For nearly 10 years, the Kansas City Anti-Violence Project (KCAVP) has assisted local victims and survivors of anti-LGBT violence. At the same time, it reaches out to the community to raise awareness of these offenses with the intent of preventing them. With a newly installed executive director and the possibility of fresh partnerships, KCAVP hopes to continue fulfilling its mission well into the future.
Justin Shaw, the new executive director, gave fair warning to look for a new, big, signature KCAVP event next year, which will be the group’s 10th anniversary. Shaw comes from a performing arts background, having moved over to KCAVP from the Unicorn Theatre. He plans to earn a master’s degree as part of his career change to the nonprofit sector.
KCAVP also has three more full-time staff members: Lindsey Moore, victim advocate; Diane Beal, outreach and education coordinator; and Santiago Vásquez, outreach and education associate. Beal has substantial experience with nonprofit work, and Moore is the senior advocate at KCAVP. Vásquez joined the team after doing similar work in Wichita. Volunteers and board members round out the contingent at Kansas City Anti-Violence Project.
Started in 2003 by Doug Riley, KCAVP operates as a Missouri 501(c)3. As with other Kansas City-area nonprofits, it must navigate the maze of grant funding in both Kansas and Missouri in order to do its bi-state work. The group also accepts private donations, which may be used with more discretion than grant dollars. To donate to KCAVP, go to kcavp.org.
On Oct. 20, KCAVP hosted its annual fundraiser, “Bowl a ‘Strike’ Against Violence,” at Ward Parkway Lanes.
Training and outreach
KCAVP provides training and outreach to the LGBT com-munity and the broader community. Training can be tailored to fit each group, and KCAVP can provide speakers and discussion panels to corporate, law enforcement or other interested groups. You might find KCAVP staff in the community at events such as Pride, AIDS Walk, Transgender Day of Remembrance, or staffing a table at LGBT-inclusive events. The group plans more outreach to bars in the future.
Needs assessment and support
When a client calls KCAVP or contacts an advocate online to report an incident of violence, that client’s confidentiality is guaranteed. Contradictory to a stereotype, it is not just people low on funds who should use this resource. Everyone should have an awareness of what anti-LGBT crimes are and know that she, he or zie deserves to be safe. Knowing the symptoms of an unhealthy relationship can aid in reinforcing this awareness. If you are a victim, call – no matter who you are, no matter the size of your paycheck or social standing. Encourage others to do so, as well.
KCAVP will work with victims to assess their situations and needs, identify resources and, if necessary, provide referrals. Staff can help obtain orders of protection and provide personal support and assistance during Kansas City area court proceedings.
KCAVP can also provide assistance such as short-term housing, transportation, food and other necessities to victims. The group provides 10 free counseling sessions for victims of anti-LGBT violence with a licensed therapist.
There are three types of anti-LGBT violence: bias crimes, sexual assault and domestic violence.
Bias crimes are also known as hate crimes. These are offenses committed against a person or property out of hatred for who the victims are or the perception of who they are. The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 extended federal recognition of bias crimes to include those committed based upon actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability.
Sexual assault is sexual contact committed without a person’s consent. Legal definitions vary by jurisdiction. With the advent of modern technology — online dating sites, proximity detectors and the like — it can be easy to find yourself in a potentially dangerous situation more quickly than ever. KCAVP has tips about taking precautions during events, outings or meetings.
October was Domestic Violence Awareness Month. KCAVP’s website explains how to recognize the signs of abuse from an intimate/domestic partner or spouse. KCAVP does statistical reporting to the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP), including domestic violence (intimate-partner violence). NCAVP’s report for 2011 concerning LGBTQ and HIV-affected (LGBTQH) intimate-partner violence showed a 22.2 percent drop in reports of LGBTQH intimate-partner violence, but the report documents 19 homicides — the highest number ever recorded in this category. The 2010 report showed six.
According to Shaw, the Los Angeles anti-violence entity lost its funding for last year. This fact and others, such as inconsistent methodology, make this report imprecise. But the homicide statistic alone is extremely alarming. If you suspect that you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, go to KCAVP.org to learn the signs. Help those around you, especially young people, to understand what constitutes a healthy LGBT relationship.
Help from police
In the past, the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) has not been receptive to the idea of a specific LGBT community liaison within its structure. However, recent interactions with both Police Chief Darryl Forté and Lisa Pelofsky, president of the KCPD Board of Commissioners, have given Shaw reason to be optimistic along these lines.
“We don’t automatically call the police,” said Shaw, referring to KCAVP’s policy of client confidentiality. Therefore the statistics about anti-LGBT crimes can differ between police and anti-violence groups. Working together to stop violence would be a welcome enhancement.
Please store KCAVP’s number — 816-561-0550 — in your cell phone. You can sign up for the newsletter at KCAVP.org.
Kansas City
Anti-Violence Project
www.kcavp.org
info@kcavp.or
816 561-0550
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.