When looking\nback at 2019 one has to say that it most definitely was at times, unbelievable.\nThe old adage that \u201cTruth can be Stranger than Fiction\u201d comes to mind. So instead of rehashing all of the\ncrazy, we decided that the Year in Review we would revisit some of the articles\nfeatured on the pages of The Standard Magazine because we are certain that many\nof you are fed up with the daily barrage of political ramblings. As a way to\nlook back we are highlighting excerpts from particular articles from each month\nthat we think deserve a second gander. You can read the complete article by\ncutting and pasting the link at the end of each month\u2019s entry in your browser.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1.January 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n How Can Alternative Treatments Help With HIV?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n By Jenna Fletcher <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Many people\nliving with HIV use alternative therapies. According to one source, over 70\npercent of people with HIV in the United States have tried alternative\ntreatments, and many people use them regularly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Certain\nhealth insurance plans may cover some alternative medicines, such as\nchiropractic and acupuncture therapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While\nalternative treatments do not cure HIV, they may relieve symptoms and can\nimprove a person’s quality of life. However, not all alternative medicines are\nsafe. Some alternative treatments may have side effects or interact with\nmedications. Always talk to a doctor or healthcare provider before trying\nalternative medicine. Can Alternative Therapies Help?<\/p>\n\n\n\n When used\nalongside traditional medication, alternative treatments may help relieve some\nof the symptoms of HIV or AIDS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Physical\ntherapies may help improve a person’s movement, help them relax, and enhance\ntheir overall health. While other therapies, such as Reiki, aim to help restore\na person’s energy flow. Like meditation, this therapy treats the whole person\nbut does not directly target HIV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some\nhealthcare providers support the use of alternative therapies to complement\nconventional treatment while others do not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/issuu.com\/home\/published\/thestandard_vol7_issue1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. February 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n ClexaCon 2019 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pushing The Envelope Forward For LGBTQ+\nWomen\u2019s Visibility in Entertainment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n By Mona Elyafi<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Standing\ntall and strong as the largest convention for LGBTQ+ women and allies, ClexaCon\ncontinues to affirm its unwavering commitment to focus on the power of queer\nwomen to create big and lasting change in front and behind the camera.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The event will once again brings together actresses,\ndirectors, producers, writers, comic book illustrators, visual artists,\nacademics, journalists and fans from over 40 countries and all 50 U.S. states\nto celebrate the best of LGBTQ+ TV and film.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fans will have a chance to attend a series of panels on a variety\nof topics, workshops, charity events, parties, a red-carpet soiree as well as a\nthree-day film festival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bringing\ntheir \u201cA\u201d game, Ashley Arnold and Danielle Jablonski – the masterminds behind the\nhugely popular convention – are not just shaking things up this year; they are\nchanging the game too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/issuu.com\/home\/published\/thestandard_vol7_issue2<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The\nduo is decidedly cranking up the volume on ClexaCon\u2019s mission to push forth its\nenduring message of diversity, equality and inclusion\nof LGBTQ+ women in entertainment at various levels of the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. March 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Modernist Menus: Curating of Cuisine in the\nCoachella Valley<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n By Dann Foley<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Living in\nour resort towns of the Valley, we have a plethora of restaurants, from\nculinary artisans to the proverbial \u201cdiners & dives.\u201d I do not believe I am overstating\nmyself when I suggest that the Valley is undergoing a bit of a restaurant\nrenaissance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This\nawakening is due, in part, to many years of cooking programming and TV\nnetworks. We have all become\nfoodies. The restaurant experience\nhas become about ingredients, exclusivity and farm-to-table freshness. Diners are savvy, they want to be inspired\nand challenged. From Palm Springs\nto La Quinta food hipsters and aficionados are demanding an immersive\nexperience when they dine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During this\nmonth each year, we at The Standard offer the best in Dining. This year I wanted to go deeper and\ngive my readers an \u201cexperience.