Gayest and Greatest

Your Favorite People

Favorite Radio Personality: Maria Todd
Favorite Radio Station: KRBE
The Houston Pride Parade keeps gaining steam, with more and more of Houston’s elected officials (Mayor Lee. P. Brown himself) and local celebrities (such as Maria Todd of KRBE) taking part all the time. Since you voted Maria Todd best radio personality yet again this year, it’s little wonder to find that 104 KRBE is your favorite station. Guess when we go to the polls in November, we’ll find out how you feel about Mayor Brown!

Most Magical Massage: Alan Davidson
1712 Fairview, 713/942-0923
When it comes to knowing what your body needs to relax on every plane, Alan Davidson is the reigning queen of the third eye-opening massage. This is no slap-dash pinch-and-prod–from the moment Alan asks "what does your body need?," this shaman masseuse knows how to treat what stresses you, whether your body is wanting deep tissue work, or aromatherapy, or a little balancing of its energetic fields. And as you can read in the many pieces he’s done through the years for OutSmart with such luminaries as Ram Dass and Arum Gandhi, Alan takes seriously the inner work which forms the core of any true body work practice.

TUG-OF-WAR
Most Fabulous Florist:
Empty Vase, 2439 Westheimer, 713/529-9969
Darryl Murchinson Designs, 12748 Woodforest Blvd., 713/455-1576
High-end Empty Vase does such stunning designs, no wonder they’re the darling of River Oaks and Montrose too. Darryl Murchinson may be way out 1-10, but they do many of the special events in the community, including many of those Rich’s fantasy extravaganzas.

Most Astonishing Astrologer: Lilly Roddy
713/529-5842
For the past 20 years, Lilly has been the Montrose’s most trusted and knowledgeable astrologer. (And, of course, you can consult her column every month in our humble pages.) A session with Lilly is part astrological reading, part affirmation therapy, and part tête-à-tête with your best friend. She prods us to be our best, even as she wryly teases us about our various astrological quirks–Virgos’ charming predilection for nit-pickiness, Libras’ oh-so-winning wishy-washiness, er. . . complexity. As many know, Lilly Roddy used to be Phil Roddy–when she transitioned, she became one of the leaders in the trangender community, showing she doesn’t just preach astrological right action, but she puts her own ideals into practice–with graceful, vulnerable courage.

Favorite Photographer: Dalton DeHart
713/622-2202
Call him obsessive and he'll agree, but community photographer Dalton DeHart has a story and he's sticking to it: He is the photochronicler of our community. Texan to the core, this small-town boy (from Buna, Texas: ever heard of it?) is a teacher of the written word (an English prof at San Jacinto College) and also, fortunately for us, an explorer of the visual one with his camera. Obsession, perhaps, but a magnificent one–especially for us.

Best Real Estate Agent (female): Suzanne Anderson (runners-up Karen Derr and Ginger Murry)
239 Westheimer, 713/529-8484
Suzanne Anderson Properties advertised as a gay and lesbian business before it was cool to be out of the closet–the first business in Houston to do so. Your favorite female real estate agent told us that of all things she is proud of in her career, she is proudest of this. Anderson remembers well when a gay or lesbian couple house-shopping were subjected to agents' confusion or discrimination regarding their relationship. She built her business with the intention of giving lesbians and gays a place where they could feel comfortable and open about their lifestyle, and you appreciate her for it, as do we. This pioneer of the Houston business community is still working for the individual and the community. Go, Suzanne!

Best Real Estate Agent (male): Bryan Williams with Coldwell Banker Swilley-Hudson (runnerup Mike Copenhaver)
1505 Heights, 713/869-0456, 281/236-5475 (cell)
You don’t have to look any further than Bryan Williams’ email address, GO2BARBARY@aol.com, to know this realtor know gay real estate. (For you non-devotees of Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City, Barbary Lane was the fictional location of the book’s–and later TV series’–queer cavorting.) Bryan is both knowledgeable and fun–and knows all the nooks and crannies of this city, from scruffy picturesque to Ferrari posh.

Best Nursery: Buchanan’s Native Plants
611 E. 11th St., 713/861-5702
Now that the Heights has been annexed as Houston’s second GLBT neighborhood, and we find the rainbow bungalow brigade out in force and planting flowerbeds, Donna Buchanan’s excellent nursery has become a most congenial necessity– especially come springtime when your fingers get that itchy topsoil feel to them, and you hear a voice in your head going Potting soil, you must buy potting soil.

Best Maid Service: Tony Akin with ManMaid
713/993-9737
Tony Akin approaches cleaning and organization with a gusto and thoroughness that comes from what he calls, "pardon the phrase, my anal retentive nature." Even though Akin’s been in the beauty and order business for over eight years, he says, "I absolutely adore and love what I do." He and his crew of 14 (despite the tantalizing name–"that was the result of a Café Adobe drunken stupor"–ManMaid is made up of all genders, orientations, and ethnicities) cater to the needs of each client–they not only will clean your closet, they’ll rebuild and organize it for you, should you so desire. Clients have even hired Akin to help them move, from packing their homes to contracting with realtors and landscapers in other cities.

Best Personal Trainer: John-Aaron Muscle Mechanics, 617 Richmond, 713/523-5330 Is it the way he makes you sweat with his workouts, or the way he makes you think about sweating with his OutSmart columns about workouts, health, and physical fitness? It’s both . . . and more. It also helps that he’s knowledgeable about your muscles and nutrition. And it doesn’t hurt that your favorite personal trainer looks like he’s in pretty fabulous shape.

