3 Legislation to Amend Hate Crimes Law Introduced Barriers To Be Addressed at AIDS Walk Detroit

Clinton Remarks at LGBT Fundraiser

KT Tunstall on Why Kissing Girls Wasn’t Just a Phase and Channeling Her Masculinity

WWW.PRIDESOURCE.COM SEPT. 15, 2016 | VOL. 2437 | FREE

SAVE THE DATE CREEP OF THE WEEK

COVER 16 KT Tunstall on Why Kissing Girls Wasn’t Just a Phase AIDS Walk Detroit Coming Up Sept. 25 NEWS 4 Legislation to Amend Hate Crimes Law Introduced Texas Attorney General 6 HIV/AIDS Organizations to Address Barriers, Disparities at Ken Paxton AIDS Walk Detroit See page 11 8 Grassroots Movement Starts New Conversation About Controversial Social Issue 14 Clinton Speaks ‘Deplorable,’ Trump Talks Religious Protections MUSIC IN THE NEWS OPINION 10 Parting Glances 11 Creep of the Week: LIFE 16 KT Tunstall on Why Kissing Girls Wasn’t Just a Phase, Admiring Gender-Fluid Teens and Channeling her Masculinity 19 Cool Cities: Ann Arbor to Raise Tobacco Purchases to 21 20 Happenings 22 Hear Me Out 24 Classifieds 25 Puzzle and Comic 26 Deep Inside Hollywood Hear Me Out ‘Out of SIlence’ Grassroots Movement Starts New Conversation SeeSee page page 22 18 About Controversial Social Issue See page 8

VOL. 2437 • SEPTEMBER 15, 2016 EDITORIAL CREATIVE ADVERTISING & SALES ONLINE AT ISSUE 981 Editor in Chief Webmaster & MIS Director Director of Sales Susan Horowitz, 734.293.7200 x 12 Kevin Bryant, [email protected] Jan Stevenson, 734.293.7200 x 22 “Between The Lines Newspaper” PRIDE SOURCE MEDIA GROUP [email protected] [email protected] 20222 Farmington Rd., Livonia, Michigan 48152 Contributing Writers Entertainment Editor Sales Representatives Phone 734.293.7200 Charles Alexander, Michelle E. Brown, Follow us @YourBTL Chris Azzopardi, 734.293.7200 x 24 Emell Derra Adolphus, Todd Heywood, Ann Cox, 734.293.7200 x 13 PUBLISHERS [email protected] Gwendolyn Ann Smith, Amy Lynn Smith [email protected] Email your op–eds to Susan Horowitz & Jan Stevenson Senior News Editor Cartoonists Donelle Kremke, 734.293.7200 x 16 [email protected] MEMBER OF Kate Opalewski, 734.293.7200 x 10 Paul Berg, Dave Brousseau [email protected] [email protected] Sign up online to receive our E–Digest Michigan Press Assoication Contributing Photographers National Advertising Representative National Gay Media Association Assistant Editor Andrew Potter Rivendell Media, 212.242.6863 National Gay & Lesbian Chamber Shelby Clark Petkus, [email protected] Alexander Godin Q Syndicate Our rate cards are available online. All material appearing in Between The Lines is protected by federal copyright law and may not News Writers be reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publishers. Between The Lines is supported by many fine advertisers, Todd A. Heywood but we cannot accept responsibility for claims made by our advertisers, nor can we accept responsibility for materials provided by Jason Michael advertisers or their agents. AJ Trager, [email protected] Copyright 2016 Pride Source Media Group www.PrideSource.com September 15, 2016 | BTL 3 NEWS Legislation to Amend Hate Crimes Law Introduced BY TODD HEYWOOD “Disappointed,” said Jones about the referral to a different Committee. “I would LANSING – A Senate bill to amend have preferred to have had both hate crime Michigan’s Ethnic Intimidation Act to include bills be referred to the Senate Judiciary bias crimes perpetrated against the LGBT Committee. They would have had a hearing community has been sent to the Government on the same day.” Operations Committee. Jones, who has opposed such legislation “Normally, that’s the committee where in the past, became a lead co-sponsor in June things go to die,” said Sen. Steve Bieda after details of a series of anti-gay assaults in (D-Warren), who introduced the legislation. the Lansing area in November became public. “Leadership has told me it normally sends At least eight men were targeted through hate crimes legislation to that committee and Craigslist by two men - Adrian James Tupper that it doesn’t mean it’s dead. But history says and Christopher Aaron Spyker. Both men enter otherwise.” guilty pleas earlier this year and were each Bieda, along with Republican Sen. Rick sentenced to 17 to 55 years in prison. Jones of Grand Ledge, introduced the In addition to this series of attacks, Jones legislation in June. Sens. Curtis Hertel Jr. said the assault and shooting spree at Pulse (D-Meridian Township) and Tory Rocca nightclub in Orlando - he calls it “a tragedy” - (R-Sterling Heights) also co-sponsored the played a role in his change of mind on the laws. bill. Bieda, Jones and Rocca all serve on the For Hertel, the Senator representing Senate Judiciary Committee - with Jones most of Ingham County, the referral was serving as the Committee’s chair. “disappointing, but not surprising.” In June, senators thought the bill would be He said it was indicative of the “GOP referred to Judiciary. That committee generally leaderships” refusal to do anything to “expand handles legislation dealing with new criminal the rights of the LGBT community.” laws and reforming such laws. Jones was also Bieda and Jones said that if the bill dies in expecting legislation to make deliberately Committee this session, they will re-introduce targeting a law enforcement officer a form of a the legislation next year. hate crime. That legislation has been proposed, “I am hopeful that sometime in the near but not yet introduced, by Sen. Mike Kowall future we’ll have a hearing,” Bieda said, “and (R-White Lake). Kowall also serves as Senate it will land on the governor’s desk.” Majority Leader.

Ruth Ellis Center Hosts Annual Voices Fundraiser

DETROIT – Voices isn’t just a fundraising primary healthcare services, REC will take a event to support the incredible work happening critical step forward to meet the ever-changing at the Ruth Ellis Center in Highland Park. needs of the young people they serve. Read “It is an opportunity to share in an more about REC’s partnership with the extraordinary legacy that continues to impact Henry Ford Health System online at www. hundreds of young people each year,” REC pridesource.com.. Director of Development Mark Erwin- Erwin-McCormick said, “Being surrounded McCormick said about their annual gala on by people who have given their time, energy Sept. 22 at the Waterview Loft at Port Detroit. and resources so that LGBTQ youth, especially The Voices event, presented by Lear those rejected by their families, have a safe Corporation, provides critical funding to place to learn, grow, and be celebrated for support REC’s annual operations while who they are, just as they are, is one of the also celebrating its dedicated and generous most powerful experiences I have ever had supporters, whose voices have allowed REC to the privilege to share in.” serve runaway, homeless and at-risk LGBTQ A a VIP reception from 6-7 p.m. is followed youth for 16 years. other festivities from 7-10 p.m. Guests can These LGBTQ young people are living enjoy a strolling dinner, complimentary wine, in one of the most medically-underserved beer and cocktails, a silent auction, short cities in the state of Michigan and will now program and more. Tickets, from $175-275, have access to mental health, substance are available at www.RuthEllisCenter.org use disorder treatment and prevention, and Individuals, business owners, and primary healthcare. corporations wishing to support Voices Voices also celebrates REC’s new Health through event sponsorship are encouraged and Wellness Center scheduled to open this to contact Erwin-McCormick at Mark. year to expand their services in Highland Park [email protected] for more and Detroit. information. By adding integrated behavioral and

4 BTL | September 15, 2016 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com September 15, 2016 | BTL 5 NEWS HIV/AIDS Organizations to Address Barriers, Disparities at AIDS Walk Detroit BY KATE OPALEWSKI

In the past 25 years, AIDS Walk Detroit has evolved into the largest grassroots HIV/AIDS fundraiser in Michigan, raising more than $3.8 million to benefit HIV/AIDS services in the state. Just as AIDS Walk Detroit has progressed, so have the many local HIV/ AIDS organizations that provide access to high quality, life-extending care, free from stigma and discrimination. Coming off a milestone last year, AIDS Walk Detroit Development Coordinator Carissa Rys said HIV/AIDS is “still something that needs attention.” There is still an HIV epidemic, and it remains a major health issue for the U.S. as reported by the Obama Administration in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, updated in July 2015 to reflect the accomplishments and the lessons learned since the original strategy was released in 2010. But there is a lot of work to be done. There are 50,000 new diagnoses each year. That rate has held steady since the mid-1990s, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, so the number of people living with HIV continues to rise. Looking ahead, the strategy details the principles and priorities to guide the collective national work to address HIV in the U.S. by AIDS Walk Detroit 2016, presented by Delta Air Lines, challenges its supporters to help raise $225,000 through this year’s event on Sept. 25 at the Royal Oak Farmers the year 2020. Market. So the goal now, Rys said, is to “get back sex using lubricants and condoms and still It could be that HIV and AIDS have fallen be healthy today. So his perception, she said, to making sure we increase awareness and decrease your risk,” she said. off young people’s radars. is that the disease is not serious. continue to support those people locally who Secord told TSE that it can be difficult to “It’s so commonplace. The hype is gone. We While people living with HIV have a much are affected by and infected by the virus. We have conversations about safe sex, and she have more tests and treatments. We know more better chance of surviving and living a higher want everybody to come out and support the is “very concerned” about the increase in about the virus. We don’t see commercials or quality of life now, Leonard said, “please be cause and make those donations which go numbers and lack of education. magazines stories like we did ten years ago,” informed about who you’re with and get the directly to HIV/AIDS organizations to fund said Bridget Leonard, a registered nurse and appropriate testing.” their programs and services.” director of Patient Care Services, Nursing But not enough people get tested, either Both at-risk youth and other people living New Infections Office Operations at the Detroit Medical because they don’t know they should, or with HIV can benefit greatly from these “It’s 2016 and we still get phone calls from Center’s Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan. because they can’t access the tests. That’s kinds of fundraising events which attract people asking if it’s safe to be around people As president of the newly-formed Detroit why AIDS Walk Detroit brings public health organizations such as the Horizons Project, a with HIV,” she said. “Hello…you are around chapter of Black Nurses Rock, Leonard groups together to help improve people’s highly-acclaimed program of the Wayne State people with HIV. Whether you know it or not, organized a team for their first AIDS Walk understanding of the disease and to provide University School of Medicine. we have an epidemic.” Detroit in support of family members and information about how and where to get tested. Representatives from the Horizons Health Secord said that while needle-swapping is friends who have been affected by HIV/AIDS. Those that do find out they’re HIV-positive Center in Detroit will create awareness at risky, college students having unprotected sex “Today, everyone knows someone who sometimes can’t or won’t take the medicine AIDS Walk Detroit about the resources young are much more likely to contract HIV than has it or had it. We are walking for them,” that keeps the virus in check. Like PrEP, for people have available to them at the clinic. intravenous drug users. she said, adding that she is proud to have 139 example. If the prescription drug is taken Dr. Elizabeth Secord, who sees up to 25 In 2015, the Michigan Department of Health members already in their group of nurses as of daily it reduces the risk of contracting HIV patients a day, warned young people to use and Human Services estimated that 18,800 April 2016 that are committed to giving back via intercourse by more than 90 percent and condoms and talk about sex in a recent article people in the state were living with HIV. Of to their community. more than 70 percent via intravenous drug use. by The South End. all teens diagnosed in the last five years, 82 When having “the talk” with her 17-year- But without insurance, it can cost more than “It’s important to speak to healthcare percent are African-American, of which 64 old son about HIV, Leonard said he referred $1,000 a month. providers, HIV workers or someone who percent are gay or bisexual, according to the to Magic Johnson, someone who acquired the When an HIV positive individual takes can tell you how to increase pleasure with MDHHS. disease more than 20 years ago and appears to medication as prescribed, they can reach

