New Trump Administration Memo on Obama Order Alarms LGBT Advocates Community Bonds Over Scoring Goals in the Detroit Drive Soccer League

TRANS SINGER MOVED FELLOW MICHIGAN INMATES. NOW? AN ALBUM.

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SAVE THE DATE PROFILE WAYNE’S WORLD A Local Designer’s Breathable, Butt- Hugging Underwear Line for Men Who Want to Feel COVER Comfortable While 16 Trans Singer Moved Fellow Michigan Inmates. Feeling Sexy Now? An Album. CONFERENCE NEWS Queering Racial Justice Heads to Detroit 6 Sue Carter Runs for WSU Board of Governors 6 Wade Rakes Runs for U of M Board of Regents See Page 22 See Page 14 7 Trump Administration Memo on Obama Order Alarms LGBT Advocates 12 Promoting Pride 12 Team-WERK HAPPENINGS NATIONAL NEWS ELECTION 2018 OPINION 8 Parting Glances 8 Viewpoint 9 Creep of the Week LIFE 14 Wayne’s World 18 Happenings 21 Puzzle and Crossword 20 The Frivolist: 7 Gay Tips for Throwing the Perfect Labor Day Party 26 Deep Inside Hollywood COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS 22 Detroit Repertory Theatre Hosts Second Arts & IN CONCERT JOE BIDEN VERMONT Culture Festival Sarah Shook & the Disarmers at OTUS Foundation Launches Campaign In First, Trans Candidate Wins Major Party 22 Affirmations Hosts Golden Girls Trivia Party Supply in Ferndale Promoting LGBTQ Acceptance Nomination for Governor’s Race 22 Queering Racial Justice Heads to Detroit See Page 18 24 Third Annual Strand with Trans Family Picnic See Page 11 See Page 10 Draws Record Crowd 22 Mom to Mom Sale in Ferndale on Aug. 25

VOL. 2634 • AUGUST 23, 2018 EDITORIAL News & Feature Writers ADVERTISING & SALES ONLINE AT ISSUE 1075 Editor in Chief Emell Derra Adolphus, Michelle Brown, Todd A. Director of Sales Susan Horowitz, 734.293.7200 x 102 Heywood, Ellen Knoppow, Jason Michael, Drew Jan Stevenson, 734.293.7200 x 101 “Between The Lines Newspaper” PRIDE SOURCE MEDIA GROUP [email protected] Howard, Jonathan Thurston [email protected] 20222 Farmington Rd., Livonia, Michigan 48152 CREATIVE Phone 734.293.7200 Entertainment Editor Sales Representatives Follow us @YourBTL Webmaster & MIS Director Chris Azzopardi, 734.293.7200 x 106 Ann Cox, 734.293.7200 x 103 Kevin Bryant, [email protected] PUBLISHERS [email protected] [email protected] Email your op–eds to Susan Horowitz & Jan Stevenson [email protected] Columnists Feature News Editor Donelle Kremke, 734.293.7200 x 104 MEMBER OF Charles Alexander, Michelle E. Brown, Kate Opalewski, 734.293.7200 x 108 [email protected] Michigan Press Assoication Mikey Rox, D’Anne Witkowski, Sign up online to receive our E–Digest [email protected] National LGBT Media Association Gwendolyn Ann Smith National Advertising Representative National Gay & Lesbian Chamber Editorial Assistant Rivendell Media, 212.242.6863 Q Syndicate Cartoonists Eve Kucharski, 734.293.7200 x 105 Paul Berg, Dave Brousseau [email protected] Our rate cards are available online. All material appearing in Between The 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 is supported by many Contributing Photographers fine advertisers, but we cannot accept responsibility for claims made by our advertisers, nor can we accept responsibility for materials provided by advertisers or their agents. Andrew Potter, Alexander Godin, Andrew Cohen Copyright 2018 Pride Source Media Group www.PrideSource.com August 23, 2018 | BTL 3 February - Some Justice Sean McBride, who was shot and left February - Addressing Anti- 9 0 S – for dead in a 1994 anti-gay attack in Gay Violence in Schools ‘ 1 9 Detroit, was awarded a settlement E 9 of $10 million for the refusal of a The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight H 7 Pinkerton Guard to assist him, leaving Teachers Network of Detroit T him a paraplegic. released their report assessing the climate for gay and lesbian youth in Southeastern Michigan schools. The report, titled “Bruised Bodies, Bruised Spirits,” underscored the need to educate school staff about dealing with issues of sexual orientation.

October - Serving LGBT Teens Matthew Barton, 17, a senior from Novi High School, was appointed to serve on a FLASHING national Gay/Straight Alliance panel with six other teens from around the country. Barton helped decide funding BACK TO distribution of GSA’s across the country. Tzabaco Catalog Safe School’s Fund provided the THE PAST: money.

November - Believing Out Loud December - Equality in PFLAG downriver chapter hosted Ypsilanti guest speaker, Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Gumbleton at its Nov. 21 The landmark decision to extend meeting. Gumbleton was key in equal rights to all in the city of generating support for the issuance Ypsilanti was made on Dec. earlier in the year of a tolerance 16. Following the passage of statement for gay youth by U.S. bishops. Gumbleton has also been vocal in urging gay priests to come out.

MILESTONES IN THE TRANSGENDER MOVEMENT

1991: “Paris is Burning” is released. The documentary focuses on gay and transgender ball culture in New York City. transgender population, and is run by Dr. Crocker founded Transgender Michigan, and Sandra Cole, director of the program. dedicated the organization to improving the 1993: Transgender Youth Brandon Teena lives of transgender individuals in the state. is violently murdered in Nebraska. The film 1996: Michigan hosts the National “Boys Don’t Cry” later shares Teena’s story Transgender Conference where nearly 1999: The advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith with a national audience. 230 transgender people and allies joined organized the first Transgender Day of together for five days in early June. The Remembrance, to honor the memory of 1995: The University of Michigan Medical event was sponsored by Crossroads. Rita Hester and other transgender people Center announces their Comprehensive like her who were lost to bigotry and anti- Gender Services Program, which serves the 1997: Susan Crocker and Rachel Crandall- transgender violence. 4 BTL | August 23, 2018 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com August 23, 2018 | BTL 5 BTL Endorses Rakes and Carter ELECTION 2018 Both are solid candidates with good experience and commendable reasons for wanting to serve their alma maters. If nominated, they GBTQ Democrats have a chance to support two openly will join Attorney General candidate Dana Nessel as the first openly LGBTQ candidates for university leadership positions when LGBTQ candidates to run for statewide offices in Michigan. their nominations are decided this Saturday at the Michigan BTL interviewed Wakes and Carter and came away impressed LDemocratic convention in Lansing. BTL endorses both Wade Rakes with their qualifications and commitment to principled university for University of Michigan Board of Regents and Sue Carter for Wayne governance. Here are highlights from those interviews. State University Board of Governors. Wade Rakes for U of M Board of Regents BY EVE KUCHARSKI for them, and they are brilliant, amazing young reliant on financial aid. Rakes said that once people. So, for me, affordability is the most the grant-based program began, there was a unning for a spot on the University important thing.” positive, “180-degree shift” in the students who of Michigan’s Board of Regents was a Rakes said that the first thing he’ll do to were able to attend school, without a significant natural step for Wade Rakes, who earned positively influence tuition costs is to implement increase in class sizes. Rhis MBA in 2011 after graduating from of U of a tuition freeze. Additionally, to increase the “Now, two-thirds of our students at M’s Stephen M. Ross School of Business. After school’s accessibility to a wider audience, he Princeton receive financial aid and 22 percent earning his undergraduate degree at Princeton will strive to implement a grant-based tuition of our undergraduate students are Pell Grant University, Rakes’ career has spanned more than plan. Rakes said that a similar program worked recipients, meaning they are amongst the least alumni.” 15 years in a variety of positions that he said very well at his other alma mater, Princeton. economically advantaged, or poorest, students “So, we have to change two things relevant uniquely qualify him to take over one of the “I believe the opportunity exists for the that go to college anywhere in the United to transparency: One, we have to be accessible. at-large seats currently held by Andrea Fischer regents to build upon some of the programs States,” Rakes said. “I’ve seen firsthand what We can leverage technology, but we have to Newman (R) and Andrew Richner (R). BTL already there, but to really push toward an affordability means so that colleges are places ensure we are meeting at times that are available caught up with Rakes to get a sense of some affordable experience for students and their for wealthy minds and not just for wealthy for people,” Rakes said. “Two, to interact we of his campaign goals before the decision is families and, for me, that means freezing wallets. So, when I look at the University of shouldn’t be restricting Q&A time when that made at the Michigan Democratic Caucus on tuition immediately,” Rakes said. “And that Michigan and its reputation and its opportunity, time comes in a meeting. And we also need to Saturday, Aug. 25. If Rakes gets a seat on the means moving toward a debt-free financial aid how can we take that idea around affordability have an office that is designated by the regents Board for an eight-year term, he said that his program by 2022. My experience in debt-free and access and put it into the nation’s top public that has the ability to listen to stakeholders primary goal will be increasing the school’s financial aid programs comes from a program university?” when we’re not there every day, but also to give affordability. that Princeton launched 15 years ago that’s Rakes also said that in his term he will us unfiltered, unfettered information so that we “It will always be the number one issue been really successful in transforming the prioritize the transparency of all Board can act on and have a much more direct lens as because I think it is the signal for everything socioeconomic makeup of the university.” decisions. Among others, one of his first opposed to just a filter through an administrator else that we do,” Rakes said. “I live in Detroit Rakes went on to say that as an undergrad at proposed changes will be to schedule through that perspective.” and I hear from young people that they feel U Princeton, two-thirds of the student body were meetings at a time that is more “accessible for Lastly, Rakes said that his intersectional of M is out of reach. It’s not even a consideration able to pay full tuition while only a third were stakeholders – I mean students, faculty, staff, See Wade Rakes, continued on p. 10 Sue Carter for WSU Board of Governors

