TORI AMOS: ‘HOPE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE JUDGMENTAL’

STATE EQUALITY DINNER INSPIRES AND EDUCATES

LGBT YOUTH SUMMIT TO CONNECT GSA LEADERS

TRANS AND LOCAL ACTIVIST LEADS FROM THE MARGINS TRIUMPHANT

PRIDESOURCE.COM OCT. 27, 2011 | VOL. 1943 | FREE 2 Between The Lines • October 27, 2011 3 Between The Lines • October 27, 2011 4 Between The Lines • October 27, 2011 10.27.2011

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11 | S/He Said Cover Story Visibility, politics, Halloween, coming out

6 | Trans and triumphant 12 | Thinking Out Loud Local activist leads from the margins Why my marriage matters

News 13 | Parting Glances Bases loaded for Prophet Jones 8 | Equality Michigan State Dinner offers galvanizing message 14 | Creep of the Week Linda Harvey 8 | PAC announces additional endorsements for Nov. 8 elections Life

9 | LGBT Youth Summit aims to strengthen 18 | Bad boys, bad boys – whatcha gonna do? Internationally known dance troupe to bonds between GSA leaders Oct. 29 perform at Detroit Opera House

9 | AIDS funding slashed at Community Health 21 | The Teachings of Tori Awareness Group Gay icon on new CD, Christian phonies and why “It Gets Better” isn’t enough 9 | Annual Bowlathon for youth Oct. 30 25 | Hear Me Out 11 | State closer to denying benefits, hearings Kelly Clarkson keeps the diss songs coming. question economic soundness of bill Plus: Miranda Lambert’s best album yet 26 | Happenings 14 | Equality Ride founder shares call to action Featured: LGBT Summit for High School Youth Oct. 29 in Beverly Hills 15 | Author asserts God and Gay go together 27 | Curtain Calls 16 | GOP at right-wing Iowa forum: Gingrich Reviews of “Imagining Madoff” and “Seance 4” one-ups Santorum

17 | Anti-bullying measures left out of Rear View education bill 28 | Puzzle Opinions 30 | Dear Jody 10 | Speak Out Occupy movement’s great lesson for all 31 | Horoscopes

11 | Heard on Facebook 32 | Classifieds Readers respond to last week’s top story 34 | Deep Inside Hollywood JOIN THE CONVERSATION Email your op–eds and letters to @ [email protected]

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5 Between The Lines • October 27, 2011 Leadership Project Trans and triumphant

Watch our video online www.pridesource.com Local activist leads from the margins

BY DESIREE COOPER came to his rescue. Days later, the neighbors attacked his mother as she Ryan Oliver, 28, can tell you sat on the front porch. The incident a thing or two about what it really still makes him choke with tears. “I means to be an African American man. had never been exposed to anything Like knowing how to be a “brother to like that,” he said. brothers,” and showing compassion The summer before he for other men. And like showing the matriculated at Eastern Michigan utmost respect for black women. University, Oliver felt more like a “I don’t call the black women in fugitive than a high school graduate. my life the b-word,” he said. “And I A friend in the neighborhood heard know that I don’t have to emulate the that Oliver was going away to college, man who stands outside of the liquor and predicted, “You’ll be back.” store in baggy pants and a doo rag in “I said, ‘No, I won’t’,” Oliver order to be a black man.” remembered. “He said, ‘They always At 28, Oliver’s view of manhood come back.’ He was saying that when has been hard-won. From his youth in I got to Eastern, I would realize a violent Detroit neighborhood, to his I didn’t belong there. There was isolation as a black college student in nothing better out there in the world a white environment, he has struggled for me.” to define himself and his masculinity. A late bloomer, Oliver began It’s a challenge that’s been even to explore his sexuality at EMU. more daunting because Oliver is He dated boys, but said that the biologically female. relationships felt artificial--like he was trying too hard. Finally, one date finally suggested that Oliver might Life under pressure be a lesbian. He scoffed at the notion If there was one word to describe because it didn’t fit with his family’s Oliver’s childhood, it would be view of the world. “pressure.” “Girls date boys and I would First, there was the pressure to never do anything that wasn’t fit in. As a little girl being raised by acceptable,” he said of the way he a mother and grandmother, he had was brought up. “But even after I urges that he feared others couldn’t started exploring the possibilities understand. of dating women, the term ‘lesbian’ never fit for me.” “I remember walking into the Local transgender activist Ryan Oliver. BTL Photo: Andrew Potter men’s dept as a young child and having Exploring his sexuality was a physical reaction to the clothes,” he liberating, but Oliver began to lose said. “The suits and ties - I wanted to his footing culturally. Suddenly At 28, Oliver’s view of manhood has been hard-won. From his youth be a part of that. I never felt connected thrust into a predominantly-white to my female body. I would buy bra environment, his confidence suffered, in a violent Detroit neighborhood, to his isolation as a black college and panty sets because women do and he wondered if his childhood that, but it wasn’t natural. I wanted friend had been right--would he end student in a white environment, he has struggled to define himself boxers.” up back in his Detroit neighborhood There was also the pressure to with no options? and his masculinity. It’s a challenge that’s been even more daunting succeed. He shared his misgivings “I was the only grandchild to with his sociology professor. The because Oliver is biologically female. go to college and complete it,” said professor, who had grown up “a poor, Oliver, who earned both a bachelor’s white, barefoot girl from Ohio,” told in sociology, and a master’s in him that she’d felt the same way when sociology and education from Eastern she went to college. “She was never At 24, he attended a conference be who he is. I want people to ask me questions and Michigan University. “I felt like I was supposed to amount to anything,” in Milwaukee of transgendered youth. “For the longest, I’ve lived and I want people to understand.” the one who had to break the cycle. Oliver said. That’s when his true nature began breathed by my family’s rules,” he Unfortunately, his self awareness Education became my focal point.” The professor ignited Oliver’s to dawn on him. He realized that he said. “They are low key, they are hasn’t alleviated the sadness he’s felt And there was the basic pressure passion for sociology. “All the things had only adopted the label “lesbian” subtle. They watch the 11 o’clock since childhood. “It’s still present to survive in his deteriorating that I had been feeling suddenly because of his biological gender. After news, sip tea and go to bed. This is because I haven’t fully transitioned,” neighborhood on Detroit’s east side. had words,” he said. “Educational he began working as a youth services hard for them.” he said. “I live my life a particular “Around the age of 12, I was disparity, prison mentality, racial manager at Affirmations in 2008, He now uses the passion that way, but my physical makeup holds noticing my neighborhood in Detroit disparity. It all started to connect.” he slowly transformed his outward was ignited by his college sociology me back. For many of us, being trans changing,” he said about the 7 mile appearance to match his male sexual professor to advocate on behalf of the is a matter of life or death. Once you and Van Dyke area. “I remember The man in the mirror identity. By 2008, Oliver was known invisible transgendered community. understand what you are, you can’t there was a drive-by shooting and a to most people as Ryan. But at home, “I’m committed to there being a live in the middle.” girl was killed. The girl’s father was Even after Oliver graduated he was still Nikki. more visible trans movement in our He is interested in top surgery a well-known drug dealer. He had to from college and entered grad school, His mother, who always worried society - a more confident movement,” and hormone treatments to enhance his be carried down the street, he was in he couldn’t seem to shake a lurking about his safety growing up in Detroit, said Oliver, who is now working in masculine appearance. “I want people so much grief.” sadness. now also had to worry about him the field of HIV/AIDS prevention and to look at me and see me as male,” When Oliver was taunted by “There was something I couldn’t as a transgender male. But Ryan is treatment. “I’ve grown to learn more he said. “But I’m already a man, no a next door neighbor, his mother put my finger on,” he said. willing to risk his safety in order to about my identity and to be OK with it. matter what I do.”

6 Between The Lines • October 27, 2011 Speak Out

BY ERIC RADER Occupy movement’s great lesson for all

or nearly three years, members of the need jobs, and suddenly Congress cannot seem tea party movement have engaged in to lift a finger to help the victims of the financial vocal protests of much of the Obama collapse. FAdministration's agenda. At times, it seemed The courageous women and men who as if progressives were silently waiting on the began the occupation movement have provided a sidelines, somehow unable to vocalize their wonderful civics lesson to the nation. Those of us feelings about the nation's in the LGBT community troubles. Over the past who desire change should few weeks, that seeming The courageous women pay attention to what's reticence has ended. Since happening in New York late summer, a growing and men who began the and around the country. group of advocates Peaceful protests have have "occupied" public occupation movement brought attention to the areas near Wall Street have provided a wonderful need to pass meaningful in New York, to voice laws that will really make their feelings about the civics lesson to the a difference in the lives financial and corporate of average citizens. By greed that led to the nation. Those of us in the speaking out about the collapse of our nation's LGBT community should injustice of corporate economy in 2007 and the and financial greed, the high unemployment that pay attention to what's occupiers have also sought continues today. At the to create a discussion about time taxpayers became happening in New York policies that would actually responsible for paying benefit people. Those of us for the financial misdeeds and around the country. who want change for LGBT of bankers, many low citizens should do the same- and middle-income people were forced into -we need to point out the injustices we face every bankruptcy as their homes lost value and day, and propose laws and policies that will create workers lost their jobs. The occupiers in New greater equality in our nation. Our challenges York, Detroit, and around the country, speak on continue. Just this month, right-wing Republicans behalf of the 99 percent of Americans who have in the Michigan Legislature introduced a bill to not benefited directly from the financial bailouts. effectively nullify local human rights ordinances Many observers might think that the root of that protect LGBT people. In a time of economic the protests was the 2007-2009 "Great Recession," turmoil, it's hard to fathom that some of our elected from which many people have never recovered, officials would rather marginalize people than help even as the economy technically started to grow them achieve better lives. again. Certainly the people in New York and There's something very important to remember elsewhere are expressing the feelings of many about the Wall Street and related protests - if the of us who recognize that the government has not protesters are seeking to represent the 99 percent of done nearly enough to stimulate a full-employment Americans who are not among the beneficiaries of recovery. However, the recession is only a symptom the financial bailout, then this movement represents of a longer historical problem, dating back to LGBT interests, too. Prosperity and the American the early 1980s when Ronald Reagan declared Dream should not be restricted to certain people, government to be the "problem" and the source but should be available to everyone. In our fight of the nation's woes. When Reagan took office in for equality, we focus on the need to include all 1981, he set about to reduce or eliminate federal people, something that certainly is motivating the regulations that he saw as inefficient, and attempted occupiers. All kinds of individuals, from college to shrink government further by enacting massive students to union members, are part of the broad tax cuts for the wealthy and cutting spending on movement in New York and elsewhere. We in the vital social programs. Though Bill Clinton restored LGBT community should be part of this protest, some of the repealed regulations in the 1990s and too. As previous generations discovered, people raised some taxes to balance the federal budget, need to stand up themselves in order to force action. he also eliminated some banking regulations, We should embrace the Wall Street movement and assuming that succeeding administrations would take action. In doing this, we can be part of creating be responsible stewards of the nation's finances. change for everyone. His successor, George W. Bush, turned the nation's largest budget surpluses into its largest deficits, “Occupy Together,” with information on by giving enormous tax cuts to the wealthy; he local activities in Michigan: also repealed necessary regulations on banks and www.occupytogether.org corporations. By the time Barack Obama took Contact your Michigan Representative and office in 2009, these institutions knew they could ask him/her to oppose HB 5039, a bill to take advantage of their customers and employees prohibit local communities from enacting with impunity. The result was the worst financial LGBT-inclusive human rights ordinances: catastrophe since the Great Depression. In 2008 www.house.mi.gov/mhrpublic and 2009, our leaders argued that some financial Contact your U.S. Representative and urge institutions were "too big to fail," and Congress him/her to support passage of President passed legislation to bail them out. President Obama’s American Jobs Act: Obama is now calling for a comprehensive jobs bill www.house.gov to help the millions of unemployed citizens who

