[Current press releases follow this introduction: just scroll]
Meet Andy Reynolds dba Popular Publicity.
He is a NYC-based freelance book, music, film, event and lifestyle publicist, as well as an expert in LGBT media worldwide. He knows people who want to know you and will present your book, music, or service with understanding, wit, and, when appropriate, humor. Placements include The New York Times, Washington Post, The PBS Newshour and various local NPR stations.
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"Trophy Boy" teaser clip.
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Contact: Andy Reynolds, Popular Publicity, andy@popularpublicity.com
> Full film synopsis, film festival review quotes, film stills and behind the scenes photos are below the press release text.
trophyboyfilm.com | emrhysofficial.com
"Trophy Boy" EPK | Emrhys Cooper EPK
October 1, 2018 (New York, NY) – To be released October 22, “Trophy Boy,” written and directed by actor Emrhys Cooper, is the timely, juicy, short film (13:00) that, in pulling back the curtain on a social media star's #bestlife, reveals the pitfalls of living a social media lie–and in doing so, leaves viewers feeling a bit better about themselves.
As one post-Cannes Film Festival reviewer put it, “‘Trophy Boy’ is the film equivalent of accidentally opening the front-facing camera on your phone while lying down, revealing your double chin. It shows us the real lives of these immaculately groomed people and the extreme lengths they go to for social media attention.”
"Trophy Boy"
In "Trophy Boy" James (Emrhys Cooper), a sexy, youthful sought-after high society Instagram star and self-proclaimed “trophy boy,” is dumped by his wealthy live-in benefactor (Gerald McCullouch). Sputtering and floundering in the wake of his dismissal from the lifestyle that made his #fakelife possible, James must face the harsh reality of creating a life without a hashtag. (See the extended synopsis at the bottom of this press release.)
But much as we enjoy the lip-smacking taste of schadenfreude at James’ expense, who hasn’t wasted hours staging and post-producing a lucky selfie or curating a dubious, glasses-raised “aspirational” post? Aren’t we all guilty of a little unhealthy #bestlife fakery?
Emrhys Cooper by Mikhail Kharlamov
“Social media has created a generation of self-obsessed narcissists obsessed with self-obsessed narcissists,” says Cooper–himself with nearly 140K Facebook and 74K Instagram followers–on why he made the film. “My goal for ‘Trophy Boy’ is to say, look up from your phone, breathe, observe, and think about what really matters: a sense of responsibility, progress, and self-worth. Enjoying the people you love, doing meaningful work. When we do this, we put ourselves on a path toward achieving the dream of living a truly satisfying life in the real world, our #authenticlife, as it were. Zero “Likes” given. Or needed.”
Emrhys Cooper (James) and Gerald McCullouch (Mark) on the set of "Trophy Boy." Photo by Andrew Werner.
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All Images © Ron Amato 2018
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Contact: Andy Reynolds, Popular Publicity, andy@popularpublicity.com
Jump to the Gay In Trumpland gallery (40 images)
(New York, NY) October 12, 2018 – With the mid-term elections imminent, LGBTQ Americans will be voting for some relief from the deep anxiety they’ve been living with since Trump took office.
Trump’s election not only spurred political action in the form of editorials, protests, and marches, but also as an explosion of Resistance Art. One artist who expressed his dismay and frustration with the current administration is New York City photographer and Fashion Institute of Technology professor of photography, Ron Amato.
His stunning 40 photograph “Gay In Trumpland” series depicts nude men enshrouded, separated and obscured—and in several images, hooded and noosed—by fabric. He describes the photo series as “a visual expression of our community getting pushed back, denied basic protections under the law and being expected to forego the basic human rights of loving and community building.”
Spurred by the election of President Trump, Amato recalls, "As a gay man I became frightened that the civil rights gains the LGBTQ community had fought so hard for, might be in danger of being reversed. I felt helpless. I am first and foremost an artist. I took to the studio to express myself.”
