Discover Your City
For the last few months, OUTvoices Nashville’s print edition featured a new column—our first regular cooking column, “Joe Eats World.” This column is an extension of Morales’ work as a food blogger and chef and part of a larger project in what will soon become OUTvoices TV. Morales recently filmed the pilot episode of a “Joe Eats World” web-based television show.
Morales decided to go to culinary school around 2014, in what he said his husband might call a “midlife crisis”—though he protests that that’s not quite right. “I just felt the need to do something different,” he said. “I like to write, and I like to cook … so when I started talking about going to culinary school, to begin with, I didn’t have a desire to be a restaurant chef.”
Joe Eats World
This was also the real genesis of his food blog. He intended to learn about food, how to cook, and document his journey in his blog. As for his food career, he said, “I decided I’d figure that out along the way!”
He admitted that felt kind of silly. “At my age and having that naivety?”
Once he got started, however, things didn’t follow that plan, either for his blog or his career. “It was going to be more of a diary… I guess that's how it always starts: you always have these good intentions. I started a blog because I was going to document my culinary education … start to finish and then about the restaurant industry and whatever else. Going into culinary school full time, doing side work … it just kind of sat there!”
As far as his attitude toward restaurant work went, that also transformed during culinary school. “I was like, ‘Alright, I absolutely want to get into the restaurant.’ And once I went into a restaurant, it was amazing. Some of the best times I had in the kitchen were in the restaurant!”
Chef Joe Morales
Out of culinary school, Morales became a sous chef for a Michelin-recommended restaurant, where he worked until they closed in 2019 and relocated to Cleveland. The closure of the restaurant spurred him to rededicate himself to food blogging and teaching.
“I started to teach cooking classes at a local kitchen here in Chicago,” he explained. “There's an LGBTQ owned business that is down the street from us, so I was doing a lot of cooking classes and stuff there for them until the pandemic hit, and all of that stuff got shut down.”
Morales has continued to develop the “Joe Eats World” blog—which took the shape of a full food blog, though primarily focused on recipes and cooking tips—during the pandemic. When it comes to recipes, Morales took a different tack than many contemporary food blogs. Rather than focus primarily on the backstory and history of the dish, with personal asides, his blog entries focus their detail on the execution of the technique and conclude with the formal recipe.
In addition to detailing his perfected recipes, Morales also gives readers a window into the development process professional chefs go through as they experiment with dishes in a section he calls the “Test Kitchen.”
“Basically, the Test Kitchen details when I get these ideas of cooking something or trying something, how I executed it, and then I will tell you whether they fail or not. So far … there's been some failures. You know sometimes something sounds good but in the execution not so much! I did a twist on this chicken and Italian sausage dish that was a little sweeter than the traditional preparation. It sounded great. And then I made it, and I was like, ‘This tastes like shit.’ Sometimes you have to try it to find out!”
Why document the failures? “I struggled with that because everything that people put on their websites—the recipes, or whatever else—they're going for the hero shot and the perfect picture! Nobody likes to talk about their failures, so in my Test Kitchen I document both successes and failures. Like—I don't think I wrote about it yet but—I've done sourdough bread, and I don't know what it is with me and sourdough bread. But my first attempt at sourdough is always a failure. One time I woke up two days later, and the starter was just pitch black. And I had to toss it out. But you know people can learn from our mistakes, so I write about it, focusing on ‘do this, but don't do that’.”
Joe Eats World ... Television?
When asked how the “Joe Eats World” television show idea was born, Morales explained that it kind of came together with the birth of the OUTvoices and Aequalitas Media brands on the one hand and his return to the blog on the other.
“I was going to do videos for YouTube that would supplement the ‘Joe Eats World’ blog—it was basically going to be me filming myself doing recipes and stuff like that. Then, it kind of morphed as people would say, ‘Oh, you should do a cooking show. And maybe you should have drag queens or something like that—you know, some sort gay-themed show’.”
Beyond the direct appeal to the LGBTQ+ community, Morales thinks this kind of show brings the added value of both showing that our community’s interests are broader than stereotypes and bringing visibility to LGBTQ+ people in the industry.
“I think that the last year-and-a-half has kind of taught us that there's a lot of things that are unspoken unseen. And I think that having an LGBTQ cooking show could help highlight LGBTQ+ diversity in a positive way. We're more than what they see on comedy and dramas, or at Pride events.”