6 BTL | September 15, 2016 www.PrideSource.com a point when they have an “undetectable Michigan. viral load.” This means that there is no UNIFIED President and CEO William active virus in their blood and if an HIV test VanHemert points to a number of positive was administered, their infection would be things happening to reduce disparities, to raise undetectable. This has contributed to changing awareness and educate elected officials at the HIV from a death sentence to a manageable local, state and federal levels about the HIV/ condition, and drastically reduces the risk of AIDS epidemic in the community. transmission. Several studies have shown that MFierce (Michigan Forward in Enhancing the risk of passing on the virus when a person’s Research and Community Equity), a coalition viral load is undetectable is near zero. working to reduce the burden of STIs among young gay and bisexual men and transgender women, launched UNIFIED’s new Health Status and Treatment Access Initiative this year. The three-year Right now, one of the biggest barriers is project by the University of Michigan’s the cost. HIV/AIDS organizations nationwide Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities is are advocating to make medications more funded by the CDC’s Community Approaches affordable and available. to Reducing STIs Grant. MFierce provides People living with HIV/AIDS can no longer training and technical assistance to local be discriminated against on the basis of their health centers and clinics to provide culturally- HIV/AIDS status or other pre-existing health responsive care to LGBTQ+ youth. conditions when seeking healthcare coverage An MDHHS reports that as of July 2015 because of the Affordable Health Care Act. there were 146 transgender people ever Thousands more people living with HIV/AIDS diagnosed with HIV in Michigan, 113 of have access to Medicaid or a Marketplace whom are living. Of the 113, 44 percent had health insurance plan. And for people who a diagnosis of stage 3 HIV infection, or AIDS. already have healthcare coverage, there are U-M is leading a national study, Affirming new limits on out-of-pocket spending and Voices for Action, to learn more about how other protections to make coverage more transgender and gender non-conforming secure. youth navigate the healthcare system for HIV But in the fast-changing insurance prevention services and care. The study will environment, Teresa Roscoe, Executive help identify optimal HIV services to teens and Director of Health Emergency Lifeline young adults ages 16-24 who have a gender Programs in Detroit, said they see ongoing identity or gender expression that differs from challenges for people with HIV/AIDS to the sex they were assigned at birth. manage their health insurance needs. VanHemert said UNIFIED has hosted “Having good coverage is vital for people house parties, for example, which seems like to stay in care and remain adherent with a “natural fit” to bring together transgender medications. Many of our clients also have people to increase PrEP distribution within financial hardships and struggle to meet the MSM community. their basic needs,” Roscoe said. “Finally, we UNIFIED is also working with the Michigan encounter among some people, particularly Coalition for HIV Health and Safety talking in younger age groups, a reluctance to get to legislators about a modernized HIV treatment due to concerns about stigma, criminalization bill. In Michigan, a person feeling overwhelmed with their diagnosis and living with HIV can go to prison for up to the burdens of managing a chronic illness.” four years for not disclosing their status before In an effort to reduce stigma, UNIFIED – any sexual activity, even if there is little or HIV Health and Beyond launched a Status no risk of transmission. HIV is the only virus Sexy campaign. in Michigan that has a felony to which it is “We believe that there is nothing more sexy attached. Studies have shown that these laws than confidence. Confidence in yourself, in don’t deter behavior or increase disclosure your partner and in the bedroom. One way for but deter HIV testing, accessing treatment for us to gain that confidence is to know our HIV those living with HIV and increase stigma and status,” according to the campaign website. discrimination. In 2015, AIDS Partnership Michigan and At AIDS Walk Detroit, UNIFIED will The HIV/AIDS Resource Center brought showcase and present to the community what together more than 60 years of experience and the organization is all about, still rooted in HIV, expertise in a merger that created UNIFIED, but focusing on ‘and beyond.’ which services 10 counties in Southeast VanHemert said, “We are excited to make Detroit known for the great work that we do.” AIDS Walk Detroit on Sept. 25 starts around SAVE THE DATE 8:30 a.m. at the Royal Oak Farmers Market. For more information, visit the website www. AIDS Walk Detroit aidswalkdetroit.org or call 248-399-WALK (9255). Sept. 25 >> www.aidswalkdetroit.org

www.PrideSource.com September 15, 2016 | BTL 7 NEWS Champ or Chump? Grassroots Movement Starts New Conversation Find out everything you need to know about which Michigan legislators support Women’s Rights by reviewing the advocacy arm of Planned Parenthood’s 2016 Choice About Controversial Social Issue Status Sheet. PPAM identifies the Champs, a state legislator that stands up for women’s MOASH Presents ‘Out of Silence: Abortion Stories from the 1 in 3 Campaign’ health. No matter what. And the Chumps, a state legislator who attempts to undermine BY KATE OPALEWSKI women’s health by introducing policies that harm women and families. Many of us have heard about a woman’s For more information about how to contact right to choose, but how many of us have heard local Champs and Chumps, visit PPAM’s a woman’s personal story about her abortion website http://miplannedparenthood. experience? Members of the community org/champs-and-chumps to give them will have the opportunity to hear and react to important feedback about the bills that real abortion stories during “Out of Silence: they are supporting in Lansing. By sending Abortion Stories from the 1 in 3 Campaign,” a an email or making a phone call, you’re unique performance presented by the Michigan making your voice heard and influencing Organization on Adolescent Sexual Health in future policy decisions. collaboration with the Students for Choice group at the University of Michigan. “There’s a human element that the Trans Pregnancy and performance emphasizes which you don’t Abortion Rescue always find in other activism spaces, where it’s easy to get caught up in divisive political TPAR is an online hub that provides rhetoric. A theatre storytelling project like inclusive, relevant information on a this offers a different format and perspective, full range of reproductive options for and one that promotes empathy and a sense transgender people. This includes, but is The Out of Silence vignette titled “Charlie” features actors Shanya Blass and Celeste Jones portraying a lesbian of connection with audience members. I couple needing abortion care. Photo courtesy of Lloyd Wolf not limited to gender-neutral pregnancy personally think that this kind of performance- and abortion information, trans-specific Team and the 1 in 3 Campaign student activists. one promoting women’s rights and reproductive based activism is the most powerful. After all, pregnancy and abortion information, and “It’s kind of incredible what happens when justice, but we are intentional about including you can argue definitions, statistics, etc. all day information on trans-friendly providers in you create a space that is safe, welcoming and many sexual orientations and gender identities but you can’t argue a story. You can’t argue with Michigan. supportive,” she said. When the campaign in an effort to show how safe access to abortion someone’s lived experiences. And that’s what TPAR is working with the Michigan organized in 2012, they collected around 40 services is important for everyone. Our goal is we need to listen to a lot more,” said Brittany Abortion and Pregnancy Network to stories from individuals throughout the country. to highlight the range of circumstances and the Batell, project organizer for the performance in ensure safe and inclusive environments for In 2015, the campaign launched its campus complexities involved in the decision to seek her capacity as an intern with MOASH. LGBTQ+ individuals, and is in the process rollout of Out of Silence, making the play abortion care, in order to deepen our audience’s The show, on Sept. 16 at 8 p.m. at the Lydia of checking out every clinic listed on the available for students to perform for free on their understanding of the issue and perhaps inspire Mendelssohn Theatre in Ann Arbor, consists MAP Network website to make sure they’re own campuses. Since then, 83 campuses have them to engage in sexual and reproductive of nine vignettes, eight of which are from the safe and welcoming places for everyone, signed up and there have been 25 performances health advocacy,” Batell said. official Out of Silence script through Advocates including trans people. The MAP Network under the guidance of playwright Jacqueline E. This includes transgender and gender- for Youth and the 1 in 3 Campaign, and one is already committed to trans-inclusive Lawton. As of today, Tripathy said they have a nonconforming individuals that also opt to is an original work written by a MOASH funding for abortion care, trans-friendly total of 1,100 stories, many of which are used terminate pregnancies. cast member. There will be a talkback panel transportation and lodging, information as source material for the scripts which explore “We have at least one story that we know following the performance so audience about Michigan providers, information on situations, relationships, emotions and logistics of as part of our collection from someone who members can hear from organizers, researchers, STI’s and STD’s, birth control, abortion, that contextualize a woman’s decision to seek identified themselves as trans. We might have health professionals and others working for healthy sex, pregnancy, pregnancy testing abortion care. At times these stories, which other stories from trans storytellers, but they abortion access in the state. This will also allow and more. Visit t-par.tumblr.com for more affect women of all ages, are heartbreaking, did not self-identify in the story. And that’s audience members the opportunity to reflect on information. funny, and even commonplace, but are always okay. Though our campaign takes its name their own thoughts, feelings, and experience thought provoking and honest. from the statistic that ‘1 in 3 women will have with the show. “That’s what is great about storytelling. an abortion…,’ what roots the campaign is “We are giving young people a way to We don’t have to theorize about why people honoring people’s lived experiences, whoever ‘Out of Silence’ Tickets talk about the extremely politicized and need abortions. We can just see for ourselves they might be,” said Rachel Cooke, associate controversial issue. The strategy is to shift Tickets for the performance can the plentiful reasons why they do,” she said. director of communications at AFY. “We try the narrative around abortion on campus, but be reserved in advance online at “Sometimes these stories are as simple as I to be as inclusive as possible in our language, also on a national level. Theatre has been an outofsilencemi.splashthat.com. There got pregnant and didn’t want a child and had defaulting to ‘people’ rather than ‘women’ integral part of cultural change historically,” is a suggested donation of $10 per an abortion. Sometimes they are incredibly whenever possible…we include stories from said Shomya Tripathy, Youth Activist Network ticket and $5 for every additional ticket complicated.” the trans community, stories from the religious Manager for AFY. The non-profit organization reserved. Proceeds will go toward show community, stories in Spanish, etc. This based in Washington, D.C. has championed expenses and other reproductive justice campaign wins and culture is changed when efforts since 1980 to help young people make organizations in Michigan. Find out more all those stories are shared.” informed and responsible decisions about their on the Out of Silence Facebook event page LGBT-Inclusive Abortion Care Such as the the powerful vignette, “Charlie,” reproductive and sexual health. at bit.ly/outofsilencemi. which opens with the line, “Lesbians don’t Tripathy coordinates the Campus Organizing “The message of Out of Silence is certainly

