Queery: Joey Salinas

Joey Salinas (Blade photo by Michael Key)

Local singer/songwriter Joey Salinas is back doing what he loves — releasing music.

After spending years variously in Chicago, El Salvador, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco, the 27-year-old has settled in Arlington. The gay singer/songwriter released his third album “Identity: Chapter 1″ in August.

“What makes me different from other artists is that I use a blend of many genres to come up with my sound with an independent artist approach,” he says. “My music is built to entertain the masses while drawing in fans that can understand and appreciate good songwriting and music. My dream is that my music will set an example for others wanting to pursue this career path that they can do it without having a major label record deal.”

He says his music mixes pop, R&B and dance. He plans two further installments of the “Identity” series. His other albums include his 2005 debut “In the Beginning” and 2008′s “And Then There Was Alexander.” Visit joey-salinas.com for more information on his music.

Salinas, who says he doesn’t know how to relax, enjoys kayaking, swimming, traveling, movies and photography when he’s not making music. He’s single.

How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell? 

I have been out since I was 18. It was the hardest to tell my Dad. Although I haven’t officially “told” him, he was aware enough to acknowledge the person I was with at the time as my “boyfriend.” Cool moment yet awkward.

Who’s your LGBT hero? 

Karen Walker from “Will & Grace”

What’s Washington’s best nightspot, past or present? 

Past: I lived at Nation; present: I live at Cobalt (Friday nights with DJ Keenan Orr!)

Describe your dream wedding.  

I don’t think of getting married actually. But I’m sure if it were to happen, it would be intimate and in a very beautiful location with a nice backdrop.

What non-LGBT issue are you most passionate about? 

Bringing back music programs and arts to schools! It’s such an overlooked subject and I think kids growing up in this new generation need something more than just statistics and historic references in their brains. Life is full of creativity and kids today should have the chance to explore that as an outlet and have the ability to develop that just as much as developing their knowledge in every other subject they learn in school.

What historical outcome would you change? 

If it wouldn’t cause a chain reaction and affect anything else to make it worse, I’d change the U.S. going immediately into war with Iraq after the 9-11 attacks.

What’s been the most memorable pop culture moment of your lifetime?

The day Michael Jackson died. Obama’s inauguration was also memorable but I consider that more of a historical event.

On what do you insist? 

I insist on people not smoking anything around me. I don’t smoke and I hate inhaling that crap. However, what anyone else does with their lungs is their own business. But I like to keep mine smoke free.

What was your last Facebook post or Tweet? 

ON BOTH: I challenge you all to get Identity: Chapter I & get 10 friends to get it & have them tell 10 of their friends. #WhoAmI? http://itun.es/iBD4xm

If your life were a book, what would the title be? 

“Shenanigans”

If science discovered a way to change sexual orientation, what would you do?

I’d be wary. That doesn’t sound like a good thing. I’d rather science discover a way to provide someone with acceptance of other people’s differences instead.

What do you believe in beyond the physical world? 

I believe in spirituality, karma and balance.

What’s your advice for LGBT movement leaders?

I don’t have any other advice aside from listen to the youth of today. They will be the ones left behind to pick up where they leave off.

What would you walk across hot coals for? 

My family and Strawberry Shortcake from Roy Rogers. (Remember those?)

What gay stereotype annoys you most?

The one gay stereotype that MOST annoys me is that all gay men are “limp-wristed.” All because I enjoy passionate, rough sex with a man does not mean that I also enjoy wearing a dress or acting like a female. Stereotypes are a sign of ignorance, and we can only change that by educating. So I try to do that as much as I can.

What’s your favorite LGBT movie? 

“But I’m a cheerleader!”

What’s the most overrated social custom? 

The use of the word “like”!

What trophy or prize do you most covet? 

Billboard Award

What do you wish you’d known at 18? 

Wish I’d known the guy I was with was a complete asshole! (We’re cool now though.)

Why Washington? 

Family ties