April 19, 2010
Dear Friends:
We thought it best today to address concerns regarding the Power & Light District Pride event.
First, let us say to the entire community....our mission statement reads as follows:
The mission of Show Me Pride is to Partner, Respect, Inspire, Develop and Educate our community promoting LGBT diversity and civil liberties locally and globally.
Since last year's Pride and with the help of a group of tireless volunteers, we have reached out to as many of our organizations as we could to glean feedback and requested changes for Pride 2010. In addition, we conducted a comprehensive survey - with nearly 400 respondents over 75 days - that asked pointed questions about each of our events, exhibitors, sponsors, and other relevant topics.
From all of these responses and taking into account social, fiscal, and liability issues - it was clear that the traditional Friday night event had to change. And as a result, we started a venue search committee to look at locations, activities, and ways to bring Friday's kick off Pride event in line with our mission statement and make it more dynamic than the "party held in the streets" - as so many of the leaders of our organizations and respondents indicated it had become.
Several venues were considered for the event. By far the best offer came to us from The Power and Light District. The District came to us with a proposal that would eliminate fiscal concerns and considerable liability issues - and one that allowed us to fully realize every aspect of the mission statement above. Not one other venue provided us all that the District event offered us.
We now have the opportunity to partner with an organization that for the first time in many years that will take our entire community into the heart of the city and provide us high profile recognition for who we are. It gives us the chance to garner respect for being the amazing individuals we all are and to show our respect to an organization who recognized the meaningfulness of a great Pride event by offering the space and all associated costs free of charge to our organization.
In the new venue, we will have access to technology and facilities (such as jumbotrons, stage, lighting, facilities with covered spaces) that will produce moments for our community never before offered by any Pride organization. I guarantee that it will inspire not only our community....but our straight allies as well. We get the chance to develop a working relationship between two organizations that would advance human rights in our city and inspire others to do the same. And finally, we get to educate our community and our city about who the LGBT community is...what we mean to our society...to our nation...and to our world.
After again consulting key organizations and leaders within our community and taking into consideration the Pride mission and objectives, it was determined to accept the Power and Light offer and move in that direction as it seemed the clear choice by the majority.
Because every decision has pros and cons, there are naysayers. Unfortunately, the negativity espoused by groups opposed to this venue, has gone from constructive criticism to a hurtful and destructive tone.
It has never been our agenda - nor will it be - to do an event that will discriminate against any member of our community nor partner with any organization that does. It has not been our experience to see any prejudice against the LGBT community by the Power and Light District. In fact, quite contrary evidence as been demonstrated. They have hosted Bloom and BeerFest for KC Free Health Clinic, the AIDS Bicycle Challenge, and now our Power the Light with Pride. Not to mention NAACP events on the calendar for this summer.
It is not our agenda, nor will it ever be, to partner with anyone simply to gain financially without knowing that they support and advance our civil and human rights as individuals and as a community. As evidenced above, Power and Light has demonstrated their financial commitment to us, to our community by donating the space, the technical elements, the security, and the administrative efforts to sponsor and host this event, all the while recognizing the importance of our community to express our individuality by making this an event where our community is welcomed to express themselves.
When we sought his guidance and advice on how to handle this issue, Reverend Kurt Krieger aptly pointed out that we all have paths to take. We invite protesters of Pride's Power and Light event to join us on our path. To understand that we are doing everything we can to advance your voice, your rights, your future. We understand that you may not be able to do that - but, we feel the necessity to point out that our organization would never try to unite any aspect of our community to protest you...your cause.....your organizational structure...or your beliefs. Such action is divisive and hurts the overall efforts of the LGBT community.
We took the time to meet with leaders of your protest for an entire afternoon and to provide acceptable compromises and prompt responses to your questions. Needless to say, we were blindsided by the facebook page that was created to protest not only the venue, but our organization as well. Note that as recently as last week, we offered a meeting between your leaders and P&L, only asking for them to provide meeting time options that worked for THEM, and as of this letter no response.
We have the written support of several LGBT organizations as well as statements of support from leaders within those organizations regarding our efforts this year -including plans for this event. We hope you'll join them - and us - in trying to show Kansas City the united force we can be. If not, we understand. You are on your path and we are on ours.
We look forward to seeing everyone at The Power and Light District on Friday night for "Power the Light with Pride" - sure to be an amazing event in LGBT history. With entertainment by the likes of Kansas's own Kristie Stremel, The Transients, The Bar-B-Q's, international sensation La Roux, our very own nationally recognized DJ Jerry Griffith, as well as the first remarks by Gilbert Baker, native Kansan and creator of the rainbow flag. Even videos of well wishes from local, national, and international supporters. We've planned an evening that shows Kansas City just what a celebration of LGBT Diversity is all about.
