City Slickers

Troy Vaughn had his sights set on a condo in East Nashville when the high rises pushing their way into the downtown skyline caught his eye in 2008.

A side-by-side comparison of the perks of each neighborhood sealed the deal for the Encore Condominiums building on 3rd Avenue and Demonbreun Street.

“It really came down to amenities,” Vaughn said. Those amenities include a 24-hour gym, a rentable movie theater lined with rows of easy chairs, an outdoor pool and 24-hour concierge service.

For more information on
Live it UP Downtown! visit nashvilledowntown.com

Amenities like this, along with the allure of urban living, are drawing gay men downtown in droves.

Those interested in joining Vaughn and the thousands of other downtown residents in posh apartments and condos can get a taste of urban living on April 18 during the Live it Up! Downtown Home Tour, an event sponsored by the Nashville Downtown Partnership that will give participants the chance to tour several downtown housing options.

Vaughn, who lived in Nashville suburbs for seven years before moving downtown, cites a laissez-faire attitude toward homosexuality as a welcome surprise for him and his partner of three years, Randall Ratley.

“It's amazing how the gay thing is important in Brentwood and Murfreesboro, and downtown, thank god nobody cares. It was a lot more hospitable and a lot more open than I had thought,” he said. “It’s not just gay-friendly, it’s gay-don’t-matter.”

Vaughn attributes this ambivalent attitude to the characteristics many downtown residents have in common, what he calls the “dink factor” — Vaughn says most of Nashville’s downtown dwellers are dual-income households with no kids.

Moving downtown has also broadened Vaughn’s appreciation for what Nashville has to offer. When he lived in the suburbs, a trip downtown was often limited to the gay enclave on Church Street. Now, he says, visits to Play or Tribe are few and far between. Instead, he frequents a diverse set of bars and eateries within walking distance of his front door where everybody knows his name.

“It really becomes your neighborhood. You’re recognized as a local,” Vaughn said of his tight-knit downtown network. "I've cut my gas consumption almost in half because I don't drive anywhere. There really is no reason — everything's right there."

Vaughn harnessed his enthusiasm for his new neighborhood by joining the Urban Residents Association. He was recently elected president. The URA seeks to further unite the downtown community.

The organization works to increase social ties between downtown residents, strengthen their relationships with downtown merchants and harness the their political clout in relevant areas, including the construction of the new convention center and improved public transportation. Vaughn’s primary goal as president will be to expand the 400-member organization to 1,000 through increased awareness and vibrant marketing.

Vaughn’s condo has become a hub for friends looking to enjoy a night on the town. Susan Shurling, a close friend and East Nashville native, visits often.When they’re together, their collective passion for the city is palpable. Together, they recount stories of watching the downtown fireworks on July 4 from his balcony, hosting a “Wicked”-themed party at the condo before migrating to TPAC to see the musical in person, nabbing discounted tickets to the symphony and watching the signs of the skyline go dark during last year’s Earth Hour from Encore’s clubhouse deck.

“If I didn’t have two big dogs, I would live downtown,” Shurling said. “I love the environment of downtown and I love the possibility of downtown. I think we’re on a great trajectory right now.”

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