The Politics of Pageantry by Ryan Harris Beyond the glitz and glamour of pageantry, you are sure to find something more than just a pretty girl with a crown. The girls are certainly beautiful, the gowns are fashionably fabulous, and wearing false eyelashes is as natural to a pageant girl as brushing teeth, but the politics in pageantry can be just as sticky as your favorite lip gloss. Pageantry is... 

Molto di Moda + Fashion Week Columbus 2011 by Ryan Harris Well boys, fall is here and it’s time to show the girls that we have style too. I have been noticing a trend lately that doesn’t have to do with fashion; it’s the placement of men’s clothing and shoes in some of my favorite stores. We are being pushed to the back of stores, or being taken over by the expanding women’s fashions. Not... 

Out of Town by Andrew Collins New Orleans New Orleans has long ranked among the top destinations in the United States for gay travelers – it’s been the case for decades, and even following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, LGBT tourists were among the first to return to the Big Easy in significant numbers. The city is especially popular with gay visitors during a handful of... 

Electric to Eclectic – Women’s Fall Fashion 2011 by Ryan Harris Summer is coming to an end and fall fashion is patiently waiting its turn in the fashionista’s wardrobe. Whether you are heading off to a country cottage for much needed relaxation, or out for a chic night on the town, when it comes to fall fashion 2011, it better be molto di moda! Vintage inspiration has taken on a meaning... 

Cocktail Chatter From the Mailbag: ‘The Escondido Surprise’ by Ed Sikov August 29, 2011 I never hear from readers – the folks Norma Desmond describes in Sunset Boulevard as “those wonderful people out there in the dark.” So I was glad to get a message from “Joey from Denver.” Here’s his note, quoted with his permission: Dear Ed: I love your column, even though I think you’re a... 

Cocktail Chatter No Sun Up in the Sky: Dark and Stormy by Ed Sikov August 15, 2011 “Old Storrrr-my! Old Storrrr-my!” Craig was insufferable. But he was so perfectly Santana that I laughed despite myself. “Shut up!” I begged, but that only spurred him on. All was not well. Last Sunday afternoon, Sammy blurted out something horrifically specific about my having shtupped Jack Fogg after the... 

Cocktail Chatter Repercussions: The Cosmopolitan by Ed Sikov August 1, 2011 Before leaving for the July 4th weekend, I had to sit through an afternoon luncheon during which a jackass honoree turned a simple thank you into an interminable Castro-like State of the Planet allocution out from which I finally sneaked. I had to race for the train to Sayville, but by the time the ferry docked at the Pines... 

Cocktail Chatter “Who’s Barry Esai?”: The Vodka Tonic by Ed Sikov July 18, 2011 Kyle, Robbie, Phil Levine and some little wisp of a Thai twink on Phil Levine’s lap were hot in conversation when I arrived on Friday evening. As I walked in I thought I heard Phil Levine say, “…Barry Esai a lot lately. Gets my juices flowin’ know what I mean?”’ “(Something) Barry Esai?” Kyle... 

Out of Town by Andrew Collins The French Riviera: Nice and Cannes The French Riviera, or Côte d’Azur, ranks among Europe’s most enduring – and alluring – gay playgrounds. True, this stretch of rugged Mediterranean coastline at the southeastern tip of France doesn’t generate quite as much buzz with GLBT travelers as Sitges, Ibiza, or Mykonos, as it’s not a pure... 

Luxe for Less by Ryan Harris No matter where you were born, grew up, moved to, live now or plan to live later, if you are male, female, young, old, gay, straight – anyone can fall prey to the desire of wanting the best. Whether you are watching Victoria Beckham strut down the red carpet in $2,500 Christian Louboutin stilettos, or happen to run into a guy from high school driving a brand new Mercedes,...