No. 546 • February 11, 2016 • outwordmagazine.com

Single and Fabulous page 12

Share Art and Love Wedding Services Channing Tatum Celebrate Your Vagina at page 5 page 17 Is Smoking Hot V-Day Sacramento 2016 page 20 page 23 COLOR

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Nationwide may make a financial contribution to this organization in return for the opportunity to market products and services to its members or customers. Products Underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Affiliated Companies, Subject to underwriting guidelines, review, and approval. Products and discounts not available to all persons in all states. Not all Nationwide companies are mutual companies, and not all Nationwide policyholders are members of a mutual company. Products underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Affiliated Companies. Home Office: Columbus, OH 43215. Subject to underwriting guidelines, review, and approval. Products and discounts not available to all persons in all states. Not all Nationwide affiliated companies are mutual companies and not all Nationwide members are insured by a mutual company. Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle Join the Nation, What’s precious to you is precious to us, Nationwide is on your side and We put members first are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2015 Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. COLOR Mayoral Candidate Forum to Focus on Policy by Bonnie Osborn ll four declared candidates in the Sacramento mayor’s race will appear Thursday, Feb. 18, at 7 p.m., at KVIE Public ATelevision for a public policy forum, “Beyond 2016: A Vision for Sacramento’s Future.” Currently Sacramento Councilmember however, space is limited, and preregistration Angelique Ashby, former boxer and three- is required. The forum venue at KVIE Public time World Champion Tony “The Tiger” Television is located at 2030 El Camino Lopez, community organizer Russell Avenue in Sacramento. Doors will open at Rawlings and former State Senate President 6:30 p.m., and the discussion will begin Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg are running to be promptly at 7:00 p.m. the next Mayor of Sacramento and are To register, visit www.rainbowchamber. confirmed to participate in the forum. com and click on the event listing (http:// In contrast to a traditional political debate business.rainbowchamber.com/events/ format, candidates will be asked to discuss details/mayor-s-campaign-policy-forum-172). specific policy questions as they relate to the For more information, email PAC@ Mayor’s office and the city of Sacramento RainbowChamber.com. rather than focus on their own experience, Forum co-sponsors are Stonewall backgrounds, and campaigns. Democratic Club of Greater Sacramento, Scott Lay, author of popular daily political Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of blog “The Nooner,” will serve as forum Commerce/RainbowPAC, Sacramento LGBT moderator. Community Center and KVIE. There are no plans to broadcast the forum Bonnie Osborn is a freelance writer and at this time, but media are invited to cover the owner of Writeaway Communications the event. Services. She can be reached at 916-212- The forum is free and open to the public; 9110 or [email protected].

Angelique Ashby Tony Lopez Russell Rawlings Darrell Steinberg Survey of LGBTQ Immigrants Reveals Harassment new report uncovers high levels of discrimination and harassment in employment, healthcare, housing and education and a distrust Aof law enforcement within the LGBTQ immigrant community. United We Dream, a national network of Immigrant Project. “In fact, some of our immigrant youth, has just released its “No nation’s leading change makers are LGBTQ More Closets” report, the largest national immigrant youth - out of great struggle can survey of the LGBTQ immigrant community come great strength.” ever conducted. In addition to the survey data, the report The report tells the collective and also includes several individual testimonies individual stories of some 461 individuals of LGBTQ immigrant leaders themselves who self identify as LGBT or queer and who including this one from Bianey Garcia of are either born outside of the United States New York City: or are U.S.-born citizens with foreign-born parents. The survey was conducted in late “Coming out for me was not about 2015 both online and through individual visibility, it was about survival and about interviews. being able to share my strength with other “With this survey, we aim to both tell our youth who continue to remain in the stories to policymakers as well as to the shadows and in fear as undocumented and young people in our communities who are LGBTQ. As a transgender immigrant struggling that they are not alone and that woman, being out and counted is a critical together we can turn our shared struggle step so other people in my community can and power into the change we seek,” said feel safe.” Carlos Padilla, National Coordinator of You can find more about UWD online at United We Dream’s Queer Undocumented www.unitedwedream.org 4 Outword Magazine February 11, 2016 - February 25, 2016 • No. 546 outwordmagazine.com Share Art & Love on Valentine’s Day at the Crocker by Elena M. Macaluso ooking for some fun, unique Valentine’s Day plans? Maybe something beyond dinner, roses and wine? Then spend the Lafternoon at the Crocker Art Museum! Start your date with a special Valentine’s Day-themed, docent-led tour of works in the Crocker’s permanent collection. It’s a great way check out pieces you may not have seen before. Crocker docents are vessels of information and full of fun tidbits. Later, discuss which pieces jumped out at you and why. It’s a fun way to get to know your partner better, regardless of whether you’ve been together five months or five decades. Here’s the best part: The tours, which take place at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., are free with Museum admission. After the tour, enjoy a classical concert presented by the Saturday Club, the oldest musical organization in Sacramento. Each year the Saturday Club selects five outstanding piano, vocal, string, woodwind and brass students from area colleges to perform. Think of it: You and your beloved checking Elmer Bischoff’s Models II, a 1968 Charcoal, out the next “American Idol” winner. Well, brush and black wash on off white laid paper is except the music is more likely Tchaikovsky one of the drawings in the Back to Life: Bay instead of Taylor Swift, and there are no Area Figurative Drawings exhibit at the Crocker Art Museum. celebrity judges. Still, if you are a classical music lover and want to hear the best of Life: Bay Area Figurative Drawings,” “The local talent on the cusp of exciting Age of Albrecht Dürer: German Drawings professional careers, this is a not-to-miss from the École des Beaux-Arts, Paris,” and performance. “Rain Forest Visions: Amazonian Ceramics The concert is $6 to $12 after Museum from Ecuador, The Melza and Ted Barr admission of $5 to $10. Space is limited, so it Collection.” (“The Age of Albrecht Dürer” and is recommended that you buy tickets in “Rain Forest Visions” both close on Feb. 14.) advance. Prelude Tours, which happen before The Crocker Art Museum is located at 216 and after concerts and put the music in O St. in Sacramento. Museum hours on context, are drop-in; no advanced registration Valentine’s Day are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For required. Sweet! more information, call 916-808-7000 or visit The Museum opens at 10 a.m. on crockerartmuseum.org. Valentine’s Day, so there is plenty of time to Elena Macaluso is the Public Relations enjoy our current exhibitions: “Ai Weiwei: Associate at the Crocker Art Museum. She Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads,” “Back to can be reached at crockerartmuseum.org. Create Your Own Pride Festival with New Game App

