Girl's Gotta Flaunt It! Red Carpet 2007

Two-4-One Blog Combo

"Sleek but Dirty – real dirty…" Valeve spills their guts with a vengeance… They're every punk rocker's wet dream—with an up-to-date retro sound and kick ass attitude, this band shows no mercy and def no signs of slowing down! The band includes: Tiff- vocals Alan- guitar Tim- keys Joe- bass Miles- drums How do you feel about having a pretty decently sized gay following? Tiff: We LOVE our audience. It's a family and a community that seems to grow at each show. We never know what to expect at a show – but the one thing that is consistent is that it's diverse, unpretentious, and there's a real sense of community and love… We want everyone to just be who they are and enjoy everyone else in the room for their individuality, instead of judging them for being different. Frankly - we don't care if you're in a suit or in sparkly pink undies, as long as you're bringing it. (Although lets be honest – the more naked the better ;) ) When asked who the band's 80s influences are, they reply with, "Baby, the list goes on…" Who are your top influences? Tiff says: My main influences are Elvis, Billy Idol, Axl Rose, Bjork, Pet Shop Boys, and Billie Holliday. Miles: Motown, 70's funk, and 80's punk. Tiff: The band has a ton of influences though – we all listen to a lot of different music – but some of our biggest as a group are The Clash, The Sex Pistols, Blondie, Missing Persons, The Cars, Pretenders, Talking Heads. What would you guys like to say to those out there who dare to be different and deny today's stereotypes and expectations? Tim: We think that they are the demise of modern civilization as we know it- and we applaud their efforts. Miles: The only people who are truly innovative are ones who are willing to break the rules and deny stereotypes! Tiff: Stereotypes and expectations are all bullshit illusions created to make us all feel "safe". Dare – be different – be selfish – be how you feel, not how someone says you should feel. Just be honest with yourself at all times b/c right now is the only thing that's real. Are all of you the original members? Tim: No. But we won't tell you who- you have to guess. And every time you guess wrong, we get to whack you in the ass with a studded paddle. I know you perform in the city quite often…What would you like to say about NYC? - Is it truly the city where anything can happen? - What's your craziest city experience? Alan: One of them was our studio-trashing party, when we moved out of our old rehearsal place. We invited people off the street, got extremely wasted, played a show, and then demolished the place. Miles: I saw a guy hit a bike messenger with his Escalade on Wall Street, then get out of the car to talk to the guy he hit and make sure he was okay. After a few minutes of talking, the guy punches the messenger in the face for asking him for his information! Tiff: Oh God…things I can't repeat—some interesting things always happen in the make out room at CIRCUS though…that is always a spectacle! Tim: Being arrested for "falling asleep" on the train…(something suspicious about that one…) In your own words, what kind of style do you have as a band? (both musically and wardrobe wise) Tim: Sleek but dirty- real dirty. Can you give us a round-about schedule of upcoming events? Tiff: We're releasing our EP "Go Go Go!" in Dec/Jan and working on a video right now—Should be hot! We've got shows happening all fall really…Best thing is to get on our mailing list or keep checking valeze.net and myspace for show updates. (www.myspace.com/valeze) Tiffany, your voice is very reminiscent of Gwen Stefani, is that the sound you were looking for? Tiff: No – I try not to think about the sound and just focus on the emotion. I get the comparison sometimes, but it doesn't really bother me anymore b/c my voice has its own agenda and I can't really fight it ;) What do you think of Gwen Stefani as a role model and gay icon? Tiff: She's a sexy bitch – why not? ;) How do you see yourselves being role models for today's youth? Tim: We don't really. For the youth's sake, let's hope they have the same opinion.

*ALL CONTENT IS COPYRIGHT MATERIAL - INTERVIEW CONDUCTED BY GIUSEPPE*

So you landed yourself a serious boyfriend, eh? So, you finally landed the man of your dreams, huh? You spend time together, split your time between each other's apartments AND both of your families have already met! Since you're on the road to success, why not take the next step (a small step but it can make or break the relationship) and double your wardrobe? Here are 4 simple ways in which you and your hubby can share each other's clothes without re-enacting one of the scenes from "The Break-up." : 1- Ask first: Talk about sharing clothes before rummaging through the closet. This will keep communication open from the get-go. 2- Not the same size?: Not a problem! If you are bigger or smaller than your boyfriend and don't exactly fit into each other's clothes, move onto accessories such as watches, shoes, and leather cuffs (and I'm not talking about bedroom toys!) 3- Keep it clean: Once you are finished wearing his blazer, don't throw it on a hanger and leave it for him to get cleaned. Take a stroll down to your local cleaners and pick up the tab. This shows you are grateful and appreciative; he may just do the same for you in the future. 4- R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Respect each other's wardrobe! Once you've worn anything from his printed tee's to seven jeans and put them through the wash, fold them up and put them back into his drawers. -GIUSEPPE

Introducing Rex...

