Jim

ParsonsLessons learned from ‘Boys’ by Chris Azzopardi, Page 14 U.S. Senate MJU.S. HegarSenate ★ MJ Hegar U.S. Rep. District 3 U.S.Lulu Rep. Seikaly District 3 ★ Lulu Seikaly U.S. Rep. District 5 U.S.Carolyn Rep. District Salter 5 ★ Carolyn Salter U.S. Rep. District 24 CandaceU.S. Rep. ValenzuelaDistrict 24 ★ Candace Valenzuela U.S. Rep. District 26 CarolU.S. Rep. H. DistrictIannuzzi 26 ★ Carol H. Iannuzzi U.S. Rep. District 30 EddieU.S. Bernice Rep. District Johnson 30 ★ Eddie Bernice Johnson U.S. Rep. District 32 Stonewall Democrats of U.S.Colin Rep. DistrictAllred 32 ★ Colin Allred U.S. Rep. District 33 2020 Endorsements U.S.Marc Rep. Veasey District 33 ★ Marc Veasey President/Vice President ...... Joe Biden & Kamala Harris Railroad Commissioner ChrystaRailroad Commissioner Castañeda TX House District 103 TX House District 113 416th Judicial District, Civil Ct ★ Chrysta Castañeda Rafael M. Anchía Rhetta Andrews Bowers Theresa Bui Creevy TX Supreme Ct, Chief Justice

TXAmy Supreme Clark Ct, Meachum Chief Justice TX House District 114 Criminal District Ct, Pl 2 TX House District 104 ★ Amy Clark Meachum John Turner Nancy Kennedy TX Supreme Ct, Pl 6 Jessica Gonzalez TXKathy Supreme Cheng Ct, Pl 6 TX House District 115 Criminal District Ct, Pl 3 TX House District 105 ★ Kathy Cheng Julie Johnson Audra Riley TX Supreme Ct, Pl 7 TXStaci Supreme Williams Ct, Pl 7 5th Ct of Appeals, Place 3 Criminal District Ct, Pl 4 TX House District 107 ★ Staci Williams Bonnie Lee Goldstein Dominique Collins TX Supreme Ct, Pl 8 TXGisela Supreme D. Triana Ct, Pl 8 5th Ct of Appeals, Pl 6 ...... TX House District 108 ★ Gisela D. Triana Craig Smith TX Ct of Criminal Appeals, Pl 3 Joanna Cattanach Sheriff TX ElizabethCt of Criminal Davis Appeals, Frizell Pl 3 5th Ct of Appeals, Pl 8 Marian Brown TX House District 109 ★ Elizabeth Davis Frizell Dennise Garcia TX Ct of Criminal Appeals, Pl 4 Carl Sherman, Sr. Tax Assessor-Collector TX Ct of TinaCriminal Clinton Appeals, Pl 4 14th Judicial District, Civil Ct John R. Ames TX House District 110 ★ Tina Clinton Eric V. Moyé TX Ct of Criminal Appeals, Pl 9 County Commissioner, Dist. 1 TX BrandonCt of Criminal Birmingham Appeals, Pl 9 95th Judicial District, Civil Ct Theresa Daniel TX House District 111 ★ Brandon Birmingham Monica Purdy ...... County Commissioner, Dist. 3 ...... 162nd Judicial District, Civil Ct John Wiley Price TX House District 66 TX House District 112 Maricela Moore TXSharon House District Hirsch 66 Brandy K. Chambers DISD District 2 ★ Sharon Hirsch 254th Judicial District, Civil Ct Nancy Rodriguez TX House District 67 Kim Brown LorenzoTX House SanchezDistrict 67 ★ Lorenzo Sanchez TX House District 100 JasmineTX House DistrictCrockett 100 ★ TX House District 102 Ana-MariaTX House District Ramos 102 ★ Ana-Maria Ramos StonewallDemocratsofDallas.org Ad paid for by Stonewall Democrats of Dallas. Brandon Vance, Treasurer

2 dallasvoice.com █ 10.23.20 Welcoming Jonathan C. Vogel, DDS to the practice! toc10.23.20 | Volume 37 | Issue 25 6 headlines

█ NEWS 6 Madi Eden: Most qualified candidate 7 November blues for Mitch 11 A ghoulish good time

