The moment I walk into the building, I am at ease. The smells, the natural surroundings, and the pure intention of each practitioner in their healing art moves me. Grateful to see such a sanctuary thriving in what they do best. Samantha S.
Center 4 Self-Care welcomes you! All of you. The YOU you want to be. We are a queer owned, queer friendly wellness collective. All four owners found our way to Tucson from other parts of the country and felt drawn to opening a business here for the healing energy, welcoming community, and of course the mountain views. We have built a team of experienced, skilled, and informed practitioners providing heart centered services. We believe that self-care is a constantly evolving process as unique and individual as you are.
Our background and passion began with massage therapy and many styles of bodywork. Over the years we have expanded to include energy modalities, acupuncture, postural alignment, health and wellness coaching, all natural locally sourced skin care, yoga, meditation, education, and community wellness events. We are currently excited about partnering with local non-profit organizations to provide access to self-care services to those in recovery. Our hope is that this program will lead to successful outcomes including higher functioning, less dependence on our healthcare system, and improved mental health in our community. As advocates of mental health awareness and members of the Tucson LGBT Chamber of Commerce we enjoy working together to elevate humanity. We strive to connect each other with resources that are supportive in all things wellness. We are here for you and your best self!
Our bodies can hold so much trauma and massage therapy can facilitate healing in a gentle, effective, and affirming way. We believe in the inherent right of everyone to feel good in the skin that they’re in. We pride ourselves on creating a safe space and offering client-centered compassionate connection. Our commitment to being intentionally inclusive is at the core of our mission and vision. Visit our website for more details and to learn more about our offerings, events, and practitioners. We look forward to supporting you on your self-care journey.
Dr. McHenry grew up in southern Indiana and attended Indiana University-Bloomington, where he received a B.A. in Human Biology and a B.S. in Neuroscience. He then went to the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (SCNM) in Tempe, AZ and graduated in 2015. Throughout his undergrad and medical education, Dr. McHenry took on active, leadership roles in various LGBT+ organizations, including being vice president of the Hoosier Rights Campaign (IU’s chapter of the HRC), board member of Illumenate (a gay, bi, and trans men’s public health organization), and he was the founding president of the LGBTI Health Initiative at SCNM. He was also a frequent public speaker for the GLB Speakers Bureau at IU, speaking about LGBT-specific issues and experiences to various classes and advocating for the fair and equal treatment of LGBT students on campus. As a physician, Dr. McHenry continues to advocate for an end to the treatment disparities faced by minority communities in our healthcare system. He shows a strong commitment to providing a safe, inclusive, and compassionate environment for patients of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, and religious or spiritual affiliations. And as a holistic medical provider, he understands the impact our intersectional identities and experiences have on our physical, mental, and spiritual health.
Dr. David McHenry with his Puppy Jax
Naturopathic doctors are primary care physicians who specialize in holistic, natural modalities. Like MDs, they can write prescriptions, order labs and imaging, and diagnose and treat disease. Dr. McHenry’s practice is heavily focused on nutrition, lifestyle, psychological health, and preventative medicine. He also uses herbs, supplements, hormones, homeopathy, acupuncture, cupping, hydrotherapy, and spinal adjustments in the treatment of various acute and chronic diseases. He has particular interests in the areas of neurodegenerative disease, autoimmune disease, HIV/AIDS, and LGBTI health. Dr. McHenry strongly believes in an integrative approach to healthcare and often suggests patients also establish care with specialists (cardiologists, neurologists, rheumatologists, etc) when appropriate. Dr. McHenry provides individualized, patient-centered care to all of his patients. Because of this, he spends more time with his patients than most doctors. New patient visits may take up to 2 hours, and follow-ups are 30-45 minutes each. This allows him the time to assess all aspects of a patient’s physical and mental health to create a truly holistic, individualized treatment plan.
In his leisure time, David enjoys anything outdoors including camping, kayaking, and hiking around Arizona with his Great Dane, Jax. He is an experienced swimmer who swam competitively for 15 years in Indiana. He also enjoys reading, particularly on the topics of history, spirituality, and psychology.
Thinking about adopting? Families for Private Adoption (ffpa.org) is a not for profit agency that can help your family through the adoption process. The FPA supports and educates parents who are looking to grow their family with the aid of private adoption. Additionally, the FPA works around the many religious-based adoption agencies to specifically help LGBT families with adopting.
To meet their mission, Families for Private Adoption offers two training classes each year. They teach parents looking to adopt how to get through all the red tape and adopt a beautiful, worthwhile child. The FPA holds adoption training workshops in Phoenix, AZ. They will hold more workshops as their need for training increases. Please, click here for Adoption Training Workshops near you!
