rage notes


PUBLISHER Jay S. Jones jay@ragemonthly.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Brad L. Hart brad@ragemonthly.com EDITOR IN CHIEF Joel P. Martens joel@ragemonthly.com ART DIRECTOR Cesar A. Reyes cesar@ragemonthly.com COPY EDITOR Bill Biss DISTRIBUTION Dax Carlisle


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619.255.0389/sales@ragemonthly.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Kevin Plautz - ads@ragemonthly.com NATIONAL ADVERTISING REP Rivendell Media 212.242.6863


“I think there must be something wrong with me, Linus. Christmas is coming, but I’m not


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happy. I don’t feel the way I’m supposed to feel. I just don’t understand Christmas, I guess. I like getting presents and sending Christmas cards, and decorating trees and all that, but I’m still not happy.” ―Charlie Brown


Yes, I am quoting Charlie Brown...And yes, it’s not


the merriest of quotes. Many of us in the LGBT community are still trying


to figure out where to land in our new reality. This election has changed, well, pretty much everything. For the first time in a long time, it’s left some of us to wonder what kind of world we will face over the course of the next four years. Freedom has a price, I guess. Thankfully, we live


in a country that allows us to stand up and fight for it and to challenge those who would try to take it from us. Fear however, is the most powerful of motivators and can make even the most reasonable view the world as a place filled with menace. That fear also needs something to be placed upon and things not familiar, based on limited experience or perceived “otherness,” tend to bear the brunt of said fears. A fact all too true, however unfortunate, with people who differ, as well. The only way to not let that fear assume control, is to stand up and face its infectious nature and challenge it and not back down from those who would use it to inhibit. Most importantly, to not allow it to dim the faith we have in the inherent good of humanity…Tough sometimes, I agree. It’s important to remember that as a community, on


the whole, we have gained much progress. We fought and won the right to marry, to raise our families in equality, love and compassion, in spite of the many


in power, who to this day, still believe us unworthy. Progress isn’t always consistent in its march forward (perhaps as a reminder to not take it for granted), but proof of it is there if you take the time to review it thoughtfully. This election has certainly been a difficult turn of events. The possibilities for “three steps backward,” in regard to those hard-fought ones forward, is at best daunting. But, I urge you to keep your gaze steadily forward and march on. Resigna- tion to fear and rampant anger is the exact outcome desired by those who would oppress. We have a long four years ahead and for those


of us who might be considered “others,” the vigilance must begin anew. Hating what we don’t understand and violent dismissal of what we might disagree with, though tempting, will never solve the challenges we face. Reaching across the table, even sometimes towards a hand that might hold animosity, is the only way to greater understanding. As the always graceful First Lady, Michelle Obama said, “When they go low, we go high.” We must stand up and make our voices heard again, over and over and over, until the tide turns, ebbing and flowing as it always does. A wise man I recently interviewed for the film


Loving, Director Jeff Nichols said something that has stuck with me and feels right to share at this moment. “The universal concept, is the idea that equality is not something we achieve, it’s something we constantly redefine for ourselves as a society.” Grieve, be sad, have a good cry, it’s part of the process. But once you’ve done that, remember, it’s time to put on those big boy and girl pants once again...And get to work.


Enjoy your holiday season. Joel Martens,Editor in Chief


CONTRIBUTING WRITERS David Auten, Blake Beckcom, Genevieve Berrick, Bill Biss, Chris Carpenter, Jorge Cruise, Ni- sha Dedhia, Chris Donaghue, David Duran, Law- rence Ferber, Stuart Furman, esq., Porter Gilberg, Jacob Glass, James Guay, Brad Hart, Jewels, William Kelly, Ken Knox, John Lake, Lisa Lipsey, Stephanie Arwen Lynch, Walter G. Meier, Ryan Meyer, Billy Nordmeier, Pat Magee, Dr. Patrick Mahaney, Angelica Osborne, Tim Parks, Kevin Plautz, Tony Reverditto, Sylvia Rodemeyer, Cesar Reyes, Marcellas Reynolds, , Sasha Scarlett, Thom Senzee, Cutter Slagle, Scott Wagner, Barbie Z


CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Beth Biggs, Dennis Covey, Wander Aguiar, Jay Jones, Joel Martens, David Quintanilla Kimberly Rae and Lukas Volk


SUBSCRIPTIONS – One year (12 issues): $35.00 Direct all editorial and subscription orders to our office or website.


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Rage Magazine dba The Rage Monthly. The Rage Monthly is a registered trademark. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publishers or staff. Reproduction of any article, photo, listing or advertise- ment without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. The people, businesses and organiza- tions appearing in The Rage Monthly are supportive of the gay community. Mentions or photographs of any person, business, or organization are not a reflection of their sexual orientation. The Rage Monthly is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, sex, color, religion, creed, national origin, dis- ability, sexual orientation or gender identity.


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RAGE monthly | DECEMBER 2016


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