The Pride Issue 28, November 11, 2017 by THE PRIDE LOS ANGELES

the pride

11.02 – 11.16.2017

ISSUE NUMBER 28, VOLUME 2 | NOV. 3 – 16, ‘17

WWW.THEPRIDELA.COM

LOS ANGELES

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THE LOS ANGELES LGBT NEWSPAPER

HOW OPIOIDS COULD CREATE THE NEXT HIV/AIDS CRISIS In light of Trump’s public health emergency declaration, gay communities in Los Angeles are finding ways to fight back against the opioid crisis.

MORE ON PAGES 5 & 7

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What is TRUVADA for PrEP?

Who should not take TRUVADA for PrEP?

TRUVADA for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a prescription medicine that is used together with safer sex practices to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 through sex. This use is only for HIV-negative adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1. To help determine your risk of getting HIV-1, talk openly with your healthcare provider about your sexual health.

Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP if you:

Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to prevent getting HIV. Always practice safer sex and use condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with body fluids. Never reuse or share needles or other items that have body fluids on them.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about TRUVADA for PrEP? Before taking TRUVADA for PrEP: ® You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA for PrEP. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1. Do not take TRUVADA to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are confirmed to be HIV-negative. ® Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. If you have flu-like symptoms, you could have recently become infected with HIV-1. Tell your healthcare provider if you had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting or at any time while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. While taking TRUVADA for PrEP: ® You must continue to use safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. ® You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP: ® Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months. ® If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. ® To further help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1: ® Know your HIV status and the HIV status of your partners. ® Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV to infect you.

® Already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. If you are HIV-1 positive, you need to take other medicines with TRUVADA to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. ® Also take certain medicines to treat hepatitis B infection.

What are the other possible side effects of TRUVADA for PrEP? Serious side effects of TRUVADA may also include: ® Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your kidneys before and during treatment with TRUVADA. If you develop kidney problems, your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking TRUVADA. ® Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. ® Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. ® Bone problems, including bone pain, softening, or thinning, which may lead to fractures. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your bones. Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP are stomach-area (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking TRUVADA for PrEP? ® All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis.

® Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior, such as having fewer sex partners.

® If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if TRUVADA can harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking TRUVADA for PrEP, talk to your healthcare provider to decide if you should keep taking TRUVADA.

® Do not miss any doses of TRUVADA. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection.

® If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. If you become HIV-positive, HIV can be passed to the baby in breast milk.

® If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. TRUVADA can cause serious side effects: ® Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. TRUVADA is not approved to treat HBV. If you have HBV and stop taking TRUVADA, your HBV may suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to monitor your health.

® All the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. TRUVADA may interact with other medicines. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. ® If you take certain other medicines with TRUVADA, your healthcare provider may need to check you more often or change your dose. These medicines include certain medicines to treat hepatitis C (HCV) infection. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see Important Facts about TRUVADA for PrEP including important warnings on the following page.

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We're open, not unprepared. We know who we are. And we make choices that fit our lives. TRUVADA for PrEP™ is a once-daily prescription medicine that can help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 when taken every day and used together with safer sex practices. ® TRUVADA for PrEP is only for adults who are at high risk of getting HIV through sex. ® You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA for PrEP.

Ask your doctor about your risk of getting HIV-1 infection and if TRUVADA for PrEP may be right for you. Learn more at truvada.com

7/28/17 8:40 AM

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IMPORTANT FACTS

This is only a brief summary of important information about taking TRUVADA for PrEPTM (pre-exposure prophylaxis) to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. This does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your medicine.

(tru-VAH-dah) MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP Before starting TRUVADA for PrEP: • You must be HIV-1 negative. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are confirmed to be HIV-1 negative. • Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include flu-like symptoms, tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting TRUVADA for PrEP. While taking TRUVADA for PrEP: • You must continue to use safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. • You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you think you were exposed to HIV-1 or have a flu-like illness while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. • If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. • See the “How To Further Reduce Your Risk” section for more information. TRUVADA may cause serious side effects, including: • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. TRUVADA is not approved to treat HBV. If you have HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking TRUVADA. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.

ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP TRUVADA for PrEP is a prescription medicine used together with safer sex practices to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 through sex. This use is only for HIV-negative adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1. • To help determine your risk of getting HIV-1, talk openly with your healthcare provider about your sexual health. Do NOT take TRUVADA for PrEP if you: • Already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. • Take certain medicines to treat hepatitis B infection.

HOW TO TAKE TRUVADA FOR PrEP • Take 1 tablet once a day, every day, not just when you think you have been exposed to HIV-1. • Do not miss any doses. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. • Use TRUVADA for PrEP together with condoms and safer sex practices. • Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months. You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF TRUVADA FOR PrEP TRUVADA can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “Most Important Information About TRUVADA for PrEP” section. • New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. • Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. • Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. • Bone problems. Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP include stomach-area (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight. These are not all the possible side effects of TRUVADA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with TRUVADA for PrEP.

BEFORE TAKING TRUVADA FOR PrEP Tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis. • Have any other medical conditions. • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. • Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. If you become HIV-positive, HIV can pass to the baby in breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: • Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. • Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with TRUVADA for PrEP.

HOW TO FURTHER REDUCE YOUR RISK • Know your HIV status and the HIV status of your partners. • Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV to infect you. • Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior, such as having fewer sex partners. • Do not share needles or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them.

GET MORE INFORMATION • This is only a brief summary of important information about TRUVADA for PrEP. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more, including how to prevent HIV infection. • Go to start.truvada.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5 • If you need help paying for your medicine, visit start.truvada.com for program information.

TRUVADA FOR PREP, the TRUVADA FOR PREP Logo, the TRUVADA Blue Pill Design, TRUVADA, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. Version date: April 2017 © 2017 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. TVDC0153 07/17

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HEALTH

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FROM THE COVER

⚫ BY HENRY GIARDINA

HOW OPIOIDS COULD CREATE THE NEXT HIV/AIDS CRISIS In light of Trump’s public health emergency declaration, gay communities in Los Angeles are finding ways to fight back against the opioid crisis.

Last week, when Donald Trump declared America’s opioid crisis to be a public health emergency, lawmakers quickly rallied behind the initiative. Since the early 2000s, more and more Americans have fallen prey to the use of prescription opioids for recreational purposes. In rural communities, non-prescription versions of these drugs are circulated at alarming rates, claiming thousands of lives per year. In 2016, the death toll came in at 64,000. What’s worse, not only does the problem seem to be escalating year by year according to a chart published in the New York Times, it’s creating a host of other health-related problems. Since opioids are often administered via syringe, the health emergency is predicted to create a spike in HIV positive diagnoses across the country, as well as Hepatitis B and C positive diagnoses in rural areas. With all these health concerns coming together to present a triple threat, the question of whether or not high-risk communities will be able to receive access to government-funded relief programs hangs in the balance. In the early days of the AIDS epidemic, the disease was seen and marketed as a strictly gay male problem, and was thus ignored by the current administration. Thanks to the work of AIDS activist organization ACT UP, President Reagan was eventually forced to look at the facts, and so was the rest of the country. Before America could tackle the problem of the skyrocketing AIDS rate, it had to accept that the problem wasn’t specific to any one community or high-risk group. It was the country’s problem. Today, the country finds itself in a similar spot. Shifting demographics are changing our idea of what America’s drug problem looks like, and what its next big HIV crisis could look like. Because of the overwhelming use of opioids in poor, rural middle-American communities, the statistics are shifting to reflect a new, highly vulnerable population. For the gay

Photo: Thinkstock.

Since opioids are often administered via syringe, the health emergency is predicted to create a spike in HIV positive diagnoses across the countr y, as well as Hepatitis B and C positive diagnoses in rural areas

population in such communities, the chances of infection could double. There’s also the problem of low screening rates in more rural communities. In conservative states and counties where private health is a public (and moral) business, infected individuals are less likely to go out of their way to get screened. Some citizens might not even know where to go. “The death rate from drug overdoses is climbing at a much faster pace than other causes of death, jumping to an average of 16 per 100,000 in 2015 from six per 100,000 in 1999,” according to Haeyoun Park and Matthew Blochin the New York Times in January 2016. “The trend is now similar to that of the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, epidemic in the late 1980s and early 1990s,” said Robert Anderson, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Chief of Mortality Statistics. According to Politico, “The next HIV epidemic in America is likely brewing in rural areas suffering under the nationwide opioid crisis, with many of the highest risk communities in deep red states that voted for President Donald Trump.” The Washington Post re-

cently expressed a similar far that the opioid health emergency could lead to a new HIV crisis. “Opioids, as well as being harmful on their own, also increase the risk of HIV outbreaks, as users sometimes inject the drugs using shared, infected syringes.” The sharing of needles is what led to a huge HIV outbreak in Indiana in 2015. Statistics from the National Institute on Drug Abuse in 2012 estimate that 2.1 million people across the country deal with substance use disorders as a result of prescription opioids. An additional 467,000 are addicted to pure heroin. Globally, it’s an even bigger problem. According to a study by a Boston University associate professor Lisa Messersmith, “one in 10 of new HIV infections worldwide are in people who inject drugs.” As of late 2016, there are estimated to be 12 million people who inject drugs worldwide, and 1.6 million are estimated to be HIV positive. Here in Los Angeles, the combination of high opioid use rates and a recent Hep C state of emergency make the LGBTQ+ population especially vulnerable. As the country turns its sights to fixing the growing opioid problem

in rural areas, we took the time to ask Greg Millett, Vice President and Director of Public Policy at amfAR, about what we can do to be proactive about fighting opioid addiction in L.A.’s LGBTQ+ community. Can you speak to how LGBTQ+ L.A. residents are being affected by the opioid crisis? The nation’s worsening opioid epidemic affects everyone, including members of the LGBTQ+ community. Data on the opioid crisis, HIV and hepatitis C have been compiled by amfAR in our Opioid & Health Indicators database. Thousands of Americans die every year as a result of the opioid crisis; in 2015 there 4,659 drug-related deaths in the state of California. The epidemic’s impact is far-reaching and opioid addiction doesn’t discriminate. Could you speak a bit more about how the opioid crisis is creating a greater risk of HIV and Hep C rates of infection?

OPIOD, see page 7

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COMMUNITY ACTIVISM

11.03 – 11.16.2017

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OCCUPY BATHROOMS

⚫ BY ANNETTE SEMERDJIAN

City Hall Protesters Call for Access to Bathrooms for Homeless Citizens

Photo: Jed Poole.

Protesters at L.A. City Hall are fighting for the rights of homeless individuals to use public restrooms.

Protesters took to Los Angeles City Hall Oct. 25 to address the shortage of toilets for the homeless population on Skid Row by attempting to carry toilets to Mayor Eric Garcetti's office. There were messages on the toilets from the people of Skid Row. Since the toilets were made of porcelain, they were prohibited from entering the building and remained near the entrance of the building as protesters from Los Angeles Catholic Worker and the Los Angeles Community Action Network entered the fourth floor to occupy all of the toilets next to City Council offices. The protesters blocked off over 16 stalls for about four hours. Jed Poole, a supervising coordinator at L.A. Catholic Worker, was one of the protesters present. Poole recalled that although there were quite a number of people that were upset at the inconvenience, it did open a great dialogue with others as well. He told LAist, “People were trying to get in. A couple people were sort of upset, but we did get a lot of words of support. I definitely feel like it brought up a conversation that had already been going on.” Outside the walls of City Hall, the rally took place with the dumping of collected used disposable hand towels in front of the graffitied toilets. There were no arrests made. Having a shortage of toilets during a time of high rates of infections of Hepatitis A is even more concerning, especially when half of the people affected were homeless, according to the L.A. Times. Since the disease is transferred through feces, the conditions of Skid Row toilets can be a very high-risk zone for contracting the disease. For homeless individuals who identify as LGBT+, the risk of infection is even greater. L.A. Catholic Worker is advocating for at least 164 additional restrooms that meet the United Nations standards for refugee camps. The call for action requires there be basic human needs met by better standards of restrooms with access to sinks and other means of proper hygiene. Meeting basic human needs for staying healthy in Skid Row restrooms may not include providing homeless women with the necessity of feminine hygiene products. New York has already passed a measure requiring public schools, homeless shelters and prisons to offer free feminine products. There are only nine toilets for over a

thousand people living on the streets of downtown after former mayor Antonio Villaraigosa pulled out some of the restrooms after discovering they were used for prostitution and drugs. After the City was cited for inexcusable conditions by the Los Angeles County Public Health Department, the improvements made thereafter were not sufficient and did not fix the issue of providing enough restrooms. The motion for Los Angeles to consider a plan to implement portable toilets around the parts of the city with the most vulnerable populations of people passed earlier this month as a step toward resolving this long term issue.

EDITOR

Henry Giardina

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THE PRIDE L.A., The Newspaper Serving Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender L.A., is published by MIRROR MEDIA GROUP. Send all inquiries to: THE PRIDE L.A., 2116 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA. Phone: 310.310.2637 Written permission of the publisher must be obtained before any of the contents of this paper, in part or whole, can be reproduced or redistributed. All contents (c) 2017 The Pride L.A. THE PRIDE L.A. is a registered trademark of MIRROR MEDIA GROUP. T.J. MONTEMER, CEO 310.310.2637 x7

11.02 – 11.16.2017 NEWS

POLITICS

⚫ BY STAFF WRITER

LOS ANGELES

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BAN THE BAN

Trump’s Transgender Military Ban Rejected

On October 30, U.S. District Court judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s order for a ban on transgender service in the military, according to multiple sources. The order, according to the judge, was “not genuinely based on legitimate concerns regarding military effectiveness or budget constraints, but are instead driven by a desire to express disapproval of transgender people generally.” Since news spread in late July of Trump planning to pass an order that would bar transgender individuals from serving in the military, a number of LGBTQ-allied organizations such as GLAAD, Lambda Legal and OutServe-SLDN. The decision on October 30 was made in response to a lawsuit filed against the ban by GLAAD and the National Center for Lesbian Rights, one of many federal lawsuits resulting from the proposed legislation. “This is a complete victory for our plaintiffs and all transgender service members, who are now once again able to serve on equal terms and without the threat of being discharged,” NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter told the Washington Post. Currently, there is an estimated total of 15,500 transgender service members on active duty. This decision, unless overturned by the Supreme Court, will protect their right to serve.

NEWS

HEALTH

Trump’s order to ban transgender soldiers from serving in the military has been banned.

Photo: The Washington Examiner.

FROM THE COVER ... continued from page 5

⚫ BY HENRY GIARDINA

OPIOD,

from page 5

Since sharing syringes is one of the most efficient routes for transmitting blood-borne diseases, the injection of synthetic opioids like fentanyl and heroin (the cheaper alternative,) has led to skyrocketing rates of hepatitis C infection. Hepatitis C (HCV) infections in America tripled from 2010 to 2015, and in 2014, an HIV and HCV outbreak in Scott County, Indiana left more than 200 infected from sharing needles. CDC reported an uptick in HIV cases among people who inject drugs between 2014 and 2015 because of the Scott County outbreak. High rates of Hepatitis C may be a harbinger for a future HIV outbreak, which is why CDC compiled a list of 220 counties at high risk for an outbreak like Scott County.

What should HIV positive individuals be aware of when dealing with opioids? It is important to know that opioid abuse is associated with poorer health outcomes. If you are HIV-positive and addicted to opioids, you may be less likely to take to your HIV medications and can jeopardize your health. If you are not taking responsibility for your health, you may unwittingly transmit HIV through shared needles or during sex with HIV-negative partners. What are some of the best resources for L.A. residents to check out to help with recovery and curbing the epidemic? LA-area residents should be aware of the benefits of syringe service programs in their communities. Syringe service programs reduce the risk of infectious diseases among people

who inject drugs by providing clean, sterile syringes and a broad range of other health and prevention services. These include linkage to substance abuse treatment services, physical and mental health care, HIV pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis, and overdose-reversing medication. The North American Syringe Exchange Network (NASEN) has a directory of all the syringe service programs in California. A recent article just came out that claims an HIV cure is on the way. If made available in the next few years, how will this affect the opioid crisis? Any effort being undertaken today to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic is a welcome step forward, and that includes research efforts to cure HIV. The scientific community is indeed optimistic, that with the right investments, the challenges to an HIV cure can be overcome. If and when a cure is found, it will ultimately

benefit the millions of people living with HIV, including those who use drugs. Within the LGBT+ community, are there certain individuals who are at greater risk than others for an overdose? Anyone dealing with drug addiction can fall victim to an overdose. While research suggests that the LGBT+ communities are more likely than heterosexuals to have substance use and mental health issues (primarily due factors including homelessness, stigma, discrimination, or abuse,) more research needs to be done to find out which individuals within the LGBT+ community are at greater risk. We do know that – like HIV – opioids and subsequent addiction doesn’t discriminate. The opioid crisis and subsequent overdoses have affected the young, old, gay, straight, rich, poor, urban or rural.

