JOHN A. PEREZ Most class presidents are elected based on popularity and promises. John A. Perez is different—he was drafted to runfor Speaker of the Assembly by his Democratic colleagues, who thought he was the best person to help lead Califor-nia during its economic crisis. Sworn in on March 2, Perez became the first openly gay Speaker of a legislative bodyin the nation. “I grew up in a California where we invested in everyone’s future because we understood that equali-ty of opportunity is central to the California Dream,” Perez says. He encourages LGBT youth to have patience andperseverance. “We still very much live in a society where LGBT people are perceived as some kind of ‘other’ and thatpresents enormous challenges to us. We’re held to a higher standard than most other people. But we have to havepatience—there will always be people who try and tear you down just because you’re gay, and you can’t let thembother you. If anything, it makes it more important to continue fighting and not internalize the negativity directedyour way,” Perez says. “We know that the pathway to full equality is going to be difficult and arduous. But anythingworth having is worth fighting for, so we have to continue striving forward.”

SoCal residents whomake Los Angeles adynamic and captivating city. We find these individuals inspiring, innovative and interesting,which in our book puts them at the

BY MICHAEL ANTHONYAARON DRAKELESLEY GOLDBERGSTEPHAN HORBELTKAREN OCAMB

PHOTOS BY JOHN SKALICKY

PHYLISSNAVIDAD“My story is really one of mentors and lifelong friends,”

starts Phyliss Navidad, a multifaceted drag hostess, DJ and

MC who hails from San Francisco. A triple-threat performer

trained in ballet, modern dance, jazz and voice, she eventually

started doing pick-up work with various shows and modern dance

companies in SF—and that’s when the magic happened. She explains:

“One crazy night I wandered into a bar called The Stud and my life

changed forever. Shortly thereafter, I met Juanita More and her drag moth-

er Mr. David (Glamamore). They took me under their ruffled wings and

introduced me to a sub-culture that would be my life.” Navidad ironed their

costumes, danced back-up in their numbers and cooked fried foods for ben-

efit dinners. “Drag is symbolic of what it means to be homosexual in a hard-

knock world; the extension of being gay and doing it as fabulous as pos-

sible, on stage.” Simply put and in Navidad’s own words: “I believe that

a queen is fashion, comedy, performance art and a symbol of our com-

munity. But most importantly, [it’s] a lady with coothe and love … It

is important for gay youth to see that being different because you

prefer heels to high tops is totally ok.”And we couldn’t agree

more, in or out of our Jimmy Choos!

MICHAEL SCHMIDTA clothing and jewelry designer based in New Yorkand Los Angeles, Michael Schmidt has made hisname by creating elegant and edgy designs for someof the world’s most amazing entertainers. The ros-ter of talent he’s worked with is astounding andincludes Cher, Madonna, Tina Turner, Lady Gaga,Debbie Harry, Ozzy Osbourne, Iggy Pop and manymore. After living in L.A. during the hair-metal hey-days of the ‘80s, Michael moved back to SoCal in2000. “I enjoy it more now,” he says, “as I have aperspective on and an appreciation for the subtletiesthat L.A. offers—its regional foods, relaxed pace,natural beauty, car culture, stunning boys. What’s notto love?” When asked about the projects he’s mostproud of, Michael replied, “The latest project is usu-ally the one I’m most excited about because I’malways trying to best myself. I like to jump from onediscipline to another—clothing, furniture, jewelry,interior design. Keeps it fun.” As for what’s next forMichael, the designer says, “My work with enter-tainers and stylists is of a collaborative nature, whichis always inspiring and interesting for me, but I’malso now working on a new collection of clothingand accessories which will be a distillation of solelymy own vision, so I’m very excited about that.”Check out the extent of Michael’s inspiring work atmichaelschmidtstudios.com.

