VOLUME 1

ISSUE 4
WINTER 2012/13

POSITIVELY
CHARGED
Reality star and HIV activist
Jack Mackenroth
Christopher brosius:
Perfume God
Gianantonio corna:
Reiki Master
Travel Section:
Vancouver
Las Vegas
and Italy
Special HIV section:
The Many Faces of HIV
HIV in America
and more!
 | WINTER 2012/13

An SFGN Publication
WINTER 2012/13 - Volume 1 - Issue 4

Coffee Table:
6 Paul Vitaglianos Born This Way 2520 N. Dixie Highway Wilton Manors, FL 33305

44 Rick Days All Players PHONE: 954.530.4970 FAX: 954.530.7943

PUBLISHER Norm Kent
NORM.KENT@SFGN.COM

Profiles: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Pier Angelo Guidugli

8 Christopher Brosius: Perfume God

10 Gianantonio Corna: Reiki Master EDITORIAL
EDITOR IN CHIEF Jason Parsley
15 Mandi Hawke: Youth Activist JASON.PARSLEY@SFGN.COM

PAGE 42 MANAGING EDITOR Gideon Grudo

Features: ONLINE WEBSITE DIRECTOR Dennis Jozefowicz

12 Florida School District Makes History ONLINE NEWS DIRECTOR Sergio N. Candido
38 Creators of the Orchid Show ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT
EDITOR
JW Arnold
JW@PRDCONLINE.COM

40 How to Make it in Gay Porn BUSINESS EDITOR Richard Gary

18 The Chick-fil-A Controversy TRAVEL EDITOR Joey Amato
CALENDAR EDITOR Brian Swinford
Opinion: SENIOR FEATURES WRITER Ryan Dixon
SENIOR FEATURES Tony Adams
14 A Straight Mans Take on Election 2012 CORRESPONDENTS Jesse Monteagudo
CORRESPONDENTS Donald Cavanaugh

Travel: PAGE 20 CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST Regina Kaza

HEALTH COLUMNIST Mike Verdugo
20 Vancouver SALES

22 Italy MARKETING DIRECTOR John Fugate

Mike Trottier
26 Las Vegas
SALES MANAGER

SALES ASSOCIATES Adrian Evans

Edwin Neimann
Special Section: HIV Mark Schram
Justin Wyse

30 A Look Back at the Last 31 Years NATIONAL SALES Rivendell Media

34 Opinion: Everyone Has AIDS REPRESENTATIVE

JR Davis
The Many Faces of HIV
DISTRIBUTION MANAGERS
46 Luis Hernandez

48 The Dixon Diaries PRINTING Printing Corp. of the Americas

Fitness: THE MIRROR is a quarterly magazine published by

South Florida Gay News, Inc.

28 High Intensity Interval Training South Florida Gay News.com is published weekly. The opinions
expressed in columns, stories, and letters to the editor are those
of the writers. They do not represent the opinions of South
Florida Gay News.com, Inc., or the Publisher.
You should not presume the sexual orientation of individuals
based on their names or pictorial representations in SFGN.
Furthermore the word gay in SFGN should be interpreted to be
inclusive of the entire LGBT community.
All of the material that appears in SFGN, both online at www.
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published may be reprinted in whole or part without getting
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Norm@NormKent.com. SFGN, as a private corporation, reserves
the right to enforce its own standards regarding the suitability of
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Copyright2012 South Florida Gay News.com, Inc.

Associated Press
Florida Press Association
PAGE 6 PAGE 36
National Gay and Lesbian
Journalists Association

2 | THE MIRROR | WINTER 2012/13

LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
I
am sitting in an office with
12 computers, 10 staffers,
five salespeople, copy
machines, water fountains
and dozens of newspapers.
Desks are cluttered with news
copy, advertising contracts,
interoffice memos and jelly
beans from To The Moon
Marketplace. The parking lot is
overcrowded with cars, and my
lab, Shadow, is by my side.
Frankly, it is hard to believe
this office at 2520 North Dixie
Highway in Wilton Manors was
an empty shell 3 years ago, but
here we are 156 issues of South
Florida Gay News later, and its
time to renew our lease. To the
mix we have added The Mirror,
and this is the sixth issue of our
glossy, quarterly magazine. As
newspapers crumble and close
across the country, our business
model is expanding. In an
economy too much in the red,
we are fortunately in the black.
At 76 pages a few weeks ago,
SFGN was bigger than New
Yorks Village Voice and some
of the largest gay papers in the
country. We have poured our
heart and soul into creating a
vibrant community newspaper,
which captures the dimensions
and depths of the South
4 | THE MIRROR | WINTER 2012/13
THE ROAD WE HAVE
TRAVELed
Florida LGBT community. We
have featured national and
local news, entertainment
and theater reviews, editorial
columns and comics, breaking
news stories and crosswords
puzzles.
Our daily headlines inform
and our website, www.sfgn.
com, is updated every day with
breaking news. At SFGN, we do
that as a business, supporting
charities but making sure we
dont become one. The news
is out there to report if you
do it diligently, faithfully and
honestly. We are here really,
though, only because of you.
We are here because you have
been willing to invest in this
community and this company.
In our very first issue, we
published a breaking news story
of a Hollywood police officers
fight to keep his job in the face
of departmental discrimination.
Then we exposed an ex gay
leader who was an ex-con. We
revealed how a drag queen
nearly lost her nursing job of
40 years because of a lewd
action conviction 40 years ago.
We have exposed con artists
conducting Ponzi schemes
in Wilton Manors and gay
entrapment frauds in West Palm
Beach. We have published The
Spirit, to remind us that AIDS is
still pervasive and alive, rather
than cured and conquered. But
a newspapers duty is to report
the truth and record the frauds.
We have to tell you about the
warts as well, from gay domestic
violence to LGBT drug abuse.
We have given life and
attention to gay swim teams,
soccer teams, softball teams and
openly gay athletes competing
in international competitions.
We have sadly written about
the loss of lives; passages of
our friends. But we have also
illuminated the lives of the
LGBT communitys new leaders,
open and out, serving in the
military and getting married in
city clerks offices.
This magazine has reported on
Pride Festivals from South Beach
to Australia, and showcased
national and international
LGBT leaders. There are in fact
so many good and caring people
in our community it is nearly
impossible to cover everything
everywhere. As more and more
men and women lead
openly gay lives, we
learn how large the
closet door has been,
how big our universe of
By NORM KENT
LGBT brothers and sisters really
is.
The Mirror reflects in a glossy
publication more of what we try
to report weekly at SFGN. We
have published thousands of
articles, hundreds of profiles,
but everyday there is more to
write, because our community
is growing in stature and grace,
recognition and force, socially,
politically, and professionally.
That this magazine reaches a
dozen cities and can be seen
in the lobby of local banks and
national bookstores says it all
for us.
Ultimately, because The
Mirror and SFGN are free, we
are only here because of you.
Personally, I have tried to be
faithful to your investment,
making sure that your
advertising dollar is treated with
a corresponding commitment to
credible journalism, legitimate
news, and honest reporting.
On behalf of our staff, thank
you for giving us the continuing
opportunity to be a part of your
lives.
WINTER 2012/13 | THE MIRROR
 COFFEE TABLE
Trent, age 4
Spearman, Texas (1974)
Growing up Southern Baptist, I was taught that
being gay was bad. My mom thought gay people
were mythical beings, like werewolves or vampires,
she once said to me.
Born This Way:
Real Stories of Growing Up Gay
By Paul Vitagliano
Published by: Quirk Books
Publication Date: October 9, 2012
Price: $14.95; Page Count: 128
ISBN: 978-1-59474-559-7
6 | THE MIRROR | WINTER 2012/13
BY jason parsley PHOTOs courtesy of Paul vitagliano
Born this way Growing up to be ourselves
while being ourselves
W
hen Paul Vitagliano launched his
Born This Way blog in January
2011 he had no idea how it would
blow up. Since that time its been
viewed more than 4 million times
and has been featured on NPR, CNN, Salon, Gay.
com, and The Huffington Post.
Vitagliano was so enraged after hearing about
six gay kids committing suicide in the span of one
month he felt he needed to do something and
so BornThisWayBlog.com was born. Because of the
success of the website Vitagliano decided to turn it
into a book as well.
On the next couple of pages some of the people,
and touching stories, in the book are featured.
Sarah, age 4
Tuscon, Arizona (1979)
Im not smiling in this photo
because I did not like wearing
this dress. I wanted to wear my
firemans hat. But I love this photo
for its emotional honesty. Continued on 7
COFFEE TABLE

Continued From 6

Seth, age 10
Fredricksburg, Virginia (1985)
On game nights, I always
tried to entertain my family
with my best supermodel
poses. All the other clothes
were my moms, and my
terry-cloth hot pants still
kill me!

Tommy, age 7
San Dimas, California (1981)
My best friend and would play Dukes Of Hazzard
at recess. I played Bo Duke and he would kick my
butt. Then I would make him play Daisy Duke to
nurse me back to health.
WINTER 2012/13 | THE MIRROR | 7
PROFILE By Tony ADAMS

W
hen I tell Christopher Brosius the
respected master perfumer and
founder/owner of CB I Hate Per-
fume, located in a transformed ga-
rage in an obscure and intriguing
nook of the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brook-
lyn, New York that he seems to be a man with no
fears, he laughs off the assessment.
Read the childrens book The Phantom
Tollbooth in which the kid, Milo, has to rescue two
princesses named Rhyme and Reason, he said.
Only after he succeeds does he learn that the
quest was impossible. Thats my secret.
Brosius smiles benevolently when I describe
favorite smells that I wish could be bottled:
my husbands neck; the bitter earth beneath
the hedge of my childhood home; September
in Provincetown; invisible sweet smoke from
a neighbors chimney at dusk in autumn; floor
cleaner sloshed onto tile by a London janitor; and
mimeograph. Oh, to smell a freshly distributed
mimeographed third grade test again.
Could Christopher Brosius create those scents?
Yes, he can, but the success of his business means
that he is not currently taking on private clients.
He has welcomed me into his stark shop (the
lab, on an upper floor, is off limits) where we
are surrounded by white shelves of bottles with
fascinating names like At The Beach 1966 (with
the scent of Coppertone from the 60s), Cradle of

