Supreme Court Ruling may Force Trump Retreat on Anti-LGBTQ Policies The Significance of the Black Gay Pride Experience

Thank You, Aimee Stephens Michigan Plaintiff Instrumental in Pro-LGBTQ Supreme Court Ruling

BTL Photo: Andrew Potter

PRIDESOURCE.COM JUNE 25, 2020 | VOL. 2826 | FREE

VOL. 2826 • JUNE 25, 2020 MICHIGAN NEWS OPINION ISSUE 1150/51 4 Affirmations LGBTQ Community 10 Viewpoint: Civil Unrest Now and PRIDE SOURCE MEDIA GROUP Center to Host Pride Telethon June 27 Then Phone 734.293.7200 4 NextGen: Celebrating Pride, 10 Parting Glances: Engaging Young Voters PUBLISHERS 11 Creep of the Week Susan Horowitz & Jan Stevenson 4 Macomb County Sheriff says EDITORIAL Fake Grindr Account Used to Smear Editor in Chief Deputy’s Image ENTERTAINMENT Susan Horowitz, 734.293.7200 16 Haaz Sleiman to the Rescue [email protected] 6 Michigan Plaintiff Instrumental in Pro-LGBTQ Supreme Court Ruling 18 How the COVID-19 Outbreak and Entertainment Editor Chris Azzopardi, 734.293.7200 08 Quarantine Is Affecting Local Queer [email protected] 6 Supreme Court Ruling may Force Choruses Trump Retreat on Anti-LGBTQ Policies News & Feature Editor 20 Deep Inside Hollywood Eve Kucharski, 734.293.7200 8 The Significance of the Black Gay [email protected] Pride Experience 21 Q Puzzle: Rocketman News & Feature Writers 23 Michigan Resources Michelle Brown, Ellen Knoppow, Jason A. Michael, 12 Detroit Pistons Pride Equality Panel Drew Howard, Jonathan Thurston Discusses LGBTQ Inclusion in Sports CREATIVE 12 Council Members Call for Webmaster & MIS Director Resignation of Ypsilanti Mayor at Kevin Bryant, [email protected] Public Protest 16 Columnists Charles Alexander, Michelle E. Brown, Mikey Rox, D’Anne Witkowski, Gwendolyn Ann Smith, Dana Rudolph

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Ferndale Mayor Melanie Piana on Pride Month, Coronavirus and Being an Ally Follow us @YourBTL by Ellen Shanna Knoppow Email your op–eds to [email protected] To find more Between The Lines HISTORIC: Supreme Court Rules Firing Workers for Being LGBTQ is Illegal content, visit our site online at by Chris Johnson Sign up online to receive our E–Digest Pridesource.com and check out Asylum Connect Helps LGBTQ Refugees Find Support Across U.S., Co-Hosts Our rate cards are available online. All material appearing in Between The our PrideSource YouTube Lines is protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced in Virtual Pride by Eve Kucharski whole or part without the permission of the publishers. Between The Lines channel. There, viewers can find is supported by many fine advertisers, but we cannot accept responsibility for claims made by our advertisers, nor can we accept responsibility for one-on-one interviews like our talk with Also, make sure to check back for continuing COVID-19 coverage. materials provided by advertisers or their agents. Jason Mraz. Copyright 2020 www.PrideSource.com BTL | June 25, 2020 3 NextGen: Celebrating Pride, Engaging Young Voters

BY ELLEN SHANNA KNOPPOW Commitment to Diversity NextGen America, the coalition of young people whose goal it is to mobilize Affirmations LGBTQ Community Center other youth to register and vote for to Host Pride Telethon June 27 progressive candidates, places a high value on the diversity of its volunteers BY BTL STAFF and staff. That’s of great importance to Eden Zimak, a 26-year-old Wayne FERNDALE – In celebration of Pride Month, the Airmations County NextGen organizer who LGBTQ Community Center will host a six-hour livestreaming identiies as a queer woman. event called the Pride Telethon 2020 on Saturday, June 27, “I don’t think I could work in an starting at noon. It will feature interviews with community organization that didn’t prioritize members, activists and supporters, along with entertainment that,” said Zimak, who uses they/them segments by local artists. pronouns. “As someone who is still “It is truly an honor to bring together such an important group not protected in some ways under the of people in celebration of Pride,” said Dave Garcia, executive Elliott-Larsen Act, I would have a really director of Airmations. “his will be a wonderful opportunity diicult time being engaged with any for the community-at-large to learn more about the programs organization, any job that didn’t ... just and services ofered here at Airmations and have some fun accept, but really celebrate, LGBTQ during these truly trying times.” p e op l e .” What began as a single helpline program for LGBTQ resources Indeed, NextGen is celebrating the and referrals some 31 years ago, has transformed into the LGBTQ community this June. he lineup region’s largest community center that ofers a wide array of of virtual opportunities begins Monday, support, social and human services located in the heart of June 15 and extends through Saturday, Eden Zimak, a 26-year-old Wayne County NextGen organizer June 20. downtown Ferndale. chat based in west Michigan on Tuesday, happy hour and open mic night called “his telethon will help our organization raise awareness and June 16, designed to provide locally- Inside Out Loud on Thursday, June needed funds to continue and expand the important work we What to Expect available resources for the LGBTQ 18, that will include some featured have been doing for decades,” said Cheryl Czach, board chair community in that region of the state. poets who identify within the LGBTQ of Airmations. “Given the current climate, and our pivot to A family-friendly favorite, Drag Queen “Wednesday [June 17] is a Latinx community. address critical emerging needs of our LGBTQ+ citizens, we Story Time is scheduled for Monday, panel discussing the term Latinx and According to Zimak. “We’ll have a will use this event to connect those that can help us meet the “which we think will be a really fun way the history of that, and that’s put on by bartender there who will show us how needs of those we serve every day.” to kick of the event,” Zimak said. two of our organizers who identify as to make a fancy cocktail; we’ll hang out, Local Michigan queens will be Latinx,” Zimak said. featured. hat’s followed by a community he telethon will livestream on Airmations’ three social media Attendees may join NextGen for a See NextGen, continued on p. 14 channels — YouTube, Facebook and Vimeo. Macomb County Sheriff says Fake Grindr Account Used to Smear Deputy’s Image

BY EVE KUCHARSKI community to “do its thing.” said that this isn’t the irst time this deputy has and “clear” the deputy of wrongdoing. When “I honestly felt the urge to post it to my been targeted. asked what the motivation would be to use ast hursday was a normal evening for Facebook, because, for one, why would a cop “I believe it was about three-to-four months images of the deputy in a malicious manner, Southeast Michigan resident Ian Peters literally be frolicking around on a gay dating ago, we had an email that was sent to me Wickersham said he did not want to comment Lwhen he received a notiication on his app like that, being straight-up racist and giving anonymously [from] a concerned citizen of on an ongoing investigation or release the real phone. At irst, it seemed regular enough. But out that image and energy? I just thought it was a deputy’s actions. he deputy denied it, our name of the deputy. a closer look revealed that Adam Edward, the plain disgusting,” Peters wrote. “And it makes computer crimes task force went in and looked “Well, at this point, we know what the person reaching out, was a Macomb County me really upset to know that the people who are and we were able to identify the individual that circumstances were on the irst one, and right deputy whose account showed a racist bio with supposed to ‘serve & protect’ the community I created the account and was trying to smear now it’s just hard to speculate. And nor do a Confederate lag background. live in are like that. Especially with everything the name of the deputy,” Wickersham said. “At I want to say anything as the investigation “He messaged me on Grindr and I going on in the world, and a cop from my area that point, the deputy didn’t want to pursue is going on, but it’s deinitely not him that’s automatically [saw] the Confederate lag as is gonna be out frolicking like that? Absolutely anything and the issue was dropped.” posting this kind of stuf online,” he said. “… his picture, so I clicked it and his bio said, ‘I disgusting.” Wickersham said that last week he received The pictures up [are] him, and it’s our guy. wish there was an app for only white guys,’ and Peters said that ater he posted the account another anonymous email with the images of And we’re working on identifying [the person I was like wtf,” Peters wrote over Facebook images, several people told him “they’ve the account that Peters had posted on Facebook. who posted them], and if we ind them we will Messenger. “So I clicked the message and it received multiple messages from the same guy “he deputy was immediately notiied and, prosecute the individual responsible.” was literally a picture of a Macomb County and multiple pictures” including selies. again, denied any involvement in this,” he said. Peters said that this experience has reinforced cop in his uniform, and then another picture Between he Lines contacted the Macomb “And this was turned over to our computer his caution “about being on apps like that in of him nude in the mirror, and I was like, ‘Oh County Sherrif Anthony M. Wickersham for crimes task force to identify the individual general for privacy and safety reasons.” my God, what the hell!” comment. He also condemned the images, and that posted it.” It wasn’t long before Peters took screenshots he added that investigation so far has shown Wickersham said that the task force was able Editor’s note: Some quotations have been edited of the account and called on the Facebook the account to be a fake. In fact, Wickersham to track the IP address of the original poster for length and clarity.