BY EVE KUCHARSKI because of her knowledge of the surrounding something that Carter said she will work to area and experience living and working within maintain. s an openly lesbian candidate running Detroit. And secondly, she said she is excited “It needs to be accountable to the people of for a spot on the Wayne State University to be a part of a university that makes research Michigan. I look at something like the event Board of Governors, Aug. 25 is a big a priority. with Larry Nassar and that concerns me. That Aday for Sue Carter. That’s when the Democratic “I lived in Detroit and around Detroit for concerns me a great deal,” Carter said. “So, how party will host its state nominating convention 22 years, and Detroit is a city that’s on its can we do better? Where did we go wrong? for one of the two open spots on WSU’s ascendancy,” she said. “The motto of the Spirit Because something clearly failed. That’s not board, currently held by Diane Dunakiss (R) of Detroit about rising from ashes really does OK. So, working on those.” and appointed member David Nicholson. If fit, and Wayne gets to be part of that in a very Carter also hopes to be accountable when nominated, Carter will become the second real sense. So, that’s exciting. It’s also a research it comes to maintaining a diversity-oriented openly lesbian woman to run for statewide university and part of a group called the Urban people of Michigan as well. It’s highly central campus. office in Michigan – the other being Dana 13 and these are outstanding universities to who we are,” Carter said. “We need to find “As a lesbian, I want to make sure that in an Nessel who is running for Attorney General. located right in the heart of metropolitan areas ways to make sure that we hold responsibly the era of seeming less tolerance that everyone’s “I care a lot about universities,” Carter said. and have research at their core.” line on costs. There are going to be increases protected, and everyone has a right to thrive “I have a deep knowledge and understanding Carter also said that if elected, she’ll come – much of our life our auto insurance goes up and grow,” Carter said. “That my orientation of how they operate. I taught for two years at prepared with a multi-tiered plan that focuses – but to make sure that those are responsible isn’t a barrier and isn’t a bludgeon to be used Wayne – for one year as a full time and one year on five priorities: accessibility, affordability, increases. And that we provide the means for against us. Making sure that there’s room for all as an adjunct – so I appreciate the challenges accountability, achievement and success. Carter those students who have less means and less voices and respect for all voices and that (the faced by lecturers and adjunct faculty. So in a lot said that both accessibility and affordability tie opportunity financially to assist them.” board) functions as a team because, essentially, of ways it’s a really good fit and I am delighted back to the state legislature. In terms of accountability, Carter said that as with any board of directors, it’s primarily a to be able to go forward with those thoughts “This, even though the state legislature, sadly, her experiences at MSU really imprinted the policy and fiduciary responsibility.” in mind.” has continued to defund education and higher importance of that value. She said that especially Carter said that she is a prime candidate education in the state, still is a university for at the administrative level, accountability is See Sue Carter, continued on p. 10

6 BTL | August 23, 2018 www.PrideSource.com New Trump Administration Memo on Obama Order Alarms LGBT Advocates

BY CHRIS JOHNSON executive order remain in place. “FCCP remains committed to enforcing n the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme compliance with all of the protections in Court’s ruling the Masterpiece Cakeshop EO 11246, Section 503 and VEVRAA,” the case, the Trump administration has issued spokesperson said. “Collectively, these laws Inew guidance that seeks to uphold “religious prohibit federal contractors and subcontractors freedom” in the implementation of former from discriminating on the basis of race, President Obama’s executive order against anti- color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender LGBT workplace discrimination among federal identity, national origin, disability or status as contractors — a move troubling to LGBT rights a protected veteran.” supporters. The Masterpiece Cakeshop decision was in The Aug. 10 guidance from the Labor favor of Phillips, but was based on the facts of Department purports to “incorporate recent his case and didn’t find a First Amendment right developments in the law regarding religion- to refuse to make custom-made wedding cakes exercising organizations and individuals” for same-sex couples as he was seeking. As a with the enforcement of the executive order, result, LGBT non-discrimination protections taking note of the narrow ruling in decision of remain in effect in the aftermath of the decision Colorado baker Jack Phillips as well as other regardless and any instructions to take the recent rulings in favor of religious freedom, ruling into account when enforcing them such as the Supreme Court decision in the shouldn’t be enough to change their outcome. Hobby Lobby case. Dale Carpenter, a conservative law professor The guidance also takes into account recent PHOTO CAP: Former President Obama signed an executive order barring anti-LGBT workplace discrimination at the SMU Dedman School of Law who’s executive orders signed by President Trump in among federal contractors (Blade file photo by Michael Key) written about LGBT rights, echoed those views favor of “religious freedom,” saying they “have and said nothing in the guidance is cause for to abide by the executive order and received no similarly reminded the federal government of Cakeshop decision compelled the Labor alarm. religious exemption. its duty to protect religious exercise — and not Department to issue the directive, but Lambda “Indeed, on its face, that guidance purports The latest directive is one of two issued by to impede it.” Trump signed a directive last is “not surprised to see this administration only to require what is already mandated by the Labor Department on Aug. 10 related to the year with the stated purposed of bolstering seize on the decision as a way to justify its the Constitution, federal statute, or executive Executive Order 11246. But the other directive religious freedom under federal law and his ongoing assault on the civil rights of the LGBT branch policy,” Carpenter said. “I don’t doesn’t seem aimed at non-discrimination order ensuring faith-based organizations have community.” foresee any significant erosion of EO 11246 protections or “religious freedom.” It calls access to federal grants. “We hope that non-discrimination has protections.” for “a portion of future scheduling lists” to “In line with the longstanding constitutional become part of the standard operating Embedded in the directive is a sign more is include focused reviews on three authorities requirement that government must permit procedures for the overwhelming majority to come. The instructions conclude with a line OFFCP enforces: EO 11246, Section 503 of the individuals and organizations, in all but the of federal contractors, and they will continue saying they remain in force “in anticipation Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era most narrow circumstances, to participate to recognize that a workplace open to all is of an addition to the department’s regulatory Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. in a government program ‘without having not only the right thing to do, but also makes agenda followed by rule-making informed by LGBT rights groups said the “religious to disavow [their] religious character,’ smart business sense,” McGowan said. “But in public comment,” suggesting future changes to freedom” directive is an attempt by the Trump OFCCP staff are instructed to take these the same way that the Masterpiece Cakeshop the executive order — a religious exemption administration to gut the non-discrimination legal developments into account in all their decision has embolden anti-LGBT forces or a revocation — are forthcoming. protections in the executive order — which relevant activities, including when providing to paint themselves as the victims of LGBT Asked the about those words and the covers an estimated 34 million workers, or compliance assistance, processing complaints, equality, these directives from OFCCP sends nature of any new rule, the Labor Department about 22 percent of the Americans workforce and enforcing the requirements of EO 11246,” an encouraging signal to those individual spokesperson said, “The Department cannot — and demonstrates the negative impact of the the guidance says. employees within these larger entities who comment on a future rule-making.” Masterpiece Cakeshop decision. As a result, the Office of Federal Contract want to insist on a license to discriminate.” David Stacy, government affairs director Sharon McGowan, legal director for Lambda Compliance Programs under the Labor Harper Jean Tobin, director of policy at the for the Human Rights Campaign, said the Legal, said her organization has “serious Department is instructed to take into accounts National Center for Transgender Equality, said directive is the latest attempt by the Trump cause for concern” the OFFCP will interpret “religious freedom” when enforcing Executive in a statement “is an attempt to encourage administration “to implement a license the mandate with broad view and allow for Order 11246 in numerous ways, barring the businesses to take taxpayer dollars and then to discriminate against LGBTQ people by exemptions to discriminate under the executive agency making a “condition the availability of fire people for being transgender.” providing unsound guidance in implementing order. [opportunities] upon a recipient’s willingness “Religious organizations have ample Obama-era regulations.” “Apparently, this Administration believes protections under federal law, but they are not to surrender his [or her] religiously impelled “The erroneous application of the Supreme – correctly – that rescinding the EO outright allowed to use federal money to discriminate s t atu s .” Court’s narrow ruling in Masterpiece and recent would cause a huge public and politically against people,” Tobin said. “The language Signed by Obama in 2014, EO 11246 Trump executive orders is meant to aggressively damaging outcry,” McGowan said. “So instead, of this directive is so broad and so vague prohibits anti-LGBT discrimination among marginalize hardworking Americans because they are trying to accomplish the same end because it is part of a long line of attempts companies that do $10,000 a year or more in of their sexual orientation and/or gender through different means.” by this administration to sow confusion and business with the U.S. government in addition identity,” Stacy said. “The American people The directive comes down from the Labor encourage any employer to act on their worst and barrs discrimination against federal will not tolerate discrimination, and LGBTQ Department about a year-and-a-half after the prejudices. No employer should be allowed to workers who are transgender. people will not be erased.” The instructions seem aimed at allowing White House announced in a statement Trump use taxpayer dollars to fire someone because religiously-affiliated non-profits to discriminate would keep the executive order in place and is of who they are.” “respectful and supportive of LGBTQ rights,” A Labor Department spokesperson said in against workers for being lesbian, gay, bisexual This article originally appeared in the Washington a statement contradicted by subsequent anti- response to the Washington Blade’s inquiry or transgender despite the executive order. Blade and is made available in partnership with LGBT actions from the Trump administration. about the directive OFCCP “will follow the Heretofore, religiously non-profits, including the National LGBT Media Association. religious schools and universities, were required McGowan said nothing in the Masterpiece law” and non-discrimination provisions in the www.PrideSource.com August 23, 2018 | BTL 7 Parting Glances

BY CHARLES ALEXANDER To Pee or Not to Pee ... can be thinking contentedly of a dozen things — of sealing wax, cabbages and queens — but let me get 100 yards near my studio and without the slightest conscientious intent on Imy part, I suddenly, urgently, desperately, have to pe-E-E-E! I’m convinced my bladder has a mind of its own, and takes a perverse delight in reminding me at inconvenient moments just who really runs my waterpark and schedules my Old Faithful spoutings. “Whoa! Hold on there!” I urge the little guy who works the switch, bargaining for a few more seconds ‘til I get my key in the lock and make an unscheduled dash to the loo, there to discharge another distillation of my allotted 40,515 lifetime quarts. I’m not alone in being “Whoa! Hold on there!” ambushed by this most insistent of Pavlovian I urge the little guy reflexes. It happens to who works the switch, everybody, and to some bargaining for a few more with five-alarm frequency (Test: See how soon you seconds ‘til I get my key have to go after — or in the lock and make an during — the reading of unscheduled dash to the this Pee Glances). Viewpoint I wouldn’t have brought loo, there to discharge the topic up in mixed another distillation of my company (tiny vs. big allotted 40,515 lifetime tankers), but I chanced upon a Cosmopolitan magazine article, “Do You Always Have to Pee? (Find Out Why Your Tank Seems So Tiny — and the Surprising Ways Faith-Based Service Refusals in State- to Fix It).” According to the article, some hapless glamour gals pee as many as 15 times a day. Sponsored Foster, Adoptive Care is Illegal “My boyfriend calls me the pee queen,” opines Vanessa, 25, “because I’m at mercy of a bladder that won’t quit, while he can hold it in all night.” (I wish I could find someone with that holding-it-in-all-night BY JAY KAPLAN expertise. Even an amateur’s half hour would suit me just dandy. Pee queen indeed.) You’l be pleased to know that bladder size has nothing to do here are more than 13,000 children in Michigan’s foster that refuse to work with prospective families that are headed by with frequency of voiding (or, avoiding voiding). Nor is male care system who are need of permanent loving and same-sex couples or to place children with same-sex families or female a factor, says urogynecologist Dr. Ingrid Nygaard. supportive homes. The State of Michigan through the due the agencies’ religious beliefs. That is fine when these “No matter what gender you are or your overall physical size, TDepartment of Health and Human Services and the Children’s agencies are not being paid by the State to act on its behalf. all bladders are capable of expanding to about the same amount: Services Agency is tasked with providing both foster care However, when they voluntarily choose to become state actors able to hold up to 18 ounces of liquid.” and adoption placement services for children who have been they legally cannot single out same-sex couples — or any The problem is that we’re drinking more liquids these days. removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect. Some other protected group — for discriminatory treatment. And “We’ve become a nation of chronic drinkers,” says Lindsey adoptive Michigan delegates contract with private foster care yet that is what Bethany Christian Services and St. Vincent Kerr, M.D., another pee-in-the-bottle, smile-for-me specialist. and adoption agencies, and pay them taxpayer dollars to Catholic Charities are doing. I am the ACLU of Michigan’s “And logically, the more a person drinks, the more she’s going perform this government function; some of these agencies are staff attorney for the LGBT project and witnessed just such to need a bathroom break.” faith-based agencies. Even those that are faith-based, however, a service refusal with our plaintiff couples Kristy and Dana As for Cosmopolitan’s “surprising” ways to curb an insistent receive their funding and sign contracts that state they will Dumont and Erin and Rebecca Busk-Sutton; when both of urge to go on bladder patrol — say, beyond a reasonable truck not discriminate in providing services on the basis of various these couples contacted these agencies they were turned away stop call of duty — desensitization heads the list. categories that include race, religion and sexual orientation. But, contract or not, there are still some faith based agencies See Parting Glances, next page See Adoptive Care, continued on next page 8 BTL | August 23, 2018 www.PrideSource.com Creep Of The Week ® Adoptive Care Continued from p. 9 Same-sex couples in Cardinal Raymond Burke BY D’ANNE WITKOWSKI