“Using Mike Pence’s history of anti-LGBTQ actions as an indication,” he adds, “I came to the conclusion that Pence and his ilk didn’t just want to send us back into the closet, they wanted to eradicate homosexuality. I then set out to visually communicate this by not allowing the men in the photographs to connect. To thwart the fulfillment of their sexuality, if you will."
"Gay In Trumpland," certainly some of the most beautiful Resistant Art created, is at home spiritually amongst myriad works by a diverse group of artists, which includes painters Kenny Scharf, Judith Bernstein, and Danielle Siegelbaum, street artist Hanksy, graphic designer Matt Bonner (those Trump matryoshka doll balloons), and even actor Jim Carey.
View and purchase Gay In Trumpland photographs, read Ron Amato’s statement and interview about the series, as well as a list of actions taken by the administration which have negatively affected the LGBTQ community at www.ronamato.com •
Read/Download a Q&A with "Gay In Trumpland" photographer Ron Amato here.
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"Gay & Bisexual Men Living with Prostate Cancer" cover and one of the book's three editors, B. R. Simon Rosser.
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Contact: Andy Reynolds, Popular Publicity, andy@popularpublicity.com
Download Q&A text (no images) PDF | WORD
Press release: Prostate Cancer Awareness Month: New Book Addresses Bias Against and Unique Needs of Gay/Bi men Living with Prostate Cancer Download text PDF | WORD
(New York, NY) September 25, 2018 –September is recognized as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and with it comes news of a new book that addresses bias against and the unique needs of gay and bisexual men diagnosed with prostate cancer.
"Gay & Bisexual Men Living with Prostate Cancer (from Diagnosis to Recovery)" is the latest book from LGBTQ scholarly publisher Harrington Park Press and like previous titles from the imprint, such as "Transgender Sex Work and Society" and "LGBTQ Hospice and Palliative Care," the book is one of the first of its kind.
The book, edited by Jane M. Ussher, Janette Perz B.R., Simon Rosser was written not only for the medical community treating gay and bi men with prostate cancer, but also as a supportive resource for gay and bi men diagnosed with prostate cancer. It is the most current and comprehensive book on the subject published to date, incorporating the tremendous new developments in cancer treatment from the past ten years.
Here, Dr. Simon Rosser and Dr. Bill West, coauthors of several chapters in "Gay & Bisexual Men Living with Prostate Cancer,” answer 12 questions and offer advice to gay and bi men facing prostate cancer. Simon and Bill are married, out and living with prostate cancer.
12 Things Every Gay/Bisexual Man should Know about Prostate Cancer
B. R. Simon Rosser and William West
1. How common is prostate cancer in our community?
Prostate cancer is the #1 invasive cancer for men and the most common cancer in the gay male community. One in seven gay men will be diagnosed in their lifetimes. Since gay male couples have two prostates, they have twice the risk than heterosexual couples or a one-in-three chance.
2. What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer typically develops without symptoms which is why it needs to be detected through a blood test (the Prostate Specific Antigen or PSA test) and by a doctor feeling for any abnormalities during a digital rectal (or finger up the butt) exam. Two common prostate problems should not be confused with prostate cancer. As we age, our prostates typically get larger which can lead to problems urinating. This is called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH. Prostatitis refers to when the prostate gets infected or inflamed.
3. So, what causes prostate cancer?
Older men, men with a family history of prostate cancer, and African American men are at greater risk of diagnosis and/or worse outcomes. Our research indicates that HIV positive men and bisexual-identified men have worse outcomes than HIV negative men and gay-identified men, respectively. Gay “lifestyle” factors – such as being gay versus straight, lots of sex or no sex, amount and rigor of receptive anal sex, smoking, drug and alcohol use, a history of sexually transmitted diseases and long-distance cycling – have not been associated with greater risk or worse outcomes.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Andy Reynolds, Popular Publicity, andy@popularpublicity.com
Read/Download: 12 Things Every Gay/Bisexual Man should Know about Prostate Cancer here.