Christopher Brosius
Smells Like Success
Light, Memory of Kindness, In
the Summer Kitchen, Gathering
Apples, A Room with a View
(think of Florence), Beautiful
Launderette, and even two
special blends that are Hors
Serie (not in the available
series) that he created as a joke
but demand to be tried, Faggot
and Here Piggy.
Brosius is about to school me,
but first, I get the history of the
man behind the nose. He grew
up in a small Pennsylvania town
in the 1960s where he pondered
8 | THE MIRROR | WINTER 2012/13
his career choices.
I wanted to be something
creative but a perfumer wasnt
anywhere on the radar screen. I
felt the need for a real job, maybe
a scientist, like Dr. Quest on
that cartoon series, he said. I
decided that the most practical
solution would be to become an
architect. I ended up studying
theater design at Columbia and
clothing design at Parsons. I
often wonder what would have
become of me if I had remained
in one of those fields.
Brosius became a New Yorker
in the crazy 80s and held a
number of jobs including that
of cab driver, a stint in which
his sensitive sinuses were
constantly assaulted by the
horrific odors (intentional and
otherwise) of his clientele.
He worked in the cosmetics
department of Barneys, but his
defining job was with Kiehls
where he acquired business
management skills as well as
the chemical knowledge needed
for the creation of perfume.
In the early 90s, Brosius, sick
of New York City, returned to
rural life where, with a cleared
head, he devised the plan for
his first perfume business.
That company grew rapidly and
Brosius won awards and high
recognition for the perfumes he
created. After twelve years, he
parted ways with that company
under circumstances that
he would rather not discuss
Continued on 9
PROFILE
Continued From 8
except to say that he learned a
great deal from the experience
that would serve him well in
the 2004 launch of CB I Hate
Perfume.
I went back to my original
business plan: to make complex
perfumes that tell stories, he
said.
Brosius, like so many gay
men in this city, looks at me
quizzically when I ask for his
gay history, as if the question
were something quaint from an
age long past when coming out
was a thrilling, dangerous and
significant detail.
I married my husband [Italian
born downtown DJ/promoter/
artist, Peter Pony Clement]
quietly in Central Park, he
said. In high school, I figured I
would marry a girl. When I was
at Columbia, I thought Hey,
this New York, a great place to
experiment. I had a crush on a
guy who was working on his PhD.
He introduced me to gay New
York and I realized that girls are
fine, but this is more me.
When I asked Brosius if he
could be described as a nose,
the term for an expert olfactory
assessor, he said, Yes, but I
was eight years in this business
before I felt confident enough to
describe myself as a perfumer.
I once made a list of
everything I hate, and it included
perfumes that pollute the air.
Maybe its a function of age, but
I am now more vocal when I get
assaulted, he said. I was stuck
in an elevator at Parsons once
with three people and I said One
of you is wearing a disgusting
perfume. You need to go home
and wash it off. Even at the gym,
they hand me a towel and I say,
You call this clean? And the yoga
mats! They tell me things I dont
want to know. All that downward
dog stuff! I bring my own mat.
When Brosius says that the
innovative ozonic perfumes of
the mid 90s (using toxic ozone
as their chemical base) go into
his head like an ice pick, I remain
quiet about my enjoyment of
the very ozonic cologne Leau
Dissey Pour Homme. Still, Brosius
inspires trust, and I value his
list of absolutes with which he
concluded our meeting:
Natural ingredients only,
even though they are terrifically
expensive. My clients typically
know my products and trust
what I do. They are curious,
aware and adventurous people.
Buy perfume for yourself. Never
buy it for someone else. With
couples, chances are you will
be very close and sweaty. You
better make sure you like the
perfume on your partners skin.
Smell is fundamental to how
we experience the people in our
lives.
For the fundamental experience
of Christopher Brosius, a trip to
his Brooklyn shop is a delightful
New York excursion. Be sure
to use the contact info on his
website to confirm the dates and
hours.
Vist cbihateperfume.com for
more information.
WINTER 2012/13 | THE MIRROR | 9
PROFILE
PUT YOURSELF IN
GOOD HANDS
This Gay Reiki
Master Has The Touch
W
hen I read
two years ago
about nuns
in Milwaukee
operating a sprawling converted ski resort
healing clinic featuring a
touch therapy called Reiki, and
the consequent disapproval of
the American Catholic bishops
and the Pope who felt that the
ladies were little more than
superstitious masseuses, I was
conflicted.
Reiki, in which the practitioner
claims to transmit healing power
by laying hands on someones
body parts, sounded very New
Agey to me. On the other hand,
because anything that rankles
the Pope must be of some merit,
I schooled myself about Reiki,
tried it on myselfReiki claims
that it is possible to channel
your own healing power into
your own bodyand was very
surprised to discover that it
works.
By placing the palms of my
hands on either side of my
head with fingertips touching
at the crown, I felt an amazing
sensation rush through my
head, relaxing my muscles and
imparting an overall feeling of
calm and refreshment. I was
shocked with the realization
that perhaps I possess some
untapped and dormant natural
healing powers. I kept this to
myself, knowing that my friends
would suspect dementia.
Converted from skeptic to
10 | THE MIRROR | WINTER 2012/13
believer, I wanted to learn
everything about Reiki. I
traveled to the gay retreat
center Easton Mountain (a
in the woods an hour outside
of Albany, New York) where
Reiki master Gianantonio
Corna would be offering a Reiki
workshop called Summer of
LOVE: An Introduction to the
Reiki World in the course of
Gay Spirit Camp week.
Corna is a sexy, smart, well
educated Italian who is a natural
healer and believer in the power
of the gentle vibrating energy
in and around us. Frankly and
perhaps unfairly, I wanted
to experience his touch as
verification of the validity of
Reiki.
Reiki acts like a reboot
button for your being.
Thirty men on mats and
cushions surrounded Corna
on the floor of a building with
a soaring pitched ceiling and
wall to wall windows open to
let in the warm woodsy air of a
sunny August day. The plan for
the session was simple. Corna
would talk about Reiki, lead
a breathing and meditation
warm-up, share Reiki energy
with each of us, and finally we
would have the opportunity to
share it in pairs.
Corna explained, Reiki is
an ancient Buddhist treatment
allowing anyone to find the
answers needed to dissolve toxic
cycles, patterns and obstacles
that keep us from love, health
and happiness.
A Reiki master is someone
who has learned how to harness
and transmit this energy that
resides in and around each
of us. The effects of Reiki are
immediate.
Corna says, Imagine that you
are an electronic device. Fresh
from the factory, everything
worked. But now, youve got
a pastreplete with bugs.
Incidents. Glitches. Reiki acts
like a reboot button for your
being. Whatever you might
be struggling with, Reiki hits
Reset. As the Reiki energy
vibrates, your mind stills. Your
breath becomes clearer. Your
muscles allow gravity to take
over. Underneath the surface,
Reiki is a powerful current
working to fix your insides,
too. Reiki can open your
heart, and give your love life a
needed boost. Obstaclesreal
or imaginedshrink, and are
replaced by an enhanced ability
to live and to love. Wonderful
By Tony ADAMS
side effects are numerous and
include reduced suffering and
increased vitality.
As I heard his words, I resisted
my inclination to cynical
humor, realizing that if any of
my friends were seated here
with me, they would be trying
mightily to stifle laughter while
everyone else in the room
silently began the process of
breath and posture control that
focuses the mind and body and
is the precursor to all meditative
techniques.
Instead, I allowed myself to
fully accept Cornas direction.
Relaxing, I began to see that
Reiki has much in common with
biblical and Christian tradition.
When a man is ordained a
Catholic priest, the bishop and
all other priests present take
turns cupping their hands on
top of his head to confer the
grace of the sacrament. This
laying on of hands has biblical
roots and is sometimes used
by the apostles of Jesus to cure
people, and other times to
confer the power and blessing
of God.
I recalled the gospel account
(Luke, Chapter 8) of the time
Continued on 11
PROFILE
Continued From 10
when Jesus, jostled and shoved
by a huge crowd of fans,
stopped suddenly and said,
Who touched me? I felt power
go out from me. His disciples
responded, What are you
talking about? In this crowd,
everyone is touching you. I
suddenly realized that Jesus
had sensed a Reiki connection
with one person in the crowd,
a woman who had an affliction
for many years. She believed
that if she could just touch the
hem of his garment, she would
be healed. Jesus smiled at her
and said, It is your faith that
heals you. In other words, Im
no magician. You just have to
learn to use the power within
yourself.
How did my experience
of Reiki in the course of that
workshop turn out? Did I feel
the vibrating energy coursing
through my body when Corna,
walking behind the circle, got
to me and placed his hands on
the center of my back? Not so
much. Did I feel it when paired
with another man whose touch
seemed clammy and slightly
cold? No. But when I placed one
hand on his forehead and one on
his chest as he lay on the floor,
he had what he subsequently
described as a very powerful
experience.
I was reminded of a story told
by a man who had worked as
a male prostitute in New York
City. He described the moment
when he would ring the doorbell
of a client who had called the
escort agency that employed
him. Sometimes, the client
would open the door, inspect
him and say, You are not what
I had in mind while beginning
to shut the door in his face. He
would always respond, Wait a
minute. Let me just do this. Im
going to open a few buttons on
my shirt and let you place the
palm of your hand on my chest.
Thats all. Just do that, and if you
still dont want me to stay, fine.
Well call the office and they
will send you someone else.
He said that all the men who did
that would then usher him into
their apartments. He obviously
understood the commercial
application of Reiki. (Did I miss
my real calling in life?)
Speaking with Corna in New
York Citys SoHo neighborhood
where he practices and teaches
Reiki, I learned not to expect a
rush of pleasure or a cure from
every touch.
He said, If my students
say, I dont feel it, I tell them
that Reiki is everywhere. It is
A Place in the Sun
universal but you have
to train yourselves to
sense it. That is what
it means to master
something.
How about those
nuns in Milwaukee?
Has the United States
Conference of Catholic
Bishops, having
voiced its disapproval
of Reiki, shut them
down? They are still
in business, reports Sr.
Madeline Gianforte,
Co-Executive Director
of CORE-El Centro
where she teaches and
practices Reiki. She
says, There may be
the misunderstanding
that because Reiki is
rooted in the Japanese
traditions, it is opposed
to the Christian
tradition and would
seek to convert a
person. That is not true.
When I teach Reiki, I
make the point that the
practitioner is just the
facilitator. The healing
connection is between the cant all be wrong. Try Reiki for
patient and his or her divinity. yourself.
At our clinic we just provide the For more about Gianantonio
space for that to happen. Corna, www.reikivitae.com
Jesus, a nun and a male escort
.
ReikiVitae.com
WINTER 2012/13 | THE MIRROR | 11
HISTORY
Rand Hoch
I
t was a somber moment
when the Broward County
School Board unanimously
voted to officially
recognize October as
LGBT History Month.
Emotions ran high as the vote
came on Sept. 19 at 12:51 p.m.,
and was preceded by a dozen
or so speakers from both public
office and private civilians, like
18-year-old Leo Washington, a
Hollywood Hills High School
student, actor, football team
captain, and club president.
Im 18 and African-
American, he said, choking
up. All we want is to recognize
them for who they are so we can
recognize ourselves for who we
are. Thats what I want for every
student in every school.
Washington said he knows of
at least 30 people in his school
who are LGBT but afraid to
come out as such, not even in
their own homes.
Theres a lot of people out
there that come to me and tell
me they cant come out, he
said. It can be really bad.
One of the influential
community leaders who
pushed this measure and was
recognized by the board as
having done so was Michael
Rajner, a local South Florida
LGBT activist.
I certainly would believe
that more school districts will
12 | THE MIRROR | WINTER 2012/13
The aftermath of a school boards decision to be the
first to recognize October as LGBT history month
follow The conversation has
been started nationally. In
Florida, Broward has started
that conversation in this state.
In Broward, Board Member
Laurie Levinson presented
the resolution and read it
in its entirety (see below)
before moderating the various
speakers.
Its the first step to equality
for LGBT people in our schools,
she said. Knowing more about
these individuals can be an
asset.
Board Member Robin
Bartleman told the various
student speakers that they have
made history, too.
Youre going to be the
individuals that students will
read about in future LGBT
history months, she said.
Every child deserves to feel
safe not just in their school,
but in their own skin.
The resolution does not set a
curriculum or force any teachers
into anything, but rather opens
the door for teachers to create
curriculum surrounding LGBT
history and teach another
segment in school that may
have been overlooked up until
now.
Over the last several years,
weve had wonderful progress
we often criticize an entity such
as the school board for not doing
things for the community,
By gideon grudo
A month to
remember,
forever
Rajner said. But lately, theres
been a wonderful partnership
between the school board and
community leaders to really
figure out what we need.
The Los Angeles Unified
School District followed up in
early October, announcing their
support as well.
Its the first step to equality for
LGBT people in our schools,
Laurie Levinson
And following on the
footsteps of the Broward
County School Board, the Palm
Beach County School Board, the
county immediately to the north
of Broward, unanimously issued
a proclamation in support of
LGBT History Month.
On Oct. 17, the proclamation
had the support of
Superintendent E. Wayne
Gent and was accepted by Dan
Hall, gay activist and longtime
Treasurer of the Palm Beach
County Human Rights Council.
We are pleased that
Superintendent Gent and the
entire Palm Beach County
School Board are taking this
opportunity to recognize the
contributions made by LGBT
Americans, said Rand Hoch,
president and founder of the
Palm Beach County Human
Submitted photo
Rights Council.
Previously, the LGBT
community was the only
minority not taught its history
at home, in public schools or
religious institutions, said
Malcolm Lazin, executive
director at Equality Forum
and founder of LGBT History
Month. The recognition of
LGBT History Month by the
Broward, Los Angeles and Palm
Beach County school boards is
a giant step in embracing LGBT
inclusion and respect.
Hoch said that these school
board decisions will allow
the community as a whole to
change and to evolve onward.
This is a really good basis for
a learning curve for the years
to come, Hoch said. I would
hope some day the school
board says that if schools teach
history, they teach about the
contributions of LGBT.
Michael Rajner has strong
hopes for years to come.
For one, that it wouldnt
be anything controversial
anymore, he said.
Unfortunately, therell always
be an issue of controversy. I
would say that one day itd be
nice to open up textbooks and
learn about LGBT free of the
condemnation that we often
see from extreme conservative
religious groups.
WINTER 2012/13 | THE MIRROR
OPINION
This isnt supposed to
mean anything to me
W
hen Im
introduced these
days, it usually
goes like this:
This is Gideon.
Hes the managing editor at South
Florida Gay News. And/But hes
not gay.
Maybe the friend feels I have
to be absolved, my association
justified. I used to identify the
same way to sources. I dont
anymore. Its hypocritical.
Equality is equality, in all senses.
But when the news team spent
an all-nighter covering an election
gay-centrically, I figured Id be a bit
out of place, a bit unequal. After
all, people in four states wouldnt
be deciding whether my kind
deserved less rights, but rather
if their kind deserved less rights.
Nothing would change for me. I get
all the lawful rights and privileges
I want. Why should I care, other
than about the magnitude of the
stories Id be writing?
14 | THE MIRROR | WINTER 2012/13
By GIDEON GRUDO FILE PHOTO
A straight
mans
reflection
on the
November
votes
directions, the nail only because I needed money. But
hit the wall this this is where I fell. And seeing
is my world, and what I saw throughout last night
these are my peers. makes the work hours a little
My future less apparent, my desk chair a
children and bit more comfortable.