JOHN BLAINERaised in South Pasadena by his Vietnamese family, John

Blaine is one of L.A.’s premier hair stylists, or as he puts it, a

“hair burner to the stars.” “I actually wanted to be an archi-

tect when I was younger,” says John. “But I was too busy

partying it up. My mother got really angry and told me

I’d better find something to do. I thought I was being

really clever going to cosmetology school, because I

thought it was mindless and would allow me to keep

doing my dirty party deeds ... well, break to 25 years

later.” John has worked with some of the biggest

names in the industry, developing business ties and

close relationships with Dita Von Teese, Pamela

Anderson, Macy Gray, Paris Hilton and Marilyn

Manson. As for the near future, John has a deal in

the works for a show about his “crazy, manic life.”

“I’m under contract, so I can’t talk too much about it,

other than it will be extremely funny, dealing with every-

thing—me, my friends, clients and Hollywood.” Just like

John’s career, the result of years of hard work, the show is

sure to be a success!

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FROM 37

JOHNNY LOPEZA native New Yorker, Johnny couldn’t imagine living in any oth-

er city, but he made the move here 10 years ago. “After about a year of

hating L.A., I finally made peace and allowed myself to get seduced by the

weather, the elevated standard of living and The Grove!” Johnny has been at TMZ

for over four years, almost from the very beginning, and works as a writer/producer

for the website. But he’s also known for his hilarious award show recaps, which he’s

been writing for a decade now. “It started when I worked at Access Hollywood as a way

to take me away from my mind-numbing job fact-checking. For fun I would email my

friends my uncensored observations of what people wore, said, sang etc. at all the major

award shows. Friends started forwarding it to friends, and before I knew it I had

strangers emailing wanting to be added to my distribution list. I still email it to

over 500 people, but now I also have a blog where I post it online—

JohnnyLopez.com.” Johnny’s quick wit and astute observations even par-

layed into becoming a member of the Us Magazine Fashion Police.

As a man who does his best to deliver the latest celebrity

news in a fun and interesting way, we salute him!

HOWARD BRAGMAN PR guru Howard Bragman is an expert at shap-ing opinions, having advised a slew of famousLGBT personalities on when and how to comeout. Recently he paved the way for countrystar Chely Wright to announce herself asa lesbian. “I never recommend peoplestay in the closet,” says Bragman. “WhatI always recommend is that people betrue to themselves and just be awareof what the risks are. I’ve told peo-ple to stay in the closet who I did-n’t think were ready to deal withit on either a personal or emotion-

al level—but not to save theircareer.” Wright’s coming out generated

some unusual responses. “People were accus-ing her of coming out as a press stunt!”

Bragman said. “In country music, comingout is considered career suicide. As Chely

said in one interview, ‘The press stuntwas pretending I was straight for 15

years!’ We live in a time when you haveNeil Patrick Harris, T.R. Knight,

Cheyenne Jackson—all on major televi-sion shows playing heterosexuals just fine.”

Even country singer John Rich has distancedhimself from some previous homophobic

remarks. “I think that’s great—that even in coun-try music, it’s not OK to be homophobic. So while

people still are, the fact that public homophobia isgetting less acceptable is great news.”

LYDIA BOTTEGONIIf you’ve heard of animated feature films Cloudy With a Chance of Meat-balls and Surf’s Up, then you’ve seen some of Lydia Bottegoni’s work.The 16-year film industry veteran, now working at Sony Pictures Image-

works, co-produced both movies—with Surf’s Up earning an Acad-emy Award nomination for best animated feature. How’d you like

that on your résumé? But the newlywed and new mom—Bot-tegoni married indie rock guitarist Rickey Goodling and gavebirth to twins in the past two years—finds it’s the people she

works with who provide the best part of her job. “I workwith a group of CGI artists that are some of the best

in the world,” she says. “Being surrounded by peo-ple who are both incredibly good with math and

science and gifted artistically is inspiring.” Thejoys of producing projects for the big screen,

however, don’t end there. The longtime con-tributor to the SPCA and LGBT rights advo-

cate most enjoys “seeing a project final-ly up on the screen,” she says. “I’ve been

on plenty of films where it’s three or fouryears from the time I’ve read the first treat-

ment or script to when it’s in theaters. Onceit’s finally delivered, it’s pretty satisfying.”