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> Satanic Panic Goes Gay HISTORY FILM

GAY L.A.

⚫ BY HENRY GIARDINA

When Kenneth Anger Met the Black Pope.

At 90 years old, Kenneth Anger is in fine, satanic spirits, still making art, films, and couture, and just having come off a hosting gig at a Halloween event co-hosted by DTLA gallery Lethal Objects. The event, which took place at Rudolph Valentino’s old mansion in Hollywood, was a celebration of the 20-year death-iversary of famous occultist and Satanic Church founder Anton LeVay. Equal parts memorabilia exhibition, spirited discussion, and black mass performance, the gathering brought together longtime devotees of both Anger and LeVay, two men whose work, by the late 1960s and far into the Satanic Panic period of the 1980s, would become fascinatingly intertwined. But how did it all start? When out-gay filmmaker Kenneth Anger met Anton LeVay in the mid-sixties, he

was kicking around with a wild L.A. crowd whose fixtures included future Manson family member Bobby Beausoleil and singer Marianne Faithfull. LeVay, who christened himself the “Black Pope” of the Satanic Church, was actually one of the more vanilla members of Anger’s entourage, considering what went down on Cielo Drive in the later months of the Summer of Love. Between founding the Church of Satan and publishing “The Satanic Bible” in 1969, LaVey had taken a tip from his occultist forerunner Aleister Crowley and made himself infamous by the time the hippie movement was in full swing. His and Anger’s association – if no more than politely social – with Manson and his family was enough to cement LeVay in the minds of Americans as a dyed-in-thewool demon, with just a touch of kitsch attached. When Anger and LeVay began collaborating on what would become two versions of the same film in 1969, “Invocations of My Demon Brother” and its final cut, “Lu-

cifer Rising,” a new visual language involving leather, sadism, gay culture, Hollywood camp, and the occult, became seamlessly combined in Anger’s seminal works. Many of the films Anger made in the 60s and 70s were deemed too obscene to screen by current standards. Anger’s 1963 film “Scorpio Rising” was at first banned in California by an all-female jury who found themselves shocked by its graphic nature. This, one guesses, was Anger’s intent, as he described “Scorpio Rising,” according to unauthorized biographer Bill Landis, as “a death mirror held up to American culture... Thanatos in chrome, black leather, and bursting jeans.” America would tire of gazing into this “death mirror” by the late ‘60s, after the Manson murders rocked the country, and Hollywood starlet Jayne Mansfield who, along with Sammy Davis, Jr., had fallen under Anton LeVay’s spell in 1967, lost her life in a tragic, brutal car accident the same year. Some wanted to blame LeVay for a “curse” he put on Mansfield and her lover, who had

Photo: Still from “Invocation of My Demon Brother.”

Gay filmmaker Kenneth Anger paid tribute to LeVay in his films “Lucifer Rising” (1970) and “Invocation of My Demon Brother.”

Photo: Lethal Objects.

The occult galler y Lethal Objects is commemorating the 20-year death anniversar y of Anton LeVay, the “black pope” of the Satanic Church.

been driving the car. A new documentary, “Mansfield 66/67,” coyly suggests as much while trying to shed a light on LeVay’s magnetic power over his followers. When LaVey passed away in 1997 of heart failure, Satanic panic was on its way out, and Kenneth Anger still had a hefty career ahead of him. His juicy tell-all “Hollywood Babylon” had been re-released in 1975 (after being banned on its first publication in ‘65,) earning him a secure place in Hollywood history, and would go on to spawn not one but two sequels. “Hollywood Babylon II” was released in 1986, and “Hollywood Babylon III” is on the cusp of release. The first edition of the original “Hollywood Babylon” bears a picture of LeVay devotee Jayne Mansfield posed scandalously on the cover. Today, LeVay and Anger’s version of Satanism seems so vague and artistically interpreted as to appear almost quaint. It’s the perfect campy non-religion for today’s Hollywood, a place that has long since left behind its scandalous, murderous reputation and replaced it with a host of yoga and meditation studios which, with their promise of spiritual restoration, bear a strong resemblance to the vagaries of LeVayan occultism. Lethal Amounts Gallery owner David Fuentes, a longtime LeVay enthusiast, sees the Church of Satan as having been oddly progressive for its time, hence the newed interest of Angelenos in LeVay’s life and work. “Openly inviting to gays, lesbians, non-conformists, and radical thinkers. The religion was for the intellectual elite, empowering the concept of self-acceptance and ridding the guilt of carnal delights.” Wrote Fuentes. “The message was if you couldn’t enjoy the thrills of life, what is the point of life itself?”

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LOS ANGELES

ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE

⚫ BY GENNA RIVIECCIO

NEW BUNNY ON THE BLOCK

Playboy Gets Its First Out Transgender Playmate Has the legendary men’s magazine finally moved into the 21st century?

Although Hugh Hefner’s death may have dredged up the old polarizing sentiments about whether he was an innovator or merely an ambitious misogynist, it seems that Playboy is attempting to cement his legacy as the former. In a move that shows the company’s amenability to progress, the first openly trans Playmate, French model Ines Rau, is set to appear as the centerfold of the November/December issue, available on newsstands (or what’s left of them) this Halloween. While some reactions have been encouraging in terms of taking a collective pulse of tolerance and acceptance, others have been, shall we say, not so much. Like the porn industry’s own Jenna Jameson, who commented, “I have a problem with it just like I have a problem with a transgender competing against biological women in sports. I think it’s setting fire to an iconic brand and pandering to this ridiculous PC world we live in.” Well darlin’, how do you really feel? In contrast to the transphobic feelings

expressed by the likes of Jameson and some former subscribers to Playboy, the company threw massive shade at the haters by comparing their attitudes to the ones mimicked by racists in the 60s when Playboy featured its first black female centerfold. Digging up a letter to the editor from 1965 that reads, “I do not need the foldout in the March issue… there are too many Negroes at this university now,” Playboy compared it to a recent comment on social media that condescended to say: “I grew up with Playboy and the sexy Playmates in the issue. I’d like to congratulate Playboy on officially cowering to political correctness. I won’t resubscribe for this.” What makes the few remaining straight men left in this world most uncomfortable of all, obviously, is the erroneous notion that they’re getting an erection from a woman that was once a man. This “Crying Game” (pardon us for referencing a Weinstein production) conundrum is what has plagued depictions of trans romances since the dawn of time. As Rau commented on previously choosing not to disclose her assigned-at-birth gender to others: “I dated a lot and almost forgot. I was scared of

never finding a boyfriend and being seen as weird. Then I was like, ‘You know, you should just be who you are.’ It’s a salvation to speak the truth about yourself, whether it’s your gender, sexuality, whatever. The people who reject you aren’t worth it. It’s not about being loved by others; it’s about loving yourself.” And those are the people – the ones who love without limits, who masturbate without bias – that will still buy this revolutionary issue of Playboy.

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Ines Rau is Playboy Magazine’s first transgender playmate.

Photos: Instagram (@supa_ines.)

11.02 – 11.16.2017 ENTERTAINMENT SPORTS

LOS ANGELES

⚫ 11

GAY GAMES

⚫ BY HENRY GIARDINA

With “Gay Gridiron,” Venice’s LGBTQ+ Sports Fans Gain a New Tradition

The Los Angeles Chargers teamed with Venice Pride for a series of football watch parties.

For Westside fans of football, Sundays are about to get a lot more fun. Starting Sunday, Oct. 29, and continuing through the end of the year, “Gay Gridiron” will unite LGBTQ+ football fans under one roof to watch the Sunday games in style. When the Los Angeles Chargers supported Venice Pride this year, they made history as one of the first two NFL teams to officially throw their weight behind an official LGBT Pride event. After Venice

SPORTS, see page 15

⚫

11.03 – 11.16.2017

LOS ANGELES

WHAT IS GENVOYA®? GENVOYA is a 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in people 12 years and older who weigh at least 77 pounds. It can either be used in people who are starting HIV-1 treatment and have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements. These include having an undetectable viral load (less than 50 copies/mL) for 6 months or more on their current HIV-1 treatment. GENVOYA combines 4 medicines into 1 pill taken once a day with food. GENVOYA is a complete HIV-1 treatment and should not be used with other HIV-1 medicines. GENVOYA does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. To control HIV-1 infection and decrease HIV-related illnesses, you must keep taking GENVOYA. Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to reduce the risk of passing HIV-1 to others. Always practice safer sex and use condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with body ﬂuids. Never reuse or share needles or other items that have body ﬂuids on them.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about GENVOYA?

GENVOYA may cause serious side effects: • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. GENVOYA is not approved to treat HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV and stop taking GENVOYA, your HBV may suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking GENVOYA without ﬁrst talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to monitor your health.

Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking GENVOYA. • Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. • Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. The most common side effect of GENVOYA is nausea. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or don’t go away. •

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking GENVOYA? •

•

Who should not take GENVOYA?

Do not take GENVOYA if you take: • Certain prescription medicines for other conditions. It is important to ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with GENVOYA. Do not start a new medicine without telling your healthcare provider. • The herbal supplement St. John’s wort. • Any other medicines to treat HIV-1 infection. What are the other possible side effects of GENVOYA?

Serious side effects of GENVOYA may also include: • Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to ﬁght infections. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking GENVOYA.

•

All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis virus infection. All the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Other medicines may affect how GENVOYA works. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. Ask your healthcare provider if it is safe to take GENVOYA with all of your other medicines. If you take antacids. Take antacids at least 2 hours before or after you take GENVOYA. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if GENVOYA can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking GENVOYA. If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Please see Important Facts about GENVOYA, including important warnings, on the following page.

Ask your healthcare provider if GENVOYA is right for you. GENVOYA.com

GENC0142_B_10x11-7_ThePrideLA_Skylar_r1v1jl.indd 1-2

11.02 – 11.16.2017

LOS ANGELES

⚫ 13

GENVOYA does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS.

SHOW YOUR

POWER

Take care of what matters most—you. GENVOYA is a 1-pill, once-a-day complete HIV-1 treatment for people who are either new to treatment or people whose healthcare provider determines they can replace their current HIV-1 medicines with GENVOYA.

10/6/17 10:34 AM

⚫

11.03 – 11.16.2017

LOS ANGELES

IMPORTANT FACTS This is only a brief summary of important information about GENVOYA® and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment.

(jen-VOY-uh) MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT GENVOYA

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF GENVOYA

GENVOYA may cause serious side effects, including: • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. GENVOYA is not approved to treat HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking GENVOYA. Do not stop taking GENVOYA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.

GENVOYA can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “Most Important Information About GENVOYA” section. • Changes in your immune system. • New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. • Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. • Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. The most common side effect of GENVOYA is nausea. These are not all the possible side effects of GENVOYA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking GENVOYA. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with GENVOYA.

ABOUT GENVOYA GENVOYA is a prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in people 12 years of age and older who weigh at least 77 pounds and have never taken HIV-1 medicines before. GENVOYA can also be used to replace current HIV-1 medicines for some people who have an undetectable viral load (less than 50 copies/mL of virus in their blood), and have been on the same HIV-1 medicines for at least 6 months and have never failed HIV-1 treatment, and whose healthcare provider determines that they meet certain other requirements. • GENVOYA does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. Ask your healthcare provider about how to prevent passing HIV-1 to others. Do NOT take GENVOYA if you: • Take a medicine that contains: alfuzosin (Uroxatral®), carbamazepine (Carbatrol®, Epitol®, Equetro®, Tegretol®, Tegretol-XR®, Teril®), cisapride (Propulsid®, Propulsid Quicksolv®), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45®, Migranal®), ergotamine (Cafergot®, Migergot®, Ergostat®, Medihaler Ergotamine®, Wigraine®, Wigrettes®), lovastatin (Advicor®, Altoprev®, Mevacor®), lurasidone (Latuda®), methylergonovine (Ergotrate®, Methergine®), midazolam (when taken by mouth), phenobarbital (Luminal®), phenytoin (Dilantin®, Phenytek®), pimozide (Orap®), rifampin (Rifadin®, Rifamate®, Rifater®, Rimactane®), sildenafil when used for lung problems (Revatio®), simvastatin (Simcor®, Vytorin®, Zocor®), or triazolam (Halcion®). • Take the herbal supplement St. John’s wort. • Take any other HIV-1 medicines at the same time. •

GET MORE INFORMATION • • •

This is only a brief summary of important information about GENVOYA. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more. Go to GENVOYA.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5 If you need help paying for your medicine, visit GENVOYA.com for program information.

BEFORE TAKING GENVOYA Tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis infection. • Have any other medical condition. • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. • Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: • Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. • Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with GENVOYA.

HOW TO TAKE GENVOYA • •

GENVOYA is a complete one pill, once a day HIV-1 medicine. Take GENVOYA with food.

GENVOYA, the GENVOYA Logo, LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE, SHOW YOUR POWER, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. Version date: April 2017 © 2017 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. GENC0142 06/17

GENC0142_B_10x11-7_ThePrideLA_Skylar_r1v1jl.indd 3

10/6/17 10:34 AM

11.02 – 11.16.2017

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

LOS ANGELES

⚫ 15

WEHO IS HERE FOR YOU

⚫ BY DOUGLAS MONTGOMERY

Los Angeles LGBT Center Hosts 9th Annual Transgender Job Fair As the unemployment rate returns to pre-recession levels, transgender people continue to lag behind their cisgender peers, with an unemployment rate three times higher than the average in the United States. In response to this chronic disparity, the Los Angeles LGBT Center and the City of West Hollywood are hosting a “job and resources fair specifically tailored for trans people,” according to a press release. The annual event will happen on Thursday, Nov. 9, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the West Hollywood Park Auditorium. “Many transgender job seekers hold college degrees yet they are not being hired solely because of their gender identity or expression,” said the Center’s TEEP Program Manager Drian Juarez. “We intend to reverse this by connecting qualified applicants with companies that strive for a diverse workplace. I encourage all companies to become a champion of trans people by committing to hiring them.” Since the fair began in 2008, hundreds of trans people across Los Angeles have secured jobs. This year, more than 50 companies and organizations will attend the event. “We jumped at the chance to participate several years ago and have been back every year since because we are committed to being vocal allies to our transgender friends, family, colleagues, and the wider community,” said Team One Director of Interactive Production Michael Nnadi. “The speakers from the community, the orga-

West Hollywood is helping its trans community find work, one job fair at a time.

nizers, and the candidates of the fair itself continue to inspire us.” The fair will provide resources beyond opportunities to meet with prospective employers, including resume feedback and tips, a mock interview clinic, and a photo

booth for professional headshots. Jan Perry, General Manager of the Los Angeles Economic and Workforce Development Department will deliver this year’s keynote. According to a 2016 survey by the National Center for Transgender Equality,

Photo: Thinkstock.

transgender people report an unemployment rate of 15%, three times the national average. Trans people of color experience even higher rates. One third of respondents also said they were living in poverty – about twice the national average.

