$10,000. postoperative care. The VA still does not matters of healkth provide the surgery. The Semenette A Boston entrepreneur, Stephanie Using Hook-up Apps Linked to Berman, has invented an ejaculating sex Increase STDs toy to help couples conceive and named it A report in Sexually Transmitted Infec- by Jack Carrel, MPH The Semenette. Berman said she came up tions, says gay and bisexual men who use Email: [email protected] with the idea while she and her wife were smartphone apps to meet other men for sex trying to get pregnant and the process just are at increased risk of some STDs. Ac- didn’t seem too sexy. So, If you want to Over the past few weeks I have been and ask “Do you have sex with men, women, cording to Matthew Beymer, the study’s know more, order one or help support the collecting news shorts on topics relating to or both?” According to the article, pub- lead author, men who used apps to meet development of The Semenette v.2 check LGBTQ health and have quite a collection lished in Nurse Practitioner journal, lesbi- other men where about 25% more likely to go to https://www.indiegogo.com/ so for this installment, I want to share some ans are screened at rates 5-18 percent test positive for gonorrhea, compared to explore?filter_title=semenette of those with you. lower than heterosexual women. men who only met men through in-person interactions and 42% more likely to be Defense Department to Provide Lesbians May Be at Higher Risk of Coming Out in High School is diagnosed with gonorrhea compared to Hormone Treatment men who used in-person methods and the Cervical Cancer Healthier The Defense Department recently Internet. App using men were also about Lesbians may be at a higher risk of Researchers at the University of Ari- confirmed they have approved hormone 37% more likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer because they get fewer zona have found that students who were treatment for Chelsea Manning, which is a Chlyamydia. The study did not find any screenings than heterosexuals, research- open about their sexual orientation or gen- first. Manning is the transgender soldier increased likelihood when it came to HIV or ers at the University of Washington have der identity in high school reported higher convicted of espionage in 2013. In the past, syphilis. reported. Part of this is due to doctor’s self-esteem and life satisfaction as young the Department has not permitted openly wrong assumptions about the women’s adults compared to those who were not transgender individuals to serve in the mili- HIV-negative Gay Men Contracting sexual history, said the researchers. Most open. Participants in the study who came tary or covered transition related health cases of cervical cancer are attributable to out in high school had lower levels of Hepatitis C Sexually care. The Veterans Health Administration the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is depression and this was consistent across In a study published in November Jour- has also approved all “medically necessary most commonly transmitted through het- genders and ethnicities. The study, by nal of Viral Hepatitis, researchers con- care” for intersex and transgender veter- erosexual sex. So doctors may assume Stephen Russell, was published in the ducted a retrospective study in a large ans, including hormone therapy, mental lesbians have only had sex with women but American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. [continued on 29] health care, as well as preoperative and the researchers found that most lesbians and their partners have had sex with men. University of Colorado Begins Other factors in lower screening rates in- Covering Transition Surgery clude lesbians not having health insur- include a Williams Birthday Bash that Threepenny Opera on Broadway. On As of July 1, 2015, the University of will feature Keir Dullea, Mia Dillon, and March 28 she’ll join the Broadway @ ance, not having a need for pregnancy Colorado will begin covering the cost of Bryan Batt (March 26 at the Hotel NOCCA series with pianist/host Seth prevention checkups, and not wanting to transition-related surgery for faculty and Monteleone); Blue Devils and Better Rudetsky for an evening of comic stories discuss their sexual orientation with their staff members. Students enrolled in the provider. Joachim Voss, one of the re- university’s health insurance plan already Angels: Tennessee Williams Tribute and songs searchers, stated that providers need to have coverage for the procedures up to which will offer readings by John Waters; It sounds like a SNL skit but appar- conduct an unbiased health assessment playwrights Martin (Bent) Sherman and ently The Stinky Cheese Man and John Patrick (Doubt) Shanley as well as Other Fairly Stupid Tales is a classic Dullea and Dillon (March 27 at The Old postmodern kids’ book from 1992. An- ing to watch the set change as the trodding the boards Ursuline Convent); and Truman Talks drew Vaught and Kristen Gremillion have interviews were being held. ...from 23 Tennessee, Joel Vig’s one-man show adapted these fractured and pulverized If, as part of the broadcast, we about Messrs. Capote and Williams fairy