█ LIFE+STYLE 14 A different side of 7 16 Looking back at a plague

█ ON THE COVER

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10.23.20 █ dallasvoice 3 DallasVoice.com/Instant-Tea instanTEA Highlights from the Dallas Voice Website AP Inc hosting food drive, get out the vote rally Abounding Prosperity Inc. is hosting a food drive and get out the vote rally Saturday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., at the AP Inc. clinic at 1705 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in South GAY Dallas. The rally featuring speeches from local officials, will begin at 12:30 p.m., and at about 1 p.m., AP Inc. officials will lead a caravan to the polls at the MLK Jr. Center gym at 2901 Pennsylvania Ave. Speakers will include state Rep. Lorraine Birabil from District 100, state Rep.-elect Jas- mine Crockett from District 100, Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Adam Medrano and AP Inc. CEO Kirk Myers. Ahmad Goree, AP Inc.’s public affairs director, will be master of ceremonies. AP Inc. will also be accepting applications for its rental and utility assistance program, offered in partnership with the city of Dallas’ Of- fice of Community Care, during the event. For more information visit AboundingProsperity.org. — Tammye Nash Redfield Tavern caught up in up … And I see it in the people that we are hiring. I see it ... and it is very concerning.” ‘No more gays’ controversy The men go on to suggest that customers Redfield’s Tavern, located on Butler Street OBITUARY have been complaining because Redfield’s in The Medical District, had become a popular had too many gay men on staff. They also tell hangout for LGBTQ folks looking for some- Joel K. North Texas in Denton in 1984. Lindsey to stop hiring men and to instead hire where to go after COVID-19 shut down The Haralson Joel was a former member of the Classic more women. Lindsey tells them she only hired Strip. But the bar and grill quickly became the passed away Chassis Car Club and a long-time weekend applicants based on their qualifications and target of LGBTQ fury on Wednesday, Oct. 21, suddenly on resident of Rainbow Ranch Campground. that she is “not trying to make the staff gay,” after word began to spread on Facebook that Friday, Sept. He was preceded in death by his partner of one of the men replies, “Yes you are.” In anoth- Redfield’s owners were caught on tape saying 18, at the 17 years, Gary McGill; his father, Jess Haral- er place in the conversation, one of the men their establishment is not a gay bar and they Baylor Medi- son, and his grandparents, J.C. and Floy says, “If we hire someone and they don’t fit our didn’t want any more gay people hired. cal Center in Haralson and Roy and Jessie Landers. image, either they won’t be on the schedule or While a Redfield’s representative claimed via Carrollton. Joel is survived by his husband of 12 years, we will fire them.” comments on several Facebook posts about He was born Scott McGee of Dallas; his mother, Paula Dallas Voice is currently arranging to have the controversy claiming the restaurant’s own- March 26, Haralson; his brother and sister-in-law Jay sound engineers try to clear up the recording ers and management were “really at a loss as 1961, in and Kim Haralson of Nocona; his nephew to provide a more complete and concise tran- to where this is coming from,” because “We’ve Wichita Falls to Jess and Paula (Landers) Jonathon Haralson and wife Holly of Carbon; script of the conversation. To hear the audio for been nothing but grateful for our gay clientele,” Haralson. He graduated from Nocona High his nephew Jordan Haralson and wife Haylee yourself, visit DallasVoice.com. audio tape of a conversation between two men School in 1979 before earning his bachelor’s of Olney; and his great-nieces and -neph- — Tammye Nash identified as being owners of the establishment degree in marketing from the University of ews, Callie, Jack, Jace and Hadlie. and a woman identified as the at-that-time general manager confirms that the owners did Services set for Monica Roberts say they did not want Redfield’s to be a gay Services for Transgriot publisher Monica █ bar and instructing the general manager to Roberts have been set for Oct. 23-25 in Hous- pet of the week / CHICO stop hiring gay men. ton. Roberts died Oct. 6 of natural causes. Dallas Voice messaged Redfield’s via The weekend begins with a wake on Friday, He’s spent some time in the staff offices, and he was such a happy Facebook on Wednesday night when the Oct. 23, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at dog. He liked playing with toys, meeting new people and getting controversy broke asking for comment about St. Peter United Church of Christ, 9022 Long lots of love and cuddles. If you want a snuggle pup, he’s your guy. the rumors. We received no reply, and within Point Road in Houston. Homegoing services He would love a house with a backyard, but he’d be okay with a 30 minutes, the Redfield’s Facebook page was on Saturday, Oct. 24, will begin with viewing low traffic apartment where he doesn’t have to walk by too many taken offline. from 9 a.m.-12:45 p.m. The funeral service other dogs. They make him nervous, so he’ll need to be the only The person who sent the tape to Dallas takes place from 1-3 p.m. at University of pup in the home. He’s a friendly, fun-loving guy who will be sure Voice identified the two men, on the tape as Houston, Cullen Performance Hall, followed by to put a smile on your face and be the best buddy ever. Cinco is waiting to meet you at the SPCA of Texas’ Jan-Rees Jones Animal “two of the owners, Joe and Scott,” and the interment at Houston Memorial Gardens, 2426 Care Center in Dallas. woman as “Lindsey, the former GM, who left in Cullen Parkway in Pearland. protest.” A virtual funeral takes place on Saturday In an effort to reduce the potential for spreading COVID-19, the The audio tape, recorded by “Lindsey” during from 10 a.m.-noon on Transgriot Weekly at SPCA of Texas’ shelters, clinics, mobile adoption events and mobile a conversation with the two men appears to facebook.com/transgriotweekly. wellness events remain closed to the public until further notice. On Sunday, friends will honor Monica with a have taken place on an outdoor patio and has Adoptions are available by appointment only. Adopters will Get Out the Vote Rally from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at lots of background noises, and the two men’s need to submit an adoption inquiry form in order to begin the voices are frequently nearly drowned out by Houston City Hall, 901 Bagby, Houston. Her Meet Cinco, a 3-year-old, American pit Bull terrier mix. He came tele-adoption process and schedule an appointment to complete the background noise. However, one man can last Facebook post read, “I can’t wait until Oct. the adoption. Browse our available animals at spca.org/findapet clearly be heard telling Lindsey, “We are not go- 13,” which was the first day of early voting. to the SPCA of Texas as a stray in July, so the staff doesn’t know much about his history, just that he’s a handsome, sweet boy. and visit spca.org/dogadopt to inquire about a dog or spca.org/ ing to try to be a gay bar to keep our business — David Taffet catadopt to inquire about a cat.

4 dallasvoice.com █ 10.23.20 at 11:30 a.m. for people to join and chat. socially distanced drive-in celebration • Oct. 24: Drive-In Film Festival Email [email protected] of democracy. Concerts held behind Dallas Film presents the film The to request the link. KDT’s new compound at 7:30 p.m. Rookie. Gates open at 6 p.m. Showtime at 4774 Algiers St. $30 per car plus 7:15 p.m. No reservations. Four Corners THE • Biweekly: Hope Cottage Foster $15 for each additional passenger. Brewery, 1311 S. Ervay St. Parent Information Meeting Kitchendogtheater.org. Hope Cottage holds information • Oct. 24: ‘Felt Sense’ and ‘Coalescense’ meetings for those interested in • Oct. 24: TITAS Does Drag Opening reception for Felt Sense, works becoming foster parents. The meetings TITAS/Dance Unbound, in association by Nicole Havekost, and for Bumin AGENDA are held alternately on Saturdays at with the AT&T Performing Arts Center Kim’s Coalescense. Both run through 10 a.m. and Thursdays at 6 p.m. For presents a new initiative, “TITAS/ Nov. 28 at Ro2 Art The Cedars, 1501 GAYHave an event coming up? Email your information email Clyde Hemminger at Unfitltered,” and the first event is S. Ervay. Noon-5 p.m. Free tickets via information to Managing Editor Tammye [email protected]. “TITAS Does Drag: The Rose Room on EventBrite. Nash at [email protected] or Senior Tour.” The special performance event Staff Writer David Taffet at taffet@ OCTOBER features the cast of The Rose Room, with • Oct. 27: LGBT Grief Group dallasvoice.com by Wednesday at 5 p.m. for Cassie Nova as emcee along with Blu Grief group for those who have lost that week’s issue. • Oct. 23: Vote by mail Valentine, Chanel LaMasters, Fantasha, a same-sex partner currently meeting applications due Jenna Skyy, Kelexis Davenport, Krystal virtually at 6:45 p.m. Contact Ray at The Gay Agenda is now color-coded: Red Summers, Layla LaRue and Sasha [email protected] for Zoom for community events; blue for arts and • Oct. 23: Movie Night Andrews. All COVID safety restrictions room access. entertainment; purple for sports; green for Movie night in Strauss Square: The will be in place, including masks and nightlife and orange for civic events and Addams Family at 7 p.m. and IT at socially-distanced seating. Tickets start • Oct. 29-Nov. 4 ‘1984’ at Circle Theatre holidays. 9:30 p.m. Strauss Square, 2389 Flora St. at $39; for tickets and information visit Circle Theatre presents a digitally- Tickets at ATTPAC.org. Tickets.ATTPAC.org. recorded performance of George • Through Oct. 30: Orwell’s 1984, adapted for the stage Early voting continues • Oct. 23: Drive-In Film Festival • Oct. 24: Art Walk West by Michael Gene Sullivan, available Dallas Film presents the film Friday Art Walk West celebrates the creative through Vimeo at 8 p.m. Oct. 29-Nov. • Every Monday: THRIVE Night Lights. Gates open at 6 p.m. culture of West Dallas and winds 4. Tickets are free, but you must reserve Resource Center’s THRIVE Support Showtime 7:15 p.m. No reservations. through Trinity Groves and the your ticket at CircleTheatre.com/1984 Group for people 50 and older meets Four Corners Brewery, 1311 S. Ervay St. emerging Tin District. 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (use code “1984” at checkout). After you virtually from 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. led by Free. WestDallasChamber.org. reserve your ticket, you will receive a a SMU Intern from their counseling • Oct. 24: Get Up Stand Up! link to the video recording via email the program. A secure Zoom Room opens Kitchen Dog Theater presents a day before the performance.

