News Round-Up: February 3, 2017

N2N Bodywear's owner/designer Andrew Makay

Some news items you may have missed:

• Fashion designer Andrew Makay celebrates 20 years of success with his N2N Bodywear. The homegrown LGBT owned company grew from a corner in his bedroom to grossing millions each year in sexy, "next-to-nothing" swim, gym and fitness wear.

• According to Politico, Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner and daughter Ivanka Trump were instrumental in convincing the president to not repeal President Obama's 2014 executive order on LGBT protections.

• Woofy Prince Harry is apparently no fan of Donald Trump.

• Nordstrom Department store says "you're fired" to Ivanka Trump's fashion line due to poor sales. Only three shoe designs and one dress (marked down 40%) remain on the department store's website.

• U.S. military officials say President Trump approved his first covert counterterrorism operation without sufficient intelligence, ground support or adequate backup preparations. Although White House spokesman Sean Spicer called the mission a success, one Navy Seal lost his life as well as at least 15 women and children. Strange definition of 'success.'

• House Republicans have introduced legislation that would allow churches and religious organizations to keep tax-exempt status AND participate in partisan political activities. Remember that 'separation of church and state thing...?

• German news magazine Der Spiegel's latest cover (below). According to the artist, the comparison of Trump to ISIS was deliberate: “Both sides are extremists.”

Summer Dreaming With N2N Bodywear

This sexy little video takes you behind the scenes of N2N Bodywear's latest photo shoot in Palm Springs.

As we approach Spring, what better way to help get our heads out of Winter?

I should mention that owner/designer for N2N Bodywear - Andrew Makay - is a good friend of mine. I think it was almost 20 years ago that he launched the company. For a few years, Andrew lived with hubby Michael and I, and we watched the hard work and long hours Andrew put into the company. It was A LOT. But Andrew never quit.

N2N is a huge success story for anyone who dreams of having their own company. I really couldn't be prouder of Andrew.

Anyway - on to the sun and fun and mostly naked boys... :)

Happy Friday!

N2N Bodywear: End of Summer Sale on Hot Pool Boys

N2N Bodywear is selling hot pool boys for a limited time. Get yours now while supplies last.

(Ok, something is on sale at N2N. Maybe I'm a little fuzzy on the details).

Head over to N2N Bodywear and see what you can pick up on sale :)

How to sell a thermal shirt

Photo of J. C. Mason, by David Vance, wearing a thermal shirt by the folks at N2N Bodywear.

Because, you're looking at the shirt, right?

Bo Roberts is the new face of N2N Bodywear

With the arrival of Spring comes the new face of N2N Bodywear, Bo Roberts!

I've followed N2N from it's beginning in the mid-90s as the owner/designer Andrew Makay is an old friend. I've watched the brand grow and develop it's funny, sexy, comfortable reputation.

Photographed by Gabriel Goldberg, N2N's newest designs include bold and colorful stripes from the California Dreamin’ collection, branded with the words “Made in Los Angeles” on the waistband.

Check the pics here then head over to N2N Bodywear for more of Bo Roberts and N2N.

Summer is coming...

Via N2NBodywear

Summer is coming.  Just saying... :)

N2N Bodywear on the cover of Frontiers LA Magazine

I'm only posting this because my friend Andrew Makay's clothing line, N2N Bodywear is featured on the model on the cover of Frontiers Magazine.

Oh - and the model isn't so bad either...  :)

2013 Las Vegas Pride Festival recap and photos

Michael, me, Don Turner and award-winning out singer/songwriter Matt Zarley

Kudos to SNAPI (Southern Nevada Association of PRIDE, Inc.) for a great 2013 LGBT Pride Festival yesterday. Special shout-out to SNAPI President Ernie Yuen for making the entire day fun, fab and a big success.

Great thing about Pride in Vegas is we get to see tons of friends in one day, plus take in all the booths from LGBT and LGBT ally groups & businesses. Huge corporations, small business owners, churches that welcome LGBT community members in their faith, social groups - many, many take part in sharing what they have to offer to the Las Vegas community.

One example I will list is LGBT owned and operated N2N Bodywear, based in Los Angeles but comes to Las Vegas every year to take part.  Out and proud owner/designer Andrew Makay is a business success story that makes me proud to know him.  And his energy at Pride events across the country is infectious to all who stop by to check out the sexy clothes (and models) on hand.

