About the Cover

OUR 5-YEAR ANNIVERSARY ISSUE Cover Model is Dimas Velasquez. This sexy 25-year-old currently resides in Sacramento, California. Dimas finished his service in the Army a year ago and has now begun a carrier in modeling with Look Model Management. He has already been featured in print ads for Macys and Mervyns, and now has made the cover of QV! And while he enjoys modeling, Dimas hopes to go even farther and pursue a career in acting.

Where We've Been...Where We're Going

A LITTLE OVER FIVE YEARS AGO five guys came up with the idea to start a new magazine that had never been done before. It would be a magazine geared towards other guys like themselves—gay Latinos. At that time, the gay Latino community had been pretty much either ignored or dismissed by other publications available back then, but these guys knew differently. And so, “Quo Vadis,” better known as “QV,” Magazine was born.

Looking back over the last five years, we here at QV Magazine have watched the gay Latino community really start to gel together and push itself to the forefront in various ways...

Gay sheep?

Tidbits of News, Views, and Politics
...In and around the qvCommunity.

• SHEEPISHLY GAY! • Homosexuality in Sheep is Linked to their Brains.
• GAY RIGHTS IN NEW YORK • NY Governor Signs Bill Extending Civil rights Laws to Gays & Lesbians.
• GAY TV NETWORK FOR SALE • Low Ratings and High Losses Prompt Sale of Canadian Gay TV Network.
• US MILITARY KICKS OUT 7 GAY MEN • Gay Linguists Are Discharged.

[click here for more]

Moran's Music
Tony Moran Talks About Music, Mixing, & Movies.
--By Demetrio Roldan

TONY MORAN IS A TRUE GAY LATINO ROLE MODEL. The Brooklyn-raised Columbiano deejay/producer/remixer rose to fame in the ’80s with a string of Latin Freestyle hits including the Cover Girls classic “Show Me” and Sa-Fire’s “Boy I’ve Been Told.” Since those early days, Moran has grown into a trusted artist who has produced and remixed for some of the biggest names in the music industry including Cher, Janet Jackson, Donna Summer, Celine Dion, and Gloria Estefan.

“Being Latin, I’ve always had a lot of self respect. I never felt that there was anything I couldn’t earn or accomplish. I’ve always worked for everything that I have. You should always do the same. Don’t let anything stop you from working towards your goals.”—Tony Moran

[click here for full text!]

Ricardo's Holy Sins
An Interview with Hot Latin Singer Ricardo Arjona.
—By Luther Orrick-Guzman

HE’S TALL, ABOUT 6-FEET, 5-INCHES. His hair is medium long and wavy, only today it’s tied back. He has the build of a basketball player and he is quite intelligent. In addition, he is probably the most controversial, yet misunderstood, singer/songwriter in Latin popular culture today. Of course I’m referring to Ricardo Arjona whose current single “El Problema” is a hit all over Latin America and the US.

“I just think that the person who finds happiness most frequently is the person who has fewer limits to do or say anything.” — Ricardo Arjona

[click here for more]

Latin Fusion
Rapper El General Celebrates "De Fiesta!"
—By Luther Orrick-Guzman

IN THE MIDDLE of a heavy promotional tour for his new CD entitled “De Fiesta,” fusion Latin rapper El General took the time to chill with QV and chat about his current album and tour, as well as take some exclusive photos. Typically known as a fun guy who likes to get the party started with is unique style of reggae-rap, El General presents himself as charismatic, polite, and humble.

[click here for more]

Soluna On Fire!
The Girls of Soluna Like Us—They Really Do!

IT'S ANOTHER HECTIC DAY for the all-Latina harmony pop group Soluna. The group, which has a current hit album and single called “For All Time,” has been enjoying great success. They have even been on the road with big names like Enrique Iglesias and Marc Anthony.

“I love the straight audience, but at the clubs, the girls hate on you and the guys are pigs. The gay audience is my favorite audience in the world—hands down!” —Aurora from Soluna.

[click here to read the interview!]

Readers' Choice 2003
What Celebrities Do Gay Latinos Admire Most? Find Out in the 2003 Readers' Choice Awards!

THE YEAR 2002 IS OVER, and now it’s time to look back and celebrate the best of the best—gay Latino style! In our 3rd Annual QV Readers’ Choice Awards, we let you pick out your favorites in music, film and television. And here we present the winners. The envelope please...

[click here to see your favorites!]

Story from El Abuelo
A Gay Latino Grandpa? Who Would Have Thought It?
--By Demetrio Roldán

OVER THE YEARS, qvMagazine has written numerous articles about gay Latino fathers. But it wasn’t until we spoke with 39-year-old Jake Villalba that it dawned on us there were not only gay Latino dads—but gay Latino grandfathers as well. Sure, it seemed logical enough that gay Latino “abuelos” would exist, but we’d never written about it. Until now, that is. So meet Jake—a grandpa with a truly awesome story....

“At the time, I was in a long-term relationship and my partner and I lived next door to my father. Every morning before work, I’d go over to my dad’s house and drink coffee with him. We’d sit down and talk about everything—including my relationship. He’d listen and even give me advice when I was having problems with my relationship.” —Jake Villalba

[click here to read more text!]

A Brighter Shade
A Gay Latino Novela? Yup, and Just Wait Until You Meet "The Boyz."
--By Erick Serrato

THIS IS THE FIRST INSTALLMENT of a fictional storyline written by talented Los Angeles writer Erick Serrato. Entitled “A Brighter Shade of Brown,” the narrative will follow a diverse group of 20-something gay Latinos: Frank, an ambitiously successful career man; Carlos, a third grade teacher; Rafa, an auto shop manager; Miguel, a gorgeous Mexican waiter; Mark, a Hollywood stylist; Javier, an HIV clinic nurse; and Mauricio, a computer “nerd.” qvMagazine hopes you will enjoy reading about how these men deal with the same sets of issues we gay Latinos encounter. Now, we present, “A Brighter Shade!”...

[click here to read more text!]

qvAstrology
The fierce La Chicharona reveals what the stars have in store for you!
HEY QV BOYS! Guess what I’m doing right now as we speak! Exercising like crazy to look good for the summer! Yeah, I know it’s early, but I wanted to get a head start! Can you imagine...me...being a 6-pack papi? Well, imagine no more ‘cuz I’m determined to turn my flab into packs. But enough about me, here’s what I see coming up for you...

[click here to read full text]

Dear Papi
Boyfriend troubles getting you down? Let your dear 'ol Papi help you out.
THE PAPI IS IN! Haven’t you ever wished relationships weren’t so complicated? I mean, wouldn’t it be nice to find the right guy, the first time, then fall in love and have everything turn out right? Well, life isn’t quite that simple. But it’s all about learning and growing, and believe me, with relationships, you certainly learn and grow! So whatever is happening to you in your life right now, let me know...

[click here to read full text]