WITH “GAY GRIDIRON,” VENICE’S LGBTQ+ SPORTS FANS GAIN A NEW TRADITION SPORTS, From page 11 Pride organizers asked sponsors and community members from across L.A. to purchase a bulb to contribute to Venice Pride’s now iconic light-up pride sign, the Chargers showed their support by purchasing all the yellow bulbs that lit up the “C” in Venice. After that, a new partnership between the L.A.’s home team and its newest of-

ficial pride celebration was born. Now, the Chargers are official co-sponsors of the “Gay Gridiron” watch parties for the 2017/2018 season. For “Gay Gridiron’s” kick-off, Grant Turck, the founder of Venice Pride, wanted to boost visibility for all the LGBTQ+ sports fans who feel left out in the community. “From our inception, Venice Pride has pushed the envelope in unique and impactful ways, funneling grassroots community involvement, equality and empowerment to Angelenos across the city.” Said Turck in a

press release. “The Los Angeles Chargers are dedicated to making all communities in L.A. feel welcome.” Special advisor to the Los Angeles Chargers Jeffrey Pollack agrees. “Equity, diversity, inclusion, and unity are fundamental to who we are as a Franchise,” said Pollack. “We are proud of our partnership with Venice Pride and want all fans to feel like they are part of the team – home or away.” While the event is targeted toward LGBTQ+ lovers of football, the watching parties are proudly inclusive and hope to

bring a whole new element of the community together under one roof. The inaugural watching party, sponsored by L.A.’s Varsity Gay League, invited football fans from all over town to cheer on the L.A. Chargers as they took on the New England Patriots. The free event took place in Santa Monica’s Basement Tavern and featured a “Charger Girls” photo booth and team giveaways. The watching parties will take place every other Sunday of this year at a series of different locations. Taking back Sunday never felt so good.

⚫

11.03 – 11.16.2017

LOS ANGELES

SCIENCE HEALTH

THE FUTURE IS IN GOOD HANDS

⚫ BY DOUGLAS MONTGOMERY

New Crop of HIV/AIDS Scientists Awarded Krim Fellowship

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With scientists edging closer to a cure for HIV/AIDS, three fellows have been given a chance to follow through on new research.

hree scientists have been awarded the Mathilde Krim Fellowship in Basic Biomedical Research on behalf of the American Foundation for AIDS Research, or amfAR. The fellowship, named in honor of amfAR Founding Chairman Dr. Mathilde Krim, supports young scientists exploring new ways to combat HIV/AIDS. The three Krim fellows – Daniela Monaco, Ph.D., at Emory University in Atlanta, GA; Gabriel Ozorowski, Ph.D., at The Scripps Research Institute in San Diego, CA; and Jonathan Richard, Ph.D., at the Université de Montréal, Centre de Recherche du CHUM in Montreal, Canada – will each be awarded $150,000 over two years. “We are proud to continue the tradition of investing in promising young scientists as a means of securing and strengthening the future of HIV/AIDS research,” said amfAR Chief Executive Officer Kevin Robert

Frost. “The caliber of this year’s Krim fellows reassures us that that future is in very capable hands.” Dr. Ozorowski is an expert in electron microscopy, the use of high-powered microscopes that can see the structure of molecules. With the Krim fellowship secured, Dr. Ozorowski now plans on using cryo-electron microscopy, a new technique that allows for improved imaging by using extremely cold temperatures. Dr. Ozorowski hopes that an improved structural understanding of the virus will lead to new drugs to suppress it. Dr. Monaco, who began studying AIDS as a doctoral student at the University of Buenos Aires, hopes to locate a potential cure by studying viral mutations. Using blood samples from patients in Zambia, Dr. Monaco will determine what parts of the virus are less likely to mutate. By using this information, scientists will be able to craft more effective vaccines that are less likely to become obsolete. Dr. Richard, in addition to the Krim fellowship, also received the Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarship Award. In his research, Dr. Richard has identified two proteins that enhance the body’s natural ability to destroy virally infected cells. His work will explore the impact of boosting these proteins. The American Foundation for AIDS Research is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and the advocacy of AIDS-related public policy. The foundation was founded after actor Rock Hudson died of complications resulting from AIDS in 1985, leaving $250,000 to start amfAR. Since then, amfAR has invested more than $480 million in its programs and has awarded grants to more than 3,300 research teams worldwide.

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11.02 – 11.16.2017

COMMUNITY

TRANSPORTATION

⚫ BY KELLY HARTOG

LOS ANGELES

⚫ 17

BIKE - CURIOUS

UCLA Launches Bike Share Program Westwood is the latest area to introduce smart bikes.

Following in the footsteps – or rather pedal power – of nearby services in Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and West Hollywood, earlier this month, UCLA launched its very own bike share system, simply called Bruin Bike Share. UCLA is the first university in Southern California to employ a smart bike-share system. The program has launched with 130 bicycles and 18 different hubs (14 on campus and four in Westwood Village), where you can pick up or drop off your two-wheeler. You can also leave the bike near a hub but you’ll be charged an extra $2 if you do so. The smart bikes are a distinctive powder-blue color, come with eight speeds, a built in lock, a bell, a basket and front and back lights. In a statement, UCLA said while its bike share program is currently not connected to nearby cities’ program, “UCLA is coordinating with [Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and West Hollywood] to create a seamless regional bike-share system by early 2018.” It costs $7 per hour to rent one of the bicycles. However, if you take out an annual members it’s $69, which includes 90 minutes per day of cycling. For those affiliated with UCLA, the annual membership is only $60 per year. A monthly membership will set you back $25 (also with 90 free minutes per day). However, it’s only $7 per month if you are a UCLA affiliate. “Bike sharing offers convenient mobility for everyone, whether it’s midday trips to Westwood Village, or a fun and easy way to zip away to class,” said Renée Fortier, executive director of UCLA Events and Transportation. “It encourages our campus community to get out of their cars and to be physically active.” UCLA has already been designated a Bicycle Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists. UCLA is also working with CycleHop, which installed the Bruin Bike Share system and will operate and maintain it. CycleHop’s technology partner, Social Bikes Inc., provided the bikes and station equipment. Social Bikes uses GPS and wireless technology to provide real-time information about remaining rental time, distance traveled, and bike and hub availability. Photos: UCLA.

UCLA is the first university in Southern California to employ a smart bike-share system.

⚫

LOS ANGELES

CULTURE DANCE

⚫ BY STAFF WRITER

11.03 – 11.16.2017

THAT’S A RAP

Archer Students Dance Workshop with the Cast of “Hamilton”

Archer Dance Troupe and Dance Company members recently had the opportunity to participate in master classes with Karli Dinardo and Jacob Guzman, cast members of the award-winning musical, “Hamilton,” as well as with Theresa Farrell, executive director of and dancer at the American Contemporary Ballet Company. “It was a big deal for these people to come out [to Archer] even with their busy schedules, especially since they are still doing eight shows a week with rehearsals on top of that,” Head Dance Captain Sophie Goldberg ’18 said. Archer girls in both the middle and upper school also participated in bonding activities and took part in a Q&A session after both classes.

Photos: Cybele Zhang.

11.02 – 11.16.2017

B:10 in T:10 in

⚫ 19

S:10 in

LOS ANGELES

Sometimes I underestimate. Sometimes I search it. Sometimes I put it off. Sometimes I freak out. But, I trust my Cedars-Sinai doctor every time.

cedars-sinai.edu 1-800-CEDARS-1

T:11.7 in

Sometimes I overreact.

B:11.7 in

Sometimes I just ignore it.

S:11.7 in

Sometimes I self-diagnose.

⚫ COMMUNITY EVENTS

11.03 – 11.16.2017

LOS ANGELES

STRIDE WITH PRIDE

⚫ BY HENRY GIARDINA

For Palm Springs Pride, Panelists Talk LGBTQ+ Media Visibility Thom Senzee, Ashlee Marie Preston, Jason Stuart, and David Piazza got together to talk about our political future, and the future of queerness on TV.

Photos: pspride.org.

To celebrate Greater Palm Springs Pride week, Thom Senzee of ‘LGBTs in the News’ came together with a host of panelists to discuss queer visibility in the media.

WEST HOLLYWOOD SINGLE FAMILY HOMES JUNE SALES

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17 UP 13.33% $1,600,000 UP 8.29% $1,882,324 UP 0.07%

Greater Palm Springs pride week has always been known for its glitz, glamor, and a large assortment of parade floats. This year, ASF joined forces with some of the leading voices in L.A.’s LGBT media scene to give a voice to some of the more serious concerns and hopes LGBT voices have for our future. Just before Palm Springs Pride, the SAG-AFTRA LGBT Actors Committee, together with the AIDS Services Foundation Orange County and The Rage Monthly, hosted an exclusive panel to discuss the complexities of being out and LGBTQ+ in the media. “LGBTs In The News with Thom Senzee presents ‘Queer Celebrity: Challenges, Rewards, and Responsibilities of being Out in Media’” took place Thursday, November 2 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the LGBT Community Center of the Desert. Before the event, we were able to sit down with a few of the panelists to talk about the future of LGBT+ visibility in America. The Pride L.A.: In the past few years, what are some new challenges that out LGBT+ spokespeople have had to face? Jason Stuart: Firstly, I say this with great humility and gratitude: I have been very lucky to have been able to make a living as an actor and comedian for close to 30 years. I’m not Ellen DeGeneres or Neil Patrick Harris, but I have choices and that is a gift. Artists can now come into the media and entertainment profession as people who are already openly LGBT, rather than waiting to come out after they’ve established some success. I came out in 1993 when very few had come out before me. I was in the film “Kindergarten Cop” and had had one segment on “Star Search.” I was told it would ruin my career. It didn’t – it just changed the trajectory. I feel being out is more important than being in the media. Thom Senzee: There are always challenges. Without visibility partners like SAG-AFTRA, AIDS Services Foundation Orange

County, REVRY.TV, Dr. Bronner’s and others, it would be impossible for us to bring these panels into the community and talk about LGBT issues on a larger scale. Next year, thanks to their and others' support, we're going to places like Boise, Idaho, where LGBTs In The News represents a message of hope and equality in a place where LGBTQ people face tough opposition to being themselves. In many ways, they’ve had to face themselves as much as any outside force. To be sure, gatekeepers – including some newsroom hiring managers as well as casting directors in Hollywood – still either harbor some level of prejudice or are just unable see LGBTQ outside of stereotypes; however, there’s been more openness overall. The thing we all face as queer people is how authentic to our own gender and/or sexual diversity we want to be. There’s just enough safety, that every LGBTQ person in the media should at least consider being out, even if there’s risk. David Piazza: Recently, we have seen celebrities from actors to sports figures have the courage to come “out.” In many cases, these individuals faced discrimination and the stigma associated with being LGBT. Michael Sams is a perfect example of this type of discrimination. The precedent being set here can possibly cause other sports figures to stay in the closet. That does not serve the LGBT community, and it does not serve the individual’s highest purpose as a human being. How do you think LGBT+ visibility will change in the next five years? JS: My hope is the fact that you are LGBT will not make a difference. And fewer letters! Create one word for us all maybe, “queer or fabulous!” I also have the wish to be able to play all types of characters as an actor. TS: There is some backlash. Sinclair, which was recently described as a conservative media juggernaut, is now attempting and ultimately likely to prevail in buying Tribune with all of its coveted local TV stations, and this could put a damper on the growth of LGBTQ visibility. I worry about backlash. That said, I do think Millennials are our best hope for increased LGBTQ visibility. Even Millennial evangelical Christians are more accepting of gender and sexual diversity.

PRIDE, see page 21

11.02 – 11.16.2017 COMMUNITY EVENTS

LOS ANGELES

⚫ 21

STRIDE WITH PRIDE ... continued from page 20

⚫ BY HENRY GIARDINA

PRIDE,

from page 20 DP: With the arrival of the Trump era comes setbacks for the LGBT community in all arenas in terms of loss of freedoms and civil rights. Trump appointed the anti-LGBT senator Sam Brownback as Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom. Brownback refused to answer questions of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on whether it was acceptable or justifiable to criminalize, imprison, or execute a human being based on being part of the LGBT community, under the guise of religious freedom. That is an abomination. It’s not religious freedom – it’s religious tyranny, and it’s a crime. The fight today for LGBT freedoms, civil rights, and respect as human beings is as imperative as it was in the 1980s. Are there any issues that aren’t political that you think we should be focusing on? (in terms of LGBT+ issues and representation in America) JS: We can still be kicked out of our homes in some states and jobs. A lot of people still do not know this. I hear this all the time, folks think that because we can get married, we have all the other rights. We are still fighting for equal protection. TS: I think gay men like me should be more active in promoting the equality of women in our community and beyond. I think actively seeking to affirm pansexuality and gender fluidity in ourselves and others

– based on each individual’s claimed expressions and identities, not what we think they should be. What are some personal struggles you’ve had to face with being out? JS: I’ve been judged for being gay and haven’t been given the same opportunities to compete as straight people in the industry are given. Being treated equal and not told we don’t fit in or are not right for a role. That they are waiting for that special part. TS: Growing up at a certain period of time geographical locations, including having gone to high school at Palm Springs high and in South Coast region of Orange County, my societal relationship with being gay has been fairly comfortable. There was a moment of discomfort when my dad found out I was gay when I was 14. He found a letter I had written to another boy, who was also gay. He ultimately became accepting, though always worried I would subjugate myself to a “subculture” and miss out on “mainstream life.” What do you think the role is of public LGBT+ figures in media? JS: To watch, listen and support and help amplify other LGBT people working in the media. Well, the talented ones anyway! TS: First and foremost: do no harm. Being authentic, while also standing up for other LGBTQ people in the media and in society at large when they are under attack for being authentic and true to the cause of equality. But there’s also an obligation to stand up to those who would harm people of gender and sexual diversity—even when

they are themselves LGBTQ. How do you think that role is changing (in light of the Internet, etc.) JS: People are able to pick folks they like and that make an impression on you personally. But on the opposite end, young people run the Internet and they have a bias on older artists. So we need to not say as older people “I don’t do this” but to learn and support. TS: Roles for LGBTQ media professionals in the Internet Age are changing. That said, there’s no one-size-fits all answer to how LGBTQ people should be portrayed or how we should present ourselves. I think it goes back to do no harm and be authentic. What are some personal goals you have to further LGBT+ visibility? JS: Opportunity, opportunity and more opportunity. I’d like to help stop the cutting out different kinds of people because they are not 18-35 with a perfect hairless body and see that all gay people don’t find the same people hot. I think a lot of people are too uncomfortable about saying, “I like chubby men, or short or older or a guy with a belly or hairy guys.” “This Is Us” is a perfect example of showing different kinds of people and their loves and lives. We are just starting to crack the “looks-ists” and ageist people who make the choices of who gets to act and make a living. TS: I’ve been working on a few projects… let’s just say there will be a streaming or other TV version of LGBTs In The News

with Thom Senzee soon. It will be different in format than the live-discussion panel series we launched in 2013 at the very moment the Supreme Court knocked down DOMA and Prop. 8. However, it will also serve as a platform for bringing LGBTQ thought leaders and leading queer entertainers front-and-center with live audiences. It may have a different title and will definitely include humor and entertainment. Hint: #QsInTheNews How do you think about speaking to different audiences (in terms of age group, political affiliation, etc.?) JS: It’s very important. The colleges seem to cut folks out these days because of age. When you reach a certain age they don’t seem to be interested. They want what’s new and trendy. A lot of times that is what they may want to hear. History means something. Age tells us where we came from. I was always taught to never forget. And that silence equals death. So speaking out and mentoring is a big part in my life. TS: Intersectionality and intergenerational engagement is paramount to progress! Thom Senzee is a Southern California-based journalist and the founder and moderator of the live panel discussion series “LGBTs in the News.” Jason Stuart is an actor, comedian, filmmaker and activist. Recently seen in “The Birth Of A Nation” and “Love” from Judd Apatow. His short film “Like Father” is currently on the film festival circuit and his series “Mentor” is now on AMAZON. David Piazza is the Campaign Director at AIDS Ser vices Foundation Orange County.

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Actual ATRIPLA patients. ATRIPLA, one pill, once daily, has been chosen by more than 550,000‡ people with HIV and their doctors.

TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR OR VISIT AtriplaAndMe.com TO FIND OUT MORE. What is ATRIPLA? ATRIPLA is a prescription medication used alone as a complete regimen, or with other anti-HIV-1 medicines, to treat HIV-1 infection in adults and children at least 12 years old who weigh at least 40 kg (88 lbs). ATRIPLA does not cure HIV-1 infection or AIDS and you may continue to experience illnesses associated with HIV-1 infection, including opportunistic infections. You should remain under the care of a doctor when using ATRIPLA. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about ATRIPLA? n If you also have hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and you stop taking ATRIPLA, you may get a “flare-up” of your hepatitis. A “flare-up” is when the disease suddenly returns in a worse way than before. Patients with HBV who stop taking ATRIPLA need close medical follow-up for several months to check for hepatitis that could be getting worse. ATRIPLA is not approved for the treatment of HBV, so you need to discuss your HBV therapy with your healthcare provider. Who should not take ATRIPLA? You and your healthcare provider should decide if ATRIPLA is right for you. Do not take ATRIPLA if you are allergic to ATRIPLA or any of its ingredients. What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking ATRIPLA? Tell your healthcare provider if you: n Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant: Women should not become pregnant while taking ATRIPLA and for 12 weeks after stopping ATRIPLA. Serious birth defects have been seen in children of

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women treated during pregnancy with efavirenz, one of the medicines in ATRIPLA. Women must use a reliable form of barrier contraception, such as a condom or diaphragm, even if they also use other methods of birth control, while on ATRIPLA and for 12 weeks after stopping ATRIPLA. Women should not rely only on hormone-based birth control, such as pills, injections, or implants, because ATRIPLA may make these contraceptives ineffective. n Are breastfeeding: Women with HIV should not breastfeed because they can pass HIV and some of the medicines in ATRIPLA through their milk to the baby. It is not known if ATRIPLA could harm your baby. n Have kidney problems or are undergoing kidney dialysis treatment. n Have bone problems. n Have liver problems, including hepatitis B or C virus infection. Your healthcare provider may want to do tests to check your liver while you take ATRIPLA or may switch you to another medicine. n Have ever had mental illness or are using drugs or alcohol. n Have ever had seizures or are taking medicine for seizures. Seizures have occurred in patients taking efavirenz, a component of ATRIPLA, generally in those with a history of seizures. If you have ever had seizures, or take medicine for seizures, your healthcare provider may want to switch you to another medicine or monitor you. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Visit AtriplaAndMe.com

TAKING CARE OF

For adults with HIV-1,

WITH THE STRENGTH OF

Undetectable viral load is a goal, and ATRIPLA has the power to help get you there. In a clinical trial: • ATRIPLA has been proven to LOWER VIRAL LOAD to undetectable* in approximately 8 out of 10 adult patients new to therapy through 48 weeks compared with approximately 7 out of 10 adult patients in the comparator group† • ATRIPLA has been proven to LOWER VIRAL LOAD to undetectable* through 3 years in approximately 7 out of 10 adult patients new to therapy compared with approximately 6 out of 10 adult patients in the comparator group†

SELECTED IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about ATRIPLA? n If you also have hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and you stop taking ATRIPLA, you may get a “flare-up” of your hepatitis. A “flare-up” is when the disease suddenly returns in a worse way than before. Patients with HBV who stop taking ATRIPLA need close medical follow-up for several months to check for hepatitis that could be getting worse. ATRIPLA is not approved for the treatment of HBV, so you need to discuss your HBV therapy with your healthcare provider Please see additional Important Safety Information below. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION (continued) What important information should I know about taking other medicines with ATRIPLA? ATRIPLA may change the effect of other medicines, including the ones for HIV-1, and may cause serious side effects. Your healthcare provider may change your other medicines or change their doses. MEDICINES YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE WITH ATRIPLA n ATRIPLA should not be taken with: Combivir® (lamivudine/zidovudine), COMPLERA® (emtricitabine/rilpivirine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate), DESCOVY® (emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide), EMTRIVA® (emtricitabine), Epivir® or Epivir-HBV® (lamivudine), Epzicom® (abacavir sulfate/lamivudine), GENVOYA® (elvitegravir/ cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide), ODEFSEY® (emtricitabine/rilpivirine/tenofovir alafenamide), STRIBILD® (elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir DF), Trizivir® (abacavir sulfate/lamivudine/zidovudine), TRUVADA® (emtricitabine/tenofovir DF), VEMLIDY® (tenofovir alafenamide), or VIREAD® (tenofovir DF). ATRIPLA should not be used with SUSTIVA® (efavirenz) unless recommended by your healthcare provider. n Vfend® (voriconazole) should not be taken with ATRIPLA since it may lose its effect or may increase the chance of having side effects from ATRIPLA. n ATRIPLA should not be used with HEPSERA® (adefovir dipivoxil).

These are not all the medicines that may cause problems if you take ATRIPLA. Tell your healthcare provider about all prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements you are taking or plan to take. What are the possible side effects of ATRIPLA? ATRIPLA may cause the following additional serious side effects n Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis). This is a serious but rare medical emergency. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. n Severe liver problems. In rare cases, severe liver problems can happen that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain.

Please see Important Safety Information continued on the following pages.

* In the above clinical trial, undetectable was defined as a viral load fewer than 400 copies/mL. Ask your doctor about your individual results. † In this study, 511 adult patients new to therapy received either the meds in ATRIPLA each taken once daily or Combivir® (lamivudine/zidovudine) twice daily + SUSTIVA® (efavirenz) once daily. ‡ Symphony Health Solutions, PatientSource APLD and Source® PHAST Prescription Monthly, counts are cumulative and equivalized. January 2007–December 2015.

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION (continued) n Serious psychiatric problems. Severe depression, strange thoughts, or angry behavior have been reported by a small number of patients. Some patients have had thoughts of suicide, and a few have actually committed suicide. These problems may occur more often in patients who have had mental illness. n Kidney problems (including decline or failure of kidney function). If you have had kidney problems, or take other medicines that may cause kidney problems, your healthcare provider should do regular blood tests. Symptoms that may be related to kidney problems include a high volume of urine, thirst, muscle pain, and muscle weakness. n Serious liver problems. Some patients have experienced serious liver problems, including liver failure resulting in transplantation or death. Most of these serious side effects occurred in patients with a chronic liver disease such as hepatitis infection, but there have also been a few reports in patients without any existing liver disease. n Changes in bone mineral density (thinning bones). Lab tests show changes in the bones of patients treated with tenofovir DF, a component of ATRIPLA® (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate). Some HIV patients treated with tenofovir DF developed thinning of the bones (osteopenia), which could lead to fractures. Also, bone pain and softening of the bone (which may lead to fractures) may occur as a consequence of kidney problems. If you have had bone problems in the past, your healthcare provider may want to do tests to check your bones or may prescribe medicines to help your bones. Common side effects: n Patients may have dizziness, headache, trouble sleeping, drowsiness, trouble concentrating, and/or unusual dreams during treatment with ATRIPLA. These side effects may be reduced if you take ATRIPLA at bedtime on an empty stomach; they tend to go away after taking ATRIPLA for a few weeks. Tell your healthcare provider right away if any of these side effects continue or if they bother you. These symptoms may be more severe if ATRIPLA is used with alcohol and/or mood-altering (street) drugs. n If you are dizzy, have trouble concentrating, and/or are drowsy, avoid activities that may be dangerous, such as driving or operating machinery. n Rash is a common side effect with ATRIPLA that usually goes away without any change in treatment. Rash may be serious in a small number of patients. Rash may be a serious problem in some children. If a rash develops, call your healthcare provider right away. n Other common side effects include: tiredness, upset stomach, vomiting, gas, and diarrhea. Other possible side effects: n Changes in body fat have been seen in some people taking anti-HIV-1 medicines. Increase of fat in the upper back and neck, breasts, and around the trunk may happen. Loss of fat from the legs, arms, and face may also happen. The cause and long-term health effects of these changes in body fat are not known. n Skin discoloration (small spots or freckles) may also happen. n In some patients with advanced HIV infection (AIDS), signs and symptoms of inflammation from previous infections may occur soon after anti-HIV treatment is started. If you notice any symptoms of infection, contact your healthcare provider right away. n Additional side effects are inflammation of the pancreas, allergic reaction (including swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat), shortness of breath, pain, stomach pain, weakness, and indigestion. This is not a complete list of side effects. Tell your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you notice any side effects while taking ATRIPLA. You should take ATRIPLA once daily on an empty stomach. Taking ATRIPLA at bedtime may make some side effects less bothersome. Please see the following Patient Information, including “What is the most important information I should know about ATRIPLA?”

ATRIPLA is a registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb & Gilead Sciences, LLC. SUSTIVA is a registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Company. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2017 Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. All rights reserved. Printed in USA. 697US1701584-03-01 06/17

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Patient Information

ATRIPLA®

ATRIPLA® (uh TRIP luh) Tablets ALERT: Find out about medicines that should NOT be taken with ATRIPLA (efavirenz/ emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate). Please also read the section "MEDICINES YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE WITH ATRIPLA." Generic name: efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (eh FAH vih renz, em tri SIT uh bean and te NOE’ fo veer dye soe PROX il FYOU mar ate) Read the Patient Information that comes with ATRIPLA before you start taking it and each time you get a refill since there may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about your medical condition or treatment. You should stay under a healthcare provider’s care when taking ATRIPLA. Do not change or stop your medicine without first talking with your healthcare provider. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions about ATRIPLA. What is the most important information I should know about ATRIPLA? If you also have hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and you stop taking ATRIPLA, you may get a “flare-up” of your hepatitis. A “flare-up” is when the disease suddenly returns in a worse way than before. Patients with HBV who stop taking ATRIPLA need close medical follow-up for several months, including medical exams and blood tests to check for hepatitis that could be getting worse. ATRIPLA is not approved for the treatment of HBV, so you must discuss your HBV therapy with your healthcare provider. What is ATRIPLA? ATRIPLA contains 3 medicines, SUSTIVA® (efavirenz), EMTRIVA® (emtricitabine), and VIREAD® (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate also called tenofovir DF) combined in one pill. EMTRIVA and VIREAD are HIV-1 (human immunodeficiency virus) nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and SUSTIVA is an HIV-1 non-nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). VIREAD and EMTRIVA are the components of TRUVADA®. ATRIPLA can be used alone as a complete regimen, or in combination with other anti-HIV-1 medicines to treat people with HIV-1 infection. ATRIPLA is for adults and children 12 years of age and older who weigh at least 40 kg (at least 88 lbs). ATRIPLA is not recommended for children younger than 12 years of age. ATRIPLA has not been studied in adults over 65 years of age. HIV infection destroys CD4+ T cells, which are important to the immune system. The immune system helps fight infection. After a large number of T cells are destroyed, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) develops. ATRIPLA helps block HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, a viral chemical in your body (enzyme) that is needed for HIV-1 to multiply. ATRIPLA lowers the amount of HIV-1 in the blood (viral load). ATRIPLA may also help to increase the number of T cells (CD4+ cells), allowing your immune system to improve. Lowering the amount of HIV-1 in the blood lowers the chance of death or infections that happen when your immune system is weak (opportunistic infections). Does ATRIPLA cure HIV-1 or AIDS? ATRIPLA does not cure HIV-1 infection or AIDS and you may continue to experience illnesses associated with HIV-1 infection, including opportunistic infections. You should remain under the care of a doctor when using ATRIPLA.

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11.02 – 11.16.2017 ATRIPLA® (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate)

LOS ANGELES

⚫ 25

ATRIPLA® (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate)

ATRIPL

■ Have liver problems, including hepatitis B virus infection. Your healthcare provider How should I take ATRIPLA? may want to do tests to check your liver while you take ATRIPLA or may switch you to ■ Take the exact amount of ATRIPLA your healthcare provider prescribes. Never change another medicine. the dose on your own. Do not stop this medicine unless your healthcare provider tells you to stop. ■ Have ever had mental illness or are using drugs or alcohol. ■ You should take ATRIPLA on an empty stomach. ■ Have ever had seizures or are taking medicine for seizures. ■ Swallow ATRIPLA with water. What important information should I know about taking other medicines with ■ Taking ATRIPLA at bedtime may make some side effects less bothersome. ATRIPLA? ■ Do not miss a dose of ATRIPLA. If you forget to take ATRIPLA, take the missed dose ATRIPLA may change the effect of other medicines, including the ones for HIV-1, right away, unless it is almost time for your next dose. Do not double the next dose. and may cause serious side effects. Your healthcare provider may change your other Carry on with your regular dosing schedule. If you need help in planning the best times medicines or change their doses. Other medicines, including herbal products, may affect to take your medicine, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. ATRIPLA. For this reason, it is very important to let all your healthcare providers and ■ If you believe you took more than the prescribed amount of ATRIPLA, contact your local pharmacists know what medications, herbal supplements, or vitamins you are taking. poison control center or emergency room right away. ■ Tell your healthcare provider if you start any new medicine or change how you take old MEDICINES YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE WITH ATRIPLA ones. Your doses may need adjustment. ■ ATRIPLA also should not be used with Combivir (lamivudine/zidovudine), COMPLERA®, ■ When your ATRIPLA supply starts to run low, get more from your healthcare provider or DESCOVY®, EMTRIVA, Epivir, Epivir-HBV (lamivudine), Epzicom (abacavir sulfate/ pharmacy. This is very important because the amount of virus in your blood may increase lamivudine), GENVOYA®, ODEFSEY®, STRIBILD®, Trizivir (abacavir sulfate/lamivudine/ if the medicine is stopped for even a short time. The virus may develop resistance to zidovudine), TRUVADA, VEMLIDY®, or VIREAD. ATRIPLA also should not be used with ATRIPLA and become harder to treat. SUSTIVA unless recommended by your healthcare provider. ■ Your healthcare provider may want to do blood tests to check for certain side effects ■ Vfend (voriconazole) should not be taken with ATRIPLA since it may lose its effect or while you take ATRIPLA. may increase the chance of having side effects from ATRIPLA. What should I avoid while taking ATRIPLA? ■ ATRIPLA should not be used with HEPSERA® (adefovir dipivoxil). ■ Women should not become pregnant while taking ATRIPLA and for 12 weeks after It is also important to tell your healthcare provider if you are taking any of the following: stopping it. Serious birth defects have been seen in the babies of animals and women treated with efavirenz (a component of ATRIPLA) during pregnancy. It is not known ■ Fortovase, Invirase (saquinavir), Biaxin (clarithromycin), Noxafil (posaconazole), whether efavirenz caused these defects. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you Sporanox (itraconazole), Victrelis (boceprevir), Olysio (simeprevir), or are pregnant. Also talk with your healthcare provider if you want to become pregnant. EPCLUSA (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir); these medicines may need to be replaced with another medicine when taken with ATRIPLA. ■ Women should not rely only on hormone-based birth control, such as pills, injections, or implants, because ATRIPLA may make these contraceptives ineffective. Women must ■ Calcium channel blockers such as Cardizem or Tiazac (diltiazem), Covera HS or use a reliable form of barrier contraception, such as a condom or diaphragm, even if Isoptin (verapamil) and others; Crixivan (indinavir), Selzentry (maraviroc); the they also use other methods of birth control. Efavirenz, a component of ATRIPLA, may immunosuppressant medicines cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune, remain in your blood for a time after therapy is stopped. Therefore, you should continue and others), Prograf (tacrolimus), or Rapamune (sirolimus); Methadone; to use contraceptive measures for 12 weeks after you stop taking ATRIPLA. Mycobutin (rifabutin); Rifampin; cholesterol-lowering medicines such as Lipitor (atorvastatin), Pravachol (pravastatin sodium), and Zocor (simvastatin); or the ■ Do not breastfeed if you are taking ATRIPLA. Some of the medicines in ATRIPLA can be passed to your baby in your breast milk. We do not know whether it could harm your anti-depressant medications bupropion (Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL, baby. Also, mothers with HIV-1 should not breastfeed because HIV-1 can be passed to and Zyban) or Zoloft (sertraline); dose changes may be needed when these drugs the baby in the breast milk. Talk with your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding. are taken with ATRIPLA. You should stop breastfeeding or may need to use a different medicine. ■ Videx, Videx EC (didanosine); tenofovir DF (a component of ATRIPLA) may increase the amount of didanosine in your blood, which could result in more side effects. ■ Taking ATRIPLA with alcohol or other medicines causing similar side effects as ATRIPLA, such as drowsiness, may increase those side effects. You may need to be monitored more carefully if you are taking ATRIPLA and ■ Do not take any other medicines, including prescription and nonprescription medicines didanosine together. Also, the dose of didanosine may need to be changed. and herbal products, without checking with your healthcare provider. ■ Reyataz (atazanavir sulfate), Prezista (darunavir) with Norvir (ritonavir), Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir), EPCLUSA® (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir) or HARVONI® (ledipasvir/ ■ Avoid doing things that can spread HIV-1 to others. ■ Do not share needles or other injection equipment. sofosbuvir); these medicines may increase the amount of tenofovir DF (a component of ATRIPLA) in your blood, which could result in more side effects. EPCLUSA and Reyataz ■ Do not share personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them, like are not recommended with ATRIPLA. You may need to be monitored more carefully if toothbrushes and razor blades. you are taking ATRIPLA, Prezista, and Norvir together, or if you are taking ATRIPLA and ■ Do not have any kind of sex without protection. Always practice safe sex by Kaletra together. The dose of Kaletra should be increased when taken with efavirenz. using a latex or polyurethane condom to lower the chance of sexual contact with ■ Medicine for seizures [for example, Dilantin (phenytoin), Tegretol (carbamazepine), or semen, vaginal secretions, or blood. phenobarbital]; your healthcare provider may want to switch you to another medicine or What are the possible side effects of ATRIPLA? check drug levels in your blood from time to time. These are not all the medicines that may cause problems if you take ATRIPLA. ATRIPLA may cause the following serious side effects: Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take. ■ “Flare-ups” of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, in which the disease suddenly returns in a worse way than before, can occur if you have HBV and you stop taking ATRIPLA. Keep a complete list of all the prescription and nonprescription medicines as well as any Your healthcare provider will monitor your condition for several months after stopping herbal remedies that you are taking, how much you take, and how often you take them. ATRIPLA if you have both HIV-1 and HBV infection and may recommend treatment Make a new list when medicines or herbal remedies are added or stopped, or if the dose for your HBV. ATRIPLA is not approved for the treatment of hepatitis B virus infection. changes. Give copies of this list to all of your healthcare providers and pharmacists every If you have advanced liver disease and stop treatment with ATRIPLA, the “flare-up” of time you visit your healthcare provider or fill a prescription. This will give your healthcare hepatitis B may cause your liver function to decline. (See “What is the most important provider a complete picture of the medicines you use. Then he or she can decide the best approach for your situation. information I should know about ATRIPLA?”)

