Artist Clyde Petersen on Queer Narratives, ‘Torrey Pines’ and New Projects

Fair Michigan’s TALKING Alanna Maguire PRIORITIES Looks Ahead BTL photo: Andrew Cohen

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COVER 4 Alanna Maguire NEWS Members of Congress 6 Black Bear Brotherhood Forum Examines Intersections of Sex Work and Increased usage of Artist Clyde Petersen on Bring Visibility to Crystal Meth Among Black Gay Men Transgender Military 8 Polestar: Michigan’s Newest LGBTQ Community Queer Narratives Center Opens Its Doors Service 14 LGBTQ Military Organizations Applaud Lawmakers See Page 16 See Page 14 14 ICE Confirms 45 Transgender Women Being Held at Texas Detention Center MICHIGAN PROFILE THEATER OPINION 10 Parting Glances See Page 26 10 Valentine’s Day Visibility: To Stay in or Go Out? 11 Creep of the Week: James Greene Sr. 12 Mombian LIFE 18 Screen Queens 22 Actor Jason Bowen Talks True-to-Life Themes in Stagecrafters’ ‘If/Then’ 25 Review: Carey Crim’s ‘Never Not Once’ at Purple Rose Powerful and Poignant 26 FreQshow Provides New Platform for LGBTQ Artists of Color Black Bear Brotherhood Actor Jason Bowen Talks Carey Crim’s ‘Never Not Once’ 28 The Frivolist: 6 Reasons Your Next Vacay SHould Be a Cross-Country Amtrak Trip Forum Examines Intersections True-to-Life Themes in at Purple Rose Powerful and of Sex Work and Increased Stagecrafters’ ‘If/Then’ Poignant COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS 24 Happenings Usage of Crystal Meth 29 Puzzle & Crossword See Page 6 See Page 22 See Page 25 30 Black History Family Festival at Tangent Gallery Feb. 24

VOL. 2707 • FEBRUARY 14, 2019 • EDITORIAL News & Feature Writers ADVERTISING & SALES ONLINE AT ISSUE 1098 Editor in Chief Emell Derra Adolphus, Michelle Brown, Director of Sales Susan Horowitz, 734.293.7200 x 102 Ellen Knoppow, Jason Michael, Drew Howard, Jan Stevenson, 734.293.7200 x 101 “Between The Lines Newspaper” PRIDE SOURCE MEDIA GROUP [email protected] Jonathan Thurston [email protected] 20222 Farmington Rd., Livonia, Michigan 48152 CREATIVE Phone 734.293.7200 Entertainment Editor Sales Representatives Follow us @YourBTL Webmaster & MIS Director Chris Azzopardi, 734.293.7200 x 106 Ann Cox, 734.293.7200 x 103 Kevin Bryant, [email protected] PUBLISHERS [email protected] [email protected] Email your op–eds to Susan Horowitz & Jan Stevenson [email protected] Columnists Feature News Editor Donelle Kremke, 734.293.7200 x 104 MEMBER OF Charles Alexander, Michelle E. Brown, Kate Opalewski, 734.293.7200 x 108 [email protected] Michigan Press Assoication Mikey Rox, D’Anne Witkowski, Sign up online to receive our E–Digest [email protected] National LGBT Media Association Gwendolyn Ann Smith National Advertising Representative National Gay & Lesbian Chamber Editorial Assistant Rivendell Media, 212.242.6863 Q Syndicate Cartoonists Eve Kucharski, 734.293.7200 x 105 Paul Berg, Dave Brousseau [email protected] Our rate cards are available online. All material appearing in Between The Lines is protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publishers. Between The Lines is supported by many Contributing Photographers fine advertisers, but we cannot accept responsibility for claims made by our advertisers, nor can we accept responsibility for materials provided by advertisers or their agents. Andrew Potter, Alexander Godin, Andrew Cohen Copyright 2019 Pride Source Media Group www.PrideSource.com February 14, 2019 | BTL 3 COVER STORY Alanna Maguire Announces Goals as Fair Michigan’s President

BY KATE OPALEWSKI When people feel respected you can retain and recruit top talent," lanna Maguire unveiled her she said. priorities as president of Fair Maguire also said she wants to Michigan recently. have "good working relationships" A“I am honored and eager to continue the with other LGBTQ organizations extraordinary work of Fair Michigan, and I like Equality Michigan and the look forward to expanding our services and ACLU of Michigan. programs to communities across the state,” "The community is stronger said Maguire, a Fair Michigan trustee who when we are unified and have was appointed as president by the board in one voice, when we're aligned on January, succeeding her wife, Dana Nessel, issues that are important to all of who is now the state’s attorney general. us. There's strength in numbers," For the last four years, prior to accepting Maguire said. "That's really this position, Maguire has worked in the important to me, to see how we renewable energy sector as the finance can partner together." and human resources manager for an Fair Michigan already has international engineering consultancy. In a partnership with Health her early 30s, she manages all administrative, Emergency Lifeline Programs financial and human resources issues for her at Corktown Health Center — offices located in Plymouth, Washington, an LGBTQ-specific clinic in D.C. and Mexico City. Detroit — and they are looking Maguire is a graduate of the University to formalize their partnership with of Michigan. She also holds a Master of All Well-Being Services in Detroit. Public Policy degree from Michigan State Moving forward, Maguire University and graduate certificates in would like to expand their services Homeland Security and Law Enforcement to women further, making sure Intelligence Analysis. After graduate school, they are addressing the full scope Maguire served as the project manager for of their mission statement. the National Marriage Challenge, a non- "We must make sure we're profit established to support Michigan’s Alanna Maguire, a Fair Michigan trustee who was appointed as president by the board in January is succeeding her wife, Dana promoting gender equality in the Nessel, who is now the state’s attorney general. BTL photo: Andrew Cohen marriage equality case, DeBoer v. Snyder. She state as well," Maguire said. "Women assisted the lead attorneys in their successful make up half the population in challenge to Michigan’s ban on same-sex in just under three years. "Our board has discussed the utility of having the state. Fair Michigan seeks to marriage in federal court, culminating in a This statistic is significant because in an advisory board to serve in tandem with our launch a pilot project where we assist victims victory at the U.S. Supreme Court in Obergefell Michigan there are no protections for sexual current board and we have agreed to move of domestic and/or intimate partner violence v. Hodges. orientation or gender identity in the Elliott- forward with this plan." in seeking personal protection orders against The longtime advocate and activist for the Larsen Civil Rights Act or even in Michigan’s The purpose of the advisory board, she said, their abusers." LGBTQ community said she brings a wealth Ethnic Intimidation Act. While marital rights would be to provide advice and opinions on of fundraising and organizational experience are secure, the employment, housing and safety the direction of Fair Michigan and how the to the non-profit organization. needs of the LGBTQ community are not. organization can best serve and represent the Taking Care of the LGBTQ “It’s an exciting opportunity. I had worked community. Maguire said they are currently Community with Fair Michigan as a volunteer since its Primary Objectives identifying potential members to serve on the inception. I know the mechanics of the advisory board. These efforts involve having relationships operation,” Maguire said. To continue operating and to help fund the "That said, I want to highlight the dedication, on the ground, and Maguire said she takes The operation Fair Michigan is best known expansion of the project, Maguire said she passion and commitment of the members of the pride in that. And while Fair Michigan doesn’t for is the Fair Michigan Justice Project, hopes to do some "serious fundraising," beyond Fair Michigan Foundation," she said. "My board have a physical meeting space yet, this hasn’t a collaboration with the Wayne County a few grants the organization has received. This members give their time, talents, energy and stopped them from connecting with members Prosecutor’s Office which began in July 2016. is one of a few primary objectives Maguire ideas freely — that is to say without receiving of the community. The project focuses on homicides and other outlined that she would like to accomplish any compensation of any kind — simply “Julisa [Abad] is of the community and is in capital offenses committed against members during her tenure. because they are committed to advancing social the community every day. In terms of reaching of the LGBTQ community. "We can't operate if we don't have money. justice and equality in our state. I am proud to the community, you have to go where they are,” “We identified a problem where LGBTQ Michigan ranks near the bottom for LGBTQ serve with them and continue to be inspired Maguire said. “She understands the area, she crime victims were not getting the attention protections so there's a lot of work to do," she by their service." understands the needs of certainly the trans they deserved from local law enforcement. This said. "It's impressive what we've done so far, In an effort to educate business leaders community, but really sort of the LGBTQ has allowed us to get justice for people who are but in order to grow our programs, we need about the importance of inclusion, Maguire Detroit area at large.” otherwise forgotten or ignored by the system,” funding." said she would like to establish more corporate Abad, Fair Michigan’s director of transgender Maguire said. “These are some of the worst of For this, Maguire will look to her board for partnerships. outreach and advocacy, works in collaboration the worst crimes against anyone. This is our support, which has been criticized by some "I want to work with the business community, with the organization’s special prosecutor Jaimie signature program that we can point to and say for not having enough diversity — of the nine help them understand the value of having pro- Powell Horowitz, who has been assigned with we’re really making a difference. It’s something board members listed on the organization's LGBTQ policies in place, why it's important to assistance from special investigator Vicki Yost we are the most proud of.” website, all of them are white. have workplaces that value LGBTQ employees, to litigate Fair Michigan’s cases. Abad helps The success of the project is indicated by the "I have heard this critique and I acknowledge that promote non-discrimination laws and ensure that transgender persons are supported number of convictions they have secured, 26, the importance of diversity," Maguire said. to talk about the economic benefits of that. throughout the process of seeking justice. 4 BTL | February 14, 2019 www.PrideSource.com In addition, Abad and Powell Horowitz host community forums and cultural competency On a Personal Note trainings to help facilitate better relationships When asked how her relationship with Nessel between crime victims and witnesses who impacts the work Fair Michigan does, Maguire are LGBTQ and law enforcement officers. said it helps that Nessel is the state’s top law Trainings can include information on using enforcement official and that she is openly proper pronouns, for example. lesbian. “It makes such a difference and I think if we “I think it shows visibility, which is important can go forward and bring these trainings to for our community,” Maguire said. “And I think more parts of the state, particularly up north, in terms of getting law enforcement buy-in for that would be great,” said Maguire, adding that the kinds of trainings and projects that Fair talks are underway with Powell Horowitz to Michigan does, I think that gives it an added expand the project into another county this impact to have your state attorney general be year. a member of the community.” “One of the bigger challenges for transgender Maguire added that, “Dana and I have always individuals in their daily lives involves not had an incredible partnership, beyond that of having their legal names match their chosen just being married. We support each other in name and gender identity,” Maguire said. our professional ambitions and aspirations. “Taking inspiration from some of the other For as long as we’ve known each other, we area LGBTQ organizations, Fair Michigan will have worked together on issues that matter launch a project to identify and assist members the most to us. Fair Michigan is an outgrowth of the trans community who seek to change of this partnership.” their legal names. Julisa will lead this program.” Maguire lives with Nessel in southeast Prosecutor Kym Worthy in association with Michigan with their twin sons, Alex and Zach. Fair Michigan has already implemented the In her free time, Maguire loves to read, travel, Transgender Interaction Policy in November cook and spend time with her friends in the 2016. This policy requires employees in Plymouth Democratic Club, an organization the Wayne County prosecutor’s office to she co-founded in 2009. treat transgender, intersex and gender non- conforming individuals in a manner appropriate For more information about Fair Michigan, to the individual’s gender identity, which visit fairmichigan.org or visit the organization may be different from the sex the individual on Facebook @fairmichigan2016 or follow them was assigned at birth or listed on official on Twitter @FairMichigan. identification documents.

Join us in Celebrating 30 Years of Community!