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GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF LOS ANGELES America seems enamored by the TV series Glee, about a high school glee club where misfits andschool stars miraculously harmonize. One storyline features an openly gay student who enduresanti-gay bullying—until his glee-mates stick up for him en masse. In real life, the Gay Men’s Cho-rus of Los Angeles does something similar through their Alive Music Project. “GMCLA has alwayshad an outreach program, but we wanted to focus our work in schools, where levels of anti-LGBTbullying are persistently high and where music education is under threat,” says GMCLA’s ExecutiveDirector Hywel Sims. “GMCLA’s mission is to use music to end homophobia.” With this glee club,the medium is the message. “At one recent AMP performance, students told us that we were thefirst live music they’d heard, and that we were the first openly gay men they’d met,” says Sims.“No effective movement for social change has been without its music. LGBT choral groups haveprovided safe places for people to gather and make music. Glee clubs celebrate singing—GMCLAdoes that too, but also celebrates the power of music to change our world.”

FROM 38

CALPERNIA ADDAMSActress, underground pop star and activist Calpernia

Addams has colored the landscape of trans theater and

film for many memorable years. Whether it be her turn

in the Oscar-nominated TransAmerica or her perform-

ance of the Vagina Monologues with Eve Ensler,

Addams continually makes a signature statement

with a chic sense of style and class. Calpernia’s tal-

ents quickly went international when she arrived

in Saudia Arabia and entertained fellow troops

while serving as a medic in the first Gulf War.

But after that, she explains, “I quickly [gave

way] to the stages of the local GLBT clubs for

‘glamour and glitter, fashion and fame’ …

[Now] I have my own outrageous live show

at Hamburger Mary’s WeHo every Friday

night. Also, you can find me singing and

hosting fundraisers somewhere most any

night of the week.” Her motto in life is

simple: “It’s never easy, never perfect and

never over. But it does get easier, better

and more worthwhile as time goes on!”

With eight years under her belt in L.A. and

a plethora of dance music available on

iTunes, Ms. Addams is on a rainbow-bricked

road that boasts nothing but the glamour

and glitter, fashion and fame that she spent

her childhood chasing.

MATT ALBERA childhood spent singing in choirs bigand small—including “ones that didjazz hands,” Matt Alber has come full-circle. The out singer-songwriter learnedat an early age how important the“power of collaboration” can be. “Try-ing to do everything yourself leads toa lonely place and missed opportuni-ties,” he says. For the past year he’sbeen serving as the music director forthe first all-gay senior citizen glee clubat the Gay & Lesbian Center, a gig hegot “sort of by accident.” “I’m so gladI did; the experience of leading a choirof gay seniors taught me that I didn’tknow jack about my elders,” he says.The choir’s first performance also dou-bled as the most touching moment inAlber’s career. “None of them dreamedthey could be performers—they got astanding ovation. My cheeks hurt forthree days,” he says. Beyond his musicand choir work, Alber continues toadvocate for LGBT individuals in Iraq,where “our gay brothers and sisters areliterally hunted down in the streets andmurdered by their own fathers,” hesays. “Personally, I cannot spend a dol-lar fighting for gay marriage withoutspending one for gay Iraqis.”

WILLAM BELLIHe’s an “entrepawhore” with the cajones to match—but you’d never know it. Yes, gender-bending enter-

tainer Willam Belli has surely graced your local stageand screen (both small and silver). “Name a cop show

in the past 10 years and I’ve guest-starred on it; beatdown, made up or just mean-mugging and giving

strong fish. I served up a steaming snatchateria platterfor five episodes on Nip/Tuck as tranvestite frenemy Cher-

ry Peck … And I act regularly as a guy too, but no onerecognizes me,” he laughs. And laugh, does Belli ever! In his most recent turn,

as an “oft-angry transsexual” in the controversial Ticked-Off Trannies With Knivesfeature film, the triple-threat has been met with mixed artistic acceptance. Heexplains, “[We] just premiered at Tribeca Film Festival to rave reviews from Vari-ety … but then GLAAD protests and bomb threats from offended transfolks.”Controversy seems to follow this comedian wherever he goes, but he couldn’tlove it any more. “I like to make people laugh, whether it be with poor sexualchoices or Tranimal jokes.” Willam is, without a doubt, one of our hottest (andmost controversial) SoCal entertainers to date.

