Joshua Minnis is the newly elected co-chair, along with co-chair Kimberly McEvers, for Val-O-Ween, a fundraiser sponsored by the Millennial League to benefit the AIDS Service Foundation. The Feb. 10, 2012, event at the Beaumont Club in Westport will mark the third year for Val-O-Ween, which combines the hearts-and-roses holiday with the frightful day of chills.
Minnis said, “Just know that at Val-O-Ween, our goal is that if you are a hater of Valentine’s Day as so many of us [are>, Val-O-Ween is an event to make Valentine’s Day suck less.”
The theme for the February Val-0-Ween will be Scary Carrie Prom.
“This will be a show within itself that I’m really excited to bring to people,” Minnis said. Crowning prom royalty will be part of the fun, he said.
The Millennial League, an affiliate of the AIDS Service Foundation, is a group of young adults that promotes HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention among all ages and cultures.
The large open area at the Beaumont Club will help Val-O-Ween attendees in the VIP area and the regular-admission attendees mix more easily, Minnis said. Such mixing was more difficult at the multi-level Madrid, the event’s former location, he said.
Making those conversations possible “is kind of the whole purpose of the Millennial League,” he said. “Creating that dialogue — our generation, their generation and all of that.”
The league hopes to attract more people by holding the event in Westport, Minnis said. Previous Val-O-Weens drew 400 or 500 people and now they hope to have at least 700 or more.
The main musical act will be the group Beautiful Bodies.
“They have a following that is totally different, that we’re not touching now. So we’re really excited to see who comes in. And the Beaumont has that concert crowd and the 20s and 30s and 40s that we’re aiming for.”
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. The VIP area tickets are $75 per person with a private party and food.
“There will be swag bags. Halls has kicked in quite a lot of money to sponsor the swag bags. They’re the official apparel sponsor,” he said.
Regular admission includes access to the entire evening of entertainment, including emcees and entertainers Missy Koonce, Ron Megee, Jessica Dressler and Chadwick Brooks, in addition to Beautiful Bodies and DJ Sheppa. The regular admission ticket also includes bottomless Absolut vodka drinks, and other cocktails are available at regular drink prices.
“As many cocktails [Absolut"> as their heart desires. It is by far the cheapest charity event of the year,” Minnis laughed. Although you must be 21 or over to drink, all ages are welcome, Minnis said.
He said the board of the Millennial League “mirrors’ the board of the AIDS Service Foundation. Jessica Cox is the current president of the three-year old organization.
“Currently the president of the Millennial League takes a seat on the AIDS Service Foundation board and acts as a liaison between the two.” Minnis said that Michael Lintecum, Chadwick Brooks and Ryan Gove from the AIDS Service Foundation serve as advisers to the Millennial League.
Oct. 30 is the official kickoff event for the Millennial League’s Val-O-Ween. This event, called the Halloween Tea Dance, will be from 4 to 8 p.m. at Bistro 303, and there will be an after-party later that evening at Missie B’s.
“I’m so excited,” Minnis said. “What Bistro 303 and their patrons have done for us is they’ve managed to raise money for a $1,000 first prize in the costume party.”
Tickets to the Oct. 30 Tea Dance are $5, which is a donation to the Millennial League. To enter the Costume Contest, a party-goer only needs to buy their $20 Val-O-Ween ticket that day.
When I asked whether he knew who the judges were, Minnis said, “Yes! It’s a bit of a gimmick! It’s your mom! My mother, J.P.(John Patrick)’s mother, Jessica Cox’s mother and Chadwick Brooks’ mother. We’re working on Matt Anderson’s mother, but we’re not sure yet.”
None of the Millennial League members can enter the contest, Minnis said, so the judges won’t have to contend with that possible conflict of interest.
Minnis, 25, credits his mother for much of his support as a gay man and said he came out to his family when in high school. He now does freelance graphic design and works as a waiter at the Chaz restaurant on the Plaza. He has worked at the Unicorn Theatre and has a degree in theatre from Central Missouri State University. He lives in Kansas City with his partner, Jeremy Johnston.
“Millennial League is focused on the 18- to 30-year-old demographic. Tea Dance, so far, has been the people like us, and we’d really like to branch out a bit with this launch party. It’s again that cross-generational thing,” he said. He says that “one of the most important things about educating this demographic is creating a dialogue with the generation that dealt with this epidemic in a way that we haven’t dealt with it.”
Minnis said that the Millennial League hopes to work with PFLAG, Passages and other groups to reach people under 18. That is one of the benefits of welcoming people under age 21 at Val-O-Ween. Minnis said that they’re also working with Santiago Vasquez at the Kansas City Anti-Violence Project to translate into Spanish much of what they’re doing.
Besides Val-O-Ween, the Millennial League does monthly Tea Dances from 4-8 pm at Bistro 303 and also the annual Code Red party for AIDS Walk.
When speaking about HIV being minimalized by some young people, Minnis is passionate about education.
“It’s not something that you want. And not that people should be terrified to have sex either,” he said. “Our generation isn’t afraid of this disease, I don’t think, in a way that the generations before us were, because we haven’t seen it kill people, kill our friends. The fact remains, though, that just because people are not dying en masse anymore doesn’t mean the disease is any less dangerous or less hurtful. It hurts us in all kinds of ways. It’s something that we have the power to and should be able to stamp out. And so that’s what I want.”
Minnis credits Terry Newell and Chadwick Brooks for helping to form the Millennial League’s logo and identity, as well as Jessica Cox, Matt Anderson and the other people who have been working on the events.
I asked Minnis whether he ever gets tired of remembering how to spell Millennial League, and he laughed and said, “I am exhausted at spelling Millennial League. Two L’s and two N’s. Thank God for spell check.”
The kick-off party for Val-O-Ween is the Oct. 30 Halloween Tea Dance at Bistro 303, 303 Westport Rd., Kansas City, Mo. from 4-8 pm. Grand prize is $1,000 for those who have purchased $20 tickets to Val-O-Ween and general admission is $5.
Val-O-Ween “Scary Carrie Prom” will be held from 8 p.m. to midnight Feb. 10, 2012, at the Beaumont Club, 4050 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, Mo. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door, and VIP tickets are $75. For more information, visit www.aidswalkkansascity.org.
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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.