Get Out! GAY Magazine – Issue 539

CELEBRATE PRIDE
AT PAC NYC
Choreographed by Arturo Lyons and Omari Wiles
Directed by Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch
Inspired by the musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber
based on Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T. S. Eliot
Begins June 13
Major Support for Cats: “The Jellicle Ball” is provided by
Additional Production Support for Cats: “The Jellicle Ball” is provided by Carlos and Eileen Rodriguez
Model: Jodi Mugler
Photo: Jai Lennard
SHE HE ME
Written by Raphaël Amahl Khouri Directed by Dmitri Barcomi
June 21-23
THE SURVIVAL
Written by Achiro P. Olwoch Directed by Nadia Guevara
June 22-27
WAAFRIKA 123: A QUEERLY SCRIPTED
TRAGIC RISE TO AFRICAN FANTASIA
Written by Nick Hadikwa Mwaluko Directed by é boylan
June 26-29
Tyler Bey and Gregory Marlow in The Survival.
Photo: Sachyn Mital for Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
JOIN US IN LOWER MANHATTAN!
TICKETS AT PACNYC.org

freeSTDcheck.org
Wellness Centers
Brooklyn
475 Atlannc Ave, Fl 2
(917) 246-7498
Bronx
655 Morris Ave
(347) 736-9046

TOP 10
DJ DAVID
MICHAEL
Facebook /davidmichaelnyc
Instagram @djdavidmichaelnyc
SoundCloud /djdavidmichaelnyc
CURRENT
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
360
CHARLI XCX
ASK & YOU SHALL RECEIVE
(EXTENDED MIX) RITA ORA
BIRDS OF A FEATHER (DAVID
MICHAEL CLUB MIX) BILLIE EILISH
ESPRESSO (AMICE REMIX)
SABRINA CARPENTER
FORTNIGHT (RIVAS EDIT)
TAYLOR SWIFT
FREEDOM (VOCAL MIX)
REVIVAL, PEYTON, GEO GOSPEL CHOIR
HOT TO GO!
CHAPPELL ROAN
LOVE BITES
NELLY FURTADO, TOVE LO, SG LEWIS
MAN IN FINANCE (G6 TRUST FUND)
GIRL ON COUCH, BILLEN TED
NASTY X NASTY GIRL (JAE FUSZ MASH-
UP) TINASHE VS. INAYA DAY
THROWBACK
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Weekly Appearances:
Tuesdays - CURTAINS UP! at The Monster 9pm-11pm
Wednesdays - THE ASSASSINS at Balcon Salon 9pm-2am
Fridays - The Stonewall Inn
Saturdays - SPUNK at The Monster 9:30pm-4am
Follow my social media for announcements.
ABSOLUTELY NOT (CHANEL RADIO
EDIT) DEBORAH COX
BORN THIS WAY (BARRY HARRIS
& MSC 2017 REMIX) LADY GAGA
DEEPER LOVE (ORIGINAL MIX)
STEVE TOSI
FIREWORK (BARRY HARRIS PRIDE
2017 REMIX) KATY PERRY
FREE (SAMUELE SARTINI REMIX)
ULTRA NATÉ
PROUD (JOSH HARRIS PRIDE
EXTENDED MIX) HEATHER SMALL
THIS IS ME (JOE GAUTHREAUX &
LEANH REMIX) KEALA SETTLE
THIS IS YOUR NIGHT (DJ JEFF 90S
POP HOUSE RE-DRUM) AMBER
VOGUE (BIT ERROR CLUB MIX)
MADONNA
WHEN LOVE TAKES OVER (DAVID
MICHAEL VS. ALMIGHTY 2020 PRIDE
REMIX) KELLY ROWLAND

