Tag Archives: Desert AIDS Project

Greg Louganis on Jodie Foster, celebrity ‘outings’ and his Palm Springs visit

Posted: January 15th, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: LGBT Blog | Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
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Greg Louganis

Two days after actress Jodie Foster declared on “The Golden Globes” awards show that she isn’t reality TV sensation Honey Boo Boo and that she came out of the closet years ago, fans and curious onlookers are still debating whether Foster’s acceptance speech was a moving confirmation that she’s a lesbian or a confusing lament on the loss of privacy in Hollywood.

I was reading an interesting article about it just before my interview with Olympic diving legend Greg Louganis today, so I asked him what he thought about her speech. Louganis, who won gold medals for diving in the 1984 and 1988 Olympics, attended Globes activities during the weekend as one of several past and present Olympic stars. He clearly empathized with Foster. “It was very emotional for her,” he said.

Louganis — who revealed his sexual orientation in the mid-’90s in the public arena, including in the pages of his autobiography “Breaking the Surface” and as an Oprah show guest — also echoed Foster’s sentiment that it wasn’t as much of a secret as many thought.

“I was out to my family and friends for many years,” he said. “It was just my policy not to discuss my private life with members of the media. Even though a lot of members of the media knew, they were respectful. They talked around stuff.”

But Louganis said he has no regrets about coming out.

“It’s a process. Being a public figure, a lot of times it’s not entirely up to you. It’s up to you ultimately, but a lot of time you have a lot of influences — agents, managers, publicists.”

Today, a good deal of Louganis’ focus is on his work. He’s writing a third book, awaiting the spring release of his “Back on Board” documentary, and preparing to judge celebrity dives in an ABC-TV reality show set to air mid-March, among other things. On Feb. 9, Louganis will appear in Palm Springs at Desert AIDS Project’s Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards Gala (www.desertaidsproject.org) to present an award to actor Mario Lopez, who portrayed Louganis in the 1996 Showtime movie, “Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story.”

One of the things he’s looking forward to doing in Palm Springs is eating. “They have some pretty good restaurants there,” he said.

Read the full interview, including Louganis’ favorite memories of working with Mario Lopez on the film and what else he likes to do in the desert, in the next issue of Desert Outlook magazine (www.desertoutlook.com ), due out Feb. 7.

D.A.P. hosts mid-summer night’s dance dream

Posted: July 16th, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: LGBT Blog | Tags: , , ,
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“We’re going to have a great time,” Kristine W said recently when she spoke with Reggie Cameron for Desert Outlook about her Palm Springs appearance.

Kristine W performs at the Ace. Photo by Lani Garfield

The versatile singer performed July 13 at Desert AIDS Project’s Mid-Summer Dance Party, “Do Ask, Do Tell.” And she delivered.

In addition to singing new music and the fan favorites — I’m listening to her jazz compilation “Straight Up with a Twist” as I write this; it’s good and a mellow start to the week — that have established a loyal following among LGBT music-lovers, Kristine took time to sign autographs and chat with attendees.

More than 564 people partied with her.

Some at the event, which took place at the Ace Hotel and Swim Club, said Kristine was the sole reason they decided to come. One attendee said she was definitely a highlight but one of many at an event that’s quickly become a staple on Palm Springs’ summer social calendar.

Another highlight was the military-inspired attire of some partygoers who donned camouflage, dog tags and leather boots — a nod to the party theme and U.S. servicemen and women.

But there’s nothing like the real thing to remind everyone that LGBTs have reason to celebrate. A few guests from Twentynine Palms’ Marine base came out in support of the event, an occurrence that likely would not have happened before Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was repealed.

As an overcast sky cooled temps a bit, the dancing and festive atmosphere heated up with a few male dancers — one of whom wore a strategically placed handkerchief that would’ve made Magic Mike envious.

It was all to benefit D.A.P.  The nonprofit AIDS service organization raised $33, 660 — and still counting — as of July 18.  According to J.P. Allen, fundraising and special events manager for D.A.P., cash sponsorships accounted for $10,500 of the proceeds and the rest primarily was from ticket sales.

Kristine W ready to rock Palm Springs fans

Posted: July 12th, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: LGBT Blog | Tags: ,
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By Reggie Cameron
Special to Desert Outlook

With more than 16 number one hits in both the dance and jazz genres, Kristine W has become a bit of a music icon. We recently caught up with Kristine who shared with us what she’s been working on and her sentiments toward the LGBTQ community.

It’s been some time since I’ve seen you and we last spoke. How are you? Where are you today?

I’m in Delaware. We had a fun show here last night and I’m about to catch a flight to Vegas for another performance before we head to Palm Springs.

Over the years you’ve amassed many hits and a large following … what has been your approach to your work?

Being in Vegas and working in entertainment since I was a kid I’ve been exposed to many egotistical performers. When I worked at the Las Vegas Hilton we had some pretty big names that I’m not going to name … but you’d see how they treated the staff, concierge, the things they’d put the bellman through. It was just disgusting to witness human beings treat each other that way.

I try to stay real and humble. God gave us these gifts and I feel a sort of responsibility to be as good as I can be and share my talents with the world. If it helps people that relate to my music and it makes them feel good, that’s even better. I focus on putting positive energy into the planet.

You’re very musical. In addition to singing and writing your music, don’t you play several instruments as well?

That’s right. I play five instruments. As a kid my grandma taught me to play the piano and guitar. At about 10 years old I picked up the saxophone. Then in high school I was in the marching band and I played several horns and the snare drum … which led to me playing in my brother’s rock band. In college I picked up the bass guitar. [laughs] I was a big time band geek in school.

Tell us about your new album.

My latest album is called “New and Number Ones.” We have some new music, but then we took several of my number one hits and we reproduced them the ground up. My songwriting career got started in London, so I go back to my roots by working with mostly European producers. I worked with Lee Dagger, Rob Dougan and Rollo Armstrong, Bimbo Jones — great people — some of whom have never even heard of my original hits … who worked with me [to] breathe new life back into these tracks and to really create something altogether new and different.

This Friday, you’ll be joining us here in Palm Springs for “Do Ask Do Tell,” the Mid-Summer Dance Party and fundraiser for Desert AIDS Project. What can guests expect to see?

We’re going to have a great time. My dancers and I have a wonderful show planned. You’ll be the first to hear some of my brand new music, and our reworked number one hits from the CD that many of you are familiar with.

As far as the beneficiary of tomorrow’s party … I’ve been doing this for awhile and remember when HIV and AIDS was relatively new. Over the years some of these hits really became an anthem for the community with positive lyrics like in “One More Try” [where] I sing, and I am tired and I am weary. Time’s been my teacher. I don’t wanna leave you … to songs like “Land of the Living” where I sing out Alive …  Alive … Alive. It’s really been a powerful message of perseverance for so many people living with HIV and AIDS, and the gay community in particular has held on to that. I love my gay and lesbian fans — love them. Getting to know this community through the work that I do has been one of my greatest gifts.

IF YOU GO

Kristine W will perform July 13 at “Do Ask Do Tell,” a Mid-Summer Dance Party V at the ACE Hotel & Swim Club, 701 East Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. The benefit for Desert AIDS Project starts at 8 p.m. General admission tickets are $45 and can be purchased online at http://bit.ly/LiAil9 or by calling (760) 969-5743.

Reggie Cameron has contributed to a number of media outlets including Queerty, OUT, The Advocate and the LA Times among others. He is returning this year for his second turn as the entertainment director of Greater Palm Springs Pride.