JESSIE DELUXE

Playing guitar, singing and rewriting rock songs since the age of eight, Jessie

Deluxe balances music with compassion. Whether it’s through her music or her full-

time job at the Museum of Tolerance, where she works with Holocaust survivors, Deluxe

is all about diversity. “With music, I get to meet so many different people,” she says. “At the

Museum of Tolerance … I love getting the chance to learn more about diverse cultures and shar-

ing that information.” Whether she’s penning original songs or creating events and programs—

she also helps educate elementary school students about the Holocaust through the muse-

um’s STEPS program—Deluxe is always doing her part to unite different communities. “I

would love to make a community center like Harvey Milk did with his photography store—

have great thinkers in every subject getting together, making the world a better place,”

says the daughter of the Lady in Lavender from the cult classic Phantasm!, who is

involved with MusicCares and a variety of animal-rights charities. “It would have

an art gallery as well as local designers’ items, a coffee shop and practice space.

I could put on rock shows that will help contribute to my charities.” Investors,

the ball’s in your court.

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FROM 41

ALEC MAPAAlec is America’s self-proclaimed “Gaysian Sweet-heart,” and we couldn’t agree more! With memorableappearances on such zeitgeist hits as Ugly Betty and DesperateHousewives, he’s the face that every out-and-proud Asian male canidentify with and every LOL-loving gay can laugh with. Explains Mapa:“It’s lovely to be included in such schmancy company as the Hot25. As a young performer, I agonized about what coming outwould do to my career, which was dumb because the truth is Ireally didn’t have a career until I did. And let’s face it, whenyou’re as queer as I am and not out, you just look insane. Notworrying about who knew or even cared that I was gay freedme up to be a far more authentic person, and I like tothink that made me a more authentic artist. My men-tors were all big queens who lived openly, honestly,courageously and lovingly. They all died of AIDS [and]I am what rose out of their ashes.” From the delight-fully crass to the truly raw and heroic, Mapa is acomedian extraordinaire-turned-activist both onand off the stage. And perhaps it is most recent-ly that he has taken on his most challenging role.“My husband and I are fostering a child with theintention to adopt. I’ve never been this happyor exhausted.”

ERIN FOLEYWhat makes someone hot to stand-up comic Erin Foley? That’s easy.

“If they’re wearing a tight white T-shirt that reads, ‘I'm hot.’” Such is the

smart-yet-deadpan style that makes Foley a hit with audiences both locally and

nationwide. Locally, Foley hosts the monthly Gays R Us show, which she created more

than two years ago. Nationally, she has been featured on Comedy Central with her own

special and continues to have East Coast aspirations while serving L.A.’s gay community. “I

have so many goals! I would love to perform with Lily Tomlin, throw out the first pitch at Yan-

kee Stadium, practice with the New York Giants, act in movies, television, theater, puppet the-

ater, mime, monologues, all the while tending to my glass menagerie,” the news junkie and avid

sports fan says. She’s received touching stories from kids nationwide that her comedy has helped

them come out and navigate their Irish-Catholic upbringing. “It’s more than touching,” she says.

“It makes everything possible. It’s the reason to keep going.” In the meantime, Foley plans to

use Gays R Us—which runs the first Wednesday of every month at the Improv on Melrose

Avenue—to give back to the community. “I just did a fundraiser for the AIDS Life Cycle

and plan to make every other show a fundraiser,” she says. Now that’s hot.