7 Between The Lines • October 27, 2011 News MICHIGAN PAC announces additional Equality Michigan State Dinner endorsements for Nov. 8 elections offers galvanizing message

DETROIT– On Monday Equality Michigan Pride PAC “Nominate a Pro-Equality Candidate” Event inspires, educates on critical work ahead campaign announced the endorsement of three additional candidates for office this November. BY JAN STEVENSON Earlier in the month, Equality Michigan Pride PAC endorsed 16 pro-equality candidates DEARBORN– On Oct. 22, Equality who are running for office in local municipal Michigan hosted an inspiring dinner and awards elections across the state this year. ceremony. It was the organization’s first major “There was so much buzz surrounding our fundraising event under its new structure and Pro-Equality Candidate Campaign endorsements leadership. The 2011 State Equality Dinner that several more people contacted us to request was a chance for many to see the new executive they be considered too,” said Amy Hunter, the director, Denise Brogan-Kator, in action for the group’s president. “We felt that a second round first time and hear how the group’s leadership is of endorsements was in order. These three articulating the mission of Equality Michigan. outstanding candidates have been evaluated The organization formed in 2009-10 with the using the same exacting standards we apply to merger of Triangle Foundation and Michigan all of our endorsements and we are proud to add Equality. them to our 2011 slate.” Brogan-Kator charmed the audience with her wit and humor. “I love events like these; I The three additional pro-equality candidates love to get dressed up. I love to wear sparkle. I endorsed by the Equality Michigan Pride PAC are: have ever since I was a little boy,” said Brogan- • Jim Carruthers (Traverse City City Kator who has transitioned from male to female. Commission) Hank Winchester, the openly gay WDIV • David Anderson (Kalamazoo City Local 4 anchor and reporter and the evening’s Commission) emcee, noted that Brogan-Kator had been a boxer while serving in the U.S. Navy, Cleve Jones addresses attendees of the State Equality Dinner. For more photos, go to www.pridesource.com. • Scott Craig (Northville Public Schools ushering in a military theme Brogan-Kator Photo: Barney Nowicki, First Impression Photography Board of Education) used throughout the evening. “We are in an astonishing number of fights right now; over.” But Jones said that he soon came to The complete list of 19 pro-equality candidates domestic partner benefits for public employees, realize that it was really just the beginning of “We are attacked and endorsed are: HIV discrimination, local ordinances and more a movement that would propel LGBT rights to • Bobby Hopewell (Kalamazoo Mayor) are all under attack by the ‘so-called’ religious places unimaginable in 1978. stymied at every turn • Stephanie Bell (Kalamazoo City right. But our battle plan for tonight is to have “If Harvey could just see us all now, he Commission) fun,” said Brogan-Kator. “This is our combat would be so amazed. And then he would tell in Lansing. For now, our • Don Cooney (Kalamazoo City Commission) gear. Thank you for dressing up and supporting us all what we have to do next.” enemies are doing better • Bob Cinabro (Kalamazoo City Commission) Equality Michigan.” Three Michigan activists also received A highlight of the event was the passionate awards. Alexa Van Vliet was presented with • Nicholas Wikar (Kalamazoo City than we are, but we will and funny speech by Catalyst Award winner and the Henry Messer Youth Activist Award by Commission) keynote speaker Cleve Jones, an indomitable Jon Hoadley who had received the same award continue to fight and to • Nathan Triplett (East Lansing City Council) advocate for LGBT rights and founder of The in 2005. As president of the GSA at Oakland • Rory Neuner (Lansing City Council) Names Project Quilt. Jones was presented with University in Rochester, Van Vliet spearheaded learn. Together, with your • Lynne Martinez (Lansing City Council) the Lifetime Achievement Award by Jim Toy, a training program for staff and students. “I • David Coulter (Ferndale Mayor) the recipient of the same award in 2009. Jones recognize I come from incredible privilege. I am help, our day will come.” • Steve Manchester (Lansing Public Schools, honored Toy by thanking him for “creating a not disabled, I am pursuing college, I am white, movement for me to come out in.” middle class and have a supportive family. I Board of Education) -Denise Brogan-Kator, executive Jones gave a raucous account of his youth recognize my privilege and seek to utilize it • Dan Martin (Ferndale City Council) and coming out, saying that while in high to help make the world better for us all,” said director of Equality Michigan • Mike Lennon (Ferndale City Council) school in Arizona he saw pictures in LIFE Van Vliek. • Stephen Rapundalo (Ann Arbor City Magazine with the headline “Homosexuals The Ally In Faith Award was presented awarded the James K. Dressel Political Courage Council) in Revolt.” to Rev. Edwin A. Rowe, senior pastor of the Award by Equality Michigan PAC board • Marian McClellan (Oak Park Mayor) “There were these picture of these hot gay Central United Methodist Church in Detroit. member Alma Wheeler Smith. Anderson • Charles Kellett (Pleasant Ridge City men standing up to the police and I realized He was quick to point out that Rev. Beth introduced the enumerated anti-bullying bill, that if I could only survive high school there Rackstraw who presented the award to him which has not passed. He has become one of the Commission) was a place for me.” He hitchhiked to San and who won the same award two years ago, most reliable supporters of LGBT rights in what • Kyle DeBuc (Royal Oak City Commission) Francisco immediately after his senior year. had herself been ordained a Methodist minister. has become an increasingly hostile Michigan • Jim Carruthers (Traverse City City “I was homeless, hungry and I know what it’s “Because of our prejudice, we lose excellent legislature. “It is very tough in Lansing,” said Commission) like to have to do things you don’t want to do to people like her to other churches,” said Rowe. Anderson. “There should be no discrimination • David Anderson (Kalamazoo City survive,” said Jones. “Then I met Harvey and he “I am honored and a little surprised that in the state that we love. We are making some Commission) was the first person who saw any value in me.” Equality Michigan has an Ally of Faith Award. progress, slowly. I take some solace in knowing • Scott Craig (Northville Public Schools One could have heard a pin drop as Although there are some who reach out from that nothing that has ever been worth anything he described the day his friend, boss and the pulpit, there are many more who twist the has happened quickly.” Board of Education) mentor, Harvey Milk, was assassinated in San gospel into something it was never intended to Brogan-Kator wrapped up the evening by Francisco. “I ran to his office and first saw his say,” said Rowe. “There are many pastors with introducing the Equality Michigan board and staff, The PAC supports candidates that promote shoes - I knew they were his because he only blood on their hands for rejecting young people then said, “These are your foot soldiers in the fight equality for all people regardless of sexual had one pair of dress shoes. I’d never seen a who came to them for spiritual guidance, only against the anti-LGBT right wing in Michigan. We orientation, gender identity or gender expression. dead person before. Of course I would see to be shamed and shunned because they were are attacked and stymied at every turn in Lansing. To contribute to the Equality Michigan Pride PAC, many more once AIDS came to grip us.” gay, and then they lost their faith in everything For now, our enemies are doing better than we are, visit www.eqmipridepac.com. Milk’s death devastated the young activist. and committed suicide.” but we will continue to fight and to learn. Together, Jones said he kept thinking, “It is over. It is Michigan Sen. Glenn Anderson was with your help, our day will come.” 8 Between The Lines • October 27, 2011 News MICHIGAN LGBT Youth Summit aims to strengthen bonds between GSA leaders Oct. 29

BY JASON A. MICHAEL successful workshops from our spring summit and created some new ones as well. We “The students feel like they belong to something, BEVERLY HILLS– The GSA Alliance wanted to have something for every interest.” of Southeastern Michigan and GLSEN of Presenters will include representatives and to have that support is really important Southeastern Michigan are jointly presenting from GLSEN-National, the ACLU of an LGBT Summit on Saturday, Oct. 29, aimed Michigan and Equality Michigan, as well as to them. And if you look at GLSEN National’s at uniting student leaders across the state advisors and members of GSAs from across and helping them strengthen their local gay the state. There is also a fourth track for research, it shows that schools with GSAs face straight alliances. The summit is the second parents, advisors and other adults. such gathering this year. “Some workshops are closed to them and less discrimination and less name calling and “Two years ago we did a pilot conference we have some workshops specifically for them,” that was very short, and we then abandoned said Stein. “The summit is aimed at youth but less bullying than the schools without them.” that model,” said Chase Stein, GSA-SM’s we welcome anyone who wants to come.” youth coordinator. “This spring we did the Jane Kelly, co-chair of GLSEN-SM, said first LGBT Summit as it’s presented today.” she really stood back and let the youth design –Jane Kelly, co-chair of the GLSEN-SM The all-day event features two icebreakers the summit they wanted. and three workshops, and closes with a poetry “The workshops were completely slam/talent show. Attendees can choose student driven,” she said. “The idea is really in their schools. the schools without them. So there’s actually workshops from one of three tracks being to connect gay straight alliances across the “There are still pockets where students some concrete data for that. But, anecdotally, offered. Track titles are Taking Charge, This state. We give them tools for strengthening face a lot of resistance,” she said. “But there’s I see it with the students.” Is My Story and We’ve Got Issues. Specific their leadership development.” good knowledge of what the laws are.” For more information on the summit, visit www. topics include conflict resolution, knowing Kelly said she does not know how many The impact of these groups, she said, lgbtsummit.weebly.com. GSA Alliance meeting your legal rights, handling the media and GSAs there are currently in schools across the cannot be disputed. public relationships, gaining membership and state, but she’s hoping to have that information “The students feel like they belong information: The GSA Alliance of Southeast sustainability, transgender issues and others. soon. to something, and to have that support is Michigan meetings are held the second Friday “With the spring summit, we tried a “GLSEN, within the last month, has been really important to them. And if you look at of each month at 6 p.m. The meetings held at bunch of ideas at once,” Stein said. “We conducting a GSA census. So that’s one of the GLSEN National’s research, it shows that Affirmations Community Center located at 290 wanted to see what worked, what people initiatives that we’ve been working on.” schools with GSAs face less discrimination W. 9 Mile Road in Ferndale. The next meeting liked and what they didn’t. We took the most For the most part, Kelly said it’s easier and less name calling and less bullying than than in years past for students to form a GSA is Nov. 11. AIDS funding slashed at Community Health Awareness Group DETROIT– The Community Health HIV infected individuals already struggling Awareness Group recently announced an with stigma and rejection, which may further $800,000 loss of funding which will necessitate compromise their ability to remain healthy. substantial staff reductions and cuts in services CHAG’s needle exchange program, the to people with HIV/AIDS. only such program in the Detroit area, is also CHAG had an operating budget of almost on the chopping block due to current cuts. The $2.3 million in 2009, so the current loss in program has a demonstrated effectiveness in funding represents about one third of the group’s reducing HIV infection and in reducing some total annual budget. forms of drug abuse. CHAG’s management announced that This is the second large reduction in funding ten employees will be laid off including those recently announced at a local HIV/AIDS agency. who currently provide mental health services. AIDS Partnership Michigan in Detroit was CHAG’s director of mental health services, Dr. forced to close its highly regarded REC Boyz Lisa Knysz, said she expects an “increase in youth program last month due to a large cut in feeling of hopelessness and helplessness” among funding. Annual Bowlathon for youth Oct. 30 FERNDALE– The annual Ferndale Youth appointed FYA board president. Assistance Bowl-A-Thon will be held Oct. 30, Funds raised help FYA help many programs from 1 - 4 p.m. at Luxury Lanes, 600 E Nine Mile. for the students and families of the Ferndale The event is described by organizers as “one of School District including counseling, student the two most important fundraisers each year” for enrichment scholarships, camp scholarships and Ferndale Youth Assistance, a charitable program more. that works with the schools, the local district Teams of bowlers can form and solicit courts, parents and city and county government pledges and donations for FYA. Individuals may to assist youth with a variety of programs. also attend and will be assigned to teams. Each “Ferndale Youth Assistance is a great local bowler is asked to raise a minimum of $50 in grass roots program that is critical in supporting pledges, which will provide each bowler 3 games our youth who will become the leaders of of bowling, shoe rental, food and beverages. tomorrow. Especially in these tough economic There are also prizes that will be raffled off. times, any help we can provide is an investment Persons interested in bowling, volunteering toward a better future for us all,” said Craig for this event or making a donation may contact Covey, Oakland County Commissioner and newly Melinda Hicks at 248-586-8700.

