Get Out! GAY Magazine – Issue 379 – August 8, 2018

BY EILEEN SHAPIRO
CELEBRITY CORRESPONDENT
Head Over Heels at the Hudson
Theatre was destined to
become a phenomenal treasure
and a vibrant awakening filled
with energy and attitude
from the very moment the
curtain opened. Riveting and
captivating, the musical was a
complete sanctuary.
The Elizabethan love story,
disguised with comedic
foreplay and songs from
Belinda Carlisle and The
Go-Go’s, features a relevant,
powerful and titanic message
pertaining to the antiquated
fashion that a large sum of
society views of the less public
facets of the LGBTQ community.
Based upon “The Countess of
Pembroke’s Arcadia” by Sir Philip
Sidney, the play touched on lesbian and
transgender people, crossdressers and
drag queens, and flirted with tasteful
sexual innuendos and salacious topics
in the best and funniest way possible.
It emotionally touched the hearts and
minds of the audience in a colorful way,
with a surprising and forgiving finale.
The lead roles were encompassed by an
orgasmic array of talent and vocal ability.
Bonnie Milligan made her Broadway
debut as Pamela, after originating
the role at the Oregon Shakespeare
Festival. In the play, Pamela is the eldest
daughter of the king and queen of
Arcadia. Milligan was a frenzied delight
with an explosive voice and a vivacious
attitude.
Andrew Durand plays a shepherd-slashcrossdressing
queen who is in love with
Philoclea; he provided fiery comic relief
and was a joy to identify with. Durand’s
Broadway credits include “War Horse”
and “Spring Awakening,” as well as
Off-Broadway and West End exposure.
He was also a guest star on television’s
“Madam Secretary.”
Philoclea, played by Alexandra Socha,
is the tender younger daughter of
the king and queen. Her performance
was engaging and playful. Socha has
had Broadway exposure in “Spring
Awakening” and “Brighton Beach
Memoirs,” as well as some Off-
Broadway appearances. Her dreamy,
low-key persona added compassionate
moments to the high-energy
performances.
Rachel York, an accomplished Broadway
and television actress, plays the queen
of Arcadia, Gynecial, a strong character
emphasized by York’s stunning and sexy
performance. York’s credits include “City
of Angels,” “Les Miserables,” “Victor
Victoria,” “The Scarlet Pimpernel” and
other Broadway giants. She also played
Lucille Ball in the TV movie “Lucy.”

Head Over Heels
Hudson Theatre
141 W. 44th Street
NY, NY
Head Over Heels
Live Review, July 24
Taylor Iman Jones portrayed Mopsa,
the handmaiden and eventually
lover to Pamela. Her gentle manner
and angelic vocals spoke to the
congregation. Her whimsical number
“Vacation,” performed with the
female ensemble, was phenomenal.
Jones made her Broadway debut in
“Groundhog Day.”
The King of Arcadia, Basilius, played
by Jeremy Kushnier, is a distasteful
creature. Kushnier did an excellent
job of being disliked. He was funny,
manipulative and a very impressive
actor. On Broadway, he has starred
in “Jersey Boys,” “Footloose” and
“Rent.” It was hard to forgive him in
the end, but somehow he convinced
the audience that they should.
The king’s personal assistant,
Dametas, was portrayed by Tom Alan
Robbins. He was hilarious, spirited
and larger than life. Robbins has
performed in “The Lion King,” “Is He
Dead,” “The Threepenny Opera,”
“Once Upon a Mattress,” “Sunset
Boulevard” and several other plays.
Pythio—who could pass for the
illegitimate child of Tina Turner in
“Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome”
and “Maleficent,” only immersed in
twice as much glitter—was portrayed
by Peppermint in her Broadway
debut. The first transgender woman
to star in a principal role, Peppermint
is well known as a “RuPaul’s Drag
Race” runner-up and an established
entertainer globally. Her performance
as the dark prophet-like heroine was
dazzling, radiant and most definitely a
show-stopper.
The costumes were extravagant,
and the entire ensemble was prolific
and talented. The choreography by
Spencer Liff was sensational, and
the stage scenery was magnificently
created, particularly the massive,
sparkling snake preluding the
entrance of Pythio.
“Head Over Heels,” produced by
Gwyneth Paltrow, was a jubilant and
pleasantly satisfying encounter. It had
meaning, pizzazz and unstoppable
laughter. The music was entirely
based on the songs by The Go-Go’s—
and who doesn’t love their music?
It was a feel-good night with some
accomplished Broadway stars as well
as new ones on the horizon. They
are calling the musical “Heaven on
Earth,” and I’d love to tell you more
of what to expect, but “My Lips Are
Sealed”!

