U.S. of Gay - Queer Entertainment for All

In this episode, we chat with our GED Coverboy – Craig Ramsay. Born & raised in Ontario, Canada, he was an original cast member in the pre-Broadway First National Tour production of the smash hit musical Mamma Mia, he also appeared in the Pre-Broadway/Broadway original cast member of Stephen Sondheim & Hal Prince’s Bounce, the 2004 revival of Fiddler on the Roof, and the original production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. He also appeared in the Actors Fund Broadway Benefit Concerts of Hair with Jennifer Hudson and Rupaul and On the 20th Century with Kathleen Turner and Jo Anne Worley. He also appeared in CATS, the Rocky Horror Picture Show, and even with the prestigious Canadian Royal Winnipeg Ballet. As an actor, he’s appeared on TV in Once Upon A Mattress with Carol Burnett and Tracey Ullman, on All My Children, General Hospital, and 2 Broke Girls. Craig gained international and fitness fame from his BravoTV shows “Thintervention” & Newlyweds: the First Year. He has also made numerous appearances on Shahs of Sunset and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. As An internationally renowned Fitness Expert, Craig is a best-selling author with his Anatomy series of books Anatomy of Stretching” & Anatomy of Muscle Building.

We take a candid deep dive into the realities of reality TV, body positivity’s relationship with health and fitness, body issues in the LGBTQ community, easy ways to incorporate healthy living into your daily routine, health in our youth, getting through COVID, New Year’s Resolutions, LGBTQ representation in the media, body expectations as you age, staying motivated, relationship tips, and most importantly, living your best life for YOU…with host Alexander Rodriguez.

LA Comic Con is BACK! After a two-year absence due to COVID, LA Comic Con returns to celebrate its 10-year anniversary as LA’s biggest all-things comics, gaming, sci-fi, eSports, and pop culture event. In addition to major headliners from TV and film from the sci-fi and geek world, the event will feature panels that cover more niche audiences. One of those panels is Gay Geeks and Where to Find Them featuring podcaster Chandler Poling, filmmaker Timo Reese, podcaster and journalist Alexander Rodriguez, and drag queen Ember Vain…moderated by Julian “Jetson” Chaix.

Julian was born and raised in Palm Springs, California, and currently works as a stylist, panel moderator, and event producer. A self-declared gay geek, Julian has produced and moderated panels for the likes of San Diego Comic-Con, WonderCon, LA Comic Con, and the former Comic Con Palm Springs. He is also an avid cosplayer showcasing his talents on Instagram.

On this episode, we chat with Julian about the differences between nerd and geek, Julian's childhood relationship to the geek world, being bullied, the boom in LGBTQ representation in the sci-fi and comic book world, the joy and power of cosplay, the role being a geek has played in his role as a gay man, what to expect at Comic Cons, and his crush on Ben Affleck in spandex...hosted by Alexander Rodriguez. You can read GED's in depth article about Julian's panel at GedMag.com

Palm Springs thrives year-round, with younger generations coming to play and live every year. Part of this youthful phenomenon is Mayor Christy Holstege.

Christy Holstege was re-elected to the Palm Springs City Council in November 2020, representing District 4. In December 2020, she was appointed to serve as Mayor for a one-year term by the City Council. She is the first woman to serve as mayor in the history of Palm Springs – and is also the first openly bisexual mayor in the country. Holstege currently represents the City of Palm Springs on several important Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) committees, including Homelessness, Public Safety and Transportation. In addition, she leads the Mayor’s COVID-19 Reopening Task Force, serves on the City’s Economic Development & Business Retention Ad Hoc Subcommittee and the City’s Affordable Housing and Homelessness Task Force. She also serves as Council liaison to the Friends of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter. An attorney, prior to being elected to the Palm Springs City Council, Holstege was awarded a Stanford Law School-Stanford Public Interest Foundation Fellowship and funding to establish a legal aid clinic for domestic violence survivors within the Coachella Valley’s only domestic violence shelter. She has also represented farmworkers in civil rights, housing, and employment litigation at California Rural Legal Assistance in Coachella, California. Holstege earned a J.D. from Stanford Law School and a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from U.C. Santa Barbara. Mayor Holstege has been an active member of the Palm Springs community, serving on the board of directors for Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest, Well in the Desert, Coachella Valley Housing Coalition, and Shady Lane Mobile Home Park. She also served on the City of Palm Springs Human Rights Commission and the Palm Springs Homelessness Task Force. Holstege is proud to live in Palm Springs with her husband, who is a business owner and a third-generation resident of Palm Springs, their newborn son -- and two dogs.

We had a very candid chat about the future of politics and the LGBTQ community, including how difficult it is for minorities to serve in office, the role women have played in the city of Palm Springs, incorrect assumptions about the bisexual community, the inclusivity of the LGBTQ community, Christy’s multiple roles in life, growing up in Sacramento, her inspiration for getting into politics, the use of labels, the future of Palm Springs, and the need for change in our political system…with host Alexander Rodriguez.

You can check out our in-depth interview with Christy in this month’s Pride issue of GED Magazine available on newsstands are at GEDMag.com

Do you know what Barihunk means? It’s a baritone – the power verse of the opera world if you will – that has that steamy hunkiness that makes you look twice…three times if they are wearing grey sweatpants.