697US1701584_03_01_172009626_v1.indd 4

6/23/17 12:07 PM

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11.03 – 11.16.2017

LOS ANGELES

ATRIPLA® (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate)

■ Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis). Too much lactic acid is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.

■ In some patients with advanced HIV infection (AIDS), signs and symptoms of inflammation from previous infections may occur soon after anti-HIV treatment is started. It is believed that these symptoms are due to an improvement in the body’s immune response, enabling the body to fight infections that may have been present with no obvious symptoms. If you notice any symptoms of infection, please inform your doctor immediately.

■ Severe liver problems. In rare cases, severe liver problems can happen that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. ■ Serious psychiatric problems. A small number of patients may experience severe depression, strange thoughts, or angry behavior while taking ATRIPLA. Some patients have thoughts of suicide and a few have actually committed suicide. These problems may occur more often in patients who have had mental illness. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you think you are having these psychiatric symptoms, so your healthcare provider can decide if you should continue to take ATRIPLA. ■ Kidney problems (including decline or failure of kidney function). If you have had kidney problems in the past or take other medicines that can cause kidney problems, your healthcare provider should do regular blood tests to check your kidneys. Symptoms that may be related to kidney problems include a high volume of urine, thirst, muscle pain, and muscle weakness. ■ Serious liver problems. Some patients have experienced serious liver problems including liver failure resulting in transplantation or death. Most of these serious side effects occurred in patients with a chronic liver disease such as hepatitis infection, but there have also been a few reports in patients without any existing liver disease. ■ Changes in bone mineral density (thinning bones). Laboratory tests show changes in the bones of patients treated with tenofovir DF, a component of ATRIPLA. Some HIV patients treated with tenofovir DF developed thinning of the bones (osteopenia) which could lead to fractures. If you have had bone problems in the past, your healthcare provider may need to do tests to check your bone mineral density or may prescribe medicines to help your bone mineral density. Additionally, bone pain and softening of the bone (which may contribute to fractures) may occur as a consequence of kidney problems. Common side effects: Patients may have dizziness, headache, trouble sleeping, drowsiness, trouble concentrating, and/or unusual dreams during treatment with ATRIPLA. These side effects may be reduced if you take ATRIPLA at bedtime on an empty stomach. They also tend to go away after you have taken the medicine for a few weeks. If you have these common side effects, such as dizziness, it does not mean that you will also have serious psychiatric problems, such as severe depression, strange thoughts, or angry behavior. Tell your healthcare provider right away if any of these side effects continue or if they bother you. It is possible that these symptoms may be more severe if ATRIPLA is used with alcohol or mood altering (street) drugs. If you are dizzy, have trouble concentrating, or are drowsy, avoid activities that may be dangerous, such as driving or operating machinery. Rash may be common. Rashes usually go away without any change in treatment. In a small number of patients, rash may be serious. If you develop a rash, call your healthcare provider right away. Rash may be a serious problem in some children. Tell your child’s healthcare provider right away if you notice rash or any other side effects while your child is taking ATRIPLA. Other common side effects include tiredness, upset stomach, vomiting, gas, and diarrhea. Other possible side effects with ATRIPLA: ■ Changes in body fat. Changes in body fat develop in some patients taking anti HIV-1 medicine. These changes may include an increased amount of fat in the upper back and neck ("buffalo hump"), in the breasts, and around the trunk. Loss of fat from the legs, arms, and face may also happen. The cause and long-term health effects of these fat changes are not known.

■ Additional side effects are inflammation of the pancreas, allergic reaction (including swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat), shortness of breath, pain, stomach pain, weakness and indigestion. Tell your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you notice any side effects while taking ATRIPLA. Contact your healthcare provider before stopping ATRIPLA because of side effects or for any other reason. This is not a complete list of side effects possible with ATRIPLA. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a more complete list of side effects of ATRIPLA and all the medicines you will take. How do I store ATRIPLA? ■ Keep ATRIPLA and all other medicines out of reach of children. ■ Store ATRIPLA at room temperature 77°F (25°C). ■ Keep ATRIPLA in its original container and keep the container tightly closed. ■ Do not keep medicine that is out of date or that you no longer need. If you throw any medicines away make sure that children will not find them. General information about ATRIPLA: Medicines are sometimes prescribed for conditions that are not mentioned in patient information leaflets. Do not use ATRIPLA for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give ATRIPLA to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them. This leaflet summarizes the most important information about ATRIPLA. If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for information about ATRIPLA that is written for health professionals. Do not use ATRIPLA if the seal over bottle opening is broken or missing. What are the ingredients of ATRIPLA? Active Ingredients: efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate Inactive Ingredients: croscarmellose sodium, hydroxypropyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, and sodium lauryl sulfate. The film coating contains black iron oxide, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, red iron oxide, talc, and titanium dioxide. Revised: April 2017 Manufactured and distributed by: Gilead Sciences, Inc. Foster City, CA 94404 ATRIPLA is a trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb & Gilead Sciences, LLC. COMPLERA, DESCOVY, EMTRIVA, EPCLUSA, GENVOYA, HARVONI, HEPSERA, ODEFSEY, STRIBILD, TRUVADA, VEMLIDY, and VIREAD are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. SUSTIVA is a trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Company. Reyataz and Videx are trademarks of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. Pravachol is a trademark of ER Squibb & Sons, LLC. All other trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. © 2017 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. 21937-GS-017 ATRC0129

697US1700978-22-01

■ Skin discoloration (small spots or freckles) may also happen with ATRIPLA.

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6/23/17 12:07 PM

11.02 – 11.16.2017 COMMUNITY

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

LOS ANGELES

⚫ 27

WESTSIDE LEGISLATION

⚫ BY SAM CATANZARO

An End to the Noisy Parties?

Tired of banging on the ceiling with a broomstick to tell the neighbors to turn the music down? A bill is currently moving through Los Angeles City Council that just might change the situation of partying in L.A. The bill, titled “Ordinance Regulating Party Houses” last week was approved by the Los Angeles City Council Public Safety Committee, and could give law enforcement more jurisdiction to crack down on “party houses” if adopted by council. For more than 15 years both City Council and Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) have been trying to regulate house parties. Many claim that these are not actually hosted by the homeowners themselves, but rather by DJs and entertainers who rent houses as party venues. “I’ve heard complaints of ongoing “party houses” where this proposed ordinance would seem applicable,” said Captain James Roberts of the LAPD Pacific Division. Despite pressure from the LAPD and residents, Los Angeles City Council has been unable to get any legislation drafted. “We believe a system of stronger enforcement tools….should be proposed to finally bring relief to our besieged residential neighborhoods here in Los Angeles,” wrote Councilman David Ryu of the Fourth District in a motion to the Public Safety Committee in Sep-

Photo: Melanie Camp

No more noisy parties. In the background, a property in Venice notorious for unruly gatherings.

tember, 2016. The Fourth District which Ryu represents includes communities in the Hollywood Hills. “Over the years, the City has attempted to grapple with this problem. Motions have been introduced on multiple occasions over the past fifteen years to deal with this problem, to no avail,” Ryu wrote. Currently, LAPD is able to shut down a party that is “unruly” only if the noise emitting from the party is audible greater than 150 feet away

from the property. In places like the Hollywood Hills and the Venice Canals, where properties often butt-up right next to each other, many homeowners are left with no legal recourse to regulate noise. “Parties often start in the afternoon and last until the wee hours of the morning with loud music ricocheting throughout our canyon neighborhood. The traffic and parking impacts associated with these party houses are serious safety issues as our narrow streets become impassable and unusable by emergency response vehicles,” said Michael Meyer, President of the Outpost Homeowners Association stated to the Public Safety Committee last year. The ordinance going through City Council would add a section to the Los Angeles Municipal Code giving the LAPD greater powers and tools to crack down on these parties. If passed, an expanded set of criteria of what defines a “house party” would be created, giving officers more jurisdiction to cite offenders. These include obstruction of the street/sidewalk, disturbance of the peace, the service of alcoholic beverages without a State license, litter or consumption of alcohol by minors. “The enforcement officer would post a violation notice on the property, which must remain posted for 30 days,” wrote David Michaelson, Chief Assistant City Attorney in a report the the Public Safety Committee last month.

“First violation would be an administrative fine of $500, escalating to $4,000 for a fourth or subsequent violation.” While the ordinance has received support from some, there are other Venice residents worried that because of the expanded criteria, they will be punished for throwing smaller parties. Clay Thompson, a professional tennis player who rents an apartment in Venice and often hosts parties, thinks police should be able to shut down a party, but not be able to fine a homeowner for subsequent violations. “I don’t think there should be a punishment. I think if a neighbor is being bothered by it they can call the police and say ‘hey tell these guys to stop it’ that is fair enough for me. Maybe a noise complaint ticket for $100 but nothing more than that,” Thompson said. Thompson said that such a bill is not in the spirit of Venice, a place where night-life often takes center stage. “Venice is a community that is created around creatives and people who like to party and stay out late and that is kind of the essence of the town, and so I feel like by taking that away is totally out of line,” Thompson explained. Now that the ordinance has made it through the Public Safety Committee, the next step is to make it through the Planning and Land Use Management Committee (PLUM), and then on to City Council.

⚫ BY JOHN STEPHENS

Considering the Future of Silicon Beach The rise of Silicon Beach – the term often used to collectively describe the tech businesses of Santa Monica and the greater Westside – has been a blessing and a curse. These businesses, which include feisty startups and established global companies, have brought jobs and tremendous amounts of capital to Westside communities. However, they have also been accused of creating traffic, disrupting community character, and being poor corpo-

Photo: Josh Stephens.

The Westside Urban Forum recently hosted a panel discussion on the present and future of Silicon Beach.

rate citizens. The Westside Urban Forum, a local nonprofit that sponsors monthly discussions on urban issues, recently hosted a panel discussion about the present and future of Silicon Beach. Panelists included Tricia Keane, Councilmember Mike Bonin’s deputy chief of staff; Eric Kirsten, entrepreneur-in-residence at Codesmith; Jim Kruse, senior managing director, CBRE; and Ronen Olshansky, co-founder & CEO of CrossCampus. Santa Monica Councilmember Gleam Davis served as moderator. Many workers and companies prefer nontraditional office spaces and are attracted by Los Angeles' lifestyle. Many start out in co-working spaces, such as CrossCampus, and then graduate to developing or owning office spaces. This progression has created tension in neighborhoods as new companies have moved into spaces that were not quite meant to be offices and that might not even be zoned for such uses. Olshansky brought up the infamous example

of Snap, the parent company of messaging app Snapchat, which has been accused of “colonizing” areas of Venice beach by leasing and buying many small properties, rather than moving to a traditional office tower or corporate campus. Keane said that such companies are not required to notify the relevant council office of their plans and therefore miss opportunities to establish good relationships with neighbors in the first place. She also noted that many tech companies, even mature ones, do not have government or community relations representatives. Olshansky said many tech companies, especially start ups are in a fight for survival in an industry in which a week is the equivalent of a year in traditional industries, and they simply do not have the time or resources to dedicate to community outreach.They often plow ahead, using improvised office spaces and taking advantage of a talent pool that is excited to be in Los Angeles despite the region's exorbitant rents. The Westside Urban Forum invited representa-

tives of Snap, Google, Hulu, and Riot Games.These invitations were tersely rejected by at least one company, and entirely ignored by others, suggesting that these companies have no interest in taking part in a discussion of their roles in civic affairs. Audience member Jason Islas asked whether companies were willing to develop housing, or lobby for policies that would increase housing supply and, ideally, decrease housing costs. More housing on the Westside could also reduce traffic if housing is located near tech offices. Panelists knew of no such efforts in Southern California, suggesting that companies either do not care about their workers' costs of living or are willing to pay higher wages in order to accommodate workers' housing needs. Snapchat messages may be fleeting, but it seems that Silicon Beach is here to stay. The question is, will it make the Westside a better place or be just another neighbor we see but don't really know? Josh Stephens is the board president of the Westside Urban Forum.

⚫ 28

11.03 – 11.16.2017

LOS ANGELES

TJ AD

11.02 – 11.16.2017 COMMUNITY

HEALTH & BEAUTY

LOS ANGELES

⚫ 29

BUDGET-FRIENDLY SPA DAY

⚫ BY BARBARA BISHOP

Beauty Remedies Save Big Bucks So, I am tired of spending thousands of dollars a year looking “younger than 50.” Over the past year, I purchased four different eye creams (one was $400) and they all have worked really well, or at least I thought so. Over the past year, I acquired several different facial moisturizers – one for day, one for night, one for summer, one for winter, one when my face is drier than usual, one when my face is more oily. Damn that Barney’s cosmetics counter! They sure know how to sell their product. Then there’s the deep hair conditioners, the foot cream, the hand cream, the body cream, the body scrubs, facial masks, astringents, pore minimizers, facial brighteners, vitamin C cream, and teeth whiteners. Shit, I have spent so much on stuff. And I’ve only used half of it. Used the Vitamin C cream once, facial brightener a few times. Oy vey! Stop the madness! My neighbor is the president of a private label cosmetics company and said that many products we use in the kitchen can double as beauty aids. Love that! As a person who does many things at the same time, I love that I can look younger, eat and save a lot of money as I catch the latest “The Voice” on TV. Through several hours of talking with my neighbor and others in the beauty business, here’s my short list for home remedy beauty aids. Can’t wait to try them! Facial Scrub 3 medium size strawberries, 1 tablespoon of honey. Mash strawberries and fold in honey. Using small circles, massage the mixture into your face

ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION

for 3 minutes; then rinse with warm water.The natural fruit enzyme in strawberries sloughs off the dull top layer of the skin. The honey hydrates dry patches. $$ saved: $300 annually Teeth Whitening Mix baking soda & peroxide in a small container to form a paste. Add your toothpaste to the mixture. Brush with this at least 2x a week. I hear it really works! $$ saved: $1,000 annually Hot Oil Hair Treatments Pour olive oil on your hair and cover it with plastic. The oil “heats up” under the plastic. Rinse and shampoo, leaving you with soft, shiny hair. $$ saved: $300 annually. UV Damage Repairing Mask Mash 10 blueberries with a spoon, and add yogurt. Spread on your face, remove with water after 15 minutes.Vitamin C from the blueberries repairs and moisturizes the skin and yogurt’s lactic acid helps exfoliate the UV-damaged skin. $$ saved: $200 annually Foot Exfoliator 2 tablespoons of cornmeal, 1 tablespoon of a mashed banana, mix together. Massage the paste all over feet, working into calluses for about 30 seconds, until skin feels smooth. Cornmeal exfoliates and the banana softens the skin. $$ saved: $300 3-Ingredient Facial Oil Moisturizer Choose a base oil. A great base oil is jojoba oil, because it’s very healing and nourishing, very light, sinks into your skin without any feeling of greasiness, and it’s great for all skin types. Choose a nourishing oil. A great one is Rosehip

Using homemade remedies with simple ingredients can save you a ton of cash on cosmetics.

seed oil. It’s incredibly regenerating and is known for its firming and anti-aging abilities. It’s good for dry, aging, and normal skin. Add an essential oil. You only need a couple of tiny drops to get an amazing benefit for your skin. Essential oils are potent (and they last forever when you use them this way). Rose geranium is a great, all-around healing essential oil. This is es-

Photo: Thinkstock.

pecially good for sensitive, aging, and normal skin. Using a 1-oz bottle, fill it just under 2/3 of the way with your base oil, add your “bonus nourishing” oil until the bottle is just about full, and add 5 drops of essential oil. Cap and shake well. $$ saved annually: $1,600 Estimated amount saved by doing it myself: $3,700. Watching me make all this stuff – priceless!