Michigan are not being elp, child sex abuse in the because of their sexual orientation. Catholic Church is in the When we contacted the State of Michigan to let provided the same menu news again and, gosh, If we just get rid of them know these agencies were discriminating W wouldn’t you “ all the gays who are against same-sex couples, in violation of the of foster care and adoption know it, the contracts they had signed with the State, the Catholic Church mucking up each Attorney General’s office refused to meet with us, services provided to other is trying to suggesting that we would probably end up suing blame it on the level of the hierarchy the State. So, that’s what we did. We sued the State gays. Again. everything will be just of Michigan for the practice of permitting state- families, and the state is A recent contracted agencies to refuse to work with same-sex Pennsylvania fine. couples. Same-sex couples in Michigan are not permitting this type of grand jury needs to be examined more closely and being provided the same menu of foster care and report found ” would be examined more closely if the adoption services provided to other families, and discrimination in the name sex abuse the state is permitting this type of discrimination church stopped trying to cover up its rampant in the sexual abuse epidemic. But, of course, in the name of religion — despite the fact that our of religion — despite the church, something everyone who has constitution provides for separation of church that’s not what Burke is doing here. He’s ever delved into it has also found to be basically saying, “If we just get rid of and state. true. According to the report some 300 Even more damaging is that by permitting state fact that our constitution all the gays who are mucking up each priests preyed on children for decades level of the hierarchy everything will contracted agencies to turn away same-sex couples while church leaders turned a blind eye who are ready, willing and able to provide warm, provides for separation of be just fine.” to the literal hell on earth they were But, of course, it won’t. Rather than loving and supportive homes, Michigan is reducing letting fester. the pool of prospective foster and adoptive homes church and state spend a second examining the institution There’s a reason why in every to stop abuse, the church once again for those children who are wards of the state. This Hollywood depiction of prison there’s practice has nothing to do with what is in the best operations, that foster and adoption services in seeks to change the subject. Michigan will significantly suffer. At the same a child abuser, usually a sexual abuser, Look, all organized religion requires interests of children, but all about accommodating who gets shanked in the showers. After the religious beliefs of agencies receiving taxpayer time, St. Vincent also states that same-sex couples a great deal of suspended disbelief could and should go to other agencies that will all, it’s easy to hate that guy. I’m not and magical thinking, a.k.a. “faith,” funds to do work on behalf of the state. condoning violence, just pointing out We filed our legal challenge in federal court in work with them. in order to work. Critical thinking is This “going some place else” argument has that as a society we pretty much agree pretty much the antithesis to religious September 2017, and the state’s response — in that child abusers are THE WORST. addition to filing a motion to dismiss — has been been historically used to justify discrimination doctrine. Which is why the church on the basis of race. If a restaurant refuses to Unless they wear a black robe and a is seeking to capitalize on the gross that there are other state contracted agencies that white collar. Then instead of going to will serve same-sex couples and that if agencies serve African-Americans, they can simply find mischaracterization that gay people another restaurant that will. What we are seeing prison, you just get transferred to a new are pedophiles in order to absolve its such as Bethany Christian and St. Vincent Catholic parish with brand-new parishioners to Charities are not permitted to discriminate that in our state is an attempt to use religion to justify own sins. discrimination, discrimination by agencies that terrorize. “I think it has been considerably they will go out of business and then there will be There are many reasons why this is less foster care and adoption services available to are essentially state actors. This should be highly aggravated by the anti-life culture in disturbing not only because we have Michigan such a bad practice, but I would like which we live, namely the contraceptive prospective families and children. This argument to point out that by moving the priest is echoed by St. Vincent Catholic Charities which giving its tacit approval to this discrimination, but culture that separates the sexual act is also harming the children it purports to serve. away from his victim(s) the church is from the conjugal union,” Burke tells was permitted to intervene in the lawsuit as a essentially saying that the victims are defendant. St. Vincent Catholic Charities also McKenna. “The sexual act has no the problem. The priest is the innocent meaning whatsoever except between argues in its motion to dismiss that it provides a here, seduced by the tender flesh of unique service that cannot be duplicated by the six Jay Kaplan has been the staff attorney for the ACLU a man and a woman in marriage since of Michigan’s LGBT Project since its founding in wicked children, as opposed to a very the conjugal act is by its very nature for dozen other foster and adoption agencies across sick person guilty of the worst kind of the state, and that if St. Vincent’s shuts down its 2001. He can be reached at [email protected] procreation.” abuse. Got that? Gays are a problem, but the And if you feel like you’re experiencing whole thing has been made even worse déjà vu, well, you are in the sense that, by all of these whores on birth control yes, this has happened before. And it having sex without making babies. Thank keeps happening. All over the world. you for attending this TED Talk about But the Catholic Church knows just who sex by a man who supposedly has never ® Parting Glances to blame. had sex. or a gentleman (or both) in public. In an Aug. 16 interview with Thomas Continued from p. 8 Burke calls homosexuality To pee or not to pee. That is the question. The McKenna, the president of Catholic “disordered” and he’s not the only answer: Let it all hang out. Just don’t get caught Action for Faith and Family, Cardinal conservative Catholic calling for a purge with your pants down. “As soon as you feel the need to go to the Raymond Burke says, “It seems clear in of gays from the priesthood. However, bathroom, take a few deep breaths, relax and hold light of these recent terrible scandals that Burke and the others are not making Charles Alexander is prolific both as a BTL columnist it for half an hour,” the advice reads. indeed there is a homosexual culture, not any distinction between “gay” and (700-plus columns) and as a well-known LGBT You may get a little red in the face or find yourself only among the clergy but even within “pedophile,” a distinction that is, uh, community artist (1000 Face Book images). He is a doing a few spontaneously choreographed dance the hierarchy, which needs to be purified really important because they are not Spirit of Detroit Award recipient and an Affirmations routines, but don’t worry your pretty little unzipped at the root.” one in the same. Unless, of course, your LGBT CENTER Jan Stevenson awardee. Connect head. In time, your feisty bladder will learn who’s Now, it may sound like Burke is goal isn’t to keep kids safe from abuse, with him at [email protected]. boss and come around to behaving itself like a lady shining a spotlight on problems within but is actually to CYF (cover your frock). the church itself, something that really www.PrideSource.com August 23, 2018 | BTL 9 ELECTION NEWS Trans Candidate Wins Major Party ® Wade Rekes Continued from p. 10

background as both a black man and an Nomination for Governor’s Race openly gay candidate will help to inform his decisions when tasked with making BY CHRIS JOHNSON statewide office this year was Kim Coco uphill battle in the general election against decisions about diversity. Iwamoto in Hawaii. A former member of the incumbent Republican. The Cook Political “As I say when I’m talking to people, I’m In a historic moment, Christine Hallquist the Hawaii Board of Education, Iwamoto Report, Inside Elections Nathan L. Gonzales openly gay and openly black,” Rakes said. won the Democratic nomination Tuesday to sought the Democratic nomination to run and have each rated the race either solid or “We have to understand that we benefit run to become the next Vermont governor, for lieutenant governor, but came up short in safe Republican. from inclusion and inclusion and diversity making her the first transgender candidate the primary on Saturday. Larry Sabato, a political scientist at the from a variety of different dimensions. ever to obtain a major party nomination in a Mara Keisling, executive director of the University of Virginia, called Hallquist’s win So, for me, I live diversity and inclusion gubernatorial race. National Center for Transgender Equality “a historic breakthrough” and predicted she’ll every day. Not just because of who I am, The Associated Press declared Hallquist, Action Fund, said in Hallquist’s victory “cannot be the focus of tremendous media attention, but because I believe it is the responsibility former CEO of the Vermont Electric be overstated.” but said the road ahead is difficult. of a leader to create and environment and Cooperative, won the Democratic Party “Our mission as an organization is deeply “On the one hand, Vermont is clearly liberal, a space that values everyone. I think the in Vermont at 9:14 p.m. shortly after polls rooted in bringing transgender people into the except on guns,” Sabato said. “On the other, it’s university is doing beyond a good job, a closed at 7 p.m. With 97 percent of precincts great job, relative to inclusion from an reporting, Hallquist obtained 48 percent of the LGBTQ+ perspective, but we have a lot vote, compared to 22 percent for environmental more room to grow as we look at what activist James Ehlers, 21 percent for progressive we’re doing for trans stakeholders. What activist Brenda Siege and 8 percent high school we’re doing relative to that, what services student Ethan Sonneborn. (Vermont has no are we providing through university of age requirement for candidates.) Michigan medicine. What are we doing Should Hallquist succeed in the general for folks that are non-binary? How are we election in November, she’d be the first openly ensuring that we are being as inclusive transgender people elected as governor in the as possible? We have to keep (looking United States. at) that.” In a statement to the Washington Blade in May, Hallquist said her win in November would Read the full story online @ pridesource. be a “positive signal for all LGBTQ people” com. because she would be the first transgender governor and represent a rural state. ® Sue Carter “Typically, rural communities have been Continued from p. 10 viewed as less affirming,” Hallquist said. “Marginalized communities have historically had problems with winning executive positions. Carter said that this push for inclusion For too long leadership has been associated will be great way to ensure the last two with masculinity and the dominant culture. elements of her plan follow through. Vermonters choosing me, a trans woman, as Christine Hallquist has become the first transgender candidate to win a major party nomination to run for “Wayne State has a different their governor, would expand the realm of character in some ways (than MSU) of possibility for generations to come. My success center of society, and Christine’s nomination is going to be very tough to beat Gov. Phil Scott, undergraduate students. That is that they would mark a new milestone in acceptance.” a massive step forward in that fight,” Keisling who is one of three moderate GOP governors are first generation and achievement Hallquist was endorsed by LGBT rights said. leading in blue states this year (Massachusetts becomes important,” she said. “Making groups, including the LGBTQ Victory Fund Democratic National Committee Chair and Maryland are the other two). For Hallquist sure that young men and women coming and the National Center for Transgender Tom Perez also commended Hallquist in a to win, Scott will have to make some big from families that don’t necessarily have Equality Action Fund. statement, calling her win an “inspiration to mistakes, or there would have to be the ‘blue’ college in their background have the tools Annise Parker, CEO of the Victory Fund, LGBTQ people everywhere.” wave tsunami that Democrats hope is coming.” to ultimately succeed. Those parts really said in a statement Hallquist’s victory is “a “We are excited to stand behind her and the Despite the challenge Hallquist faces in excite me.” defining moment in the movement for trans entire slate of fantastic Democratic nominees the general election, it should be noted she For now, however, Carter is looking equality” at a time when few transgender in Vermont,” Hallquist said. “There’s no doubt obtained more voters in the Vermont primary forward to the end of August. She said officials are in government. that Christine and her fellow nominees will join than her Republican opponent. With 97 percent that if appointed to the WSU Board of “Many thought it unthinkable a viable trans a strong ticket this November that will fight for of precincts reporting, Hallquist obtained Governors, above all else her priority gubernatorial candidate like Christine would our values and serve as dedicated advocates for 27,381 votes compared to the 23,857 votes will be upholding WSU’s dedication to emerge so soon,” Parker said. “Yet Vermont Vermont’s working families. Vermont voters Scott won. knowledge. voters chose Christine not because of her know that Democrats have their backs and Hallquist is one of four LGBT candidates “Knowledge is critical, how we gender identity, but because she is an open share their values, and they’re ready to organize who’ve obtained the Democratic nomination disseminate it, how we treat it, and how and authentic candidate with a long history to turn more seats blue this November.” to run for governor in Election 2018. The other we to go forward is really important,” of service to the state, and who speaks to the Hallquist’s Republican opponent in the three are Rep. Jared Polis in Colorado and Carter said. “I’m looking forward to that.” issues most important to voters.” general election will be incumbent Gov. Phil former Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez in According to the Victory Fund, 13 openly Scott. A moderate who signed into law gun Texas, who could be the first openly gay people To read the full story go online to trans people are serving in elected office in control legislation, Scott faced a challenge from elected governor in the United States, as well pridesource.com. For more information the U.S. The Victory Fund has endorsed seven conservative candidate, but came out on top as Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, who’s bisexual about the upcoming nominating transgender candidates this election cycle. in the primary. and seeking re-election. convention, visit michigandems.com. Another transgender candidate seeking Political observers say Hallquist faces an

