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Online Art Exhibition "WORKER" Details Relationship Between Sex Worker and the Artist

    Artist: Felix Gonzalez-Torres

Opening today, the virtual art exhibition, "WORKER" (NSFW), exposes the kindred relationship, in art, between the artist and the sex worker, from the late 19th Century of Edouard Manet and Henri De Toulouse-Lautrec to modern day contemporaries such as Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Nan Goldin, Bruce LaBruce and Margie Schnibbe. The group show of 19 artists presents 54 works in the mediums of painting, photography, film, performance and video.

"This common bond of circumstance, between the sex worker and the artist, has manifested as friend, lover, neighbor and muse," says show curator N. Dimitri Vorvolakos. He states, "In the hierarchy of human taxonomy, the good standing members of society have designated artist and sex worker as undesirable, alongside murderer, thief, pimp and drug dealer."

Poverty is often a common denominator. Photographs by the French street photographer Brassai detail the economic hardships of the worker. Contemporary photographer Brian Lantelme illustrates the stage performers of New York City in the 1980's in contrast to Felix Gonzalez-Torres who brought the go-go dancers into the art gallery and celebrated their craft. "Generally broke, artist and worker share the same economic maladies," says Vorvolakos, "Both live in low rent neighborhoods. Both frequent the same haunts, from the affordable dive bar to the exceptional swank night on the town with a flush John or a fanciful collector."

"Both artists and workers function on the fringes of society. They are dangerous, subversive, feared and expected to break the rules that do not apply to them," says Vorvolakos. The celebrity photographer Gary Lee Boas captures both the grit of a life on the streets as well as the glamor and comradery of kinship. Vorvolakos explains, "These birds of a feather share similar nocturnal schedules, attitudes, survival skills and language."

"Workers and artists are able to transcend the barriers of gender, race and class. Beauty, lust or talent will always breakthrough any strata of society," states Vorvolakos. "Oddly, both the worker and the artist require strong management and representation. Both need a venue to display their wares. Gallerist or pimp, economies must circulate."

This exhibition "WORKER" is a reflection of a timeless bond, an impact upon our culture in all its beautiful and very human forms.

To see the virtual exhibition “WORKER”, please Click Here.

WOJNAROWICZ Nominated for IDA Awards and Cinema Eye Honors

Chris McKim's portrait of the fearless downtown NYC queer artist and activist David Wojnarowicz recently picked up nominations at the IDA Documentary Awards (Best Feature) and the Cinema Eye Honors.

Wojnarowicz: F**k You F*ggot F**ker is a fiery and urgent documentary portrait of downtown New York City artist, writer, photographer, and activist David Wojnarowicz. As New York City became the epicenter of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, Wojnarowicz weaponized his work and waged war against the establishment’s indifference to the plague until his death from it in 1992 at the age of 37.

Exclusive access to his breathtaking body of work – including paintings, journals, and films – reveals how Wojnarowicz emptied his life into his art and activism. Rediscovered answering machine tape recordings and intimate recollections from Fran Lebowitz, Gracie Mansion, Peter Hujar, and other friends and family help present a stirring portrait of this fiercely political, unapologetically queer artist.

Yusuf Yesilöz's novel comes to life, 'Beyto' streaming & On DVD December 7

Gitta Gersill’s BEYTO, based on the novel by award-winning writer Yusuf Yesilöz, comes to digital and DVD this December from Dark Star Pictures.

 

A multicultural story of love and emancipation, full of empathy, sensuality and summer feelings, the film stars Swiss Movie Award winner Dimitri Stapfer and newcomers Burak Ates and Ecem Aydi, who shine in their first leading roles.

 

Beyto is a terrific swimmer and everybody’s cool buddy. But as the young Swiss man with Turkish roots falls in love with his handsome coach Mike, his perfect world seems to fall apart. For Beyto’s parents there is only one solution to maintain the tradition and honor of their family: He has to marry a woman as soon as possible! They lure their son into their Turkish home village and organize a wedding with Beyto’s childhood friend Seher. All of a sudden, Beyto finds himself in the middle of a devastating love triangle: How can he stand by Mike without destroying Seher’s future?

