Mariah Carey Exclusive Interview
- July 2, 2015 - 2:48pm
The Gods must be smiling upon Vegas, because Mariah Carey, diva extraordinaire, has taken up residency at Caesars Palace. A singer, songwriter, actress, and top mom, it seems there’s nothing Mariah can’t do. The biggest-selling female act of all time, Mariah has had 18 hits go No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100. That’s the most for any solo artist ever – male or female. All 18 songs can be found on her new greatest-hits album, #1 To Infinity. As a hello to her new neighbors, Mariah took the time to chat with Gay Vegas and answer fan questions.
Music careers come and go quite quickly. What do you attribute your longstanding career to?
I think one really has to love music wholeheartedly to sustain a lengthy career in this business. Otherwise, people see through it and it's too transparent. For me it's not about reinvention. It's about making musical choices that make me happy and fulfilled.
Have you seen any of the many drag queens that dress up and perform as you? If so, what advice would you give to drag queens who want to recreate your style?
I am amazed by the creativity of some of these performers – it is extremely flattering and highly entertaining. I would focus on incorporating your own unique style and always remember to weeeerrrk dahhlinggggg!
Who are some of the most memorable TLGB people that have helped you throughout your career?
You know, it wouldn’t be fair to name a few and not name them all. There's too many to name! There have been so many wonderful TLGB people who have helped me throughout my career and I am so thankful.
Do you think it’s important that celebrities like yourself speak out in support of the TLGB community?
Yes, absolutely! I am a huge supporter of the TLGB community. I think it’s important to bring to light any issues that prevent equality and justice. I try to get involved whenever possible. I recently performed at the Human Rights Campaign Los Angeles 2015 Gala Dinner and Auction in March.
You have a new show at the Colosseum in Caesars Palace called #1 To Infinity. There was a lot of commotion when the news hit that you had cancelled one night of your show at Caesars due to bronchitis. Celine Dion, your predecessor at the Colosseum, had cancelled some of her performances and had issues with what has been called “Vegas throat” due to our dry climate. In a time where many artists are lip syncing their way through performances you have stayed true and choose to sing live for your fans. What are some things that you do to keep your health and prepare your voice for performances?
I try to get as much sleep as possible. I have at least 10 humidifiers surrounding my bed and whenever possible I try not to talk on my days off.
In Rome, the Colosseum was used for gladiator contests. Who would you love to see compete for your approval in a modern day Roman Empire?
Oh wow! I would have to say Jeff, Tyson, and Jussie who were in my “Infinity” music video. We had so much fun filming the video and just the thought of them dressed as gladiators is already entertaining.
I have an image of you imprinted in my mind from a concert here in Vegas where you were dressed in a sexy gold boxing outfit getting ready to knock someone out as part of your performance. Do you have some of those fun theatrical elements in your new Vegas show?
I do incorporate those elements in my show. We are always keeping things different from what we have done in the past and focus on implementing new ideas. I don’t want to spoil the show for your readers so they will just have to come and see!
On one of your days off from your Vegas show you attended the Chippendales show at the Rio where you were given a lap dance by Tyson Beckford (Zoolander). Have you had any other “Vegas-like” experiences since you started calling Vegas your home?
Well, I'll always be a New Yorker at heart, but being in Vegas is quite fun. Especially because the kids can play outside and go to the pool where we are in Vegas. It's hard for me to do too much, I have to look out for my voice. I do enjoy being in Vegas though. I really like a lot of the local people I've met since being here!
If you were to gamble, are you more likely to play the slot machines or table games?
Table games.
You performed your hit single “Infinity” at Disneyland recently. What are some of your favorite attractions at the theme park?
I love the Tower of Terror. It's one of my favorite places in the world! I may hold the record for most rides ever taken on the TOT!
Speaking of Disney, you are the proud mother of two beautiful children. What’s the last Disney movie that’s been on repeat in your home?
That’s so sweet! You know, the kids love Big Hero 6!
You were amazing in the films Precious and The Butler. Any urge to return to the big screen any time soon?
I would love to! I love acting. It's a totally different way for me to express my creativity.
You mentioned performing at the Human Rights Campaign Los Angeles Gala. Could you see yourself performing a song or two at a Pride event like Vegas Pride?
I'm sure anything could happen with the right timing.
What would you like to say to your LGBT fans?
Thank you for all your support and love throughout the years!
