2020 Issue 1 Jan/Feb - Focus Mid-South Magazine

Serving the Mid-South LGBT+ Community and its Allies | JAN+FEB 2020 

SELF 

CARE 

ISSUE 

HOMECOMING 

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LETTER FROM 

THE PUBLISHER 

First, I want 

to take this 

opportunity to 

welcome you to a 

new year – and a 

new decade! We 

are committed 

now more than 

ever to making 

Ray Rico, Publisher 

Focus magazine, 

both in print and 

online, your number one, go-to source 

for news and stories from the LGBTQ+ 

community. 

The year 2019 was a year of 

milestones for Focus Mid-South 

magazine. Not only did we complete 

our fourth successful year of 

publishing, we continued to explore 

ways to partner with the LGBTQ+ 

community and allies. We’re in 

the process of meeting in person 

with LGBTQ+ leaders and allies to 

reconnect to the people who know 

most about the community. We want 

barrier-free lines of communication 

between us and LGBTQ+ persons. 

We looked carefully at our brand 

to make sure that we were showing 

it enough love and commitment and 

then tried to think of ways that we 

might better serve your interests. This 

month, you’ll see a new feature, ‘Pop 

Culture.’ It will be a page of staff faves 

from TV, movies, podcasts, books and 

beyond. 

We’ve been deliberate with other 

changes that we’ve made, too, not 

only to the magazine, but to the 

Focus brand as a whole. Our primary 

expansion has been in our digital 

footprint. We’ve totally revamped 

our website, ramped up our social 

media coverage of events, stories 

and giveaways, and we’ve continued 

to invest resources into a community 

favorite, the re:focus podcast. We’ve 

also recommitted to using local artists 

to create our Theme page in the 

magazine (hint, hint, if you’re an artist, 

we need YOU!). 

We’ve also committed to being 

better stewards of the earth by joining 

the Printreleaf TM program through our 

printer. This is a reforestation program 

that replaces the trees used in making 

paper for the magazine based on our 

actual paper usage. 

I hope you know that you’re a 

crucial part of our success, and for all 

of your support and encouragement, 

we are truly thankful. I encourage you 

to be an active part in our work by 

sending ideas and suggestions to us at 

editor@focusmidsouth.com. 

I look forward to hearing from you! 

Best wishes always, 

PUBLISHER 

Ray Rico 

DESIGNERS 

Joan Allison 

Daphne Butler 

Joan Allison 

Robin Beaudoin 

Chellie Bowman 

Greg Campbell 

MANAGING 

EDITOR 

Joan Allison 

INTERACTIVE 

+ SOCIAL MEDIA 


Tracy Love 

ADVERTISING 

Ray Rico 

Elizabeth McDonnell 

DISTRIBUTION 

+ SUBSCRIPTIONS 

Randall Sloan 

Leila Hinkle 

contributors 

Focus ® Mid-South is all about LGBT + people and their allies…their work, play, families, 

creativity, style, health and wealth, bodies and souls. Our focus is on you. 

Focus ® Mid-South is published bi-monthly and distributed free throughout the greater Mid- 

South area. Focus reserves the right to refuse to sell space for any advertisement the staff 

deems inappropriate for the publication. Press releases must be received by the first of the 

month for the following issue. All content of this magazine, including and without limitation 

to the design, advertisements, art, photos and editorial content, as well as the selection, 

coordination and arrangement thereof, is Copyright ©2020, Focus ® Mid-South. All Rights 

Reserved. No portion of this magazine may be copied or reprinted without the express 

written permission of the publisher. For a full list of our editorial and advertising policies, 

please visit focusmidsouth.com/policies. 

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Want to carry Focus ® Mid-South? Call us at 901.800.1172 or email info@focusmidsouth.com. 

Give a subscription to someone, or treat yourself. Yearly subscriptions are $25; subscribe on 

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Proud 

Member 

Certifying LGBT Businesses. 

Connecting Our Communities. 

Tricia Dewey 

Joy Doss 

Diane Duke 

Sarah Rutledge Fischer 

Nour Hantouli 

Susan Lacy 

Focus ® Mid-South Magazine is published by 

Ray Rico Freelance, LLC 

2294 Young Avenue 

Memphis, TN, 38104 

focusmidsouth.com 

FINANCE 

Leila Hinkle 

RE:FOCUS 

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Kevin Shaw 

Chris Sanders 

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Page 4 / focusmidsouth.com / JAN+FEB 2020 / Self Care

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8 

12 

11 

CONTENTS 

7 THEME: SELF CARE 

8 ASK ALLIE 

Being an LGBTQ+ person does not have to end in 

emotional exhaustion. Learn how to live life happily 

as your authentic self. 

10 FOCUS SOCIAL MEDIA 

JAN+FEB 2020 

11 ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT 

We’re bringing you an entirely new feature page, 

Pop Culture, filled with our staff picks for the best in 

movies, books, podcasts and personalities. 

12 COMMUNITY 

There are many reasons that people from other 

countries immigrate to the U.S. Mid-South 

Immigration Advocates is helping the most 

vulnerable navigate the U.S.’s punitive system. 

14 LGBT YOUTH 

U of M’s Stonewall Tigers celebrated LGBT week 

that included the school’s first-ever drag show. See 

the fun photos from this inaugural event. 

16 FAITH+SPIRITUALITY 

Take responsibility for your life and find ways of 

belonging, recharging and contributing that suit 

you. They could be as close as the next dance class, 

forest, or conversation that you have. 

18 LGBT ALLY 

Dr. Susan Lacy has opened a gynecology practice 

in MIdtown Memphis that is respectful to the needs 

of the LGBTQ community, alongside BioTE hormone 

pellet therapy for anyone who’s in need of a better 

physiological balance. 

19 FOOD+DRINK 

TEP’s Gumbo contest is way more than delicious 

cuisine. See what the money from this fundraiser 

has done for Tennesseans seeking equality. 

18 

36 

BE PART OF OUR NEXT PUBLICATION 

MONEY ISSUE 

MAR+APR 2020 

Submit story ideas: editor@focusmidsouth.com 

Editorial submission deadline: January 31, 2020 

Advertising inquiries: sales@focusmidsouth.com 

Ad space reservation due: February 11, 2020 

20 

26 

20 LGBT YOUTH 

Meet Brandon Allen, the 17-year-old White 

Station High School student who is the reigning 

Homecoming Queen. He’s also a wrestler, a flag 

twirler in the band, and a majorette! 

22 HEALTH+WELLNESS 

Over three pages, you’ll learn how to spot a 911-level 

mental health emergency and how to respond to 

someone in crisis. You’ll also get tips from mental 

health pros on self-care if you find yourself thinking 

about suicide or self harm. 

26 COMMUNITY 

Women can dress a little ‘manly’ and nobody thinks 

twice about it. But what happens when black men 

dress with more feminine looks? 

28 HEALTH+WELLNESS 

In Cooper-Young, there’s a new, fast, free, and 

beautiful clinic that offers PrEP and Pep to anyone. 

32 TRAVEL 

Discover Puerto Vallarta, the most popular gay 

beach destination in Mexico. 

34 CALENDAR 

This January and February are chock-full of exciting 

things to do in the LGBTQ community. We’ve got 

the details on all of the fun. 

36 ORIGINAL MEMPHIS 

Sun Studio has been cranking out great music since 

the early 1950s. We take you to the birthplace of 

Rock ‘n’ Roll (thanks to Jackie Brenton’s “Rocket 

88”) and the place where Memphis’ musical king got 

his start. 


theme 

ABOUT THE ARTIST | NOUR HANTOULI is a queer, non-binary artist born and raised in 

Memphis. They began learning tattooing in Mexico City and are currently working through a tattooing 

apprenticeship at Underground Art in Cooper Young. They have been a community organizer for about 

10 years, and their art is an extension of their activism, featuring themes of queer love, self acceptance, 

and fighting for a better world. You can find more at welltheytried.com where these pieces are available 

on shirts, prints, tote bags, buttons, and more. Instagram @welltheytried. 

Self Care / JAN+FEB 2020 / focusmidsouth.com / Page 7

life 

DEAR 

DARA 

Dear Allie, 

I think being gay is sort of wearing 

me out. Every day there’s a new battle. 

I’m tired. I’m angry. I’m sad. If it’s not 

my family giving me grief, it’s the damn 

government wanting to tell me how 

unimportant I am. I’m only 23, but I’m 

ready to give up on everybody and just 

run away. 

Thanks, 

Dreaming About 

Running Away 

Dear DARA, 

It is a hard gig to be a thinking, caring 

LGBTQ+ person in this world. It is even 

harder if you feel as if everyone—your 

family and your society—treats you as 

if you are less worthy of basic human 

dignity than others. I hear you, and I 

believe you can find a more sustainable 

way to navigate this world. Let’s see if I 

can help. 

Shutterstock 

LGBTQ + ? 

YOU DESERVE 

NURTURING, 

SELF-CARE 

by Sarah Rutledge Fischer 

We’ve all heard a lot about self-care over the last several 

years, and I’m sure you agree that far too much of that 

messaging was focused on nothing more than selling 

us charcoal face masks and essential oil regimens. But 

real self-care has nothing to do with consumerist beauty 

culture. In a society that continually negates your value, 

investing in real, lasting self-care is an act of revolutionary 

defiance. As lesbian warrior-poet Audre Lorde famously 

wrote, “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence. It is selfpreservation, 

and that is an act of political warfare.” 

Real and lasting acts of self-care are not cosmetic. 

They require a discipline that comes from a daily choice 

to believe that you are worthy of investing in. And 

you are. 

