THE FIGHT SOCAL'S MONTHLY LGBTQ MAGAZINE AUGUST 2024

AUGUST 2024 | THE FIGHT 1

2 THE FIGHT | www.thefightmag.com

ON THE COVER 

& ON THIS PAGE 

THE HOUSE OF 

GORGEOUS GUCCI 

PHOTOSHOOT LOCATION 

KISO, DTLA 

PHOTO BY 

ZIV SADE 

FEATURES 

11 BIG LITTLE BOWS 

NON-PROFIT SUPPORTING 

TEEN’S RECOVERY 

14 OUT AT THE OLYMPICS 

OUTSPORTS UNVEILS 

TEAM LGBTQ 

16 SIMPLY GORGEOUS 

THE HOUSE OF 


20 BEST IN DRAG 

RETURNING TO THE 

ORPHEUM THEATRE 

24 THE ART OF THE REMIX 

JACE M’S MUSICAL 

JOURNEY 

DEPARTMENTS 

06 THE EDITOR 

08 THE TALK 

10 THE CITY 

12 THE NATION 

18 THE SHARE 

28 THE EVENT 

4 THE FIGHT | www.thefightmag.com 


TICKETS ON SALE NOW 

GUSTAVO DUDAMEL 

HARRY CONNICK, JR. 

CHAKA KHAN 

BECK 

SARA BAREILLES 

ANDERSON .PAAK 

INDIA.ARIE 

T-PAIN 

JUNGLE 

PATTI LABELLE 

JOSHUA BELL 

KHRUANGBIN 

RODRIGO Y GABRIELA 

BOYZ II MEN 

AND MANY MORE! 

hollywoodbowl.com 323 850 2000 

Groups (10+) 

323 850 2050 

Parking, shuttle, and venue policies 

at hollywoodbowl.com/gettinghere 

Programs, artists, dates, prices, and availability subject 

to change. Ticket limits may apply. All sales are final. 

The Hollywood Bowl is a public park 

owned by the County of Los Angeles 

Department of Parks and Recreation. 


THE FIGHT is a proud media sponsor of DTLA PROUD, happening once 

again this year in downtown Los Angeles. The two day festival, themed 

“Rooted In Community,” will take place August 24-25 from 12pm-10pm. 

DTLA PROUD will feature curated programming; with special intention 

and effort on segments of the community that often go 

underrepresented. 

The DTLA PROUD Festival will include a Queer Vendors Marketplace 

with over 80 small businesses, LGBTQIA + non-profits, Community 

Partners and of course everyone’s favorite downtown day party, 

SUMMERTRAMP! 

Their mission, according to their press release “remains the same: 

to create safe spaces and experiences to celebrate queer love and 

representation. With your help and participation, we are excited to 

continue to raise funds to enable us to continue to curate programing 

in DTLA PROUD’s Community Center space — A.R.T. (Accessibility, 

Representation, Thrive).” 

For more info on the Festival and DTLA PROUD’s Community Center 

visit www.dtlaproud.org. 

Additionally, THE FIGHT is proud to sponsor the Ventura County Pride 

Festival this month, taking place on August 17 from noon to 6pm at Plaza 

Park in Downtown Ventura. 

Ventura County Pride is produced by Diversity Collective Ventura 

County, an organization that is solely dedicated to serving the LGBTQ+ 

community throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas. 

Their mission, states their press release is “to educate, advocate, and 

celebrate the LGBTQ community while providing a platform for those 

most marginalized in our community. We promote diversity, education, 

and mental and physical health to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, 

queer, Latinx population, and the general public.” 

For more info on Ventura County Pride visit: www.diversitycollectivevc.org. 