Spring Bash at MGM Grand Detroit

March 30, 2019

For Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact Kyle Taylor at [email protected]

For tickets, please visit bit.ly/2CBYIVf or call (248) 398-7105 www.PrideSource.com February 14, 2019 | BTL 5 Black Bear Brotherhood Forum Examines Intersections of Sex Work and Increased Usage of Crystal Meth Among Black Gay Men BY JASON A. MICHAEL

he Black Bear Brotherhood is a Detroit social collective aimed at connecting black LGBTQ men of size and their Tallies. Part of the group’s mission is furthering the wellbeing of its members and on Feb. 7 presented a community forum at the Ruth Ellis Center in Highland Park called Are You Generous: BGM, Sex Work, and Crystal Meth. The forum, which was co-sponsored by the Counter Narrative Project and presented in collaboration with Adodi Detroit, LGBT Detroit and Onyx Great Lakes, was a part of concurrent events scheduled in other cities in support of both National Black AIDS Awareness Day and the #Justice4Gemmel movement that honors the death of Gemmel Moore who died of a crystal meth overdose in the home of wealthy Democratic donor Ed Buck. The evening, which featured a conversation with two former sex workers and the Detroit premiere of “Party Boi,” a documentary by director Michael Rice that examines the intersections of race, crystal meth and sex work, also included a community Q&A and a networking reception. “It is critical that we as a Detroit community Black Bear Brotherhood founder L. Michael Gipson and community activist Ka'Juan Hill talked candidly about having both engaged in sex work. BTL photo: Jason A. Michael stop ignoring the fact that crystal meth dependency is in the black gay male community Timothy Dean were preventable tragedies that “As someone who struggled financially on story was one of a highly romanticized and and is no longer primarily a white, gay issue,” deserve a real investigation and ultimately my own at too early an age, undereducated more socially acceptable view of sex work, one said L. Michael Gipson, founder of the BBB. justice so no more die at the hands of this and unable to make ends meet even with a that included escort tours, high fashion and “We also have many Detroit area young people potential serial predator,” Gipson said. “We respectable full-time, just above minimum- considerably more lucrative client rates than who are turning to survival sex work out of also wanted to ensure we don’t experience this wage job, walking away from $75 to $100 an what was available in Gipson’s time. economic necessity and who sometimes find level of tragedy in Detroit. So, not only did we hour in the 1990s was a Herculean feat, one “It wasn’t a bad experience,” Hill said. “I themselves caught up in situations like Gemmel make sure we discussed the unique ways these I couldn’t have done without older mentors used the money I made to invest my brand so Moore’s that are dangerously out of their control concerns play out at home with those who have carefully leading me down a different life I could get out. I don’t encourage it, but I don’t and even cost them their lives.” lived this life, but we also brought in All Well path,” said Gipson, who has since gone on to regret it. It was an interesting chapter of my life.” Gemmel Moore was a 26-year-old black gay Being Services, where chemical dependency earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree and Hill did describe acquiring gonorrhea and man from Texas involved in commercial sex services are available for meth users, to further launch various businesses and community how that experience was something of a wake work who was found dead in West Hollywood, engage the community on harm reduction based projects. up call for him. He said it was then he became California. In Buck’s home there was a practices and pathways to drug abstinence for “It was not a joyous experience for me and aware of the short shelf life of a sex worker tremendous amount of drug paraphernalia users. Lastly, we also made sure to highlight there have been mental health and relationship who hasn’t prepared for any other lifestyle. found on the scene and multiple reports said the services and resources available for those ramifications from that time that I still live Gipson, who has had 24 years to reflect on his that Buck enjoyed bringing young men to his looking to leave commercial sex work and its with to this day,” he said. “But it was what I past lifestyle, left the crowd of roughly 60 in apartment and injecting them with crystal meth inherent dangers.” felt I needed to do at the time to survive and I attendance with a final thought. to heighten his sexual enjoyment. Despite this, Two former sex workers who shared their have no regrets about surviving the best way I “When you’re in it or still in close proximity no charges were filed. Soon after a second black stories, Gipson and community activist and knew how at that time.” to it, you think no one is getting hurt, that it’s a gay man, Timothy Dean, was found dead in social media personality Ka’Juan Hill, spoke The generational divide explored at the victimless crime,” he said. “The thing you later Buck’s home from an overdose of crystal meth of their contradicting experiences in the area. event was stark, with 20-plus years separating come to realize that you’re the victim in a crime just last month. And still, as of now, no formal In Gipson’s case, he’d fallen into sex work after Hill’s and Gipson’s experiences. Though where you’ll be the one to most likely pay the charges have been brought against Buck. being kicked out of his family’s home in 1991 neither reported suffering from any chemical higher price, especially if you don’t get out of it Moore’s death is heavily depicted in “Party as a 16-year-old in Chicago. It took him three dependencies while engaging in sex work, before it consumes you. Everything that glitters Boi,” which includes a candid interview with years to initially leave, though it took a relapse Gipson’s story was a traditional one depicting is most certainly not gold.” Moore’s mother. into sex work at 20 for him to walk away once how family estranged or drug dependent young “What happened to Gemmel Moore and and for all. people became caught up in sex work. Hill’s Find them on Facebook @BlackBearBrotherhood.

6 BTL | February 14, 2019 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com February 14, 2019 | BTL 7 Polestar: Michigan’s Newest LGBTQ Community Center Opens Its Doors

BY ELLEN SHANNA KNOPPOW

A Bold Move hen John Young came out in his late 50s, he never imagined that just four years later he would have been Winstrumental in launching Traverse City’s first LGBTQ community center. “I really came out. I did not hold back. And, frankly, I didn’t know what to do,” said Young, now vice-chair of Polestar, a new LGBTQ community center serving Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie, Kalkaska and Antrim counties in northern lower Michigan. protocol. Young said at the time he knew so few gay “Anything we can do to benefit the people that he thought he’d have to relocate, community, those are the people we want to but met friends in a support group who were reach out to ... because it’s pathetic how little as forward-thinking as him. they know,” Young said. “And it’s been a wild ride,” said Young, who He added later that Polestar partners with a said his brother remarked, “Jesus, John, you local suicide hotline, and is now able to connect can’t just come out, you have to open a LGBT individuals in crisis to one of the hotline’s community center!” trained counselors directly, without having to Located at 717 Woodmere Ave., Polestar hang up the phone. achieved 501(c)(3) nonprofit status two years Young has big plans for Polestar and sees a ago and has been open since the summer. At lot of potential. At 62 years old, he semi-retired just under 1,800 square feet, the space is divided to take on this endeavor, and says he’d love to into three area. There is a desk and restroom be able to hire an executive director a year near the entrance, which opens up to a living from now, who could be there full time. From room-like space that has two couches facing John Young came out in his 50s and soon opened finding experts and coordinating their speaking each other and a flat screen TV. To the left is an LGBTQ community center in Traverse City. Photos Educating the Community courtesy of Polestar. engagements to handling a huge volume of larger room which can accommodate seating In addition to offering programs for correspondence, it’s a lot of work. Fundraising for 30, such as the LGBTQ-friendly church youth and adults, Young is excited about the and grant writing are two areas that he said need Young said. “This is northern Michigan. Rural that rents the space to hold its services each opportunities for Polestar beyond being a help, which are critical to keeping Polestar’s northern Michigan. That’s way above average Sunday. The third area, an office large enough meeting place for members of the LGBTQ doors open. To that end, they are recruiting nationally. There’s probably a handful of centers for meetings, will also be utilized by Equality community. He also receives requests for additional board members; the organization that have anything close to 100 kids. And it’s Michigan when the organization moves its speakers. Because of the positive response has six, currently. existing Traverse City location to the center awesome. It’s awesome to see those kids. So that to those engagements, inquiries are coming in the near future. was the very first thing we did; we’re doing it in with greater regularity. From multiple The center is entirely volunteer-run, and every year now.” departments heads of hospitals affiliated with What About the Name? Young says Polestar is already meeting the A local teen group, LGBTeens Up North, now Munson Healthcare to school districts who When BTL asked about the origin of the needs of the LGBTQ community. In addition helps plan the prom. Polestar has become the “want to get it right,” Young said, the requests name “Polestar,” Young replied that it was a to drop-in hours, the center has events like meeting place for the teen group, and when the have focused primarily on understanding the long story. They settled on Polestar, he said, movie and discussion nights. A transgender youth are dropped off at the center, parents can needs of the transgender community. because “it means a center of attraction,” which and GNC support group just formed, which gather elsewhere for their own peer support One presentation stands out in particular. seems fitting. However, he added, “At some drew 15 people at its first meeting and has group. “The director of nursing at Northwest point, I’m pretty sure we’re going to have to plans for a shopping night and a workshop Living up north, it’s not easy to be an LGBTQ Michigan College contacted us, and said, ‘You change the name.” with a cosmetics consultant. And, just recently, young person, Young pointed out. Frankly, know, I really want my students to learn about Why? Polestar’s Chosen Family Holiday Potluck was many LGBTQ people feel isolated in the areas the trans community,’” Young said. “And we “It confuses people,” Young said. “A lot of well attended, according to Young. surrounding Traverse City, a city which has put a panel together, one of them a 12-year- people are baffled by having that name. And a reputation for being progressive: Not only old trans girl, and her very supportive mother. does Traverse City have an openly gay mayor, several people have said, ‘We really don’t like “It’s Awesome to See Those That went so well. They were in tears, by the it. It sounds like a strip bar.’” it has an LGBT police liaison — one of just a way, halfway through it, hearing her story. And few in the state. Name confusion aside, Young has a message Kids” the director of nursing was so impressed, he for readers who live downstate: He’d like to Describing the situation for youth in the said, ‘We have to have this at the beginning of But probably what Young is most proud of is region, Young said, “These kids are hurting have more visitors. the prom. That was instituted on the advice of every semester for my nursing students.’ That’s “Come up!” Young said enthusiastically. “We really bad. It’s terrible. There are a few high very gratifying.” the director of Benton Harbor’s LGBTQ center, schools I’ve got to figure out how to approach have arguably the biggest Pride week in the who became Young’s friend when Young toured However, Young’s outreach on behalf of state; I think we had approaching 4,000 people because we get crisis calls from those students. Polestar can only do so much, and he decried centers around Michigan as Polestar was in the If you’re a student in one of the smaller high for our pride last summer, which was awesome. planning stages. And while two queer proms the lack of basic information on LGBTQ Come on up. Join us.” schools, in the outlying area, you might be medical care by local health care providers. were held even before the center itself was the only out person in the LGBT community.” opened, it has become Polestar’s signature event. Young said he’s taken men who have been To find out more visit tcpolestar.org. “The first prom that we had, we had 100 kids,” raped to the ER, and no one knew the correct

8 BTL | February 14, 2019 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com February 14, 2019 | BTL 9 Black Gay Detroit Friends (Pt. 2) Parting Glances BY CHARLES ALEXANDER

