The QueerCentric

Carmel Apple Martini the recipe http://www.dekuyperusa.com/recipe/caramel-appletini

is best know for playing the over-the-top Derrick for 3 seasons on ABC’s Happy Endings as well as his outrageous characters on Rosie O’Donell’s The Big Gay Sketch Show on LOGO. In 2012 he received an unprecedented talent deal with CBS to diversify the network and has subsequently written and directed for the network the last two years. He has produced, written, and is a cast member on the delivered 2014 CBS pilot The Night Crew, an SNL style sketch show. He currently is in the cast of the MTV drama Finding Carter, Lisa Kudrow’s The Comeback on HBO and ABC’s Marry Me. Other TV: NBC’s The Gates, CBS’s Right this Way, ’til Death, Law & Order SVU, The Neighbors, Disney’s Jessie and Sophia the 1st, David E Kelley’s The Wedding Bells. Film: Disney’s Confessions of a Shopaholic, BearCity 1 & 2 (OutFest Award for Best Actor), I Hate Valentine’s Day, and The Clique. He recently won two best guest star awards at the LA Webseries Honors for his roles in LOGO’s EastSiders and Hustling. He stars in season 2 of EastSiders with RuPaul Drag Race star Willam, and has his own comedy show this November on LOGO called The Straight Out Report. His co-created fully-improvised musical The Nuclear Family recently had a sold-out run at the famed LA Groundlings after being Off-Broadway for 6 months. In 2013 he did his 4th Off-Broadway show Around the World in 80 Days and just recently finished the 2008 Broadway musical “Title of Show”…in Kalamazoo Michigan. He has directed Willam Belli and Detox Icunt in the seminal production of ShowGirls The Movie Live on Stage! and SNL’s Emmy nominee Kate McKinnon’s One Woman Sketch Show. He has performed comedy and improv nationwide, is a regular comic for Atlantis Gay Cruise Lines, and is a proud alumni of NYC’s Public Theatre Shakespeare Program and Florida State.

Links –

The Big Gay Sketch Show

Confessions of a Shopaholic

I Hate Valentine’s Day

Happy Endings

‘Til Death

Law & Order: SVU

“Sak Comedy Lab” in Orlando

The Groundlings in Los Angeles

Co-starred in The Nuclear Family, a fully improvised Off-Broadway musical comedy that debuted in 2005.

EastSiders.

Guarino has been openly gay since the age of 15. In 2014 he starred in the episode Snack Attack as Wendy’s father in Jessie (TV series)

Isabella Gomez was born in Medellin, Colombia where she was raised. She grew up an only child surrounded by older kids and adults, making her an outgoing little girl. Isabella loved to be the center of attention from an early age and would make friends wherever she went, from school to waiting rooms. She was always very assertive so when a 6 year old Isabella told her mom that she wanted to act, her parents knew she meant it. Luckily, her mom Eliana had a close friend that was involved in the industry and through him she started dipping her foot in the commercial world in Colombia. She was in love right away, and her vivacious personality at such a young age caught the eye of those around. From there she was booked to be the host of the launching of a government issued program that focused on providing food for kids in need in the state. At the mere age of 6 she hosted a 2 1/2 hour long ceremony all by herself, shocking the audience and those working with her. She continued to host ceremonies and kept working on commercials.

In the summer of 2015 Isabella and her family packed up once again and moved cross-country so she could further pursue her career in acting. Her contract with her previous manager being over, she reconnected with Doyle Rice and signed with him. His style and personality were a much better fit for her and her family, making them more excited and driven than ever. She started training and auditioning again, but she found it difficult to adjust to a new teacher and to being in the room after doing self tapes for so long. The first 6 months of her living there were dry, with just a single callback and an increasing frustration. After the holidays the new year came and Isabella had a long chat with Ms. Kia that reassured her she has the capability to do this. With a new mindset and a new pilot season to focus on she put all her energy and effort into her craft. She booked a little role on Modern Family and continued to audition for other projects and soon after she found herself at a callback standing in front of Norman Lear. He was looking for the daughter in a remake of One Day At a Time, this time with a Cuban-American family. A chemistry read and a few days later she got the call that she had booked the role of Elena Alvarez, who she would play alongside the legendary Rita Moreno as her grandma and the wonderful Justina Machado as her mom. Now the first season is almost done and Isabella has started looking for her next project until the possible season 2 of ODAAT.