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WINNER - LUCILLE LORTEL AWARDS
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ICEBERG OFF! ”
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people
“A PERFECT
MARRIAGE OF GREAT
BROADWAY-CALIBER
THEATER AND
HARD COMEDY. ”
MATT ROGERS
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BOOK BY
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Nicholas Connell
CHOREOGRAPHED BY
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DIRECTED BY
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101 EAST 15TH ST, NYC
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getoutmag.com week in pictures
EAGLE
>> BY WILSONMODELS / wilsonmodels.blogspot.com

#1 PRESCRIBED
HIV TREATMENT*
People featured
take BIKTARVY
and are
compensated
by Gilead.
NOW THERE’S
MORE TO LOVE.
BIKTARVY® is now approved for more people
than ever before.
Ask your healthcare
provider if BIKTARVY
is right for you.
BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day
prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in
certain adults. BIKTARVY does not cure
HIV-1 or AIDS.
* Note: This information is an estimate derived
from the use of information under license from
the following IQVIA information service: IQVIA NPA
Weekly, for the period week ending 04/19/2019
through week ending 05/19/2023. IQVIA expressly
reserves all rights, including rights of copying,
distribution, and republication.
Scan to learn more
about the latest
BIKTARVY update.

IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®
This is only a brief summary of important information about
BIKTARVY® and does not replace talking to your healthcare
provider about your condition and your treatment.
(bik-TAR-vee)
MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION
ABOUT BIKTARVY
BIKTARVY may cause serious side
effects, including:
Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV)
infection. Your healthcare provider will
test you for HBV. If you have both HIV-1
and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get
worse if you stop taking BIKTARVY.
Do not stop taking BIKTARVY without
first talking to your healthcare provider,
as they will need to check your health
regularly for several months, and may
give you HBV medicine.
ABOUT BIKTARVY
BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill,
once-a-day prescription medicine
used to treat HIV-1 in adults and children
who weigh at least 55 pounds. It can
either be used in people who have never
taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people
who are replacing their current HIV-1
medicines and whose healthcare
provider determines they meet
certain requirements.
BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS.
HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS.
Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a
medicine that contains:
dofetilide
rifampin
any other medicines to treat HIV-1
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY
BIKTARVY may cause serious side
effects, including:
Those in the “Most Important Information
About BIKTARVY” section.
Changes in your immune system.
Your immune system may get stronger
and begin to fight infections that may
have been hidden in your body. Tell
your healthcare provider if you have
any new symptoms after you start
taking BIKTARVY.
Kidney problems, including kidney
failure. Your healthcare provider
should do blood and urine tests to
check your kidneys. If you develop new
or worse kidney problems, they may
tell you to stop taking BIKTARVY.
Too much lactic acid in your blood
(lactic acidosis), which is a serious but
rare medical emergency that can lead
to death. Tell your healthcare provider
right away if you get these symptoms:
weakness or being more tired than usual,
unusual muscle pain, being short of
breath or fast breathing, stomach pain
with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue
hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded,
or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.
Severe liver problems, which in rare
cases can lead to death. Tell your
healthcare provider right away if you
get these symptoms: skin or the white
part of your eyes turns yellow, dark
“tea-colored” urine, light-colored
stools, loss of appetite for several days
or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain.
The most common side effects of
BIKTARVY in clinical studies were
diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and
headache (5%).
These are not all the possible side effects
of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare
provider right away if you have any new
symptoms while taking BIKTARVY.
You are encouraged to report negative
side effects of prescription drugs to the
FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or
call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Continued on next page.
Continued on next page.
Please see Important Facts about BIKTARVY, including important warnings,
continued on the next page and at BIKTARVY.com.