8 BTL | September 15, 2016 www.PrideSource.com have abortions. Because we don’t have Cooke said. “That these restrictions are the ‘unplanned’ pregnancies. Our pregnancies are things that are harming women and families, very ‘planned.’ Painstakingly and inescapably not abortion itself, which is a very safe and ‘planned.’” common procedure.” Cooke explains this story is a bit more Fewer than 0.5 percent of women obtaining heartbreaking than some others because this abortions experience a complication, and is a wanted pregnancy, but unfortunately they the risk of death associated with abortion are not able to continue the pregnancy for the is about one-tenth that associated with health of the fetus. childbirth, according to research reported by “It’s not always easy or affordable for same- the Guttmacher Institute. sex couples to conceive a child. There is great cost, and more than a few indignities that come Michigan Restrictions with it,” she said. “It’s important to talk about all of our experiences with abortion, and to be The following are Michigan abortion as inclusive as possible. Abortions happen, and restrictions in effect as of December 2015: people need them, and that includes same-sex - A woman must receive state-directed couples.” counseling that includes information designed Planned Parenthood of Michigan, a leader to discourage her from having an abortion in the state for reproductive and sexual health and then wait 24 hours before the procedure care services, strives to be sensitive to the is provided. individual needs of every patient, regardless - Abortion is covered in private insurance of their sexual orientation or gender identity. policies only in cases of life endangerment, "We care for all men, women, and teens, unless an optional rider is purchased at an regardless of their sexual orientation or gender additional cost. identity, at 20 health centers throughout - Health plans that will be offered in the the state. Our clinicians receive specific state’s health exchange under the Affordable training on the potential health needs and Care Act can only cover abortion in cases concerns of LGBT patients, and how those when the woman's life is endangered, unless may differ from heterosexual patients. an optional rider is purchased at an additional PPMI offers unbiased, accurate information cost. about the options available for continuing - Abortion is covered in insurance policies or terminating pregnancy. Medical protocols for public employees only in cases of life for abortion services do not vary due to one’s endangerment. gender identity," said PPMI spokesperson - The use of telemedicine for the performance Julie McKeiver, adding that the organization of medication abortion is prohibited. supports the 1 in 3 Campaign and its effort to - The parent of a minor must consent before destigmatize abortion. an abortion is provided. McKeiver said, "Our hope is that all women - Public funding is available for abortion can feel safe and secure in making the best only in cases of life endangerment, rape or decisions for themselves and their families, incest. without government intrusion into their In 2015, 27,151 induced abortions were personal lives." reported by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Further restrictions will apply as Gov. Rick Why now? Snyder passed additional laws in June 2016 “Those who are anti-abortion are really backed by Right to Life Michigan. HB 4787 pushing a lot of bans and restrictions… will add to the state’s current anti-extortion/ they can’t make it illegal, so they make it coercion provisions by making coercion to inaccessible,” Cooke said. abort a specific crime, and HB 4830 will Cooke points to the June 2016 U.S. make violations punishable with fines of up Supreme Court decision in Texas, Whole to $10,000. Abortion facilities in Michigan Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt when the now will be required to screen women for justices ruled 5-3 that HB 2, a law restricting coercion and post a notification that coercion abortion access, was unconstitutional after it to abort is illegal. forced more than half of the abortion clinics in Many critics note that the Michigan laws the state to close. Following that decision, the do not include language that protects people court refused to hear cases involving similar forced into carrying a pregnancy to term and laws in Mississippi and Wisconsin. only focuses on those who are forced into This case represents the most significant terminating a pregnancy. victory for abortion rights at the high court So the goal then, Tripathy said is “to never since the turn of the century, as states have have to ask ‘why now?’ We don’t want to scrambled to pass and defend similar laws be responding to restriction after restriction. across the country, in an effort to chip away the We want to create a culture where these landmark Roe v. Wade decision, which made restrictions can’t exist. We want young people abortion legal in the U.S. in 1973. to lead this movement, care about this topic, “This hopefully will wake up some minds and give them the opportunities and the tools about what it means to access abortion in this to continue this fight.” country and the challenges that people are facing and how it really is harming women,” www.PrideSource.com September 15, 2016 | BTL 9 Memory Goes Back to School Parting Glances OPINION BY CHARLES ALEXANDER

hirty-five right. Twenty-five left. Fifteen right. Click! After 60- plus years I can still recall my locker combination at Harry Burns THutchins Intermediate School, located on Detroit's west side. I can also rattle off 30 names of my Homeroom 223 classmates: Lenore Abramowitz, Roland Anderson, Judith Berkowitz, Lois Carmichael, Thomas Diamond, Henry Gonte (forever combing his blond hair), Kenny Lenseski (my persistent – and most welcome – gym wrestling buddy), Ella Maxwell, the Wassermans, Melvin and Saul... Most classmates were Jewish; a few, black. Hutchins, built in 1922 as a model intermediate school, was located near three synagogues, and when the high holidays fell, only a few "goyim" attended classes. We gentiles looked forward to these celebrations, wishing our Jewish buddies mitzvahs. Hutchins wasn't my neighborhood school. My mom got Detroit Board of Education permission for me to attend. She felt nearby Jefferson Intermediate was too rough for me. Each morning for three years, 15 cents plus bus card, I rode safely two miles to Woodrow Wilson and Blaine. Coming from a poor family, I found prototype Hutchins palatial. Up-to-date library. Wood and print shops. Two gyms. Two swimming pools. Ample auditorium. Staffed cafeteria serving 30-cent lunches. A Transmissions string orchestra. (I learned to play cello.) A school song. A "Hutchins Handbook," with rules of conduct to be loyally and strictly followed. Or else! Face no-nonsense Ass't. Principal Luther Hale. Unseen on the Silver Screen Along with academic subjects, I learned to type, balance business ledgers, write for the Hutchins Star (as contest editor), speak some Oscars list, and failed both critically and financially. Spanish, shoot basketballs, do woodwork and soldering, practice BY GWENDOLYN ANN SMITH Two months after Stonewall, The Danish Girl hit public speaking, act, and explore my nascent art talent with two gifted Living in a time that’s supposedly beyond the theaters. This told a strongly fictionalized account of art teachers. “Transgender Tipping Point,” as Time magazine declared the life of Lili Elbe and her partner, Gerda Wegener. The My homeroom teacher, who also taught math, was Miss Harriet B. in May of 2014, can be strange. film, veering from Elbe’s own biography and history, Gaston. (I can still forge her hall pass initials.) "What's under the crust While movies with transgender characters seem also presents its audience with a trans story that will be of a cherry pie?" "Who's buried in Grant's tomb?" she'd prompt when increasingly commonplace, the main roles are still unfamiliar to most trans people, while fitting assumptions I was on the verge of answering the yet unrecognized obvious answer given to non-transgender male actors who are somehow by the non-transgender that trans people are little more during remedial sessions. showing their compassion and speaking out for our than hyper-feminine fetishists. I got A's in gym, not because of any sports prowess, but because marginalized community while taking jobs from actual In the wake of the success of Dallas Buyer’s Club - I printed well and wrote out attendance slips for two classes. I had transgender performers. and the disappointments that were Stonewall and The swimming once a week. We swam naked, and were shyly curious in the In late-2013, Dallas Buyer’s Club hit the screens. Danish Girl - comes yet another “wretched transgender shower to see who had pubic hair status. (I was a washout on that score.) The film is a story about AIDS-patient Ron Woodroof sidekick played by a non-transgender white male.” This My most embarrassing moment: the day the girl's gym teacher caught smuggling drugs for himself and his friends through time, it is Matt Bomer as a trans sex worker in Mark me whistling above as the girls passed carefree by an open second-floor the eponymous Texas city. In it, actor Jared Leto plays Ruffalo’s upcoming feature film Anything. The story, window. My punishment – concocted with HBG's stern, but amused, “Rayon,” a fictional trans woman named for a fabric. based on Timothy McNeil’s play of the same name, approval – was to spend one full gym period in my pristine white gym She dies before the final reel, but not before helping to focuses on Early, a suicidal widower who meets Freda, shorts among the girl's gym class. redeem the main character and keep the club going. Leto a trans woman who shows up on his doorstep beaten and "Girls: young Mr. Alexander, who was impolite enough to ogle you, won an Academy Award for his portrayal. He accepted bloody. The story ends up being about their relationship is our embarrassed guest today," said Miss Reba Kelly. "I suggest you his award in white tux and full beard. in spite of their varied backgrounds. politely ignore him." And ignore me they did, 'til a fire alarm sounded, When criticized by transgender people about being As word spread about the film in trans circles, Mark and I had to march out onto the sports field, where staff, students, God a non-trans male in a trans role, he opted to defend it, Ruffalo took to Twitter to defend the casting, pointing (and surely all Orthodox Detroit) bore amused witness to my offense. claiming in a Huffington Post interview that actors being to work he did with Bomer on The Normal Heart. Yet (That's why I'm gay.) able to “play roles that are outside themselves” opens up actress Jen Richards noted that she was one transgender My last day at Hutchins was sweetly sad. I had many close friends, the opportunity for trans people to play non-transgender actress who did try out for the role, but was apparently gotten exceptional groundwork in place for Cass Tech High School art roles. Not that this seems to be happening either. not “trans enough” for the part. training, and later Wayne University, and took initial and confident steps Two years later, Roland Emmerich’s film Stonewall, “I told them they shouldn’t have a cis man play a trans in exploring my writing, music and artist creativity. hit theaters, with its clean white kid protagonist and woman,” said Richards. “They didn’t care.” Our Hutchins graduation song: "School Ever Glorious." It was. straight-friendly retelling of the Stonewall rebellion. It As the debate intensified, Ruffalo again spoke out As we crossed the stage to receive our diplomas to say goodbye, I includes Jonny Beauchamp as Ray/Ramona - a mash up about the movie, saying on Twitter, “To the Trans tried vainly to hold back tears to no avail: 35-25-15! of Sylvia Rivera and other trans-identified people at the community. I hear you. It’s wrenching to you see you [email protected] uprising - and Otoja Abit as Marsha P. Johnson. Unlike in this pain. I am glad we are having this conversation. Dallas Buyer’s Club, Stonewall was not on anyone’s See next page 10 BTL | September 15, 2016 www.PrideSource.com Don’t Just Sit There: Do Something About Creep of the Week the 2016 Election, Use MiVoterGuide.com BY D’ANNE WITKOWSKI he 2016 BTL Progressive Voter Guide year, along with other partners to be announced. Ken Paxton will help you vote for candidates who Plus, the Between The Lines questionnaire that’s Tshare our values. sent to all Michigan candidates has already It’s natural to feel anxious about the upcoming received more responses than in any previous election. After all, there’s a lot at stake. But year, so this year’s Guide will be chock-full of there’s one thing every single American can do details. to make a difference: VOTE. Here in Michigan, we have a solid opportunity To help you vote for candidates who will to win back the State House and break the represent you and fight for the things you care stranglehold Republicans have on our state. Paxton doesn’t want people he about most, Between The Lines is putting Plus, we have great potential to win more seats together the 2016 Progressive Voter Guide. in the U.S. Congress and hold on to the White deems perverts to pee next to A project of Between The Lines since 1996, House. But to make that happen, everyone who this year we are working with a variety of cares about Progressive values must vote for the “normal” Texas children. progressive partners, making the Guide even candidates who will represent us. bigger and better than those for previous While you’re at it, you can support the elections. candidates who share our values by donating This year, Between The Lines is working with to their campaigns or volunteering to get out more organizations to bring you a comprehensive the vote. Sharing this resource is another great a come-to-Jesus moment where he wept GBT people have heard the phrase, list of key endorsements for candidates who will way to make a difference. But if you do nothing about what a shit head he’d been and “Come out, come out, wherever fight for progressive values like equality for else, go to the polls on November 8 and cast vowed to change his ways. you are” over and over again for the LGBT community, women and people of your ballot. L Ha ha ha. Just kidding. In reality, he decades now. The idea, of course, is that color, and will stand up for unions, be good The 2016 Progressive Voter Guide will make went over to their house, ate their food, coming out of the closet is the only way stewards of the environment and more. Plus, voting for the right candidates easy. The online and then continued to be a trans-phobic to change hearts and minds about who the guide identifies candidates who are actively Guide (www.mivoterguide.com) will be updated prick. and what LGBT people are. After all, anti-LGBT, anti-choice and anti-union, or now through Election Day, and it’s easy to find He shows no sign of slowing his roll on it’s hard to hate, say, lesbians, if you find would otherwise seek to trample the rights of the candidates in your area. All you have to do the anti-trans lawsuits, for example. He out that your favorite aunt or your sister Americans if elected. is enter your zip code. The printed Guide will wants Texans to be able to discriminate or your favorite coworker is playing for Equality Michigan and KAFE (the Kalamazoo be published in early October. against trans people whether it’s in the Team Lez. You’ve got to at least take a Alliance for Equality political action committee) When we vote, we win. Together, we can bathroom or the doctor’s office. In his step back and rethink all of the terrible are already on board as key partners again this make a difference. twisted morality play, it’s cool for doctors assumptions you made and ideas you’ve to be able to refuse to treat trans patients, had about lesbians, right? and for trans men and women to stay out Ideally, yes. And truth be told, the fact ® Transmissions in favor of a trans woman - or for that matter, of public restrooms. that the closet door is no longer the major Continued from p. 10 any woman - is even more played out. Which is why he’s in a fight with barrier it once was for so many people As an aside, I feel as if many of these - Dallas Target ever since the retailer announced (but not all people. We’ve got a long way It’s time.” Buyer’s Club, Anything, Stonewall, and earlier that its trans guests and employees could to go still) has been key in advances in It’s well past time. stories like The Crying Game and others - are use whatever restroom they deemed LGBT rights, especially over the last five In 1970, 46 years ago, The Christine Jorgensen simply using trans as a way of presenting an appropriate. Not in Paxton’s Texas! He to ten years. Story hit the silver screen. It featured John exotic and “damaged” character to play against warned in May that “allowing men in But then there are always going to be Hansen as the title character. At the time, their “straight man” main character. The women’s restrooms could lead to criminal people who have their minds made up and Jorgensen attempted to get a restraining order transgender character is simply the sympathy and otherwise unwanted activity.” no amount of people meetin’ is going to against Edward Small who owned the film character that helps our main character learn Because he totally gets it! change their minds no sir no how. rights, trying to avoid the film from becoming and grow the transgender Hooch to their Turner. And so Paxton must have been just And one of those people is Texas an exploitative “B-Movie.” Of course, these are not stories being made for thrilled to have his warnings come to Attorney General Ken Paxton. Five years later, a trans actress was passed transgender people. These are stories for non- fruition in the form of reports that on On September 1st, Paxton had dinner over for Chris Sarandon, who played Al Pacino’s transgender people to consume, and are made at least two different occasions, men in at the home of a transgender boy. Now, trans lover in Dog Day Afternoon. Five years for them to feel as if they are redeemed by their different Target stores were trying to take in case you didn’t know, Paxton is not a more, and Brian De Palma’s Dressed to Kill acceptance of the trans character as the star of cell phone video of women in changing big fan of trans folks. In fact, he’s pretty features a transgender murderer played by the film is redeemed through their friendship rooms. much a mosquito-bitten taint about the Michael Caine. with same. The only logical conclusion: must be whole thing. He recently, along with There’s plenty more. 1980s The World There are trans actresses out there, and they those trannies! attorney generals from other states, filed a According To Garp and John Lithgow’s are plenty competent. I already mentioned Jen “After this latest incident, I hope lawsuit over the Obama Administration’s supporting actor role as trans woman Roberta Richards, but she is only one of many. They Target finally recognizes the importance recommendations that trans students be Muldooon, Ted Levine’s portrayal of killed aren’t getting these roles, however. They’re not of protecting its customers, especially treated like human beings while at school, Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs, Jaye seen as “trans enough,” which judging from the in environments where they can be at for example. Paxton doesn’t want people Davidson’s trans portrayal in The Crying Game, characters we have seen means that they’re not their most vulnerable,” Paxton said he deems perverts to pee next to “normal” Chris Williams in The World’s Fastest Indian, apparently masculine enough for the part. in a statement, alluding to his earlier Texas children. so on, and so on. Indeed, these are not made with transgender “warnings” that trans men and women The family extended the invitation to This notion of a transgender character - people, nor made for us, and not even really are perverted heathens who should have Paxton hoping that meeting a real trans particularly as a “sympathetic” supporting telling stories about us. These are fairy tale to cross their legs and be chained to their kid would “soften” his anti-trans stance. character for the straight, white male main versions of trans people. home toilet forever and ever amen. And so Paxton went over to their character - is ages old. That the character is But hey, at least he ate blueberry Gwen Smith deliberately name-checked a Tom Hanks house, broke bread with them, and had typically played by a straight white male actor cobbler with a trans kid. What a hero. movie. You’ll find her at gwensmith.com www.PrideSource.com September 15, 2016 | BTL 11 NEWS West Shore Aware Raises Money, Helps Local Organizations in Need