I arrived in Spokane Valley in 1975, at six weeks old. My large, loving, mixed-race family experienced its share of ups and downs and taught me the value of character, compassion, and community. My parents always worked for social justice, as youth leaders, social workers, public defenders, and activists, teaching their six children that we must use our gifts to help others.

My first foray into politics came as a child, after my father was fired from his job simply because he was gay and my mother struggled to support the family as a single mother of six. My family experienced poverty, as well as discrimination based on race, gender, and sexual orientation. I helped my dad fight for a law to make discrimination against gay people illegal in the 1980’s. While that effort failed, neither I, nor my dad, would stop fighting for what’s right, because we knew it would happen one day.

But I also experienced the incredible power of community support, and people looking out for me. I had the privilege of receiving scholarships to attend wonderful schools, such as Saint George’s School in Spokane. I recognized what an extraordinary opportunity this was and worked as hard as I could. I graduated in 1993 as valedictorian and was accepted into Yale University, where I earned a degree in clinical child psychology. Most importantly, I met my wife Amy on our second day on campus. We fell in love instantly, married just after graduation, and will soon celebrate our nineteenth anniversary. We have two amazing teenage sons, Alex and Aidan, both students at West Valley High School.

My professional life has been devoted to public service. I began as a case manager, treatment provider, and mentor for juvenile offenders and kids in special education classrooms, and as a Court Appointed Special Advocate. I served adults with serious mental illness while working at Frontier Behavioral Health. I then went to Gonzaga Law School, as a Thomas More Scholar, so that I could learn the skills necessary to make a systemic difference.

After graduating from GU law at the top of my class in 2006, I worked as an Assistant United States Attorney in Spokane and had the honor of representing the United States in a wide array of civil and criminal cases. I learned more about what government can do and found solutions to large challenges. I moved to private practice in 2012, and have zealously and successfully advocated for consumers victimized by corrupt businesses, people trapped in jails and mental hospitals, and workers who have faced discrimination. I have helped hundreds of people recover millions of dollars, and have stopped numerous illegal practices.

Jaclyn Archer for Spokane County Vice-Chair

Jaclyn Archer a senior undergrad student at Eastern Washington University getting a degree in English Literature with a minor in History. She is a journalist and writer. She has contributed to The Black Lens and worked for nearly two school years as a section editor at The Easterner. She has appeared on other KYRS shows (such as Praxis and F Yes!) as the Community Relations Officer for Eastern’s Black Student Union, and a representative of the Multicultural Coalition. She has volunteered with PJALS, WashingtonCAN!, Spokane NOW, and am a member of the Spokane NAACP. Most recently (Saturday) I was elected as the Vice-Chair of Spokane County’s Democratic Central Committee

When Andrew Biviano asked me to run for Vice Chair of the Spokane County Democrats, I was skeptical. I’ve been a registered Democrat from the time I could vote. My allegiance was not born of party loyalty, but a desire to participate in the democratic process by caucusing. I voted for President Obama in 2012, and caucused for Bernie last March, but over the last eight years I have become disillusioned with the Democratic Party.

But, I believe that the people of the Democratic party are genuine and committed to service. If we struggle to bring about a progressive future, it is only because we need to reforge the tools of progress within our political organizations. I do not wish to stand on the outside of this process. I wish to take part, not only as a voter and active citizen, but as Vice Chair of the Spokane County Democratic Central Committee.

What does change look like?

I have often asked ‘What is the purpose of the Democratic Party?’ The answer is simple: To elect Democrats to political office. The more important question is ‘Why?’

