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NEWS OPINIONS 4 Inclusive Instruction 10 Parting Glances: Book in Process 2 VOL. 2834 • AUGUST 20, 2020 Michigan Trans Man Named Teacher 10 Transmisson: In the Matrix ISSUE 1158/59 of the Year PRIDE SOURCE MEDIA GROUP 11 Creep of the Week: Trump 6 54-Bill Package Aims to Remove Phone 734.293.7200 Outdated Anti-LGBTQ Language from ENTERTAINMENT PUBLISHERS State Law Susan Horowitz & Jan Stevenson 16 Murder, She Kind of Wrote 6 Black LGBT Group Wins Award to EDITORIAL Combat Voter Suppression 18 Michigan Opera Theatre Editor in Chief Reconfigures Seating, Gears Up to Susan Horowitz, 734.293.7200 7 Michigan Supreme Court Chief Host Live Shows [email protected] Justice Hosts Zoom Town Hall, Urges Entertainment Editor Community to Flip Ballots Over 20 Deep Inside Hollywood Chris Azzopardi, 734.293.7200 16 [email protected] 8 Corktown Health Center Joins With 21 Q Puzzle WellPartner to Expand Prescription News & Feature Editor Access Eve Kucharski, 734.293.7200 [email protected]

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Copyright 2020 www.PrideSource.com BTL | August 20, 2020 3 Cover Story Inclusive Instruction Michigan Trans Man Named Teacher of the Year BY EVE KUCHARSKI trying to reinvent themselves,” he said. “So I think one of my greatest joys as a teacher fter a months-long application process, is getting to see a student play with different Oak Park English language arts teacher identities and decide for themselves who they AOwen Bondono was pleasantly want to be and sort of settle into a comfortable surprised to learn that he became Michigan’s version of themselves in front of me.” Region 9 Teacher of the Year in May. But Bondono said he has two main criteria for after meeting the other nine candidates in the choosing student reading material: it has to be running for the statewide honor in an online a well-written example of the English language video call, he was convinced that this was “as and it should be relatable and enjoyable for far as I go.” students to study. “I was completely surprised. In the Zoom “One of the big purposes of ELA is to read BTL Photo: Andrew Potter call of where they make the announcement of from a lot of different perspectives and take Owen Bondono realized that much of his who won I think you can see the roughly 30 those perspectives in ourselves. And, naturally, a poster without having done the internal work role as MTOY would mean not only being seconds of just TV static happening in my brain that grows our empathy,” Bondono said. “So, to truly be an ally.” an advocate for the over 100,000 teachers when they said my name,” he said. “I wasn’t I think in discussing the sometimes fictional, Additionally, Bondono says it’s vital that across Michigan but the 1.5 million students even expecting to win the regional teacher sometimes nonfictional lives that we read about, he doesn’t let students get away with any of the year, much less anything beyond that.” we discover a lot about ourselves.” discriminatory discussion while in class — they educate. Bondono has set his sights on After the fog faded, the reality of the win set And because of his own trans identity, whether they intended their statements to be both making students’ virtual educational in. Bondono realized that much of his role as Bondono hopes to reassure students and harmful or not. experience during the pandemic an MTOY would mean not only being an advocate parents that those who discover they are “[I] combat not just any casual homophobia for the over 100,000 teachers across Michigan LGBTQ should not be ashamed. or transphobia that comes out of my classroom equitable one and on being an advocate but the 1.5 million students they educate. “[Trans activist and actress] Laverne Cox but also sexism and racism and colorism and for marginalized voices among the state’s Bondono has set his sights on both making talks about being a possibility model rather classism and so on. And [I try] to not make students. students’ virtual educational experience during than a role model, and that’s something that it about punishing the student who said the pandemic an equitable one and on being I’m hoping I can be for trans students and also something wrong, but, instead, when those “A lot of teachers get this idea that they can’t an advocate for marginalized voices among other trans teachers or potential teachers: just things do come out in my classrooms ... I will apologize to students or that they can’t appear the state’s students. As an openly transgender someone who says, ‘Other people may say stop and I will pivot our conversation in a way weak like they have any gaps in their own teacher himself, he said it’s valuable that every that they don’t want queer people teaching that hopefully doesn’t call out or embarrass the knowledge or experience in front of students, student has the opportunity to feel secure at their kids, but even though that may be true student who said anything. But it instead asks but I think the opposite is true,” he said. “They school. some places, there are places where you’ll be us to examine what attitudes that comment need to see that you’re human and that you can “I think that, in general, as teachers it is our welcome and you’ll be able to make an impact,’” may have come from and what learned roles learn from your own mistakes and say, ‘Hey, job to make students safe and comfortable Bondono said. they may be perpetuating and why we may not I should have called that out yesterday, but I in our room so that they can bring whatever want to perpetuate those things.” didn’t know enough to do it then and now I version of their authentic self that they’re know better.’” comfortable bringing,” he said. “Because, A Safe Space for Discussion But as big of a student advocate as Bondono is, there may come an unforeseen element beyond the academics, our whole purpose is But merely choosing thoughtful content for Valuable Self-Instruction of self-advocacy during his time as MTOY. to grow them into confident, successful people.” students to digest is not enough for a true sense When asked how he works to monitor his Specifically, Teachers of the Year from across of safety, and subsequently confidence, in the own biases so that he can effectively regulate the U.S. get the opportunity to meet with the classroom — particularly for those students classroom discussion, Bondono was frank: president, but in 2019 an LGBTQ educator Building Empathy, Fostering who are in marginalized communities like the he’s unafraid to reach out for help. He works from Minnesota, Jessica Dueñas, refused to LGBTQ. Bondono said that much of his success to create online learning-focused communities Identity attend the event because of Donald Trump’s in the classroom relies upon him showing his through social media. There, he connects with anti-LGBTQ legislation. Bondono said that This fall, Bondono will start his sixth year support for students daily. fellow educators and can confer about the depending on the results of the November teaching at the Oak Park High School 9th “In a physical classroom, one of the first appropriate way to handle different classroom election, he might do the same. Grade Learning Community. He said that things I try to have up is just representation issues. “The timeline for my award year is such that I while a teacher of any subject can create a deep that shows them physically when they walk “I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve would be meeting the president in 2021, so my and lasting connection with their students in that they are safe. I have a rainbow flag jumped on Twitter to say, ‘Hey, this happened hope is that I will not have to make any choices in the classroom, he believes that teaching behind my desk, I have some of my classroom in my classroom today, I knew it wasn’t OK about what to do with the current president,” ELA “uniquely situates” him to help students decorations purposely include historical figures but at the time I didn’t know how to respond,’” he said. “However, if it comes down to that, explore not only their own identities but their from all kinds of books of the global majority he said. “And then I get responses from other I don’t see myself in good faith being able to thoughts on literary themes that are applicable — including LGBTQ,” Bondono said. “But that’s people, I absorb their thoughts, and the the shake someone’s hand who has tried to take to society as a whole. not something that will necessarily be available next day I might start off class by saying, ‘Hey, away my rights.” “I think school is the first real place where to me in an online setting [during COVID-19]. something happened yesterday in class and I students get to assert their own identity free I think the biggest way