The QueerCentric

OUTSpoken welcomes guest Aaron Hicklin​, joining us to discuss his career as the editor-in-chief of Out, United States’ largest gay men’s magazine.

Previously, he was editor of BlackBook magazine. He began his tenure as editor-in-chief of Out in April 2006 after Brendon Lemon resigned in October 2005. Before this he also had a column in the

He is the author of Boy Soldiers (Mainstream), and the editor of The Revolution Will Be Accessorized (Harper Perennial), an anthology of essays that appeared in BlackBook. Aaron Hicklin also was the Executive Editor for Gear Magazine from 1998 – 2003.

Mike Ruiz is a world-renowned photographer, creative director and director. Mike was born and raised in Montreal, Canada, and at the ripe age of 20, he moved to the United States with just $300 bucks in his pocket and a desire to be in the entertainment world. After working for more than a decade as a successful model, his true calling came into focus one Christmas morning, when he received a gift of a lifetime: his first camera. Wide-eyed, he took the camera out of the box, and in the blink of an adept eye, his whole life was about to change. With focused determination, Mike immediately took to his new present–taught himself the intricate mechanics of the camera and to this day, he hasn’t stopped clicking away. Perhaps it’s only when you might hear him say, “we got it!”, that there is but the slightest of pauses to an otherwise very hectic shooting schedule. Sharing with the world the images that he captures is tantamount to poetry. Whether it’s Kim Kardashian, Betty White, Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry or Prince, Mike has seen and shot them all.

Like everything he touches, Mike is a man who brings to life the fantastical, which in turn, is inspired by his brilliant optimism. His lens has done a lot of zooming in and out, while the world keeps a keen focus on his high-impact, surreal brand of celebrity and fashion photography. He has successfully branded himself across platforms, including print and video, which expands his appeal in the industry. His clients include L’Oreal, Garnier, Jafra and AlfaParf. Mike’s work has appeared in Conde Nast Traveller, Elle, Interview, Paper, Flaunt, Spanish & Brazilian Vogue, Citizen K, Vanity Fair, Verve, and other publications. He is also a regular contributor to the following magazines: YRB (USA), Rouge (Russia), Prestige (Hong Kong), Spot (Mexico).

Throughout it all, Mike’s hard work, dedication, and passion behind the camera gives him the opportunity to bring his message of hope to the forefront of all his efforts. Mike has a true sense of social responsibility and is always intent on giving back to the community. Among the countless organizations he supports, are GMHC, The Trevor Project, Housing Works, It Gets Better Campaign, Live Out Loud, Project Angel Food, GLAAD, and he is on the honorary board of the “Let There Be Hope” research foundation. Mike is also the communications consultant on The Men’s Sexual Health Project 36:00:00 for NYU School of Medicine, as well as a recurring motivational speaker at New York University, The Harvey Milk School, Art Center College of Design, Brooklyn International High School and the College of Design in Sacramento. Mike was recently awarded a Proclamation from the City of New York for his contribution to the arts and his philanthropic effort. His efforts extend to our 4 legged friends as well. Mike has become an advocate the protection and adoption of abused and abandoned pitbulls working closely with Los Angeles rescue, Bullies and Buddies.

In addition to his photography and humanitarian work, Mike Ruiz has branched out as a director and television personality. He has produced music videos for artists, such as Vanessa Williams, Kelly Rowland, Jody Watley, Kristine W., Shontelle, The Blonds among others. Back in 2007, Mike took on a passion project for himself when he directed one of his role models, RuPaul, in an indie film entitled, Starrbooty.

Mike has recently launched an APP for the iPad, iPhone and Android devices which will be a digital interactive extension of his book, Pretty Masculine. Versions of the all will soon be available for the iPhone and Android devices. The online promotional video has won him a Telly Award.

OUTSpoken welcomes guest Ben Baur​, joining us to discuss his

Ben also starred in the massively popular web series Hunting

OUTSpoken is excited to discuss Ben Baur’s career as well as his

Jacob York, a native of Benton, KY, moved to Atlanta, GA eight years ago to participate in the Shakespeare Tavern’s Apprentice Program. Primarily known for his stage acting, some of Jacob’s favorite roles include Macbeth (The Atlanta Shakespeare Company), Algernon in The Importance of Being Earnest (Tennessee Repertory Theatre), and Bennett Riggs in Angry Fags (7 Stages).