9 Between The Lines • October 27, 2011 COMPILED BY HOWARD ISRAEL

Readers respond to last Visibility, politics, Halloween, coming out week’s top story: State “Today, Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) announced that he will cosponsor the Respect for Marriage Act, the lawmakers’ bill would void bill that will overturn DOMA. Levin’s support brings us to 31 Senators who all local protections for support ending federal marriage discrimination. We thank Senator LGBT people. Your rights Levin for his support and hope that his colleague Senator Stabenow will are on the line again! Carl Levin join him in cosponsoring this crucial legislation. We’ll continue working with our supporters in Michigan and across the country to grow support for the Respect for They hate us for our freedoms to redecorate Marriage Act, especially leading up to next month’s hearing.” and restyle! –In a blog posting titled “Senator Levin –Todd Te Adoro Erickson cosponsors the Respect for Marriage Act,” www.freedomtomarry.org, Oct. 20.

“What makes Halloween truly This is insane and a violation of civil rights. impressive, to me, is what it unleashes –Jayne Van Kirk within the male psyche. It’s difficult to tell the difference between the gay boys and the straight ones. Many girls’ boyfriends will go in drag and other “We’ll help you, but only if it fits our political ‘completely hetero’ guys will appear in views.” Right... some suspiciously revealing costumes –Michael Suitts and will encourage being molested Geraldine Joosten Master Aiden by their straight (enough) buddies throughout the evening. And it will seem “WHERE ARE WE? Where are we in the media, like a joke until the fondling continues SERIOUSLY?? We don’t have more important in TV shows, in the news in LGTB projects, on past the 20-second grace period and re-emerges throughout issues? They don’t want us to have anything. at Gay Prides, on the work floor? Why are the evening. Things can get weird. ‘No homo’? Well, not on –Takara Tk Tuff lesbians so invisible? How does this lack of Halloween. Halloween these days has a very murky sexual fluidity to it and it’s completely fantastic. Yes homo.” visibility affects us: Who are the icons out there for us? Does it make it harder for girls to find –Master Aiden, professional BDSM Dom, in his “Yes, Master” blog, in a posting titled “It’s The Most Wonderful I don’t agree with it but acknowledge that the themselves without many easily accessible role Time Of The Year,” http://thenewgay.net, Oct. 19. state has the right to deny LGBT partners health models? Why is there such a disbalance between benefits, but where in the hell do they get the lesbian and gay visibility on TV, the media and “The study is one of the first to explore right to negate all local city and township laws the magazines. Why are gay men more accepted and protections? sexual behavior at the event level in TV shows, films, articles in the media. Why among a national sample of gay and –Gar Peterson do people automatically think of/talk about gay bisexually identified men. As such, this men when the issue of gay rights are brought up? study was focused primarily on a single Why do celebrities only link themselves to the sexual event - the most recent - and Wait. I thought it was all about jobs? I guess not! male gay rights organizations? Why do people therefore these data are able to provide They prove it over and over again. a level of detail about MSM sexual still think that lesbians can’t have ‘proper’ sex. behavior that has not previously been –Troy Hawkins Why is it still allowed to insult lesbians on TV Joshua G. documented. Of all sexual behaviors shows/in the media? Why are bi girls hip and Rosenberger that men reported occurring during lesbians not.” their last sexual event, those involving the anus were the least common (less than 40 percent). There –Geraldine Joosten, in her blog posting is certainly a misguided belief that ‘gay sex equals anal sex,’ titled “Can you see me? The Importance of Lesbian Visibility,” about lesbian visibility which is simply untrue much of the time.” Comments may be edited for grammar and length. and the idea of a book of essays on this –Joshua G. Rosenberger, lead author, professor, Department topic, www.lesbiatopia.com, Oct. 23. of Global and Community Health in the College of Join the conversation ... Health and Human Services at George Mason University, Search: “Between The Lines Newspaper” about his study titled “Sexual Behaviors and Situational Characteristics of Most Recent Male-Partnered Sexual Event among Gay and Bisexually Identified Men in the United States.” http://newsinfo.iu.edu, Oct. 18. 10 Between The Lines • October 27, 2011 News MICHIGAN State closer to denying benefits, hearings question economic soundness of bill Senate committee approves bills to deny partner health care benefits

BTL STAFF unfair. They are unconstitutional and they will Court of Appeals who stated in reaction to the insurance from its citizens,” said Kaplan. “Why, be challenged in court should they become law.” ACLU of Michigan’s 2005 lawsuit challenging given Michigan’s urgent need to attract new LANSING– On Oct. 19 the Michigan House Bills 4770 and 4771 passed the the amendment: “The Amendment does not businesses and industry to our state, would the Senate Committee on Reforms, Restructuring state House in September and would prohibit preclude the extension of employment benefits legislature want to severely interfere with and and Reinventing approved House Bills any government entity, including universities to unmarried partners on a basis unrelated to hamper the ability of public employers to set their 4770 and 4771. The bills would eliminate and city governments, from providing health recognition of their agreed-upon relationship.” own terms of compensation in order to attract the health care benefits for unmarried partners of benefits to domestic partners. These bills were Kaplan also warned committee members that talent and entrepreneurship that it takes to develop public employees across the state. They would introduced after the legislature failed to override the U.S. Supreme Court has weighed in on such new businesses? Why, when Michigan has one of effectively prohibit any government entity a Michigan Civil Service Commission decision discriminatory policies in Romer v Evans, making it the highest exoduses of college graduates in the from providing benefits and prohibit unions to ratify a collective bargaining agreement that from including them in collective bargaining allows certain state employees to share health agreements. The bills passed along party lines. care benefits with an “other eligible adult.” “The State of Michigan, including its legislative “Republican lawmakers continue to attack During his testimony, Kaplan said he agreed hardworking LGBT people rather than focusing with the legal analysis of Michael Gadola, legal body, has always been strongly committed on real issues. They are ignoring best practices counsel to Gov. Rick Snyder, who indicated in in business and promoting a hostile environment a May 18, 2011 letter to Sen. Majority Leader to the concept of home rule. This legislation for gay and lesbian couples. We hope that voters Randy Richardville and Speaker of the House questions where lawmakers’ real priorities are,” Jase Bolger, that legislative policies such as those blatantly goes against this history.” said Emily Dievendorf, director of policy for outlined in HB 4770 and 4771 infringe upon the Equality Michigan. constitutional authority of public universities The Michigan House of Representatives and are therefore both unconstitutional and passed the bills by a vote of 64-44 in September. unenforceable. In addition, Kaplan explained –Jay Kaplan, ACLU of Mich. LGBT Project staff attorney Anti-gay Republicans Rep. Dave Agema, the that the policies also infringe upon the authority bill’s sponsor, and Attorney General Bill Schuette of local governments to adopt employment have been trying to strip away health care benefits practices, including the ability to decide who clear that laws based on animus toward a particular country, would it consider a policy that not only for gay and lesbian couples since February. should receive health insurance coverage. group violate the Fourteenth Amendment right to deters economic opportunities, but is exclusionary, “Tens of thousands of public and private “Michigan courts have long recognized that equal protection under the law. unwelcoming, and unsupportive of the diversity employees in our state have access to health care the legislature may not interfere with a university Previously, sponsors of the legislation of Michigan families?” benefits for domestic partners – this legislation, if board institutional management and control,” estimated the cost of benefits would be well Over 900,000 Michigan employees of passed, would have a devastating impact. This is a said Kaplan. “The State of Michigan, including over $8 million, however a recent analysis private companies have access to health care crucial issue for Michigan – do we really want to be its legislative body, has always been strongly conducted by the Civil Service Commission benefits for their domestic partners. Over 20 major known as a state with such a regressive legislature committed to the concept of home rule. This found that only about 100 employees opted in by corporations in the state provide such benefits, that we deny equal access to health care benefits? legislation blatantly goes against this history.” the September deadline, proving the true cost of including Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, Dow Michigan Republicans are ready to close the door In his testimony, Kaplan stated that domestic partners benefits was about $600,000. Chemical and Whirlpool. Several public entities, for gay and lesbian couples who want to live here although the Michigan Supreme Court ruled Citing this information and the fact that more representing tens of thousands of workers, provide - even if it means dictating human resources policy that Michigan’s anti-marriage amendment than 50 prominent businesses in the state provide benefits for domestic partners of employees, for local governments,” said Dievendorf. precludes public employers from providing domestic partner benefits, Kaplan questioned the including the State of Michigan, at least 10 public “Given the lack of economic soundness domestic partner benefits based solely on the type decision to take away health benefits and tie the universities, five city and county governments and behind these proposals, one is left to believe of relationship individuals share, the amendment hands of public employers to attract and retain at least three public school districts. that the true motivation behind these bills is a does allow universities and local governments to the brightest and best. To read, the ACLU’s testimony, including Michael cynical, mean-spirited attempt to attack and harm provide domestic partner benefits to employees “The ACLU has to wonder why, in the Gadola’s letter, go to www.aclumich.org/sites/ people that certain members of this legislature do based on a variety of unrelated criteria, including face of Michigan’s economic downslide - with not like,” said Jay Kaplan, ACLU of Michigan joint ownership of property and durable powers unemployment rates the highest in the country default/files/file/HB4770testimony.pdf For LGBT Project staff attorney during his testimony. of attorney. In addition, Kaplan quoted former and with families struggling to make ends meet more information visit www.equalitymi.org, “House Bills 4770 and 4771 are wrong. They are Attorney General Mike Cox and the Michigan - would the legislature want to take away health www.aclumich.org.

11 Between The Lines • October 27, 2011 Opinions Publishers: Jan Stevenson & Susan Horowitz

Vol. 1943 • Issue 736 October 27, 2011 Thinking Out Loud Publishers Susan Horowitz Jan Stevenson

EDITORIAL BY ABBY DEES Editor in Chief Susan Horowitz [email protected] Entertainment Editor Why my marriage matters Chris Azzopardi [email protected]