Atari has released Pridefest, an original social-sim game inspired by the LGBTQ community. Pridefest is a free-to-play game designed to emulate the colorful atmosphere and inclusive spirit of the hundreds of real-world Pride parades held annually around the world. Available now on the App Store for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch as well as on Google Play for Android devices. For more on the gameplay, check out the official trailer at bit.ly/PridefestTrailer. outwordmagazine.com February 11, 2016 - February 25, 2016 • No. 546 Outword Magazine 5 Outword Accepting Your Vulnerability Can Set You Free Staff by Nicola Simmersbach PsyD LMFT LPCC PUBLISHER ’m no Girl Scout but something tells me you shouldn’t be Fred Palmer igniting an indoor fire with a steady stream of lighter fluid ART DIRECTOR/PRODUCTION directly from the can. This is what my friend Erin is doing. Ron Tackitt I (Erin isn’t her real name but I’m protecting her identity - not from GRAPHIC DESIGN you; from the fire marshal.) “Relax, I do this all the time” she says. Ron Tackitt Awesome. EDITOR She’s not interested in my fire safety way. If you need help, ask someone who has Charles Peer lecture but she wants to know why my last experience cleaning out under their own [email protected] article was “too short and cut off right before bed. That way you know they have the it got interesting when you talked about ARTS EDITOR capacity to sit with you while you fish out Chris Narloch being vulnerable and aware.” (Outword, Jan. the emotional dust bunnies that have 14, 2016) probably been drifting there since childhood. SALES Ah, yes, vulnerable. My feeling right about I’ve had the privilege of accompanying Fred Palmer now as I watch her tempt fate. many people on dust bunny excavations You can get lots of great information about CONTRIBUTING vulnerability on YouTube by watching Brene over the past 20 years. You learn a lot WRITERS perched in the therapist’s chair that long. Diana Kienle Brown’s lectures. Brene’s funny, too, so it’s an Frances Furio easy and entertaining venue to get a little One of those lessons is that shame is more Colt McGraw free therapy. I call vulnerability a super toxic than we allow ourselves to believe. The Chris Narloch power because it can function as both a other is that secrecy is rich fertilizer for Bonnie Osborn Charles Peer protective and healing force. Like all super shame. Most people are sure theirs is bigger powers it does have its kryptonite, shame than anyone else’s. They’re certain they have PHOTOGRAPHY being one of those. the worst secret, the deepest scar, the most Charles Peer Let’s first talk about what vulnerability unlovable flaw. But they’re wrong. Life exacts isn’t. It’s not reckless self-endangerment. It’s some pretty equal pain on us, only the DISTRIBUTION not exposing your flaws and then demanding details vary. Kaye Crawford that others pick up the slack for you. It’s not Shame pockets can be emptied over time Michael Crawford an exhibitionistic laying bare your soul to in trusting relationships – romantic, invite judgment or evaluation from others. It is the courageous willingness to show up professional or otherwise. Slow, small steps ADVERTISING SALES with your whole self, even the parts you to closeness build safety and allow for pieces Northern California aren’t so sure about, and say “I’m a work in of the puzzle to be shared and healed. You (916) 329-9280 progress; good, bad or ugly, this is me right can do a lot of the work on your own but it Fred Palmer now.” It means dropping all façade and will eventually require that you allow National Advertising Representative fakery and shape shifting we attempt to another person near enough to witness and Rivendell Media make ourselves feel secure and being willing reflect back what you find. It involves risk, (212) 242-6863 and open to just sitting in the muck of our but that’s another story. own existence. Sounds super fun, right? Speaking of risk, I’m confiscating the Actually, it’s not all that bad once you get lighter fluid cans before this woman blows the hang of it. You can learn to root out up her house. shame and drag it out from under the bed, Nicola Simmersbach PsyD LMFT LPCC is into the light for closer inspection. Heck, a therapist in Sacramento specializing in invite it to come sit on the sofa and ask it directly “so who are you and what do you helping people heal their pasts to they can want from me?” enjoy the present and look forward to the You’ll get some enlightening answers that future. Her web site is www.DrNicola.net. Outword Magazine Inc. Thrillpeddlers Hit Musical Club Inferno Returns Office 372 Florin Road, #133 Sacramento, CA 95831

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Club Inferno, a Glam-Rock Musical based on Dante’s The Divine Comedy, is “one hell of a good time,” blending sinful women and kick-ass rock with a classic story of the afterlife. This home- grown rock-stravaganza plays through March 5 at The Hypnodrome in SF. www.hypnodrome.org 6 Outword Magazine February 11, 2016 - February 25, 2016 • No. 546 outwordmagazine.com

Freedom to Marry has donated its collection of documents, media, and electronic files to Freedom to Marry Closes, Yale University, to be made accessible to research historians and journalists starting Launches Legacy Website this summer in the Manuscripts & Archives s it comes closer to ending operations on February 29, division. The records document the history, structure, and activities of Freedom to Marry. Freedom to Marry has launched a new website that will Freedom to Marry also commissioned an serve as a central resource for telling the story of the oral history project on the marriage A movement in collaboration with expert marriage movement while providing lessons and materials for historians at UC-Berkeley, which captures other organizations, movements, and causes. the story of Freedom to Marry and its work with movement partners through interviews of various stakeholders. Thus far, 36 hours of interviews have been completed and transcribed. The first interview transcripts will be available for the public to read online starting early April. In total, between 90 and 100 hours of interviews featuring about two dozen interviewees are expected to be completed by this summer. Interviews will be available on Freedom to Marry’s website and through UC-Berkeley, and eventually in the archive Evan Wolfson, founder of Freedom To Marry, with the front page stories chronicling the success at Yale. of Freedom to Marry’s fight for marriage equality. Finally, Freedom to Marry is also donating to ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives at The website is part of Freedom to Marry’s Digital, the creative and tech agency that USC in Los Angeles a set of Freedom to strategic wind-down, which also includes an Freedom to Marry worked with over the past Marry campaign memorabilia and historic oral history project hosted at UC-Berkeley, six years on digital strategy and creative items, including the victory wall of the donation of archives to Yale University, campaigns across email, social, and paid newspaper front pages covering the arrival and an upcoming film by Eyepop media platforms to rally supporters around Productions to be completed in spring 2016. critical legislative, ballot, and public opinion of the freedom to marry in each state as it “With the fulfillment of Freedom to Marry’s battles. The new freedomtomarry.org was won, which hung in Freedom to Marry’s singular goal of winning marriage includes: headquarters. nationwide, we knew we had a responsibility • A long-form narrative history of the Upon achieving its goal in June 2015, to compile, document, and archive the most significant milestones in the marriage Freedom to Marry, as pledged, began a history and resources, tell the story, and movement that tell the story of how we won smart, strategic wind-down that has now led share the lessons of the movement, strategy, • Resources on best practices for winning to effective closing of operations and formal and campaign that brought about this legislative, ballot, and court victories, and dissolution (pending legal formalities). historic transformation and triumph,” said how those types of campaigns differ During this time, Freedom to Marry’s Evan Wolfson, founder and president of • Detailed chronology of the work in each founder and president Evan Wolfson and Freedom to Marry. state toward winning the freedom to marry other former staff have been sharing lessons “Every one of our staffers who was a part • The national strategy – what Freedom to and advice with many organizations and of the win spent time organizing archives Marry called the Roadmap to Victory – that causes. and writing in-depth analyses of the guided the movement and led to the Wolfson will continue that work from new numerous components of the campaign.” climactic Supreme Court rulings in 2013 and platforms, drawing on his 32 years working These resources, and many more, will be 2015 to win the freedom to marry in the United on the new enduring Freedom to Marry • Analysis of the marriage movement’s States and in countries around the world. legacy website. They will be available to all messaging development, messenger “The work of this Freedom to Marry who seek to apply the Freedom to Marry recruitment, and most effective ads campaign is done, but the work of our model and campaign lessons to other work • Powerful personal stories from the many movement, and so many others, remains still ahead. voices who were part of the movement that undone,” said Wolfson. “Through this website The new legacy website can be found here: achieved the profound change of hearts and and the other legacy resources we have http://www.freedomtomarry.org. It was minds created, we hope to continue contributing created in partnership with Blue State In addition to the new permanent website, long after we close our doors.”