 

Says director Gitta Gsell, ““Beyto” is a screen adaptation of the novel by Yusuf Yesilöz, published in 2011. I’m familiar with his work since a long time. When I read “Hochzeitsflug“, I immediately had the feeling that this story would be very suitable for the screen. Back then, I was teaching young people. I witnessed their slang with all its discriminating terms and also the problems which young people with migrant backgrounds have to face. The attitude of all characters in the novel is understandable. Beyto‘s parents want to continue living the traditions of their Turkish village in Switzerland. They still dream of the dry hills of Anatolia and close their minds to the influences of modern Switzerland. Beyto is torn between his cultural heritage on the one side and modernity on the other side. He tries to find his way between the home and cohesion of his family and the freedom of the Western world.

 

Beyto is a popular guy and the pride and joy of his parents. He’s one of the best athletes in his swimming team, gets good grades in his apprenticeship and has a lot of friends, both Turkish and Swiss. But when he falls in love for the first time – with Mike –, his problems begin. He’s about to lose either the support of his family or his inner self – the freedom-loving, tolerant and gay Beyto.

 

To get the tongue right and achieve authenticity, I went through all the dialogue with young men who have a Turkish background. For many parts we casted laymen, including the part of Beyto. Burak Ates, who took this part, had to learn the basics of acting very quickly. We rehearsed a lot and he delivered an excellent performance. He brought Beyto to life in such an emotional and passionate way. His experienced and engaged co-stars Dimitri Stapfer, Beren Tuna and Serkan Tastemur proved to be of great help. For the part of Seher we found a wonderful actress in Turkey – Ecem Aydin, who had just finished her professional training and was now in front of the camera for a feature film for the first time as well.

 

“Beyto” sheds light on a topical problem. Freedom and tolerance for which the Western society has fought over centuries are offset by migrants of patriarchal societies. “Beyto” deals with this conflict without blaming. The film is about individual life patterns that have to assert themselves in the conflict between different norms, ideologies and values.

Human Rights Campaign and SHOWTIME Announce Recipients of Queer to Stay, Small Business Grant Funding

Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, and SHOWTIME announced the twenty recipients of “Queer to Stay: An LGBTQ+ Business Preservation Initiative” to support and uplift small businesses that focus on LGBTQ+ people of color, women and the transgender community and have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in June 2020, the inaugural “Queer to Stay” initiative awarded funds to 10 LGBTQ+ businesses across the country. Over the past 18 months, LGBTQ+ businesses have continued to suffer due to the continued need for on-and-off shutdowns and limited capacity regulations, which is why the Human Rights Campaign and SHOWTIME have doubled the program to support 20 businesses in its second year. Additionally, five LGBTQ+ Showtime stars nominated one of their favorite businesses for the Queer to Stay grant. Watch here to hear from the actors and business owners about the importance of preserving queer spaces.

 

“It is crucial to preserve affirming, welcoming spaces and services for LGBTQ+ people. This initiative celebrates and supports the community by identifying and donating to multiply marginalized LGBTQ+ owned, and serving, small businesses around the country,” said Nicole Cozier, Human Rights Campaign Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. “We have been living through a public health crisis for far longer than we ever could have imagined, without a clear end in sight, which has only compounded the financial inequities small LGBTQ+ businesses face. We are thrilled to work with SHOWTIME once again to ensure that LGBTQ+ patrons, employees and business owners continue to occupy spaces freely, openly and as their authentic selves.”

 

The awardees of “Queer to Stay: An LGBTQ+ Business Preservation Initiative” include: Al’s on 7th (Birmingham, AL), Arledge Comics (Port Orchard, WA), BUDDY’S (Houston, TX), Our Place (Birmingham, AL), Club OMG (San Francisco, CA), Cowlick (Brooklyn, NY), Cubbyhole (New York, NY), Cuties (Los Angeles, CA), Ellen D. Management (Los Angeles, CA), Gossip Grill (San Diego, CA), The Lipstick Lounge (Nashville, TN), Nickel Diner (Los Angeles, CA), Rebirth Garments (Chicago, IL), Roscoe’s Tavern (Chicago, IL), Spectrum: The Other Clinic (Hattiesburg, MS), Stuzo Clothing (Los Angeles, CA), Sweetlime Alterations (Cleveland, OH), TAGG Magazine (Washington, DC), The Fireplace (Washington, DC) and Wang Chung’s (Honolulu, HI).

