Queercents

Shawn Hollenbach is a stand up comedian, improv actor and songwriter based in New York City. Shawn is the producer of Closet Cases, a Critics’ Pick from Time Out NY and a Homo Must in HX Magazine. He is also a co-producer of the Back Room and The Skip and Sparkle Variety Show at Ochi’s Lounge at Comix.

1.  How did you get started in comedy?
I started almost 6 years ago. I always wanted to do it but was afraid. I did improv for a few years and stand up seemed to be a natural progression!

2. I heard you hosted the Staten Island Pride parade. How was it?
Staten Island Pride was a lot of fun. This was only the 5th Annual SI Pride and everyone there was so excited and proud, it was really refreshing. I heard that it’s growing every year!

3.  Last month, you organized the first Miss Fag Hag Pageant.  How were you able to pull off a big event on a shoestring budget?
It was A LOT of favors. From the amazing talent like Hedda Lettuce, Michael Musto, Kathleen Fitzgerald and Hedda Lettuce to Comix being so supportive and having a fabulous director, Adolpho Blaire who can do a lot with virtually nothing. Read the rest of this entry »

J. Brotherlove is a graphic designer, front-end web developer and writer. As a “pioneer” blogger, he’s explored the intersection of pop sub/culture, independent media, race, and sexuality since 1998. Additionally, he is an occasional blogger/columnist for Window Media, the nation’s largest lesbian and gay newspaper group. Currently, he is planning a new web destination to spotlight the black gay online community.

1. How did you get started as a web developer?
I’ve always been passionate about art and graphic design. From there I migrated to desktop publishing and the web. I’m an autodidact by nature and turned my hobby into a career.

2. You are also a blogger. Do you make any money from your blog?
No. But I’ve received other opportunities. I began blogging as mostly a personal outlet. I never intended it to be a money-making venture. I’m working on a couple of other web products that will generate revenue.

3. Have you gotten speaking gigs at conferences as a result of your blog?
I’ve received offers to speak at conferences but, as an introvert, I’ve decline most of them. The topic has to be something I’m passionate about and feel I can lend new insight. So far, I’ve lead sessions at the inaugural Sex 2.0 conference as well as a couple of panel discussions. Read the rest of this entry »

Kathleen Warnock is a playwright and editor. Her short play, “The Adventures of…” will be part of the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival in Ireland in May. Her play “Some Are People,” has been produced in New York, Dublin, and Milledgeville, GA, and is published by United Stages. She is currently in the throes of editing Best Lesbian Erotica 2010 for Cleis (forthcoming this December!)

1. How did you get started as a travel writer?
That’s one of the major misconceptions of my profession. I’m not a travel writer…I’m a travel editor. In most people’s minds, that’s the same thing. In fact, when I tell people that I’m a travel editor, the first thing they say is: so, do you get to travel much? And the answer is…not as much as a travel writer. What I do is HIRE travel writers. And I sit in an office in Hoboken (with a fabulous view) and edit the books. I do get to travel some myself: I can go on press trips, and I’ve always traveled on my own (which is one of the reasons I think I was hired for the job).

2. What is a cheap but fun place to go for a weekend getaway?
I always look for destinations in their off- or shoulder season. I got to beach/resort destinations in the spring or fall. Right now, in the Northeast, you can probably get a good package deal in Provincetown (though off-season transportation there can be problematic), or down at the Jersey Shore, or on Long Island, as the places that stay open year-round are still offering well below high season rates. In this economic climate, bargains abound. I also keep an eye on the last-minute packages, like the ones at Flights.com (formerly Site59.com) and the ones on Priceline. Read the rest of this entry »

Matthew Baker is an executive assistant looking for an executive and is also a freelance photographer. He hails from the great cold state of Utah but officially calls New York City his home.

1. What did you do for a living? What do you do now?
Formerly, I have been a personal/executive assistant to many CEO’s, President’s and VP’s of top companies. Now I am a freelance photographer, furniture reviver, charity volunteer, treasurer for a political campaign and assistant looking for a boss. Funny enough since I have become unemployed I find that I’m working more now than when I was working 10-12 hour days.

2. You are living on unemployment in New York City (well Queens, but still). How do you manage to afford it?
Well thanks to the fact that I have no debt beyond my monthly expenses it is surprisingly easy to live on $1620 a month. (and now thanks to NYC, NYS and the Federal Gov. the unemployed got a $100 a month “raise”). I live with the bare necessities and my bills; Cable+internet, Cell phone, Electric+Gas, Metrocard and rent, come to around $1440. Also seeing that my dating life has been put on hold, I cook most of my meals at home and groceries for the month come to around $70. And the rest goes to nights out with friends. Read the rest of this entry »

Photo by Justin Hoch

Soce, The Elemental Wizard produces and performs hip hop music, writes and films comedy videos, interviews comedians, reviews video games and co-hosts a monthly math bee. His music is a blend of live violin, guitar, bass and singing, mixed in with thought-provoking rhymes, catchy melodies and a megawatt smile. On his tax forms, he is known as Andrew Singer.

1. How did get started being a Jewish Gay Rapper? Does it run in the family?
I’m the only gay rapper in my family. I was the youngest child, so I always had to be different and make my mark. I was also the only one who played trombone in the Jr High School band (my siblings and I generally stuck with stringed instruments and choral music). I’ve always been a fan of hip hop since grammar school, and once I started doing it seriously in NYC, I had to rap about being gay during some of my songs, since hip hop is all about keeping it real, and that’s a big part of who I am.

2. By day, you work in IT on Wall Street. Got any good stock tips?
Now is a great time to buy, while all of the stocks are so low. Just make sure you don’t purchase any sinking ships. Read the rest of this entry »

Len Usvyat is a city planner - working in New York and commuting from his home in Philadelphia. He talks rehab (of his old house!) and the smackers it takes to remodel historically significant homes.