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ISSUE 379 - AUGUST 8 2018
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GET OUT! MAGAZINE >> GETOUTMAG.COM
> BY MIKE BAHR
MEET THE BOYS
OF THE BAND
ECHO V: THE WORLD’S
FIRST ALL OPENLY GAY
BOY BAND
Jay, Mike, Randy, Devin
and Gama are ECHO V. By
all outward appearances,
they seem to be the typical
boy band with good looks,
lush harmonies and killer
choreography, but they have
one important difference:
They’re all gay. Their debut
single, “Rainbow,” available
via their website, echovmusic.
info, is a fun, high-energy
pop anthem that reflects
their decision to be out about
their sexuality. “Our hope is
that the song inspires people
to stand up and claim their
truth, be happy with who they
are and find comfort in the
fact that they are not alone,”
says Jay. We spoke with all
of the guys of ECHO V about
their unique coming out
experiences.
Visit echovmusic.info

Mike
Devin
Rand
MIKE
When did you know you were
gay?
I became fully aware of it in
high school, around 15 or 16
years old.
What specific challenges did
you face coming out?
The biggest challenge was
reconciling my changing
identity with the person people
expected of me.
Who did you come out to
first?
One of my best friends I had
known since I was 10 years old.
Whose reaction surprised you
most?
My ex. I really liked her. I
told her that I liked men too.
She basically said she wasn’t
comfortable dating a guy like
that. That was a big wake up
call for me.
What impact has coming out
had on your life?
I’m lucky in that I have spent a
large portion of my young adult
life living in Los Angeles. This
city is extremely accepting and
inclusive. I don’t so much feel
an obstacle in being gay.
Are there negative aspects to
coming out?
I’m of the philosophy that
the whole idea of “coming
out” is a bit tired. By having a
“coming out,” it perpetuates
a world where heterosexuality
is the norm, when in fact there
is no norm! Do straight people
come out as straight? No. So
why should we have to?
How out are you? Do you
practice PDA?
I’m not huge on PDA. My
parents weren’t big either.
I don’t recall seeing them
kiss, hug or hold hands. And
neither of my two siblings are
super affectionate. I think it’s a
nurture thing for me.
DEVIN
When did you know you were
gay?
I figured out I was attracted
to men around third grade,
but I lied to myself about my
own identity until I came to
terms with it myself, which was
around freshman year of high
school.
What specific challenges did
you face coming out?
Trying to keep track of who
I told and who I didn’t, as to
not out myself to people who I
wasn’t comfortable telling yet.
Who did you come out to
first?
I wasn’t very good at hiding
things when I was young, so
a lot of the time, I would say
something or do something to
completely blow my straight
cover.
Whose reaction surprised you
most?
I’d have to say my parents’
reaction surprised me most,
specifically my dad (who
passed last year), because he
was accepting and supportive.
What impact has coming out
had on your life?
I am always surprised how
inquisitive straight guys get
about gay culture.
Are there negative aspects to
coming out?
To me, there are no negative
aspects of coming out.
How out are you? Do you
practice PDA (public displays
of affection)?
I’m so out it’s not funny, I
usually make sure people know
I’m gay within the first five
minutes of meeting them. And
I’m sooooooo big on PDA!
RANDY
When did you know you were
gay?
When I started to have a crush
on my best friend in middle
school.
What specific challenges did
you face coming out?
The fear that friends and loved
ones would not accept for who
I really was.
Who did you come out to
first?
My mom. She thought it was
a phase that I would get over.
She now knows the truth. She
is supportive of everything I do.
That why all I do is for her.