4 BTL | June 25, 2020 www.PrideSource.com

Supreme Court Ruling may Michigan Plaintiff Instrumental in Pro-LGBTQ Force Trump Retreat on Anti- Supreme Court Ruling LGBTQ Policies BY CHRIS JOHNSON BY EVE KUCHARSKI team appealed, and a federal he U.S. Supreme Court issued a In today’s historic 6-3 Supreme Court judge at the 6th landmark ruling this week in terms of decision, LGBTQ people across the U.S. came Circuit Court of the immediate protections it granted one step closer to full equality when justices Appeals ruled T LGBTQ people in the workplace, but the ruled that workplace sex discrimination that the funeral decision may soon provide more victories by protections extend to sexual orientation and home engaged in forcing President Trump to retreat on much gender identity. he majority’s 33-page opinion sex discrimination of his administration’s anti-LGBTQ policies. consolidates the answer to three cases in one, against Stephens Ater all, many of the Trump administration Bostock v. Clayton County, that asserted that when they fired rule changes in enforcement of civil rights law the deinition of “sex” in Title VII of the Civil her. Today, the continue fighting to ensure equality for all to exclude LGBTQ people rested on the idea Rights Act of 1964 could extend to LGBTQ Supreme Court’s ruling served to reinforce Michiganders.” the deinition of “sex” didn’t include them. people. that decision. hat has been undisputedly rejected in the What is perhaps most surprising about the “here are no words to describe what I’m ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County, which opinion is that it was penned by conservative feeling at this present moment, and I just—I Explicit Terms determined iring workers like Gerald Bostock justice and Trump-appointee Neil Gorsuch. A cannot thank the people enough that worked so Deputy Director for Transgender Justice for being gay or workers like Aimee Stephens staunch “textualist,” Gorsuch holds the view hard on this case to get us where we got to,” said with the ACLU’s LGBT & HIV Project Chase for being transgender violates the ban on sex that when interpreting the law, justices should Donna Stephens, Aimee’s wife. “I know the last Strangio called the decision an “incredible discrimination under Title VII of the Civil interpret legislation exactly as the statute says seven years of Aimee’s life, she rose as a leader moment and victory,” especially considering Rights Act of 1964. without considering the original author’s who fought against discrimination against its timing. On issues ranging from housing and health intention. transgender people. And I’m so grateful for “And this is really is a rebuke to the care to transgender kids’ access to school “Judges are not free to overlook plain this victory to honor the legacy of Aimee and Trump administration that has attempted to restrooms, the Trump administration may statutory commands on the strength of nothing to ensure people are treated fairly regardless undermine protections for LGBTQ people be forced to roll back many of its anti-LGBTQ more than suppositions about intentions or of their sexual orientation or gender identity.” through federal agency action since January policy changes. If the Trump administration guesswork about expectations. In Title VII, Aimee Stephens died last month at 59 due of 2016,” Strangio said. “… All the way up to fails to reverse these policy moves, the U.S. Congress adopted broad language making it to complications related to kidney disease. Friday … when Health and Human Services government could be subject to costly lawsuits. illegal for an employer to rely on an employee’s Jay Kaplan is the ACLU of Michigan’s LGBT issued a sweeping 340-page rule attacking trans Shannon Minter, national legal director of sex when deciding to ire that employee,” he Project staf attorney, and he worked directly people, particularly trying to undermine our the National Center for Lesbian Rights, said wrote in his opinion. “We do not hesitate to with Stephens on this case. He said that as health care protections. All of that was premised the decision is “bound to have far-reaching recognize today a necessary consequence “monumental” as the outcome is, “it’s tempered on interpretations of sex under federal law that implications in the full range of other sex of that legislative choice: An employer who with the bittersweet knowledge that Aimee’s the Supreme Court just rejected.” discrimination cases involving LGBTQ people.” fires an individual merely for being gay or not here.” James Esseks is the Director of the ACLU’s “hose include pending challenges to the transgender deies the law.” “And her one wish was that she would live LGBT & HIV Project. He joined Strangio in transgender military ban, a Fair Housing Act Earlier in the opinion, he summarized his long enough to read this opinion, so I’m very his praise of the decision, but he cautioned case on behalf of a lesbian couple excluded point with a workplace example. sad, very sad that she’s not here,” Kaplan said. those celebrating to remember that there is from a retirement community in Missouri “Consider, for example, an employer with “It’s a wonderful opinion. he majority pretty still much more work to be done. Speciically, that has been stayed in the 8th Circuit pending two employees, both of whom are attracted to much agreed with what we’d argued in our he mentioned “gaps” in federal protections the resolution of the Title VII cases, a number men. he two individuals are, to the employer’s brief, and it’s a very strong opinion and it can that don’t extend to uniform LGBTQ rights in of Affordable Care Act cases challenging mind, materially identical in all respects, except help and save the lives and make a better life public accommodations — businesses available denials of care to LGBTQ individuals, and that one is a man and the other a woman,” for so many LGBT people. I’m thinking a lot to the public — and in the recipience of federal every policy that the Trump administration Gorsuch wrote. “If the employer ires the male about Aimee today.” funding. He said that he Equality Act, which has promulgated that is based on the false view employee for no reason other than the fact he Along with dozens of other local politicians would extend the nation’s Civil Rights Act to that sex discrimination laws do not protect is attracted to men, the employer discriminates and groups, Michigan’s Gov. Gretchen Whitmer explicitly include the terms “sexual orientation” LGBTQ people,” Minter said. against him for traits or actions it tolerates in released a statement expressing her support and “gender identity,” is the ideal way to fully Ironically, that would be because of a his female colleague.” for the Supreme Court ruling, mentioning ensure protections for LGBTQ people across decision written by U.S. Associate Justice Neil He was joined in his majority opinion Stephens by name. the U.S. Gorsuch, a Trump appointee and textualist by conservative Chief Justice John Roberts “Today, in a landmark ruling, the Supreme “he Equality Act would ill both of those conservative judge whose confirmation alongside the Court’s four liberal justices. Court conirmed what we already know – that gaps protecting all women as well as LGBTQ LGBTQ rights advocates vigorously opposed. nobody deserves to lose their job because of people, and that’s something that we think is Omar Gonzales-Pagan, senior attorney Michigan’s Impact who they are or how they identify,” Whitmer an essential next step. It should happen right for the LGBTQ legal group Lambda Legal, said. “This is good news for the countless away in order to fully protect LGBTQ people said in an interview with the Blade “so many One of the other two cases that were vital LGBTQ+ Michiganders who have been ighting in the civil rights context,” Esseks said. “hat is administrative pronouncements” would be in securing this opinion includes Michigan’s for equality for decades, and would not have a bill pending in Congress. It passed the House subject to reversal as a result of the Bostock R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes Inc. v. Equal been possible if not for one of the plaintifs, of Representatives about a year ago and has decision. Employment Opportunity Commission. Here, Aimee Stephens, a brave Michigander who been stalled in the Senate by the leadership “All of these are situations in which the plaintif Aimee Stephens was ired ater six fought for transgender rights until the day she in the Senate and we call for them to release administration relied on a cramped reading years of steady employment when she came died. here is still more work to do. We must it and get it to a vote.” of sex discrimination and should be directly out as transgender to her former boss, homas continue ighting to expand the Elliott-Larsen Kaplan agreed. impacted by the decision, aside from the Rost. Civil Rights Act to protect members of the “What’s so important, though, is that we not countless other cases laid out in the great After her termination, Stephens filed a LGBTQ+ community and make Michigan a just rest on our laurels and the media doesn’t roadmap by Justice Alito,” Gonzales-Pagan complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment state where more people want to move to for just decide that everything’s taken care of,” he said. Opportunity Commission and sued Rost. opportunity. In honor of Aimee, take today said. “Our next step is we need to have those Top of the list for reversal is former U.S. hough she initially lost her case, Stephens’ to celebrate this victory, and tomorrow, let’s explicit civil rights protections.” Attorney General Jef Sessions’ memo in 2017

