Have you ever felt seen, valued, or important? Here at Creatively Queer Press, we want everyone to experience that feeling through the media they consume. We’ve seen in popular media that many people in the LGBTQ+ or BIPOC communities lack representation with accuracy or empathy if represented at all.
Our mission as a publishing company is to change that. We look to media for versions of ourselves and for visions of who we could be. If we don’t see ourselves represented then our dreams can feel limited, or at worst, discouraged. Diversity is something we believe should be visible and celebrated.
The Media
One of our first publications does that for the queer Latinx community: Cuentos. This bilingual Latinx mythology art anthology came to fruition by our Creatively Queer Press team. With the help of two dozen queer Latinx artists and writers. Every entry is a painting or illustration about a myth, legend, or creature from folklore. The artworks are accompanied by either fiction or non-fiction writing about the subject in both Spanish and English.
Through Cuentos our founder Luis Silva discovered our first editor for the CQP team: A. Dante Bravo. Originally a contributing artist and writer, Dante took on the task of editing the book layout and running the Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for the print books of Cuentos. To help finish Cuentos, our second editor Joelle Blot was also invited to join us on the book’s publishing journey. Together our team of three queer creators works to share our books all across the town of Tucson, AZ, and far beyond. By collaborating with queer and POC creatives from all over the world, Creatively Queer Press strives to create and publish accessible entertainment for fans of all genres of comic books, art anthologies, gaming books, and so much more.
We are also working towards building an animation team to help us create groundbreaking animated films that serve our mission of inclusive representation. We invite everyone who values diversity to discover a new favorite on our website at www.creativelyqueerpress.com
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.
Pop Cycle is a retail gift shop that sells unique, green, fun things made from recycled items.
Fun, Campy and Gay Friendly, once you enter you’ll know why I love Pop Cycle. Find earrings and clothes and wall art and cards and all kinds of great gifts. Even some fun things with gay icons like wonder woman! There are so many cool things, I usually go through the store a few times to make sure I don’t miss anything.
I particularly love the letters made from recycled cans. I have the word “imagine” across the wall between my kitchen and great room. If you don’t see the letters you want, just ask, they can usually find you the letters to make your favorite word(s) or saying(s).
Also check Pop Cycle on 4th Ave for Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) stuff. I bought the awesome little green skeleton (see photo below) there.
Last time I was there they had some license plates that you could customize, I think. lol You’ll have to check and see.
Go in and play and have fun and remember to tell them you found them on GayTucson.com!
Dr. Andrew Watley helps you find clarity and confidence with culturally responsive, LGBTQ+ & BIPOC-affirming coaching—online and flexible.
I’m Dr. Andrew Watley, a proud Tucson transplant originally from New Orleans, Louisiana. For the past decade, I’ve worked in the mental health field, first as a licensed therapist and now as a wellness coach. I founded Wellness Awaits when I decided to step away from the formalities of traditional therapy to create a space where I could show up as my most authentic self and help others do the same. My motto? No masks allowed!
As a Black and gay man, I bring both personal insight and professional experience to the table when working with clients navigating the intersections of identity, culture, and wellness. Representation matters, and my goal is to ensure that the mental health and wellness needs of the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities are seen, heard, and supported.
I offer online coaching for individuals, couples, and families. While I specialize in BIPOC and Queer issues, Wellness Awaits is open to anyone seeking clarity, confidence, and personal growth, from young adults to elders.
Tucson has quickly felt like home to me. Much like New Orleans, it’s a vibrant melting pot of cultures, traditions, and creativity. Its openness to holistic health and healing is what first drew me here and it’s what continues to inspire me to stay and serve this incredible community.
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)
Just Married phrase on the bright watercolor rainbow heart.
Are you planning on getting married soon? Make sure you hire a caring, certified, charismatic wedding officiant like Weddings by John. As your wedding celebrant, I will dedicate myself to working with you to create the perfect ceremony. I will meet with both of you either in person or virtually and together we will build a plan for your dream wedding ceremony. I have vast experience in crafting the perfect celebration that fits your needs exactly, for an elopement, huge event, or anywhere in between. It can be non-religious, semi-religious, traditional, unique, or something totally different.