(New York, NY) September 24, 2018 – September is recognized as Prostate Health Month and also Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and a good excuse to become aware–and make friends and family aware–of "Gay & Bisexual Men Living with Prostate Cancer (from Diagnosis to Recovery)," the latest book from LGBTQ scholarly publisher Harrington Park Press.
Like previous titles from the imprint, such as "Transgender Sex Work and Society" and "LGBTQ Hospice and Palliative Care," the book is one of the first of its kind.
"Gay & Bisexual Men Living with Prostate Cancer" was written not only for the medical community treating gay and bi men with prostate cancer, but also as a supportive resource for gay and bi men diagnosed with prostate cancer.
It is the most current and comprehensive book on the subject published to date, incorporating the tremendous new developments in cancer treatment from the past ten years.
Medical science has conspicuously–and shamefully–been complicit in valuing straight white men above all others. Women, racial minorities, and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning/queer (LGBTQ) communities are underrepresented in clinical trials, which limits our ability to identify their needs and to respond to them thoughtfully.
The LGBTQ community has been described as experiencing an “ignored epidemic” and characterized as a “growing and medically underserved population” in the area of cancer care.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Andy Reynolds, Popular Publicity, andy@popularpublicity.com
(New York, NY) August 16, 2018 – Ryan Murphy's "Pose," set in the late 80s NYC world of black and Latino drag competitions known as “balls,” presents a great opportunity to raise awareness of the harsh lives of many trans people of color, particularly those on the ball culture scene, who do sex work to survive.
As gorgeous and “fierce” (to use the ultimate compliment of the era) as "Pose" promises to be, off the screen and outside the ballroom the lives of the real-life trans sex workers who inspired the show are often fraught with poverty, desperation, drugs, violence, and too often death.
In "Paris is Burning," Jenny Livingston’s 1990 documentary about the same world fictionalized in "Pose," one of the most quotable subjects, Venus Xtravaganza, is found strangled in a hotel room four days after her death; she’d been murdered by a client who discovered that she had a penis.
In Wolfgang Busch's 2006 documentary "How Do I Look?" (dubbed the sequel to Paris Is Burning) the gorgeous Heavenly Angel Octavia Saint Laurent (also in Paris is Burning) discusses doing sex work. And in "Trinkets," the 2018 musical about sex workers on Manhattan’s West Side in the mid-90s, Monique turns up dead in the morgue after driving off with a trick.
Earlier this year, scholarly LGBTQ publisher Harrington Park Press (Columbia University Press) released the book, "Transgender Sex Work and Society." Edited by Larry Nuttbrock, PhD, it is the first and only collection of studies on the lives of trans sex workers around the world. The book’s first chapter, Sel Hwahng’s “Qualitative Description of Sex Work among Transwomen in New York City,” describes the lives of trans sex workers on the very scene portrayed in "Pose."
Hwahng, who identifies as transmasculine, says, “I want the general public to understand that transgender sex workers who are sex workers to pay for their survival needs live very harsh lives. They are most often trans women of color and poor, and their race/gender/class positions reflect the race/gender/class inequalities we have in the U.S.”
In the book they write of the “fem queens” and trans women of the House Ball community:
House Ball members were forced into prostitution because of drug addiction, poverty, or lack of education. Because of the long history of extreme stigma experienced by members of the House Ball community, sex work, along with drug use as a coping mechanism forsex work, has become internalized within the community as a rite of passage.YoungMTF [trans women] members of the House Ball community must go through this rite of passage because of the perception that there is no alternative for them other than sex work and drug use.
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Miss Gay America 2018 Deva Station. Photo by Scotty Kirby.
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Contact: Andy Reynolds, Popular Publicity, andy@popularpublicity.com
Miss Gay Florida America 2018
August 26
Hamburger Mary's Brandon
Pageant starts 7:00 p.m.
Crowning takes place at approximately by 11:00 p.m.
Admission: Free. No cover.