Visit echovmusic.info
y
Gama
Jay
Whose reaction surprised you
most?
My ex-girlfriend. She couldn’t
believe that I was gay. Even after
knowing I was gay, she still tried
to get back with me.
What impact has coming out
had on your life?
It has empowered me to accept
and love myself for who I am.
Once I learned to love myself,
the world’s opinion of me didn’t
matter anymore.
Are there negative aspects to
coming out?
Some people don’t have an
option to come out due to their
living situation. I advise people
to wait until they are someplace
safe.
How out are you? Do you
practice PDA?
I’m out, but not flaming out.
[laughs] I do believe in PDA. I’m
the type of person to express the
love I feel inside. There is a joy
in showing the world that love
is for all.
GAMA
When did you know you were
gay?
I believe I was born this way, so I
guess I always kinda knew.
What specific challenges did
you face coming out?
Coming out to my parents
and having that awkward
conversation.
Who did you come out to first?
I don’t exactly remember.
Maybe it was to a high school
friend? Coming out to myself
was a crazy experience, for sure.
I had a hard time accepting it.
Whose reaction surprised
you most?
I think my older brother’s
reaction surprised me the most,
because I was sweating what he
would say. He was actually very
cool and supportive about my
being gay. It went way better
than expected.
What impact has coming
out had on your life?
Once you come out, you are
able to be your true self. It’s the
best thing you can do.
Are there negative aspects
to coming out?
There could be, because other
people can be judgmental and
homophobic.
How out are you?
Do you practice PDA?
I’m very private when it comes
to my personal life. I feel there is
a place and time for everything,
and I prefer affection to be in
private.
JAY
When did you know you were
gay?
When I was in daycare, my first
crush was on a boy.
What specific challenges did
you face coming out?
I would say my challenges were
probably very similar to most
young, gay, black men in the
Bible Belt of the South.
Who did you come out to
first?
My mother. The first time I tried
to come out to my mother,
she ignored it. When I was 14
I decided to be a bit bold and
shout it at her. This didn’t play
out too well. My mother reacted
by punching me and crying. Our
relationship is much better now,
and my mother even asks me
questions about my life.
Whose reaction surprised you
most?
After my mother’s reaction, I
probably only told four other
people while I was still in that
town.
What impact has coming out
had on your life?
I’ve always been a bit off to
myself. That has not changed.
Are there negative aspects to
coming out?
The only negative I see to
coming out is how people will
treat you. Prepare yourself for
the worst. Be thankful for the
amazing people you meet, and
forget those who hate.
How out are you? Do you
practice PDA?
I’m as out as can be. I do
practice PDA. I love the person
I’m with and don’t believe there
is any reason, at any time, to not
show it.