BY BTL STAFF client and our ability to assist must adapt to each unique situation,” Forrest said. “With Since its inception in 2003, West Shore funding to meet these needs, survivors have a Aware has raised more than $600,000 to much greater chance of effectively leaving an benefit non-profit community groups and unhealthy situation and progressing towards student scholarship programs. Another an independent lifestyle free from abuse.” successful fundraising gala, the “White Party This gift allows the Wings Home “to with a Sparkle of Yellow Citrine,” on Aug. continue to provide supportive care to 20 helped raise an additional $49,000. The individuals who may have no one else to take 13th annual sold-out event brought together care of them or who cannot afford a traditional the philanthropic organization of gay men, facility for end of life care,” said Executive women and their supporters at the Laketown Director Theresa Lynn about the four-bedroom Conference Center in Saugatuck. ranch home in Allegan where Wings of Hope The WSA board of directors voted in June to hospice patients can stay in their last weeks of award six out of 15 organizations that applied life free of charge. “Most of our caregivers are for funding this year. The recipients were the volunteers, but we do have paid staff at night. Aware Scholarship Fund, the Chamber Music We are so appreciative of the gift from West Festival, the Out Center, Sylvia’s Place, the Shore Aware because it will help support the Wings Home and the Wishbone Pet Rescue. cost of night staff.” As an agency that relies heavily upon WSA recognizes that not just humans need community support and organizations such assistance. Their generous contribution to as WSA to provide vital assistance to those the Wishbone Pet Rescue will fund two vital fleeing abusive situations, Sylvia’s Place is medical needs to serve the impoverished “very excited” to receive a portion of the communities in Allegan County and the ever- proceeds. rising homeless pet overpopulation. President “These funds will aid in the 24/7 operation Susan Smith said new surgical instruments and at our shelter and provide basic needs items to a microscope will replace the used surgical survivors entering shelter. Often those fleeing instruments that were donated from another domestic abuse are forced to escape hastily animal shelter when Wishbone established and enter shelter with nothing but the clothing in 2011. This will allow the rescue to safely on their backs. Items that most take for continue controlling the feral cat population granted…a toothbrush, deodorant, shampoo, through their Trap-Neuter-Return Program. a gallon of milk, a pair of socks…is out of Any remaining funds will be used to reach for some in their current situation,” said sponsor animals from families in need so Executive Director Heather Forrest. their pets can receive vaccinations and other Sylvia’s Place provides safe shelter and veterinary services in the Fennville and supportive services to victims of domestic Pullman communities. violence and their dependent children. The As a result of their success, the WSA shelter is capable of housing up to six families fundraising event has gained the reputation of simultaneously and is at or near capacity being one of the best parties held within the year round. State and federal grant funding west lakeshore community. allocates approximately 47.9 percent of their annual budget. For more information about West Shore Aware, Photos courtesy of Thomas White (www. please visit their website www.westshoreaware.org. “In turn, needs vary for each individual thomaswhitemedia.com)