MORE 44

MATT PALAZZOLO Matt is a co-founder of the Equal Roots Coali-tion (equalroots.com), which “provides oppor-tunities for young LGBTQ people to wake upand start engaging their community.” Mattand three of his close friends started the organ-ization to ensure that new generations wouldstay motivated and to prevent the wide-spread apathy that occurred during the pas-sage of Prop. 8 from happening again.“How ridiculous is it that it took as devas-tating an occurrence as having our rightsvoted away for an entire generation, myselfincluded, to start acting up against discrim-ination that we’ve faced our entire lives?We should always be motivated to makechange, we should always be unafraid tobe loud and certainly we should alwaysfeel worthy of being equal.” A Bay Areanative, he moved to SoCal eight years agoand attended UCLA. He says his favoritething about the city is the people. “Nobodyends up in L.A. on accident. Everyonecomes here for a reason and it’s very moti-vating to be surrounded by people with anunusual amount of ambition.” And he hasother ambitions of his own. “When I’m notall wrapped up in my LGBTQ activism, I’man actor and a video editor. I recently fin-ished acting in an adorable gay family com-edy called You Should Meet My Son. Keepan eye out for it.”

FROM 42

HEATHER CASSILSIf you don’t know Heather Cassils by name, you cer-tainly know her face: as a prison inmate, she lockedlips with Lady Gaga in the steamy “Telephone”video. Cassils, however, is more than a prettyface and a hot body—she’s also a talented artist.“When you see my gender-confusing body, espe-cially embedded in such a mainstream momentlike ‘Telephone,’ I think of kids in the middle ofnowhere who maybe aren’t exposed to anything,and then they see this Lady Gaga video, and theystart asking questions,” she says. “Even something

as fluffy as a pop music video can be hugely influen-tial.” Cassils is currently an artist researcher with the Los

Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions. “I see my body as a con-ceptual sculpture, a critique of the social pressure we feel to

make our bodies conform to an aesthetic, binary genderedand cultural ideal.” She also continues to run her own per-

sonal training business, where she uses her knowledgeof performance and body manipulation with sports sci-ence to “help people transform themselves into the

empowered beings that they are.” “Since I have donethis video … teens have written me from Germany, France

and Scotland, telling me of their feelings of alienation andthat by being the artist that I am, and by being outspoken

about my beliefs, that I have helped them alleviate theirown personal feelings of shame around gender

identity and sexuality. To me this is truly anhonor and the ultimate service I can pro-

vide as a cultural producer.” Keep up withHeather at heathercassils.com.

JESSE BRUNEYou may remember Jesse from the hitshow Workout, but these days Jesse haschanged occupations and is heatin’ up thekitchen with Private Chefs of Beverly Hills,a reality show that follows a group of pri-vate chefs as they conquer impossiblesocial events in an attempt to impresstheir wildly eccentric clientele. “I reallyhad to bring my A-game to survive thisprocess—and it’s been so rewarding to seethe fantastic results and amazing footage,”he says. Though he began personal train-ing while he attended culinary school, hesays that cooking has always been hispassion. “I’ve been cooking my entire life.My mom is a true Southern belle andpretty much raised me in the kitchen andaround the dinner table.” In addition topersonal training and cooking, he alsolaunched Project: Service L.A., a spiritualcommunity that commenced Feb. 14. “It’sa trans-denominational spiritual organizationfor the LGBTQI community and their allies, friendsand families that holds services every Sunday at 11:30a.m. at East/West Lounge.” Originally hailing from Seat-tle, Jesse has lived in L.A. for the last 10 years—and isenjoying every minute of it. “Life always leads me to suchinteresting places; I do my best to buckle-up, show upand enjoy the ride. It’s been working so far—and I’mhaving a blast!” You can read more about Jesse onhis blog memoirsofagaychef.com.