THOMAS
TALKS
ABOUT: DATING
This city is a treasure
trove of people with
unique life experiences,
backgrounds and goals
for the future. When I first
moved to NYC from a
small town in Michigan,
I thought there would
be plenty of gay people
with similar interests, that
dating would be simple
and easy. If you’ve lived
here for more than a
month, you already know
that’s a crock of shit.
I keep meeting the
same types of guys
over and over again.
I always think they
are different, but
then a month or two
in I realize they are
basically identical
to other people I’ve
dated. I’m really
frustrated, and I don’t
know how this keeps
happening. - Male, Gay,
31
There is only one
common denominator in
every relationship you’re
in, and it’s you.
The same is obviously
true for everyone,
so we have to take
responsibility for the
people we decide to
date. My guess would
be there are more things
in common between
these people than you’re
seeing. There may be
plenty of positive things
about them that are
different. But, what’s
similar about their
negative qualities? When
do you notice them? And
what do you ignore in the
beginning?
Make a list of the
negative qualities in
significant relationships
you’ve had (doesn’t have
to be LTR). Notice the
similarities. Then, when
they pop up in the future,
stop dating that person.
You have to train yourself
what to look for and to
not ignore the things you
don’t want to see.
I’m having a really
difficult time meeting
people to date in the
city, and it seems like
everyone just wants
to have sex. I’m afraid
to approach people a
lot in bars and stuff, so
I mainly use apps. It’s
just easier. Are there
easier ways to meet to
date? - Male, Gay, 24
I would recommend
not using sex-based
apps if you’re looking
for a relationship. Full
disclosure, my boyfriend
and I met on one, and
we’ve been together
for over four years—but
we’re an exception to
the rule. I honestly think
in person is the best way,
but it doesn’t have to be
a bar. Join a group where
you have the opportunity
to meet new people that
have similar interests as
you. Having common
ground can be a great
way to help fight through
any anxiety you might
feel about approaching
someone new.
Also, make some
changes to your daily
routine. People are
creatures of habit, so
you likely see the same
people every day, either
on your way to work, at
the bar or at the gym.
Try walking a different
way, going to a new
place or working out at a
different time. And force
yourself to approach
people—you might fall
on your face every now
and again, but so what?
Honestly, what’s the
worst thing that’s going
to happen? You might
get rejected, but that’s
just part of life. Everyone
gets rejected, and it’s
probably much less
terrible than you think it
is. And being rejected is
the best way to get over
your fear of it!
Sex/Love/Relationship advice? Send your questions to: ThomasTalksAbout@gmail.com
@ThomasWhitfield84

BY EILEEN SHAPIRO
CELEBRITY CORRESPONDENT
FROM ‘SUNDAY BEST’ TO ‘IDOL’ TO
‘YOUR HUSBAND IS CHEATING ON US’
You might recognize
“Out” reality star
Jermaine Sellers from
his recent visibility on
Bravo’s “Your Husband
Is Cheating on Us.” If
not, perhaps you have
seen him on BET’s
“Sunday Best,” or on
“American Idol” season
nine. However, if not, the
singer/actor/reality show
mogul is here to stay,
and be assured you will
hear of him soon.
Having had to keep the
fact that he was gay
very low-key because
of the TV shows that he
appeared on, Seller is
now ready to be who he
is and share his story with
the world. His soft, velvet
voice is a force to reckon
with, as well as his fun,
outgoing personality. I
spoke with him intimately
and in depth and have
already adopted him
as my newest sister. He
is inspiring and nearly
prophetic and hopes his
story can inspire others.
PHOTOS BY: MEL B. ELDER JR. WARDROBE STYLISTS: FELIPE G.

You have a great voice.
Thank you so much.
And a great story.
Lord, the story, Eileen. Where are
we digging in at?
I don’t even know where to start
with you. Let’s start with “Idol.”
“Idol” was a great experience.
I have no negative things to say
about “Idol.” I was the first to hit
both platforms as far as “Sunday
Best” and “Idol.” It was one reality
show after the next.
How did that happen?
Oh, God. I didn’t win for “Sunday’s
Best.” I wasn’t the typical, average
gospel singer. I went against the
grain. My whole thing at the time
was that the Bible doesn’t come
the way we want it to; it says come
as you are. I was working with the
fact that some people don’t have
the money to buy suits and ties and
the fancy dresses with the big hats.
Some just maybe have a t-shirt and
some jeans. So it was basically me
trying to bring people to Christ the
way they are. With that being said,
it was kind of like, that’s the reason
why I felt I didn’t win, because to
the average church person I feel
like gospel singers always end up
being a Mahalia Jackson. It’s always
a plus-size black woman.
That’s kind of true.
It’s the truth. So I didn’t fit the realm
of what they were looking for. So I
went ahead and said, well, I didn’t
win that, so I’ll try out for “American
Idol.” I had tried out for “American
Idol” the same season that Fantasia
won, but I didn’t get picked. So then
I tried out a second time the same
year that I got on “Sunday’s Best.” I
went to audition for “American Idol”
first, and the week after was the
“Sunday Best” audition. I did really
want to get picked for “American
Idol,” but I didn’t the first time, so
the doubt was there. My cousin
told me about “Sunday’s Best,” but
I didn’t really want to do gospel,
because I didn’t want the church
judging me. That fear was already
there, but I went ahead and did it,
because I needed to pay my bills.
When I got there I was the last in
line, and I came out top three on
the show. Then I got to “American
Idol,” and I was first in line, because
I slept outside that night. I didn’t
practice anything that day, because
I knew I had to sing from my heart.
At the time there was a lot going
on for me, because I was dealing
with a bad relationship break up,
dealing with not knowing where my
next meal would come from, the
whole nine yards. So I went ahead,
and the song that came to my heart
was, “What If God Was One of Us.”
That was the song that I sang for the
preliminary round. Once I got past
that, they told me that was one of
Simon’s favorite songs.
It’s got to be really stressful
doing all that.
It is. But to me, I feel like it’s also
a chance to share your gift. A
big percentage of people in the
entertainment business just want
to do it to be famous. For me, it’s
about sharing my voice, sharing my
gift with people, letting them know
if I could do it coming from a little
small town of Joliet, Illinois—which
wasn’t much more than a cornfield—
then anyone can. You’d be shocked,
because Lionel Richie is from the
same town. When you leave from a
town that’s like crabs in a barrel—are
you familiar with that term?