Questions from Readers & Fans:
A Gay Vegas text subscriber asks, “How is Caesars Palace treating you so far”?
I love the staff at Caesars. They have been very accommodating and they're all very nice! Even though I don't get to spend a lot of time with them, they do give off a very nice vibe.
Rodney Fleming asks, “Have you done any local things yet, like hike, Lake Mead, Mt. Charleston, Red Rock”?
I haven’t had the chance to explore those parts of Vegas. One thing we did really enjoy was seeing the dolphins at the Mirage!
Deric Williams aka Valerie Soleil asks, “When can we expect an all new album? What are you writing about currently”?
I haven't started writing my all new album yet. Currently I'm absorbed in making my show, #1 to Infinity, the most fun for my fans as possible.
Kenny King asks, “There are several songs in your #1 To Infinity show that you never sing in regular live shows (“Love Takes Time”, “I Don't Wanna Cry”, “Someday”). Is there any particular one you might add to the lineup now that you have heard the audience’s reaction during your residency”?
Maybe now that I've gotten used to singing them again I might add them.
Antonio Estrada asks, “Being part of a generation of singers who actually have real talent and powerful voices, how do you see the music industry today? Who would you say is most likely, if anyone, to be the next Whitney Houston? Or maybe the next Mariah”?
Everybody should be their own person. The music industry today is a very difficult place to have a long lasting career. Especially if you are trying to be a carbon copy of someone else. The best advice I can give is to work as hard as you can, try not to alienate people, and love what you do!
Students and parents demand transgender policy from CCSD
- July 2, 2015 - 2:18pm
After pressure from students and parents, officials from Nevada’s Clark County School District (CCSD) will soon have to address their lack of policy regarding the protection and accommodation of transgender students.
On May 28, a group of transgender students and their parents spoke to the board and reaffirmed their requests for a policy that addresses the needs of all students, regardless of gender identity and expression. The primary priorities are accommodation in public facilities, like bathrooms and locker rooms, and district-wide training to teach faculty members and staff how to address and support transgender individuals.
After years of requests from advocates, District F Trustee Carolyn Edwards has now asked district officials to prepare a report on what work the CCSD has done regarding such a policy.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal quotes Edwards as saying that the district has already begun researching other states’ transgender policies. “I don’t know the solution,” Edwards stated. “But we need to have a conversation.”
In 2014 an internal draft of administrative guidance distributed by the district proposed, among other things, “referring to all students by their preferred name and gender pronouns and allowing them to use the restroom that corresponds to their ‘sincerely held’ gender identity,” this according to the Review-Journal.
But the CCSD never formally introduced the guidance as a result of state lawmakers having introduced a bill that would have made it mandatory for students to use restrooms corresponding to their biological sex. The legislation, however, failed, and the district is still to announce a timeline for introducing the guidance.
The U.S. Department of Education has made threats to pull funding from schools that don’t have non-discrimination policies protecting transgender students. Nevada’s significantly smaller Washoe County School District enacted regulation to protect transgender students back in February. As matters currently stand, the CCSD has taken and continues to take a case-by-case approach with each student.
Nevada now offering transgender health coverage
- July 2, 2015 - 2:16pm
As of July 1, Nevada state employees and their dependent family members will have health coverage for transgender procedures thanks to a new insurance policy.
Back in November, the Public Employee Benefits Program (PEBP) board voted for the removal of language in Nevada’s self-funded and HMO plans that excluded therapy for gender dysphoria – meaning that up until this July gender reassignment surgery and other treatments related to sex changes were not covered.
“We commend the Nevada state PEBP board for making this significant step to ensure that transgender employees have access to lifesaving care,” Brock Maylath, president of the Transgender Allies Group, said in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “Medical treatment should be determined by conversations between a patient and a doctor, rather than on arbitrary exclusions created by an insurance company.”
The Review-Journal also quotes Donna Lopez, quality control officer for PEBP, as saying that a report found that providing the additional coverage would “have little to no impact on the system’s overall financial health or claims obligations.”
The new modifications mean the PEBP will provide coverage for medical, surgical or prescription drug treatment expenses related to sex change procedures. This also includes coverage for preparation or complications connected to the procedures. The program will not cover any procedures considered cosmetic, like hair removal.
There is no maximum benefit limit, although gender reassignment is limited to one surgery per individual. The regular plan deductibles and co-insurance will still be in effect.