that you show it — want to talk about it now that I’ve had time to Bondono will remain MTOY until 2021. To from things like their own family obligations or posters and stuff are great — but students have think about it myself.’” find out more about the process of application how the people in their lives already see them. learned, especially LGBTQ students and other He added that willingness to admit he was and to see his full list of responsibilities, visit Every year they get the chance, if they want to, students of the global majority, to be wary of wrong is key to building trust among his gaybe.am/wJ. to try and reinvent themselves. And sometimes those kinds of symbols. Somebody can put up students, too. in high school, students from class to class are 4 BTL | August 20, 2020 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com BTL | August 20, 2020 5 54-Bill Package Aims to Black LGBT Group Wins Award to Combat Voter Suppression Remove Outdated Anti- LGBTQ Language from BY BTL STAFF GBT Detroit, the city’s Black State Law LGBTQ+ service provider, has Lbeen awarded new grant funding by the American Civil Liberties Union BY EVE KUCHARSKI of Michigan to help eliminate a range of enduring racial, gender and sexual hile LGBTQ minority disparities persisting in civic marriage participation throughout Southeast Wequality was Michigan. This year, LGBT Detroit’s passed by the Supreme flagship voter engagement program, Court in 2015, outdated PRIDE Decides 2020, specifically targets language on Michigan’s LGBTQ+ communities of color in Wayne lawbooks hasn’t been and Oakland Counties with its get out the amended. In fact, many vote message. In addition to expanding bills still refer to marriage the LGBTQ+ people of color electorate in as an act between one the region, the ACLUMI has also charged man and one woman, like the organization with working with area Michigan’s 2004 same-sex partners, influencers and gatekeepers marriage ban. But that soon to increase community investment may change, as State House in the democratic process in what is PRIDE Decides organizers. Photo courtesy of LGBT Detroit. Minority Floor Leader as an exceptionally polarizing voting Yousef Rabhi (D-Ann environment. The agency’s collaborative what’s happening on the ground with legal protections in housing, education, Arbor) has, along with 28 Rep. Yousef Rabhi. efforts are made all the more challenging Michiganders in terms of barriers employment and public accommodation Democratic representatives, by the novel coronavirus pandemic to casting their votes and making were seamlessly woven into the fabric of sponsored a 54-bill package and concerns for voter safety, pushing sure that the community is receiving the agency’s four-day event. With less that would remove LGBT Detroit to innovate such tried and giving accurate, helpful and up-to-date than four months to go until election day, discriminatory gendered references across Michigan state law. true in-person organizing strategies as information on how to cast such things LGBT Detroit intends to increase the beat “What people often forget is that state laws are also still on street canvassing, voter registration and as absentee ballots with a now even and insistency of its drum to get LGBTQ+ the books right now that are contrary to the federal Supreme traditional door-knocking campaigns slower and potentially less reliable mail POC and other often disenfranchised Court ruling,” Rabhi said. “And while federal law, of course, usually used to engage constituents as system,” Totten said. “There’s also a lot of area voters to cast their ballots through supersedes state law … it is important to clean the books at part of voter education and other GOTV misinformation out there to combat and mail-in absentee voting measures to the state level and ensure that our state laws are in compliance activities. new strategies to suppress the vote are protect both residents’ health and vote. with federal laws so that if things are to change at the federal “Of course, the coronavirus requires ever-evolving and must be immediately “It’s critical, even in the age of level, we would still have our state laws on the books that are us to be more on our toes in talking and countered.” COVID-19, that we allow nothing to protective of everyone’s equal rights.” partnering with Michigan residents Not new at assisting constituents impede the democratic process or get In addition to the 54 bills, Democrats have introduced about the issues and platforms that are in overcoming such barriers, LGBT in the way of our community’s vote. House Joint Resolution T that would put a question on most important to us all,” said Jerron Detroit has been working to educate, If that means absentee voting, social the ballot to repeal the same-sex marriage ban in the state Totten, LGBT Detroit’s Social Outreach inform and galvanize residents in distancing and line seating for elders at Constitution. Coordinator, Legislative Advocacy various civic engagements since its the polls, or just getting as creative as Historically, Michigan’s Republican representatives have Specialist and Field Director for PRIDE inception, including candidates forums, possible to ensure the Michigan voters’ not budged when it comes to passing pro-LGBTQ legislation Decides 2020. “That said, thanks to this canvassing campaigns and other classic will is heard and responded to by these like amending the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include support by the ACLU of MI, we aren’t political organizing efforts. However, candidates, then our partners and we will statewide legal protections for gender identity and sexual too worried about reaching folks. With recognizing the heightened importance have done what needed to be done” said orientation. When asked if he felt the push to update the these additional resources, we’ll be able of 2020 as both a census and presidential Curtis Lipscomb, Executive Director of outdated language was a viable one, Rabhi was confident. to use state-of-the-art technology in election year, LGBT Detroit has upped LGBT Detroit. “Because this is purely technical in nature, I don’t see any voter engagement software, stage online its game, from its ongoing U.S. Census Lipscomb added, “In these last few reason why this should not pass,” Rabhi said. “I think that, community mobilization events, and participation initiative which reaches election cycles, I believe Detroiters, and obviously, the bills that are more explicit about removing host several aggressive virtual campaign residents through online pep rallies to all Michiganders, have learned how the marriage ban in state law will be the most difficult to get strategies that meet Michigan residents its digital and social media canvassing crucial the Michigan vote is to make or passed. I do think that of the 54 there’s one Constitutional where they are.” to reach prospective voters to find out break what happens politically in this amendment and there are three other bills that change within While LGBT Detroit and its partners what is needed to move them from the nation. While some may say so goes state law the specific ban on same-sex marriages, those are will heavily rely on new and emerging fence to the polls. Toward those aims, California, so goes the rest of the nation. probably the most difficult, though they are technical in technologies, the initiative is also still in July of this year, the agency became a I say no, dear, that would be Michigan. n atu re .” relying on traditional methods like phone national pioneer by hosting the first web- So, it’s up to us to know the power we He went on to say that “none of these bills should be banking and the distribution of voter based and live-streamed Black LGBTQ+ have and act accordingly by showing political.” education print information to also reach Pride in the U.S. up on or casting our ballots by Election “Certainly not changing ‘husband and wife’ to ‘spouse’ those Michiganders who may still be part There, repeatedly the themes of voting Day as only those in our great state can.” so that we can include everybody in our state laws,” he of the digital divide and not have access necessity as a form of resistance to said. “That, to me, is a fix that would be meaningful and to the internet. increased voter suppression activities, the To learn more about how to get involved impactful. But it should really not be one that Republicans “We welcome those interested in economic benefits of census participation, as a volunteer for LGBT Detroit’s Pride have a problem with.” volunteering with us on the phones and the need to reform the state’s Elliott- Decides 2020, please visit the LGBT Detroit and in the community to both capture Larsen Civl Rights Act to include LGBTQ webpages at lgbtdetroit.org/getinvolved.

