Holiday memories: Kevin La Freniere

Born and raised in a Baptist household in Texas, Kevin La Freniere moved to Nashville earlier this year to pursue his songwriting and modeling career.

Christmas? It’s already here again?!

This year is going to be my first Tennessee Christmas. Usually Christmases take place in Texas where I was born and raised by my Baptist preacher father and homemaker mother. Every year Christmas came with having to read the Christmas story from the Bible, which drove me insane, because it’s the same story every year! It also came with mentally adding up my gifts to my sister’s gifts, to see if my parents spent equal amount of money on us. I was always wondering how much money I could make by taking back all the gifts without receipts after the sales ended.

I started out the annoying kid who wanted to decorate everything with blue lights and icicles, and then I turned into the teen that played sick so I could avoid church Christmas parties and family gatherings to watch porn and chat online. However, I always did enjoy myself either way!

Now that I’m grown and have moved away from home, I’m starting to miss my mom’s annoying reminders about clothing choices and location spots for the Christmas card photos, wondering if my backwoods side of the family is going to bring Boone's Farm or spam casserole to the table this year, and who really is wanting to break the other preacher's nose when Grandma has to decide which of the two minister son-in-laws she is going to ask to pray before we break bread.

This year is going to be a little different since I know a total of two people in Nashville. It’s just going to be me and my dog listening to Dolly’s “Hard Candy Christmas” and sitting in front of a make-believe fire, eating cereal, and writing songs that hopefully will make next year’s Christmas a whole different story. Merry Christmas, Nashville!

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.

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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.

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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.

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