The handsome Mark Morton cuts a dashing figure in October’s Nashville Exposed. It’s admirable that Morton aspires to mentor his clients about image and some of his young gay friends about safer sex. It seems ironic, though, that while he’s “turned off” by the negative, demeaning format of some fashion broadcasts, he doesn’t get that perpetrating the very stigma that is at the core of many HIV-positive individuals’ hesitance to disclose and focusing on a demonizing stereotype about some of our HIV-positive brothers aren’t particularly helpful techniques.
Yes, HIV is very real here (2,391 gay and bi men are living with HIV/AIDS in the greater Nashville area) but Morton doesn’t mention that an estimated additional 21% are HIV positive but don’t know their status, are therefore unable to disclose, and are believed by many prevention experts to have a much more significant role in new infections. It’s regrettable that one of Morton’s friends contracted HIV and no one’s asking him to “sugar coat,” that, regardless of the circumstances.
Yet comments in the article come awfully close to reflecting both the external and internalized stereotyping and homophobia that has so damaged our community. If Morton truly wants to make a difference in the lives of his friends, evidence indicates that moving beyond simplistic and judgmental labels like “foolish and unnecessary” and engaging them in informed, thoughtful discussions about intimacy and risk, values and goals, shared responsibility and making good choices will prove more effective.
In August at the National HIV Prevention Conference in Atlanta, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials presented preliminary analyses showing that gay and bi men have an HIV diagnosis rate 50 times higher than both other men and women. It’s time for us as gay and bi men of all ages and races, both HIV-positive and HIV-negative, to once again address this epidemic - not as a community segregated by HIV status - but as a committed, unified community embracing each other and the need for open, honest, and non-judgmental conversation about how we can protect and love each other.
Sincerely,
Mark Hubbard
TAPWA@discoverymatters.org
Nashville, TN
National Margarita Day
The Skinniest Margarita
The Skinniest Margarita
Photo by LALO
This margarita was created by Soho House Austin which opened in 2021. It uses LALO tequila, which is additive-free and represents what tequila was truly supposed to taste like. LALO is named after Co-Founder and Maestro Tequilero Eduardo "Lalo" González. Eduardo is the grandson of Don Julio González, of Don Julio Tequila fame. He and Founding Partner David R. Carbillido wanted to bring tequila back to its roots and nothing but a pure blanco tequila. Thus, LALO was born.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces LALO
- 1/2 ounce Ferrand Dry Curacao
- 1 ounce hand-squeezed lime juice
- Garnish with dehydrated lime wheel
Directions
- Place all ingredients into a glass filled with ice
- Stir
- Garnish
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Daisy Margarita
Daisy Margarita
Photo courtesy of Pink House Alchemy
This isn't a tequila you add your ingredients to but rather it's ingredients you add to your tequila. Pink House Alchemy makes all sorts of shrubs, syrups, and kits so you can just sit back and whip up the cocktails and enjoy. Each bottle is handcrafted and made with the best ingredients around. The combinations of flavors are perfect for experimenting with.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces silver tequila
- 1 ounce pH Pineapple Rosemary Shrub
- 0.75 ounce pH Herbalicious Syrup
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
Directions
- Shake or stir
- Strain into a glass over ice, rimmed with rosemary salt
- Enjoy!
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Blanco Luxury Margarita
Blanco Margarita
Photo courtesy of Don Julio
We're not sure there isn't a person alive that doesn't know Don Julio, especially since we just mentioned his grandson! They have an impressive line of tequila expressions anyone would be happy to have in their collection. This recipe features the blanco tequila which is probably our go-to tequilas for margaritas. They also have Reposado, Añejo, 70 Cristalino, 1942, and many more. We would recommend going down the line and seeing which is your favorite. maybe even try making an old-fashioned or drinking it straight, sophisticated-like.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces of Don Julio Blanco Tequila
- 0.75 ounces fresh lime
- 0.50 ounce simple syrup or agave nectar
- Lime wedge
Directions
- Combine Don Julio Blanco, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup/agave nectar in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well.
- Strain into a rocks glass over ice.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
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Fresh Citrus Margarita
Fresh Citrus Margarita
Photo courtesy of Mezcal Amaras
Even though this is mezcal, it's all about the margarita. It doesn't have to be tequila, it could be tequila-like. Mezcal is a very close relative of tequila. It's a bit more earthy with a bit more of a bite but it works. It's also made from blue agave, but not restricted to just blue agave like tequila, but just about any species of agave. The process is similar but the flavor is distinct.