6 BTL | August 20, 2020 www.PrideSource.com Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Hosts Zoom Town Hall, Urges Community to Flip Ballots Over

BY JASON A. MICHAEL

virtual town hall meeting hosted by Michigan Supreme Court Chief AJustice Bridget Mary McCormack, who is running for reelection, and Supreme Court candidate Elizabeth Welch, took place Wednesday, Aug. 12 via Zoom. The meeting, which was moderated by newly appointed Regional Political Director for the Biden campaign and LGBT Caucus Chair for the Michigan Democratic Party Roland Leggett, Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice also featured Jay Kaplan, staff attorney for the Bridget Mary McCormack American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan’s LGBT Project. “We’re still at a stalemate with our current not covered by Title VII. You’re covered by legislature and the party that is in the majority Michigan law at that point. And Michigan law is not willing to move pro-LGBT legislation is not expanded. So while there is a lot of efforts forward,” Kaplan said. “So, therefore, we have around that, which Jay can certainly talk more to rely on our executive branch to see things about, if a lawsuit were to be filed in Michigan they have the legal ability to do as well as the around this issue it would be decided by the courts to see what they have the ability to do. So State Supreme Court because that’s a state law. it would be a significant step forward [to have “The courts could decide ... historically a pro-LGBT majority on the State Supreme [The] Elliott-Larsen [Civil Rights Act] has Court].” been interpreted to kind of mirror Title VII Michigan State Supreme Court Chief in some cases, but that’s undecided,” Welch Justice Bridget Mary McCormack agreed. continued. “But that’s an issue that could come McCormack, who joined the court in 2013 before the court.” has been chief justice since the beginning of All three speakers mentioned the issue 2019, lamented the fact that she was short they believe is going to be the next big step in a progressive or two on the court. She also LGBTQ rights law. expressed her frustration at the large number “One of the biggest threats to LGBT equality of people who don’t even vote for State Supreme is the attempts by faith based organizations, Court justices as they appear on the back of by individuals who are citing religious beliefs the ballot in the nonpartisan section. saying they should be exempt from complying “A lot of people who vote for Joe Biden with civil rights laws even where they might and Kamala Harris will not cast a vote in the be receiving a government contract to provide nonpartisan section of the ballot,” she said. government services,” Kaplan said. “It has the “So that means they’re not having equal say potential to take us down a very dangerous on who sits on the State Supreme Court and slippery slope. Because we’re not talking about that is a mistake because the Supreme Court religious activity. We’re talking about providing makes incredibly important decisions that a governmental service. So, the courts are going affects all of our families.” to be playing an incredibly important role.” Welch said much of the same. McCormack concurred, citing that religious “They drop off the ballot, or worse, they freedom civil rights law conflict is “the next guess,” Welch said. “That’s a lot of voters for frontier.” Welch agreed. judges. And we don’t want them to guess, which McCormack and Welch have been is why I’m so glad you’re on this call to learn campaigning together and McCormack made more about us. ... This is a swing seat if you it clear how much she wanted to see Welch look at who’s nominated. Right now, there are on the court. four Republican nominees and three Democrat “We are really lucky to have Elizabeth Welch nominees.” willing to stand up and run for that seat,” she Welch took time out to explain the said. “She’s been a longtime ally, advocate for significance of the State Supreme Court and every good idea that there is in the state. And, its role in state government. also, is really smart and energetic and knows “We know there’s now an expansion of how to run a campaign. the reading of Title VII to include LGBT “I will not be happy on election night if I protections,” she said. “I do employment law, win and she doesn’t,” McCormack went on. so this is my world. However, if you’re an “It’s that simple. Her help is what I need to employer that’s less than 15 employees you’re keep getting stuff done.” www.PrideSource.com BTL | August 20, 2020 7 Corktown Health Center Joins With WellPartner to Expand Prescription Access

BY JASON A. MICHAEL

GBTQ-focused health care providers Health Emergency Lifeline Programs and Corktown Health Center Lannounced on Wednesday, Aug. 12, a new relationship with Wellpartner, the 340B program administrator of CVS Health, to expand and improve prescription drug access for its patients. The announcement was made by Corktown Health CEO Anthony Williams. “HELP and Corktown Health Center implemented an integrated care model to help our patients achieve the best health outcomes,” Williams said. “The relationship with CVS Health strengthens that model by helping providers, pharmacists and patients all work together. In addition, the large geographic underinsured patients access affordable outpatient prescription footprint of CVS locations will be a convenient choice for our medications. As a 340B covered entity, HELP/CHC is authorized patients to get their prescriptions from anywhere in the country.” to purchase outpatient prescription drugs at discounted prices The Federal 340B Drug Discount Program plays an important and make them available to its patients through select contracted role in ensuring that eligible health care providers that serve pharmacies. vulnerable populations can help qualified uninsured and Wellpartner will deliver end-to-end 340B program administration for Corktown’s CVS Health relationship to help optimize its ability to provide important, affordable health care services and prescription medications to patients. In addition, CHC aims to improve continuity of care. Doctors and clinicians will have access to tools to understand prescription adherence for their patients filling at participating pharmacies. This in turn will help them better monitor patient therapy and can help improve overall patient outcomes. “Across our CVS Health enterprise, we are committed to helping address health disparities in the United States, and we use many aspects of our business to increase access to affordable care and prescriptions for vulnerable populations,” said Kenneth Bodmer, president of Wellpartner and vice president of CVS Health. “Through our integrated and comprehensive 340B program management capabilities, we are able to help covered entities like HELP/Corktown Health. Corktown Health Center is a health clinic created by and for Southeast Michigan’s LGBTQ community and the providers who serve them. The first of its kind in Michigan, the clinic provides a range of primary care services, including integrated HIV care. The center also partners with Wayne State University and others in the medical field to train health professionals in providing LGBTQ care, conduct relevant research and develop best practices.

For more information about this change, visit corktownhealth.org. Shop The Rainbow There are hundreds of businesses that advertise in BTL and welcome everyone.

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8 BTL | August 20, 2020 www.PrideSource.com Gov. Gretchen Whitmer alongside Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II. Gov. Whitmer Recognizes, Addresses Racism as Public Health Crisis, Creates Black Leadership Advisory Council

BY BTL STAFF ov. Gretchen took action last week as a public health crisis and taking initial steps to elevate Black voices in state to address it within state government. Under Ggovernment, signing Executive Order the Executive Directive, the governor asked 2020-163, which creates the Black Leadership MDHHS to make health equity a major goal, Advisory Council. The governor also signed as well as required implicit bias training for Executive Directive 2020-9, recognizing racism all state employees.