If Democrats cannot offer people something more or better than the other guy, we’re just trying to win for the sake of winning. But I believe the party is more than that. The Democratic Party has built itself up appealing to labor, to women, to the Black, the Brown, the queer, the immigrant, the atheist, and the disenfranchised. When we convince them to vote for us, we are making a promise to give them in return what the other guy can’t or won’t deliver: justice, equality, a voice, a consistent ear to their interests, and candidates who will make them a priority.

I envision a Spokane Democratic Party that acts as a service organization, that gets involved with the liberation of its constituency. That means joining hands with the NAACP, with Planned Parenthood, with labor unions, queer organizations, and others who are likely to see their government protection eroded over the next four years.

This means listening to the needs of our constituencies, extending tangible support, and shaping our vision of government into a tool that better serves them, and the greater purpose of social advancement and harmony.

This is the change that must come to the Democratic Party. Spokane needs and deserves a truly progressive voice, and I want to be a part of the team that shapes it.

Why trust me?

Firstly, I’m an outsider. I only care about how best to serve the people of Spokane, and have no previous political conflicts with the potential to sway my judgment.

I am involved. Since I made Spokane my new home nearly four years ago, I have been involved in progressive causes with the Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane (PJALS). I have lent my voice to the cause of gender and race pay equality in the City of Spokane, partnering with our local chapter of the National Organization for Women as a leader with Washington Community Action Network (Washington CAN!). I have written several articles for The Black Lens, including one that tackled the racist and problematic statements of Interim Police Chief Jim McDevitt. I have interviewed the Mayor’s Office and marched on City Hall. In short, I care, and I put myself on the line on a regular basis, fighting for the kind of community Spokane can be.

I am an innovator. As a student at Eastern Washington University I provided tutorials on journalistic writing that I created myself to introduce new staff writers to the craft. I am currently serving my second year term as Community Relations Officer for the Black Student Union, an office which I have expanded to Community Liaison, thus building a relationship with the local NAACP. I acted as Revitalizing Facilitator for Eastern’s Scary Feminist Club, and I manage the social media and publicity for Eastern’s Multicultural Coalition, which is responsible for expanding the square footage and staffing of the Multicultural Center being built in the new Student Center. I get things done.

Finally, I live at the intersection of multiple marginalized identities.

My Perspective

I grew up in a small, rural town in Eastern Washington. College Place, separated by a three-lane road from Walla Walla, has only 8,000 residents, over 90% of whom are devoutly Christian. It was a wonderful upbringing in many respects. What it lacked, however, was an understanding of my complete identity.

At the age of twenty, I walked away from the faith of my childhood for good. It was a difficult decision, one I took several years to reach. But once I left the ideology of my parents and hometown, I was free to discover my identity as a member of the queer community. Over the last several years I have come out to my family, friends, and marriage partner as a bisexual and genderfluid individual. I have also come into my own as an activist who is not only anti-racist, but pro-Black. My membership in the Black, woman-loving, and trans communities gives me a unique first-hand perspective of multiple constituencies the Democratic Party aims to serve. While no one person can ever speak for a whole group, I can offer personal experience and credibility on issues of race, orientation, and gender identity.

That's right, the debut of The Martini Lounge! Join Jonathan & Sergey with very special guest, Paolo Andino! Get your Cosmos and kick back for an hour of laughs and drinks and find out what Paolo Andino considers sexy! This is going to be good!

The Drink for the show is a "Cosmopolitan Cocktail"  You probably know how to to make it but here is link - http://allrecipes.com/recipe/221891/cosmopolitan-cocktail/

BRANDON STANSELL is a fresh face onto the Country Music scene, but has always been nearby; honing his craft and finding his voice. SLOW DOWN, co-written with Mylen and the title track off his new EP, is the epicenter of his “California Country” sound with the raw emotion of those first moments in a budding relationship. SLOW DOWN was produced by Nashville-based producer, writer, and guitarist Erik Halbig. Stansell met Erik a few years ago through friend, Ty Herndon, who is featured on the track.

While his casual country sound is appealing, there is more that meets the eye with this crooner of Nashville roots. He is navigating the path of an openly-gay Country Artist. Brandon, while not the first to chart these waters, is one of few people in the industry willing to lay everything out for the listener and the result is an honest, beautiful musical experience.