People featured take BIKTARVY
and are compensated by Gilead.
REAL STORIES
REAL VOICES
ELIAS
CHAD
D’EVA
HUGO
NIKKI
THERON
DIMITRI
ZACH
PHIL
Meet a few of the extraordinary people who take BIKTARVY.
Watch their stories at BIKTARVY.com
IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY® (cont’d)
Your healthcare provider will need to
do tests to monitor your health before
and during treatment with BIKTARVY.
BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY
Tell your healthcare provider if you:
Have or have had any kidney or liver
problems, including hepatitis infection.
Have any other health problems.
Are pregnant or plan to become
pregnant. Tell your healthcare provider
if you become pregnant while taking
BIKTARVY.
Are breastfeeding (nursing) or
plan to breastfeed. Talk to your
healthcare provider about the risks of
breastfeeding during treatment with
BIKTARVY.
Tell your healthcare provider about all
the medicines you take:
Keep a list that includes all prescription
and over-the-counter medicines,
antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal
supplements, and show it to your
healthcare provider and pharmacist.
BIKTARVY and other medicines
may affect each other. Ask your
healthcare provider and pharmacist
about medicines that interact with
BIKTARVY, and ask if it is safe to
take BIKTARVY with all your
other medicines.
HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY
Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with
or without food.
GET MORE INFORMATION
This is only a brief summary of
important information about
BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare
provider or pharmacist to learn more.
Go to BIKTARVY.com or call
1-800-GILEAD-5.
If you need help paying for your
medicine, visit BIKTARVY.com for
program information.
Please see Important Facts, including important warnings, above and at BIKTARVY.com.
BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, and KEEP
BEING YOU are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.
© 2024 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. US-BVYC-0436 05/24

getoutmag.com week in pictures >> BY BILLY HESS
HOUSE ON FIRE PREVIEW @ 9 BOB NOTE

BY EILEEN SHAPIRO
CELEBRITY CORRESPONDENT
Frankie Grande
Does Pride and Announces New Podcast,
“Does This Murder Make Me
Look Gay?”
The iridescently dazzling
singer, actor, dancer, Broadway
producer, television personality,
advocate, and so much more,
Frankie Grande will be flaming
his way to New York City Pride
in a cloud of liquid mathematics
and perfumed smoke. He will
also be featured in an all-star
podcast, along with Cheyenne
Jackson, called “Does This
Murder Make Me Look Gay?”
Frankie is known to the wider
world for his YouTube presence,
as host of Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob BingePants podcast, his starring role
of Franz in Broadway’s Rock of Ages, his debut in Mamma Mia!, and his
role in Nickelodeon’s Henry Danger as the first live action queer character
on the network, and as a high-lighted finalist on the CBS reality series
Big Brother. Most recently, he has returned to the lights of Broadway
in Titanique the Musical and now sits on the Board of Directors of the
GLAAD Awards. Frankie is also celebrated for his philanthropic work after
co-founding “Broadway in South Africa”, teaching disadvantaged youths
the performance arts.
As a longtime friend of this exquisite flamboyant, I’ve seen him touch
the lives of so many with his kindness and heartwarming personal caring
towards others. We spoke about his upcoming adventures, including
Pride, the new podcast and also brand new music set to launch some
time next year.
IG: FRANKIEJGRANDE
TIK TOK: FRANKIEJGRANDE