Derek Cookson Photography. David Coulter Declares Aug. 4 Primary Victory for Oakland County Executive BY BTL STAFF “We certainly have more work to do and I’m looking forward to making our case to voters akland County Executive Director in November.” David Coulter claimed electoral Coulter will face a Republican challenge Ovictory Wednesday morning during in three months, but he believes his strategic the Aug. 4 Michigan primary election. focus on health care and equity with a strong “I am grateful that voters judged me by my economic recovery plan will be supported by record as county executive and validated the the majority of voters on election day. work we are doing to manage the COVID-19 “We are appreciative of the voter support pandemic, recover economically and bring we have received, but starting today, we take progressive change to Oakland County,” the first step toward November. I believe our Coulter said. Democratic slate of candidates will appeal “I believe my collaborative leadership style – strongly to all voters in Oakland County and I and record of accomplishments with the Board look forward to a strong unified effort,” he said. of Commissioners – around our ‘Oakland Together’ vision is what citizens want to see Find other LGBTQ candidate results online at from their public officials,” he continued. pridesource.com. www.PrideSource.com BTL | August 20, 2020 9 Parting Glances BY CHARLES ALEXANDER Book in Process (No. 2) y mother took me on Sundays to the First Baptist Church in Detroit from the time I was five until I Mturned 12. We rode with a Mrs. Williamson and her two sons, William and Robert. Detroit’s First Baptist, now People’s Community Church, was affiliated with the American Baptist Convention, a liberal group, in contrast to the fire-and-brimstone Southern Baptists. When I turned 12 — “the age of NT accountability” — I became eligible for church membership through the rite of total-immersion baptism instead of sprinkling. I took this step seriously, even though I looked with some interest at the other boys who, naked, were putting on their white, full-length baptismal robes. I was also dimly praydar aware that the organist and choir director, Dr. Cyril Baker, had a funny walk and exaggerated mannerisms. But his selection of music was impeccable and contributed at some level to my nascent aesthetic sensibility. Following my baptism I was given a Holy Bible, in which the Rev. Ernest L. Honts wrote, “To Robert (my middle name), May you always be a good monk.” To this day I don’t know what he meant. Suffice it to say, Transmission I’ve spent a small — very small — portion of my long life performing sackcloth and ashes penance for my many sins of commission and omission. My mother insisted that year I was baptized that I go to Baptist camp. Whether or not the brothers William and Robert went as well I don’t recall, but, devout Baptist that In the Matrix I was, I was eager to go. Quite innocently I thought nothing of taking along several issues of “Strength & Health” magazine, which featured my musclemen idols Clarence Ross and Steve Reeves. I did everything that one was expected to do at a religious camp. I prayed, read scripture, wrote poetry (“A day at camp is a happy one.”), swam, canoed, played baseball and got brown as the proverbial berry. BY GWENDOLYN ANN SMITH I also developed an attachment — actually a crush — on my camp counselor, Jerry Johnson. I was in tears when I here really wasn’t a lot out there that was aimed at me in a fabricated reality far from their truth. had to say goodbye and wrote him several chatty letters. when I was a young, closeted trans kid growing up int The story included a couple badass characters who were able He answered none. The suburbs. You might sometimes see trans characters to upend the status quo and create their own realities, and that I stopped going to First Baptist shortly thereafter, probably used as moral lessons and moments of growth for the non-trans was something we could all relate to. It was revolutionary in the because Mrs. Williamson moved and there was no one to main characters, such as on “All In The Family,” or as homicidal community spaces I hung out in, even without very obviously drive us to service. By the time I turned 15 I found a friendly maniacs in films like “Dressed To Kill,” or trans characters as trans characters being present on screen. neighborhood church to attend: The Missionary Workers comedic relief in shows like “Soap.” Two decades after the film, and both directors of the film, Tabernacle (Interdenominational), which I attended As a result, you might find yourself looking at films that Lana and Lilly Wachowski have come out as transgender faithfully three times a week. don’t feature explicit trans storylines and overlaying your own women. What’s more, in an interview recently, Lilly Wachowski The curious thing — and today I would say marvelous feelings to it all. Much like generations of our gay, lesbian and opened up about “The Matrix,” confirming the many fans who thing — is that the Tabernacle was run by women who, bisexual siblings, we might feel a longing akin to Dorothy have long since felt the movie could well tie into trans lives. despite the biblical admonition “suffer not a woman to Gale of “The Wizard of Oz,” or we might find a kindred spirit “I’m glad people are talking about ‘The Matrix’ movies with speak in church,” felt the call to preach the gospel. They in “Mulan,” whose ties to trans lives I don’t think I need to a trans narrative, and I’m grateful I can be a part of throwing played banjos, guitars, trumpets, mandolins, tamborine, explain much further. them a rope along their journey,” Wachowski said. “I’m glad preached and sang. They also held services at Detroit’s Not all films are as obvious as that, however, which brings that it has gotten out that that was the original intention. The Campus Martius. us to the late 1990s sci-fi classic, “The Matrix.” When it came world wasn’t quite ready for it. The corporate world wasn’t The Tabernacle was founded in 1923 by Anna Curry out, a lot of my trans friends went nuts. It’s not that there were ready for it.” any obvious trans characters in the story — more on that in a bit — but we could relate to the story. It featured characters See next page See next page who felt out of place in the so-called real world and who existed 10 BTL | August 20, 2020 www.PrideSource.com ® Transmission Continued from p. 12 Creep Of The Week Wachowski also spoke about one because they see friends transitioning or character, Switch, who was edited in the see information about transgender people. BY D’ANNE WITKOWSKI original film, initially having a dual gender The assumption being that they never saw Donald Trump presentation, noting “’The Matrix’ stuff was anything about their friend that made them all about the desire for transformation, but think they were transgender before their But Republicans have never been so it was all coming from a closeted point of friend came out — hence the “rapid” part. n the middle of a pandemic Trump is literally brazen in their attempt to steal an v i e w.” I dealt with the same when I came destroying the post office right before our “We had the character of Switch, who out. I did a better-than-average job of eyes because he doesn’t want people to be election before. Trump is 100% not appearing as a man, and my coming out I would be a man in the real world and then able to safely vote by mail. He’d rather people interested in running a campaign and a woman in the matrix,” Wachowski added, surprised many — even knowing that I go to the polls... “and that’s where our head spaces were.” had, intentionally or not, dropped more Wait a minute, what am I saying? Republicans competing on his merits. Because he Of course, none of this seems to be what than a few clues. My parents, for example, don’t want people to vote. High voter turnout people outside of the trans community saw. were blindsided, even though they found is good for Democrats. Regardless, the has no merits. He’s a trash human It was a bit of a “Shoot ‘Em Up” good versus caches of clothing and makeup hidden in Republicans think nothing of driving people whose resume boasts racism and rape. evil story about a dystopian world, where my room dating back to my preteen days. out into a public space when there is still a you could take a “red pill” to escape and We learn to hide ourselves, out of what deadly virus ripping through the country. It’s astounding to me that anyone still fight back. Honestly, they’re not wrong — is sometimes very justified fear. We often To be clear, Trump and his wife have applied it’s just that there is so much more going on. do the best we can to try to be the men and for absentee ballots so that they can vote by mail supports him, but they do. That people missed the subtext to the women everyone expects us to be and have in the November election. story, let alone continue to ignore any of reinforced in us since birth. Nevertheless, I love the post office. Maybe because I was this in the years since the Wachowski sisters our trans selves may well have been there all born a couple decades before the internet boom. came out is, I think, an allegory of its own. along, telling us that something isn’t right Maybe because I met my wife in 1997 right about voting. When transgender people come out, even about all this. Until, one day we cannot before she left for 11 months to study in Japan. Especially now! Trump has literally been the now, we often face a backlash. Family and keep it a secret anymore, and we need to, Getting letters and postcards from her made my worst president. He is a terrible person who has friends, who may have told us that their at last, speak our truth. life. And I sent many to her as well. spent his entire life harming other people. And love was unconditional, learn that this is Consider this time, at long last, to be Republicans have long been after the post since taking office his ability to hurt people has simply not the case. Many are cast out from the “coming out” of “The Matrix.” After office, wanting to privatize it because as far as become seemingly limitless. the places they once assumed would always all the clues, all the moments in the film the GOP sees it, if it doesn’t make a profit then We’re in the neighborhood of 170,000 deaths welcome them. that may have made it plain, people can what’s the point? This also helps to explain why from COVID-19, certainly more by the time In many cases, too, we are told that we are now look beyond the more obvious story they hate public schools and would like to see you are reading this. I remember reading a dire wrong in our beliefs, and our very identities of murderous machines and heroes who the system taken over by for-profit corporations prediction that we would have 200,000 people are ignored. People will continue to use can bend reality and see a deeper meaning. who have to answer to shareholders, not parents dead by the November election. And we’re on the name we may have been given at birth Let Kansas go “bye-bye,” and see “The and students. track to even surpass that. and pronouns that simply do not fit who Matrix” as it truly is now: a trans allegory. But Republicans have never been so brazen in In 2016 we had a choice between a good we are as a way so punish our decisions to their attempt to steal an election before. Trump person and a bad person for president. We somehow “prove who we really” are. is 100% not interested in running a campaign chose the bad person. And we have paid a price. Lately, too, the widely debunked concept Gwen Smith used to take a couple red pills and competing on his merits. Because he has In 2020 we have a choice between a good of “rapid onset gender dysphoria” has a day in the 1990s. You can find her at no merits. He’s a trash human whose resume person and a