Families For Private Adoption – Loving Family
Why Trust Families for Private Adoption?
Families for Private Adoption has been serving the LGBTQ community since its inception, in 1984. In fact, it is the oldest non-profit organization in private adoption. Until 2015, all workshops were held in the Washington D.C. area. However, we recently expanded our reach and are now offering this workshop in Phoenix, Arizona.
We have recruited the state’s top-notch attorneys (all AAAA) and adoption professionals that are all encouraging and accepting of LGBTQ adoption. The aim of the workshop is to educate prospective adoptive parents on how to independently adopt in the state of Arizona. This includes presentations from attorneys, social workers, birth mothers, and adoptive parents. Prospective adoptive parents leave this workshop equipped to adopt, from start-to-finish. Topics include Arizona adoption law, ICPC, birth mom search strategies, home study requirements, communication with birth parents, and funding.
The unique nature of FPA is that we are all volunteers. No one gets paid-most of us are adoptive parents that simply wish to pay it forward. Our organization not only provides bi-annual workshops, but also “buddy” mentors for the adoption process and social events to encourage collaboration.
The FPA is making great friends as well! Currently, the FPA is working with Equality Arizona on Project Jigsaw. Project Jigsaw spreads the word about private adoption as a viable family building option for LGBT individuals and families.
I look forward to all the great things coming out of Families for Private Adoption in the near future.
Have a great day,
Tony Ray 🙂
Families For Private Adoption – Another Loving Family
Hotel Tucson City Center 475 N Granada Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701 (520) 622-3000
Enjoy a one-of-a-kind stay at the Hotel Tucson City Center. Located in the heart of Downtown Tucson’s El Presidio Historic District, our boutique hotel is within walking distance of the Old Town Artisans shopping plaza, El Presidio Park, and several bars and restaurants. Local family-owned and operated, our staff offers exceptional service with a smile.
The amenities offered at Hotel Tucson City Center provide a relaxing retreat. Go for a swim in our Olympic-size outdoor heated pool, relax in the hot tub, work out in our fitness center or grab a refreshing cocktail and bite to eat in our full-service restaurant and bar. Guests can also enjoy free parking, free WiFi, and free airport shuttle service.
Northside Barbershop 3900 W Costco Dr #184, Tucson, AZ 857415205054624 9-530 (Mon – Fri)
After working towards getting a master’s license in Barbering I decided to move to Tucson Arizona from Boston Massachusetts a year ago. I take great pride in my work and also, I strive to make anyone feel comfortable especially those of us who are LGBT and do not always seek traditional barbershops for reasons we all can relate to. So; for that, I am here. I am skilled in any haircut that comes my way.
I am excited to meet new people and build a client base for both Men, Women, and Anyone who is looking for a haircut or beard trim.
Tucson’s Rising Phoenix Self-Defense & Fitness is a unique, queer-friendly martial arts and self-defense gym open to all ages, skill levels, and fitness levels. Rising Phoenix has named this branch of their program The Rainbow Connection.
Our Approach
Founded in 2014, Rising Phoenix takes a different approach to self-defense training by using therapeutic martial arts instruction to promote healthy human connection, emotional control, and the importance of consent.
Each class focuses on street-smart self-defense skills and concepts designed to be immediately applicable to real-world situations. The self-defense we teach is based on Israeli Krav Maga, specifically intended to be practical, functional, and quick to learn.
In 2021, the Israeli Martial Arts Hall of Fame named Rising Phoenix the Best Krav Maga School in Tucson.
The Rainbow Connection
Rising Phoenix provides a welcoming environment for people in the LGBTQIA+ community to be themselves, gain confidence, and learn valuable skills. Rainbow Connection is our weekly donations-based self-defense class for the LGBTQIA+ community and allies.
Rainbow Connection was established as part of Rising Phoenix in 2016. The program was created by former gym member James Cook, who saw the need for self-defense training among his fellow members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Our Rainbow Connection classes provide training specifically designed to address concerns in the queer community. We practice trauma-aware instruction, focused on helping students take ownership of their minds and bodies to challenge their comfort zones and discover what they’re capable of.
Rainbow Connection is a safe place. Its dedication is to helping participants effectively learn and use assertiveness and self-defense skills in uncomfortable, intimidating, and scary situations. Our instructors and students use their strengths to help, support, and encourage each other to succeed.
