Meet The Raleigh Family
- January 27, 2015 - 2:39pm
When Nicole and I met and fell in love, I never imagined that out of that love would not only grow a beautiful family but an amazing company.
I was fortunate to have wonderful examples of loving marriages. My grandparents were devoted to each other. They proclaimed their love for each other each day and my grandfather wrote a love note to my grandmother every day of the nearly 66 years they were together. My parents taught me that love is worth working hard for and a loving home is a safe and warm place where I was always the center of their lives.
As Nicole and I made our plans for a future together, she was fully embraced by my parents and grandparents. Jaxton, our son became the love of their lives and a beautiful family was formed. At first we were able to establish a domestic partnership to make our family legal. While we realized that at that time we were not able to legally marry, we knew that we wanted to share our lives and raise our children in a Jewish home filled with the love and traditions that shaped my life. We were the first lesbian couple to be married by our Rabbi in a Covenant of Love ceremony. In preparation for this momentous joining of our lives forever, I decided to create our wedding party’s bouquets. I knew that there was something magical and unique about putting my love and talent to work in creating one of a kind antique brooch bouquets filled with family heirlooms that could become a keepsake for Nicole and I, and a beautiful gift to pass on to our children. The idea became a reality. It seemed that the natural progression was to create a company to provide the same joyous experience for other brides that Nicole and I shared as we held our bouquets for the first time. Bouquet Couture is that company. We have enjoyed great success in the time we have been in business, So much success that we expanded to a full event company, Event Society, providing a complete range of services for our brides.
Our personal lives have been forever changed this past year. Within days of Nevada’s ban on same sex marriage reversed we applied for our official marriage certificate and days after, at our baby shower for our daughter, I re-proposed to Nicole who of course said yes, and I surprised her and all our guests with an official marriage. Our lives were then enriched again when our beautiful baby daughter was born. She is named Keeva, after my grandfather who not only taught me what unconditional love means, but was my greatest friend and constant champion for my happiness in life and love.
Nicole and I feel so thrilled to be able to share the love we have for each other not only with our family, but with the couples that seek us out to create once in a lifetime experiences.
Gwen Stefani - Underneath It All
- January 27, 2015 - 1:39pm
From bed in her Los Angeles home, Gwen Stefani insists she doesn’t mind doing her first gay press interview in a decade on her day off. “I love talking about myself,” the No Doubt frontwoman says, giggling.
Set to release her third solo album this spring, Stefani rang to open up about her “late in life” introduction to the gay community, the lesson she’s teaching her boys when she paints their nails and how hubby Gavin Rossdale has broadened her worldview.
You were raised Roman Catholic in infamously conservative Orange County. Considering this upbringing, what was your introduction to the gay community?
Oh, that’s a really good question. I’m going back in my brain. When did I get introduced? I think my first friend that I had was Mathu Andersen – that was pretty late in life. He’s a makeup artist that I met doing the “Ex-Girlfriend” video (in 2000), and he was with this guy Zaldy, a designer who’d eventually work on L.A.M.B. with me. Then Mathu introduced me to Danilo, who ended up being my hairdresser, who introduced me to Gregory Arlt, my (current) makeup artist.
These guys have become some of my closest friends over the years, and also the team that have helped me creatively on so many levels. It’s interesting how it feels. All the people that I’ve met in the gay community in my particular life have just been very creative people and people that have just been friends to me in a way that I haven’t had in my life before that. It’s hard to put into words. I don’t know how to describe it, but it’s interesting because we can talk about so many things that we are all interested in and yet it’s different from having a guy friend or a girlfriend. It’s like having a creative partner.
When No Doubt first hit the scene, you were known for your tomboy image. Because of your style, were there times you were mistaken as a lesbian?
I don’t remember there ever being too many rumors about that. I think everybody knew my story, because when Tragic Kingdom came out I had broken up with Tony (Kanal), so everybody knew that “Don’t Speak” and all those songs were about that, so I think that’s probably why (there weren’t rumors). I was so young when all that started. I mean, I started the band when I was 17.
The way you’ve personally subverted gender norms seems to have influenced your three boys. You’ve gone with your oldest, Kingston, to get manis; also, he wore a tutu on his birthday. As a parent, how important is it to you to show your kids that there’s no wrong way to express themselves?
It’s one of those things where, it’s not like I don’t think about it, but they’re used to being around me, and I’m always doing my hair, makeup, nails. Their whole life is, like, sitting on my lap while I’m doing that surrounded by three gay men who are on me the entire time. (Laughs)
It’s just normal for them. What I like to say is that being unique and original is what makes me happy, and I think that rubs off on them. My sons did nails just the other day, and the only reason was because their nails were so disgusting! Like, they were in the mud and I was like, “We have got to do your nails! Why don’t we do ‘Nail Salon’?!”