bad person for president. We need been making the rounds, a notion that a gwensmith.com. boasts racism and rape. It’s astounding to me to chose the right person this time. person only “thinks” they may be trans that anyone still supports him, but they do. I DGAF how you feel about Joe Biden. He While phone banking for the state house wasn’t my first choice. Or my second. Or my race I’m working on, I talk to a good number of third. Putting someone in charge who actually people. Most do not want to talk to me. Frankly, cares about Americans dying in droves should a lot of people are rude. Some holler, “Put me be an easy lift. on the do not call List!” and hang up the phone, Which is why Trump is throwing tantrums ® Parting Glances Perhaps most disturbing was the sad as if they think that I have access to some grand so hard right now. He has shown us who he is Continued from p. 12 plight of one of the younger Missionary master list I can delete their name from. over and over again. And, sadly, his words and Workers, blonde-braided Sister Anderson, But nothing makes me more disheartened actions have become normalized in this country. whom I recall one Sunday service being when I talk to someone who says, “I’m not He isn’t normal. This isn’t normal. completely distraught and sobbing interested in politics.” It is often younger, I urge you to vote. Get your friends to vote. Spellman, who, it was quietly said, was uncontrollably. presumably white men, who say such things. Get your family to vote, unless they’re the family related to — notoriously closeted — Francis Her brother had died unexpectedly And my first instinct is to yell, “MUST BE you dread seeing at Thanksgiving because they Cardinal Spellman. “unsaved” and was now suffering the NICE!” into the phone. love Trump and think that racism isn’t real. Attending there — I was usually the only torments of hell. (Presumably, these 60 years It’s a luxury to not care about politics. Or, I If you’re planning on voting by mail, get your teen at the Wednesday Night Testimonial later, he’s still suffering for his unrepentant should say, it’s a luxury to not have to think of shit together. Make a plan. Know your state’s Service — certainly kept me from getting in sins.) the policies that other people are making for election laws. In Michigan, I advise that you get trouble in a neighborhood that was above- you because you are not the one who will be your application for a ballot in early. Take your average rough. harmed by such policies. completed ballot to your clerk’s office yourself. Even so, a few things puzzled me. I Charles Alexander is prolific both as a BTL I’ve been an out lesbian my entire adult life. Put a mask on and drop it off. speculated about what sort of sins regularly columnist (700-plus columns) and as a There has never been a single day when I didn’t On Twitter I keep seeing posts like, “Retweet drove Brother Townsend to the altar to well-known LGBT community artist (1000 have to think about how policy affected my if you would crawl naked over broken glass and confess them — although it certainly Facebook images). He is a Spirit of Detroit life. There were literally laws against me loving rusty nails to vote Trump out in November.” The wasn’t any of my business. I also felt it was Award recipient and an Affirmations LGBT another person. So, yeah, I take it personally way things are going, that’s not farfetched. And somewhat unchristian for Sister Norton to CENTER Jan Stevenson awardee. Connect when a registered voter tells me they don’t care that’s not normal. say that “Blacks should attend their own with him at [email protected]. churches. Races shouldn’t mix.” www.PrideSource.com BTL | August 20, 2020 11 Monday Night Democratic National Convention LGBTQ Overview BY LISA KEEN LGBTQ people. “Democrats will reverse this rulemaking ong gone are the days when the and restore nondiscrimination protections Democratic National Convention slated for LGBTQ+ people in health insurance,” Lonly a token openly gay person on its pre- states the platform. “We will also take action primetime schedule. Monday night, the first to guarantee that LGBTQ+ people have full day of the DNC’s four-day 2020 convention, access to needed health care and resources, openly LGBTQ people were everywhere: in including by requiring that federal health plans the opening video, in conversation with the provide coverage for HIV/AIDS treatment nominee, leading conversations with health and HIV prevention medications like PrEP care workers and sharing stories of loss from and PEP, gender confirmation surgery and the novel coronavirus epidemic. hormone therapy.” Some of the convention’s LGBTQ speakers The platform also commits the party to “fight Monday night were well-known: Chicago to enact the Equality Act and at last outlaw Mayor Lori Lightfoot and international soccer discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in champion Megan Rapinoe. housing, public accommodations, access to Just 30 minutes into the convention credit, education, jury service, and federal broadcast, the Democratic presidential nominee programs.” Joe Biden appeared in a staged “conversation” It also commits the party to programs to with five people, including Lightfoot. Biden As Kristan Urquiza spoke about her father’s death from COVID-19, the convention saw photos of her and help LGBTQ+ youth and those needed mental asked Lightfoot how she prioritizes all the her parents and her partner Christine Keeves, chief of communications for the San Francisco LGBT Center. health and suicide prevention services. things she has to do as mayor to tackle systemic Urquiza and Keeves started an organization Marked by COVID-19 to promote prevention activities related to Tuesday at noon EDT, the party’s LGBTQ+ racism. Lightfoot said, “It’s really all about the pandemic. Screen shot from DNC convention. Caucus will meet. During the primetime economic empowerment.” convention activities, viewers will see openly Later in the broadcast, Rapinoe served as a father. When Trump and Arizona’s Republican started an organization Marked by COVID-19 gay convention Secretary Jason Rae direct moderator for a conversation with four front- governor told people it was OK to go back to to promote prevention activities related to the the roll call votes. And in a new format for a line health care workers, including a male nurse. pre-COVID-19 activities, Urquiza said her pandemic. primetime speech, 17 speakers, including three And then State Delegate Danica Roem, the first father believed them. But soon after going to Prior to the primetime broadcast, the openly LGBTQ officials, will participate in transgender person to be elected to office in a karaoke bar, her father came down with the party held several web-streamed meetings delivering the “Keynote Address,” at 9 p.m. The Virginia, appeared in an opening video. virus and, after “five agonizing days,” he died. of caucuses, including the Women’s Caucus. three are Long Beach, California, Mayor Robert One of the convention’s Day One speakers “The only preexisting condition” her father One of the featured members of the Women’s Garcia, Pennsylvania State Rep. Malcolm was Kristin Urquiza, who drew national media had, said Urquiza, “was trusting Donald Caucus was Rosemary Ketchum, a transgender Kenyatta and Georgia State Rep. Sam Park. attention in June when she wrote an obituary for Tr u mp.” woman who was just this year elected to the her 65-year-old father who died of COVID-19. As Urquiza spoke, the convention saw photos City Council of Wheeling, West Virginia. Check online at pridesource.com for ongoing “He had faith in Donald Trump, he voted for of her and her parents and her partner Christine The party’s 80-page platform denounces coverage him and listened to him,” Urquiza said of her Keeves, chief of communications for the San the Trump administration’s actions aimed at Francisco LGBT Center. Urquiza and Keeves allowing discrimination in health care against FDA Approves Human Trial for Treatment to Cure HIV BY LOU CHIBBARO JR. Institute of Human Virology in Baltimore will genetically altered T-cells will make them development of the genetically altered, HIV be the three sites for the trials. resistant to HIV infection and enable them resistant T-cells, stated at the news conference merican Gene Technologies, a Rockville, According to the statement, the Phase 1 to do what HIV has prevented human T-cells that under FDA protocol, the process must Md.-based gene and cell therapy trial will investigate the safety and efficacy of from doing during the course of the 40-year be shown to be safe and not have significant Acompany, announced on Aug. 11 that a product the company calls AGT 103-T, “a plus HIV epidemic – to neutralize the virus side effects on the first person to undergo the it has received approval from the U.S. Food and genetically modified cell product made from and prevent it from harming the human body. procedure before the procedure is performed Drug Administration to begin its first human a person’s own cells.” It says the product and Once the gene altering process is completed on the second person to participate in the clinical trial for a unique cell altering treatment treatment should work to remove HIV infected and an initial waiting period is used to allow clinical trial. that it believes will enable the immune system cells from the body and “decrease or eliminate the altered cells to multiply in the lab, the cells Pauza said he, Galvin and the AGT team of people who are HIV positive to permanently the need for lifelong antiretroviral treatment.” will be “reinfused” into the body of the person consider the FDA’s approval of the clinical trial eliminate HIV from their body. In an online virtual news conference held participating in the trial and from whom the an important development brought about by “AGT developed a new treatment to repair on Aug. 12, AGT Chief Executive Officer Jeff original collection of T-cells was obtained, years of research and laboratory testing. immune system damage done by HIV and Galvin explained that the clinical trial involves a Galvin said. “This is momentous news that we have FDA allow natural responses to control the virus,” the multi-step process of extracting blood from an AGT has said in earlier statements that approval to launch Phase 1 and conduct our company says in a statement announcing the HIV-positive person whose HIV is fully under individuals participating in the clinical trial first human trials,” he said in a statement. “We approval for its clinical trial. “From its research, control through anti-retroviral medication and will initially continue to take their regularly are beyond excited to reach this milestone. This AGT believes a cure is attainable and is now immediately subjecting the blood to a process prescribed anti-retroviral medication while brings us closer to our goal of transforming taking the significant step of testing in humans.” of Leukapheresis, which separates a type of testing of their blood continues to determine lives with genetic medicines,” he said. The statement says AGT is conducting its white blood cells known as T-cells. whether the newly infused T-cells are killing or “Based on our successful commercial-scale Phase 1 clinical trials at sites in the Baltimore- Galvin said the T-cell samples extracted neutralizing HIV to a degree that will no longer product manufacturing runs and features of the D.C. area. It says the Washington Health through that process will be sent to a lab, where make the anti-HIV medication necessary. Institute in Northeast D.C., Georgetown they will be genetically altered in a process C. David Pauza, AGT’s chief science officer See HIV Cure, continued on p. 14 University, and the University of Maryland’s developed by AGT. He said AGT believes the and the company’s lead researcher in the

