As a lecturer at KU, I meet so many incredible young people who are working to make a difference in the LGBTQA community. This month I am excited to introduce my dear friend, University of Kansas School of Pharmacy student Bill Wilson. He is active in student government, fraternity life and tutoring and is also a volunteer at the Douglas County AIDS Project in Lawrence. Wilson aspires to make a difference in infectious diseases.
1. You are in the School of Pharmacy at KU. Have you always wanted to be a pharmacist, or was it a recent decision?
Since I was little, I have always had a fascination with medicine. I can remember tugging at my mother’s shirt, my head aching and nose running, as she spoke to a pharmacist friend on the phone. It was fascinating to me that the woman she was speaking to on the phone knew what these long words on the side of the DayQuil box meant. In high school, I thought that I would go into the medical field, despite my father’s desperate attempts to bring me into the business world. The fall of my senior year of high school, I started working at CVS pharmacy as a pharmacy technician, thinking to myself, “This will look great on a med school résumé!” Little did I know that I would fall in love with the pharmacy profession. That is the defining moment of when I knew I wanted to become a pharmacist.
2. Do you know what area you would like to specialize in?
The area that intrigues me the most is infectious disease. With only one semester of infectious disease lectures under my belt, I know that is where my passion lies. To be even more specific, I would like to focus my specialty on HIV/AIDS patients. The HIV virus itself interests me, along with the accompanying medications. Another reason I want to work directly with HIV/AIDS patients is because I am fearless in bringing the utmost respect and attention to these patients that they so rightfully deserve. After reading And the Band Played On, the magnitude of how much fear and stigma comes with HIV/AIDS overwhelmed me. This drove my passion on to devote my career in taking care of these patients.
3. How did you come to volunteer for Douglas County AIDS Project (DCAP) in Lawrence?
Growing up, I attended Catholic schooling for 12 years. One of the requirements of attending my school was to have a certain amount of community service hours every semester. When I began attending KU, that requirement dissolved, and I no longer “needed” to do the community service. After a year or two at KU, I had a sense that I was missing something in my life … volunteering. I heard about DCAP and I knew that it had a major contribution to the HIV/AIDS community that I so badly wanted to serve. I visited the DCAP office to have a free HIV test done, and afterward I asked the prevention coordinator if they ever needed any volunteers. A giant smile appeared on her face, and she handed me the volunteer form. I was officially a DCAP volunteer.
4. What has been your most valuable experience to date at DCAP?
The great thing about DCAP is that every day is different. Some days I go into the office and label condoms for two hours, or I might table on campus to raise HIV/AIDS awareness. All in all, it has been an amazing experience in itself. Every day that I go into the office or participate in a DCAP event, I feel a sense of value in the work that I am doing. I cannot pinpoint one day or event that has been better than the other, which is why I love volunteering at DCAP.
5. You are an openly gay member of a traditional fraternity at KU. What has that experience been like for you?
Day one. Day one is when I came out to my fraternity. No one seemed to have a problem with me being gay. Actually, if one of the fraternity members had a problem with it, he was the odd man out. Of course, it took some time for a few members to warm up to me, but I expected that. In the end, I could not have asked for a better group of guys to support and accept who I am.
6. Do you think that you have changed your fraternity brothers’ perception of gay men?
I know for a fact that I have impacted the lives and perceptions of my brothers. Several times, I have had one of my brothers come up to me and say, verbatim, “Bill, you have shattered the stereotype. Thank you for being you.” It is unbelievably heartwarming to hear such words come from the very same people I thought would reject me on day one.
7. As a 21-year old gay man, do you consider yourself an activist? Explain.
It is hard for me to believe that I am an activist, because when I think of an activist I think of someone that is a publicly known figure, doing extraordinary things. However, I am reminded by my friends and family that being myself and not being afraid to be myself is a form of activism. It is no secret that it is difficult coming out and being proud of who you are. Over the past few years, I have developed a sense of confidence with being a gay man, and now I look for events to participate in so that I can become more of an activist.