I literally have 400 bottles of nail polish, so they took them all out and put them all over the bathroom. We really played “Salon” and we did tiger stripe nails. I said to Kingston, “Are you sure you wanna do pink, because you’re gonna go to school tomorrow? Are you sure you’re not gonna be embarrassed?” He said, “No, I don’t care; it’s a cool color.”
I just love that. It’s really important more than anything else to not be talked into something, to stand your ground and to be able to be strong about what you feel. That’s what I like and that’s what I want them to learn – that being individual and being unique is important. Don’t be scared of that. I don’t want them to try to be like everyone else, and at that age, everybody just wants to have the same shoes everybody else has, and I don’t really like that. If they do want to, I’ll support that as well. You just want them to be happy. It’s a short life and it goes by so quick.
In 2012 you designed a marriage equality shirt for Target that said “Love Is Love.” What inspired you to raise awareness for marriage equality?
Overall in my life I’ve been shy to be too politically active in any kind of way. I’m a Libra. I’m all about balance; I’m not about confrontation. I feel like I’m sort of rebellious, but you said it – I grew up in a Catholic family. I was the peacemaker of the family. I just wanted everybody to be happy. So, taking a stand was – I mean, obviously I have my feelings about things, but I’m subtle about it.
That shirt was not meant to be a big statement. It can work for that, but it doesn’t have to be for that. It wasn’t meant to be like, “Oh, I’m making a huge statement here.” What I’m saying is that this shirt can work for anybody. It doesn’t matter who you are, what you do and what you think – love is love. Take it whichever way you want to take it.
In the spirit of the emoji-filled “Spark the Fire” single, what’s your most used emoji?
These days, luckily, they have a little spark and fire and cloud emoji, so I’ve been using those a lot. The thing is, they’re right up my alley. Emojis are the perfect thing. Like, of course we have to have those!
I’m surprised you didn’t invent them, actually.
I wish that I did. I feel like they invented them for me. (Laughs)
Pharrell called “Spark the Fire,” which he co-wrote and produced, a feminist anthem, but you say otherwise. What does that song mean to you?
Yeah, for me, it’s not a feminist anthem. Our relationship is so interesting. I say to him, “You are so talented and incredible; how do you come up with this stuff? It’s blowing my mind.” And he’ll say to me, “It’s you. I wouldn’t have come up with this unless I got the energy you gave me that night.” And I didn’t do anything! It’s so weird. His interpretation of me is: He thinks that I need to be the torch for feminism. (But the song) was so perfect for my story – for what I was feeling in my own personal life – that I didn’t even get it as a feminist anthem. I thought it was just about me! I was just feeling me.
What’s so weird is, it works on two levels, but it’s very personal for me. If it’s working for (feminism) as well, that’s awesome. But with “Just a Girl,” too, I wasn’t trying to make a statement at all when I wrote that song. I never even thought that anyone would hear the song. I was just making a personal statement about my life, about me, and I feel like this is the same thing. It’s really about me, my journey and where I’m at in my life. It’s just very personal. I love the fact that it kind of has two faces. But it’s funny, because he’s so fired up about it. Watching my journey, he knows a lot about me personally that maybe not everyone knows, so he sees me in a different way as well. He sees me as being really strong, and I don’t really see that as much. It’s really an incredible relationship that we have and a surprise that I would be hanging out with him so much again (after “Hollaback Girl” in 2004).
There are obviously lots of gays who adore you, but how aware are you of all the gay love for your hubby, Gavin Rossdale?
Girls andguys love him because he’s a beautiful person. The thing about him is, growing up in London – it’s such a cool place to grow up because there is so much freedom there, and there’s so much exposure to so many different people and art. It’s just a different way of growing up compared to (my) growing up in Anaheim. With all the music that we grew up to – and the British invasion and Vivienne Westwood and everything that I love about London in the ’80s – it’s been really amazing to be able to have a friend and lover like Gavin because he is from London. He’s a smart, interesting person, and he’s this connection to something I was a fan of growing up and getting to know London, where I think so much music and fashion has come out of, and which has so much history for me.
Let’s take it back to No Doubt’s “Staring Problem” and all those “cute girls” who made you jealous. These days, who can’t you stop staring at? Who are your girl crushes?
I’m not feeling a girl crush right now. I really am not. I’m sorry! There’s nobody. But I have to say that I like a lot of the new Taylor Swift. There’s a few songs on that record that I like and she’s a good songwriter. Charli XCX is a very good songwriter too – she wrote songs for my record – and who else? I mean, my favorite all-time girl songwriter is Joni Mitchell, but I wouldn’t say I have a girl crush on her. (Laughs)
After 2012’s “Push and Shove,” No Doubt postponed their tour to make new music because you said you were feeling inspired at that time. But then there was no new music and no tour the following year. What’s the story there? What derailed plans for a new No Doubt album and tour?