Baritone Zachary Gordin is redefining what it means to be an opera star in the 21st Century. Praised for his “arresting musical insights” and a voice that is “commanding and intense,” he has an active performance schedule while also maintaining his passion for fitness, community engagement, artistic consulting, and mentoring. Gordin’s celebrated vocal technique has won him numerous awards and his commitment to education makes him an effective, results-driven voice trainer. He serves as General Director of Festival Opera, was on the voice faculty of Santa Clara University and Sonoma State University, operates a private vocal studio in the San Francisco Bay Area, serves as a judge for regional and national voice competitions, and frequently gives masterclasses at some of the country’s most renowned opera companies and schools. Gordin is also widely recognized as a frequent presence on Barihunks, a site dedicated to physically fit and vocally-gifted operatic baritones from around the globe.

On this episode of US of Gay, we chat about what the opera scene looks like post-COVID, elitism in the arts, the necessity for the funding of art programs in public schools, inclusivity in the opera world, coming out, staying healthy, listening to Nicki, running Festival Opera, relationships in the arts, gym workouts…and steamy Instagram selfies. Hosted by Alexander Rodriguez.

On this episode of U.S. of Gay, we chat with our GED Magzine cover boy, Lio Botello. Born and raised in Fort Worth, he remains a Texas boy through and through. In Dallas, he and his now ex-business partner started an at-home bakery business together and late one night, while binging HBO’s Big Little Lies, he received an invitation in his DMs to appear on a favorite new show of his, Netflix’s Sugar Rush. Lio and his business partner wowed the judges winning two of the three rounds in the competition but coming up just shy of winning the grand prize. This is where Lio’s famous fruity pebble tacos were born. While not winning the $10,000 grand he and his teammate would win the hearts of fans all over the world, with Sugar Rush releasing in 138 countries the love started to pour in, and a special invitation from Kelly Clarkson to appear on her show. Lio is now on his own, as the Krafty Kween, serving his sweet treats to all.

We chat with Lio about coming out in a conservative environment, gaining confidence in the face of adversity, the joy of baking, being the underdog, being visible to our LGBTQ youth, the pressures of social media, filming Sugar Rush, and more…with host Alexander Rodriguez.

The culture of drag has certainly changed…shows like Drag Race have turned drag mainstream…the makeup has changed, wigs have changed, costumes have changed, has the talent evolved?

On this episode, we chat with Rusty Waters, an OG Diva and Comedienne who emceed the Last Supper, lol. Her comedy prowess invokes the style and intelligence of a classic Friar’s Club Roast with whispers of Dean Martin, Joan Rivers, and Lily Tomlin energy while keeping it real with what the kids are into these days. Miss Rusty Waters started entertaining SoCal audiences over twenty years ago at the Ozz Supper club in Orange County when a legendary queen gave her a makeover and her first big break. She then quickly became a weekly headliner at the VIP Nightclub in Riverside, CA. In 1998 she moved to the Seattle area and hosted one of the highest attended and most beloved drag shows in western Washington called Queens Castle at the Castle Nightclub.

Big name entertainers like Kristine W. and Fergie have come out to join the party and enjoy her shows. Over the years Miss Rusty has worked on numerous web series, local television shows, live radio shows, event center concerts live theater and cabaret performances with legends such as Jackie Mason, Alicia Silverstone, Kathy Griffin, Hillary Duff and Jackie Beat.
Now she’s back in Southern California, bringing her hilarious brand of glamour and comedy to Palm Springs with her Drag Me To… brand of shows and events all over the greater Palm Springs area. In addition to being a superstar, she gives up and coming queens their chance to shine and brushes ego aside to cultivate fresh talent in the community. She is an enigma… and damn funny.

We chat about the drag culture in Palm Springs, the evolution of drag in general, the commercialism of drag, local talent vs Drag Race queens, classic comedy, do's and don'ts for new queens on the scene, and supporting fellow queens...with host Alexander Rodriguez. Her biggest motto: Don't be bitter, be better...

Make sure to check out our in-depth chat with Rusty in the latest issue of GED Magazine, on newsstands or at GEDMag.com. Check out Rusty on Instagram @RustyWaters25

There have been many changes in the City of West Hollywood due to COVID; this is not the first time the city has faced adversity. Flashback to the mid-’80s when a large number of the population of the West Hollywood community was dying from AIDS. The city was in mourning…and they need a little cheer. Entering the scene with a unique style of drag, the West Hollywood Cheerleaders was started by 13 gay men in 1986. Not only would the group become a source of hope, awareness, financial aid, and education for the LGBTQ community, but it would also become a safe place for the group itself, with many of the members having overcome addiction, surviving family abandonment, and healing from years of bullying. The Cheerleaders would become a forceful family, unto their own, to be reckoned with. Now with medical advancements in HIV and AIDS treatment, there’s a new generation of the LGBTQ community that has never experienced the mortality of the 80s and 90s. Our HIV & AIDS outlook has changed, and so to, have the West Hollywood Cheerleaders. They are making history for the future…now celebrating 25 years, they are looking to support the voice of our youth. At the head of the West Hollywood Cheerleaders, is their fearless leader, Nicklaus Fox, aka Helen Back.

We chatted with Nick about the history and impact of Weho Cheer, the changes in LGBTQ philanthropical culture, the evolution of drag culture, sobriety, the importance of supporting our youth, and creating a more inclusive environment for our community...with host Alexander Rodriguez.

Make sure to check out our in-depth chat with Nick in the latest issue of GED Magazine, on newsstands or at GEDMag.com. Check out the West Hollywood Cheerleaders at WehoCheer.org