Hippest Hairdresser: Paul Richards of Hair Works 3224 Yoakum (next to Crossroads Café), 713/522-5309
The moment you place yourself in his chair, you know you are in good hands. And you can take it from me: He just chopped my locks the other day, to rave reviews from the only person who matters (no, not me, silly–my girlfriend!). Paul joined the talented staff at Hair Works just about a year ago, after three years at highbrow Neiman Marcus. His specialty? Color (and posing for fah-hab-ulous photos, apparently)!

Sexiest TV Guy: Chuck George, Channel 2
Wow, you love this guy! A near miss for the Hall of Fame, George has been with us through all the storms of life (and in Houston, that’s saying something) since 1997. With his nice-guy persona and perky morning manner, Chuck can tell us which way the wind blows anytime.

Sexiest TV Gal: Dominique Sachse, Channel 2
Here’s another perennial favorite: the lovely and talented Dominique. This almost hometown girl (born in Miami, but went to Memorial High School) graduated from the University of Houston, and has been active on our sets and in our hearts since 1993. In addition to her news-making, Dominique is active in volunteer work that assists students with their careers and future plans.

Cutest Comet and Heart-stoppingest Sports Hunk: Sheryl Swoopes and Tina Thompson (tie); Jeff Bagwell
Sheryl and Jeff pop up near the top of this category almost every year, but Tina is a catching your eye for the first (although we doubt it will be the last) time in this year’s vote counting.

UPSTART
Divine Drag Queen: Kelly Lauren
Is it her lovely hair, her eyes, or her alluring smile that won you over? Or perhaps her turn in the ill-fated, transgendered/drag Ashland Street Production of Steel Magnolias? Although the playwright had the production shut down (touchy touchy) before it closed, you still enjoyed seeing Kelly portray the wacky Truvy (yes, Dolly Parton role). We should point out, however, that our Kelly is not, in fact, a drag queen, but rather "a transsexual entertainer." Hey, titles count.

Brightest Gay Businessperson (Male): Charles Armstrong
Charles Armstrong, owner of the trio of bars we all know and love (JRs, Montrose Mining Company, and the new splendiferous South Beach) is truly a pioneer of the Houston gay community. In a business where the hot new thing reigns, he has managed to build places that are not only social institutions, but somehow symbols of unity and perseverance.

Brightest Gay Businessperson (Female): Marion Coleman
House of Coleman, 901 W. Alabama, 713/523-2521
With her soft-spoken strong manner and her business sensible dedication to the community, Marion Coleman and her House of Coleman have been a stalwart of the Houston gay community for decades and decades.

Local Celeb You Wish Was Gay: Bill Bellis, Channel 2
OK, what is it with you and weathermen? Add to the list of forecasters you admire, along with Chuck George, handsome Bill Bellis of Channel 2. This athletic hunk of a guy specializes in "severe weather forecasting," and we're not talking about updates on your love life! Although born well outside of hurricane territory (up Nawth, don't you know), Bill cut his chops as a meteorologist in the second-place winner for Most Severe Weather State (it's gotta be behind Florida), Louisiana. His experience there made him a logical choice to join the Channel 2 news team, which he did in 1999. Although we are sure he is a highly qualified scientist, we think it's his football-playing-boy-next-door charm that makes him your choice in this "dream on" category.

Best Doctor: Dr. Patrick McNamara
4101 Greenbriar, 713/520-5537
With a caring and thorough manner, Dr. McNamara is beloved by many in the community who call him their doctor. "He cares about his patients as much as he cares about his patients’ health," said one longtime friend and patient. Another patient said he suffered from "white coat syndrome"–where the very sight of that stethoscope sends the blood pressure soaring–and that Dr. McNamara’s warm friendliness was the perfect antidote.

Best Dentist: Dr. Bruce Smith
1006 Missouri, 713/529-4364
In recent years, the dental profession feels like it has switched its emphasis from extracting teeth to extracting the most money out of patients’ insurance policies. Dr. Bruce Smith is a most welcome exception. He combines thorough, up-to-date care with what feels like a reasonable concern for patients’ pocketbooks. And you can search and search and you will nowhere find a more restful and soothing office atmosphere than his Missouri-street antique-bedecked cottage. (We’re talking "high queen" comfort.)

Best Therapist: Daniel Garces
Houston Galveston Institute, 3316 Mount Vernan, 713/526-8390
Once again, Daniel Garces ranks as the top man to tell your troubles to, whether by yourself or with your significant other in tow. In his practice, he helps his clients with the special pressures in relationships faced by gay and lesbians, issues surrounding monogamy and open relationships, the challenges and empowerment of coming out.

HALL OF FAME
Pinkest Politician: Annise Parker
Annise Parker defied the odds in getting elected to City Council as an out lesbian candidate in conservative Houston four years ago. With your help (and get your butts to the polls, folks!), she will begin her third and final term (term limits, don’t ya know) as Councilmember Parker this November. And then? Maybe Houston’s first out lesbian mayor? Why not? If anyone has the guts and determination to make it happen, its our own Annise Parker.

Most Visible Activist: Alejandro Morua of Progressive Voters in Action
In 1999, Grant Martin (Annise Parker’s then-campaign manager) and Alejandro created Progressive Voters in Action, a volunteer group aimed at bringing together like-minded voters in the City of Houston to combat right-wing, conservative voting blocks. Since that time, anywhere there’s an issue to be fought, you’ll find Alejandro, leading voter registration drives, organizing volunteers, and reminding us of our duty as the GLBT community to not take our freedoms and rights (the ones we have) for granted. Alex and PVA are at the forefront of the fight to protect the city’s first nondiscrimination ordinance, which was passed by City Council this summer, but that is now threatened by a referendum forced on the November ballot by conservatives.