12 BTL | August 20, 2020 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com BTL | August 20, 2020 13 State Department Appeals Ruling Judge Blocks Trump Admin from Recognizing US Enforcing Anti-trans Health Care Rule

Citizenship of Gay BY CHRIS JOHNSON decision in the Bostock case and reusing to The order stands in contrast to a decision change course after it was handed down. from U.S. District Judge Reed O’Conner in 2016 Couple’s Daughter federal judge issued an order Monday “By its own admission, HHS knew that barring the U.S. government from enforcing blocking the Trump administration the case was pending and would have the Obama-era rule against anti-transgender from enforcing a rule allowing ‘ramifications’; it must also have known that a discrimination in health care. BY MICHAEL K. LAVERS A health care providers to discriminate against decision would be handed down before the end Now that an order has been handed down transgender patients — one day before the of the Supreme Court’s term,” Block writes. “It barring HHS from enforcing the law as well he State Department has appealed a regulation was set to go into effect. then had an (admittedly brief) opportunity to to prohibit anti-transgender discrimination it federal judge’s ruling that said it must U.S. District Judge Frederic Block, a Clinton re-evaluate its proposed rules after the case was wasn’t immediately clear how the department Trecognize the U.S. citizenship of a gay appointee, draws heavily in his decision on decided contrary to its expectations.” would implement Section 1557 of the Maryland couple’s daughter who was born in the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent landmark The lawsuit was filed in June by the Human Affordable Care Act. Canada via surrogate. decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, which Rights Campaign and the BakerHostetler The 2016 order, however, predates the U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang in determined anti-LGBTQ discrimination is a law firm in the U.S. District Court for the Bostock decision, which Block indicates is the June ruled in favor of Roee Kiviti and Adiel form of sex discrimination. Eastern District of New York on behalf of correct guide in reaching the conclusion the Kiviti of Chevy Chase, Md., who legally “The Court reiterates the same practical two transgender women of color — Tanya Trump administration’s anti-trans exclusion married in California in 2013. Their daughter, concern it raised at oral argument when the Asapansa-Johnson Walker and Cecilia Gentil is, in fact, inconsistent with the law and should Kessem Kiviti, was born in 2019. The State Supreme Court announces a major decision, it — with long histories of discrimination in be reversed. seems a sensible thing to pause and reflect on health care. An HHS spokesperson in response to a Department on Aug. 13 appealed Chuang’s the decision’s impact,” Block writes. “Since HHS Alphonso David, president of the Human Washington Blade inquiry on enforcement decision to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of has been unwilling to take that path voluntarily, Rights Campaign, said in a statement the deferred the Justice Department, which didn’t Appeals in Richmond, Va. the Court now imposes it.” order was a win for both for plaintiffs and respond to a request to comment. Lambda Legal; Immigration Equality and The Department of Health & Human marginalized communities suffering from the “We are disappointed in the court’s decision Morgan Lewis, a private law firm, represent Services rule, made final in June, vacated an “impacts of the twin pandemics of COVID-19 and refer you to DOJ for further comment,” the the Kivitis. The two advocacy groups also Obama-era regulation interpreting the ban and racialized violence.” HHS spokesperson said. represent Derek Mize and Jonathan Gregg, on sex discrimination in Section 1557 of the “We are pleased the court recognized this a gay couple from Atlanta who sued the State Affordable Care Act to apply to cases of anti- irrational rule for what it is: discrimination, This article originally appeared in the Washington Department after it refused to recognize the trans discrimination. plain and simple,” David said. “LGBTQ Blade and is made available in partnership with U.S. citizenship of their daughter, Simone Block takes a swipe at the Trump Americans deserve the health care that they the National LGBT Media Association. Mize-Gregg, who was born in England via administration for vacating the rule both before need without fear of mistreatment, harassment, the Supreme Court had a chance to render a or humiliation.” surrogate. The couples maintain their children are U.S. citizenships under Section 301(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act that states ® “a baby born abroad to married parents is a HIV Cure “investigational new drug” U.S. citizen at birth when both parents are Continued from p. 12 application, known as an U.S. citizens and one of them has resided in IND, or whether a clinical trial is taking place. the United States at any point prior to the product observed in our labs, “The FDA supports baby’s birth.” this therapy has a high potential to be effective,” Pauza said. the safe clinical “It’s sad that we have to continue this legal development of these battle,” said Roee Kiviti in a press release that Galvin told the news conference that the current products and we are Lambda Legal issued on Monday. cost for the complete process committed to continuing “Once again, the State Department is of extracting cells from an HIV to work collaboratively refusing to recognize Roee and Adiel’s rights infected person, genetically with industry and the as a married couple,” added Immigration altering the cells, and reinfusing medical and scientific Equality Executive Director Aaron C. the HIV resistant T-cells back communities to provide Morris. “The government’s attempts to strip into the person’s body is about the information and Kessem of citizenship are unconstitutional, $200,000. But he said he’s guidance needed to help foster the advancement of discriminatory, and morally reprehensible.” optimistic that the cost of these promising therapies,” A State Department spokesperson on the procedure will go down dramatically as it is used more Richards said in an email Monday declined to comment. on Friday. “We decline to comment on pending frequently in coming years. AGT CEO Jeff Galvin said genetically altered T-cells will make them resistant to HIV infection. Among other things, he said litigation,” the spokesperson told the that the extraction of the T-cells Washington Blade in an email. This article originally and the genetic alternation the Washington Blade the FDA is prohibited process can be done through machines in an appeared in the Washington by law and regulation from commenting Blade and is made available in partnership with automated process that can lower costs. on or acknowledging the existence of an FDA spokesperson Monique Richards told the National LGBT Media Association.

14 BTL | August 20, 2020 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com BTL | August 20, 2020 15 Murder, She Kind of Wrote