6 BTL | June 25, 2020 www.PrideSource.com declaring the U.S. Justice Department won’t aftermath of the Bostock ruling, it doesn’t apply Title VII to cases of anti-transgender appear to be in a hurry. Each of the departments discrimination in the workforce. hat memo contacted by the Blade on whether they plan to on its face is in conlict with the law now that change anything ater the ruling said at most the Supreme Court has explicitly determined they were reviewing the decision. anti-transgender discrimination is prohibited White House Press Secretary Kayleigh under Title VII. McEnany, asked by the Washington Blade Also on the list are policies explicitly Wednesday if President Trump wants the interpreting laws against sex discrimination decision implemented narrowly or extensively, other than Title VII to exclude transgender said that would up to the Justice Department. people, such as the Afordable Care Act, the “In terms of how it’s implemented, DOJ will Fair Housing Act and Title IX of the Education lead the multi-agency efort to help provide Amendments of 1972. certainty to the regulated parties,” McEnany The most high-profile of these actions is said. the rule the Department of Health & Human McEnany said she wasn’t aware of Trump Services made final just last week undoing planning to have any conversations with DOJ Obama-era regulations determining Section about the implementation of the decision. 1557 of the Affordable Care Act applies to President Donald Trump may be forced to retreat on anti-LGBTQ policies after the Supreme Court ruling. Asked by the Blade whether Trump thinks cases of anti-transgender discrimination of (Screen capture via ABC7 WJLA Facebook livestream) the ruling is a civil rights win, McEnany said sex stereotyping. didn’t him that question, but quoted a portion Although a federal court had already of the dissent from U.S. Associate Justice the law protects them from discrimination “heir cramped reading of sex is the same enjoined the U.S. government from enforcing Brett Kavanuagh saying he disagreed with the ‘on the basis of sex.’ Like all children, they cramped reading that they try to use here and the Obama-era rule, the Trump administration majority, but the win was important to gay and deserve to learn and grow free from fear and they tried to use in Section 1557,” Gonzales- by reversing the regulations in the back end lesbian people. in community with their peers.” Pagan said. “Obviously, the court, not just by effectively enabled health care providers to “I thought that was a very good quote from Also legally suspect now is the recent it words but by its actions in treating with the refuse services to transgender people, including Justice Kavanaugh,” McEnany said, declining determination from the Department of respect that she deserves Aimee Stephens and transition-related care and gender reassignment to mention anything about transgender people Education based on Title IX against the referring to her with her chosen pronouns surgery. in response. participation of transgender girls in school and talking about transgender status and sex Now that the Supreme Court has determined The Justice Department didn’t Blade’s sports, which was made as a result of a are inextricably linked to the lack of thinking anti-trans discrimination is a form of sex request for comment on the way the Trump complaint from Connecticut girls who lost to they put into these proposed rules.” discrimination, the framework of the HHS administration intends to implement the ruling. transgender athletes in a track event. Trump’s transgender military ban is another policy is contrary to the law. One factor that could be holding them up he Department of Education came down anti-trans policy, although legal framework Minter said the reasoning the behind the is the upcoming decision from the Supreme on the side of the girls who said the victory of for contesting the ban based on the Bostock HHS rule change can’t hold up in the wake Court in the cases of Our Lady of Guadalupe the transgender athletes unfairly pitted males is more complex. of the Supreme Court’s determination in the School v. Morrissey-Berru, Agnes and St. James against females in a system designed to separate Because no law prohibits discrimination on Bostock case. School v. Darryl Biel, which will determine athletes by gender, but that reasoning is at odds the basis of sex in the military, one might say “The ruling is also an extremely forceful whether religious schools are entitled to a wider with the Bostock decision. the Bostock decision wouldn’t have any impact rebuke to the lengthy analysis published by religious exemption from non-discrimination Trickier are other anti-LGBTQ rules from on Trump’s transgender military ban. However, HHS Friday, in conjunction with issuing its laws, including Title VII, in terms of hiring the Trump administration that weren’t based on according to U.S. legal jurisprudence, laws new rule attempting to strip protections from practices. narrow interpretations of the deinition of sex, related to sex discrimination must be subjected LGBTQ people under the Afordable Care Act, If the Supreme Court rules in favor of but the inherent powers of the U.S. government. to heightened scrutiny, or a greater assumption which argued that sex discrimination does the religious schools, it would undercut the Among them is the Department of Housing they’re unconstitutional, by the courts under the not protect ether LGB or transgender people,” decision it just issued on Title VII, and likely & Urban Development’s proposal to carve guarantee of due process and equal protection Minter said. “he Court’s opinion eviscerates factor into new regulations coming from the out an Obama-era rule prohibiting homeless under the Fith Amendment. that analysis.” Trump administration on the Bostock ruling. shelters from turning away transgender people If anti-transgender discrimination is a form Anti-trans policies from the Department of Another caveat could come from the Supreme based on the ban on sex discrimination in the of sex discrimination as it pertains to Title Education, which were made by interpreting Court during its next term as a result of its Fair Housing Act. VII, that could very well be the case for the Title IX to exclude transgender people, are forthcoming decision in Fulton v. Philadelphia. The reversal under HUD Secretary Ben Fith Amendment, which forms the basis of also poised for reversal in the atermath of the In that litigation, Catholic adoption agencies Carson, which isn’t yet inal, allows homeless legal challenges currently underway against the Bostock decision. are seeking a First Amendment right to refuse shelters to refuse to let transgender people stay transgender military ban. he Bostock decision One is the policy of refusing to take up child placement into LGBTQ homes. A ruling consistent with their gender identity based clearly identifying anti-trans discrimination as cases from transgender kids in school that are in favor of Catholic Social Services could on various factors, including, privacy, safety, sex discrimination, therefore, gives attorneys refusing them access to the restroom consistent undercut the Supreme Court’s ruling in the practical concerns and religious beliefs. challenging the policy a boost to their argument. with their gender identity, which is based on Title VII cases. Also in this category is the rule change from Gonzales-Pagan, whose organization a narrow interpretation of Title IX. Secretary Minter said the decision in the Catholic various departments undoing an Obama-era Lambda Legal is behind litigation against the of Education Betsy DeVos has said — publicly school cases “applies only in employment,” regulation issued in December 2016 days before ban percolating in the 9th Circuit, said that and reportedly in private meetings — the policy but the upcoming decision from the Supreme Trump took oice barring federal grantees from logic should apply to the transgender ban. would continue until Congress or the Supreme Court in the Fulton case is another story and discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation “he same analysis and thinking applies,” Court says otherwise. “could potentially have a much broader impact.” and gender identity. Gonzales-Pagan said. “Granted they are Eliza Byard, executive director of the LGBTQ “Depending on how the court rules, Fulton Because the Obama-era policy was based diferent provisions, but if the analysis is that student group GLSEN, said DeVos told her the could create new religious exemptions that on the inherent power of the U.S. government, you cannot discriminate based on transgender policy was dependent on the courts during a apply in virtually any context, federally funded the Trump administration invoked the same status without discriminating based on sex, March 2017 meeting, so now the time has to social service agencies of all kinds, not just authority to reverse it, not any interpretation then yes. And so, really an implication of this come to make a change. adoption agencies, and potentially even in for- of “sex” under the law. decision is that in some ways, heightened “Secretary DeVos must immediately reverse proit workplaces,” Minter said. Gonzales-Pagan, nonetheless, said the scrutiny now theoretically applies across the her attacks on transgender students’ rights, Bostock decision could provide fuel for legal country both as to sexual orientation and which began with her very irst oicial actions his article originally appeared in the Washington challenges to the HUD proposal and rollback transgender status.” in 2017,” Byard said. “Now, she can no longer Blade and is made available in partnership with of non-discrimination requirement for federal But if the Trump administration is preparing hide behind the claim of waiting for the courts. the National LGBT Media Association. grantees. to reverse its anti-LGBTQ policy in the Trans girls are girls. Trans boys are boys. And www.PrideSource.com BTL | June 25, 2020 7 The Significance of the Black Gay Pride Experience

BY RAMÓN HARRIS

few goals of the Black gay Pride movement are visibility, empowerment Aand equality — similar to mainstream Pride events. So why are there separate, race- related Pride experiences in the LGBTQ community? Here, members of the Black LGBTQ movement explore the question of why Black gay Pride exists. Since mainstream Prides, historically, have not honored the voices of Black LGBTQ people, approximately 25 Black gay Pride events were instituted to represent these unheard voices. Inclusion is not merely an act of attendance or communal partying, it is shared interests, goals and support 365 days of the year. Senior Editor for Thebody.com, Kenyon Farrow, thinks separate Black LGBTQ Pride exists “because of a history of Black people not being included in the organizing and decision- making around what events got sponsored for Pride.” he Center for Black Equity has programmed DC Black Pride for nearly 30 years. “Not only do we want to have the coveted seat at the table, but it is true — we still want to ‘do our thing,’” said Earl Fowlkes, the Center’s since its inception. live and where we are. sponsorship, it was to raise money to take care president and chief executive oicer. “It was eye-opening,” Chambers-Woods said. “We are LGBTQ people, but we are also of our own that was hit by the HIV epidemic,” Excluding Black LGBTQ people from the “It made me understand that regardless of what Black folk. The need for Black LGBTQ Chambers-Woods said. planning process of mainstream Pride lends I am, or whatever I decided to be, or come out celebrations are paramount,” Emory said. “It Emory explained that New York Black to the pathology of exclusion and segregation, as when I grew up, I would totally be accepted is absolutely paramount and required because Pride was founded because of the HIV/AIDS pushing LGBTQ people of color into a need for by one person, my grandma. It just let me see of the consistent disparities in resources and epidemic. separate, more inclusive programming. that there are other sides to social norms that philosophies around LGBTQ life and history.” “here was a crisis within the Black [LGBTQ] “Well, first of all, we didn’t do it, it was we thought were straight [culture].” For the last 25 years, LGBT Detroit Executive community surrounding HIV/AIDS,” Emory done to us,” Fowlkes said. “Why are there Historically, Black LGBTQ people have Director Curtis Lipscomb, has led the charge said. “And, information was not being two sets of Masons, fraternities, nurses relentlessly experienced bias, discrimination on Detroit’s Black LGBTQ pride celebration, disseminated to us, no resources [were] being associations, journalism associations, social and prejudice. he challenge for Black LGBTQ Hotter than July. allotted to us, and we were dying — primarily worker associations? he white [organizations] people is trying to ind places in which they can Lipscomb recounted the ‘80s and ‘90s when Black gay men.” wouldn’t let us into theirs. he formation of be comfortable — or, better yet, in which they he lost many of his friends to the HIV/AIDS History suggests that movements for a Black Pride continues a tradition that we’ve can feel at home. Black gay Pride experiences epidemic. group of people disparately underrepresented, had since we’ve been in this country. White provide that sense of community. “HIV/AIDS destroyed so many of us, and underserved, and undermined, require safe folks don’t want us around, but we still want Alyce Emory, Beyond Bold & Brave/Black we had no resources,” Lipscomb said. spaces. Generations of Black LGBTQ people to do our thing.” Lesbian Conferences Project co-founder and he world then, as it is now, has demonstrated before had to ight for recognition, ight to be Black LGBTQ people want spaces that executive director explains that the world’s the stark resource disparities for Black LGBTQ heard, ight to be seen and ight for resources. value their uniqueness instead of simply being current protest and civil unrest due to police people during the HIV/AIDS epidemic. When looking for the reason to why Black tolerated. he need is to feel as though they brutality against Black people illuminates why “here was no money given to us, there was gay Pride exists, the answer seems overtly have a place to belong. Gary Portnoy penned there is a need for separate Black LGBTQ Pride no one to take care of us,” Chambers-Woods simple: It’s so that we don’t forget to remember. it best in his 1983 song, “Where Everybody celebrations. said. “When our families found a lot of our Knows Your Name,” that “Sometimes you want “Racial inequity is why. hat’s one [reason]. brothers and sisters were HIV-positive, they Ramón Harris is to go/ Where everybody knows your name/ But also, I believe in order for us, as social were thrown to the masses. We had to make an advocate in the And they’re always glad you came/ You want justice workers, to do the strongest and the most sure our family was OK.” LGBTQ community, to be where you can see/ Our troubles are all responsible work, we must irst understand In the ‘80s and ‘90s, Black gay Pride events podcast journalist the same/ You want to be where everybody ourselves,” Emory said. “We have to be home were the vehicle to provide resources the Black and entrepreneur. knows your name.” irst, because home is comforting, home gives us LGBTQ community desperately needed. Entrepreneur and DC Black Pride Director strength and is what we need to move forward.” “It was more than just a party with a of Volunteering & Vending Denise Chambers- Emory warns that we must focus on our Woods has had a unique experience. Chambers- history as Black LGBTQ people, adding that Woods’ grandmother is a lesbian, and her understanding our history is realizing the larger grandmother took her to every DC Black Pride work that relects the communities where we