I got pregnant, so I was blessed by my little Apollo. That was something that I wasn’t planning. We were in the studio, I got pregnant, and I was very sick during the pregnancy so I didn’t do anything. I was designing and doing stuff from home, and then I had the baby, and then four weeks later The Voice called.
So, you’re caught up to date to today: I did the (upcoming) record because I couldn’t do a No Doubt record that quick – there was no way – so I was like, “Let’s do some new music with being on (The Voice),” and then Pharrell happened to be there and then we had a song.
Everything that happened since I got pregnant, including getting pregnant, has been a complete surprise, and it’s awesome. I love that I didn’t know any of this was gonna happen, and now I’m plopped into this new chapter. I feel like I’m on a journey and I’m at a totally different point in my life, and it just feels good to be doing something completely different, new and unexpected.
Everyone’s always surprised you’re 45. And it’s true – you look half your age. What’s your secret?
(Laughs) Thank you! I do not have any secrets. I’m doing what everyone else is doing – just trying to make it last as long as possible on all levels.
Gwen Stefani - Spark The Fire
Gwen Stefani - Baby Don't Lie
Romance In Las Vegas
- January 27, 2015 - 9:39am
Let’s just say it...Las Vegas is a sexy city! Everybody knows it. Even folks who’ve never been here. Like a jewel in a showgirl’s headdress, Vegas is multi-faceted, I think a lot of visitors would be surprised to know that Vegas can be a very romantic town as well! Many people get so caught up in the city’s glitz and glamour, that they completely overlook the opportunity for a quiet, romantic evening with a partner or spouse.
The Fountains of Bellagio
Almost as iconic as the Vegas sign, are the Fountains of Bellagio; one of the most romantic attractions in the city. Made from over 4,500 lights and more than 1200 nozzles, the fountains are mesmerizingly choreographed to a variety of music. One memorable experience with the fountain, was on my first trip to Vegas with my partner. After dining at Olives, a restaurant perched on the far right side of Bellagio’s man-made lake, my partner paid our check, while I drifted out onto a balcony overlooking the fountains, hoping for another show. After a long wait, I figured the shows were done for the night. Suddenly, the fountain came alive and began dancing to Elton John’s “Your Song”. Elton is my favorite musician, and it seemed too perfect. My partner, seeing the look on my face, blurted out “I swear I had nothing to do with that!” Nobody else was around, and the moment was magical!
Gondola Rides at The Venetian
If you’ve always dreamed of a romantic trip to Venice, but can’t quite float a trip to Italy, check out the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian. Get away from the noise and craziness of the casino scene and take a lovely, and yes, romantic gondola ride down the Venetian’s version of the Grand Canal. It’s a 15 minute ride through a reproduction of an old Venetian cityscape, complete with bridges, shops and cobblestones, and the gondoliers sing out just as they do in Venice. Here, as in Italy, they say that a kiss under each bridge brings good luck, and now, with Marriage Equality in Nevada, you can even propose to your partner during your gondola ride!
The High Roller
One of the newest, biggest (and I do mean BIG!) attractions on the Strip, is the High Roller, the world’s largest observation Ferris wheel. The 550 foot tall wheel has 28 spherical passenger pods along its outer rim, allowing for some of the best views of the Las Vegas Strip. Often lit up in rainbow colored LED lighting, a late-night ride on the wheel can be romantic, while a proposal at the apex is sure to get a great response. Better yet, the pods can be rented out for weddings - whether it be with a crowd of strangers, or privately. Either way, what a unique, high-flying way to tie the knot.
And then, there’s food! Food and romance have always gone hand in hand, and Vegas is home to some of the finest restaurants in the world. Here, then, are a few of my favorites, with just the right atmosphere for a romantic dinner, whether it be for Valentine’s Day, an anniversary, or just for a date that will score you points with your loved one.
Eiffel Tower Restaurant
Hovering 11 stories above the Strip, and built into the Paris Las Vegas’ replica of the Eiffel Tower, is Eiffel Tower Restaurant - classic French fare served in an elegant, dimly lit setting, with cute little couple’s tables positioned along the street side windows. The view? The Bellagio fountains! Dining on appetizers like the Fricassee of Wild Escargot or Lobster Boullion, and entrees like Spice Crusted Venison or Muscovy Duck Breast, is sure to put you in the right mood for a little canoodling later on!