Director Trent Atkinson, once again, joined his team directing the SLOW DOWN music video and building on the cinematic scope their first collaborative work, DEAR JOHN, which was released in early 2016.

Visit his website:  www.brandonstansell.com

Follow Brandon:

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Sabel Samone-Loreca has engaged in HIV prevention and care work for much of her adult life.  Ms. Samone-Loreca is currently a Commissioner on the Los Angeles County Commission on HIV, holding the SPA 4 Consumer seat.  

University of Florida Keynote Speaker TDOR 2016

Sabel Samone-Loreca was in the Profile of Cover Story for OUT Magazine October 2016

Sabel Samone-Loreca was on the Cover of the 2016 Lesbian,Gay,Bisexual,and Transgender Hertigage Month

Sabel Samone-Loreca was Awarded 2015 Queen USA Most Popular Award

Samone-Loreca  was on the Cover of The Fight Magazine Sponsor Los Angeles Pride 2015 ( Prep and Prejudice)

Samone-Loreca is the cover of Friends Community research ( Alexia’s Project ) Healthy Living Positive Living

Samone-Loreca started her career in social services in 2002, when she moved to Los Angeles. In addition to her HIV-focused work, she has been a ceaseless advocate for youth, trans people, and the homeless.  She has worked with a number of agencies during her career, such as Californians Helping Alleviate Medical Problems (C.H.A.M.P), and Central City Hospitality House in San Francisco focusing on the homeless transgender community. She also worked with Minority AIDS Project and Skid Row Housing and Trust as a peer advocate outreaching to the homeless community.  She was a case manager at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, working in the Division of Adolescent Medicine.

In 2004, Samone-Loreca decided to ‘go public’ and became an HIV Stops With Me spokesmodel. HSWM is a multi-component campaign that utilizes HIV positive spokespeople to deliver prevention messages to the community in person and through mass media. HSWM is one of the longest-running and most highly evaluated HIV prevention campaigns in the U.S.  She continued that form of community outreach for 5 years.   She was 1st runner up for the original Quest for the Cover(now APAIT’s Quest Pageant) and she ran again (and won) in 2005. The Quest Pageant encourages the development and advancement of transgender people and celebrates the uniqueness and diversity of the transgender community. The main goals of Quest are:  to  empower the male-to-female transgender (MTF TG) community with information on HIV transmission and prevention; to provide positive role models and a sense of community to counteract the stigma that leads to low self-esteem and high-risk behaviors among this population; and to train MTF TG advocates and role models on issues of HIV.  Samone-Loreca was a long-time organizer of Trans Unity.  

Samone-Loreca continues to remain a visible, out, HIV-positive trans woman. She has participated in numerous panels and workshops, training both the community and the providers who serve them. She participated in PEP LA (Peers Educating Peers in Los Angeles). She was most recently on the 20/20 Panel Discussion, HIV Past and Present.

OUtSpoken's first Holiday show aired onDec 25

OUTSpoken is proud to present the next in a series of very important discussions. Uncomfortable Conversations: Grief It is inevitable, at some point everyone will experience grief. It is a guarantee of our humanity. Culturally, we are left to navigate it on our own, we don’t talk about it, we are uncomfortable with it. we simply wish it would leave. Why? How do we learn to cope? What can grief teach us? How can we help each other? Join us as we delve into this very uncomfortable conversation. Grief,

Special Guest to talk with us about the topic of Grief:

He is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has helped people find and maintain satisfying and joyful relationships with lovers, family members, and friends, for the past 18 years.  Together, we will create the relationship “structure” and agreements that are uniquely right for you.

His approach to happiness and serenity is derived from tenets of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Social Justice Theory, and A Course In Miracles.  The unique fusion of these models has enabled hundreds of my clients to create an enlightened balance of mind, heart, and action, as well as relationships that enable presence, peace, and pleasure.

His  book, Filling Empty, was released October 2016. “It is the book I wish I would have had when my wife passed away six years ago from Leukemia. I wrote it with the intention of helping anyone who is suffering from the pangs of grief due to the loss of a partner, or any loved one. I have attached a general synopsis of the book, as well as a chapter-by-chapter breakdown”.