tales for the stage, and Lux et Bartók’s astringent modernist music. might not have gotten the full effect of (March 29 at the Hotel Monteleone). Umbra will be bringing it to the Old Superstar Anna Netrebko was con- the projections that Trelinski employed I enjoyed Claudia Baumgarten’s per- Marquer Theatre (2400 St. Claude Ave.) vincingly touching as the blind princess or the productions’ sense of scale, it’s formance as Dorothy Parker at last year’s March 12-22. who at first suffers from a mysterious a small price to pay for being able to Fringe Festival; for Williamsfest she’ll be Double Edge Theatre makes its sadness, and sang gloriously. Hand- experience such exemplary productions doing Parker’s short story The Waltz at regional debut at the CAC March 20-22 some Piotr Beczala as the loving Count of Iolanta and Bluebeard’s Castle Le Petit on March 28. Also on the 28th, with The Grand Parade, equal parts as well as the rest of Iolanta’s cast without going all the way to New York. at the HNOC’s Williams Research Cen- circus, vaudeville, and magical realism were excellent, as were Nadja Michael Judging from a short preview of La ter, will be the world premiere of The that evoke the creation, destruction and (Judith) and Mikhail Petrenko Donna del Lago, you won’t want to Palooka, a film based on a long-lost mythology of progress in the 20th cen- (Bluebeard) who both sustained the miss the broadcast of this Met pre- short play of Williams; Bryan Batt and tury. intensity of the Bartók. miere. Rossini’s bel canto success, Dane Rhodes are featured in it and will The destruction of a marriage will be If I preferred Iolanta, which started based on the novel by Sir Walter Scott, participate in a talk after the screening. examined in Rene’ J.F. Piazza’s revival of slowly but gained a stirring emotional stars DiDonato and Juan Diego Flórez; And if you can’t get enough of John Dinner With Friends at Le Petit, March potency as it went along, to Bluebeard, the live broadcast will be Saturday Waters (who can?) he’ll be interviewed 20-April 4. Donald Margulies’ Pulitzer which was powerful but about 10 rep- afternoon, Mar. 14, the encore is on by Laura Lippman about his book Car- Prize-winning play features Chelle Duke, etitious minutes too long, my compan- Wednesday, Mar. 18. sick, detailing his hitchhiking trip across Leon Contavesprie, Liz Launey, and Eddie America, on March 27 at the Monteleone, Simon as a foursome who socialized ion felt the opposite, favoring while on March 26, the “Pope of Trash” together for years until a divorce cracked Bluebeard’s ambiguity. Coming soon will bring his uncensored one-man show their seemingly solid friendships. What we both agreed on, how- I know it’s Lent but I hope you won’t John Waters: This Filthy World: I’m a sucker for all things tango and ever, was what a treat it was to have give up theater-going—there’s too much Filthier and Dirtier to the Joy Theater the clip from Unión Tanguera’s Nuit the enrichment that these cinematic going on! on Canal Street. It sounds delicious. Blanche (Sleepless Night) on NOBA’s broadcasts offer. The endearing so- 82-year-young Loretta Lynn will be ”Delicious” is probably not the word website looks absolutely fabulous. De- prano Joyce DiDonato hosted and in- at the IP Casino Resort Spa in Biloxi on to use for Suddenly Last Summer spite a mixed review in the NYTimes last terviewed Netrebko and Beczala mo- Friday, Mar. 20. If you’ve never seen this which Southern Rep is presenting fall, I’ll be eager to check this out March ments after they came offstage; it was legendary performer, DO NOT MISS through April 5 at the new Ashé Power- 20-22 at NOCCA’s Freda Lupin Memo- kinda fun to watch, despite DiDonato’s HER! If you have, I’m sure I don’t have to house Theater but if you come on March rial Hall. promptings, Netrebko refuse to say tell you that. It promises to be a memora- 21, I’ll try to make the pre-performance And how can RuPaul’s Drag Race: that Iolanta was a role she had always bly fun time. panel discussion which I’m moderating, Battle of the Seasons at the Civic The- wanted to sing. The 29th Tennessee Williams Fes- “Kill the Queer”: The Self-Loathing and atre on March 27 not be fabulous? After DiDonato then spoke with Russian tival will take place March 25-29. I’m Transformation of Tennessee Williams, all, it features Adore Delano, Detox, Ivy conductor Valery Gergiev, who lead delighted that the Hotel Plays will be as interesting as possible. Winters, Jinkx Monsoon, Alaska 5000, incisive performances of both operas; returning to the Hermann-Grima House Not sure if Ana Gasteyer has ever Sharon Needles, Cary NoKey, and our hearing him talk about how he pre- (albeit with a slightly different line-up of done any Williams but, in addition to her very own Bianca Del Rio with Michelle pared for this double bill was very one-acts); it was one of last season’s six year stint on Saturday Night Live, Visage hosting. I’m not sure how kosher highlights. informative. As always, it was fascinat- she’s done lots of theater including The it is for Lent but what do I know about such Other things I’m looking forward to Rocky Horror Show, Wicked and The things?