“Cooking,” he added, “also has broad appeal. There's enough negative crap going on in the world. And there are a lot of LGBTQ+ people in the industry that aren't getting a lot of visibility. A lot of gay or lesbian or transgender chefs—people within the LGBTQ+ spectrum—aren’t highlighted. They're usually just kind of in the background and doing their thing; they're just trying to make a living, enjoy what they're doing, and create great food. A show like this would bring them front and center.”
A lot of planning remains to be done to bring “Joe Eats World” to little screens around the globe, but Morales was on set last month to shoot a pilot, and planning for the series is proceeding, as OUTvoices continues to develop digital content for its OUTvoices TV and OUTvoices Radio arms.
But you don’t have to wait for video to follow what Chef Joe Morales is up to in the kitchen. Check out “Joe Eats World” each month in OUTvoices Nashville, and read his blog posts at joeeatsworld.com.
- Pride Travel Guide: The Best Places to Visit - OutVoices ›
- How to make the world's best cheeseburger - OutVoices ›
- Joe Morales - OutVoices ›
Transgender Sign in Pride Parade
To begin, a quick history lesson will keep you up to date with all the work transgender people have put forth in order to help Pride month happen in the first place. The fight for LGBTQ+ rights dates back further than one usually imagines but, in particular, is typically marked by the Stonewall Riots. Led by Marsha "Pay It No Mind" Johnson, a transgender woman of color who helped the New York activist scene for over 25 years, the Stonewall Riots began on June 28th, 1969 in New York. Alongside Sylvia Riveria, a Latina trans woman, and Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, a black trans woman, Marsha P. Johnson led one of the most important queer liberations in history.
While the Riots remain a huge moment in history, many often forget those who played front-facing roles in it. Marsha was only 23 years old at the time but was a fearless, ferocious, brave leader who tackled injustice head-on in the riots. In addition to this, she was also co-founded Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR), a shelter for homeless transgender youth; she was a big activist for the BIPOC and LGBT+ community, and STAR was revolutionary in many ways, including being the first-ever LGBT+ shelter in North America which was also the first organization in the US to be run by a trans woman of color. Marsha's contributions toward the first Pride parade preceded it by an entire year- the first pride parades came a year after the stonewall riots to commemorate it. Her legacy will live on through her acts and is celebrated by members of the LGBT+ community alike every pride.
With that out of the way, being trans during pride month can hold a lot of meaning for a lot of people, especially given the incomparable history led by transgender women that helped to shape the LBGT+ community today. Pride itself has a long history rooted in defying gender normalities and cisgender, heteronormative ideals. That, in it itself, is a lot to be proud of- let alone each individual's transgender experience that brings more color to personal pride. It is something to celebrate, our own continuation, contribution, and resistance to oppression. For those who are out as transgender, gender non-conforming, genderqueer, nonbinary, or identify anywhere outside of the cisgender binary, just being yourself and expressing your gender identity is a way of celebrating this. And it is momentous to do so! However, of course, it's not the only way; going to pride parades, celebrating with friends, or having your own celebration is just as good, if not more fun. Going to pride marches, participating in pride events or activities, and any form of activism are great ways of acknowledging and indulging in the history that brought us here.
Reaching out for help
Photo by Stormseeker on UnsplashBut, of course, there is always the other side of the coin because this can be extremely difficult for some due to past experiences or traumas. And for others, this is not an option because (and unfortunately, more often than not) coming out is not a safe, viable option due to age, location, and often the stiff political climate that makes transgender people stay hidden. So while there is a lot to celebrate and be proud of, we must also be prideful for those who are unable to be. Because in addition to the rich history of activism and change, there is still an extreme deficit and predisposition to suicide and murder. According to some of the most recent research, the transgender suicide rate is up to 43%, and once every three days, a transgender person is murdered, with transgender women of color being the most likely victims.
Efforts to calculate and track transgender murder rates are often hindered by laws and data collection, therefore reported numbers may not be the best representations. Alongside these statistics come very scary legislation, such as House Bill 151 and HF 184 that allow the 'inspection' of young girls' genitals in an effort to keep transgender girls from participating in sports. There are also bathroom bills, pronoun and name bills, and medical care acts that are trying to strip away our rights. The huge dark cloud of oppression still hangs heavily over many transgender people within the United States and is much worse elsewhere in the world.