Ingredients
- 1.5 ounces Mezcal Amarás Espadín
- 1 ounce Rosemary syrup
- 0.5 ounce Lemon juice
- 0.5 ounce Orange liqueur
- Grapefruit ice cream
- Garnish: Rosemary sprig
Shaker Method
- Add rosemary syrup, lemon juice, and Mezcal Amarás Espadín to your shaker.
- Place ice and shake it well.
Build Method
- Add a scoop of grapefruit ice cream in a margarita glass, pour the mixture, and decorate with a sprig of rosemary.
The margarita is a cocktail that has evolved over the years; it's fresh and bright at the same time making it one of my favorites. For this cocktail, I wanted to respect the citrus and freshness by using Amarás Espadín as the base. Triple Sec, fresh lemon, and the refreshing grapefruit sorbet add three distinct layers of citrus. This cocktail evolves as you are enjoying it - as the sorbet combines with the cocktail, you experience different flavors and textures
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Smoked Blood Orange Margarita
Smoked Blood Orange Margarita
Photo courtesy of Stundenglass
So, here we have another ingredient-forward margarita. You can use your favorite mezcal and combine the ingredients but to really finish it off, you need the Stündenglass Beverage Infuser to really get that smoke flavor in your drink. Not only will this impress your friends, but it looks pretty darn awesome if you ask us.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces of your favorite mezcal
- 1 ounce blood orange juice
- 0.5 ounce lime juice
- 0.5 ounce rosemary simple syrup
- dry rosemary to smoke
Directions
- Rim the glass with Chamoy (it can be found in any Mexican market or store)
- Add the ingredients one by one in the shaker
- Add ice to fill the shaker
- Shake for 30 seconds
- Place your favorite ice shape int eh glass
- Strain content from shaker into glass
- Top with a dry blood orange slice
- Smoke with dry Rosemary using Stündengalss Beverage Infuser
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Spicy Manarita
Spicy Manarita
Photo courtesy of Teremana
Who doesn't love The Rock, Dwayne Johnson? Of course you know they'd have to have a margarita that was as sweet but just as tough as the man himself. The Spicy Manarita has the sweet, spicy, and smooth taste of a reposado tequila and the heat will keep you coming back for more.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Teremana Reposado
- 0.75 ounce Lime Juice
- 0.5 ounce Agave Nectar
- 2 Jalapeño Slices (remove seeds)
Directions
- Muddle jalapeño in shaker.
- Add Teremana, Lime Juice & Agave Nectar.
- Shake with ice.
- Strain and serve over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a jalapeño slice.
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Turn and Burn
The Turn and Burn Margarita
Photo courtesy of Casa Don Ramón
Don Ramón produces three collections of tequila, the Punta Diamante, Platinium, and the Limited Edition featuring Plata, Añejo, and Extra Añejo in a Swarovski crystal-embellished bottle. As with most, if not all tequila, Don Ramón is from the highlands of Jalisco Mexico, and is made of 100% pure Blue Agave.
Ingredients
- 1.5 ouncesTequila Don Ramón Platinium Plata
- 1.5 ounces Grapefruit Juice
- 1 ounce Lime Juice
- 0.75 ounce Agave Syrup
- 1 Pinch Smoked Salt
- 2 Sprigs Lemon Thyme (Garnish)
- Charred Grapefruit (Garnish)
Directions
- Combine tequila, fruit juices, agave, salt, and one sprig of lemon thyme in a shaking tin with ice.
- Shake, strain, and pour the cocktail into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
- Garnish with a charred grapefruit slice and a fresh sprig of lemon thyme.
- Serve and enjoy!
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Cocktail Gummy Bears
Cocktail Gummy Bear
Photo by Grand Velas Los Cabos
Okay, okay. Technically NOT a margarita but they accompany your margarita while visiting AAA 5-Diamond Grand Velas Los Cabos Resort in Mexico. They come in two flavors Hibiscus Mezcalita with chili salt or Piña Colada. They seem to be complimentary upon check-in, poolside, and well, check-out.
