Jack Mackenroth

LET THE WIG-RIPPING BEGIN! PRODUCERS AND REALITY TV STARS JOIN FORCES TO CREATE DRAG QUEEN COMEDY WITH THE QUEENS OF DRAG:  NYC

New Reality TV Show to Focus on Lives of New York City’s Drag Queen Divas

(Los Angeles/New York City – OCT. 30, 2009) – The Queens of Drag:  NYC

Film and TV producer Larry Kennar (L Word, Barbershop and 50 First Dates), season 4 Project Runway designer Jack Mackenroth and award-winning producer/director and owner of Colt Studio Group, John Rutherford, have come together to produce a television extravaganza called The Queens of Drag:  NYC that explores and exploits the glamorous and ghetto-fabulous drag queen scene of New York City.

Drag legend Lady Bunny will reign supreme in this all-star cast of drag divas, which includes the ageless and evergreen Hedda Lettuce, uber-glam Sherry Vine, the hilarious Bianca Del Rio, sexpot songstress Peppermint and the classless and campy Mimi Imfurst. Breakout queens nipping at their platform heels like Epiphany, Logan Hardcore, Chandelier, Dallas DuBois and Celso will join these ladies of illusion.

The Queens of Drag: NYC will highlight all the talent and drama that is synonymous with making a living as a drag superstar in the most amazing and unforgiving city in the world. Viewers will see the real grit of drag queens’ lives in and out of drag as they try to dominate the New York nightlife scene and navigate through the struggles of making it in the shiniest, filthiest city in the world.

Multiple networks have already expressed interest in the project, and filming is slated to begin in early November.

For more information, please visit www.theQueensofDrag.com. Let the wig-ripping begin!!

For Press inquiries please contact grapeVine Public Relations

Stephen Lucin

(212) 537.0611, X2

stephen.lucin@theprgrapevine.com

Dear Oprah Producers,

My name is Jack Mackenroth. You may remember me from season four of Project Runway. I was the designer who was open about my positive HIV status on the show and am very active in the HIV community around the country. I was very excited to watch the show about the women who were infected with HIV unknowingly because Oprah has the ability to influence the country in such a positive way. Unfortunately, after the show I was left feeling disappointed and angry about the misleading information provided and the lack of follow up regarding treatment and how the disease is transmitted. It really offered no hope for the over 1 million people who are living with HIV in this country—not to mention the millions of people all over the world.

My first issue with the show was that several of the women on the panel chose to wear disguises. I understand that there is a huge stigma about being HIV positive but if they wanted to remain anonymous then they should not have gone on national television! By appearing in disguise they only reaffirmed the idea that being honest and open about having HIV is NOT OK. That was a huge disservice to the HIV community. By not being open and honest they sent the message that people with HIV should hide and keep it a secret, which only adds to the stigma of living with the disease. Would someone with cancer wear a disguise? If we are taught that HIV is shameful then how can we expect people to willingly go get tested?

I had another issue about the vilification of HIV+ people. I understand that the man who knowingly had unprotected sex with these women should be punished but I also think referring to an HIV positive person as a “loaded gun” is an inappropriate analogy. Many of us take the necessary precautions and maintain an undetectable viral load in our bloodstream, which makes us much less contagious. However there was no mention of this by the doctor and it left the audience with the idea that every HIV+ person is a lethal weapon. It’s a totally inaccurate, negative depiction.

I have to say I was shocked when two of the women mentioned that their daughters became suspicious because they told them not to use their toothbrushes or razors and even their mascara. Now I am not a doctor but I know you cannot get HIV by sharing a toothbrush or a mascara brush and I have never heard of even one case of someone contracting HIV by sharing a razor. I was appalled that the doctor in the audience said that not sharing razors was not an unreasonable safety precaution. It’s this kind of faulty information that fuels mass hysteria. People believe what they hear on your show and it’s just a tiny step away from not sharing eating utensils or toilet seats. In one minute you basically erased years of education about how the virus is transmitted and sent a national message that we, as HIV positive people are pariahs and hyper-contagious.

Oprah did make the important point that ANYONE can get HIV and that these women did not fit the profile of a high-risk person. However I feel like these women were portrayed a bit too much like victims. The woman in the audience who stood up and said the bit about always being responsible for using condoms was right. Each individual can only protect himself or herself. I understand that these women were lulled into a false sense of security and that they all said they would do it differently if they could do it over but at the end of the day we can only control our own actions. I have received countless emails from people who were infected because their partner either lied or didn’t really know their HIV+ status.