Theme: “Express Yourself”
2016 Town Center Boulevard
Brandon, FL 33511
813-643-2110
More info on the Facebook Event page
(Brandon, FL) August 10, 2018–On August 26, Hamburger Mary's Brandon will be the setting for Miss Gay Florida America, a preliminary competition for the 46th annual Miss Gay America Pageant.
Established in Nashville in 1972–37 years before "RuPaul's Drag Race"–The Miss Gay America Pageant is the world’s first, longest running and most prestigious female impersonator competition.
The pageant will honor the Miss Gay Florida America 2013 Shardé Ross and feature a special performances by the reigning Miss Gay America 2018 Deva Station (above).
Miss Gay Florida 2013 Shardé Ross. Photo by Douglas W. Burns
This is the first Miss Gay Florida pageant since 2013, when Shardé Ross (above) won the crown.
The evening's theme will be "Express Yourself." For the Presentation category, contestants will be asked to interpret the theme, in their gown, costume and look.
Miss Gay Florida America is a "standard regional pageant," meaning there is no specific residency requirement, other than contestants must be a resident of the United States.
Contestants will compete in five categories: Male Interview (in suit and tie), Presentation (theme based costume), Evening Gown, On Stage Interview and Talent (big production number with costumes, sets and dancers).
The winner will go on to compete with nearly 50 others for the Miss Gay America 2019 crown St. Louis this October 3-6. The pageant will take place at the enormous new Hamburger Mary's St. Louis, with the final night happening at The Ferrara Theater.
Hamburger Mary's St. Louis was recently opened by Miss Gay America pageant owners Michael Dutzer and Rob Mansman and partner David Pardue. It is one of the largest of in the drag-themed 19-restaurant franchise.
Miss Gay Florida America is being promoted by Miss St. Pete's Pride Kori Stevens (above left), show director at Bradley's on 7th in Tampa, and Miss Gay America 2010 Coco Montrese (above right) who competed in RuPaul's Drag Race Season 5. (Coco Montrese photo by Scotty Kirby.)
About the Miss Gay America Pageant
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Miss Gay North Carolina America 2017 Eden Parque Divine. Photo by After Six Photography Studios, DJ Bonet and Monte C. More great photos of Eden on her Instagram page @theeyesofeden
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Contact: Andy Reynolds, Popular Publicity, andy@popularpublicity.com
Miss Gay North Carolina America 2018
August 23-24
Honoring Miss Gay North Carolina America 2017 Eden Parque Divine
with special performance by Miss Gay America 2018 Deva Station
The Scorpio Nightclub
2301 Freedom Dr.
Charlotte, NC 28208
704-373-9124
No cover (free!)
Aug 23: Pageant starts 10:00, Formers Review Show at 11:00
Aug 24: Pageant starts 8:00 p.m. Crowning at about 11:30
www.thescorpio.com
www.missgaynorthcarolinaamerica.com
www.facebook.com/nc.america/
(Charlotte, NC) July 27, 2018–From August 23-24, The Scorpio Nightclub in Charlotte will be the setting for Miss Gay North Carolina America, a state preliminary competition for the Miss Gay America Pageant.
Established in Nashville in 1972–37 years before "RuPaul's Drag Race"–The Miss Gay America Pageant is the world’s first, longest running and most prestigious female impersonator competition. The Miss Gay North Carolina America pageant began in 1979 and is now in its 40th year.
The pageant will honor the current Miss Gay North Carolina 2017 Eden Parque Divine, of Winston-Salem, and Miss Gay America 2018 Deva Station, of Columbus, Ohio.
Miss Gay America 2018 Deva Station. Photo by Scotty Kirby.
The pageant theme, chosen by Eden, is "Garden of Eden." For the Presentation category, Miss Gay North Carolina America contestants will be asked to interpret the theme, in their gown, costume and look.
