Jey’nce Poindexter: ‘I Know the Power of My Voice’ BTL Photo: Andrew Potter PRIDESOURCE.COM DECEMBER 10, 2020 | VOL. 2850 | FREE 2 BTL | December 10, 2020 www.PrideSource.com NEWS 4 Settlement Reached in Historic Aimee Stephens Case VOL. 2850/51 • DECEMBER 10, 2020 ISSUE 1163 4 Affirmations Updates Public on Programs, Finances and the Future PRIDE SOURCE MEDIA GROUP 5 Obituary: Pioneering Lesbian Journalist Deb Price Wrote Column on Gay Issues for Phone 734.293.7200 Mainstream Media PUBLISHERS Susan Horowitz & Jan Stevenson 6 Jey’nce Poindexter: ‘I Know the Power of My Voice’ EDITORIAL 12 Anti-LGBTQ Hate Crimes Mostly Unchanged in 2019: FBI Editor in Chief Susan Horowitz, 734.293.7200 13 2021 Kresge Artist Fellowship Application is Open to Metro Detroit Artists [email protected] Entertainment Editor Chris Azzopardi, 734.293.7200 16 [email protected] OPINION News & Feature Editor 10 Parting Glances Eve Kucharski, 734.293.7200 [email protected] 10 Transmissions News & Feature Writers Michelle Brown, Ellen Knoppow, Jason A. Michael, 11 Creep of the Week Drew Howard, Jonathan Thurston CREATIVE Webmaster & MIS Director Kevin Bryant, [email protected] 04 ENTERTAINMENT Columnists 14 Lady Ace Boogie isn’t Quitting Music, Charles Alexander, Michelle E. Brown, She’s Taking Things to the ‘Next Level’ Mikey Rox, D’Anne Witkowski, Gwendolyn Ann Smith, Dana Rudolph 16 Kristen Stewart on How Playing Queer in Her Gay Holiday Rom-Com Is Personal Cartoonists Paul Berg 20 Deep Inside Hollywood Contributing Photographers Andrew Potter, Andrew Cohen, Roxanne Frith, Tih Penfil 21 Q Puzzle ADVERTISING & SALES 22 Michigan Resources Director of Sales COVER Jan Stevenson, 734.293.7200 [email protected] 6 Cover Story: Jey’nce Poindexter: ‘I 18 Know the Power of My Voice’ Sales Representatives Ann Cox, 734.293.7200 [email protected] National Advertising Representative Rivendell Media, 212.242.6863 Online @ Pridesource.com MEMBER OF Michigan Press Assoication National LGBT Media Association Some of our latest online-only pieces: National Gay & Lesbian Chamber Q Syndicate Anti-LGBTQ School Where Karen Pence Teaches Obtained $725K in PPP Money By Chris Johnson “Between The Lines Newspaper” Elliot Page Comes out as Transgender, Non- Follow us @YourBTL Binary Email your op–eds to By Parker Purifoy [email protected] Catch our video interview with Kristen Sign up online to receive our E–Digest Stewart and Mackenzie Davis for “Happiest Our rate cards are available online. All material appearing in Between The Season” online on the PrideSource YouTube Lines is protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publishers. Between The Lines channel! is supported by many fine advertisers, but we cannot accept responsibility for claims made by our advertisers, nor can we accept responsibility for Elliot Page (Photo via Page’s Facebook page) materials provided by advertisers or their agents. Copyright 2020 www.PrideSource.com BTL | December 10, 2020 3 Settlement Reached in Affirmations Updates Public on Programs, Historic Aimee Stephens Finances and the Future Case BY CRYSTAL A. PROXMIRE accepting insurance and increasing For now, it seems the organization the number of counselors is one way is starting 2021 in a good place. BY JASON A. MICHAEL FERNDALE — When Dave Garcia the LGBTQ center is bringing in more Recently, the board passed the annual came back to the Affirmations revenue without limiting access for budget of $800,000. Garcia called it imee Stephens, community center after five years the low-income folks who need help. “conservative” and “responsible,” as is who died in running the nation’s largest LGBTQ Moving forward, health care will be it is just $50,000 more than last year, May at 59 community center in the nation, his a key focus, Garcia said. because Affirmations is assuming A Aimee Stephens. Photo by from kidney disease, Andrew Potter. return was lauded as a lifeline for an “I have always wanted Affirmations that COVID-19-related closures will did not live to see organization that had lost money and to grow in health and human continue through the year. However, the Supreme Court quality staff in his absence. services,” he said. “Not only because if in-person gatherings resume, event rule in her favor and And in spite of government it’s the right thing to do for our revenue can be added to that total. decide that she and other LGBTQ people were protected from mandates, shutdowns and myriad community when we’re under the Garcia said the most common discrimination under federal employment law. But now U.S. economic challenges relating to the threat of religious exemption, not question he faces is, “When will the District Judge Sean