10 BTL | August 23, 2018 www.PrideSource.com Biden Launches Campaign Promoting LGBTQ Acceptance

BY BLAKE CHAMBERS

The Biden Foundation on Aug. 16 introduced “As You Are: A Family and Community Acceptance Campaign,” aimed at boosting the acceptance of LGBTQ youth by their families. The family and community acceptance campaign will collect personal stories from LGBTQ young people, siblings, parents, educators and social service providers among others to educate and inform about the potential harms associated with family and community rejection along with the importance of accepting, affirming and supporting of LGBTQ youth. “While we must continue working to pass laws and implement policies that protect LGBTQ youth across the spectrum of their lives, laws and policies are not enough,” said Emily Hecht-McGowan, the Biden Foundation’s director of LGBTQ Equality. “We must also change hearts and minds, and we know that personal stories The Biden Foundation, founded by former Vice President Joe Biden, launched the As You Are are the single best tool we have to do that.” campaign this week. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key. On the “As You Are” page on the Biden Foundation’s website, a YouTube video reported hearing positive messages in school and that no one can be viewed featuring Vice President Biden, Amit Paley, should be made to feel ashamed and afraid of who they are. Shéár Avory, Cyndi Lauper, Sarah Mikhail, Clara Yoon, Wade The “As You Are” campaign’s website has been shared by Vice Davis, Geena Rocero and Hecht-McGowan speaking out on the President Biden’s official Twitter as well, using the hashtag importance of the campaign and issuing a call to action for people #AsYouAre and saying that to share their stories. An online questionnaire is on the page LGBTQ youth should never for those looking to have to face being rejected by share their experiences those who love them. with family and Biden has been a notable “The Foundation was community acceptance advocate of LGBTQ issues, and/or rejection. The established in early saying that transgender questionnaire also equality is “the civil rights issue asks those who are 2017, to build upon of our time” in the foreword answering why family of Human Rights Campaign Vice President and and community National Press Secretary acceptance is Dr. Biden’s lifelong Sarah McBride’s memoir and important to them. saying the government would The Biden commitment to the continue to fight for the rights Foundation is looking of the LGBT community after fundamental principle to share these stories the Supreme Court’s ruling on in the hopes that they that everyone deserves same-sex marriage in 2015. will “serve to inspire, “The Foundation to be treated equally to create communities, was established in early to heal families and to 2017, to build upon Vice and to live with dignity.” change the broader President and Dr. Biden’s culture to ensure a lifelong commitment to the Hecht-McGowan bright future for all fundamental principle that LGBTQ young people.” everyone deserves to be “Family acceptance treated equally and to live can save lives. Gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth are more than with dignity,” Hecht-McGowan four times more likely than their straight peers to attempt suicide. told the Blade. “Now more And 40 percent of transgender and gender nonconforming than ever is a time to stand adults report having attempted suicide at some point in their up and fight for these ideals lives, most of them before the age of 25,” said Paley, the CEO and to make sure that LGBTQ and executive director of The Trevor Project, in a statement. young people know that they “That’s why it is so important to support LGBTQ youth and let are supported and valued and them know that they are not alone.” that they too have a fair shot at In a tweet from the Human Rights Campaign calling on the American dream.” people to share their story with the “As You Are” campaign, the organization noted that only 13 percent of LGBTQ teens www.PrideSource.com August 23, 2018 | BTL 11 IN FOCUS

Photo courtesy of Dion Degennaro Promoting Pride

BY EMELL DERRA ADOLPHUS

occer fans can now help their favorite semi- professional teams score goals in the name of LGBTQ equality during Pride Month. Each June, SPrideraiser, a web-based fundraising channel, invites soccer enthusiasts to start a fundraising campaign to benefit a local LGBTQ organization. The process is simple: fans start a campaign and pledge to give a dollar amount based on how many goals their team scores in a game or in a season. The more fans to Captain of Detroit Drive Soccer League, Shawn Conner. Photos courtesy of Adam Sparkes sign on and pledge their support for that team, the more money that team will raise for the organization. Detroit City FC fans Dean Simmer and Jackie Carline co-founded the venture with Chattanooga (Tennessee) FC fan Galen Riley last year after Riley expressed a want to share a love for his favorite soccer team and their LGBTQ Bonds Over Scoring Goals allyship with the LGBTQ community. “And then it very quickly snowballed in the best Team-WERK in the Detroit Drive Soccer League possible way,” said Simmer. This year, fans for the Detroit City FC raised $12,000 for the Ruth Ellis Center in Detroit. BY EMELL DERRA ADOLPHUS society. That includes sports. I mean, figure skating anyone?” “This is a great example of how creative giving can Detroit Drive is described as a casual “pick-up” soccer league engage new communities. As a DCFC fan who is also onsidering the number of LGBTQ athletes who have for recreational skill development. Players come with varied LGBTQQ, it makes me feel welcome and safe in spaces taken center stage in the last five years – Caitlin Jenner, skill levels and from a wide range of professional backgrounds (such as sports stadiums) that historically have not footballer Michael Sam, ice skater Adam Rippon and – which makes joining the team a great opportunity to hone been as welcoming to LGBTQQ people,” said Jessie Cfreestyle skier Gus Kenworthy, to name a few – the stereotype one’s skills in the sport and network. Fullenkamp, LMSW Education and Evaluation Director that gay people are not interested in sports is practically obsolete. “But mostly to have fun,” explained Connor, who is a doctor at REC. Every Thursday night at the Catalpa Oaks County Park in by day. He started the team six years ago with a friend. She said, “It isn’t just about donating, it is about people Southfield, the team members of the Detroit Drive LGBTQ “The majority of our players are gay men, but we also have utilizing their gifts and passion to give to others.” soccer league meet to further kick that stereotype to the curb. gay women, a few trans players and even a few LGBT-friendly Nationally, fans of semi-professional created 30 “Of course that’s absurd,” said Shawn Conner, captain of the straight men and women,” he said. “We are open to all regardless campaigns to raise more than $50,000 through Prideraiser league. “Gay men and women are involved in every aspect of of age, gender, orientation or experience.” for organizations across the country that benefit the LGBTQ community. The campaigns are all supporter led and supporter driven, Simmer explained. Prideraiser does not take any commission from money raised. The Prideraiser platform simply exists so fans can share the details of their campaign and get other fans to sign on and show their support while taking a stand against the homophobia that can plague sports. “We are trying to provide the overarching umbrella, the big universal resources that people can tap into,” said Simmer. “For us it’s all about making sure that the fans of the team in the community can positively impact their own community where they are. I love my club, and I want everybody to be able to have that experience. We want to break those walls and make sure everyone can be part of the community.” It’s the type of initiative where everyone wins.

For more information, visit Prideraiser.org.

12 BTL | August 23, 2018 www.PrideSource.com Before the start of each season, Detroit Drive holds a registration event at Pronto! Video Bar in Royal Oak where people interested in joining the team can meet the players and learn more about the league. After coming to a few Detroit Drive practices, William Lindsay, now a retired championship figure skater, got involved with the team and has been a regular since 2014. “I spent most of my life participating in a very individualized, indoor, cold sport. I would never give that up, but as an adult, I enjoyed the team aspect of soccer. I had to completely change my thought process and learn to rely on my teammates,” said Lindsay, who said the camaraderie keeps him coming back. “It is definitely the friendships with the players. In fact, I count many of the soccer boys as some of my best friends. It is fantastic seeing them on the pitch as well as ‘out and about’ around town.” Although Detroit Drive is a casual league they still compete in tournaments. This year at the annual Pride on the Pitch tournament held in Chicago, Detroit Drive sent three teams to play: a competitive team that placed fifth out of eight, and two recreational teams that placed second and third out of four. “Organized gay sports leagues are a powerful statement that we are not ashamed of who we are. In fact, we embrace who we are as gay athletes. Many of our players are young and recently out. Some have gone through great sacrifice and have lost their families and their friends,” Connor said. “I’ve had players who have later told me that they were on the verge of suicide, but joining our soccer club made all the difference for them. It has been such a positive experience for everyone involved that I would always recommend an organized gay sport to anyone.” Alvaro Lozano would describe himself as a “shy kid” growing up and “a little on the heavy side.” After joining the team this year, he found it was the empowerment he needed to open up and be himself. “It wasn’t my first time playing soccer but it was my first time playing for a team like this,” he said. “I’ve never felt so welcomed and or felt so fitting. I could be myself in front of all these guys. As I’ve gotten to know them I’ve made some great friends. I couldn’t ask for a better team.” And then there are the physical benefits of playing soccer, said Lozano. “It’s a great stress reliever when you’ve had a long week, and you just want to do something to get some of that energy out,” he said. “I’ve lost a few pounds, which is really nice. My legs and butt look great.”