12 BTL | September 15, 2016 www.PrideSource.com Convictions Tossed, New Trial Ordered in Rutgers Webcam Case

BY DAVID PORTER ruling strongly criticized the acts that led to the charges against Ravi. NEWARK, N.J. (AP) – A new trial was “The social environment that transformed a ordered Friday for a former Rutgers University private act of sexual intimacy into a grotesque student whose roommate killed himself voyeuristic spectacle must be unequivocally after being captured on a webcam kissing condemned in the strongest possible way,” the another man, with a New Jersey appeals court judges wrote. “The fact that this occurred in a throwing out his 15-count conviction. university dormitory, housing first-year college The three-judge panel dismissed four bias students, only exacerbates our collective sense intimidation counts against Dharun Ravi of disbelief and disorientation.” because of a change in state law since Ravi’s The Middlesex County prosecutor’s office, 2012 trial after the death of Tyler Clementi, which tried the case and argued the appeal, who jumped off the George Washington didn’t immediately respond to a message Bridge. seeking comment. The judges ordered a new trial on other Clementi’s parents, who formed a counts including invasion of privacy, foundation that addresses bullying and lesbian, tampering with evidence and hindering gay, bisexual and transgender issues, said in apprehension because, they wrote, the an email that the ruling “shows us how much evidence prosecutors used to prove the bias more work there is to be done, and will push us charges “tainted the jury’s verdict on the forward with stronger determination to create remaining charges, depriving defendant of his a kinder, more empathic society where every constitutional right to a fair trial.” person is valued and respected.” Ravi faced up to 10 years in prison but was During Ravi’s three-week trial, jurors sentenced to 30 days in county jail plus three heard that in September 2010 Ravi used a years’ probation and community service. He friend’s computer to view a few seconds of ended up serving 20 days. live streaming video from his own dorm-room Prosecutors had argued before the appeals webcam and saw his roommate, Clementi, and court that the sentencing judge overstepped another man kissing. his authority by imposing a sentence that He told others about it in person, in texts, was too lenient. Friday’s ruling rendered that instant messages and tweets, and alerted argument moot. others again two days later that Clementi, 18, The case against Ravi prompted a national wanted the room to himself again. That time, conversation about anti-gay bullying and teen the camera did not operate. suicide, and highlighted the pervasive effects A night later, Clementi jumped off the and potential harm of social media. Friday’s bridge into the Hudson River. Parents, Student Sue Over Transgender Bathroom Policy VIRGINIA, Minn. (AP) – A school district gender identity. in northeastern Minnesota is facing a lawsuit Virginia parents and students formed the over its transgender restroom and locker room group Privacy Matters to challenge the school policy. district’s policy. One of the group’s attorneys, Attorneys for a group of parents and Gary McCaleb from the nonprofit Alliance students filed the federal lawsuit against Defending Freedom, says no child should be Virginia Public Schools, the U.S. Department forced into an intimate setting such as a locker of Education and the U.S. Department of room with someone of the opposite sex. Justice over a federal rule that says transgender The plaintiffs have asked for a permanent students in public schools must be allowed injunction against the district’s policy and the to use restrooms that correspond with their federal rule. LGBT Rights Group Appeals Denial of Transgender Name Change ATLANTA (AP) – An LGBT rights group Lambda Legal in June appealed a similar is asking an appeals court to step in after a March ruling from Roper in the case of another Georgia judge declined a legal name change transgender man, Rowan Feldhaus, whose for a second transgender man. birth name was Rebeccah Elizabeth Feldhaus. Lambda Legal says it filed an appeal Lambda Legal says in both cases Roper said Sept. 8 of a June order by Columbia County he would allow a transgender person to choose Superior Court Judge J. David Roper rejecting a gender-neutral name. But he said allowing a a petition from the 21-year-old transgender transgender man to choose a male name would man seeking to legally change his name to “confuse or mislead the general public.” Andrew Baumert. www.PrideSource.com September 15, 2016 | BTL 13 NEWS Clinton Remarks at LGBT Fundraiser, Trump Promises Religious Liberty BY LISA KEEN who feel the government has let down, the economy has let them down, nobody cares Democratic presidential nominee Hillary about them, nobody worries about what Clinton had to back off some remarks she [In] a Trump administration, our Christian heritage happens to their lives and their futures. made before an LGBT fundraiser last Friday, And they're just desperate for change.” (An but her poor choice of words there is now will be cherished, protected, defended, like you have never incomplete video of these remarks can be being overshadowed by reaction to concerns “ seen at CNN.) that she appeared to collapse while getting into seen before.... And that includes religious liberty. Throughout the weekend and into her Secret Service van on Sunday morning. Monday, media reports replayed Clinton's Meanwhile, there has been little scrutiny characterization of some Trump supporters of Republican presidential nominee Donald Presidential Candidate Donald Trump to the Family Research as a “basket of deplorables.” (They did not Trump's promises to religious conservatives Council’s “Values Voter Summit”” in Washington, D.C. include her comments about those who feel Friday. “let down” and “desperate for change.”) “[In] a Trump administration, our Christian The Trump campaign also seized on the heritage will be cherished, protected, defended, “deplorable” comment. like you have never seen before.... And that Trump vice presidential candidate Mike learned about the Johnson Amendment from best known for leading the opposition to an includes religious liberty,” said Trump to the Pence claimed the word was aimed at a group of pastors he had invited to one of his Equal Rights Amendment to the constitution. Family Research Council's “Values Voter “Americans, farmers, coal miners, teachers, Manhattan buildings to solicit their support. In doing so, she claimed the ERA would lead Summit” in Washington, D.C. veterans, and members of our law enforcement He said the pastors clearly wanted to support to allowing gays to teach in schools, marry, and “Religious liberty” has become a frequent community.” him but told him the Johnson Amendment adopt children. Her Eagle Forum group was a code phrase for many politicos to promote By Saturday, Clinton issued an apology, prevented them from doing so. He said frequent contributor of legal briefs opposing the idea of allowing people the liberty to saying, “I regret saying 'half' – that was he learned that President Lyndon Johnson equal rights for LGBT people. discriminate against LGBT people by claiming wrong.” But she said it is deplorable that had unilaterally created the law to punish a Neither FRC nor the Trump campaign they are exercising their religious beliefs. Trump has hired, for his campaign chief, a man church in Houston with which he was having posted his speech on their websites, but the Trump said the Johnson Amendment has (Steve Bannon) who heads up a right-wing “problems.” full address can be watched via a “Right Side prevented clergy from speaking from the pulpit media site (Breitbart News) that shows support “Can you imagine that this man single- Broadcasting” youtube post. about politics. The tax law states that non- for anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant sentiments. handedly – he was having problems with But media attention since Friday has profit groups can receive a 501(3)c (non-profit The statement said she “won't stop calling out churches and there was a church in Houston been riveted on only two things: Clinton's group) tax break if they do not “participate bigotry and racist rhetoric in this campaign.” that was giving him a hard time – maybe for characterization of many Trump supporters in, or intervene in (including the publishing “I also meant what I said last night about good reason – and he put in an amendment as “deplorable” and Clinton's physical health. or distributing of statements) any political empathy, and the very real challenges we face that basically stopped our great pastors and On Friday night, before an LGBT fundraiser campaign on behalf (or in opposition to) any as a country where so many people have been ministers and others from talking....” in Manhattan, Clinton said this: candidate for public office.” The purpose of left out and left behind,” said her statement. He repeated calls for repealing and replacing “To just be grossly generalistic, you could the law was to ensure that taxpayer money is Clinton's remarks Friday and her apology the Affordable Care Act, promised to bring put half of Trump's supporters into what I not used to subsidize partisan political activity. Saturday have been characterized by some forth a “new civil rights agenda for our time,” call the 'Basket of Deplorables,' right? The “I will repeal the Johnson Amendment, if I political commentators as potentially as and said he would fight for “family values.” racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, am elected your president. I promise,” he told damaging as Republican presidential candidate That “civil rights agenda,” he said, is “the Islamaphobic - you name it. And unfortunately, the audience. The line elicited loud applause Mitt Romney's private fundraiser remarks, right to a safe community, a great education, there are people like that. And he has lifted even though a president cannot repeal an characterizing most of President Obama's and a secure job.” them up. He has given voice to their websites existing federal law. supporters as “47 percent of Americans” who He praised anti-Gay right-wing conservative -that used to have only 11,000 people, now Trump appeared to use a teleprompter “pay no income tax.” Phyllis Schlafly, who endorsed him, as one of have 11 million. He tweets and retweets their during most of the speech, but he looked Then, Clinton was hit Sunday with what the great champions of family values. Schlafly, offensive, hateful, mean-spirited rhetoric.” away from the teleprompter to add that he had appeared to be a near fainting spell as she left a who died September 5 at the age of 92, was “But that other basket of people are people

14 BTL | September 15, 2016 www.PrideSource.com memorial service for 9/11 in New York. A bystander's video of her getting into her Secret Service van shows her appearing to almost collapse as aides hold her up and help her into the van. Initially, her campaign said she had become overheated at the event; by nightfall, it said she was suffering from dehydration and pneumonia. And late Sunday night, it announced she would cancel campaign events for Monday in order to recover. The incident has prompted a constant media review of Clinton's health ailments – which have included a 2012 fainting spell as Secretary of State, attributed to a stomach virus, which led to a concussion and blood clot. Breitbart News stirred up concern about Clinton's health last January when it quoted anonymous sources as claiming Clinton's prolonged bathroom break during a debate was related to the previous concussion. Since then, Trump has been urging that Clinton “doesn't have the strength and stamina” to serve as president. Trump told Fox News Monday that he thinks “something's going on” with Clinton's health and that it will “be an issue.” The Clinton developments have overshadowed nearly every other important development in the presidential campaign during the past few days, including: • the prospects for Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson taking a major plunge Friday after he appeared to be completely uninformed about the refugee crisis in Aleppo, Syria. (When MSNBC Morning Joe panelist asked Johnson what he would do as president “about Aleppo,” Johnson responded, “What's Aleppo?”) Aleppo has received a flood of media attention lately because it is the focal point of the Syrian civil war and because Russia recently staged air strikes www.mivoterguide.com against the city in support of the Syrian government. Hundreds of thousands of civilians are said to be trapped inside the city and in dire need of food and water. Type in your zip code • Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine spoke to to see how your candidates the Human Rights Campaign's annual Washington, D.C. dinner Saturday night. Kaine said he first felt support for LGBT people rate on equality! while witnessing violence against LGBT demonstrators on his college campus in Missouri. “That was a moment of conscious- raising for me,” said Kaine. “I was changed by it. It made Shop The me angry. And it made me even more convinced I wanted to stand up for what is right.” He acknowledged that, as a devout Rainbow Catholic, he was less supportive of marriage equality at first. There are hundreds But he said he opposed members of the Virginia legislature of businesses that who sought to amend the state constitution to ban marriage for advertise in BTL and same-sex couples. Kaine ended by saying “the LGBTQ vote in so many of our battleground states can be the difference welcome everyone. between victory and defeat.” Prior to Clinton's double stumble last week, gay electoral Invest in equality and data guru Nate Silver estimated that Clinton has a 71 percent work with businesses chance of winning Nov. 8, compared to Trump's 29 percent. By that support WWW.MIVOTERGUIDE.COM VOTE ON NOV. 4, 2014 Monday afternoon, he changed that to 69 percent to 31 percent. Michigan’s LGBTQ Other media polls suggest the race is tightening, with the lead community! overall in the polls vacillating between Clinton and Trump. A BTL Project since 1996

www.PrideSource.com September 15, 2016 | BTL 15 SUDDENLY SHE SEES Photo: Pamela Littky

KT Tunstall on Why Kissing Girls Wasn’t Just a Phase, Admiring Gender-Fluid Teens and Channeling Her Masculinity

BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI How did you become aware? gender fluid. (Laughs) How do those people inspire you? From day one of releasing an album where I look at them as someone from the older s she or isn’t she? I have fucking rainbow suspenders on! Is that how you’d describe your sexuality? generation and I just am so relieved that Truthfully, KT Tunstall understands (Laughs) The British album cover for “Eye No, I wouldn’t. I am hetero, but you know, there isn’t as much angst. I feel less angst the confusion regarding her sexuality I to the Telescope” was an homage to Patti I’ve certainly – I did theater studies at in this new generation of young people. It – she’s responsible for it, after all. Tunstall, Smith’s “Horses” album and I loved “Mork college for Christ’s sake; of course I had fun feels that there are less and less shackles on whose breakthrough song, “Suddenly I See,” & Mindy” too, and so we didn’t think about with girls. It was weird in that community young people to adhere to old norms and that became every dreamer’s anthem after it was it. It wasn’t me pretending to be gay, but not to. And I get the feeling that it’s weird inspires me just to be brave in everyday life prominently featured in “The Devil Wears I’m on the front of my album with these now for people to be kind of hung up about and to honor how confident and self-assured Prada,” opened up about those rumors – and bright rainbow suspenders on. All the gay it – certainly in younger people I’ve met, they are becoming at a much younger age why kissing girls was “a really important part community thought I was gay – and they still which is such a beautiful shift. There are than I did. I feel like I’m keeping up with of my formative years” – on the heels of her think I’m gay! They’re just waiting for me to amazing people spearheading that, like Cara teenage confidence here. latest album, “KIN.” figure it out. Delevingne, Kristen Stewart and and Eliot Sumner – she’s fucking awesome. It’s not Tell me about studying theater. How do you explain your big lesbian following? Have you figured it out? even really an issue (for them), and I’m so I wanted to be an actress when I was younger, Listen, I’ve been super well aware of that Not yet! (Laughs) Listen, I am absolutely glad. so I started in a theater group when I was 8 from day one and have been so grateful for it. all about no boundaries and no labels. I’m years old and started performing when I was

