No. 615 • December 27, 2018 outwordmagazine.com “Aquaman” Muscles Into Movie Theaters page 17 A Queer Cruise With Kesha page 6 Out & About Pics page 12 Grab A Slice Of Pie at “Waitress” page 18 A Trio Of Soundtrack CDs page 22 Outword How to Beat the Holiday Blues by Patrick Ma round the holidays, there is often an expectation that on loved ones, and don’t put pressure on the we will all be our happiest selves. With the focus on holidays to be extraordinary. You and your Staff family members are only human, so every holiday cheer and time with family, there can be immense day might not be perfect or magical – and PUBLISHER A that’s ok. Fred Palmer pressure to live up to the expectations of this festive season. ART DIRECTOR/PRODUCTION For those living with mental illness, the or your kids want or expect out of the 5. Get enough sleep and exercise. It Ron Tackitt stress and pressure of the holidays can often holidays, but don’t forget that your needs are might seem like a small thing, but getting cause increased anxiety, depression or other just as important. If you need to take an the sleep you need every night can keep you GRAPHIC DESIGN mental health problems. In a little healthier and happier. Sleep Ron Tackitt Sacramento County alone, it is deprivation can heighten emotions EDITOR estimated that nearly 300,000 and cause unnecessary, added stress. [email protected] residents are living with a mental Exercising is often neglected during illness, which means we all need to this time of year but is crucially ARTS EDITOR bring understanding and kindness to important in my self-care toolbox, as Chris Narloch our selves and each other as we greet it boosts the much-needed this holiday season. SALES neurotransmitters for a balanced and Fred Palmer Dealing with stressors and happy mind. Exercising also increases pressures, whether work-related or the beneficial effect of medications CONTRIBUTING personal family issues, can become taken by those living with mental WRITERS more complex during this time of illness. Exercise does not necessarily Chris Allan year. mean you have to run a half Matthew Burlingame As a gay Asian man living with Emily Desanto depression, I struggled for many years marathon, but a 30-minute brisk walk Corey Egel trying to find out who I am and around the neighborhood three times Diana Kienle a week can really help. Chris Narloch where I belong. The holidays and Charles Peer associated family gatherings can be particularly difficult times, as both 6. It’s ok to ask for help. As a PHOTOGRAPHY poor-intentioned and well-intentioned Physician Assistant student, I learned Charles Peer probing questions from family that the holidays often bring about an Ron Tackitt members, friends and even increase in completed suicides and ON THE COVER acquaintances can have tremendous suicide attempts, as well as suicidal Jason Momoa as Aquaman in Warner Bros. impact on someone who is struggling ideation. If you are struggling, it’s ok Pictures’ action adventure “Aquaman.” with their mental illness and/or to reach out and ask for help. There sexuality. are plenty of resources available to DISTRIBUTION While this can be a difficult time, I you, and there are people who love Kaye Crawford have found a few different ways to Michael Crawford and care for you. Life is worth living, take care of myself during the Stop Stigma Sacramento Speaker Patrick Ma and help extends well beyond the ADVERTISING SALES holidays, and I hope they are helpful hour each day to read or meditate, make stressful holiday season. for you, too: As we approach the New Year, remember Northern California sure to set that time aside. (916) 329-9280 to take care of yourself, and keep in mind Fred Palmer 1. Don’t overbook yourself. There are 3. Spend time with people who support that the holidays may be a stressful time for often demands to be with family and friends, you. Make sure you invest time with people many of your family members and friends, National Advertising Representative but don’t overextend or exhaust yourself too. Reach out to loved ones who might be Rivendell Media who bring you joy and peace rather than (212) 242-6863 during the holidays. You owe yourself the those who cause friction or strife. It’s struggling with the pressure of the holidays, time to breathe and check in, to make sure common for people to want to spend time take the time you need for yourself, and you are in a healthy mental space. It’s ok to with their family, even though it causes enjoy this holiday season! be self-focused and say “no” to obligations/ additional stress for them, simply because If you want to learn more about the invitations in order to make time for holidays are supposed to be family-oriented. resources available for those living with self-care. Those who truly love you will Instead, I created my own “family” and mental illness in Sacramento County, visit understand and respect your space and time. spend quality time with them. http://www.stopstigmasacramento.org. Patrick (Hiep) Ma is a student at UC Davis 2. Do things that nourish you. It can be 4. Keep your expectations realistic. Be and is also a motivational speaker with the Outword Magazine Inc. easy to get caught up in what your parents practical about the money you are spending Stop Stigma Sacramento Speakers Bureau. Office 372 Florin Road, #133 Sacramento, CA 95831 PHONE: (916) 329-9280 FAX: (916) 498-8445 www.outwordmagazine.com [email protected] ISSN # 1084-7618 United States Library of Congress Nat. Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce Nat. Lesbian & Gay Journalist Association 4 Outword Magazine December 27, 2018 - January 10, 2019 • No. 615 outwordmagazine.com HIV Cure Crackdown inding a cure for HIV could come to a halt. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is putting all Ffederal research involving fetal tissue obtained from elective abortions on hold. This is already having an impact in the biomedical field, including shutting down a study using fetal tissue implanted into mice. Mice are one of the few animals that can A government spokesperson claims it also be infected with the HIV virus. A wasn’t the intention to stop research, rather, professor at the University of California, San merely asking to be notified of when Francisco, and an HIV researcher, has been additional procurement was necessary. leading a project targeting one of the most However, researchers claim they were not complex elements of HIV that has so far given the option to request additional tissue. been resistant to therapy. Researchers were The Trump Administration announced the planning on testing a potentially viable ban last year in order to placate social antibody that would prevent HIV from conservatives and anti-abortion activists. If developing reservoirs, which are cells that the research were given the go-ahead to are infected with HIV but do not produce the move forward, scientists say it would take a virus. year to get back to speed. Size Matters – Folsom Gives BIG! olsom Street Fair attracts all shapes and sizes (of people… we know what you were thinking!) and is the world’s largest Fleather and fetish event. What you may not know is that it is just one of many events organized by Folsom Street Events (FSE) that gives back to the community. Earlier this month, FSE distributed nearly $255,000 to Bay Area charities. Since the 1980s, the organization has donated more than $7 million to worthy causes in the San Francisco region and across the country. For more information on how to donate money and upcoming events, visit https://www.folsomstreetevents.org/ . outwordmagazine.com December 27, 2018 - January 10, 2019 • No. 615 Outword Magazine 5 Moderate Republicans Switching Parties ithin one week, four GOP lawmakers have switched platform only recognizing males and parties in Kansas. A registered Republican for 43 years, females, changing its stance on transgender and a GOP lawmaker for 10 years, Kansas State Senator identity. W Although she may have been the first to Barbara Bollier is now a Democrat. announce her intentions, three other Senator Bollier has a long history of administration and policies as one of the Republican lawmakers have followed suit bucking Republican leadership and is also in reasons for the switch. including Senator Dinah Sykes, favor of Medicaid expansion and supports However, the “final straw” was when state Representative Stephanie Clayton, and gay rights. She points to President Trump’s Republicans adopted language in its Representative Joy Koesten. Audra McDonald & Seth Rudetsky in San Francisco by Chris Narloch he unique concert series “Broadway @ The Herbst” returns to San Francisco this January with a live Tappearance featuring Broadway booster Seth Rudetsky and the one and only Audra McDonald. Music director and host Seth Rudetsky will welcome one of the greatest Broadway performers of all time for an up-close and personal concert with six-time Tony winning actress and singer, Audra McDonald. The format of the concert will be a seamless mix of intimate, behind-the- scenes stories prompted by Rudetsky’s funny, insightful and revealing questions, and the memorable music from McDonald’s stellar Broadway career. Seth Rudetsky and Audra McDonald will perform live on Sunday afternoon, January 20, 2019, at the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco. For more information, Audra McDonald visit https://www.sfwmpac.org/occasions/107595. A Queer Cruise With Kesha by Chris Narloch ou’re sure to be “dropping anchor” every night -- if you know Wrabel, plus “RuPaul’s Drag Race” faves Bob The Drag Queen, Detox, and Thorgy Thor.