 Tru Tattoo is a beacon of empowerment and community, a transformed sanctuary, born from a crackhouse into an all-women’s tattoo and beauty shop. Led by women who champion beauty as empowerment, Tru Tattoo offers an array of beauty services ranging from nail art to non-invasive treatments while actively supporting sister-female-owned businesses. In an industry historically dominated by men, Tru Tattoo carves out a haven for everyone, amplifying voices on crucial social issues like substance abuse and homelessness in New Mexico. Beyond their artistry on the skin, Tru Tattoo leaves a lasting imprint through weekly flash deals, monthly events, and ongoing charity projects, embodying a commitment to personal expression and community betterment.
The percentage of women with tattoos surpasses that of men by 18%, with approximately 59% of women and 41% of men reporting having at least one tattoo, according to a survey by Lightspeed in 2024. However, in the global community of tattoo artists, men constitute 75% while women make up 25%, showing a significant gap. Many women who have tattoos are familiar with the discomfort of entering poorly lit tattoo shops, feeling objectified by male staff, and enduring unwelcome advances during the tattooing process. Tru Tattoo helps to create safe spaces for art and expression. Many patrons of Tru share similar sentiments. One individual expressed in a Google review, “All of the ladies were so sweet and welcoming. I came into the shop and automatically felt like a friend.” Another reviewer commented, “I love how it is an all-female tattoo shop. They make you feel very welcome.” Perhaps that is part of what makes art, particularly an intimate experience such as body art, so important - the sense of community and safety. - Samantha Nagel
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 Ryan Cassata - Photo Credit: Andy Casillas Ryan Cassata, a talented singer-songwriter, actor, performer, published writer, LGBTQ+ activist, and transgender motivational speaker, has impacted the music industry. With over 650 performances nationally and internationally, Ryan has released seven original and critically acclaimed musical albums. Notably, he was the first openly trans performer at the Vans Warped Tour and has graced the stages of prestigious venues such as Jazz at Lincoln Center and The Oregon Shakespeare Festival's Green Show. Ryan's music has solidified his reputation as a true force in the industry. His latest collection with his band, The Top Surgeons, titled "This Machine Kills Transphobia," features punk and hardcore songs that aim to challenge systems of oppression, particularly sexism and transphobia.
Where did your journey in music begin? I first played guitar when I was about six years old. I would stare at my older brother's guitar, which he had already given up on. It was too big for me to carry - let alone play. I begged my mom for lessons, and after enough persistence, she said okay. Our school's music teacher came to the house with a kids' guitar that someone had handcrafted. It was the perfect size for me. I started lessons immediately. When I was 12, my other guitar teacher asked me, "Is guitar going to be your hobby or your passion?" I didn't know yet. He passed away months later, leaving me devastated before I could even answer his question. I looked up to him, and his influence made me realize that music was my passion. I would work as hard to get good at guitar, singing, and piano. So I could live out this dream. It was his dream, too. Did you have in your head when you started what sound your music was going to offer? When I first started writing songs, I only listened to classic rock and the origins of punk. I hated pop music - with a passion. I thought my music would fit into a classic rock-sounding genre. I had no clue that I would fall in love with so many different genres and that they would blend into my songs. I’m excited about this record. Growing up on Long Island (one of the hardcore punk/emo/pop punk capitals in the U.S.), I wanted to play in a hardcore punk band so badly. In the summers, we would form teenage garage bands in Queens and mosh with each other. I got knocked out a couple of times in mosh pits growing up. I don’t regret any of it. The music was already the center of everything for all of us. We played all day long into the early hours of the morning. It was a time in my life that I’ll always smile about. I feel like I’m getting to live that teenage fantasy again, except more professionally and with an audience. It feels full circle in a lot of ways. Anyway, I dreamed about making this record for a long time, and I’m glad I finally did it. Transitioning is different for everyone. How did the music evolve in the process? I started writing songs when I was 12. That was when I first came out as queer. Shortly after that, I came out as genderqueer. Then, at 14, I came out as trans. So, I have been writing songs just as long as I have been out. My songwriting had fewer queer themes back then. I would mostly write love songs and anti-war songs. Sometimes, I would write about being trans. It's like that now, too. I write about being trans and queer a lot, but I write about other topics way more. If I wasn't trans, I maybe would have just written anti-war songs for the rest of my career. Who knows! The music evolved as I got older, listened to more genres, and practiced more. Hah. I couldn't sing at the beginning of my career, but eventually, I found my voice. Practice, age, and