8 Outword Magazine February 11, 2016 - February 25, 2016 • No. 546 outwordmagazine.com A Valentine’s Day Full of Heart and Soul by Joyce Mitchell lay But Play Safe has my heart. First of all — who likes to play? And second, who wants to be safe? We all do. So Pcombine the two — and you have Capital City AIDS Fund (CCAF) working on your behalf to make that happen. Play But Play Safe! and Gonorrhea is rapidly becoming untreatable. CCAF really cares about building a healthier community and helping people, especially our youth, avoid becoming infected with HIV and all STIs. I can’t explain why I’m so committed other than I lost too many people to AIDS back in the day to stop now. My friends who died, also were fighters, committed to carrying the message of a world free of HIV. They showed me the way. For me, now, there’s no turning back. It has become my life calling. A straight woman fighting on this front back in 1986 was an important voice. Add to that, I was working at a dominant television On Saturday, February 13th, we’ll be at the station in Sacramento and was generating Badlands Bitter Ball Valentine’s Day Bash one story a week about HIV/AIDS for the starting at 10 p.m. at 2001 K St. Play But airwaves. I learned a lot then, and I continue Play Safe will be giving away free glow to become more educated and remain bracelets, sexy boy underwear, T-shirts, safe teachable. play kits, and something really sweet — I know HIV/AIDS stigma persists and at Ghiradelli chocolate. Come play with us! CCAF, we’re supporting people on that front, Why? Because there is no better time than investing in their college educations. We Valentine’s Day to tell you about my heart have awarded more than $170,000 in college and soul and why I do this work. At CCAF, scholarships to HIV+ youth. That alone says we’re dedicated to raising awareness that we care about you. Period. HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted It is so hard to find out one of our students Infections (STIs) are preventable with the use is sick — or even dies. And yes, it’s of a condom. Yes, a 7-cent condom. And, happening. We just don’t hear about it much we’re giveaway 500,000 free condoms per anymore. And that is why preventing new year in Sacramento! infections is really important. Those of us volunteering at CCAF have all My wonderful friend Tom DesRosier died lost people to HIV/AIDS and know that the in 1995 from complications related to AIDS. virus still can be deadly. While it is A card from him reminds me daily of how manageable, living with HIV is no picnic. much I was loved. “Always ready to listen, Medications are sometimes difficult to available for hugs, will hold your hand, will tolerate. Truth is — no one has to get HIV always stand by you, ready to go the extra today. It’s 100 percent preventable. mile.” Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Herpes. You know what Tom, I am still here with We also want to protect you from getting you — walking that extra mile. those infections. Sacramento has the third Joyce Mitchell is the President & highest rate of Gonorrhea in all of California, Co-Founder of the Capital City AIDS Fund (CCAF)