26 • The Official Mag©: AmbushMag.com • March 10-23, 2015 • Official Gay Easter Parade Guide© since 1999 • GayEasterParade.com GayMardiGras.com • SouthernDecadence.com • March 10-23, 2015 • Facebook.com/AmbushMag • The Official Mag©: AmbushMag.com • 27 ambush paparazzi

Bartenders Will, Urban & TJ invite Charlie Bear, bartender Jeff & Joe you to The Double Play @ Cafe Lafitte in Exile Bunny Boy Tone & Gold Sponsor/ EGM XIV Tommy Elias/The Corner Pocket join GEP's 7th Cutie Peter serving you great Eggstravaganza @ GrandPre’s cocktails @ Phoenix

Bartender Kevin slinging cocktail for GEP’s 5th Sponsorship Party Rawhide bartender John Breaux & @ Cutter’s June Pennick & EGM XVI Johnny Lafitte’s buddy with Two Guys Passion @ GrandPre’s for GEP's Cutting Trent & Adikus @ Phoenix 7th Eggstravaganza Catch the Queens of Dauphine the last Saturday of every month @ The Double Play

Reba Douglas catch’s the spirit @ The Golden Lantern for Jubilee every Sunday

Former bar back Jerek is now Lafitte’s newest bartender Albert catches the Litter Box ...congrats! Revue @ Tulane Ave Bar Tandie & Bert invite you to enjoy a service industry get away @ The Black Penny (formerly 9th Circle)

Mobile’s Jawakatema shows off Info available from LGBT+ Dingo with Pride Grand Marshal her coochie dollars during Jubilee Kenny, bartender Tony, Coco & Archives Project of Louisiana Persana Shoulders @ Oz @ The Golden Lantern Nicholas cocktailin' @ Phoenix during GEP's 7th Eggstravaganza @ GrandPre’s la scène sociale (the social scene) ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Double Play, Paul Melancon, Hubert S Monkeys, Rip Naquin la scène sociale (the social scene) ~ New Orleans Photos by Double Play,

Pride Grand Marshal Adikus Sulpizi & EGM XVI Misti Ates @ GrandPre’s for GEP's Bartender Chris & security Willie Poncho, Robert & Garth Bartenders Aletha & Ryan invite 7th Eggstravaganza having a day off @ Oz cocktailing @ Cafe Lafitte in Exile you to Bourbon Pub

28 • The Official Mag©: AmbushMag.com • March 10-23, 2015 • Official Gay Easter Parade Guide© since 1999 • GayEasterParade.com the legal corner

by Attorney Troy A. Tureau Email: [email protected]