10.23.20 █ dallasvoice 5 ry but said she entered the race mostly rural counties. She said she’s not run- as a learning experience. State office is ning on identity politics but has made November blues Most where she felt she could make the most a point of supporting equal rights for difference. everyone. Eden said she is comfortable “The importance of 2020 can’t be with herself and doesn’t worry about for Mitch? qualified candidate overstated,” Eden said, referencing re- what others say about her.

Eden would be the first transgender member of the

DAVID TAFFET | Senior Staff Writer [email protected]

GBT Victory Fund CEO Annise Parker has called Madi Eden one of the most qual- ified people running for office in Texas. If she wins her race to represent District 17 in the Texas House of Representatives, she will be the first transgender person elected to the House, and a large part of her victory would be credited to the vot- er registration effort and tools she, her- self, developed. Eden co-founded Register2Vote.org and built tools which have helped reg- ister millions of voters across the coun- Republican who’s been in districting, which occurs every 10 years This race is going to be a referendum try. Especially during a pandemic when office five years, has talked about fixing in the legislative session following a on Trump and COVID-19, Eden said, deputy registrars aren’t out at events the poor internet service common in the census. State house and senate districts, adding that she believes the pandemic registering new voters, her website has district so near tech-savvy Austin. as well as federal congressional bound- has affected a lot more people than even become an effective tool in registering When urban school districts sent ary lines, will be drawn by the 2021 Tex- the high numbers that are being report- new voters and updating voter registra- their students home, most were able to as Legislature. ed. Each county is reporting figures in- tion information. connect virtually. Others quickly put But Eden was also talking about han- dividually, she said, which may be re- Through the tools she built, Eden ex- hotspots in place for those in under- dling of the COVID-19 pandemic and sulting in a severe undercount of cases plained, “We got big data using not ex- served areas. But Eden’s area presented the erratic leadership Gov. Greg Abbott and deaths across the state. tremely advanced technology.” a problem because of widespread lack has provided. From what she’s hearing from voters And through that technology, com- of internet. Because of the pandemic, Eden has in her district, Eden said, they’re not munity work and pandemic-style cam- And now students are falling even not able to stage a traditional campaign, happy with how the pandemic is being paigning, she has a good chance of flip- farther behind in Bastrop County, where so she’s doing literature drops at doors managed at either a state or federal lev- ping the Texas House seat she’s running she lives, and in the four additional rather than door-knocking. She’s rely- el. And from information she’s gleaned for in Bastrop County, just east of Austin. counties that make up her district com- ing on volunteers to get yard signs out from the online tools she’s developed, If elected, she not only will be the first pared to students in neighboring Travis across her county, which accounts for the 3 million people who’ve moved to transgender member of the Texas legisla- and Hays counties and other counties well over half of District 17, and making Texas since the last election aren’t happy ture, but also only the third transgender along the I-35 corridor. headway in the other counties where with how Texas state government is run. person elected to a state house anywhere When it comes to healthcare, the in- possible. Eden takes a practical approach. Her in the U.S. cumbent has helped block Medicaid While sexual orientation isn’t as website talks frankly about the issues But Eden is running on a lot more than expansion even during the pandemic. much of an issue anymore in a number that matter: “Have you ever lost sleep at transgender issues like bathroom bills. Eden said up to 20 percent of her dis- of races — three of the five lesbian and night because we weren’t locking up oc- “Sure, it’s important to have a bath- trict is without medical coverage, and bi Texas House incumbents running for casional pot smokers and unregistered room to use,” she said. “But let’s make the numbers have increased over the re-election are unopposed — how is voters? Neither has Madi,” she wrote. sure people have the internet. In a pan- past four years. gender identity playing in Eden’s race? And from the response she’s gotten, demic it’s a big deal. Healthcare. Let’s fix Eden said she decided to run in 2018. “They like to make a point of it,” Eden she said she believes she has a good our economy after the pandemic.” She began her political career running in said of her opponent, although not as chance of winning her district and mak-

Eden said her opponent, incumbent a congressional race. She lost the prima- much in Bastrop County as in the more ing that bit of Texas trans history. █

6 dallasvoice.com █ 10.23.20 November blues for Mitch?

U.S. Senate races worth careful Not every LGBTQ person or group attention as November nears has given up on the Republican Party. Charles T. Moran, managing director LISA KEEN | Keen News Service of the national Log Cabin Republicans [email protected] group, signed on to a letter supporting the nomination of Judge Amy Coney ontrol of the U.S. Barrett to become a U.S. Supreme Court Senate is almost justice, even as every other national as important to LGBTQ group opposed her confirma- LGBTQ people tion. this year as is con- Log Cabin Republicans has not en- trol of the White dorsed any U.S. Senate candidates this MJ Hegar House. Under Re- year, but its chapter in Illinois has en- publican control, dorsed the Republican challenger to Republican challenger John James with then, and he has it now, and he and spe- the Senate has ignored bills to make incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick a 1.4 percent lead and only 2.5 percent cial election Senate candidate Raphael schools safer for LGBTQ students and Durbin. Log Cabin national also con- of voters undecided. But an average of Warnock (see below) have both earned bills to stop discrimination against siders U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, polls, calculated by RealClearPolitics, gay presidential contender Pete Butt- LGBTQ youth seeking child welfare ser- a strong ally, even while the Human gives Peters a 4.9 percent edge. igieg’s endorsement. Ossoff is hoping vices. While the Equality Act — which Rights Campaign and Equality Maine Assuming Jones and Peters lose, the to unseat Republican incumbent David would prohibit discrimination based on have turned against her. Democrats would be down to 45 seats Perdue who has a 0 score from HRC. sexual orientation and gender identity But on an even more practical level, and would need to flip six Republican RealClearPolitics’ average of polls in employment, housing and federal- having Democrats control the Senate seats to take the Senate. FiveThirtyE- shows Perdue ahead by only one point ly funded programs — has passed the and the House would create a line of ight.com, the website founded by gay as of Oct. 12. House, it has languished in the Senate defense against any number of schemes statistics guru Nate Silver, calculated • Georgia: Democrat Raphael War- Judiciary Committee without even a President Trump might employ to de- last week that Democrats have a 73 per- nock is the personal pastor of openly hearing, much less a vote. clare himself the winner of the pres- cent chance of winning the Senate. lesbian Georgia state Rep. Park Cannon, And, under Republican control, the idential race. It would also provide Here are the races where U.S. Senate who has endorsed him as has HRC. Senate has “rubber stamped” confirma- Congress with a realistic means of hold- seats have the best chance to change While having “evolved” on issues such tions, at every level of the federal court ing Trump accountable for any crimes from Republican to Democrat: as marriage for same-sex couples, War- system, for nominees who have records he might commit, or has committed, • Arizona: Democrat Mark Kelly, nock has welcomed LGBTQ people and of hostility to LGBTQ people. against the nation. And it would im- husband of former U.S. Rep. Gabby promised leaders to passionately argue “In nomination after nomination, prove the chances that any upcoming Gifford, is running to replace first-term against anyone trying to use religion to [President Trump’s] picks for federal U.S. Supreme Court vacancy could be Republican Martha McSally. The Hu- discriminate. The Republican incum- courts are hostile to civil rights in gen- filled by nominees who have a commit- man Rights Campaign endorsed Kelly, bent, Kelly Loeffler, has not been in the eral and specifically hostile to LGBTQ ment to equal rights for LGBTQ people. saying he has been a “steadfast ally.” Senate long enough to obtain a score rights,” said a spokesperson for Lamb- So, what are the numbers? And which McSally’s score from HRC on LGBTQ from HRC, but she recently introduced da Legal. Twenty-four judicial nomi- are the states that could decide who issues stands at 0. An average of recent legislation to limit Title IX protection in nees have already been confirmed for controls the U.S. Senate next session? polls, calculated by RealClearPolitics. educational sports to sex discrimination appointment to the federal appeals There are 35 U.S. Senate seats up for com, shows Kelly with a 8.3 percent “based solely on a person’s reproduc- courts, and, by month’s end, the Senate election Nov. 3, but only 10 of them are lead, as of Oct. 16. tive biology and genetics at birth.” Real- is expected to confirm Trump’s third contestable enough to warrant attention • Colorado: Democrat John Hicken- ClearPolitics calculation show Warnock pick for the U.S. Supreme Court. and funding by supporters of either par- looper, the former governor, is leading leads by 7.7 points as of Oct. 12. It also warrants particular notice that ty. Nine of those 10 are currently held incumbent Republican Sen. Cory Gard- • Montana: Democrat Steve Bullock, the Senate, under Republican Majority by Republicans seeking re-election; one ner. The only recent poll there, conduct- former governor of the state, has seen a Leader Mitch McConnell, openly flout- — in Michigan — is a Democrat. ed in early October, showed Hicken- recent surge in support, from 9 points ed the majority’s own rules governing If Trump retains the White House, looper up by 9 points. Gardner merits down on Oct. 7 to a tie on Oct. 10. As SCOTUS nominations to deprive Dem- Democrats would need 51 seats in or- a 0 on HRC’s Congressional scorecard; governor, Bullock signed an execu- ocratic President Obama of his choice of der to take control of the Senate. They Hickenlooper has won HRC’s endorse- tive order prohibiting discrimination a nominee during the 2016 election year currently have 47, but polling indicates ment. One-Colorado calls Hickenlooper against LGBTQ state employees and but is insisting that Republican Presi- they will lose one of those seats — the a “pro-equality champion.” supported the U.S. Supreme Court deci- dent Trump get to replace Justice Ruth one held by Alabama Sen. Doug Jones. • Georgia: Democrat Jon Ossoff, a sion to strike state bans on marriage for Bader Ginsburg not just in an election Michigan’s Democratic U.S. Sen. media owner and journalist, almost same-sex couples. HRC has endorsed year but during the actual 2020 election Gary Peters is also in a tough race for won a U.S. House seat in Georgia two Bullock, and scored the Republican in- season. re-election. The latest poll there shows years ago. He had HRC’s endorsement BLUES, Next Page