8 BTL | June 25, 2020 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com BTL | June 25, 2020 9 ShaZOOM! Oz Pride 2020

Parting Glances BY CHARLES ALEXANDER

n spite of the halo’d Wizard of OZ, Pride 2020 came to the Yellow Brick Road — for the irst time ever — this June. IThanks to the determination, hard work — and loyal fan base — of that redoubtable foursome: Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, Tin Woodman and “Over the Rainbow” vocalist: smiling, singing, swinging, Dorothy from Liberal, Kansas. As might be expected their Virtual OZoom, two-hour-long presentation does full, if somewhat controversial, tribute to America’s LGBTQ comic book community and its neglected history, struggles, heroes and villains. “We are Proud, with a capital P, of who we are,” Tin Woodsman said. “And while our comics have been around for decades delighting both young and old alike for 10 cents a read, we have our rainbow moments as well.” OZoom 2020! begins with America’s outspoken, full-ledged crime ighter and vocal Amazon, Wonder Woman, speaking candidly about why it is so frequently necessary to put men in their place — especially when they make snide, demeaning comments about how women should keep silent in business, at home and at church. Wonder Woman, who’s been around since 1941, shows her sot-side moments when candidly talking about her relationship with her secret admirer Etta Candy, “Who has perhaps too Viewpoint much weight to be my heroine understudy.” She talks openly about her once-closeted side as Princess Diana of hemyscira. “It took a while to come out, but it’s been a source of strength Civil Unrest Now and Then and power for me,” she said. OZoom next features coverage of America’s oldest comic book couple: Batman & Robin. The renowned “Dynamic the bar. Eventually there were more of us outside the bar than Duo” have been together — would you believe — 79 years. BY MARK SEGAL the Police who were trapped inside. Almost spontaneously we Seventy-nine years! hat has to be a record. began to throw anything we had at the doors. he police had lost s someone who participated in the Stonewall riots Featured, too, is their palatial Gotham City penthouse and control because we refused to allow them to attack us any more. back in June 1969, many people have been asking me pictured selections from their extensive, high-quality collection Like the black community, we witnessed the hate, disregard, the similarities between that event and the events, civil of capes and leather gloves. A and a police force attempting to dominate and control us. Like unrest and demonstrations following the murder of George OZoom Pride 2020 concludes with two well-deserved today, the Stonewall Riots were made up of young people my age, Floyd. hey want to know if the two events—and the people tributes. First, to Bert and Ernie of the Muppets and “Sesame street kids, trans people, people of color, and women. Society pushing for change—share a connecting factor. Street” fame. and even parts of our own community had already abandoned In May of 1969, when I was 18-years-old, I moved to New York As a memory jog: it has been long-rumored that Bert and us. We didn’t have good jobs that we were afraid of losing. We to escape a closeted life of lies. I quickly realized that we LGBT Ernie were a “loving couple,” but in 2018, their “Sesame Street” had only our lives and our dignity to protect. We were the ones people were invisible in the media, business, entertainment, writer Mark Saltzman said that they were “best friends” — if that had nothing to lose. and most areas of life. We were thought of as immoral by all you can believe that. Sometime in the middle of all the ruckus, I stood there and religions, illegal by the police and mentally ill by the medical Recently, however, “Sesame Street” carried a statement of thought: this is 1969. Black people were ighting for their rights, profession. And as I noticed almost instantly, we were treated inclusivity. so was the Latino community and women’s community. What as inhuman, dominated, and controlled by police. I would ind “On our streets we accept all, we love all and we respect all,” about us? In the middle of that revelation, a man named Marty out the extent to which we were dominated very shortly. it said. “Happy Pride Month.” Robinson handed a piece of chalk and told me to write on the When the police burst into Stonewall that night in June, I It looks like Bert and Ernie are oicially out. walls and streets “Tomorrow night Stonewall.” witnessed police violence against our community for the irst he inal tribute is to Burr Tillstrom (1917-1985), the creator, And we did meet that second night, and a third, and from the time. Not just intimidation, not just verbal abuse, but true writer and puppeteer, of the much-beloved TV show, “Kukla, ashes of Stonewall, Gay Liberation Front was created. From our physical assault. he lights blinked inside the bar and soon Fran and Ollie.” he series was popular in the 1940s and 50s. anger we found a group that made sure nobody would forget ater the doors burst open. Police took people, who had been It also starred the lovely and personable Fran Allison. what happened at Stonewall and nobody would forget how peacefully enjoying their drinks, and slammed them up against he Kuklapolitans, as they were called, was one of the irst we’d been treated by the police. A movement was created, the the walls. hey did this simply because they knew they could programs appealing to both children and grown-ups. Both irst LGBT movement that was willing to ight back and not and nobody would stop them. It was their right to attack us Kukla and Ollie were “high camp” puppets on stage. just plead for our rights. We were out, loud, and in your face. because they believed we deserved it. Nobody thought we as Little known at the time, Burr Tillstrom, originally from In the following nights we were the ones who dominated LGBT people had any worth in society. No authority would Chicago, was gay. A well-kept secret to TV audiences — that the streets. We were the ones who deied the police to stop us. be on our side. We were let out of the bar one by one. But rather than run See next page home, many of us chose to stay. I stood across the street from See Viewpoint, continued on page 12 10 BTL | June 25, 2020 www.PrideSource.com Creep Of The Week Together We Can Make Historic Change Roger Severino BY D’ANNE WITKOWSKI to set the ACA on fire didn’t miss a beat ven if you know in your heart of take seriously as an elected oicial, and one once the pandemic started. Now, with over BY GARY PETERS rainbow hearts that the president of the I wish all elected oicials and candidates 120,000 dead from COVID-19, instead of United States and the cretins who work was honored shared. E being focused on preventing death and for him hate you, you might not realize that to recently My colleagues in the House fought hard to stopping the spread of this virus, the Trump this administration is always busy working j o i n pass the Equality Act, but Mitch McConnell Administration is throwing transgender I to further harm LGBTQ people. people to the wolves. Well, they’re actually Affirmations, refuses to put it up for a vote in the Senate. They’re cruel. But are they “deny OutFront All the while, President Trump continues throwing the country to the wolves, they’re transgender people health care in the middle Kalamazoo, to implement an agenda that has unraveled just trying to hurt transgender people more of a major pandemic during Pride month Equality years of progress for the LGBTQ community beforehand. on the anniversary of the Pulse night club Michigan and from rollbacks of health care coverage to Trump said that the reason we have so massacre” cruel? several other banning transgender Americans serving many COVID-19 cases is because we test You know the answer. hardworking in the military. too much. He said he wants to “slow down” he Health and Human Services’ Oice organizations and With Republican leaders in the White testing. More than 120,000 are dead, but it’s for Civil Rights, which is headed by Roger activists across House and Senate not even allowing a vote not because of Trump’s incompetence and Severino, a man the Human Rights Campaign the state for a virtual celebration of the on the Equality Act, we cannot truly achieve complete disregard for anybody but himself, has described as a “radical anti-LGBTQ-rights historic ruling made by the Supreme Court equality or make gains for marginalized it’s because we’re too aggressive with testing. activist,” issued a rule that narrows what to protect LGBTQ rights in the workplace. communities. Stupidity and cruelty rule the day in counts as “sex discrimination” in Section 1557 And while our fellow Michigander Aimee hat’s why in 2020, our goal is clear: Win Trump’s administration. of the Afordable Care Act. It only counts if Stephens was not able to live to see this back the White House, hold the majority And it’s entirely by design. Severino — who you get discriminated against because you’re landmark decision, her legacy will mean so in the House and lip the Senate blue. And has a history of opposing marriage equality, a lady or a man. Not if you’re “other.” In the much for the LGBTQ community. that starts right here in Michigan with this supporting abusive “conversion” therapy, Trump Administration you’re either strictly I’m proud to be part of the progress Senate seat. To capture the Senate majority not considering transgender people fully a MAN or WOMAN or you’re some kind of toward equal rights in our country. As a and take back the White House, we must human and who has a history at the anti- freak who doesn’t count. Doesn’t exist. former lieutenant commander in the U.S. win Michigan. LGBTQ Heritage Foundation — didn’t get to So LGBTQ folks are ighting back using one Navy Reserve, I was active in the repeal of It couldn’t be more clear how much is be the head of HHS’ Oice for Civil Rights of the only words Trump seems to understand: “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” because no patriot at stake and how critical it is that we elect by accident. lawsuit. should be turned away from serving their people who are going to ight for the equal According to CBS News, there are 10 As NPR reports, “A coalition of LGBTQ country because of who they are. And I rights of all Americans. plaintifs in the case against who argue that clinics and organizations are suing to block have been an advocate of marriage equality, We have a lot of work ahead, but I the rule change was made “with next-to-no a Trump administration rule that aims to including signing the amicus brief to know that together we can rise above the legal, medical or reasoned policy foundation, strip ‘sex discrimination’ protections for support the overturning of the DOMA. But challenges to make historic change. and contrary to the opinions of professional transgender people from laws that govern there is still so much more work to be done medical and public health organizations.” health care.” and that includes passing the Equality Act. Gary Peters is a U.S. Senator from Michigan. Omar Gonzalez-Pagan, Senior Attorney If you remember back to 2016, BEFORE we As I continue to work in the Senate, He has been ranked as one of the most and Health Care Strategist for Lambda elected a racist dumpster ire as a president, I can promise that I will keep fighting efective and bipartisan Democratic Senators. Legal, said in a press release that the change the Obama Administration was clear that for consistent and explicit non- Peters said his number one priority is making “creates chaos and confusion where there was “sex” included gender identity. But under discrimination protections for every sure Michigan families can thrive via ighting once clarity,” which could literally describe Trump, gender identity is out. Discrimination American. No employer should ever be for quality, afordable health care and lower everything the Trump Administration has is in. able to discriminate an individual based prescription drug prices, defending our Great ever done and will ever do. TransLatin@ Coalition President and CEO on their sexual orientation and/or gender Lakes, protecting public schools or standing Severino, however, believes that the Bamby Salcedo told NPR that this rule change identity. No American should ever be up for small businesses. religious rights of health care workers are “will hurt marginalized communities who denied housing, employment, health care being violated if they have to take care of already experience barriers to care.” or public accommodations based on who transgender people. And, let’s be honest, it’s “Even those of us who are lucky to get they are or who they love. It is a promise I likely the only kind of medical care Severino through the reception and get to see a doctor,” associates with transgender people is what Salcedo continued, “we oten encounter that he no doubt calls a “sex change operation,” the doctor tells us, ‘I don’t treat people like as if trans folks don’t get sinus infections and swaying to the music of “Somewhere Over you .’” kidney stones. ® Parting Glances the Rainbow.” We have a major health care problem in “For years, the Trump administration Continued from p. 14 “Stay safe. Stay blessed. Stay determined! this country. Too many people go without has utilized HHS as a weapon to target and Vote wisely in 2020! But not for the slightly it. And too many people can’t access it even hurt vulnerable communities who already dizzy Wizard of OZ and his zany cohorts,” if they want to. The Affordable Care Act, experience alarming rates of discrimination he was a long-time puppeteer since 1936, Dorothy adds. though not perfect, attempted to address when seeking care, even now, during a global should have been a clue. some of those problems. And Republicans pandemic,” Gonzalez-Pagan continued. “We He has since been inducted into the Charles Alexander is proliic both as a BTL have done nothing but try to destroy the ACA, will ight back.” Television Academy Hall of Fame. And, in columnist (700-plus columns) and as a and they truly don’t care what it means for I’m glad that we have folks like Gonzalez- 2013, he was also inducted into the Chicago well-known LGBT community artist (1000 people who stand to lose care if they succeed Pagan working hard to protect LGBTQ rights, LGBT Hall of Fame. Facebook images). He is a Spirit of Detroit in dismantling it. here is NO Republican plan but remember that if the people who write the OZoom PRIDE 2020 concludes with Award recipient and an Airmations LGBT for a replacement. he replacement is, “Health laws in the irst place think LGBTQ people Scarecrow, Tinwood Man, Cowardly Lion CENTER Jan Stevenson awardee. Connect care is for everyone. If you can aford it.” are human beings, we wouldn’t be at this sad and Dorothy holding hands while each with him at [email protected]. It’s an immoral stance, but their goal awful juncture. Voting matters. Do it. wears rainbow-colored face masks while www.PrideSource.com BTL | June 25, 2020 11 Council Members Call for Resignation of Ypsilanti Mayor at Public Protest