Cox has signed off on a $130,000 settlement, novel coronavirus pandemic, Executive only because it’s the right thing to do building be open?” His response is which includes $63,724 in back pay with interest and $66,276 in Director Garcia and his team have had for our community when you’re just simple: “When it is safe to do so.” damages. The R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home in Garden City, many successes. He and members talking about scientifically accurate However, Garcia said that the where Stephens worked for six years, also has to pay $120,000 in of the board of directors held a culturally competent care for our $400,000 Affirmations has in terms legal fees to the ACLU. community update meeting Thursday trans community and our seniors of cash flow represents six months of Aimee Stephens sued the funeral home she worked for after via Zoom to share these points of pride, for example, but because when I’m operating expenses and called it a “very being fired for being transgender and wanting to present as her as well as what’s on the horizon for the long gone I think it is financially healthy position to be in.” authentic female self on the job. The case made it all the way to U. coming year. stable for the organization to have “This has been one of the most S. Supreme court who handed down a landmark ruling in favor primary care for people to be seeing challenging years … but we are of LGBTQ rights in June. The case was then handed back to the their doctor there, [and] for people doing our best and we are more than U.S. District Court to award damages. Finances to be seeing their therapist there. … keeping our head above water and that “She always knew that she may not live to hear the decision from While Affirmations is known for It would be nice to be generating our is because of your support,” he said. the Supreme Court,” Jay Kaplan, staff attorney for the ACLU of its support services provided to the own income off the building that you “But we need a strong financial push Michigan’s LGBT Project, told Between The Lines for an earlier LGBTQ and ally community, those – the community – owns.” for the end of the year campaign to story on the case. “The day before the Supreme Court hearing, she services are not sustainable without In Los Angeles, 80% of the solidify the financial strength of our had back-to-back interviews all day long. She kept going until she funding. organization’s efforts stemmed from organization.” literally could not stand up anymore.” When Garcia left his position in health and human services programs. The fact that Stephens did not live to see her victory – or her 2014 to work for the Los Angeles Not only are such programs critical money – is ‘bittersweet’ Kaplan said in a statement on the settlement. LGBT Center, Affirmations was in for individuals, they bring in money Services “We are pleased that all sides were able to come to an agreement solid financial shape and was on the from fees, grants and partnerships. A Like many gathering spaces, regarding damages and attorney fees,” he said. “The settlement of way to paying off its mortgage on “Health for All” program is expected Affirmations closed its doors in this case is bittersweet in that Aimee passed away before matters their Downtown Ferndale building. to be rolled out in the first quarter of the spring to prevent the spread of could be resolved.” The momentum didn’t continue in his 2021. COVID-19. It switched from in-person But, in a way, Stephens will live on as her case positively impacts absence, however, and a string of new “We have created a community groups like AA, Senior Coffee Klatch, LGBTQs across the country for years to come. directors ran the budget down, leaving consortium of care that has many transgender support, and teen groups “This settlement marks a closing chapter in Aimee Stephens’ in their wake cutbacks of hours, staff partners,” Garcia said. to online ones. And while meeting remarkable fight for justice,” said Chase Strangio, deputy director and services. Negotiations are still in the works virtually cannot replace the in-person for the ACLU’s LGBT & HIV Project. “We are sad that Aimee is The immediate task upon his return with some providers and the details comfort and support provided by those not here to experience this moment with her wife Donna and was to tackle the economic health of will be announced early next year. The events, going virtual has had some grateful for all that Aimee, Donna, and the many trans fighters the organization. Affirmations had less emphasis on health will not harm other promising effects. for justice and their families have done to bring us to this place.