For more information on joining Detroit Drive visit outforkicksdetroit.com/ or facebook.com/groups/ OutForKicksDetroit.

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Invest in equality and work with businesses that support Michigan’s LGBTQ community! www.PrideSource.com August 23, 2018 | BTL 13 Wayne’s World

A Local Designer’s Breathable, Butt-Hugging Underwear Line for Men Who Want to Feel Comfortable While Feeling Sexy

BY EMELL DERRA ADOLPHUS I know them. If they look good, I’ll look good and that’s always been in issue for me wearing but now I wear my Wayne jocks almost every is what you’ll begin to wonder, which makes the underwear. But now, thanks to my creative day,” he said, explaining, “(It) might look Designer Perry Wayne taught himself how brand’s overall aura that much more attainable design work and precise cuts, I feel amazing intimidating at first, but, when it’s on, it makes to sew and used that skill to start creating the and close to home. in my own underwear.” you feel extremely confident. My goal is to make type of fashionable clothes he dreamed to one Wayne received a head-to-toe breakdown of In the right pair, you could, too. The line’s everyone feel good about themselves.” day produce for the world. “Being a designer the fashion businesses during his time at the highlights include neon blues, electric blacks By no means is that goal limited to gay men has always been a dream of mine,” Wayne said, Art Institute of Novi. But he gets his sense of and mesh in brief, jockstrap and trunk styles only. Wayne has plans to eventually launch a and his creative process feels “like clean energy glamour from his mother. that are breathable and butt-hugging. brick and mortar space welcoming men of all flowing through my bones breathing.” “My mother was a huge influence when I was “The reason I came up with these particular shapes, sizes and sexualities who want to feel Most recently, he focused this energy into a little boy,” he said. “She would always dress designs is because they express who I am as good about what they are wearing underneath the launch of his new self-titled underwear up in beautiful outfits and coats that would a person,” he said. “Also, making men feel their pants. line, Wayne. stop a runway.” sexy and comfortable is the key to building “Men in general like to feel comfortable and Somehow, the line manages to be a breath When it comes to his work ethic, Wayne confidence.” sexy at the same time,” Wayne said. “Having of fresh air in an increasingly flooded market, calls himself “moody.” Wayne admits he only recently started underwear that is stylish and gives you that mostly because of Wayne’s “buy local” spin. In “Which means, I design my garments based experimenting with jockstraps – one of the versatility is important to a guy’s taste.” place of obscure abdomens, Wayne uses real on what mood I am in,” he said. “They’re most popular underwear garments for gay people plucked from our community to market extremely fitted and hit in all the right places. waistlines. Grab your pair of Perry Wayne underwear at the brand as models. They also make me feel extremely confident, “Never have I thought I would wear a jock, perrywayne.com. 14 BTL | August 23, 2018 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com August 23, 2018 | BTL 15 Trans Singer Shea Diamond Moved Inmates With Her Music While In Jail. Now, the World.

BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI to effect more change. ven in prison, Shea Diamond was When did you first become interested in a star. The concrete floor her stage, music? the men her audience. And the I grew up with a lot of music. My Eacoustics? “The best,” Diamond says. aunties all sang, my mother sings. I The 40-year-old soul songstress grew up with someone always singing. stretched her body over the hard ground, beating it while singing a song What role has music played in helping she wrote in her cell called “I Am Her.” you overcome your hardships? She was serving a 10-year jail sentence Music was able to heal me in every at various men’s correctional facilities in moment, including my confinement. Flint for committing armed robbery, a That’s when it was the roughest for me, desperate attempt to fund her transition, because I didn’t have any support. So and “instead of just counting the days the family and friends that didn’t turn and wondering what day it is, I put all their back on me because of my gender the energy into music.” The men were identity, they turned their backs on me transfixed, moved. “These guys were because I was a criminal in their eyes. singing it,” she says, “and asking me to I had to really reflect and deal with sing it again.” myself. I was left to myself and there was Diamond was released from prison in nobody else. I had to reflect and be able 2009 with a passel of songs she’d written, to internalize a lot, and so I projected moved to New York City, and devoted a lot of that energy, both negative and her new life beyond bars to being on positive, into music and created what the front lines of transgender activism. at the time seemed to be like poems or In early 2016, out big-name producer just words that started with a story. Justin Tranter, whom she calls her “fairy With “I Am Her,” I said, “I want to be godmother,” was blown away by an a able to express all my feelings about the cappella performance she gave at a Trans church, the rejection from the church, Lives Matter event. Now, Diamond’s how nobody wanted to accept me empowered jail musings are free at last for being her,” and it talks about how, on her Tranter-produced debut EP, “Seen at the end of the day, I was by myself It All,” and a forthcoming full-length. and I was all right by myself. Being Do you think the world is ready for a trans, they wanted to punish me extra, they wanted to discard me of yard or major trans artist? telephone privileges for just being me. Definitely not, but the world wasn’t ready for Einstein and his theories What did your activism entail? either. The world wasn’t ready for It entailed a lot at different times. equality and wasn’t ready for slaves to Because there were different roles I be free. So, the world isn’t always ready played within activism, like survival sex for change, but change is always going worker activism – a lot of work around to happen. that. Because a lot of people wouldn’t care if (trans sex workers) got murdered How does it feel to know that you are a because nobody would question, and part of the change? so that was affecting a large part of our It feels absolutely amazing to be a community. Our most marginalized part of the change. In this climate, it’s part of the community is the part of especially important to be a part of the our community that is deprived of job solution and not a part of the problem, opportunities, of other resources, and so music is able to tap into the areas have to engage in survival sex work, that we weren’t able to tap into. We were because sometimes it’s our only option. definitely on the front lines protesting, Survival looks different for different marching and community organizing, people, and through my journey I’ve Photo: Ira Chernova and at the end of the day, if people are learned that. jamming to a tune, then we will be able We were trying to gather clothing for 16 BTL | August 23, 2018 www.PrideSource.com someone who was trapped in another state, on a lot, probably to the point that it’s driving so we would have to raise money in order him crazy. (Laughs) But he answers every call. to get a ticket for them to get back to a safe Navigating this already tough music industry, place because they were deprived food and you know, it’s sharks, so to have someone their clothes were taken. So these things were who is legit, to have someone who remotely established within a place that was supposed cares about you, not only you as an artist – the to do it, but it was us doing it. That’s what money that you can make or what you can do our activism looked like a lot of the times, – but who cares about you as a person and doing a lot of things that people don’t wanna your well being and how you’re gonna endure do. Our activism was protesting, was going this. to rallies, was going to march, was going to Washington, was going to all of these places What was going through your mind when Justin trying to change policies. Our activism just first contacted you after hearing “I Am Her”? looked completely different throughout the I completely thought it was a joke. I’ve been years. having people offer to sign me and to buy my song “I Am Her” since I was incarcerated. Do you consider your music activism? I do. In my music I believe that I touch things And why did you say no? that people don’t really touch. I talk about Because for me there were other songs what’s happening in that were on the our climate, and I shopping block! believe that the great (Laughs) But some artists that weren’t so songs really were popular were the artists The world near and dear to that were talking about me. “I Am Her” was what was happening one of them, and in their times and “wasn’t ready the album ones; I speaking against those wanted to hold onto things. So everything for Einstein those. So getting from “I Am Her,” which this email from became an anthem, to and his Justin talking about, “Keisha Complexion,” “Yeah, I wanna fly that is reclaiming you on out to LA,” beauty for the dark- theories I was like, “Yeah, complected woman suuuure.” (Laughs) or person. It’s dealing either. I just thought this with sexism, it’s dealing is one more person with activism, it’s that is gonna take dealing with self-care. ” me along for the There’s a part of my ride. I definitely song that talks about, didn’t take it yes, we’re fighting all these things in life, there serious. I told him, “Look, I can’t afford to go will always be oppression, but we have to have out to California and to the studio,” and he one day to just do us. Every element of my said, “No, I’m gonna pay for your hotel. I’m music is speaking to your spirit. gonna pay for your flight, I’m gonna pay for Recently, the people (told me they) wanna your food.” So, because we’re in the age of dance, so I said, “OK, OK. I’m gonna give you Google, I go on Google and turns out he’s a good music but something you’ll be able to person. dance to too.” So I’m making music now. One Our first meeting was at a Cyndi Lauper song is still in the activism world, but you’re performance. That was the first meeting and I still dancing on it. But the latest one I just was already impressed. Then he flew me and worked on has nothing to do with activism. my friend out to California. We were just like It’s just about you literally dancing. queens there. And then going into the studio for the first time – you know, a real studio Are you still working with Justin on those songs? – to me it was just like magic. Just being able I am working with Justin. I am able to work to record “Seen It All” and just the magic with other writers and producers as well, so of being in that space and in that moment we’ve got a mixture of some really good stuff. knowing where I came from and knowing We’ve been in the kitchen cookin’, and the where I was in that moment and what I had result is gonna be really delicious. accomplished despite all those odds. And that song was just perfect, of how I thought How does working with another queer person, I’d seen it all, and I really hadn’t. like Justin, affect the collaborative process? What’s so special about the relationship is, Chris Azzopardi is the editor of Q Syndicate, the well, I’m working with a friend now. Literally, international LGBT wire service. Reach him via he’s a person I can confide in, a person I can his website at www.chris-azzopardi.com and on trust, a person I can call on, a person I do call Twitter (@chrisazzopardi). www.PrideSource.com August 23, 2018 | BTL 17 Sarah Shook & the Disarmers at OTUS Supply in Ferndale Sarah Shook & the Disarmers does country music differently. A staunch LGBTQ rights activist, lead singer Shook blends her distinct lyrics into the band’s mix of twangy, punk-influenced sounds. The group’s latest album, “Years,” was released last April and has already caught the attention of publications like the New York Times, Chicago Tribune and Rolling Stone Country. The group will make its way to Ferndale’s OTUS Supply on Thursday, Aug. 23 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $12. More information about the group can be found online at otussupply.ticketfly.com.