STANFORD ALTAMIRANO 

Editor-In-Chief 

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Stanford Altamirano 

MANAGING EDITOR Mark Ariel 

ART DIRECTOR Nadeen Torio 

MARKETING CONSULTANTS Sean Galuszka 

Antonio Garnica 

Jacci Ybarra 

NATIONAL ADVERTISING Rivendell Media 

www.rivendellmedia.com 

SOCIAL MEDIA Mark Ariel 

Antonio Garnica 

WEB DEVELOPER Nadeen Torio 

CONTRIBUTORS Jamie Booth 

Sean Galuszka 

Orly Lyonne 

Victor Melamed 

Paulo Murillo 

Ann Rostow 

Ziv Sade 

Greg Wilson 

EVENTS MANAGER Antonio Garnica 

GET THE FIGHT AT HOME 

Sent Via First Class Mail 

12 Issues: $45 

Mail check or money order to: 

Third Step, LLC 

611 S. Catalina St. Suite 307 

Los Angeles, CA 90005 

PUBLISHER Third Step, LLC 

DISTRIBUTION Paper Pushers LA 

Pride In Media 

The Fight Magazine is published monthly by 

Third Step, LLC. 

The DTLA Proud ART Community Center, 

700 W. 7th St., Suite G080 


Telephone (323) 297-4001 

Email info@TheFightMag.com 

THE FIGHT MAGAZINE LEGAL CAVEATS 

By listing in The Fight Magazine, advertisers acknowledge 

that they do business in the spirit of cooperation, 

fairness and service, maintaining a high level of integrity 

and responsibility. Providers of products or services 

are fully and solely responsible for providing same as 

advertised. The Fight Magazine assumes no liability for 

improper or negligent business practices by advertisers. 

Advertisers and their agencies assume responsibility 

and liability for the content of their advertisements in 

The Fight Magazine. 

Publisher assumes no liability for safe-keeping or return 

of unsolicited art, manuscripts or other materials. 

The Fight Magazine reserves the right to edit all material 

for clarity, length and content. All contents © 2024 

Third Step LLC. All rights reserved. Content may be reproduced 

with permission. 

The Fight Magazine assumes no liability for any claims 

or representations contained anywhere in this magazine 

and reserves the right to cancel or refuse advertising 

at publisher’s discretion. 


TheFightMag.com 

For Display Advertising, please call 

(323) 297-4001

FAST FREE ONLINE 

mistr.com 


WHAT THEY’RE SAYING


BY PAULO MURILLO

RECOVERY

THENATION 

>> NEWS BRIEFS

Extending A Very Warm Welcome 

To The LGBTQ+ Community 

DELIVERY AVAILABLE! 

CALL (424) 288-1277 


TOM DALEY. 

PHOTO: THE 

RAMBLING 

MAN AND 

KIM RATCLIFFE 

OF THINK 

EQUESTRIAN, 

VIA WIKIMEDIA 

COMMONS 

SHA’CARRI 

RICHARDSON. 

PHOTO: ERIK 

VAN LEEUWEN, 

VIA WIKIMEDIA 

COMMONS 

NIKKI HILTZ. 

PHOTO: ERIK 

VAN LEEUWEN, 

VIA WIKIMEDIA 

COMMONS 

OUT AT THE OLYMPICS 

Outsports unveils Team LGBTQ: 

193 out athletes at Paris Summer Games 

BY VICTOR MELAMED 

Outsports, part of the LGBTQowned 

and operated media 

company Q.Digital, and the 

leading voice in LGBTQ sports, 

announced the launch of “Outsports’ Team 

LGBTQ,” last month, the most extensive 

database and in-depth coverage of out 

LGBTQ athletes competing in the 2024 Paris 

Summer Games. 

The number of athletes on “Outsports’ 

Team LGBTQ” for Summer 2024 is 193 

and counting. Some of the higher-profile 

athletes include American track and field 

athletes Sha’Carri Richardson, Raven 

Saunders, Nikki Hiltz and Nico Young; 

American basketball players Diana Taurasi, 

Breanna Stewart and Brittney Griner; and 

American BMX Freestyle riders Hannah 

Roberts and Perris Benegas. 