Minutes from the board’s November meeting show that only one member, Rosalie Garcia, voted against the recommendations. According to Lopez, there wasn’t any public opposition.
She adds, “Under the policy, sex change patients would be required to undergo a pre-certification and case management review to assure that any questions a patient might have about the procedures or providers are answered.”
In 2014 the program paid out about $100 million in claims. It’s responsible for covering more than 40,000 participants and 29,000 family members and survivors. One of the HMOs participating is Health Plan of Nevada in the Las Vegas area.
Trans Jenner
- July 2, 2015 - 2:01pm
Caitlyn Jenner has been in the public’s eye since becoming a gold medal winner in the 1976 Olympics – then as Bruce. Decades later she would go on to gain a whole new fanbase as a member of the Kardashian clan. Now after revealing she identifies as female, Jenner has become the talk of the nation.
In light of Jenner recently completing her gender transition and coming out publicly with her story, we asked members of Vegas’ LGBT community to share their thoughts. What follows below is a letter from Sasha Rochelle Ogata.
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“Hey faggot!” “You’re not a girl!” “You’re a sissy boy!”
That is what was said to me almost everyday while I was growing up back in the ‘80s.
I think it's wonderful that Caitlyn Jenner is getting all this support from social media, celebrities, and her family. This is not the norm for most transgender people.
As a transgender woman, I was always perceived as gay, called a faggot, homo, and other very mean terms, this from strangers, friends, and also family members.
As a transgender woman it is hard to find a job, housing, and medical care. Caitlyn Jenner is white, famous, and a millionaire. She's able to get the best doctors and psychiatrists, and has people around her to help her. “Normal” transgender people do not have this kind of support around them, nor do they have the resources to accomplish what she has done in the last few years. With some trans people it could take years.
I think it's great that Caitlyn is opening up the public's eye to the transgender identity, but she needs to be more realistic about the situation for the majority of trans people – we are not rich. We are not famous.
Also, for a trans woman, she still has the mannerisms of a man. She needs to sit more like a lady. I've noticed in some of her photos she still sits like Bruce. Maybe she needs some female etiquette classes, or to hang out with real transgender women and live her life as a transgender woman.
She has been living as a man for all these years and then all of a sudden, in just the last few months, now she's a woman. I DON’T THINK SO! She hasn't lived one straight year as a transgender woman.
I'm happy for her and the choices she is finally making for her life, but this is not the norm for most transgender people.
- Sasha Rochelle Ogata
Letter from the Editor
- July 2, 2015 - 1:50pm
Marriage equality is now a reality in America folks! I am thrilled, yet at the same time I am grounded. That’s because I have to make sure to remind myself that as we come up as a community, it’s vital that our entire community shares in the benefits of progress. Throughout history, oppressors have pushed TLGB individuals to the margins. No one has waited longer than our trans brothers and sisters for their time in the sun. Finally, over the last few years the world began paying attention. In May 2014 TIME magazine put Laverne Cox on its cover and ran the headline “The Transgender Tipping Point”. Today, over a year later, it’s clear the magazine was right. The July 2015 issue of Gay Vegas is all about trans individuals and their allies (both nationally and locally) – not because we planned it that way, but because it’s a movement no force can stop.
Mariah Carey may seem like an odd choice to be on the cover of our Trans / Anniversary issue – that is until you consider that she has supported, and has been supported by, the TLGB community throughout her entire career. Not to mention the fact that she has been an inspiration for tons of performers (many of whom identify as trans) and for anyone looking for the perfect role model of femininity. You’re going to have a blast getting to know more about Vegas’ new resident icon when you read our exclusive interview.
Of course we couldn’t release such an issue without mention of Caitlyn Jenner. Her story has captured the attention of the world and it seems everyone has an opinion. Well we asked for the opinion of a local Vegas TLGB community member and we’re happy to be able to share it with you.
This month we also highlight two trans issues in the news that hit close to home – the pressure on Nevada’s Clark County School District to release a report on transgender policy progress, and the state’s extension of health care coverage to transgender individuals, which begins this month.
This issue also features a personal reflection from our publisher, John Lawrence, who gives us his special perspective on marriage equality. I’m sure you’ll be as touched by his piece as I was.
If you believe that everything happens for a reason, then indeed there was no better time than now for an issue dedicated to the trans community. That this joy is compounded with our marriage equality win, well, that just makes my heart soar. In any case, I’m just so proud that we’re able to bring you this very special edition of Gay Vegas.