Interview with Rex, former "Real World" casting site member: 1) What's your full name: Rex Allen Cutright 2) Where were you born/currently live: I was born in Lubbock, Texas but I currently live in Malibu, California. 3) Would you rather be in a committed relationship or an open relationship, why or why not? OR would you rather be single? In the future, I'd love to have a committed relationship but as of now I would rather be single; that's only because of my ex-boyfriend. It was a VERY difficult relationship. 4) Have you done any philanthropy as a young and out gay male yet? Would you? What kind would you do? Coming from the most conservative city in the nation, I haven't had too many opportunities to be involved in philanthropy. I'm not too big into pride-type functions just because I feel like gays are made to look like fairies and queens while they throw glitter around. Sorry, but I'm definitely not that kind of gay guy. At the same time, I would like to help teens that grew up in a religious home or even just a home that is not accepting of who they are and maybe go to colleges to speak about Christianity and Homosexuality. 5) Are you 100% out? What have been your struggles so far in life and have they been sexuality related? Well, I am but I'm not. I'm definitely out to everyone back home, but here at Pepperdine, it's hard to be completely out, especially since I am on a "Church of Christ" Scholarship. I definitely don't hide it from people though if they ask, but I usually don't get asked…but yes, I'm out on myspace so I guess technically I am 100% out...haha. My only struggle I can think of is getting my mother to accept me and ultimately someday my partner. She's said before that she'll never do it. Also, I think my relationship with my father is a huge struggle. I feel like I don't even know the guy. 6) Single or taken? Well you caught me in my single stage...haha. I just recently broke it off for good with my Ex 2 days ago. Being single, I think, is a blessing and I'm going to try to live it up to its full potential. Relationships are just too hard. 7) Favourite Real world season? I'm going to be cliché and say New Orleans. I know I know everyone loves New Orleans. I think It's because it was probably the most "real" the "Real World" has ever been. I'd love for the "Real World" to go back to the days of Hawaii and Seattle or even Chicago. 8) Favourite gay cast member from the real world and why? Well I have 2. Is that against the rules? Well I love Chris from Chicago; I just remember thinking he was soo hott and he had that cute shy boy thing going for him. I think I was in 8th grade when that season came out. Plus, I think that he started the whole faux hawk thing. And I have to say it but Davis from Denver. I just think we'd get along so well because we are pretty much the same person. Plus, hes not too bad looking either. I mean, people compare me to him so much sometimes its annoying but I ultimately take it as a compliment. 9) If chosen to be on the real world some day, how would you be different than past gay cast members and do you feel like you'll make a difference? How? Well, they really have had a broad selection of gay cast members so I think it would be hard to separate myself from all of them. But I think the main difference I would bring is that I'm really funny and you can ask any of my friends that I just like to goof off and have fun and not be too serious. Also yes, I am a gay Christian but I am completely comfortable with who I am and I would never cry like a bitch on camera (*cough cough* Davis). I really think he played the Christian thing because he was brutal to the girls and was obsessed with sex. Not too Christ like if you ask me. 10) Gay bashings: Please tell me about Mikey and what's your position on bashings? What can be done to stop them, in your opinion? Well I didn't know Mikey personally, but he was a friend of a friend and apparently he was walking outside of a bar holding hands with another guy and he got jumped by a Mexican guy. The other guy he was with got away, but Mikey was beaten to death with a tire iron and his head was crushed. I'm not surprised because this happened in a Southern atmosphere. That's not to say that I'm not concerned and disgusted. It's sad that this doesn't surprise people. It's just depressing that we can be beaten to death just because of who we choose to love. I don't know if it will ever stop; you can't force people to believe what they don't believe. I just think we should know how to protect ourselves if we ever encounter such things. 11) How do you feel about gays marrying? Does your opinion have to do with your religious background? Can you see yourself being married to the man of your dreams someday? Explain your dream wedding: This is a hard one. I believe that we should be able to marry whoever we want, but I completely understand why conservatives think we shouldn't. I think if you just go before God and say " this is the person I wanna spend the rest of my life with and I promise I will do my best to stay with him and love him and take care of him" (and vice versa) that should be enough. I personally don't need a piece of paper to say I'm married. But I can see that it's open to opinions. But other than that, I'd just move to Boston. Haha...I've never really thought about my wedding. I think that's something that girls do when they go through puberty. I just want it to be small and special. 12) What's your current job/dream job? As of now I work for Pepperdine as an office assistant. I don't like the word secretary...haha. But it's for security so I guess that's more macho. Anywho, my dream job would be to do movies. I've been in acting since I was 5 and it's a huge passion that I have to this day. I'm just so busy all the time I never get to actually go for it. Plus its so cliché in LA, everyone you meet is an actor or a model so no one takes you seriously if you say that you're an actor; But maybe someday. Other than that, I'm studying advertising with a minor in Art. I'd like to be a publicist or work for a huge retail company some day. 13) Tell me a little about your childhood: I grew up in the country. I was a chubby little white trash redneck kid. My parents didn't go to college so we jumped around from living in houses you could see sunlight through the walls, to living with my grandmother. Finally settling down in a 1400 sqf house with 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. I never saw myself as poor but I can def see that I was now that I'm older. My parents filed for bankruptcy when I was 7 and it was a hard living. But I was teased a lot because I didn't go through puberty until 9th grade and I didn't have the right clothes. My mother eventually went back to college and she is now a doctor and they have a 3 story Victorian house with a fuckin elevator. Talk about a 180. 14) When did you come out? What caused you to come out and was it a good decision? I came out when I was 16 but I had told my mother before that I thought I was gay, when I was like 6 or 7. She asked me if I wanted therapy and I rejected the idea because I didn't want to look like a freak I guess. I really went though a self hating period because I was so involved in my youth group at church and truly believed I was going to hell. One Sunday I just couldn't take it anymore so when I went home I told my mother everything. I felt so relieved and happy but awkward at the same time. It def came as a surprise to my family. Overall I look back and Im proud I came out at such an early age and that part of my life is over with and I can move on now. 15) Give advice to those still struggling with who they truly are: Look deep within yourself. Separate what you think is a part of you and what you think is something you can change. For example if you feel that deep inside that that's the way you were made and that's the way you are going to feel for the rest of your life, then its probably the way God made you. If you're religious like me I say pray. I know when I prayed about my sexuality, which I did a lot, I always felt reassured about it afterward. Its not gonna be easy to accept yourself and it may take a long time I still doubt myself sometimes. But always remember that love has no face or sex. 16) Describe your style: yuppie, prepster, hipster, etc? Haha POOR…no I'm kidding I kinda like the whole laid back jeans and t shirt look. I'm not into designer clothes.. I like comfortable clothes that I can afford to buy. I guess you could say preppy but I'm kinda getting into the whole beach bum look…idk its always changing. But I will say that I love the hardcore extreme sports tattooed look for potential boy friends ;) haha. 17) Can you write about 100 words about your background to enhance the interview? It would be greatly appreciated! 100 words?! Aghh I feel like I'm in school again…come on, it's summer! ... Well ok, let's see...I was born on June 21st 1988 in Lubbock, Texas. I lived there until I was 18 and then I moved to California for college. I'm a native American Irish Dutch boy. I Have 2 older sisters so I am the baby. I played Football, Basketball, Tennis, Track and I also did Powerlifting in high school. I was the president of the thespians club and I was on the board of directors for the local community theater. I grew up Church of Christ so I still have a hard time adjusting to being an out member of the church.

