RC: What is your biggest dream that you have yet to achieve? EG: I’m still figuring this out. While I have massive dreams and goals, I’m still taking my life a few days at a time and letting my journey shape itself. For that reason, I don’t set many concrete long term goals because I don’t want to box myself into one lane. My path is changing almost weekly, and I love riding the journey so much. RC: Describe yourself in three words. EG: Wild. Bliss. Love. RC: What are your two favorite foods? EG: Asian noodle dishes ( Pa d T h a i , d r u n k e n noodles, etc.) and pancakes.
16 WIREMAG.COM #15 2020
Happy Holidays!
#15 2020 WIREMAG.COM 17
RC: What is your favorite hobby? EG: Traveling. I’ve been traveling practically non stop since I was 21. I look for any excuse to travel, and have been all over the world and, more so this year, all over the U.S. RC: How has the current COVID-19 pandemic affected your personal and professional life? EG: I know a lot of people will disagree, but 2020 has been awesome for me. I have loved this year. I shot a lot before lockdown. And I’ve been shooting non stop since the end of lockdown in June. I’ve had the pleasure of traveling to 12 different states since June for shoots/projects and have many more to come. While the environment hasn’t been optimal for any of us, I’ve adapted and have really come out of this pandemic in a great place. RC: What is your current struggle? EG: Rest. Sometimes I am go-go-go, so I can forget that I need to chill out for a few days every so often. RC: Is there anything else you would like to share with Wire Magazine readers? EG: Love the journey. I’m blessed to have found this out early in life. Blissful vibes to everyone reading this. Follow me on Instagram @etfitnesscoach.
18 WIREMAG.COM #15 2020
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OUT & ABOUT By Rafa Carvajal | Photos by J.R. Davis
ALWAYS A FUN, SAFE GROOVE AT TWIST require masks and only allow 35% of maximum occupancy. We added virus killing UV light technology to all our ventilation systems and greatly enhanced our sanitizing procedures. We use disposable glassware and do not allow smoking indoors. RC: Please highlight some of the special nights and shows that guests can enjoy at TWIST in this new safe environment. JS: With all the changes, we still have our infamous bartenders, outrageous drag queens and the best music in town. We are excited to have legendary TP Lords back in her residency every Wednesday. The weekends have been really great and a lot of fun with DJ Mike James on Saturdays and Adora on Sundays. We have brought in Karla Croqueta and super host Yessie on Sundays in the Latin room, and VJ and superstar bartender Mario to host Disco-T 8 p.m. to midnight upstairs in the video lounge, spinning classic tea.
TWIST was closed during several months of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is now open and welcoming guests back with a fun and safe groove. TWIST has created an environment with measures to protect both customers and staff from the virus, so patrons can go out and enjoy themselves. I sat down with TWIST owner Joel Stedman, bartender Mario Trejo and DJ Mike James to chat about how TWIST is welcoming back our LGBTQ community. Rafa Carvajal: What did it mean for the TWIST family to reopen during the pandemic and continue offering a safe place for your customers to enjoy themselves? Joel Stedman: We were absolutely thrilled to get back to work and open for the community. To hear the music and see all the smiles, albeit with masks, is so rewarding. It’s like we are all living again. The response has been incredibly supportive. I cannot thank everyone enough. It had been a very rough six months. RC: How did TWIST adapt to provide a safe environment for both customers and staff? JS: We thought it very important to start out with strict, but reasonable rules from day one of reopening. We take temps, 20 WIREMAG.COM #15 2020
RC: Why was it so important to you to reopen and have guests back enjoying themselves at TWIST? JS: Being back open means our staff can finally come back to work and pay their bills, and now the community again has a safe and exciting place to get together. People can only stay cooped up so long. Real mental damage starts to take hold. Wearing a mask and keeping some distance allows us to do it more safely. We are incredibly grateful to all our amazing guests, who over the many years have been so supportive. Without all of you, we could have never reopened. We have a few more challenges ahead, but there are many, many future good times. Rafa Carvajal: Tell our readers about your new Disco night at TWIST and why you chose the Disco format now? Mario Trejo: I chose the Disco format because anyone who knows me well knows I love Disco 70’s/80’s music and just
everything starts early it gives those Disco music lovers a time that's more available for them to enjoy a good time, unwind and have fun before that long work week ahead. Rafa Carvajal: What is it like to DJ during the pandemic in a new safe environment? DJ Mike: What is it like DJing during the pandemic is a tough question to answer. What? Why am I DJing? are the questions in mind, and is also the reason why I feel it’s great to be able to DJ and express my thoughts through music.
music in general. It was and still is just really great music, from the hooks and bass lines, to percussions, synthesizers and more. I wrote my first song at thirteen years old, and to this day when I write songs I get a lot of inspiration from this era in music. RC: Why do you think light and fun really sells with customers? MT: We’ve all been through so much this year, some more than others. So we just felt we needed to bring back that fun, familiar carefree time when you could just get down and boogie. We all pretty much know the words to our favorite songs like Abba, Donna Summer, Diana Ross, and Michael Jackson, just to name a few. So our goal is for you to just be able to release your troubles for a few hours, have a cocktail, meet some friends and make new ones, and do it all with songs we love. RC: Tell us about your Disco outfits and décor, and why everyone should come enjoy Mario's new groove. MT: The video bar is transformed as if you went back to a Disco club back in the 70’s. All the walls are covered in gold metallic curtains, disco balls are floating, and I bring an attire of that era, whether it be 70’s with a huge afro wig and bell bottom pants, or an 80’s inspired look. The vibe is right and I love watching everyone singing out their favorite songs.
RC: How do you achieve a fun level of energy for customers in this new environment? DJM: Creating a fun level of energy in this new environment is the same as it was pre-COVID. You don’t just flip a switch and boom everyone is having fun. You have to build it up but know not to push it to the edge. RC: How do you still make your beats sexy and fun, while maintaining the new safe protocols for customers? DJM: We are in Miami baby! It is all about beats! Sexy tribal with some Cha Cha paired up with the right vocals, and we can all come together while being socially distant. RC: What has been the best part of being back DJing at TWIST after it reopened? DJM: When I received the phone call to DJ the very first weekend TWIST was allowed to reopen, I instantly said yes! And have played every Saturday night since then. Joel and the entire team have continued to follow and exceed the guidelines put in place, allowing us to have a safe environment we can all escape to and release, even if for a few hours.
RC: Why should customers come enjoy an early Sunday at the legendary TWIST? MT: TWIST’s new hours are from 3 p.m. to 12 midnight. Before the pandemic the club was open much later and a lot of people couldn't stay out that late because of work. Now that
#15 2020 WIREMAG.COM 21
Compassionate. A holiday spirit that lives all year long. This year, we’re extra grateful for the gifts we have. The gifts of health, kindness, and compassion. And at Jackson, our greatest gift is the ability to bring our patients back to health. Our care team’s compassion keeps our patients merry and bright through the holidays and beyond. Wishing you a healthy holiday season, from our Jackson family to yours. Call 305-585-4JMG for a Jackson specialist near you.
Jackson Health System is proud to be recognized as an “LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Top Performer” by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation. Learn more at LGBTQHealthLeader.org.
COMPASSIONATE • EXPERT • FAMILY CENTERED • INCLUSIVE • LEADING • UNDERSTANDING