British diver Tom Daley competed in his 

fifth Games, and Brazil’s legendary soccer 

player Marta competed in her sixth. 

Canada’s soccer player Quinn returned as 

the rare trans and nonbinary athlete (along 

with Hiltz), competing in soccer. 

“As the world’s attention turned to Paris, 

Outsports celebrates the participation and 

achievements of the out-LGBTQ athletes…” 

says Cyd Zeigler, co-founder of Outsports. 

“We are excited to shine a spotlight on 

these incredible individuals and share their 

stories with the world.” 

This year, at least 24 countries, including 

the Refugee Team, were represented by at 

least one publicly out athlete in 32 sports. 

Once again, The United States had the most 

out athletes at the Olympics, with 28, about 

a fifth of all the attendees on the list. Team 

USA is followed in the number of publicly 

out LGBTQ athletes by Brazil (22), Australia 

(17), Great Britain (10), and Germany (9). 

“These athletes are a testament to the 

tremendous progress the LGBTQ community 

has made, in sports and society 

at large, in many parts of the world,” says 

Outsports co-founder Jim Buzinski. 

He acknowledges, however, that the 

battle is not yet won. In many countries 

participating in the Games, just walking 

down the street, or holding a Pride parade, 

as an LGBTQ person is illegal. “We hope 

our list of athletes on Team LGBTQ inspires 

people across the world, including in countries 

where being out is extremely difficult, 

to keep going,” Buzinski adds. 

Founded in 1999, Outsports is the internet’s 

first community covering LGBTQ+ 

issues and personalities in amateur and 

professional sports. Earlier this year, 

Q.Digital, announced the acquisition of 

Outsports from Vox Media’s SB Nation. 

“‘Outsports’ Team LGBTQ’ is the goto 

resource for fans, athletes and allies 

seeking to follow the journeys of LGBTQ 

competitors at the Games,” Zeigler said. 

“As part of its unparalleled coverage and a 

commitment to inclusivity, Outsports’ Team 

LGBTQ promises to inspire and engage 

audiences around the globe.” 

For more information visit Outsports’ 

website at www.outsports.com 

14 12 THE FIGHT | www.thefightmag.com


FERTILITY COACHING

WHAT DOES 

BALLROOM 

MEAN TO ME 

Quotes from featured West 

Coast Members of the House 

of Gorgeous Gucci 

ICON NICO GORGEOUS GUCCI 

(Categories: Icon Thug Realness; Everyday 

Realness) 

“After being a part of Ballroom for over 

25 years, as an Icon, it’s important for me 

to be able to speak up for the people that 

may not have found their voices yet” 

CHULO GORGEOUS GUCCI 

(Category: Face) 

“Ballroom is a place where you can become 

exactly who you imagine yourself to 

be, and being in the House of Gorgeous 

Gucci taught me to amplify it and own it!” 

LEGENDARY FATHER TORI 


(Categories: Legendary Sex Siren; Perfect 10s) 

“Ballroom is important to me because of 

the relationships, family and the people 

I grew up with in Ballroom. I’ve been 

walking balls since I was 15 years old. It’s a 

part of who I am”. 

LEGENDARY DETRON 


(Categories: Legendary Sex Siren; Perfect 10s) 

“Ballroom to me means Courage. It’s 

about being more of who I am and to stop 

allowing my light to be dimmed. Being a 

Gorgeous Gucci embodies that and being 

a part of the house has encouraged me to 

embrace my individuality”. 

ARRI GORGEOUS GUCCI 

(Categories: Runway; Performance) 

“Ballroom gives me a space to be myself, 

make friends, extended family and give me 

a place where I feel I belong and where I can 

fully express myself without judgement.” 

