MVP - Manny Velasquez-Paredes

Modern Family Trip in Baltimore

Although I didn't write this article, it is about how we became a family :)

INTERVIEW WITH: ACTOR, MODEL, ENTREPRENEUR, STUDENT & WORLD TRAVELER - William Rootpeter, cover model, sits down with Connextions Magazine for an in-depth interview following his photo shoot.

Located on a barrier island just thirty minutes from Jacksonville International Airport, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, is the perfect excuse for a vacation! With its oceanfront setting on 26 acres and 1.5 miles of dune lined beaches bordered by state
parks, the setting immediately offers a relaxing atmosphere.
All 446 guest rooms and 43 suites feature coastal views, fresh decor and personal balconies with floor-to-ceiling glass doors to access soothing seaside breezes.

As the leaves began to fall, we decided to take the family for a quick getaway. Unsure of where to go, and with only a weekend to travel, we decided we didn’t want to drive too far, but we wanted to go somewhere where we could enjoy the radiant colors of the leaves as they begin to finish their lifespan.

I was invited to experience the JW Marriott Hotel Lima, which is ranked among the top 25 hotels in South America by Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2015 and number 1 according to TripAdvisor. This luxury hotel is in the district of Miraflores, which is located within walking distance from top fine dining, notable historic sites, and picturesque public spaces. Directly across from the hotel is Larcomar shopping mall, which is right on the Malecón facing the Pacific Ocean, and it’s considered to be one of the most popular and most visited malls in Miraflores.

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to simply unplug - unplug from the everyday, from work, from technology, from - dare I mention it - Facebook! But as a working parent, it is extremely important to disconnect from the world and simply enjoy your family.
For the past three years, my husband and I have taken our kids on mini-vacations to the Poconos at least twice per year. It is just under five hours drive for us, so we leave the house early so we can beat traffic and (hint) the kids are usually still sleepy, which means they’ll probably fall asleep after 45 minutes into the trip for at least another hour or so, which makes for a calmer ride.

Nestled in the heart of Barranco and just a block away from the Malecón is one of the most stunning mansions, the Hotel B, which was restored to its magnificent architectural masterpiece without altering the essence of the original house. Acclaimed French architect Claude Sahut, who had remodeled portions of the Government Palace, and many of Lima’s main avenues, parks, theaters and other public buildings and spaces, was originally commissioned to design the property and construction was completed in 1914.

Dalton Maldonado was forced to come out during a basketball game of all places. While playing for his high school basketball team in Kentucky, Dalton was confronted by a player from the opposite team about his sexuality, and like many of us confronted with the fear of being outed, he took the comedic route and sarcastically asked the bully for his phone number in response to his offensive attack. This defense
mechanism, which has been tested countless of times by many LGBTQ teens and members of our community who are in the closet, proved to be a quick and easy way to get out of a sticky situation.

Steven Rosen is a wedding and portrait photographer based in Brooklyn, New York. Although he works with different types of couples, he is particularly proud of the fact that he has worked with almost ninety same-sex couples.
Between editing his most recent shoot and working on a client’s album, Steven sat down with Connextions Magazine to chat about his past, present and future.

The LGBT community does not celebrate PRIDE because, we are too full of ourselves, it’s not an excuse to drink and party, although some people do.
On Saturday June 28, 1969, a police raid on the Stonewall Inn in New York City’s Greenwich Village erupted and a group of LGBT patrons who were there, decided to fight back. Perhaps not realizing at the time, their fight was a wake-up call for our community to regain our rights as human beings, to be able to gather and fight for the right to be treated as equals. And this was the beginning of PRIDE.

On September 11, 2001, the world was witness to what can only be described as one of the worst tragedies of our time, with New York City as the epicenter of this nightmare. However, out of this tragedy, New Yorkers got a chance to show the rest of the world that together we can rebuild and together we are stronger.
Prior to becoming a New Yorker, I visited just a couple of months before 911, and I clearly remember the city’s vibe and no nonsense attitude. I remember standing near 34th Street trying to find my way and hopelessly seeking the non-existent assistance of strangers to guide me. However, this was a challenge I was begging and willing to take. This city had me wrapped around it’s roasted-nuts scents. I was high on the endless nights of the city that never sleeps. I was mesmerized by the glam and lights of Times Square and drunk on the Broadway talent and culture.

Braden Summers knows the art of photography is a mixture of brilliant illustration, capturing moments and the Photographer’s own inspiration. This multiple award winning Photographer, has photographed celebrities, created a project of modern couples for MoMA and worked on marketing campaigns for different companies, including Marriott International on the “Love Travels” campaign, where he often features LGBT couples and individuals. Connextions Magazine, sits to talk with Photographer, Braden Summers to discuss his project “All Love Is Equal.”

Connextions Magazine Issue 17: Love Around the World. During our family Denver vacation, the Hampton Inn & Suites Denver Downtown Convention Center was our host in our home away from home, located in what can easily be the heart of this vibrant town.