Photo: Quibi

those moments, and there are so few. “Wine played Mrs. Lovett in “Sweeney Todd,” which Out ‘SNL’ Alum Paula Pell Puts a Goofy Country” was one of them. But those true is just my dream role. And I’m like, “She can things you do and you go, “If I were able to be very dark.” And very sweet, I’ve heard, Queer Spin on Jessica Fletcher in do that as my job, I would do it all the time.” from everyone I’ve ever talked to that has ever It was just such a romp of joy. met her. I would be thrilled some time to have You know, we weren’t sure what date we her even see it or look at it or know that it’s ‘Mapleworth Murders’ were launching because of everything that just an homage, because it’s got so much love has happened, and schedules were so screwed behind it for her and for that show. up. It was getting so … like, god when is this going to come out? And I really am glad it What was it like to bring Abigail to life? BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI 12 short-form episodes on Quibi, she is. In came out when it did because it does feel like So much stylistically made me so freakin’ the hilarious satire “Mapleworth Murders,” our souls are so exhausted that we just need excited because the style is so specific. We riter-actress Paula Pell knows it’s Pell’s Abigail Mapleworth solves insanely silly something to laugh at. Something weird that’s wanted her to just be really eccentric and mix ridiculous: a dowdy, out-of-touch murder-mysteries in her own peculiar way, not terrifying. all these different patterns. By the end of it Wsuburban broad with an accent with help from her millennial, selfie-obsessed everyone on set was so funny because they’re that is somehow a little British – or Irish, or niece (Hayley Magnus). Are you eager to find out what Angela Lansbury like, “I’m obsessed with the Mapleworth style, something – who solves murders in her quaint Recently, Pell called to talk about the show’s thinks of this show? Because I am. and I really, really wanna dress like Abigail town. But the Emmy winner, who wrote for shenanigans as a pandemic salve, why she I am eager. At first we were talking about Mapleworth.” The bucket hats, the trench “Saturday Night Live” for nearly 20 years and thinks Angela Lansbury would be into the maybe having a tiny cameo or something if coats, the scarves – it’s such a reminder to me recently made a dildo-assisted splash in front of show, and that time she accidentally sent a she was able to. I mean, in the second season of all those old broads in my family: those the camera as Val in the Netflix original movie dildo to her parents. we would love to have something where I’m great aunts, the grandmas and my mother, “Wine Country,” ate up every bit of “Murder, having trouble with my niece and then I call who is now in her 80s. She’s hilarious, and I don’t think there could possibly be a better She Wrote.” So playing a randy, gay Jessica my aunt and it’s her; we’re all connected. she’ll just get her slacks on with her little Fletcher? It’s the kind of role she’d kill for. time for this show. I needed to laugh. Because we’re so filthy in it, I was a little bit Chico’s jacket and her scarf and her earrings Luckily, she didn’t have to. Fellow comedian That makes me so freakin’ happy. I hope worried that if we called her and she saw some and her lipstick and then she’ll come home and “30 Rock” actor John Lutz asked Pell if that that is true for many people, and I of it, she’d be like, “Oh, this is disgusting.” But from church and go sit in her bra with her she’d be interested in portraying an amateur hope that a lot of people watch it, because then I remembered, of course, that Angela necklace still on and eat potato salad and a sleuth. She said absolutely. And now, for we loved making it so much. It was one of Lansbury is such a theater broad and she hamburger. Ha! Just very strong women who 16 BTL | August 20, 2020 www.PrideSource.com are also dainty are my favorite thing of all. I Ha! I spent a lot of time alone! There were have always loved matrons. I was born at 50. times, like after my divorce or before I was And like, is there anything better than “The ever even married, you do have to have that Golden Girls”? I mean, you just want to live little drawer. You have to have something in with them. that little drawer. I have to tell you something funny about a How did you land on that wild affectation for vibrator. I bought a very haphazard vibrator Abigail? on Amazon – ha! – not too long ago. It was A little bit of it was this actress that I worked at Christmas that I ordered this vibrator and with, Anne Meacham, when I was in college. I I was like, “Oh, I’m going to order this very understudied; we had a pro theater company basic one.” I ordered it, and then I went home at University of Tennessee. They would bring for Christmas and then went back home to in people from Broadway and soap stars. I LA after Christmas. It was January 15th, and worked with Melissa Gilbert, and all these I looked on my phone. It said, “Your package people who were on these shows in the ’80s. has arrived” and showed the picture of the And this woman was Anne Meacham. She vibrator and I was like, “Oh, did we get a was a theatrical actress on Broadway who did package?” And I look out at my house in LA a lot of Tennessee Williams plays. She was and I didn’t get a package. Then I looked, and also on “Another World,” the soap opera. And you know how they show you where they she was just this old theater broad with red- delivered it? It was delivered to my mom’s dyed hair pulled back in a tight bun. She was front porch, like, with her poinsettias and really skinny, and she was blind, and I had her little beagle statue that says “Welcome.” to take care of her the whole time because in So next to that is a box with a basic Amazon “The Lion in Winter” she played the queen. vibrator in it and it made me laugh so hard. And she was so eccentric: “I love you! I hate I called my mom and was like, “There’s a all of them! But I love you!” She would take package there, it’s something for me, just send my dog and put my dog’s face in her makeup it back to me.” Of course they opened it and mirror and she would put his face in there to then repackaged it with Orlando newspapers. make him look at himself in the mirror. She was the ultimate theater broad. And I ate it That seems horrifying. up! I was just so obsessed with her. Well, it was really fun to talk to props in two I’ve often thought of doing a one-woman different projects about my vibrators and show where I just was her and did a bunch of dildos and have them discuss with you, like, adventures that happened during that time. “Now, this one, you’re gonna have to push So all these years, I’ve had that voice in me. this” – like, the prop department is showing So Abigail has a bit of that dainty but sort of you! In “Wine Country” too. It was like, “Now “Is she British? No” vibe. You’re like, “They’re this thing, this button is kind of ... it sticks a born in Wisconsin but they talk like they’re little bit. So you gotta turn this here.” European.” So I just love those dainty ladies that have a household of knick-knacks and a Would you be any good at solving a murder? lot of dogs. And a “handywomanman.” I’ve always loved the idea of being a detective, but I would want to be the one that’s in the Speaking of a handywomanman, I had to take a office, or going to the people that aren’t scary double-take because that’s your fiancé Janine and dangerous to ask them questions. I would Brito as Junie. love being part of solving something that Ha! When she kisses me and takes my earring helped people have closure or helped find a out of her mouth. bad person. Like, I would love doing that. But I also have fear of that sort of repercussion of Whose idea was that? criminals. When I was young I was always That was her idea. She was like, “I think once afraid somebody was going to be stalking me I’m whispering to you, I should come back for turning them in. and have your earring in my mouth.” So I would love all the sitting and talking about the human nature of it and trying to Did you do it in one take? interrogate someone and getting them to No. We did a bunch of different versions of admit something and be good cop, bad cop. that, because there were some where she was That part really is interesting. But the rest of whispering a lot of things and I was saying, it would scare me. I wouldn’t want to be the like, “Oh, well, we can do that together. Or one in the danger part of it. I’m a chicken that separately and watch each other!” But we do way. want to do more of Junie. We want Junie to be As editor of Q Syndicate, the LGBTQ wire in there always, like, cleaning out my pipes, service, Chris Azzopardi has interviewed a or down under the floor, under my bed doing multitude of superstars, including Cher, Meryl something. Just always working. Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. His work has Your characters in both “Wine Country” and also appeared in The New York Times, Vanity “Mapleworth Murders” are involved in some way Fair, GQ and Billboard. Reach him via Twitter with dildos. Which got me thinking: dildos really @chrisazzopardi. are as erotic as they are completely silly. Is that why they end up in your projects? www.PrideSource.com BTL | August 20, 2020 17 Michigan Opera Theatre Reconfigures Seating, Gears Up to Host Live Shows

BY EVE KUCHARSKI

As novel coronavirus pandemic restrictions are becoming something of a new normal around the state, venues like Michigan Opera Theatre are having to make do with virtual performances and online outreach to fans. But due to a recent reconfiguration of MOT’s seating arrangements, live performances might soon be a reality. That’s because MOT event organizers purchased a 9,100-square foot deck that can be installed above the theater’s normal seating. Chief Administrative Officer Patricia Walker said that when in place, it will allow attendees to social distance while attending MOT’s shows. “When we’re operating as a theater with theater seats, there are 2,700 seats in the opera house. So, utilizing traditional house, so people are sitting at tables and it’s a much smaller, theater seating, you can get quite a few people into that theater. more intimate feel and yet you still have the incredible Detroit Now, it’s a very different style of event when you put up the Opera House Auditorium around you. And you can use it for a deck, but if social distancing is still in place, we can still fit ballroom, for wedding receptions, you can use it for corporate probably 250 people on the deck and stage area and ensure the meetings and we certainly are able to do concerts and things six-foot radius,” Walker said. “When social distancing is not a like that on the stage as well.” requirement, we can seat over 500 on the deck.” And regarding acoustics, Technical Director Dan Brinker The idea for the installation of the deck came about after said that there’s a chance that the deck will improve the theater’s Levitation Staging, a Grand Rapids-based staging equipment sound. company, shut its doors. The company’s representatives reached “It certainly will be a different kind of feel, but it follows out to MOT and offered to sell the deck. Having used Levitation very closely the original slope of the stage, it’s not a perfectly Staging’s services before, Walker said that MOT jumped at flat deck in our typical installation, and so it will mimic and the opportunity. maintain the good acoustics that we have there,” Brinker said. “We would lease it for specific events like “BravoBRAVO!”, “We expect it to be equally as good and possibly even a slight the MOT Gala and, on rare occasions, when somebody wanted improvement in the acoustics.” to [use] the opera house for a wedding and they really needed And because the deck will bring guests closer to the stage, a large space,” Walker said. “… Thanks to the generosity of a Brinker feels that it’ll be an “interesting experience” for longtime donor from the Michigan Opera Theatre, Floy and Lee Barthel, MOT fans. And for those feeling insecure about attending we purchased the deck. And the decision to put it up and keep an event in closer proximity than virtually, Walker outlined it up during the pandemic period is basically because of the security precautions that MOT has been taking. need for social distancing.” “We will have the ability to host indoor gatherings safely, In addition to allowing guests to attend shows like normal, and when we’re ready to [host performances again] we will Walker said that attendees can expect no interruption in food have our pandemic plan published on our web page,” she said. and beverage services and they will be able to view shows in “We’ve been working NSF International to create a national unique formats — especially if it’s a smaller, more intimate public health plan for reopening the opera house to ensure performance. absolute safety. And by putting this deck in place we can offer “It can give us a lot of versatility for how to use the opera social distancing in place to host any number of events at the house. But it also provides so much versatility for the kind of opera house, and we’re looking forward to being able to put events we can do and how the event feels,” Walker said. “So those into practice.” we can now build out that main floor decking and we can create more of a cabaret-style performance within the opera Find out more about MOT online at michiganopera.org.