MICHAEL FERRERAIn comic books, superheroes forged out of deep

tragedy seek justice by assuming the awesome bur-den of saving the world. It is a fantasy with which

oppressed LGBTs have long identified. For Michael Fer-rera, the impulse started with the inescapable tug of

destiny. “I was born on the Fourth of July and that hasalways connected me with the idealism of the Ameri-

can experiment in a very personal way,” says Ferrera. “Itruly believe there is no challenge bigger than our col-

lective ability to solve it.” Ferrera created LifeWorks, a men-toring program to “ensure that LGBT youth in Los Ange-

les can realize their dreams,” which are often inhib-ited by limits based on sexual orientation or gen-

der identity. “Being an idealist means I have arage inside every time I see myself or anyone com-

promise their principles,” says Ferrera. “Working withLGBT youth and fighting for equal rights affords me

the opportunity daily to fight a good fight. I know I’mright; I know this is a righteous cause.” Last year,

LifeWorks merged with the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center,allowing Ferrera “to work on a bigger stage and with the

most devoted activists around. I guess that brings me a stepcloser to actually saving the world!”

ELLIOTT S. ELSNERIn his short 24 years, Elliott S. Elsner, Membership Event Coordinator for GLAAD, has done

it all—snatching up the title of 2008’s Mr. Gay Los Angeles, amassing a successful track

record in the banking and commercial real estate lending sector, even founding

E Squared Promotions, the event promotion company he started during his junior

year of undergrad. But it’s his current work with GLAAD that makes him so hot

to us. While he wears many hats as Membership Event Coordinator, one of

his primary duties consists of coordinating fundraising events that introduce

new members to GLAAD’s work in more than 15 national markets. His pro-

gram, Thank GLAAD It’s Friday!, is a national networking event series for

LGBT professionals and straight allies; it’s a delectable mix of good com-

pany, great spirits and fun prizes, all while increasing membership sign-

up for the organization. What does ultimate success look like for him?

It’s simple: “[Being] married to the love of my life, being a father and

supporting my family well … laughing, learning and loving every day with

friends and family.”

MARCUS SMITHChair of the sponsorship committee for Los Ange-les Black Pride’s “At the Beach” celebration, Marcus got

involved with L.A. Black Pride in 2009 as a way to extend hisskills and background in fundraising and production planning to

nonprofit events. “LABP is an organization with such great historyand a bright future, I refuse to sit back and not do what I can to help

it grow.” Marcus also works as a television news producer for KTLA 5Evening News. “From a young kid mocking the evening news anchor tonow, I can’t explain how fascinated I am with the TV news industry,” Mar-cus tells us. “I got my foot in the door in middle school at the age of 12,when I was allowed to intern at a television station in Milwaukee. I’ve inter-viewed and met many celebrities, people from all walks of life, politiciansand even presidents. I have been on an incredible journey and can hon-estly say I’ve been there and done that.” Not bad for someone doc-tors told wouldn’t live past 15 because of a critical kidney disease

he’s had since birth. Marcus moved to L.A. in 2007 and does-n’t see himself anywhere else. “What I love most about liv-ing in the City of Angels is the history, people, foodand nightlife.”

PEDRO GARCIAOriginally from Santa Barbara, Pedro Garcia moved to SoCal to attend UCLA

and has stayed in L.A. for nearly a decade. Says Pedro, “What I love the

most about this city is its amazing cultural diversity.” As Director of

Proyecto Orgullo, an LGBT Social Justice & Advocacy Program of Bien-

estar, he puts his skills as a grass-roots activist to work, making

SoCal a better place for everyone. “Our mission is to address civ-

il rights and social justice issues that impact the Latino LGBT

community,” says Pedro. “I train Proyecto Orgullo volunteers

and supporters to become Agents of Change. As Agents of

Change they are able to assist in community organizing, cam-

paign canvassing, engaging our elected officials to support pos-

itive policy initiatives and to recruit other members to join our net-

work.” Having joined Bienestar as a volunteer years ago, according

to Pedro, the organization “has been my home and my familia for the

last seven years.” “Social Justice has taught me the power to mobilize and

to organize. We need to stick together as one LGBT community. If we don’t

look out for one another, nobody else will!”

