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Editor: Nate Daniels COVER
Feature Editor: John Stephens
Media: Sylvia Stewart Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande
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Layout Specialist: Jerry Ellison
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PRIDE JOURNEY
Grand Rapids Saugatuck / Douglas
By Joey Amato
  I opted for the Vietnamese Caramelized Red
For the past few years, I’ve heard about Drum, a melt-in-your-mouth fish prepared
a small town in Michigan known for its with radish, peas, spring onion and herbs
LGBTQ friendliness and charm, but it wasn’t over a bed of jasmine rice. Each entrée offers
until recently that I had the opportunity to a suggested wine pairing, however I chose
visit Saugatuck and its neighboring town, a very nice red wine, as recommended by
Douglas. If you don’t live within driving their in-house sommelier.
distance, you’ll probably have to fly into About a ten-minute walk from the restaurant
Grand Rapids, another midwestern city worth is The Apartment Lounge, Grand Rapids’
exploring. The journey will be well worth it. oldest LGBTQ bar. The bar offers a wide
By far the coolest hotel in Grand Rapids is variety of local beer on tap and wine by the
the JW Marriott. I sometimes prefer staying glass, something not too common for LGBTQ
at boutique hotels, but once you get a peek spaces. On the evening I visited, the bar was
at this property, you’ll quickly discover why hosting a movie night and although many
it has become a favorite among LGBTQ customers were watching the film, it was
visitors. The curvature of the iconic glass still possible to carry on a nice conservation.
structure not only reflects the blue sky If you want to continue the party, head
above but also the river below, which to Rumors, a popular spot with the city’s
makes for a stunning visual for photos. younger clientele. Try to befriend some of
History lovers will enjoy the Gerald R. the locals, as I learned there are also some
Ford Presidential Museum located within underground LGBTQ parties that take place
walking distance from the hotel. Although throughout the year in different parts of
Ford’s time in office wasn’t as exciting as the city, which tourists will have a hard time
some other Presidents, the museum is finding without insider info.
beautifully designed and worth a visit.
If Presidential history doesn’t spark your The next morning,
interest, head over to Frederik Meijer I took the 40-
Gardens & Sculpture Park, a 200-acre minute journey
attraction indoor/outdoor garden which to Saugatuck.
incorporates dozens of unique sculptural People sometimes
masterpieces into its landscape. Some refer to the small
standout sculptures include “The American Michigan town
Horse” by Nina Akamu and “I, you, she or as the P-Town of the Midwest. At first the
he” by Jaume Plensa, a composition of town threw me off. I saw dozens of rainbow
three figures whose shells are made of flags, but not many LGBTQ people. I saw
stainless-steel letters and left unfinished mostly straight families strolling down the
to encourage the universality of the forms. picturesque streets. For a town with such an
Another sculptural highlight is by gay artist abundance of rainbow flags, I was expecting
Keith Haring titled “Julia” named after to be overwhelmed with gay folks, but that
Julia Gruen, a friend of the artist. wasn’t the case. It was both wonderful and
After touring the gardens, grab dinner depressing at the same time. On one hand,
at Reserve Wine & Food, an elegant, yet I was excited to see the amount of allied
modern two-story restaurant with an support for our community, but on the other
expansive wine menu and delicious cuisine. hand, I was disappointed to not have seen as
many LGBTQ people…yet.