On camera, Jacob can be seen in Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell on Adult Swim, Rooney’s World, a short where he wrestled an animated elephant, and Paternity Leave, a new comedy from award winning director Matt Riddlehoover. In 2016, the creative team from Paternity Leave reunites in the dramady, What’s the Matter with Gerald.

In addition to acting, Jacob is a playwright whose works include HOMERS (Georgia Ensemble Theatre – World Premier), ADULTERY FOR BEGINNERS (Georgia Ensemble Theatre – Staged Reading), and INITIATIVE (The Seedling Project – Staged Reading).

Links include

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 Migguel Anggelo

“I’ve always been obsessed with music. My father, a chef, was constantly singing and listening to music while tending to his own craft in the kitchen, while my mother, a ballet dancer, always danced around the house to Spanish boleros or classical music.”

For someone whose early life was filled with such a range of artistic influences, it makes sense that Migguel Anggelo did not limit himself to one of the many talents that came naturally to him: acting, dancing, singing, writing, and painting among them. Instead, he chose to do them all.

He writes poetry and lyrics that walk a fine line between confession and invitation. He performs live shows with elaborate orchestration and staging that feels like a rock show one moment and an operatic dream the next. He dances with the ease of a child whose parents never told him to sit still. He creates sculptural portraits of people—historic and contemporary—in the form of chairs made from all kinds of unlikely materials, from matches to yarn. He paints images using simple and innocent gestures, leaving one to wonder what the true story is. Migguel is a storyteller, and a masterful one at that.

Born in Venezuela, Migguel first fell in love with the theater as a child playing Pinocchio in a touring production of the show.  It was during his time as this character, who battles with fact and fiction, that he learned the integral role of fantasy in storytelling, and began to realize real and imagined characters could illustrate the many facets of his own experience. As a Latin American theater star, Migguel perfected his commanding stage presence and electric performances.

Anggelo studied opera at the Conservatory of Music in Cologne, Germany (receiving an invitation to attend after being discovered busking on the street) and trained for a dozen years in classical ballet, falling in love with the drama and discipline of opera and the explosive whimsy of pop. He counts Luciano Pavarotti and Freddy Mercury as two of his greatest influences and, with his multi-octave voice, pays homage to them by jumping easily from operatic aria to rock anthem.

Migguel has performed on many of the world’s greatest stages, including Teatro Teresa Carreño in Caracas, Venezuela; Teatro Insurgentes in Mexico City; Teatro Jorge Eliezer Gaytan in Bogota, Colombia; Teatro Gran Rex in Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Burgen Zentrum Theater in Cologne, Germany, and has sold out performances and world class venue Joe’s Pub in Manhattan (in May, September, and December), at BAMcafé in Brooklyn, and the New World Center in Miami,

Fresh off his latest tour with Nuevo Tango group, The Oblivion Project (a group dedicated to performing the music of tango master Astor Piazzolla), Anggelo has been exposing new audiences to his delicate, yet incredibly powerful vocal abilities. Invited by the group to bring his talent and shared admiration for Piazzolla’s art as their lead vocalist, Anggelo and the Oblivion Project performed a series of exclusive concerts held throughout the Midwest.

His latest album La Casa Azul, released earlier this year, is a collection of twelve songs (co-written and produced by music director, Mau Quiros, and mixed by Grammy Award-winner Felipe Tichauer) and is dedicated to Mexican painter and Latin icon, Frida Kahlo. Named after her house in Mexico City, known as the Blue House, La Casa Azul explores topics ranging from the artists’ life to commentary on the hypocrisy of the worlds’ dictators and an immigrant’s dream. Lyrically filled with metaphors and references to art, culture and poetry, the album really reflects the depth of thought he has invested in his craft.

Following 6 previously sold out shows, Anggelo returns to Joe’s Pub on December 1st to perform his newest show, Another Son of Venezuela. Together with Obie Award-winning director, David Drake, Migguel presents this new musical narrative exploring the themes of love, loss, family, and national pride as well as the challenges of claiming an authentic identity in the “land of the free”.  The performance will consist of a mixture of original compositions as well as interpretations of Latin, folk, pop, and opera works.

Anggelo’s evolving body of work reminds us that the way a story is told is as important as the actual story itself. Summoning all of his gifts—song, poetry, drawing, physical gesture—Migguel Anggelo creates theatrical metaphors that blur the boundaries between performance art and popular music. For Anggelo, this is just the beginning.