Our Classes
Tucson’s Rising Phoenix offers a variety of self-defense, martial arts, and fitness classes, ranging from Krav Maga, Yoga, and Group Fitness, to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Weapons Tactics, and more!
We have two donations-based classes that are open to the public: Our Rainbow Connection LGBTQIA+ self-defense classes every Saturday from noon – 1:00 p.m., and our women’s self-defense classes every Friday from 6:00 p.m. –7:30 p.m. and every Saturday from 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
One-on-one private lessons, small-group private lessons, customized group workshops, and corporate training sessions are also available.
Our Owner
The founder and owner of Rising Phoenix, Jesse James Tucker, has been teaching self-defense and Krav Maga for over 15 years. He holds black belts in four different Krav Maga systems. He is also a certified Krav Maga instructor with the Federation of Israeli Martial Arts (FIMA).
Jesse has been inducted into both the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame and the Israeli Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He was named Defense Master Instructor of the Year in 2021 by the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
Reviews
Matt S.
“Stepping into a martial arts gym can be really scary, especially when you’re not a “Tough Guy,” but summoning my courage and walking through the doors at Rising Phoenix is the best thing I’ve done since relocating to Tucson three years ago. Jesse and his fellow instructors go out of their way to make people of every age, body type, culture, and orientation feel welcome and empowered with the best in modern martial arts training.
Rising Phoenix’s Krav Maga isn’t static: It’s constantly evolving and incorporating techniques from kickboxing, jiu-jitsu, and catch wrestling, alongside the tried and true martial education in Israeli Krav Maga you’d expect. Rising Phoenix also offers more stuff than Krav Maga, too: specialized instruction in Judo, BJJ, and Muay Thai, weapons, and you can take as much as you want for one price. I look back at the years I’ve spent training here and see a totally changed me. I’m tougher physically and psychologically, and my day-to-day life is better for it. Thanks, Jesse!”
Kristina S.
“I can honestly say training at Rising Phoenix is one of the best decisions I have EVER made. Whether you are at a beginner or advanced level in Krav Maga, BJJ, etc, this place makes you feel right at home. I have never met any instructors who are as passionate about teaching self-defense. Jesse, Chance, and Alicia are three of the most amazing people I have met in Tucson. I can ask endless questions, pose endless scenarios, and someone is ALWAYS ready to help and answer my questions.
Instructors will stay after class with you for more than an hour to discuss your personal training plan, answer any questions you might have, or just to talk about your experiences and what brought you to Rising Phoenix. They care about your personal experience and want to help you get what kind of training you’re looking for.… I have learned so much from Rising Phoenix, and I cannot wait to continue my training. I have gone to other gyms in Tucson, but there is no place better to train than Rising Phoenix. The atmosphere and the instructors are unbeatable.”
Jeremiah Thomas
“The people here are amazing. The instructors are professional, helpful, willing to show techniques that meet your fitness level, and very supportive. The training here is awesome. From real-life situations to multiple scenarios per technique, the instructors here are on top of their game. The group fitness class is great. It will work you into fighting shape pretty effectively. If you come, just say hi to anyone, and you will find a friend at this gym. I have been coming here for a couple of years now. Every new person is immediately treated as someone you’ve known for a lifetime. It really does make this such an inviting place to learn how to defend yourself and others.”
Company Name: Tucson’s Rising Phoenix Fitness & Defense Office Address: 4500 E Speedway Blvd, Suite 4, Tucson, AZ 85712 Contact Name (s): Jesse James Tucker Phone (s): (520) 838-1592 Email: tucsonrisingphoenix@gmail.com Pricing: sliding scale Website:https://tucsonselfdefenseandfitness.com/ Office hours: (Please check our website for class times)
& Gallery is owned and overseen by East Sleep Work and is an art gallery unlike any other in Tucson. While many galleries here focus on Southwest fine art & Gallery takes an entirely different approach. Here you will find zines, sequential art, low brow art, anime, and so much more. They showcase local Arizona artists and give them a place to shine that’s off the beaten path.
A New Beginning
& Gallery Interior
In 2019 the &G moved from its small space at Grand and Stone to 4th avenue, the hub of downtown Tucson. Since its grand reopening, the gallery has put on numerous exhibitions showcasing local talent and forward-thinking artists. Its mission is to not only lift up locals but offer them a safe space to showcase their art. Tucson itself is touted as a queer-inclusive city but it’s important to & Gallery to actually take action and do the work. While all are welcome only those with good intentions get to stay.
Cynthia Naugle is the gallery manager, event coordinator, and social media maven. Through her connections in the community, she continues to put on exciting events and brings new opportunities to artists who formally only had an online audience.