Synopsis of  “Filling Empty“

Each year approximately 56 million people die, leaving loved ones behind to grieve their loss. So many of these grievers don’t know where to turn to seek the relief, for which they so long. They can be happy again, but they must first learn how to fill their empty hearts.

Having lost my beloved wife at the end of 2010, I understand the pain that’s experienced when a spouse or partner gets carried away by death. Filling Empty is the book I wish I would have had when the grief became practically unbearable.

Stricken with an acute form of Leukemia, Malinda became very ill. I never really believed that she’d die; she was too healthy, and we were way too much in love for her to go anywhere. I moved into the hospital with her so that I could be her support until she recovered and we would finally be able to go home. I even kept a journal, and called it “The Leukemia Chronicles.” My plan was to transform my day-to-day writings into a book and present it to her when she was finally cured of her cancer. I wanted her to know just what occurred while she was in the hospital—often semi-conscious or heavily sedated.

It was about five months from the time that she was initially diagnosed that I began to wonder if she might not overthrow the cancerous curse that plagued her. I began to wonder what I’d do if she really did go away. What path does a man take when his better half is taken from him? I knew that if she died I’d be devastated, but I had no idea of the degree of pain I would soon be experiencing.

Throughout Malinda’s hospital stay, I often told her that if I could, I’d take the pain away from her. It was on December 16th, 2010 that she lost the battle, and I had to keep my promise; it was time for me to take the pain. I hurt so badly. I knew that suicide was not the answer, yet it beckoned me daily. I desperately searched my universe for comfort in any other form—anything that would help me breathe again.

After a great deal of pain, suffering and soul searching, I began to discover how to avoid some of the “land mines” that would suddenly bombard my brain each time I felt like I might be able to go on. I was able to learn how to cope, and eventually I knew that I could go on surviving.  I also knew that it was my responsibility to help others who were passing through the same type of agony.

What I went through doesn’t make me an expert on dealing with grief—it makes me a survivor with a story to tell. A story, in fact, that will be of great help to those who find themselves mourning the loss of a spouse, partner or of anyone they loved.

Filling Empty is a book of hope. It explains how to fill a heart once it’s been emptied. It’s the book that I wish I’d had when Malinda transitioned from body to spirit. It’s a compilation of experiences that I passed through, as well as those of others who have endured the same type of loss. It is also a reminder that our loved ones are still nearby, and how we can recognize and enhance our awareness of their spiritual presence.

In short, this book is about how to fill an empty heart.

Filling Empty is designed to help the reader realize that:

• They are not alone—many are passing through the same type of pain

People won’t stop hurting after reading Filling Empty, but they will know that they are not the only ones passing through the torment that comes with loss. They will realize that if this author was able to withstand the pain and regain happiness, so they will be, also.

It has been a month since the elections. What are you feeling? Has the shock worn off or are you feeling the same? Happy, sad, scared , mad?  Call in to join the conversation! Tell us your comments and questions on Facebook.

And----------------

JAY KUO (writer)

Their loyalty was questioned, their freedom taken away, but their spirit could never be broken. Rejoice in one family’s triumphant story of hope, love, and forgiveness in the new Broadway musical: Allegiance.

Inspired by true events, Allegiance is the story of the Kimura family, whose lives are upended when they and 120,000 other Japanese-Americans are forced to leave their homes following the events of Pearl Harbor. Sam Kimura seeks to prove his patriotism by fighting for his country in the war, but his sister, Kei, fiercely protests the government’s treatment of her people. An uplifting testament to the power of the human spirit, Allegiance follows the Kimuras as they fight between duty and defiance, custom and change, family bonds and forbidden loves. Legendary performer George Takei — (Star Trek, “Heroes”), who was himself an internee as a child, stars alongside Tony® winner Lea Salonga – (Miss Saigon, Mulan) in this enthralling and epic new musical.

But as long-lost memories are unlocked, Sam finds that it is never too late to forgive and to recognize the redemptive power of love.