he year I graduated as a commercial art major from Detroit’s prestigious Cass Technical High School I did not attend my senior prom. TAs a gay male I had no interest in dating a female classmate, although I deemed myself “hip” sporting a ducktail haircut, “cool” pegged pants and “dude” box-toe loafers. I couldn’t however convince myself to learn the dance then in vogue in the late ‘50s: the Hucklebuck. When I entered CT in my freshman year I was just coming out. A year later I left Gilead Church, a Southern Baptist affiliation, because I knew I would not be “saved” with my homosexual proclivities. Looking back on my CT years I realize I couldn’t have been in a better place for accepting myself as a young, talented gay man. And I soon discovered there were others like myself in the CT Commercial Arts program and CT Music programs as well. Our nascent gaydar started to kick in. Many of my early gay CT contacts were Black and proud; talented, supportive of encouraging of gay self-acceptance. (An additional plus for me had been that in my freshman year I could elect as phys ed choice: ROTC, gym or swimming. I chose the latter, and was pleased that we swam naked and unsupervised that semester. By the way: naked swimming Transmissions was how it was done in middle schools for years, and no one thought anything about it.) I eventually learned that my regal homeroom and English teacher Lawrence Timothy Ray had been a Broadway dancer Heroic in its Normalcy in his youth with Clifton Webb. They were carbon copies of each other. When Detroit-born, Cass Tech friend and graduate Bernard Johnson died, age 60 in 1997, the New York Times carried a quarter-page obit celebrating his life as “a Renaissance man BY GWENDOLYN ANN SMITH 2015; Jamie Clayton’s portrtayal of Nomi Marks on Netflix’s in dance.” “Sense8,” and a few others. This, of course, discounts trans people appearing in reality TV and other such venues. Little bigger than a metronome minute – at 5-foot-4-inches “Supergirl,” the television show based on the comic book Transgender people have been hard to come by in comics, at – he started dancing at age 11. We became friends during our character of the same name, is currently in its fourth season least as superheroes. A lot of early examples are more “shape- CT senior year, and were part of an integrated black/white circle on The CW Television Network. It is part of the so-called shifting” characters, including at least one in the “Supergirl” of gay art and music students who often gathered after class to “Arrowverse” of DC-comics based TV shows that began with series in 1997, though one can find Kate Godwin/Coagula in “dish” and let our hair down at a nearby Dunkin’ Donuts Shop 2012’s premier of “Arrow,” and includes with it “The Flash,” 1993’s “Doom Patrol” and Masquerade in “Blood Syndicate” in downtown Detroit. Three of us integrated friends frequently “Vixen,” “Legends of Tomorrow” and “Freedom Fighters: back in 1994, both from DC, and a handful of more modern went roller skating at the Bob-Lo Island rink Th e R ay.” examples (As CT art students we were free to roam all seven floors, The current season has centered its current arc on bigotry Nevertheless, the casting of an actual transgender person freehand drawing in pencil and charcoal, mastering the against extraterrestrials, of which — for those who are to play a superhero on a weekly television show is still a big intricacies of one- and two-point perspective. During warm not familiar at all with the comic book background of the step forward, especially in an era dominated by superhero weather we sketched, painted watercolors and socialized in characters — Supergirl, also known as Kara, is one. movies and television shows. shady nearby Cass Park.) The new season has also introduced a new character to I want to contrast Nia Nal/Dreamer with so many other Johnson majored in fashion design, and was much admired the story, that of Nia Nal. She too is a superhero, known as film and television portrayals of transgender characters. She for renderings of furs, fabrics, dresses and accessories. In the Dreamer, who possesses precognitive powers. Unlike the comes away as authentically transgender in a way you see in late-1950s there were few black CT students majoring in fashion comic book, this version of Nia/Dreamer is transgender. other performances with a trans actor in a trans role — and design. What’s more, the character is portrayed by Nicole Maines don’t see when Jared Leto portrays Rayon in “Dallas Buyers He was also known as an interpreter of ballet and modern who is, herself, transgender. Club,” when Eddie Redmayne plays Lili Elbe in “The Danish dance, invited by our senior art/design instructor Donald “Supergirl” is not the first case where a transgender person Girl” or when Jeffrey Tambor plays Maura Pfefferman on Thrall — who we assumed generously to be gay — to perform has been cast in a transgender role: The first such that I know “Transparent.” for an all-school talent extravaganza. of was Jessica Crockett back in 2001, who played Louise in an The difference, to me, is simple: each of the above characters Johnson wore a discreetly brief costume, and his body was episode of James Cameron’s “Dark Angel” series. are presented as an example of what non-transgender people painted a shimmering gold. When he stepped stage center into Since then, we’ve seen other such examples, with Laverne think transgender people are: members of their birth sex who the spotlight, there was an expectant hush among the 1,500 Cox as Sophia Burset in “Orange is the New Black” and are acting out the gender role they have chosen. Meanwhile, students gathered in the balconied auditorium. “Doubt;” Indya Moore, Mj Rodriguez and more on FX’s “Pose;” actual transgender people like Maines and others are presenting Scott Turner Schofield on “The Bold and the Beautiful” in See Parting Glances, continued on next page See Transmissions, continued on next page 10 BTL | February 14, 2019 www.PrideSource.com ® Nia’s transness was integral to the story, it Transmissions wasn’t the only thing the story was about. It Continued from p. 10 was a part of a larger whole, an element of Creep Of The Week an otherwise well-told story. She is a trans the reality of the transgender experience. character, but her being trans isn’t the only Eric Porterfield BY D’ANNE WITKOWSKI The character of Nia Nal/Dreamer was thing she is. It informs her choices, but she is more than a cardboard cutout standing in been introduced into the series, as has her ric Porterfield is blind, literally. So, spoiler alert, Porterfield doesn’t like for a real backstory. transgender nature has been in the forefront. According to his website, Blind Faith gay people. He definitely wants to see I would be remiss if I did not mention This has not been a “Dumbledore is gay but Ministries, he lost his eyesight in 2006. one scene in particular, where Nia’s sister LGBTQ people get discriminated against I never actually show it in the books” J.K. EBut Porterfield is also figuratively blind, fueled by anger at not getting the superpowers Rowling-styled move. in that he apparently is either ignorant of, or and wants that discrimination to be that are passed down between mothers and I suppose it would be wise at this point to refuses to see, the horrifically violent racism daughters, attacks Nia for not being a “real legal. say that there are spoilers ahead. perpetuated thought history by the Ku Klux woman.” While too gets resolved, and maybe She first came out to boss James Olsen on Klan. KKK still exist, but the white supremacy that a bit quickly, it is handled well, without it “Supergirl,” using her experiences as a trans Let me back up. Porterfield is a Republican fueled their terrorism against black people in being the sole defining characteristic of their woman to explain why the company should delegate in West Virginia who, according to America is currently shared by the president relationship. take a stand against anti-extraterrestrial the Charleston Gazette-Mail, “went into an of the United States, FFS. The reign of racist As I said, Maines is not the first trans actress sentiment, a plea that falls largely on deaf ears. extended diatribe supporting legislation that terror in the United States never went away. to play a trans character, but what truly feels It is, nevertheless, handled well in the story. would have enabled LGBT-discrimination in Yes, cross burnings are a rare occurrence refreshing about her isn’t so much that she is The next episode focuses on Nia Nal’s/ cities that have passed ordinances expressly now, but racism has morphed into a more transgender, but that her transgender nature Dreamer’s backstory, as her and Kara/ criminalizing it,” during a Feb. 6 committee institutional framework that systematically isn’t treated as that big a deal. Yes, it informs Supergirl travel to Nal’s hometown. meeting. oppresses people of color. White people don’t the issues of bigotry in the main storyline, but Nia’s “coming out” to Kara on the way to So, spoiler alert, Porterfield doesn’t like gay have to live with this day-to-day, and thus that bigotry isn’t necessarily aimed at her as Nia’s hometown was, well, pretty close to how people. He definitely wants to see LGBTQ many don’t see it. Even “woke” white people a trans woman. I handle coming out. It was very matter-of- people get discriminated against and wants are often oblivious to how long tentacles of This is another contrast to the usual fact, just a part of the discussion between that discrimination to be legal. racism are. portrayal that tends to treat transgender two close friends. It wasn’t treated as a big His reasoning, however, is pretty ignorant. The KKK were, and are, terrorists. Full stop. people as someone to be either pitied or deal by Nia, nor did it include a lot of over “The LGBT is the most socialist group in They murdered black people and drove them reviled — and not the hero of the story, even the top backstory. this country,” he said on Feb. 6. “They do out of cities and neighborhoods. They burned when they may be the lead character. I think Kara was a bit patronizing at first not protect gays. There are many gays they churches. Calling LGBTQ people equivalent Would that we see more of this to come. when Nia came out, but I also think it was persecute if they do not line up with their in any way to the KKK is nonsense. LGBTQ intentional to the story and some of what Kara social ideology.” people are not murdering people who don’t Gwen Smith wants to see a trans person in the herself was dealing with at the time. First of all, I’m pretty sure he doesn’t know agree that we deserve full and equal protection Marcel Cinematic Universe. You can find her The storyline of the episode hit a lot of right what “socialist” means. Even as a member under the law. This comparison both at gwensmith.com. notes, and the biggest to me is this: while of “the LGBT,” I don’t understand what he’s demonizes LGBTQ people and minimizes the referring to. KKK’s past and present history as a terrorist group. ® Parting Glances Secondly, his claim that “the LGBT” doesn’t “If it’s not too much trouble to put that protect gays is odd. First of all, it’s not like he Porterfield posted on Twitter, that since Continued from p. 11 brain you’re sitting on in gear, I’d like words WANTS gays protected. Secondly, his proof of his comments “members of the LGBTQ with you,” he said. gay-on-gay persecution is Milo Yiannopoulos, have exercised hate crimes and threatened He paused. Struck an elegant pose. Smiled We held our breath. One by one he read my safety.” expectantly. Snapped into stunning. Full! a right-wing provocateur who is an enemy to the embarrassed guy’s beads. We savored the equality and justice that LGBTQ people I do not condone threats or acts of violence, No-let-up! Choreographic mastery! Watch every delicious put-down. Johnson looked but please spare me the “LGBTQ people are me go, girl! want and deserve. dramatically around the room, shook his Porterfield pointed out that when so intolerant of my intolerance” act. When Music was Les Baxter’s LP recording of “Le sketchbook energetically, sat down with just an official in power threatens to hurt LGBTQ Sacre Du Sauvage.” Live bongo drummers Yiannopoulos went on tour “the LGBT a hint of dance movement, nodded with a stormed that building and did $200,000 worth people with legislation that would strip them drummed Bernard through each flashing don’t-mess-with-a-star look, and we gay of their rights or block their access to rights movement. Performance was primitive. of damage because he didn’t line up with their friends applauded mentally and discretely ideology. He is apparently referencing a protest that official aways seems to be surprised Limber. Elastic. Gleamingly muscular! audibly. that LGBTQ people might react to that in a When he took several well-deserved bows, at UC Berkeley in 2017, though reports I have His accolades are many: fantasy costume read put the damage at half that. negative way. That some would even resort sweating glitter from an energetic and orgiastic designs; several Broadway musical to posting nasty things on the internet or to cadence, everyone stood, whistled, applauded. Porterfield then said, “We cannot allow performances; teaching at the University of discriminatory bigots to determine how our name-calling. The audacity! Though we didn’t know it then, this California at Irvine; induction into the Black I have read comments online that attack was a preview performance for a long and citizens are going to live.” OH, THE IRONY. Film Makers Hall of Fame. People were upset about Porterfield’s Porterfield for being blind and for being successful career in dance, choreography, film Bernard had close friendships with overweight. These comments are dumb. What set and costume design, stretching over 40 anti-LGBTQ comments and West Virginia Josephine Baker, Judy Garland, pre- Democrats called him out. Thankfully, he looks like and what his physical abilities wonderfully creative years. controversial Bill Cosby, Lena Horne, Harry happen to be have nothing to do with his “I believe in the power of metaphysics,” Porterfield was able to talk to the Charleston Belafonte, the late Aretha Franklin; and Gazette-Mail on Feb. 8 and smooth everything ignorant and hateful attitudes toward LGBTQ he once confided to friends. “Be the best. international tours, command performances people. There is no reason to meet his bigotry Associate only with the best. These are the over. for King Hassan II of Morocco. “The LGBTQ is a modern day version of the with ableism or sizeism. principles I was raised on.” For us CT art students – straight, gay, You want to attack Porterfield? Then attack He was fun company. Just a bit “swish” and Ku Klux Klan, without wearing hoods with questioning – Bernard Johnson, though short their antics of hate,” Porterfield said, adding him at the ballot box. Support his challenger campy. He carried his books like a well-bred of stature, was someone we all looked up to. in the next election. Support Fairness West debutante. But he was not to be trifled with, that gays were a “terrorist group” who were persecuting him. Virginia at fairnesswv.org or the state’s ACLU as a classmate who called him “Miss Thing” Charles Alexander is prolific both as a BTL organization at acluwv.org. Join like-minded during bell change soon found out. There are many things wrong with this, columnist (700-plus columns) and as a but let’s start at the obvious. Porterfield, a voters and work to elect people who not only Johnson – who had an impeccable sense of well-known LGBT community artist (1000 understand the difference between “LGBTQ” timing – knew just when, where and how to white man, speaks of the KKK as if they are Facebook images). He is a Spirit of Detroit a thing of the past, when not only does the and “KKK,” but understand why it really, really settle a score. In the midst of our design class Award recipient and an Affirmations LGBT matters. he loudly confronted the offending dimwit. CENTER Jan Stevenson awardee. Connect with him at [email protected]. www.PrideSource.com February 14, 2019 | BTL 11 Mombian