Nope.
It’s like, the higher you
see people going, the
more that they will
try to pull you down.
That’s how Joliet
was. For me, each
and every show that I
went on I represented
Joliet, because half of
my high school class
is deceased, and for
the girls, if they’re not
deceased, they have
about seven kids.
For the other guys
that aren’t deceased,
they have criminal
records. I didn’t want
to be a part of that.
I dealt with being
called faggot, being
called sissy, my whole
entire life. It started
with family members,
then it trickled on
down. This is just me.
I always wanted to be
like my mother. My
mother is my life. She
walks in excellence.
If my father cheated
on her, she was going
to stick with it, so her children had
both a father and a mother in her
house. I came from the projects,
and my grandfather died from
cirrhosis of the liver. He was the
town drunk. But my mother broke
the curse. So seeing my mother,
I could deal with people talking
about me. I could engulf myself in
my music. Then just proving a point
to everyone who talked about me
while I was younger—everything
that was said about me when I was
younger just pushed me harder to
want to be more successful. The
more you speak negatively about
me, the more you are going to see
me do something positive.
I love that attitude. What’s it like
growing up gay in a small town?
I had to have it! For me, I had to
basically find a way to make myself
somebody. I didn’t have a lot of
friends, and my mom immediately
put me into “The Soul Children
of Chicago,” a famous children’s
choir. I started traveling with them.
I made friends amongst them. I
didn’t have them in my hometown.
Then, getting kicked out of school
because you were gay, because
you were openly gay—that’s what
happened to me in high school.

Hey, I don’t think they are allowed
to do that.
They aren’t, but had we known back
then what we know now, it would have
been different. My mother probably
would have sued them. I didn’t do a
lot of the same things my peers did.
I go home to get a reality check and
to see that the majority of people
that were there are still there, and
they look twice my age. I’m like, OK.
I am thinking of sugar plum fairies,
musical unicorns, and I’m not going
to let anything stress me out. I have
$5 in my pocket, but good God,
that’s enough to go to McDonald’s
and to get myself a cheeseburger
and fries and buy me a dollar bottle
of water. That’s just how I feel. I can’t
stress about things that I can’t make
different. It’s a part of life, and I think
that the biggest issue that we have
as human beings is we try to be the
authors of our own futures. We can’t
map out what it is that is happening
to us. We have to look at it as God is
the author. You might wake up one
day and not have a job, and then two
weeks later someone calls you with
an opportunity. If you sit there and
stress out about it, you’re going to
make yourself sick. And the doubt will
literally make you want to kill yourself.
You are a lot of fun though.
Honey, you haven’t seen anything. We
have to go out for drinks!
We do! I love that gay gene!
We created everything. If it wasn’t for
us we wouldn’t be sitting next to each
other in school. The man that put
together Martin Luther King’s speech
was a gay man.
I didn’t know that.
Honey, I do my research. For me, I
felt for so long that there were so
many things wrong with me, like my
dad not loving me. I never heard my
father say “I love you.” I never had
a hug from him. So I went out and
looked for it from older men, thinking
that they were going to love me.
It didn’t do nothing but break me
even more. When you get into that
broken state, it’s kind of like now for
me with relationships. He better be
on a white horse and have a crown
on his head and all of the above. I
don’t know what it’s like to be in a
real relationship, because all I looked
for was just a man to love me. At that
point in time, that’s all I knew about
homosexuality.
Hey, wait, I have someone for you.
My best sister Aaron Paul. I know
you will hit it off.
You’re about to adopt me; I’m a
new member of your family! I’m one
of your new daughters. I’m loving
you already. I’m a bundle of fun. As
long as I can make someone laugh,
I’m doing the right thing, because
laughter makes you stay young. Me
making someone smile is like giving
life back to them.
I knew I would love you!