 

“SHOWTIME is passionate about empowering all voices within the LGBTQ+ community, and through Queer to Stay, we’re continuing to elevate LGBTQ+ small businesses across the country helping them to broaden their footprint and impact,” said Michael Engleman, Chief Marketing Officer, Showtime Networks Inc. “In addition to financially supporting a diverse mix of LGBTQ+ establishments across the nation – including a clinic, restaurants, bars, salons and shops – we’re expanding into educational resources to help business owners surmount overwhelming obstacles and flourish during the disruption of the pandemic.”

 

People of color have also faced significant challenges, including discrimination and socio-economic barriers in sustaining their small businesses. According to one study, Black applicants who applied for Paycheck Protection Program loans were treated unfairly compared to their white counterparts. By directing funds to these businesses, “Queer to Stay” demonstrates a continued commitment from HRC and SHOWTIME to support and advocate for the diverse members of the LGBTQ+ community.

 

In addition to monetary grants, the program will include educational webinars and teaching modules, created by Horizon Media, to help the small businesses manage various aspects of their operations, including financial management, search engine optimization and social media marketing.

 

“We created the teaching modules based on the findings of recent Horizon market research on the most common challenges facing LGBTQ+ businesses,” said Marc Fenty, SVP, Director OOH, and a member of HorizonOUT. “The goal is to provide a valuable resource that helps LGBTQ+ business owners grow sales and overcome the significant challenges of managing a business amid a global pandemic.”

'We Were There' Tour Explores the Spectrum of LGBTQ+ Depictions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

We Were There, a tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art that reveals stories from women’s history and across the LGBTQ+ spectrum hanging in plain sight in the museum’s masterpieces, will launch on Saturday, November 20 at 2:00PM.  Guided by Dr. Andrew Lear (founder of both Oscar Wilde Tours and Shady Ladies Tours), We Were There showcases an array of personalities depicted in painting and sculpture, including an ancient Egyptian woman pharaoh, a Roman Emperor and his boyfriend, a scene of lesbian lovers in 19th century Paris, a trans woman from 17th century Holland, a trans 19th century French painter, the first black and gay artist whose work the Met bought, American suffragettes and more.  Tour-goers hear their stories (and discuss the complex depictions of them) learning what obstacles they faced and how they flourished in their times. 

We Were There takes place on Saturday, November 20 at 2:00PM.  Tickets are $69 and available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/195257880577.  The Metropolitan Museum of Art is located at 1000 Fifth Avenue and East 82nd Street. Tour groups meet 15 minutes in advance of tour time at the feet of the statue of Pharaoh Amenhemet II in the Great Hall. 

From Pain to Love: Our Journey Outside the Rainbow

From Pain to Love: Our Journey Outside the Rainbow by Naomi W. Scales and Marilyn J. Jordan is an inspiring, powerful memoir told through both women’s perspectives as they courageously navigated the societal, religious, and familial pressures to hide who they really are.

From Pain to Love: Our Journey Outside the Rainbow shares their experiences as young Black girls in the South, meeting for the first time, feeling a spark and deep connection shared between them, lying about the nature of their relationship, and finally proudly living a happy, honest, loving, and fulfilling life committed to each other.

Both born in the 1960s, a young Naomi survived childhood trauma, poverty, and insecurities, and shares how she persevered through the pain while Marilyn lived a secret life that conflicted with her desire to hold onto her faith and the expectation of who she was supposed to be.

Meeting briefly at age 13 and then again at age 20, the women continued to feel that undeniable spark between them. This was the start of living a life of lies and confusion. Marilyn, who had married her high school sweetheart, left her marriage to be with Naomi. They fell in love in the late 1980s and tried to live a normal life in the eyes of society while surviving lies, hidden struggles, and battling their sexual identities. Both with young kids and Naomi in the military, they lived together as “sisters.” In 1992, they appeared as guests on The Oprah Winfrey Show, lying about the true nature of their relationship.