BY EVE KUCHARSKI Gaines remaining on the all from. You cannot represent us all and call via Facebook admitting her actions were racist Commission. Then, on yourself a racist on TV and in your responses and committing to “do better.” n June 16, during Saturday, June 20, council in the news. So, I have no problem teaching a BTL reporters have reached out to Bashert a public Zoom member Somerville and person things outside of that seat.” and council members for direct comment. his Omeeting, the Mayor Pro Tem Nicole Last week Bashert posted a lengthy message is a developing story. Ypsilanti City Council Brown called for Bashert was discussing whether to to resign at a peaceful reappoint Ka’Ron Gaines Black Lives Matter protest to the Human Relations in downtown Ypsilanti. Commission. When Somerville stated that the discussion reached they would not participate Ypsilanti Mayor Beth in another meeting until Bashert, she said, “Since Bashert tenders her I will be cruciied if I vote resignation. against any black person “So, if we’re talking on a commission, I’m about allyship and how we going to vote yes.” move forward, then the request from me, from Other council members immediately my fellow council member Annie Somerville criticized the comment, with some asking and many people in the community already is for an apology and council member Annie that she resign,” Brown said. “he only way for Somerville voicing concerns via social media. her to learn and grow is not currently sitting Bashert was the only leader to vote in favor of in the seat that you should be representing us

® Viewpoint We had found in ourselves Detroit Pistons Pride Equality Panel Discusses LGBTQ Inclusion in Sports Continued from p. 10 real radical organization, self- identity, and community. BY BENJAMIN DECKER athletes to come out of the closet and see the person who loves everybody. hey just Part of our movement was what work is needed so that other athletes, want to play basketball, go out and enjoy to work with others seeking hile Pride month is halfway like Collins, can feel comfortable sharing themselves. I am not judging. I’d wanna be social justice, so we marched with women, Latinos and over, the Detroit Pistons are their sexual orientation. respected just like I respect them.” African Americans. We worked with the Young Lords Wnot slowing down with their “Well, there’s a lot. I got to tip my cap to Tyler shited the conversation towards and Black Panthers. he women of GLF were part of the message of LGBTQ inclusion. his week, women. hey’ve been leading the way in the conservative legislation restricting the women’s movement, and many were leaders there. the Detroit Pistons held their third virtual this for decades, starting with Billie Jean rights of trans athletes, from laws legally For people who were literally illegal in New York at that Pride celebration, an Athletes for Equality King,” Collins responded. “With regards to preventing them from using locker rooms time, we took back our streets. We advertised our meetings Panel hosted by Hudson Taylor, founder male athletes, we are still waiting on that to unequal access to health care. and dared the police to break them up. For the irst time of Athlete Ally. next male athlete to step forward. We’re “Almost half of the states in the United a drag queen could walk down Christopher Street and “Everyone has come to tonight’s panel waiting for the day where it becomes like States had a government bill that was put not be arrested, and they were welcomed as part of this because Pride is both personal and when Elena Della Donne came out before forward from conservative legislatures new movement of inclusion and diversity, where in the important to them,” Taylor said. “We each the Rio Olympics and everyone was like, attempting to restrict or completely ban past our own community had shunned them. have a connection to this conversation in ‘OK, cool. Go win a gold medal.’ So, I hope transgender student-athletes — speciically We protested and created incidents, some of us were some way.” that male athletes who are closeted will transgender girls- from playing sports with beaten, others arrested, but we never gave up. When Taylor was accompanied by Chris look at my example.” girls at the high school and college level,” anyone got arrested, we demonstrated the next day outside Mosier, the irst transgender athlete to Tyler then pivoted the conversation Mosier said. “Idaho’s law actually restricts the police station. represent the U.S. in an international toward Zoll-Norman and Mahorn, as they any transgender girl or anyone assumed he similarities are obvious between Stonewall and competition, Detroit Pistons radio analyst have experience being both players and to be transgender from participating in the protests today. Violence once seen as normal in all Rick Mahorn, the irst openly gay athlete coaches. Tyler was interested in hearing sports.” its ugliness became unacceptable. A dominating police in the NBA Jason Collins, Athlete Ally from their perspectives when he asked To conclude the panel, Tyler brought up force would no longer be tolerated. he idea that this member Kenneth Faried and openly what role do coaches have in making the importance of advocacy for equality, cannot keep happening led to civil unrest and created a lesbian athlete Sharnee Zoll-Norman. sports a place where LGBTQ athletes can both racial and LGBTQ. He questioned movement for change. The panel discussed the roots of be themselves. the panelists about what the next step was, We are at a pivotal time in history, a time of powerful homophobia and transphobia in sports, “I am coaching 17-22-year-old women how to keep the momentum going forward change. We need to embrace the moment and help it as well as covering topics on why Pride is … they’ll follow my lead. I am the adult and what calls to action society has. spread. We need to be proudly on the front lines. We can’t important to each athlete, how coaches can in this situation and if I allow for it to be “I know it sounds a bit cliché, but we be afraid of being arrested. Many of us in 1969 wore our help include the LGBTQ community, the a safe space and let them know [that] no have to educate ourselves- on the plights arrests as a badge of honor. Ater all, our country was next steps in advocacy and more. matter what, we’re here,” Zoll-Norman of other people. So while that be people born from a revolution. hose who fought to create this In regards to the importance of Pride replied. “We’re a family and with that of color or LGBTQ+, understanding the country are known as Patriots. And the people ighting to him, Faried replied, “My mom is gay, family, you protect [them.] You have to ights that we have gone through, that it for change today, the people taking to the streets and and, for my whole life, I had to deal with allow people to feel comfortable in who is not something we are just complaining demanding that these injustices happen no more, they that. I’m going to protect her and stand they are. You know how it feels to be that about,” Zoll-Norman said. “It is something are patriots too. up for her and for her rights. She deserves young.” that people live and experience every to be treated like a normal human being, Mahorn replied, “It is about that safe single day.” Mark Segal is the founder and publisher of Philadelphia like everyone else.” space — who you are comfortable talking Gay News. Learn more at https://epgn.com Taylor was especially interested in to or the comfortability of being able to For more on Pistons Equality Pride week, discussing the restraints put on male share. My job is not to hate. My job is to be visit www.pistons.com.