Find Puzzle on p.21

18 BTL | August 20, 2020 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com BTL | August 20, 2020 19 Deep Inside Hollywood

BY ROMEO SAN VICENTE queer Black women to do so. She’s responsible for the TV movie “Stolen by ‘Connecting,’ the My Mother: The Kamiyah COVID sitcom Mobley Story,” and will now develop four more films for coming soon Lifetime under her Robin It was inevitable. First there Roberts Presents banner. was the “30 Rock” remote The first to be announced is reunion, then one from the going to take you to church: late, great cult sitcom “Happy “Robin Roberts Presents: Endings.” This month, the The Mahalia Jackson Story,” horror movie “Host” – directed a biopic of the legendary remotely and shot entirely Grammy-winning gospel via Zoom – premiered on singer and civil rights streaming platforms. And activist. Born in 1911, here comes “Connecting,” a Preacher Lawson. Photo: KathClick. Jackson’s long and revered new sitcom for NBC, about a gospel career placed her group of friends trying to stay squarely in the center of the close through video chats during the current Civil Rights Movement, performing for an global health crisis. Created by Martin Gero and integrated audience at Carnegie Hall, at John F. Brendan Gall (“Blindspot,” “The Lovebirds”), it Kennedy’s inauguration, and at the 1963 March stars “30 Rock” regular Keith Powell, Ely Henry on Washington. “Orange is the New Black” star (“Suburgatory”), Preacher Lawson (“America’s Danielle Brooks, herself a Grammy winner and Got Talent”), Jill Knox (“Keith Broke His Leg”), Tony Award nominee for “The Color Purple,” Otmara Marrero (“StartUp”), as well as queer will play Jackson. We’re looking forward to cast members Parvesh Cheena and (“Crazy this one, and to some gospel karaoke from the Ex-Girlfriend”) and Shakina Nayfack (“Difficult privacy of our couch. People”). They’ve been given an eight-episode order, and if it goes well both on-screen and off, Lifetime setting up a maybe the characters will all get to leave their houses and hang out again. Someday. ‘Christmas Set Up’ You always knew it would be Lifetime that Lesbian Cartoon Alert: The would go full-tilt Queer Christmas first. Sure, Hallmark just announced they were taking steps return of ‘Harriet The Spy’ to make their annual slate of holiday movies Beloved children’s novel “Harriet The Spy,” more inclusive of people who are not white and by lesbian author Louise Fitzhugh, has endured straight, but everybody who watches this sort of through the decades, almost certainly bolstered thing is aware that Lifetime is the more daring by the fandom of young queer kids who found network. (So what if that daring mostly involves in it a smart, industrious baby butch (who, movies about suburban swingers trying to let’s be real, was also kind of a brat, but in a murder each other? It’s the thought that counts.) great way). Harriet ruled her little corner of Which brings us to “The Christmas Set Up,” the 1960s Manhattan, trying to learn everything first made-for-TV holiday movie to center a about everyone, spying on and writing about gay male relationship. It’s about a lawyer from people who caught her attention. Great news, New York City, returning home to Milwaukee then, that more than 20 years after the live- for Christmas with his meddling mother, action feature film version, it’s being adapted who’s arranged for her son to “accidentally” for an animated series on Apple TV+, with the run into his old high school crush, now a very title role voiced by Beanie Feldstein – herself a successful computer person in Silicon Valley. young lesbian and rising star – and co-starring Just as stockings are about to be stuffed, along Lacey Chabert and Jane Lynch. More cause comes a job offer in London that threatens to for celebration: it’s written by Will McRobb, tear up this wholesome homosexual reunion. who created the legendary, and legendarily What will happen at Christmas? You already odd, ’90s kid-sitcom “The Adventures of Pete know the answer, so watch it when it airs just & Pete.” Parents, bookmark this one and help to prove that homophobes don’t hold a patent your precocious kid grow up properly. on enjoying room temperature romance.

Romeo San Vicente is tall enough to hang a Robin Roberts producing shining star upon the highest bough. Mahalia Jackson biopic You know her as a host on “Good Morning America,” but Robin Roberts has also broken into the producing game, one of the few

20 BTL | August 20, 2020 www.PrideSource.com 38 Making noise in bed on TV 30 Perfect serves from 40 Gave a heads-up to 65 Walk a beat Mauresmo 41 Barely move? 66 Joe holder 31 Drifts off 42 Laura Nyro’s “___ 67 Jeremy Irons title, in 32 Furtive “Over here!” Him on a Sunday” “The Borgias” 33 Not taken in by 43 Snake sound 34 Liza Minnelli’s sister 44 Singing duo Two Down 36 Boxer’s problem ___ of Fun 37 Go to bed 1 Spin like a top 45 Tile arrangement 39 Antique shop 47 Two-time link 2 Baptism and bris employee 49 1945 battle site, 3 Black key above G 40 Back-and-forth briefly 4 Support for the argument line 50 Tamblyn of “West community 42 Words in response Side Story” 5 Broadway hit to a favor 53 It’s added to the inspired by the mews? 45 Lots of secs pool 6 “Double Fantasy” 46 Get comfy artist 56 Make fizzy 48 “You ___ right!” 7 Cher’s “___, Tramps 58 Holiday, who played 51 Affirm orally & Thieves” for the US women’s 52 Put one’s foot down Q Puzzle soccer team...or... 8 Fish in a melt 53 Illegal block by Circular Thinking the recipient of the 9 Without interruption Esera Tuaola “circular thinking,” with 10 Pirate, at times 18 Lover 26 Frequent Hudson 54 Cosmonaut Leonov Across that you can’t get over 61-Across 11 Oscar Wilde, and costar Doris 55 The I in IHOP (abbr.) 1 Bundle up 19 Basketball’s Mariah 59 Day in Jerusalem others 27 Judy Garland costar 56 Baldwin’s “The 5 Gear tooth Burton ___ 61 French site of 12 Oddball Mickey ___Corner” 8 Kansas capital 20 Where queens rule, the 2019 Women s 13 A girl named Frank 29 Composer ___ Carlo World Cup...or...see 57 Suffix with prefer 14 Player of a Johnny perhaps 21 Mr. Magoo’s malady Menotti 58-Across 60 Bruin Bobby Mathis song 22 “A chicken or a 23 Like Wanda Sykes’ 32 Capitol figure 62 Overrun 15 More than zero duck is a mistake, humor 35 Fitting papal name 63 State of “Just Out” 16 Not in parts, to a when you do ___” 25 Fitting tightly Clues pg. 18 36 Michelangelo (abbr.) gay men’s choir 24 Choose not to come 28 Sty cry method 64 Nabor’s branch, 17 “___ never fly!” 25 Title for Elton

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