10.23.20 █ dallasvoice 7 tyEight.com reported last week that Leader Mitch McConnell has rendered Cunningham appears to have survived. Collins’ re-election “simply untenable,” BLUES, From Previous Page A recent New York Times polling shows said HRC President Alphonso David. him with a 1 point lead, but RealClear- On the other side of the aisle, Log Cabin Politics’ average of polls shows him with Republicans announced its endorsement a 4.3 point lead. HRC and Buttigieg have of Collins this week. RealClearPolitics’ both endorsed Cunningham. averaging of polls shows Gideon up by • Iowa: Democrat Theresa Greenfield, 4.2 points in early October. a real estate executive, has been consis- • Texas: While Texas has long been tently polling 3 to 5 points ahead of in- considered a reliably red state by the cumbent Republican Joni Ernst in recent GOP, there has seemingly been a blue weeks, but the “undecided” votes are surge of late, with Beto O’Rourke’s chal- running about 10 percent. Greenfield’s lenge to Republican incumbent Sen. Ted got the support of HRC and Buttigieg, Cruz ended up being the closest Senate and Ernst’s HRC score is a 0. Two early race here in 40 years. O’Rourke came up October polls showed Greenfield up by 4 just 220,000 votes short, out of 8.3 mil- points but with a margin of error of 3.5. lion votes total cast. But this year, anoth- • Maine: Democrat Sara Gideon, er Democratic challenger has an eye on Speaker of the Maine House, might once the Senate, and incumbent Republican have been considered a long-shot to Sen. John Cornyn finds himself in an unseat long-time Maine incumbent Re- even closer race. Both Texas senators — publican Susan Collins. Collins was seen Cornyn and Cruz — have consistently by many in the LGBTQ community as been scored at 0 by HRC. As of Tues- among the very few allies on the Repub- day morning, Oct. 20, Cornyn was just lican side. But then she voted for Trump 3 points ahead, according to poll tracker Mark Kelly Supreme Court nominee Brett Kava- FiveThirtyEight, of Iraq War veteran and naugh, whom HRC characterized as a Purple Heart recipient MJ Hegar. Those cumbent at 0. cumbent Republican Thom Tillis. Then “dangerous, unqualified nominee.” Col- numbers, Hegar pointed out to CNN’s • North Carolina: Democrat Cal Cun- news broke that he had been engaging lins’ impassioned floor speech and vote Don Lemon, put her within the margin ningham appeared to be running away sexting with a woman other than his for Kavanaugh and repeated willingness of error, meaning the race is essentially a with the election in his bid to unseat in- wife, and his polls slipped. But FiveThir- to stay in lock-step with Senate Majority toss-up. █

8 dallasvoice.com █ 10.23.20 10.23.20 █ dallasvoice 9 10 dallasvoice.com █ 10.23.20 Be Seen by the Premier HIV/Infectious A ghoulish Disease Doctors in Dallas good time