But, these are all reasons to be more prideful as well. Trans people have historically risen above and fought to be themselves- and admit the oppression, we will continue to do so unapologetically. So despite all the sorrowfully realities we face, we must take them in stride and use them for our pride, We need to keep them in mind not just to remember the reality but to be able to say, "This is what we deal with and yet, we use it to fuel our pride." Because the reality is that we are all making history just by existing and that is something to celebrate. So take pride in everything and for everyone, especially for those who may not be able to themselves. Pride month is a time to celebrate ancestors, self-discovery, friendship, and much more, so if you are able to, do so!
Activism has always and will continue to be a huge part of pride until there is equity for every minority group. So consider using these resources to continue your activism of change towards trans rights and equality. You can do so by contacting your legislators regarding your local anti-trans legislature. Or if you are able, donate to funds that support transgender persons legally! And if you're unable to do either and are in need of support, here are a few resources that may help: The Trevor project; 1-866-488-7386 Trans Life Line; 1-877-565-8860.
Author's Note: It is important to not only recognize and acknowledge the deep-rooted history that transgender individuals had in creating equal opportunities and rights for the LGBTQ+ community but also recognize the deep-seated oppression that continues to plague the transgender community today, despite best efforts towards equality, justice, and freedom. When discussing Pride Month or any celebration of LGBTQ+ individuals, give credit where credit is due.
- 5 Things That Happen When People Come Out as Trans - OutVoices ›
- Transgender Representation in Media - OutVoices ›
Top 5 Mental Health Apps for the LGBTQ+ Community
Mental health apps for the LGBTQ+ Community
It's been quite a year and we're only halfway through 2022. The pandemic is still ongoing, LGBTQ+ rights are under threat, money struggles are prevalent, and that’s just to name a few issues. In the midst of all this, it’s hard not to feel anxious. Understand that your feelings are valid and so we put together this handy guide for mental health apps.
Dr. Jack Turban, MD, MHS, a child and adolescent psychiatry fellow at Stanford University School of Medicine researches the mental health of transgender youth. He explains that during the pandemic the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth has been declining. He says, “For instance, the Trevor Project crisis line for LGBTQ+ youth has seen a surge in volume.”
If you’re struggling, know that you aren’t alone. Seeking help may be a difficult step to take, but it’s a necessary one. Luckily, there are a lot of resources out there that can help you find support and affirmation.
How Can Mental Health Apps Help?
Mental health apps are a low-cost, accessible way to receive instant help for your struggles. While they aren’t a replacement for professional care, they have various functions to promote mental wellness, such as sleep reminders, calming music, and even mood trackers. Some apps also have teletherapy services, where you can communicate with a licensed specialist to get started with treatment.
“One of the most important parts, and beautiful parts when used correctly, is that digital mental health tools and the internet in general, create a space for connections. [Mental health apps] are beneficial because they can help remove some of the possible barriers LGBTQ+ individuals deal with in less accepting environments. Hopefully, they can access such tools without someone standing in their way or being gatekeepers that bar their path to better health”, says Dr. Chase Anderson, MD, MS, a child psychiatry fellow at the University of California San Francisco.
Five Mental Health Apps
Mental Health Apps
Below is a list of five mental health apps that can help to make your life a little easier.
1. Ayana Therapy
Ayana is an app that helps people from marginalized communities find a therapist they can identify with based on their unique experiences and identities across race, gender identity, class, sexuality, ethnicity, and ability. This on-demand app allows for flexible communication across convenient platforms (text, phone, and video call) to get in touch with your LGBTQ+ therapist whenever you need to.
Ayana Therapy
2. Pride Counseling
This is an online counseling program for the LGBTQ+ community, led by specialized mental health professionals. Through the app, you can conveniently get in touch with a licensed specialist through live chat in addition to booking weekly scheduled appointments. Pride Counseling also offers need-based financial aid to make counseling affordable.
Pride Counseling on iOS Pride Counseling on Google Play
3. Sowlmate
Sowlmate is an LGBTQ+-focused self-care app with a wide library of interactive courses and meditation sounds designed by LGBTQ+ professionals. A key feature of this app is the AI-based mood tracker, where the data is used to showcase content tailored to your individual needs. New programs are released every week on the platform.