The biggest problem I had with the show was the lack of follow up information regarding safer sex practices and treatment options. Oprah kept stressing that we all need to get tested but who would want to get tested after that show???? The only take away was that if you know your status and have sex you can be put in prison. There was no hope or information given about the amazing treatments that are now available. There were no long-term survivors on the show to present a contrasting point of view and there was really no proper mention of how the disease is transmitted other than “use condoms”.

In fact there are numerous treatment options and many doctors agree that most people living with HIV that receive the proper health care can have full life expectancies. I have been living with HIV for 20 years and I have never been healthier.

Of course you did focus on each woman telling her sob story of when they were given their diagnosis because crying and shock factor makes for good TV. However it was not followed up by any sort of hopeful message. The viewer was left unsure of the fate of these women. It was even implied that they might not be around to care for their children.  This was truly misleading and irresponsible.

I hope one day soon you do a show about the advances in treatment and people who are doing amazing things and making great strides in the HIV arena. Especially since HIV infection rates are climbing in almost every sector of the population. There are hundreds of thousands of HIV+ people around the nation who are not victims and who are empowered to educate the public and help combat the stigma and the disease. I have a deep and longstanding respect for the work you do on the Oprah show. Oprah reaches a huge audience and the show could have done a great service in educating people about the seriousness, treatment and realities of HIV. Instead it just highlighted the drama of one man’s irresponsibility and focused on all the wrong things.

Coincidentally I will be interviewing Diane Reeve this Sunday the 25^th on my radio show on www.blogtalkradio.com/poziam. I will be interested to see what she thought of the show as well.

Sincerely,

Jack Mackenroth

I am hosting the 5th annual Black and White Ball black tie HIV/AIDS fundraiser in Reno, Naveda. If you are in Reno please come on by and check out the website!

TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE FOR STAR STUDDED BLACK & WHITE BALL

5th Annual Charity Gala Welcomes Celebrity Fashion Designer and HIV/AIDS Advocate- Jack Mackenroth, to Northern Nevada Benefit.

RENO NV, September 14th, 2009 — The Premier Black Tie Charity Gala of the year- The Fifth Annual Black & White Ball of Northern Nevada returns to Downtown Reno on Saturday October 3rd from 6-11pm at Harrah’s Reno Convention Center.  This intimate star-studded affair for Northern Nevada HOPES and Northern Nevada Outreach Team, two of the leading HIV/AIDS service and prevention organizations in Northern Nevada raises money to help provide assistance to the over 1,000 Northern Nevadans living with HIV/AIDS as well as HIV prevention education and testing through out the community.

Headlining this year’s spectacular evening is Jack Mackenroth, Star of Project Runway and HIV/AIDS Advocate and Dr. Trudy Larson, Renowned HIV/AIDS Specialist.  Escalade and the Reno Dance Company will also be performing.

Featuring a silent auction, and the raffle of a classic 1978 Mercedes-Benz SL 450, over 350 guests are expected to attend.  In previous years over $30,000 has been raised by this event.

“We have an outstanding line-up for this year’s Black & White Ball. We’re excited to welcome Jack Mackenroth- a world renowned fashion designer, HIV/AIDS Advocate and accomplished athlete to speak at our event and we’re especially thrilled that given our nation’s economic situation so many people in our community have opened their hearts and wallets and committed to once again join us for this unforgettable evening,” said Eddie Reynoso, Community Liaison for the Black & White Ball Committee. He explains that over 56,000 new infections occur nationally each year, which is roughly 40% more than the previous estimate of 40,000 according to the Centers for Disease Control.   “Jack’s national presence at our event helps bring much needed attention to the crisis, which is essential toward helping raise awareness and education in our community.”

The Black & White Ball is made possible thanks in part to the generous contributions of the following companies; Renown Health, Harrah’s of Reno, Sports Haus of Reno, Northern Nevada Outreach Team, Amerigroup Community Care, Remsa, Perinatal Associates of Northern Nevada, Northern Nevada HOPES and A Doggies Dream. Tickets for the dinner and ball are available for $75 and raffle tickets for $25, by calling Jack Owens at 775.771.8523.  Event sponsorships and donations for the silent auction are also being accepted.   All donations are 501(c) (3) deductible.  Images, graphics and additional information are available online at www.blackandwhiteballnv.org.

Editors Note: Jack Mackenroth is available for media interviews prior to the event. Contact Eddie Reynoso at 775.622.2797 or info@blackandwhiteballnv.org to schedule an interview.

I realize this ‘diary’ of my experience at the Outgames is a bit after the fact but the original magazine from the UK called 3SixtyMag  that was supposed to publish it seems to have evaporated like many paper publications in the world. So sad. Anyway, I worked my ass off writing it and taking photos all while swimming in the games so I’m publishing it myself. Please excuse the typos, misspellings and poor grammar. I assumed they would do it for me and at this point I’m just to tired to do it myself.