"Presentation may be anything floral, tropical plant, tree or garden foliage," instructs Eden. "Be creative. It's your interpretation of any wild growing foliage. You must be able to walk and move without support or wheels. No snakes may be used in your presentation costume or design. Formers please wear anything red/all red of your choosing, as you will be representing the for bidden apple/temptation in the garden."
Contestants from preliminaries around the state will compete in five categories: Male Interview (in suit and tie), Presentation (theme-based costume), Evening Gown, On Stage Interview and Talent (big production number with costumes, sets and dancers).
The winner will go on to compete with nearly 50 others for the Miss Gay America 2019 crown St. Louis this October. The pageant will take place at the enormous new Hamburger Mary's St. Louis, which was recently opened by Miss Gay America pageant owners Michael Dutzer and Rob Mansman and partner David Pardue. It is one of the largest of in the drag-themed 19-restaurant franchise.
Miss Gay North Carolina America 2017 Eden Parque Divine. Photo by After Six Photography Studios, DJ Bonet and Monte C.
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Miss Gay America 2018 Deva Station. Photo by Scotty Kirby.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Andy Reynolds, Popular Publicity, andy@popularpublicity.com
Miss Gay Alabama America 2018
August 15
B-Bob's Downtown
Registration at Noon
Pageant starts 8:30 p.m.
Cover $15
Theme: “Putting on the Glitz”
213 Conti St.
Mobile, AL 36602
251-433-2262
http://b-bobs.com
(Mobile, AL) July 27, 2018–On August 15, B-Bob's Downtown in Mobile will be the setting for Miss Gay Alabama America, a state preliminary competition for the 46th annual Miss Gay America Pageant.
Established in Nashville in 1972–37 years before "RuPaul's Drag Race"–The Miss Gay America Pageant is the world’s first, longest running and most prestigious female impersonator competition.
The pageant will feature special performances by Miss Gay America 2006 Nicole DuBois (below), of Gulfport, Mississippi and the reigning Miss Gay America 2018 Deva Station.
Miss Gay America 2006 Nicole DuBois. Photo by GrahamStudioOne.com
The evening's theme will be "Putting on the Glitz." For the Presentation category, contestants will be asked interpret the theme, in their gown, costume and look.
Miss Gay Alabama America is a "standard regional pageant," meaning there is no specific residency requirement, other than contestants must be a resident of the United States.
Contestants will compete in five categories: Male Interview (in suit and tie), Presentation (theme based costume), Evening Gown, On Stage Interview and Talent (big production number with costumes, sets and dancers).
The winner will go on to compete with nearly 50 others for the Miss Gay America 2019 crown St. Louis this October. The pageant will take place at the enormous new Hamburger Mary's St. Louis, which was recently opened by Miss Gay America pageant owners Michael Dutzer and Rob Mansman and partner David Pardue. It is one of the largest of in the drag-themed 19-restaurant franchise.
This is the first Miss Gay Alabama pageant since 2006, when Ashley Kruiz (below) won the crown. During the pageant, Kruiz, who died in 2013, will be posthumously honored with the Ashley Kruiz Talent Award.
Photo of Miss Gay Alabama America 2006 Ashley Kruiz. Photo courtesy of the Miss Gay Alabama America pageant.
About Ashely Kruiz from OurCommunityRoots.com: "Ashley Kruiz, known as the “Sweetheart of the South” or “automatic, Kruzamatic”, was an entertainer who had roots in Kentucky and Atlanta, Georgia. Originally from Frankfort, Kentucky, her first appearance in drag was about 30 miles southeast of her hometown at Café LMNOP in Lexington. She had performed all over the country and been a part of many top show casts including “LaBoy LaFemme” in Louisville, Kentucky and “Charlie Brown’s Cabaret” in Atlanta. In most recent years, Ashley had been seen at places like Stage Door in Tucker, Georgia and Burkharts in Atlanta."
About the Miss Gay America Pageant
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Miss Gay Arkansas America 2017 Cassandra Rae Reality. Photo by Carrie Strong.
