I took home a free copy of the February 2020 Allure magazine as seen above. It’s the Art of Beauty issue.
Michelle Lee the editor-in-chief wrote in her art appreciation editor’s letter:
“Having the freedom to express yourself is art we can all appreciate.”
On the cover is Billy Porter who starred in and won a Tony for his role as Lola in the Broadway production of Kinky Boots.
His audacity to be his authentic self has empowered me.
In the interview with Porter in the magazine he is quoted:
“The very thing that everybody’s telling you is wrong is exactly what you have to be.”
On the last page Porter is asked to Please finish this sentence: I feel most attractive when I’m…
“Living in the fullness of my authenticity.”
From watching an Oprah Winfrey episode he learned “the importance of shifting your mind-set toward service to others.”
Porter has done an inimitable service to readers simply by acting true to himself.
He was the first openly gay man to win an Emmy as a leading actor in a drama for his role on Pose.
Elsewhere in the February 2020 issue in a Modern Wellness feature a writer chronicles her own odyssey with making art:
“The truth is, medication can often help artists better access their creativity and express their emotions more readily.”
A fashion designer was quoted in this article:
“My creative output has never been higher than when I’m on medication.”
I identify as an Author Artist and Athlete.
The premise of my memoir Left of the Dial was “enjoy your quirkiness.”
Reading the articles in the February 2020 issue of Allure gave me a shot in the arm of confidence to continue blogging and speaking out.
My goal is to be part of the solution. My mantra is this:
I stand up for individuality in all its guises in everyone living on earth.
I’ll end here with a curious feature on page 36. Activist and art curator Kimberly Drew was asked to tout the products she loves the most.
When she gets a moment alone in her hotel room she usually ends up dancing. To do this only her Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A1 speaker will do for listening to music.
Imagine that: an activist touting a high-end speaker that most likely costs $100 or more.
The idea that you can be an activist on your own terms cheers me.
Crank up the tunes I say. Contribute something positive to the dialog.
In honor of Martin Luther King Day coming up this Monday I’m going to post a blog entry about how each of us can make a difference in our own way.
I believe in the transformative beauty of creating art to make the world a better place.
Left of the Dial 