Through their intimate and vulnerable words written in From Pain to Love: Our Journey Outside the Rainbow, Naomi and Marilyn hope that sharing their story will help others who are facing similar challenges and encourage them to live authentically. From Pain to Love: Our Journey Outside the Rainbow is a moving reminder that love wins. Love always wins.

APHA and Kaiser Permanente launch program to diversify public health leadership

The American Public Health Association and Kaiser Permanente are working together to support the development of diverse, underrepresented public health leaders who are committed to improving the health of our most vulnerable communities and pursuing health equity for all.

The two organizations have launched a fellowship program and scholarship initiative that will provide $6.8 million over three years to support the first two classes of APHA/KP Community Health Leadership Program, including 100 students slated for MPH degrees and 20 students working toward DrPH degrees. It will provide two years of scholarship funding: $15,000 per year for MPH students, and $20,000 per year for DrPH students. The program also supports an annual fellowship cohort of emerging, diverse leaders who have made a commitment to beginning careers focused on addressing upstream determinants of health in low-income communities.

The effort is geared toward first-generation college graduates, people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and people from Black or African American, Asian, Hispanic, American Indian and other Native communities. By focusing primarily on people of color and first-time students from underserved communities, the program aims to create a pipeline for diverse leadership in public health.

Both scholarships and fellowships will be implemented in partnership with eight public health programs across Kaiser Permanente-served communities: Charles Drew University in Los Angeles; Georgia State University in Atlanta; Morgan State University in Baltimore; Portland State University in Portland; the University of California, Berkeley; the University of Colorado in Boulder; the University of Hawaii in Honolulu; and the University of Washington in Seattle.

“The program is really exciting and adds value to the field of public health. It provides a meaningful opportunity for people from communities that have been historically neglected to get experience addressing the many upstream factors that can improve or thwart good health,” said Susan Polan, PhD, APHA associate executive director for public affairs and advocacy. “It creates a pipeline for leadership in public health. APHA is really excited to be a part of this.”

“Kaiser Permanente is committed to investing in America’s public health infrastructure and leadership. Our next generation of public health leaders must reflect and serve our most vulnerable communities to achieve health equity,” said Stephanie Ledesma, interim senior vice president of community health programs. “We are thrilled to welcome the first cohort of Fellows as they continue their leadership journey and work to advance the health of our communities.”

Six fellows have been chosen for the initial cohort receiving this one-year, full-time paid fellowship after undergoing an extensive selection process: Kyla Baron, Alexis Cabarga, Sumaiya Khan, Kekoa Lopez-Paguyo, Camille Millar and Justice Onwordi.

The fellows were required to meet certain requirements and have relevant public health experience to be eligible. Prior work experience in public health or health care, including internships and leadership demonstrations through community involvement or professional associations, was strongly considered.

Students also receive robust learning environments, networking and professional development through APHA and KP conferences, mentorship and work experience opportunities. Beginning in 2022, the program will expand to offer two-year scholarships to outstanding incoming MPH students from diverse, low-income backgrounds, and increase the fellowship cohort to 10.

A Landmark of LGBTQ+ Fiction Restored: Joseph Hansen's Dave Brandstetter is Back On the Case

Published over fifty years ago, a time when being gay was illegal in 49 out of 50 states, Joseph Hansen’s Dave Brandstetter novels shattered stereotypes and redefined the Private Eye novel as we know it.

Beginning in January of 2022 with the republication of the first three Dave Bradstetter novels (Fadeout, Death Claims, and Troublemaker) Syndicate Books begins a year-long reissue project that will see back into print this important and criminally overlooked author.

Who is Joseph Hansen’s Dave Brandstetter? Tall, handsome, smart and successful is a good place to start. A native Californian, Dave is a World War II vet and the kind of serious, ruggedly independent, and above all decent man people like to celebrate when they talk about the “Greatest Generation.” He is a death claims investigator for Medallion Life Insurance and he’s damned good at his job.

These are books that are fun to read, with fully rendered characters and short, meticulous plots that are often centered around LGBTQ themes that sit comfortably between “whodunnit” and hard boiled. Hansen, a two-time Lambda Literary Prize-winner and Private Eye Writer's of America Grandmaster, was also a poet, as capable of conjuring the pastoral beauty of a lush arroyo as he is at delivering a blistering movie-ready one-liner. It's not hard to figure out why these one-liners never made their way to film but nonetheless these books hum with language and dialogue.