You are worthy of rest. You might choose to invest in 

a consistent bedtime routine, but you might also work 

on separating your sense of self-worth from your daily 

accomplishments. Try a nightly ‘I Did’ list (as opposed 

to a morning ‘To Do’ list) and challenge yourself to 


acknowledge non-traditional accomplishments 

like “rested for an hour” and “doodled a bit” right 

alongside “wrote an article” and “washed the 

dishes.” 

You are worthy of good fuel. Consider what 

you take into yourself and whether it nurtures you 

or saps your strength. Honor your physical body 

by trading your go-to junk food or empty-calorie 

diet food for nutrient-rich fruits, vegetables, and 

proteins. If you consume a constant news cycle, 

consider trading it for intentional study in a subject 

that inspires you. If social media is your downfall, try 

swapping it for a new creative practice. 

You are worthy of financial stability. If you 

struggle with money, real self-care might mean 

forgoing that so-called-splurge and instead taking a 

realistic look at your income and expenses. Making a 

plan to maintain regular expenses while also working 

towards long term goals may seem intimidating, but 

having a grasp of your finances means no one but 

you decides where your money goes. 

You are worthy of physical and mental health. If 

you have always put your own health last, change 

the script and refuse to believe that your health is 

not worth investing in. If you can afford it, make 

regular appointments with a doctor, a dentist, and 

an LGBTQ positive therapist, and if you can’t, honor 

yourself with one daily mental health practice like 

mediation or journaling. 

Now, I’m advocating self-care as a way to help you 

shore up your boundaries with both your family and 

the world. It is easy to talk about setting appropriate 

boundaries, but when you are gripped in battle and 

exhausted from the fight, it is hard to look at your 

adversary and start building a boundary between 

yourself and them. Instead, stop giving your time 

and attention to those who diminish you. Turn 

away from them and towards yourself and invest in 

practices that honor your self-worth. 

As you build these practices and set protective 

boundaries around them, you will find that you 

have also strengthened the boundaries between 

yourself and others. As it becomes second nature to 

prioritize your own care, you will have more strength 

to take on the struggles you have set aside. When 

you invest in yourself, you have more inner resources 

to channel your strong and valid emotions into 

action. And that can change the world. 

That should get you started. 

Your friend, 

Allie 

To submit your own question, email Allie at 

Allie@focusmidsouth.com. Focus Mid-South 

reserves the right to edit letters for length 

and clarity. 

Be 

PrEPared. 

Learn more about 

HIV prevention at 

Planned Parenthood. 

866.711.1717 

PlannedParenthood.org/Tennessee 

Steve Womack, Agent 

848 South Cooper Street 

Memphis, TN 38104 

Bus: 901-725-1919 

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life 

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arts+entertainment 

Staff Picks 

by Ray Rico and Chellie Bowman 

BOOK 

Tales of the City 

Great read and perfect 

pair for the two TV 

shows both on Netflix, 

showcasing Barbary Lane 

in the 70s and then again 

in the present. 

PODCAST 

Dolly Parton’s America 

A nine-part podcast that explores a 

beloved American icon who brings us all 

together. A welcome journey to take in 

such divided times. From WNYC Studios. 

Artist credit: Christine de Carvalho. 

TV/STREAMING 

Brigette Lundy-Paine 

Netflix’s Atypical actress Brigette 

Lundy-Paine came out as nonbinary 

this November on social 

media. This super talented babe 

stated that using they/them 

pronouns just feels right and 

we’re here for it! Image courtesy 

gettyimages.com. 

MUSIC 

Sam Smith 

Awesome cover for I Feel Love by 

Donna Summer. So hot, that Target is 

actually using it in ads. 


health+wellness 

community 

MMIGRATION 

MID-SOUTH IMMIGRATION ADVOCATES 

Memphis legal group offers free services to low-income immigrants 

story and photo by Tricia Dewey 

Immigration stories have 

made headlines for the past 

few years. The zero-tolerance 

policy that caused family 

separations actually began in 

summer 2017, led to nearly 

5,500 children being 

separated from their families 

and housed in extreme and 

harsh conditions. In early 

December 2019, a 16-year-old 

boy, diagnosed with flu and 

found dead later in his 

concrete cell at a Border Patrol 

facility, became the sixth child 

to die in custody in less than a 

year. In Memphis, Manuel 

Duran, a journalist originally 

from El Salvador, was arrested 

in April 2018 and detained for 

more than 15 months. His story 

made national news. There has 

been increased U.S. 

Immigration and Customs 

Enforcement (ICE) activity in 

Memphis and there is 

continued potential for a mass 

raid. 

According to the latest 

estimates from the Migration 

Policy Institute, there are 

26,000 undocumented 

immigrants in Shelby County 

and 4,000 of those are 

school-age kids. Organizations 

in Memphis like Latino 

Memphis and Las Americas 

are working to help the 

increasing number of 

immigrants. Mariposas 

Collective provides food and 

clothing for asylum seekers 

traveling through the Memphis 

Greyhound bus station. More 

than half of the cases taken by 

the Community Legal Center 

(CLC) are immigration cases 

and 80% of those involve 

women and children fleeing 

domestic violence, human 

trafficking, and other forms of 

gender-based violence. Many 

of the other nonprofits in this 

arena work together to 

provide education and legal 

services to immigrants. 


In 2013, Mid-South 

Immigration Advocates (MIA), 

another nonprofit law firm, 

was founded to focus on the 

growing need of immigration 

representation. With a staff of 

10 including four attorneys, 

MIA provides services to 

low-income families and 

children for no fee. They also 

represent victims of domestic 

violence in partnership with 

CasaLuz, which helps victims 

to know and exercise their 

legal rights. MIA clients 

include children requesting 

asylum or Special Immigrant 

Juvenile Status, but funding 

for those cases was 

completely cut in 2018 so that 

numbers of these cases have 

declined. 

In summer 2018, MIA 

learned that the Southern 

Border had moved to 

Memphis’ own backyard when 

family members and other 

lawyers reported that 

detainees were detained at the 

Tallahatchie County 

Correctional Facility in 

Tallahatchie, Mississippi, a 

maximum-security facility 

funded by CoreCivic. 

Originally these men enter the 

United States at the Southern 

Border and follow U.S. laws to 

claim asylum. While in 

shackles they are then flown to 

Memphis and bused 90 miles 

away to Tallahatchie to await 

their “credible fear” interview, 

a first step in their asylum 

case. The men don’t 

understand why they’re 

imprisoned and are not even 

sure where they are. Many 

arrive with their families and 

now don’t know the location of 

their children or wives. 

At the request of DOJ, MIA’s 

Asylum Initiative has begun to 

deliver “Know Your Rights” 

sessions to these detainees, 

Mid-South Immigration Advocates staff (L-R) Christy M. Swatzell, Asylum Initiative 

Director; Luis E. Melean, Asylum Initiative Coordinator; and Sally M. Joyner, Interim 

Executive Director. The group helps adults seeking asylum as well as a large number of 

minors who are in the United States alone. 

driving the 90-mile route to 

Tallahatchie to see on average 

between 800 and 1100 people 

a month. The detainees are 

from many different countries 

including India, Russia, 

Georgia, Africa, The 

Caribbean, Venezuela, Brazil, 

China, and Armenia. MIA 

presents information in 

Spanish and English and 

amazing volunteers help with 

other languages. The “credible 

fear” interview establishes 

whether a believable fear of 

persecution or torture exists if 

an asylum seeker is returned 

to his home country. If he 

passes the interview, which 

new policies have made much 

more difficult, he is transferred 

to a facility in Louisiana and 

further detained, sometimes 

for months or years before 

seeing a judge. If he does not 

pass the interview, he is 

transferred to another 

detention center for 

deportation. 

The process in Tallahatchie 

is part of a new model for 

processing asylum seekers, 

moving them to one 

designated facility that houses 

between 1100 and 1500 

asylum seekers while they 

These are our neighbors, people 

who run our favorite restaurants, 

remodel our homes, whose kids go 

to school with our kids...eventually 

they will have green cards, pay 

taxes, and vote. 

have interviews over the 

phone. CoreCivic gets paid per 

bed and is one of the for-profit 

prisons companies making 

money on increased immigrant 

detention. 

Luis Melean, Asylum 

Initiative Coordinator, says that 

the Asylum Initiative is a 

positive connection for the 

men. Prior to involvement by 

MIA they received little to no 

legal advice. MIA does a good 

job of getting the men to trust 

them and they’re grateful for 

the information they get. 

“They have a purpose. We 

remind them why they’re 

doing this and that they’re not 

alone.” 

The staff at MIA is incredibly 

—Sally Joyner, MIA Interim Director 

dedicated and finds meaning 

in the challenging legal work 

they do. Their current case 

load is overflowing and they 

are searching for additional 

funding to better serve their 

clients. Sally Joyner, MIA 

interim director, describes not 

helping these groups as 

short-sighted. “These are our 

neighbors, people who run our 

favorite restaurants, remodel 

our homes, whose kids go to 

school with our kids.” 

Eventually she says they will 

have green cards, pay taxes, 

and vote; these services are 

needed for the invisible among 

us who will eventually be seen. 

For more information, visit 

miamemphis.org. 


lgbt youth 

UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS 

STONEWALL TIGERS’ 

Gender and Sexuality Alliance partnered with the 

Mid-South LGBTQ+ Archive for a drag performance to 

celebrate LGBT Week. Looks like they had fun! Go Tigers! 

photos ©Trey Easter | kineticsmg.com 


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faith+spirituality 

OUT OF BOUNDS 

LGBTQ Spiritual Health 

Beyond Church Walls 

© 2019 by Carlton E. Smith. All rights reserved. 