g ra n d c h i l d re n It was a bright moment,
will live by the though shadows tend to appear
codes and morals when the sun rises.
and laws and Around 2 a.m., my sports
allowances and editor linked me to a collection
prohibitions that of tweets from people in the
my generation deciding marriage ballot states:
is mapping out A brunette named Jennifer
today. Terek tweeted, I feel like crying.
These votes Babies will be killed, the gays
are progression. will disgrace marriage, everyone
These votes will be poor and homeless but
are moral will have free healthcare.
development. A teenager named Hance,
These votes are whos lighting a cigarette in his
the fruit of the picture and attends junior high,
Enlightenment, according to his profile, tweeted,
Every time an anchor raised his
and will hopefully bring with All u faggots in maryland can
or her voice in the live coverage
them a distancing from the fucking die.
we kept on all night, the editor-
ancient ideas we once worshipped The story listed 40 tweets like
in-chief would turn to look, the
and that some of us still do. this. I know there were more.
sports editor would stop typing.
Not to be confused, I did not Yeah. Theres work to be done.
It may sound insane, but these
take this job out of some life-long That night was a stepping stone,
people these gay people
dedication to the cause. Hell, I not a destination.
were listening intently to
didnt know what LGBT stood for And Im okay with the fact that
whether (four of) the United
until I started freelancing for SFGN its my job to record this journey.
States of America would treat
when I was in college and that This forward momentum.
them as equals, or treat them as
before, as second class citizens.
Many other states havent even
begun the decision process.
It reminds me of the novels
I was forced to read in high
school, the ones about Americas
oppression of the blacks: Some
obsolete caste system that should
be absurd to the teenage reader.
And here it was (and is), in full
flesh, its heart beating in front of
me.
When the first slews of LGBT
candidates began announcing
victories and the marriage
ballots began leaning in favorable
SPOTLIGHT
Tying it together
Mandi Hawke raises awareness
for LGBT youth with her life story
M
andi Hawke was
in the fifth grade
writing I love
Stephen in her
notes, only to
casually drop them off her desk
for her classmates to find.
He was the one person in the
classroom that every girl liked,
she remembers. I thought it
was a safe name to write. In a
small private school classroom
of about 24 kids, playground
crushes grew and Hawke was
suddenly accused of not dating
anyone.
It wasnt until her freshman
year of high school that Hawke
came out to her friends and family,
only to be told it was a phase and
a trend. But she didnt know that
then.
I knew I was just being silly.
Then I would get teased for liking
him, she says, But I was okay
with it. It was constant teasing and
bullying.
Years ago, she was a teenager
fighting her true feelings to the
point of having suicide thoughts.
Today, Hawke is an event
programmer at SunServe, an LGBT
support agency in Broward, and
author of Proud: EmPOWERment
for LGBTQ Youth. She spends her
days talking to kids and young
adults, ages 13-24, who are going
through the same things she did.
She shares her stories of being
in a straight marriage for six years
and turning to the arts for an
escape from bullying and shame
from her religious school.
Im a huge believer in
everything happens for a
reason, her aunt Carrie Tappan
told SFGN. I feel like she would
not be in the position that shes
in and moving forward in her life
if she didnt go through that.
You know youre gay, right?
She was never invited to
birthday parties.
One year Hawke remembers
having two friends spend the
night and staying up until 4 a.m.
playing Tetris on Nintendo.
It was always about wanting
to make sure people would show
up, Hawkes aunt said. It was
hard to watch her go through
that.
Amanda, as her mother calls
her, went to a Lutheran private
school until the 8th grade.
What I was taught is being gay
is something you wouldnt want
to be, Hawke said. I wouldnt
tell my dad when I was living
with him, no way.
Thats something she tries to
help high school students with
when she speaks to local Gay
Straight Alliances. She said she
identifies as pansexual to let
kids know they dont have to be
one thing or another.
I realize now that we probably had
crushes on each other,
Mandi Hawke
When her parents split up,
living with her dad in Florida
wasnt as easy as going to public
high school there. She finally
blended in, turned to painting,
worked backstage theater and
found her support circle.
I met some amazing people
that really pulled me out of the
closet, she said. They were like,
You know youre gay, right?
Still she bounced between
schools in Florida and Texas four
times before she graduated.
By Regina kaza
Mandi Hawke
And while her mother was more
accepting, kids at school werent.
Youre going to do something great
Hawkes first suicidal thought
In Texas, the first thing I heard
was in the fourth grade.
coming off the school bus in high
Her best friend, and the most
school was thats so gay, Hawke
popular girl in school, stopped
said.
talking to her after they took a
On her first day, her mother
sex education class filled with
remembers her wearing a Scottish
gay propaganda.
kilt with safety pins down the
I realize now that we
sides, a purple bow in her hair
probably had crushes on each
with her little sisters plastic tiara.
other, Hawke said.
Hawke finished up the outfit
Years later, after she came out
with ripped fishnets, green Doc
to her family in Texas, she went
Martens and black makeup lots
back in the closet for years and
of black makeup.
channeled her emotions into
And apparently she made a lot
painting, mostly with dark blue,
of friends, her mother said.
purple, and black hues.
Hawke made friends with
She was so uncomfortable
whom her aunt Tappan calls the
early stages of Goths and outcasts,
around many family members,
but to Hawke they were just other
her mother said. She kind of
made her friends her family.
kids who were misunderstood.
While in high school, a few of
Although her family acted
her friends committed suicide.
supportive after she came out,
She remembers having more
they still thought it was a fad
suicidal thoughts in Texas than
based on her circle of friends.
Florida because of the constant
I think in her high school years
bullying.
it was at that point where it was
Once I was known to be bi-
trendy to be bi-sexual, Tappan
sexual, she said. I was targeted
said. At first we all thought it was
by some kids who would spit on
a phase.
us and called us dykes. Later at
But it wasnt a phase for Hawke.
lunch they paid us and tried to
It was something so difficult
get us to kiss.
for me to get the courage to
It was a lot for a 16-year-old to
admit to, she said, and then the
handle.
reaction was Its the cool thing to
do.
Continued on 16
WINTER 2012/13 | THE MIRROR | 15
SPOTLIGHT
Continued From 15
Unfortunately it was during
the time when it was really
popular to cut yourself and
do the whole Goth thing, her
mother said. It was sort of
like a cultural pity party. I dont
think its as prevalent now as it
was back then.
Hawke said having a group
of friends that were also
struggling with being gay and
depressed saved her.
There was a voice that told
me that no matter how hard it
was, I needed to push through
and that I had bigger things
to do here, she said. It said
youre going to do something
great and that was louder than
the other voice.
Making it work for the family
It took being married to a
man for six years for Hawke to
realize happiness wasnt about
where she lived or how much
money she made.
When she married her ex
husband, Jason, her family
assumed her bi-sexual phase was
over.
I think that he had enough
sensitivity for her that he made
her feel very comfortable,
Tappan said. And looking back
on it now, I think she tried to
make it work for the family.
Her mother said Jason was
very passive, accommodating
and non-confrontational. Even
then, the idea of being able to
have a public relationship made
Hawke happy.
I could walk down the street
holding his hand and no one
would look, she said. We could
kiss in public and no one would
whisper.
Even though she doesnt regret
her relationship with Jason, she
said she missed out on things
that gave her life purpose, like the
community service she does with
her current partner.
We didnt have real true
friendships, we didnt do
anything passionate like
charity work or volunteering,
she said. We waited tables.
We werent up to anything
powerful.
After about five years, Hawke
16 | THE MIRROR | WINTER 2012/13
started reading motivational
self-empowerment books, still
searching for happiness. She
decided that she needed to start
being truthful to herself and not
live a life of false friendships and
uninspiring work.
While reading those books,
she noticed there werent many
self-empowerment books for
the LGBT community, let alone
the youth. About a year after
divorcing her husband and
working as a volunteer at Drag
It Out, she started telling her life
story at SunServe workshops
and wrote her first novel: Proud:
EmPOWERment for LGTBTQ
Youth.
I dont say my relationship
with Jason was a mistake, she
said. Would I date another guy
again? Probably not. I was in love
with him, but in a different way.
My house is your house
The first time Hawke ever
brought a partner over to meet
her dads side of the family was
last June.
I was actually really nervous,
Ian Napp said. We pulled into
the driveway and I was shaking.
Hawke kept their relationship
secret from most of her dads
side. But after more than half
a year of being together, she
finally stepped forward and was
welcomed with open arms.
My family was amazing it was
a pleasant surprise, Hawke said.
It was total shock, Napp said.
You know they were introducing
me to everyone, my-house-is-
your-house type thing.
Hawke calls her relationship
with Napp night and day
compared to her six-year
marriage. Hawke was working
a Drag it Out, a program that
puts on drag workshops, when
she met Napp.
After Facebook messaging
for a few weeks, Napp said
she grew the courage to ask
for Hawkes number and they
started dating on Nov. 11.
We volunteer together and
we dont fight at all. Were
amazing friends. Every day is
something to look forward to.
 NATIONAL
Dan Cathy, Chick-fil-A CEO
I
t wasnt so much the
millions of dollars that
Chick-fil-A donated to
religious, anti-gay hate
groups that sparked the
controversy, it was just three
words and perhaps the
way they were uttered by
company head Dan Cathy
confirming that Chick-fil-A
November 2011
LGBT organization Equality
Matters found that the
charitable arm of Chick-fil-A
distributed over $1.7 million to
anti-gay groups in 2009 alone.
July 2, 2012
An analysis of charitable
donations by Chick-fil-A showed
the fast-food chain gave nearly
$2 million to anti-gay groups in
2010. The largest donation, $1.1
million, went to the Marriage
and Family Foundation, an anti-
gay marriage organization.
July 17, 2012
In an interview with the Baptist
Press on the companys support
of traditional family values,
Cathy said: We are very much
supportive of the family -- the
biblical definition of the family
unit. We are a family-owned
business, a family-led business,
and we are married to our first
wives. We give God thanks for
that.
July 18, 2012
- The boycott starts. Hangover
18 | THE MIRROR | WINTER 2012/13
The journey of
a controversial
chicken
was guilty as charged for
supporting what he considers
traditional family values.
In the weeks following Dan
Cathys interview with the
Baptist Press asserting the
company had donated millions
of dollars to anti-gay religious
organizations through its
charitable arm, people from
snd Office star Ed Helms
tweets hes off Chick-fil-A after
Cathys comment: Chick-Fil-A
doesnt like gay people? So lame.
Hate to think what they do to
the gay chickens! Lost a loyal
fan.
- How to Make Your Own Chick-
fil-Gay Sandwich Video hits
YouTube to protest Chick-fil-A
July 19, 2012
Damage control. Chick-fil-A
posted a message on Facebook
saying the independent
franchises treat all customers
with honor, dignity and respect
regardless of their belief,
race, creed, sexual orientation
or gender, in an attempt to
do some damage control after
President Dan Cathys anti-gay
comments.
July 20, 2012
The Muppets cut ties with
Chick-fil-A Over anti-gay stance.
The Jim Henson Company
has celebrated and embraced
diversity and inclusiveness for
over fifty years and we have
notified Chick-Fil-A that we do
not wish to partner with them
Raw to
fried
all walks of life weighed in on
the issue.
Some politicians in Chicago
and Boston pledged to keep
the company from opening
any new restaurants in their
cities; others who supported
the company proclaimed a
day to appreciate Chick-fil-
A for its conservative values.
on any future endeavors, said
the Muppets company in a
statement.
Mayor Thomas Menino vows to
block Chick-fil-A from taking its
Southern-fried fast-food empire
to Boston. You cant have a
business in the city of Boston
that discriminates against a
population. Were an open city,
were a city thats at the forefront
of inclusion, he said.
July 23, 2012
Mike Huckabee announces
Chick-fil-A Appreciation
Day. The former presidential
candidate started a Facebook
event page with one goal: Lets
affirm a business that operates
on Christian principles and
whose executives are willing to
take a stand for the Godly values
we espouse by simply showing
up and eating at Chick fil-A on
Wednesday, August 1.
July 25, 2012
Chicago Mayor Mayor Rahm
Emanuel backs Plan to Block
Chick-fil-A from opening
restaurant. Alderman Joe
By SERGIO N. CANDIDO
Television pundits and talk
show hosts on every major
network talked about it and
late-night TV shows mocked
it.
While the controversy has
cooled down since the sum-
mer, it is far from over.
Heres a look at Chick-fil-
As media storm.
Moreno says he wont allow
Chick-fil-A to open a restaurant
in his Northwest Side ward
because of the companys anti-
gay worldview, and Mayor Rahm
Emanuel seconded Moreno.
July 26, 2012
One tweet from Mayor Ed Lee
left very clear the stance of
San Francisco on the Chick-
fil-A controversy: Closest
#ChickFilA to San Francisco
is 40 miles away & I strongly
recommend that they not try to
come any closer.
July 27, 2012
- Head of Public Relations for
Chick-fil-A dies of heart attack.
Chick-fil-A Inc. released the
following statement: We are
saddened to report the news to
you that our dear friend Don
Perry, vice president of public
relations, passed away suddenly
this morning.
- Despite New York City Mayor
Continued on 19
NATIONAL
Continued From 18
Michael Bloombergs advocacy
for a healthier diet and strong
support for gay marriage, he
says hes against the idea of
banning Chick-fil-A within the
five boroughs.
- Sarah Palin shows support
for Chick-fil-A, Stopped by
Chick-fil-A in The Woodlands to
support a great business, wrote
the conservative politician
along a photo posted on her
Facebook page showing her and
her husband with a bag of fried
chicken.
July 28, 2012
New numbers from polling
organization YouGov reveal that
the publics approval of Chik-
fil-A has taken a nosedive since
company head Dan Cathy said
he was guilty as charged for
making large donations to anti-
gay causes.
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July 30, 2012 Dan Cathys vocal opposition to
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October 16, 2012
Gay Republicans: Lets move on.
Log Cabin Republican Executive donations. A flyer reportedly posted on one
Director R. Clarke Cooper of the fried chicken restaurants
weighed in on the Chick-fil-A September 19, 2012 in Chamblee, Ga. shows a photo
controversy in a Huff Post piece, Chicago Alderman Joe Moreno of a tray and reads: Only a
and asked the LGBT community says representatives at Chick- fruitcake wouldnt love our party
to move on and leave the fil-A told him the company trays. The company denies the
chicken company alone. has ceased making donations ad was made to reference gays.
to anti-gay groups and has
August 2012 enacted workplace protections
for its employees against
October 25, 2012
The media finds a connection Despite the controversy, a
between Chick-fil-A and Ugandas discrimination. survey published on USA Today
Kill the Gays Bill. According to found that 2.2 percent more
the Daily Kos, the Family Research September 24, 2012 people consumed Chick-fil-A
Council, one of the anti-gay hate Company head Dan Cathy products in the third quarter of
groups Chick-fil-A donated to, denies rumors that Chick-fil-a 2012 compared with the same
spent $25,000 lobbying Congress is going gay-friendly. There time last year.
to not condemn Ugandas Kill continues to be erroneous
The Gays bill. implications in the media
that Chick-fil-A changed our
Nov. 13, 2012
According to a survey by Market
August 3, 2012 practices and priorities in order
to obtain permission for a new
Force, Chick-fil-A was voted the
LGBT activists and supporters best chicken chain nationwide,
hold kiss-ins at Chick-fil-A restaurant in Chicago, Cathy beating Raising Canes, Boston
restaurants nationwide to said in a statement to Mike Market, KFC and Popeyes,
protest Chick-fil-A president Huckabee. That is incorrect. among others.
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WINTER 2012/13 | THE MIRROR | 19