A Mutual Benefit: Letting Employees Define their Families

BY DANA RUDOLPH the family,” she said. “Or it could have been a of employers that cover employees’ fertility with ‘traditional’ employee benefits, they give grandmother who raised you. Who are we to treatments without a medical diagnosis of a message that the company is listening and eople and families come in many forms, decide who an employee’s loved one is?” infertility. Coplein asserted, “That’s a huge step. cares.” as any LGBTQ person can attest. Now, Lisa St. Germain, portfolio and organizational Before I came to MassMutual, I was medical The expansion of gender affirmation benefits, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance effectiveness lead and chairperson of director for a health plan. The definition of she said, “demonstrates a much deeper level of PCompany or MassMutual, as it’s more MassMutual’s Pride BRG, said via e-mail, “I infertility was always critical for making those respect and understanding.” commonly known, is using that concept to really think we’re onto something special by determinations. Here, we’ve just included Additional new benefits for all employees improve upon its already LGBTQ-inclusive breaking the norm of how you define a loved anyone who wants to have a child, because include paid volunteer time, easier-to-access employee benefits. The Fortune 100 company, one. Everyone’s situation and circle of loved again, why should we limit that ability for behavioral health counseling services, and a which has approximately 7,500 employees ones is different. By empowering our employees our employees? This ensures that members concierge service to help employees or their around the country — and nearly 70,000 life to define family on their own terms and to take of the LGBTQ community and single parents dependents diagnosed with cancer. insurance policyowners in Michigan — is the time they need for caregiving and when by choice receive equitable access to fertility MassMutual has made a public commitment rolling out new benefits around leave, gender they lose someone close to them feels like a benefits.” to LGBTQ equality, too. Coplein noted that the affirmation, family creation and more that real game changer.” Offered through fertility benefit company company has signed the Business Statement empower all employees and demonstrate a This attitude is part of a longer commitment. Progyny, these benefits are “designed to provide for Transgender Equality and joined the deep understanding of LGBTQ people’s lives. In 2015, MassMutual announced a new two- all-inclusive and comprehensive coverage for business coalition for the federal Equality Act. Dr. Claudia Coplein, MassMutual’s head of word dress code: “Dress appropriately.” fertility treatments,” she explained. Instead of It also signed on to amicus briefs in support health and wellness, who brings to bear her “That was a step towards encouraging a fixed dollar amount, which might not cover of LGBTQ equality in cases involving the multiple experiences as a physician, attorney, employees to use good judgment, placing trust, all that someone needs, they cover two full Defense of Marriage Act, North Carolina’s mother and former U.S. Air Force officer and empowerment and accountability in their own “Smart Cycles,” customized to the individual, anti-transgender public accommodations flight surgeon, explained in an interview. hands,” Coplein explained. “That’s what we’re that include all office visits, tests and treatments, law, and the U.S. Department of Veterans “We heard from our employees that we seeking to do with all of the benefits that we except for purchase of donor cells, if needed. Affairs’ ban on providing gender affirmation needed to modernize our benefits. They were offe r.” They are in the process of adding a benefit for surgery to transgender veterans, among others. pretty paternalistic in the past,” she said. MassMutual’s new parental benefits are also surrogacy as well. They also supported the Yes on 3 campaign This led the company “to undertake a flexible and structured to include LGBTQ The company’s new benefits for transgender in Massachusetts last year that successfully holistic review” in order to better support its families — something that isn’t always a given. employees are similarly thoughtful. While stopped a repeal of protections for transgender “multi-generational and increasingly diverse A 2018 survey by the HRC Foundation found they previously covered gender affirmation people. workforce.” In particular, she said, their that even employers offering paid parental leave services such as hormone therapy and testing, “It’s just doing the right thing for our 450-member Pride Business Resource Group, may exclude LGBTQ families: Less than half of mental health counseling, genital surgery and employees and the communities where they a network for LGBTQ employees and allies, was respondents said their employer’s policies cover mastectomies, they now include cosmetic live,” Coplein said. “It’s putting a stake in the “very positive and influential” in the process. new parents of all genders equally. Similarly, less procedures often not covered by other sand as a company, saying, ‘This is what we Under the new benefits, employees will get up than half said these policies include all paths employers, such as facial feminization surgery, believe in.’ We’ve been very consistent about to two weeks paid leave to care for a seriously to parenthood; some exclude older children thyrochondroplasty or tracheal shaving, that over a number of years.” ill loved one and up to 15 days leave after the placed through foster care or adoption. electrolysis and more. Those procedures “help In addition, there are business advantages. death of a loved one. More strikingly, Coplein At MassMutual, however, birth parents now to improve social function,” Coplein said. She noted that aligning their benefits with said, “We’ve left it up to the employee to define get 18 weeks of fully paid leave. Non-birth “Appearance is important, but the social diversity and inclusion objectives “is key for who is a loved one.” parents, including adoptive parents, get eight function helps people to maximize their success attracting and retaining and engaging talent “A loved one could be your next-door weeks of fully paid leave that can be used all at and feel good about themselves,” she said. from a very broad pool of society.” neighbor who raised you because your once or incrementally for up to a year. “That’s why we felt it was important for us to “For us,” she added, “the business benefit parents had to work two jobs each to support MassMutual is also one of a growing number cover all of those services.” is that we’re holistically supporting the well- Additionally, she said, “We’ve created a being of our employees by providing them workplace gender transition support team with a robust suite of benefits that address Michigan’s Definitive LGBTQ-Friendly that includes managers, allies, our Pride their physical, emotional, financial and social Wedding & Anniversary Guide BRG, a transition partner and an HR partner wellness, so we’re helping them and their to help an employee who is transitioning, as loved ones, however they may define them, well as help their manager, their allies and live their best lives. In return, we’re going to colleagues go through this entire process have employees who we hope will stay with of gender affirmation. Having this support MassMutual. They come to work every day MiLGBTWedding.com system available makes people feel that they knowing that they work for a company that are welcome and can be themselves in the supports them and in turn, we think they’ll be workplace. I think this product that has largely productive,“ she said. “It’s a win-win situation been influenced by the Pride BRG is something in our minds.” To learn more contact that really sets us apart as a company. It’s been A PROJECT OF so well received.” Dana Rudolph is the founder and publisher [email protected] “I’m really proud of our new offerings as of Mombian which can be found online at they touch so many employees,” St. Germain mombian.com, a GLAAD Media Award-winning Call 734-293-7200 ext. 22101 said. “For those of us who have struggled blog and resource directory for LGBTQ parents.

12 BTL | February 14, 2019 www.PrideSource.com HRC and LGBTQ Community: Here’s the Real State of the Union

BY BTL STAFF at every turn, we have put up roadblocks on and all transgender youth, for discrimination. to navigate regular life. LGB and transgender this administration’s path of destruction and Donald Trump has laid out an agenda built on persons, undocumented immigrants, those WASHINGTON — Last week The Human discrimination, uniting with our allies across fear and hate at a time when young people of dependent on state or federal programs and Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ movements. Now, with a pro-equality majority every background need their government to employment: all of us are suspect to the whims civil rights organization, reacted to the advance in the House of Representatives poised to pass have their backs. My child is not a political of those who aim to placate the ignorance text of Donald Trump’s 2019 State of the the Equality Act and tackle other critical issues, pawn, and we won’t stop fighting for him and of voters. Yet, each act of persecution, each Union with the facts of his administration’s we continue to demonstrate that when we stand other transgender people until everyone is declaration of prejudice and each attack on our dangerous anti-equality record and stories together we are a force to be reckoned with.” treated with the respect that they deserve.” rights as human beings makes us, as a whole from real members of the LGBTQ community The Human Rights Campaign is amplifying – Amber Briggle, a member of HRC’s Parents stronger. Tougher than spite, tenacious and impacted by his discriminatory agenda. LGBTQ the voices of LGBTQ people impacted by this for Transgender Equality from Texas. determined, this same climate is one which people around the country and across the administration’s hateful agenda in response to will create heroes. Heroes of justice, equity and globe have been under near-constant attack Donald Trump’s State of the Union address: “I was raised to be hardworking and to help truth. Don’t give up the good fight; because by the Trump-Pence Administration since they others, but my ambitions are not possible under the fruit is the last thing to appear on the tree took office. The Trump-Pence White House’s “Trans service members lace up their boots an administration that denies me a chance to of hope.” announcement of eliminating HIV domestically every day, accomplish the mission and prove achieve my dreams and further my education. – Aryah Lester, Deputy Director, Transgender by 2030 has been met with skepticism in light again and again that we belong. We’ve faced My parents came to this country to provide Strategy Center. of their disturbing record on HIV and AIDS. the same arguments used against the inclusion me with more opportunities and a better life. “For more than two years, Donald Trump of every minority group and shown them to As a college-educated and LGBTQ dreamer, “Transgender people and people living and Mike Pence have made attacking LGBTQ be as inaccurate now as ever. We’re focused I call the United States my home. I am not with HIV deserve a government that has our people and other marginalized communities a on protecting the ideals of the constitution the exception. I represent a community that backs. If Donald Trump truly wants to stop the top priority of their administration,” said HRC we swore to defend; we just wish we didn’t believes that we all deserve the right to be who spread of HIV, his administration must reverse President Chad Griffin. “From undermining have to do it under the swirling maelstrom of we are, to achieve our dreams and also to serve their attacks on Medicaid, the Affordable protections for transgender youth, to uncertainty that we face today.” our country.” Care Act and the rights of LGBTQ patients. threatening to deport Dreamers, to attempting – Lt. Col. Bryan Bree Fram, active-duty U.S. – Edgar, Young LGBTQ Dreamer and recent No real public health agenda can ever include to ban transgender service members from the Air Force rocket scientist of 16 years. college graduate. dangerous cuts or discrimination against those military, to working to eviscerate health care who need services the most.” coverage for those most vulnerable — this is “For two years straight, the Trump-Pence “Today’s political climate has made it ever – Blossom Brown, an activist and transgender a presidency rooted in prejudice and fear. But administration has targeted my transgender son, more dangerous to be a social outlier trying woman living with HIV.

www.PrideSource.com February 14, 2019 | BTL 13 LGBTQ Military Organizations Applaud Lawmakers Members of Congress Bring Visibility to Transgender Military Service Through SOTU Invitations

BY BTL STAFF Pence administration for discrimination, these patriotic Americans deserve our nation’s everal members of Congress invited utmost thanks and support for their sacrifices actively-serving and veteran transgender and service. We are grateful for the Members service members as their honored guests of Congress who have stood behind our Sto President Trump’s State of the Union Address transgender service members and their families on Tuesday, Feb. 5. through this incredibly difficult time.” For many of the legislators, the Supreme “Day after day, our transgender service Court’s recent decision to allow the current members prove just how capable they are,” administration to implement their ban on open said SPARTA Communications Director Bryan transgender military service came into play. Bree Fram. “Visible to their commanders, they “I am humbled that more than 15,000 selfless, are regularly recognized by the military for transgender patriots will be represented on their accomplishments. Now, thanks to these the House floor during the State of the Union legislators, their visibility is magnified, and Address, thanks to the invitations from several the American people can get a glimpse of members of Congress,” said OutServe-SLDN everything they do to support and defend the Executive Director Andy Blevins. “Through constitution and this nation.” their invitations, these legislators are reminding OutServe-SLDN and Lambda Legal filed the our nation of an important fact that our lawsuit, Karnoski v. Trump, in August 2017, on commander-in-chief seems to have forgotten— behalf of nine individual plaintiffs and three our nation’s armed forces are not better despite organizational plaintiffs – the Human Rights open transgender military service, they are Campaign, the American Military Partner better because of their open and authentic Association, and the Seattle-based Gender service.” From left, Navy veteran Tavion Dignard, Army Maj. Ian Brown, Capt. Jennifer Peace, Navy Petty Officer 2nd Justice League. Class Megan Winters and Air Force Staff Sgt. Logan Ireland attend the State of the Union Address on Tuesday, It is estimated that more than 134,000 of Feb. 5. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key) The State of Washington later joined the the nation’s veterans identify as transgender lawsuit. In addition to Karnoski v. Trump, and more than 15,000 actively-serving patriots Stockman v. Trump, Doe v. Trump, and Stone identify with a gender different than the sex McEachin (D-VA, 4). Petty Officer Winters - Navy Veteran Tavion Dignard attended v. Trump, filed by the National Center for they were assigned at birth. For the last thirty serves as a plaintiff in Karnoski v. Trump, one as the guest of Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH, 1). Lesbian Rights, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & months, transgender individuals have been able of the class-action lawsuits challenging the “By bringing these highly trained, decorated Defenders, and the American Civil Liberties to openly serve and enter the nation’s armed Trump-Pence Administration’s proposed ban service members to the State of the Union, Union respectively, are also challenging the forces. on open transgender military service. members of Congress are helping to put a proposed ban. - Army Maj. Ian Brown and Army Capt. - Navy Lieutenant Commander Blake face to the thousands of transgender troops Jennifer Peace attended as the guests of House Dremann attended as the guest of Sen. Kirsten serving our nation around the world at this Read more about Karnoski v. Trump at Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA, 12). Gillibrand (D-NY). very moment,” said American Military Partner lambdalegal.org. - Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Megan - Air Force Staff Sgt. Logan Ireland attended Association President Ashley Broadway-Mack. Winters attended as the guest of Rep. Donald as the guest of Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA, 14). “Instead of being singled out by the Trump- ICE Confirms 45 Transgender Women Being Held at Texas Detention Center

BY MICHAEL K. LAVERS identified transgender individuals” were in Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan on to face calls to resign over the implementation ICE custody in 20 facilities across the U.S. as Dec. 5 cited reports that indicate Hernández of President Trump’s immigration policy that .S. Immigration and Customs of Feb. 4. She said there were “self-identified “endured freezing temperatures and was denied includes the separation of migrant children Enforcement this week confirmed transgender individuals” at the Cibola County adequate food, water and medical care” while from their parents and demands for a wall to the Washington Blade that it is Correctional Center, a privately-owned prison in custody at the San Ysidro Port of Entry along the U.S.-Mexico border. Ucurrently housing 45 transgender women at a in Milan, N.M., that has a specific unit for trans south of San Diego and “vomited” while ICE Bennett has previously described allegations privately-run detention center in Texas. detainees, as of the same date. transported her between facilities. The initial that Hernández was abused while in ICE Danielle Bennett on Tuesday said the trans Roxsana Hernández, a trans woman from cause of Hernández’s death was listed as cardiac custody as “false.” Andrew Lorenzen-Strait, women are being held at the South Texas Honduras with HIV, had been housed at the arrest, but the results of a second autopsy the the openly gay deputy assistant director of ICE Detention Complex in Pearsall, Texas. The Cibola County Correctional Center before Transgender Law Center commissioned shows Enforcement and Removal Operations Custody GEO Group, a Florida-based company, operates she died at a New Mexico hospital on May 25. Hernández was beaten before she died. Programs, defended his agency’s treatment of the facility that is roughly 60 miles southwest Moscoso said Hernández received “When I found out the news (that she had trans, lesbian, gay and bisexual detainees when of San Antonio. medication from Asociación Lambda when died) it was very impactful,” Moscoso told he spoke with the Blade at ICE headquarters The Blade first learned about the trans she at its Guatemala City headquarters before the Blade. in D.C. on Dec. 18. women at the facility on Feb. 1 during an she and a group of other migrants traveled to Immigrant and LGBTI rights advocates “LGBTI care is of paramount importance interview with Estuardo Juárez Moscoso of Mexico. over the years have sharply criticized ICE and to us,” he said. Asociación Lambda, a Guatemala City-based U.S. Sens. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Tom the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, advocacy group that provides assistance to Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) which oversees the agency, over its treatment This article originally appeared in the Washington LGBTI migrants. in a letter they sent to Acting ICE Director of those who are in their custody. Homeland Blade and is made available in partnership with Bennett told the Blade that 111 “self- Ronald Vitiello and U.S. Customs and Border Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen continues the National LGBT Media Association.

