Alpha Chi Upsilon creates unique sisterhood

For those searching for female bonding, Alpha Chi Upsilon is waiting with arms open to lesbians everywhere.

Wanting to create a unique sisterhood filled with diversity and unity, April Blair founded the Alpha Chi Upsilon Sorority (AXY) in July 2005. The sorority has grown during the past year with four chapters sprouting up in Memphis, Houston, Philadelphia, and more recently in Nashville.

“I realized that there was a large need for more diversity in the lesbian community. I wanted to found an organization where women of all backgrounds, races, and classifications could come together in the name of unity, diversity, and sisterhood,” Blair said.

Members do not have to be students to join Alpha Chi Upsilon; however, all members are expected to uphold the sorority’s professional name and, therefore, must be employed or a student to be an active member.

“AXY is considered a non-collegiate sorority. We allow women the opportunity to pledge who were denied the experience because of their sexual orientation or who feel that they were not able to truly be themselves in the college sorority they may previously have joined,” Blair said.

The sorority does not exclude members of certain races, gender identities, or sexual orientations. The whole rainbow—and its allies—are invited to rush.

Erin Swinney and her partner, Jennifer Lake, founded the Nashville chapter.

“As founding members we have been given a certain amount of freedom with choosing an area of the GLBT community to focus on. For the Gamma Chapter, we want to delve into GLBT history and help GLBT teens, especially those who have been evicted for who they are,” Swinney said.

Alpha Chi Upsilon is active in the community and volunteers for AIDS awareness and safe sex awareness. They hold monthly mixers and town hall meetings to discuss items that affect the gay community as a whole.

The Gamma Chapter has four members and is excited about expanding in the Middle Tennessee area.

“Whether you are masculine, feminine or a bit of both, there is a place for you in Alpha Chi Upsilon Sorority,” Swinney said.

For more information visit www.AlphaChiUpsilon.com.

WhistlePig + Alfa Romeo F1

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.

Keep readingShow less
by Spectrum Medical Care Center

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.

Keep readingShow less

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.

Keep readingShow less