Get Out! GAY Magazine – Issue 337– October 11, 2017

stories GET OUT! MAGAZINE >> GETOUTMAG.COM
BY IAN-MICHAEL BERGERON
@ianmichaelinwonderland
BLUFFIN’ WITH BUTCH
Just two years ago, you
wouldn’t find Butch Cordora
dealing cards in a New York
bar, where law prohibited
card and dice games. Lucky
for us, that ban was lifted
in 2015, and Butch moved
his weekly Texas Hold
‘Em tournament to Hell’s
Kitchen. Ahead of the pack,
Butch’s game is the only one
like it in New York.
Butch has been running a poker
league in Philly, where he lives, for
10 years. He got into poker in 2005
and found a real passion for it; he
commutes two hours every week
for his New York game, and another
two hours back at 1 a.m.
Every Saturday night, Butch shows
up to Boxers HK at 5 p.m., two
hours before the game begins,
to teach beginners how to play.
At 7 p.m. the tournament begins,
and continues until there are three
victors.
The game is free to play, and allows
for an unlimited number of players.
First place wins a $30 gift card to
Boxers, second place
$20 and third place
$10. With a two-for-one
happy hour seven days
a week, those prizes
go a long way. It’s the
perfect way to start your
Saturday nights.
Bluffin’ With Butch
Saturdays, 7 p.m.
@ Boxers HK

Visit www.squirt.org
to hook up today

stories GET OUT! MAGAZINE >> GETOUTMAG.COM
BY IAN-MICHAEL BERGERON
@ianmichaelinwonderland
THE ONE THAT
GOT AWAY
A few weeks into moving
in with The Ex Fiancé, I was
already unsure it was a wise
decision.
We were not adjusting well
to living together again. He
didn’t like that I made one of
our two spare rooms a sewing
room; I didn’t mind that he
made the other his personal
office, especially
since he was still
in grad school, but
when he hung a
bunch of photos on
the wall, I noticed
that I wasn’t in any
of them. I didn’t
like the couch/
loveseat combo
he purchased,
but I couldn’t say
anything about it,
because I didn’t
pay for any of it. We
could never agree
on what to eat for
dinner.
One day, while
hosting at a
restaurant, someone
passing by caught
my eye. When he
saw me he did a
double-take, then
stopped walking and stared at
me. He smiled at me; I smiled
back.
He reached for the door
handle and came inside.
“Hello,” he said - he had a
British accent and a perfectly
tailored suit. I swooned.
“Hi,” I said. “Uhm, table for
one?”
“I think I’ll just grab a drink at
the bar - if that’s OK.”
“Yeah, absolutely.” He
nodded, gave me a final look
and went to the bar.
My heart raced. He was so
handsome, and for whatever
reason, was clearly into me.
PHOTO BY STEVE BRENNAN
Was he traveling for business?
Had he moved to America for
a job offer he couldn’t refuse?
Did he want to get married?
I wanted to get to know
him - I knew, right then and
there, that I wanted to know
everything about him.
I knew he was going to ask
me out before leaving
- I knew he had only come
in because he found me
attractive. If he didn’t ask me,
I was surely going to ask him.
Yes, I was dating - and living
with - The Ex Fiancé. But
that didn’t mean I couldn’t
go out for drinks with a
stranger, right? I played it
out in my head: We’d go out
for drinks, go bar hopping,
and we’d walk the streets
talking until late into
the night. He’d ask me
back to his hotel, and
I’d politely decline,
making sure to leave
him with my phone
number. If I liked him,
I’d start seriously
reconsidering what
had, so far, been a
shitty situation with
The Ex Fiancé.
After his drink, he
made a beeline to
leave the restaurant,
and I couldn’t stop
him- but he hovered
at the door, thought
about it, and turned
around to talk to me.
“It’s really too bad you
have a boyfriend,” he
said, nodding. “He’s a
lucky guy.”
With that, he turned around
and left.
I rushed to the bartender: She
told me he asked about me,
so she told him about The
Ex Fiancé. He’d gotten away
- but with that interaction,
I realized how little loyalty I
had for The Ex Fiancé, and
wondered how far I’d be
willing to stray.