INTERVIEW
WELL, LET’S START WITH PRIDE. WHAT
ARE YOU GOING TO BE DOING FOR
PRIDE?
I’m going to be working
with GLAAD. I want to work
on amplifying GLAAD’s
message for this month,
which is a great way for
LGBTQ members to be
handed the microphone
and say what we have to
say. Which is fabulous. I
am starting at L.A. Pride
this weekend. Then I will
be down for New York City
Pride. I’ll be there riding
a float. There are a lot of
exciting things coming
up for me for Pride. I like
to keep preaching the
message of inclusion and
representation and how
important it is, especially in
media. To the whole world. I
just think it’s going to be the
best way for us to educate
the world. Hopefully we’ll
get some people to show
up and support LGBTQ+
rights at the voting booths in
November.
There are so many issues
that people are talking
about for this election. It’s
just like, guys, let’s not
forget we lost abortion
this year and we can lose
gay marriage. We have to
fight for the things that we
have already achieved. The
Supreme Court could turn
it all over if we get any more
conservatives on there.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT FLOAT YOU’RE
GOING TO BE ON IN NEW YORK?
I believe I am on the
iHeartRadio float.
Because my podcast is on
iHeartRadio. I’m excited
about it.
SO, LET’S DO THE REST OF THE YEAR.
WHAT’S UP?
I have a podcast coming
out. I believe we premiere
on the 18th, which is just
around the corner. It’s
called “Does This Murder
Make Me Look Gay?” It is
a fantastic title. I’m with the
most all-star cast that I’ve
ever been in anything with in
my life. It has me, Cheyenne
Jackson, Matt Doyle, Kate
McKinnon, Lea Salonga,
Lea DeLaria Nathan Lee
Graham, Robin de Jesus. All
of these incredibly talented
Broadway artists. This is one
of the funniest things I’ve
ever been in. It’s written by
Ted Malawer, who co-wrote
Red, White & Royal Blue,
which was such a fabulous
movie. This podcast is just
laugh out loud. It’s basically
the game Clue. We are all
locked in a house and there
is a murder and one of us did
it and we have to figure out
who. My character is Kelly
Raymour & Flanigan, who
is very Southern and very
flatulent, and it’s very funny.
I can tell you I have been in
the studio. I am working with
a producer on some new
music, which I am very very
excited about. That will be
coming out sometime not
in the near future because
we’re still working on it. I
should have a new album
to put out soon and when I
say soon, I mean next year. I
am still excited about it. It’s
been such a long time and
I’ve not really been serious
about music, but I think
with the sobriety I realize
I have a point of view and
something to say. I just never
really knew how to say it. I’m
working with a producer that
is new and up and coming.
We just really locked into
a groove. I am writing the
music, so I’m very excited.
PHOTO CREDIT: WES AND ALEX/ @WESANDALEX

ISSUE #539
COVER:
TRISTAN
SCHUKRAFT
PUBLISHER MICHAEL TODD
MIKE@GETOUTMAG.COM
DESIGN AGOTA CORREA
AGOTA@GETOUTMAG.COM
CELEBRITY INTERVIEWER EILEEN SHAPIRO
@EILEENSHAPIRO3
NYC’S NIGHTLIFE AWARD WINNING BLOGGER/
WRITER & INTERVIEWER JIM SILVESTRI
NIGHTLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER WILSONMODELS
JEASO86@HOTMAIL.COM
The publications of MJT/GOOTH ENTERTAINMENT, getoutmag.com or any
other 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 © Copyright 2019
MJT/GOOTH ENTERTAINMENT
25-21 45TH STREET ASTORIA, NY 11103
GET OUT OF THE HOUSE ENTERTAINMENT EST. 2009

BY BEN NELSON
PRIDE IS A DREAM
DJ John Summit Headlines Dreamland:
Pride in Central Park
“Dreamland: Pride in Central Park
will be more than a party; it will be a
place for every color of the rainbow to
shine bold and bright.”
NYC’s Central Park will be the center
of the LGBTQ universe on Sunday,
June 30 when it hosts Dreamland:
Pride in Central Park.
The festival event will be held at the
city’s most iconic outdoor venue,
SummerStage, located inside Rumsey
Playfield. It will be an immersive
experience, celebrating diversity and
inclusivity, with House and Techno
giant DJ John Summit--best known
for his showstopping performances
at Coachella, Lollapalooza,
Tomorrowland, and EDC Las Vegas–
headlining. Disco Dom and DJ Suri
will also appear.
“Today’s LGBTQ+ community
seeks events that blend fun with
meaningful social impact,” says
Jake Resnicow, the event’s producer.
The announcement of Dreamland:
Pride in Central Park is welcome
news to the queer community in New
York City, as the city’s other annual
music festival, Heritage of Pride’s
Pride Island, has been canceled
this year due to lack of corporate
investment. “Our choice to remain
a self-funded event was originally
meant to ensure that our core values
and vision remain uncompromised,
however, it has also helped to shield
us from being impacted by right wing
influence,” Resnicow explains.
He doesn’t rule out corporate funding
in the future. “Moving forward, we
are open to partnering with sponsors
who align with our mission of
inclusivity, diversity, and community
support. However, we will need to
get through this spike of anti-LGBTQ
rhetoric in the USA first.”
This year’s Dreamland: Pride in
Central Park follows last year’s debut
that featured Paris Hilton and Purple
Disco Machine, with performances by
Kim Petras and Billy Porter.

