Kentucky hosts Bourbon and Belonging event to welcome LGBTQ+ revelers
The image of a bourbon drinker has too often been that of a white cis male and his friends hanging out in rugged environments. But for a week in October 2024 at more than 60 locations in Kentucky, where 95% of the world's bourbon is produced, white cis males were in the minority.Bourbon and Belonging was a first-of-its-kind event aimed at making Kentucky's signature product a more inclusive experience. From small, curated dinners featuring bourbon pairings to large celebrations of the LGBTQ+ lifestyle, Bourbon and Belonging opened the doors and the bottles to a new audience. Some of the gatherings were free, and some came with a small price tag.Old Forester, located on Louisville's historic Whiskey Row, hosted four separate events, including a garden party on the rooftop of the company headquarters where Simone the DJ emceed the event. 'It was wonderful, what we call an unwind moment,' Melissa Rift, a master taster at Old Forester and member of the LGBTQ+ community, says. 'There is a lot of stress in our community, and this was certainly a laid-back event with music and food and connections. It felt good.' About 85 people attended Old Forester's free rooftop garden party. Their other events included an intimate 10-person tour and tasting, and co-hosted events with other bourbon brands in northern Kentucky. In addition to visitors from nearly every state, Rift talked with couples from Canada, Brazil and several Caribbean communities.In the western Kentucky city of Paducah, Landee Bryant was among the merchants who immediately embraced the idea of Bourbon and Belonging in her city. She owns Bricolage Art Collective on the Market House Square, a place she describes as liberal-leaning and queer friendly. Paducah's event became a block party with more than 14 businesses participating. Bryant invited author Clint Waters to her shop for a reading of his science fiction and poetry, which feature LGBTQ+ themes. She created a fruity little cocktail for the occasion that highlighted Green River bourbon, although there were also nonalcoholic drinks on offer.'It was immediately clear that we had created a safe, collaborative community space for this celebration, and we look forward to participating again,' says Liz Hammonds with Paducah's Convention and Visitors Bureau.Follow QueerKentucky.com for announcements regarding Bourbon and Belonging, Oct. 3-5, 2025 or KentuckyTourism.com.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Axios
3 days ago
- Axios
Inside Sarah Spain's new book — and her favorite spots in Chicago
Chicago sports journalist Sarah Spain has turned one of her most popular ESPN articles into a book. The big picture: " Runs in the Family: An Incredible True Story of Football, Fatherhood, and Belonging" with Deland McCullough is based on the story of McCullough's life after he unsealed his adoption records to reveal family secrets. What they're saying: Spain says she heard McCullough's story through a friend and immediately wanted to help tell it. "Any story that can give you chills and make you tear up with just a five-minute summary is very, very special," Spain tells Axios. Zoom in: Spain also hosts the daily " Good Game" podcast on iHeartMedia, which is the only daily women's sports show. Spain took some time out of her busy schedule to tell us about her ... busy schedule! Here's her perfect day in Chicago. 🥛Breakfast:"If I'm within a mile or two of Left Coast in Lincoln Park, I have to stop. I'll start with a Mornin' Buzz smoothie — a delicious mix of espresso, cold brew, banana, peanut butter, dates and other delights, followed by the Montecito Hash." 🏋️♀️ Morning activity: "I love starting my day with some sort of exercise. Injuries from my college years as a heptathlete have limited my workout options, so I was thrilled to be introduced to Inferno Hot Pilates at the 105F studios. It's a HIIT-style class using pilates principles but on a mat." 🥗 Lunch:"I'm a sucker for a great salad and one of my favorites is at Antique Taco in Wicker Park. It's a kale-based salad with red pepper, fruit, spicy peanuts and cranberries, queso fresco and tortilla strips." "They've also got my favorite vegetarian taco in the city, too. Their Potato and Poblano taco, with crispy potato skins on top. So good." 🦮 Afternoon activity: "I've got three amazing rescue dogs, Fletch, Banks and Indy, so I love taking them for walks around the neighborhood. On warm days, I love walking our youngest pup, Indy, all the way to Humboldt Park." "If the Cubs are playing and the sun is out, I head to Murphy's Bleachers for a beer on the patio before heading into Wrigley Field, and on not-so-beautiful days, I'll catch a Chicago Sky day game at Wintrust Arena." 🍽️ Dinner:"I find there are too many amazing restaurants in Chicago to have a "go-to" for dinner. That being said, the vibes at Aba, Cabra, 3 Arts Club Cafe, Armitage Alehouse, and Fioretta make them all worthy of return trips. And a night home is often "catered" by my delivery go-tos, Thai from Silli Kori or Indian from Vajra."