Arts & Theater Editor A marriage doubter changes her tune Donald V. Calamia, [email protected] BY ABBY DEES or tradition. We would, by our very choice to point out that separate-but-equal is officially not marry, make it our own. It meant – of course an American operating principle, as declared by Calendar Editor Benjamin Jenkins t’s my wedding anniversary today and I’m as it should mean for anyone – that I wanted the Supreme Court in 1954, thank you very much. [email protected] 6000 miles away from my partner, sitting in to declare Traci as my family. I also knew that Now let me put the politics and law aside for an English café. Being all alone and so far marriage meant something to her that no amount a moment. The deal is that it matters to step into CREATIVE Iaway is making me especially wistful about these of political lip-flapping from me would change. something that humans have been doing since last three years since we were legally married That probably should have been enough for me, they learned to use words. It matters that when I Art Director in California. but I’m pig-headed this way. say we’re married to someone I meet they know David Ano, [email protected] We married just before the November exactly what that means on an emotional, familial election, which then put the whole thing in limbo, level, even if the legal stuff is head-spinningly Webmaster & MIS Director Kevin Bryant, [email protected] Marriage is not a and my attitudes shifted almost instantly about confusing right now. It matters that marriage this complicated institution. When I finally said is the highest public bond between two people Contributing Writers prerequisite for this “I do,” I was in – fully and deeply. I was now that we know of, and that my partner and I have Charles Alexander, D.A. Blackburn, ready to beat up anyone who was going to take declared, to our family, friends, and – courtesy Michelle E. Brown, Zach Childree, John Corvino, desire, but it still means my marriage away and leave us the decidedly less of the county registrar – to our community, Jack Fertig, Lisa Keen, Jim Larkin, Anthony Paull, resonant “domestic partnership” as a consolation that we, joyfully and with full awareness of its Andrea Poteet, Crystal Proxmire, Bob Roehr, prize. I really did have the feeling that in marrying obligations, have entered this bond with each Hannah Schwab, Gregg Shapiro, Jody Valley, more to me than I ever D’Anne Witkowski, Rex Wockner, Dan Woog the woman I loved, and despite myself, I’d other. Take that, domestic partnership. understood before. fallen into a fundamentally human state, one Three years in, my marriage is strong and Cartoonists that far precedes the bizarre economic aspects of becomes more beautiful every day. We have Paul Berg, Dave Brousseau, Joan Hilty marriage, or all those questionable gender ideas our spats, our weight gain (why, why, why?), it’s been laden with along the way. our cats and dogs (we’re lesbians after all), but Contributing Photographers I had to be cajoled into getting married. Not So what does marriage really mean versus as I sit here today, so far from my home, there Andrew Potter the commitment and love thing – I was clear on that domestic partnership? In California there is is only one thing I want: for my beloved to be – I balked at marriage itself. First, I had to tease out almost no difference under the law (other places here, with me. Marriage is not a prerequisite for ADVERTISING & SALES my motivations: was it the universal human urge are different). Then it just comes down to a name, this desire, but it still means more to me than I to engage in an ancient rite or was it the sudden Director of Sales I’m told – which is what the other side has argued ever understood before. excitement around this new opportunity? Even Jan Stevenson, [email protected] in court repeatedly, as if to say, “What are you Abby is a civil rights attorney-turned-author though we got “equal” marriage rights in California, complaining about? You’ve got it all except for who has been in the LGBT rights trenches for 25+ Sales Representatives it was still so different for us. the silly issue of a name.” My response to the Ed Bohach, [email protected] Most straight people will never know what it’s anti-same-sex marriage folks is, “Good, then, you years. She can be reached through her website: Ann Cox, [email protected] like to have spent their lives being excluded from try domestic partnership on for size.” I must also queerquestionsstraighttalk.com. full marriage, then to have that change instantly one National Advertising Representative day – and then to learn within days that marriage Rivendell Media, 212.242.6863 might be snatched away again if you don’t marry Business Office before election day. Oh, this was definitely not like Diane Smith, [email protected] traditional marriage. Nancy Blankenship The other issue I faced was whether I even supported this institution to begin with. Unlike my Circulation & Distribution partner, who is a old-fashioned Midwestern gal, I Diane Smith grew up a counterculture hippy child in L.A. – very Birkenstocks and rainbow toe socks. Even before Pride Source Media Group I knew I was a lesbian, the idea of a virginal white 11920 Farmington Road Livonia, Michigan 48150 dress and a ken doll husband at the alter made no Phone 734.293.7200 • Fax 734.293.7201 conceptual sense. My childhood fantasy husband www.pridesource.com was a fellow Peace Corps doctor, sharing a tent with Our rate cards are available online me in Africa while we saved the world together. Later, when I became a politically minded lesbian, All material appearing in Between The Lines is protected by federal I most definitely couldn’t get behind any ritual that copyright law and may not be reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publishers. Between The Lines is supported involved someone being given away. Ick. by many fine advertisers, but we cannot accept responsibility for But fantasy always cedes to reality, and the claims made by our advertisers, nor can we accept responsibility universe must have had a good chuckle as I tried to for materials provided by advertisers or their agents. explain all this to my common-sensical girlfriend. Copyright 2011 Pride Source Media Group, LLC To her, marriage was marriage. If you don’t want the white dress, don’t wear one. Do you want to get married or not? In a nice turn, my old politics helped me say yes in the end. I decided that my marriage would not be dictated by anyone else’s history

12 Between The Lines • October 27, 2011 Parting Glances Then and Now

BY CHARLES ALEXANDER Bases loaded for Prophet Jones

n several sporty occasions I’ve dined at Angelina’s Restaurant in Downtown Detroit with BTL co-publishers Jan and Susan, loyal Tiger baseball fans. OFrom our window side table, the Comerica Park pre-game fireworks are spectacular to watch (as are many of the attendee pitch hitters parading by in cutoffs for my out fielder benefit). Grrrrrr! The Tigers got close this year, but not close enough. (I was downtown when the team won the ‘68 World Series. The celebration was wild; pitcher Denny McClain a hero, whose future seemed bright, promising, a natural for the Baseball Hall of Fame.) On our last visit I cashed a twenty at the bar and recalled BTL reminds readers that Angelina’s was once the Madison Theater. Where I stood was its lobby, and there, years ago in my late teens, I got a special “blessing” from Rev. James Francis Jones. Prophet Jones (1908 - 1971). When I approached Prophet Jones he was alone. I hadn’t a clue why he was unescorted, but I recognized him from TV and VOTE newspaper pictures. “Aren’t you Prophet Jones?” I boldly asked. Visit our website! He was cordial, gracious, conservatively dressed. Soft spoken in http://www.pridesource.com voice, cultured in diction. Nov. 8 As a lark I asked for a blessing. He gave me a Who-is-this- Add our fan page! presumptive-white-kid look, and said, “Thirty years fallow, twenty Search: “Between The Lines Newspaper” years a harvest of your good.” He also invited me to call his For Pro-Equality candidates check secretary and make an appointment to visit his fabulous 54-room Follow us! Arden Park mansion. I never did. www.eqmipridepac.com @YourBTL Jones’s flamboyant lifestyle as a preacher was both praised and damned in Time, Newsweek, Saturday Evening Post, Ebony, Pittsburgh Courier, Detroit mainstream and African-American newspapers. He was controversial. Flamboyant! Possibly, well, you know ... Although he received birthday greetings from Michigan Governor G. Mennen Williams and was an invited guest at Dwight D. Eisenhower’s 1952 presidential inauguration, many African- American civil and religious leaders called him a con artist. Jones wore one gold earring (God whispered into his right ear), ruled from an ornate $5300 throne, wore a full-length mink coat - price tag $13,500 - a gift from Chicago schoolteacher sisters whose mother he had healed before coming to Detroit in 1938. He held court at the Universal Triumph, the Dominion of God, Inc., with his flock of lords, ladies, princesses and princes (and presumably queens) at the Oriole Theater, a renovated movie house. Doors were locked to keep drowsy royalty and commoners from sneaking away during the three-hours-long midnight telecast services. He preached that Mary was black, that she was turned away from the inn because of racial discrimination, and that Jesus was not crucified but lynched. Jones’s followers couldn’t join social clubs, drink coffee or alcohol, or bear children out of wedlock. They could, however, be patriotic. (They purchased over $12,000 in Victory Bonds during World War ll.) The Prophet was suspected of dealing in the numbers racket, and an undercover cop was assigned to gather details. The novice vice cop, John Henry, a butch 24, uncovered little evidence of numbers involvement by Jones, other than giving out three-digit Bible verses for donations of $5, $10, and $20. Unfortunately, Jones blessed Henry’s exposed ripcord when they were alone during a private healing service, or so the paratrooper- turned-vice-cop alleged. “Prophet Jones Jailed on Morals Charge” blared the Feb. 21, 1956 banner Free Press headline, with other papers gleefully tooting in. Thanks to a smart lawyer, the jury found Prophet Jones not guilty. It was a case of entrapment, pure (but not so simple). As Jones left the courtroom in dark glasses his followers chanted, “All is well, prophet.” But they were wrong. No matter who you bailout with, you can’t walk on water without sinking. (Especially in high heels.) Oh, yes! The Prophet’s late-60s church venue is the Fine Arts building, currently housing the Detroit ACLU office. (Glory Be!) [email protected] Play $5 on Second Peter, verses 6 and 9 13 Between The Lines • October 27, 2011 News MICHIGAN Creep of the Week Linda Harvey Equality Ride founder BY D’ANNE WITKOWSKI Harvey asks, knowing that any sane and loving parent would rather take our son just fell off the monkey their chances at home with some pliers bars, shattering a kneecap and and duct tape than subject their child shares call to action busting out some teeth. Your to a lesbianism-flaunting nurse. Ykid is screaming in pain, blood all Harvey continues, “If you want over his face, and you’re trying to your children to admire people who calm them proclaim a homosexual lifestyle, Jacob Reitan takes fight to conservatives down on the they’re involvement with your child ambulance during a hospital stay is sure to be an BY CRYSTAL PROXMIRE ride to the influence.” hospital That’s right, parents. One TROY– It was a chance saying, “It’s day you’re telling little Billy how conversation at a gay bar on a Friday okay, you’re dangerous and sinister homosexuals night while in college, that prompted going to be are and the next day he’s in traction and Jacob Reitan to start the Soulforce okay,” while a nice lesbian is bringing him Popsicles Bus Tour, which brings gay students trying to and a gay doctor is responsible for the and allies to conservative college keep terror fact that he’ll walk again. That’s just campuses to force the discussion of Linda Harvey out of your not fair to Billy. Better that he never diversity and acceptance. voice. When know kind, helpful, professional gay “I met this very attractive young you get to people exist at all. man who told me he went to Wheaton the hospital your son is whisked Not that Harvey is trying to College in Chicago, which is one away on a stretcher to be seen by an denigrate gay and lesbian health of the most conservative schools in ER doctor. professionals. “Let me be clear that the country. So I asked him, ‘Gee Sounds like a nightmare, doesn’t folks involved in these behaviors can what’s it like being a gay man at a it? No, not the your-child-getting- conservative school?’” seriously-injured thing. I mean, come “He told me that no one knows on, accidents happen and in this No decent doctor or about that, and he’d be thrown out if fictitious scenario he’s going to be anybody knew. He said that was the sore and on crutches for a little while nurse of any sexual school’s policy. and looking like a Jack-o-lantern until “And I said, ‘Well we need to his front adult teeth come in, but fine. orientation is going change that policy.’ And what he said No, the nightmare is the fact that the next made me realize how important paramedics, x-ray technicians, nurses, to let a child suffer activism is. He said. ‘No, I think it’s a and doctors who cared for your son good policy. Homosexuality is a sin.’ could be “known homosexuals.” or die just because “So here was this young man at A terrifying thought. a gay club on a Friday night, seeking Granted, a health care provider’s he or she has anti- to be loved and affirmed as a person, Jacob Reitan speaking at Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion breakfast sexual orientation probably isn’t but still believing that he was a sinner Oct. 21. BTL photo: Crystal A. Proximire the first thing on a parent’s mind gay nuts for parents. and that he couldn’t be accepted.” when their child is sick or injured. Reitan told the young man that meet and talk about these things. beliefs contribute to the bullying Thankfully, Linda Harvey of Mission he would find a way to change the Some even have GSAs and support of gay children and the suicides of America reminds us what’s important school’s policies, and to do that he groups now.” those who feel like they are evil or when it comes to child health and be certainly competent workers,” she joined with the Soulforce movement In addition to talking about the unaccepted by society. welfare. says, “but they are tacking onto their and created the Soulforce Equality Soulforce Equality Rides, Reitan Just having the conversation On her Oct. 18 radio show workplace identity one that is highly Ride, inspired by the Freedom Rides talked about the rift between religion helps. “As soon as we announced we Harvey warned parents about the offensive to many people and can be of the 1960s. Since his first ride in and the LGBT community, explaining were coming, the school newspapers dangers of gay and lesbian care erroneously influential to children who 2006, the group he helped form has why nonviolence and dialogue are the announced it and it got people takers. “How do you feel about open won’t, or shouldn’t, see the whole visited over 50 schools including keys to changing the minds of the talking. Someone in the cafeteria homosexuals tending to your child in a picture of how this behavior really Wheaton, Brigham Young and religious. would say ‘we shouldn’t have those health care setting? Do you think these manifests itself.” Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. “The truth, on its own merit, guys on campus,’ and someone else folks provide good role modeling Got it? If the lesbian nurse could When he spoke about his rises to the top of any argument,” he would speak up and say “Christ at a time when your child is very just, say, show the child a video of experiences as an activist at a said, pointing out that in the past five maybe we should hear what they vulnerable?” she asks, adding that herself having lesbian sex and going Michigan Roundtable for Diversity years there has been a great deal of have to say.’ And then people are her concern stems from the gay and to hell then children would get the full and Inclusion breakfast Oct. 21, progress in the gay rights movement. talking about it and allies come lesbian employee group at Children’s perspective. But Harvey would object he explained that the tour planners “Before five years ago we had never forward. ...And from there we build Hospital in Columbus. to that, too. would send a letter to the schools passed a national policy for LGBT relationships and understanding.” Harvey was stunned to learn that Harvey’s advice to parents? “You letting them know they’d been people. Five years ago there were Reitan graduated magna cum the group had done some scandalous may want to consider writing a letter selected as a stop on the tour, and three recurring gay characters on laude from Northwestern University things. According to Harvey, “they that you file with your pediatrician that inviting them to work with the group national television, now there are with a Bachelors of Science participated in last June’s gay pride should your child ever be hospitalized, to set up programming for the day. over 100. Five years ago there was degree in political science and parade (and) in a health expo on you do not want your child to be treated Some schools gave them space and one state where gays and lesbians communication studies. He currently adolescent health this summer and or cared for by (gay employees) except time to talk, others had them arrested could be married, now there are five attends Harvard Divinity School on that they’re concerned about same- in the case of an emergency situation,” on sight. Reitan has been arrested states, plus DC and we are going a Harvard Presidential Scholarship sex partner benefits. They’re also she says. 13 times. to win back California and get where he is pursuing his Masters planning to be identified with rainbow If Harvey were really serious Someone in the audience Maryland...The long arm of history in Theological Studies. To find out lapel pins.” she’d drop the “emergency situation” asked if he thought the rides made is bending toward justice.” more about Reitan and the Soulforce That’s right: rainbow lapel pins, exception. But then again, no decent a difference. There is more work to do on Equality Rides, go to their website which means “open homosexuals.” parent could stand to watch a child “At some of the schools we conservative college campuses and www.soulforce.org/programs/ “Let’s say your eleven year-old suffer or let a child die in the name of gave them an excuse to have the in the religious institutions that will equality-ride. has broken her leg rather badly and shielding him or her from nefarious conversation,” Reitan said. “On the not recognize same gender love. For more on the Michigan Roundtable needs to be in the hospital a few homosexual influence. And no day we came there was the changing Reitan read the hateful words of for Diversity, which is celebrating its days, which would you prefer: a nurse decent doctor or nurse of any sexual of hearts and minds...We have gone religious groups which compare who’s proud of her lesbianism, who orientation is going to let a child suffer back to some and things absolutely homosexuality to rape and murder 70 anniversary this year, go to www. has rainbow identifiers on her work or die just because he or she has anti- changed. Students are now able to and explained that those hateful miroundtable.org. clothing, or a nurse who does not?” gay nuts for parents. 14 Between The Lines • October 27, 2011 News MICHIGAN

