At last! A gay love story for the rest of us! Fresh onto DVD from Margin Films and Add-Word Productions comes Big Gay Love, writer-director Ringo Le’s stylish masterpiece about finding love that’s more than skin deep.
Starring Jonathan Lisecki (writer-director and star of the comedy Gayby) Ann Walker (from Sordid Lives, and Southern Baptist Sissies) and Nicholas Brendon (from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the film version of Psycho Beach Party), the movie crackles with witty one-liners. But underneath, this is a genuinely poignant and fast-moving story that’s acutely identifiable, particularly to anyone who may not look like an Abercrombie & Fitch model.
In fact, this film gets better every time you watch it, thanks largely to deep and empathetic performances from Lisecki and Brendon.
Brendon, who also co-produced the film, says his interest in Big Gay Love started even before he had read the script.
“It was a bunch of things that really drew me to the script,” he said. “I love what it had to say … and when I did read it, I really liked the way it was written.”
When he went in to audition opposite Lisecki, Brendon said, there was an instant connection between them as well. “We just had such great chemistry,” he said. “And Ringo, too, was great.”
Although Brendon is straight (in October he married actress Moonda Tee), he said he had no qualms about portraying Andy and emphasized that he’s long been an avid supporter of the LGBT community.
“We had a very big gay and lesbian following on Buffy and you know, I’ve played gay before,” he said.
It never hurts to have strong allies, and Brendon happily considers himself one of our strongest. (“Everyone deserves to be happy,” he said.)
To marginalize these observations would not only be doing a great disservice to the man as an actor, it would also be blunting the universality of the insights offered by Le’s story.
“I think finding the right relationship is more of a ‘human’ condition than a gender or sexuality thing,” explains Brendon. “I think when you find the one you’re supposed to be with, it all works out. And when you find that right person, anything’s possible!”
One thing the actor admits with some chagrin, though, is that he initially found doing the love scenes a little challenging, but not for the reasons one might suspect.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s straight or if it’s gay,” he said, “I think love scenes in general are kind of tough. There’s just always a heightened insecurity.”
Looking back on the finished work, he counts these scenes as what he’s most proud of.
“It was a love story,” he said, “and I just wanted to approach it like it was a regular love story only with another guy -- Bob.”
Lisecki does an awesome job playing Bob as a gay everyman. At 40, he’s a portly, bow-tie-wearing party planner, and although he’s on the verge of buying his own home, he hasn’t been as successful in finding love.
“Can’t you just be yourself?” Bob’s weary friends ask him. “Being myself is the last thing anybody wants,” he answers.
These same friends, who are gorgeous themselves, even go so far as to recommend that he see a plastic surgeon. (“It saved our relationship,” they declare.)
Complicating things further is Walker as Bob’s former U.S.O. showgirl mother, who is desperately trying to recreate her glory days. (It also doesn’t help that she once told him he was an orphan she found in Vietnam while touring there with Bob Hope.)
Bob may be a little on the neurotic side, but he’s sweet-natured, and despite everything, he absolutely refuses to give up on love. That’s what makes him so endearing.
One night at a party that he’s organizing, Bob meets a handsome catering assistant. Played by Brendon, Andy is a would-be chef with plans to write his own cookbook. Trouble is (at least to Bob’s way of thinking), Andy’s so fit and good-looking that our boy’s fractured mindset leads him into some self-sabotaging behavior that would try the patience of a saint. (“I never believed I deserved someone like you,” Bob tells Andy after his actions threaten to chase Andy away.)
“I think a lot of people are that way, really” Brendon said about such actions, again underscoring how Bob and Andy really do care about one another. “I think that’s why the film has struck such a chord. I think, at least some of the time, more people are self-sabotaging than aren’t!”
In a scene that subtly highlights the LGBT community’s recent progress, Bob meets with his real estate agent to check out a house in a Los Angeles area bedroom community.
“Homeownership is the perfect test of commitment for any new couple,” she tells him, only to find that he’s single. Shortly afterward, they’re interrupted by a “gentrified” gay couple played by Jason Stuart and Drew Droege, who are out for a walk with their child. Almost immediately, this more-settled pair takes exception to Bob’s uncoupled status, suggesting that he might not be suitable for such a family-oriented street.
“I think it’s great that Ringo specifically makes the point that it doesn’t matter if you’re a gay couple or a straight couple,” Brendon said. “This scene has nothing to do with sexuality -- it has more to do with status. It could’ve been a heterosexual movie where it would have been a heterosexual couple saying the same thing, so it was more about couples -- and people in general -- but it shows just how nonchalant most people are now to find a gay couple -- and gay parents -- in a modern suburban neighborhood. It was great to see it here.”
Ultimately, the movie tells us that anything you want to be is inside of you and that all you need is a little love to “make that passion grow.” Although the ending is purposefully kept a bit ambiguous, this, too, suits Brendon fine.
“I think it’s just as well to let the audience do the work in the end,” he said. “I think the way Ringo did it is the perfect way, leaving the couple a little room to grow on.”
And this certainly is one couple you’ll be rooting for -- just ask any of the eager viewers who made Big Gay Love the hit of last summer’s film festival circuit.
“Audience response has been really great -- it’s been super, super positive,” Brendon said. “I hope a lot more people see it, but more importantly, see the message in it -- and I think the fans of ‘Buffy’ will especially love this.”
Released through Canteen Outlaws (the new label from TLA Releasing) Big Gay Love is now available at all major video outlets, including TLA Gay."
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.