It is truly an honor to become the Executive Director and publisher of the nonprofit organization that publishes Hotspots Happening Out Magazine — a publication that has been a staple of our community for more than 40 years.

Jason Collins represented something far greater than basketball. He represented courage, authenticity, and the freedom to finally live your truth in a world that for so long made so many of us feel we had to hide parts of ourselves to survive.

For more than 15 years as a publisher, I’ve had the unique opportunity to watch the media industry evolve at extraordinary speed.

Few public servants have left as deep and multifaceted a mark on American life as Barney Frank. For more than three decades representing Massachusetts in Congress, Frank built a reputation for something rare in politics: unflinching honesty, intellectual rigor, and a relentless commitment to equality. He didn’t just advocate for change — he helped architect it. 

There are sports stories. There are love stories. And then — very rarely — there are stories that blur the line so completely that you forget which one you’re reading.

In today’s fast-changing marketplace, businesses are constantly searching for smarter, more effective ways to reach customers. Traditional advertising can be expensive, unpredictable, and often disconnected from real results. That’s exactly why I created Perks Plus VIP — a cutting-edge platform built on innovation, efficiency, and measurable impact.