TRAVEL
T
his edition of Out
Destinations takes
me to the Pacific
Northwest and to a city
in Canada known for
great people, endless beauty and
a thriving LGBT community.
Vancouver, British Columbia is
an destination which Ive heard
about for many years, however,
never had the opportunity to
visit. The best way to arrive to
Vancouver is either flying direct
or jump on a flight to Seattle and
then board an Amtrak train for a
scenic 4-hour journey along the
coast.
Its never good to begin a new
adventure on an empty stomach,
so located almost directly
across the street from the
Amtrak station in Vancouver is
a wonderful Italian eatery called
Campagnolo. Since I had a long
day ahead of me, I decided to
just sample a few light items.
My favorite of the bunch was
called Crispy Cece, an addicting
combination of fried chickpeas,
chilies, mint and citrus. It
20 | THE MIRROR | WINTER 2012/13
OUT Destination:
Vancouver
sounds a bit awkward, but it was
delicious.
Gay-friendly accommodations
are abundant in Vancouver. For
a true taste of luxury, stay at the
Metropolitan Hotel. Boasting
16 oversized suites in addition to
200 standard rooms, this hotel is
located in the heart of downtown
Vancouver and within walking
distance to all major tourist
attractions. The hotel features an
indoor swimming pool, squash
court, complimentary limousine
service and a business center.
However, one of the most
extraordinary features of the
Metropolitan is its fine-dining
restaurant, Diva at the Met. I
was not aware of the culinary
experience my guest and I were
about to encounter when we
were asked to dine at Diva. Our
host sat us at the pass, the bar
which the kitchen staff passes off
the food to be served to diners.
With an obstructed view of the
kitchen, we felt as if we were
watching a real life episode of
Top Chef. The sommelier was
on hand to pair wine with every
item on the 7-course tasting
menu, which begins with four
snacks prepared personally by
Chef Hamid Salimian.
There were almost too many
highlights to mention, as Chef
Salimians Persian roots are
definitely tasted throughout
his dishes. After our snacks,
which consisted of gastronomic
delicacies such as Chicken
Bacon and Mussel Coal, we
were brought our first selections
which included Blackened
Lobster, Albacore Tuna and Veal
Sweet Bread. Each selection
paired perfectly with a different
wine, most of which are from
Canadian vineyards.
The entre of the tasting menu
is a Roasted Tender Loin served
with Walla Walla onions, sherry
lentils and truffles and was melt
in your mouth delicious. Even
after five previous courses,
we were left craving more.
And what epicurean journey
would be complete without
dessert, which in this case was
By JOEY AMATO
a delectable Buttered Toast Ice
Cream with black currants,
served with sweet Canadian ice
wine. Those visiting Vancouver
for the first time should not miss
this experience.
Begin the next morning with
a visit to Chinatown, home to
the Chinese Cultural Center and
the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical
Chinese Garden. Vancouver
is home to the third largest
Chinatown in the world and a
visit to this neighborhood is
really exciting. The streets are
bustling with street vendors
selling everything from silk
scarves to ceramic figurines. Of
course the dining options here
are abundant and the authenticity
of the food was definitely a treat.
For some great dim sum, stop by
Jade Dynasty. When the menu
is written in Chinese, you know
its the real deal.
Next, head over to Vancouver
Lookout for a spectacular 360
Continued on 21
TRAVEL
Continued From 20
degree view of the city. From
this vantage point, one can view
every neighborhood in addition
to an unobstructed view of both
the mountains and the water.
The people of Vancouver are
extremely health conscious.
Never have I seen more people
jogging, riding bikes and roller
blading. The sea wall, which
stretches around most of the
downtown peninsula, is the
favorite place for locals to enjoy
outdoor activities. A brisk walk
is the best way to see the city and
enjoy its beauty. At the tip of the
peninsula is Stanley Park, larger
than NYCs Central Park and
home to some of Vancouvers
main attractions including the
Lost Lagoon, Lions Gate Bridge
and Vancouver Aquarium.
The aquarium is home to
over 50,000
animals and
most recently
welcomed the
addition of
Penguin Point,
inspired by
Boulders Beach
in Cape Town,
South Africa.
The venue is
open 365 days
a year and is
the perfect
place to enjoy
an afternoon
in Vancouver. to an IMAX theatre.
Another attraction perfect for Vancouver is a truly modern
those traveling with children city and for those looking to
is Science World. Located embrace some of the citys
adjacent to Olympic Village, trendiness, head to Salt Tasting
the museum features dozens of Room. Yet another unique
interactive exhibits in addition dining experience, Salt gives
guests the opportunity
to pair a consistently
changing selection of cured
meats, artisanal cheeses
and condiments written
on a chalkboard near the
entrance of the restaurant,
located in an alley in
the Gastown district of
Vancouver. I suggest trying
the 3-course menu for the
best experience.
After dinner, check
in to the Opus Hotel,
recently voted as one
of the Top 5 Trendiest
Hotels in the World by
TripAdvisor. The boutique
hotels swanky dcor and
minimalistic approach
is perfect for younger
LGBT travelers looking to
embrace Vancouvers gay
nightlife. Each room in the
pet-friendly hotel comes
with a fully functional iPad,
which guests can take with
them as they discover the
city.
The hotel is just a short
walk to Davie Street,
where most of the LGBT
activity takes place. Davie is
lined with gay bars, restaurants
and nightclubs and truly comes
alive at night. Each venue has
its own flavor so be sure to stop
by a few to really feel the vibe
of the community. Another
nightlife option is Commercial
Drive, or what locals call The
Drive as it is home to the
highest percentage of lesbians in
downtown.
Even though I was only
in Vancouver for three days,
I would recommend a full
week visit to truly experience
everything the city has to offer.
For more information, visit
TourismVancouver.com or
pick up a copy of Gay Friendly
Vancouver: In Town Guide.
OUT Destinations is part of
OUTreach Public Relations, a
company specializing in LGBT
marketing. Founded by Joey
Amato in 2012, OUTreach PR
has quickly become one of the
most sought after companies
for celebrities, corporations and
non-profit organizations looking
to target the ever growing and
affluent LGBT consumer. For
more information, please visit
www.outreachpublicrelations.com.
WINTER 2012/13 | THE MIRROR | 21
TRAVEL
S
tay away from Venice
in June, July or August.
Unless you enjoy
being smothered and
chocked by thousands
and thousands of cheap, crassy
tourists. This is a city of 59,000
people. Yet 24 million visitors a
year make Venice one of their
favorite stopovers.
Most of them in the summer
months. It is a wonder it does
not sink under its own weight.
Go in the second half of
September, October, even
November. The weather might
not be the best but you will
savor the real thing. Personally,
I think Venice looks better and
more mysterious in the soft
rain, or with a light chill.
During the summer Venice is a
hot zoo filled to capacity. Herds
crawl along the narrow alleyways,
called calli, loaded with shopping
bags and suitcases, snapping
pictures on their cell phones and
iPads. Families with strollers try
to navigate the tiny bridges and
passages. Its like watching a river
of humanity slowly making its
way to the various sites.
22 | THE MIRROR | WINTER 2012/13
WALKING IN VENICE
The city was founded by
people who were escaping
Attilas invasion. The Huns
despised going near water.
Now a new breed of barbarians
invade it on a regular basis.
Cruise ships unload three or
four thousand more bodies
each day. It is what Babel must
have been in biblical times.
Venice is a city that has to be
experienced at a slow pace. The
least number of people around
you, the better. The best time I
have ever had in Venice was in
November, with my partner, in
a semi deserted Saint Marks
Square, the mist coming in from
the laguna and a violin player
fiddling a passage from Vivaldis
Four Seasons. It was magic. It
was as if the city had removed
its mask, tears filled my eyes
without warning.
Much of Venetian life has
balanced itself for centuries on
the concept of the mask: one
face for society made of papier-
mch and one only seen in
private. It dates back to the
late 1700s when the Carnevale
lasted for months and Venetians
Italy:
lived behind the painted mask,
bejeweled and bewigged, not
knowing with whom they were
playing, or making love to, as
masks were seldom removed
except at home or in church.
These days the Mardi Gras lasts
only a few days but its people
spend most of the year getting
ready for the elaborate party.
The citys nickname is The Drag
Queen of Italy and even though
it has no gay bars or gay clubs
it has traditionally encouraged
tolerance and individuality.
For centuries it has embraced
the many famous gay travelers
who went to Venice in search of
their souls. Or to lose it. From Lord
Byron to Jeannette Winterson.
One of the first openly gay movies
ever made is the 1971
Death in Venice with Dirk
Bogarde based on the Thomas
Manns novel of the same name.
It was filmed entirely at the Hotel
des Bains, one of Europes most
fabulous hotels. The movie is
now considered a classic. When
you are in Venice forget about
getting a map or directions. Just
walk, get lost in the labyrinth of
By Pier angelo
narrow streets, you will savor
and Discover the city in all its
mysterious haunting beauty.
Make believe you are Donald
Sunderland in Dont Look
Now another classic movie set
in Venice.
You will eventually arrive in
Piazza San Marco, preferably
at twilight, to watch the last
rays of the sun slip beneath
the waters of the lagoon. Then
watch the sky turn a cobalt blue
and the wispy clouds a pinkish
color with the gondolas lit up
by the fading sun. There are few
places on earth with the same
chromatic intensity. For an
enchanted moment you wonder
if you are caught in a living
painting or a living dream. The
experience, depending who
you are with, can be insanely
romantic or slightly surreal.
Gore Vidal, another famous
gay part time resident,
wrote in his book Vidal in
Venice, ...there is a strong
need for magic, for a place
that is outside of time, for a
postponement of reality. For
Venice.
TRAVEL
Italy:
Biking in Puglia
A
s our band of a
dozen gay cyclists
glided over the
bleached stone
pavement of the
strangely silent seaside city of
Trani, worn smooth by a thou-
sand years, and as we wheeled
along its waterfront, stopping to
tour a mysterious medieval church
where the Knights Templaral-
ready on horseback would leave
the altar with the blessing of the
bishop sending them directly onto
a ship bound for the Crusades, I
thought about all my worrying
before embarking on a week of bi-
cycling through the magical towns
and scenic countryside of Puglia,
an unspoiled province on the Adri-
atic coast of southern Italy.
Well accustomed to cruising
around flat Fort Lauderdale at a
leisurely pace, I booked Alyson
Adventures Puglia Villa & Biking
Experience with some hesitance.
Did I have the stamina at age 61
for this type of vacation? Would I
be twice as old as the other guests?
What if I got winded during one
of the daily cycling excursions
to nearby towns? What if I got
a flat tire? What if my back goes
out? What if I dont like the
company, the food, the room or
the pool at the luxurious Villa
24 | THE MIRROR | WINTER 2012/13
Cappelli which was occupied
exclusively by our group of
gay men for the entire week?
Is the description on Alysons
website accurate or colorized?
The older I get the more time
I spend fretting, in this case
needlessly. I recommend this trip
for anyone who loves to bicycle,
loves the thought of meandering
roads through endless olive groves
and vineyards, loves exploring
quirky little ancient cities and
loves the idea of excellent gay
companionship in the context
of an elegantly renovated 14th
century stone villa on the ancient
Appian Way.
The dozen men who shared
the week with me ranged in age
from 20s to 60s with no one
feeling alienated or left in the dust.
They were friendly, intelligent,
enthusiastic, sexy single men and
couples who like to explore, laugh
and enjoy life immensely.
On our daily excursions,
rarely did anyone decide that
the pace or length of the ride
was uncomfortable, but if so,
our handsome Italian road crew
was always with us and ready
to collect the weary fellow into
the van and place his bike on
the flatbed until he was ready to
jump back into the pack.
Our Italian guides kept us
safely off main thoroughfares
and away from traffic as
often as possible. Cycling the
rustic country roads of Puglia
is hypnotic. Drawn into the
endless stretches of olive groves,
vineyards and ancient ruins, the
mind is easily transported to the
zones of euphoria that all cyclists
crave but rarely enjoy at home
because of the constant need to
dodge buses, taxis, pedestrians
and uncut curbs.
We were careful riders, but
our vigilant guides chose idyllic
routes that allowed for plenty of
pauses to pinch the wild arugula,
rosemary or fennel growing by
the road, to photograph another
vista, another church, another
ancient ruin, to rehydrate or
snack from the van that always
shadowed us. This is cycling
minus the hardships.
I will admit that I was often
tempted to skip the biking and
submit to the pampering of
our hosts at the Villa Cappelli
where the gardens, groves, pool,
terraces and al fresco dining
room were a pleasant way to
start and end each day.
We were constantly surprised
and delighted by the food and wine
served by owners/partners Paul
BY tony adams
Cappelli and Steve Crutchfield
who are justifiably proud of the
culinary products including olive
oil, gourmet spreads and wine
produced at the villa. Paul, whose
family is from the region, was
always eager to share his deep
knowledge of its history and to
show us around his favorite towns
and restaurants. Steve, Capo of
the Kitchen, constantly surprised
us with his expert delivery of
southern Italian cooking.
I vow to return to the scent of
jasmine or freshly baked rustic
bread wafting into my bedroom
through open windows, to the
taste of olives grown and cured at
the villa and for another glass of
their robust red Nero di Puglia
wine.
We werent always on our bikes.
We inspected the underground
ruins beneath Gravina, a cliff
city carved out of tuffo stone.
We walked among the exotic
tulli (comical stone turrets)
of Alberobello. We spent an
afternoon laughing and giving
into the irresistible aquamarine
water of the secluded beach of
Polignano di Mare. We picnicked
in the pine forest of La Murgia
National Park. We climbed to the
top of the mysterious pentagonal
Castel del Monte built high on
a bluff by knights charged with
protecting the Holy Grail.
We wandered the narrow stone
streets of fascinating Matera
carved into a valley like a stone
bowl to save every precious
raindrop for the long annual dry
spell. We spent a few evenings
relaxing and strolling through
convivial Terlizzi before
returning to our villa in the
country for a late night dip in
the pool and peaceful sleep to
restore our energy for the next
days adventures.
Still afraid to book a gay cycling
vacation because of some dreadful vi-
sion of a pack of grim triathaqueens in
flashy spandex?
If so, snap out of it and reserve a
spot on the next available Alyson Ad-
ventures Puglia Villa & Biking Experi-
ence tour.
In 2013, there are two tours planned:
one for gay men and the other for gay
men, lesbians and friends.
www.alysonadventures.com
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WINTER 2012/13 | THE MIRROR | 25
TRAVEL
W
hen it comes to
Las Vegas, most
visitors just see
the neon lights,
endless rows of
slot machines, glamorous shows
and lavish buffets, but what
many people dont notice are
the millions of dollars spent to
market Las Vegas to the LGBT
community.
As a result of the efforts by
the Las Vegas Convention &
Visitors Authority, coupled
with the dollars spent by casino
operators such as MGM Mirage,
Caesars Entertainment, Wynn
Resorts and others, Sin City has
become one of the Top 10 tourist
destinations among the LGBT
community.
Some companies have
embraced LGBT marketing
faster than others. MGM Mirage
property The Luxor was the
first to institute a Sunday pool
26 | THE MIRROR | WINTER 2012/13
party, Temptation Sundays,
geared to gay tourists and
locals alike. Others such as
Planet Hollywood incorporated
gay nightlife venues into the
property. Krave Las Vegas was
the first gay owned and operated
nightclub on the Strip.
The buying power of LGBT
individuals is expected to reach
$2 trillion next year and the
resorts surely have taken notice.
According to San Francisco-
based Community Marketing,
LGBT travelers will spend a
combined $65 billion in 2012
alone.
The Las Vegas Convention
and Visitors Authority (LVCVA)
has taken a leadership role in
the tourism industry to better
promote its unique product to
the LGBT tourism market,
states Dawn Christensen,
director of communications for
the organization. Las Vegas
The business of
las vegas
markets the destination
specifically to the LGBT
community through
advertising, our website
V i s i t L a s Ve g a s . c o m /
gaytravel and special
events. The organization
also has a designated
diversity marketing
representative who
concentrates on reaching
the LGBT visitor.
Recently, Las Vegas
welcomed the first annual
Gay Days to the Tropicana,
which was planned in
conjunction with the citys
pride festival. In addition,
the LVCVA is a sponsorof
the 2nd International
Expo & Business LGBT,the
leading marketing event
in Latin America designed to
attract tourism from the LGBT
market.
We were also the first
destination partner of the
largest pride celebration this
summer called WorldPride,
which took place in London,
England, Christensen states.
The LVCVA spends thousands
of dollars annually advertising
the destination in multiple
national gay media outlets
including Curve, Instinct, Out,
Passport, EDGE, Metrosource
and Logo.
In May 2012, the Human
Rights Campaign (HRC) honored
the LVCVA with its Vanguard
Award for making a difference in
promoting equal rights for LGBT
individuals. Christensen tells
me the organization has been
an innovative and creative
force in LGBT marketing.
Caesars Entertainment has
By JOEY AMATO
been at the forefront of LGBT
marketing for many years. As
a whole, the corporation has
initiated outreach programs
at many of their properties
throughout the country. This
year, Caesars hosted such events
as Dinah Shore Vegas and will
host the Out Music Awards in
December.
We arent just looking to
have events for LGBT people
to attend. We really want to
make sure that there is ongoing
excitement and entertainment
for the community, states
Richard Brower, director of
LGBT Marketing. Caesars
Entertainment is looking at
implementing LGBT specific
gaming events, dining and
shopping specials, and more
ongoing reasons to come out
and enjoy a Caesars property.
The company tracks each
LGBT guest when people swipe
their cards or sign up at LGBT
events such as Vegas pride.
We tag them in our LGBT
database and can keep track of
them but are looking to expand
this program and provide LGBT
email offers and other incentives
so we can really talk to the
community, Brower states.
December is set to be a big
month for the company. Shania
Twain will begin her much-
anticipated residency at The
Colosseum at Caesars Palace.
The venue has hosted an array of
musical icons from Celine Dion
and Cher to Bette Midler and
Elton John. The Imperial Palace,
which is owned by Caesars, is
Continued on 27
TRAVEL
Continued From 26
home to Frank Marinos Divas
Las Vegas, another favorite
show amongst gay travelers.
Wynn Las Vegas and its
adjacent property Encore have
engaged in LGBT marketing
for the past few years, even
creating a separate landing
page and Pride Concierge. The
company boasts a welcome,
safe and sensitive atmosphere
and a commitment to the LGBT
community.
To encourage diversity and
ensure a work environment that
prioritizes the best interests of
all employees, Wynn Resorts is
an equal opportunity employer
and was one of the first hotel
and casino companies in
Las Vegas to offer same sex,
domestic partner benefits.
Our commitment to
our LGBT employees also
includes the promise of a work
environment where everyone
is treated equally, with dignity
and respect, states a Wynn
representative.
Las Vegas is a city of excess
and innovation and this is
no different in the LGBT
community. Just in time for New
Years Eve, Krave Massive, a new
84,000 square-foot nightclub
will open its doors downtown.
Owner Kelly Murphy speaks
about the ambitious project. I
wanted to do something different
in gay nightlife and needed a
significantly large venue. Rents
are much less in downtown
and not controlled by casino
properties, which bring many
restrictions.
Kelly emphasizes the current
resurgence downtown. The area
has become veryhip and trendy.
A lot of businesses are investing
in downtown with great ideas,
including Zappos.com. I just
couldnt resist the challenge of
converting a 14-screen theater
into the worlds largest gay club.
Krave Massive will open
in phases beginning in mid-
December. The first consisting of
the Top 40/Techno Dance room,
Back of House, Martini Bar and
Show Theater. Kelly anticipates
the Hip-Hop Dance room to open
by New Years Eve. The balance of
the dance rooms, retail store and
member room will open early
next year, which is when the
official grand opening will take
place.
We hope to achieve
the Guinness Book of World
Records for largest nightclub,
gay or straight, beating out
Privilege in Ibiza, states
Murphy.
Future plans include a
rooftop swimming pool with 14
cabanas and the possibility of
connecting the adjacent Drink
& Drag Bowling & Billiards
room to Krave Massive.
Downtown is a short
distance from the strip and I
believe that gay men are willing
to take the trip if it means they
can come toThe Worlds Largest
Gay Club and indulge all of their
senses in the best possible way.
WINTER 2012/13 | THE MIRROR | 27
FITNESS BY MIKE VERDUGO