Reprinted with permission 


For some of us who were 

raised in and harmed by our 

faith communities of origin, 

there is no going back. Even 

to look back, as in the story 

of Lot’s wife fleeing Sodom 

and Gomorrah, would leave us 

frozen in our tracks. 

We have to ask ourselves, 

What is it that our original 

faith communities provided, 

and where can we turn now 

to have those needs met? In 

my life, being part of a faith 

community was centered 

around three things, each 

of which could be found 

outside church — a sense 

of belonging, a place to 

recharge, and a desire to 

contribute to other people’s 

lives. 

Belonging. An essential 

component of belonging to a 

community is a commitment 

to show up consistently. I have 

experienced belonging in a 

variety of contexts outside 

traditional congregational 

settings, such as the 

advanced step-aerobics 

class I was part of when I 

lived in Oakland, California; 

the hula-lessons I took in 

Arlington, Virginia; the 12-step 

financial recovery meetings 

I was part of in Brookline, 

Massachusetts, and; the 

musical theatre workshop I 

was part of when I lived in 

Metro New York. It doesn’t 

matter much the location 

or the activity people have 

gathered around ... you can 

have the blessed experience 

of community wherever 

people are supporting and 

caring for each other while 

collaborating. 

Recharging. Sometimes, 

opportunities for spiritual 

sustenance appear seemingly 

out of nowhere. A few months 

back, the aunt of a friend was 

visiting from out of town, 

and I took her to Strawberry 

Plains Audubon Center, a 

former plantation in Marshall 

County, Mississippi. That 

day, a woman was doing 

a presentation on naturebathing, 

a concept I had never 

heard of. The idea is that one 

goes into a forest and lets 

the well-being and vitality of 

their surroundings minister 

to them. A tradition that has 

roots in Asian culture, naturebathing 

is a phenomenon 

that is spreading across the 

US as well. The schedule 

that day didn’t allow me to 

nature-bathe right away, but 

a few days later I went back 

to Strawberry Plains and 

took in the beautiful forest 

there ... a leaf floating on 

the water, the breezes in the 

trees, the decaying branches, 

the crawling ants and leaping 

frogs, the muskiness of the 

air. I must have been out for 

about an hour, and at the end 

of it, I felt revived. 

Contributing. One of 

the ways that I give back 

in my work is by offering 

workshops on Compassionate 

Communication (also known 

as Nonviolent Communication, 

or NVC). I was introduced to 

it in the midst of a leadership 

crisis at a church where I 

ministered many years ago, 

when some of us key members 

of the congregation were at 

an impasse. The technique 

involves connection with our 

own observations, feelings 

and needs so that we can 

make meaningful requests of 

others that benefit everyone 

involved. I love it when I see 

people’s eyes light up as 

they discover new, kind ways 

they might be with people in 

their lives. You can check out 

more about Compassionate 

Communication and NVC at 

cnvc.org. 

As it is with our sexual 

expression, we get to choose 

how we nurture our spirits. 

We are free from the bonds 

that say it has to be done one 

way, or there’s only a single 

source of inspiration. We can 

drink from wells that actually 

sustain us and move forward 

fully as we are. We can take 

responsibility for our lives 

and find ways of belonging, 

recharging and contributing 

that suit us. They could be as 

close as the next dance class, 

forest, or conversation we 

have. 

Carlton E. Smith is an 

ordained minister within and a 

staff member of the Unitarian 

Universalist Association 

(uua.org). In his spare time, 

he runs for elected office, 

serves on the Campaign 

Board for the LGBTQ 

Victory Fund (victoryfund. 

org), and promotes civil 

rights history in the South 

through his involvement with 

the Living Legacy Project 

(uulivinglegacy.org) He lives 

in North Mississippi and 

can be reached at carlton@ 

carltonesmith.com. 

Church of the River (First Unitarian Church of Memphis) • 292 West Virginia Avenue (next to Big River Crossing)


How might your 

local gynecologist 

benefit YOU? 

I am Dr. Susan Lacy, 

the founder of Modern 

Gynecology & Reproductive 

Health. When I decided to 

open a new solo practice in 

Midtown Memphis, I faced 

many difficult decisions. One 

of the easiest decisions I 

made was to make our office 

an inclusive and welcoming 

space for all who might 

benefit. 

What are the most 

important and relevant issues 

that we can address in our 

goal to improve reproductive 

healthcare in Memphis, TN, 

particularly in the LGBTQ+ 

community? There are a 

lot of great technical and 

scientific improvements in 

medicine that we can tap 

into to provide great care, 

but above all of that, the 

most crucial service that we 

can provide is access to an 

inclusive, supportive and 

knowledgeable healthcare 

team that is committed to 

meeting your needs. 

Susan Northen Lacy MD FACOG 

Slacy@moregyn.com 

901.701.1777 

Our five areas of care: 

Gynecology: The bread & 

butter of what we do is 

general gynecologic care. 

From pap smears to 

contraceptive management 

to evaluation of complex 

issues like endometriosis and 

heavy periods, we are 

committed to providing 

excellent services with 

cutting edge treatment. We 

are aware that a gynecologic 

exam can be stressful and 

have instruments and 

equipment designed to make 

it easier. Often, people in the 

lesbian and transgender 

community neglect 

gynecologic care for a 

multitude of reasons. We will 

make your visit as 

comfortable as possible in a 

warm, welcoming setting. 

Hormone Optimization: 

There is a plethora of recent 

scientific data that shows 

how there is a significant 

decline in hormones, 

particularly testosterone in 

both men and women that 

begins far earlier than most 

people realize. This decline 

manifests as fatigue, sleep 

disturbance, decreased libido 

and many other issues. We 

have a comprehensive 

program for cisgender men 

and women for management 

of hormones with 

subcutaneous pellet therapy. 

We are exploring the options 

for transgender care with 

hormone pellet therapy for 

the future. 

Transgender hormone 

therapy: There are a 

relatively small number of 

medical offices that are 

skilled and experienced in 

providing transgender care. 

We take our commitment to 

this community very seriously 

and will work with you to 

help you find a treatment 

regimen that works 

effectively. We will also help 

to provide resources for 

other services, such as 

surgical management and 

logistical & legal issues. 

Fertility services: We provide 

initial fertility evaluation and 

management for basic 

assessment. We can help 

coordinate insemination, 

preferably with donor sperm 

from a bank, and we can 

provide referrals to an 

infertility specialist when 

needed for more complex 

care. 

Aesthetic services: We 

recognize that it is important 

to feel good both inside and 

out. We have a licensed 

aesthetician that is skilled in 

treatments with Botox, filler 

and PRP treatments. 

Medicine is always changing 

and the technology is complex. 

But, what I have learned, 

through over 20 years of 

practice, is that what matters 

most is compassionate, 

personalized care. I have 

assembled an incredible team 

and we all take this philosophy 

to heart. We look forward to 

meeting you and I look forward 

to sharing more in depth 

healthcare topics in the months 

to come! 


food+drink 

TEP GUMBO CONTEST 

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16 | 4:30 - 7 PM | PIPKIN BLDG ON THE FAIRGROUNDS 

TEP’s annual Mardi Gras gumbo 

competition draws large crowds 

who support the LGBTQ 

community of the Mid-South and 

draws many public and elected 

officials. But what does your 

ticket get you, besides delicious 

gumbo? TEP President Chris 

Sanders tells us the top 5 things 

TEP was able to do in the last 

year because of YOUR appetite 

for gumbo. 

by Chris Sanders, TEP Executive Director 

# 

1 

OFFICIALLY 

CLARIFIED THAT TN 

HATE CRIME LAWS 

COVER TRANS PERSONS 

In 2018, TEP noticed an opportunity to 

get Tennessee’s hate crimes law officially 

declared ‘trans-inclusive.’ TEP reached out 

to Rep. Mike Stewart to see if together, 

they could formulate the right question to 

the Attorney General. The answer came in 

February 2019 when the AG opined that 

Tennessee hate crimes laws include hate 

crimes against transgender people. 

Tennessee is the first state in the 

# 

2 

South with a fully inclusive 

hate crimes law! 

SLOWED DOWN 

THE SLATE OF HATE 

AGENDA IN THE 

TN LEGISLATURE 

By working with national and state 

partners, extensive media work, and 

professional and citizen lobbying, 

TEP slowed down, stopped, or got 

the anti-LGBTQ bills amended this 

year. Many will be back in 2020, 

so TEP will have to 

keep fighting. 

# 4 

#3 

# 

5 

CLEARED 

THE SLATE OF HATE 

— WITH HELP FROM 

TAYLOR SWIFT 

TEP had received great media 

coverage of its growing list of 

Tennessee faith leaders opposing 

the Slate of Hate in the Legislature. 

Taylor Swift took notice and gave 

us a big publicity boost. She made 

a generous contribution to support 

TEP’s work. Her support made it 

easier for major corporations 

to take a stand against 

the bills. 

GARNERED 

THE TENNESSEE 

TITANS’ SUPPORT 

ON NATIONAL 

COMING OUT DAY 

As National Coming Out Day was 

approaching, TEP asked the Tennessee 

Titans if their organization might do a 

short video of support. They did, and 

‘Outsports’ reported that they were the 

only team in the NFL to 

acknowledge this important day 

for the LGBTQ community. 