outwordmagazine.com February 11, 2016 - February 25, 2016 • No. 546 Outword Magazine 9 EQCA Sponsors Equal Restroom Access Legislation quality California is sponsoring legislation, authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), that would Eestablish the nation’s most progressive restroom access law. AB 1732, the Equal Restroom Access Act, said Rick Zbur, Executive Director of would require single-occupancy restrooms in Equality California. “Everyone at one point California businesses, government buildings or another will benefit from this bill – and public spaces to be identified as “all including nursing mothers, parents with an gender.” opposite-sex child, the elderly and people “Restrooms are a necessity of life. Access with medical conditions with an opposite-sex to them influences our ability to participate caregiver. And this bill will not impose any in public life,” said Ting. “Signs restricting real costs on businesses or governments – it single-use restroom access by gender create merely requires that single use restrooms be problems of convenience, fairness, and safety. made available to everyone. The cost quite They defy common sense, which is why literally is no more than a new plastic sign.” many of us ignore them. ‘All gender’ signs “All Californians should have the same will end these problems and ensure freedom to participate in public life, go about everyone’s rights are protected.” their day, and use the bathroom when they Sponsored by Equality California and need it,” said Kris Hayashi, Executive supported by the Transgender Law Center, Director of Transgender Law Center. “By California NOW and the Golden Gate making single-user restrooms accessible to Restaurant Association, AB 1732 would align all genders, this law will make life easier for state law with similar restroom access laws everyone and reduce the harassment emerging in the cities of Oakland, Denver, regularly experienced by transgender people Boston, and Philadelphia. and others who don’t match people’s “This bill will greatly enhance the safety of stereotypes of what it looks like to be a man and increase options for transgender people, or a woman.” who are often harassed or threatened in For a fact sheet on AB 1732, visit www. public, multi-stall restrooms, but the benefits eqca.org/wp-content/uploads/AB-1732-Fact- would truly extend to virtually everyone,” Sheet-All-Gender-Restrooms-1.pdf. LGBT History: It’s Not What You’ve Been Told commentary by Mark Segal, Mark My Words ery simply, there are many LGBT people out there trying to revise LGBT history. Most have either a financial stake Vor a personal political agenda, but either way, they do an injustice to our community by peddling snake-oil history. The Stonewall Riots were not the first riots elected to a major political convention when in the LGBT community. The Annual she won her bid for the Democratic National Reminder pickets in Philadelphia were not the Convention. first pickets. And Harvey Milk was not the first On a statewide level, the first openly lesbian LGBT person elected to public office in the or gay candidate elected to a state legislature nation. (He wasn’t even the first to run for was Elaine Noble (D), who won her race for public office in California.) the Massachusetts House of Representatives in Let’s start with the one that almost everyone 1974. in the LGBT community thinks is true, but is not: Milk was not the first member of the So back to California, and San Francisco. In LGBT community to be elected to public office. 1961, José Sarria, an activist and drag queen, In fact, there were many others, mostly lesbian became the first openly gay candidate to run women, who it seems have been side-stepped. for public office when he sought a San The honor of the first person to be elected to Francisco supervisor position. public office as an out candidate goes to a Milk’s election to that role was in 1977, and woman named Kathy Kozachenko, who ran for was a major step for San Francisco. He was the city council of Ann Arbor, Mich., as an open and is a historic figure; Milk brought the San lesbian — and won — in 1974. Francisco LGBT community a sense of political That city seems to have been a hot bed of organization, and a new sense of power. But liberalism or gay activism; the year before, his time as an elected official and gay activist both Nancy Wechsler and Jerry DeGrieck came were short-lived. He should be honored, but out while serving on the council, becoming the not at the expense of the women and men who first out elected officials in America. They were were the first to bravely bring our community both graduate students at the University of out of invisibility. Michigan, and were elected to council in 1972 as members of the Human Rights Party. They Mark Segal is the nation’s most-award- came out in a joint press conference, after a winning commentator in LGBT media. You homophobic act in the city. can follow him at www.facebook.com/ Then in 1977 in the Midwest — Madison, MarkSegalPGN or Twitter at twitter.com/ Wisc., to be exact — Jim Yeadon was elected PhilaGayNews. His memoir “And Then I alderman. Danced, Traveling The Road To LGBT On a national level, Madeline Davis in 1972 Equality,” is available online or at your became the first openly lesbian delegate favorite bookseller. 10 Outword Magazine February 11, 2016 - February 25, 2016 • No. 546 outwordmagazine.com Briefly Put DNC Announces Co-Chairs of LGBT Advisory Board Democratic National Committee Chairman Fowlkes has announced that former Houston Mayor Annise Parker and LGBT & HIV/AIDS activist Rev. José M. Román have agreed to serve as co-chairs of the the DNC’s LGBT Advisory Board. Together they will ensure the LGBT Advisory Board regularly convenes to discuss issues of local importance across the states and ways Democrats can continue to take action to advance LGBT rights. “The diverse voices of the LGBT community have not always been represented in the national LGBT movement,” said Rev. Román. “This Advisory Board will help those voices be heard in the Party’s continuing efforts to advance LGBT rights. It will also help shine a light on LGBT Democratic candidates and the efforts of elected Democrats fighting for our community..” The Huffington Post Relaunches Huffpost Gay Voices as Huffpost Queer Voices The Huffington Post has announced the relaunch of HuffPost Gay Voices as HuffPost Queer Voices. In a released statement Huffpost Queer Voices said that part of embracing the future is including as many people as possible, something they feel the name Gay Voices isn’t fully capable of doing. Instead, The Huffington Post has chosen to use the word “queer” because they believe it is the most inclusive and empowering term available to them. LGBT and Allied Organizations and Leaders Challenge New York Senate Majority Leader on Transgender Rights More than six dozen transgender advocate and ally organizations and leaders have delivered a letter calling on New York State Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan to bring GENDA, the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act, to the floor of the Senate for a long overdue vote. The letter, which contains signatures from 70 organizations and individuals from across the state is in response to comments made by Senator Flanagan on Governor Cuomo’s executive action to introduce regulations through the New York State Human Rights Law that bans harassment and discrimination against transgender people. In the letter, advocates called on Senator Flanagan to act, stating, “You have publicly stated that the legislature is the proper place for action – and so in your second year of leadership in the Senate, we call on you to act.” DOD Proposes Rule Change to Provide Medical Benefits for Transgender Troops & Military Dependents The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has proposed a new rule change that will lift the “regulatory prohibition that categorically excludes all treatment of gender dysphoria,” thereby extending crucially needed medical care to transgender service members, veterans, and military family members covered under Tricare. The proposed change would not include surgical care which remains prohibited by statute at 10 U.S.C. 1079(a)(11), but would cover care such as hormone replacement therapy. “All service members, veterans, and military dependents, no matter their gender identity, deserve access to the medical care they’ve earned serving our great nation,” said AMPA President Ashley Broadway-Mack. “This proposed rule change from the Department of Defense would be an incredibly important step in the right direction to help ensure our transgender service members, veterans, and family members finally receive the crucial medical care they need.” Drag Darling Sherry Vine Launches Queer Network

International drag darling Sherry Vine and former Here-TV executive Josh Rosenzweig are combining their style, humor and sensibility into a one-stop, digital destination for all of the world’s LGBTQ entertainment needs. gaySVTVworld premieres February 14 with original shows, specials, music videos, short films and more, all free at YouTube.com/MissSherryVine. outwordmagazine.com February 11, 2016 - February 25, 2016 • No. 546 Outword Magazine 11 Single and Fabulous alentine’s Day is all about love, and is a great chance to find that special someone. So we asked our readers who are single and fabulous to send us a photo of themselves so that Cupid Vcould send his arrows their way. These are some hotties, and their contact info is below, give them a shout out!

Joe Engle www.facebook.com/joe.engle Photo credit Diana Miller.

Jolanne Tierney www.facebook.com/JamminJo

George Raya Jenny Ray www.facebook.com/MidtownGeorge www.facebook.com/jenny.rayturner

Steven Starr www.facebook.com/stevenmstarr

Cortez Washington Jon Benorden www.facebook.com/cordytomuchwashington www.facebook.com/jonbenorden

Shawn Miller www.facebook.com/ GiantsFan14 Tony Southworth www.facebook.com/tony.southworth