PFLAG Family Author asserts God and Gay go together Reunion resumes BY BETH GREENAPPLE Michaelson grew up in a Conservative Jewish household. “The Bible’s ‘family values’ DETROIT– Promising friendship, WEST BLOOMFIELD– Jay He struggled with his sexuality fun and information, PFLAG Family Michaelson, an author whose new for ten years with denial, self- include arranged marriages, Reunion Detroit Chapter for People of book will be featured at the Jewish deceit and self-hatred. Reminiscent Color announced it will be reactivating Community Center’s Jewish Book of Rabbi Steven Greenberg’s sex with twelve-year old girls, the group. The first meeting will take Fair Nov. 6, is a Biblical scholar “Wrestling With God and Men,” an place on Tuesday, Nov. 15 from 7-8 and a gay activist. His appearance examination of the Jewish Bible’s concubines, polygamy, and p.m. at Fellowship Chapel UCC Church, is sponsored by the Jewish Gay take on homosexuality from an 7707 W. Outer Drive (just east of the Network of Michigan. JGN’s Orthodox Jewish scholar’s point of prostitution...Is this what we Southfield Fwy). To learn more email Executive Director Judy Lewis met view, Michaelson interweaves close [email protected] Michaelson in 2009 in San Francisco readings of Scripture with stories want for ourselves today?” and describes him as “intelligent, from his own life, concluding that a warm and engaging.” loving God would never ask human –Jay Michaelson, author Wanted: New “JGN’s board and advisory beings to repress their emotional committee will be honored with an selves and live their lives alone or opportunity to meet more intimately under what he calls “the tyranny of logo design with Michaelson,” who will attend the closet.” author emphasizes that numerous the sanctification of marriage available their meeting after the Book Fair In “God vs. Gay? The Religious studies indicate the sexual orientation to couples in same-sex relationships FERNDALE– Affirmations is event said Lewis. Case for Equality,” Michaelson re- of parents does not affect the actually strengthens, rather than looking for a new logo and is inviting input Michaelson is the author of examines scriptures from the Hebrew psychological health of children. weakens, religious values of family, from the public to submit their version of three books and numerous articles Bible and the New Testament and He points out the irony of the much love and human dignity. what a new logo might look like. about the intersections of religion, argues that homosexuality is not bandied-about notion that Biblically The deadline to submit logo ideas sexuality and law. A leading activist only natural, but that, “put in stark based ‘family values’ are being Jay Michaelson will speak to the is Friday, Nov. 11. All entries should be on behalf of LGBT people in faith religious terms, sexual diversity is undermined by the mere existence of general public on Sunday, Nov. 6, 5:30 submitted to [email protected]. communities, Michaelson and his part of God’s plan.” The winning logo and its creator, will homosexual relationships. Michaelson p.m. at 6600 West Maple Road, West work have been featured in the New Michaelson believes that the writes, “The Bible’s ‘family values’ be featured at Affirmations Spring Bash, Bloomfield. After his presentation York Times, on NPR and CNN. He Bible teaches us to treat minorities include arranged marriages, sex with which will be held at the Detroit Institute is the founder of Nehirim, the leading with a love that respects each twelve-year old girls, concubines, he will autograph copies of his book, of Arts on March 31, 2012. For additional national provider of community person’s unique individuality and polygamy, and prostitution...Is this available for sale in the JCC lobby. information or questions contact Cass programming for LGBT Jews and human dignity. what we want for ourselves today?” Admission is free and all are welcome. Varner, Director of Communications at their allies. Writing on gay marriage, the Indeed, Michaelson shows that making 248-398-7105.

15 Between The Lines • October 27, 2011 News NATIONAL GOP at right-wing Iowa forum: Gingrich one-ups Santorum BY LISA KEEN

It was one of only four questions posed to each Republican presidential hopeful Oct. 22 at Knapp Animal Learning Center in Des Moines, during a conservative forum: “What, specifically, would you do to prevent abortion-on-demand and protect traditional marriage?” Some of the specifics offered came across like last-hand poker bets. Rick Santorum would go to “every single state” to wage campaigns against judges who strike down same-sex marriage bans. Ron Paul would push for a bill to remove such issues from the jurisdiction of the courts. And Newt Gingrich said he would “abolish” or “ignore” courts with which he did not agree and said Congress should have written language into the Defense of Marriage Act to make it not Newt Gingrich appealable. The fact that all six candidates at the We have a weak understanding of civil Evoking the memory of President Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition forum liberties,” said Paul. “We have to think Abraham Lincoln and the fight to abolish in Des Moines were eager to wear their about our civil liberties as we think about slavery, Santorum promised to “come back opposition to same-sex marriage so boldly our religious freedom...If we understand and make sure we not only defeat those was not a surprise. Steve Scheffler heads our civil liberties, protecting all the liberties justices...but go to every single state...Then, the Coalition, formerly known as the Iowa of an individual, as well as obeying the one by one, the judicial opinions will come Christian Alliance,, and Scheffler has been constitution, I really don’t think it will be down.” an active opponent of same-sex marriage in that difficult to get back on our feet again.” Gingrich, in a rambling answer that Iowa. Some media speculate he can sway a Rick Perry said nothing about same-sex mashed both abortion and same-sex marriage significant number of right-wing conservative marriage, even when asked for specifics. issues together, expressed his belief that he caucus-goers into a candidate’s camp. He said only that he would put “strict could, as president, simply abolish a court What was surprising, however, is constructionists on the court” that would with which he disagreed. He pointed to that none of the six - which also included “overthrow Roe v. Wade.” President Thomas Jefferson as his role model Michelle Bachmann, Herman Cain, and Rick Herman Cain, who has begun to punch and, with a wildly expressionist interpretation Perry (Mitt Romney declined to participate) his speeches up with such catchy zingers of federal court history, cavalierly suggested that Jefferson waltzed into the presidency and “abolished” half the federal judge positions. Gingrich would sign four executive orders - one He then demurred, saying, “I am not of which would reinstate the President George W. as bold as Jefferson,” but said he would “recommend” that the court of a federal judge Bush’s “Conscience Rule” to authorize any health in San Antonio - who ruled against prayer at a high school graduation ceremony - “should care worker, hospital, or insurance company to be abolished now.” refuse any activity against their religious beliefs. “Presidents, on occasion, ignore the court,” said Gingrich. He noted that a few instances in which presidents ignored a - brought up the issue on their own. Each as “Stupid people are ruining America,” Supreme Court ruling. delivered a 10 to 15-minute speech prior responded to the question by supporting “As president,” said Gingrich, “I would to taking on the questions, and it appeared a “constitutional guarantee for traditional instruct the national security apparatus to that many of the candidates were in the marriage” and judges to enforce that. ignore the three most recent Supreme Court room while questions were asked of other Even Santorum, who has carved out a decisions on terrorism and I would say, candidates. niche for himself as the anti-abortion, pro- ‘Those are null and void and have no binding In her 15-minute speech, Bachmann family, anti-gay marriage candidate, stuck to effect on the United States, and as commander did tout “standing against Barney Frank on his anti-abortion theme, with only a fleeting in chief I will not have a federal judge risking the Financial Services Committee - I have reference to his desire to “strengthen the the safety of the United States with some done that.” But she made no mention of her American family, strengthen marriage.” misguided interpretation’.” Then he said he leadership against same-sex marriage until When asked for specifics, he would “serve notice” to the 9th Circuit U.S. Scheffler asked her the question. complained that other candidates “say they Court of Appeals - a circuit where a number Ron Paul, introduced as the champion support traditional marriage and support a of important LGBT civil rights rulings have of civil liberties and the constitution, also constitutional ban on gay marriage,” but “they emerged - “that they are on sufferance and if eschewed any mention of same-sex marriage don’t support getting involved in the states to they decide to continue being radical, they in his prepared remarks, while walking make sure the states don’t pass ... marriage will become unemployed.” a political tightrope. He said the family different from one man and one woman.” And on his first day as president, said has been “diminished” in recent years, “Will they go to the states and fight it Gingrich, he would sign four executive but hinted it was because the government where the fight is?” asked Santorum. “I did.” orders - one of which would reinstate the had grown too big. He also expressed his He reminded the audience that, last year, he President George W. Bush’s “Conscience concern that the law has “accommodated to was part of the successful campaign in Iowa Rule” to authorize any health care worker, the moral standards of the people” and urged to oust three state supreme court justices who hospital, or insurance company to refuse, that Americans take their civil liberties as ruled the state constitution requires same- in Gingrich’s words, “any activity against seriously as they do their religious freedoms. sex couples be treated the same as straight their religious beliefs.” “We are careless with our constitution. couples in the issuance of marriage licenses. The crowd loved it.