*ALL CONTENT IS COPYRIGHT MATERIAL - INTERVIEW CONDUCTED BY GIUSEPPE*

Moving In...

So, you're moving in together…Mazel Tov! And you need advice? Well, you've come to the right place. I have lived with three boyfriends before; The first was "our" apartment that we both moved into together. The second was "my" apartment that he moved into and the third was "his" apartment that I moved in to. Out of all these possible scenarios, moving into a place together is the best way to go. Look at this as much as a marriage as you can. Before the new place, you could leave your boyfriend at anytime and anywhere. Now you have a leash; A force that binds you to not only another human being, but a place of co-habitation. This force is known as "the lease." The lease is the real commitment. Prior to the lease, if you and your boy were at a party, someone would inevitably ask you if you think each other is the one. "Sure," you say-"why not?" You have nothing to lose. If he's not the one then "he's" not the one and you go home. But with the lease you're really saying "I give it a year solid, after which our commitment is based on a month to month." I'm all about love and being spontaneous but all I'm saying is protect yourself and know your rights. Have the uncomfortable conversation with him about what should happen if you two do break up. What happens to the house? Who moves out? Who keeps the dog? I'm assuming you'll get a dog because let's face it, that's what gays do. I've been dating guys for over 10 years now; A couple models, a couple older business types, a celebrity, and some "regular Joes." And after all my mistakes, the bottom line is honesty and openness. Talking about how things might end is not unromantic or tainting the idea of moving in, it's the responsible thing to do for both of you. If you truly care about each other and want to protect each other then make sure you're clear on all aspects. All that being said, only invite your rich gay friends to your house warming-the others will bring cheap wine that they'll end up drinking themselves and spilling onto your carpet. -Michael Billy *please note all content is copyright material*

Interview With Reichen: What a sweetheart!