14 BTL | February 14, 2019 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com February 14, 2019 | BTL 15 Artist Clyde Petersen hosts the show “Boating With Clyde,” a digital interview series that happens on the waters of the Puget Sound. Photo courtesy of artist. Artist Clyde Petersen on Queer Narratives, ‘Torrey Pines’ and New Projects

BY EVE KUCHARSKI Michiganders when he arrives to deliver an what it means to recreate spaces and to kind Did you always want to be a visual artist? artist lecture at The University of Michigan’s of change who tells the stories of those spaces. I always wanted to be a filmmaker, so I s a multi-faceted, medium-diverse Penny Stamps Speaker Series. BTL caught up I’m definitely going to be showing a lot of studied documentary filmmaking in college artist, it’s likely that many fans of Clyde with Petersen before his talk to get a feel for my work and animation and short films and and then right after college I was in a band, Petersen’s work might know him from his thoughts on accessibility in storytelling, “Boating With Clyde” and the installations. the same band I’m in now. After college I was Aa specific project — like “Boating With Clyde,” LGBTQ representation and upcoming projects. just like, ‘I want to go on tour and I want to a digital interview series that happens on the That Bellevue exhibit is made entirely of film stuff and I want to play music,’ so I just Your talk is titled Alternate Realities, Intentional waters of the Puget Sound — and not realize cardboard, and your film, “Torrey Pines,” is paper did that for a really long time, like 10 years. that his body of work spans from stop motion Histories and Queer Survival: Building Your own cutouts. What drew you to that medium? I just got in a van and toured with a lot of animation and installation artwork to music World in Dystopic Times. Could you elaborate on Cardboard and paper are just so accessible bands and artists and saw the world, and then and live action filmography. The prolific, openly how that relates to LGBTQ storytelling? and strong. That was the first instinct with grew up in a kind of punk DIY scene that way. queer and transgender creator is Seattle-based, I think it’s related to all of the different kinds them. There’s a scene in “Torrey Pines” And then I, a bunch of years into it, thought, and just as comfortable creating a fully scaled of art that I work on. It’s definitely really story where I’m pulling cardboard boxes out of “I want to get back into film.” I have the skill cardboard Ford Econoline as he is behind the time for sure in the ways of preservation of the dumpster to build a fort and that’s very set, so I moved back to Seattle and I started mic at a Your Heart Breaks concert — the band history and being a queer person and telling autobiographical. I love boxes and I’ve loved working in a post-production house making he’s toured and played with for two decades your own story. I build a lot of installation building forts since I was a little kid, so it’s commercials and I hated it so much (laughs). this year. However, among his many projects, work these days — giant cardboard rooms full always been a material that I really enjoy. So I got into animation and started making it’s perhaps “Torrey Pines,” an internationally of things — so, I’ve been having a lot more art And, now that I’m an adult, I can buy giant music videos. After I made 40 or 50 I wanted known autobiographical stop motion animated shows like that, so it’s more related to that but 4-by-8 sheets to work with (laughs). You can to make a feature, so I made “Torrey Pines.” film about life with a mentally ill mother for it’s kind of all-encompassing. I have a show buy like a pallet of 4-by-8 sheets of cardboard which Petersen is most famous. This might sound silly, but what is a Torrey Pine? right now [called “Merch and Destroy”] at and build giant crazy things and it’s really It’s in that film that Petersen was able to, the Bellevue Arts Museum [in Washington] joyful. It’s a lot more lightweight than wood No worries (Laughs). It’s two things. It’s a among other things, widely share a story about that’s a larger-than-life touring van for a and it clearly doesn’t last as long, but in the town in California where the film takes place a queer protagonist, a narrative that he notes rock ’n’ roll band and it’s in the process of right environment it can last for years. — it’s a very small town. The most famous is often lacking in mainstream storytelling. unloading. There’s also a fake green room. thing in that town is a very famous rich On Thursday, Feb. 21, Petersen will talk I’ve been building those kinds of things for person’s golf course, but the town is named about that narrative and more with Southeast a while, the last 10 years, and thinking about after a very specific kind of pine tree that only 16 BTL | February 14, 2019 www.PrideSource.com grows in two places in the whole world and for a minute like, “How are we going to do Torrey Pines is one of them and a very small this?” But we usually figure it out. island somewhere else. It’s a kind of pine tree that’s very small but grows giant pine cones. I will say, I really related to the scene in “Torrey Enormous. Comical for the size of the tree. Pines” where you have to shave your legs for the first time without knowing what to do. So dry! (Laughs) I appreciate you clearing that up! I’ve heard you’re working on two new films now, too. Yeah, absolutely (laughs)! What are they and will they match the artistic Does Your Heart Breaks have any projects style of “Torrey Pines”? happening now? My new film that I’m working on that is I have a new record out and we just released related to the “Torrey Pines” style of stop the first music video for it this week and I’m motion animation is called “Our Forbidden touring it in April and May and my record is Country,” and it’s a stop-motion animated called “Drone Butch Blues” like “Stone Butch film about gay cruising pre-AIDS. It takes Blues” – a famous queer/gay book from an place in Seattle, Washington, in 1979. And author named Leslie Feinberg. But basically, so that is a similar style. It’ll look different, I spent the last three years reading works by but similar in the way it’s animated. The other queer authors and writing a musical record film I’m working on is a documentary of a about it and one of the tracks, like the first band called Earth that is a live action shot- track on the record is called “Our Forbidden on-film documentary so that’ll be more of a Country.” different situation. Fans will see that it’s very self-referential, like When can fans expect those to come out? the fact that “Torrey Pines” was first a song you “Our Forbidden Country” is in storyboarding wrote. right now — I’m snowed in in Seattle and Yeah. So, it’s kind of like a “Torrey Pines” have been doing storyboarding for a few situation again where I wrote this record, did days. It’s pretty fun and we’re building sets all this research about queer history before and stuff for it, but it’s probably going to be AIDS and then was like, “I want to make a about three years out. And then, this other film about it.” Now the film has a theme song film, the documentary I’m making is called (laughs) and the record comes with a reading “Even Hell has Its Heroes.” That movie is list that is like 24 books that you should read. probably about a year out. It’s all connected. “Torrey Pines” also didn’t include any dialogue, See Clyde Petersen deliver his lecture at the just sound effects and a soundtrack. Will your Michigan Theater at 5:10 p.m. The venue is new projects follow along the same lines? located at 603 E. Liberty St. in downtown Ann I think primarily, yeah, but there will Arbor. This lecture is free and open to the public. probably be some speaking in it but not very much. It’s nice to create these films that can go around the world without subtitles. It’s one of my favorite parts about it, taking it to Japan or anywhere and not having this language barrier. Do you find that international audiences are able to connect with it more without subtitles? Yeah, but you have to think about how it’s going to translate culturally, but that’s a different situation. But, you know, when I made “Torrey Pines” I was studying American Sign Language so that was a big part of it, just thinking about visual communication and how animation is such a good platform for that. And so I carried that idea into my animated works. Has that lack of dialogue been a challenge at times? It really depends. The choice to not use dialogue, it creates challenges and it opens Clyde Petersen was influenced by Leslie Feinberg’s up opportunities. It’s both for sure. I’ll find “Stone Butch Blues” in the creation of his band’s latest myself in a situation where I have to translate album “Drone Butch Blues.” It resulted in record’s song some really complex idea into visual language “Our Forbidden Country,” which is also the title of a and, you know, it’ll be a real head scratcher brand-new film he’s working on that deals with gay cruising before AIDS. www.PrideSource.com February 14, 2019 | BTL 17 Screen Queen

Shampoo Before we knew straight men could look as good as gay men and not even identify as gay, there was Warren Beatty as George, whose sexuality was the subject of speculation in 1975’s raunchy sex dramedy “Shampoo.” During a business meeting, George explains to aging private investor Lester (Jack Warden) that beauty school led him to his profession as a A Simple Favor hairdresser, leaving Lester looking as stumped Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick making out as any old white guy who can’t conceive of in “A Simple Favor” was the lesbian kiss 2018 breaking gender norms. Little does Lester needed, so thanks a million for that, Paul know that George’s bedhead poof of a Mick Feig. The comedy writer-director who we love Jagger mane is the result of the lady carousel because he loves putting women first in his films he’s riding hard. One of those women is Jackie (particularly his muse Melissa McCarthy, in (Julie Christie), Lester’s mistress. Lester is both “Spy” and “Bridesmaids”) has his finger on blind to their affair: “You think George is a the pulse of so many gay things in his latest flick, fairy?” he asks Jackie. (Later, when the two merging dark, twisted comedy with his signature are caught in an intimate hair-styling moment, farce. Beyond the Lively-Kendrick hookup that George feigns gay.) Then there’s Goldie Hawn rocked our world, Feig somehow knew exactly and Lee Grant, as Jill and Felicia, respectively; what was missing from queer cinema: a frothy George keeps both women around for different Hitchcockian crime soap opera about a bisexual reasons, though role-wise Hawn got the mom (Lively) and a straight mom (Kendrick) feebler of the female parts while Grant got that also features a Mr. Mom (Andrew Rannells, an Oscar. Set against the 1968 presidential BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI of Streep’s Donna without Streep (played in gay). Kendrick’s cat-sock-wearing Stephanie election, “Shampoo” is a sign of the times her youth circa the 1970s, through flashbacks, meets the sophisticated, wouldn’t-be-caught- with regard to evolving homosexuality and by a very alive Lily James), as she journeys to in-cat-socks Emily, deliciously played by Lively, big-picture politics, marked by an intimate Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again matriarchal womanhood with the man triad at their kids’ school. They are night and day, love story that’s messy, bittersweet and holds You don’t need to see “Mamma Mia! Here who swept her off her feet, naturally set to and their mom differences (Stephanie would up timelessly in 2019. During one of many We Go Again” more than once. That’s still deeper-catalog ABBA bops/ballads not in its never hang a giant painting of her bushy vag supplemental features on Criterion Collection’s one more time than you needed to see the predecessor. Like an amusement park ride you in her home!) makes for some genius comedic new restoration, critics Mark Harris and original “Mamma Mia!,” when Meryl Streep promised yourself you’d never go on again but awkwardness. But things get weird and twisty Frank Rich discuss Carrie Fisher’s use of the bopped and pranced around the streets of then you just couldn’t help yourself, “Here We and gayer when Stephanie disappears after word “faggity” and the film’s striking gay Greece’s dreamy Kalokairi island. One very Go Again” is just that, with the gratuitous and asking Emily to pick up her son implications. famous woman’s infectious buoyancy, however, appropriately dramatic and well-lit addition from school. Emily goes into couldn’t entirely save the jukebox musical’s of a mini Cher concert. “Mamma Mia! Here Nancy Drew search mode: “We no-fun drudgery, nor could she cleanse Pierce We Go Again,” after all, isn’t really a movie are soldiering on with cookies Also Out Brosnan’s croak of a “voice.” For good reason, anyway; it’s a gay reason for gay sons and and origami,” she bravely shares Halloween then, Streep bowed out of “Here We Go Again” their gay-adoring moms to bond together with the moms who watch her – almost, anyway (her single scene is literally and want to plan a trip to Greece together dorky domestic vlog. Come for The new “Halloween” is not great. otherworldly and more tearfully tender than and emphatically say “OMG, don’t you just the kiss and Blake Lively in men’s If you’ve never seen a horror movie it ought to be; also, I’m a crybaby). But no love Christine Baranski?!” together. So just suits; stay for the bonkers shift before or lived through America matter: Your mom’s favorite movie of 2018 is surrender to its dumb charms and then gaily into “Murder, She Vlogged.” in 2018, there are some scares, a brand of stupid-fun I support, probably best skip to the special features to see Meryl do a and one particularly effective and viewed after eating an edible. It tells the story drag-worthy vocal impression of Cher. artfully shot sequence is thrilling:

18 BTL | February 14, 2019 www.PrideSource.com a long, strolling shot of the franchise’s masked terror, Michael Myers, on Halloween night amid trick-or-treaters going about his usual knife-bludgeoning business. It’s the perfect throwback to John Carpenter’s 1978 classic, his legendary score still bone-chilling 40 years on. The big sell here is Jamie Lee Curtis returning as Grandma Laurie Strode, even though she fell to her death in 2002’s “Resurrection,” a movie that doesn’t matter (and never mattered; it’s bad) because director David Gordon Green’s Trump-era “Halloween” asks you to forget that Curtis was even in a movie with Busta Rhymes and Tyra Banks. This contemporary pseudo-feminist take featuring generations of women standing up to an evil man (sound familiar?) serves as a direct sequel – and, occasionally, slick homage – to Carpenter’s classic. Curtis’ Laurie is one-note frayed and fierce, but at least watching her kick major ass is more inspirational than anything the other Grandma Lauries watch on Shop The the Hallmark Channel. Rainbow There are hundreds Philadelphia of businesses that For just under five minutes, Tom advertise in BTL and Hanks, Denzel Washington and welcome everyone. Mary Steenburgen, along with openly gay screenwriter Ron Invest in equality and Nyswaner, reflect on the intent and work with businesses legacy of their landmark AIDS- that support centric drama “Philadelphia.” These new interviews featured on the Michigan’s LGBTQ 25th Anniversary 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Edition of the community! 1993 film, renowned for giving a human face to AIDS and gay discrimination, are slight. Perhaps that’s because viewing this historical snapshot all these years later – post same-sex marriage, post PrEP – does most of the speaking on its own. It speaks to a time. It speaks to a community. It speaks to those outside of the community: “I don’t think ‘Philadelphia’ was made for gay people,” Hanks says. “It was made for straight people who didn’t understand how you could be gay or why you were gay.”