I
t is scientifically proven that HIIT (High
Intensity Interval Training) training is
the most effective way to boost your
metabolism, burn off that extra fat, and
start reaching those goals that you have
set for yourself.
HIIT is about mixing high intensity
bursts of exercise with moderate or light
intensity recovery periods. The secret
is that the training is not just about how
many calories you burn per session, but
that your body continues to burn calories
long after the session is over. This is called
Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption (EPOC)
which basically means that your body keeps
burning calories long after the sweating is
done. In fact, researchers have discovered
that this EPOC can last as long as 36 hours.
I know there isnt just one way to exercise
a muscle group. But the true success with
any exercise is through muscle confusion.
Muscle confusion is the key to achieving
your fitness goals faster and better than
you imagined. It prevents your body from
plateauing by not performing the same
workout routine over and over again. Thus,
seeing continued results.

High intensity:
Interval training
28 | THE MIRROR | WINTER 2012/13
DIAMOND PUSH UP: triceps & chest
Place your hands close together on a bosu ball forming a diamond shape
between your thumb and index fingers. Keeping your core engaged and
your back straight, push up to workout your triceps and chest muscles.

1
Side to Side
Push Up:
balance & core
1 Place your hands close together on a bosu
ball forming a diamond shape between your
thumb and index fingers. Keeping your core
engaged and your back straight, push up to
workout your triceps and chest muscles. 2

3
2

incline Push up: upper body
Place your hands on a bench or chair shoulder width apart and your
feet on the floor. Push up and down to work the upper body and chest
muscles. Remember to keep you back straight.
Decline Push up: lower chest
Put your feet up on a bench or chair and your hands on the floor,
shoulder width apart. Keep a straight back and push up to work
your lower chest muscles.
spider Push up: core & chest
Flip the bosu ball over, and take a plank, push up position. Grip the sides
of the bosu ball to work on your balance and core. As you push down, stay
down and bring each knee up toward your head one at a time to work out
your side abdominal muscles, core, and chest.