Sowlmate on iOS Sowlmate on Google Play
4. Trill Project
This is an anonymous, social network where you can freely express yourself. Through the app, you can share your deepest, unfiltered thoughts and build authentic conversations with other members of the LGBTQ+ community. There is also tons of content focused on LGBTQ+ issues and mental health for users to discover and share.
Trill Project on iOS Trill Project on Google Play
5. Wisdo
Wisdo is a peer-to-peer support platform to connect with people who’ve walked your path and share your own helpful advice. In the app, there are live sessions from mentors and virtual communities focused on discussing LGBTQ+ issues. You can also easily have private conversations with people you guide or learn from.
Wisdo on iOS Wisdo on Google Play
Crisis Help
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741, or visit www.SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.com for additional resources.
If you are an LGBTQ+ young person in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgment-free place to talk, call the Trevor Lifeline immediately at 1-866-488-7386.
Best LGBTQ+ Movies on Hulu
Are you always wondering what to watch right now? These are some of the best LGBTQ+ movies streaming on Hulu right now and for good reason. They range from LGBTQ historical settings to romance to LGBTQ+ documentaries.
If you're looking for more movies, check out what's playing on Netflix, Revry, Here TV, and Amazon Prime.
Happiest Season
hulu Original movie Happiest Season
Photo courtesy of Hulu
Abby has dated Harper for nearly a year when Harper invites Abby to her family’s home for Christmas, and Abby happily accepts taking it as the perfect opportunity to introduce herself to Harper’s parents and propose to her. Except that Harper is not out to her family yet, and begs Abby to play along, pretending they are just roommates. This movie is a great queer take on the holiday trope, it’s heartwarming and a happy ending like this one on a lesbian movie was overdue. It is directed by lesbian director Clea DuVall.
Duration: 102 minutes.
Year: 2020
Country: US
Watch Now
The Miseducation of Cameron Post
The Miseducation of Cameron Post
Photo courtesy of Hulu
Cameron is caught with her secret girlfriend at homecoming in 1993 and is sent by her aunt to God’s Promise conversion therapy center. She becomes friends with Jane Fonda and Adam Red Eagle, two “disciples” who, like her, do not believe in the center’s message. But conversion therapy affects everyone differently, and it’s not easy for Cameron to adapt to her new reality. This movie is based on the great 2012 novel by Emily M. Danforth of the same name, and it is directed by bisexual director Desiree Akhavan. It is intense, dramatic, and emotional.
Duration: 90 minutes.
Year: 2018
Country: US
Watch Now
Saving Face
Saving Face on Hulu
Photo courtesy of Hulu.
Wil is a young surgeon of Chinese descent living in New York; her mother, Gao, keeps playing match-maker at every party, trying to get her daughter the desirable son of one of her friends. It is at one of those parties that Wil meets Vivian, a professional dancer whose mother has gotten divorced and is pitied by the community and whose father is Wil’s boss at the hospital. As Wil and Vivian start dating, in secret since Wil’s closeted to her family, Wil’s mum moves in with her daughter, having been kicked out of her own father’s house for being pregnant at 48, and not married.
This movie is a great tool for challenging Chinese stereotypes, and a great love story with a happy ending. It was Alice Wu’s first movie as a director, and she has fought hard to have it bilingual, casting actors and actresses who are Asian and could speak both Mandarin and English.
Duration: 91 minutes.
Year: 2004
Country: US
Watch Now
Portrait of a Lady On Fire
Photo courtesy of Hulu.
Marianne is a painter in the eighteenth century who is called to a remote island in Brittany to paint a portrait of Héloïse, a woman in an arranged marriage to a Milanese nobleman who was promised to her sister. Héloïse had previously refused to be painted, as she did not want to get married, so Marianne pretends she is there to accompany her on walks, memorizing her features and painting her in secret but soon enough their bond changes.
This movie is passionate, dramatic, and sensual. It is directed by Céline Sciamma and has won the 2019 Queer Palm in Cannes.
Duration: 120 minutes.
Year: 2019
Country: France
Watch Now
The World to Come
Photo courtesy of Hulu.