Lakeside at the Wynn
Inside the Wynn, beside the Lake of Dreams - a 3 acre, man-made lake, surrounded by lush vegetation that hides it away from the noise and bustle of Las Vegas, is Lakeside. The menu focuses on steaks and seafood - high-end ingredients, simply prepared. Dishes like King Crab & Guacamole, Hudson Valley Foie Gras, or the expertly chargrilled New York Strip Steak, paired with a delicious Roasted Lobster Tail will please the foodie in you, while the Sweetcart Named Desire will tempt you with a selection of sinful mini-desserts. For a special touch, get a table on the patio, just off the water, and marvel as the Lake of Dreams comes to life with sound and light shows, including two dancing orbs who fall in love, and a giant frog puppet singing Louis Armstrong’s version of What A Wonderful World while the water lights up in rainbow colors. Unforgettable!
miX at the Delano
High above the city, on the 64th floor of the Delano Hotel, you’ll find a heavenly spot known as miX. With a menu by renowned Chef Alain Ducasse, miX is like dining on a cloud - a stark white decor, broken up only by ruby red water glasses and a “rainstorm” of hand-blown Merano Glass bubbles. The food is stunning, with Ducasse classics like Lobster Au Curry, or the Rossini - a decadent combination of Filet Mignon, seared foie-gras, and black truffles. Very gay-friendly, they prepared a special dessert for me and my partner on our anniversary. Set to one side of this “Heaven” is “Hell” - the almost impossibly dark miX Lounge with leather walls, glowing tables and a bar topped with the fires of Hades, not to mention one of the best views of the Vegas Strip. Trust me when I say miX is worth the splurge!
Now, attractions and restaurants like these can really knock the socks off a partner, spouse, or date, but the most important thing to remember this Valentine’s Day, is that romance is not dictated by fancy food in expensive restaurants or extravagant locations for a proposal. Romance is all about what YOU bring to the table, whether the table is at a 5 Star restaurant on the Strip or a burger joint in Henderson. And if you can’t get dinner reservations on February 14th, don’t be disheartened. In romantic Las Vegas, Valentine’s Day can be ANY day!
The Search For Same Sex Cake Toppers
- January 27, 2015 - 9:34am
We get a lot of requests at Gay Vegas. Where’s a gay friendly internet cafe? What gay bar should I go to tonight? Are there any male strip clubs? Where can I get a high quality wig? Do you have any dining recommendations? Where’s the best place to gamble? Who has the hottest go-go boys? Do you know the VIP host for that club? What show should we see tonight?
On January 15th, we were asked a question we had never been asked before.
Arturo, a concierge representative at the Four Season’s had a lesbian couple, who were to be married that weekend, looking for a same sex wedding cake topper for their cake.
A detail they thought would be simple since gay marriage was legalized in Nevada on October 9th. Arturo contacted Gay Vegas regarding the request and we began the search for same sex wedding cake toppers.
We contacted everyone, from Freed’s Bakery, Davids Bridal, Las Vegas Custom Cakes and even the gay owned Viva Las Vegas wedding chapel and there was no sign of same sex wedding cake toppers anywhere. We were frequently directed to buying the same sex wedding cake item online.
Unfortunately, the Four Seasons brides-to-be did not have time for that option. Finally, we contacted Pastry Palace and spoke to Jessica Overton who assured us that while they did not have a joined same sex wedding cake topper, she had enough of a variety of singular wedding cake topper brides to allow her to put something fabulous together. A problem solved for the happy guests, but a question left to ask. Where are all the same
sex wedding cake toppers in Las Vegas?
Its been just a few months since marriage equality has come to Nevada and an LGBT economy boost in Las Vegas is certain. In New York, a study by the New York City Clerk’s office and NYC & Company, the city’s tourism and marketing organization, found that spending on same sex marriages purchases — boosted the economy by $259 million in the first year after they were legalized by New York State in 2011. You would assume that finding same sex toppers in Las Vegas, the marriage capital of the world, would be a breeze. *note to self: start selling same sex wedding cake toppers.
For those of you that plan ahead:
Check out the awesome bobbleheads that have been topping wedding cakes like crazy. You can purchase bride or groom bobble heads made in your exact image at www.allbobbleheads.com or www.mymemorydolls.com. Even start your own bobble head business by visiting www.thebobbleshop.com who we met at CES.
El Mes Del Amor y La Amistad
- January 27, 2015 - 9:25am
Llego el mes más romántico y cariñoso de todo el año! El mes del amor y la amistad, y si estas soltero, se que estás ansioso de encontrar tu media naranja.
¿ DONDE ESTAS CORAZON ?
Si ya estas en una relación, sin pareja, o en una situación sentimental complicada, lo importante es que compartas tu cariño con el amor de tu vida, tus amigos, u otros seres queridos. Es tiempo de comunicarse con aquel amigo o persona que no ves en mucho tiempo y decirle: “Apesar de todo.. Te Quiero.” “ I Love you Friend.” El Día del Amor no significa solamente festejar con tu ser amado si no también con amigos. Ve de rumba, invita un café, toma una buena copa, ve al cine, etc.
¿ Y LOS REGALOS?