>> Continued on a following page >>

boiMAG.com

PRIDE JOURNEY
Continued...
That all changed when I visited Saugatuck’s walk in the shop. If that doesn’t make you
neighbor, Douglas. Douglas is the lesser want to visit, then I don’t know what will.
known of the two towns, but in my opinion, It was these small experiences that made
exudes more of the LGBTQ flair and small Douglas such a wonderful town to explore.
town charm that I was looking for. They Both Saugatuck and Douglas have their
have rainbow flags everywhere too, but own personalities and one should not
there was something different about the overlook the chance to explore both
vibe in Douglas. Instead of a somewhat destinations. I really felt as if the towns had
touristy coastal town, I felt as if I was part of a similar but different vibes.
community; a town full of artists, musicians,
small business owners and creatives. This area of Michigan
is also known for
The Dunes Resort its vast number
is actually located of wineries and
in Douglas, not distilleries. Fenn
Saugatuck, contrary Valley, Crane’s and
to popular belief. The Virtue Cider are
lodging and entertainment complex is a just three places
site to be seen with indoor and outdoor worth visiting. Fenn
dance floors, a cabaret room and multiple Valley Winery was
bars throughout the space. Weekends are my favorite of the
definitely a busier time for the property three, offering some
when people of all ages from surrounding delicious wines. Of the wines I sampled,
towns and cities come to party. The Dunes I would highly suggest the Capriccio, a
hosts numerous events during the week soft red wine exhibiting the right balance
including drag performances and bingo. between fruitiness and dryness. The area has
However, in peak months, the property been gaining in popularity in recent years,
sells out quickly so I’d recommend staying so I would definitely try to schedule time to
at Blue Star Motel, a quick 5 minute walk taste some fine Michigan wine and cider.
from the Dunes. Blue Star is also a great All this drinking will make you hungry, so
option if you are looking for a quieter head over to Coast 236, an LGBT-owned
experience. restaurant helmed by Chef Mindy Trafman.
I feel like I sampled half the menu, and
Words can’t describe the feeling I got while everything was wonderful but most
walking through the charming town of memorable was the Beet Tower, which
Douglas. Dozens of art galleries, boutiques was served with chevre, butternut squash,
and cafes dotted the landscape. I stopped avocado and sprinkled with pistachio nuts. I
at a gay-friendly bar called Borrowed Time love beets and it isn’t something commonly
where a local husband and wife duo named seen on restaurant menus, so when it is
Dave and Connie D performed classic rock offered, I usually try to order that dish.
songs from the 60s and 70s on the outdoor To be honest, I’m really not sure if I
patio. And they sure looked the part. For preferred Grand Rapids or Saugatuck/
a moment, I felt as if I was at Woodstock. Douglas more. I try to find the best in a city,
A boutique/art gallery named Coastal and I think you should too by exploring
Society also boasted a full-service craft them both.
cocktail bar and outdoor sculpture garden. Enjoy the Journey!
Another incredible boutique called Endora
Bohemian sells handwoven Moroccan
rugs, artisanal soaps. A large photo of rock
icon Stevie Nicks greets customers as they

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moNtrÉal pride festival

August 10-16, 2020

The Montréal Pride Festival, presented Starting at noon, a vox pop on the
by TD, recently unveiled the entire daily theme will be broadcast on MAtv,
programming of their festival’s 360 Montréal region, and on MAtv for all of
Edition, which will take place from Québec as of 3pm, and will be available
August 10 to 16, 2020. While the the next day on Illico on Demand,
festivities are being presented in a Helix, and matv.ca. Festival-goers will
digital format this year, Pride will be invited to learn more about the
travel to festival-goers’ homes while different realities experienced by their
highlighting various communities’ peers. The capsules will be also be
challenges. Notably, Backxwash, broadcast via Montréal Pride’s social
Melissa Etheridge, Dominique networks. The daily theme will then be
Jackson, Adam Lambert, Ngabo, all explored in greater depth every day at
the Queens from Canada’s Drag Race 5pm via a Question-and-Answer session
including its judge Brooke Lynn Hytes with the ambassadors, broadcast live
and many other artists of the sexual and via the Montréal Pride’s Instagram
gender diversity will take part in the account. Annie Pullen Sansfaçon
celebrations! (August 10, presented by FIDO), Elle
  Barbara (August 11, presented by TD),
A Typical Day’s Journey - Daily Activities Dominique Lavergne (August 12,
The day will begin at 9am with a presented by TROJAN), Ngabo (August 13),
short video on the different aspects Miss Butterfly (August 14, presented
that can influence the mental health by TD), as well as Rosie Bourgeoisie
of people of the sexual and gender and Pierre-Olivier Beaulac-Bouchard
diversity, presented by Deepak (August 15, presented by TD) will take
Kashyap, a psychotherapist in cognitive questions from festival-goers live!
behavioural therapy (CBT) and  
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy The end of the day will be punctuated
(MBCT). These capsules will address, by lively music because every evening
among others, the themes of worrying, starting at 6pm Montréal Pride Festival’s
toxic relationships and depression via eclectic ambience will buzz over the
the festival’s Facebook page. airwaves on its Twitch account. From
  Monday to Saturday we will have DJ
At 10am, the Afro Pride Hour, presented Giant (August 10), Misstress Barbara
under the curatorship of Uwayo (August 11), Jack Chang (August 12),
Dushime on Montréal Pride’s YouTube DJ Nalee (August 13), Sissy Superstar
channel, will present one hour of (August 14) and Odile Myrtil (August 15).
daily content adapted to the different  
realities experienced by black people Finally, festival-goers will also be able to
of the sexual and gender diversity enjoy the Crave Collection: “Celebrating
and in solidarity with the Black Trans Pride”. The special collection will be
Lives Matter movement. Among other brought to the forefront on Crave
things, the historical contribution of starting August 6. This special collection
black trans women, dance and stage will include some 40 films and series
performance as tools for resilience and including the famous titles: Canada’s
intersectionality will be topics discussed Drag Race, Euphoria, Bohemian Rhapsody,
during this hour dedicated to the black The Shiny Shrimps, The L Word: Generation Q,
communities. Green Book, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Pain
  and Glory, as well as RuPaul’s Drag Race.