And the entertainment was terrific. I have to say my favorite act, who had the entire festival on it's feet had to be God Des And She. A pop/rap act, they did original and cover songs that completely rocked the place. Pride organizers take note - book these two talented women and your crowd will thank you.There were also many other terrific performances, too long a list to name, of LGBT favorites from Las Vegas and around the world.  Just know that Entertainment Director Brandon Johnson did a terrific job bringing something for everyone, and the crowd had a great time all day long.

The headliner for this year's festival was Bleona, known as the "Madonna of Albania." Very talented and brought four terrific back-up dancers who knocked the choreography out. I hope to see Bleona do more as she's breaking into the US market. And she'll definitely have a big audience with the LGBT folks.  There were some production delays with her crew setting up that caused Bleona to take to the stage 15 minutes late.  With an already factored in 20 minute break from the previous act, there was a 35 minute lull in the entertainment for the crowd. I watched dozens of attendees leave after a while, and I also felt some of the momentum in the crowd diminish due to the delay. My unsolicited but constructive advice to Bleona - I appreciate you want to put on a big show for the crowd, but I'd scale back a bit so you can hit the stage on time and keep the energy of the crowd on your side.  A talented performer, I look forward to seeing what's next for Bleona in the US.

I have to mention the amazing Chris Saldana, one of Las Vegas' favorite news anchors/reporters. Chris never fails to show up, support and do whatever needs to be done for the LGBT community. Whether it's hosting the Pride Parade telecast, hosting throughout the day on the Festival stage or jumping in to help Bleona's crew get set-up, this Emmy Award-winning journalist does the gays proud. Las Vegas is lucky to have someone who gives so much throughout the year.

Here are a few pics from throughout the day at the 2013 Las Vegas Pride Festival:

Chippendales' Ryan Stuart (L)  & Chris Saldana (R) hosted the Pride Parade Awards ceremony.  Pictured here with the winners of this year's Parade Director's Award for Best Float - MGM Resorts.

Michael, Chippendales' Ryan Stuart, Festival Host Chris Saldana and me

The fashion at Pride can sometimes be "surprising"

Chippendales' Ryan Stuart (L) & Chris Saldana (R) with Pride organizers Ernie Yuen and Brandon Johnson

You run into everyone at Pride in Las Vegas.  Las Vegas Strip headliner Frank Marino and fiance Alex Schecter

Like I would pass up a photo opp with Chippendales and a Jubilee Showgirl? No chance!

God-Des And She rock the festival as the sun begins to set.

Pride Festival headliner Bleona and dancers

Because when I think LGBT Pride, I think "teriyaki bowl"...

At the N2N Bodywear booth, you get this hunky guy to model the clothes for you :)

Just one more of the hunky N2N model...

Ok, I lied.  One more...

Shopping at the N2N booth.  No comment.

L.A.: New N2N Bodywear Store is open!

N2N Bodywear founder/designer Andrew Makay posted a pic of his new storefront in L.A. today.

You know what that means...

You get to go shopping for this:

You know I mean the clothes, not the boys, right?  Although, N2N Bodywear is pretty well-known for the models, too.

Gay owned and operated it's great to see a successful member of the community really do it himself and become a success.  Andrew is great, the clothes are fun. What more do you need to know?

New store location:
1358 South Flower Street Los Angeles, CA 90015 (213) 748-1797

If you can't get to the L.A. store, check N2N Bodywear out online at www.n2nbodywear.com

Pool season is coming!

Starting out my Sunday morning looking at the Nevada sky knowing it will be pool season soon. Whoo-hoo!

Pic below from my friend Andrew Makay's new 2013 collection. Andrew is the funnest, and his swimwear (and models) always provide a nice diversion.

Check out Andrew's designs at N2NBodywear.com

N2N Bodywear: Performance X underwear

N2N Bodywear is launching it new line of underwear called Performance X.

I assume that's because the model's body is a 10?

N2N Bodywear is owned by designer Andrew Makay, who has held onto his core vision that his clothes feel like "next to nothing."  His clothes are sexy, and fun.

Works for me.

N2N Bodywear at Palm Springs Pride

N2N Bodywear designer Andrew Makay and Michael at Palm Springs Pride 2011

Michael is hanging with N2N Bodywear designer Andrew Makay at Palm Springs Pride today.

For those of you in the Palm Springs area, drop by - say hi - check out Andrew's sexy designs.

If you can't make it to Palm Springs this weekend, check out the N2N Bodywear website.  Sexy clothes and sexy boys.

N2N Bodywear eye-candy

You can thank me later.

For more, head over to N2NBodywear.com