‘Ghoul’s Night Out’ virtual Halloween party to stream Oct. 30

t’s that time of year again, when all the ghosties and goblins and other spooky crea- tures come crawling out of hiding to frolic through the gaybor- hood, all dressed up in their best costumes. This year there will be far fewer costumed Telehealth partiers making the rounds, Appointments thanks to that evil troll called Jenna Skyy in “face” for the 2018 Dallas Voice COVID-19. But don’t worry, Dal- Halloween issue.(Tammye Nash/Dallas Voice) STI testing & treatment at our Now Available las Voice has just the thing to keep Room before the remodel and glimpses location on the Baylor campus your Halloween-loving hearts happy. of stars from the past (Donna Day and We call it “Ghoul’s Night Out,” and Whitney Page, anyone?). PrEP Services provided with it’s a virtual party featuring some of the “As a media company, it is important specialty pharmacy on-site best entertainers around. to stay relevant and engaged with your Financial & medication “We know that in the LGBTQ commu- readers. In addition, it is also important nity, Halloween is the ‘Gay Christmas,’ to seek out alternative revenue sources assistance available and we also knew some time ago that and different ways to reach your com- Prep & HIV Clinical Trials the Halloween Block Party wasn’t going munity,” Dallas Voice Publisher Leo available to happen this year,” noted Chad Man- Cusimano said. “With the success of the tooth, Dallas Voice’s advertising director Dallas Voice PRIDE Party online in June, Gender affirmation and producer of “Ghoul’s Night Out.” we decided to explore other opportu- hormone therapy “So we wanted to create a Halloween nities. So when the annual Halloween Anal Cancer screenings experience for our readers. And we hope Block Party on Cedar Springs was can- that this show will not only entertain, but celed due to the pandemic, it opened up We accept most also keep those Halloween spirits alive!” a can of worms. insurance plans! The show, which will stream online “We decided to take a bite, and at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, is direct- Ghoul’s Night Out emerged,” Cusimano MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT AT ed by Israel Luna and hosted by “The continued. “This will be a thriller and an 214.823.2533 Queen of Halloween,” Jenna Skyy. The opportunity to have a virtual Halloween 3409 Worth St. Suite 710 party will feature performances by Ra- house party — staying safe, of course.” Dallas, TX quel Blake, Bleach, Moltyn Decadence, Presenting sponsor is Bud Light Gloria Devine, Jada Pinkett Fox, May Seltzer. Other sponsors include Prism 214.890.1616 May Graves, Porter Bella Graves, Layla Health North Texas, AIDS Outreach 9301 North Central Expy. Suite 310 LaRue and Dee Ranged. There will also Center and Stoli. The video will be host- Dallas, TX be appearances by Peaches Christ and ed on the Dallas Voice YouTube channel Willam, and some spooky tunes from DJ (https://www.youtube.com/channel/ Drew G. UCzLKquBnVnmwE8LBYSQTK3w/ infectiousdiseases.com Keep an eye out for the ghosts of Hal- featured?view_as=subscriber) and will or ntidc.org loween past, too: We’ve included archi- be embedded at DallasVoice.com. You val footage, provided by Israel Luna, can also watch for the livestream on the from Halloween on the Strip in the Dallas Voice Facebook page. 1990s, complete with a trip to the Rose — Tammye Nash

10.23.20 █ dallasvoice 11 Phone 214-754-8710 █ Fax 844-313-2282 █ commUNITY 1825 Market Center Blvd., Ste. 240, Dallas, Texas 75207 voices Hours: Weekdays 9 a.m.–5 p.m. • dallasvoice.com administration Leo Cusimano Publisher █ 114 editorial Opening the door to discrimination Tammye Nash Managing Editor █ 113 Gov. Abbott’s social worker rule us — and workers often take the lead in creating David Taffet Senior Staff Writer █ 125 change threatens our lives those liv- positive social change, which is why Philip Burton Proofreader ing with Texas social workers worked togeth- Contributors: Chris Azzopardi, Gary Bellomy, Jenny Block, J. Denton Bricker, Joey Cassiano, Jesus Chairez, Alicia Chang, a disabili- er to define their code of conduct and D’Anne Witowski, Lawrence Ferber, Hardy Haberman, GBTQ Texans, those living with ty — with standards of practice specifically to in- Scott Huffman, Lisa Keen, Mark Lowry, Steven Monacelli, a disability and those living critical clude sexual orientation, gender iden- Cassie Nova, Josh Robbins, Mikey Rox, Howard Lewis Russell, at the intersections of LGBTQ mental tity and gender expression. Removing James Russell, Terri Schlichenmeyer, Leslie McMurray, L Mathew Shaw, Brandi Amara Skyy, Mark Stokes, Jef Tingley, identity and living with disability are health a prohibition on discrimination on Casey Williams outraged, and rightfully so. Texas Gov. and social the basis of sexual orientation, gender Greg Abbott has once again cast our services. identity, gender expression and disabil- advertising communities aside by singling us out To put ity from the Code of Conduct for Social Chad Mantooth Advertising Director █ 131 Stephen Mobley MarketPlace Sales █ 123 for exclusion and differential treatment. this in Workers, a change that occurred with- National Advertising Representative To make matters worse, Gov. Abbott context, as out opportunity for public comment, Rivendell Media Inc. 908-232-2021 has done this at the height of a public of March is egregious and places social workers health crisis when we are more vulner- 2019, 4.1 percent of our state’s popu- in Texas out of step with the Code of art Ethics of the National Association of Kevin Thomas Art Director █ 119 able and the services upon which we lation identified as LGBT, or approxi- rely for our daily needs are all the more mately 893,350 Texans. Of those Texans, Social Workers, which explicitly states, multimedia precarious. 768,000 identify as LGB, and .66 percent “Social workers should not practice, Stephen Mobley Social Media Director █ 123 Brian Kennedy Video Producer Simply put, there is no doubt that this of our population, or approximately condone, facilitate or collaborate with Israel Luna Video Producer/DVtv host unfair and unequal treatment threatens 125,350 people, identify as transgender. any form of discrimination on the basis Brad Pritchett DVtv Host our very lives. Prior to COVID-19, 8 percent of of … sexual orientation, gender identi- Brandi Amara Skyy DVtv Host On Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, the Tex- LGBT Texans were unemployed; fully ty, gender expression … and mental or Regina Lyn DVtv Host as Behavioral Health Executive Coun- 26 percent had no health insurance; 27 physical ability.” circulation cil and the Texas State Board of Social percent were food insecure, and 26 per- This is an attack on our community, Linda Depriter Circulation Director █ 120 Worker Examiners voted unanimously cent made less than $24,000 a year. and Lambda Legal is fighting back with founders to remove the terms “sexual orienta- Approximately 41 percent of LGBT its partners in the All in for Equality Robert Moore █ Don Ritz tion,” “gender identity,” “gender expres- seniors have a disability. Coalition to take a stand and say that affiliations/memberships sion” and “disability” from the nondis- For transgender Texans and trans- no Texan should be afraid to access Associated Press - Associate Member crimination rule contained in the Social gender Texans of color, who are often necessary care and services because of National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association Workers’ Code of Conduct. This is the by far the most discriminated against a fear of discrimination. Certified LGBT Business Enterprise rule intended to prohibit social workers and marginalized of all Texans, the sit- Here is what you can do to help Founding Member - North Texas LGBT Chamber Founding Member - National LGBT Media Association from discriminating against their clients uation is far worse. Fully 17 percent of Lambda Legal and our partner orga- on the basis of these identities. transgender Texans are unemployed; nizations fight back: To protect your The rule change was a last-minute re- 34 percent are living in poverty, and life, the lives of those you love and quest that came from Gov. Abbott’s of- 77 percent do not have identity docu- the lives of those in our communi- fice, contained in an email to the board ments that match their gender. ties, join the All in for Equality Coali- and council sent the Friday before the In the last five years, more transgen- tion by visiting our website (https:// Monday meeting. Council Executive der people have been killed in our state secure.everyaction.com/-rSvT- Director Darrell Spinks explained that than in any other state. And again in clhMk2SlOKaKu-t_A2?emci=f- the purpose of the rule change was to 2019, Texas led the nation in the num- 990b7c0-1e13-eb11-96f5-00155d03aff- make the rule align with Texas law, ber of transgender people murdered, c&emdi=cf2d5f9d-3013-eb11-96f5-0015 © 2020 Voice Publishing Company, Inc. All rights reserved. which contains a similar nondiscrimi- with more than half of such deaths oc- 5d03affc&ceid=7436708) and sending a Reprint rights are available only by written consent of the publisher or managing editor. nation provision but does not include curring in Dallas. This year the number message to Gov. Abbott that the social Dallas Voice is published every Friday. Additional copies may be purchased for $1 each, payable in advance at the terms sexual orientation, gender of transgender deaths across the coun- workers know what is right for them the Dallas Voice office. Dallas Voice may be distributed only by Dallas Voice authorized independent contractors identity and expression or disability. try now stands at 33. and their profession and that he should or distributors. No person may, without prior written The board unanimously approved re- Behind every one of these numbers is stay out of their business. permission of Voice Publishing, take more than one copy of each Dallas Voice weekly issue. moving the language, and the coun- the story of an LGBTQ person who will No one should ever be discriminated Subscriptions via First Class Mail are available: Three months (13 consecutive issues), $65. Six months (26 cil voted unanimously to adopt the often rely on a social worker to find es- against or denied services simply be- consecutive issues), $85. One year (52 consecutive issues), sential resources, support and care. cause of who they are. Our very lives $130. Contact Dallas Voice at 214-754-8710 x123. change. Paid advertising copy represents the claim(s) of the Now the change is the law: Social Social workers are on the forefront of depend on it. █ advertiser. Bring inappropriate claims to the attention of the publisher. Dallas Voice reserves the right to enforce workers, who we rely upon to hear and providing lifesaving and life-affirming Avery Belyeu is the South Central Region its own judgments regarding the suitability of advertising copy, illustrations and/or photographs. carry our deepest confidences, have social services and mental health care regional director for Lambda Legal. She is Unsolicited manuscripts are accepted by email only. now been invited to refuse to provide to all Texans. As a profession, social based in Dallas. To obtain a copy of our guidelines for contributors, send a request by email to [email protected].