LEGENDARY GOD FATHER 

BIJON GORGEOUS GUCCI 

(Categories: Legendary Pretty Boy Realness) 

“Being a Gorgeous Gucci has been 

Empowering for me. My house has 

embraced me for who I am and have nurtured 

my talents and passion. I feel Seen 

and Understood”. 

DANIIELLE GORGEOUS GUCCI 

(Categories: Fem Queen Face; Realness; 

Perfect 10’s) 

“Ballroom means everything to me! I am the 

1st Australian Gorgeous Gucci in history, and 

I take that very seriously. Being a part of the 

house just feels like a perfect fit.” 

SELENA GORGEOUS GUCCI 

(Category: Fem Queen Performance) 

“Ballroom to me represents Passion, Art and 

Creativity. I was looking for a Family, and 

Gorgeous Gucci embraced me, welcomed 

me and with my house… I know I am Home” 


THIS PAGE IS SPONSORED BY 

>> BY PAULO MURILLO

Different bodies. Same rights. 

Circumcision is not healthcare. It’s a custom. 

Irreversible genital cutting imposed on healthy boys, 

girls and intersex children for social conformity is both 

medically unethical and a human rights abuse. We assist 

plaintiffs and their attorneys in the fight for children’s 

bodily autonomy to let them decide for themselves 

how much of their genitals they get to keep. Join us! 

 

Genital Autonomy Legal Defense and Education Fund 

Subscribe. Volunteer. Donate. www.GALDEF.org 

7954FightAd20240506.indd 1 05/06/24 12:41 

A QUEER-OWNED SANCTUARY 

FOR WOMEN IN RECOVERY 

Raven House Sober Living offers a nurturing and 

supportive community for women ages 18 and up 

seeking lasting sobriety. Our West Los Angeles 

home provides a safe, structured environment 

where residents can develop essential life skills 

and build a strong foundation for recovery. 

We believe in balancing independence with 

accountability. Through daily schedules, regular 

check-ins, and opportunities for service, our residents 

learn to create fulfilling sober lives. 

At the heart of Raven House is a commitment to 

authenticity, vulnerability, and compassion. We create 

a space where women feel empowered to heal, 

grow, and thrive. 

For more info visit 

www.RavenHouseRecoveryServices.com 

or call 424.394.0783 

You can also contact Lauren or Sheldon at 

lauren@ravenhouserecoveryservices.com 

or sheldon@ravenhouserecoveryservices.com 


BEST 

IN 

DRAG 

Best in Drag Show returns to Orpheum Theater. 

Ticket sales support the Alliance for Housing & Healing, 

a program of APLA Health 

The Best in Drag Show, one of Los 

Angeles’ most anticipated and outrageous 

events, is returning to the 

Orpheum Theatre on Sunday, Oct. 6, 

2024, reports Mike Pingel at WEHO TIMES. 

This beauty pageant parody, known for 

blurring the lines between artistry and absurdity, 

will crown the last queen standing. 

The beloved fundraiser is produced by 

a team of volunteers who donate their 

time to support the Alliance for Housing & 

Healing, now a program of APLA Health. 

The organization provides essential housing 

services to people with HIV in Los Angeles 

County. 

“We are thrilled to bring back the Best in 

Drag Show, a bold celebration that challenges 

norms — and good taste,” said Craig 

E. Thompson, CEO of APLA Health. “We’re 

proud that this event continues to amplify 

“WE INVITE ATTENDEES 

TO WITNESS A NIGHT 

WHERE DRAG ARTISTRY 

MEETS UNAPOLOGETIC 

EXTRAVAGANCE… THIS 

EVENT STANDS AS A 

TESTAMENT TO OUR 

COMMITMENT TO 

MAKING A DIFFERENCE 

WHILE CELEBRATING THE 

VIBRANT DIVERSITY OF 

OUR COMMUNITY.” 

our efforts in providing essential housing 

and support services to some of the most 

vulnerable in our community.” 

Since its inception over three decades 

ago as a modest fundraiser in a West 

Hollywood living room, the Best in Drag 

Show has evolved into a significant event. 