Some Like It Hot American cinema will tell you that if you’re a man in peril – running from criminals? looking for a way to see your kids after losing custody of them? – slipping into a dress, plopping on a wig and powdering your face can free you from your troubles. Beloved crime-comedy caper “Some Like It Hot,” to which Mrs. Doubtfire and those White Chicks owe their thanks, would become the definitive landmark crossdressing farce, and the 1959 film is preserved as beautifully as Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis (and, of course, Marilyn Monroe) in lace and lipstick with this new 4K digital restoration Blu-ray from Criterion. Special features are plentiful: a 1988 talk between Curtis and critic Leonard Maltin, a new costume-centric featurette, and a wonderful essay written by author Sam Wasson.

As editor of Q Syndicate, the international LGBT wire service, Chris Azzopardi has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Cher, Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. Reach him at [email protected]. www.PrideSource.com February 14, 2019 | BTL 19 ROYAL OAK BTL ADVERTISERS 4

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20 BTL | February 14, 2019 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com February 14, 2019 | BTL 21 Actor Jason Bowen Talks True-to-Life Themes in Stagecrafters’ ‘If/Then’

BY EVE KUCHARSKI who happens to be a lesbian and then her friend Lucas who she had a relationship with ultiple everyday choices are a part in college but is also bisexual. So, the show of regular life, but there are a few starts out with the question of ‘What if?’ And among those many that stand out we’ve all gone through that in our life where Mand those few are usually the ones that have we’ve been presented with a decision and we life-changing consequences. In “If/Then,” the make our decision but we always wonder, Broadway musical written by Brian Yorkey ‘What if?’ What would have happened if I had that’s now playing at Royal Oak’s Stagecrafters gone the other direction? through Feb. 17, those decisions are explored at length. The show follows a character who, early on in the play, is faced with a decision to go with either her friend Kate or her friend Lucas. In Has the show made you reflect on some “What a traditional play, the audience would have to if?” moments in your own life? wonder what happens if she decides to go one Totally. The whole show, in a nutshell, is way or the other; not here. The storyline splits very reminiscent of life. Like I said, we all go and begins to follow two separate, alternative through situations where we wonder what plots. Playing through this weekend, BTL we should have done or what we could have caught up with Michigan actor Jason Bowen done better or if we hadn’t have done this, or who plays an integral character within one if we hadn’t have been in that park at that time of the two storylines. He filled BTL in on the would we have met that one person? And I LGBTQ themes present in “If/Then,” unique actually, I moved to Detroit about five years challenges in playing his role and how the show ago for a job from Chicago. I’m a professional hits close to home. actor and I took a corporate entertainment job here and I met my fiancé here, and if I hadn’t have taken that job, I probably would Although the show’s lead isn’t a part of the never have met him. He claims we would LGBTQ community, there are definitely ties that have but I don’t feel like our paths would have BTL’s audience would appreciate. Could you fill crossed. So, obviously, moving to Detroit was us in on what they are? the best decision for me, you know? The show centralizes on a character named Elizabeth. She comes back to New York after quite a few years, she’s recently divorced, Is this show breaking new ground for you? Had wants to start her life over and she connects you ever played anything similar before? with two of her friends. One, a female friend As an actor, I’m a musical theater actor so 22 BTL | February 14, 2019 www.PrideSource.com I’m used to comedy and slapstick and tap to be able to see everyone work together and dancing and I still dance and I do puppetry, commit and connect, it’s the reason I do live but doing a show that’s real that’s also a theater. musical is pretty amazing. My fiancé said, ‘I’ve never really seen you do something where your character is real.’ I’ve done ‘Young Frankenstein’ and things that are “If/Then” is at Stagecrafters until Feb. 17 and fantastical types of shows, but this is the first is rated PG-13. Tickets start at $23 but more time that I’ve done something that’s, I would information can be found online at stagecrafters. say, more of a challenge. As an actor, you’re org or by calling 248-541-6430. The show is always honest under whatever circumstances presented at the Baldwin Theatre located at you’re under and this is probably one of the 415 South Lafayette in Royal Oak. most realistic circumstances — barring that people break into music and can dance and sing and all that kind of stuff too.

Is it uniquely difficult being in a show where there are varying roles for many of the cast members? To have everyone in the ensemble playing multiple roles and Lynette, who plays Elizabeth, is phenomenal. You know, it’s the character that Idina Menzel [originally] played, so obviously you know the music is huge and she never leaves the stage. And when she does leave the stage, it’s to change her sweater and she comes right back on. So, being able to have a role in a show like this,

www.PrideSource.com February 14, 2019 | BTL 23 Tuesday, March 5 management of chronic conditions. Reservation is required. Jewish Family Stand with Trans 2018 Support Groups Service–Oak Park, 25900 Greenfield – Lake Orion / Oakland County 7pm Road--Suite 405,Southfield. 248-592- Free. For parents of transgender kids. St. 2313. [email protected]. Mary’s In The Hills Episcopal Church, 2512 Joslyn Court,Lake Orion. 248-391-0663. Meet True Crime Author Rod Sadler stmarysinthehills.org. standwithtrans.org. February 20, 6:30 p.m. Hear about some of Ingham County’s most infamous murders from the author of “A Slayer Waits” and “To Hell I Must Go.” They include a 1955 Stockbridge couple’s MUSIC & double homicide, and the story of Williamston’s Capital Area District MORE Libraries – Downtown Lansing Branch, Wanted Dead or Alive February 15, 7pm 401 South Capitol Ave.,Lansing. 517-367- The Experts in Mystery Entertainment 6350. cadl.org. are now performing live public and private interactive murder mystery dinner shows in Livonia and surrounding areas Flint Symphony Orchestra Presents throughout Michigan. Burton Manor, 27777 ‘Beethoven’s No. 5 Destiny Symphony Schoolcraft Road,Livonia Road. shows@ February 23, 8am Enrique Diemecke, themurdermysterycompany.com. conductor; Anthony Elliott, cello; The House on Poe Street at The Detroit Cheyanne Coss, voice; Beethoven, Repertory Theatre February 15, 8:30 Barber, Bloch. Cheyanne Coss appears p.m. Gothic ghosts encounter modern courtesy of St. Cecilia Society, host of the monstrosities when twin sisters inherit William C. Byrd Young Artist Competition. the house where Poe is reputed to have Pre-concert talks at 6:30, these fun composed The Raven. Detroit Repertory and informative talks take the mystery Theatre, 13103 Woodrow Wilson,Detroit. Flint Institute of Music, 1025 E. Kearsley 313-868-1347. [email protected]. St.,Flint. detroitreptheatre.com. 810-238-1350. thefim.org. thefso.org. Dragon Training February 16, 11am Get Candy Chemistry February 23, 11am ready for the new How to Train Your Experiment with candy to learn science Dragon movie with skill challenges. For concepts. For age 5 & up. Capital Area age 3 & up. Capital Area District Libraries District Libraries – Dansville Branch, 1379 – Dansville Branch, 1379 East Mason East Mason St.,Dansville. 517-623-6511. St.,Dansville. 517-623-6511. smiley@cadl. [email protected]. cadl.org. org. cadl.org. Cabaret 313 Presents Carole J. Bufford In the Mood for Swing! February 16, 7:30 February 23, 6:30 p.m. With music made p.m. Swing into Valentine’s weekend,. famous by Janis Joplin, Dusty Springfield, Le Butcherettes at El Club Feb. 23 Vocalist Lauren Norris will join the Tina Turner, Carole King and more, orchestra sharing music from The Village Carole J. Bufford returns for her third Theater at Cherry Hill, 50400 Cherry performance with Cabaret 313 – You Don’t Famous for their unabashedly feminist lyrics, Le Butcherettes is Hill Road,Canton. 734-394-5300 ext 3. Own Me: The Fearless Females of the. Stand with Trans 2018 Support cantonvillagetheater.org. Detroit Institute of Arts, 2100 Woodward a Mexican garage punk band that was started in 2007 by lead Groups – Farmington Hills – Oakland Ave.,Detroit. 313-833-7900. cabaret313. County 7pm Free. Oakland United Black History Month Concert Series—In org. vocalist Teri Gender Bender. The group has released four records, Methodist Church, 30450 Farmington the Tradition February 17, 2pm In the their latest dropping this month titled “bi/MENTAL.” The group is Road,Farmington. 248-626-3620. Tradition is an African-centered jazz group Black History Family Festival at the oaklandumc.org. standwithtrans.org. nominated for numerous Detroit Music Tangent Gallery February 24, 5pm Black scheduled to perform at Detroit El Club. Tickets start at $15. Find out Awards. Capital Area District Libraries History Family Festival at the Tangent Toastmasters International SpeakOUT! – Downtown Lansing Branch, 401 South Gallery, come join us! Tangent Gallery, 7pm Professional more at elclubdetroit.com. LGBTQ Meeting Capitol Ave.,Lansing. 517-367-6350. 715 East Milwaukee Ave.,Detroit. 248- & personal communication skills cadl.org. 445-1277. development. Jim Toy Community Center, 319 Braun Court,Ann Arbor. 734-995-9867. Dispelling Myths about Smoking, Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Detroit [email protected]. speakout. Mental Health/Substance Use Disorders Opera House March 1, 7:30 p.m. Shen Yun Men’s Swing/Latin/Ballroom Lessons Rainbow League Bowling! 7pm This toastmastersclubs.org. and Recovery February 19, 7:30 p.m. invites you to travel back to the magical OUTINGS 4pm Same Sex Men’s Touch Dance is a fun bowling league and provides Health educator Rosemary Bak Lowery, world of ancient China. Experience a lessons, Casual Attire This is touch a great opportunity for anybody to Sunday, March 3 will shed light on the relationship between lost culture through the incredible art of Thursday, February 14 dancing where you hold your partner become acquainted with bowling. The tobacco, mental health and substance classical Chinese dance, and see legends close. No partner needed plenty of 2018-2019 season celebrates our 26th Stand with Trans 2018 Support Groups come to life. Detroit Opera House, 1526 Jazz & Soul Singer Sky Covington & Club abuse disorders. St. Joseph Mercy single men available. Singles, couples, season. Lodge Lanes, 46255 S. I-94 – Adrian-Lenawee County 6:30 p.m. Broadway St.,Detroit. 313-237-SING. Crescendo Live Every Thursday Night Hospital Education Center Auditorium, Beginners or Seasoned dancers. Jordan Free. For parents of transgender kids. shenyun.com. 9pm Jimi Blues on Keys, Alex Brooks Service Drive,Belleville. 734-697-9178. 5305 Elliott Drive,Ypsilanti. 734-485-8725. Mac Studio 444 W. Maple Suite E Troy, MI, Facilitator Socorro Sevilla, MSW: socorro@ on Drums, Greg Cook on Bass & Special rainbowbowlingleague.com. dawnfarm.org. 90th Annual Spring Dance Concert 444 W. Maple Suite E,Troy. 248-288-7624. hilltopcounseling.org. Hilltop Counseling, Guest. No cover. Northern Lights Lounge, at The Bonstelle March 1, 7:30 p.m. [email protected]. meetup.com/Shall- 115 W. Maumee St.,Adrian. 313-909-5408. On the PATH to better health (6 week 660 W, Baltimore,Detroit. 248-445-1277. Thursday, February 21 Celebrate our 90th Anniversary of Dance We-Dance. standwithtrans.org. hilltopcounseling.org. program) February 20, 1pm Personal northernlightslounge.com. Clyde Petersen 5 pm Clyde Petersen Action Toward Health, developed by is a Seattle-based artist working in Stanford University, teaches continued on p. 26 Friday, February 15 Monday, February 18 film, animation, music, installation and strategies for the day-to-day 7pm LGBT Game Forum Foundation Valentine’s Dance 7pm LGBT Game Night spectacle. A proud member of the Night is an opportunity for all LGBT LGBT Fundraiser. Open Bar, Family Style transgender and queer communities in people and allies to come play a board Dinner – Dessert, 50/50 Raffle, Pot -O- Seattle, Petersen’s work explores identity game, drink coffee and socialize with Gold Drawing, Dancing. 586-573-9932. and narrative form. Michigan Theater, 603 other LGBT individuals. Java Hut, 165 The Ukrainian Cultural Center, 26601 E. Liberty St.,Ann Arbor. 734-668-8397. W NIne Mile,Ferndale. 248-632-8274. Ryan Road,Warren. theforumfoundation. stamps.umich.edu. [email protected]. brownpapertickets.com. Saturday, February 23 Saturday, February 16 Wednesday, February 20 Erotic Poetry and Music Festival Affirmations Senior Koffee Clatch! 1pm 8 pm Come join LGBT Community Chat 11am Saturday at Tangent Gallery ‘My Favorite Murder’ A discussion and networking group for An on going social discussion group us for an eclectic celebration of the people 45 and older. Various discussion meets every week to discuss issues LGBT erotic arts all in one evening! Tangent topics, social outings and potlucks are Podcast in Detroit Feb. 22 people face. Coming out, dating and Gallery, 715 East Milwaukee Ave.,Detroit. held throughout the year. Affirmations, much more. Come join us every Saturday 248-445-1277. facebook.com/ 290 W. Nine Mile Road,Ferndale. 248- at 11 am. Java Hut Ferndale Michigan, EroticPoetryandMusicFestival. Made famous by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, the “My Favorite Murder” 398-7105. goaffirmations.org. 165 W 9 mile,Ferndale. 248-632-8274. podcasters will be presenting a live version of their true crime comedy show at the [email protected]. Stand with Trans Support Groups – Tuesday, February 26 Livonia – Wayne County 6:30 p.m. Free Strand with Trans Support Groups Fox Theatre. Having broken iTunes download records, the duo has accumulated Sunday, February 17 to all. Parent Support Group Faciitators – Ann Arbor – Washtenaw 6:30 p.m. Karen Sessler, [email protected] Parent Support Group Facilitator – Yma a huge following of fans called murderinos and been featured in publications like Stand with Trans Wyandotte Support or 734-673-3590 and Scott Sessler, Johnson, [email protected] or Group for Trans Youth and Parents of [email protected] or 734-780-4092. Journey of Faith Christian The Atlantic, Rolling Stone and Nylon. Tickets start at $44.50. More information Trans Individuals 4pm Free. For Parent Support Group information, contact 734-673-2485. Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 1900 Manchester Road,Ann can be found online at 313presents.com. facilitator Kim Tooley, 734-747-4363. St. Church, 34567 7 Mile Road,Livonia. Arbor. standwithtrans.org. Stephens Episcopal Church, 2803 1st standwithtrans.org. St.,Wyandotte. standwithtrans.org. Wednesday, February 28