Visit the Links below:

www.migguelanggelo.com 

www.facebook.com/migguelanggelo 

www.twitter.com/migguelanggelo

Jacob York, a native of Benton, KY, moved to Atlanta, GA eight years ago to participate in the Shakespeare Tavern’s Apprentice Program. Primarily known for his stage acting, some of Jacob’s favorite roles include Macbeth (The Atlanta Shakespeare Company), Algernon in The Importance of Being Earnest (Tennessee Repertory Theatre), and Bennett Riggs in Angry Fags (7 Stages).

On camera, Jacob can be seen in Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell on Adult Swim, Rooney’s World, a short where he wrestled an animated elephant, and Paternity Leave, a new comedy from award winning director Matt Riddlehoover. In 2016, the creative team from Paternity Leave reunites in the dramady, What’s the Matter with Gerald.

In addition to acting, Jacob is a playwright whose works include HOMERS (Georgia Ensemble Theatre – World Premier), ADULTERY FOR BEGINNERS (Georgia Ensemble Theatre – Staged Reading), and INITIATIVE (The Seedling Project – Staged Reading).

Links include
paternityleavefilm.com
tinyurl.com/jacobyork

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 Migguel Anggelo

“I’ve always been obsessed with music. My father, a chef, was constantly singing and listening to music while tending to his own craft in the kitchen, while my mother, a ballet dancer, always danced around the house to Spanish boleros or classical music.”

For someone whose early life was filled with such a range of artistic influences, it makes sense that Migguel Anggelo did not limit himself to one of the many talents that came naturally to him: acting, dancing, singing, writing, and painting among them. Instead, he chose to do them all.

He writes poetry and lyrics that walk a fine line between confession and invitation. He performs live shows with elaborate orchestration and staging that feels like a rock show one moment and an operatic dream the next. He dances with the ease of a child whose parents never told him to sit still. He creates sculptural portraits of people—historic an

GAREK is a New York based singer-songwriter. Born and raised in Wisconsin, he made the transition to New York in 2010. Fusing Industrial Rock (a la Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson and Garbage) with haunting melodies and explosive choruses, GAREK creates a distinct sonic landscape. This Electro-Industrial hybrid, coupled with his artfully degenerate style, make him a force to be watched.

www.garek.tv

Logan Lynn is an American musician, writer, composer, singer, producer, activist and television personality.

Based in Portland, Oregon, Lynn first gained national and international recognition in 2006 when MTV’s Logo channel began airing his music videos. He is the former host of “NewNowNext Music” and has done a number of televised commercial spots for the channel. Logan’s videos were included in 2007 and 2008’s “Top 10 Videos of the Year” by the network and have been featured on MTV, VH1 and Spike TV as well.

Logan Lynn was signed to Caroline/EMI via The Dandy Warhols owned-and-operated Beat The World label from 2007 to 2010, when he announced that he would be going on hiatus to pursue activism work full time. In 2013 Lynn returned with a new record, a U.S. tour, a handful of videos, a Miley Cyrus cover, and the promise of a new sound on the way with what will be his 8th studio album, “Adieu”, set for release in 2016.

www.loganlynnmusic.com

Damon Jacobs

WELCOME!  If you are single or in a couple and looking for a different perspective on love, happiness, and pleasure, you’ve come to the right place.  I am 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.

My 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.

I can help you explore and change issues related to:

- Diminished sexual desire in long-term relationships

My office is conveniently located at Madison Square Park (26th/ Broadway) in New York, New York.  Late night appointments are offered on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, as well daytime on Saturdays.  For more information, please email me at [email protected] or call 347-227-7707

GAREK is a New York based singer-songwriter. Born and raised in Wisconsin, he made the transition to New York in 2010. Fusing Industrial Rock (a la Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson and Garbage) with haunting melodies and explosive choruses, GAREK creates a distinct sonic landscape. This Electro-Industrial hybrid, coupled with his artfully degenerate style, make him a force to be watched.

www.garek.tv
www.facebook.com/SaveGarek
www.instagram.com/SaveGarek
Twitter: @SaveGarek

Logan Lynn is an American musician, writer, composer, singer, producer, activist and television personality.