Proceeds from the show directly support 

services at APLA Health, helping to provide 

stable housing, meals, case management, 

and essential supportive services to thousands 

of individuals in Los Angeles County 

each year. 

“We invite attendees to witness a night 

where drag artistry meets unapologetic 

extravagance,” said Terry D. Goddard II, 

director of Alliance for Housing & Healing. 

“This event stands as a testament to our 

commitment to making a difference while 

celebrating the vibrant diversity of our 

community.” 

For more information, visit 

www.bestindragshow.com. 


Comprehensive CARE 

you can count on. 

The CARE Center at St. Mary Medical Center provides comprehensive care 

for the community including: 

• HIV/STI testing and treatment 

• PrEP and PEP services, including DoxyPEP 

• Rapid Start HIV treatment and specialty care 

• Caring Connections behavioral health services 

• Medication payment assistance 

And now—we offer all these services in the same convenient location, right 

on the St. Mary Medical Center campus. If you’re due for a checkup, call us 

today for an appointment. Learn more at dignityhealth.org/stmary/care. 

Proud to serve LA’s 

LGBTQ+ community 

for more than 20 years 

Primary Care Providers 

with SoCal MMG 

URAC-Accredited 

Pharmacy 

Licensed Therapists 

Help with Health Insurance 

Mpox Vaccines 

Rapid Results STI/HIV Testing 

Low or No-Cost PrEP & PEP 

Compensated Clinical Trials 

with Mills Clinical Research 

SoCal Club 

Community center in 

South LA for BIPOC LGBTQ+ 

people under 30 

in West Hollywood 

9201 W. Sunset Blvd., Suite 812, West Hollywood, CA 90069 

8280 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollwood, CA 90046 

menshealthfound.org 

(310) 550-1010 • @menshealthfound 

in South LA 

8601 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90003 


By the Community. For the Community. 

De la Comunidad. Para la Comunidad. 

323-993-2900 

mytranswellness.org | IG: Transwellnesscenter 

3055 WILSHIRE BLVD., STE. 360 LOS ANGELES CA 90010 


ADVERTISEMENT 

EXTENDING A WARM WELCOME TO THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY 


THE 

ART 

OF THE 

REMIX 

From self-taught DJ 

to remixer for major 

labels: Jace M’s 

musical journey 

BY JAMIE BOOTH 

Jace M, who performed at The Chapel 

at The Abbey in West Hollywood last 

month, taught himself to DJ in the early 

2000s, on records and with, in his words, 

“one of the shittiest mixers ever created.” 

Before that, he played piano, drums, 

the trumpet, violin, and for a tiny moment, 

the flute. “I came into DJing with a strong 

musical background, so as my DJ career 

progressed and I started to learn how to 

produce, I was able to apply all of that 

knowledge to my work,” he explains in an 

interview with THE FIGHT. 

He counts Lady Gaga as one of his biggest 

musical influences; not only for her 

singing, but for her incredible songwriting. 

Elton John, too, for his composition work, 

and the late Peter Rauhofer for his music 

producing. Most importantly, however, he 

credits the rich arts program at his high 

school and his teachers, for giving him a 

solid music education. “At the time, I didn’t 

realize the opportunity I had or where it 

would take me in life, but looking back, 

I am super lucky to have received such 

incredible guidance,” he says. 

Your latest remix of Camila Cabello & Lil 

Nas X’s “He Knows” has been getting a 

lot of attention since its release. Can you 

walk us through your creative process for 

these tracks? 

It’s definitely a process! Toy Armada 

and I spend a lot of time studying music 

and trying to make it special in our own 

way. We worked together on the mix. It was 

important that it reflect our sounds but 

also be playable for other DJs because that 

is what makes the label happy, since selling 

the record to DJs and club fans is what pays 

the bills! 