24 BTL | February 14, 2019 www.PrideSource.com Photo courtesy of The Purple Rose Theatre Company. Review: Carey Crim’s ‘Never Not Once’ at Purple Rose Powerful and Poignant BY MARIN HEINRITZ shifting darknesses of their past — particularly when they don’t have a shared experience of CHELSEA — It is a rare experience, indeed, what happened or its fallout. to witness live theater so moving it renders faces Which is partly why one of the most potent wet with tears both on stage and throughout the scenes in the play is between the two men — audience. Opening night of “Never Not Once,” Mewha and Jeremy Kucharek — as Eleanor’s a world premiere in the intimate space of The boyfriend, an otherwise peripheral character, Purple Rose, provided that rare experience. in a confrontation that signifies the unavoidable It’s impossible to say what really needs to truth that it is men who must call each other out be said about this play without spoiling it for for misogyny. What transpires between them those who have yet to see it. However, the seeds brings the audience to ask the question: “Why of its story are more common than one would is it that the best in women is always asked to hope, evidenced by how deeply its larger themes forgive the worst in men?” resonate. Guy Sanville’s direction heightens the “Never Not Once” is the fifth Purple Rose drama by making the most of its realness and premiere from playwright Carey Crim, and the humor. More often than not what appears to play won the Jane Chambers Playwriting Award unfold is genuine emotion; however, blocking in 2017. In it, the daughter of a lesbian couple in moments of conflict as if in a boxing ring Join us for Sunday comes home from college with her boyfriend with actors circling each other and the line Worship and Children’s and declares she’s hired a private investigator delivery with the cadence of overly-emphatic ministry at 11:30 am. to help her find her father. Her birth mother slam poetry can be a bit heavy-handed. swears she can’t remember the name of the Still, the technical aspects are clean and A Diverse, Inclusive, only man she ever slept with — a forgettable understated. Thanks to Noele Stollmack’s Christian Church college one-night stand. But her other mother lights, Sarah Pearline’s set shifts from upper Serving the LGBTQ reveals what might be the man’s name, and the middle-class home to other locales without daughter narrows her search, only to discover incident, and they show the audience where and Ally community she does “not come from good.” to look with subtlety. since 1972 The desire to know one’s origins, to face the In some ways, “Never Not Once” can be violence of one’s past and to seek redemption read as an emotional revenge fantasy born of are all at play here, and these desires unfurl the #MeToo moment, one in which women via intense relationships that come to life in and their love for each other endures and powerful scenes that mostly ring true through conquers all; and yet, therein lies the rub: If, largely excellent performances. in this cultural moment, there is no change, Coming Out Support Group Casaundra Freeman as Nadine and Michelle no reconciliation, no reparations, then is there Third Sunday of Every Month at 1:30 - 2:30 pm Mountain as Allison create a vibrant, loving, progress? Or is finding the gift in that which desirous, middle-aged interracial lesbian couple doesn’t come from good all the redemption This monthly group is designed to help those who are wanting to discover the whose banter and depth are delightful to see. we need? compatibility between their spirituality and sexual orientation and/or gender Their connection is the anchor for the entire Not quite being able to answer these identity. The goal is to gain greater confidence and a theological grounding for their identity. This group is facilitated by Rev. Dr. Roland Stringfellow, Senior show. The way each woman relates to Eleanor, questions is perhaps the deeper reason beyond Pastor and Teacher of Metropolitan Community Church of Detroit. the daughter, played with aplomb by Caitlin the particular circumstances of “Never Not Cavannaugh, also builds the complexity and Once” that made the audience spontaneously enduring love among this family of women. weep by the play’s end. Mountain is also wonderful with Rusty Mewha, who plays the man from her past, as Never Not Once runs through March 16 at Weekly Sunday Worship @ 11:30 am. they successfully navigate the deeply emotional The Purple Rose Theater in Chelsea. www. 205 N. Main St. www.mccdetroit.org Include. Inspire. Infl uence twists and turns of unwittingly facing the shape- purplerosetheatre.org. Box Office 734-433-7673 Clawson, MI 48017 (248) 399-7741 www.PrideSource.com February 14, 2019 | BTL 25 FreQshow Provides New Platform for LGBTQ Artists of Color Academy Awards Short Films at DIA Through Feb. 28 BY JASON A. MICHAEL and the moral grounds of our country, we’re encouraged to cover up and put on Now through the end of the month, the Detroit t’s a new concept. A nude art show clothes,” Demere said. “To that end, a lot aimed at attracting an audience of of people are insecure about showing flesh Institute of Arts is presenting all five of the 2019 queer folks of color. FreQshow, which and showing skin. Any time you conquer Oscar short film nominees. General admission Iwill be co-produced by artist and local a fear it releases a part of freedom inside costs $9.50 with discounts for members, style icon DL Perrett and Imagine This of you. That’s why I think this show is students and seniors. Advance ticket purchase Productions, will take place Saturday, Feb. good because it kind of challenges the is recommended. More information about the 23, at the Charlevoix Gallery on Detroit’s moral standings in society. Hopefully event can be found online at dia.org. east side. everyone walks away seeing that nudity “I attended a nude art show some isn’t necessarily always attached to erotic years back and I fell in love with the thoughts.” ® Happenings Wilson,Detroit. 313-868-1347 environment, the people and www.detroitreptheatre.com Continued from p. 24 THEATER the art,” Perrett said. “I felt like Angels in America – Parts I and II A2CT Presents: The Play’s The Thing I was in my comfort zone ... in February 8, In this two-part epic, Prior February 22, 8pm A2CT presents a Walter, a young man living in NYC in 1985, weekend of new works at the A2CT Studio an area where I could thrive.” at Wayne with this thrilling weekend at the is diagnosed with AIDS. His boyfriend, Theater All performances are free. More Perrett, who is both a painter Bonstelle Theatre. Join us as we highlight Louis, struggling to cope with the disease info: www.a2ct.org/shows. A2CT Studio and a fashion designer, started national and international works from top- and his own fears, abandons him. More Theatre, 322 W. Ann St.,Ann Arbor. 734- performing artists. Bonstelle Theatre, 3424 information about this Hillbery Theatre, 971-2228 www.a2ct.org entering a few shows, but said Woodward Ave.,Detroit. 313-577-2960. 4743 Cass Ave.,Detroit. 313-577-2972. theatreanddance.wayne.edu/theatre. Erotic Poetry and Music Festival he wasn’t pleased with how they theatreanddanceatwayne.com. at Tangent Gallery February 23, turned out. Stagecrafter’s Second Stage Presents Wanted Dead or Alive February 15, 7pm 8pm Come join us for an eclectic The Experts in Mystery Entertainment celebration of the erotic arts all in one “So, I started doing research ‘Sondheim on Sondheim’ March 1, 8pm Part musical revue, part documentary, are now performing live public and evening! Featuring poetry, art, music, about what I was trying to Sondheim on Sondheim gives us an private interactive murder mystery dinner burlesque and more! Tangent Gallery, create,” he said. “I would do intimate portrait of famed songwriter. shows in Livonia and surrounding areas 715 East Milwaukee Avenue,Detroit. Baldwin Theatre, 415 South Lafayette,Royal throughout Michigan. Burton Manor, 27777 2484451277 https://www.facebook.com/ Google searches for sexy men Oak. 248-541-8027. stagecrafters.org. Schoolcraft Road,Livonia Road. shows@ EroticPoetryandMusicFestival themurdermysterycompany.com. or powerful women and I would Art A Thon for Ron Zakrin March 8, 8pm Fisher Theatre Presents ‘The Lightning never find people of color. I Detroit artists are drawn together to help Stagecrafters Presents If/Then February Thief’ February 26, 7:30 p.m. The Greek 15, 8pm What if? At the heart of every would have to scroll through a fellow artist on his road to recovery. gods are real, and they’re ruining Percy On Friday, March 8, 8pm the local art choice we’ve ever made lies this question. Jackson’s life. As a son of Poseidon, Percy three or four or five pages and music community will join forces to What if we had chosen differently? How has newly discovered powers he can’t before I would find a person raise money for living expenses Tangent would our lives be changed? Baldwin control, monsters on his trail, and is on Gallery, 715 East Milwaukee Ave.,Detroit. Theatre, 415 South Lafayette,Royal Oak. an epic quest. Fisher Theatre, 3011 W. of color. I thought this show 248-445-1277. 248-541-8027. stagecrafters.org. Grand Blvd.,Detroit. 313-872-1000 https:// www.broadwayindetroit.com/shows/the- was a perfect way to reshape Williamston Theatre Presents ‘To Quiet Franck, Fireflies and Fortissimos March lightning-thief the imagery.” 10, 2pm Fortissimos thread together the Quiet’ February 15, 8pm Having suffered great loss and heartbreak in her The show, said Perrett, is the playful spirit of fireflies and Mozart’s Wharton Center Presents ‘Miss Saigon’ Symphony No. 35 along with Franck’s life, Kathy, now middle-aged and alone, March 12, 7:30 p.m. Experience the going to be “bold.” remarkable Symphony in D minor. First is a woman on the edge. Williamston acclaimed new production of the legendary “It’s going to be tasteful and United Methodist Church, 42501 N. Theatre, 122 S. Putnam Road,Williamston. musical Miss Saigon, from the creators of Photo by J. Cross. Territorial Road,Plymouth. 734-453-5280. 517-655-SHOW. info@williamstontheatre. Les Misérables. Wharton Center, 750 E. very intriguing,” he said. “It’s michtix.com/events/franck-fireflies-and- org. williamstontheatre.org. Shaw Lane,East Landing. 517-353-1982 [email protected] [email protected] going to be eye-opening ... fortissimos. Angels in America: Part One – www.whartoncenter.com http://www. Millennium Approaches February 15, 8pm maybe even inspiring. I’d like Black History Month Concert Series— whartoncenter.com/events In Part I of this two part epic, Prior Walter, folks to go home and maybe have a little Green, who will be painting live during Curtis Taylor March 10, 2pm Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Curtis Taylor has a young man living in NYC in 1985, is fun. The show will feature one-of-a-kind the show, said the event, for him, will be a played at the Kennedy Center and NPR’s diagnosed with AIDS. His boyfriend, Louis, art and some interactive playful exhibits. new challenge that he’s excited to take on. Jazzset—now he’s here to entertain us at struggling to cope CADL Downtown Lansing! Capital Area with the disease and We’re going to have a DJ to provide us “It’s kind of thrilling in the most heart- District Libraries – Downtown Lansing his own fears, Hillbery PUZZLE SOLUTION with some sounds. There are going to be throbbing manner,” he said. “I’m a bit Branch, 401 South Capitol Ave.,Lansing. Theatre, 4743 Cass 517-367-6350. cadl.org. Ave.,Detroit. 313-577- some wow moments ... just enough to get nervous.” 2972. wsushows.com. people’s hearts beating a little faster.” Very comfortable with nudity, Green Mapplethorpe in Performance March 14, 5pm Thirty years after the death of Reap the Grove by Featured in the show will be artists said he prefers to be naked when he paints. Mapplethorpe, we still cannot turn away Caity-Shea Violette such as Chayse Ardon, Demetruis Green “I like being just as bare as my canvas at from what his photos reveal. Michigan February 15, 8pm Theater, 603 E. Liberty St.,Ann Arbor. An estranged family and Clay Drew, body painter Charley the the beginning,” he said. “There’s less room 734-668-8397. reunites for their Artist, performance and poet Jice Demere for errors or spills, unless it’s intentional. mother’s final days. Does Addiction Treatment Work? March Matrix Theatre and photographers Rihanna Chester and When I paint in the nude I’m simply more 19, 7:30 p.m. Dr Carl Christensen, MD, PhD, Company, 2730 J Cross. comfortable. With each brush stroke I D-FASAM will review the recent criticisms Bagley St.,Detroit. of treatment for substance addiction 313-967-0599 “This is an outside of the box platform began to harness more confidence. But including Twelve Step, residential, www.matrixtheatre. for LGBT artists of color,” Perrett said. “I’m even the less calculated or vulnerable and medication assisted therapy. St. org Joseph Mercy Hospital Education Center hoping that people will leave with a sense strokes give aesthetic authenticity.” Auditorium, 5305 Elliott Drive,Ypsilanti. The House on Poe of self-discovery and self-appreciation.” 734-485-8725. dawnfarm.org. Street at The Detroit Repertory Theatre Demere said it was easy decision to FreQshow will take place Saturday, Feb. 23, Peter Sellars March 21, 5pm MacArthur February 15, 8:30 sign on to be part of the show. He will be from 6 to 10 p.m. The Charlevois Gallery Genius Fellow Peter Sellars is an American p.m. Gothic ghosts theater director, noted for his unique encounter modern performing a piece “about freedom and is located at 14505 Charlevoix St. Tickets contemporary stagings of classical and monstrosities when how freedom can be expressed through are $15 in advance and $25 at the door. To contemporary operas and plays. Michigan twin sisters inherit the Theater, 603 E. Liberty St.,Ann Arbor. house where Poe. nudity.” purchase advance tickets, visit dlperrett313. 734-668-8397. Detroit Repertory “Because of the society that we live in ticketleap.com. Theatre, 13103 Woodrow CROSSWORD P. 29 26 BTL | February 14, 2019 www.PrideSource.com