The rest of Pride week is equally exciting and we are so anxious to bring you each and every event that we are beginning to feel and see the goosebumps on our skin as we talk about them in committees. Join us that week for the following:
The Graffiti T-Dance
The Military Memorial
The premiere screening of Beyond Gay: The Politics of Pride
An art exhibit, In Hate We Trust, a co-operative with KCAVP
Our first ever Lesbian party, Educational Symposiums, Interfaith Services, Quilt Dinner with OutMusic Award Winner Nhojj (who's video has been #1 on MTV's most watched videos)
The festival itself, at Penn Valley Park on June 5th & 6th, with so many new and revived activities, including a KidZone (complete with inflatables, toys, and a performance by Happy Faces Entertainment), the return of the mechanical bull and the MGRA
Our first ever Gay Volleyball tournament
Competitions by bartenders and drag queens, entertainers that encompass local, regional, and national entertainment,
The return of your parade on Sunday
...we are working endlessly to give you a festival that encompasses all you asked for with respect to all aspects of our community and events that are sure to have something for everyone.
Join us, won't you! May 31 - June 6. In the meantime, please visit our website at www.gaypridekc.com and click on Festival Week for all the latest information updated daily. You can also find our facebook page at Pride KansasCity or follow us on twitter @gaypridekc.
We invite you to attend our next meeting on May 5 at Spirit of Hope MCC Church, 3801 Wyandotte at 7:00 pm. We look forward to bringing you the 32nd annual Show Me Pride Festival and can't wait to see you at one or all of the events.
Thank you!
Rick Bumgardner (President)
Josh Krueger (Vice-President)
Matt Snyder (Treasurer)
Amanda Schuster (Secretary)
and the rest of the Show Me Pride Board (see About Us tab on website)
WhistlePig and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Wind Tunnel-Trialed Whiskey Is a Ryed You Don’t Want to Miss
SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.
The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.
Like Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s signature C43 racing vehicles, trial barrels were tested in the team’s wind tunnel in Switzerland before hitting the track. Select barrels then endured varying levels of G-Forces at the WhistlePig farm and distillery for the finishing touch, accelerating the interaction between the whiskey and the wood, staying true to the physical nature of Formula 1.
“Partnering with WhistlePig has been a very exciting experience. Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake is dedicated to being the best on the track, and the crew at WhistlePig is fearless in their pursuit to create the best whiskey out there,” said Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “We’re really looking forward to fans tasting our custom Rye Whiskey and raising a glass to the rookies, veterans, legends and the exhilarating sport of F1.”
"Joining forces with WhistlePig to release a Single Barrel Rye Whiskey that represents my culture and team has been an honor,” said Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “Formula 1 brings together fearless, thrill-seeking motorsports professionals, and WhistlePig has a shared passion for boundary-pushing innovation. Together, we’ve selected something alarmingly good for fans to enjoy this season when the cars are not on track.”
The Limited Edition Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel will be available for purchase online starting around September 13 for $49.99 MSRP per 750ml bottle and sold in select stores across the U.S. Consumers can win VIP merchandise by scanning the QR code on the back of each bottle.
"We're taking our third Legends Series release on a ryed like never before,” said Meghan Ireland, WhistlePig Head Blender. "Our experiments with dynamic aging went full throttle during finishing trials at the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake wind tunnel, in turn inspiring new ways to expose barrels to G-forces back at the WhistlePig Farm. The herbal and floral notes of the lychee and tea barrel selected with the team create a new, podium-topping experience for PiggyBack Rye."
Fans and collectors have followed WhistlePig PiggyBack Legends Series, celebrating those who give 100% in the name of greatness, since its launch in March 2022 with Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, David Ortiz (“Big Papi”), followed by Country Music Duo Brothers Osborne in November 2022.
To learn more about WhistlePig Whiskey, visit whistlepigwhiskey.com. You can also check out WhistlePig Whiskey on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About WhistlePig Whiskey
Located off the grid on a 500-acre Vermont farm, WhistlePig Whiskey is crafted by a new generation of whiskey distillers and blenders driven to reinvent and unlock the flavor of Rye whiskey. Through their rebellious pursuit of experimenting and pushing boundaries in the industry, WhistlePig has become the leading independent craft whiskey brand for innovation. WhistlePig is committed to becoming the best whiskey on and for the planet, starting with its locally sourced ingredients and sustainable supply chain and distilling process. For more information, head to whistlepigwhiskey.com.