BUILT THE 

STATEWIDE TEP 

NETWORK 

TEP started a new TEP committee 

in Northwest Tennessee based 

in Martin, and TEP pushed more 

resources into Memphis, Knoxville, 

Morristown, Murfreesboro, 

Athens, Johnson City, and 

Sevierville. Regional expansion 

equips TEP to fight harder in the 

Legislature. 


lgbt youth 

LONG LIVE 

THE QUEEN 

by Kevin Shaw | photos by Greg Campbell 

Page 20 / focusmidsouth.com / JAN+FEB 2020 / SELF CARE

Allen says he tries to be as 

involved as possible in school 

activities. That includes being 

a wrestler, flag twirler in the 

band as well as a majorette. 

Times have definitely 

changed. When I was in high 

school, a boy didn’t dare admit 

he was gay, much less openly 

flaunt it near the school’s 

intimidating football players on 

their very own football field. 

That would be crazy! Wearing 

a formal evening gown on 

homecoming night and daring 

people to ridicule him would 

be perhaps the most insane 

thing a young man could do. 

But that was then. Now? As 

White Station High School’s 

Brandon Allen recently 

discovered, not only is it 

perhaps one of the coolest 

things you can do, it gets you 

accolades from every major 

publication in the world and 

even a phone call from the 

producers of a little TV show 

called Ellen. 

When Brandon Allen 

switched to White Station High 

School a couple of years ago, 

it never even occurred to him 

that he couldn’t one day be a 

candidate for his school’s title 

of Homecoming Queen. For 

two years, he signed up to be 

in the running only to be left 

out after being told by all his 

friends that ‘boys couldn’t sign 

up.’ According to them, it just 

wasn’t an option for him. 

Brandon’s mind didn’t 

compute. “What do you mean 

guys can’t sign up for it?” 

Just before his senior year 

though, Brandon was willing to 

take his request all the way to 

the board of education until he 

decided to send the school’s 

newest principal (Carrye 

Holland) a final plea for 

consideration. Her reply? “Of 

course, you can be can be a 

part of this!” Although 

Brandon says he signed up 

because he’s always felt like a 

queen (so he wanted to run for 

the title of ‘Queen’), he agreed 

with the principal’s decision to 

change the title (now that it 

was open to all genders) to 

“Homecoming Royalty.” 

Up against 15 others, all girls, 

Brandon had no idea that he 

would garner the majority of 

his classmates’ votes and 

receive the crown until it was 

announced on homecoming 

night. Brandon made the 

decision weeks earlier that he 

was going to wear his very first 

dress to the event in an effort 

to make an impression. 

According to Allen, “I wasn’t 

expecting to win, but I did 

know that at least I was going 

to leave leaving a mark!” 

Surprisingly (or perhaps not 

surprisingly now that it’s 2019) 

none of Allen’s classmates or 

people in the community gave 

him any push back about his 

decision. His mother was his 

escort and her job was to 

make sure he looked good — 

“You can’t let your child go on 

that field looking like a hot 

mess!” It took some time for 

Allen to figure out which dress 

was going to fit him perfectly. 

“You can’t just be throwing on 

any old dress — you have to 

incorporate the booty, chest 

and waist. My best feature is 

my booty, but I was a queen on 

a budget!” 

After high school, Allen 

plans on auditioning for 

American Idol and then 

America’s Got Talent. He’s not 

sure if he’ll wear a dress, but 

he’ll definitely be wearing his 

daily staple — high heels! Allen 

says he didn’t do any of this to 

“start a movement.” “Don’t let 

anybody say you can’t do what 

you want to do. I don’t live my 

life to make a movement, but if 

it makes a movement, that’s 

okay too, and it looks like I 

might have started a 

movement!” 

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LEARN HOW 

TO ASSESS A 

MENTAL HEALTH 

CRISIS 

by Tricia Dewey and Joan Allison 

photo by Cindy McMillion 

Many demands, both 

large and small, can create 

stress during the rush of the 

holidays–end of semester tests, 

work deadlines, and seasonal 

gatherings with too much food, 

drink, and family. But actually, 

according to the Center for 

Disease Control, December 

has the lowest monthly suicide 

rate of the year. So while it is 

important to discuss mental 

health needs and advocate 

for additional support around 

the holidays, suicide rates 

actually peak in the spring and 

fall indicating that year-round 

mental health care is essential. 

Mental health problems 

are common in the United 

States. According to the 

National Alliance on Mental 

Illness (NAMI) 1 in 5 adults 

and 1 in 6 youth aged 6 to 17 

experience mental illness each 

year. Suicide is the second 

leading cause of death among 

people aged 10 to 34, while 

lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth 

are four times more likely to 

attempt suicide than straight 

youth. The overall suicide 

rate in the United States has 

increased by 31 percent since 

2001 and mood disorders are 

the most common cause of 

hospitalization for all people in 

the United States under age 45 

(after pregnancy and birth). 

These are grim statistics but 

there is reason for cautious 

optimism due to organizations 

that work to address mental 

health problems. Mental Health 

First Aid (MHFA) Training 

is a curriculum for teaching 

friends, family, and others how 

to respond to mental health 

emergencies such as suicide 

or longer-term problems 

such as alcoholism or mood 

disorder. MHFA was created 

in 2001 by Betty Kitchener, 

a nurse specializing in health 

education, and Anthony 

Jorm, a mental health literacy 

professor. Kitchener and Jorm 

run Mental Health First Aid 

Australia, a national non-profit 

health promotion charity 

focused on training and 

research. 

According to the research, 

safety is essential, so calling 

911 as in any emergency or the 

National Suicide Prevention 

Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK is 

critical in certain situations. 

Just as many learn the basics 

of medical first aid, the training 

teaches people how to offer 

initial support until appropriate 

professional help is received 

or until the crisis resolves. 

The MHFA format provides a 

first aid action plan known by 

the acronym ALGEE: Assess 

the risk of harm; Listen nonjudgmentally; 

Give reassurance 

and information; Encourage 

appropriate professional help; 

and Encourage self-help and 

other support strategies. 

Locally, the Church Health 

Center hosts MHFA trainings 

free of charge at least once a 

month at their offices. You can 

find upcoming classes on their 

website at churchhealth.org. 

Youth Villages is another 

local resource that also 

operates in 20 states and 

helps more than 30,000 

youth and families each year. 

It offers a variety of program 

services to youth experiencing 

emotional, mental, and 

behavioral problems, including 

residential treatment, intensive 

in-home treatment, life skills 

Lauren Hales, Faith Community Outreach Coordinator, present 

Mental Health First Aid training. The training guide was 

developed in Australia and later adapted for U.S. audiences. 

for youth over 18 (LifeSet), 

foster care and adoption, and 

specialized crisis services and 

crisis support. Dr. Lindsay 

Pate, licensed psychologist 

and clinical services program 

manager at Youth Villages, 

says there are some suicide 

prevention actions to take that 

are just good health practices 

that can benefit everyone. 

These include following healthy 

sleep patterns and getting 

adequate exercise even when 

it’s cold outside. And then 

obviously, something that may 

be harder to do around the 

holidays, maintaining a healthy 

diet. All of these behaviors 

can have positive impacts 

on the brain. There are other 

good behavioral and medial 

treatments that can provide 

relief and lead to wellness. 

What about more serious 

depression? “One of the things 

we commonly misinterpret at 

least for young people,” Dr. 

Pate notes, “is it’s not always 

the persistent sadness we 

think of as adult depression.” 

Instead kids may be more 

irritable and inattentive, or 

unable to stay on task at home 

or at school. One action that 

can be really helpful for kids 

as well as adults around them 

is to start a dialogue about 

depression to make sure your 

young person has a safe place 

to express emotions. “Talking 

about depression, especially 

talking about suicide” she says, 

“…can actually be a proactive 

factor. A lot of caregivers 

might be hesitant to bring up 

that topic but actually putting 

it out on the table gives kids 

the opportunity to express 

concerns, to let you know 

what’s going on with them, and 

opens up the door for safety 

planning.” 

There is hope in how 

young people are tackling 

the challenges of living with 

mental illness like depression 

and anxiety. They are generally 

more open to the idea of 

considering mental health just 

a part of their overall health, Dr. 

Pate said. Dr. Pate recommends 

that during the holiday season 

and year-round, we find a way 

to reach out and connect. 

“Figure out things that bring 

you joy,” Pate says. “Caring for 

others can have a very positive 

effect on one’s own mental 

health.” 


If you find someone considering suicide, you may 

wonder if it’s a true 911-level crisis. Follow step 

one of the ‘ALGEE’ protocol to help guide you 

(From mentalhealthfirstaid.org): 

1. ASSESS for risk of suicide or harm: The best way 

to find out if someone is considering suicide and 

determining the urgency of the situation is to ask 

them: 

Are you having thoughts of suicide? 

Do you have a plan to kill yourself? 

Have you decided when you’d do it? 

Do you have everything you need to carry 

out your plan? 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Some people believe that 

mentioning suicide might cause someone to 

consider suicide for the first time. This is not true, 

so do not be afraid of this outcome. You’re much 

more likely to help someone feel less alone if they 

were considering it. 

If they have a plan and are ready to carry out 

that plan, call 911 immediately. How you respond 

to other answers will depend on the situation, but 

always call 911 if you’re unsure. It’s better to be safe 

than for someone to lose their life. 

Additionally, not having a plan doesn’t mean 

they’re not in danger. All thoughts of suicide must 

be treated seriously. 

If you think the person is in danger, you need to 

keep the person safe. Stay with them for as long 

as you can, because an actively suicidal person 

SHOULD NOT be left alone. If you can’t stay, find 

someone who can until help arrives. 