BY IAN-MICHAEL BERGERON
@ianmichaelinwonderland
Holding a copy of this
magazine, my boyfriend J’s
eyes lit up as he began to
read “Kiss Me,” a romantic
telling of the night we first
kissed.
Don’t You
Want Me
Baby?
We were having a frozen rosé,
coined “Brosé,” at REBAR
on a Tuesday night, sitting in
a booth and watching a buff
20-something in a jockstrap
pose for a dozen or so
aspiring sketchers. I was taken
by how seriously everyone
took themselves.
Finishing, his face fell. “That’s
not the karaoke song we
sang,” he said. “It was ‘Don’t
You Want Me Baby.’”
This was not the first time I’d
made a karaoke mistake. The
first time was back in Iowa,
when a very drunk me sang a
rendition of “Love Shack.” I
can still hear myself, shrieking
“LOVE SHACK BABY” at the
top of my lungs.
When my boyfriend corrected
my already-published column,
I immediately knew he was
right—I remember standing
there, awaiting what song a
co-worker had picked for us
to sing, and thinking, “Oh, I
know this song—they used
to play it once an hour, on
a loop, when I worked at
Abercrombie & Fitch.”
So, we were a couple that
had a song—and I’d gotten it
wrong.
With that in mind, we had
dinner at Cafeteria on Pride
Friday. The restaurant was
packed, but they didn’t rush
us along as we ordered
Cafeteria Cosmo after
Cafeteria Cosmo. Drunk
on love—but also mostly
delicious orange cocktails—
we wandered downtown to
Stonewall.
J had never been to
Stonewall, so it seemed
the perfect way to start off
our first Pride as a couple.
We got a drink downstairs,
crowded with more straight
people than I’d ever seen
at Stonewall, and I waited
a while before showing him
upstairs.
“There’s an upstairs?” he said,
excited. My plan to impress
worked. But upstairs, the
straight people weren’t just
drinking around the bar—
they’d set up a stage, and
guests were singing karaoke.
J put in a song to sing,
begging me to do so too. I
knew it was my time to atone
for getting our song wrong in
my column. After slipping a
twenty to the DJ, he called
our names next for a surprise
duet performance of “Don’t
You Want Me Baby.”
We were just drunk enough
to get into it, but not so
drunk that our performance
was messy. Well, too messy,
anyway. During a far-toolong
music break, I sat down
on the stage and did an
imitation-death-drop. The
straights were not impressed.
All the same, our drunken
love buzz followed us all the
way back to my apartment,
where we had sex twice
before passing out in each
other’s arms, “Don’t You Want
Me Baby” still ringing in my
ears.
I’d resisted my feelings for J
for so long—nearly two years.
The song wasn’t a duet as
much as it was from him to
me: “You know I don’t believe
it when you say that you don’t
need me… Don’t you want
me, baby?”
Finally, I’d admitted yes. And
it felt so, so good.
PHOTO BY STEVE BRENNAN

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