According to Mr. Resnicow, DJ John
Summit was selected as this year’s
headliner because of his widespread
appeal in the electronic music scene.
“John Summit’s music is a journey
through sound that encapsulates the
spirit of Pride,” Resnicow explains.
“Music fans are in for a real treat with
an electrifying set, filled with highenergy
tracks.”
He also believes Summit’s decision
to headline this year’s Dreamland
may pave the way for other superstar
artists of his caliber to bring their
unique sounds and stories to future
Dreamland stages.
A portion of the proceeds from
Dreamland: Pride in Central Park
will benefit City Parks Foundation,
an organization dedicated to
invigorating and transforming parks
into dynamic, vibrant centers of urban
life through sports, arts, community
building and education programs
for all New Yorkers. Their programs
— located in more than 300 parks,
recreation centers and public schools
across New York City — reach over
275,000 people each year.
The partner hotel for Dreamland:
Pride in Central Park is Yotel New York
Times Square. New York’s famous
high-tech, cool concept design,
nestled between Times Square and
Hudson Yards, is providing exclusive
accommodations and discounted
rates for Dreamland attendees.
Dreamland: Pride in Central Park takes place Sunday, June 30 at Rumsey
Playfield (E 71st St and East Drive) in Central Park from 3:00 pm to 10:00
pm. Doors open at 3:00 pm. Tickets are available now on Ticketmaster
and at DreamlandPride.com

BY JIM SILVESTRI
PHOTO CREDIT: BRYAN CLAVEL
DRAG QUEEN OF THE MONTH
INITA D
One of NYC’s Favorite Queens was just crowned Miss Stonewall 2024:
The Incomparable Inita D!

Best description of my
drag: Business chic with
a touch of stripper ‘ho
vibes. Like if Ramona
(JLo) from the movie
Hustlers did drag, that
would be me.
How many years I’ve
been at it: Seven years
Original hometown:
Yonkers
Favorite number to do:
“Higher” by VINCINT
A number I will NEVER
do: Anything by P. Diddy
Favorite cosmetic
product: Honestly, been
getting into skincare
more and have been
loving Glossier’s skin
care product. Also Milk
cosmetics and Juvia’s
Place
Reason I started drag:
Hibiscus encouraged
me to do it for a Beyoncé
competition at Rise Bar
and so I did it. Also, I was
tired of being a backup
dancer and wanted to be
in the center, haha
Most important diva
ever:
(singer. actress etc.)
Beyoncé, hands down,
and the Virgin Mary; she
slays, hahaha
A drag performer
I admire: Jujubee
and Brenda Dharling.
Jujubee because of
her kindness and her
wittiness, Brenda for her
amazing talents, while
also being an amazing,
respectful queen--and
her brand is amazing.
The man of my
dreams: Vin Diesel.
Lawd, he was my
original celebrity crush
and always will be,
followed by the Rock
Drink of choice:
Absolute Pears Ginger
Ale
Best thing about drag:
The money I make from
it
Worst thing about
drag: The money I
spend on it, lol
Proudest drag moment
I’ve had:
Winning Miss Stonewall
2024 and also hosting
Yonkers’ first Pride
Festival three years ago
b/c that’s my hometown.
Weirdest drag moment
I’ve had:
Honestly, getting
dragged itself is weird. I
mean I am dressing up
as the gender that I’m
not sexually attracted to
to perform for the white
men’s dollar, that has
got to be weird lol
Best advice to a new
queen:
Have an idea of what
you want your brand
to be. Even if you’re an
artist--that’s great, you
wanna express your art-
-but drag is a business
a lot of times. People
forget that. So make sure
you carry yourself with
dignity and that you’re
easy to work with, you’re
respectful towards
others, and you respect
other people’s spaces
so you can get bookings
and people want to
work with you. Because
you can be the most
sickening performer...
but if your attitude is
trash, no one‘s gonna
wanna work with you.
Where to find me:
The corner of 1/78 and
Pinehurst, but most
importantly, you can find
me on my Instagram
at @THEINITAD, also on
my website at initad.
net, where you can find
events I’m gonna be at.
Also, you can find my
merch as well, if you
want to support me.