12 BTL | June 25, 2020 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com BTL | June 25, 2020 13 ® NextGen Continued from p. 4

kind of decompress a little bit, listen to some awesome poetry.” Friday, June 19 will be a Juneteenth virtual symposium. An educational experience led by Black artists and activists. Participants will learn what Juneteenth is, its history and what’s ahead. NextGen’s Pride Week ends on Saturday, June 20, with a performance by Flint native and gender-nonconforming musical artist Tunde Olaniran. Follow the NextGen Michigan Facebook page for more information when that becomes available. While NextGen’s Pride Week is meant to celebrate the queer community, it also serves to introduce young people to the organization and to activism by way of activities that appeal to its demographic. “We are 100 percent celebrating Pride,” Zimak emphasized. “We think that’s really important to have that space especially with things like Pride festivals being canceled this year. But we do always have a political education component [to] discuss with people how they can get involved, register voters. his year there’s a big push to obviously get people absentee ballots, and so we’re doing some education around that as well. So that will be included, but our focus is to highlight Pride as the month to celebrate the LGBTQ community.” Making Adjustments As Zimak mentioned, many Pride festivals were canceled this year due to the novel coronavirus. Gatherings of large groups of people just haven’t been possible, and that’s afected the way countless organizations function. NextGen is no diferent. here are hundreds of “It’s been a huge adjustment,” Zimak acknowledged. “When we were out in the ield, what we were focusing on was meeting businesses that advertise people, especially young people, where they are. So that would in BTL and welcome look like music festivals, open mics, parties, partner with local everyone. artists and DJs ... events like that. Protests, rallies — and that obviously is all in person, in the ield. Invest in equality and “We’ve tried to shit some of those things onto a digital platform. So we’ve done open mic nights, happy hours, things work with businesses that like that. We think that’s really important right now to make support Michigan’s LGBTQ sure that there is still space to engage with communities,” community! Zimak continued. “And then we’ll also have political education as a component of that as well, but our focus deinitely is to create the space and make sure people are feeling supported during this really challenging time.” While times may be diicult due to the pandemic, Zimak said overall, they ind plenty to enjoy about their job educating and engaging young voters ages 18 to 35 through get-out- the-vote eforts and by holding elected oicials accountable. “I like that I get to work for people in my age group, and that I get to be knowledgeable about the electoral process system and speak with people who think that the system is not built for them,” Zimak explained. “A lot of young people do feel that way, and I feel that that’s oten by design. We’re sort of meant to be kept out of this very complex system, and so it’s cool to engage with folks and say, ‘Hey, if we want to see a future that includes us, if we want to see a future at all, we need to have a hand in shaping a system that actually works for all of us, not just those with the most wealth and resources in this country.’”

Find out more online at nextgenamerica.org.

Puzzle on page 21

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www.PrideSource.com BTL | June 25, 2020 15 Haaz Sleiman to the Rescue