Sea para tus amigos, o persona amada, no te olvides que el mejor regalo es el detalle! Chocolates, globos y flores son una forma sencilla, pero a la vez muy bonita de decir un “Te Quiero” o un “Te Amo.” Otra buenísima idea, es dedicar una canción! Aquí te dejo mis recomendaciones:
• Paulina Rubio - My Friend, Mi Amigo
• Los Hombres G - Te Quiero
• Julieta Venegas - Andar conmigo
• Luis Fonsi - Aqui Estoy Yo
• Reyli Barba - Amor del Bueno
ª Bruno mars - Marry You
• Rihanna - What’s My Name
• Cher - Believe
Por mi parte y todo el equipo de Gay Vegas Magazine, les deseamos un lindo mes del amor y la amistad! Gracias siempre por su apoyo!
The Wedding Cruise
- January 27, 2015 - 9:18am
My partner and I recently attended our best friends wedding in Ft Lauderdale, FL. The ceremony was beautiful, yet quick and to the point. The only catch was, the reception would last 7 days. That might sound weird, but not if you knew that it was on a Princess cruise ship visiting various islands throughout the Western Caribbean.
It was two years in the making, I remember receiving the magnet for the “Waters wedding on the water.” A wedding cruise? I had never heard of such a thing. I have to admit it was pure genius. The cruise was $499, which over the course of two years was made attainable for most, as long as you were able to fit it in your schedule. We used our airline credit card points for the flight and stayed with my partners brother in Orlando allotting us time to spend an extra week with our adorable niece and nephew.
The ceremony was done at port on the ship. After the ceremony, those who were staying on the ship remained while those who could not take the time off or did not want to cruise exited.
There is no better way to travel than cruising, I’m convinced. You are literally floating around in your own personal hotel and all of your needs are being met. Amazing unlimited fine dining, a comfortable place to sleep, and an attentive staff who will clean your room several times a day. There were movies under the stars, art auctions, an LGBT happy hour everyday, a nightclub, game shows, Elton John tribute band, and more entertainment than you could believe. We visited Princess Cays, St Maarten, St Thomas, & Nassau with a few days at sea. We were able to visit Atlantis at the Paradise Island in Nassau and even a nude beach called the Orient Beach in St Maarten. Most importantly, we got to spend quality time with friends we haven’t seen in forever and even got to make some new ones.
When I asked them about their idea for the wedding cruise they said to me, “We’ve brought all these wonderful people we love to celebrate our marriage for what? Just to have them immediately leave back home. We want to celebrate with the people we love, not for just an evening, but for an entire week.” What a week it was!
Saint Harridan Pop-‐Up Shop Comes to Las Vegas
- January 23, 2015 - 11:26pm
Gender-‐bending Oakland-‐based clothier, Saint Harridan, designs and manufactures masculine clothing for women. Hot on the heels of having participated in the largest queer fashion show of its kind, hosted by dapperQ at the Brooklyn Museum of Art this past December, Saint Harridan has launched a 41 city -‐ Temp Store Tour, “popping up” in over 41 cities across the US.
The temporary Pop Up will be in Las Vegas at The Center-‐ 401 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 90101 Friday January 30th and Saturday January 31st, 2015.
Saint Harridan sells masculine clothing for women on its web site and at its traveling pop-‐up store. The in-‐person experience of the pop-‐up shop offers customers the opportunity to try on and purchase from the company’s line of men’s styled suits and dress shirts, made from Saint Harridan’s exclusive patterns designed to fit women and transmen. As an Oakland-‐based company, Saint Harridan is thrilled to be popping up in throughout its home state of CA.
“Saint Harridan is all about making masculine clothing accessible to women and transmen, so we are touring the US – vising not just the big metropolitan area, but cities small-‐town cities, too.
“-‐ Mary Going, Founder and Chief Hustler of Saint Harridan. Visitors at the Pop Up shop will also be able to see portraits from photographer Miki Vargas’ project, For The Love Of Bois. Vargas’ project portrays this masculine of center, genderexploding movement “I’m documenting the Handsome Revolution,” says Vargas, whose work has enjoyed exhibitions in Oakland, San Francisco, Baltimore, Atlanta, Philadelphia and New York.
Just two years old, Saint Harridan has been featured in the New York Times, on NPR, in The Advocate and Curve Magazines, and even celebrated on the red carpet. Co-‐star of Netflix smash hit Orange is the New Black, Lea DeLaria, has been a wonderful champion of Saint Harridan. After OITNB was nominated for 12 Emmy awards this year, DeLaria wore a Saint Harridan tuxedo to the awards ceremony. Feminist humorist Kate Clinton is also a Saint Harridan fan and has been seen sporting a wool blue pinstripe two-‐piece Lyon Suit with a Mr. Pink Parker Dress Shirt. Not Just Another Day of Shopping For most Saint Harridan customers, a visit to the pop-‐up store won’t just be any old day of shopping. The Saint Harridan line of suits is made for people who have traditionally had nothing formal or professional to wear that fits both their body and their gender.