The Frivolist: 6 Reasons Your Next Vacay Should Be a Cross-Country Amtrak Trip

BY MIKEY ROX room in my bags to cover the full trip (and I didn’t want to lug around that much weight either), but If you haven’t experienced America the I got through at least two days without a spending Beautiful by rail yet, hop on an Amtrak ASAP a dime, money that adds up if you’re buying food for an eye-opening experience that could have and booze on the train from the jump. It’s also an you replacing planes as your preferred mode opportunity to eat healthy-ish in the beginning, of travel indefinitely. Here are six reasons to because once your home-packed provisions book right now. run out, your good-for-you snack options are extremely limited in the café car. Seated meals, 1. It’s way cheaper than you think on the other hand, are sufficiently healthy if you I booked my first cross-country Amtrak trip choose the healthy menu items. If you’re city last fall after reading an article about how travel hopping on your trip, restock your private stash expert and blogger Derek Low designed a trip while you’re off train and venture on full up. of his own, originating in San Francisco and ending in New York City, for around $200. 4. You’ll see parts of the country you Impossible, I thought, so I reached out to ask can’t see any other way if he could help me score a similar deal. He Cars, planes, boats, and other modes of obliged, and for a $49 consulting fee he returned transportation can get you places, but they a reverse itinerary (New York to San Francisco) can’t access some of the most remote crevices of for just over $400. My trip wasn’t as cheap as our beautiful country, like the hills and valleys Low’s because he traveled straight through on of the Rocky and Sierra Nevada mountains. his ride and I was making a few stopovers in East Coast and Midwest legs of an Amtrak cities I wanted to explore (Chicago, Denver cross-country are pretty, sure, but those views and Salt Lake) for a day or two, but it was still aren’t in the same league as stunning scenes of mind-bogglingly inexpensive. Low’s trip totaled snow-covered peaks, brilliant yellow aspens, 71 consecutive hours on the train while my on- winding rivers, slopes of never-ending forest, and-off experience lasted an amazing eight days. and myriad tunnels that still serve as individual feats of American engineering at its finest. 2. The whole experience is relaxing from start to finish 5. It’s wildly romantic Amtrak’s sightseeing routes all are aboard What’s more romantic than cuddling up in the the national rail carrier’s Superliners, which cozy coach seats with your partner, one head consist of bilevel passenger cars plus dining, on the other’s shoulder, and falling asleep to the lounges and sleeping cars. I slept in my coach consistent drone of a moving locomotive after seat during the overnights I was on the train, a full day of refreshments, sights and enjoyable but private roomettes are available. Just don’t conservation with other travelers? It doesn’t expect the same low-cost deal I’m describing get any better than that for me. Oh, and the if you’re booking the latter. A sleeper car will sub-level bathrooms are large and unattended; easily put your trip over a grand, sometimes you can figure out the rest. much more. Coach is quiet and perfectly comfortable for the budget traveler. No matter 6. This is all about the journey, not the where you sleep, however, your trip will be destination relaxing from start to finish – because all you If you want to save the most money and stay need to do is kick back and enjoy the ride. on the train coast to coast, you won’t regret The biggest advantage to rail travel is that there it. These Superliner routes are designed are no long security lines, TSA bag screenings, specifically for sightseeing, and if all you do is or costly bag fees like you have at the airport, ride the whole way, you’ll be satisfied. This trip so you’re not stressed out before your vacation is about the journey, not the destination. You even begins. After you’re settled in your can get off along the way to stretch your legs permanent seat, claim a spot in the Sightseer and have a smoke break if needed (sometimes Lounge, which features floor-to-ceiling windows for longer stretches if there’s a delay in service – so you can watch your trip unfold right before the only time you’ll look forward to this when your eyes. I spent every waking hour in this car traveling), then you’ll hop back on and chug drinking wine, making friends, and watching the along. No money spent on rental cars, fuel, most dramatic scenery glide by, complete with hotel rooms, expensive dinners and bar tabs, or mountain views and wildlife sightings, including activities. Your cross-country is all that rolled elk, bald eagles, moose, coyote, and more. into one for the lowest fee that you make it.

3. BYO food and drink to save even Mikey Rox is an award-winning journalist and more money LGBT lifestyle expert whose work has been The lack of pre-travel hassle is a major pro published in more than 100 outlets across the when traveling by rail but equally appreciated is world. He spends his time writing from the beach Amtrak’s BYO food and drink policy. I packed with his dog Jaxon. Connect with Mikey on snacks and wine for days, which saved me a Instagram @mikeyrox. bundle on refreshments. I didn’t have enough 28 BTL | February 14, 2019 www.PrideSource.com 32 Killed, to King James 12 “Star Trek” sequel, briefly 33 Start of a quote by 15-Across 16 Landau’s “Ed Wood” role 38 Street urchin 21 R. Nureyev’s land, once 39 Supporter for Cassatt 23 Hawk at a flea market 40 Tinged with gold 24 Casa part 43 Treat badly 25 Out partner 47 Type of arm tattoo 26 Works under Edith Head, perhaps 48 Guns N’ Roses frontman Rose 28 Chewy candy 49 Long of “If These Walls Could 29 Sappho’s B Talk 2” 31 Comment about watching gay 50 Current band of the past? porn? 52 Lets up 33 Christmas poem opener 54 End of the quote 34 Word before ass 58 Worked at Barneys, e.g. 35 Wilde country 59 Mr. Right-now, e.g. 36 Throw in the trash 60 Use Viagra successfully 37 Disney dog Old ___ 61 “Sex and the City” creator Darren 41 Virtual reality stand-in 42 Computer whiz 44 Oust, as a homophobic Down incumbent 1 Opens bottles 45 Nap for Lorca 2 Worker under Ricky Martin 46 Judy Garland’s parade day 3 Rope to catch a long little dogie 48 Remembers some S&M Goodbye, Dolly 4 Where a cobbler puts the tongue 51 Oscar ___ Renta 5 Britten’s raincoat 53 Totals 6 Visibly shocked 17 “...farewell, auf Wiedersehen, __” 54 Jackie O.’s second husband 7 Whipping boy Across 18 JFK predictions 55 Kevin Bacon in “Footloose” 8 Present from birth 1 LesbiaNation.com and Gay.com 19 Zadora in “Hairspray” 56 Truncation abbreviation 9 L-word bleeper, perhaps 5 Gig for Michael Carbonaro 20 “Annie Get Your ___ “ 57 Ending for a fruity drink 10 Friend of Rimbaud 13 He cruised for 40 days straight 22 Trunks of Mapplethorpe’s photos 11 Pink-slip 14 Without dissent 27 Heated arguments 15 Beloved Dolly portrayer (1921- 29 Make grief-stricken 2019) 30 Clark of fashion SOLUTION P. 26

www.PrideSource.com February 14, 2019 | BTL 29 COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Black History Family Festival at Tangent Gallery Feb. 24 DETROIT — On Sunday, Feb. 24, organizers said that much of the content Detroit’s Tangent Gallery is presenting will adhere to information about its first annual Hug Detroit Day Black those movements across the world. History Family Festival. Organizers “Tracking the continuous movement of the event said that this day will be of blacks from the American South to 6:15 to 6:45 p.m. 7:30 to 7:45 p.m. a celebration of Black History Month the industrialized North and beyond,” Itinerary for Feb. 24: Storytime Co-Founder and Partner at Conscious and a special way of honoring “cultural organizers said. “Beginning in the 5 to 5:15 p.m.: Greeting ( Community “Only Twice I Dreamed for Heaven” Community Cooperative ThinkTank - trailblazers of the past” as they explore early 20th century, a growing number Prayer) by Dawn Turner Trice C3 B Anthony the impact they’ve had on the present. of black industrial leaders and black Prayer for the betterment of our “The Bulging Bag” by Unoma N. “Detroit leaders such as comedian entrepreneurs emerged as families People led by Minister Nen Bailey Azuah 7:45 to 8 p.m.: Sky Covington speaks Mike Bonner will host and perform relocated from farms to cities, and from Words from State Rep Isaac Robinson “Rail Under my Back” by Jeffery on “Service” at our festival. Also: speaker and the South to the more industrialized Renard Allen activist Henrietta Ivey; Co-founder Northeast and Midwest.” 5:15 to 5:30 p.m.: Public speaker, From the book “Gumbo: An 8 to 8:30 p.m.: Comedian Mike of Hug Detroit Day and Everette’s The festival will also address the Organizer, and Political Figure at Anthology of African-American Bonner Natural Hair School President Sheila emergence of new music genres from SEIU Healthcare Michigan Writing” Hale; Motivational Speaker Brenda those moves — like ragtime, blues and 8:30 to 9 p.m.: Poet JE McGee Pedleton; Co-Director of Detroit’s jazz — as well as the impacts this had Henrietta Ivey and Singalong “Lift 6:45 to 7 p.m.: Hair Show by performs Trinity International film Festival Film on Detroit. Additionally, there will be Every Voice and Sing” Hairstylist Makyha Womble Activist and Poet Nikki Giovanni Producer Lazar Favors; jazz vocalist Sky discussions of these topics and more. Mike Bonner Introduces Tim Ellerbe Covington; State Rep. Isaac Robinson; 5:45 to 6:15 p.m. 7 p.m.: Motivational Speaker Brenda Recording of an interview with Nat and Co-Founder and Partner at Tickets can be found onlien at eventbrite. Lazar Favors Pedleton King Cole Conscious Community Cooperative com and doors opens at 5 p.m. The ThinkTank - C3 B Anthony, will hope Festival lasts until 11 p.m. Tickets are Co-Director of Detroit’s Trinity International film Festival Film 7:15: Poet Deep Water 9 to 9:30 p.m.: Tim Ellerbe performs to inspire and encourage audiences $10 but are fee for children. For more Producer Lazar Favor Jazz Legend Nat King Cole through their accomplishments,” information contact Nicole Freeman Short Film about Black Bottom and 7 p.m. Artist Talk organizers said. at 248-445-1277. Group rates are also Paradise Valley 9:40 to 11 p.m.: FINALE Nina Simone Since the theme for Black History available. Ifoma Stubbs & Monique Simon Co-Director’s Trinity International JE McGee introduces Sky Covington Month 2019 is black migrations, Film Festival performing Nina Simone

30 BTL | February 14, 2019 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com February 7, 2019 | BTL 31 32 BTL | February 7, 2019 www.PrideSource.com