12 dallasvoice.com █ 10.23.20 10.23.20 █ dallasvoice 13 LIFE+STYLE screen

break the wrong way and he’s cracked.

What’s interesting about both characters is that Henry in Hollywood was based on a real man, Henry Wilson, the man who invented Rock Hudson, and so I had this beautiful book by Robert Hofler that is Henry’s biography. Robert had done so much research about who he was and when he was young and when he got old, and we focus on one specific part of Henry — and invented so much around it, too; it wasn’t all pure truth — so to have all that information gave me a humane A different side of Jim Parsons quality to Henry that I understood. Michael was a little different. Even though ‘Boys in the Band’ actor talks it does about them. Playing more challenging characters such I consciously knew that he was a rough as these, when do you know, “OK, I about reviving the gay classic, In the remake, Parsons reprises his stand-in for the writer, Mart Crowley, I role alongside the original — and think I’ve got it”? I feel like that specific didn’t want to presume how much, nor did his personal takeaway and entirely openly gay — cast of the 2018 feeling comes in little spots through the I want to put that responsibility on myself. playing bitchy queens Broadway revival: , process, where you just feel good about At the time, both for the play and the something. But in general, everything I do, movie, Mart was alive, and I just thought, , , Charlie by the time it’s all done and the months “Don’t even think about it.” But it kind of lot has happened this year, and Carver, Robin de Jesús, Brian Hutchi- go by until it’s released, suddenly I start couldn’t help creeping in, and the more that’s aside from Jim Parsons son, Michael Benjamin Washington and having trouble remembering any of the chances I had to be around Mart and talk Adancing around in a bra. That Tuc Watkins. Parsons’s out Hollywood good moments and I’m like, “Oh god, oh to Mart and exchange emails with Mart, bit, of course, graced screens across the co-star Joe Mantello, who directed the god. It’s coming.” one thing after another began to click, world thanks to Netflix’s Hollywood, Broadway revival, once again directs. and I was like, “The character of Michael When I worked on Hollywood on the charac- The Big Bang Theory actor shedding his On Zoom recently, Parsons talked is a writer, just like Mart is.” From this dis- ter Henry, that was a longer process than tance, now that we’ve had this put to bed well-established onscreen TV persona about the revealing conversations he the film because it was episodes, and it for so long, although it’s just now being to play a sleazy Hollywood agent in the shared with Crowley about The Boys in went on for about six months. We were released, I see a version of it where this is flashy revisionist drama. the Band before his death in March, and about midway through the process when partly the story of Mart before he was able The Ryan Murphy series garnered how working on the project led to a I actually wrote Ryan Murphy an email to write Boys in the Band. him an Emmy nomination, but — best deeper understanding and questioning just telling him how appreciative I was of of all — it wouldn’t be the only time in of his own self-worth. the experience, and it was because I had For me, the main magical thing about Boys 2020 that Parsons, who was on the cover — Chris Azzopardi crossed some bridge about working on in the Band comes from the fact that Mart that character. It had really clicked in me was finally able to reveal himself and his of OUT North Texas in 2015, would be Dallas Voice: Being the bitchy queen what a special opportunity this was, this situation and the people that he knew taking on the role of a bitchy queen. doesn’t seem like something that character, that I just hadn’t seen as clearly and loved with so much brutal honesty. I In Netflix’s The Boys in the Band, comes naturally to you. Jim Parsons: when I first started. think that’s why it connected with so many again produced by Murphy, Parsons is Apparently I have an affinity with it, or people. I think that’s why it stood the test a standout among standouts in the re- an interest in it. Or Ryan Murphy has an With Michael, the reasons for his ruthless of time. I think that’s why, as a piece of interest in forcing me to do it! I’m not sure disdain really reveal themselves at the make of the pioneering 1970 gay-centric literature, it has stayed bubbling in our which. end of the film. When you’re playing drama, directed by William Friedkin. consciousness this long and, lo and be- characters as vicious as Michael and Initially staged as an Off-Broadway play What has that experience been like for hold, has expanded to become something Henry, what’s your process for expos- in 1968, the film is based on Mart Crow- you? It’s been heaven. As an actor, I’ll be that’s not just about gay men. ing the layers of humanity beneath the ley’s screenplay, written about a group honest with you: Both of these men are surface of these characters’ rough It’s become something that’s about all people of gay friends and frenemies living in complicated characters, and the two roles edges? In the case of Michael, I think suffering under oppression and shame. this year in Hollywood and in Boys in the . An awkward birthday that’s a big part of what you carry with you And that’s the way the world went, but ... Band were very different in many ways, party for their friend Harold, a self-pro- going into the beginning of the rehearsal you can’t create something that impact- but they had a similar feeling to me. Going claimed “ugly, pockmarked Jew fairy,” process, knowing that you’re dealing with ful and be that honest until you accept into the projects, there was a mystery and becomes the breeding ground for savage a character who is compensating as much yourself for everything that you are. That’s an unknown quality about the challenge takedowns, as they tear into each other, as he can. I always had this phrase in my where we leave Michael, with Harold telling that lied ahead. I felt confident that I would exposing the kind of self-hatred familiar head every time I was working with the him, “You will always be a homosexual. be able to get there with both of them, but character: He’s just dancing as fast as he There’s nothing you can do to change it.” to gay men trying to survive the oppres- it was exciting to know it wasn’t a done can in order to keep things afloat. And we don’t see Michael transition into a sive state of pre-Stonewall America. deal. I was going to work to get there, and healthier, self-loving person, but the more Parsons plays seething party host I was going to have to, most importantly, But it’s so superficial because there’s this I think about it, the more I think that if he’s Michael, a semi-lapsed Catholic whose get on set and start doing these scenes elemental part of himself that he is com- truly a stand-in for Mart, then that’s where aggressively nasty observations about for both these characters and see what pletely unhappy with, and so, as happens Michael goes. Maybe he goes off to write happened, and that was exciting. in this, just the right amount of things his friends reveal more about him than his Boys in the Band.