In:

Riverstone Stadium 14- Coeur D Alene, ID: Dec 13 at 7:30pm

Click here to see cities and times all over the USA for show locations!

Sean Hemeon is an LA based artist and actor. His work can be seen at haleARTS Space in Santa Monica, California. He is most known for his award winning performance on the acclaimed series Husbands (CW) with Joss Whedon (Avengers), Jane Espenson (Game of Thrones, Once Upon A Time), and Jeff Greenstein (Friends, Will and Grace). Originally from Virginia, he started his path with a scholarship for Theater Arts at VCU in Richmond, VA. Shortly after, As the World Turns came around and Hemeon booked his first national role. Since then Hemeon has appeared on hit shows such as True Blood, Criminal Minds, and Rake.

www.seanhemeon.com

TAKE THESE BROKEN WINGS

Grab Some leftovers, take a break from Holiday shopping specials, and join the Boys of OUTSpoken “After Thanksgiving Show.”

World Aids Day is now on our minds more so than other with the change in political front. Today we Talk with Gaye Weiss and Kaleb Ashby about AIDS, Spokane SAN and World AIDS Day.

Camille Bloom

CAMILLE BLOOM

Seattle-based, Gibson endorsed musician Camille Bloom has performed at premiere venues in eight different countries including Canada, the U.S., Germany, Netherlands, England, Denmark, Belgium and Ireland. Combining percussive guitar and a voice that can “purr and wail” (Victory Review), “Camille’s music can make even the rain dance.” (Mike Galaxy – Indy Hits promotion). The powerhouse singer/songwriter has been said to sound ”like Ani Difranco dipped in maple syrup”. (Spokane Inlander).

Once a high school teacher, Camille was lured out of her education career by an investor who promised her thirty to fifty thousand dollars if she would leave her job. Camille immediately applied for leave in the district and after successfully negotiating a contract set up a meeting date with the investor to sign all of the paperwork and make it official. Unfortunately, the investor never showed up to sign the contract and was never heard from again. Having already given notice at her job with a year’s sabbatical, Camille had nothing to do but give it her best shot on the road and see where it would lead.

In the last eight years, Camille has had songs licensed for use in twenty one shows on a variety of channels including MTV, E! and Oxygen. Additionally, she has completed over 30 national / international tours and has had her music played on over 40 major and college radio stations throughout the U.S. and Western Europe. She also charted on the European FAR (Freeform American Roots) Charts in 2009 with other music greats Bob Dylan, Steve Earle and Iron & Wine. She won the “Best Female Indie Artist” at the Ladylake Music Awards in 2010.

Camille’s last full length release Never Out Of Time was released in 2011 and she enlisted the help of star producer Martin Feveyear, whose production credits include REM, Presidents of the United States, Rosie Thomas and Brandi Carlile. The album and the artist were lauded nationally by Music Connection, The Advocate, M for Musicians and more. Her new EP Big Dreams is scheduled for a November 2013 release.

Known for her incredibly dynamic voice and edgy acoustic rock, Camille’s U.S. touring has included gigs at New York City’s Bitter End, Boston’s Club Passim, Seattle’s Triple Door, Tractor, and Crocodile, Los Angeles’ The Mint and over 150 other rooms spanning the nation. She has shared the stage with numerous acts including Smashmouth, SUGARCULT, Metric, Carbon Leaf, Brandi Carlile, Mike McCready (Pearl Jam) and many more. The Seattle Gay News calls Camille “A dynamite performer who combines a mix of twisted acoustic funk rock with haunting melodies and soaring vocals.”

In addition to touring full time with club dates and festival appearances, Camille takes time out of her schedule to direct a Rock N Roll camp for kids in Seattle – and she also makes regular stops at youth centers – performing and talking to kids about using positive outlets such as music to cope with life’s struggles.

Camille has gained an avid and adoring fanbase with her high energy and intensely personal show. She loves touring at home and abroad and has booked herself on numerous European tours.

Check out Camille’s website and learn more about her and the tours – www.hotmesssunday.com