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COVER STORY

LADY GAGA & Ariana Grande

Latest Release “Rain On Me”

At the end of May 2020,
Lady Gaga released her
highly anticipated sixth
studio album Chromatica via
Interscope Records.

The album features
collaborations with Ariana
Grande, Elton John and
Blackpink. Chromatica
is executive produced by
BloodPop and by Miss Lady
Gaga herself. 

The album’s current single The song set a record for the most
“Rain On Me”, a collaboration single-day streams from an all-female
between Lady Gaga and Ariana collaboration in Spotify history.
Grande, marked the biggest Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande
Spotify debut of 2020, reaching released two brand new remixes of
#1 on the Global and US Spotify “Rain On Me,” featuring mixes from
Charts upon release and peaking Purple Disco Machine and Ralphi
at #1 on the iTunes charts in 29 Rosario.
countries and #1 on the Apple
Global Chart.

The first single from the album,
“Stupid Love,” which debuted at #1
on iTunes in 58 countries, has over
235 million streams worldwide since
release and marks Lady Gaga’s 16th
Billboard Top 10.

The video, which was shot entirely
on an iPhone 11 Pro, skyrocketed to
number #1 trending on YouTube
worldwide upon release and currently
has more than 85 million views.

boiMAG.com 21

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Looking after your mental health

Teens & The Reality of COVID-19

by Dr. Shakir The physical and chemical changes
that take place during this time make
The COVID-19 young people highly attuned to social
pandemic has status and peer group. Even though
been emotionally some contact precautions have been
devastating for adults, put in place, the social landscape for
but the full impact an adolescent is vastly different in
on teenagers may be comparison to pre-COVID.
worse.
Schools have rushed to implement
Today’s adolescents have their fair share online learning with varying degrees
of challenges, like navigating social of success. Teens now find themselves
media, online bullying, social pressures with a lot of down time. Without hours
to partake in drugs and alcohol, among and hours of daily structure, teens are
others. All of these are enhanced by the left to fill virtually the entire day alone.
enforced social isolation and cancellation Technology provides a temporary
of in-person school. School districts respite, but may not be a long-term
around Chicago are still unsure of what solution. No clear way to manage this
the new school year will bring. schedule change has been developed
and may leave students and parents
feeling overwhelmed.
Risks from exposure to COVID-19
among children and teens is not fully
understood. Even with safety protocols Parents should set aside time to truly
in place, fear of contracting the virus is listen to their children’s frustrations.
still a major concern for families. Given Showing empathy for and validating
the potential for acquiring the virus at their feelings will help teens cope.
school and then passing it to older family Parents should ask how they can support
members or those with underlying them through this time.

medical conditions, is giving parents Some of these feelings are natural and
pause on whether to send their kids should be expected. When these feelings
back, or not. and emotions disrupt a teen’s ability
to complete schoolwork or assigned
In addition to the obvious medical responsibilities at home, it may be time
concerns, teens have lost their social to seek additional help.
outlets and support systems outside of
their immediate families. School sports, Chicago Behavioral Hospital specializes
dances, and traditional rites of passage in adolescent mental health treatment.
have been cancelled. They may find No cost assessments are offered 24 hours
coping with this sudden loss difficult, a day, 7 days a week. A licensed mental
because they will never get to do those health professional will recommend the
things. School may also have been a safe right treatment for your teen, whether
space for an adolescent or teen with an it’s an inpatient stay or outpatient
unstable home life. program. Chicago Behavioral Hospital
is passionate about adolescent mental
health and can provide the tools
Teenagers and young adults have necessary for a teen to succeed.
developmental motivations and needs
that make it hard to isolate at home. Call this number today for more
information: 844-756-8600.
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home PRODUCTS TO CLEAN UP