or 734-780-4092. Trans Youth Support Monday, September 10 to all, group meets the 3rd Wednesday Group Facilitator – Joy Cavanaugh, of each month @ Emmanuel Lutheran OUTINGS LPC. Journey of Faith Christian Church, Stand with Trans 2018 Support Groups Church. Parent Support Group Faciitators Thursday, August 23 1900 Manchester Road,Ann Arbor. www. – Macomb County 6:30 p.m. Macomb Karen Sessler, [email protected] standwithtrans.org Teen/Youth Support Group: All youth are or 734-673-3590 and Scott Sessler, Stand with Trans 2018 Support Groups welcome to attend this FREE group. Come [email protected] or 734- – Farmington Hills – Oakland County and meet other trans* youth and teens 673-2485 Trans Youth Support Group (12+) 7:00 p.m. All youth are welcome to attend Thursday, August 30 and support each other through your Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 34567 7 Mile this FREE group. This group meets the 2nd Life Tour – Boy George and Culture journeys. Dakota High School, 21051 21 Road,Livonia. www.standwithtrans.org and 4th Thursday of the month at Orchard Club and The B-52s @ DTE Energy Mile Road,Macomb. 586-723-2700 www. United Methodist Church. Oakland United Music Theatre 7:00 p.m. HUGE news, chippewavalleyschools.org/schools/high- Methodist Church, 30450 Farmington 80s music fans!! Boy George and Culture schools/dhs/ Road,Farmington. 248-626-3620 www. Club are reuniting in 2018 for a huge oaklandumc.org www.standwithtrans.org North American tour with “The World’s Wednesday, September 12 Greatest Party Band,” The B-52s, with MUSIC & MORE Toastmasters International SpeakOUT! support from Tom Bailey of the DTE Stand with Trans Youth Support Group LGBTQ Meeting 7:00 p.m. Professional GEORGE BEDARD’S “FROM SWING TO Energy Music Theatre, 7774 Sashabaw – Flint – Genessee 6:30 p.m. Free to & personal communication skills SURF” August 25, 8:00 p.m. Bedard will Road,Clarkston. 248-377-0100 www. all, Trans Youth Support Group meets development. With better communications be joined by two longtime friends and dteenergymusictheatre.org/events/boy- the 2nd Wednesday of each month @ skills, you’ll better your leadership style former bandmates, Pianist Mark “Mr. B” george-culture-club/#.Wyqus6dKiUk Unitarian Universalist Congregation of as well as your relationships. Warm & Flint. Facilitator Sara Griffin, MA,LPC Braun and guitarist Steve Nardella. The welcoming members. Find out what is a psychotherapist and a parent of a Ark, 316 S.Main St.,Ann Arbor. 734-763- Toastmasters can do for you. Jim Toy Sunday, September 2 transgender son, [email protected]. TKTS www.theark.org Community Center, 319 Braun Court,Ann Stand with Trans 2018 Support Groups Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Satori Circus presents “The Choir” Arbor. 734-995-9867 lawrencemoebs@ – Adrian-Lenawee County 6:30 p.m. Flint, 2474 S. Ballenger Hwy,Flint. 810- August 25, 8:00 p.m. SATORI CIRCUS will gmail.com [email protected] FREE and OPEN to the community. For 232-4023 uuflint.org www.standwithtrans. present almost 30 years of original music https://speakout.toastmastersclubs.org/ parents of transgender kids, this group org with a new twist-by performing them with meets the 1st Sunday of each month a choir! SATORI CIRCUS, accompanied by Saturday, August 25 @ Hilltop Counseling For Trans Youth Thursday, September 13 a slew of Detroit and Port Huron friends, Support Group information, contact Golden Girls Trivia Night at Affirmations! will reinterpret original tunes for you. st. facilitator Socorro Sevilla, MSW: socorro@ Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber 3:00 p.m. Test your knowledge on the albertus, 4231 St. Aubin,Detroit. 313-831- hilltopcounseling.org. Hilltop Counseling, of Commerce Merge & Mixer 6:30 hilarious hit show, win fun prizes and 9727 www.stalbertus.org https://www. 115 W. Maumee Street,Adrian. 313-909- p.m. Michigan Employee Resource support your LGBTQ Community Center. facebook.com/events/418413538678610/ 5408 www.standwithtrans.org www. Groups for Equality (MERGE) Monthly Teams should consist of 2 to 5 people. hilltopcounseling.org Networking Event. All are welcomed to Metro Detroit Autoimmune Walk August Contact Kyle Taylor at Affirmations for network. Host by: Detroit Regional LGBT 26, 1:00 p.m. We walk to raise awareness, more information. Affirmations, 290 W. Chamber of Commerce. Check website to honor and support loved ones dealing Nine Mile Road,Ferndale. 248-398-7105 Tuesday, September 4 for monthly location, RSVP is Required. with autoimmune diseases and to help www.goaffirmations.org/programs- Stand with Trans 2018 Support Groups Soho, 205 W. 9 Mile Road,Ferndale. fund services and research. The day services/community-events-activities – Lake Orion / Oakland County 7:00 p.m. 248-542-7646 info@detroitlgbtchamber. includes speakers, exhibitors, giveaways, FREE and OPEN to the community. For com info@detroitlgbtchamber. music, and a Warriors Walk around the Tuesday, August 28 parents of transgender kids, this group com www.ferndalesoho.com www. Milliken State Park & Harbor, 1900 Atwater meets the 1st Tuesday of each month @ detroitlgbtchamber.com Strand with Trans Support Groups – Ann Street,Detroit. [email protected] St. Mary’s In-the-Hills Episcopal Church. Arbor – Washtenaw 6:30 p.m. Trans St. Mary’s In The Hills Episcopal Church, 2018 Voices – A Detroit Legacy Support Group meeting the 4th Tuesday of Wednesday, September 19 2512 Joslyn Court,Lake Orion. 248-391- September 27, 6:00 p.m. Save the date each month @ Journey of Faith Christian 0663 www.stmarysinthehills.org www. Stand with Trans Support Groups – for 2018 Voices, VIP Reception at 6pm, Church. Parent Support Group Facilitator standwithtrans.org Livonia – Wayne County 6:30 p.m. Free Main Event at 7pm. Tickets available – Yma Johnson, [email protected] 18 BTL | August 23, 2018 www.PrideSource.com 16th Annual Michigan Renaissance Festival Now through the end of September, fans of all things Elizabethan can take a leap back in time to visit the annual Michigan Renaissance Festival. Visitors can explore a 17-acre village and explore everything from period-appropriate games, music, shows, rides and much more. Full information on tickets, festival hours and more can be found online at michrenfest.com.

cuisine in Metro-Detroit. Downtown Royal olds, a quiet Canadian boy and a spirited ® Oak, Main St/Washington/Lafayette,Royal Arab girl, on a Canadian playground. Happenings Oak. artsbeatseats.com/ Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron Continued from p. 18 St,Ypsilanti. 734-480-2787 jkoppera@ Saline Antiques Market September spinningdot.org https://www.riversidearts. 9, 9:00 a.m. Since the Saline Antiques org/ www.spinningdot.org & Vintage Market debuted a few at www.ruthelliscenter.org Motor City years ago, it has been our goal to The Totalitarians by Pete Sinn Casino Sound Board, 2901 Grand River offer a quality monthly market for Nachtrieb September 7, 8:00 p.m. Ave.,Detroit. 313-309-4700 www. your buying enjoyment. Washtenaw Politician Penelope Easter is a disaster of motorcitycasino.com/soundboard.aspx Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann a candidate: impulsive and crass, with a www.ruthelliscenter.org/get-involved/ Arbor-Saline Road,Ann Arbor. closet full of skeletons. When she enlists attend-an-event/ 734-761-2796 salinemarket@gmail. the help of Francine, a silver-tongued com www.foodgatherers.org www. political operative, the two embark on a salineantiquesmarket.com madcap. Theatre NOVA, 410 w Huron,Ann Arbor. 734-635-8450 A2TheatreNOVA@ gmail.com www.theatrenova.org ART ‘N’ AROUND 21st Annual Ford Arts, Beats & Eats THEATER Returns to Royal Oak! August 31, 11:00 a.m. The festival offers more than 200 Spinning Dot Theatre presents “The performances on nine stages, a highly Mountain” August 25-26, 7:00 p.m. ranked Juried Fine Arts Show, and local The Mountain deals with anti-immigrant restaurants with some of the finest feelings from the lens of two eight-year-

www.PrideSource.com August 23, 2018 | BTL 19 The Frivolist: 7 Gay Tips For Throwing the Perfect Labor Day Party

BY MIKEY ROX much processed meat can one eat over the course of a few months? (I once attended a or many of us, Labor Day is summer’s last party where the box of frozen burgers said hurrah. It’s the weekend when we put away grade-A meat, not beef. No thank you!) Instead, the beach chairs, condition the twinks to treat your guests to grilled salmon, mushroom Fgo to bed earlier, and mentally prepare ourselves bruschetta, shrimp shish kebab, BBQ pizza, and for the colder seasons ahead. light-and-refreshing pasta salads that leave them Considering the depressing nature of all that satisfied but not stuffed. Labor Day symbolically signifies, it’s more than enough reason to throw one last shindig. To Create a signature cocktail make your final fun-in-the-sun party a success, Rather than buying umpteen bottles of here are a few things you can do to help your liquor to accommodate every drinker’s guests remember you fondly as they head into 4preference, choose one spirit to serve as the fall. main ingredient in a signature drink. An easy-breezy crowd pleaser is the adult Limit the guest list Arnold Palmer with one part sweet-tea vodka This won’t be as hard as it seems since and two parts lemonade poured into a pitcher a lot of people head out of town to get of ice. So the kids (and your alcohol-free guests) 1in that one last trip to the beach, woods, or don’t feel left out, create the same cocktail wherever else it is they wanna fuck to spice up in a virgin version. Add lemon wedges and their relationship after dark. fresh mint and serve. If you’re serving beer Evite is the eco-friendly alternative I live by as well, choose one full flavor and one light when sending out invitations – and perfectly beer selection – Corona and Amstel Light, for appropriate for a Labor Day fete – but more example. thoughtful DIY invitations can be made with Like the liquor, you don’t have to feel just a few steps. By keeping the list short, you’ll obligated to pick up a six-pack of everyone’s reduce the amount of prep and clean-up work favorite brew. E-mail your menu ahead of time you’ll have to do, and you’ll have more quality and inform guests that they’re welcome to bring time to spend with individual guests. anything that’s not on the list.