TAKE THE LEAD
Take an active role in your health.
Ask your doctor if an HIV medicine made by Gilead is right for you.
onepillchoices.com
GILEAD and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc.
© 2017 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. UNBC4605 05/17

PUBLISHER
MIKE TODD
MIKE@GETOUTMAG.COM
(646) 761-3325
DESIGN
AGOTA CORREA
AGOTA@GETOUTMAG.COM
(347) 776-9568
NATIONAL
ADVERTISNG
REPRESENTATIVE
RIVENDELL MEDIA
(908) 232-2021
CONTRIBUTORS
CELEBRITY CORRESPONDENT
EILEEN SHAPIRO
IAN-MICHAEL BERGERON
ISSUE 337 - OCTOBER 11 2017
COVER: HURACAN
PHOTO BY RICK STOCKWELL @rickstockwell
ADVERTISE
WITH
___________________
ANUNCIA
EN
The right price, the right distribution, the right
size, the right quality, the right quantity, the right
service 24/7 - everything is just right! Call us to
get the best prices in the tri-state area.
CALL TODAY & GET OUR
SPECIAL WELCOME OFFER!
MIKE TODD
(646) 761-3325
mike@getoutmag.com
The publications of MJT/GOOTH Magazine, getoutmag.com or any related
print or Web publications or social media accounts, their images, quotations or
articles, should not be construed to be an indication of the sexual orientation
of anyone portrayed therein.
All content © 2016 MJT/GOOTH Entertainment LLC.
MJT/GOOTH Entertainment LLC
47-16 67 St. Woodside, NY 11377
GETOUTMAG.COM
@getoutmag

BY EILEEN SHAPIRO
CELEBRITY CORRESPONDENT
Leon A BEAUTIFUL MAN
Actor, producer, singer/songwriter
Leon, along with his band The
Peoples, is set to unleash a soulful,
heartfelt single titled “Beautiful”
on October 6 via The Spectra Music
Group. “Beautiful” is a sexy R&B/
reggae-pop flavored mix, glazed
with integrity and seasoned with an
authentic sincerity, that detonates a
powerful and compelling message.
While listening to Leon’s music you
might suddenly have a revelation
and realize his face as a familiar
extension of the entertainment
industry. Known for portraying
David Ruffin in the hit mini-series
“The Temptations” and for the film
“The Five Heartbeats,” he has also
played Little Richard in the NBC
television film “Little Richard.”
His credits include films such as
“Waiting to Exhale,” “Cliffhanger,”
“Cool Runnings,” “Get Rich or Die Tryin’,” and he has also appeared on the hit television
show “Oz.” Aside from that, he can be seen in Madonna’s music video, “Like a Prayer.”
I was honored to speak with Leon while he gazed upon the clay tennis courts overlooking
the Hudson River. He referenced his musical inspirations, his new single and his upcoming
album, and he also talked about about his acting career and new production company.
That new single of yours,
“Beautiful,” is hot! Very
sexy, with a great message.
I’m glad you appreciate it.
It wasn’t the song we were
going to release first. We
have a really hot song that
everyone went crazy for, but
we realized it was a summer
song, so we’re going to
release it with the album
next year. They said, “Well,
what song do you want to
release now?” I said, “Well,
why not release the song that
everyone seems to like?”
“Beautiful” is the first song
on the record.
It has a really cool
message. Did you write the
song?
Yes.
What were you thinking as
you wrote it?
I have a writing partner, Joel
(JK) Kittens, the same one
from Herbie Hancock’s “Soul
to Soul.” He’s really one of
my best friends in the world.
When I get together, mainly
I create a concept. One of
the things that I wanted
to talk about in this whole
album, which is called “Love
Is a Beautiful Thing,” is all
different versions of love: not
just the kind of love when
you sleep on the same pillow
for years, and the next thing
you know, because you’re
not sleeping with them, you
don’t know where the hell
they are. That’s not love.
I’m talking about the love
for your brother, sister, your
friend...you know, you may
hate them one day, but you’ll
always love them.