“When one of our customers tries on a suit that fits -‐ that feels right for their gender -‐ their response is incredibly moving,” says Going. “Our customers have waited so long for this. We’ve never been catered to in a retail environment before and it really can be a life altering experience.”
Successful Kickstarter Campaign Launched The Company
Why did Going found Saint Harridan to begin with? She needed something to wear. In 2008 when California granted equal marriage rights, she and her long-‐time partner, Martha Rynberg, wanted to get married. But, as Going tells it, she had nothing to wear. “I’d completely sworn off dresses. Men’s suits were too big. Boys’ suits didn’t fit across the chest, and the customer service in men’s shops was often humiliating.”
Recognizing – feeling – a void in the marketplace, Going, who holds an MBA but who had no garment experience, started the company in 2012 with a successful 30-‐day Kickstarter campaign that resulted in $137,000 in pre-‐orders from 1100 people. “In Chicago, Minneapolis, New York... there were so many people talking about Saint Harridan online, that we decided to take our show on the road – showing off the revolutionary clothes we make and meeting the people who made it possible,” Going explained.
Masculine Clothing for Women and Transmen See Rising Demand
As Saint Harridan went into production in early 2013, seven new states extended marriage rights to same-‐sex couples, and then in June of that year, the Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act. Suddenly, butch women everywhere were having the same quandary as Going. They needed wedding attire that fit both their body and their desired gender presentation. But the wedding chapel isn’t the only place women and transmen are wearing suits. “Saints are everywhere,” says Dom Brassey, Customer Relations Manager.“Our customers wear their suits in the classroom, the courtroom, and the boardroom.”
Event: The Saint Harridan Pop-‐Up Shop: Las Vegas
Description: Retail shop specializing in high quality masculine suits for women and transmen.
Date: January 30th and 31st
Location: The Center 401 S. Maryland Pkwy Las Vegas, NV 89101
Time: Friday Jan 30th-‐ 2pm to 9pm Saturday Jan 31st 10am to 3pm
Facebook Event Invite https://www.facebook.com/events/1537144703205803/?ref=br_tf
Cost: FREE
Best of 2014
- January 5, 2015 - 10:52am
10. Against Me!, Transgender Dysphoria Blues
Breaking from the aggressive rock roar of Against Me!’s sixth LP is “Two Coffins,” a whisper among the glorious chaos of _Transgender Dysphoria Blues_. Its simplicity might standout sonically, but it shares a familiar characteristic: It’s emotionally exposed. The complex _Transgender Dysphoria Blues_ is a powerful breakthrough not just personally for front-woman Laura Jane Grace, but for the entire band.
9. Lucinda Williams, Down Where the Spirit Meets the Bone
Demonstrating a rare knack for pulling off a double album, Williams treats every note like it’s her last on _Down Where the Spirit Meets the Bone_. Her songwriting is vivid and life-affirming (see the optimistic “When I Look at the World”); the Americana sound is pure and authentic. This, one of Williams’ greatest, is music that meets the bone, the heart and everything in between.
8. Lana Del Rey, Ultraviolence
“If you don’t like it, you can beat it, baby” isn’t just a line from Lana Del Rey’s “Brooklyn Baby,” a song off her third album – it’s a career motto. Withdrawing from the commercialized sound of _Born to Die_, Del Rey shed the hip-hop image and traded it in for the cinematic elegance heard on songs like “Fucked My Way Up to the Top” and “Old Money,” a cinematic daydream.
7. Miranda Lambert, Platinum
There’s no big move to NYC in Miranda Lambert’s future. On the country singer’s latest, _Platinum_, her cowboy boots are pressed firmly in Nashville soil. Twanging her way through a clever set of outrageous Dolly-influenced ditties about boobs, illegitimate babies and blonde ambition, and pairing them with sweet moments of quiet reflection (“Holding on to You”), Lambert lathers on another layer of veteran polish.
6. Lee Ann Womack, The Way I’m Livin’
After a seven-year hiatus, the honeyed twang of Lee Ann Womack returned with _The Way I’m Livin’_, one of the singer’s finest to date. Sticking to the purist form of yesteryear country, the “I Hope You Dance” vocalist taps into the complexities of the human spirit via some of the best-written songs on Music Row. “Send It on Down,” for instance, is a first-person narrative also serving as an affecting prayer for the masses.
5. Perfume Genius, Too Bright
Shattering the perception that he’s merely a sonic softie, Seattle’s Mike Hadreas summoned his strut for this celebration of life, liberty and the pursuit of homo happiness. Hadreas’ most self-assured release thus far, which has him proclaiming “no family is safe when I sashay,” _Too Bright_ is a musically potent manifesto split between two people: himself, and the person he strives to be.