16 BTL | September 15, 2016 www.PrideSource.com quite young. By the time I was 15, I went part of my formative years. Which track on the album do think your LGBT completely bonkers. But seeing a woman in on this really amazing theater course called What’s interesting now is the gender fans might enjoy most? the position of President of the United States Scottish Youth Theatre and it was the first fluidity issue, I think. That’s really exciting Maybe “Hard Girls” because that song is would be an amazing thing. time I left home. We were living in a kind of and something that I just personally would really about being vulnerable and not wearing And Donald Trump – many artists aren’t dorm room situation, and it was people who relate to much more had that been talked an entire tub of hair gel on your head and all were into all sorts of music that I hadn’t been about when I was 17, 18. That’s what I the makeup in the world and just being you, appreciating the fact that he’s been using their subjected to. I didn’t go to my first show until would be leaning my ear into because, I authentically you and not worrying. That songs. I was 15. I grew up at a very sheltered time mean, when I get on stage something quite song is totally meant to be a celebration about Yeah, he used one of my songs. I can’t in Scotland. masculine happens to me. I think this is also just fucking not worrying too much about remember where but someone tweeted that why people have questioned my sexuality. that stuff and letting people get to know you he used it. It was just fucking abhorrent and What was your introduction to the gay There’s definitely a kind of masculine energy, for who you are. it just makes you want to have a wash. I want community then? and I’ve always felt that way and that comes my work nowhere near that disgusting man. It was during that time when I went to live in through me when I perform. What went through your head the first time you Glasgow. I had lived in St. Andrews – very, I think it’s also playing a guitar! (Laughs) I heard “Suddenly I See” in “Devil Wears Prada”? I don’t want to classify the last album, “Invisible very straight up academic. When I went over feel like I have a cock! The guitar is basically I was floored! As an artist, having your song Empire,” as having a “lesbian folk” sound but... to Glasgow for the theater course, many of like a strap-on. But then it depends how you used in a movie – you never get the whole (Laughs) Listen, I was playing folk music the lecturers were gay, and it wasn’t that it play it, because I don’t know if Joni Mitchell song used and you never get your song and I was buttoning up the top button of my was surprising – I wasn’t shocked by it. It felt that way. There’s definitely something used without there being dialogue over the shirt – that’s all I need to say. was much more that I realized that there was that happens when I take to the stage, and top of it. And the whole three-and-a-half this whole world of life that I hadn’t known it’s definitely much more prevalent than minutes of the opening of the movie is just When I listen to your latest album, it sounds about. And there was definitely a very open when I’m walking around buying eggs in the my song, unadulterated! I remember my like a kindred spirit to your debut, “Eye to the attitude: If you like this person, then kiss supermarket. (Laughs) manager saying to me, “Enjoy this because Telescope.” I hear similarities between the two. them and that’s completely normal. That’s I read a really great article with Eliot it’s probably never going to happen again.” Me too! It feels like the spiritual follow up how fucking life should be, quite frankly. Sumner – Sting’s daughter – and I was quite to the first album. It feels like it’s taken three Why on earth would anyone have any envious thinking, “Wow, imagine being in How did you feel about Hillary Clinton using records to write my second album! And it’s problem with someone enjoying themselves? my youth and it not really being an issue “Suddenly I See” as her 2008 campaign song? not to disrespect the other albums, because I It doesn’t make any sense. what gender you are,” because I always felt It was great. I’m not American, I can’t vote, love them and they’ve been really important so tomboy. I grew up with brothers, and when And you were kissing girls then. Would you call but I would always want to see the Democrats and I’m really proud of them. But I think I was younger I always had lots of male in power, so I was really happy to be able to from a personal point of view there’s a lot of that a phase? friends – mostly male friends. Actually, now, contribute in any way to try and make that familiarity in terms of where I was at when No; I think it would be disrespectful to call I have mostly female friends, and I think happen. I don’t know what (a campaign) song I wrote this record, where I’m really very it a phase. It was part of life. It was learning that I’ve kind of inhabited being a woman. would sound like right now – it’s crazy times. unselfconscious and I totally love the music about love and learning about lust and desire I really love my femininity, but I felt like a I wouldn’t even know where to start. It’s like and sexuality and becoming an adult and stranger to it before. watching a game show. It’s like watching experiencing people. It was a really important “The Hunger Games” or something. It’s just See KT Tunstall, page 23