If you determine the person is having suicidal 

thoughts but there’s no immediate danger, engage 

in conversation with them if possible. 

SUICIDE PREVENTION RESOURCES 

If You Know Someone in Crisis 

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 

(Lifeline) at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or text the 

Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741). Both 

services are free and available 24 hours a day, 

seven days a week. The deaf and hard of hearing 

can contact the Lifeline via TTY at 1-800-799-4889. 

All calls are confidential. Contact social media 

outlets directly if you are concerned about a 

friend’s social media updates or dial 911 in an 

emergency. Learn more on the Lifeline’s website or 

the Crisis Text Line’s website. 

The Veterans Crisis Line connects Service 

members and Veterans in crisis, as well as their 

family members and friends, with qualified, caring 

Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) responders 

through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, 

or text messaging service. Dial 1-800-273-8255 and 

Press 1 to talk to someone or send a text message 

to 838255 to connect with a VA responder. You 

can also start a confidential online chat session 

at veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat. 

For LGBTQ youth in crisis, call the National Trevor 

Project Crisis Line for LGBTQ youth 1-866-488- 

7386, and visit theTrevorProject.org. 

CLIP AND KEEP 

5 

Action 

Steps for Helping 

Someone in Emotional Pain 

In 2017, suicide claimed the lives of more than 47,000 

people in the United States, according to the Centers 

for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Suicide 

affects people of all ages, genders, races, and ethnicities. 

Suicide is complicated and tragic, but it can be 

preventable. Knowing the warning signs for suicide 

and how to get help can help save lives. 

Here are 5 steps you can take to #BeThe1To 

help someone in emotional pain: 

1. ASK: 

“Are you thinking about killing yourself?” It’s not an easy 

question but studies show that asking at-risk individuals if they 

are suicidal does not increase suicides or suicidal thoughts. 

2. KEEP THEM SAFE: 

Reducing a suicidal person’s access to highly lethal items or 

places is an important part of suicide prevention. While this is 

not always easy, asking if the at-risk person has a plan and 

removing or disabling the lethal means can make a difference. 

3. BE THERE: 

Listen carefully and learn what the individual is thinking and 

feeling. Research suggests acknowledging and talking about 

suicide may in fact reduce rather than increase suicidal thoughts. 

4. HELP THEM CONNECT: 

Save the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s number in your 

phone so it’s there when you need it: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). 

You can also help make a connection with a trusted individual 

like a family member, friend, spiritual advisor, or mental 

health professional. 

5. STAY CONNECTED: 

Staying in touch after a crisis or after being discharged from 

care can make a difference. Studies have shown the number of 

suicide deaths goes down when someone follows up with the 

at-risk person. 

For more information on suicide prevention: 

www.nimh.nih.gov/suicideprevention 

www.bethe1to.com 

National Institute 

of Mental Health 

NIMH Identifier No. OM 18-4315 

Revised 2019 


lgbt youth 

NEWLY OUT YOUTH? 

LEARN THESE SELF 

CARE HABITS 

Coming out and learning more about yourself can sometimes 

feel like a roller coaster — full of emotional ups and downs. 

Coming up with some go-to self-care ideas can be a helpful way 

to make your mental and physical health a priority. Sometimes 

we all need a little extra self-care when times are tough. 

HERE ARE SOME IDEAS FOR A SELF CARE PLAN: 

1. Call, text, or chat with a friend for support 

2. Talk to a supportive person in your life if you’re feeling 

sad or unsafe 

3. Identify safe places you can go to get away from a 

stressful situation 

4. Connect with a trained counselor via TrevorLifeline, 

TrevorText, or TrevorChat 

5. Log on to TrevorSpace.org to connect with other LGBTQ 

young people 

6. Focus on your interests: Do something you enjoy. Write 

your thoughts out in a journal or create an art project to 

express your feelings 

7. Connect with your body: Take deep breaths. Take a 

shower or bath. Some people find movement like yoga, 

walking, or running helpful. You know your body best and 

what feels good for you 

8. Put on headphones and listen to your favorite music 

9. Watch your favorite TV show and relax 

10. Remind yourself that you are a valuable person exactly as 

you are 

When I’m having a hard time, what do I do to cope? 

What helps me stay healthy, relaxed and positive? 

Who could I call, text, or chat with if I need support? 

What are my favorite things to do? 

What are my goals for the future? 

What are some self-care activities I want to try out? 

CHECKING IN ON YOUR MENTAL HEALTH– 

WARNING SIGNS 

Feeling sad or alone can be overwhelming, especially if 

people in your life are unsupportive. While these feelings 

are completely normal, it’s important to keep an eye out for 

warning signs of larger mental health struggles. You are not 

alone and asking for help is a sign of strength. 

Have You Felt...? 

Unimportant, Alone 

Trapped and/or Hopeless 

Overwhelmed and/or Unmotivated 

Angry and/or Irritable, Impulsive 

Suicidal 

Have You Been...? 

Using drugs or alcohol more than usual 

Acting differently than usual 

Giving away your most valuable possessions 

Losing interest in your favorite things to do 

Planning for death by writing a will or letter 

Eating or sleeping more or less than usual 

Feeling more sick, tired, or achy than usual 

Do You...? 

Not care about the future 

Put yourself down (and think you deserve it) 

Plan to say goodbye to important people 

Have a specific plan for suicide 

If you answered yes to any/several of these questions, you can 

reach out to a trained crisis counselor for support by calling 

TrevorLifeline (866.488.7386), texting “START” to 678678 for 

TrevorText, or by visiting TrevorChat.org — we’re here for you 

24/7. You are not alone. 

Page 24 / focusmidsouth.com / JAN+FEB 2020 / Self Care 

SUPPORT FOR 

LGBTQ+ YOUTH 

AND FAMILIES 

Family Acceptance Project (research, intervention, 

education and policy initiative that works to prevent 

health and mental health risks for LGBTQ children and 

youth: familyproject.sfsu.edu 

Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network 

Organization working to create safe and affirming 

schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender 

identity, or gender expression: GLSEN.org 

Gender Spectrum Organization working to help 

create gender sensitive and inclusive environments for 

all children and teens: genderspectrum.org 

GLBT Near Me Database of LGBTQ resources, offers a 

national hotline and a youth talkline: glbtnearme.org 

GSA Network Trans and queer youth uniting for racial 

and gender justice: gsanetwork.org 

HelpPRO National search for social workers, mental 

health counselors, and psychologists, with the ability 

to search for providers who serve specifically LGBTQ 

populations: helppro.com 

Human Rights Campaign Largest civil rights 

organization working to achieve equality for LGBTQ 

Americans: hrc.org 

It Gets Better Project Creating media sharing stories 

around the resilience of LGBTQ people across the 

globe: itgetsbetter.org 

Lambda Legal American civil rights organization 

focusing on equality for LGBTQ people: lambdalegal. 

org 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline National 

network of local crisis centers that provide free 

and confidential emotional support to people 

in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24/7: 

suicidepreventionlifeline.org, 800.273.8255 

Scarleteen Inclusive, comprehensive, supportive 

sexuality and relationships info for teens and 

emerging adults: scarleteen.com 

TransLifeLine Peer support hotline run by and for 

trans people, providing micro-grants around legal 

name changes or updating IDs: TransLifeLine.org, 

877.565.8860 

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays 

(nation’s largest family + ally organization): PFLAG.org 

The Institute for Welcoming Resources International 

organization working to make churches become 

welcoming and affirming spaces for all congregants 

regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity: 

welcomingresources.org 

Trans Youth Family Allies Partnering with educators, 

service providers and communities, to develop 

supportive environments in which gender may be 

expressed and respected: imatyfa.org 

This information was excerpted from “Coming Out: A Handbook for LGBTQ Young People” on TheTrevorProject.org

It’s our differences 

that make us great. 

Kathy Thurmond-Edwards, Agent 

680 West Brookhaven Circle 


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www.teamkte.com 

No matter what you value, We’re 

here to help protect it with 

respect and professionalism. 

Here to help life go right. ® 

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community 

BLACK 

MASCULINITY 

AND THE BLACK COMMUNITY 

story by, and photos courtesy of, Joy Doss 


These are some of my friends. Are they gay, straight or metro? Can’t judge a book.... 

There’s a war being waged. 

Apparently, it’s against black 

masculinity??? Now, as a 

woman who both loves looking 

at men and is considered an 

ally under the rainbow, I have 

some questions and concerns 

about this assertion. Pharrell’s 

November GQ magazine cover 

was squarely in the bullseye. 

Folks went off the rails 

because he basically had on a 

floor length dress. Then there’s 

Billy Porter giving you LEWKS, 

shutting the red carpet DOWN! 

But lawd-a-mercy black men in 

particular were BIG MAD. 

There has been talk about 

the “gay agenda” for a few 

years now. But I have yet to see 

or hear any cogent argument, 

or even a bulleted list, 

explaining what this means 

exactly. Team LGBT is 

recruiting and inviting 

everyone to come live under 

the rainbow? They’re “making” 

our kids gay? Because a man 

wore a dress? Because of trans 

people? Because a boy does 

ballet? Remember when 

straight men were deathly 

afraid to wear pink? And 

everybody talked about the 

“gay ear”? A piercing in the 

left meant gay, right ear meant 

straight and both ears meant 

bi. This was an actual 

conversation people had and it 

sounds absolutely ludicrous 

today. Same logic applies. 