16 Between The Lines • October 27, 2011 News NATIONAL Anti-bullying measures left out of education bill

BY DANA RUDOLPH stepping to protect the most vulnerable members of American society when they face pervasive WASHINGTON, DC–In a blow to activists discrimination." seeking to stop anti-gay bullying, two proposals Franken said committee Chairman Senator to address the issue in schools were left out of an Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) has promised to help education reform bill approved by a U.S. Senate him get a vote on an SNDA amendment when committee Oct. 20. And a proposal to explicitly the education bill goes to the Senate floor. And prohibit anti-LGBT bullying was stripped he said Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) agreed to work out. But senators who support the efforts have with him to "find compromise language that he promised to try to insert language once the full can support as a co-sponsor before we bring this education bill reaches the floor. vote to the floor." Kirk is the lone Republican The Senate Committee on Health, co-sponsor of SSIA. Education, Labor, and Pensions approved Like Franken did for SNDA, Senator Bob revisions to the Elementary and Secondary Casey (D-Pa.) introduced but then withdrew the Education Act, the key federal statute governing Safe Schools language. primary and secondary education, in a 15 to 7 A third measure that was incorporated into vote. The version of the Act implemented by the original education bill was "Successful, Safe, Congress at the behest of President George and Healthy Students," which Harkin himself W. Bush was better known as "No Child Left had introduced as a stand-alone bill last May. It Behind." President Obama has said reform of seeks to give states grants to develop programs the Act is one of his highest priorities. that support student health, prevent bullying, Human Rights Campaign President violence, and drug use, and promote "safe and Joe Solmonese said in a statement that the supportive schools." annual reauthorization of the Act "was the best Local education agencies applying for opportunity the Senate will have in this Congress the grants would, among other things, have to to address the problem of bullying faced by establish policies prohibiting conduct that creates LGBT students" and that he was "disappointed" "a hostile or abusive educational environment." the Committee did not do so. But the version of that program that was The two primary anti-bullying measures approved as part of the education bill Oct. 20 that LGBT advocates have hoped would be part stripped out language that would have required of that bill are the Student Nondiscrimination Act participating schools specifically to prohibit and the Safe Schools Improvement Act. bullying and harassment based on sexual SNDA would prohibit elementary and orientation and gender identity. secondary schools from discriminating against A Harkin spokesperson said that, if the students on the basis of real or perceived SNDA provisions are approved as an amendment, sexual orientation or gender identity in any they would require all schools receiving federal program or activity receiving federal funds. funds, including those receiving Successful, "Discrimination" would include harassment, Safe, and Healthy Students grants, to establish bullying, intimidation, and violence based on enumerated, LGBT-inclusive anti-bullying sexual orientation or gender identity. policies. The Safe Schools bill would require The spokesperson said Harkin is hopeful the schools and districts receiving federal funds full Senate will approve the SNDA provisions to implement and report on anti-bullying as a floor amendment. She confirmed that programs. It would require that anti-bullying "Chairman Harkin is committed to working with programs specifically address bullying and Senator Franken to ensure that happens" and that harassment based on actual or perceived sexual Harkin will also work with Senator Casey so that orientation and gender identity, among other "all students are given the opportunity to succeed attributes. free from harassment or discrimination." A 2009 survey of students by GLSEN found Senator Casey also issued a statement that students are more likely to report problems saying that he would work "to see enumerated and staffers are more likely to help them, where protections added to [the education bill] when it school policies explicitly prohibit bullying based comes to the Senate floor." on sexual orientation and gender identity. But passage of such amendments through During the committee hearing, U.S. the floor vote will be more difficult. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) introduced, but All 12 of the Democrats (and one then withdrew, SNDA as an amendment. In Independent, Bernard Sanders of Vermont) on withdrawing it, Franken said there were some the 22-member committee are co-sponsors of members who felt that including the language SNDA, which would have given it enough votes at this point would take bipartisan support away for passage in committee. from the whole reauthorization bill. Ten Democrats, plus one Republican, are Franken, in an eight-minute statement co-sponsors of Safe Schools -- one shy of a before the committee, explained that SNDA majority. would protect students like Justin Aaberg, Seth Overall, SNDA has 35 sponsors. None are Walsh and Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover, who Republicans. Safe Schools has 33 sponsors in each died by suicide after suffering relentless total, including Kirk. anti-gay bullying. Neither the Health, Education, Labor, and He placed SNDA in the context of previous Pensions Committee spokesperson nor Senate civil rights bills that addressed discrimination Majority Leader Harry Reid's office could on the basis of race and gender. SNDA, he confirm when the full Senate might hear the said, "follows a long precedent of Congress education bill.

17 Between The Lines • October 27, 2011 Life PERFORMING

Bad Boys of Dance perform Oct. 29-30 at the Detroit Opera House. Photo courtesy of Detroit Opera House Bad boys, bad boys – whatcha gonna do? Internationally known dance troupe to perform at Detroit Opera House

International dance superstar Rasta Thomas at a reduced price, with a reception following brings his Bad Boys of Dance to the Detroit Opera the performance. Visit www.MichiganOpera. House for two performances, Oct. 29-30. From org/Access. dancing on catwalks at New York’s fashion week to appearing on “Dancing with the Stars,” the Bad Boys’ amazing versatility and talent push the From dancing on catwalks bounds of dance with athletic jumps, endless turns and endearing individuality. The performances, at New York’s fashion part of the Maggie Allesee Dance Series, mark the company’s Detroit premiere. week to appearing on The Bad Boys will perform their hit show “ROCK the Ballet,” which includes routines to “Dancing with the Stars,” music from the Black Eyed Peas, U2, Journey and Michael Jackson, among many others. the Bad Boys’ amazing “ROCK the Ballet” was choreographed by Adrienne Caterna-Thomas, the company’s versatility and talent push associate artistic director, who also appears on stage alongside the six Bad Boys. the bounds of dance with Founded in 2007 by dance superstar Rasta Thomas, the Bad Boys have performed on athletic jumps, endless Broadway, in feature films, and been adored by millions on hit TV shows. In 2010 they performed turns and endearing at Carnegie Hall with Sir Elton John for a charity event alongside Lady Gaga, Sting and Bruce individuality. Springsteen, and this year they made a special guest appearance on “So You Think You Can Performances are 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 and Dance.” The company had the distinct honor of 2:30 p.m. Oct. 30. Ticket prices range from performing at the opening ceremonies of the USA $29-$76 and may be purchased in person at International Ballet Competition and now gives the Detroit Opera House ticket office (1526 more than 150 shows a year for fans worldwide. Broadway, Detroit), by calling 313-237-SING, A free talk with the artists begins one hour or online at www.MichiganOpera.org. Tickets prior to each performance. may also be purchased at Ticketmaster.com, Access.Dance tickets for students and at any Ticketmaster outlet, or by calling 800- young professionals ages 18-40 are available 745-3000.

18 Between The Lines • October 27, 2011 Be included in Nov 3rd Fall Health and Wellness Guide

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19 Between The Lines • October 27, 2011 20 Between The Lines • October 27, 2011 Photo: Victor de Mello Gay icon on new CD, Christian phonies and why ‘It Gets Better’ isn’t enough

BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI How do you celebrate a new release? and thoughts and feelings. I felt much more that I thought it was pretty bold, and I found them That’s a really good question. We’ll probably I had the soul of a composer than the soul of an to not be reticent about it but saying, “We’ve ori Amos doesn’t do anything have a glass of champagne tonight. Some of the interpreter. I felt closer to the sonic architects studied your work and we think you’re ready to straight. Regarded as one of the team that put so much energy into it is with me, than I did to the Horowitzs of the world. do this. We know you’ve been working on the premier singer-songwriters of our so we’ll gather and show gratitude. musical (“The Light Princess”) so you should Ttime, the gay icon’s veered off every which It sounds a lot like an extension of your last understand narrative to a degree.” And then way – into babe-pounding-piano rock and With alcohol, naturally. album, “Midwinter Graces.” Did working on that they said, “You know what, how about a 21st baroque-influenced orchestrations; not to Well, champagne. You know, a toast is a toast. project inspire this one? century song cycle based on classical themes?” mention seasonal songs, straight-up pop, It’s more about the camaraderie. I think it did inspire me, because working with And I said, “How about a drink?” adult contemporary and gender-bending carols and doing variations on them was kind of covers. Do you still travel with a wine cellar when you tour? Do you think this is a project you would’ve even me cutting my teeth on how to approach the idea considered 20 years ago? “Night of Hunters,” her 12th album You know it. of variations on a theme and to expand upon an over several decades, taps into 400 years original theme from another time. I did gain Oh, are you kidding? I think having worked on You’ve said, “I knew more about shoes than of classical music for the backdrop to the some experience by doing that, but I must tell the musical now for 5,000 years I’ve learned a musician’s conceptual damsel-in-distress classical music.” What was your crash course in you – hand on my heart – I did not think about lot. (Laughs) I’m working with these incredible narrative. It’s some of Amos’ finest work 400 years of classical music like? going up to (classical record label) Deutsche creative minds and that has really pushed me in years. I don’t know if it was a crash course. I was at the Grammophon and saying, “Uh, excuse me, I’m as a creative force to expand my ability as a On album release day, Amos called in conservatory for five, six years studying only gonna mess with the masters. Will you all pay composer. In the pop field, the composition to chat about the if-you-were-lesbian talk classical music. I wanted to be a composer. I for this?” It’s not something you do. It’s like form is quite regimented. I can see it right now: she had with her daughter, her message to knew that I was not going to be a concert pianist calling up black op and saying, “Hi, can I blow If I had turned in almost 10 minutes to one of anti-gay Christians and how “It Gets Better” for all kinds of reasons, but you have to really some shit up? I’m available!” It doesn’t really my favorite people in the whole world, (record might not be the best way to prevent suicide be dedicated and devote your whole life to work like that. label exec) Doug Morris, he would’ve looked at among gay youth. playing, for the most part, someone else’s ideas But they approached me with the idea and me and said, “Tori, what ar’ you doin’?” See Tori Amos, page 23

21 Between The Lines • October 27, 2011 22 Between The Lines • October 27, 2011 Life MUSIC

“I think there’s hope for people who are judgmental, but what they have to say to themselves is, how can they call themselves a Christian and then insist that gay people don’t have the right to be married?”