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18 BTL | September 15, 2016 www.PrideSource.com Ann Arbor To Raise Tobacco Purchases To 21 ANN ARBOR – Beginning on Jan. 1, 2017 Ann Arbor will be the first city in Michigan to join the national Tobacco 21 movement and ban the sale of tobacco to people under 21. The ordinance was introduced by Council Member Julie Grand, D-3rd Ward, to raise the minimun age to purchase tobacco products in the city from 18 to 21. The City Council approved the measure Aug. 4 in a 9-2 vote. City officials have told MLive that they don’t care if the new ordinance conflicts with state law and might cause the city to end up in court. Supporters of the new ordinance argue that it will make it harder for teens to get their hands on cigarettes and will help prevent early tobacco addiction and save many lives within the Ann Arbor community. “The tobacco lobby has inflicted enough misery on this country and I’m happy to do anything we can to play a leadership role on this effort in Michigan,” Council Member Kirk Westphal, D-2nd Ward, one of the co-sponsors of the ordinance said at the Aug. 4 meeting. City officials hope that more Michigan communities follow Ann Arbor’s example and adopt Tobacco 21 and that it eventually becomes state law. However, Tobacco 21 has many barriers before it can be completely implemented into state law. Legal Services The Michigan Tobacco Products Tax Act of 1993 directly states for Life’s Changes that local governments “shall not impose any new requirement or Elder Law - Adoptions prohibition pertaining to the sale or licensure of tobacco products LGB & Transgender Law for distribution purposes.” Assisted Reproduction Law - Estate Planning Executive Director of Tobacco-Free Michigan, Angela Clock, www.bassettlaw.com 734-930-9200 testified Aug. 4 and said that Michigan’s Tobacco Products Tax Act of 1993 actually places limits on how tobacco distributors are regulated, not on retail sales. Council Members Jack Eaton and Jane Lumm voted against the ordinance citing concerns that the new ordinance and Tobacco 21 contradict state law and worry that the change will land the city in court. Council Member Sumi Kailasaphathy, D-1st Ward, stated that if Create Something the city is going to end up in court, that it’s a fight worth having. She said that after careful consideration of the legal risks to the ordinance, she decided that it’s morally and intellectually the right thing to do. Special 2gether Earlier this year in an effort to end nicotine and tobacco addiction for LGBT Michigan residents, LGBT community centers across the state teamed up to provide a multitude of programs and cessation techniques to help smokers quit. While overall rates of consumption have been slowly reduced 2000 W. Stadium Blvd, Ann Arbor over time, rates in certain target groups, such as the LGBT 734.994.5111 www.lewisjewelers.com community, remain higher than average. Twenty-one percent of Michigan residents continue to engage in tobacco consumption and nearly 30 percent of LGBT individuals in the state consume tobacco, making tobacco use a leading cause of excess, preventable mortality among LGBT people. In 2013, Affirmations partnered with the Michigan Department of Community Health, Perceptions in Saginaw and the Kalamazoo Gay and Lesbian Resource Center, to produce a study on smoking rates among LGBT living in Michigan. Results from the study found that smoking rates amongst the Michigan LGBT community remain significantly higher than rates for the state at large. Opponents say that regardless of the new ordinance, those under 21 who want to purchase tobacco products will just drive to nearby communities. The new ordinance repeals penalties for underage possession of tobacco products. Instead, penalties are limited to retailers, who could be assessed up to $500, allowing for discretionary actions including education and warnings. Transportation companies and vending machine operators are exempt from the new city regulation. www.PrideSource.com September 15, 2016 | BTL 19 Services, 24901 Northwestern Hwy., on June 10 online. Check back for 20th Concert 4a Cause OUTINGS Suite 601, Southfield. 248-530- a special guest announcement. 5370. [email protected] www. Lear Corporation, 130 Atwater St., Northside Community & 1st Baptist Churches are Thursday, Sep. 15 orchards.org Detroit. 313-656-6000. www. to present the 9th Season Fall Concert “This Is My ruthelliscenter.org/voices Gender Non-Conformists 7 p.m. LGBT Cancer Support Group Song,” in a celebration of the Jim Toy Community A social and support group for 6:30 p.m. This LGBT support group genderqueer, genderfabulous, provides social and emotional Saturday, Sep. 24 Center and the Washtenaw LGBT Community. transgender, gender-exploring folks support for LGBT persons with Smart Recovery 10 a.m. Smart and all those who transgress gender cancer, their partners, LGBT family Recovery offers people with any type This year’s 20th Concert 4a Cause will highlight the binaries. Affirmations, 290 W. Nine members and friends. Gilda’s Club of addiction a place to learn how to high-energy performances of sopranos Caroline Mile Road, Ferndale. 248-398-7105. Metro Detroit, 3517 Rochester Road, change unwanted behaviors through Helton and Kayla Hill, saxophonist Lisa Keeney, the www.goaffirmations.org/programs- Royal Oak. 248-577-0800. www. cognitive based methods. This is a services/support-discussion-groups gildasclubdetroit.org/calendar/lgbt- non-12 step program, led by Smart New Verse Chamber Ensemble, Out Loud Chorus, Girlnoise, UMSMTD Campbell Trumpet Trio, Yost cancer-group-19/ Recovery trainers, and does not Handbell Choir and pianist Kathryn Goodson. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Jim Friday, Sep. 16 require abstinence. Affirmations, Toy Community Center. Red Hot Fridays 9 p.m. No Thursday, Sep. 22 290 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. 248-398-7105. www.goaffirmations. cover charge before midnight. Detroit Design Ball | DDF 2016 5:30 The Concert 4a Cause organization works to help Washtenaw County’s most vulnerable neighbors Password “Red Hot.” Red Door org/programs-services/support- p.m. Fashion shows, green carpet discussion-groups with what they need most and highlights the work of those organizations that provide help. Night Club, 22901 Woodward bike experience, DJ Thornstryker, Ave., Ferndale. 248-541-1600. dance performances, creative Coming Out Over Coffee 10:30 The Concert will begin at 4 p.m. Sept. 18. The event is free and open to the public. [email protected] www. market, craft cocktails and wine, a.m. A casual discussion group reddoornightclub.com aerialist performers and more. covering all aspects of coming out Northside Community Church is located at 929 Barton Dr. in Ann Arbor. Tickets $15-$19. Detroit By Deisgn, and the effects it may have on your Saturday, Sep. 17 2934 Russell St, Detroit. 734-658- life. Affirmations, 290 W. Nine Mile 15th Annual Tour de Troit 9 a.m. 9248. www.eventbrite.com/e/ddf- Road, Ferndale. 248-398-7105. Men’s Discussion Group 6 Spelling Bee 2 p.m. Barefoot is also Blind Pig “The Slackers” Tickets: A 25.6 or 60 mile ride with police 2016-detroit-design-ball-ballet-of- www.goaffirmations.org/programs- p.m. Group for gay, bisexual and sponsoring a clothing drive for the $15. Blind Pig, 208 S. First St., Ann escort; sweeper- and SAG-support; the-streets-tickets-27354025627 services/support-discussion-groups transgender men ages 18 and Ruth Ellis Center in Detroit. Tickets Arbor. 9 p.m. Sep. 24. 734-996- three mechanic “pit stops;” and one up. This group frequently offers $20. Barefoot Productions Theatre, 8555. www.blindpigmusic.com All Genders Film Night 6:30 p.m. Transgender Health Fair 1 p.m. rest stop that includes a snack and holiday parties and outings such as 240 N. Main St., Plymouth. 734- A social group to view and discuss Exhibits, vendors, speakers and Blind Pig “Gold Panda” Tickets: mechanical support. Tickets: $60. movie nights in addition to regular 404-6889. www.justgobarefoot.com films that relate to the unique panels dedicated to the health of $15. Blind Pig, 208 S. First St., Ann Tour de Troit, Vernor Hwy, Detroit. meetings. Affirmations, 290 W. Nine challenges in the LGBTQ community. the transgender community. Event Arbor. 9 p.m. Sep. 15. 734-996- http://www.tour-de-troit.org/ Mile Road, Ferndale. 248-398-7105. Affirmations, 290 W. Nine Mile is free. Transgender Michigan, 8555. www.blindpigmusic.com tourdetroitride www.goaffirmations.org/programs- Road, Ferndale. 248-398-7105. 290 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. MUSIC & MORE services/support-discussion-groups Good Show “of Montreal and Faith Allies for Trans Lives: Stand www.goaffirmations.org/programs- 248-398-7105. http://www. Benefits/Social Events Ruby The Rabbitfoot” Tickets: Up For Justice Conference 9 a.m. services/support-discussion-groups transgendermichigan.org/events/ Retro Fevre Saturdays 9 p.m. Music $15. Majestic Theater, 4120-4140 Conference and training to build health.html from 80s, 90s, and today. Red Door Saugatuck Center for the Arts Parent Support Group 7 p.m. Dr. Woodward Ave., Detroit. 8 p.m. statewide faith network dedicated to Night Club, 22901 Woodward Ave, and West Shore Aware “Award- Melissa Farrell, LCP and Roz Keith Alcoholics Anonymous Sep. 16. 313-833-9700. www. justice and the full inclusion of LGBT Ferndale. 2485411600. events@ winning documentary, Tab Hunter facilitate ongoing group for parents Brownbaggers 1:30 p.m. reddoornightclub.com http://www. Confidential” Benefit for scholarship majesticdetroit.com people in congregations. Tickets: of trans youth to better understand Affirmations, 290 W. Nine Mile $20-$40. Inclusive Justice , 200 W St reddoornightclub.com/events/ and intern programs. Tickets: $25. what it means to be transgender. Road, Ferndale. 248-398-7105. Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Live Nation “Dark Star Orchestra” Paul St., Brighton. 301-512-9632. Event is free. Stand With Trans www.goaffirmations.org/programs- Tickets: $25-$45. Michigan Theater, http://www.inclusivejustice.org/ Culver St., Saugatuck. 6 p.m. Sep. , 5725 Walnut Lake Rd, West services/support-discussion-groups Sunday, Sep. 25 17. http://bit.ly/2bV8vu4 603 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor. 6:30 p.m. Sep. 24. 734-668-8397. www. Jeffrey Montgomery Memorial Bloomfield Twp. . 248-661-5700. michtheater.org Service 11 a.m. Equality Michigan [email protected] Comedy , Wayne State University, Detroit. AEG Live “Comedian Jim Jefferies” Live Nation “Eric Hutchinson” http://equalitymi.org/ The Unusual Punishment Tour. Tickets: $20. Saint Andrew’s Hall, 431 E. Congress St., Memorial for Jeff Montgomery 11 Tickets: $39.50-$49.50. All ages Detroit. 7:30 p.m. Sep. 23. www. a.m. Event is free. May need money welcome. Masonic Temple, 500 saintandrewsdetroit.com/ for parking. Equality Michigan, 495 Temple St., Detroit. 6 p.m. Sep. 23. W Ferry Ave, Detroit. 313-537- New Member Night For Out Loud Chorus 313-832-7100. www.themasonic. Live Nation “Pink Droyd” Tickets: 7000. https://www.facebook.com/ com $12. Saint Andrew’s Hall, 431 E. events/553110648226137/ Come join Out Loud Chorus, Washtenaw County’s original Cobb Great Hall “Whose Live Congress St., Detroit. 9 p.m. Sep. 16. www.saintandrewsdetroit.com/ Foundations of Herbalism Food mixed-LGBT chorus! Out Loud Chorus will celebrate its Anyway?” Tickets: $30 . Wharton as Medicine 1 p.m. Herbalist Joey Fall New Member Night at the Trinity Lutheran Church Center for the Performing Arts, Live Nation “Tycho” With Com Landis, Mycologist Mara Fae Penfil, in Ann Arbor. There is no auditioning and any interested Michigan State University, 750 E. Truise and Heathered Pearls. Tickets: and Detroit foods activist Kevin Hood. Shaw Lane, East Lansing. 7:30 p.m. $29.50. The Fillmore Detroit, 2115 Tickets: $30-50. Preregistration party will be inducted into the choir if they have a passion for community and a desire to sing. Sep. 15. 800-WHARTON. www. Woodward Ave., Detroit. 7 p.m. Sep. required. Female and Fungi, 974 Those interested in joining Out Loud Chorus do not have to have sight reading skills nor a history of whartoncenter.com 22. www.thefillmoredetroit.com Trowbridge Street, Hamtramck. Live Nation “Lewis Black” All ages. [email protected] www. singing with other choirs. Live Nation “Laith Al-Saadi” Tickets: $39.50-69.50. Michigan eventbrite.com/e/foundations- Tickets: $25-$49.50. The Fillmore Theater, 603 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor. of-herbalism-food-as-medicine- During new member night, music will be distributed, the group will go over the handbook and there Detroit, 2115 Woodward Ave., 7 p.m. Sep. 16. 734-668-8397. tickets-27280227896 will be social time to ask questions and get to know current members. Detroit. 7 p.m. Sep. 17. www. www.Michtheater.org thefillmoredetroit.com Each season Out Loud Chorus produces shows for the general public typically held on two Sunday, Sep. 18 Concerts Live Nation “Amanda Shires” Northville Heritage Festival 10 a.m. successive weekend nights in both mid-January and mid-May. Come see if Out Loud Chorus is Tickets: $15. The Shelter, 431 E. AEG Live “Jake Bugg” Tickets: Live entertainment, games, pancake Congress St., Detroit. 8:30 p.m. Sep. the right group for you! All LGBT and allies are welcome to join. New Member Night will begin at 7 $25. Majestic Theater, 4120-4140 breakfast, parade and more. Visit 17. 313-961-8961. www.livenation. Woodward Ave., Detroit. 7 p.m. Sep. website for full activity list. Northville p.m. Sept. 19. Trinity Lutheran Church is located at 1400 W. Stadium Blvd in Ann Arbor. For more com 21. 313-833-9700. http://tktwb. Chamber of Commerce, 195 S. Main information call 734-265-0740. tw/2bo2lBo Majestic Theater “The Growlers Street, Northville. 248-349-7640. City Club Fall Tour 2016” Tickets: [email protected] http:// AEG Live & React “Yellow Claw $17. Majestic Theater, 4120-4140 www.northville.org/ Barong Family Tour” Ages 16 and up. Voices 2016 7 p.m. Guests will enjoy Smeared Lipstick 3 p.m. A Woodward Ave., Detroit. 8 p.m. Sep. AIDS Walk Detroit 2016 Register to Tickets starting at $25. Royal Oak 22. 313-833-9700. Tuesday, Sep. 20 a strolling dinner, complimentary discussion group for self identified walk, make a donation, or sign up Music Theatre, 318 W. Fourth St., drinks, a silent auction, and short feminine lesbian women to identify Masonic Temple “Explosions in Care To Dance? 7 p.m. Learn to as a volunteer. Delta Air Lines, 316 Royal Oak. 8 p.m. Sep. 22. 248-399- program. This signature event issues specific to them. The group the Sky” Tickets: $25-$27. All ages urban ballroom. Sisterhood Social E. 11 Mile Road, Royal Oak. 248- 2980. www.axs.com/events/311111/ provides critical funding to support also does a monthly community welcome. Cathedral Theatre, 500 Excursions, 8670 Grand River Ave., 399-9255. [email protected] yellow-claw-tickets Ruth Ellis Center’s annual operations service project to increase their Temple St., Detroit. 8 p.m. Sep. 15. Detroit. www.meetup.com www.aidswalkdetroit.org while also celebrating their visibility in every community. AEG Live and React “Yellow Claw” www.themasonic.com dedicated and generous supporters. Affirmations, 290 W. Nine Mile Paddle Group 1 a.m. Yak season is With Wiwek, LNY TNZ, and Mike Wednesday, Sep. 21 The Center serves runaway, Road, Ferndale. 248-398-7105. April through October. Yak Womyn, Cervello. Tickets: $27-$35. Royal MotorCity Casino Hotel “Chante Fostser Care and Adoption homeless and at-risk LGBTQ youth. www.goaffirmations.org/programs- Ann Arbor. [email protected] Oak Music Theatre, 318 W. Fourth Moore and Tony Toni Tone” Tickets: The VIP reception begins at 6 p.m. services/support-discussion-groups St., Royal Oak. 8 p.m. Sep. 22. 248- $40-$55. Sound Board, 2901 Grand Orientation 9 a.m. Informational The 25th Annual Putnam County meeting. Orchards Childrens Tickets will be available for purchase 399-2980. www.romtlive.com River Ave., Detroit. 8 p.m. Sep. 16.

20 BTL | September 15, 2016 www.PrideSource.com Cool Cities Ann Arbor YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD • YOUR MARKET Pinpoint your ad dollars where they will do the most good . . . Advertise in the next Cool Cities TO PLACE AN AD CALL 734.293.7200