\u201d \nThe most successful restaurants are more than just a menu. They create a fully immersive\natmosphere where food, service, d\u00e9cor and a creative nature come together\nseamlessly. They create a\nstory. They become a production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Case in\npoint: Liz & Mark Ostoich, owners of FARM Restaurant and the soon to be\nopened Tac\/Quila, both in downtown Palm Springs. Liz & Mark are both attorneys, Liz was looking for her\n\u201csecond act\u201d and decided to focus her razor-sharp intellect, love of food and\nher organizational skills on an existing restaurant. She proves the point that dining excellence speaks to all\nsenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/issuu.com\/home\/published\/thestandard_vol7_issue3<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. April 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n One Night Only, Broadway Showstoppers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n By Ian Ewing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n One Night\nOnly will be directed by famed Broadway choreographer and director Larry\nFuller, with music direction by Christopher Marlowe and presented by Michael\nChilders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The\nlegendary and world-renowned photographer, Michael Childers has photographed\nsome of the most iconic stars in Hollywood. From Natalie Wood and Groucho Marx to John Travolta, Grace\nJones and Andy Warhol. Chances are that if the were photographed, Michael was\nbehind the lens. His iconic style is unmistakable. For those who are unaware,\nMichael is also a philanthropist. He has been on the board of several\norganizations including the Palm Springs International Film Festival, the Palm\nSprings Art Museum and Jewish Family Services. But today we are here to talk\nabout one in particular; One Night Only and Barbara Sinatra Children\u2019s Center,\nthe organization this event benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Michael,\nthank you for taking the time to talk to us. I know you must be very busy with\nthe event quickly approaching so let\u2019s get right to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/issuu.com\/home\/published\/thestandard_vol7_issue4<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 5.May 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n LGBTQ Travel Safety<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n By Matt Solomon<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Safety\nshould be a top priority for every traveler. Overall, traveling as a LGBTQ\ntraveler isn\u2019t much different than traveling for others, but there are times\nspecial considerations should be made. It is important to keep in mind that as\na LGBTQ traveler, a destination\u2019s attitude toward the LGBTQ community is an\nimportant factor to consider. Experiences for LGBTQ travelers can vary\nglobally, so it is important to have an understanding of where you are\ntraveling, so you can have an enjoyable and safe vacation or business trip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We recognize\nthe need for greater understanding and awareness regarding safety for LGBTQ\ntravelers, and developed the following resources and support to assist LGBTQ\ntravelers with information that will help them feel more comfortable as they\nplan their travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The following\nare some key statistics about LGBTQ travel and risks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to\nthe International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association\n(ILGA), there are 72 countries where homosexuality is illegal. (That\u2019s over a\nthird of the world!) In eight of those, homosexuality is punishable by death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/issuu.com\/home\/published\/thestandard_vol7_issue6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 6.June 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Stonewall: “Where Pride Began”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n By Justin Tiller<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We remember the\nuprising at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, as what sparked the modern\nLGBT rights movement in the U.S.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the early\nhours of June 28, 1969, New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay\nclub located in Greenwich Village in New York City. The raid sparked a riot\namong bar patrons and neighborhood residents as police roughly hauled employees\nand patrons out of the bar, leading to six days of protests and violent clashes\nwith law enforcement outside the bar on Christopher Street, in neighboring\nstreets and in nearby Christopher Park. The Stonewall Riots served as a\ncatalyst for the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 1960s\nand preceding decades were not welcoming times for the lesbian, gay, bisexual,\nand transgender (LGBT) community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For such\nreasons, LGBT individuals flocked to gay bars and clubs, places of refuge where\nthey could express themselves openly and socialize without worry. However, the\nNew York State Liquor Authority penalized and shut down establishments that\nserved alcohol to known or suspected LGBT individuals, arguing that just the\ngathering of homosexuals was \u201cdisorderly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thanks to\nactivists\u2019 efforts, these regulations were overturned in 1966, and LGBT patrons\ncould now be served alcohol. But engaging in gay behavior in public (holding\nhands, kissing, or dancing with someone of the same sex) was still illegal, so\npolice harassment of gay bars continued and many bars still operated without\nliquor licenses\u2014in part because they were owned by the Mafia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/issuu.com\/home\/published\/thestandard_vol7_issue6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 7.July 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Mod World of Josh Agle a.k.a. Shag<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n By Jacob Lopez<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Josh Agle\ncommonly known as Shag (a contraction of the last two letters of his first name\nand the first two letters of his last) is one of today\u2019s most popular and\nwidely regarded artists His trademark style is spotted on everything from\ncocktail napkins to mosaics and beach towels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The\ncartoon-like paintings are an ode to the cocktail culture of the 1950s and\n1960s, done in the style (albeit over the top) of commercial art of the era.