Outgames Copenhagen Diary

Day 1:

As I pack for the Outgames in Copenhagen, Denmark I’m getting very excited about all the possibilities. I have never been to the city but I have heard that it is like a quaint version of Amsterdam. Less pot and more blondes. Questions whirl in my head. Will my host (who I don’t know) be a freak who tries to get in bed with me? Will he live on a dairy farm and cows will wake me up every morning at dawn? Will I remember to pack all my swimming gear? Will I win any medals? Will I remember to pack enough of all my HIV meds? Will my flight through Stockholm be filled with crying babies and swine flu?

I schlep to Newark airport and through customs which was relatively painless. Then I quickly remember that everything is better with Xanax. I pop 3 and I wake up 7 hours later as we land in Stockholm. My connection is a breeze and an hour later I am hugging my very sweet host, Henrik the handsome handball player, who was nice enough to come and pick me up at the airport. Obviously I’m not in New York anymore. No one picks you up at the airport in New York. Even if they know you and like you.

Copenhagen is adorable. Like most European cities I have visited, it combines modern amenities with old world charm and architecture. Henrik’s place is really well designed and he couldn’t be a better host. He even has a bike for me, which is the preferred mode of transportation. (Although I ended up crashing twice). After arriving he drove me to the Outgames registration in the Hans Christian Anderson Castle, which I breezed through. They were very organized which is good sign of things to come. I did find it strange that they offered me a pass to the “women’s space” but maybe I was just wearing too much mascara. I don’t know the total number of athletes they expect for all sports but there are about 900+ swimmers in that discipline alone. I have a feeling the gays are about to take over the city.

After heading back to Henrik’s and lapsing into a coma for about 4 hours I was ready to go. We headed out to Oscar’s bar where many athletes wearing team gear had already assembled and they queers were pouring into the street. I met some cool swimmers from Sydney and a lot of locals. However most of the athletes will be arriving in the next 24 hours before the opening ceremonies. I can tell this is going to be a blast.

Day 2:

Although I’m still a bit jetlagged I manage to find a local pool to practice some swimming. Everyone is now arriving and anticipating the opening ceremonies. In a break from tradition, the opening ceremonies are not held in a stadium but rather in the central square of the city. It was interesting because anyone from the city could watch but it was also a bit frustrating because it was so crowded that it was hard to see the parade of athletes and the entertainment. Plus the weather was not cooperating so I had to keep dashing in and out of Oscar’s to keep from ruining my hair do.

Team Belgium at Opening Ceremonies

Some people had complained that the Danish government was not supportive enough of the Outgames but the Mayor did speak at the opening ceremonies and there were signs and huge electronic boards throughout the city promoting the games. Furthermore my host told me that several of the Danish ministers are openly gay and it’s not that big of an issue.

All in all the attitude of all the athletes was very excited and upbeat. It’s an extremely moving experience to be surrounded by gay athletes from all over the world and sharing a common experience. The opening was unfortunately marred buy the fact that 3 gay men were assaulted that evening. I asked my host Henrick about that and he said that while of course it was very unfortunate, he didn’t think that type of thing happens very often and it garnered a lot of press because the Outgames were in town. I have to say I don’t know the facts of the beatings but I know that they occur on a daily basis in the United States and they are rarely even mentioned in the press. I always felt very safe. Except when I was doing this..

Day 3:

I had one day of tourism before the swimming competition so Henrick was nice enough to take me to a castle to see the crown jewels. I was quite envious of the crowns on display. If it weren’t for the alarmed security doors I might be wearing one right now. (The queen’s crown of course.)

We spent the rest of the day biking around the city and looking at the architecture and getting my bearings. I have a horrific sense of direction and the street names look like gibberish to an American so I had to use landmarks and buildings to find my way around. I got lost on multiple occasions but friendly locals were always quick to point me in the right direction.

That evening Henrick, who is a goalkeeper for a Danish handball team, hosted a party for all the other handball teams. Unlike most Americans, thankfully most Europeans speak multiple languages. I met cool guys from Sweden, Finland and all over Denmark.

Day 4:

Monday was my first day of swimming, which started early. I knew I had to pace myself because swimming is the biggest and longest event in the Outgames. Its 5 days in a row, which can be quite exhausting. I was worried because my first event was the 200 Individual Medley and I am a sprinter so 200 meters is a long event for me. Plus in the US we usually swim in 25-yard pools and the competition was held in an Olympic caliber 50-meter pool. This makes a big difference. However, to my surprise, my training paid off and I ended up with a bronze medal. I wasn’t even expecting to be in the top 5 so I was very happy. It was a great start to the meet.