if it was me...

TRISTAN
SCHUKRAFT
The Ceo Of Everything Gay:
Tryst Hospitality Chain, The Abbey, Fire Island Pines,MISTR
There is an eloquence in true enthusiasm. Tech entrepreneur turned
hospitality guru and nightlife aficionado Tristan Schukraft is a veracious
visionary whose creativity is pushing open the heavy groaning doorway of
life itself….most especially in the flamboyantly flavored gay universe.
Acclaimed as “the CEO of everything gay”, Tristan is a fearless adventurer
for filling his destiny. He began his journey creating ID90 Technologies, an
e-ticketing platform for airline employee travel and then later established
MISTR, the largest telemedicine platform dedicated to HIV prevention and
long-term HIV care. He then, nearly by chance, acquired the Tryst Hotel and
Circo nightclub located in San Juan Puerto Rico, and the Tryst in Puerto
Vallarta, which is now open for reservations for September, followed by
the Iconic Abbey in West Hollywood.
Most recently, Tryst Hospitality has acquired the legendary Fire Island
Pines commercial district and is celebrating its third location of luxury
brand hotels. His acquisition includes the Pavilion nightclub, the Blue
Whale, the Canteen, a hotel and pool deck, retail shops and docks. The
hotel is set to be renovated and become the Tryst Fire Island….and part
of his global LGBTQ portfolio. The Pines is an iconic queer kaleidoscope of
hot men wearing colorful Speedos, dragging a pink marathon of wagons
behind them with a variety of decadent drinks in hand. It’s paradise
exemplified. After the renovation of the hotel, I doubt if the Meat Rack will
ever be the same.
Tryst Hospitality has also acquired DS Tequila in Chicago’s iconic Boystown
neighborhood, Northalstead. Tristan plans to operate DS Tequila’s for
special events through Pride and Market Days event on August 10th &
11th before transforming it into a new nightlife venue.
Tristan Schukraft is not only salaciously handsome, but kind and fun as
well. It’s as if he’s on a gay spiritual quest and the universe itself propels
his chariot of fire.

INTERVIEW >>>
HELLO, TRISTAN. WHAT PROMPTED
YOU TO BUY ALMOST ALL OF THE
PINES?
Glutton for punishment. We’re going
through a lot of change in the gay
community. A lot of our founders and
leaders are in their 60s and looking to
retire. So if somebody doesn’t come in and
take over the reins, so to speak, we will
lose these communities. That’s my number
one motivation–protecting such an iconic
community. It is so important in so many
ways. The first tea dance was there. The
Invasion, which is such a fun party but
was very monumental in the beginning.
And yes, it is very complimentary to my
interest, my hotels. There is the hotel
there. You know, I’ve been to Fire Island
a couple of times and it is such a magical
place. I even went this weekend and
even though it was cold and pre-season,
you just get off the boat and there is that
energy and excitement. I know it’s kind
of cheesy to say some places are magic,
but that’s exactly how it felt this weekend.
There’s something in the air and there
are a lot of characters. We started the
acquisition of hotels with the Tryst Hotel,
which is currently open and we’re going
to do a million dollar renovation. We are
launching Tryst Hotel with our flagship in
Puerto Vallarta, which is opening and we
are taking reservations September 15th.
Tryst hotels is a gay hotel brand focused
on the gay traveler. Everyone is welcome,
but it’s not focused on the heterosexual
community. It is a gay hotel. There’s a bar,
there’s a beach club and a pool component
to it. We have Drag Brunch every Sunday.
It is very much a part of the community.
When you are staying at the Tryst, we
make you feel welcome. You have the
freedom to be yourself. You’re going to
meet a lot of locals. Because that is where
the locals go. Locals go there for happy
hour, cocktails, dinner. With Fire Island, the
opportunity came up where somebody has
to take the reins and preserve it. There’s
a hotel there that’s been condemned for
years now and it probably should have
been condemned a few years prior.