1 1 1

2 2 2
WINTER 2012/13 | THE MIRROR | 29
SPIRIT
The
spirit
1981
On June 5, the Centers for Dis-
ease Control and Prevention
(CDC) publishes report describ-
ing cases of a rare lung infec-
tion, in five young, previously
healthy, gay men in Los Angeles.
This report marks the first
official reporting of what will
become known as the AIDS
epidemic. Within days, doctors
from across the U.S. flood CDC
with reports of similar cases. By
year-end, there is a cumulative
total of 270 reported cases of se-
vere immune deficiency among
30 | THE MIRROR | WINTER 2012/13
Americas hiv/aids news source
Larry Kramer, Playwright
gay men, and 121 of those indi-
viduals have died.
1982
CDC establishes the term Ac-
quired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome (AIDS); refers to four
identified risk factors of male
homosexuality, intravenous
drug abuse, Haitian origin and
hemophilia A. First U.S. Con-
gressional hearings held on HIV/
AIDS.
GRID or gay-related
immune deficiency used by
the media and health care
COMPILED BY JASON PARSLEY
History &
suggesting
A Look Back
at 31 Years of
AIDS in the U.S.
professionals, mistakenly
inherent
between homosexuality and
AIDS.
link
1983
AIDS Candlelight Memorial held
for first time. The World Health
Organization (WHO) holds first
meeting to assess the impact of
AIDS globally, begins interna-
tional surveillance.
1984
In April, the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services,
announces the National Cancer
Institute has found the cause of
AIDS, the retrovirus HTLV-III
and announces the develop-
ment of a diagnostic blood test
to identify HTLV-III. In October,
San Francisco officials order
bathhouses closed due to high-
FILE PHOTO
HIV
risk sexual activity occurring in
these venues. New York and Los
Angeles follow suit within the
year.
1985
First International AIDS Confer-
ence held in Atlanta. At least one
HIV/AIDS case has been reported
from each region of the world.
First HIV test licensed by the FDA,
detects antibodies to HIV. Ryan
White, an Indiana teenager with
AIDS, is barred from school; goes
on to speak out publicly against
AIDS stigma and discrimination.
First major play about the early
days of the AIDS epidemic, The
Normal Heart, by playwright
Larry Kramer opens in New York
City. President Ronald Reagan first
mentions the word AIDS in public
at a press conference in response
to a question from a reporter.
SPIRIT
1986
First panel of the AIDS Memorial
Quilt created. Ricky Ray, a nine-
year-old hemophiliac with HIV,
is barred from a Florida school
and arsonists burn his familys
home the following year.
President Reagan mentions
AIDS in his Message to the Con-
gress on Americas Agenda for
the Future on February 6
1987
President Reagan finally ad-
dresses the AIDS epidemic on
May 31 at the Third Internation-
al Conference on AIDS in Wash-
ington. First antiretroviral drug,
AZT, approved by FDA.
AIDS becomes the first dis-
ease ever debated on the floor
of the United Nations General
Assembly
U.S. Congress adopts Helms
Amendment banning use of
federal funds for AIDS educa-
tion materials that promote or
encourage, directly or indirectly,
homosexual activities, often
referred to as the no promo
homo policy.
FDA adds HIV prevention as
a new use for male condoms.
CDC launches first AIDS-related
public service announcements,
America Responds to AIDS.
And the Band Played On:
Politics, People and the AIDS
Epidemic, a history of the early
years of the epidemic by Randy
Shilts, is published. AIDS Me-
morial Quilt displayed on Na-
tional Mall in Washington, DC
for first time.
1988
World AIDS Day declared by
World Health Organization on
December 1.
Surgeon General and CDC
mail brochure, Understanding
AIDS to all U.S. households;
first and only national mailing
of its kind.
1989
U.S. Congress creates the Na-
tional Commission on AIDS.
1990
Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990 enacted by the
U.S. Congress, prohibiting
discrimination against
individuals with disabilities,
including people living with
HIV/AIDS.
The Ryan White Comprehen-
sive AIDS Resources Emergency
Act enacted and named in hon-
or of Ryan White, an Indiana
teenager who contracted AIDS
through a tainted hemophilia
treatment. He was diagnosed
with AIDS in 1984 and was sub-
sequently expelled from school
because of the disease. He be-
came a well-known advocate for
AIDS research and awareness, Bill Clinton
until his death in 1990. The act is
the largest federally funded pro- President Clinton signs HIV im- all Americans ages 25-44; remains
gram for people living with HIV/ migration exclusion policy into leading cause of death for African
AIDS. The act sought funding law. Angels in America, Tony Americans in this age group. Time
to improve availability of care Kushners play about AIDS, wins Magazine names AIDS researcher
for low-income, uninsured and the Tony Award and Pulitzer Dr. David Ho as its Man of the
under-insured victims of AIDS Prize. Year.
and their families.
1994 1997
1991 AIDS becomes leading cause of AIDS-related deaths in the U.S.
Red ribbon introduced as the death for all Americans ages 25 decline by more than 40 per-
international symbol of AIDS to 44; remains so through 1995. cent compared to the prior year,
awareness at the Tony Awards FDA approves an oral HIV test, largely due to HAART. President
by Broadway Cares/Equity the first non-blood based anti- Clinton announces goal of find-
Fights AIDS and Visual AIDS. body test for HIV. ing an effective vaccine in 10
years.
1992 1995
FDA licenses first rapid HIV First protease inhibitor ap- 1998
test, which provides results in proved in record time by the Minority AIDS Initiative created
as little as ten minutes. AIDS FDA, ushering in new era of in U.S., after African American
becomes number one cause of highly active antiretroviral ther- leaders declare a state of emer-
death for U.S. men ages 25 to 44. apy (HAART). President Clinton gency and Congressional Black
establishes Presidential Advisory Caucus calls on the Department
1993 Council on HIV/AIDS. First White of Health and Human Services
President Clinton establishes House Conference on HIV/AIDS. to do the same.
White House Office of National Ricky Ray Hemophilia Relief
AIDS Policy (ONAP). Philadel- 1996 Fund Act of 1998 enacted by
phia, a film starring Tom Hanks The number of new AIDS cases U.S. Congress, authorizing pay-
as a lawyer with AIDS, opens in diagnosed in the U.S. declines
theaters, becoming the first ma- for first time in history. HIV no
jor Hollywood movie on AIDS. longer leading cause of death for Continued on 32
WINTER 2012/13 | THE MIRROR | 31
SPIRIT
Continued From 31
ments to hemophiliacs infected
through unscreened blood-clot-
ting agents between 1982 and
1987.
1999
According to the annual World
Health Report, AIDS had be-
come the fourth biggest killer
worldwide.
2000
U.S. and UN Security Councils
each declare HIV/AIDS a secu-
rity threat.
President Clinton issues Ex-
ecutive Order to assist develop-
ing countries in importing and
producing generic forms of HIV
treatments.
President Clinton creates first
ever Presidential Envoy for AIDS
Cooperation.
2001
June 5 marks 20 years since first
AIDS case reported.
Newly appointed U.S. Sec-
retary of State, Colin Powell,
reaffirms U.S. statement that
HIV/AIDS is a national security
threat.
2002
HIV is leading cause of death
worldwide, among those aged
15-59. FDA approves OraQuick
Rapid HIV-1 Antibody Test; first
rapid test to use finger prick.
OraQuick granted a Clini-
cal Laboratory Improvement
Amendments (CLIA) waiver in
2003, enabling the test to be
performed outside of labora-
tory, allowing widespread use.
2003
President Bush announces PEP-
FAR, the Presidents Emergency
Plan for AIDS Relief; PEPFAR is a
five-year, $15 billion initiative to
address HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis,
32 | THE MIRROR | WINTER 2012/13
and malaria primarily in hard
hit countries.
The William J. Clinton Presi-
dential Foundation secures
price reductions for HIV/AIDS
drugs from generic manufactur-
ers, to benefit developing na-
tions.
2004
In February, the Joint United Na-
tions Programme on AIDSThe
Global Coalition on Women and
AIDS to raise the visibility of the
epidemics impact on women
and girls around the world.
2005
United Nations General Assem-
bly convenes high-level meeting
to review progress on targets set
at 2001 special session on HIV/
AIDS, UNGASS.
2006
The CDC release revised HIV
testing recommendations for
healthcare settings, recom-
mending routine HIV screening
for all adults, aged 13-64, and
yearly screening for those at
high risk.
2007
The World Health Organiza-
tion and UNAIDS recommend
that male circumcision should
always be considered as part of
a comprehensive HIV preven-
tion package. CDC reports over
565,000 people have died of
AIDS in the U.S. since 1981.
2008
Statutory HIV travel and immi-
gration ban ends. CDC releases
new HIV incidence estimates for
the United States, showing that
the U.S. epidemic is worse than
previously thought.
2009
President Obama launches the
Global Health Initiative (GHI),
a six-year effort to develop a
comprehensive approach to ad-
dressing global health in low
and middle-income countries.
Obama calls for first everNa-
tional HIV/AIDS Strategy for the
U.S. Long-standing statutory ban
on the use of federal funding for
needle exchange in the U.S. elimi-
nated. The Obama Administra-
tion officially lifts HIV travel and
immigration ban by removing the
final regulatory barriers to entry,
which takes effect in 2010.
2010
Obama Administration releases
first comprehensive National
HIV/AIDS Strategy for the U.S.
Large international clinical
study showed a daily dose of
combination antiretroviral pill
reduced the risk of acquiring
HIV among men who have sex
with men and transgendered
women who have sex with men.
2011
June 5 marks 30 years since first
AIDS case reported. U.S. Depart-
ment of Health and Human Ser-
vices launches the 12 Cities Proj-
ect, focusing resources on areas
with the highest AIDS burden in
the country.
Federal government an-
nounces goal of an AIDS-free
generation, highlighted in
speeches by Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton andPresident
Obama.
2012
The XIX International AIDS
Conference is held in Washing-
ton, DC, marking the first time
the conference has been held in
the U.S. since 1990.
FDA approves OraQuick In-
Home Test, the first rapid test
using oral fluid that can be
bought over-the-counter; re-
sults of which are obtained at
home. FDA approves the use of
Truvada for reducing the risk
of HIV infection in uninfected
individuals at high risk, mark-
ing the first HIV treatment to be
approved for pre-exposure pro-
phylaxis.
Ronald Reagan
SPIRIT By Ryan dixon SUbmitted photo

Everyone has
the safest and healthiest decisions
to protect myself and others.
Dating someone who is HIV-
positive has relaxed the worry of
me possibly infecting my partner.
The relief I feel knowing for right
now I wont be contributing to the
HIV statistics in America is very
comforting, but in a very macabre
way. In 2009, HIV and AIDS
killed over one million people
worldwide. The CDC estimates
that 1.1 million people living in
AIDS
But think of this: 40,000 people
are infected with HIV every year
and 10,000 of them are unaware
of their status. By telling an
HIV-positive person no, and
going out and hooking up with
a guy that doesnt tell you hes
negative or positive, youre taking
the same risk. Not knowing your
partners (or partners) status is a
dangerous game. Do you really
trust that guy at the bar when
he says hes negative, when he
over and throw caution to the
wind. Then, you have the balls
to tell me (someone who readily
admits theyre positive) its too
risky. Good reasoning there,
buddy (and a thumbs up to ya).
Change in stigma and
perception has to start at home,
in the heart. Stop treating positive
people like theyre something
dirty. Everyone deserves the
same respect, no matter what
theyre living with. Treat

Y
our trick from last
night has AIDS.
That guy youve
been flirting online
with for the last few
weeks has AIDS. The guy youre
thinking about hooking up with
as you read this has AIDS. You
have AIDS.
Okay, maybe you dont. But
you better wake up and treat your
lovers as if they do. Every single
time. No exception.
America are infected with HIV. says youve got nothing to worry everyone the same. Treat
Since the beginning of the AIDS about? You know you do or at everyone like they have AIDS.
epidemic, close to 600,000 least want to. You go home, bend Because they do.
Americans have lost their lives.
No pun intended, but sex in
the gay community is the butt of
many jokes.
Gay men have done nothing to
suppress the whorish stigma that
is given to them, myself included.
Lets face it, I didnt catch HIV
by being a saint. I was a little
bareback slut in 2008. Even then
my diagnosis came as a shock. I
didnt realize or know how bad

Gay men have done

nothing to suppress the
whorish stigma that is
given to them, myself
included.
Ive always been open and
honest about my status ever since
I found out I was positive almost
four years ago on Dec. 15, 2008. I
made bad choices in my sex life,
so now Im trying my best to make
HIV is in South Florida.
Miami-Dade County currently
ranks number one in the nation
with the highest number of new
HIV cases per capita. Broward is
right behind, ranking at number
two. Florida, as a whole, ranks
number three in the nation for
people living with HIV/AIDS
(125,000 people accounting for
11.7% of all infections in the
States) and second in pediatric
cases.
People should treat everyone
as if they were HIV positive when
looking for sex.
When hooking up, disclosing
my status gives people the chance
to make an informed decision for
themselves.

34 | THE MIRROR | WINTER 2012/13

WINTER 2012/13 | THE MIRROR
 COVER STORY
Can you tell us about your new
project?
The website is Volttage.com.
Ive obviously been working
in HIV stuff, forever, but after
Project Runway it exploded,
and because Im so vocal about
my status Im the go-to-guy. Its
awesome. I like it. I get dozens
of Facebook messages a week.
Most frequently from people
who newly diagnosed, people
freaking out. At any time Im
coaching 3, 4, 5 people who are
just kind of dealing with stuff.
One of the recurring themes
I encounter is dating and
disclosure and stigma over and
over, nonstop. Ive been on
other sites and I find that people
36 | THE MIRROR | WINTER 2012/13
BY jason parsley
are just sort of misinformed. If
youre not HIV positiveI know
a lot of people are educated, but
they just dont get it.
When helping newly positive
people, whats the biggest
misconceptions you come
across? For the most part,
health-wise, theres not a lot of
misconception. The big change
in the last few years is that there
is a new protocol, which is to
medicate immediately.
With the newer medications
there is almost never real severe
side effects. Its more that
people are like no one is going
to want me, date me, everyone is
going to judge me.
Its a catch-22 situation
because no one wants to live
PHOTOs courtesy of jack mackenroth
Positively
charged
Jack Mackenroth talks new dating
website, HIV stigma and activism
W
hen it comes to
Reality TV shows
the winner isnt
always the most
memorable
contestant as was the case on
Project Runways Season 4,
which featured fashion designer
Jack Mackenroth.
His surprise announcement
of being HIV positive and his
shocking withdrawal from the
competition in week 5, made
him not only arguably the
most memorable contestant
from that season but also an
instant role model for the HIV
community.
Since leaving the show in
in the stigma and experience
it, but no one wants to be vocal
about it and fight it. Its difficult.
I dont breeze through it
everyday and be like oh my
God, this is so awesome. But
I need to keep going and be
visible because people need to
see this is what HIV looks like,
or can look like, and it can look
like anyone.
People just have a lot
questions because no one wants
to talk about it. So its more like
listen its going to be ok. There
are a lot of people like you.
Theres support for you. Youll
get ok with it. Try to talk about
it. I tell people that kind of stuff.
People are really scared to tell
their parents. People are scared
2007 hes become known for
his HIV activism and for taking
his clothes off for a cause that
is. Hell do (almost) anything to
fight the stigma of living with
HIV.
The Mirror recently caught up
with the reality star and activist,
who lives in New York and South
Beach, to talk about his latest
project, Volttage.com, an HIV
dating website.
Read on to find out about if
well see him join the cast of
an upcoming all-stars season of
Project Runway, being a role
model, and growing up both
gay and HIV positive. Oh and
by the way, hes single!
to tell people. Thats kind of the
stuff I guide people through. I
tell them they dont need to tell
people. Tell them one at a time.
You should tell your doctor. Tell
people who you trust.
Whats been the response to
Volttage so far?
It goes in waves. We had a lot
of build up to the launch. In
the first week there was an
onslaught of membership. One
thousand people signed up in a
week.
People were just desperate for
a stigma free environment.
About 10,000 people have
Continued on 37
COVER STORY
Continued From 36
logged in the first 2 and half
months and about half of those
people stay and make a profile.
Were not competing with a lot
of other big sites right now. Its
a different kind of community.
Its growing slowly. I think there
will come a point in time where
it hits this critical mass and
people know of the brand and
will be talking about it.
Whats different about Volttage
than other websites? How long have you been positive?
The important thing Im
realizing now for me is that its
about the visibility and fighting
the stigma of HIV anyway
that I can. Whether thats just
being a visible person or talking
about it, or all of the campaign
and media stuff that I do.
This website is another way
of doing that. Bringing together
all of these people, starting this
movement. Were going to add
bloggers, more staff and have
more content. Im meeting with
my partners in January to figure
out which features we should
have. We want to give people
more reasons to go to the site
beyond sex.
The thing thats cool about it
is that we dont ask about status
at all. Were clearly marketing to
the HIV community and to those
people that feel disenfranchised
from other websites.
Were HIV neutral which is
great. Since we dont ask about
status at all it provides some
freedom. You should always
assume people are positive
anyway, which most people
dont do.
Why should people assume that?
People have a false sense of
security when they check a box
that says youre negative, or
someone tells you that theyre
negative. What does that even
mean? Unless you go to the
doctor with them how do you
really even know? I just think
thats a false sense of security?
Whats the next step for And then a year after you came How has your health been?
Volttage? out you found out you were Ive been really, really lucky with
Were trying to give it traction positive? my own health. I think a lot of it
is luck. Because its just one of
somewhere. So were focusing I got sick and they said you
those things. In the early days
on New York where 40 percent should have an HIV testit
no one knew what was going to
of the membership is. Then was in the throes of the HIV
happen to you. I just happened
well go to L.A., San Francisco, epidemic.
to make the right choices. Not
Chicago and once the buzz gets I only had sex with like
because I knew what the right
going in the U.S., well go to go 10 people. I thought Im not
choices were, but because I
global. positive. I cant be. So, surprise.
was a competitive swimmer so
Obviously we cant target one
I have always been very health
area at a time but we want to be
viable in one community. Well How did you come out about your conscious. I got on medication
probably have an event down in status? really early. They only had AZT
Miami in the next year. initially. I took all of the drugs
I didnt tell my family for subsequently in the next few
about 4 years. I was freaking out. years. I found a medication in
Everyone was freaking out. the early years that worked for
I found out in 1990. I sero
I finally told my mom after my me and I stayed on it for about
converted in 1989. So its been
partner died in 1996 and I told 15 years. So yeah, I dont know
23 years. Nowadays its much
her at that time because I was the reason why Im doing so
different finding out youre
having a nervous breakdown. well, but Im glad I am.
positive. Right? I figured I
She was good. My mom is
would be dead by the time I
amazing.
was 25. Everyone was dying. Its
different now, and its the same.
The challenge back then was
basically surviving. Nowadays
its more about the stigma. If
you do everything right. If
you get on medications early,
have health insurance, HIV is
very manageable. What it is now
though is that no one wants to
talk about it anymore.
HIV has been around 31 years is
there really a stigma still?
Still today when I post on
Facebook I get comments from
gay guys that are like oh theres
no HIV stigma anymore. Im like
are you insane? Youre clearly
neg. If you dont think theres
an HIV stigma I challenge you to
post I am HIV positive on your
Facebook page.
Half the people that are
positive dont want to do that. If
you dont think theres a stigma
try wearing a t-shirt that says
Im HIV positive for a day then
youll get a glimmer of what it
feels like.
What age did you come out of the
closet?
Freshman year of college. I was
kind of out in high school but I
went to a very small high school.
Continued on 54
WINTER 2012/13 | THE MIRROR | 37
 PERFORMANCE By JUSTIN WYSE SUBMITTED PHOTOS