Abigail lives on a farm with her husband, far from anyone else. She has recently buried her child, four-year-old Nellie, and is grieving when she sees Tallie, the wife of their neighbor. The two women start spending their time together, with Tallie visiting Abigail almost every day and helping her with her duties. Their relationship blossoms into a romance, with the two women finding relief from their solitude in each other’s company, until Tallie’s controlling husband gets in their way.
This movie is set in the late nineteenth century in the state of New York; it is historical, emotional, romantic yet sad, and tense. It is directed by Mona Fastvold and has won the Queer Lion at the 77thVenice Film Festival for best LGBTQ-themed film.
Duration: 98 minutes
Year: 2020
Country: US
Watch Now
Flee
Flee by Jonas Poher Rasmussen
Photo courtesy of Hulu
Amin is being interviewed by a long-time friend, director Jonas Poher Rasmussen, who is making a documentary about Amin’s life, from fleeing Afghanistan to being a refugee in Denmark. Amin has not told the details of his story to anyone yet, including his fiancé Kasper. Amin then goes on to explore his trauma.
This movie is an adult animated documentary, truly directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen, telling the story of a man under the alias of Amin Nawabi. It has won many awards, and it was nominated three times for an Academy Award.
Duration: 90 minutes.
Year: 2021
Country: Denmark
Watch Now
God’s Own Country
God's Own Country
Photo courtesy of Hulu.
Johnny lives on a farm in Yorkshire with his father and grandmother. The keeping of the farm mainly falls on his shoulders, as his father has suffered a stroke; during his free time, Johnny likes to drink and engage in unattached sexual intercourse with other men. During lambing season, he hires Gheorghe, a Romanian migrant worker, as extra help. As they start spending more time together, Johnny lets go of the austerity he has always been used to.
This movie is inspiring, hopeful, and a bit tense; it was directed by Francis Lee and has won many awards, including the World Cinema Directing Award at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival.
Duration: 106 minutes
Year: 2017
Country: UK
Watch Now
Supernova
supernova
Photo courtesy of Hulu.
Sam and Tusker have been together for twenty years when they decide to take a trip across England to visit some friends and family. Tusker has been diagnosed with early dementia and is writing a book that he refuses to show to Sam. During the trip, Sam finds out that Tusker has been having trouble writing: the decline of his illness might not be the only thing his partner has been hiding. The movie is romantic, contemporary, and a bit sad; it features Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci as main actors and it is directed by Harry Macqueen.
Duration: 93 minutes
Year: 2020
Country: UK
Watch Now
Crush
Photo courtesy of Hulu.
Paige is an artist who is about to get into the art college of her dreams, when KingPun, a graffiti artist, starts smearing the school and frames her; being accused of tagging, Paige is almost suspended. She cuts herself a plea deal: she will join the track team in order to avoid suspension until she finds out who KingPun really is. Track team co-captains are twin sisters Gabby, for whom Paige has had a crush since elementary school, and AJ. Soon Paige will discover that her feelings have been orbiting around a different person, and her first love will come as easily as the inspiration she was looking for.
This movie is a great high school drama picture, in a school where everyone says gay and is full of queer characters. It is heartwarming and silly and important in a time when lots of queer kids cannot be themselves in their own realities. It is directed by Sammi Cohen, and the writers and main actresses all identify as queer.
Duration: 92 minutes
Year: 2022
Country: US
Watch Now
Grandma
Grandma
Photo courtesy of Hulu.
Elle is a lesbian poet and a widow, a self-described misanthrope, who gets a visit from her granddaughter Sage asking her for help to come up with $630 by that afternoon to get an abortion. They get on a road trip across Los Angeles to collect the money from people who own them a favor. This movie is lighthearted and feminist. It is directed by Paul Weitz and features Lily Tomlin.
Duration: 79 minutes.
Year: 2015
Country: US
Watch Now
Booksmart
booksmart
Photo courtesy of Hulu.
Amy and Molly are best friends, they are very smart and they are not popular among their peers. On their last day of high school, they decide to break all of the rules and enjoy their time as teenagers, so they head to Nick’s house party, where they both try different things for the first time, and hope to have a chance with their crushes, Amy’s a girl named Ryan and Molly’s Nick himself. It was directed by Olivia Wilde, and it was her first directed movie.
Duration: 105 minutes.
Year: 2019
Country: US