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GABE AYALAPhotographer Gabe Ayala has lived inSouthern California since birth, and inhis own words, “I really couldn’t imag-ine any other city as home ... yet!”With Rolling-Blackouts, the compa-ny he started in 2009, Gabe is L.A.’snightlife and event photographerextraordinaire. “I started shootingevents a couple years ago, then lastyear my friend—now manager—and I came up with the name.Though we initially started out onlyshooting gay events, I’m glad tosay that we branched out into oth-er pockets of L.A. nightlife. I’m real-

ly happy and thankful for the clientswe have, and the direction in which we’regrowing.” But Gabe is more than just a pho-tographer. “I promote the events I cover, andthen write about them afterwards. I want tomake sure that both the promoter and the par-ty-goer are satisfied and have a good time.Rather than simply documenting an event, I tryand add to the overall ambience.” Says Gabe,“I’ve been with camera since I was five. Photog-raphy has perpetually been a part of my life, andalways will be.”

DJAARON ELVIS

After spending 17 years in New York, wherehe had been working as a DJ at bars, clubsand fashion parties around the city, DJ AaronElvis is back in Los Angeles—going ononly six months now. “I think I reallymissed living close to the beaches andthe near-constant sunshine. I’m awater sign and a summer baby, soit’s kinda perfect for me,” says ourcity’s newest DJ hero. Aaron may havemoved back to L.A. to pursue workas a voiceover and TV/film actor, butin the meantime he’s ravaging ourcity’s club scene. When asked todescribe his musical output, Aaron said,“I definitely mix it all up and keep theenergy high. I spin everything from elec-tro to pop to house to rock, with a giantdose of mash-ups.” And he’s found a homeat some of L.A.’s hottest parties; as Aaronputs it, “I love spinning Sanctuary at theAbbey, am having a torrid affair with Dukeat Fubar on Saturday nights and just starteddating House of Work at Ultra Suede everyWednesday.” Sounds like Aaron’s love life—andhis work schedule—has filled up nicely.

CHAD HUDSONMeet the president of Chad Hudson Events (chadhudsonevents.com), a full-service event design, production

and management company. “We do everything for our clients, from locating a venue, designing the partydécor, choosing rentals, selecting the menu, handling RSVPs, staffing, etc.” In addition to premieres and stu-dio parties, he also hosts events and fundraisers specifically for the local LGBT community. “Most recently,we had our second annual Pride at Palihouse rooftop barbeque and parade viewing party during Pride thatfeatured June Playgirl cover model Ronnie Kroell (Bravo’s Make Me A Supermodel) raising money forWhiteKnot.org.” For the 40th anniversary of the Christopher Street West Pride celebration, he producedMayor John Heilman’s rooftop reception at the London Hotel and co-produced Mayor Villaraigosa’s Gar-den Party at his private residence, honoring CSW and Pride. He also just celebrated the first anniversaryof the WeHo Supper Club, a fundraising dinner he hosts every Wednesday at different restaurants in andaround WeHo, benefitting charities such as Trevor Project and APLA. “By simply having your dinnerand/or drinks at our venues, you’re raising money for people in need,” he shares. “It’s such a simpleway to give back.”

FROM 45

BILLY FRANCESCANightlife impresario Billy Francesca grew up in a small town outside of Boston, but lucky for us,

he ended up here in L.A. eight years ago. “I came out for a St. Patrick’s Day party and woke up in

early June from it, so I just stayed—damn Irish.” Those who have met Billy know he’s not an easy one

to classify, but one thing’s for certain—he throws some of the best parties in town. As the creator of

Dance Bitch at Fubar and House of Work at Ultra Suede, we asked Billy what he thought made up the

perfect party. “The perfect party I know nothing about. An amazing party—you need trans, drag, pageantry,

if for no other reason than if Sharon Stone shows up she can blend in and not be bothered. The music has

to be a bit of everything—the kind of music you listen to dancing around your bedroom when you think you’re

alone. Definitely a cocktail or seven. But the most important thing is people—all kinds—boys, girls, straight, gay,

fat, skinny. Just people who share that magical common thread of wanting to be set free and have a great time.

And the final ingredient—me.”