Wearing pink and what ear you 

pierce is no more an indicator 

of your sexuality or manhood 

than any other way you choose 

to adorn yourself. I LOVE what 

the gay husband calls “lesbian 

boots.” But that doesn’t make 

me a lesbian. Or even a 

tomboy. No matter what I 

wear, I’m still a girly girl 

because I’m a girly girl on the 

inside. It wasn’t conditioning. It 

wasn’t environmental or 

external influences. It just was 

and is. 

It isn’t just Pharrell and Billy 

Porter who’re crimping gender 

and sexual norms. R&B singer 

Tank recently got knocked 

about by Black Twitter for 

asserting that a man receiving 

oral sex from a man doesn’t 

make him gay. (Ummm...I 

guess??) Westbrook -- very 

questionable church auntie 

fashions but he’s hetero. D. 

Wade, same. For me it’s trash 

fashion not a statement on 

sexuality. As our friend Matt 

says, “Not in that blouse 

hunny!” 

I don’t mind flamboyance as 

entertainment and at a 

distance -- gay, straight or 

otherwise. No shade 

whatsoever. I’m just a low-key 

person. No, I am not going on a 

date with a dandy, not even 

Andre 3000! (That’s a lie 

actually. He’s the exception) I 

don’t even subscribe 100% to 

the hyper-masculinity model. 

I’ve no taste for performative 

posturing, so it makes sense 

that my gay male friends are 

mostly dudes who present as 

“straight” or heteronormative 

if you will. 

I am in my 40s so I believe 

that for the most part that my 

age group is firmly in the 

middle as it relates to all of this 

specificity. We’re mostly 

floating somewhere between, 

“Hunh?” and “If you like it, I 

love it.” However, I will admit 

to feeling at times lost in the 

jumble of identity word salad. 

Most of my friends (again 

gay, straight, other) have a 

neutral disposition about 

masculinity/femininity, sexual/ 

gender identity. We aren’t 

really having conversations 

about what our pronoun is, 

fluidity, gender binary/ 

non-binary or how we identify 

-- all new concepts to us. No 

need to drill it down to the 

teeniest atomic particle. Now, I 

don’t know about anyone 

else’s friend circle. 

So, I consulted the gay boos. 

Friend #1 is 49 -- a gay black 

man who was in relationships 

primarily with women through 

college. He says they are 

having the conversation but 

historically side-eyed folks 

who claimed to be bisexual. 

Basically, just be gay already! 

He says, “For many in my 

generation, especially black 

men, there is little 

understanding as to how a man 

or woman is able to progress 

socially and professionally with 

such extreme appearances and 

behaviors. We’ve seen men 

disregarded simply because 

they were gay. Personally, I live 

by the idea that it’s your body, 

do what you wanna do.” 

My other friend, a gay black 

man in his early 50s, admits 

that there’s definitely a 

generational disconnect. His 

circle is confused by the 

conversation around identity. 

They stick to the identity 

basics - gay, bisexual or 

straight. Of his crew he says, 

“Like minds tend to stick 

together. Conservative or 

‘straight acting’ men clique.” 

He goes on to say that 

Memphis is not the best place 

to be gay or multi-hyphenate, 

yet he is optimistic that the 

city will embrace the LGBT 

community as he has seen a lot 

of progress. 

Courtney Robertson, 32, 

identifies as a cisgender gay 

man. He says that these 

conversations have always 

existed but have been 

expanded now that the 

conversation is more 

forthcoming and candid. 

However, as I suspected, 

they’re happening with more 

frequency and depth among 

our younger peers. Being in 

the South is certainly a factor 

as we are largely and by 

comparison still tiptoeing 

around taboos and tight 

boundaries. 

He explains, “There are, 

unfortunately, major 

disconnects across generations 

when it comes to discussions 

around sexuality, gender, etc… 

[There is] a general lack of 

understanding...a fear of the 

unknown about things that 

challenge established beliefs 

and values.” 

On identity: “Honestly, I 

stopped trying to fit into a 

definition and stopped giving a 

fuck about what people 

thought about me. I actively 

started enjoying what I enjoy, 

doing what I do, and being 

who I am without thinking 

about how it would be 

received or categorized.” 

On labels: “Labels simplify 

things or provide language to 

build awareness, but it can 

make people feel constrained 

or boxed in. My approach is to 

use them as they make sense; 

the most important one is 

human being.” 

Don’t get me wrong. There is 

so much freedom in being able 

to define yourself for yourself, 

as both an individual and as a 

collective. Either way, black 

masculinity ain’t going 

nowhere. No TV character, IRL 

character or clothing choice 

can change who you are 

inherently. Normalizing our 

differences is not 

indoctrination but rather 

providing the space and 

permission for folks to just be. 



THE CORNER 

Clinic provides HIV prevention meds 

PrEP and PEP 

for everyone — fast and free 

story by Diane Duke and Robin Beaudoin 

photos courtesy of The Corner 


On November 4th, Friends For 

Life opened a clinic in the Cooper 

Young District that provides 

same-day PrEP and PEP at no 

charge regardless of insurance 

status. The Corner, which 

presents like a gallery more than 

a clinic, is the first of its kind in 

the Mid-South. With Memphis’ 

ranking of number 8 in the nation 

for new HIV diagnoses, the clinic 

will afford people a critical, free 

outlet for testing and prevention 

of HIV. 

Eric Paul Leue, Director of 

Prevention for Friends for Life, 

notes the previous lack of access 

in our city. “Access to PrEP and 

PEP was extremely limited in the 

Mid-South due to cost. Another 

barrier to access is lack of 

awareness and understanding 

about PrEP and misguided 

perceptions about its users. PrEP 

is for everyone, regardless of 

gender, race, orientation, or 

socioeconomic status- and with 

us, it’s free.” PrEP, or preexposure 

prophylaxis, is a daily 

pill that prevents the contraction 

of HIV. PEP, or post-exposure 

prophylaxis, protects those who 

may have been exposed to HIV 

with a regiment started within 72 

hours of exposure. Both are 

proven to be in the upper 90th 

percentile of effectiveness in 

preventing HIV. 

In the development of The 

Corner, Friends for Life has 

created a sex-positive, nonjudgmental 

place that is 

welcoming and shame free. The 

comfortable gallery setting will 

host and display the work of 

minority and LGBTQ+ artists in 

rotating shows. Retail showcases 

highlight queer and minority 

artists who can show their work 

without paying a commission. 

Clients are greeted by 

receptionists as soon as they 

walk through the door and 

escorted to a second reception 

area where they are offered a hot 

beverage. They are given a 

tablet to fill out information 

electronically or they can let the 

PrEP/PEP Health Coach 

complete the information for 

them later in the appointment. 

Clients then meet with a PrEP/ 

PEP Health Coach who will talk to 

them more about the medication 

and assist them in determining if 

PrEP and PEP is the right choice 

for them. They are then tested 

for HIV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, 

Syphilis and Hep B and C at no 

cost. Finally, they meet with the 

on-site pharmacist who will 

answer any other questions they 

may have and prescribe and 

dispense the medication right 

then and there. Because The 

Corner has an onsite pharmacy, 

clients can choose to pick up 

their medication there or have it 

mailed to their home, offering 

more privacy than a visit to a 

typical pharmacy. “The whole 

process takes 45 minutes to an 

hour,” says Leue. “You walk 

through our door and an hour 

later you walk out with pills in 

hand. We want The Corner to 

redefine customer service in 

Public Health.” 

The Corner is located at 806 

Cooper, at the corner of Elzey, 

and is open Saturday-Tuesday 

12-8PM and Friday 8am - 3pm. 

PEP is available and the 

pharmacy is open seven days a 

week. Appointments are 

available and walk-ins are 

welcome. 


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travel 

FUN IN THE SUN AWAITS 

LGBTQ TRAVELERS IN 

PUERTO 

VALLARTA 

story and photos courtesy of NEMA News Network 

Having been recognized as 

having some of the best “gay 

beaches” in the world, Puerto 

Vallarta opens her arms to 

LGBTQ travelers as one of the 

most welcoming destinations 

on Mexico’s Pacific Coast. 

If travelers have not 

considered a vacation to 

Puerto Vallarta and its worldfamous 

beaches before, this 

winter might just be a perfect 

time. 

Puerto Vallarta is a jewel of a 

historical city cradled between 

the Bay of Banderas and the 

Sierra Madre Occidental 

mountains. A combination of 

colonial Mexican charm and 

barefoot beach escapes, 

Puerto Vallarta is one of the 

best destinations in Mexico for 

visitors who truly want to 

“have it all” on vacation. 

From the beaches in the 

Hotel Zone to downtown, the 

Zona Romantica (which some 

refer to as the Gayborhood) 

and beyond, there is no 

shortage of fantastic coastal 

access in Puerto Vallarta for 

the perfect beach holiday. 

In the Hotel Zone, visitors 

will find side-by-side beaches 

that stretch along the allinclusive 

properties, ideal for 

taking picture-perfect 

sunbaths, enjoying an 

afternoon cocktail or taking a 

sunset selfie. 

Puerto Vallarta is the only 

destination in Mexico where 

the historical colonial city 

center meets the sea. The 

bohemian Zona Romantica 

offers some of the most 

beautiful beaches in the city. 

Playa Los Muertos — lined by 

beach clubs, bars, and 

restaurants — is always 

happening. By day, the beach 

is alive with activity, day 

parties and boat trips 

departing from iconic Los 

Muertos Pier. By night, a visit 

to this section of town 

immerses visitors in Puerto 

Vallarta’s eclectic gastronomic 

scene and high-energy, 

electric nightlife. 

Puerto Vallarta is the most 

popular gay beach destination 

in Mexico and its LGBTQ 

popularity continues to grow. 