She’s grown up with gay people in our life. was about love and not about judgment and We have people from all walks of life on our damnation. I thought Christ came to question crew – gay women and gay men that we work the judgment of a very harsh God.” I just find with. She’s been brought up in it. it completely against Christ’s message. I don’t know what they’re representing, but they’re She had no choice – look at her mother. as far away from Christ as my Bible teaching Yeah, I know! (Laughs) But she knows very well taught me and, you know what, I was brought what I think. I had a chat with her once that if she up in the church! I’ve gone to church enough ever came home and said she was a lesbian then for almost every woman in America! (Laughs) that’s her choice. And she said to me: “Mom, I’m not a lesbian. Black guys are hot.” With all the bullying and suicides among LGBT teens in the news, have you considered writing a You’re from North Carolina, which has previously song about that? banned gay marriage and is now seeking to Could you send me some information about amend that to the state constitution to define that? I’m not aware of all that you speak about. marriage as being between a man and a woman. How do you feel about this legislation, as it There’s been a series of suicides among gay affects such a huge part of your fan base? youth in the last year due to bullying. The “It Gets Better” project was launched to give kids What I think is so strange. It is. (Laughs) If anybody calls themselves a Christian, I don’t hope and remind them that it’s not the end of see how you can ban consenting adults. I just the world. don’t understand how you can see yourself as But it is the end of the world to them. When Christian and have no compassion for another you are being bullied because of who you are, person’s path. It goes against the Christ-like the shame of that is so great that it does seem energy and light that I was brought up with. like the end of the world and like they’re not My mother and father, they’re both accepted in this world – and they’re not being Southern, have opened up, especially my dad. accepted by part of this world. And yet, the He had to really stretch as a Methodist minister, people that are not accepting them and bullying but he’s embraced the idea that gay people them call themselves Christian, and that is a lie. Photo: Victor de Mello deserve rights. I’m really proud of him that, as You are not a Christian if you treat people like a Methodist minister, he was able to make that that. I don’t care what office you’re running for. shift and see that he did need to see it differently. You just are not. That is not the definition of ® Tori Amos the idea of the singer-songwriter. That’s part of He took me to a gay bar when I was 13. He’s walking the Christ-like path. Continued from p. 21 my soul. But maybe there is another part that come a long way, let’s put it that way. So I think When artists say it’s not the end of the needed to expand – a composer in me.” there’s hope for people who are judgmental, world, I don’t know if that’s the approach. I but what they have to say to themselves is, how Does having your 11-year-old daughter, Natashya think the approach is acknowledging what can they call themselves a Christian and then they’re feeling and hopefully creating a space How do you feel about the disappearance of the Hawley, on four tracks mean you’re trying to turn insist that gay people don’t have the right to be where people feeling bullied can go to. singer-songwriter from mainstream, because you her into a gay icon, too? married? Then gay people shouldn’t have to pay This next election, it’s so important the gay were born out of that? (Laughs) Well, I don’t know if I’m trying to turn taxes in the state of Carolina! community become very aware of what’s going I was born out of that, and I’m still that, but I her into anything! She’s turning herself. She Is there hope for Michele Bachmann or people on and be very proactive about your rights as human beings. The fact that gay people are not needed to take the singer-songwriter by the hand helped me develop “Annabelle” (a character like her? and say, “Honey, we gotta expand.” This French on “Night of Hunters”). I designed it, but she treated as if they’re human beings by some of journalist said, “Are you willing to be honest and helped develop the character. She’s been pushing I don’t understand people. Again, I’m a these people who are running for office, it’s admit that what you really are is a conceptualist me about the musical and she realized she was minister’s daughter, I was brought up in the barbaric. Whatever you think I am, I would like and you’ve been disguising yourself as a pop too young to play any of the girls and she said, church; I do know the political side and how to be in a society where we’re enlightened, and star?” (Laughs) And I said, “Well, geez, I love “Look, I could stuff my bra!” And I said, “Stop it works. If I could sit down with these people I just find it all very primitive and that we’re contemporary music, I love pop music and I love stuffing your bra!” So Tash is very proactive. you’re mentioning, I’d say, “I thought Jesus regressing mentally.

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23 Between The Lines • October 27, 2011 24 Between The Lines • October 27, 2011 Life HEAR ME OUT by Chris Azzopardi Kelly Clarkson keeps the diss songs coming. Plus: Miranda Lambert’s best album yet understands the narrator’s frustration of being unsure of herself on Gillian Welch’s “Look at Miss Ohio,” another great cover of hers; the simplistic pain in “Over You” means more coming out of Lambert’s mouth; and the ethereal “Oklahoma Sky” mesmerizes. Vocal nuances, broken boundaries and supreme songwriting: there are all kinds of kinds, but only one Miranda Lambert. Grade: A Also Out

Washington, ‘I Believe You Liar’ Megan Washington toys around with lots of sounds on her respectable debut, from the ’60s girl- group sounds of “Cement” to the Sara Bareilles bounce of “The Hardest Part.” The Australian hipster, who rocks the specs like a hot librarian, balances her jaunty, offbeat pop for people who don’t like pop (come on, hipster, check out “1997”; it’s all cryptic) with old-school reheats and Kelly Clarkson, ‘Stronger’ Miranda ballads that try for a Tori feel (see: title Lambert, ‘Four If Kelly Clarkson wasn’t making music, track). Washington’s not reinventing the the Record’ you have to wonder: Where would she wheel, or even turning it very much, but take out her wronged-woman rage? It’s a Usually the one how many people can say they’ve made scary thought, considering how much the to set things their own funeral arrangements in a song? reigning “American Idol” – it’s been nearly ablaze, Miranda 10 years since she was crowned as the Lambert’s on inaugural winner – uses power-pop beats as a fire this time Mayer punching bag for her vehement venting. Miss ’round. Her best Hawthorne, Independent meets “Mr. Know It All” on the album, and easily atop the year’s finest, is ‘How Do You Do’ first single, a scorching kiss-off that has her everything the country outlaw’s done so For a while spewing lines like “you don’t know a thing extraordinarily well on the three before it – there, the ladies ‘bout me” in glorious fury. It’s the kind of no- just better. Having already told the gender- – Adele, Amy, BS cut we’ve come to know from Clarkson, rigid conservativeness of the country genre Duffy – were an expert at turning done-me-wrongs into to shove it with her girl-power, whiskey- just about the club anthems. Look no further than the guzzling ways, she doesn’t waste time to only ones doing second song, and single, “What Doesn’t do so again with a pro-everyone anthem old-school soul: then came Cee-Lo, and Kill You (Stronger),” just about the danciest, that’s wonderfully endearing: “All Kinds now Mayer Hawthorne. The singer, with balls-to-the-wall song she’s recorded; “I of Kinds,” unfolding like a storybook, his pillow-talk falsetto, is so straight-up Forgive You,” a could-be sequel to “Since U with a character that’s a cross-dressing Motown that songs like optimistic groove Been Gone,” follows similarly with wonky congressman and a moral often unheard “A Long Time,” an ode to native Detroit, synths. Vocally, she rocks “The War is Over” in country. “Some point the finger, let and the adorably infectious “You Called and “Honestly,” her breathy tones building ignorance linger,” she sings, reminding Me” sound like they’re right out of the ’60s. to a full belt; it’s a voice that can make even people to look at themselves before passing The only clue that they’re not: cussing out lowest-common-denominator lyrics, like judgment. If only for standing out among a hot but difficult woman on “The Walk” on “Einstein,” rise about the material. But her play-it-safe contemporaries, being and, as Snoop sings on “Can’t Stop,” Clarkson’s music on her fifth album, though different is obviously something Lambert hitting it from behind. Tempting, but not much less hooky than her last, “All I Ever understands. Her vocals are smeared into the Temptations. Wanted,” has an advantage: It’s easy to feel fuzzed-out obscurity on country-blues her pain. She hurts, she gets angry, and she “Fine Tune,” by far her most radical, and can’t please everyone. “You Can’t Win,” for possibly sexiest, move. What might seem all the outcasts, is how she addresses that traditional, “Mama’s Broken Heart” turns problem, with a line that we can all relate to: out to be anything but – it’s an aggressive “If you’re straight, why aren’t you married you-don’t-know-my-pain song, playing yet? If you’re gay, why aren’t you waving a to her bad-girl persona. Lambert, though, Reach Chris Azzopardi at chris@ flag?” It’s a win-win for everyone.Grade: B has vengeance and vulnerability: she pridesource.com.