How did you get to the point where 

labels like UMG are approaching you to 

remix their high-profile artists? 

It took a long time to get to this point. 

A lot of proving myself with unsigned artists 

who I still love to produce and remix 

because they are the future. Many of the 

labels and artists discovered and reached 

out to me through my SoundCloud. In the 

case of Camila Cabello & Lil Nas X’s “He 

Knows,” Toy and I were approached by the 

label through a referral from Dan Slater, a 

fellow DJ and dear friend. Dan’s an incredible 

supporter of other DJs. 

As a top LGBTQ+ DJ producer, how do you 

see your role in the music industry and 

its impact on the LGBTQ+ community? 

The music industry is run by the gays! 

Well, not really, but heavily influenced! I 

personally don’t like to apply my sexuality 

to music because music is a universal 

language and it shouldn’t matter who the 

person who makes it sleeps with or loves. 

However, with fame, large or small, comes 

a platform and I try to use my platform as 

much as possible to advocate for, not only 

the LGBTQ+ community, but all artists, especially 

those that are part of marginalized 

communities. I’m always happy to mentor 

up-and-coming artists, produce for them… 

whatever I can do. 

Visit DJJaceM.com 



d 

Sponsored by: 


FOLSOMSTREET.ORG 


PHOTOS BY MOTORBOOT PHOTOGRAPHY

AUGUST 2024 | THE FIGHT 29 


Don’t Miss A 

Single Issue! 

$45 For a One Year (12 Month) Subscription 

Please Call 323-297-4001, 

Mon–Fri 10am–5pm PST, to get THEFIGHT 

delivered directly to your home! 


MELROSE 

OPEN EVERY DAY 

MON–SAT: 9AM–9PM 

SUNDAY: 10AM–8PM 

SCAN HERE 

AND STAY 

CONNECTED 

The Cure Company Melrose 

4316 Melrose Ave. 


PH: 323.677.4401 

www.TheCureCompany.com 

© 2024 The Cure Company | All rights reserved. 

The Cure Company Melrose | License C10-0001008-LIC 

We Welcome 

everyone 21+ 

with a valid 

California ID 

and everyone 

18+ with a valid 

California ID and 

Recommendation 

1st visit 

20% OFF 

2nd visit 

25% OFF 

3rd visit 

30% OFF 

*No double deals 

and excludes select 

products 

COME 

SEE OUR 

DAILY 

SPECIALS! 


MON–WED: 8AM – 9PM 

THUR–SAT: 8AM–10PM 


SCAN HERE 

AND STAY 

CONNECTED 

CITY COMPASSIONATE CAREGIVERS 

ARTS DISTRICT 

2235 E. 7th St. 


PH: 323.265.7060 


© 2024 City Compassionate Caregivers | All rights reserved. 

The Cure Company Arts District | License C10-0000573-LIC 

SOUTH LA 




SCAN HERE 

AND STAY 

CONNECTED 

The Cure Company South LA 

10024 South Main St. 


PH: 323.615.0042 



The Cure Company South LA | License C10-0001302-LIC 

HAPPY 

HOURS 

10AM–12PM 

4AM–6PM 

REFERRALS 

15% OFF 

STUDENTS 

10% OFF 

WITH ID 

*All deals expire 

August 31, 2024 

*All deals exclude 

select brands 

and products 

*No Double Deals 

CRENSHAW 




SCAN HERE 

AND STAY 

CONNECTED 

The Cure Company Crenshaw 

7872 Crenshaw Blvd. 


PH: 323.920.7558 



The Cure Company Crenshaw AUGUST | 2024 License | THE C10-0001045-LIC 

FIGHT 31


FOR MORE INFORMATION 

CALL: (951) 358-5307 OR VISIT US AT 

WWW.RIVCOHIVAIDS.ORG

THE FIGHT SOCAL'S MONTHLY LGBTQ MAGAZINE AUGUST 2024

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template ?