Based in Portland, Oregon, Lynn first gained national and international recognition in 2006 when MTV’s Logo channel began airing his music videos. He is the former host of “NewNowNext Music” and has done a number of televised commercial spots for the channel. Logan’s videos were included in 2007 and 2008’s “Top 10 Videos of the Year” by the network and have been featured on MTV, VH1 and Spike TV as well.

Logan Lynn was signed to Caroline/EMI via The Dandy Warhols owned-and-operated Beat The World label from 2007 to 2010, when he announced that he would be going on hiatus to pursue activism work full time. In 2013 Lynn returned with a new record, a U.S. tour, a handful of videos, a Miley Cyrus cover, and the promise of a new sound on the way with what will be his 8th studio album, “Adieu”, set for release in 2016.

www.loganlynnmusic.com

Well-Strung, a New York City based string quartet, derives their unique blend of vocals and strings by fusing classical music with the pop music of today. Members Edmund Bagnell (1st violin), Chris Marchant (2nd violin), Daniel Shevlin (cello), and Trevor Wadleigh (viola) spend their time making new music and touring internationally. The group was conceived by producer Mark Cortale and Chris Marchant.

Daniel Shevlin is originally from South Jersey and has been playing cello since he was ten years old and continued to use this skill when he moved to NYC at 18 to pursue a career in musical theatre. Since then he has appeared off-Broadway in The Sandbox (written and directed by Edward Albee), has toured the U.S. and Asia in productions of Rent and Cabaret, and has worked regionally as both an actor and cellist in many theaters including the Arvada Center, The Maltz-Jupiter Theatre, Riverside Theatre, and Mason Street Warehouse to name a few. He studied musical theater at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and has been a member of Actors Equity since 2006.

Edmund Bagnell comes from South Carolina where he attended the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and  went on to attend New York University as music major. His senior year, he was cast as Tobias in the first national tour of Sweeney Todd directed by John Doyle. He has performed as a violinist, actor, and singer in New York and around the country. Credits include Rich in The Last Cyclist and Toby in Gian Carlo Menotti’s The Medium (both Off-Broadway), Charlie Brown in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown and Tom Sawyer in Big River (Summer Theater of New Canaan), Charlie in Joanna Gleason’s The Big Holiday Broadcast of 1959 (Fairfield Theater Company), Oramel Howland in The Great Unknown (NYMF), Enoch Snow Jr. in Carousel (Barrington Stage Company), Stewart Smalls in Band Geeks (Ars Nova), Huck Finn in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Dennis in Smoke on the Mountain (Cotton Hall Theater).

Chris Marchant grew up in Akron, OH where he began playing violin thanks to his mother’s urging. Throughout high school Chris was involved in school and regional orchestras and choirs. He  received a B.A. in Music Ministry from Malone College, where he discovered a love of musical theatre.  Credits include Tobias in Sweeney Todd and Spring Awakening (both national tours).  Follow on Instagram and Twitter @chrisjmarchant.

Trevor Wadleigh is a native of Kent, WA and began studying the viola at age 17 under the tutelage of Joyce Ramée.  He earned a Bachelor of Art from the University of Puget Sound with major concentrations in Business and Music Performance as well as a minor in Comparative Sociology. While completing undergraduate coursework, Mr. Wadleigh studied concurrently with Burton Kaplan of NYC under whose direction he completed an Artist’s Certificate program at the Aaron Copland School of Music. He has served as principal and section violist of the Lake Union Civic Orchestra, Yakima Symphony, Brevard Music Center Orchestra, and the Nova Philharmonic.

Storyteller/monologist Miss Coco Peru aka Clinton Leupp got his/her start as a downtown favorite in the cabaret world of NY after he wrote, produced, directed, and starred in his first show “Miss Coco Peru in My Goddamn Cabaret” over 20 years ago.

On screen, Miss Coco is best known for her roles in Jim Fall’s feature film, trick (Sundance 1999) and Richard Day’s Girls Will Be Girls. (Sundance 2002) For this film Coco shared the Best Actress Award with his two co-stars at the HBO Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen as well as the Best Actor Award at LA’s Outfest Film Festival. Other film appearances include To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar, Nick and Jane, and Straight-Jacket. Coco can be heard in the Disney animated feature, The Wild as Mamma Hippo! She also appears in the highly-ish anticipated sequel of Girls Will Be Girls which will be released some day, hopefully.