I remember I walked around it a couple
times on the first visit and the broker said,
“It’s not that bad”. I was like, “Let’s get on the
same page here. It is not in good shape.”
WELL, LOOKING AT YOU, I COULD TELL
YOU’RE A PINES BOY. BUT THAT BEING
SAID, YOU KNOW THE GROVE IS A LOT
OF FUN TOO.
You know, I went there for the underwear
party. Purely for research purposes. I was
shocked. Because it was pre-season and it
was packed. I am typically into Latinos, but
there were quite a bit of white boys there
that might sway me.
WELL, THE LAST QUESTION I ASK YOU
WILL BE: DO YOU HAVE A HUSBAND?
BECAUSE EVERYONE IS GOING TO
WANT TO KNOW. BUT I’LL SAVE THAT.
I have two boyfriends. But they both know
about each other. Sometimes it could be a
bit challenging. Three different people in one
relationship could be interesting, but it could
be a challenge.
WHAT IS YOUR ULTIMATE FANTASY
REGARDING TRYST HOSPITALITY?
I MEAN, ARE YOU GONNA GO TO
EUROPE? WHAT IS YOUR SOLE
FANTASY?
I kind of got into the hotel business by
accident. I was in Puerto Rico and I was
on the beach. There was this parking lot
and I thought, “Why is there this beautiful
parking lot on the beach? This should
really be a gay beach club.” It really kind
of just started there. I went to Puerto Rico
about four years ago after the hurricane.
It just kind of wiped out the island. It never
truly recovered. There is no gay scene.
Very little gay scene. So I thought that if
I’m going to live here, I’m going to create
the gay scene. It just happened to be that
that hotel was for sale. It was branded the
Tryst. Tryst was my nickname as a kid. So I
thought it was a sign. Or maybe I read into
it too much because I was having too many
mojitos. I’ve always wanted to own a hotel.
I’ve lived in hotels for many years–which I
could tell you is much more fun when you
don’t own the hotel because you don’t have
to work 24/7. It was kind of inspired by The
Birdcage. The idea with the Tryst hotels is
that they are kind of an iconic LGBTQ travel
destination. There are several opportunities
internationally. In each case we want to be a
small boutique hotel. Everyone is welcome,
but it is a gay hotel. I think it’s important
to focus on the most sought after popular
destinations and be part of the community.
So two in a room at a hotel in New York
doesn’t make sense. My attorney asked
me, “Aren’t you tired of doing this?” But I
have the ability to do so. It is important work.
Especially when it comes to places like Fire
Island and preserving those gay institutions.
But it’s also a lot of fun. I get this from my
father, who basically worked until he was 75
years old. I kept telling him he needs to relax
and retire but now here I am doing the same
thing.
SO YOU JUST OPENED UP A LOCATION
IN HELL’S KITCHEN FOR MISTR? TELL
ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.
So Hey Mister is actually our handle. We are
the largest provider of PrEP and long-term
HIV care and Doxie care. We also do GI
testing with all the treatments. We serve all
50 states. We just opened up our storefront
in Hell’s Kitchen. We also have one in Wilton
Manor, Boys Town in Chicago, the Castro
West Hollywood and then Oakland in Dallas.
The motivation for these was to be able to
address the injectable market. So you have
the injectable PrEP. You are going to soon
have the injectable HIV medications. And
of course, we are told that it’s the platform.
It’s hard for me to describe it, but those
injections are not self-administered. So the
idea was you go online to MISTR. You scan
a QR code and you get your injection. You’re
in and out in two minutes. It also allows
people to pick up their medications same
day. And it allows us to offer STD treatments
as well as pep which is post exposure. You
take it within the first 72 hours. We used
to offer that in the early days but it was
challenging getting it in the hands of the
people because you were relying on a third
party to ship it.