8. What advice do you have for other gay men your age?
Get involved! I cannot say it enough! Get involved! There are so many clubs and organizations that need volunteers, and what a great networking opportunity volunteering is. You never know whom you are going to meet or what you are going to experience when you volunteer, and that is the beauty of it. I do not regret one moment of my past experiences with volunteering, because I have met so many fun and interesting people, as well as gained experience matched by no other in my life.
9. You are incredibly active in student and professional life. What do you like to do for fun (Keep it clean, Bill!)?
Although I truly love school and every aspect of it, I do venture out to have some fun every now and then. My friends and family are my life. There have been many times when my friends or family and I would go out for dinner, and we would be there for hours chatting about this or that. When I have time to myself, I really enjoy running or any other type of exercise. I have also started watching documentaries, which I think is becoming my new hobby. I love any opportunity to explore and learn.
10. If you could be any ice cream, what would you be and why?
To start, I would like to be a flavor of fro-yo instead because I am a health nut. The flavor of choice would be coffee because I am a highly energetic individual!
WhistlePig and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Wind Tunnel-Trialed Whiskey Is a Ryed You Don’t Want to Miss
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.
Like Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s signature C43 racing vehicles, trial barrels were tested in the team’s wind tunnel in Switzerland before hitting the track. Select barrels then endured varying levels of G-Forces at the WhistlePig farm and distillery for the finishing touch, accelerating the interaction between the whiskey and the wood, staying true to the physical nature of Formula 1.
“Partnering with WhistlePig has been a very exciting experience. Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake is dedicated to being the best on the track, and the crew at WhistlePig is fearless in their pursuit to create the best whiskey out there,” said Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “We’re really looking forward to fans tasting our custom Rye Whiskey and raising a glass to the rookies, veterans, legends and the exhilarating sport of F1.”
"Joining forces with WhistlePig to release a Single Barrel Rye Whiskey that represents my culture and team has been an honor,” said Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “Formula 1 brings together fearless, thrill-seeking motorsports professionals, and WhistlePig has a shared passion for boundary-pushing innovation. Together, we’ve selected something alarmingly good for fans to enjoy this season when the cars are not on track.”
The Limited Edition Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel will be available for purchase online starting around September 13 for $49.99 MSRP per 750ml bottle and sold in select stores across the U.S. Consumers can win VIP merchandise by scanning the QR code on the back of each bottle.
"We're taking our third Legends Series release on a ryed like never before,” said Meghan Ireland, WhistlePig Head Blender. "Our experiments with dynamic aging went full throttle during finishing trials at the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake wind tunnel, in turn inspiring new ways to expose barrels to G-forces back at the WhistlePig Farm. The herbal and floral notes of the lychee and tea barrel selected with the team create a new, podium-topping experience for PiggyBack Rye."
Fans and collectors have followed WhistlePig PiggyBack Legends Series, celebrating those who give 100% in the name of greatness, since its launch in March 2022 with Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, David Ortiz (“Big Papi”), followed by Country Music Duo Brothers Osborne in November 2022.
To learn more about WhistlePig Whiskey, visit whistlepigwhiskey.com. You can also check out WhistlePig Whiskey on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About WhistlePig Whiskey
Located off the grid on a 500-acre Vermont farm, WhistlePig Whiskey is crafted by a new generation of whiskey distillers and blenders driven to reinvent and unlock the flavor of Rye whiskey. Through their rebellious pursuit of experimenting and pushing boundaries in the industry, WhistlePig has become the leading independent craft whiskey brand for innovation. WhistlePig is committed to becoming the best whiskey on and for the planet, starting with its locally sourced ingredients and sustainable supply chain and distilling process. For more information, head to whistlepigwhiskey.com.
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.
If you don’t have a primary care physician who specializes in LGBTQ+ care in your community, you may need to educate yourself (and your provider). But, before you seek such therapy, here are five things you should know!