PROTEST FOR EQUALITY

⚫ BY GENNA RIVIECCIO

Transgender Actors are Set to Strike the Biggest “Pose” in TV Ryan Murphy’s new show boasts the greatest number of trans actors on television to date.

At this point, Ryan Murphy has proven his critical and commercial worth beyond the shadow of a doubt. He’s now able to do pretty much whatever he wants. It follows, then, that on the heels of the success of “American Horror Story: Cult” and the anticipation of “American Crime Story: Versace,” Murphy is taking an altogether different route with his latest series, “Pose.” Set in 1980s New York at the height of underground ballroom and vogueing culture (yes, Madonna is notorious for “ripping gays off ” for her iconic single), Murphy and his team have cast the highest

number trans actors as series regulars on television to date. The cast so far will include MJ Rodriguez, Indya Moore, Dominique Jackson (a frequenter of the NYC ball scene), and Transparent’s Hailie Sahar and Angelica Ross. Though “Paris is Burning” and “Truth or Dare” might have satisfied some people’s appetites for LGBTQ representation in the 90s and beyond, “Pose” will open the eyes of an entirely new generation to the incredible story of this rare and unique moment in New York and LGBTQ+ history. Being that ballroom culture itself arose from exclusion, it makes sense that “Pose” is the trans community’s way of forming their own microcosm of an entertainment industry that has long shown them the cold shoulder with regard to honest portrayals of trans life in television..

But most important of all, it isn’t just on camera that trans voices will be heard, but where it counts most of all: In the writing. Our Lady J, known for being among the first transgender writers for “Transparent,” has already been announced as one of the show’s writers, as well as trans advocate Janet Mock. Co-creator Steven Canals stated of the show’s importance, “Ryan has assembled a strong team of storytellers and innovators to collaborate on telling this important narrative. As a Bronx-bred queer writer of color, I'm honored to aid in ushering this groundbreaking show into homes.” And there can be no denying that “Pose” will open a floodgate for even more trans casting and storytelling opportunities in the future. The question now is, will the series end with the trans characters in question angrily listening to “Vogue?”

Photo: Oxygen.

Model Dominique Jackson is one of the many transgender cast members in Ryan Murphy’s new show “Pose.”

⚫ CULTURE THEATRE

11.03 – 11.16.2017

LOS ANGELES

A LITTLE INNDULGENCE

⚫ BY GENNA RIVIECCIO

Immerse Yourself in “Electricity” for Palm Springs Pride If you’ve found yourself in a haze of ennui over L.A.’s theater scene (how many times can you see Hamilton at the Pantages, really?} then perhaps it’s time to take yourself down to Palm Springs’ gay resor t, INNdulge, where an immersive performance of Steven Rosenbaum’s Electricity is sure to reinvigorate your thespianic zeal just in time for Greater Palm Springs Pride. Though the play ran for eleven weeks in Los Angeles, with an encore at the Hollywood Fringe Theater Festival, this new Palm Springs milieu is sure

Photo: Electricity.

Playwright Terry Ray (left) plays Gary and Mel England (right) plays Brad in the new play “Electricity.”

to bring heightened drama to an already sexually-charged play. With the majority of the narrative taking place in a hotel room, the audience acts as the ultimate fly on the wall viewers. As main characters Gary (Terry Ray) and Brad (Mel England) re-explore a spark that flourishes between them after showing up to their ten year reunion in a small town in Ohio, the thrill of voyeurism thrives as onlookers learn of Gary and Brad’s incredible tale. In his stead as both principal actor and playwright, Terry Ray brings a unique perspective to the story, commenting of the play’s resonance with gay men who came of age in the 70s and 80s, “We star ted from a place where silence equaled death to one where equality might actually be a reality.” In this regard, it makes plenty of sense that Gary would feel so repressed about his sexuality so as to create the lie of having a wife. Brad, on the other extreme of coping mechanisms, numbs his tor tured spirit with sex, drugs and alcohol. Their yin and yang nature is, of course, what continues to draw them to one another decade after decade.

Turning their hotel encounter into something of a tradition for three subsequent reunions (Romy and Michele would never,) the electricity between them proves a riveting delight to watch, in addition to its often bittersweet tone. While the opening of the play begins in the lobby of INNdulge, where the audience will have a par ticipatory role as “extras” at the high school reunion, Gary and Brad then go to their hotel room, during which time the audience is to follow. Subsequently, the intimate space makes for a truly enveloping and hypnotic experience. Performances of Electricity take place October 25-26 and November 9-11 at INNdulge (601 S. Grenfall Road, Palm Springs). 7:30pm reception/8:00pm show. The play is ninety minutes with no intermission, and has an eighteen and over age restriction as, thank God, there will be nudity. $50.00 tickets are available at www.ElectricityThePlay. com. P.S. If you’re a guest of INNdulge, you’ll get a 50 percent discount on tickets, so you might want to think about indulging in that getaway sooner rather than later.

11.02 – 11.16.2017 COMMUNITY

FUND-RAISING

LOS ANGELES

⚫ 31

DRAGGING FOR A CAUSE

⚫ BY HENRY GIARDINA

Phi Phi O’Hara to Raise Relief Funds for Puerto Rico with All-Star Drag Show

When Phi Phi O’Hara first shocked and galvanized audiences during Season 4 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” the world knew she was bound for big things. What we couldn’t have guessed was that years later, Phi Phi’s creator Jaremi Carey would be able to jumpstar t a relief effor t for Puer to Rico with a single tweet. Of course, that’s just what happened when Carey got involved with Somos Una Vos, a charity formed by Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony to provide funds for Puer to Rican families struck by this year’s devastation. On Nov. 6 in Minneapolis, Carey, along with a host of other world class drag performers, will be lip syncing for their lives in an effor t to raise funds for the charity. We caught a minute to chat with Carey beforehand to talk about drag, sisterhood, and the impor tance of giving back. How did you first get involved with Somos Una Vos? I really wanted to make sure that money raised from the event would be put directly into Puer to Rican hands. My biggest fear is that these charities and organizations collect money and refuse to actually help anyone. I wanted to really help, so I reached out to my PR team to reach out to their connections. Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony’s agent replied within minutes to fill us in on the amazing things and on-site help their relief fund is doing. It was a perfect match for what we wanted.

You've really gone out of your way to make a difference with this campaign. What about this fundraiser feels personal to you? My husband is Puer to Rican and, being a par t of his family, I’m inspired by the love Puer to Ricans have for their island, each other and people in general. At the time of the hurricane we had family members stuck on the island with no way of contacting them. Then, seeing my ver y own “RuPaul's Drag Race” sisters stuck on the island struggling made me feel helpless. I wanted to create something – even if I didn't raise a lot – create something so that I could help, even if only a little bit. How did the planning for the show come together? Through the power of social media. I literally tweeted, putting all the girls on the spot, asking for someone to help put this

Photos: Logo TV.

Jaremi Carey rose to fame as Phi Phi O’Hara on RuPaul’s Drag Race season 4. Today, Phi Phi is giving back to the community.

show together and for the girls to donate their time and use their power and their platform to give back! They responded! What is the greatest part of being a powerful Queen? A powerful Queen: That is a strong statement (LOL!) I think we are all powerful. That said, I do feel the strongest when I am doing good. I have been blessed to have this ver y amazing life where I am surrounded by people with strong platforms and the ability to do good in this world, so why not. The fact that I can use my name to create a positive experience that will hopefully enhance others’ lives make me feel powerful!

a lot upon people and companies currently on the island, making sure that money is getting to them so they can buy what they need as far as water, batteries, and food.

What do you think is the most important way people can help with relief (next to donating money?) ] That is tough. Money is the best option, unfor tunately there aren't a lot of outlets to donate goods and clothes. Plus, many of those items are not able to be transpor ted to the island. As a result, we have to rely

What are some ways in which the queer community can come together to fight this administration? I think we all know from histor y that the LGBTQIA community has a lot of power, especially in numbers. We get stuff done. Being quiet about the corruption, the hate, the constant stream of lies, the dangers to

our lives – all of that is NOT okay. Also, not saying anything and or not caring adds to the problem. If “they” see that they can pull one over on just one person they will continue to do it. For as long as they can. Speak up, stay informed. What's next for Phi Phi O'Hara? Sleep! (LOL, just kidding.) I am going on tour for the holidays for almost 30 dates. I'm off to rehearsal to prepare for the Christmas Queens tour presented by PEG. So, get your tickets come see me....and give me a hug!

⚫

LOS ANGELES

OPINION SEX ED

11.03 – 11.16.2017

INCLUSIVE EDUCATION

⚫ BY HENRY GIARDINA

Opinion: The Healthy Youth Act is Still Revolutionizing Schools 2016’s most progressive health act is helping California’s queer teens stay informed about sex.

The raw text of Assembly Bill 329 is, for a bill, fascinating. The recently-passed act known as the California Healthy Youth Act lays out its purpose in the bill’s description in no uncer tain terms. Passed in 2016, the bill’s purpose is: (1) To provide pupils with the knowledge and skills necessary to protect their sexual and reproductive health from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections and from unintended pregnancy. (2) To provide pupils with the knowledge and skills they need to develop healthy attitudes concerning adolescent growth and development, body image, gender, sexual orientation, relationships, marriage, and family. (3) To promote understanding of sexuality as a normal par t of human development. (4) To ensure pupils receive integrated, comprehensive, accurate, and unbiased sexual health and HIV prevention instruction and provide educators with clear tools and guidance to accomplish that end. (5) To provide pupils with the knowledge and skills necessary to have healthy, positive, and safe relationships and behaviors. For many reading this, it might not seem like a big deal. Boil it down to its essence, and it’s basically giving us exactly what we’ve always wanted for growing kids: To be educated, informed, and included when it comes to sex education in schools. But to see legislation put into words in this way seems almost radical. The fact that California is a blue state might not make it seem like the huge step forward that it is, but consider this: In a red country, California is putting the concepts of the sex positivity movement into action, and on paper. The California Healthy Youth Act isn’t new, it’s been years in the making. When it was

first instituted last year, it was seen as one of the most forward-thinking sex ed initiatives in the country. That goes double for its LGBTQ+ initiatives. In addition to requiring a queer-inclusive sex ed curriculum for individual schools and opening up conversations about coming out, abusive relationships, and HIV, the act, according to the New York Times, “requires all California public schools to teach students about gender expression and gender stereotypes.” Not just gender expression, but gender stereotypes. That goes right up there with ‘body image’ in terms of concepts previously thought of as too nebulous or “internet-y” to have a place in law. This piece of legislation is one of the first to take the concerns of younger generations--those generations of kids raised on the Internet, who learned everything they ever wanted to know about sex from “My So-Called Life” and “Skins” – seriously. So why is it impor tant to care about the ongoing effects of the newly-passed bill? So we can see just how deep the change goes. The kind of teaching required by the bill doesn’t just ask institutions to step up to the teen plights of coming out and battling negative body image – it encourages teachers to bring their own experience with similar issues to the table. A recent Los Angeles Times ar ticle, written in response to the Weinstein scandal, asks the frustrating question, “how do we make male sexual entitlement stop?” The conclusion? Education. “[A middle school teacher] in Silicon Valley teaches a “fact-based sex-education curriculum, Teen Talk, developed by the Nor thern California educational group Health Connected. The lessons conform with a new California law, the Healthy Youth Act, which requires schools to teach about adolescent relationship abuse and also focus on healthy attitudes, behaviors and relationships.” Thanks to the Healthy Youth Act, there isn’t just room in the curriculum to teach kids not to be like Harvey Weinstein. There’s room enough to explain to them, at length, why such behavior is unacceptable. And that’s huge.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA facebook • youtube • twitter • thepridela.com The California Healthy Youth Act takes a realistic approach to sex education in schools.

Photo: Thinkstock.

11.02 – 11.16.2017 COMMUNITY HOLIDAYS

LOS ANGELES

⚫ 33

‘ TIS THE SEASON

⚫ BY HENRY GIARDINA

Eagle Rock Bark welcomed town residents to free candy, dog adoptions, and costume contests.

Photos: Henry Giardina.

Eagle Rock Goes All Out for HalloweenThemed Adoption Fair

When Eagle Rock decides to throw a dog- and cat-centric block par ty, they don’t hold back. Last weekend, :Eagle Rock Bark and Meow” drew crowds by promising free microchipping, spay and neuter vouchers, pumpkins, dog and cat treats, and a full-on “Trick or Treat Village” for kids and dogs alike. The LAPD K9 Unit brought their Dalmatian

lab Wilshire to teach kids how to “stop, drop, and roll,” while neighborhood dogs showed off their Halloween costumes for all to see. The event, one of a series of year-round Nor theast L.A. adoption fairs, was run fully by volunteers and was sponsored by Homes Fur All, Fitzburgh Realty & Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce.

⚫ BY HENRY GIARDINA

L.A.’s Day of the Dead Honors Trans Victims and Survivors

On any given year, L.A.’s Day of the Dead celebration is just that: A wild celebration of life and a colorful, vibrant exploration of what lies beyond the pale. This year, the Hollywood Forever-hosted event took a more somber tone, as L.A.’s Trans Latin@ Coalition took the time to host a vigil for all the trans lives the L.A. community has lost to violence over the years. The annual celebration, involving elaborate makeup and Latinx and Chicanx-infused traditions, includes a number of altars set up by the community to honor the dead. The altars are judged at the end of the celebration, with the best altr categories being divided into “traditional,” “creative,” and “event themed.” To pay tribute to the 21 trans lives lost so far in 2017 to violence all over the country, and with a special focus on the loss of trans community members here in Los Angeles, the

Trans Latin@ Coalition’s altar sought to call to attention the struggles that trans individuals must face even in the most liberal pockets of America when it comes to job security, home safety, and health care. The altar also featured images of transgender Angelenos who are still living, thriving, and giving back to the community. It is, after all, a celebration of life and death. As a traditional Mexican holiday, Dia de los Muer tos is celebrated on November 1, after the Halloween festivities have ended. Here in L.A., community altars are set up the weekend before Halloween to tie the two festivals together, giving Angelenos a way to celebrate, honor, and respect the recently passed. Photos: Angela Rosas.

For this year’s Dia De Los Muertos, L.A.’s Trans Latin@ Coalition honored the trans members of its community who have died at the hands of violence.