Photo: Apple TV+ BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI a convincing straight guy onscreen. that I was OK, that nothing is wrong with me; things that women are not supposed to do, she gave me hope that, yeah, I can actually and her breaking the rules and her being so ctor Haaz Sleiman is on a mission to After “The Son” aired, what kind of feedback have a bright future for myself, and I can get rebellious in the sense that, yeah, I’m gonna take part in stories that broaden the did you get from LGBTQ immigrants whose what I want, and that there’s nothing wrong have sex with this guy and I’m gonna be so Apool of queer perspectives on the experiences were similar to Rafiq? with that. As a gay kid, I really loved strong happy about it and I’m not gonna feel any screen. And if you already know his work, I am so grateful for amazing, positive feedback women, and so in that sense it made sense I shame the next day. Whenever Madonna was you know he’s on a roll. on Instagram, just comments thanking me looked up to her. I was inspired by her and equal to men, whether it’s in her lyrics, in For “he Son,” an episode of Apple TV+’s and saying they felt seen. he importance of really, honestly, if I didn’t have Madonna in her music, that’s what really empowered me acclaimed anthology centered on the immigrant what we do, and storytelling and television my life as a child I don’t know if I would’ve because I saw, through her, that I can be like experience, “Little America,” Sleiman portrayed itself, is that you can feel like if your story is been able to survive. that as a gay man. hat’s really what inspired a gay Syrian refugee trying to gain asylum in the being told, you matter somehow. It was really me and empowered me the most. United States ater his father brutally condemns In “The Son,” Rafiq’s friend, Zain, is a Kelly just very gratifying. I would say a lot of her sexual songs do him for kissing a man. Sleiman must be doing By the way, the lovely gentleman I got to Clarkson fanboy and finds comfort in her song that for me. I’m a very sexual person and I’m something right: he episode has been banned portray, Shadi Ismail, was loored by how it “Breakaway.” What’s a song that kept you going a big lirt and it’s just something natural for in 10 Arab countries and in Russia. came out and felt it was exactly what he went during your time as a gay man living in Lebanon? me; it’s second nature. So I lirt with women, hen, in writer-director Mike Mosallam’s through. He was in tears. So, for me, I’m just I was a very interesting child, I guess you I lirt with men; it doesn’t matter. And, for indie rom-com “Breaking Fast,” which is very happy with the way it came out and how could say. An old soul. So I always heard me, anytime she was free and uninhibited in currently seeking wider distribution while also LGBTQ people have been receiving it. his is people being like, “What’s wrong with Haaz? expressing her sexuality in her songs that was making its virtual Pride rounds this summer, a story that should’ve been told a long time He needs to be like normal children. He needs very empowering, because in Lebanon and in Sleiman plays a gay Muslim Arab navigating ago; it’s long overdue. We’re inally getting it, to play with children.” I never understood most Arab countries sex is a shameful subject life, love and loss in West Hollywood during and I really think it’s about time. that. I felt bad about that. he reason I’m to talk about. Ramadan. saying all of that is because it also applies to But the queer storytelling mission that’s so You’ve been open about being, as you’ve said, Regarding representation, who did you look up what I’m about to tell you. important to Sleiman, who has also starred a “total bottom.” But at the same time, you’ve to as a gay boy who grew up in Lebanon? I think I was kind of sophisticated in the in “Nurse Jackie,” “24,” “Veronica Mars,” Great question. I grew up in Lebanon in the sense that I really was a feminist when I was acknowledged that being so sexually transparent “he Good Wife” and “Jack Ryan,” will reach ’80s – there were a lot less options. And also, a kid. And I don’t know why but I really had could hinder you career-wise. Why do you think towering heights when he plays the husband I was in Lebanon, so it’s even more limited a strong empathy for women. I really cared that would affect your professional life? And of gay superhero Phastos in Marvel’s “The there. So just one word: Madonna. She was about them. Whenever I would see that has it? Eternals,” due in theaters in early 2021. really it. Now, in all my interviews, Madonna women are not treated fairly or equally, it Here, Sleiman talks about telling stories that Look, I’d be lying to you if I said I’m not comes up. (Laughs.) But she was that for me. really upset me. So, for me, the songs that are long overdue, how Madonna’s sex-positivity worried about how it’s afected that and my She really represented hope for me. She was really moved me and afected me are when inluenced him as a gay man, and why he makes career. I’m not delusional. I’m aware that there really the irst person who actually told me Madonna would sing lyrics about doing is an efect; I am aware that we are evolving; I 16 BTL | June 25, 2020 www.PrideSource.com am aware that we are making a lot of progress. from how inally the world is making trans But there’s a lot more to be done. people visible because they were not visible I think my biggest fear was that it would for the longest time. Now, inally, they’re seen. afect my career. hat’s why I didn’t come out before I came out, and I really just thought The internet was thrilled to hear that you’d be it was going to afect my career. hen, sharing a kiss with your husband, Phastos, in aterwards, I got to the place where I didn’t “Eternals,” the first Marvel film to feature a gay care anymore. I didn’t care about my career. married couple; they will also be raising a child. Respecting myself became a priority. What did it feel like to witness the excitement around such a historical moment in pop culture Before you officially came out in a video posted for the LGBTQ community? to Facebook in 2017, you were asked about your sexuality by The Advocate. How do you reflect on Marvel is purposely and intentionally trying denying being gay in that interview? Do you feel to put out a positive image of a queer family for the whole world to see, from kids to old public figures have a responsibility to be out if people. hat’s huge. Visibility at a level that is they’re LGBTQ? unprecedented. We got to humanize a queer For public igures, no one has a responsibility family who have a son, and we got to really to save the world. I think everyone has the show how loving queer families are. responsibility to be honest. Look, you could I actually even believe that queer families say a lot of people play the game and are really are healthier than straight families, and I clever. Trump is one of them. hey’re really really think their journey shows that in a good at faking it. But I really think public beautiful way. So I’m very proud that I was igures, absolutely: their main responsibility a part of it. I’m very grateful that I got to is to be truthful, because if they’re not then humanize a queer family on a global level and they’re not enlightening the world. I think I can’t wait for the world to see it. And I think public igures’ job is to enlighten the world. what “he Son” did was also revolutionary. More than ever now, today, we need that. And For women, for LGBTQ people, and for other that I believe in my heart of hearts is my job, marginalized people and ethnic minorities, my responsibility. there’s a movement happening; there’s an Of course when he Advocate asked me elevated level of consciousness, globally about my sexuality it was awful. I really speaking. struggled aterwards because I lied. I said I And you asked me, “Do you think coming was straight. I betrayed myself. I betrayed my out is gonna harm my career?” I’m excited to fans. I betrayed the people who admire my see what’s gonna happen with that. Meaning, work. I also felt I was a hypocrite. hat really I’m excited to start seeing openly gay actors ate from the inside. hat, combined with the play straight. I would be excited to play James evolution of it all and all the diferent shows, Bond, for instance. And by the way, I’ve had like “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” and the massive some training in Lebanon. When I was a killing of trans women of color, all of that just teenager I really had to sell it to make people made me inally come out. think I was straight. I had to have a girlfriend, I don’t know. Ater many years of lying I had to befriend straight boys to look like a and not coming out and just basically badass. I really pulled it of. he reason I’m so disrespecting myself and betraying myself, it’s convincing playing straight roles is because I clear to me today that, whether you’re a public did that in Lebanon with my family. igure or not, the most important thing is to really live your truth. Be authentic. And that And you’d play a straight James Bond, not a gay applies to anyone. It doesn’t matter who you one? are or what sexual orientation you are. hat I would play a straight James Bond because comes irst. And then ater that everything I think it would be a big statement that an else falls into place. My favorite artists in openly gay actor is playing a straight iconic the world are all authentic and respect who igure. hat’s more challenging for the world. they are. he ones I look up to, they’re all an I think, for me, I’m interested in playing example of that. the roles that would challenge the world’s thoughts and perspectives about each other. You’re a lead in Mike Mosallam’s feature film hat’s the most important thing for me: to debut “Breaking Fast.” How does that movie fall really change the conversation. in line with your goal of centering queer stories that typically aren’t told? As editor of Q Syndicate, the LGBTQ wire I think the majority of the world is not aware service, Chris Azzopardi has interviewed a that there are openly gay practicing Muslims. multitude of superstars, including Cher, Meryl I’ve had so many conversations about this Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. His work has with a lot of gay and queer people. My friend is also appeared in he New York Times, Vanity an openly gay practicing Muslim. hey exist. Fair, GQ and Billboard. Reach him via Twitter And there’s a lot of them. So this ilm simply @chrisazzopardi. is making those people visible, no diferent www.PrideSource.com BTL | June 25, 2020 17 How the COVID-19 Outbreak and Quarantine Is Affecting Local Queer Choruses BY BENJAMIN DECKER cocktail hours. Brincat highlighted how it was so important for the chorus group to keep in The novel coronavirus has swept the touch with one another, as many members join nation clean of any summer 2020 plans, and Sing Out solely to be connected with others with 2020 Pride events being canceled, too, part of the queer community. many local queer entertainment groups in he group is cautiously optimistic that its Southeast Michigan are now out of work and June concert can be rescheduled for later this are struggling to find ways to still perform summer, but it is planning to make more virtual virtually. With ordinary schedules out of synch concerts in the months ahead. Since the group’s and performances suspended, several local establishment by Brincat and three friends in chorus groups are also doing everything they July of 2008, Sing Out has secured a spot on the can do to keep a close-knit community. Motor City Pride stage every year, and summer 2020 would have been their 11th performance. To support Sing Out through this time, those Out Loud Chorus interested can visit its website, make donations Between he Lines caught up with Darin or become a corporate sponsor. DeWeese, artistic director of Out Loud Chorus, to see how the Washtenaw County-based Sing Out Detroit LGBTQ group has made adjustments for its Prism Men’s Chorus summer season. As director, DeWeese feels Mark Ortwine is the chairman of Prism Men’s he also has the responsibility of keeping the concert series at the University of Michigan, Sing Out Detroit Chorus. Ortwine said that the nonproit group community as tightknit as possible. As of now, comes on the 25th anniversary of the group’s has canceled all of its events for the rest of the members of Out Loud are still getting together formation. Normally, Out Loud has upwards of Linda Brincat, one of the original four year, including sold-out August and December virtually, but instead of rehearsals together, they ive events throughout the summer, but for now, founders of local LGBT chorus Sing Out concert series. his summer, Prism planned to have been reuniting for various trivia nights, the focus is on its winter series and a virtual Detroit, is continuing to meet with her fellow have performances at Motor City and Ferndale karaoke and online vocal lessons to stay in variety show for the 2020 online Ypsilanti members of Sing Out through online meetings. Prides, but those were canceled as well. In four touch. DeWeese explained that since the events Pride. Auditions for new members will begin Originally, the group had planned to rehearse years of being an established chorus group, Out Loud had planned are getting canceled, in September. weekly through virtual meetings, but it soon Prism has performed with vocal powerhouses there is no reason to practice every day. switched to individual practices. Now instead The cancelation of summer 2020’s Pride of a normal schedule, members use the time See Choruses, continued on p. 22 events, as well as the group’s two-night May to keep in touch with one another through

Puzzle P. 25

18 BTL | June 25, 2020 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com BTL | June 25, 2020 19 Deep Inside Hollywood BY ROMEO SAN VICENTE ‘Queen of The Capital’ will Justice Smith just queered serve, slay and stream Daniel Hays has two jobs. By day he’s with up ‘Jurassic World’ the U.S. Department of Labor, working for Rising star Justice Smith (“Pokemon: the government, and leaving his 36-inch-high Detective Pikachu”) just came wig at home. At night, Hays’ out alongside his boyfriend, drag character, a Southern actor Nicholas Ashe (“Queen Christian named Mufy Blake Sugar”), over social media, Stephyns, takes over, and she just in time for Pride Month. works on a diferent sort of They’re adorable together Washington, D.C. campaign: – an Instagram picture of the competition for the them brushing their teeth title of “Empress IV” of the side by side is the sweetest Imperial Court. Don’t know thing, truly – and since what that even means? Well, Smith’s statement on the then, you’ll want to see the matter included the perfectly new documentary, “Queen composed and forthright, “… of he Capital,” from director if your revolution does not Josh Davidsburg. he ilm is include Black Queer voices, Justice Smith. Photo: KathClick both a drag documentary and it is anti-black,” it’s just all the one that explores the old- more satisfying. Smith also school, community building has some career news, some cinematic content work of gay bars via classic drag performance coming down the road. First, a psychological and fundraising, all of it aligned with a camp thriller called “he Voyeurs.” hen a high school fantasy of royalty. It premiered earlier this dramedy about kids exploring their sexuality year at Slamdance 2020, and will be arriving titled “Generation.” And a little indie feature in arthouse theaters this summer as well as co-starring Chris Pratt called “Jurassic World: taking a queenly bow on June 20 via streaming. Dominion.” Now, there was a time when an If you’re going to brave a cinema then here’s a up-and-comer would be forbidden from even reason to go. thinking about joining a blockbuster mega- franchise and then risking it all by coming out of the closet. But that was ive minutes ago; the ‘Riverdale’ star Lili Reinhart kids are doing whatever they damn well please just came out now. Isn’t it great? Betty Cooper is bi. Well, OK, it’s actually Lili Reinhart, who plays Betty on “Riverdale” – and who, lest we forget, also lit up the screen Charlize Theron never says in the superfemme crime hit “Hustlers” – that just went public about being bisexual. We love die in ‘The Old Guard’ it when this sort of thing happens, because Charlize heron became an action star when the B in LGBT is too oten overlooked, and you weren’t noticing. From “Mad Max: Fury we’re always thrilled when charming young Road” celebrities casually drop that information into to “Atomic Blonde” (and its upcoming sequel) the world. We especially like it when they do it to the “Fast and Furious” franchise, she’s pretty in the publicity run up to a new movie, chipping much out-Neesoning Liam Neeson, and we’re away at the old Hollywood system where actors really into it. For her next one, she jumps and would, once upon a time, conveniently pair kicks her way into Gina Prince-Bythewood’s up with an opposite sex love interest around (“Beyond the Lights”) newest, “he Old Guard.” the time their ilm was due to take its bow. heron plays an immortal mercenary who leads he movie Reinhart’s got coming up is called a team of similarly gited never-dying warriors “Chemical Hearts,” from director Richard to protect humanity, all the while confronted Tanne (“Southside With You”), and it’s about a by villains who’d corrupt their ancient ways. disabled teen journalist who inds love working he ilm is based on the graphic novel by Greg on the school newspaper. Based on the novel Rucka and features Chiwetel Ejiofor, Matthias “Our Chemical Hearts” by Krystal Sutherland, Schoenaerts and KiKi Layne (“If Beale Street the ilm co-stars Austin Abrams (“Euphoria”) Could Talk”). But here’s the bonus: a same-sex as the boy who earns his place in her emotional romance – one that’s been hot for centuries – chem lab. If the movie theaters are in full swing between two members of the team, played by again by late August, you’ll get to see this one international actors Luca Marinelli and Marwan there. Otherwise, check for streaming options. Kenzari. We’ll take it, the delicious queer icing on heron’s Furiosa cake, when it drops on Romeo San Vicente is ready to stay far away Netlix July 10. from you all summer.