- Monitor closely. At Spectrum Medical Care Center, we screen patients for certain risks before starting anyone on hormones. We frequently monitor patients in the first year to ensure there are no adverse reactions and lab results are within safe ranges. Follow-up care is also important to assess your comfort with the transition as well as the social impact and social support you’re experiencing.
- Some changes are permanent, some temporary. For transmasculine individuals going on testosterone, they’ll experience these permanent changes: deepened voice, clitoral enlargement (also known as bottom growth), more body, facial hair, and male pattern baldness. Reversible changes include cessation of menses, increased muscle mass and strength, body fat redistribution, and skin oiliness or acne. For those going on estrogen therapy, the most permanent change is breast growth. Feminizing hormone therapy can also cause atrophy (shrinkage) of the genitals and loss of erectile function that may not be reversible. Estrogen will thin body hair, soften the skin, can increase scalp hair, and decrease muscle mass and strength, all of which are reversible.
- You can’t pick and choose results. Unfortunately, you can’t pick and choose the physical changes you want, which may feel challenging. Some of my patients will say, ‘Okay, ‘I’ve seen the permanent changes I want, and I don’t want it to go any further,’ and so at that point, we stop therapy. Low-dose hormone therapy can slow down the rate of changes, allowing for a more gradual physical transition. We counsel patients in advance about the common changes, and it’s up to the individual as to when they’d like to scale back and determine whether some benefits are worth the potential risks.
- Be aware of risks. Like any medical treatment, there are potential risks involved. Some risks with testosterone therapy include increased red blood cell mass, acne, hypertension, sleep apnea, weight gain, and dyslipidemia (increases the chance of clogged arteries). Cardiovascular disease is likely increased with additional risk factors for testosterone and estrogen therapy. Transfeminine patients going on estrogen therapy may experience weight gain, thromboembolic disease (when a blood clot breaks off and blocks another blood vessel), and a high level of triglycerides in the blood.
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.
"Our entire team is honored to be named Best of the Best. To be the only gay men's resort recognized in the Top 1% is incredibly humbling," said Kent Taylor, General Manager at Descanso. "We appreciate Tripadvisor and we're grateful to all our guests who gave us such high marks and reviews to help us reach this achievement."
“Ranking among the Best of the Best demonstrates that you have provided exemplary experiences to those who maZer most: your guests,” said John Boris, Chief Growth Officer at Tripadvisor. “With changing expectations, continued labor shortages, and rising costs, this is no easy feat, and I am con6nually impressed with the hospitality industry’s resilience and ability to adapt.”
Santiago Resort was once again honored by Tripadvisor with a 2023 Travelers’ Choice award, placing it among the top 10% of travelers’ top reviewed des6na6ons. Twin Palms will become eligible for ranking in 2024.
Check out all the reviews, and discover more about Descanso Resort on Tripadvisor here. We have an excellent library of resort imagery available to accompany editorial and additional resources on our press page. Please contact Descanso Resort’s General Manager, Kent Taylor, at kent@descansoresort.com for further information.
About Descanso Resort
Inspired by Palm Springs’ history as a des6na6on for Hollywood stars to unwind in privacy, Descanso offers guests a casual yet modern take on the legendary style of that 6me. Created by the same hospitality team that revitalized Palm Springs’ much-loved San6ago Resort and recently launched the all-new Twin Palms Resort, the Descanso property opened in 2022 featuring 15 spacious guest rooms with custom-designed furniture, dreamy King-size beds, and luxe details. Ameni6es include continental breakfast, poolside lunch, welcome snack basket, and lots of special touches. For guests who need to stay connected, the entire property is equipped with blazing-fast Wi-Fi. Mul6-speed bikes are available for exploring the surrounding midcentury neighborhoods and public art installations. Like the Hollywood stars before them, guests at Descanso are encouraged to unwind, relax, and rest in style.
About Tripadvisor
Travelers across the globe use the Tripadvisor site and app to discover where to stay, what to do and where to eat based on guidance from those who have been there before. With more than 1 billion reviews and opinions of nearly 8 million businesses, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to find deals on accommodations, book experiences, reserve tables at delicious restaurants and discover great places nearby.