So we are fully operational. The lobby is
not yet decorated, but it will be.
IT SEEMS LIKE YOU LIKE TO GIVE
BACK TO THE GAY COMMUNITY IN
VERY COOL WAYS, SO CAN YOU
RECALL A MOMENT THAT CHANGED
THE ENTIRE TRAJECTORY OF YOUR
LIFE?
That’s a tough question. I have to say the
trajectory of my life has been on overdrive
the last few years. I started mister not as a
business but actually to help friends get on
PrEP. And then friends became 100, then
a couple of hundred. And then I thought,
“We have to expand the platform”. I
launched it six years ago at Palm Springs
Pride. The goal was to get 300 people on
before the end of the year. We ended up
with 375 and we thought that was huge.
But now we do 600 a day. With that, we
have grown so much. It has opened the
door for so many other opportunities. Like
the Abbey. I’ve been going to the Abbey for
over 20 years. I am an entrepreneur. I love
building businesses. The money you make
from your business is great, but you have
to be passionate about it. I think I was
really lucky to stumble upon mister. It’s the
first time in generations that we can truly
eliminate HIV if everyone who is negative
on prep and everyone who is positive is
virally suppressed. The fact that I made a
business out of it is icing on the cake. To
be able to leverage that success and be
able to preserve the LGBTQ institutions
throughout the country is pretty good.
DO YOU EVER GET AFRAID? DO YOU
HAVE ANY FEAR THAT THIS ISN’T
GOING TO WORK?
No. I take calculated risks. I have been
a diehard entrepreneur. The money is
a nice thing, but I’m really motivated by
the challenge. I like building businesses.
If you put me in a corporation, and I
have consulted for corporations, I want
to pull my hair out. Because the C-suite
is typically very diverse. They want to
get their bonuses. They want to build a
business. But they are not real risk takers.
So I think it’s just part of my DNA that I
enjoy taking calculated risks. A lot of times,
people ask, “How do you know how to do
all these things?” But sometimes you just
figure it out along the way. I ran for City
Council and I lost, but you know what? I
tried. I learned a lot from that experience.
If I was on City Council, my life would be
completely different. I was actually talking
to a friend of mine the other day. He’s a
pilot for Delta and he really wanted to work
for United. He lost the interview, but then
he got a call from Delta and thought, “You
know what? This is the best thing that
ever happened to me.” Sometimes what’s
meant to be is meant to be.
IF YOU COULD HAVE ME ASK YOU
ANY QUESTION ON THE PLANET,
WHAT WOULD IT BE AND HOW
WOULD YOU ANSWER IT?
Gosh, I have no idea. I’m an open book.
I tell people “Ask me anything”. I may not
answer, but you can ask.
YOU KNOW WHAT? THAT IS A REALLY
COOL AND HONEST ANSWER. IS
THERE ANYTHING THAT I DIDN’T
COVER THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO
DISCUSS?
I will add spending the weekend in Fire
Island, everyone was really welcoming.
It is such an invested community. People
are really excited about change. People
are asking, “What is going to change?”
We are going to upgrade the hotel. I think
that will eliminate the barriers for many
people to come and visit. We are going
to increase the number of establishments
and opportunities for dining. I mean I was
ready for drag brunch on Sunday and
there was no drag brunch. And expanded
gym. We are going to rework the Pavilion.
There’s low-key, mid-key, high key….
there’s more key in Fire Island than there
is in the UK. I know it was off-season, but
I walked around and I think The Pavilion’s
upper deck should be packed all the time.
So there’s a lot of tender loving care that
we will be adding to all of this.

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