\nNostalgia for the optimism and fashionable hedonism of that time is one reason\nfor Shag\u2019s popular appeal. But like the best art, it\u2019s the doors in our own\nimaginations opened up by his work that keep viewers engaged\u2014and coming back\nfor more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One look at\na piece of artwork by Shag and you can\u2019t help but smile. The swank and swagger\nof his imagery owes a lot to early James Bond films and David Bailey\u2019s\n\u201cSwinging London\u201d photography. Other influences include Lowbrow artist (and\nJuxtapoz magazine founder) Robert Williams, graffiti and visual artist Keith\nHaring, and animator David Weidman. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Shag\nStore, the world\u2019s first retail shop and gallery dedicated exclusively to the\nart of Shag is open in Palm Springs with a second store in West Hollywood CA.\nThey have quickly become must-see destinations for locals and visitors alike. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This month\u2019s\nwe are totally honored to have the cover of The Standard Magazine exclusively\ndesigned by Shag. We also had the pleasure to speak with Josh about his\ninspirations, his popularity in Palm Springs and sneak a peek into the mind of\nthe artist himself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/issuu.com\/home\/published\/thestandard_vol7_issue7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 8. August 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Justin Utley\u2019s \u201cSurvivors\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Overcoming the Trauma of Conversion Therapy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Conversion Therapy: the disproven\npseudoscientific practice of attempting to change an individual’s sexual\norientation using psychological and spiritual interventions.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n OUTMusic\nAward winning singer\/songwriter Justin Utley releases<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSurvivors\u201d\nRecorded in Salt Lake City, \u201cSurvivors\u201d is an anthemic pop track, written by\nSwedish songwriting duo Linda & Ylva, reworked and expanded upon by Utley\nto include his rallying cry against The stirring music video to \u201cSurvivors\u201d\nfeatures a collaboration with the University of Utah Chamber Orchestra, and the\norchestral version will be featured on the forthcoming album. \u201cSurvivors\u201d is\nthe debut single from Justin Utley\u2019s highly anticipated third studio album,\nScars. The album is expected to be one of the most heartfelt, brutally honest,\nthought provoking and vulnerable collection of songs he has ever produced. It\nalso introduces an exciting new sound for Justin Utley: it is a bold move into\nup-tempo, anthemic and gritty pop. \u201cAt this point in my musical journey, the\ngloves are off,\u201d Utley declares. \u201cThere was a time for playing it safe, but\nI\u2019ve come to a space where I am no longer satisfied with the status quo,\nmusically and personally. I don\u2019t want to spend time placating and catering to\nthe willful ignorance and self-induced biases of people, especially to those\nwho have the power to spark change and shape a better life for LGBTQ youth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSurvivors\nis about facing and overcoming insurmountable odds and learning to thrive in\nthe face of adversity,\u201d explains Justin Utley from his Salt Lake City home.\n\u201cIt\u2019s about survivors of abuse in all forms and how it takes a great deal of\neffort to move forward in life while carrying the heavy burden of trauma.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Justin Utley\nknows about survival first-hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/issuu.com\/home\/published\/thestandard_vol7_issue8<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 9. September 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Straight Footballer Blasts Homophobia In\nSoccer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n By Dawn Ennis<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sweden\u2019s\nAlbin Ekdal is straight and says it\u2019s time to change soccer so closeted gay\nplayers feel comfortable coming out. Albin Ekdal might not be a household name\noutside Europe, but the midfielder for Sweden\u2019s national team and Italy\u2019s\nSampdoria has a message he wants soccer players all around the world to hear:\nmen\u2019s soccer can learn a lot from women\u2019s soccer when it comes to acceptance of\ngay athletes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe have a\nlot to learn from them in this aspect,\u201d Ekdal told Sport Bladet in an interview\nrecorded in Italy and picked up by UK Yahoo Sports and Goal.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere is\nobviously a greater acceptance. Women are probably smarter and more civilized\nin a group than men can be. But we should absolutely learn from how they\u2019ve\ndone it, because you obviously wish that it would be as accepted among men as\namong women to show your love. It doesn\u2019t define who you are, just who you\u2019re\nin love with. It should affect the football extremely little but sadly those\nproblems are still here in 2019.