HAPPENINGS AROUND TOWN
Now that Gay Pride 06’ is just a wonderful memory, it’s time to turn our attention to the events leading up to summer in Kansas City. What better way to kick off the summer than with a swim suit fashion show staged by our own KC Wave Swim Team, a benefit for KCAVP (Kansas City Anti Violence Project) and the Wave held at Bar Natasha June 9th? These boys and girls were having too much fun struttin’ their stuff for the packed bar that evening. The KC Wave are preparing for their trip to the Gay Games in Chicago, which start the weekend of July 15th. If there’s any room left in one of your pieces of luggage, let me know—and I dare say with those skimpy Speedos taking up very little room, there should be plenty of room for me to stow away. Best of luck to all the teams that will be participating in the Gay Games this year, I understand that Kansas City is sending quite a contingent of bowlers, runners, and swimmers.
I can’t go any further without a huge thank you to Cathy and Rose, the ladies that run the Dating Game at Bar Natasha and other venues around town. I was fortunate to have been chosen as a contestant for the June 8th event at Bar Natasha. Following somewhat loosely in the shoes of JW, fellow writer for Camp who set a precedent by winning a date with the first bachelor, I reluctantly took the stage armed with nothing but a breath mint and my memories of the original TV version of The Dating Game. Let me confess that I had two plants in the audience who were to signal with a gentle pull on the ears if the bachelor was my type. Thank you, Anne and Kory, for almost tearing your earlobes off! I must say that after I recovered from the initial wave of stage fright, the ham came out big time with each succeeding question. To make a long story short, the bachelor picked me for his date and this picture shows Nick and I having dinner after the show (see photo 1). In case any of you are wondering, yes, Nick and I have had several dates since then and I hope to continue that trend into the future. Cathy and Rose run a dating service called Business Casual and if Nick is any indication of the dates they have stored in their data bank, all of you should rush over there to sign up immediately.
I really need to mention the recent Heartland Men’s Chorus concert on June 11th, “A Homecoming,” which closed out their season. What a fitting tribute to the 20th anniversary of the chorus this compilation of music from past concerts was. Especially touching to me was the introduction of the director of the chorus, Joe Nadeau, who has been often in the media of late because of the controversial loss of his position as musical director of St. Agnes Catholic Church because he was an avowed homosexual, who would not renounce his position with the chorus and would not become celibate either, as the pastor and a handful of parishioners had requested. Come on, folks, is this not the 21st century? Are we spawning another group like the followers of Fred Phelps? I’m pleased to report that all the stress has not diminished Joe’s energy and capacity to direct this first-class chorale group. A number of the parishioners from St. Agnes were in the audience to show their support for Joe; I would suggest that perhaps these wonderful people might better serve their faith by practicing it at another parish.
On June 22nd, Michael L. and Josh S., along with the rest of the AIDS Walk committee, hosted a thank you dinner at Michael’s gorgeous townhouse. As you can see by the next picture (see photo 2), a good time was had by all. Michael says that all records were shattered in raising over $350,000 for four AIDS Service Organizations. Just a quick thank you from yours truly for being included among all the hardworking, dedicated volunteers that step up to the plate year after year; it’s humbling to be in such company. I also want to mention someone who deserves a lot of credit for his support not only for AIDS Walk but for almost every other LGBT community event during the year, John Kane from Miller High Life Sales. He’s a big guy with a big heart. I’m proud to call him and everyone connected with his organization, my friend.
CHANGES AROUND TOWN
The rumor mill is almost completely out of control this month. The Dixie Belle Warehouse Complex has advertised that they’re closing and four other bars are rumored to be closing or changing soon. Camp and certainly your’s truly will not spread rumors that have not been verified but here is what we do know. Although the Dixie Belle Complex is closing for good on July 2nd with a huge blowout on both Saturday and Sunday nights, it has not been decided what will happen to the property after the closing. Hopefully, the great atmosphere that is DB will somehow remain in the family. It looks like Missie B’s will have their new Sunday liquor license around the third week in July and according to Jan A, general manager, there will be a liquor bust and Tea Dance every Sunday. As far as Balanca’s is concerned, Jan told me that they will be forced to close temporarily for 21 days because of the Kansas City liquor control decision, but will reopen after that. One other obvious change is that we’ve heard NV is turning into a straight venue.They really never did much for the LGBT community even when they were a gay venue, so not a great loss as far as I am concerned. I’ll continue to keep you informed when I know more. Please check www.campkc.com for the latest developments as they occur and can be verified. As I mentioned in my column two months ago, the Dixie Belle has been an integral part of the Kansas City LGBT community for as long as I can remember and I for one will mourn the loss. My best wishes to all who are now and have been connected to the DB and especially to Johnny P who has done so much over the years in conjunction with Michael B to shape gay entertainment in Kansas City.
COMING UP AROUND TOWN
The excitement is building toward the Labor Day Weekend and the 14th Annual Show-Me State Rodeo(MGRA) at the Wyandotte County Fairgrounds. I’m especially interested since my debut at Gay Pride as a steer riding, bronc-busting, butch cowpoke (though I really don’t poke cows!) who managed to stay atop the mechanical bull long enough to sustain battle scars that will last me for quite awhile (see photo 3). If you see me out at the fairgrounds, please don’t encourage me to ride any more bulls—Chuck, that means you!
My friend Jeff has asked me to remind you to sign up for the Pridefloat Canoe Trip before July 5th. Pridefloat will take place July 13 through July 17. This year it promises to be “The canoe trip your mother warned you about!” There will be a hog roast, a free beer bust, and of course the usual contests for best-decorated and themed camp site. The theme this year is “Niangua Valley PTA.”. With that in mind, you clever queens should be able to come up with some great décor ideas.
Speaking of contests, I will have a lot to talk about and, if I learn to use my camera, a lot of pictures of my birthday bash/ luau, which will conclude with a sarong- grass skirt contest. I hope to settle once and for all the question of just what do those boys wear under their sarongs? Until next month, remember to utilize the advertisers. They are the reason we’ve been able to bring you a quality newspaper every month for over
two years.
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.