HRC Wild West Showdown set for Friday, Sept. 22

All-you-can-eat barbeque, live music and western themed games will mark the return of the third annual Wild West Showdown at Two Rivers Mansion in Nashville, presented by CMT and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage.

The event is set for Friday, Sept. 22 from 7 p.m. to Midnight. Advanced tickets can be purchased for $25 per person, allowing admission to the event, four (4) complimentary drink tickets, all-you-can-eat barbeque, live entertainment, a variety of western themed games and activities, and membership in HRC. Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $35.

VIP tickets are available for $50, providing guests with access to a private bar and buffet. Tickets will be available at the door for $35. Additional drink tickets can be purchased at the event for a nominal
charge.

Local cowboys and girls will be kicking up their heels and yelling "yippee!" at the live music and entertainment planned for the event. Guests will be able to dig their spurs into the mechanical bull or bet it all in Drag Queen Poker for prizes. Couples will be able to grab their partner for square dancing lessons or a ride around the mansion nestled close together on the hayride. For the more adventurous, attendees will be able to Lasso-a-Hottie or have their rival thrown in Jail.

Country will definitely be cool when the stage lights come up on this year's Wild West Showdown roster of artists. The evening begins with Canadian country sensation Tracy Rice, who in 2002 opened for Terri Clark and later won the Nashville Song Search with her song, "Perfect for Terri Clark."

Ed Pettersen, with a voice reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen, uses his lyrics and his guitar to both soulfully sing the blues and deliver his own country rock in an edgy and powerful style. Pettersen has been described by milesofmusic.com as "capturing the essence of Americana, moving effortlessly between fine acoustic Folk to more rocking Alt-Country tunes."

The stage will shake, rattle and roll when The Hillbilly Casino provides the crowd with "a rabid and reckless" rockabilly performance that recalls Elvis Presley, Brian Setzer, Black Sabbath and Johnny Cash.

A country music singer/songwriter and former international fashion model, Karen Keeley will definitely bring beauty and grace to the stage with her wonderful voice and spirit. She has opened for artists such as Phil Vassar, Sawyer Brown, Tanya Tucker, Andy Griggs and Chely Wright. She is also the British voice on 95.5 The Wolf.

Kristi Rose with multi-instrumentalist Fats Kaplin is "eclectic dynamite" garnering rave reviews both in the USA and across Europe. Music City News described Kristi Rose as "equal parts hillbilly singer, Lower Broadway burlesque vixen and teen heartthrob." Her album "This is Pulp Country" pays homage to divas past, included is her "riveting version" of the cult classic movie theme, "Johnny Guitar" originally recorded by Peggy Lee.

Entr'actes will be performed by Katy K and her Girls with their version of vaudeville and burlesque routines, which include circus acts, a Carmen Miranda number and retro-striptease. The western revelers will be able to close the evening on the dance floor to DJ Ron's energetic dance mix.

The annual event rasies awareness and funds for the Human Rights Campaign, the largest national gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender advocacy organization. To purchase tickets or for more information about the event, go to www.wildwestshowdown.com.

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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