Fadeout, the first Dave Brandstetter novel, was published in 1970, when, as the award-winning novelist Michael Nava notes in his Introduction to this edition, homosexuality was illegal in 49 out of 50 states. This is why the word “landmark” is so apropos. Much like Chester Himes, Joseph Hansen challenged the conventional wisdom about who “mainstream” crime fiction could be written about. And he did so with panache. These books, with all the impressive world-building and character development within, are sheer delights to live in.

The twelve novels that comprise the Dave Brandstetter Mysteries take place from 1965 to the late 1980s. As each installment was written contemporaneously to the plots, the series as a whole has taken on an impressive air of social history. The slow economic decline of the United States, AIDS, and the rise of reactionary religion and politics are all grappled with in real time. There is of course also the steady antagonizing presence of homophobia, which changes too little with the times and never sits a book out.

Tickets Now on Sale for Zoo Lights

Zoo Lights presented by Your Front Range Toyota Stores is back as the final toast in a year-long celebration of Denver Zoo’s 125th anniversary. For the 31st year, the Zoo will transform into Colorado’s wildest holiday tradition with more than 2 million LED lights sparkling over 80 acres, along with a new crop of light installations and offerings. General public tickets are now on sale for Dec. 4 through Jan. 2 (with the exception of Christmas Day) and are only available online and in advance at DenverZoo.org.

Zoo Lights sell out every year, and with limited nightly capacity to enhance the visitor experience, guests are highly encouraged to purchase tickets for their select dates and times immediately. Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for children ages 3 and up, and free for children 2 and under (2 and under require a free ticket booked online). Due to high demand, guests may experience longer-than-usual wait times when purchasing tickets online.

OUT NOW: WILD HEART CLUB'S DEBUT LP "ARCADE BACK IN MANITOU"

Nashville-based dream-pop outfit Wild Heart Club has released their debut LP Arcade Back In Manitou. Singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Kristen Castro, the creative force behind the band, is a genre-crossing artist known for blending a surprising range of electronic, digital, and analog elements into her dreamy, atmospheric indie-pop. She built a name for herself as an independent solo artist with a penchant for electric guitar, a dark sensibility, and a bracing tenderness reminiscent of acts like the Cocteau Twins.

 

The album, an ethereal and lush collection of melancholy tracks with a brilliant gloss of retro sheen, explores a gamut of emotions—lows like processing the effects of a toxic relationship and navigating being gay while trying to love someone who wants to keep the relationship a secret, and highs like reveling in the magnetism of undeniable chemistry with the one you love and learning to forgive. 

“I’ve always been drawn to people who aren’t in the cool club—the weirdos embracing their weirdness,” she says. “This is music for them, as always.” Castro wrote, recorded, and primarily produced Arcade Back in Manitou herself, playing every instrument heard except for percussion. The process helped her deal with heartbreak after a particularly difficult breakup.

“I never let myself fully produce or write the way I wanted. I felt like I had something to prove and I was always watering down what I had to say or not putting myself first musically,” she reveals. “Being in such a deep place of loss made it easier to be honest. I wrote this album to help myself out of a really dark place. I left a band I was in for 6 years in 2018 and then went through a breakup in 2019. For a month in 2020, I broke down and wrote these songs. I had zero intention of an album coming about but am happy it worked out that way.”

 

There’s a genuine and hopeful engagement with the positive, a buoyant, almost-ironic sense of cheer teeming from the instrumentation throughout and a spirit of experimentation and discovery, despite the themes of loss the lyrics explore. The album’s title track is a fine example - a beautiful song about revisiting a place full of happy memories after the end of a relationship. “My ex loved everything Colorado because she’s from there - one of my favorite moments was running from the rain in downtown Manitou Springs and finding cover at this penny arcade. I didn’t really think of that memory a lot so I was surprised when the idea came about,” Castro explains. The song’s accompanying video filmed in and around the actual Arcade in Manitou Springs, Colorado, was featured exclusively at The Colorado Springs Gazette and offers a glimpse into the area’s ethereal landscape.

