SpeakOut

To the editor:
“I don’t understand why they are having Pride at Power & Light. That area is for the straights.”

This is just one of the many negative comments I heard before going into my first Kansas City Pride Festival last month. I moved here from Honolulu and I’ve taken part in many Pride Festivals over the years.

I was excited to see what Kansas City had been planning for its 2012 celebration of Gay Pride.

Although the negative comments seemed to be more numerous than the positive, I decided to form an opinion for myself and experience the “Power of Pride.” With my 2012 VIP Pass purchased and the blessing of a good hair day, I strutted downtown to see what the fuss was all about.

Venues that have hosted Pride Festivals that I’ve attended in the past often have segregated the gay community from the rest of the general public, or “the straights.” But not this celebration. This celebration was different, and I truly feel the Power & Light complex was the perfect spot not only to celebrate pride in ourselves, but also to share it with our straight friends and family.

I saw restaurants, bars and clubs described as having a more “straight” demographic that showed support by graciously hosting and wearing rainbow. Our bartenders in the VIP area, Elliott and Kyla, unfortunately straight, were both easy on the eyes and welcomed the flirtatious banter from all their admirers. At one point I asked both Elliott and Kyla whether they truly supported the celebration, and without hesitation, they answered, “Of course.”

When it was time to go, instead of offering a handshake, Elliott opened his arms and said, “How about a bear hug?”

There was an acceptance that night from our straight peers that is often overlooked. I believe that night the public saw us for who we really are, with love, happiness and acceptance.

So, Pride wasn’t held in a park where we can feel free and safe to be who we are, away from any place of rejection or ridicule. Instead, it was held at the center of where everyone, gay or straight, could
take part in the “Power of Pride.”
Clinton Bradley
www.facebook.com/ontheedgeofcrazy

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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