time - all those things evolved my career. Being trans affected it because of the political climate and my experience with my body and in my body, but I wouldn't say it's the main reason for how my music evolved. Tell us about your new album, "This Machine Kills Transphobia," and how The Top Surgeons elevate the music. I wrote the entire record in three days. I think I wrote Queers to the Front, Burn the Cis-Tem, T4T, and What's With Straight Dudes Claiming They're Straight? all on the same day. One day I had an idea to make a fast punk album about Queer and Trans themes. Due to the political climate and 15+ years of being out, I had plenty to say. It was fun to make the songs. I created the music first and the lyrics second for all the songs besides "The Truth, The Life, The Way," which came to me all at once. The mood was set before I knew what each song would be about. I recorded the first things that would come to me without much lyrical editing. I believe tracks 2-4 have the same lyrics I thought of originally - my first thoughts. The Top Surgeons have been my band for a long time now. We recently came up with the name for this record and live shows. Loren Barnes is on bass. Kyle Dombroski is on drums, and Stephen Spies (Emmy Winning Composer) on violin, guitars, keyboards, and backing vocals. The band has become a second family to me. We've been playing together now since 2018, and things flow. It feels good. I enjoy rehearsals almost as much as I enjoy live shows. Loren and I wrote "Saturn is Returning" together, and that was a joy to co-write. Loren brings another side to my songwriting that would not normally come out. She pushes my creativity in a very positive way. We wrote one more upcoming song together, and I'm sure we will do more co-writes. What is the goal during this Pride and election season with your music? My goal is to bring trans people into the center of the conversation. Trans voices need to be heard. Pride is often centered around cis gay white males. It can't be like that anymore. Trans people's rights and freedoms are being challenged in major ways and taken away in many states. This conversation needs to be heard, and the lives of trans people need to be highly considered when voting. This record is meant to challenge cis-terms of oppression and provide Queer people with a sense of empowerment. I hope it encourages people to challenge all systems of oppression, not just nationally but worldwide. I also hope that it helps other trans and queer people to feel not as alone in their journey and experience. This Machine Kills Transphobia is out on all streaming platforms. To learn more about Ryan Cassata & The Top Surgeons, visit ryancassata.com. - Teresa Robinson  We always feel that there will be those individuals who seem to live forever. Mauro Walden-Montoya was one of them. We were blessed to have the opportunity to interview him and to have him write for the publication. The community was at a loss to learn of his passing on December 16, 2023, at 65 after battling cancer. Mauro’s journey began in Albuquerque, where he grew up and later graduated from Highland High School. He received his bachelor’s degree from New Mexico State University and his law degree from George Washington University School of Law in D.C. In 1986, he joined Whitman-Walker Health as the director of legal services, where he tirelessly fought for the rights of people with HIV facing discrimination. Throughout his career, he impacted the LGBTQ community, serving as the president of D.C.’s Gertrude Stein Democratic Club and delivering the keynote address at the federal government’s World AIDS Day events in 1994. He later returned to Albuquerque, where he continued his advocacy work and became involved in various business ventures, including real estate management and classic vehicle restoration. Despite facing challenges, Mauro remained committed to his community, becoming a minister and performing marriages for same-sex couples across multiple states. In his retirement, he dedicated his time to volunteering and serving on various boards, leaving a lasting legacy of compassion and dedication to the causes he believed in. The one person who knew him well was his husband of 15 years, Andy. We were happy to take a moment to share his thoughts about the man he loved. "His name preceded him. Friends said he would like me. They said we had a lot in common. Both were true. The night of his party, Mama Karen and I were hoping for a blowout. We were looking forward to a large and wild scene that would rip the seams of a jockstrap. What we found were eight men sitting around a table drinking, talking, and fully clothed. It was not a fabulous extravaganza. The party did not impress me, but I knew I had met a friend. He was a handsome, charming, and clear-spoken gentleman. We never dated, but we did everything else couples do. After being together for six years, we got married. I felt protected and provided for. I knew a man who knew the difference between what he could control and what he could not. He would speak his truth. He would dream big. He would navigate through pain and hardship, knowing his life was worth the struggle. We sacrificed for each other. I will miss him every day and find peace knowing he lived fully.” Whether you knew him through law, leather, or theater, Mauro will be remembered. Thank you, Mauro, for being a source of light and love for the community.  |
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