Profiles
Oothoon’s: Retail Magic
story by Robin Beaudoin Ownby | photos by Beverly Love “I never would have thought back then, this is what I’d end up doing. It’s hard to leave the store now. My husband has to drag me out,” Michelle McMillen swoons. “In a previous life, I was in graduate school to be...
Mr. Lincoln’s Costume Shoppe
story and photos by Robin Beaudoin Odds are, you’ve passed by it, seen it on Florence in Overton Square while hopping into Maggie’s Pharm, Gould’s, or Memphis Pizza Café. You may have even rented a costume at Mr. Lincoln’s Costume Shoppe- I have, in 1995 for my senior...
Community
Three Ways to Reach LGBTQ Consumers in the New Normal
by Joey Amato The recent COVID-19 pandemic has turned consumer behavior upside down, but in recent days we have seen states begin to devise and, in some cases, implement their strategies for slowly reopening. Although this will surely be a long and tedious process, it...
Congressman Cohen Deplores Impact of Trump Executive Order Jeopardizing Diversity Training
University of Memphis response an unfortunate result of bad policy MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today expressed his deep concern about a Trump administration executive order in light of the University of Memphis’ decision to suspend certain employee...
Adapting to Life’s Changes
by Belo Cipriani | photo courtesy of Belo CiprianiPlanning for a ResetAs a child, one of my most frustrating moments came when Mario froze mid-jump. Just as I was about to avoid the last fiery ball in the concrete castle to save Princess Peach, the game suspended, and...
Art & Culture
Inside Hollywood: News for the LGBTQ Community
story by Romeo San Vicente Some queer Hallmark Christmas movies are coming. Ho ho ho.For a long time we were comfortable allowing straight people to have Hallmark Christmas movies. It seemed weirdly their thing and it was fine because everyone knows those movies are …...
LGBT+ Alt-Rock Artist Kristen Ford to Release Her New EP, No Plans
by Joey Amato | photo by Amber Nichole Kristen Ford is one of the most explosive names in Nashville’s alternative rock scene. The powerful singer/ songwriter is schedule to release her new EP next month led off by the single “Crooked Youth.” The song was written by...
Pop Culture Staff Picks Sept + Oct
by Ray Rico, Chellie Bowman & Leila Hinkle Book Rico’s pick: Eat, Gay, LoveThis book’s author, Calum McSwiggan, is an Instagram influencer who loves to travel and it shows. In this memoir, the author explains what moved him to begin his journey taking us through...
Travel
Original Memphis: Gay River Cruises of the 80s
by Vincent Astor | images courtesy of Vincent Astor 1980 was a very busy year for activism in Memphis. The Tennessee Gay Coalition for Human Rights had a Memphis chapter (later the Memphis Gay Coalition). Memphis hosted the Southeastern Conference of Lesbians and Gay...
Happy 5th Birthday to Us!
by Joan Allison Focus | Mid-South Managing Editor and Creative Director Focus was born of a passion that our publisher, Ray Rico, wanted to bring to fruition. ‘Rico,’ as he is called by most people, is a Latinx man who is gay. When I first started at Ray Rico...
Travel: Shelby Farms Park
story & photos by Tricia Dewey Every great city has its great park and for Memphis that park is Shelby Farms. More than five times larger than New York’s Central Park with 4500 acres, and one of the few urban parks that is home to a herd of buffalo, Shelby Farms...