INside look:
Michael lanphear
& Francois Gravel
T
he Orchid Show was created in South
Floridas very own backyard and has
provided a new twist on the classic
Cirque du Soleil shows. Chairman David
Schawarz of Temporary Entertainment
searched high and low for the best aerial and
choreography coaches in the industry. Here is
a look at who they are and how they worked to
make The Orchid Show a successful venue.

What is each of your backgrounds in Francois Gravel (L), Michael Lanphear (R)
plays/shows, specifically aerial and How is life as partners beneficial
choreography? when working together on such a aerialists in most of the shows
Francois Gravel graduated from large project? Are you influenced by your sexual- he has directed. He wanted
the Montreal Circus School (ENC) M&F: Since we spend so much ity when creating choreography for everything to be related to the
in 2006, specializing in dance time together that we often flower/garden theme so we
trapeze. He has worked in cabarets, know exactly what the
shows? If so, how? explored many different options
traditional circus, contemporary other is thinking, good or M&F: Our choreography varies for movement using the ideas
bad! Francois comes from a depending on the particular of flowers, insects and even
dance/circus shows, and large
strong contemporary dance project that we are currently gardeners. Working with such
companies such as Cirque
background so he focuses working on. an experienced Director made
du Soleil. In 2010 Francois
choreographed an aerial number more on choreography and the entire process very creative
for the Justin Bieber My Life 2.0 the creative aspect of the From what experience does your past and productive.
Tour as well as choreographing for performance. Michael focuses play in creating a future show, spe-
an international tour of Soap the on acrobatic technique and cifically Orchid? How did you find the cast of dancers
Show. coaching.
M&F: Past experiences both in and aerialist for Orchid The Show?
Michael Lanphear specialized dance and acrobatics have M&F: Francois and Michael cast
in aerial straps. In 2008, Where do you live? definitely shaped our work the circus performers by doing
Michael toured with Britney M&F: We live in Montreal, QC in this show. However, we multiple casting calls during
Spears for her Circus World Tour when we are not on tour. are always striving to find the summer. We sorted through
as an aerialist. In 2009 Michael interesting new movement and over 300 applications and
joined the cast of Soap the Show How long have you been together? even new apparatus. chose only five circus artists. A
where he met Francois in Berlin, M&F: 3 years very important deciding factor
Germany. In 2010 Michael
coached Justin Bieber and 4 of
What influences help you create the was finding artists who were

his back- up dancers, teaching
them aerial harness. This past
year both Michael and Francois
choreographed for Universoul
Circus in the US.
38 | THE MIRROR | WINTER 2012/13
How long have you been working aerial work and dance for this show? proficient in many fields such as
aerial, ground acrobatics, dance
together? M&F: William Baker, the artistic and even singing.
M&F: We met while both employed director, had a very clear vision
by the same show in Berlin, for what he wanted to see,
Germany about three years ago. William has featured circus/ Continued on 39
 Continued From 38

Does your work influence other parts Are there any words of
of the show? Costume Design? Song inspiration you would
choice? Lighting? like to give our readers?
M&F: Since the circus can have a M&F: Strive to do
high risk factor we have to work what makes you
very closely with the costumer to happy. Hard work
make sure the costumes do not really does pay off!
inhibit the artists movements.
The costumes on Orchid have Do you have any future
been designed to actually help plans for new shows?
the acrobats perform more M&F: We will continue
efficiently. Lights are also crucial to create shows and
to making the performance as safe do corporate galas
as possible, i.e. no strobing lights, through our company
plenty of visible floor space. AcroArts Productions
and have a very busy
Are there plans to take Orchid on the year planned for 2013! for an amazing way to spend an
evening just before the holidays For more information, check
road similar to Cirque shows? with your special someone, out www.theorchidshow.com
M&F: We all have very high hopes There you have it. Michael and reserve your VIP table today to for details and to purchase
for Orchid and would love to see Francois have worked very hard
to create an artistic view that will take part of this 19th Century tickets.
the show do a US or even World throwback to the Pleasure
Tour. leave you breathless and engaged
in the show. So if youre looking Garden.

WINTER 2012/13 | THE MIRROR | 39

GAY PORN
How to make it:
GAY porn
Gay porn insiders dish out
what it takes to make it in
the worlds sexiest business
M
illions of dol-
lars are spent
by gay men all
over the world
on virtual
fantasies. Gay porn serves as
an outlet for gay men to relieve
stress and to live vicarious lives
through the people they see on
the screen. Porn is a powerful
tool in the way we have sex. You
know youve tried some crazy
positions that youve seen on
screen. No matter what youve
seen, though, no one moans like
that while having sex.
When trying to figure out
what it takes to get into the in-
dustry and make a living out
of it, SFGN went straight to the
source and talked with a current
star in Shane Front and a former
star in Ryan Raz. Frost and Raz
both broke onto the gay porn
scene around five years ago,
and both took very different,
yet successful, paths. Frost has
done most of the grunt work on
his own, while Raz relied mostly
on the talents of the gay porn in-
dustrys premier booking agent,
Howard Andrew from Fabscout.
Frost was quick to say that
the guys at Fabscout did help
him with booking studios, but
his climb to porn stardom, in-
cluding award nominations and
cohosting award shows, is due
mostly to his ability to promote
himself. Equipped with mugs,
calendars and a smile that melts
hearts, Frost gives credit where
40 | THE MIRROR | WINTER 2012/13
credit is due the Internet.
I owe it all to the Internet.
If this was 1995, I would never
have made it, Frost said. The
things we can do these days is
amazing.
Frost holds nothing back
when interacting with fans. If
there was a king of social media
use, Frost would be the hands
down favorite.
Being online allows me the
time to talk to fans and so much
more. If a person has a good
head on their shoulders, the sky
is the limit on how much self-
promotion one can do, Frost
said.
Ok, self-promotion keeps you
in porn, but how do you get that
first start?
Raz says he never questioned
whether or not to do porn.
I first got into porn simply
because there was a small studio
filming in St. Louis and some-
body approached me and asked
if I wanted to do it, Raz said.
There wasnt a question.
Frosts experience is a story of
saying no, saying yes, and being
almost scared away from what
hes now become.
My best friend Luke Hass
kind of talked me into doing it.
He had a website at the time and
wanted me to go in on it, Frost
said.
For over a year Frost said no
because he thought he was too
shy and couldnt do it. A break
up with his then-boyfriend and
By RYAN DIXON
financial hardship is what he
says pushed him in front of the
camera.
I found myself in about
$20,000 in debt, Frost said.
Shy or not, I did it, and as they
say, the rest is history.
Frost said his first shoot was
from hell. He said the shoot
was exactly what he heard they
were all about: drugs, booze and
fluffers.
Yeah, my first set had the
whole nine yards, Frost said
with a scoff. I owe Shane Frost
to Anthony Durran. He liked my
look enough to get me in the
door with Falcon.
With the backing of super- face and body in front of the stu-
agent Howard Andrew and his
Fabscout modeling agency, Raz
ascending the porn ranks, hold-
ing an exclusive contract with
Raging Stallion Studios. Raz
retired from filming less than
a year ago, but still maintains a
high profile in the business.
Somehow after four and a
half years Im still around work-
ing in the adult industry, Raz
said. Its like I never quit.
Raz is often seen still hanging
Courtesy of media gio
Ryan Raz
with his porn counterparts at
parties all over the world when
hes not running off with friends
to Disney or tucked away in his
home in St. Louis. Razs outlook
on his porn past is one of memo-
ries but not regret.
I have no regrets about do-
ing porn, Raz said, but there
are very few of my life decisions
that I actually do miss. Raz said
if he wasnt still working in the
adult industry that he would
definitely miss it. Fortunately I
still get to be involved, Raz said.
We now see that getting into
porn takes determination and
the help of others to put your
dios who write the checks. But
what makes a star? What does
it REALLY take to survive in the
business?
In order to make a living do-
ing porn you need to possess
three of the following four fea-
tures: ass, face, body and dick,
Raz said.
Raz also said the rules and
Continued on 53
PERFORMANCE PHOTO BY David massie

HEAD TO TOE:
COVERED IN RAINBOW

Name: Natashia Milburn

Age: 22
Occupation: Aspiring tattoo model
State: Arizona

M
ilburn has been shows. The inspiration for
featured in a these rainbow photographs came
Corvettes &Cuties from a Halloween themed
calendar 2012, shoot I was invited to. I wanted
the Corv-ette to be the Rainbow Goddess for
& Cuties website, the Dianna Halloween, she told the Mirror.
Prince Holiday magazine, as I feel that title suits me pretty
well as working with various well as I am a lesbian and proud
clothing designers for runway of it.

42 | THE MIRROR | WINTER 2012/13

WINTER 2012/13 | THE MIRROR
 COFFEE TABLE
Sports &
Sexuality
Rick Days Latest
Erotic Book:
All Players
R
ick Day is
backagain.
This time with
All Players, his
final installment
to his popular photography
series featuring sports
and sexuality. The men,
beautiful, ripped and hard
are displayed in sports
outfits or with accessories
like basket balls and
footballs. Two thirds of
the book is comprised of
men featured in his first
What inspired this photography
series?
A: After seeing how immensely
popular David Beckham was
in the Emporio Armani un-
derwear ads...I mean women
loved him... gay men wanted to
be with him.. and straight men
were not uncomfortable saying
he was good looking. I person-
ally thought he was ok... but
the guys I had been shooting
were waaaaaaaay sexier... so I
decided to shoot men in various
forms of undress as athletes...
pushing the sexuality button
a bit.
44 | THE MIRROR | WINTER 2012/13
BY jason parsley PHOTOs BY Rick day
two books Players and
Players Two. The other
third are new models.
Even though this
book is featured in
our coffee table
section be careful of
actually leaving it out
on the coffee table.
Few books can match
the eroticism found
in Days works. And
your relatives may not
appreciate the work
quite as much as you.
Did you originally think it would Whats your favorite photo in Amazing bodies. Endowed
with an ass...that are willing
be a series? the book? to let you shoot them for this
A: I originally only planned for A: I have two that I really love.... book. Each book got a bit easier
1 book. the boy with the really hairy to find men. I usually shot 4
blonde ass... and the shot of the men a week for a year. Unfortu-
nately not all of the guys made
How does All Players differ back and ass with Leonardo da
it to the book.
Vincis Vitruvian man tattoo.
from the first two books? Each picture brings back some-
A: Well All Players is the end of thing special to me. Whats the best part of your
the series. And the publishing
job? Worst part?
house... Bruno Gmuender and I Whats the biggest challenge
thought it would be a great way A: The best part to me is the
to end the series with a extra of putting a book like this shooting and getting to know
large size book... I think it may together? How much time does it each of the athletes. The worst
part was the long hours spent
be the biggest book they have really take?
published. So it was 1/3 of Play-
ers... 1/3 of Players Two and 1/3 A: The challenge is finding just
of new men. the right guys. Great faces. Continued on 45
COFFEE TABLE

Continued From 44
in front of the camera editing the enjoying the pro-
pics and having to decide who cess of creating
makes the cut...deciding how this book.
erotic...finding that fine line that
makes it just right. Hardcover: 288
pages
Whats next for you? Any more Publisher: Bruno
Gmunder Verlag
Players books in the works? Gmbh
A: No more players books, and Language: English
while I am sure there are a few
that wish there were more to ISBN-10:
come, I am sure there are many 3867874204
that are glad its done. I have 2 ISBN-13: 978-
books that I have been work- 3867874205
ing on. The first is about my
real muse and our interesting
Size: 11.7 x 1.4 x
15.2 inches
relationship of artist, model and
friendship. The second book is Weight: 8.5 pounds
tentatively titled castings, a kind List Price: $174.99
of behind the scenes book on how (Amazon;
we decide the model selection, $110.24: Barnes
story boarding, location scouting & Noble; $118.11)
and final production. I am really

WINTER 2012/13 | THE MIRROR | 45

SPIRIT By JASON PARSLEY File Photos

The many faces of

HIV What do you think it looks like?