Decorate but don’t overdo it Don’t forget the desserts The old idiom “less is more” is in our Summer’s ending – and that calls for collective lexicon for a reason – a little comfort food. You don’t have to gorge your 2bit goes a long way. A few well-placed votive 5guests, but you should have a selection of sweets candles and brightly colored lanterns can make on hand to make your meal complete. For me, your patio pop while a simple yet well-dressed cake, cookies and pies are out this time of year. table can create an upscale aesthetic. Use real Basically anything that requires baking, I’m not plates and silverware instead of paper and plastic making – at least not in August. Root beer floats products, and keep cloth napkins together with are easy to assemble and enjoyed by many. Fill personalized party favors you made yourself. frosty mugs with a couple scoops of vanilla ice cream and top with root beer until a frothy Keep the menu simple but surprising head forms (you know what that looks like). Come August, most of us are sick of A fruity trifle is also an inspired choice (and it hamburgers and hot dogs – or at least the goes a long way), particularly if you layer it with 3gut-busting buns (why are we even werking store-bought pound cake, lemon curd, whipped out, kweens?!). cream, and fresh raspberries. Sure, they’re an American staple, but how 20 BTL | August 23, 2018 www.PrideSource.com 39 North and South states 12 “Hairspray” actress Zadora 40 One who says, “Let us prey” 13 Underhanded 43 In the hole 21 “American Pie” vixen 44 Gets ready to shoot off 22 Where to meet sweaty people 48 Plug attachment 23 USN officer 49 Begged for it on one’s knees 24 Broadway bio 51 Merry or like Mary, to Mimi 27 Middle X or O 52 Art of dwarfing plants 28 Inflated doll leak sound 54 Get it while you’re being serviced 30 Engrave with acid 56 1972 John Waters comedy 32 Bart Simpson’s sis starring Divine 34 Fruitful 60 Pasolini’s well 35 Rob of “The West Wing” 61 Dubuque denizen 36 “East of Eden” director Kazan 62 “Here ___ go?” 37 Object to 64 Family diagram 38 She played tomb raider Lara 65 “Bewitched” aunt 40 Soft toss 66 “Shall We Dance” star 41 Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, 67 R. Nureyev’s land, once e.g. 68 “Yes” in the navy 42 Some are bitches 69 Febreze target 45 Paid no mind to a gay bar hottie 46 Copland, for example 47 Title for John Gielgud Divine Comedy QPuzzle Down 49 Karachi’s country (abbr.) 1 Gay-com bridge 50 “The Opposite of Sex” director 19 Jazz singer Anita 2 Latin I verb Roos Across 20 1969 John Waters comedy 3 Letters to Troye Sivan, e.g. 53 Look from Rupert Everett in 1 Nutty as a fruitcake starring Divine 4 Foursome after a desertion “Inspector Gadget” 5 Prevents from scoring, with “out” 23 ___ loss for words 5 Herring varieties 55 Disco phrase 10 They call balls 25 Land whose front is a bottom? 6 Circles over Mary and Peter 57 “Damn Yankees” girl 14 Barbra’s “Funny Girl” guy 26 Some Bible versions: abbr. 7 Type of wedding candle 58 Out 15 Vietnam capital 29 How some fruits are sold 8 Saw opening about being human 59 Horse that isn’t hung like a horse 16 Type of Mary pass 31 Bones below elbows 9 Triangle-shaped peninsula 60 AC unit 17 Collette of “Connie and Carla” 33 1970 John Waters comedy 10 Oops! 63 Above, to Byron 18 Straight, to PlanetOut? starring Divine 11 “A League of Their Own” actress

Plan to play games Set a budget and start/end times A deck of cards is great to have on If the party is scheduled to end at 11 hand, but those games can last well into p.m., start winding it down around 9:30. 6the night – or morning. If you’re not a fan 7Slyly clear the table or whatever setup you’ve of cards, plan more active activities, like a erected, offer your guests coffee, ask them what water-balloon toss, egg races and a horseshoe their day looks like tomorrow, and thank them tournament. You may wince, but everyone for joining you. Except for the really hot ones; secretly still loves that stuff – so don’t let me offer them a place to sleep, obvi. If your guests hear your queer ass deny it. have had too much to drink, allow them to stay In addition, set up a slip-and-slide for the longer or overnight – even the unfortunate- otters (if you don’t have a pool, that is – they in-the-face ones (you’re doing God’s work need to show off young and wet somehow), tonight). and fill a festive piñata with candy and small If it’s a lingering twink, call their mom and “toys” for added enjoyment. an Uber. You’ll both be better for it in the morning.

www.PrideSource.com August 23, 2018 | BTL 21 COMMUNITY CONNECTION Queering Racial Justice Heads to Detroit

osted by the National LGBTQ and people of color spaces.” means one is oppressed in the same way Task Force, the annual Creating Weiss said that event will be not unlike as people of color — LGBTQ people of Change Conference has been Creating Change in terms of the variety color and otherwise,” Moberg said. “In Hvisting cities across the U.S. for over 30 of programming available to attendees. other words, somehow being white and years now. It’s an event with a focus on “Workshop topics range from sex LGBTQ exempts one from racism. Think: leadership and skills-building for the work, healing, facilitation, HIV and ‘My struggle is your struggle,’ or recall LGBTQ community, presenting a variety respectability politics, to storytelling and T-shirts and stickers and slogans that of programs, presentations, speakers and masculine of center women,” she said. gained popularity at the height of the more over the course of several days each The Task Force’s Leadership Programs movement for marriage rights: ‘Gay is year. And though the 31st annual event is Manager Daniel Moberg added that the the new Black.’” scheduled to visit Detroit in late January event, in addition to highlighting the This year, Moberg said that he is of 2019, those who are eager to attend experience of LGBTQ people of color, especially excited to expand on the Creating Change next year can look will also serve to clear up misconceptions success of the last two QRJ events. forward to a smaller “QRJ really preview event called sets out to be a Queering Racial space in which Justice. members of the “This event local community emerged for us as are able to come a way of holding together, share space for the stories and Detroit Repertory conversations that learn from one are needed in the another,” he said. LGBTQ space, “In particular, Theatre Hosts Second as well as in (a) we’ll learn POC (people of what it looks Arts & Culture Festival color) space,” said like for you, Evangeline Weiss, your neighbors, the Leadership Programs Director for about racism and existing biases within friends and colleagues to confront racism BY BTL STAFF the Task Force. “In racial justice work, we the LGBTQ community itself, too. For in daily life. As well, how that experience often talk about de-centering whiteness instance, the concept that the struggle intersects with what it means to also be On Saturday, Aug. 25 aficionados of local artists can and one way to do that is for white people of someone who is LGBTQ is exactly the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or come together for the second official Detroit Repertory to show up, listen and learn. Everyone is same as that of a person of color. queer. We are hopeful September’s event Theatre Arts & Culture Festival and Dream of Detroit welcome to attend the event. The 16 or so “As a biracial, light-skinned Latino/ will reflect this vision even more deeply Street Fair. From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., attendees can look breakout sessions will be led for the most white person — and gay, cisgender ally — than before.” forward to a variety of local artists, vendors, food, drinks, part by queer and trans folks of color, one of the dynamics I’ve seen perpetuated live music, theatre and much more. The free event is made lifting up the wisdom and the concerns in predominantly white, gay communities Visit www.pridesource.com to see a list of possible because of a grant from ART Ops – a group that that are presently holding space in queer is this idea that somehow being gay all the events. focuses on encouraging local arts organizations – and Community HeART – an organization that works to help children cope with sterile environments like hospitals or some school settings. Those interested in attending should a day of bargain hunting with its very own “The early part of the day is dedicated to kids, with go online to gaybe.am/WW for more Mom to Mom sale on Saturday Aug. 25 Detroit Imagination Works’ interactive arts activities, face information. Questions can be directed from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Kulick Community painting, balloon animals and puppetry plus a bounce to Kyle Taylor at ktaylor@goaffirmations. Center. house, basketball tournament, video game trailer and org or by calling 248-398-7105. “Mom to Mom Sales can be an a writing and acting workshop,” say event organizers. inexpensive way to stock up on children’s “WRENCH DETROIT will hold a bike repair workshop. clothing, and a convenient way to make (Attendees can) bring in bikes for repair or to donate.” Mom to Mom Sale in money by selling items your children have For those interested in the musical portion of the day, outgrown,” write event organizers. “Come they can look forward to Roar and Thunder, a youth drum Ferndale on Aug. 25 join Ferndale Parks and Recreation for a line that will launch the festival this year. fun day of light refreshments and bargain- Affirmations Hosts Golden When a child hits a growth spurt it’s “(There will be a) procession from Avalon Village in hunting.” likely that an outfit that fit just weeks Highland Park to the Theatre. Two outdoor stages will Girls Trivia Party Attendees are welcome to bring before is no longer the right fit. However, strollers, toy donations and as many present multidisciplinary performances; children’s theatre, Fans of Blanche, Rose, Dorothy and Ferndale Parks and Recreation is hosting gently used items as possible. Admission dance, a sneak peek of the upcoming DRT Season, spoken Sophia now have a chance to test their is $2 and children under 12 years old are word, live classical music, hip-hop, a Mardi Gras Second trivia skills against other hopefuls for free to enter. This event is cash only and Line, Swing, Jazz, Reggae and Funk,” write event organizers. prizes at Affirmations’ Golden Girls Trivia no pre-registration is necessary. “Over 50 artists and vendors will be selling a variety of Party. For $25, guests can create teams wares.” of two to five people and show off their The Kulick Community Center is located at knowledge of the TV show that ran from 1201 Livernois in Ferndale. Visit the event For more information about the day and a list of some of the 1985 to 1992 for seven seasons. In its page at oaklandcounty115.com/events scheduled performers, go online to detroitreptheatre.com. run, the show won a variety of awards in cluding a Primetime Emmy and three Golden Globes and accrued many trivia- worthy episodes. 22 BTL | August 23, 2018 www.PrideSource.com Find over 300 Non-Profit Listings Serving Michigan’s LGBTQ Online @ pridesource.com