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prior to the\ninterview, the captain recorded a 90-second video that is now posted online. It\nfeatures Ekdal sitting in front of the rainbow flag speaking in Swedish \u2014 with\nEnglish subtitles \u2014 but his message is universal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo\nhomosexual men play football, they say. How did we let it come to this? My name\nis Albin Ekdal and I have played football in two of the biggest leagues in the\nworld. I have participated in both the European Championships and the World Cup\nbut I have still never stood on the same pitch as an openly homosexual player.\nThe issue can\u2019t be shown more clearly than that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/issuu.com\/home\/published\/thestandard_vol7_issue9<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 10.October 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Kristine W Releases Her Issues at Palm\nSprings Pride<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n By Hailey Robertson<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Billboard\nMagazine\u2019s \u201cDance Music Artist of the Decade\u201d opens up about her experiences\nwith love\u2026 and lies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kristine W\nwill launch Palm Springs Pride on Friday, November 1 when she takes the Arenas\nDistrict Stage at 9pm. In addition\nto performing her greatest hits like \u201cLand of the Living\u201d and \u201cStronger,\u201d she\nwill debut songs from Love and Lies, the first part of her three-episode Issues\ndouble-album.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s been\nfive years since the release of Kristine\u2019s last album, New & Number\nOnes. That album included\nre-edited versions of six of her classics and introduced new hits like\n\u201cEverything That I Got\u201d and \u201cLove Come Home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Issues\nalbum will include \u201cStars\u201d, Kristine\u2019s 17th Billboard #1 that now ties her with\nMariah Carey for the sixth-most number ones on the Billboard Club chart, and\nher next sure-to-be hit, \u201cJust a Lie.\u201d We spoke with the diva from her Las Vegas home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why did you\ndecide to break Issues up into three parts? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Kristine\nW: I thought it would be fun to\npresent the music like chapters in a book or a TV series, where they all have a\ncommon thread and fans can look forward to the next creative episode. <\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/issuu.com\/home\/published\/thestandard_vol7_issue10<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 11. November 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Holidays\u2026From a Queens Point of View<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n By Jason Phillips<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It may not\nfeel like it but like it or not the holidays are just around the corner. With\nthat in mind we wanted to bring you a bit of holiday fabulousity<\/em>, fierceness, & fun and what better way to do that\nbut by hearing from a few members of Palm Springs Drag Royalty and what they\nmight have in store for the holidays. Get ready, here\u2019s what they had to say.https:\/\/issuu.com\/thestandardmagazine\/docs\/thestandard_vol7_issue11<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When looking back at 2019 one has to say that it most definitely was at times, unbelievable. The old adage that \u201cTruth can be Stranger than Fiction\u201d comes to mind. So instead of rehashing all of the crazy, we decided that the Year in Review we would revisit some of the articles featured on the pages of The Standard Magazine because we are certain that many of you are fed up with the daily barrage of political ramblings. As a way to look back we are highlighting excerpts from particular articles from each month that we think deserve a second gander. You can read the complete article by cutting and pasting the link at the end of each month\u2019s entry in your browser. 1.January 2019 How Can Alternative Treatments Help With HIV? By Jenna Fletcher Many people living with HIV use alternative therapies. According to one source, over 70 percent of people with HIV in the United States have tried alternative treatments, and many people use them regularly. Certain health insurance plans may cover some alternative medicines, such as chiropractic and acupuncture therapy. While alternative treatments do not cure HIV, they may relieve symptoms and can improve a person’s quality […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1568,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[64],"tags":[112,1265,2203,17,8,56,2205],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thestandardps.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1567"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thestandardps.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thestandardps.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thestandardps.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thestandardps.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1567"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.thestandardps.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1567\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1569,"href":"https:\/\/www.thestandardps.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1567\/revisions\/1569"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thestandardps.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1568"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thestandardps.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1567"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thestandardps.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1567"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thestandardps.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1567"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}