If you want to hang at the gay 

beach (just south of the 

famous Playa Los Muertos 

Pier), you can check-in at one 


of the exclusive LGBT Beach 

clubs that front the gay beach 

area, or just lay a towel on the 

sand for free. Blue Chairs, 

Sapphire Ocean Club, Ritmos 

Beach Club (often referred to 

as ‘green chairs’), and 

Mantamar Beach Club, a 

favorite of actress Zendaya, all 

offer drink, food and chair 

options for LGBTQ beach 

goers. 

The Gayborhood (Zona 

Romantica) in Puerto Vallarta 

comes together at the 

intersection of Lazaro 

Cardenas and Ignacio L. 

Vallarta. Multiple gay bars and 

nightclubs are in a block radius 

of that crossing. Try the 

Vallarta Gay Bar Hopping Tour 

for an easy lay of the land. Two 

new upscale gay nightclubs 

opened just this past year, 

Code, and Industry, which bills 

itself as Puerto Vallarta’s 

largest gay nightclub. Industry 

is next to what may be the 

city’s second-largest gay 

nightclub, CC Slaughters. Mr. 

Flamingos and La Margarita 

Bar are smaller but popular 

bars in the area and La Noche’s 

private atmosphere made it 

Tamar Braxton’s spot to go 

while she was in town filming 

Braxton Family Values. Reinas, 

which means Queens, is 

devoted to all things royal as 

you will see from the decor. 

The newer Ella Bar, gives you 

“Divas” throughout the 

decades from Ella Fitzgerald 

and Barbara Streisand to 

Whitney Houston and Mariah 

Carey, along with delicious 

tapas. 

Puerto Vallarta also has its 

share of great LGBTQ hotels, 

including Hotel Mercurio, Casa 

Cupula, and Pinata PV, all of 

which are gay-owned. The 

hotels are all within easy 

walking distance to the gay 

beach. Two other hotels are 

right at the gay beach — Blue 

Chairs, which sits on the gay 

beach, and Mantamar Beach 

Club, part of Almar Resort 

right up the hill. Top Sky Bar 

on (surprise) the top floor of 

Almar has views as incredible 

as their food and creative 

drinks. Their house talent, 

Sassy Queens, is top notch 

entertainment. 

Moving south from Zona 

Romantica, travelers will 

discover more of Puerto 

Vallarta’s “hidden” beaches, 

frequented mostly by locals or 

travelers in the know. Playa Las 

Gemelas, or “The Twins 

Beach,” is a pair of small 

beaches just a few miles from 

downtown. These quiet, 

off-the-radar strands are 

known for turquoise waters, 

gentle waves and crisp, white 

sand — the latter a rarity in 

Puerto Vallarta, renowned for 

the warm golden sands of 

most of its beaches. The 

gay-friendly Costa Sur Resort 

and Spa provides great access 

to these beaches. 

Los Muertos Pier 

Another picture-postcard 

beach on the south side of the 

city is Conchas Chinas, also 

heralded for its turquoise 

water and sugary sand. 

Visitors love this beach for the 

rock formations that create fun 

pools of water. This is a very 

glamorous part of town, so be 

on the lookout for the 

gorgeous mansions up in the 

hills, or A-list weddings down 

on the shore front. 

Model Tess Holiday fell in 

love with Conchas Chinas and 

made it the location for her 

cover shoot with Nylon 

magazine this year, completely 

worth the extra effort. 

Pamper yourself and rent a 

private yacht to enjoy a day on 

the Bay of Banderas and 

access some of Puerto 

Vallarta’s most secluded 

beaches. The most popular is 

Playa Las Animas, a remote 

stretch of sand that’s one of 

the most famous in all of 

southern Puerto Vallarta — and 

entirely worth a day trip. It’s 

packed with restaurants and 

bars perfect for spending the 

day lounging underneath the 

palm fronds of a traditional 

palapa shelter, frosty margarita 

firmly in hand. Visitors can rent 

paddleboards, take banana 

boat rides, snorkel or simply 

relax on one of the many 

lounge chairs that line the 

shore. 

Las Animas can be the 

starting point from which to 

explore some other hidden 

beaches, such as El Caballo 

Beach — a hidden oasis of 

calm, clear water and bleached 

sand with just a single 

bungalow-style hotel and 

beach restaurant/bar. Another 

such hideaway is Colomitos 

Beach, a small strand fringed 

in the greens and blues of the 

jungle-covered mountains 

above it and the rolling waves 

gently lapping against its 

sands. 

One stop farther lies the 

private paradise cove of 

Yelapa, where attraction and 

activities include not only the 

fantastic beach but jungle 

hikes to a stunning nearby 

waterfall. This safe, beautiful 

walk to the falls takes about 30 

to 40 minutes and ends at a 

refreshing natural pool perfect 

for a refreshing dip. While 

Yelapa makes for a wonderful 

day trip, those looking for a 

wellness retreat should 

consider the Xinalani or stay 

the night at the gay-owned 

Casa Pericos and enjoy the 

area’s other attractions 

including Rolling Stone 

magazine’s favorite Los Chicos 

Beach Club. 

Another way to access the 

distant beaches is to take one 

of the many LGBTQ boat tours 

available. 

Diana’s Tours, run by Diana 

DeCosta, a Canadian expat 

lesbian, boat excursion is an 

LGBTQ favorite. The tour runs 

every Thursday and includes a 

continental breakfast and stop 

for a beach front lunch. The 

first stop is at Puerto Vallarta’s 

famed Los Arcos — giant rocks 

with hollow swim-through 

passages. Diana’s Thursday 

tours are made up mostly of 

gay men but are also straightfriendly. 

The Wet and Wild tour is 

marketed to gay men, and, as 

the name implies, is a sexuallycharged 

version of Diana’s 

cruise. 

Jet’s Private Board Tours is 

also a LGBTQ favorite and also 

offers special nude cruises, 

and you can request a gay tour 

guide. 

So, no matter your vibe — 

from peace-and-quiet to 

maximum-party-andadrenaline 

— Puerto Vallarta 

has the gorgeous beach to 

match. There’s no time like the 

present to start discovering 

the beauty of what the 

beaches of Puerto Vallarta 

have to offer. 


calendar 

IT’S A ‘NO-EXCUSES TO GO OUT’ KIND OF 

JAN+FEB 

by Robin Beaudoin and Joan Allison 

January 10 

MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID 

CHURCH HEALTH, 8AM - 5PM 

1350 CONCOURSE, MEMPHIS, TN 38104 

Church Health Behavioral Health is offering this 8-hour 

course. During this training, you will learn a 5-step 

action plan to offer initial help to people demonstrating 

symptoms of a mental illness or a crisis, and you will 

be equipped with the tools to connect them with the 

appropriate professional, peer, social or self-help care. 

Registration required: churchhealth.org/events/healtheducation. 

Info: MHFA@churchhealth.org. 


LGBTQ+: WHAT DO ALL OF THE 

LETTERS MEAN? 

THE HAVEN, 6-8PM 

206 G.E. PATTERSON, MEMPHIS, TN 38103 

Taking a deeper dive into the acronym LGBTQ+ one 

letter at a time. Panel discussion with opportunities to 

ask those burning questions you may have. 

facebook.com/events/593959884761230/?ti=cl 


MARDI GRAS BALL XVII: A NIGHT 

UNDER THE BIG TOP! 

MINGLEWOOD HALL, 7-11PM 

1555 MADISON, MEMPHIS, TN 38104 

Come one, come all, to the Greatest Show in Memphis! 

Recall the excitement of a day at the circus while 

supporting Mystic Krewe of Pegasus Memphis in its 

biggest fundraiser of the year. Delight in acts by circus 

animals and performers alike. Sponsorships and tables 

available. Tickets/sponsorships: brownpapertickets.com 


STREETDOG FOUNDATION 

ADOPTION DAY EVENT 

HOLLYWOOD FEED, 12PM 

434 COLLINS, MEMPHIS, TN 38112 

This event is a great way to meet several of SDF’s 

adoptable dogs and puppies. Volunteers will be available 

to answer questions about the dogs and the adoption 

process. The list of dogs that will be attending will 

be published the morning of the event on Streetdog 

Foundation’s Facebook page. 


SARAH ISOM CENTER AT OLE MISS 

GENDER CONFERENCE 

PROPOSAL DEADLINE 

Students are welcome to submit papers from all 

disciplines, along with creative writing projects such as 

fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Also, proposals for round 

table discussions that center on community building, 

advocacy, and social change both on and off the campus 

through the arts, social media, and student engagement 

with broader communities are encouraged. Full details 

at isomstudentgenderconference.org/cfp. Conference is 

March 18-20 on the Ole Miss campus. 

February 1 

BLUFF CITY FIRE & ICE 

POLAR BEAR PLUNGE & 

CHILI COOK-OFF 

TIGER LANE, 10AM-5PM 

450 EARLY MAXWELL, MEMPHIS, TN 38104 

The only event in town that heats up then cools down? 

The 14th Annual Chili cook-off and 21st annual Polar Bear 

Plunge! Chili divisions are Red Chili, Salsa, and People’s 

Choice. Just $5 gets you a sample from all participating 

teams’ chilis and salsas. Then join hundreds of locals, 

including celebrities, by dressing up and taking a plunge 

into some very cold water! $50 donation gets your 

team entry to the plunge and a t-shirt to take home for 

bragging rights. All proceeds benefit 

Special Olympics of Memphis. 

Enter and info at 

specialolympicsmem.org. 