1. How did you get interested in city planning?  What do you love about cities?
I think I needed a career switch or another degree or something like that. My good friend is a city planner and I always enjoyed hearing about it. So I thought I could go to school for finance (my background is in accounting) or something much more interesting like city planning. Of course, what’s there not to love about cities?! They are perfect for attention-deficit-disorder people like myself.

2. You bought a house in Philadelphia after living in NYC for years. How did you finance your home? savings? loan?
I was fortunate to buy the house during the times when the banks were giving out loans to everyone… so, we hardly put down anything when we bought the house.

3. How do you manage the costs of remodeling an old house?  Did you seek out many referrals from general contractors?
Those costs are tough. Particularly, because you could really get a return on your buck if you do things yourself. The drawback of doing things yourself is that you HAVE TO DO IT YOURSELF. And, after a while, you get really tired working on the house… Philadelphia does have some really good programs for people who want to remodel their houses. Read the rest of this entry »

Oraia Reid is the Co-Founder and Executive Director Of Right Rides, a service that offers women, transgender and gender queer individuals a free, safe, late night ride home on Saturday nights from 11:59 PM - 3 AM, early Sunday morning in 45 NYC neighborhoods.

1. What inspired you to start Right Rides?
RightRides was founded in the summer of 2004 in direct response to an increase in sexual assault of women walking home by themselves in North Brooklyn neighborhoods. Outraged by the attacks in our community, Co-Founder Consuelo Ruybal and I mobilized quickly to combat the disempowering threats to women’s physical safety and to assert their right to freedom of mobility. Using our own car, we began offering women free, late night rides home, in just three neighborhoods: Williamsburg and Greenpoint in North Brooklyn and the Lower East Side in Manhattan.

In 2006, Right Rides for Women’s Safety secured a vehicle sponsorship with Zipcar, enabling RightRides volunteers to operate the donated vehicles; this partnership also allowed RightRides to significantly expand the service area and number of riders served. RightRides now serves women, transgender (both male and female identified) as well as gender queer individuals. To date, RightRides has driven nearly 2,000 Riders safely home, now operates in 45 neighborhoods across four boroughs, thanks to 135 driving team volunteers operating up to six Zipcars. Nearly 35% of our volunteers are former riders, making RightRides a community-led success. Read the rest of this entry »

Robin Cloud is a comedian and singer/songwriter living in New York City. When not entertaining the masses, Robin hawks real estate. After all, she knows a thing or two about structure, space and historic preservation by attending Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture. Robin is a performer at heart and can make buyers and sellers alike laugh in this real estate market.

1.  How did you get started in real estate?
I made the move to real estate because I wanted to run my own business and be my own boss.  Getting started was really easy I took a three week course took a test, passed, and got my license. I was initially sponsored by Urban View Realty but just made the switch to Citi-Habitats in Chelsea because they are the largest rental and sales firm in NYC.

2. Has the economy and mortgage crisis had an effect on your business?
Yes. People who were eager to purchase property have decided to wait and “see what happens.” Prices are dropping and being New Yorkers everyone wants to get the best deal. Rentals however have continued to be strong because people will always move to NYC and people who had large apartments and can’t afford them anymore are downsizing or getting roommates. Read the rest of this entry »

Daryn DeZengotita is an Avon sales representative serving as one of its “faces of Avon” in an advertising and marketing campaign.

First of all, I feel like I am the last person on earth from whom ANYONE should take financial advice.  But, I realize that many of us feel that way.  It was just this past few years that I have decided to pull up my big-girl panties and say good-bye to my past as a financial failure.  I was really comfortable in that role, so it’s hard to shake.  And, it’s hard to find good support when you don’t have a track record – or a bank balance to show.  With that said, here are my carefully considered answers . .

1. How did you get started selling Avon?
When my partner and I adopted our sons, we really needed to tighten our belts financially.  I had been a long-time user of high-end department store cosmetics and I just could no longer justify the expense.  I saw an ad for Avon products online and the prices were so good, I figured they were worth a try.  I was hooked immediately and became a really, good customer.  In addition, I found myself telling others about my big new discovery.  Finally, the light bulb went off in my head and inquired about starting my own Avon business.  At that time, I had an IT  consulting business.  In addition to needing to save money, I also needed a more flexible business.  It all just fell into place!

2 Growing up, were you always into makeup?
Pretty much!  I’m a girly girl. Read the rest of this entry »

Deb Malkin is the owner of Re/Dress, a plus-sized vintage and resale store that opened a few months ago in Brooklyn, New York.   I stopped by the lovely store and met Deb and some of her staff. The space is great as well as the selection of clothes and accessories.

1. What was your inspiration for opening Re/Dress?
My inspiration for opening Re/Dress NYC was my amazing fierce fat community and the way working with them has transformed my life for the better. So many of the women, men + transfolks I know rock their fashion hard making a unrepentant statement that they are not to be ignored. And honestly it was completely selfish, I made the store I’ve always wanted to shop in. Creating and organizing the Fat Girl Flea Market was my baby steps to starting Re/Dress NYC.

2. Growing up, were you always a fashionista?
Nope, not at all. I was a wannabe fashionista with no sewing skills and no access to fashion as a fat kid. So instead I spent a lot of time dressing at 19 like I was 40. Now I’m almost 40 and I love to dress like I wanted to at 19.

3. How did you finance your shop? savings? loans? credit cards?
Lots and lots of savings, and cashing out of stocks, which before the crazy recession/stock market splat felt kind of insane, and now it feels like a brilliant investment. And what they say about new businesses and credit card balances is true. Mine used to be $0. Read the rest of this entry »