4. Mariah Carey, Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse
In a just world, _Elusive Chanteuse_ would have emancipated Mariah Carey back to the top of the charts. Not just because her voice soars higher with every awe-inspiring key change on the gospel stunner “Heavenly (No Ways Tired / Can’t Give Up Now),” but, altogether, the diva hasn’t made an album this consistently sublime in years. The hit-worthy “Fantasy” redux “You Don’t Know What to Do” and old-school ballad “Cry.” evoked classic Carey vibes, and even her emotional “One More Try” remake impressed. Nostalgia has rarely sounded so divine.
3. Lykke Li, I Never Learn
Swedish songstress Lykke Li’s personal low produced a professional high as she let sadness lead her through a ceaseless parade of crestfallen sentiments: forlorn “Never Gonna Love Again,” the ethereal guitar-driven title track, and the chilly “Silverline.” Cathartic in its own right, Li’s intimate _I Never Learn_ was the year’s greatest outpouring of breakup woe.
2. Beyoncé, Beyoncé
Bey’s impromptu opus just missed last year’s rankings when it descended from the music gods without warning at the arrival of 2014. From the moralistic “Pretty Hurts” to the bootylicious “Partition,” onto the heartfelt ballad “Heaven,” the icon’s latest creation is the best of her career, a vision so grandiose and avant-garde it evaded radio altogether. A rare evolution for such a megastar, the collection wasn’t just sexually and sonically uninhibited – it was bold on all levels.
1. Taylor Swift, 1989
For her fifth album, Taylor Swift put down the guitar, moved to the Big Apple and decided to own the world. Cut to _1989_, a sophisticated smack of irresistibility that broke records for all the right reasons, but mostly because no one could shake, shake, shake it off. Self-aware (“Blank Space”), experimental (that’s Imogen Heap working her magic on “Clean”) and uncharacteristically confrontational (“Bad Blood”), the Swift behemoth set a new precedent for pop.
‘Big News’ on the LGBT sports front
- January 5, 2015 - 10:36am
Back in the day – “the day” being, say, 2012 – an athlete coming out as gay or lesbian was Big News.
In 2014, you had to do something really outstanding to make headlines. You had to be a National Basketball Association player, like Jason Collins – and then you had to sign a contract with a big-city team like the Brooklyn Nets. And your #98 jersey (worn to commemorate the year Matthew Shepard was killed) had to become the bestselling sports shirt in the country. Not just for basketball, but any sport.
You had to be a college football player like Michael Sam. Not just any football player, mind you, but one who was a consensus All-American, and your league’s Defensive Player of the Year. Then you needed to endure the media circus known as the NFL draft. And when you were drafted, you had to kiss your boyfriend, as cameras clicked and whirred.
You had to be a Major League Soccer player like Robbie Rogers. And because MLS is off many sports fans’ radars, you had to do something like play in your league’s championship game. And help win it.
You must have done those things because, in 2014, it was not just enough to come out as an openly gay athlete. Dozens of men and women did it. They were college football and basketball players, swimmers, baseball players, volleyball players and shot putters. They were Olympic speed skaters, lugers, rowers and gymnasts.
They were non-competitors too, but working in the sports world nonetheless. Coaches declared their sexuality publicly. So did pro teams’ front-office executives, and college teams’ sports information officials.
Major League Baseball umpire Dale Scott came out too. A year or two ago, that would have been big Stop the Presses News. Now it was so unremarkable that – after he mentioned his partner in a Referee Magazine article – it went unnoticed by everyone for a couple of months.
This long-awaited-but-still-unexpected state of affairs – an outpouring of openness across a broad swath of the sports universe – has created a gigantic ripple effect. Straight teammates have reacted with a range of emotions. Some give virtual high-fives, tweeting messages of support. College and pro teams have produced “You Can Play” videos, conveying the message that if you can dunk, dribble, pitch, row, run, dive, or do any other type of athletic activity, just go right ahead and do it – sexual orientation be damned.
Other teammates have reacted with who-cares shrugs. That’s appropriate too.
The ripple effect has reached down to high schools, and beyond. An entire generation of boys and girls are growing up knowing that they will have – may already have, in fact – LGBT teammates and coaches. It’s the same as realizing they’ll meet people of different colors and religions. Sports teaches many life lessons, and this is just one more.
The lesson is more profound for young LGBT athletes. They are joining the big, wide, only slightly dysfunctional sports world on their own terms, not even realizing that just a few years ago they would have faced formidable barriers to entry. This does not mean that thousands of gay boys and lesbians are suddenly signing up as out, proud Little Leaguers. Many of them have not yet figured out who they are. But they are playing their games in a rapidly changing environment. And as they concentrate more on batting and passing and shooting and whatever, they’ll spend less time on hiding.
Though, as with the rest of society, change comes more slowly in the transgender arena than others, the field is shifting for trans athletes too. But if a trans-inclusive vote earlier this month by Minnesota’s high school sports governing body is any indication – and why shouldn’t it be? – the “T” in LGBT sports is becoming more than just an afterthought.