Don’t Put Up With The Brutal Tactics Of Debt Collectors: Make Money From Them! At one time or another, most of us have been there, especially lately in these difficult financial times. The common scenario goes like this: You incurred a debt at a time when you were certain that you could afford it. Then some emergency in your life occurs – you lose your job, you have a medical emergency, your relationship ends, your roommate moves out and sticks you with all the bills –something that prevents you from paying your debt. Well, it doesn’t take long for the bill collecting activities to begin. Quite quickly, you begin to be bombarded by telephone calls and letters demanding payment. It almost always begins with the creditor attempting to collect payment, then a collection agency usually takes over. All too often, bill collectors resort to brutal tactics that rise to the level of harassment and are completely illegal. document. (These are the personal views of You don’t have to stand for it, and in some cases, you are entitled to receive monetary What should you do if you are con- Troy A. Tureau, and nothing here is in- damages! tacted by a debt collector? You might tended to be legal advice of any kind.) matters of health ...from 26 Don’t get me wrong, creditors have want to speak with the person to see if you Troy A. Tureau, J.D., L.LM., Attorney at a right to collect their debts, but they must can come to a resolution. Ask for verifica- Law, Compass & Tureau, LLC, 3801 British sexual health clinic. Among the HIV do so within the confines of the law. Our tion of the debt; a recent study reveals Canal St., Suite 301, New Orleans, LA negative who had Hep C, only one in five of country’s consumer protection agency, that false debt collection is now the num- 70119, [email protected] them had injected drugs (the most common the Federal Trade Commission, enforces ber two most popular fraudulent activity 504.308.1608. route of transmission) but 93 percent re- the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, behind identity theft. If, after doing so, ported recent condomless anal intercourse. (FDCPA) which prohibits the abusive, you decide that you want no further con- Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Evidence seems to be mounting that sexual unfair or deceptive practices of debt col- tact by them, send them a certified letter Tureau obtained his Bachelor of Arts intercourse is a more common route of lectors. The term “debt collectors” in- with a return receipt requested, ordering transmission for Hepatitis C than commonly from Louisiana State University with a thought. cludes debt collection agencies, collec- them to cease all contact. Be sure to major in Broadcast Journalism and a tion attorneys and companies that buy keep a copy of the letter and the signed minor in Political Science. He obtained Suicide Risks Lower at Protective delinquent debts. So what actions can return receipt for your records. Finally, if his Juris Doctorate in 1992 from Loyola Schools debt collectors legally take? Creditors you are sued, you should always respond Law School, New Orleans, and his L.LM. In a study published in the American can make direct communication with you, to the lawsuit by the required date or a in Environmental Law from Lewis and Journal of Public Health, Hatzenbeuhler they can contact third parties in an at- judgment could be taken against you and Clark Law school in 2008. He has been and fellow researchers found that students tempt to obtain your location, your phone your wages garnished or property seized. a member of the Louisiana State Bar who went to schools in states and cities with number and place of employment, they No person should be subjected to Association since 1992 and is a partner more protective school climates were at can file a lawsuit against you, obtain a the type of harassing, illegal tactics that at the New Orleans law firm, Compass lower risk of suicidal thoughts, plans, and judgment against you and garnish your some debt collectors resort to. In enact- & Tureau, LLC., which proudly serves attempts. At schools with the most protec- wages and they can repossess property ing the Federal Debt Collection Prac- the LGBT community. He is an Associ- tive school climates, suicidal thoughts were securing a debt. tices Act, Congress found that “[a]busive ate Professor at Ashford University, has nearly eliminated. Moral to the What can debt collectors not do? debt collection practices contribute to held adjunct faculty positions at the story….protect our youth! They cannot contact you before 8 a.m. or the number of personal bankruptcies, to College of The Desert and Kaplan Uni- after 9 p.m., they cannot continue to marital instability, to the loss of jobs, and versity and is a frequent speaker on Head Transplants for Transgender contact you at work if you inform them to invasions of individual privacy.” If any “Animal Law.” He is the author of many In the February 27th issue of Newsweek, either orally or in writing that you are not debt collector violates the provisions of written works, both fiction and nonfic- an article appeared regarding the Italian allowed to receive calls there, they can- the FDCPA, I urge you to contact me or tion, and is the founder of the recently neuroscientist, Dr. Sergio Canavero, who not contact you directly if they are aware another attorney within one year of the launched www.LGBTlegalforms.com, is researching head transplants. He sug- that an attorney is representing you in the violation in order take action against them. the first LGBT downloadable legal form gests this might be a possible solution for a matter, they cannot abuse, harass or While it won’t make a valid debt go away company in the world. He is married to number of physical conditions such as indi- oppress you or any third parties that they as when filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, his husband Michael of 10 years, and viduals with total body paralysis. In this contact. This includes, but is not limited taking action against them can possibly they are the proud parents of 12 year old article he suggests it might be a possible to, using obscene language, threatening procure for you a judgment against them option for individuals who feel trapped in Cole and their 4 year old Pekingese, their bodies. The procedure severs the harm or harassing by making repeated for $1,000 in damages (even if you can’t Ginger. head of the patient and attaches it to a phone calls. They cannot make false prove them and even more if you can donor body. Thoughts? statements of any kind to you or about prove them) plus a reimbursement for Easter DEADLINE: March 17 Jack Carrel, MPH is Director of Pre- you. For instance, they can’t threaten you attorney’s fees and court costs. vention for the HIV/AIDS Alliance for Region with arrest for not paying your debt or mail 504.522.8049 Two, Inc. and the Caring Clinic of Louisi- to you any documents that resemble an As always, I invite your comments [email protected] ana. official court or governmental agency and questions.

GayMardiGras.com • SouthernDecadence.com • March 10-23, 2015 • Facebook.com/AmbushMag • The Official Mag©: AmbushMag.com • 29 Dancers Blake & Mitch with Sasha Belle, Bradley & Kandy Ho from RuPaul’s Drag Race @ The Corner Pocket The Litter Box Revue @ Maybelline Maskara in Jubilee @ Tulane Ave Bar The Golden Lantern RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 7 @ House of Blues ambush paparazzi

Tulane Ave Bar’s Litter Box Revue Starr Alexander on stage @ Oz Matt & Tristan on the bar Armeinius Rush Party @ the @ The Corner Pocket Armeinius Den

Connie Hung gettin' them $$$ @ Matt, host Barry Bareass & Steven Oz New Orleans do Zingo @ The Corner Pocket King Armeinius Tim welcomes you Elizabeth Bouvier headlines to Armeinius’ Rush Party FourPlay @ an undisclosed location

Adrian, Stephen, Persana, Jaron & Bradley join RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 7 @ House of Blues Barbara Ella & fans of FourPlay Dancer Austin @ The Corner Pocket

Scott & Freddie host Armeinius Leggio, Hubert S Monkeys, Jeremy Weinberg attraper (catch it) ~ New Orleans Photos by Tony Rush Party

Blake & Steven with Zingo host RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 7 Opal & 2 guest ball boy customers @ House of Blues The Petronius Rush Party Oz sizzles on Saturday nights! @ The Corner Pocket

30 • The Official Mag©: AmbushMag.com • March 10-23, 2015 • Official Gay Easter Parade Guide© since 1999 • GayEasterParade.com