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COMMUNITY HOLIDAYS

⚫ BY STAFF WRITER

LOS ANGELES

11.03 – 11.16.2017

‘ TIS THE SEASON ... continued from page 33

2017 HALLOWEEN CARNAVAL BRINGS GLAMOUR, GLITTER AND FUN TO THE STREETS OF WEHO

ach year, the streets of West Hollywood light up with glitter, gaiety, and more glitter as demons, drag queens and ghouls make the mile-long march from Santa Monica Boulevard and Historic Route 66 between Doheny Drive and La Cienega Boulevard. 2017’s West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval was certainly no different. From 6 to 9 p.m. on October 31, the streets of WeHo dazzled with colorful crowds and thumped with music from live DJs. As the centerpiece of the even, comedian Jake DuPree, also known as Glitter Fantasy, was crowned “Queen of Halloween” by the City of West Hollywood. As Cosmopolitan’s first ever “Unicorn Correspondent,” DuPree “spreads sparkle, light, love, and acceptance with his unicorn food reviews and unicorn makeovers,” according to a press release. “His mission is to Make America Fabulous Again by dancing, prancing, and sparkling.” For more pics of WeHo’s 2017 Carnaval, search Instagram for posts tagged #wehohalloween.

Photos: Morgan Genser.

11.02 – 11.16.2017 COMMUNITY HOLIDAYS

⚫ BY STAFF WRITER

LOS ANGELES

⚫ 35

‘ TIS THE SEASON ... continued from page 34

2017 HALLOWEEN CARNAVAL BRINGS GLAMOUR, GLITTER AND FUN TO THE STREETS OF WEHO

⚫ ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION

11.03 – 11.16.2017

LOS ANGELES

ANOTHER NUGGET OF WEIRDNESS

⚫ BY HENRY GIARDINA

“At Home with Amy Sedaris” Lampoons Lifestyle TV...Lovingly

It’s not uncommon these days to be in the position, especially as a viewer, of fully loving something while being painfully aware of its absurdity. If you’re a fan of any kind of lifestyle, home improvement, beauty or style content, you already know the feeling. There’s something so guiltily delightful about an HGTV binge or an entire evening spent reading every single article on Refinery29. It feels like something one shouldn’t be spending time on and yet it feels so...right? There’s something about it that occupies an in-between space: It’s comforting, and it’s also totally mind-numbing and uncanny. Amy Sedaris has long been mining this fertile territory for nuggets of weirdness even before the Trump presidency made us all want to retreat into an artisan bubble bath forever. In Trump’s America, the best resistance feels,

NEWS

BULLYING

often, like blissful ignorance, and Sedaris knows that picking apart the lifestyle industry one naturally weird piece at a time is a kind of political commentary. She’s also just amazingly odd and sees the best (and weirdest) in everything around her. As a queer icon (and sister of that other actually queer queer icon David Sedaris,) she’s been a connoisseur of camp since her earliest “Strangers with Candy” days. Her new show, “At Home with Amy Sedaris” is less narrative artifact and more hyper-charged artifice, a way of taking down and raising up our beloved home and self-growth industry complex at once. Even if it wasn’t Amy, we’d probably be watching. As it is, we’re damn glad it’s Amy waving that freak flag for all to see. Muffins, anyone?

Amy Sedaris’s new show is a truly odd inversion of the Oprah principle.

Photo: KC Bailey for TruTV.

SAFE IN SCHOOL?

⚫ BY HENRY GIARDINA

Classmates Attack Fresno Teen Lesbian During Fire Drill A few weeks ago, Fresno teen Logann Pruneda found herself the victim of a homophobic attack on her 16th bir thday. When a fire drill got Bullard High School students out of the classroom last week, Pruneda, an out lesbian at school, found herself at the center of an attack, as teens screamed antigay slurs such as “faggot, queer, and lesbo’ while throwing juice boxes hard enough to leave bruises on her neck. Pruneda had been aware of her sexuality since the age of nine, and had been out in school as a lesbian since the seventh grade. She’s no stranger to homophobic language and bullying, according to her mother Gina, who told the Fresno Bee, “This is a daily thing. She comes home, and I ask how her day was, and she says a kid said ‘lesbian’ under his breath while she was giving a presentation. Last year, she pretty much spent ever y day eating lunch in a classroom because of the bullying. It’s not easy for her, but she’s learned to deal with it.” The escalation of this daily abuse to the level of physical violence is new, and deep-

ly worr ying to the administration of Bullard High. Still, it’s not the first time the school has had to deal with homophobic tensions in the classroom. Before Pruneda was attacked, school board President Brooke Ashjian had allegedly made homophobic comments about the sex-positive and LGBT-friendly curriculum the school had been tr ying to create in compliance with the recently passed California Healthy Youth Act. New information has also come to light that Ashjian’s comments and criticisms of an LGBTQ+-inclusive school curriculum have received suppor t from anti-gay conversion therapists. Pruneda’s attackers were not able to be identified due to a lack of security cameras in the area of the attack. However, the Bullard school board is tr ying to address the recent controversy by coming up with ways to suppor t its LGBTQ+-identified students, including a potential crisis line for students dealing with bullying and trauma.

In Fresno, CA, a teen was targeted for her sexuality.

Photo: Thinkstock.

11.02 – 11.16.2017 CULTURE FILM

LOS ANGELES

⚫ 37

RAINBOWS ON THE SILVER SCREEN

⚫ BY HENRY GIARDINA

Two Festivals Bring LGBTQ+ Films to Forefront With the AFI Festival and Arpa Film Festival, Viewers are Treated to LGBTQ+ Offerings From Around the Globe.

Early November in Los Angeles presents a great oppor tunity for local cinephiles to dip their toes in some of the most interesting upcoming films from Hollywood and beyond. From Nov. 9 – 16, the American Film Institute will celebrate its 50-year anniversar y by shining a light on auteurs and film centerpieces that are elevating the ar t form worldwide. Slightly earlier on Nov. 3 – 5, the 20th annual Arpa Film Festival will bring the best of current international film into focus. When it comes to a diverse selection of LGBTQ+ films, both festivals have seriously stepped up to the plate this year. Here are just a few of the selects that have got us counting the days until wide release. 1. Call Me By Your Name (2017) AFI Festival Centerpiece: Limited Release in Theaters on November 24. Obviously, this comes in high at the top of any anticipated films list, especially since it’s been talked about like the second coming of Christ back in the days when an adaptation of Andre Aciman’s novel was a nothing more than mere rumor. Armie Hammer and new talent Timothee Chalamet star as a gay couple with a decade or so between them, tr ying to make sense of their forbidden attraction in the steamy nor th of Italy.

2. Mudbound (2017) AFI Festival Opening Night Gala: Wide Release via Netflix on November 17. Queer filmmaker Dee Rees is responsible for bringing us the excellent “Pariah” in 2011, a stor y about a young lesbian who finds the strength to come out despite the demands and desires of a deeply traditional family. “Mudbound” is Rees’ exploration of a WWII-era deep South, as Jim Crow laws and extreme pover ty threaten to tear families and lovers apar t.

3. Thelma (2017) AFI Festival World Cinema Selection: Limited Release on November 10. Filmmaker Joachim Trier tells the stor y of Thelma, a young lesbian from a conser vative Norwegian household who discovers that strange powers come with her sexuality. Described as a “supernatural psychosexual horror film,” “Thelma” is a coming-of-age stor y with high stakes and a dramatic, “Carrie”-esque conclusion. 4. Listen to Me: Untold Stories Beyond Hatred (2016) Arpa Film Festival Nominee for Best Documentar y: Wide Release date unknown In director Gagik Ghazareh’s moving documentar y, we follow out gay Armenian Americans as they tr y to reconcile their conflicting identities. While Vahan, a gay Armenian American, moves back to Armenia and away from his intolerant family, Tsomak, an out lesbian, moves to America after a violent attack on the Armenian gay bar DIY. 5. Apricot Groves (2016) Arpa Film Festival Nominee for Best Fea-

ture Film: Wide Release date unknown In Iranian auteur Pouria Heidar y Oureh’s debut film, Aram, a trans man goes back to his hometown in Armenia to propose to his girlfriend on home soil. Back in Armenia, however, Aram’s innocent proposal meets with unexpected obstacles.

Photo: AFI Fest.

ABOVE – Joachim Trier’s lesbian drama “Thelma” will screen as one of AFI Fest’s LGBTQ+ World Cinema selections.

Photo: Arpa IFF.

BOTTOM – In “Apricot Groves,” an Armenian-born trans man returns to his hometown to propose to his girlfriend.

⚫

11.03 – 11.16.2017

LOS ANGELES

CULTURE FASHION

TAKE ME TO CHURCH

⚫ BY HENRY GIARDINA

For Patrick Church, Fashion is the Canvas For many fashion connoisseurs looking to snag fresh-off-the-runway fashions, investing in a pack of Hanes white tees and a black sharpie is a well-known hack. With graphic tees and fun, colorful DIY-looking prints attacking the runway at regular intervals, haute couture has become a lot easier to knock off in recent years. That said: There’s fashion, and there’s fashion. Patrick Church has broken on to the scene by taking his own colorful approach to the old white tee-and-sharpie trick. But instead of a sharpie it’s that pastel-colored sidewalk chalk you use to use a kid, and instead of a white tee it’s a wifebeater. In Church’s collection, you’ll find Pollock-like splotches of color, lots of white, and painterly sketches of a woman resembling Cour tney Love all over flowing, feminine garments that happen, of course, to all be

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worn by men. But wait: It gets better. There’s leather, and a lot of it. Patrick Church is single-handedly bringing back assless chaps. And it’s only a matter of time before this much-needed renaissance hits the runway proper. “My work has always explored the body.” Church told OUT magazine in a recent interview. “I've normally made sexual work when I’m not having sex. It’s the idea of sex I find fascinating, and I like to think I explore sexuality in a romantic way. My work is about romance, because I am married and head over heels in love, but my most recent works have been a series of nudes of my husband. They are explicit, yet so delicate and the juxtaposition of this really resonates with me.” It’s the idea of sex that the rest of us can’t really ignore when staring at the pastel colors and leather corsets in Church’s line, reminiscent of Mapplethorpe and Keith Haring at once. Looking at Church’s work is kind of like seeing a gigantic last gasp of influence from every single person who died young in

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HEALTH

the late ‘80s leaving behind a hear tbreaking, colorful trail of work. You can even see a bit of Basquiat in Church’s designs. Is it intentional? “In England as a child, I remember watching my mother and auntie dress up for these par ties they would host.” Church told OUT. “I was so obsessed by the ritual and how glamorous they were. I was always encouraged to create. There is a VHS from a fashion show I put on at 13 where I created the clothes, painted the backdrops and set it to music.” We’ll take that as a yes.

GOING GREEN

⚫ BY HENRY GIARDINA

Does Weed Save Lives?

Weed has been ascribed all sor ts of magical proper ties by its fondest proponents over the years. Today, as medical marijuana star ts to become legalized across California, New York state, and all over the country, more and more users are turning to marijuana use to treat chronic pain brought on by lingering and incurable illnesses such as cancer and fibromyalgia. Some even go so far as to claim that weed can play a par t in preventing HIV from turning into the AIDS virus. But can weed cure the psychological trauma caused by anti-gay bullying? One user cer tainly thinks so. In an HIV Plus magazine ar ticle titled, “How Weed Saved This Gay Boy’s Life,” Zachariah Finning, a Dutchess County New York resident, recalls how smoking marijuana got him through the most painful par ts of growing up. “The last years of high school were a hard place for me, and I would be lying if I said that marijuana did not bring me solace during that time.” Wrote Finning, ascribing his ability to rise above the taunting and name-calling of his peers to marijuana use. “By the time I became aware of my sexual identity I had already been made fun of for it. I guess oth-

ers know things about you before you admit them to yourself.” Finning describes his use of marijuana as engendering him with a kind of self-actualization that allowed him to rise above the abuse. “I no longer ran from my problems,” Finning wrote. “I faced them. I actually star ted changing things and discovered the courage to so. It unlocked an inner consciousness that helped drive me forward for years to come. Just as many aspects of life come and go, so did my use of the marijuana.” As more and more states across the U.S. embrace the use of medical marijuana, the country’s relationship to the drug is bound to change. Possibly the most interesting aspect of the change to come in recent years is suggested by new claims that we’re edging closer to a cure for AIDS and HIV. For Finning, marijuana helped him take on new struggles and battle chronic pain. For kids growing up in a world of legal marijuana, schools with LGBTQ+ anti-bullying initiatives firmly instituted, and a cure for HIV just on the horizon, perhaps coping with teenage pain will star t to look different.

11.02 – 11.16.2017

LOS ANGELES

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⚫ ENTERTAINMENT PODCAST

11.03 – 11.16.2017

LOS ANGELES

GIVE IT A LISTEN

⚫ BY HENRY GIARDINA

In “Heaven’s Gate,” a Suicide Cult’s Mystery Starts to Unravel A new podcast examines the backstory and detritus of Heaven’s Gate’s misguided founders and followers.

The first thing you’ll start to pick up on when you begin your journey into Glynn Washington and Pineapple Street Media’s new podcast “Heaven’s Gate,” is that the ‘70s were quite the time to be alive.The books atop the New York Times nonfiction best-seller list were pulpy combinations of self-help, religion, and mystical sci-fi conjecture, and, to hear Washington tell it, people were pretty much ready to believe in any kind of bullshit, provided it was exciting. And exciting, in the context of pong and “Charlie’s Angels,” meant...aliens? Precisely. All of this might not seem dangerous (or even that far off from our current reality…”Game of Thrones” and “Stranger Things,” anyone?) but what it created was a perfect storm for a group of vulnerable followers and two charismatic, slightly looney leaders who prophesied eternal life and the return to a grand alien lifestyle somewhere among the clouds. These leaders were know as “Ti and Do” or as “Bo and Peep,” and they caused...rather. invited,... 39 people to kill themselves alongside them in 1997, beneath matching purple shrouds and decade-edition Nikes. Hooked yet? You will be. Launched on October 18 as part one of a ten-part series, “Heaven’s Gate” seeks to get to the bottom of the cult’s legendary power. Host Glynn Washington is wellpoised to present a solid case for the irresistibility of leader Marshall Herff Applewhite Jr.’s magnetic pull: Washington himself grew up within the cult of Herbert W. Armstrong’s Worldwide Church of God, which promised a return of Jesus to earth in the ‘80s. Washington describes this promise as being so convincing that he would “wear [his] shoes to bed” in order to be ready when it happened. Armstrong died before the cult could claim too many lives, but Applewhite and friends kept on from the late ‘70s in the late ‘90s, when all but a few famously perished with a fatal swig of Kool Aid.With Washington’s guidance,“Heaven’s Gate” promises to answer the “why” of it all. Which is, let’s face it, a big promise. Still, even if “Heaven’s Gate” doesn’t quite live up to its cultishly delicious promise, it’s still a hell of a good story. Who doesn’t love cults? Who doesn’t love getting into the nitty gritty of why people leave their established lives, wives, hus-

bands, and children to try to get closer to their alien kin? And to top it all off, something tells me Washington is going to go deeper into Applewhite’s backstory and give us the biography that we’ve always wanted but have been too afraid to ask for. Applewhite is described in episode two of the podcast as an unhappy bisexual, open about his attraction to men, but also enough of a product of the times to not feel too great about it.

He’s a complex character placed at the center of one of the 20th century’s most bizarrely tragic tales of cult of personality. We don’t even really need to make mention of Trump to explain why the “Heaven’s Gate” story is more relevant now than ever – but of course we will anyway. Today, the idea of the cult is more fascinating – and eerier – than ever, with political commentators constantly referring to Trump’s bizarre psy-

chic hold on otherwise semi-sane individuals, and even Ryan Murphy jumping on the bandwagon, taking inspiration from the Trump era to produce his most recent season of “American Horror Story,” subtitled: “Cult.” If Washington’s podcast can tell us anything, hopefully it’s how to survive in the era of Instagram and cult of personality. If it can’t tell us anything, we’ll tune in anyway. 39 to beam up.

11.02 – 11.16.2017

LOS ANGELES

WHAT’S HAPPENING? Selena Night WHEN: November 3, 10 P.M. - 2 A.M. WHERE: The Regent, 448 South Main St. WHAT: Celebrate the Queen of Tejano music all night long! WHY: *Selena-inspired looks highly encouraged*

⚫

The best goings-on around and about L.A., period.