I got that from the song: a
family, unity kind of love.
That particular song,
“Beautiful,” it’s just about
what it says. It’s about enjoy
the people in your life
because they’re beautiful.
It’s uplifting, letting them
know how you feel about
them and not being afraid
to do it.
And what better
message is that,
especially in the
times we live in.
You just finished
what I was going
to say: especially
in the times we
are living in.
Especially, even
more so, with
women. I think
women forever
have been put in
this very difficult
place. Trying to
be women, trying
to look good and
even sexy, and to
be taken seriously
as a person, as
a partner and
as a businesswoman…
I think
now more than
ever, we are
at that place,
because of the
current administration, that
women are really standing
up for themselves. I think
there is no better time to let
a woman know, while she’s
in that struggle, that she’s
beautiful. Whether it be a
mom, a sister or even my
daughter, I just wanted to
write a song that told that
kind of message.
The message is so spot on.
So, you said the album is
going to come out next
year?
Yes, the album is going to
come out next year, with
The Spectra Music Group.
If you could have your
ultimate stage fantasy,
what would you need to
happen?
Wow. I guess, just off the
top of my head, it would
just be having a crowd of
30 to 50 thousand people,
singing my song back to
me. For me, as a songwriter,
and also because it’s not
my first profession, I value
it so much. I do it for the
love. I want to do it; I don’t
have to do it. For me, I
really appreciate that. I
remember the first time
I heard my song on the
radio. I was like, “Oh, wow,
someone is listening to my
record besides me?” It’s a
great feeling. When you
have a song—for example,
you were telling me when
you talked about my song
as getting my message. It
gives me a warm feeling
inside just because I don’t
know if people are going to
get what I’m putting across.
You never know that. People
may not get it, so when you
hear someone that gets it,
it’s a great feeling.
Well, it’s a beautiful song,
and I do get it. You have
accomplished so many
things in your career:
You’re an actor starring in
major roles, a songwriter,
a singer, a father. Is there
anything that you still
wish to do?
In my individual profession
there’s still so much I wish
to accomplish. I don’t care
how many movies I’ve
made, I’m just starting.
There are so many people
I haven’t worked with,
so many stories I haven’t
told. There is so much
to do. I feel like I’m
always just starting, and
I’m happy and excited.
Music to me is even more
exciting. The one thing
I tell people all the time
who ask me which I like
more, singing or acting,
[is that] I don’t like either
one of them more; they
are just different. I’m a
trained actor, and my job
is to play a character that
someone wrote. But when
I’m on stage, it’s me.
But the fact that you
have portrayed a lot of
roles where you got to
sing as well is pretty cool.
I think for whatever reason
I gravitated to these roles,
and that was great. I was
happy. I love those kind
of movies. Elvis was a big
influence on me when I was
growing up. That sort of guy
was great looking, he got
to sing in the movies, he
always got the best looking
girls. I thought, “OK, that’s a
pretty good profession.”
Do you have a hero?
No, I can’t say that I have a
hero.

Will you be touring in
support of the album, the
single?
Without a doubt. I definitely
will be touring in support
of the album this spring,
summer and probably until
the fall. With the single,
I’m just doing five dates
right now. We will be in
the Jamaica Performing
Arts Center in New York, in
Phoenix in November and
then just mainly gearing up
to go around the country
and play our music. One
of the things that is really
interesting for me is I go
places and play music.
People may not know the
band right off the bat, but
then after a while I see them
looking at me, and then all
of a sudden they are like,
“Oh, you know who that
is?” I look at their faces;
you can’t miss it. When I’m
playing, sometimes I go
out, and we always rock
the crowd, but I see at first
sometimes some people are
completely delighted. Half
the crowd already knew,
but some people, they have
that look on their face, like,
“Wait a second...” I often
put my music on playlists
or play it at parties, and
never, ever tell them that
it’s my band. I want to see
their reaction on their own.
I don’t want them to react
because I’m there.
How do you feel when
someone says, “I don’t
like it, it’s not my type of
music”? Do you hate them
for the rest of your life?
There is always going to
be someone that doesn’t
like that type of music. If it
is their type of music and
they just don’t like it, that’s
different. I’d much rather
have them not like the type
of music than just not like it.
Do you recall your
proudest moment either
as a musician or as an
actor? A moment in your
career that you will never
forget?
Wow, I should have this.
Really, there has been a few
moments for me like that.
Usually they are involving
some kind of legend,
someone that I’ve looked
up to since I was a kid, them
knowing me or wanting to
have a conversation with
me. I’ve pinched myself,
because I’m in a corner
talking with that person.
I’ve had that, talking with
Smokey Robinson or James
Taylor. To me they are the
epitome of songwriting.
To me it’s like, “Really,
am I really having this
conversation? Is he really
this interested in me?” It’s
fantastic. It’s someone you
look up to. They are at
another level, a level that
you don’t even aspire to be.
I know that the album
hasn’t even come out yet,
but do you have a next
project in mind?
Yeah, I’ve already started
writing ideas for the songs.
It’s tough though, between
that and acting, and I have a
production company called
Motion Mob Films in New
York. We’re developing
projects right now. We have
one in pre-production and
one in post-production, so
I’ve kind of been doing that,
supervising that as well.