Coco has appeared on TV in two stand-up comedy specials on LOGO: Wisecrack and Dragtastic, How I Met Your Mother, Arrested Development, Twins, Will and Grace, New York Undercover, Detroit 187, several Bravo reality and clip shows, and in an Orbitz commercial that was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award.

Coco’s live one-person shows include: “Miss Coco Peru in My Goddamn Cabaret”, “Miss Coco Peru: A Legend in Progress” (’92 MAC and Bistro Award), “Miss Coco Peru at the Westbeth Theatre” (’95 MAC Nomination), “Miss Coco Peru’s Liquid Universe”(‘98 GLAAD Nomination), “Miss Coco Peru’s Universe” (’99 LA GLAAD Nomination), “Miss Coco Peru’s Glorious Wounds…She’s Damaged” (’01 LA GLAAD Nomination) “Miss Coco Peru is Undaunted” (’04 GLAAD Award Winner, Ovation Nomination), and the hugely successful “UGLY COCO” and “THERE COMES A TIME” and most recently “SHE’S GOT BALLS”. These shows have been performed to sold out audiences in Theatres, Clubs, Restaurants, Ballrooms and Cabarets throughout the US and abroad. She currently has dates scheduled nationwide through 2014.

Coco hosts an on-going live series of shows at the Renberg Theater in Los Angeles called Conversations With Coco in which Coco interviews and celebrates the lives and careers of the GLBT community’s favorite icons. Miss Peru’s guests include Liza Minnelli, Jane Fonda, Bea Arthur, Lily Tomlin, Karen Black, Lainie Kazan, Lesley Ann Warren, and drag legend Mr. Charles Busch.

Coco’s recent online Youtube videos have been seen by over 2 million viewers. Her video “Coco Goes to KMART,” in which she searches for Celestial Seasoning Tension Tamer tea, has more than over 700,000 views. For this reason, Coco has had to ask her fans to stop sending her the tea. She has received close to 100 boxes!

Considered The Hostess with that something extra… Coco has hosted dozens of events including: The GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles, Night of a Thousand Gowns in NYC, Chicago Takes Off, Hot and Dry in Palm Springs, Gay Days Anaheim, The Black and White Ball in Reno, LA’s OUTFEST Legacy Awards, the BALIF (Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom) Dinner in San Francisco, Project Inform’s 25th Annual Fundraiser (SF) and Charity Bingo at Harrah’s Atlantic City. She has been honored to be involved with countless Gay and AIDS related charities over the years including The Trevor Project, Aids for Aids, and Lifeworks Mentoring. In fact, the list is so long, the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center honored Coco with the Board of Director’s Award. The award was presented to Coco by Zachary Quinto (Star Trek, Heroes, So NoTorious).

She is also available for children’s parties.

Photo Credits: Steven C De La Cruz

One of the last great storytellers.

Miss Coco is a heavenly hoot… Wry and uncensored, the show is a hilarious exorcism, with music, no less. Hey, that’s entertainment.

Coco, a self-described “effeminate, damaged boy from the Bronx,” was the real goods, a dragster with real talent and heart.

Hilarious, inebriating and elegant all at the same time… If there were an award for most girlish and glamorous, funniest, mouthiest diva/icon/trannie/comedian, the inimitable Miss Coco Peru would win hands down.

It’s not often a drag queen scares you with her intellect, but Miss Coco Peru isn’t just any drag queen. Hers is a deep, dark drag performance designed for people who are sick of drag. Don’t miss it.

Not that I’m bragging…

2004 Los Angeles GLAAD Media Award Winner, Miss Coco Peru is Undaunted

2004 Los Angeles Ovation Award nomination for Best Solo Performance, Miss Coco Peru is Undaunted

2003 Outfest Award for Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film, Girls Will Be Girls

2003 US Comedy Arts Festival Best Actress Award, Girls Will Be Girls

2001 Los Angeles GLAAD Media Award nomination, Miss Coco Peru’s Glorious Wounds… She’s Damaged

1999 Los Angeles GLAAD Media Award nomination, Miss Coco Peru’s Universe

1998 New York GLAAD Media Award nomination, Miss Coco Peru’s Universe

1997 Los Angeles Backstage Bistro Award Winner, Miss Coco Peru’s Universe

1993 New York Backstage Bistro Award Winner, A Legend in Progress.

1992 Manhattan Legend in Progress.