So if in the year ahead you have to do something truly outstanding to make LGBT headlines in the sports world, what do you do?
Fortunately, there remain a few frontiers to conquer. You can be a professional sports franchise owner who hires the first openly gay head coach. You can be an ABC, CBS, NBC or ESPN TV announcer who announces, on air, that you are so proud of out athletes because you yourself are gay.
Or you can still be that elusive, still-unidentified-but-we-know-you’re-“out”-there man: a professional superstar, at the top of his game. You can be the guy to say – holding aloft the Super Bowl, World Series or NBA championship trophy – “I’m here. I’m queer. I’m going to Disney World.”
Even in 2015, that’s guaranteed to be Big News.
Margaret Cho, Sundance, Backstreet Boys, James Bond
- January 5, 2015 - 10:26am
Margaret Cho is All About Sex
Sure, TLC gave us the anti-gay scourge that is the Duggars. But here’s some good news: We’re getting a new Margaret Cho series. It’s called _All About Sex_ and it’ll involve a variety of segments related to that human desire for conscious coupling. The queer comic will share the spotlight with Chelsea Lately regular Heather McDonald, Hairspray ’s Tony Award-winning Marissa Jaret Winokur, and Dr. Tiffanie Davis Henry, a sex and relationship therapist. Look at that, not one mansplainer in the bunch. How refreshing. And according to TLC, the series will tackle “the kinds of questions that you’re too embarrassed to even Google.” Given that Cho’s fearless comedy routinely dives deeply into all sorts of sexual taboo, we believe it. This journey to the center of your bedroom will have its premiere on TLC in January, so begin formulating your timid inquiries now. Your orgasm may depend on it.
Sundance, bloody Sundance
Going to the Sundance Film Festival at the end of January? Well, dress warmly, and don’t forget to check in with the round up of LGBT films having their premieres. When the gay film fests are rolling these out this summer you can say you already saw the following:
The Amina Profile : Filmmaker Sophie Deraspe’s latest about an outspoken Syrian-American revolutionary and queer blogger named Amina and her online affair with Canadian Sandra. And then Amina finds herself kidnapped…
Tig : Kristina Goolsby and Ashley York’s documentary about acclaimed stand-up comic Tig Notaro follows the funny lesbian as she deals with breast cancer and love. Sounds like a tearjerker, but Tig’s no softie. You’ll laugh plenty in the middle of all those feels.
I Am Michael : The true story, from director Justin Kelly, of a gay activist who renounces his homosexuality to become a born-again Christian minister. It stars James Franco (who else?), Zachary Quinto and Emma Roberts. Get ready for some angry, anti-gay Christians to freak out over this one.
Grandma : Paul Weitz’s comedy sees Lily Tomlin as a grumpy old woman whose 18 year-old granddaughter comes along to shake up her golden years. Best news: a supporting role for _Orange Is the New Black_ star Laverne Cox.
Backstreet’s back
Stephen Kijak is a gay filmmaker who’s made a name for himself with the acclaimed music documentaries Stones in Exile – about the creation and lasting impact of the Rolling Stones’ classic album Exile on Main St. – and _Scott Walker: 30 Century Man_, an in-depth look at the life and career of the 60s pop-star-turned-avant-garde-musician. Kijak’s also finished Jaco , an as-yet-unreleased doc about legendary musician Jaco Pastorius. Important stuff. What important musical act do you focus on as a follow-up, then? The Backstreet Boys, of course. Backstreet Boys: Show ‘Em What You’re Made Of , due in theaters at the end of January 2015, has at least one thing in common with _30 Century Man_: It’s about what happens after a blast of intense fame. The film will follow all five members of Backstreet as they navigate life post-pop-stardom and what happens when boys grow into men, and it’s pretty much guaranteed that Kijak will treat the material with more dignity and respect than music critics ever gave the BBs. You won’t even have to have liked their old songs (but you probably did) to find this one fascinating.
Cool Rumor Alert: a lesbian bond villain?
File this one under “Yes Please”: rumor has it that, in addition to the heftiest budget price tag in Bond history – they say it’s pushing $300 million already – the next movie in the James Bond franchise, Spectre , could very well feature a lesbian Bad Guy. Now, we’ve been down this road before in the 1960s, with Honor Blackman as Pussy Galore (Sean Connery always seemed to be saying “pushy,” which never ceased to be hilarious) and Lotte Lenya as the gloriously stern Rosa Klebb. But it sure would be nice to have a powerful lesbian villain test Bond’s powers all over again. As of right now, two contenders are in the running. Monica Bellucci and Lea Seydoux are already cast in the film, so it could be one of them, both of them, or neither. But our money is on Bellucci: older, wiser and, frankly, probably the one most capable of on-screen smolder. We’ll just wait and see. And dream.