Brad Anderson www.facebook.com/brad.anderson

Steve Riggs www.facebook.com/steve.riggs

Paul Crouch Christopher Swales www.facebook.com/paul.d.crouch www.facebook.com/chris.swales Scott Patterson Gus Johnson www.facebook.com/scott.patterson www.facebook.com/augustus.johnson 12 Outword Magazine February 11, 2016 - February 25, 2016 • No. 546 outwordmagazine.com Ai Weiwei’s Circle of Hey Qween! Gets A Make-Over for Its Fourth Season Animals/Zodiac Heads at The Crocker rtist, curator, architectural designer and social activist, Ai Weiwei is arguably the best-known and most successful Acontemporary Chinese artist in the world today, and fortunately for Sacramento art lovers, his Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads bronze series is now on view at the Crocker Art Museum. Born in Beijing in 1957 to the celebrated Chinese New Year (Feb. 8, 2016).” poet Ai Qing, Ai Weiwei was destined to be The Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads has a cultural insider and a political outsider. been displayed at 35 worldwide institutions, Growing up in exile in China laid the including the Tuileries Garden at the Louvre, groundwork for his future as an advocate for Paris; the Alder Planetarium, Chicago; the free speech and a champion for social justice. Hirshhorn Museum, Washington, D.C.; His monumental Circle of Animals/Zodiac Princeton University, Princeton, NJ; the Heads reinterpret the sculptures that once Museo Nacional de Antropologia, Mexico adorned the famed 18th-century fountain- City; the Cleveland Museum of Art, clock of the Yuanming Yuan (Old Summer Cleveland; the Los Angeles County Museum Hey Qween!, the world’s gayest talk show, is getting a face-lift this winter, debuting a sexy new Palace), an imperial retreat outside Beijing. look and sound. Hosted by comedian Jonny McGovern and Lady Red Couture, the show is a place of Art, Los Angeles; the Somerset House, for gay stars and underground legends to come and tell their stories in a way they can’t on any In 1860, the Yuanming Yuan was ransacked London; and the 29th São Paulo Biennial, other talk show. The fourth season of Hey Qween! begins airing February 15th on theStream.tv. by French and British troops and the heads Brazil, among other international venues. were pillaged. At the Crocker, each of the 10-foot-high By creating contemporary versions of bronze sculptures will preside over the these 12 Chinese zodiac animals in an Museum’s exterior courtyard, between the oversized and reimagined scale, Ai Weiwei Transgender Artist’s Songs historic building and the Teel Family focuses attention on issues of the Pavilion, an appropriate setting for works of repatriation while extending his ongoing art that acknowledge the past with Make a Positive Statement exploration of what constitutes Chinese art and identity. contemporary vision. izi Timane — recording artist, author, actor, and life coach to His interpretation of these originals is also Inside the Museum, a supplemental exhibition and video details the history the transgender community — has just released three new meant to encourage dialogue about the fate singles: “Yeah! It Feels Good to Finally Be Me,” “Let’s Make of artworks within changing cultural and behind Ai Weiwei’s conception. R political dynamics. The exhibition, which runs through May 1, Love,” and “I’m Beautiful” that are very trans-affirmative. “We are thrilled to be able to present the will be complemented by additional Museum The video for “I’m Beautiful,” a high- Unspoken Compromise, an Amazon best work of this internationally acclaimed artist,” programming, including a prelude tour and energy dance/EDM inspirational song with seller in 2015 — will go toward this fund. says Scott A. Shields, the Crocker’s associate classical concert with pianist Amber Yui- hints of hip-hop and pop instrumentals, has “I strive to write lyrics that uplift the mood director and chief curator. “Ai Weiwei is Hsuan Liao on Jan. 24, and a three-part already garnered well over 20,000 views on and encourage people to persevere through recognized not only for the quality and poetry class beginning Feb. 9. The Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads is a YouTube and is getting rave reviews for its the tough times in life,” says Timane. “And importance of his work, but also for his stunning diversity. with my new singles and video, I hope to collaborative project of the artist, his studio strong social conscience. It is especially The video features Timane, who is a trans spread the message that despite the many and AW Asia in New York. for more appropriate, too, that this sculptural group man, as well as a whole cast of individuals differences that separate us as far as race, should be installed just in time for the information, visit crockerartmuseum.org. who are diverse not only ethnically but gender, sexuality, and physicality, we don’t physically as well. And whether it’s a person have to fall into the trap of negativity and with a head full of dreads, a plus-size hatred. In fact it’s those differences that make woman, a scarred burn victim, a cross us each unique — and beautiful in our own dresser, little people, or an individual with way.” Down syndrome, each is unique and What’s next for Rizi Timane? Watch for the beautiful in his or her own way. video for “Yeah! It Feels Good to Finally Be “Beauty is not in the eye of the beholder, Me” in January 2016, which will feature an as the old saying goes,” says Timane. all-transgender cast. Rizi will also be touring “Rather it’s something that comes from the US and Europe in the coming year to inside you. And through my music I just perform his trans-affirmative singles and is want to let people know that it’s okay to let available for bookings. that beauty out, to express your authentic The singles are available for download at self and have the confidence to live how you www.rizitimane.com, where you can also see want to live. There’s nothing more beautiful the video for “I’m Beautiful.” than being you.” Timane, who is also the founder of The Happy Transgender Center (www. thehappytransgendercenter.com), has long been known for his outreach into the LGBT community, including the establishment of a trans surgery fund for individuals who have no insurance or otherwise cannot afford gender reassignment surgery. A portion of the proceeds from Timane’s new singles as well as his from four Artist Ai Weiwei with a rooster head he created for his Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads exhibition. previous albums and his memoir — An Rizi Timane outwordmagazine.com February 11, 2016 - February 25, 2016 • No. 546 Outword Magazine 13