The competition pool

I have to note here that the pool is a new venue and it was really amazing. However there was one thing that all the Americans found strange. They had VERY strict rules about showering before entering the pool area. Now I am all for proper hygiene but they even had a diagram on the wall of a person with orange circles around all the areas that needed special scrubbing. I wanted to take a photo of the diagram but I’m pretty sure they were not allowing cameras in the locker room. It was kind of amusing. They even had an official who stood in the shower area and monitored everyone to make sure they were showering in the nude and washing appropriately. I want that job.

Day 5:

After going to bed early the night before I was ready for my events of the day. I was quite nervous for my 50-meter breaststroke because I was seeded in second place behind a swimmer who holds the American record. Although it was a close race unfortunately I got second by .4 seconds. I was happy with a silver medal and it was a good race. I swam breaststroke in a 4 X 100 medley relay, which also won a silver medal! So now I had a matching set to make earrings.

After the swimming of the day I went to a place called the Pride Village, which was a sort of outdoor market/beer garden with various stands for souvenirs and different types of entertainment.  Team Canada was having a meet and greet party so I attended with one of the swimmers I had met earlier that day. I love Canada and I have cousins from Vancouver so it was really fun to meet people from all over different parts of Canada. I said ‘aboot’ a lot which I found more and more amusing the more beers I had. I had three more days of swimming so I resisted the cute boys for another night and decided to pedal on home before me and my bike became a danger to the public.

Day 6:

After a good night’s sleep I was ready for another day of swimming and boys in Speedos. I swam the 100-breast stroke and did an OK time for a bronze medal behind two of my friendly American rivals. I also swam the breaststroke leg on the 4 X 50 medley relay and we won the silver. After the swim competition they had a special award ceremony for a Dutch swimmer from Upstream Amsterdam named Robert Weyhenke who set a new European Masters record in the 100 meter breaststroke. At age 57 he did the same time as I did!!! It was really impressive. I spoke to him briefly afterward to congratulate him on that amazing accomplishment.

European record holder

I stayed after the swimming competition was over to watch the gay synchronized swimming. It was fabulous. Synchronized swimming is a mix of gymnastics, swimming and dance all while holding one’s breath. It’s one of the most difficult and underappreciated sports. To watch two men swim together was particularly moving. Men are not allowed to compete in synchronized swimming, according to FINA rules, because it is considered a female sport. While I must admit there is a high camp factor in male synchro, I feel like there is definitely some homophobic discrimination involved in that limitation. Regardless, we are lucky to have the Outgames to showcase the talents of male synchronized swimmers. There were some amazing female teams as well.

In the evening I went to the bear party held in Christiana. Although I am not hairy enough to be considered a bear, the party welcomed all types, which seems to be a reoccurring theme in Copenhagen. Christiana is a former military base that was abandoned and taken over by squatters who formed a separate, self-governing community. Apparently the inhabitants live exclusively from the rest of Copenhagen, are totally self-sufficient and don’t pay taxes. It was really interesting. More beers.

Day 7/8: On my final 2 days of the swimming competition I was basically running on fumes and the excitement in the air. 5 days of swimming is exhausting and physically demanding. However I caught my second wind when I captured my first gold medal in the 4 x 50 meter freestyle relay. We kicked ass!!!

Rob Hermanet, me, Dake Gonzalez, Todd Cooper

I also won silver in the 100 freestyle. Then next day I had my last event which was the 50 meter freestyle. I went into the event seeded in 4th place but we were all very close in time. Since I got second place in the 100 freestyle I knew I might have a chance at the gold. I was very nervous before the event but I focused and when the race began I was ready. I finished in one of my personal best time of 26.63. I knew at that point that I had a good chance of winning but there were still 2 heats of swimmers left to go. I sat in the stands and watched the fin al 2 heats—and I WON. My first individual gold medal!!! What a way to finish the competition.

Big Gay Michael Phelps with 8 medals

Day 9: After swimming was over I was free to let down my hair and have some fun. Fortunately for me it was also Copenhagen Gay Pride day. My friend Mark Burrows and I walked with Sydney’s Wet Ones swim team in the Outgames section of the parade. Everyone was in a great mood. There were tons of floats and fun costumes.

I was most impressed by the local people that came out to watch the parade. For the most part in the US it’s only the LGBT community that comes out to support the parade marchers. It seemed to me that the whole city was involved. The parade ended in the city center square and culminated in a huge outdoor celebration with live music and dancing. It was the perfect end to a perfect vacation  in a near perfect city. Kudos to Copenhagen for a job well done. I will be back.