“One of our big missions here is to amplify artists. We want to make sure we’re taking our artists to the next level. I love our group shows and we can do them all the time but if we’re not pushing you to be better, for each piece to be better… well we’ve just got to have that growth.” -Cynthia Naugle
Aside from regular group shows and exhibitions, this gallery offers tons of merchandise. From original artwork to prints and stickers there’s something for everyone at reasonable prices. Print and photography services are also available and if they can’t do it they will point you to the people who can.
& Gallery shot by Velvet & Shadow
Networking nights are something new &G is trying out. Each meetup will have a theme, such as musicians or digital artists but all are welcome to attend. Getting the right information and tools to artists is just as important as getting the art made. The gallery is building a beautiful artists community here in Tucson and everyone should drop in and check them out.
Contact Details
Company Name: & Gallery
Office Address: 419 N 4th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85705
Contact Name: Cynthia Naugle
Phone: (520) 258-8451
Pricing: varies
Website: https://www.andgallery.art/
Office hours: Open 12-6 pm Thursday-Monday
Closed Tuesday and Wednesday
The FeelGood Fitness Tucson community supports one another in developing an overall sense of well-being while maximizing joy through fitness. We offer fun outdoor fitness classes designed for people of all ages and abilities. Our community prides itself in being an all-inclusive, authentic, energetic, safe, and caring community that is 100% body-positive and LGBTQA+ friendly. FeelGood Fitness HIIT (high-intensity interval training) classes in public parks include a full-body workout that incorporates strength training, flexibility, and cardiovascular health. FeelGood Fitness Coach Antonio Rubio offers expert training, support, accountability, and inspiration to help his clients meet their personal goals. “I am committed to serving others and cultivating a judgment-free community of fitness friends.”
FeelGood Fitness Tucson Formation
FeelGood Fitness Tucson came to being at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Coach Tony was laid off from his job as a Personal Trainer & Group Fitness Instructor at a local gym that is now permanently closed called the Nerd Gym. Once Coach Antonio realized that the pandemic affected his community’s mental, physical, and social health, he leaped into action. He invested his life savings into FeelGood Fitness Tucson, and he created a safe outdoor fitness space where people can feel connected to the community and enhance their emotional, physical, and social well-being in a time that our community needed it the most.
Coach Antonio is super passionate about providing space for people that the fitness industry typically underserves. He also is passionate about cultivating community. “I am a Tucson native, and my community here in Tucson has always provided space for me in some of my lowest and darkest periods of life. It is comforting to know that we have the power to create a family through community. If it weren’t for my community, I would not be the person I am today. We all deserve to take up space, feel loved, appreciated, and valued. I try my very best to give that feeling to everyone that comes to my classes or utilizes any of my services.”
There is no other fitness space in Tucson like FeelGood Fitness. Coach Antonio is one of a kind and will inspire you to be the best version of you.
If you are interested in services, you may contact Coach Antonio himself via email feelgooodfitnesstucson@gmail.com or call (520) 358-1264.
Tell him Tony Ray at GayTucson sent you : )
Client Reviews
“Joining Feel Good Fitness was the best decision I could’ve made for me and my health this year. Since working with coach Antonio I’ve gained many positive habits, and met many awesome people along the way. It’s only week four of my 12 Week Program and my body is already transforming. Previous to starting I had a shoulder injury that required surgery, but after strength training I may not need it anymore and that is such an exciting thing for me! Every session is full of laughs, positivity and hard work, I look forward to my time spent with coach Antonio, he is the best and his dedication to all of us is beyond admirable.” -Deij Jimenez
“There is so much I could say about this one man wonder. Antonio is a true light of positivity bringing happiness, wellness, and health to Tucson. He is extremely driven by his clients success, and is hyper-focused on YOUR goals. Antonio is able to cater to whatever physical needs you may have. He creates personalized workouts, that he shares with you after your personal session so you can go home and continue the progress you have started!! I have never met anyone like him, he is truly changing the Tucson fitness community one client at a time.
If you have gone from personal trainer to personal trainer, gym to gym, maybe not seeing results, not hearing the things you want to hear, please reach out because he is seriously unlike no other. I have personally been on my fitness journey for 4 years, and have never felt so motivated and cared for by someone who I am simply a client for. Much love for FeelGood Fitness Tucson.” -Kayla Stegner
1900 E Speedway Blvd Tucson, AZ 85719 (520) 908-6800 ALoft Website
The hotel is within walking distance from the U of A stadium, making it the perfect choice for a place to stay after the next big basketball or football game or to check out the area.