Miss Gay Arkansas America 2018
August 11, 2018
Discovery Nightclub
Admission $20. Tables for 2 add $15, 4 add $25
Start time: 8:00 p.m. Crowning of the winner should take place around midnight.
1021 Jessie Rd.
Little Rock, AR 72202
Discovery Nightclub website: www.latenightdisco.com
Tickets and info at www.missgayarkansas.com
(Little Rock, AR) July 27, 2018–On August 11, Discovery Nightclub in Little Rock will be the setting for Miss Gay Arkansas America, the state preliminary competition for the 46th Miss Gay America Pageant.
Established in Nashville in 1972–37 years before "RuPaul's Drag Race"–The Miss Gay America Pageant is the world’s first, longest running and most prestigious female impersonator competition. Miss Gay Arkansas America was also established in 1972, and is in its 46th year of competition.
Miss Gay Arkansas promoter, Norman Jones, of Little Rock, was the first Miss Gay America (as Norma Kristie), owned the Miss Gay America pageant from 1975 to 2005, and now owns and operates the Triniti and Discovery nightclubs in Little Rock. He tells his story in his book "My Pageant, My Life, My Crown," the sales of which he donates to the AIDS charity of the buyer's choosing.
The pageant will honor the current Miss Arkansas America 2017 Cassandra Rae Reality (top) of Springdale, AR, and feature Miss Gay America 2018 Deva Station (above) of Columbus.
The evening's theme will be "Around the World." For the Presentation category, contestants will be asked interpret the theme, in their gown, costume and look.
Nearly a dozen contestants will compete in five rigorously judged categories: Male Interview (in suit and tie), Presentation (theme based costume), Evening Gown, On Stage Interview and Talent (big production number with costumes, sets and dancers).
The winner will go on to compete with nearly 50 others for the Miss Gay America 2019 crown St. Louis this October. The pageant will take place at the enormous new Hamburger Mary's St. Louis, which was recently opened by Miss Gay America pageant owners Michael Dutzer and Rob Mansman and partner David Pardue. It is one of the largest of in the drag-themed 19-restaurant franchise.
About the Miss Gay America Pageant
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Miss Gay Ohio America 2017 Valerie Taylor. Photo: Scotty Kirby.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Andy Reynolds, Popular Publicity, andy@popularpublicity.com
Miss Gay Ohio America 2018
August 4-5
Saturday August 4 Preliminary Nights: Cover $7
Sunday August 5 Final Night/Crowning: Cover $10
Crowning should take place around 10:30- 10:45 p.m.
Theme: “Into the Jungle”
Axis Nightclub
775 N. High Street 614-291-4008 or 614-421-2233
Axis Facebook page
(Columbus, OH) July 27, 2017–From August 4-5, Axis Nightclub in Columbus will be the setting for Miss Gay Ohio America, a state preliminary competition for the 46th annual Miss Gay America Pageant.
Established in Nashville in 1972–37 years before "RuPaul's Drag Race"–The Miss Gay America Pageant is the world’s first, longest running and most prestigious female impersonator competition. The Miss Gay Ohio America pageant began in 1973 and is now in its 46th year.
The evening's theme will be "Into the Jungle". For the Presentation category, contestants will be asked interpret the theme, in their gown, costume and look.
The pageant will honor the current Miss Gay Ohio America 2017 Valerie Taylor, of Columbus, and feature Miss Gay America 2018 Deva Station (above), also of Columbus.
Nearly a dozen contestants from preliminary pageants in Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton will compete in five categories: Male Interview (in suit and tie), Presentation (theme based costume), Evening Gown, On Stage Interview and Talent (big production number with costumes, sets and dancers).
The winner will go on to compete with nearly 50 others for the Miss Gay America 2019 crown St. Louis this October. The pageant will take place at the enormous new Hamburger Mary's St. Louis, which was recently opened by Miss Gay America pageant owners Michael Dutzer and Rob Mansman and partner David Pardue. It is one of the largest of in the drag-themed 19-restaurant franchise.
About the Miss Gay America Pageant
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