From making some cameo appearances to dating Lance Bass, we've go the 411 on this hottie...check it out: 1) When you were in the miliatry, what was the worst part about keeping your sexuality a secret? In the military, the situation is entirely different than in civilian life. Homophobia is allowed and almost celebrated as a "joke" all around you. Even if you want to come out, the threats are far greater because of your oath of office. You'll be considered a criminal who is subject to disciplinary action, immediately upon admitting your homosexuality. Add this to the woes of family or friend troubles when those important people in our lives don't understand you, or that you were born gay. Also, in the military, it's one of the last situations of discrimination in this country where the ones being discriminated against are actually silenced from speaking up for themselves, only prolonging the problem. This is why it's important for all of us, on the outside, to fight for our brothers and sisters within the ranks. 2) After you were tortured and came out as a gay man, did you finally say to yourself, "I'm free! I can't wait to live my life!"? OR did you regret everything and want to run back into the closet? Neither, really. I wouldn't say I was "tortured". I always found a way to live my "other" life and to be happy about it. It was part of survival and being in the military. Once I left the Air Force, I continuted to live the same way, but never had to deny the fact that I'm gay if I were asked. I didn't find it necessary to tell the world...until the world was told for me by my appearing on television. 3) Who in your life surprised you most with the reaction of knowing that you were gay? For the better or worse. My father was very cool and loving about it and I didn't think telling him would be so easy. "I'm proud of you and love you know matter what!" were the first words from his mouth when I told him. 4) Were you a ladie's man way back in the day, or did you always have a liking toward boys? I wasn't a "ladies man"--ha, but I always had a girlfriend and dated girls. I think I found it necessary to date girls to find "the one" who would actually do it for me. The problem was not the girls I dated at all...they were all beautiful and sweet. The problem was that I was gay! Yes, I always had a crush on this or that guy while growing up. I didn't know then that it was a crush, but now I understand that it most definitely was. 5) You've dated Lance Bass...how was that for you dating someone less experienced in the LGBT community? I mean, the poor guy just came out and was trying to deal...did that affect you at all? The relationship was a negative experience for me in general. There were too many people involved in my life for me to be happy. The book and the message of eradicating "Don't Ask Don't Tell" were overshadowed by the drama of that time and this saddens me. Chapter closed. I'm writing another book now. I'm not aware that my ex was any less experienced in the LGBT community than any other gay person, so I can't really fully answer the question. 6) Describe your perfect mate: Great sense of humor, makes me laugh, loyal, devoted, protects my privacy, good listener, intelligent, educated, ambitious, open-minded, knows what matters and what doesn't, and makes me feel happy. I just described the guy I'm with right now, Ryan. 7) How did your jewelery line for men come to be? I had done some modeling for Udi Behr Jewelers in New York and they had just launched a new line called, "Love and Pride" (www.LoveandPride.com). I met Udi and some others from his company for dinner in L.A. one night a couple years ago. At the end of dinner, the valet pulled my car around and Udi read my license plate at the time that read, "FLYN8KD". He asked me what it meant and I told him the story: that in civilian pilot training, we had a dare to, on our first solo flight in some aircraft, strip down and actually fly naked. So Fly Naked represents a conceptual dare to kind of strip down and to be who you are and to run, or fly, with that! 8) How has being a philanthropist changed your life? Thanks for saying I'm philanthropic. If that's what I am, great, but honestly I have many people around me who ask for my involvement in different charities and projects that help others. I say "yes", and when I actually go to volunteer or speak, or whatever it is that they need me to do, I grow from the experience and then it makes me want to do more. This is similar to when I was a little kid and my parents would walk me in the park and point out a plastic bag on the ground several feet away. They would tell me to go and get it and to throw it into a trash can or to hold onto it until we found a place to throw it away. After putting the first piece of plastic into a trash can, I was ON A MISSION, looking for more plastic bags and candy wrappers to throw away. It felt good to help out! "Leave the world more beautiful than when you found it," my parents would often tell me. 9) Will you continue to do philanthropic work or is it something you've seen and done and want to move on to bigger and better things? Nothing could be bigger or better than helping someone else. As long as I'm able, I will. 10) Please give words of wisdom to those struggling with their sexuality: Just remember that it's not really YOUR problem. It's everyone else's and your letting them make it all about you. When it's safe and practical for you, and when you're ready to understand this fact, come out and remember to be patient with those who don't understand you yet. The more patient you are, the better chance you have of allowing them to see that it's NO BIG DEAL. *ALL CONTENT IS COPYRIGHT MATERIAL - INTERVIEW CONDUCTED BY GIUSEPPE*