Nurse Practitioner Ari Kravitz
When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.
I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.
If you don’t have a primary care physician who specializes in LGBTQ+ care in your community, you may need to educate yourself (and your provider). But, before you seek such therapy, here are five things you should know!
- Monitor closely. At Spectrum Medical Care Center, we screen patients for certain risks before starting anyone on hormones. We frequently monitor patients in the first year to ensure there are no adverse reactions and lab results are within safe ranges. Follow-up care is also important to assess your comfort with the transition as well as the social impact and social support you’re experiencing.
- Some changes are permanent, some temporary. For transmasculine individuals going on testosterone, they’ll experience these permanent changes: deepened voice, clitoral enlargement (also known as bottom growth), more body, facial hair, and male pattern baldness. Reversible changes include cessation of menses, increased muscle mass and strength, body fat redistribution, and skin oiliness or acne. For those going on estrogen therapy, the most permanent change is breast growth. Feminizing hormone therapy can also cause atrophy (shrinkage) of the genitals and loss of erectile function that may not be reversible. Estrogen will thin body hair, soften the skin, can increase scalp hair, and decrease muscle mass and strength, all of which are reversible.
- You can’t pick and choose results. Unfortunately, you can’t pick and choose the physical changes you want, which may feel challenging. Some of my patients will say, ‘Okay, ‘I’ve seen the permanent changes I want, and I don’t want it to go any further,’ and so at that point, we stop therapy. Low-dose hormone therapy can slow down the rate of changes, allowing for a more gradual physical transition. We counsel patients in advance about the common changes, and it’s up to the individual as to when they’d like to scale back and determine whether some benefits are worth the potential risks.
- Be aware of risks. Like any medical treatment, there are potential risks involved. Some risks with testosterone therapy include increased red blood cell mass, acne, hypertension, sleep apnea, weight gain, and dyslipidemia (increases the chance of clogged arteries). Cardiovascular disease is likely increased with additional risk factors for testosterone and estrogen therapy. Transfeminine patients going on estrogen therapy may experience weight gain, thromboembolic disease (when a blood clot breaks off and blocks another blood vessel), and a high level of triglycerides in the blood.
Descanso Resort swimming pool and lounge area
Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!
Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.
"Our entire team is honored to be named Best of the Best. To be the only gay men's resort recognized in the Top 1% is incredibly humbling," said Kent Taylor, General Manager at Descanso. "We appreciate Tripadvisor and we're grateful to all our guests who gave us such high marks and reviews to help us reach this achievement."
“Ranking among the Best of the Best demonstrates that you have provided exemplary experiences to those who maZer most: your guests,” said John Boris, Chief Growth Officer at Tripadvisor. “With changing expectations, continued labor shortages, and rising costs, this is no easy feat, and I am con6nually impressed with the hospitality industry’s resilience and ability to adapt.”
Santiago Resort was once again honored by Tripadvisor with a 2023 Travelers’ Choice award, placing it among the top 10% of travelers’ top reviewed des6na6ons. Twin Palms will become eligible for ranking in 2024.
Check out all the reviews, and discover more about Descanso Resort on Tripadvisor here. We have an excellent library of resort imagery available to accompany editorial and additional resources on our press page. Please contact Descanso Resort’s General Manager, Kent Taylor, at kent@descansoresort.com for further information.
About Descanso Resort
Inspired by Palm Springs’ history as a des6na6on for Hollywood stars to unwind in privacy, Descanso offers guests a casual yet modern take on the legendary style of that 6me. Created by the same hospitality team that revitalized Palm Springs’ much-loved San6ago Resort and recently launched the all-new Twin Palms Resort, the Descanso property opened in 2022 featuring 15 spacious guest rooms with custom-designed furniture, dreamy King-size beds, and luxe details. Ameni6es include continental breakfast, poolside lunch, welcome snack basket, and lots of special touches. For guests who need to stay connected, the entire property is equipped with blazing-fast Wi-Fi. Mul6-speed bikes are available for exploring the surrounding midcentury neighborhoods and public art installations. Like the Hollywood stars before them, guests at Descanso are encouraged to unwind, relax, and rest in style.
About Tripadvisor
Travelers across the globe use the Tripadvisor site and app to discover where to stay, what to do and where to eat based on guidance from those who have been there before. With more than 1 billion reviews and opinions of nearly 8 million businesses, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to find deals on accommodations, book experiences, reserve tables at delicious restaurants and discover great places nearby.