We’re Going to Be Friends WHEN: November 4, 2 P.M. to 3 P.M. WHERE: Barnes and Noble at the Grove WHAT: Jack White and April March discuss and sign their new co-authored kids book. WHY: For old times’ sake. Dia De Cultura WHEN: November 4, 5 P.M. to 11 P.M. WHERE: 5601 N. Figueroa St. WHAT: A Highland Park film festival-cum- Day of the Dead celebration. WHY: Highland Park locals and visitors can mourn the dead and celebrate the living while cinephiles enjoy a selection of shorts. Trap Yoga Los Angeles WHEN: November 8, 6:15 P.M.- 9:30 P.M. WHERE: Downtown Dance and Movement, 1144 South Hope St. WHAT: Vinyasa-style yoga set to a trap and hip-hop soundtrack. WHY: Sweat it out!

Catalina - Liska Jacobs in conversation with Deborah Vankin WHEN: November 10, 7:30 P.M.- 9 P.M. WHERE: The Last Bookstore, 453 South Spring St. WHAT: Jacobs reads from her new book “Catalina,” about a woman who flees the New York art world for Los Angeles. WHY: We can all relate, right? The Set Shop: Vintage Sale WHEN: November 11, 11 A.M. to 5 P.M. WHERE: The Set Shop, 428 Colton St. WHAT: A smorgasbord of vintage clothing vendors from all walks of L.A. WHY: Pick up your next great vintage piece before the chill sets in. Me Too Survivor’s March WHEN: November 12, 11 A.M. to 2 P.M. WHERE: TBA WHAT: A protest march to support survivors of abuse and rape. WHY: End rape culture now.

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11.03 – 11.16.2017

LOS ANGELES ENTERTAINMENT

GIVE IT A WATCH

Todd Mitchell To Catch a Killer, Before He Kills TELEVISION

⚫ BY HENRY GIARDINA

Buying or selling a home in Santa Monica? Call me today:

310-899-3521 Todd@NOWHomes.com CalBRE# 00973400

25 Years on Montana Avenue!

Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC.

In David Fincher’s new show, the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit is born. “Looking” actor Jonathan Groff plays agent Holden Ford.

In “Mindhunter,” the FBI Explores the Emotional Science of a Killer’s Crime. When Jonathan Groff ’s wet-behind-theears FBI agent arrives on the scene of a hostile crime scene, it ends with the killer blowing his own head off. Groff ’s newbie agent Holden Ford has failed at his attempt at negotiation, and we’re the ones who have to deal with the mess of it. We see everything, the blood, the explosion, the smoke from the double barrel shotgun used to do the deed. It’s a quick moment, but a make-or-break one. And it doesn’t quite work. “Mindhunter’s” first episode makes the fatal mistake of trying to lure you in. It’s obvious, graphic, and tries to a get a bit too close to the hear t of things without having worked to earn it. Characters are thrown at us. Plot developments happen too quickly. We’re not quite sure what this is going to be: Is it a buddy cop show? A gritty crime drama? A psychological thriller? Well, none of the above, and all of the above. Happily, by the second episode, we’ve forgotten the sins of the first. Holden Ford is a man trying to do what no one else in

the FBI of the 1970s, apparently, is interested in doing. He wants to get to the ideas behind the violent, sexually-charged crimes that people like Charles Manson and Richard Speck commit. He wants to find out why killers kill, and use that information to try to prevent large-scale sexual assaults and murders from happening in the first place. But it’s a bold mission, and, as you can probably see coming from a mile away, the pursuit of this noble cause changes Holden from a fresh-faced idealist to a gritty, pompous hothead, almost religiously infected with faith in his own work to the point of zealotry. He star ted out wanting to explore the gray area between born criminals and made criminals. And he ended by becoming an asshole. Go figure! This is, however, but one character arc in what is ostensibly a three-arc show. Holden Ford is joined by fellow FBI agent Bill Tench, who has a struggling marriage and an emotionally distant kid (please GOD let him turn out to be a murderer next season.) Together, they are later joined by a consultant from the world of academia, Wendy Carr. The three of them comprise the FBI’s very first Behavioral Science unit, devoted to figuring out what makes criminals tick. They do this, of course, by interviewing convicted criminals. They also come up with the term “serial killer.” “Mindhunter’s” source material is mined

Photo: Netflix.

from the work of real-life FBI agents John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker, who are responsible for the 1996’s “Mind Hunter : Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit.” Douglas is also the real-life model for “Silence of the Lambs” and “Red Dragon” character Jack Crawford, who seeks to gain entry into the minds of dangerous criminals, only to have it come back to bite him where it hur ts. The adaptation is paced nicely (except for that ridiculous first episode) and given a few per tinent additions here and there, the most interesting being that Wendy Carr, the consultant, is a closeted lesbian in the TV series. If “Mindhunter” was a bit more interested in beating its theme of “the masks we wear” into the ground, it might have made this plot point more of a turning point. Thankfully, “Mindhunter” is not that kind of show. It’s subtle, well-designed, and takes its time drawing its conclusions. Reviewers have already remarked on its “cold” and “clinical” nature, but these are traits that feel much better suited to a show about the study of crime than they would be to, say, a straightout thriller like the kind the first episode was trying to be. If you’re watching “Mindhunter” for pure pleasure, you might find yourself bored. If you’re watching it for information, you’re probably better off reading the book. But if you’re watching it for the joy of its twists and even its more predictable turns, you’ll find your time well spent.

11.02 – 11.16.2017 WISE MOVE

BY JOHN GUZZET TA AND MICHAEL HAWKINS / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ

ACROSS

1 M.I.T. Sloan grad, often 4 Raven’s cry 7 Steal, slangily 11 Bridge work? 18 Office restoration 21 “Didn’t expect to see you here!” 22 Generally 23 Interns at a cemetery? 25 Start of a class field trip, maybe 26 Had a bead on 27 New Left org. 28 Features of Utah’s Capitol Reef National Park 30 Instants 31 Endorse 32 ____ Court (London district) 34 Series ender in London 35 Start over in cards 37 Lead-in to much 38 Take to social media following a good round of golf? 41 Work at, as a trade 42 Chickadee, e.g. 44 Brown ermine 45 Ready-to-____ 46 Crown 47 Have-not 49 Emmy-winning show of 1976 and 2017, in brief 50 One sending flowers, say 52 One holding flowers 53 Brain readings, for short 55 Sounded sheepish? 58 Speed demon 61 Pacts between packs? 65 Rage 66 Does penance 68 Corp. manager 69 “More than I wanted to hear!” 70 “Not nice!” 72 Original Beatle Sutcliffe 73 Ones sharing quarters at the most macho fraternity? 77 Aviary parts 78 Places to cool one’s jets? 80 Adventurer in Grouchland 81 Big tablet 83 Nozzles into blast furnaces

NY TIMES CROSSWORD PUZZLE

85 One of 17 on a Monopoly board: Abbr. 87 Policy at a wedding’s open bar, maybe 90 Switch on the radio 92 Nabokov novel 93 Excel 95 It led to a 1773 protest 97 Amazon peril 98 Stylish underwear? 101 Mess maker 102 Ill feeling 104 It doesn’t mean “lots of love” 105 Euphoric 106 Smears, as a reputation 107 Svelte 108 Excite 110 Camping-gear retailer 111 See 48-Down 112 Homie 114 Things swapped at a convention of supermarket owners? 118 “Just about done” 119 Citrus hybrid 120 Starter supply for making bourbon 121 “Slow down, tiger!” 122 Fifth-most abundant element in the universe 123 Court org. 124 Director Ang

7 20

102

82 88 95

109 114

118

119

121

122

89 96

101

105

108 113

100

104

107

103

112

70 76

69 75

46 51

34 39

52 59

24 26

106 110

111

115

116

117

120 123

124

DOWN

1 It decreases with acceleration, for short 2 Get closer to, as the heart of the matter 3 It’s played on the road 4 Rep 5 A myrmeke of Greek myth is a giant one 6 City near where Chopin was born 7 Actor Hamm of “Mad Men” 8 *cough* 9 Bit from Sunshine Biscuits 10 Yap 11 Catches 12 Big Ten powerhouse, for short 13 Mouths off to 14 Slipped up 15 Social gatherings where fruit drinks are served? 16 Bluejacket

17 Samantha of 96-Down 19 Drawn 20 California ball club 24 Some bars in the Caribbean 29 Over-and-above 31 “Park it!” 32 Diminutive suffixes 33 Paleolith 35 Fixes, as a bath area 36 Caustic soda 39 Haymaker? 40 Some feet 43 Presumptive assertion 46 Something a shooter shoots 48 With 111-Across, cinnamon candy 50 “Same here” 51 Speak to, with “with” 54 “Hurry up!”

This Week’s Sudoku Puzzle

56 Q.E.D. part 57 Places to hibernate 58 Unconsidered 59 Kofi Annan’s middle name 60 Take attendance in a magical forest? 62 Routine problem, for short 63 Horns in on? 64 Something kept close to the chest 67 Watches via Netflix, say 71 Modern-day circus 74 Onetime govt.-prescribed nutritional figure 75 Home of Berkshire Hathaway 76 Sloth, for one 79 Extra product 82 Another name for hopscotch 84 Country rocker Steve 86 Complete

Answers M B A P O W E G R A V E Y E S I G N I N A S T O M T N E E V R A C E A T O N S T U H A N G T U A M F M B O A A N I M T R I M A I N O N E T E A S Y

C A W R N A P E T R A I D S D S E A R L T W E E I T S T D E R S A S E R D O G E S C O S T U D R A R S E Y E R E S A D A S M A R T U S L O M K E Y M A N G O G O U N O W N

J A C K O H H I N E E S M E S S Z E T B I R O A T N L A E E G S T R E A O T M O O M I L M O A V E S H I N P A N T L G I U P R R O C E G L I E O N

N O S E J A S A R U B U S R I A S S E C D R E D E D I E S P E A T P A D M I R E R B L E A T T I E S I I S O M E E S N E S I P A D N O T I P E T E A A I E S S L D D Y T A E I H O T R S T O R I S O U R M A N B A L

O L D S A L T

B E E

E R A T

D E N S

S C O R S E S E

L Y E

T B S S H E

88 Spacious and splendid 89 “The Departed” director 90 Court org. 91 Where the Missouri River begins 93 Be extravagant 94 Ones holding down things? 96 Station for 17-Down 98 Call for 99 Cork popper 100 Early record label 103 Like much mouthwash 108 Not just think 109 ____ grounds 111 Part of un día 112 Bully in “Calvin and Hobbes” 113 Long ____ 115 The Bengals, on scoreboards 116 Place to soak 117 “That’s all ____ wrote”

LOS ANGELES

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STAR GAZING By Electra V. Loveridge

ARIES (March 21-April 19) A partner has become extremely devoted to you. Don’t abuse this devotion. Earn respect by giving respect. Watchful eyes are upon you, and there is a chance you’ll be judged soon. Steady your heart by reading a classic book. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) You said something you regretted, Taurus, but the damage in not irreversible. Gently make the necessary corrections. If your career has been a struggle, there’s a good chance that’s about to change. The color pale yellow will be a source of good luck! GEMINI (May 21-June 21) Gemini, don’t ignore your problems. They will come back to haunt you. Be especially attuned to your romantic health today. It needs your attention. Why haven’t you been honest with yourself about your work situation? CANCER (June 22-July 22) Cancer, be patient through your struggles today. The right people are aware of your situation. Ask for assistance from an old friend. It’s a good day to find a personal development book. Lavender may help you cope with impending uncertainty. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Leo, express yourself to your partner today. There’s a lot on your mind lately. Truth and honesty will always be preferred over letting things stew and stagnate. Happiness relies on a solid foundation of faith. It’s a good day to try a new recipe! VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) The Moon’s in your constellation, Virgo, and that means love is in the air. Make a grand romantic gesture to your partner, or seek the attention of a potential new suitor. You look good today, so feel good, too. You’re desirable and attractive. Use these powers carefully! LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) There’s no reason to be bored, Libra! There are many options available to pull you out of your recent funk. Seek to receive payment for your recent efforts. You’ve been stuck on the treadmill for too long. There may be a budding romance happening just out of sight. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21) Scorpio, follow your instincts to respond to your partner appropriately. Don’t tackle new projects unless you feel emotionally prepared. A past mistake seems to handicap your efforts to move forward. Today is a six out of ten, and the gemstone emerald will hold a special power for you today. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Sagittarius, offer a helping hand to a partner, and you’ll be handsomely rewarded. An attractive but distant person enters your circle soon. How will you respond to their overtures? The stars are supporting your risky adventures. Your power herb today is chive. Seek to add it to a meal to add energy and focus to your day. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Capricorn, rely on your organizational skills to get you through the day. They are a strength and will serve you well. A relationship from the past may resurface and cause you to question a recent decision. The color yellow is a nexus of focus and power. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Let go of your sentimental approach to love today, Aquarius. It’s time to be more pragmatic. What is your partner really offering you? Don’t be tempted by a flashier alternative just because it’s new and different. Keep an eye on your diet. Today is a six out of ten. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) Pisces, things are much more complicated than you first thought. You’re more determined than ever to reach long-standing goals. A friend from the past shares news that threatens to disrupt your equilibrium. Be careful not to spread yourself too thin.

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11.03 – 11.16.2017

LOS ANGELES

In adults with HIV on ART who have diarrhea not caused by an infection IMPORTANT PATIENT INFORMATION This is only a summary. See complete Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com or by calling 1-844-722-8256. This does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or treatment.

What Is Mytesi? Mytesi is a prescription medicine used to improve symptoms of noninfectious diarrhea (diarrhea not caused by a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection) in adults living with HIV/AIDS on ART. Do Not Take Mytesi if you have diarrhea caused by an infection. Before you start Mytesi, your doctor and you should make sure your diarrhea is not caused by an infection (such as bacteria, virus, or parasite).

Possible Side Effects of Mytesi Include:

Tired of planning your life around diarrhea?

Enough is Enough Get relief. Pure and simple. Ask your doctor about Mytesi.

Mytesi (crofelemer): • Is the only medicine FDA-approved to relieve diarrhea in people with HIV • Treats diarrhea differently by normalizing the flow of water in the GI tract • Has the same or fewer side effects as placebo in clinical studies • Comes from a tree sustainably harvested in the Amazon Rainforest What is Mytesi? Mytesi is a prescription medicine that helps relieve symptoms of diarrhea not caused by an infection (noninfectious) in adults living with HIV/AIDS on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Important Safety Information Mytesi is not approved to treat infectious diarrhea (diarrhea caused by bacteria, a virus, or a parasite). Before starting you on Mytesi, your healthcare provider will first be sure that you do not have infectious diarrhea. Otherwise, there is a risk you would not receive the right medicine and your infection could get worse. In clinical studies, the most common side effects that occurred more often than with placebo were upper respiratory tract (sinus, nose, and throat) infection (5.7%), bronchitis (3.9%), cough (3.5%), flatulence (3.1%), and increased bilirubin (3.1%).

For Copay Savings Card and Patient Assistance, see Mytesi.com

Should I Take Mytesi If I Am: Pregnant or Planning to Become Pregnant? • Studies in animals show that Mytesi could harm an unborn baby or affect the ability to become pregnant • There are no studies in pregnant women taking Mytesi • This drug should only be used during pregnancy if clearly needed A Nursing Mother? • It is not known whether Mytesi is passed through human breast milk • If you are nursing, you should tell your doctor before starting Mytesi • Your doctor will help you to decide whether to stop nursing or to stop taking Mytesi Under 18 or Over 65 Years of Age? • Mytesi has not been studied in children under 18 years of age • Mytesi studies did not include many people over the age of 65. So it is not clear if this age group will respond differently. Talk to your doctor to find out if Mytesi is right for you

What Should I Know About Taking Mytesi With Other Medicines? If you are taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicine, herbal supplements, or vitamins, tell your doctor before starting Mytesi.

What If I Have More Questions About Mytesi? For more information, please see the full Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com or speak to your doctor or pharmacist. To report side effects or make a product complaint or for additional information, call 1-844-722-8256.

Rx Only Manufactured by Patheon, Inc. for Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. San Francisco, CA 94105 Copyright © Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Mytesi comes from the Croton lechleri tree harvested in South America.

Please see complete Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com. NP-390-21

• Upper respiratory tract infection (sinus, nose, and throat infection) • Bronchitis (swelling in the tubes that carry air to and from your lungs) • Cough • Flatulence (gas) • Increased bilirubin (a waste product when red blood cells break down) For a full list of side effects, please talk to your doctor. Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

RELIEF, PURE AND SIMPLE