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Handblown Glass Tumblers
Handblown Glass Tumblers
Photo courtesy of Bespoke Post
If you're wondering what to put all these margaritas in, don't worry. You can put them in a margarita glass, a coupe glass, a pitcher, or these wonderfully handblown glass tumblers. Cocktails fit perfectly in them. They're comfortable to hold, easy to drink from and look beautiful while on display. And if your husband is clumsy and knocks one over and it shatters on the floor, never fear, they come in a set of two so you will always have a drink. He may not but then, he shouldn't have broken the glass. Pick some up now!
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Gender-Inclusive Universities and Student Privacy
That does not necessarily mean, however, that students who are non-binary, gender fluid, or otherwise gender “non-conforming” are prepared to disclose their gender identity. Even in gender-inclusive universities, the decision to identify as non-cisgender can be a difficult one — potentially exposing the student to discrimination on campus, in the community, and at home.
For this reason, maintaining student privacy must be a top priority for all university staff and stakeholders. Let’s examine the issue of student privacy in gender-inclusive universities and the best practices for protecting it on campus and off.
What is a Gender-Inclusive School?
Gender-Inclusive Schools
Photo by Zhanhui Li on Unsplash
Fundamentally, a gender-inclusive university seeks to create a truly diverse, accepting, inclusive and welcoming space for all students, including students not identifying as cisgender. The principal mission of a gender-inclusive university environment is to redress the marginalization and discrimination nonbinary students have historically faced on campus.
The cultivation of a truly gender-inclusive culture in higher education is intended and expected to a broader integration of LGBTQ+ persons in workplaces and communities across the nation.
Gender-Inclusive Practices at University
Gender-inclusive practices at university centers primarily on enabling students to engage with the learning community in the manner of their choice about their gender identity. A critical concern in this arena is housing.
Non-binary, gender fluid, and gender nonconforming students may feel more comfortable, for example, in housing designated for the gender with which they identify. A trans woman student, in other words, may feel safer and more comfortable in female student housing.
Gender-inclusive housing means, ultimately, that students can choose who they prefer to live with, whether male, female, or coed, without the fear of harassment or discrimination.
The Student Privacy Challenge
Student Privacy
Photo by Jason Dent on Unsplash
The challenge of maintaining student privacy in a gender-inclusive environment derives foremost from the failure to precisely define what information can be disclosed, how, and when.
For example, just because a student has expressed interest in gender-inclusive housing doesn’t mean that they want to receive informational materials designed for LGBTQ+ students. Receiving these materials at home, through email, or text may compromise the student’s right to privacy and may even subject them to discrimination and violence.
For this reason, it’s critical to balance data-driven, personalized marketing tactics with sensitivity and discretion. The information students provide on application and enrollment forms regarding their gender identity, for instance, isn’t automatically appropriate for use in student communications.
What does Informed Consent Mean?
Protecting student privacy, ultimately, involves prioritizing student consent. It’s critical that one not simply assume that the student is “out” as a transgender person just because they have indicated their transgender status on student forms or personal surveys.
Rather, faculty, staff, and administrators should actively seek the student’s informed consent in all processes that might relate to the issue of gender identity. This should include, for instance, ascertaining the student’s preferences for inclusive housing.
This should also include obtaining the student’s permission to communicate with the student regarding inclusivity in general and LGBTQ+ processes and services in particular. Students should be allowed to determine what types of communication they will receive and how, whether by phone, text, mail, or email.
They should also be asked to define how they wish to be identified on campus and with parents, friends, and family members off campus. The stark reality is that LGBTQ+ persons may live very different lives on a gender-inclusive campus than when they are in their home environment or native communities.
The risk of violence and discrimination, unfortunately, is still all too real. Even in the most inclusive of university environments, students simply may not be ready to disclose their identity, even to gender-fluid or transgender peers. This means that maintaining the privacy of LGBTQ+ students can be a complex and ever-evolving process, but it can be critical to the student’s physical, mental, and social well-being.
Thus, faculty and staff must be proactive and conscientious, including routinely checking in with the student to determine what, if anything, has changed regarding their privacy preferences.
The Role in Safeguarding Student Privacy
Privacy is a vital concern for every student, but it is especially significant for transgender or gender-fluid students. For these students, a breach of privacy can subject them to violence, discrimination, and harassment. Thus, despite the safety and acceptance students are likely to find in a gender-inclusive university, it is incumbent on faculty and staff to take care to safeguard student privacy.