Ways to Use Food to Clean Up Messes

by Sylvia Stewart You can use tamarind to polish brass or copper.
Rub it on and leave it set for 10 to 20 minutes,
Cooking Oil then rinse with water and dry. This is how the
Indian temples keep their brass shiny.
Uses for cooking oils, particularly olive, but
also canola and coconut can be used as Cola, Vodka and Coffee
alternatives to turpentine for cleaning paint
brushes, lubricating squeaky hinges and Coca-Cola can be used to clear a slow-moving
removing dried-on adhesives (like glue stuck drain, clean a toilet bowl and remove motor oil
from labels and price tags) from surfaces like and grease from clothing and pavement. If road
wood floors and for polishing leather goods. oil and dust have made your windshield smeary,
You can use olive oil for sap removal, it’s try pouring Coke on it and the windshield
good for lifting the sap off terra-cotta tile comes clean. Coke also can rejuvenate old
floors without discoloring it. You can use it windshield wiper blades.
on your dog to got tree sap out of pet fur. Coke is also recommended for removing rust
Just try rubbing the sap covered hair with and grease from nuts and bolts, as well as
olive oil and the sap should come right off. for use on reclaimed items like old stoves. To
restore your golf clubs to their original luster
Mayonnaise and Butter let them stand in a bucket filled with Coca-Cola
for 15 or 20 minutes, wash off and voilà, shiny
Just as with cooking oils, mayonnaise clubs.
and butter are excellent foods to use for Vodka also has loads of additional uses. Glass
removing sticky substances. If you step on cleaning, degreasing oven burner plates,
a tar ball, mayonnaise will remove the tar scrubbing kitchen cabinets. Vodka also works
residue. Park under a tree? Butter is great use well to eliminate odors in clothing. Vodka in a
for removing tree sap from your car. Just rub spray bottle or soaked on a sponge is excellent
a stick of butter on the sticky sap and you are for wiping out musty smelling wood cabinets.
good to go. Another way to deal with a musty-smelling
You can also use butter to clean paint piece of furniture is to use coffee. If you have
brushes. Rub it into the brush and it will a closet that smells mildewed, put a cup of
clean up much better than turpentine. ground, unbrewed coffee in the bottom. Leave
it there for at least a week. Keep the door
Fruit, Vegetables and Nuts closed as much as possible. The mildew will be
absorbed by the coffee. This clever use is known
Here's some tips involving fruits, vegetables from a person who cares for antique clothing in
and nuts, like using a piece of cut walnut to a museum.
cover scratches on hardwood floors, wooden
cabinets and dinged wooden bowls. Sugar and Salt
Peanut butter, technically a legume can
remove gum from hair. Here's a lesser known Our granulated friends, sugar and salt can
use for peanut butter, it removes blood be used to get rid of onion or garlic smell on
stains and sticky substances from fabrics. your hands after chopping it. Just rinse your
When leather cleaner won't remove a tar like hands then apply a liberal amount of salt, rub it
substance from your car’s leather seats, try around a bit, rinse hands in cool water and the
peanut butter to clean it off. smell is gone.
Speaking of sticky things, you can use a You can use sugar to similar effect. Like after
product called Goo Gone, its main ingredient changing the oil in your car, wet your hands,
is orange oil. If you don't have Goo Gone, douse them with sugar, rub until the sugar
you can try rubbing a piece of an orange on dissolves, rinse and dry. A trick for cleaning up
stick-on labels to remove the gunk from it. a broken egg that becomes a smeary mess,
generously pour salt over all of it, be sure
Ketchup, yes, it’s a vegetable, and it can be to cover every bit of it. Give it 60 seconds to
used to polish brass and copper. But if you absorb, then sweep it into the dustpan, adding
don't have any and you happen to have a more salt if needed.
pineapple handy, it will work just as well.

boiMAG.com 27

by John Stephens Edge Computing will take Prominence
over Cloud Computing
Creation of Unified Framework for Edge Computing will see greater
Integration adoption by the consumers in the year
Software development is an art and 2020. Industries will be seen choosing
developers come up with unique it too. Earlier, IoT devices were based
solutions using their creativity. To make on the cloud to store the data. But now,
any project a success, it is important instead of sending the whole data from
that the right project management the IoT device to the cloud, the data is
skills, systematic approach, and a first transferred to a local device that is
great methodology is implemented. located closer to the IoT device or at the
For this, a common shared platform edge of the network.
to strategize plans and activities is Later, after sorting and calculating the
required by the companies. data, the local storage devices send a
The lack of a unified IoT (Internet of part of the data to the cloud. This helps
Things) framework is a major challenge to reduce the traffic to the network.
faced by industries these days has This process which is known as “Edge
been facing for a long time. Many Computing” has a number of benefits
companies do not have a shared and advantages. It helps to manage a
central platform. The creation of a large amount of data that each device
unified framework for integration for sends.
keeping enterprises safe and secure is IoT Security will be a bigger Priority
the only solution. With more and more devices connecting
Smart Home Devices will Become to the internet of things, large volumes
More Popularity of information can be observed being
The growing charm of smart home transferred across multiple networks. As
devices using IoT is difficult to resist the network expands, more information
even by those who first discarded the is at risk. So, it’s very important that the
technology of smart homes and later increased use of IoT is accompanied by a
accepted them as a blessing. These robust IoT security thus preventing data
devices will soon become very popular from thefts and malicious attacks.
in months to come and will dominate In the coming years, IoT security will be
the other upcoming IoT trends. a bigger priority in order to make IoT
Gradually, with the application of based mobile app development safer
advanced technologies, these smart and secure. Data flowing in the cloud
devices will become more innovative is at more risk. IoT devices till now that
and offer great assistance to users. have not been equipped with security
Smart home devices do not only features. Machine learning, AI and, big
provide you with great comfort but data techniques will help identify and
also render home security and safety of reduce risks for data security.
your family.
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