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outwordmagazine.com February 11, 2016 - February 25, 2016 • No. 546 Outword Magazine 19 Black Movies Matter Plus Channing Tatum Is Smoking Grammy Fever Hot in Hail, Caesar! by Chris Narloch by Chris Narloch wards show anticipation is building to a fever pitch as the he winter blues appear to be over, at least cinematically Grammys and the Oscars ready themselves for their 2016 speaking, as the January junk gives way to some fine films Atelecasts later this month. Since I am a big fan of both opening in theaters this February, including the latest movie music and movies, I am in hog heaven. T from Joel and Ethan Coen. The Oscars Hail, Caesar! Black movies matter. Academy voters Don’t miss this sweet, old-fashioned apparently don’t agree, however, judging by homage to the golden age of Hollywood, the all-white slate of nominees in the major courtesy of the Coen brothers, who have categories at this year’s Oscars. So much has crafted their least cynical film since my already been written about this issue that I favorite Coen classic, O Brother, Where Art am hesitant to add more fuel to the fire, but Thou? here goes. Hail, Caesar! has a killer cast that includes I see all of the major movies that come out The cast of Broadway’s Hamilton, which George Clooney, Scarlett Johansson, Josh includes actors of color playing white historical each year, and 2015 was a pretty good year Brolin, Tida Swinton, Jonah Hill, Ralph figures, will kick off this year’s Grammys. for black movies. Yet African-Americans Fiennes, Frances McDormand, and an Am I going to boycott the Oscars this year were overlooked in key Oscar categories for amazing Channing Tatum, all playing actors, because most of the nominees are whiter the second year in a row. directors, and assorted other hangers-on at a than Justin Bieber? Hell no. Are you kidding This is not a coincidence but rather a 1950s movie studio called Capitol Pictures. me? I wouldn’t miss that awards show train complex problem that is symptomatic of We knew Tatum could dirty dance after wreck for a million dollars. racism within the movie industry and in our two Magic Mike movies, but here he outdoes As for the Grammy’s, the just announced country at large. (Latinos and Asians wish himself in a lavish, “old school” song and opening number by the cast of Hamilton they had some movies for the Oscars to dance sequence that finds him tap dancing Channing Tatum in a scene from Hail Caesar! performing live from their Broadway theater ignore; films reflecting their lives rarely even on a table in a tight, white sailor uniform. in New York City is enough to get me to get made by the major American movie (Even fully dressed, as Tatum is in this lightweight than we are used to with the tune in this year. (I am also a theater queen, studios.) movie, he’s incredibly sexy.) Coens – but I am an absolute sucker for in addition to a movie buff and a music In 2015, Straight Outta Compton and That was the high point of Hail, Caesar! anything about old Hollywood, so I loved it. lover.) Creed were popular and critical successes for me, but the rest of the film also put a Note: For more reviews of new movies in Mark your calendars for Monday, Feb. 15 that should have received Best Picture smile on my face. It’s an odd film – amusing theaters, please visit www.outwordmagazine. (Grammys) and Sunday, Feb. 28 (Academy nominations, and Michael B. Jordan from rather than hilarious and much more com. Awards) and read on for more juicy details Creed should have been nominated as Best about both shows. Actor. (Idris Elba and Will Smith also gave Grammys excellent performances in 2015, both ignored Rapper turned actor LL Cool J will again by the Academy.) SCSO to Hold Singathon at host the Grammy show, to be broadcast live There are only so many slots available from the Staples Center in Los Angeles. each year, and I do not think that actors of The winners (and even the nominations) color should automatically be nominated. Sunrise Mall are often a mystifying grab bag in terms of But the fact that deserving African-American trains of great Broadway hits – and perhaps a preview of quality, but the show itself can usually be artists were slighted by the Academy two Carl Orff’s riveting Carmina Burana – will put a smile on the years in a row indicates that there is a real counted on to deliver several electrifying faces of Sunrise Mall shoppers of all ages at the Sacramento performances. problem. S This year, Lady Gaga, who brought the The previous year saw Oscar voters ignore Choral Society’s annual Singathon fundraiser in front of Macy’s house down at last year’s Oscars during her David Oyelowo’s brilliant performance as Women’s store. tribute to Julie Andrews and The Sound of Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma and excerpt or two from the SCSO’s March 5th Music, will pay tribute to the late, great Chadwick Boseman’s impossibly good Carmina Burana concert thrown in for good David Bowie. portrayal of James Brown in Get On Up. measure. In other tribute news, Bonnie Raitt, Gary This all has to do with economics, Oscar The event may include some “spontaneous Clark Jr., and Chris Stapleton will team up to politics, and advertising campaigns – yes, guest conductors” and would-be Fred honor B.B. King, who also died recently. artists campaign for Oscars, sometimes as Astaires and Ginger Rogers who will add The Grammys love to match up popular ruthlessly as Donald Trump running for the heartwarming entertainment value to the performers, and the results can sometimes oval office – plus other factors that make event. be inspired. Sam Hunt and Carrie fixing the problem complicated. Proceeds from the Singathon will help Underwood will join forces this year, and What I find funny – and racism is rarely offset professional orchestra expenses for the Justin Bieber will collaborate with Diplo and funny – is that the Oscars hired Chris Rock SCSO’s upcoming March and May 2016 Skrillex to perform their dance hit “Where to host this year in an obvious attempt to choral orchestral classical concerts at the Are U Now?” make their show more “colorful” than last Sacramento Community Center Theater. The The award for most bizarre collaboration, year. fundraiser will also support the SCSO’s however, goes to the recently announced trio Then the nominations came out, and the Conductor Donald Kendrick leads the Sacramento Choral Society at the 2013 important education and outreach to of Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp, and Joe Perry, Academy had to go into damage control Singathon. Veterans, students, the underprivileged and who are scheduled to perform on the mode, announcing a bunch of measures to other area nonprofits. Come join in the fun Grammys as a super-group called The help make their membership more inclusive The Singathon will be held on Thursday and support the SCSO! Hollywood Vampires. and representative of the racial makeup of evening, February 18, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. “People wishing to support our efforts can I will also be glued to my television on modern America. SCSO members will come to sing – and make an online donation at Grammy night to see separate performances You can bet Mr. Rock, who isn’t afraid to sing they will! Under the able and sacramentochoral.com,” said Singathon 2016 by Adele, multiple nominee Kendrick Lamar, bite the hand that feeds him, will have entertaining direction of Conductor Donald Coordinator Brent Wallace. “We are pleased The Weeknd, and Little Big Town, who will choice words for Academy voters on Oscar Kendrick, both singers and shoppers will to continue to uphold our reputation as a no doubt perform their gay-friendly song Sunday during what promises to be a tense croon their way through such great fiscally accountable and well managed arts “Girl Crush,” which is nominated for Song of night for many inside the Dolby Theatre in Broadway memories as The Sound of Music, organization in our community.” the Year. Hollywood. I can hardly wait. Westside Story and Oklahoma, with an 20 Outword Magazine February 11, 2016 - February 25, 2016 • No. 546 outwordmagazine.com Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera Finds Its Groove n Saturday, January 23, the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera performed to near 2,200 patrons in the Sacramento OCommunity Center Theater that holds 2,350 seats. The last time the Sacramento Philharmonic or Opera was filled with that many patrons and near capacity was in 2009.

Channing Tatum in a scene from Hail Caesar! Joining the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera on February 20 is London International Piano Competition grand prize winner Behzod Abduraimov, who will perform the astonishing Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2. The evening of twentieth century works also includes the quiet beauty of Britten’s Four Sea Interludes and the ever dynamic neoclassical Symphony in C by Igor Stravinsky. Mozart’s Requiem was the highlighted featured a Queen cover band and entertained piece of the concert. Conductor James over 2,100 people. Feddeck, lead the orchestra with SP&O’s 44 Their 2015-2016 strategic plan included person chorus along with opera stars, Toni closing the second balcony, but with a Marie Palmertree, Nian Wang, Mason Gates, growing number of subscription and single and Anthony Reed. ticket buyers, they have opened the second Mozart’s Requiem was double billed with balcony for four out of the five concerts so Schubert’s Fourth Symphony far this season due to demand. At the end of the performance, most all of “We are moving in the right direction,” the patrons were on their feet and filled with said Laurie Nelson, SP&O Board President. enthusiasm. “The response keeps getting “We are constantly and consistently meeting better and better,” said Alice Sauro, and exceeding all of our goals through Executive Director of Sacramento fundraising, subscription sales, single ticket Philharmonic & Opera. “It seems we’ve sales, and even on social media! We are become contagious! People come to one grateful for the renewed excitement and concert, find out how fantastic the orchestra trust that the Sacramento Community has and chorus are, they tell their friends, and put in their orchestra and opera company.” then bring them to the next one.” Tickets can still be purchased for the three So far this season, the Sacramento remaining Classic Series concerts and two Philharmonic & Opera has performed four pops concerts by going online to classics concerts and one pops concert. In sacphilopera.org or by calling SP&O’s box November, their first pops performance office at 916-808-2000.