On Demand this Friday - Krisha Fairchild in FREELAND

In Freeland, on demand everywhere November 19th, Devi (Krisha Fairchild, KRISHA) has been breeding legendary pot strains for decades on the remote homestead she built herself. But when cannabis is legalized, she suddenly finds herself fighting for her survival. 

In a tour-de-force performance, Fairchild brings the timely story of a black-market grower battling to keep her farm to the screen. 

Featuring a heart-breaking turn by John Craven as an old flame from Devi’s commune days, and Frank Mosley (UPSTREAM COLOR) and Lily Gladstone (CERTAIN WOMEN) as adrift harvest workers, the film is full of standout performances. Shot on off-the-grid pot farms during the actual harvest, directors Mario Furloni and Kate McLean imbue this emotional thriller with a deep and empathetic authenticity. 

FREELAND made its World Premiere at the 2020 SXSW Film Festival.

Benee Announces 2022 World Tour Including Colorado Date

Today, New Zealand’s platinum sensation BENEE announces her first foray out into the world since the pandemic struck with her 2022 headline world tour. The North American leg kicks off on May 31^st in Montreal and makes stops in Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and more—see the full list of dates below and at beneemusic.com. The 21-year-old artist broke through with “Supalonely,” her global hit with nearly 4 billion streams, and like many artists has had to wait for a chance to tour outside of her home country again. Next year’s tour will be BENEE’s first time playing shows in North America since 2019.
 
Tickets will go on sale this week, beginning with a fan pre-sale tomorrow, November 16^th at 9AM local time, Spotify pre-sale on Wednesday, November 17^th at 9AM local time, promoter pre-sale on Thursday, November 18^th at 9AM local time, and general on-sale on Friday, November 19^th at 9AM local time.
 
“I am beyond excited to announce that my WORLD TOUR KICKS OFF next year!!!!!!!!!,” says BENEE. “It’s been such a long time coming & we’ve lived through a lot in these weird times but shows starting up again has rly got everyone sosososodo happyyy!!!! I can’t wait to get back out there & meet all of u and play a bunch of new musiiiiiicccc!!”
 
“I AM SO READY TO TOUR!!,” she exclaims. “Doing shows with my band is the best thing and I have missed it so badly this year. Waiting, rescheduling, waiting again has been incredibly difficult.”
 
BENEE recently made a momentous return with her new single “Doesn’t Matter,” her first new music since 2020’s debut album Hey u x. The song is a deeply revealing track that reflects the singer’s journey through the emotional clatter of 2021. The track is off to a flying start, streaming over 1 million times in its first week and receiving praise from the likes of Billboard, Entertainment Tonight, Ones To Watch, PAPER Magazine, Stereogum, UPROXX, V Magazine, and many more.
 
BENEE’s dreamy alt-pop mixes her deeply heartfelt reflections on life in suburban Auckland, New Zealand with offbeat and often whimsical lyrical encounters with zombies and snails, all produced with a technicolor ear for cooked beats and unpredictable hooks. Hey u x is a vibrant musical world with guests ranging from Grimes and Lily Allen to Gus Dapperton and Muroki (another New Zealand teen BENEE has since signed to her own label, Olive). It was listed as one of Billboard’s “25 Best Pop Albums of 2020,” noting that BENEE “contemplates the woes of Gen Z with a keen ear for choruses and arrangements that oscillate between indie rock and hyperpop.” Stereogum praised its “quirky but impeccably produced pop music” and Vogue called it “13 tracks of heavenly indie-alt-pop.”
 
A forthcoming EP release leads into plans for 2022 with the thing that excites BENEE the most—a hefty touring schedule that will bring her live show to adoring fans around the world at last and to Colorado's Gothic Theatre on June 21.

New Study: Gay, Bisexual Men Have Lower Suicide Risk in More Tolerant Countries

Gay and bisexual men who move from a country with high stigma toward LGBTQ people to one more accepting of LGBTQ rights experience a significantly lower risk of suicide and depression, according to research published by the American Psychological Association. 

The study, which used data from 48 countries, bolsters previous research showing that a country’s anti-LGBTQ laws, policies and social attitudes create structural stigma, which may negatively impact the mental health of gay and bisexual men. This study used a new approach to test the negative mental health consequences of structural stigma by examining data from gay and bisexual men who moved between countries with differing levels of structural stigma. The research was published online in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology.