DRAG BINGO 

DRU’S PLACE, 4-7PM 


Join Mystic Krewe of Pegasus in another afternoon of 

Drag Bingo. Comedy, prizes, and libations unite for the 

perfect end to your weekend. Allysun Wunderland will 

call bingo with flair! Benefits Shelby County Drug Court 

Foundation. $25 to play, 21+. Tickets available at the 

door. 


ROCK FOR LOVE 

GROWLERS, 9PM 

1911 POPLAR, MEMPHIS, TN 38104 

Fundraiser for Love Doesn’t Hurt. Music and 

entertainment by local bands such as Mama Honey, 

Native Blood, Chinese Dub Connection Embassy, and 

others. Proceeds will go to help provide emergency 

services to victims of crime in the LGBTQ+ Community. 

facebook.com/events/478043256162004/?ti=cl 


CELINE DION 

FEDEXFORUM, 7:30PM 

191 BEALE STREET, MEMPHIS, TN 38103 

Tickets: ticketmaster.com or FedExForum Box Office. 


BALLET MEMPHIS WINTER MIX 

BALLET MEMPHIS, 8PM 


Three choreographers Uri Sands, Julie Marie Niekrasz 

and 2019 Ballet Memphis New American Dance Resident, 

Crystal Michelle Perkins, will create original work that 

takes inspiration from people and ideas that live as 

outliers of culture and society. These works will bring 

attention to contributions that are often overlooked by 

collective memory. This engaging and meaningful dance 

performance is not to be missed. 


TEP GUMBO CONTEST 

PIPKIN BUILDING, 4:30- 7PM 

940 EARLY MAXWELL, MEMPHIS, TN 38104 

In its 9th Gumbo Contest, Tennessee Equality Project 

Foundation brings to Memphis its famed Mardi Gras 

themed party, featuring entertainment and festive décor, 

as well as numerous gumbos to taste. All ages. Prizes 

awarded to contestants in several categories, including 

People’s Choice. See page 32 for funding infographic.. 

For details and tickets: brownpapertickets.com 


MISS GAY TENNESSEE US OF A 

DRU’S PLACE, 8:30PM 


2019’s Miss Gay US of A, Kennedy Davenport and Miss 

Gay Tennessee US of A, Iris Lefleur will host a stiff 

competition and crown the winner for 2020. Dazzling 

bejeweled prizes, including $1000 for the first prize, 

will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place entrants. $10 

cover, 21+. Entry and info, email tennessee@usofa.org. 

Have an event to list? Submit it online at events.focusmidsouth.com 


travel 

Original Memphis 

The Legendary Sun Studio 

706 UNION AVENUE, MEMPHIS, TN 38103 

story and photos by Tricia Dewey 

Sun Studio was originally called Memphis Recording Service, sharing the 

same building with the Sun Records label business. Reputedly the first 

rock and roll single, Jackie Brenton and his 

Delta Cats’ “Rocket 88” was recorded here 

in 1951 with song composer Ike Turner on 

keyboards, leading the studio to claim status 

as the birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Stars like Carl 

Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Roy 

Orbison recorded there around that time as did 

Blues and R&B artists like Howlin’ Wolf, B.B. 

King, and Rufus Thomas. More recently, bands 

like U2, Def Leppard, and Bonnie Raitt have laid 

down tracks. The studio operates as a recording 

business after the last tour of each day. 

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Studio 


Blink and one could completely 

miss the angled building at the 

corner of Union and Marshall. It’s 

the one with the giant Gibson guitar 

hanging over the front door. They 

might not realize that inside 706 

Union Avenue is an approximately 

600-square-foot room where rock 

and roll was invented. This 

unassuming place belies the wildly 

creative music that originated here 

beginning in the 1950s. But just a 

visit to Sun Studios can leave you 

full of stories and reminiscences of 

mid-century Memphis. 

Beginning in 1945, 

Sam Phillips, 

originally from 

Florence, Ala., worked 

as a DJ and sound 

engineer for radio 

station WREC, 

recording the weekly 

radio shows from the 

Skyway Ballroom at 

the Peabody where it is 

said that he could hear 

the music from Beale 

Street. He was already 

experimenting with recording, 

moving the microphone closer to 

certain instruments to emphasize 

their sound. He was looking around 

Memphis for a place to open a 

recording studio. He found that 

place in a 1905 building that had 

been a former auto glass garage. 

After he secured the lease on the 

garage, he replaced the tin ceiling 

with acoustic tile and walked around 

the room clapping to hear the exact 

echo from each spot. 

Sam Phillips opened Memphis 

Recording Service on January 3, 

1950. Next to the new recording 

space was Taylor’s Restaurant. The 

restaurant became Phillips’ unofficial 

office. 

In March 1951, he recorded 

“Rocket 88” there, which became 

known as the first rock-and-roll 

record owing to the distortion 

created by Phillips stuffing 

newspaper (or brown paper 

depending on the story!) around an 

amplifier’s damaged cone. In 1952, 

Phillips decided to start his own 

label and named it Sun Records for 

the new sound he was interested in 

recording. As Nina Jones, the 

current Sun Studio operations 

manager says, there were many other 

recording studios in Memphis at the 

time but Sun was the first one to 

record music of a certain type. 

“Essentially what Sam Phillips 

was doing was he was a white man 

recording black music,” Jones said. 

“And nobody else was doing that 

and that’s where the difference was. 

And that was sort of the whole deal 

with Elvis as well…. It was a sound 

that nobody had heard before 

because it was a white kid playing 

black music.” 

Marion Keisker, Phillips’ 

assistant, was at the helm on July 

18, 1953. That’s the day that an 

18-year-old, new high school 

graduate named Elvis Presley, 

walked into the studio to request a 

$4 custom session to record two 

songs. As the story goes, he wanted 

to take home a birthday present for 

Keisker’s office is preserved and on the tour. 

his mother, Gladys. Different people 

tell the rest of the story different 

ways. What seems most likely is that 

with Keisker’s continued 

encouragement, Phillips eventually 

asked Elvis to a return session about 

a year later. 

On July 5, 1954, after several 

hours of recording, Elvis launched 

into the blues song “That’s All Right 

(Mama).” Three days later Dewey 

Phillips played the song on his “Red, 

Hot & Blue” radio show from 

WHBQ studio at the Chisca Hotel. 

The song took off. A few days after 

that, Elvis and his musicians 

recorded Bill Monroe’s “Blue Moon 

of Kentucky” for the B side of 

“That’s All Right.” They used the 

“slapback” echo (layered sound a 

fraction of a second delayed) that 

was to become the distinctive ‘Sun 

sound.’ The rest is history. 

Phillips eventually sold Elvis’ 

contract to RCA on November 21, 

1955, for $35,000, an amount 

Phillips thought would be 

impossible to raise and then used 

the money to boost the careers of 

other Sun artists. The musicians 

recording at Sun during that time 

read like a who’s who of 1950s rock 

and roll, and blues. They were artists 

like BB King, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee 

Lewis, Johnny Cash, Charlie Rich, 

and Roy Orbison. 

In 1959 Sam Phillips ended his 

lease on the Union Avenue studio 

and bought another studio a couple 

blocks away that is still run by his 

children. In 1969 he sold the Sun 

Top, Sun Record Shop is part of the studio tour and showcases 

songs on the Sun label. Below is the Sun Studio’s cafe. 

Records label. Back at 706 Union, 

several renters occupied the space. 

Eventually Graceland, the 

Smithsonian, and Sam Phillips 

helped to restore the studio in the 

late 1980s. During that time, the 

Schorr family, along with a couple 

other investors, realized that this 

place where Elvis and so many 

others recorded might work as a 

tourist attraction. In 1985 Schorr 

took sole ownership, bought the 

former restaurant, connected the 

buildings, and developed an official 

guided tour. Sun Studios is now a 

small, family-run business that 

attracts about 200,000 visitors a 

year, and sells untold amounts of 

merchandise sporting the iconic Sun 

label. Tours run seven days a week. 

At night it returns to an active 

recording studio. Says Jones, “Like 

the original [Sun Records] slogan 

‘we’ll record anything, anywhere, 

anytime,’ we don’t really care who 

you are.” There’s something magical 

about the sounds in this room. Take 

the tour to hear all of the stories 

while standing on this hallowed 

musical ground. 


The 2020 American Advertising Awards 

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22 · 7 PM · SPECTRUM 

AAF Memphis welcomes all who revel in diversity, inclusion and the best creative 

advertising work in the land. Featuring celebrity Mistress of Ceremonies Miss Goldie Dee, 

along with Zoey Adams, Allysun Wunderland and Camille Collins. 

Tickets at creativeisqueen.com.

THE 

WAY 

TO LOSE FAT! 

• Double Chin 

• Backs Of Arms 

• Bra Line Bulge 

• Abdomen 

• Flanks 

• Outer Thighs 

• Inner Thighs 

• Knees 

• Non-Surgical 

• Non-Invasive 

• For Men 

And Women 

• Lasting Results 

• No Downtime 

• FDA-Cleared 

BEFORE 

8 WEEKS AFTER 

CoolSculpting® Session 

(6 pounds) 

Photos courtesy of Leyda E. Bowes, MD 

BEFORE 

15 WEEKS AFTER 

Second CoolSculpting® Session 

Photos courtesy of Bodify & Steven Sorr, N.M.D. 

Call for your complimentary consultation today! 

glomedmemphis.com • MIDTOWN • 901.552.3461 

Mention this ad for 25% off 

your first Coolsculpting treatment!

2020 Issue 1 Jan/Feb - Focus Mid-South Magazine

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