4Th Man Out Is Brashly Funny and Daring

4Th Man Out is a hilarious mash-up of man-child and coming-out comedies, examining a small- town, blue-collar guy who lets his friends know he’s gay — and what happens when they try to help him find a boyfriend. Watch the trailer at www.4thmanout.com. outwordmagazine.com February 11, 2016 - February 25, 2016 • No. 546 Outword Magazine 21

Celebrate Your Vagina at V-Day Sacramento 2016 -Day Sacramento, in partnership with Women’s Health Specialists, is proud to present a Vbenefit production of Eve Ensler’sThe Vagina Monologues. Since 2011, V-Day Sacramento at 2 p.m. on Valentine’s Day (Feb. has raised over $60,000 to support 14) at the 24th Street Theatre. The local organizations working to end second performance will grace the violence against women and stage of the Crest Theatre at 7:30 children in our community. p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20. This year, 100 percent of event V-Day is a global activist proceeds will be donated to movement to stop violence against Community Against Sexual Harm women and girls. Further (CASH), Sacramento Women Take information about V-Day can be Back the Night and the Gender found at www.vday.org. Health Center. For more information about the The first performance ofThe Sacramento events, please visit Vagina Monologues will take place www.vdaysacramento.org. Sac Phil & Opera Hosts Cirque de la Symphonie by Chris Narloch ast November, the Sacramento Philharmonic rocked the sold- out house at the Community Center Theater with its pop- Lconcert The Music of Queen. This month, another not-to-be- programs throughout the world – contemporary music in missed night is promised with Sac aerial flyers, acrobats, collaboration with the maestro. Phil’s next Pop Series presentation, contortionists, dancers, jugglers, Don’t miss Sacramento Cirque de la Symphonie. balancers, and strongmen. Philharmonic & Opera as they Performed to live music from Cirque de la Symphonie will present Cirque de la Symphonie, your favorite classical composers, leave you breathless as its for one night only, on Saturday, Cirque de la Symphonie is a new performers reach new heights Feb. 27, at the Sacramento touring production formed to bring swirling and swooping above and Community Center Theater. the magic of cirque to the music over the audience. For more information, please hall. Each artist’s performance is visit www.cirquedelasymphonie. Artists include the most amazing professionally choreographed to com. For tickets, go to www. veterans of exceptional cirque classical masterpieces and popular sacphilopera.org.

Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera presents Cirque de la Symphonie. outwordmagazine.com February 11, 2016 - February 25, 2016 • No. 546 Outword Magazine 23 Sia and Sara Bareilles Reviewed Plus Elton John and David Bowie by Chris Narloch o many intriguing CDs have been released recently that I decided to throw them together and review them all at once. The common denominator Samong the quartet of artists in question is a chameleon-like quality that all four share. Elton John and David Bowie I find myself in my melodies. I sing commercial musical climate. were famous for their wild and for love, I sing for me. I shout it out Elton John – Wonderful Crazy every-changing stage outfits back in like a bird set free.” If that isn’t a Night the day, while Sia is pioneering a statement of purpose, I don’t know The ten new songs on Elton fascinating brand of anonymity the what is, and those lyrics are also a John’s latest disc find the piano likes of which we have never seen rebuke to critics who malign her man reunited with longtime in popular music before. sometimes histrionic and often drummer Nigel Olsson and Sara Bareilles is a more indistinct vocal style. guitarist Davey Johnstone, as well traditional singer-songwriter who The new CD’s second song, as with his most successful doesn’t change her image or her “Alive,” is even more histrionic than songwriting partner, Bernie Taupin. music much from record to record, “Chandelier,” but its precisely that While not classic Elton, the but she is branching out this year, overwrought, hyper-emotional results are a solid effort that will transforming herself into a quality that makes Sia’s best work please his diehard fans, of which I Broadway tunesmith for Waitress, a so addictive. Other highlights: am one. The CD was reportedly major new musical that opens in “Move Your Body,” “Unstoppable” recorded very quickly, but rather April. and the Kanye West-produced than sounding tossed off, it has a “Reaper.” spontaneous vibe that makes catchy lyrics such as those on “Claw Hammer,” “A Good Heart” and the title track sound even fresher.