20 BTL | June 25, 2020 www.PrideSource.com 42 More of the response 18 Land of Sinead O’Connor 45 Plea made on one’s knees 19 Itty-bitty, to Baudelaire 47 Acapulco article 23 First extra inning 48 Blows it 24 Network of “Wedding Wars” 49 Mustangs of the NCAA 25 “If I’d only ___!” 50 Meas. for Dr. Kildare 26 “Thou shalt not ___ adultery” 53 End of the response 28 Childcare writer LeShan 57 Big sticks 29 Like the Seven Dwarfs 58 Have top billing 30 Diva’s performance 59 Robert of HIV research 31 My fair one, on Broadway 60 With respect to 32 Color for Easter eggs 61 Continent of Cho’s parents 34 Went back to homophobia 62 Moon in “Return of the Jedi” 38 Eyes, in a gay bar 63 Bombed, on Broadway 39 Family docs 64 Mary-land athlete? 41 On the spot 65 Odometer button 43 Salt’s saint 44 Like a chicken to a chicken hawk Down 46 Fly over the equator 49 Jock’s Johnson support 1 Dances like Hines 50 Causes of sneezes 2 Where to find Moby Dick 51 Amanda Seyfried flick of 2009 3 Tugboat sound Q Puzzle 52 Stallion’s sound CASHIER/CLERK WANTED Rocketman 4 Remove, as a nametag 21 Treat, as seawater 53 Collette of “The Hours” 5 Hollywood district Uptown Adult Superstore (Dvd’s, Toys, etc) Across 22 Edvard Grieg’s land (abbr.) 54 Fairy-tale monster 23 Canine from Kansas 6 Gets the bottom line 1 O’Neal of “The Bad News Bears” 55 Grizzly’s hideaway 24 Gore Vidal, ___ Edgar Box 7 Civil uprising Detroit area, must be 18yrs old 6 Bend over 56 Social activist Addams 27 More of the response 8 Anderson Cooper’s network 10 Direction from Stephen Pyles 57 Top 33 With 39-Across, “Corydon” author 9 Wieners Cashier, stock & cleaning 14 In concert 35 Kirsten of “Spider-Man” 10 Best buy for WNBA tickets 15 Bedrock pet 36 “A drop of golden sun” 11 Michael Buble’s “___ Little Benefits-Hol/Vac/Health 16 Cosmetics businessman Laszlo 37 Iditarod terminus Tenderness” 17 Start of the response to “Be 38 Director Gus Van ___ 12 Part of ILGA (abbr.) yourself” in “Rocketman” Call (313)869-9477 or come in to apply 39 See 33-Across 13 What an athletic supporter might 20 Wilde, for example do? 40 More of the response Clues P. 14

www.PrideSource.com BTL | June 25, 2020 21 Michigan Community Resources Hundreds of resources can be found online at PrideSource.com

AIDS/HIV Airmations Older Adults Ferndale Get Listed, Promote http://goairmations.org SAGE Metro Detroit Your Events Community Centers www.facebook.com/Airmations/ 290 W. Nine Mile Rd. Ferndale, MI You can add or update or follow them on Twitter @ 313-578-6812 Michigan has eleven active LGBTQ any listing by going to GoAirmations. sagemetrodetroit.org community centers, with a tenth www.PrideSource.com 290 W. Nine Mile Road Facebook: SAGE Metro Detroit planned in Lansing. Here are three and clicking on Yellow Ferndale, MI of them. Pages. Once you submit 248-398-7105 Political your listing, our staf will Jim Toy Community Center The LGBT and Allies contact you to conirm your Ann Arbor Legal information. www.jimtoycenter.org. Caucus of the Michigan You can add your event to www.facebook.com/jimtoycenter American Civil Liberties Democratic Party the Pride Source Calendar or follow them on Twitter @ Union of Michigan Facebook.com/TheLGBTA- online and in print by going JimToyCenter. Jay Kaplan, Staf Attorney, LGBT CaucusoftheMDP to www.PrideSource.com 319 Braun Court Project Stonewall for Revolution and clicking on Calendar, Ann Arbor, MI 2966 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI www.facebook.com/ then “Add Event.” Send 734-995-9867 www.aclumich.org stonewall4reolution any press releases and 313-578-6800 announcements to editor@ LGBT Detroit pridesource.com Detroit Fair Michigan Transgender www.lgbtdetroit.org. PO Box 6136 FtM Detroit www.facebook.com/lgbtdetroit Plymouth, MI 48170 https://www.facebook.com/ @LGBTDetroit. 877-432-4764, 313-556-2300 FtMDetroit/ 20025 Greenield Road fairmichigan.org [email protected]. Find a digital version of PrideSource Magazine Detroit, MI Facebook.com/fairmichigan2016 online under Our LGBT Yellow Pages Phone: 313-397-2127 Know Your RIghts Project FtM A2 Ypsi Find these resources online Outlaws U-M student group [email protected] Adoption Services [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/ Transgender Michigan 734-995-9867 ftma2ypsi/ 23211 Woodward Ave. AIDS/HIV Hotlines Ferndale, MI AIDS/HIV Organizations [email protected] Alzheimer’s Association www.transgendermichigan.org Animal Shelter ® Choruses Detroit Together Men’s LanSINGout Chorus 800-842-2954 Anti-Violence Continued from p. 18 Archives/Collections Peter Morse and Ben Boerkoel Trans Sistas of Color Chorus Campus; Student and Alumni Groups are both heads of the LanSINGout Project Artistic Director of Detroit Cancer Support Groups like Demi Lovato and Patti LuPone, Chorus. he group is currently not 19641 W. 7 Mile Rd. in Detroit Together Men’s Chorus Brian 313-537-7000 Ext 107 Choruses while also maintaining various doing virtual rehearsals as many Londrow said that the group is [email protected] Community Centers outreach programs that have given members do not have the correct planning for virtual rehearsals and sotware to do so. his means that, www.facebook.com/TSCOPD/ Employee Resource Groups the chorus the official title of a ways for the group to stay connected nonprofit corporation. At each for the time being, LanSINGout Families and Parents with each other. Like most other has chosen not to plan any online Foster Care rehearsal, members would bring in groups, their concert planned for Youth concerts. However, members are still Foundations and Funders cans of food and donate them to local the end of May was canceled, as Ruth Ellis Center food pantries, but since practices meeting virtually to get caught up Hotlines & Switchboards well as a performance at the Freep 77 Victor Street, Highland Park, have gone virtual, they are looking for with one another. he entire spring Labor Union Film Festival, which sponsored the MI 48203 other ways to still help the shelters. schedule has been indefinitely Legal Organizations new documentary, “America You postponed, including a fundraiser [email protected] However, since it is a nonproit, Museums Kill Me,” about the life of Detroit for the Chorus and another group Facebook: Ruth Ellis Center Prism is dependent upon steady Music Groups LGBTQ activist Jefrey Montgomery. to attend the chorus-oriented GALA 313-252-1950 concerts to pay expenses. Due to The group’s next steps are being National Organizations the shortage of funds, the group has Festival in Minneapolis, which is held deliberated via a board meeting this Ozone House Political Organizations canceled all of their subscriptions once every four years. he festival week, but Londrow said it is realistic 102 N. Hamilton Street Professional Organizations and cut out all unnecessary expenses has been postponed until next that Detroit Together will be planning summer. heir spring concert that Ypsilanti, MI Religious & Spiritual — everything from storage units to 734-662-2265 virtual concerts and other creative was supposed to be held the weekend Senior Living online advertisements. Despite the ways to connect with its audience. 734-662-2222 of May 8 has been scheduled for next Seniors odds being stacked against the group, Londrow explained that for Detroit Ortwine has been trying to ind the spring. Morse and Boerkoel’s main Stand With Trans Social/Community Organizations Men’s Chorus the most important priority is letting the chorus’ audience silver lining in COVID-19-induced Farmington, MI Sports goal is to be a symbol for Pride and to know that there are still plans in quarantine. He said it’s a good time www.standwithtrans.org Substance Abuse be there for their fellow members of motion for a strong winter season. to fix operational aspects of the the LGBTQ community — whether 248-739-9254 Transgender Groups/Services group that have been on hold for a they are physically present at a Pride Women’s Health while. To make a donation or contact festival or not. Youth Services the group, supporters can visit prism-chorus.org.

22 BTL | June 25, 2020 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com BTL | June 25, 2020 23