“Our study found that gay and bisexual men had a lower risk of depression and suicidality when they moved from higher-stigma countries to lower-stigma countries, especially when they had lived in the new country for five years or longer,” said lead study author John Pachankis, PhD, an associate professor of public health and director of the LGBTQ Mental Health Initiative at the Yale School of Public Health. 

The study used data from a 2017-18 online survey of more than 123,000 participants living in countries in Europe and Asia. Most of the participants were gay or bisexual men, while approximately 6% were men who had sex with men who identified as heterosexual or another identity. The survey asked participants questions designed to assess their mental health as well as other factors, such as the extent to which they felt compelled to conceal their sexual orientation, internalized negative attitudes they held toward homosexuality and how socially isolated they felt.

The researchers analyzed data from participants who moved between countries with differing levels of structural stigma as measured by an indicator compiled from 15 laws and policies relating to LGBTQ rights, as well as social attitudes. More than 11,000 participants who moved from higher- to lower-stigma countries were included in the analysis. 

The results also suggest some reasons why exposure to high structural stigma may affect mental health of gay and bisexual men, according to Pachankis. “The study shows that structural stigma shaped gay and bisexual men’s daily lives and mental health by increasing their risks for social isolation, concealment of their identity, and internalized homonegativity,” he said.

Although the study didn’t examine the effects of specific laws and policies, one of the most common forms of structural stigma in the higher-stigma countries was a lack of legal recognition of relationships, such as same-sex marriage. Men who moved from higher- to lower-stigma countries were more likely to move to live openly as LGBTQ and to seek asylum than men who moved from lower- to higher-stigma countries. 

For the smaller number of gay and bisexual men who moved from lower- to higher-stigma countries, there wasn’t an increased risk for suicidality and depression, possibly because growing up in a more tolerant society had some lasting mental health benefits. 

The study didn’t include participants living in the United States, but previous research in the United States has found significantly poorer mental health among LGBTQ people who live in states where hate crime and employment non-discrimination laws lack protections based on sexual orientation. 

Mental health professionals working in high-stigma environments across the world should consider addressing the internalized homonegativity and social isolation of LGBTQ clients, while advocating for changes to laws, policies and societal stigma directed against LGBTQ people, Pachankis said.  
 
Article: “Structural Stigma and Sexual Minority Men’s Depression and Suicidality: A Multilevel Examination of Mechanisms and Mobility Across 48 Countries,” by John Pachankis, PhD, Yale School of Public Health, Mark L. Hatzenbuehler, PhD, Harvard University, Richard Bränström, PhD, Karolinska Institutet, Axel J. Schmidt, MD, Sigma Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Rigmor C. Berg, PhD, University of Tromso and Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Kai Jonas, PhD, Maastricht University, Michal Pitoňák, PhD, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia, Sladjana Baros, MSc, Institute of Public Health of Serbia “Dr Milan Jovanovic Batut,” Centre for Diseases Prevention and Control, Belgrade, Serbia, and Peter Weatherburn, MSc, Sigma Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, published online November 15, 2021. 

AGSW: 'Sibling Rivalry' Featuring Bob the Drag Queen and Monét X Change

AGSW and Aspen Snowmass present 'Sibling Rivalry', a benefit for AspenOUT featuring Bob the Drag Queen and Monét X Change.

Monét X Change, Miss Congeniality of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 10 and winner of AS4 and Bob The Drag Queen, winner of Season 8 (she won the first time) and Star of HBO’s We’re Here, are not actually siblings but they are the intensely hilarious comedy duo with infectious chemistry behind the hit podcast Sibling Rivalry.

In addition to their touring, television, and music careers, you’ve seen Bob in his comedy specials, Suspiciously Large Woman and Crazy Black Lady and Monét on her hit BUILDSeries talk show The X Change Rate.

All Patron, Patron XL, Black Diamond, and Blind Date Pass Holders will have entry into the show with first-come, first-serve seating. Patron and Patron XL will have first-come, first-serve front seating. All Pass Holders will be given a ticket upon check-in at the hospitality suite for this show.