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www.PrideSource.com September 15, 2016 | BTL 21 Hear Me Out BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI ‘Trio,’ Britney Spears “Britney Jean” tanked fast and hard on the charts because her team thought the world needed a “personal” album (WTF with the shlocky EDM and chipmunk-level vocal manipulation and religious innuendo?) from someone so aloof that we all breathe a sigh of relief when she actually appears to be having a good time. The reception to “deep” Spears was ill-received, and that’s something her ninth studio album, “Glory,” recognizes and thankfully forgoes, opening with an ethereal lead- in that piggybacks off Selena Gomez’s hypnotic latest. As it eases into its own urban flavor, “Glory” delivers almost purely on the basis that Britney is best when she’s merely hawking her brand of elusiveness, writhing over suggestive come-hithers. And oh, is there writhing. From slow and sustained (“Invitation” and “Just Luv Me) to the floor-dropping kind (“Do You Want to Come Over?” and “Clumsy”), Spears has a one-track mind. This girl just wants to have fun, y’all. That giggle at the end of the swinging classic Britney romp “Private Show”? There’s actual joy present. And personality! And she’s singing! Work, bitch? This time, you bet she is. When ‘The Complete Trio Collection,’ Dolly unreleased a cappella track, a gut- all’s said and done, when “Liar” storms Parton, Emmylou Harris and Linda wrenching song by bluegrass band The Ronstadt in and she’s taking that chorus to the Country Gentlemen. Top to bottom, sky, you realize the Holy Spearit has Nowhere in the backstory notes to the “The Complete Trio Collection” is a risen once again. Grade: B+ “The Complete Trio Collection” does it body of staggering beauty. Ronstadt say that when Dolly Parton, Emmylou will break your heart as her voice Harris and Linda Ronstadt finally glides through “The Blue Train.” Carly Rae found time to unify their voices in Emmy’s breathtaking lead on “When Jepsen, perfect harmony that lives were healed We’re Gone, Long Gone” will lighten ‘E•MO•TION and Jesus wept. If you’ve heard even your load. All their voices in collective Side B’ pieces of this landmark collaboration, grace on the stunning “Farther Along” What a time to though, you know this to be only a will have you feeling thankful that this be alive: Carly slight exaggeration. After all, we are project, despite the years it took to get Rae Jepsen has talking about three singing supremes these gals together, has finally seen the released more working their magic on 21 songs light of day. Grade: A sonic jewels from “E•MO•TION,” across two glorious albums. And now, the best pop album of 2015. And you in addition to both 1987’s “Trio” and know the “Call Me Maybe” singer is Britney Spears, the real deal when even her b-sides sit 1999’s “Trio II,” Rhino Records has ‘Glory’ collected an additional 20 songs from atop most of the current pop landscape, the ladies’ Grammy-winning sessions, We love a good with the chipper opener “First Time” some unreleased, some alternate takes comeback or five, tapping into vintage Madonna (think of already-released “Trio” tunes. don’t we? And “Borderline” meets “Holiday”) and Among them: “Wildflowers,” Parton’s since burning “Store,” a unique fusion of what seems autobiographical outsider anthem out in the mid like two songs written at different stages split equally among the three singers, aughts and then during the “E•MO•TION” sessions. with Parton on the first verse, Harris blazing back with 2007’s “Blackout,” Tapping into the odd sweetness of on the second, and, finally, Ronstadt the indestructible institution known as stealing your boyfriend’s bike just on the third (Dolly takes lead on the Britney Spears has made a career out of before he breaks up with you, “Fever” original, included here on the first comebacks, releasing a rollercoaster of employs a catchy synth-smacked chorus “Trio” disc). “Calling My Children peak- and plummeting-career albums and, thanks to rippled drum effects, Home” is transcendent, as their voices throughout her two-decade reign. verses that are beautifully executed for unite in splendid harmony for a rich Perhaps her biggest music slump came maximum melancholy. vocal experience on this previously just a few years ago, in 2013, when

22 BTL | September 15, 2016 www.PrideSource.com How would you describe fame? ® KT Tunstall You just feel like you’re in a bit of a glass Continued from p.17 box. And I’d been fairly shy when it comes to interacting with the tabloid press. I absolutely and I’m just having fun. I think it’s taken me kept my fucking head down because that side a long time to get away from that incredibly of it can be quite frightening in terms of your powerful gaze of millions of people looking lack of control of how you’re perceived by to see what you’re everybody. I really going to do next. just kept my head It’s hard. down and didn’t really engage. I just When did you start I think from a personal point didn’t want to do it; feeling “that gaze”? I didn’t want to go I think after the of view there’s a lot of familiarity in there. I’d actually Relationship Skills Class success of the first “ feel much more record. Making terms of where I was at when I wrote comfortable with it the second record, this record, where I’m really very now than I did then. I was just fucking Funny enough, exhausted. I was unselfconscious and I totally love (this album) was so tired. I’d been made in quite a literally touring the music and I’m just having fun. similar way (to solid for two years I think it’s taken me a long time the first album). It and you’re in the was made in Tony Get the skills you need for the relationships you want! studio trying to to get away from that incredibly Hoffer’s studio make a record and powerful gaze of millions of people and he has this it’s just like… really cute, cool Everyone is Welcome you’re just burned. looking to see what you’re going DIY homemade And there’s a low studio and – same Every Tuesday from possibility of you to do next. It’s hard. as the first record September 27 - November 8, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. being able to make – I played a lot of Affirmations Community Room the best follow- the stuff myself ’ up record that you and I think that $35 per person for the entire series (7 sessions) can. I actually ” was important for really loved that second record; I was just me, for this record. I put just as much of my Register by September 20, 2016 • www.goaffirmations.org/RSC bummed because I wanted to do it garage undiluted self into this record because that’s band-style live and the record company where the joy comes from. For questions, please contact: really didn’t want to do that, so we ended up Becca Budde, [email protected] • 248-398-7105 making a slicker record than I was intending Chris Azzopardi is the editor of Q Syndicate, the on making. But you know, I’m proud of it. international LGBT wire service. He can proudly I think I listen back and I love it, but I was definitely feeling the effects of becoming say Mariah Carey once called him a “daaahhhling.” 290 W. Nine Mile | Ferndale | MI 48220 | 248-398-7105 famous. It was very weird. Reach him via his website at www.chris-azzopardi. www.goaffirmations.org com and on Twitter (@chrisazzopardi).

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24 BTL | September 15, 2016 www.PrideSource.com Q Puzzle 42 “___ Upon a Mattress” supportive fans 43 Glenn’s “Fatal Attraction” 11 Aida solo character 12 Fly like an eagle 44 Hathaway of “Brokeback 13 London park name Mountain” 18 Herman of “Hello Dolly” fame 45 Check out, in a fitting room 24 Orientation of 10-Down 46 Book about autoeroticism? 26 Screws up 48 Megan’s “Will & Grace” 28 World War II carbine character 29 Do an Oscar winner’s job 50 Comedian Johnson 31 Start of a selection process 52 Britten’s “Billy Budd” and others 32 Style of many South Beach 56 Soup scoop buildings 59 Pasolini’s sweet 33 Narrow valley 62 Eighth mo. for Caesar 34 Way to address a dominatrix 63 On the other hand 35 Scat queen 64 Disney series with 10-Down 36 In view 66 He comes once a year 38 Part of San Francisco’s BART 67 Land of Sinead O’Connor 41 Highsmith’s “The Price of ___ “ 68 Chance beginning 45 Erection on the Great Plains, 69 Deuce toppers once 70 Like a generation, to Stein 47 “Spartacus” venues 71 Singer Fure 49 Type of man in an Elton John song “Aww thank you” Down 51 Ford flub 53 Turner that goes either way 1 Father in “Joseph and the 21 Remove a slip, perhaps 54 Penetrating Across Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” 22 Danes of “Romeo + Juliet” 55 Ire. patron 1 Knight in the saga of Moff Mors 2 Former NFL player Tuaolo 23 “People” person 56 Bringing up the rear 5 Put your rear in gear 3 Tool for cutting carrots 25 Future queen of “Star Wars” 57 Mold medium 9 Bring shame to 4 Expert ending 27 Start of a legal conclusion 58 Hamlet, for one 14 Early AIDS play 5 Pansies and similar groups 30 Like “Beauty and the Beast” 60 John Goodman’s “Normal, ___ ‘ 15 Hot stuff that gets shot off 6 Chloe’s role in “Boys Don’t Cry” 34 Like Oscar of “The Odd Couple” 61 “Gay Cosmos” author Eighner 16 “The Wizard of Oz” producer 37 Direction for seamen 7 Plumb, and others Mervyn 65 IRA increaser 39 Achilles’ weak spot 8 O’Keeffe’s stand 17 Character played by 10-Down 40 Sheltered on the sea 9 Cher’s portrayer in “Clueless” 19 Story about busting some Trojans 41 “Growing Up Gay in the South” 10 Actress who just came out and 20 Dig it tweeted “Aww thank you...” to Find solution to this puzzle at author James www.pridesource.com

www.PrideSource.com September 15, 2016 | BTL 25 Deep Inside Hollywood

BY ROMEO SAN VICENTE ‘Supergirl’ gets her Maggie “Supergirl” is going deep for its second season. The series, rather than stay self- contained, is going to expand its reach into the DC TV Universe, connecting the plotlines to other shows, just like the DC movies and DC’s arch-rival, Marvel, have already done. There will be a lot of complex connection to sort out for faithful viewers at home, but for our purposes the new development that matters the most is Maggie Sawyer. Floriana Lima has been cast as this new addition, a detective character introduced by DC Comics in the late ’80s, and one of the first characters to identify as a lesbian. Sawyer is an advocate for alien rights, which makes her an important friend for Supergirl, and, in the comics at least, she also becomes a romantic interest of Batwoman. It all gets underway on Oct. 10. And dear Marvel, catch up with the queer characters, please. Britney Spears. Photo: Starfrenzy

Disco lives in the the fickle music industry makes her a legend- Paradise Garage movie in-the-making, will be the subject of what is currently known as “Britney.” Directed by Leslie If you saw the legendarily butchered “54” in Libman (“Manson’s Los Girls”) and starring its theatrical run, it means you care. It also means Natasha Bassett (“Hail, Caesar!”), the movie you won’t need anyone to explain Paradise will cover the entertainer’s teenage rise to the Garage to you. Equally important if less well pop charts, her troubled relationships with men known at the time, Paradise Garage was cooler, such as Justin Timberlake and Kevin Federline, funkier, blacker, and more queer than Studio 54, and her equally troubled relationship with fame. and its musical influence extends deeper into The good news? She’s got a really popular show house music and club culture today. Legendary in Vegas right now, so the happy ending is built DJ Larry Levan was the man who created the in. Maybe they should call it “Stronger Than clubs trademark sound, and people like Frankie Yesterday.” Knuckles honed their skills there, too. It counted Keith Haring and Madonna as early patrons. And now there’s a movie, currently set to be called Netflix series “Paradise Garage,” and it will tell the story of the beloved club’s rise to nightlife fame. “Paradise” ‘Dear White People’ sets cast will be directed by Jonathan Ullman, based The main cast has been set for 2017’s Netflix on his short documentary, “What is Paradise series, “Dear White People,” based on filmmaker Garage?” British actor Kobna Holdbrook-Smith Justin Simien’s hilarious 2014 college comedy. will take the role of Levan. Rayniel Rufino will Antoinette Robertson (“The Haves and Have portray Joey Llanos, who worked at the club and Nots”), John Patrick Amedori (“The Vatican who will also serve as a consultant. Associate Tapes”), Ashley Blaine Featherson – who producer David Depino was one of the club’s appeared in the original film but played a DJs, so this is starting to feel like a real family different character – and newcomer DeRon affair. We want this one to hurry up and get itself Horton will take the lead in the Lionsgate- on a screen somewhere so we can dance to it. produced sitcom about a small group of black students navigating academic, social and political paths through a predominantly white Ivy League Britney baby one more (Life)time university. The characters in the series will hew Lifetime, the network that brought you close to those in the film, and Simien himself will unauthorized biopics of Aaliyah and Brittany write for and direct episodes of the show. Great Murphy, have found their next subject. The idea we just had: ask Spike Lee to direct at least difference this time is that their subject is still one episode with a musical number in it for that very much alive, with a career in similar healthy vintage “School Daze” vibe. That’s a free great circumstance. Britney Spears, who just keeps idea, Netflix/Lionsgate, because we’re generous on keeping on, a woman who is probably more around here. You’re welcome. powerful and culturally popular at this point in Romeo San Vicente makes you feel mighty real. her career than ever before, whose longevity in

26 BTL | September 15, 2016 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com September 15, 2016 | BTL 27