AIDS/HIV Oakland University Gender Fair Michigan & Sexuality Center PO Box 6136 There are dozens of AIDS/HIV [email protected] Plymouth, MI 48170 Get Listed, Promote MICHIGAN'S LGBTQ ANNUAL MAGAZINE organizations and resources listed www.oakland.edu/gsc 877-432-4764, 313-556-2300 248-370-4336 Your Events at www.PrideSource.com. Here are fairmichigan.org 2018 - 2019 FREE • ONLINE • IN PRINT E N just three of them: Eastern Michigan Facebook.com/fairmichigan2016 You can add or update any O F G A G L S E M University listing by going to www. O E O N AIDS Walk Detroit LGBT Resource Center Know Your RIghts Project PrideSource.com and clicking T T Contact info@aidswalkdetroit. emich.edu/lgbtrc Outlaws U-M student group on Yellow Pages. Once you org or 248-399-9255 for more 734-487-4149 [email protected] submit your listing, our staff information. The walk takes place The Lawrence Tech LGBT 734-995-9867 will contact you to confirm INCLUDES your information. OVER 1,000 this year on Sunday, Sept. 15, 8:30 Resource Center LGBTQ-FRIENDLY You can add your event to BUSINESSES & a.m. at the Royal Oak Farmers ltu.edu/student_affairs/lgbt.asp ORGANIZATIONS Market Wayne State JIGSAW Older Adults the Pride Source Calendar Facebook.com/groups/ online and in print by going SAGE Metro Detroit to www.PrideSource.com Macomb County STD Clinic WayneStateJIGSAW 290 W. Nine Mile Rd. Ferndale, MI and clicking on Calendar, 27690 Van Dyke [email protected] 313-578-6812 then “Add Event.” Send Warren, MI 48093 sagemetrodetroit.org any press releases and SHOP THE RAINBOW 586-465-9217 Facebook: SAGE Metro Detroit From the Publishers of Support Equality Vendors http://health.macombgov. Community Centers announcements to editor@ www.Pridesource.com pridesource.com org/Health-Programs-HPDC- Michigan has nine active LGBTQ HIVAIDSCounselingTesting community centers, with a tenth Political planned in Lansing. Here are The LGBT and Allies Matrix Ryan White HIV/ three of them. Caucus of the Michigan AIDS Program Democratic Party 120 Parsons Street Find a digital version of PrideSource Magazine Jim Toy Community Center Facebook.com/TheLGBTA- Detroit, MI 48201 Ann Arbor CaucusoftheMDP online under Our LGBT Yellow Pages 888-226-6366 www.jimtoycenter.org. Stonewall for Revolution 248-545-1435 www.facebook.com/jimtoycenter www.facebook.com/ www.matrixhumanservices.org/ or follow them on Twitter @ stonewall4reolution programs/ryanwhite/ JimToyCenter. Find these resources online 319 Braun Court UNIFIED - HIV Health and Ann Arbor, MI Professional Groups Trans Sistas of Color Adoption Services Beyond 734-995-9867 Project AIDS/HIV Hotlines 3011 W. Grand Blvd. Suite 230 Detroit Regional LGBT 19641 W. 7 Mile Rd. in Detroit AIDS/HIV Organizations Chamber of Commerce Detroit, MI 48202 LGBT Detroit 313-537-7000 Ext 107 Alzheimer’s Association P.O. Box 32446 Animal Shelter 313-446-9800 Detroit [email protected] Detroit, MI 48232 Anti-Violence www.miunified.org www.lgbtdetroit.org. www.facebook.com/TSCOPD/ detroitlgbtchamber.com Archives/Collections Michigan HIV/STD Hotline www.facebook.com/lgbtdetroit 1-800-DET-LGBT Campus; Student and Alumni Groups 800-872-2437 @LGBTDetroit. Youth Cancer Support Groups 20025 Greenfield Road Choruses Detroit, MI Ties Like Me Ruth Ellis Center Community Centers Advocacy Phone: 313-397-2127 Professional networking events 77 Victor Street, Highland Park, MI Employee Resource Groups third Weds. 5:30 - 8 p.m. 48203 Equality Michigan Families and Parents Affirmations TiesLikeMe.org [email protected] 19641 W. 7 Mile, Detroit, MI Suits And The City Foster Care Ferndale Facebook: Ruth Ellis Center 313-537-7000 Lansing, MI Foundations and Funders http://goaffirmations.org 313-252-1950 equalitymi.org [email protected] Hotlines & Switchboards www.facebook.com/Affirmations/ Facebook.com/equalitymichigan www.suitsandthecity.org Labor Union or follow them on Twitter @ Ozone House Legal Organizations Campus GoAffirmations. 102 N. Hamilton Street Museums 290 W. Nine Mile Road Transgender Ypsilanti, MI Music Groups Ferndale, MI 734-662-2265 Currently there are 19 FtM Detroit National Organizations organizations listed as active online 248-398-7105 734-662-2222 https://www.facebook.com/ Political Organizations at www.pridesource.com/yellow FtMDetroit/ Professional Organizations pages. The following are some in Stand With Trans Legal [email protected]. Religious & Spiritual the southeast Michigan area: Farmington, MI Senior Living American Civil Liberties www.standwithtrans.org FtM A2 Ypsi Seniors U-M Ann Arbor Union of Michigan 248-739-9254 Social/Community Organizations [email protected] Spectrum Center Jay Kaplan, Staff Attorney, LGBT Sports https://www.facebook.com/ [email protected] Project Substance Abuse ftma2ypsi/ http://spectrumcenter.umich.edu 2966 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI Transgender Groups/Services 734-763-4186 www.aclumich.org Women’s Health 313-578-6800 Transgender Michigan Youth Services 23211 Woodward Ave. Ferndale, MI [email protected] www.transgendermichigan.org 800-842-2954 www.PrideSource.com August 23, 2018 | BTL 23 Third Annual Stand with Trans Family Picnic Draws Record Crowd

COMMUNITY CONNECTION nine support group locations with 16 been both informative and fun.” support groups since then. In addition to Hunter, there are a number Bill is the father of a transgender of other trans men who came out in middle daughter named Bella, who transitioned and high school who received support from when she was 6 years old. Stand With Trans early in the program. “I find it affirming to be able to talk Charley, Nolan, Jayson, Cecil, and Jay paused to other parents; find out they have their festivities to share with Between the gone through exactly the same steps we Lines what that did for them. have in discovering that their child or “It’s good having a community to fall infant is transgender,” he said. back on,” said Hunter. He explained that Bill appreciates the event, partly the organization brought them together as because it also gives him connection friends. Some of them had known each other with older trans people who can share before coming out, but they weren’t close hurdles they faced and how they until they began their transitioning process. overcame them. Jayson said that having a support system He noted that Bella doesn’t want helps him feel secure about his future as a people to know that she is trans, and trans man in a society that is still largely praised the school system she’s a part transphobic. “I used to be very unsure of of for hand-picking the teacher and myself.” classmates most likely to be accepting “Job discrimination is a big thing,” added of a trans student when she advanced Hunter. to the next grade. “People have misconceptions about trans Matt, a parent of a trans child, said he people,” Nolan said. “They think we are all too, finds Stand with Trans affirming. supposed to look and act a certain way.” “We started meeting and going The event brought together trans people through the parent group – it’s just of all age groups, along with their family nice to know that there are other people members, enjoying games and the spread who are in this world with us,” he said. of shared dishes. The crowd represented BY JEM ZERO Other parents of trans youth have people of various demographics, including expressed online what kind of impact Stand disabled participants and people of different round 160 people attended the third with Trans is having on their families. racial and ethnic backgrounds. annual Stand with Trans Family “I am a mother of a transgender teen. I “It was interesting for me to see all the Picnic on Sunday, Aug. 12 at Royal don’t know what I would do without the new faces,” said Keith. “It always makes me AOak Memorial Park. This is a significant guidance and unwavering support of SWT, feel great.” increase in attendance by families, youth, especially Roz Gould Keith. This group gives young children and adults. me hope and seems to be helping my teen The 4th Annual Trans Empowerment The first year Stand with Trans hosted feel less isolated and more hopeful,” wrote Workshop is on Oct. 6 at Orchard United the picnic, they had around 50 to 60 people Julie G. on the Stand with Trans website. Methodist Church, 30450 Farmington Road, attend. When asked to what she attributes “Stand with Trans has been a lifeline for Farmington Hills. Parents of trans individuals, this growth, founder of Stand with Trans our family,” wrote Jaye Lacerte. “The support trans youth (any and every identity) and young Roz Gould Keith said, “We have a broader and validation that we feel from other gender expansive children are invited for all reach. Our voice is bigger and louder and families, and from the leadership, has been day skill-building, learning and activities. more families are now working through tremendous. Our family has also participated Lunch and snacks are included. Registration their journey with their trans child. They in social events, like the summer picnic, and link coming soon. For updates, visit facebook. are looking for resources and community as the last two yearly conferences. These have com/standwithtrans or standwithtrans.org. it becomes more and more okay to do that.” Stand with Trans has been there since 2015 for young people and their parents to provide resources specifically for trans youth, including gender specialists and support groups with other families with trans members. After her son, Hunter, came out as trans, The third annual Stand with Trans Family picnic drew record Gould Keith said, “Little by little we cobbled crowds of almost 200 on Sunday, Aug. 12. Organizers said they together a plan. Five and a half years ago, are pleased with the increase and hope that it continues into nobody was talking about anything trans- the future. Photos by Jem Zero. related. We always knew we would support him, but we couldn’t find the resources. Once we started to tell our story, we discovered that there were so many other families out there who were in the same situation, and they needed community.” Stand With Trans has grown to host

24 BTL | August 23, 2018 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com August 23, 2018 | BTL 25 Deep Inside Hollywood BY ROMEO SAN VICENTE Anna Kendrick takes over Santa’s workshop in ‘Noelle’ It’s a sign of the times that films initially slated for theatrical release wind up moving to streaming platforms instead. It’s been a winning model for Netflix, stripping films of the stigma of “going straight to video.” And now that Disney is planning to launch its own streaming service, they’re going to need fresh content and not simply rely on your urgent, middle-age desire to re-watch “The Boatniks.” Welcome, then, the Christmas 2019 premiere of “Noelle” from Marc Lawrence (“Miss Congeniality”). Starring Anna Kendrick in the title role – last name “Claus” – it’s the story of Santa’s daughter taking over the toys-for-good-girls-and-boys operation in what we’re sure will be the smart, sardonic manner that has made her a queer Anna Kendrick. Photo: KathClick audience favorite. It co-stars Bill Hader, Shirley Maclaine, Billy Eichner, “Airplane!” star Julie few: Aaron Eckhart, Kathryn Hahn, Diane Hagerty and “Family Ties” dad Michael Gross. Lane, Radha Mitchell, Amanda Peet, Corey Originally planned for theaters, “Noelle” will Stoll, Isabelle Huppert, as well as “Mad Men” now be a part of that pending Mouse-stream, alums Christina Hendricks, John Slattery and and we’ll be home on our couch that December Jay R. Ferguson. But all we care about for now avoiding the multiplex for it. is the queer inclusive casting of “Veep”’s Clea DuVall and “Girls”’ Andrew Rannells. DuVall’s career assortment of characters have been all Fosse! Fosse! Fosse! over the map, but Rannells tends to play funny Brace yourselves, Broadway fans, because gay men, which always makes us happy from a it’s about to get serious on your television. You funny gay man representation standpoint. All want musical-theater legends as interpreted by of that to say we assume he’ll play a funny gay today’s musical theater A-listers? FX has what man here, too, and even if we weren’t already you need. They’ve given the greenlight to a in because we’re hardcore stans for “Mad Men,” limited series about legendary director and we’d make this appointment television. The choreographer Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon, show hits Amazon in October. his equally legendary dancer-actress spouse. Together, they shaped 20th-century musical- theater and created classic work that audiences Robin Roberts is having the love decades after the fact. The unnamed eight- Lifetime of her life episode series is from Lin-Manuel Miranda and Thomas Kail, who created and directed Robin Roberts is making movies for Lifetime “Hamilton,” and “Dear Evan Hansen” writer now. The cable network is already known for Steven Levenson, Tony Award winners all. their original movies (our favorite: “Baby Academy Award winner Sam Rockwell will star Monitor: Sound of Fear,” because seriously as Fosse and Oscar nominee Michelle Williams you guys) but now they’re really planning to will take on Verdon’s role. And, of course, the do battle with Hallmark, presumably improve show will feature Fosse’s choreography to the quality – hopefully not too much – pushing sweeten the downside of making it huge in out 75 of them in 2019. Roberts has signed on show business. And all that jazz. to produce a series under the banner “Robin Roberts Presents,” and they’ll be a mix of narrative features and documentaries. The ‘The Romanoffs’ cast Andrew first two will feature singer-activist Mahalia Jackson and adult kidnap survivor Alexis Rannells and Clea Duvall Manigo, and both films will be accompanied by Matthew Weiner, creator of “Mad Men,” has documentaries about their respective subjects. a new series in development, “The Romanoffs,” Now, Lifetime, please keep the prestige angle and it has a huge cast. That’s because it’s an balanced and hand the producing reins over anthology series that will revolve around to someone like John Waters. We need more eight different stories of people who believe stuff like “Pregnancy Pact.” themselves to be descendants of the Russian royal family. Listing them all would take up Romeo San Vicente sleeps with danger just like every bit of room in this column, so here’s a Tori Spelling.

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