Black America Web
11-07-2025
- Black America Web
Simone Biles & Jonathan Owens Look TF Good In Belize
Source: Roy Rochlin / Getty Simone Biles is on vacation. Her 'do not disturb' notification is on. Her 'OOO' is posted. And her vacation fits are hitting. The Olympic gold medalist and mental health advocate is living her best life in Belize with her husband, NFL player Jonathan Owens. And like many of our favorite celebrities, she is flexing her vacay clips on Instagram. Spoiler Alert: Simone and her man look TF good, and her photos are everything. Simone Biles & Jonathan Owens Have The Ultimate Baecation In Belize From boat days to beachside vibes, Simone looks amazing. In several carousel photos, the gymnast shows off her petite frame, radiant melanin skin, and 'it girl' energy. We are here for it all. Who doesn't love an IRL, out-of-the-country photo dump? In one of her vacation snaps, Simone rocks a classic black bikini and oversized sunnies while sipping a yummy cocktail. Her playful tongue-out pose and peace sign scream millennial vibes. The decorated athlete is definitely in her soft girl wifey era. Another pic shows Simone cozied up with her man, looking flawless in a Fendi two-piece with mesh black pants and gold accessories. He's rocking a matching colorful Amiri set. The nighttime shot is date night perfection. Simone slips into a flirty black halter dress with a bold red bag. Jonathan keeps it crisp in all white with Gucci kicks. Simone & Jonathan Don't Play About Living Their Best Lives – Or About Each Other The athletic lovebirds are too adorable. Seeing Simone glowing in the sun, slaying on the beach, and being loved on by her hubby is exactly the message we want to see. Simone and Jonathan have had their share of public criticism, but remain unbothered. The two love on each other real bad and don't play it. Simone stands ten toes down about her man. Whether she is talking on a podcast microphone, cheering Jonathan on, or posing on a yacht. Simone Biles & Jonathan Owens' Belize Baecation Is A Whole Mood was originally published on
New York Post
01-07-2025
- New York Post
Mansion used in Julianne Moore's 'Sirens' is real and on Long Island
Siren song. Emmy-nominated production designer John Paino exclusively told The Post that the lavish mansion in the Netflix series 'Sirens' was real, not just a set. While the interior scenes were shot at a soundstage in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, he explained that the exterior scenes of the house were filmed 'on the north shore of Long Island near Southport.' Advertisement Paino, who also did production design for 'Big Little Lies,' 'The Morning Show,' and 'The Last of Us,' said, 'It is a summer home of very wealthy people, so we actually did a little scouting in Boston to look at some outrageous houses of some of the rich.' 8 John Paino attends the 28th annual Art Directors Guild Awards on February 10, 2024 in Hollywood. Getty Images He continued that the particular mansion they picked 'has a certain white New England look to it,' teasing, 'This house is on steroids – everything is big boned and dialed up to 11.' Advertisement Now streaming on Netflix, 'Sirens' follows Devon (Meghann Fahy, 'The White Lotus'), who thinks her sister, Simone (Milly Alcock, 'House of the Dragon'), needs to be rescued from her new job. Simone has been working for the wealthy socialite Michaela Kell (Julianne Moore), who Devon thinks is running a cult at her lavish beach estate. Kevin Bacon co-stars as Michaela's husband, Peter, and 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' star Glenn Howerton plays their friend and Simone's boyfriend, Ethan. 8 Milly Alcock and Julianne Moore in 'Sirens.' 8 Glenn Howerton, Milly Alcock and Meghann Fahy in 'Sirens.' ©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection Advertisement To get the right look for Michaela's home, although they used the real facade of the Long Island house, they added to it, he explained. 'Basically, the house was not big enough. We built facades on top of it to make it appear bigger. The style is based on old architecture with nods to classical Greek architecture, like the temple of Delphi. That's why we have our atrium interior, which feels like a big museum.' There's a scene in 'Sirens' when Ethan (Howerton) accidentally takes a drunk plunge off a cliff. Paino explained that the house really was situated 'on a beautiful cliff – which was important to our story. It had great views of the ocean. The house was a starting off point. We added pergolas and facades and part of a turret.' 8 The set on 'Sirens.' Macall Polay/Netflix Advertisement 8 The house's kitchen on 'Sirens.' Macall Polay/Netflix 8 The set on 'Sirens.' Macall Polay/Netflix He added, 'A bit of it was influenced by Nantucket.' Paino said that his inspiration for the color palette, which includes preppy pinks and pastels, was the 1965 film 'Juliet of the Spirits' by Federico Fellini. Since he worked on 'Big Little Lies,' the production designer is no stranger to designing the aesthetic of the uber-wealthy. The key? 'I think an outrageous dressing room and wardrobe area. We had some really nice ones here… the wardrobes and closets showcase things for that kind of wealth. So ['Sirens'] was 'Big Little Lies' really ramped up,' Paino shared. His favorite setpiece on 'Sirens' was the 40-foot anchor on the front lawn. 8 Julianne Moore as Michaela, Kevin Bacon as Peter Kell in 'Sirens.' MACALL POLAY/NETFLIX Advertisement 8 The huge anchor on the front lawn in 'Sirens.' Macall Polay/Netflix 'That was fun and that tells you a lot about Michaela. When you go around to places in New England, you see anchors on people's lawns.' He added, 'That was my idea because I had just seen so many anchors. In theory, the husband's wealth is ancient from old New England whaling. It's conceivable that there would be an anchor that big. And, we made sure the barbs on the end look like birds' claws as a nod to Michaela.'