There’s a lot to juggle. I’m
also a very proud daddy.
In the midst of all of that,
I get to play some tennis,
do some fun things. It’s all
good.
Everyone said that you
were really cool. Glad you
are!
I can’t say that I paid the
people to say that.
What about everyday
life influences your
songwriting?
Wow! Everything. I’m
an observer of
people, especially
relationships. A lot of
my songs are about
relationships. Not
only romantic ones,
but relationships in
general. That’s what
shapes our lives.
There were so many
things that affect
it. I watch people’s
behavior; it kind of
shapes the stories
I tell. They are just
ideas about life. Most
of the things that
I write about have
happened to me in
my life, or that I’ve
experienced through
others.
Where are you from
originally?
New York. Born,
raised and currently
residing.
Yay! Is there
anything else that
you wish to talk
about that I didn’t
cover?
I’m on the road doing
a play called “Before
I Say I Do.” It’s a play
about some couples
that are about to
get married. They
decide to go to this
woman who was supposed
to make their marriage
stronger. What it really is
a boot camp where they
get locked up and have to
follow all of her instructions.
It puts them through these
tasks about learning about
themselves, about their
maturity. The next thing
you know some will come
out strong enough to enter
into marriage, and some
of them come out realizing
that they were about to do
the wrong thing.
Sounds like a heavy topic.
There’s a lot of comedy. If
someone wanted to see it
they could probably go to
my website justleon.com,
and the dates will be up
there. We’re in Columbia,
North Carolina; Charlotte,
North Carolina; Raleigh,
North Carolina; and Virginia
next weekend.
Follow Leon on Twitter @
JustLeon
Follow Leon & The
Peoples on Twitter @
LeonThePeoples

THE REASON
TO CHOOSE
UTOPIA SPA:
•Relaxing atmosphere
•Professional skills
•Clean and hygienic
•Respectful and friendly
30mins $40 60mins $60
Free cold drinks
Free shower
Value packages are available!
Massage - Waxing - Trimming
Table shower - Body scrub
Like Nowhere,
You’ve Ever Been!
www.UtopiaSpaNYC.com
965 Lexington Ave
2FL @ 70th Street
Tel: 212 -879 -0402
Hours: 10:30AM-11:00PM
Trains: 6, F, Q

GET OUT! MAGAZINE >> GETOUTMAG.COM
PHOTOS BY RICK STOCKWELL @RICKSTOCKWELL
HURACAN

BY SAMARA RIVIERA
www.SamaraElleRiviera.com
Como te gusta vivir en
New York?
H- me encanta vivir en
New York amo New York.
Cuanto tiempo tienes de
bailarin en Music Box?
H- tengo 1 año trabajando
en music box.
Cuales noches bailas ahi?
H- los días que bailo en
music box son los jueves
viernes y sábados.
Bailas en otro lugar?
H- si también bailo en
Friends Tavern.
Y eres soltero o tienes
pareja?
H- soy casado.
Si tienes pareja que
piensa de tu carrera de
bailarin?
H- mi pareja no le importa
que sea bailarín ya que me
conoció en el ambiente y
no le molesta para nada.
Que les quieres decir a
tus nuevos fans para que
vallan a verte a bailar?
H- les quiero decir a mis
fans que vallan a verme y
apoyarme ya que son muy
importante para.