I
n this two-page spread
we wanted to showcase
some of the famous
people who had, or still
have HIV. Some are
recognizable like Freddie
Mercury, others like Reggie
Williams, maybe not so
much. Some are gay, some
straight. Some alive, some
already passed on. Some
contracted the virus through
sex, others through blood
transfusions or drug use.
Some are known for their
athleticism, others their
activism. The one thing they
all have in common is that
they were, or are, infected
with a deadly disease that
has killed more than 600,000
people in the U.S. and tens
of millions around the world.
Here we showcase just a
few of the many faces of
HIV.

Rebekka Armstrong
FREDDIE MERCURY Playboy Playmate. Lesbian. She appeared in Playboys September 1986
Singer. Gay. Lead vocalist for the rock band Queen. He was issue. Shes now a competitive bodybuilder, as well as an HIV/AIDS
known for his flamboyant style and four-octave range. Rumored awareness activist, safe sex educator, and a spokeswoman for several
to have had HIV for years he never confirmed it until the night HIV-related charity groups.
before his death. Died in 1991 at the age of 45. (www.RebekkaArmstrong.com)
Continued on 47
46 | THE MIRROR | WINTER 2012/13
SPIRIT

Continued From 46

Reggie williams
Activist. Gay. Former head of the National Task
Force on AIDS Prevention, which focused on the
plight of HIV-infected minorities. Also helped found
the National Association of Black and White Men
Together. He died in 1999 at the age of 47.
(www.ReggieWilliams.net)

Greg louganis
Competitive diver. Gay. Went on to win Olympic Gold
at the 1988 Games despite striking the back of his head
on the springboard during the preliminaries. Thirty-
five minutes after the accident and after receiving
stitches to his scalp, he resumed diving. The following
day, he hit all 11 dives and easily won the Olympic Gold
Medal. (www.GregLouganis.com)

Continued on 50
WINTER 2012/13 | THE MIRROR | 47
PERSPECTIVE By RYAN DIXON

The Dixon
Looking back on
a healing process
thats yet to end Diaries
I
ve been HIV and physical medicine study, have the support I
positive for a happenings at taking medication do. My diary is just
little of four the same time. to manage my HIV my way of trying
years now. Ive been blessed for the first time in to help others.
My to have a lot of my life. I decided Ive decided to
experience with help along the to document my go back through
the virus has been way, unlike many experience with my old entries
a tumultuous ride people who are the medication as and give some
full of ups and struggling with this a tool for others commentary or
downs. Ive had to disease. living with HIV. I updates to them
learn to cope with In Sept. 2012, know not everyone and fill you in on
different emotions I started an HIV is privileged to my progress.

September 1, 2012
It was a very surreal moment. Staring at two white and one blue
pill in my hand brought a flood of thoughts that have passed my
mind in the last three and a half years, most of them suppressed.
I know that HIV isnt killing me, but what I do know is that I
finally need help to get my virus under control. Its a very sobering
thought that I need help. Ive always thought of myself as a trooper,
able to push through anything. Thats how I approached HIV.
Apparently some battles are too large for me to fight on my own. I
know this isnt me showing any signs of weakness.
My first entry was a very emotional one for me. I often
wondered if keyboards show tear stains like writing paper does.
My emotions arent running as high now Ive grown
accustomed to being on medicine now. Ive defeated the demon
that was telling me I was sick because I was taking medicine.
All I think about now is tomorrow.

September 19, 2012
Im not usually one to complain, but my doctors appointment left
me completely exhausted. It started at 7:30 in the morning and
ended around 6 in the evening.
This study is going to prove to be rewarding for others, but
right now it sucks for me. I had blood drawn every hour on the
hour for the close to 12 hours I was there. The goal was to see the
progression of the medicine in my blood throughout a day.
That visit was truly the visit from hell. The first few weeks on
the medicine left me tired physically and mentally. I had to
adhere to taking my medicine at a very strict time of 8 a.m. for
the first month or two.
I wasnt used to getting up before 10 in the morning. I know
an hour and a half doesnt seem like a lot, but just the thought
of it was enough to slow my body down drastically. I now be-
lieve that keeping my life simple and stress-free has helped me
immensely with my energy.

October 11, 2012

Ive fallen victim to the superficial gods of the gay community.
Last night I was at porn bingo to visit my friend that was appearing
there. He tried to get me to take my shirt off, and I was quite
embarrassed.
I dont look like I did three years ago. Im certainly not out of
shape, but God knows I wish I was back to where I was. I have
such a fear of having that AIDS look. Gay people know what
lipodystrophy looks like and who has it. Im so self-conscious
about my appearance, just as I was when I was in high school.
I have to admit that I still havent addressed my weight in the
way that I wanted to.
Im still so self-conscious about my appearance that I find
myself not wanting to be naked in front of my boyfriend until
the lights are off. Im trying my best, but my best doesnt seem
to be enough. I am resolute that I will be in the shape I want to
be, just not right now.

48 | THE MIRROR | WINTER 2012/13

October 25, 2012
I think stigma affects every single person in the world in one form
or another, some of us more than others.
As a gay man with HIV, I believe I face a specific stigma from
both the gay and heterosexual communities. People think Im
dirty. When a guy I completely hit it off with holds reservations
back from me because he doesnt want to hurt my feeling means
stigma still exists. He was afraid of me, he was afraid of my HIV. I
just dont get it. To me, a person is taking the same risk knowing
my status as opposed to not knowing some other person. Yet
people still think they can get insta-AIDS just by drinking after
me.
November 15, 2012
Half way through my third month on HIV medication and Im
feeling like Im back at week one.
Ive been battling stomach issues so much the last week. I dont
know what is going on. I talked to my doctor over the phone, and
he too is confused as to the reasons behind these stomach issues.
Hes thinking to have me go and get tested for Crohns Disease.
I told him that a sensitive stomach runs in the family. Ive had
to miss work because of these issues and I find my productivity
slipping.
Ive been so fatigued and dehydrated. The dehydration
comes from constantly having to go to the bathroom, and not
replenishing my liquids like I should be. The fatigue keeps me in
bed when Im not in the bathroom. I then have to push myself
harder at work when I do feel up to par, just so I dont fall behind
on my assignments.
I want work to be in the paper what journalist doesnt want to
be in print? But, Ive had to hold things off or completely disregard
them because like my stomach, theyre time-sensitive.
All I have to say is thank God I have a boyfriend two months
after this was written. I was so discouraged that I wasnt going
to find a person in my city that could see me for just me not
for what is inside me. My boyfriend is positive like me, so
that has helped me a lot with dealing with my medication. He
knows what Im going through. He can sympathize when I tell
him my stomach is giving me trouble. Dating him means so
much to me. Im a lucky guy.
Issues with my stomach are going to continue, I think. My doc-
tor and I discussed the situation of me having Crohns because
treating me for it will be difficult since we dont know how the
medication will react. Im trying to adjust my diet to my stom-
ach the best I can, but it doesnt seem to be working. I cant
get in to see a specialist any time soon because apparently
everyone in Broward County has stomach issues like me. I just
want it to all to go away.
All in all, my experience with this medication has been a
positive one. I dont regret starting it. The main reason I set
out on this journey was the chance to help others and myself. I
hope people will benefit from me taking this medicine, because
I know it has helped me. I feel as if I have been given a shot of
adrenaline. My energy has returned, and Im able to do things
I hadnt in four years. The gym isnt taxing anymore and my
job doesnt suck the life out of me. Aside from the medication,
I think quitting Starbucks and starting at a newspaper was the
best decision for me. I leave work now with new worries my
stress has nearly vanished. I dont have to worry about anyone
elses responsibilities except for mine now.
Three months of four years down, and a lifetime of happiness
and health to look forward to.
WINTER 2012/13 | THE MIRROR | 49
SPIRIT
Continued From 47
Robert Mapplethorpe
Photographer. Gay. He was known for his large-scale, highly
stylized black and white portraits, photos of flowers and
nude men, which featured homoeroticism. He died in 1989
at the age of 42. His work lives on through The Robert
Mapplethorpe Foundation, which also funds medical
research in the fight against AIDS.
50 | THE MIRROR | WINTER 2012/13
Elizabeth Glaser
Activist. Straight. Founded the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric
AIDS Foundation. Contracted AIDS through a blood transfu-
sion and passed the virus to both of her children. Her daugh-
ter Ariel died in 1988. Glaser died in 1994 at the age of 47.
(www.PedAIDS.org)
Gia Carangi
Model. Bisexual. Some consider her to be the first
supermodel. After she became addicted to heroin, her
modeling career declined. Also one of the first famous
women to die from AIDS. She died in 1986 at the age
of 26. (www.GiaCarangi.com)
WINTER 2012/13 | THE MIRROR
52 | THE MIRROR | WINTER 2012/13
GAY PORN
Continued From 40
game changes if a guy is one
of those with a body that is
insane or a huge dick.
Frost agrees with Raz, but
takes it a step farther saying
that a persons personality
can outshine the lack of cer-
tain features.
I really believe that one
needs to have a good per-
sonality and a good head on
their shoulders to make it in
this business.That or a good
agent holding their hand the
entire way, Frost said.
Frost said hes seen his fair
share of hot guys that dont
make it past the year or two-
year mark because they lack
one or both of those two im-
portant characteristics.
This is a tough, cut throat
business, especially when
the cameras are off. If a
model is not careful, they
can get lost in it all very
quickly, Frost said. His boy-
friend is the one that keeps
him grounded, sane and true
to who he really is.
Hot body check.
Nice ass check.
Big dick check.
Now what?
Raz offers one last piece of
advice to prospective future
porn stars. Be sure you want
this.
I say the same thing ev-
ery time someone asks me
to get them into porn, make
sure this is what you want to
do, because it is going to be
around forever, Raz said.
If twenty years down the
road you dont want people
seeing it, dont do it, he
added.
Raz has a point. Unless
youre the one that invents it,
theres no magic delete but-
ton on the Internet.
WINTER 2012/13 | THE MIRROR | 53
COVER STORY
Continued From 37
54 | THE MIRROR | WINTER 2012/13
How did you become an HIV
activist?
After I finished freaking out in
the early years, I felt I needed to
give back and become a part of
this movement, especially since
Im one of the fortunate ones
doing well. I started delivering
foods with Gods Love We
Deliver while I was on lunch at
work. Basically its for people
who are home bound with
AIDS. You bring them food.
I would run around and
deliver to like 10 people and go
back to work. I was supportive
of AIDS walks and the charity
events that would go on as well.
And then Project Runway came
along. I had been positive for like
18 years already. The producers
asked me if I would talk about
it on the air. And I was like,
Me? Yeah, I dont care. I didnt there, bigger than life and say,
really think about the impact
that would have. But the HIV
community was so desperate
for some person to relate to it.
Overnight it exploded. Except
for the winner of the season,
the producers were like, You
have the most press requests of
anyone weve ever had on the
show. People were just dying
to hear my story. It was crazy.
But then I started to think that
maybe this is my new purpose
in life, be an activist and role
model for those who cant
speak on their own and dont
have a voice.
Lately, Project Runway has
been doing some all-star
shows. Will we see you on a
future season?
[Laughs] No. I love the show
and franchise and I totally
support it, but that ship sailed
for me.
Why do you think you had such
an impact on the show despite
having to withdraw from
competition early?
That one moment of saying
Im HIV positive and they
show me Im taking my pills.
It looks like Im taking 500
pills but actually I was taking
a lot of multi-vitamin pills as
well. They made it this very
dramatic moment, which is
fine, for some people it really
needs to be dramatic. If I would
have just said off the cuff, Oh,
by the way, Im HIV positive,
which is how I act, I think most
of America would have been
like What? I dont get that. For
me, its really commonplace but
for most people its like, What
the fuck? It was a big moment
for a lot of people, especially
young people, who cant relate
to Magic Johnson. Or dont
think they know anyone thats
HIV positive.
How did the show affect your
HIV activism?
People feel really shameful and
isolated. So for me just to be out
Here I am. Heres my story.
I think a lot of people really
appreciate that. So thats why I
continue to do it. People always
say, Oh, youre always naked.
Well, you know what, Im
from the Ben Cohen school of
thought. He has this amazing
organization, the Ben Cohen
StandUp Foundation, and hes
like, If I take my clothes off
and people pay attention to my
issues that Im speaking about,
Im happy to do it. I feel the
same way. I know if I do an
article and just talk about HIV
activism people will appreciate
it, and say, Thats nice. But
if I take my shirt off and show
my ass, ten times more people
will read the article so thats my
approach.
Anything else youd like to
add?
If there is anyone who is HIV
positive out and are freaking
out, feel free to reach out to me.
Im totally accessible. Its really
easy to get a hold of me. I have 5
Facebook pages. Im on Twitter.
Im the only Jack Mackenroth in
the whole world. Single? And
dating like a tramp. [Laughs].
43, but feel free to typo that
and I also live in South Beach.
Near Flamingo Park. Lennox.
WINTER 2012/13 | THE MIRROR
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