I am especially thrilled to officiate LGBTQ+ couples having been with my husband for almost 30 years. As a licensed wedding celebrant, I will guide you through the process. Informing you and letting you know all the options available to you. It is my desire to individually craft your wedding ceremony to reflect your love for each other and your personal style…
Anywhere you choose.
I am located in Tucson Arizona. And, I love guiding couples to plan and execute one of the most important events of their lives together.
Testimonials for Weddings by John
“As a gay couple, we had a difficult time finding an officiant who understood who we really were and what we wanted… then we found John and couldn’t have been happier. He made our wedding beautiful, personal, poignant, magical, and perfect. Thanks, John
– Jennifer & Roo
“Not only did John create a ceremony that represented all of our wishes and hopes, but his caring, guidance and welcoming presence made our wedding ceremony perfect.”
– Robbie Sanchez
“We wanted something special for our wedding ceremony and could not have found a better person than John to make our wedding ceremony MORE amazing than we could have ever expected. Highly recommend his services.” – Janice MitchellWeddings By John
Website – https://theatrixx.wixsite.com/website-1
Email – jmuszynski386@gmail.com
Phone number – 312-576-3383
The extended-stay hotel in Tucson, Arizona is the perfect choice for traveling business professionals. They offer studio and home-office style suites that boast fully equipped kitchens with sleek appliances.
Sarah Baracks (she/they) is a Tucson queer Structural Energetic Therapist, herbalist, and educator who really wants to build a business that is mostly working with queer clients! That is where you come in…. Would you like to try out what they have to offer?
What is Structural Energetic Therapy?
SET is a style of bodywork that combines cranial/structural techniques, myofascial/soft tissue protocols, and energy healing to release both physical and emotional trauma from the body and restore alignment throughout the whole self.This style of bodywork is based on the idea that most everyone presents with a coredistortion that causes arotation of the pelvis and other imbalances in our structure. Accidents, illness, stress, emotional challenges, injuries, and other life activities cause the body to collapse further into this distortion resulting in pain and dysfunction. Structural Energetic Therapy uses aunique protocol that will balance your structure and allow for your body to heal its dysfunctions.
What can SET help with?
Brain Fog
Executive Function Difficulties
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Headaches/Migraines
TMJ
Concussions (old or new) PTSD
Fibromyalgia
Chronic Fatigue
Sports Injuries
Shoulder Injuries
Neck Pain
Hip Pain
Knee Pain
Back Pain
Whiplash
Scoliosis
Poor Posture
Muscle Spasms
…and more!! You can read more about SET and book an appointment on Sarah’s website: www.sarahbaracks.comUse the Promo Code LGBTQ20 to receive 20% off your first appointment.Cell: 520-369-7347
Review: Jenn H.
“Sarah was extremely intuitive, friendly, and careful with me during our session. An accident 20 years ago left me with some lasting nerve damage and I’m always keen to try different therapies. I plan on returning for multiple reasons and I’m glad I can support someone in the Qcommunity while doing so.”
Gingeroot is an integrative wellness clinic that provides healing, pain-relief, and lasting solutions. We offer an unique approach to the mind, body, and soul through Acupuncture, Therapeutic Massage, Fire-Cupping, Chinese Food Therapy, Cranial Sacral Therapy and Sound Bath Healing all in one place.
AAPI and Queer owned and operated. Trauma-informed Care. Safe-Space for all.
I’m a dedicated Massage therapist known for my intuitive touch and positive energy. I believe in the human body’s ability to heal when provided safe, skilled, and empathetic support. The principle of my practice is to help create alignment, tension release, and lasting solutions.
There is great importance in receiving and holding compassion for all groups, while also recognizing the effects of those disadvantaged. I seek to create a safe and healing space for people of all body types, gender expressions, ethnicities, and lived experiences.
I look forward to meeting you! More details can be found on our website.
