The holidays are behind us, and we are into 2016! It is time to set some goals for the year.
This month, I interviewed Elizabeth Andersen. While preparing for the interview, I looked through her Facebook pictures and was inspired by her involvement in the Kansas City community. The woman is out there doing things, from arranging Tuesday Movie Nights at LIKEME Lighthouse to hosting the Sandra Moran Alphabet Soup Book Club-TTV on KKFI-FM (90.1) to getting out and exercising with the LGBT Frontrunners and Walkers group. Elizabeth has influenced me to jazz up my year!
1. You lived all over before you settled in Kansas City – Texas City, Texas; Fawley, England; Norman, Oklahoma; Wilbraham, Massachusetts; Western Pennsylvania; and Columbia, Mo., to name a few! How did you end up in Kansas City?
In 1980, my then-husband and I were teaching biology and English composition, respectively, at a university in Lawton, Oklahoma. We decided to move to Kansas City and teach there. He taught at Rockhurst for 32 years, and I was a lecturer, grants coordinator, and then director of the tutoring center. By the time our sons graduated from Rockhurst in 2007 and 2010, I was a longtime resident. I had planned on moving to the Pacific Northwest, but obviously never made it.
2. Now you live in Roeland Park. Passing the LGBT-inclusive ordinance was a struggle in Roeland Park. What do you think other communities can learn from that struggle when working to pass inclusive legislation?
The support of so many groups and people was key: Equality Kansas, PFLAG-KC, ACLU, several councilpeople, as well as Roeland Park business owners and residents. As a 22-year homeowner, I spoke in front of the council, as did my sons. Even though the opponents were organized and used scare tactics such as transgender “toilet terror,” they were met with logic and facts. Equality Kansas chair Sandra Meade was especially effective at refuting them, and Michael Poppa of Equality Kansas has since been elected to the council.
3. You are the host of the Sandra Moran Alphabet Soup Radio Book Club-TTV on KKFI, 90.1 FM, which is in memory of your friend Sandra Moran, who passed away in November. Could you tell me how that came about?
When Sandra asked me to host, I agreed and realized the book club was one of the greatest gifts I have ever received. We had talked often about literature and about our belief that well-written LGBTQ books should be showcased and discussed. Because she left a template through next June, I have a good sense of the kinds of books she wanted to feature. Sandra said all she ever wanted was to be kind and good and to make a difference. She was, she did, and she left us a literary legacy to preserve.
4. What will be the next book discussed on the program?
We’ll talk about Jam on the Vine by LaShonda Barnett in honor of Black History Month. The panelists will be poet Annette Billings; Stuart Hinds, curator of the Gay & Lesbian Archive of Mid-America; and Mercedes Lewis, board member of the Golden Crown Literary Society.
5. How did you become involved with LIKEME Lighthouse?
In January 2011 at a PFLAG meeting, a woman spoke of her niece who had come out and written a book. When Char Daniels said the name, I was astonished because I’d been following Chely [Wright>’s story. I attended the first meeting that May and became more active over time. For the past three years, I served on the board and hosted weekly films. I’ll continue to help with social media and special events. One favorite memory was from the Chili Cook-off a year ago. Two twentysomethings decided to have an impromptu drag dance-off in the lobby and asked several of us to judge (it was a tie). The LIKEME Lighthouse has provided a lot of laughter and meaning in my life.
6. How else are you involved?
I’ve screened films for the production team of our LGBT film festival for 15 years. Working with Jamie Rich, I am convinced that he can solve any problem, no matter how bizarre or serious. We have had so many laughs, watched so many great (and bad) films, and collected so many memories that I can’t imagine a June without the festival.
7. I understand that you are really interested in Women’s Music Festivals. Could you tell me about that?
I’ve been a stage house manager since 2010 at the National Women’s Music Festival in Madison, Wisconsin. Linda Wilson, the president of the board and producer, talked me into it, thank goodness. And my Big Bad Gina friends let me house-manage at the Amazon Women’s Music Festival in Fayetteville, Ark. Impromptu jam sessions, chats with brilliant singer-songwriters, laughs with comedians – what’s not to love? Between films, music, and books, I stay busy.
8. As if you’re not busy enough, you’re involved in the LGBT Frontrunners and Walkers group. This looks like a great group for those of us who would like to get out and be active in the new year. Is this a competitive running group, or are they a group that likes to get out and exercise together?
Some members run competitively, but for the most part, it’s an exercise group of friends, almost all gay men (who are all about the brunch or supper afterward). I have attended intermittently since 1996 because they are so welcoming. When I walk up, inevitably I see a young man thinking “she’s obviously lost.” And then one or more of the guys will greet me like a long-lost relative. What amuses me is at the beginning when we discuss upcoming activities for gay men. “Elizabeth?” Because of radio and the Lighthouse, I often know.
9. You also have two sons. What is your favorite activity to do with them?
Odd as it sounds, we have the most fun in the car riffing on ideas and doing voices and songs. We’ve had cross-country road trips, one of which was very like National Lampoon’s Vacation. It ended with a moose almost killing us, $3,800 worth of car repairs, and then our Les-baru Forester being totaled in Saskatchewan and a 50-hour bus ride home. They also volunteer with me in the LGBT community whenever I ask.
10. I like to end with something fun. If you could be a character in a book, who would you be?
Thanks for stumping me on the last one. I have favorite authors such as Virginia Woolf and Dorothy Allison, but wouldn’t want to be Mrs. Dalloway or Bone. I understand to some degree the skepticism of the central character in Sandra Moran’s Nudge. Sandra and I met to discuss working together at the Lighthouse, on radio, and informally in literature. She initially confounded me because I hadn’t met a lesbian like her. Fourteen years ago I was a senior editor at a publishing company (on the newspaper syndicate side), and working with Sandra brought that previous life back to me. So in that one respect – of experiencing my brain recalibrating – I identify with Sarah Sheppard. But the person most like that character in terms of being The Nudge was and is Sandra."
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.
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, 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.