‘The Night Listener’ – a unique and interesting story

Gabriel Noone is a middle-aged author whose world seems to be crumbling around him. At one minute, he was happily married to his partner Jess, writing and reading his work on National Public Radio with his show Noone at Night, and living the gay dream in his perfect house in San Francisco.

The next thing he knew, his partner decided that he “needed some time alone”, he suffered from a severe case of writer’s block, couldn’t record his show on NPR, and his world seemed to be falling apart at the seams. Then someone came into his life. After reading the manuscript of a young boy sent to him by a New York publisher, he gets a call from the publisher asking if he would write a blurb (a recommendation) for the soon to be published book. The book takes Gabriel’s breath away. The memoir is about a boy named Pete who was sexually abused by his parents and sold into sex slavery to the highest bidder his entire childhood. One day he escaped, took evidence of his abuse in the form of videos made by his parents, and went to the police. He was finally rescued, his parents were arrested and convicted, and the child psychiatrist investigating his case adopted him. The ordeal left him a shell of a human, HIV+ and later with full-blown AIDS. The publisher informs Gabriel that the boy adores and worships him and wants to contact him. Before long, Gabriel is in touch with the boy’s adoptive mother and soon Pete himself. They develop a strong relationship quickly and before long Pete tells Gabriel that he feels like he is the father that he never had.

At a time in Gabriel’s life where nothing is going the way it should, this is a godsend - until his estranged partner Jess informs him of a theory he has. The boy’s mother and Pete are the same person. Gabriel’s mind goes crazy at the thought. He’s never talked to them both at the same time, their voices do sound strikingly familiar, and after a few calls he realizes that no one has ever actually seen the boy. Gabriel doesn’t know what to believe and begins doubting everything that he has believed in the recent months. The next few weeks find Gabriel on an adventure with an outcome and ending very shocking and amazing.

The Night Listener is a unique and interesting story. The book has been around for several years but was recently brought back into the limelight (and a snazzy new paperback edition) with the release of the movie starring Robin Williams. Do yourself a favor and read the book – it’s a good one!

“The Night Listener” is available in paperback at local bookstores, online and at your local library.

The Night Listener
By Armistead Maupin
Harper Perennial, 342 pp., $14.95

 

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.

Keep readingShow less
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.

Keep readingShow less

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.

Keep readingShow less