14 dallasvoice.com █ 10.23.20 It’s interesting to think that the film, when and so many people solely, but it’s not it was released in 1970 — before the for the same reasons, in my opinion, that lexicon of LGBTQ identities expand- it would’ve been in the late ’60s, early ed — resonated with an especially ’70s, where it was like, “Truly, we have niche group of people. And that was to stick together.” That’s wonderful. But specifically gay men. Now that specific what I realized working with these guys is demographic seems almost antiquated there’s a language spoken. I don’t know if because identity is far less restrictive. it’s all gay men all over the planet, all gay Stonewall happened shortly after Boys in people. I don’t know if it’s strictly specific the Band. It was a moment that created to a gay American male. I will say it’s the a real backlash from the gay communi- only time I’ve gone to curtain call and ty against Boys in the Band, and for all repeatedly — and I don’t even know why the complaints, the main one was, “We because I hate saying this, but I’m like, don’t want to be represented like this, “Hey heney!” I mean, I never talk like that. as unhappy, self-hating, have-to-hide at- Ha! But every once in a while, I would home [people].” And I totally understand grab Zach Quinto’s hand on stage before that. Especially in that infantile time, that the bow and I’d go, “Hi heney!” embryo of this independence starting to Ryan Murphy has said we need more form, you need all the nutrition you can stories about the history of LGBTQ get, ha! people. Aside from starring in Boys in But because of the efforts of so many, we the Band this year, you are producing have come far enough that we are more the LGBTQ docudrama Equal for HBO than OK to look at an honest portrayal of Max. What are some other LGBTQ a real side of what it was to be gay. And stories you would like to see revived even though it’s not as intense in this way, for new generations of LGBTQ people [there are] residual [issues]. to experience? That’s hard to say. You know what’s funny to me, and I don’t One of the things I discovered going through know what this says about me, exactly — this and having the luxury to spend so well, it says that I’m a child of privilege, much time with this part, both in the play that I’m a gay man of privilege living in and in the movie, was how much of those the world that I’ve grown up in — but I’ve feelings that I thought I didn’t really have been so fortunate that the people that because of my age and the acceptance I’ve worked with have called on me to in the world. Bullshit. I do. I do. It’s not as be a part of these things, whether it was intense. It’s a different world. But it’s not Normal Heart or Boys in the Band. Even gone completely. Equal was something that was being cre- And there is still a part of me that, as a gay ated and thought of, and they included person, I see more clearly having played me in on it. So I have been blessed with Michael for so long. [I’m] still dealing with this story lesson since I was, again, just — and it’s truly OK, consciously I know too privileged and going about my own this — that little voice inside sometimes daily business in order to go research on that still goes, “Am I enough? Am I OK?” my own.

I recognize that there’s a language that But I guess my answer is twofold: I don’t we speak with each other that’s tart- know what the next story is that should tongued and lovingly bitchy. I’m won- be revived, and the second thing is that I dering if the way these gay men talk to do realize the importance because of the each other on-screen translated off- impact that it’s had on me being exposed screen since you worked with a cast to these stories, and a strength and a of all gay men. You know what? I don’t well-roundness that I feel as a gay man know if it was because of who we are or by understanding more specifically the because of the time we’re living — ha! historical context within which I walk as — or because we were actually working a gay man in 2020 now. It’s crucial for together. It was certainly not as biting; it’s making me the person I am. a lot kinder, although Charlie, sweet thing, And I get sweaty palms at the thought of, may disagree. He takes a beating from were it not for the sliding-door moments us! But you know what? That’s youth, and of these people asking me to do this, I that’s what you get. Ha! might miss it or not understand it or feel But no, definitely, it was one of the most it the way that I do now. So I hope that profound things about going through this these projects go out to people and give process, and I’m not even speaking about a similar level of that. I don’t want to say whether or not this is reflected in the final education because it’s entertainment, product on film. I’m really talking about and I want people to watch it, for Christ’s my own personal experience of working sake. Ha! But I hope that we’ve portrayed on this. I feel we have the luxury now of it in a way that is realistic and humanizing not needing for safety and for personal enough that you can’t help but get the comfort to be surrounded by your tribe of point. gay men. Chris Azzopardi is editor of Q Syndicate. Many people have plenty of gay friends, Reach him via Twitter @chrisazzopardi.

10.23.20 █ dallasvoice 15 L+S books risk for AIDS, though he’d been minis- Art, whose illness forced Slotten to tering to AIDS patients for several years take an AIDS test … . Looking back by then. He knew the risks, of course, Though you may not notice it at first, and had taken precautions. But Art was there’s one thing in Plague Years that will in his far past. eventually sneak up on you, tap you on at a plague There was a time when Slotten the shoulder and crush you: So. Many. thought he was straight, had dated girls, Names. Doctor’s memoir of the early had imagined life as a husband and Before you learn any of them, though, years of AIDS brings back the father. That changed in college. And you need the tone-setting biography heart-breaking reality though he was desperate for love then, and background here, and you need to he was careful with his heart. claw your way past the harrowing parts He fell for Art, and believed he was in which author Ross Slotten battles the Plague Years: A Doctor’s Journey in love. But Art slept around with idea that he might’ve gotten AIDS from through the AIDS Crisis by Ross A. countless men, and, one night, he broke a man he once loved. You’ll be well and Slotten, MD (University of Chicago Slotten’s heart for good. firmly invested in this book once you Press, 2020) $20; 214 pages. That was at the beginning of the get through that — and exhausted, as AIDS crisis. It was a lifetime ago, back though you just finished watching a over your nose and mouth. when Ronald Reagan all but ignored the Kubrick movie with a dream sequence Wash your hands with soap and disease, before treatment was available set in a full morgue, and there’s more C water. Stay six feet away from — before Art was dying. story left. strangers and those you think might be In med school, Slotten hadn’t intend- This is a devastating book, made more infected; better yet, stay at home. And ed to specialize in AIDS medicine, but to-mouth resuscitation on a dying AIDS so by Slotten’s viewpoint as both gay that’s how you squash a pandemic — as a gay man, how could he ignore those patient? man and doctor, and by casual remind- more or less — although, as in the new who came to him after he’d opened On his rounds, there were times that ers of the things we didn’t know then book Plague Years by Ross A. Slotten his Chicago practice? How could he the best Slotten could do was to give and the things we know now. Plague MD, sometimes it’s not that easy. turn his back on them, as did the nurse comfort or a hug or keep vigil. He tried Years is profane and blunt and nail-bit- It wasn’t until Slotten saw his former who placed a gauze pad between her to be truthful, always, but denial was a ing and heartbreaking and hopeful. And lover, Art, that the reality hit him. He fingertips and a pulse, or the co-worker real thing — including denial for Art, that pretty much covers it. hadn’t even considered that he’d be at who felt relief at having avoided mouth- who slept with the wrong man or men. — Terri Schlichenmeyer

16 dallasvoice.com █ 10.23.20 LIFE+STYLE best bets 10.24 Kitchen Dog Theater presents protest songs throughout history