Sia – This Is Acting Some people don’t get Sia. They find her strange and over-the-top, but I love everything about her. David Bowie – Blackstar The crazy outfits that make her I still have a hard time look like Minnie Mouse on acid, processing the fact that David the face-obscuring wigs, the fact Bowie has died. He was such a Sara Bareilles – that she sometimes turns her back singular, shift-changing genius that What’s Inside: Songs From on her audience when she the loss seems unfathomable. I Waitress performs on television. hadn’t kept up with his more The literate lyrics on previous I find her intense desire to recent music, but his passing Bareilles hits such as “King of protect her privacy so intriguing prompted me to purchase a Anything,” “Love Song,” and “Brave” because it goes completely against dynamite 3-CD collection of his have been bright spots on pop radio the grain of what we have come to entire fifty-year recording career, over the past few years for those of expect in popular music – the sort and that set, Nothing Has Changed, us who appreciate clever songwriting of media-hungry, get your face out is absolutely essential listening for rather than over-produced, auto- there anyway you can strategy that serious music fans. tuned noise. The CD I am reviewing here, So it makes sense that Bareilles Madonna, for one, perfected. should bring her crafty way with Blackstar, is reportedly Bowie’s last, Sia obviously felt that words to Broadway, where her music “Chandelier” was going to be her and it is a hauntingly beautiful and lyrics will be heard in previews ticket to mass success, and she was swan song from an artist who beginning next month when the right. One of the most compelling never stopped exploring both in his Brooks Atkinson Theatre in New and unlikely radio hits of recent life and especially in his music. York City hosts the musical version years, its dark lyrics, triumphant The title song (and first track) is of Adrienne Shelly’s charming vocal, and pristine production a trippy, nearly ten-minute blast of romantic comedy film,Waitress . combined to create a heady jazzy pop-rock that finds Bowie Bareilles’ new disc is basically a musical stew. singing the line “I’m a blackstar” as preview of its own that finds her Crazy girl is back with a dozen if he knew the end was near. The lovely, big voice giving life to a dozen new songs on her just released song is not morbid, however — it’s of the songs that others will be 2016 CD, This Is Acting, a fitting beautiful and adventurous, like the singing once the stage version opens. (Bareilles is behind the scenes and rest of the disc. title for a chameleon such as Sia. does not appear in the new musical.) While not as dark as her previous If these really are the final seven Jason Mraz joins Bareilles on two disc, 1000 Forms of Fear, Sia’s new songs from David Bowie, they are a of my favorite tracks, “Bad Idea” and record is still unmistakably her fitting tribute to a musical master “You Matter To Me,” and I also own, starting with the lyrics on the the likes of which we will probably enjoyed “When He Sees Me,” “She first song, “Bird Set Free.” not see again anytime soon, Used To Be Mine,” “Lulu’s Pie Song” “And I don’t care if I sing off key. especially in this crassly and really, the entire disc. 24 Outword Magazine February 11, 2016 - February 25, 2016 • No. 546 outwordmagazine.com Out Singer Sarah Dashew Rolls like a Wheel on New CD n less than ten years, out lesbian Sarah Dashew has managed three critically-praised albums, successful tours and television Ispots, and her new full-length CD establishes her as one of the music industry’s most consistent singer-songwriters. On her latest full length, Roll Like a Wheel, one can hear her whole musical history: Texas tejano, Southern gospel, and blue-eyed soul, but now wrapped up in a distinct Los Angeles flavor. You can still hear James Taylor and Janis Joplin, but there’s clearly a Paul Simon, Graceland-era spirit to the proceedings. The rhythms of her city have combined to imprint itself on the album. “More than any other city has done before,” Dashew pronounces. That and finding true and everlasting love. “Estas Son Las Cosas” announces itself with blaring Mariachi horns then Spanish- sung verses, a clear homage to the eastside of LA, which she calls home. “Are You flavor, and spins it into a journey of soul Listening?” continues the Spanish singing, this time to an upbeat pop-rock number, and spirit,” says Dashew. “Joy and healing. perfect for a dance or two. Reflection and anticipation. And all that Then there’s “Roll Like a Wheel,” the comes down to love.” stand-out track (from which the album gets This insistence has earned her songs its name) that almost sounds like a spots on the hit NBC show My Name Is manifesto for both the album and her Earl, inclusion in the celebrity playlist of brilliant musical career: Keep the wheel ABC’s Ugly Betty, rave reviews of previous spinning, keep the influences coming, and albums, and successful tours throughout never stop. Not surprising from someone the U.S. and Europe with the likes of who grew up sailing around the world with Cowboy Junkies, Michelle Shocked, her family. Suzanne Vega, and Pancho Sanchez. “Roll Like A Wheel is the culmination of Watch the officialRoll Like A Wheel my musical history thus far. It takes all my video at www.youtube.com/ life and sounds from childhood to now, watch?v=wWmGHN7jD1k or vist www. wraps it up in a package of Los Angeles Sarahdashew.com. Portrait Of A Serial Monogamist Is a Fresh Coming-of- middle-age Romantic Comedy.

Vanessa Dunn and Diane Flicks in a scene from Portrait Of A Serial Monogamist, a peek behind the curtain into a world of smart, funny and relatable queer characters, dealing with the universal complications of modern relationships. Not another coming out story, this is an unusual and entertaining romantic comedy. Watch the trailer at wolfevideo.com/products/portrait-of-a-serial- monogamist/. outwordmagazine.com February 11, 2016 - February 25, 2016 • No. 546 Outword Magazine 25 Grandma & Empire Come Home on DVD by Chris Narloch GBT television fans have reason to rejoice over the renaissance in small screen quality thanks to the explosion Lof cable programming — and its more mature content — in recent years. Popular programs such as American by Oscar voters, and its deserving director, Horror Story on FX and Looking on HBO Todd Haynes, was also overlooked. have put gay characters front and center on In any event, Grandma is now available television, and queer characters were also via Blu-ray, DVD and digitally, allowing prominent on the big screen this past year. you to see Tomlin’s superb performance for Read on for reviews of two of my favorite yourself. The multi-talented comic actress gay-themed entertainments from 2015, now (and legendary lesbian) plays the title available on DVD. character Elle, who embarks on a road trip Grandma with her granddaughter to find $600 to pay Laverne Cox gives Lily Tomlin a tattoo in Grandma. I don’t know why Lily Tomlin failed to for the young woman’s abortion. secure an Oscar nomination for her brilliant, Will she or won’t she go through with the second season, but I just recently finished between Lucius (Howard) and his gay son bittersweet performance in this entertaining procedure? The fascinating film is actually watching the premier season on DVD. Jamal (Jussie Smollet), who was dumped into dramedy from writer/director Paul Weitz. more concerned with Elle’s past, and the Henson’s crazy character Cookie is reason a garbage can by his father at the tender age Perhaps her meltdown on the set of a skeletons in gay grandma’s closet, which enough to tune in, and LGBT viewers can of five. David O. Russell movie a few years back get rattled over the course of this fine, also savor the queer aspect of the show, In season one, the father-son drama came (widely viewed on YouTube) hurt her funny film. which was a surprise smash as a mid-season to a head, when Jamal finally stood up to his chances, or it could have been the simple Grandma costars Julia Garner, Sam replacement in 2015. abusive, homophobic father, choosing to fact that Grandma came out earlier in 2015 Elliott, Judy Greer, Laverne Cox, and Marcia Even in 2016, homosexuality is still a move out of his apartment and cut financial rather than during Oscar-bait season at the Gay Harden. taboo in rap music circles, and the gay ties. end of the year. Empire storylines resulted in the show’s co-creator You can catch up on that conflict and Then again, lesbian-themed movies did If you’re not already savoring the guilty and executive producer Lee Daniels much, much more with the Season One not fare as well this year with Oscar voters pleasure that is Empire, you should be. receiving death threats last year. DVD of Empire, available now from 20th as many people had hoped. Carol, named That delicious Fox television series, which The juicy African-American soap opera Century Fox Home Entertainment. Best Picture by the New York Film Critics, stars Terrence Howard and an outstanding, tackles homosexuality and homophobia Note: For more LGBT DVD reviews, go to failed to even be nominated in that category over-the-top Taraji P. Henson, is well into its head-on, with a longstanding struggle www.outwordmagazine.com.

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outwordmagazine.com February 11, 2016 - February 25, 2016 • No. 546 Outword Magazine 27 COLOR