Get Up, Stand Up! is a series of unique, one-time events featuring a variety of local artists performing protest songs from throughout history. from “Yankee Doo- dle Dandy” to “This Land is Our Land” to “Alright.” Kitchen Dog seeks to celebrate democracy as we move through the election season. Performer lineups will be different for each individual performance and are always subject to change. Kristin Colaneri is featured on Oct. 24. The parking lot behind the new Kitchen Dog Theater Compound, 4774 Algiers St. on Oct. 24, 31 and Nov. 3. $30 per car plus $15 per additional passenger. Tickets must be reserved in advance at KitchenDogTheater.org or 214-953-1055. 10.24 The Rose Room goes on tour

TITAS/Dance Unbound usually partners with dance companies from around the world. But during the pandemic, the Dallas arts organization is partnering with the Rose Room to bring drag to the Art District. The performance is the first in a new series called TITAS/Unfiltered that comes with the warn- 10.23-24 ing: “Some might find these works objection- able. There may be nudity, adult language Ozarka and Dallas Film present drive in movies and themes. And there may be drag!” Hosted by Cassie Nova and featuring Blu Valentine, Ozarka and Dallas Film present Friday Night Lights on Friday and The Rookie on Saturday Chanel LaMasters, Fantasha, Jenna Skyy, at the Four Corners Brewery in The Cedars. Gates open at 6 p.m. First come, first Kelexis Davenport, Krystal Summers, Layla served. Attendees have the chance to receive a premium Ozarka goodie bag with movie LaRue and Sasha Andrews, there will defi- concessions and snacks from local Texas companies when they bring 10 empty plastic nitely be drag. bottles to recycle. Annette Strauss Square, 2403 Flora St. Oct. Four Corners Brewery, 1311 S. Ervay. Films start at 7:15 p.m. on Oct. 23 and 24. 24 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $39 at ATTPAC.ORG. OzarkaWater.com/driveinfilmfestival.

Employment Discrimination Lawyer Law Office of Rob Wiley, P.C.

214-528-6500 • robwiley.com 2613 Thomas Ave., Dallas, TX 75204

10.23.20 █ dallasvoice 17 L+S scoop Cassie Nova Tall tales and memories

Good mornin’ folks. I woke up on this beautiful, cool fall day in the best mood. I made myself a cuppa coffee with some va- nilla syrup in it and sat down to my comput- er to write this this week’s column all about tall tales you hear from your family growing up. We all have them — some little random thing that your grandparents or parents say in passing that makes you do a double take my dad’s side of the family. Unfortunately, and say, “WHAT?” my Dad’s mom, Christine, passed when I For me, there was the time my mom said was in the sixth grade, so I can’t call her up she kicked Jamie Lee Curtis’ ass, or when to ask her a few questions. That would be my grandma said she went to school with awesome if I could; she was a great lady. Willie Nelson or that one of the little people So, the legend goes that the night that from Wizard of Oz was her neighbor and Bonnie and Clyde were killed, they asked my used to play with her kids at the playground. grandma Christine to go with them. She said These are all things that I had heard grow- she couldn’t because she had to watch the ing up and kept in my memory but never kids. I’m not sure who the kids were, maybe really thought about too much. Then as an her brothers and sisters. My aunt Mary told adult, it made me stop and think: What tha me this story a thousand years ago. She fuck?! said that Bonnie Parker was my Grandma These aren’t normal family stories. Christine’s cousin. My grandma on my momma’s side is a We did “23&me” a few years ago, and I character. When I was little, she was this have not found any distant relatives with the little mean-ass woman with a Pall Mall un- last name Parker — yet. The Grandma I talk- filtered sticking out of her mouth. Now that ed to this morning said that it could actually I’m an adult she’s still a little woman, but she be true because lots of our relatives knew has definitely mellowed in her old age. Now Bonnie Parker. She said everybody knew she is just funny to me. everybody back then and that she knew for a I feel guilty that I don’t talk to her enough, fact that Bonnie and Clyde hung out a lot un- so, to get some clarity on the above sub- der the Sylvan Street bridge near downtown. jects, I called her this morning. For a good It’s probably all tall tales and folklore, but 30 minutes I grilled her like I was some 8 — told her to stop hitting the horse. Jamie Apparently Billy Barty — who I found it’s cool to feel a connection to the past. Do sort of top journalist. Truth is, I’d ask one Lee didn’t stop, so my mother proceeded to out wasn’t in The Wizard of Oz but was in you have any family stories like these? If you question, and she would tell me the story. whoop that little bitch’s ass. a shit-ton of other movies from the 1930s do, let me know. My mind is already full of As she spoke, I could feel her going into her Needless to say my pawpaw was fired, all the way to 2000 when he died (That little useless crap. Who needs facts when you memory, and I smiled as she told these old but when I asked him a few years before he guy worked!) — lived in the same apart- can have hearsay and gossip? stories. died about this story, he confirmed it was ments as my grandparents and their kids. It was nice to talk to my grandma today. First I asked her if my mom actually true and said he had never been as proud He would go to the nearby playground and Y’all need to call up a relative that has been kicked Jamie Lee Curtis’ ass. Since I wrote of my mother as he was on that day. And play with all the children. Grandma said he on your mind lately. Do it — and remember about this a few years ago, I will give the to this day, every time we see an Activia was the nicest guy and was about the same to always love more, bitch less and be fabu- short version here: commercial or a Halloween movie, my Mom size as the kids, so they loved to play with lous! XOXO, Cassie Nova. Apparently, my pawpaw worked as a says, “I whooped her ass,” as she points to him. I remember him being on the The Love ranchhand on Tony Curtis’ ranch in Palm the TV. Boat, the Masters of the Universe movie and this week’s solution Springs in the 1960s. My mom was with him My Grandma has now confirmed that Willow. This apparently took place in Palm one day and saw Jamie Lee Curtis, Tony story, too, and that story led her into the Springs, too. Curtis’ daughter, hitting a horse with a stick. story about the little person from The Wizard The next story she told was about her Ma, who was just a kid herself — like 7 or of Oz. going to school with Willie Nelson in Abbott, Texas. I have heard that she went to school with Master Bud Willie since, well, since for- FIND IT ALL HERE AT ever, but in my head it was in a tiny little one- room school house. She was quick to point out that, in fact, it was a three-story school AMAZING house, and the gymnasium and auditorium INTIMATE ESSENTIALS Adult DVD, Novelties, Magazines were on the third floor. Watch All The Movies In Grandma and Willie were in the same Our World Famous 1200 Channel Arcade class room. I asked what she remembered about him, and she said he was a shy, sweet Home of the boy. She said the reason he always kept World Famous his hair long is because they couldn’t afford haircuts. The one time his daddy made him $10 Movie Pass! cut his hair, he cut it using a bowl, and Willie Video Rooms - $10 • Over 1200 Channels Nelson hated it so much he vowed he would 11311 Harry Hines Blvd. #603 never cut his hair again. ROYAL █ browse █ submit Facing Joe Field Plaza on Joe Field Of course, I don’t know how much of that 972-243-2707 is true. But it makes for a great story, so I For a more complete Community To submit an item for inclusion in 1-35N Sun-Thur 10am-12am REEDER JOE FIELD

HARRY HINES HARRY believe it. Calendar online, visit the Community Calendar, visit Fri & Sat 10am-3am This last bit of family folk lore comes from Tinyurl.com/dvevents. Tinyurl.com/dvevents.

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