25 Between The Lines • October 27, 2011 For expanded listings & to add a listing, visit www.pridesource.com

county government to assist youth with The Detroit Symphony Orchestra a variety of programs. Teams of bowlers “Beethoven’s Fifth” Louis Langre leads can form and solicit pledges as donations the Detroit Symphony in Beethoven’s Fifth Editor’s Picks OUTINGS to FYA. Ferndale Youth Assistance Bowl- Symphony - its infamous four opening A-Thon, 600 E. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. notes often described as “fate knocking Wednesday, Oct. 26 248-586-8700. at the door.” Tickets: $15+ Max M. Fisher Music Center, 3711 Woodward Ave., Outings Intersex Awareness Day 4 p.m. Oct.26th HARC provided HIV/AIDS testing 5 is Intersex Awareness Day. Oakland Detroit. Oct. 27 - Oct. 29. 313-576-5111. p.m. HARC provides anonymous and Dso.org An LGBT Summit for High University’s GSA will be hosting two free HIV counseling, testing and referral speakers to talk about their experiences School Youth, hosted by the GSA services through its outreach at the University Musical Society “Handel and as intersex people in our society. Oakland Jim Toy Community Center. HARC, 319 Vivaldi Fireworks” Philippe Jaroussky’s Alliance of Southeast MI and University’s GSA, 2200 N. Squirrel Braun Court, Ann Arbor. 734-678-2478. debut performance with Apollo’s Fire, GLSEN Southeast MI to motivate Road, Rochester. 734-891-0501. Hivaidsresource.org/hiv-testing one of the nation’s leading baroque [email protected] orchestras. Ticket information available youth leadership and awareness The Conversation Station 5 p.m. at ums.org. Hill Auditorium, 825 N. OUTober 2011 - Rainbow Variety Show Topic: Should hate crimes carry a stiffer of GSAs, is this Saturday in 8 p.m. Programming for EMU’s OUTober University Ave., Ann Arbor. 7:30 p.m. Nov. punishment? RSVP to 248-981-4227 so 3. 734-764-2538. Ums.org Beverly Hills. The Summit will 2011 events: a variety show. Audition to seating can be reserved. Get Out And consist of group icebreakers, Josh Richardson ([email protected]) Live!, 714 S. Washington St., Royal Oak. EMU LGBTRC, Eastern Michigan University, COMEDY three educational/advocacy 248-981-4227. MarciLWilliams@yahoo. Ypsilanti. Emich.edu/lgbtrc/programs com GetOutAndLive.me Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase Craig workshops which participants Gass has been performing stand-up Friday, Oct. 28 comedy since 1993 when he decided can select based on their interests, Tuesday, Nov. 1 to get revenge on a group of comedians 4 p.m. lunch, T-shirt and wristband Riot Youth Weekly Meeting Queer For Books 3 p.m. A book club who had ridiculed him after attempting to Riot Youth is a youth-led, safe space for for the LGBT community. Meets the first perform at an open microphone. Because giveaways, extensive networking lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, Tuesday of the month. This month’s book: the rest of his family is deaf and were queer, questioning youth and their allies opportunities and an expansive Remembrance of Things I Forgot by Bob unable to serve as speech models, as a (LGBTQQA) at the Neutral Zone, Ann collection of resources. This Smith. Ferndale Public Library, 222 E. child Craig relied on TV to learn how to Arbor’s youth-driven teen center. Through Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. 248-546-2504. speak and subsequently developed an Summit occurs semi-annually, leadership skill building, community [email protected] uncanny knack for imitating characters organizing, networking, support and once in the spring and once in the fall. and actors. Tickets: $17-20. Ann Arbor socializing, Riot Youth connects youth Transgender Life Support 7 p.m. Support Comedy Showcase, 314 E. Liberty St., Ann The event is aimed toward high school-aged youth, but all youth are welcome. Parents, to build an inclusive community. Meets group for transgendered people and allies. Arbor. Oct. 27 - Oct. 29. 734-996-9080. teachers, GSA advisors, counselors, school staff and allied adults are also invited; however, every Friday. The Neutral Zone, 310 E. Transgender Life Support, 290 W. Nine Aacomedy.com some workshops may be closed to adults. Washington St., Ann Arbor. 734-214- Mile Road, Ferndale. 248-398-7105. 9995. Neutral-zong.org Goaffirmations.org Detroit Opera House “All Stars of The LGBT Summit begins at 10 a.m. Oct. 29 at Wylie E. Groves High School, 20500 Comedy” Billy Bellamy, Adele givens, W. 13 Mile Road, Beverly Hills. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. For more information, go Halloween Spooktacular at Ferndale Arnez J, Damon Williams and Tommy 5:30 p.m. Dress up in your Thursday, Nov. 3 Public Library Davidson perform at the Detroit Opera to lgbtsummit.weebly.com/lgbt-summit.html. favorite costume and join the Ferndale GLBT Professionals Network Happy House. Tickets: $59-80. Detroit Opera Public Library’s Halloween celebration. Hour 6 p.m. Socialize and beverages with House, 1526 Broadway St., Detroit. 8 p.m. Special appearance by Dan the Creature other LGBT & Allied Professionals from the Nov. 5. 313-237-SING. Michiganopera.org Art ‘n’ Around Man and his creepy crawlies. This is a Kalamazoo area. KGLRC, 629 Pioneer St., special after-hours drop-in event for kids of Kalamazoo. 269-349-4234. Kglrc.org all ages. Visit the Children’s desk to register CONCERTS The 39th Michigan Depression Glass 7 p.m. Euchre or call 248-546-2504. Registration closes Euchre Tournament Fox Theatre “An Evening with Joe tournament fundraiser to benefit Out Loud Show returns to the Ford Community and Oct. 24. Ferndale Public Library, 222 E. Bonamass” Award-winning blues rock star, Chorus, Washtenaw county’s original GLBT Performing Arts Center Nov. 5 with all kinds Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. 248-546-2504. guitar hero and singer-songwriter. Tickets: chorus. $10 entry, cash prizes. Out Loud [email protected] $59-85. Fox Theatre, 2211 Woodward Ave., of depression and era glassware for display Chorus, 1950 South Industrial Hwy, Ann Detroit. 8 p.m. Oct. 29. 313-471-6611. and sale. Every year the Michigan Depression Womyn’s Film Night 7 p.m. Film: Flight Arbor. 734-265-0740. Outloudchorus@ Olympiaentertainment.com Glass Society brings tens of thousands of Plan - Still reeling from her husband’s gmail.com olconline.org unexpected death, Kyle Pratt is on a plane Royal Oak Music Theatre Lindsey American-made glassware of the early-mid heading from Berlin to New York when her Friday, Nov. 4 Buckingham Tickets: $37.50 advance, $40 daughter vanishes. But the captain and at the door. Royal Oak Music Theatre, 318 1900s, including depression glass, Fire King, Womyn’s Film Night 7 p.m. Film: One the air marshal begin to doubt that the W Fourth St, Royal Oak. 7 p.m. Nov. 8. 248- Heisey, Fostoria, Cambridge, Dunan and Night Stand: Caroline Rhea. Comedienne child was ever on board. With no support 399-2980. Royaloakmusictheatre.com lights up the stage with her sassy Unmarked Fenton. from the plane’s staff, Kyle can only rely brand of stand-up humor in this HBO The Ark Tom Chapin Ticket: $22.50. The on herself to find her little girl. But their The Michigan Depression Glass Society is performance. Affirmations, 290 W. Nine Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor. 8 p.m. Nov. 3. growing suspicions about her sanity prove Mile Road, Ferndale. 248-398-7105. 734-761-1800. Theark.org a group of 150-plus who collect era glassware problematic. Affirmations, 290 W. Nine Goaffirmations.org holding monthly meetings featuring different Mile Road, Ferndale. 248-398-7105. The Ark Robin Speilberg Tickets: $20. The tablesettings and programs. Goaffirmations.org S.P.I.C.E. 7:30 p.m. S.P.I.C.E. works to Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor. 8 p.m. Oct. 28. 734-761-1800. Theark.org This year’s show begins at 10 a.m. Nov. empower and enhance the lives of women Saturday, Oct. 29 of color in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, The Detroit Symphony Orchestra 5-6 at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave., Dearborn. For Transgendered and Questioning community LGBT Summit for High School Youth Stanley Clarke Band Electric bass in Metropolitan Detroit, by eradicating the more information, go to MichiganDepressionGlass.com. 9:30 a.m. A leadership and LGBT issues virtuosity showcased with Grammy Award health, social and educational barriers summit aimed at increasing awareness winning band. Ticket information available facing them. Meetings are on the first regarding Gay Straight Alliances, youth at dso.org Max M. Fisher Music Center, Friday of every month. S.P.I.C.E., 290 W. leadership, creative expression, and more. 3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit. 8 p.m. Nov. Theater 9 Mile Road, . 248-398-7105. The event is aimed at high school-age Ferndale 3. 313-576-5111. Dso.org Goaffirmations.org youth, but all youth are welcome. Parents, Ann Arbor Civic Audra teachers, GSA Advisors, counselors, University Musical Society McDonald Juilliard-trained, four-time Theatre will present school staff, and all adults are also invited Saturday, Nov. 5 Tony Award-winning singer and actress. Arthur Miller’s but some workshops may be closed to Wintergreen Euchre 6 p.m. A friendly Performed at the White House for adults. Hosted by the GSA Alliance of quintessential card game and a social outing for Womyn President Obama. Ticket information Southeast MI, the youth board of GLSEN of all ages, meeting the first Saturday. No available at ums.org. Hill Auditorium, 825 American drama, (The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education RSVP or partner is needed. There is a $5 N. University Ave., Ann Arbor. 8 p.m. Nov. Network) Southeast MI. GSA Alliance of “Death of a Salesman,” donation. Arrive a little early to get settled 4. 734-764-2538. Ums.org directed by Debra Southeast MI, 20500 West 13 Mile Road, in and registered for a seat. Wintergreen Beverly Hills. Gsa.alliance.sem@gmail. Euchre, 290 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. University Musical Society Diego el Reichard, Oct. 27-30 com Home.comcast.net/~vern909/site/ Cigala, internationally celebrated Gitano flamenco singer and one of cotemporary at the University of Mitten Maven Vampires vs. Zombies 5 flamenco’s most compelling voices. Ticket Michigan’s Arthur p.m. Don’t miss the Cap City Wild Childs information available at ums.org. Michigan junior derby team at half time. After party Miller Theatre. Theater, 603 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor. 8 at The Whiskey Barrel Saloon. Tickets: p.m. Nov. 5. 734-764-2538. Ums.org In the production, $10 at the door, $8 in advance, $6 MUSIC & Willy Loman has spent students. Mitten Mavens, Kalamazoo St., Wharton Center “Vienna Symphony his entire life “way East Lansing. [email protected] Orchestra with the Eroica Trio” The historic mittenmavens.net out there in the blue, Vienna Symphony Orchestra joins forces MORE with the most sought-after string trio in Monster Bash 9 p.m. Sober dance to the world, the Grammy-nominated Eroica riding a smile and a benefit TWC, a GLBT organization that CLASSICAL Trio. Tickets: $25-78. Cobb Great Hall, shoestring,” proud of sponsors an AA/Al-Anon conference in The Detroit Symphony Orchestra Wilson Road, East Lansing. 7 p.m. Nov. 6. the spring. Admission: $5. Costumes “Mondays at the Max with Wayne State: his ability to sell anything to anyone and to provide for his family. Now he finds himself down 517-432-2000. Whartoncenter.com encouraged! Together We Can, 2441 University Orchestra” In cooperation on his luck, unable to comprehend how or why he never achieved the success and fortune he Pinecrest, Ferndale. 248-838-9905. with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, dreamed of. As his life unravels, Willy attempts to examine his past, his strained relationships twcdetroit.com the Wayne State University Department OTHER with his sons, and his failure to live the American Dream. of Music presents Mondays at the Max Ann Arbor Docu Fest “Ann Arbor Docu Sunday, Oct. 30 with Wayne State, a new concert series Fest - Freedom Riders” Best Documentary Performances are 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $20 for featuring premiere Wayne State student Feature top prize, 2010 Heartland Film adults, $18 for seniors, $10 for students, and $15 for all tickets on Thursday. Tickets are Bowlathon for Ferndale Youth ensembles at the Max M. Fisher Music Festival. Story of a diverse group of Assistance 1 p.m. Fundraises for the available by calling 734-971-2228. Center. Max M. Fisher Music Center, 3711 activists who travelled through the South in FYA, a charity that works with schools, the Woodward Ave., Detroit. Oct. 10 - Dec. 12. 1961. After repeated trips with jailing and local district courts, parents and city and 313-576-5111. Dso.org See Music, page 29

26 Between The Lines • October 27, 2011 Life CURTAIN CALLS For the latest professional theater news: www.EncoreMichigan.com Bernie Madoff, not in his own words BY MARTIN F. KOHN

“I never cared about the money,” the fictionalized Bernie Madoff says in “Imagining Madoff.” “…It was the movement.” It’s the same thing problem gamblers say: It was never about the money, what was addictive was the action. In Deborah Margolin’s cerebral, intriguing rumination about the biggest swindle in history, the addiction reaches far, affecting even a deep-thinking, profoundly religious writer and Holocaust survivor (also fictionalized, although based on Elie Wiesel). “Imagining Madoff” continues at The Jewish Ensemble Theatre through Nov. 13. Photo: JET Ironically, the play itself is devoid of action – it’s all talk, which creates a challenge for anyone who would stage it. REVIEW himself was undone by addictions.) Director Yolanda Fleischer overcomes that Grossman, absent from Detroit stages challenge in her Jewish Ensemble Theatre Imagining Madoff for the past few years, makes a welcome production with a top-of-the-line cast – return, bringing out the more playful B.J. Love as Madoff, Robert Grossman as Jewish Ensemble Theatre at Aaron DeRoy aspects of the wise and dignified man of Theatre, 6600 W. Maple Road, West writer/Holocaust survivor Solomon Galkin Bloomfield. Thursday, Saturday & Sunday letters, as well as his scholarly piety, and and Sandra Birch as Madoff’s secretary – through Nov. 13, plus Wednesday, Nov. 9. becoming downright fawning as he begs and an eye-popping set by Donald Robert $36-43. 248-788-2900. Madoff to take him on as a client. Fox. www.jettheatre.org As Madoff, Love is unflinching in his Symbolizing some of the things bitterness, resentment and lack of remorse. Margolin is saying in her intensively As the unnamed secretary, testifying metaphorical drama, the set features towers in her script, invoking everything from before the Securities and Exchange of books, some ceiling-high, some lower, fishing, to baseball, to crumbled cookies. Commission, Birch is the closest thing placed strategically about the stage. They The baseball conceit is especially piquant, to the audience’s representative. Her might represent Madoff’s prison bars, as Grossman’s Galkin waxes lyrical about argument that she never knew what was Galkin’s voracious reading and prodigious Dwight Gooden, a stellar New York Mets going on is believable, but her regret and writing, or, piled higher than books can be pitcher of a few years back, waiting to mow sense of guilt are authentic. One leaves the stacked safely, a financial empire about down “the next poor dreamer” stepping theater thinking that even if we’re not sure to tumble. up to the plate. (Unspoken, but known by why, we should all feel at least a little sorry Margolin piles high the metaphors serious baseball followers, is that Gooden for allowing Bernie Madoff to happen. Door opens on laughs at Planet Ant BY DONALD V. CALAMIA REVIEW ‘Tis the season of spooks and goblins, Seance 4 and Planet Ant’s Improv Colony has gotten into the spirit of the holiday with the Planet Ant Theatre, 2357 Caniff, Hamtramck. 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday through Nov. 5. $10. Late Night original comedy “Seance 4.” 313-365-4948. Directed by Lauren Bickers, the hour-long laugh-filled production will make you think www.planetant.com twice about attending this year’s friendly neighborhood Halloween party! are all seasoned veterans of Southeast The monthly get-together of the Michigan’s improv community, and each Neighborhood Cul-de-sac Social Club knows how to write a satisfactory script finds Jane (Dyan Bailey), Trent (Michael and create a unique character. Hovitch) and Colleen (Tara Rase) at the That’s especially true of Trautman, home of fitness nut Tina (Cara Trautman) who instinctively knows just how far she You’ll have a spooky good time at “Seance 4.” Photo: Planet Ant for their annual Halloween party, where can go to stretch her character – in this they decide – with some trepidation – to use case, a five-foot-two hyper-active body their seats. (They were quite the topic a Ouija Board to summon the dead. After builder – without ever snapping. And of conversation before the performance haphazardly checking out the rules, they Tina’s “meltdown” towards the play’s end began.) lower the lights, place their fingers on the is proof of that. All of the technical work – sound planchette (the triangular piece that slides Rase also has fun with Colleen, the design by McGettigan and Bailey and across the board) and call out for the dead weird, finger-licking neighbor all of us uncredited lights – provide the perfect to visit them – particularly, Tina’s deceased have lived near (and avoided) at one time seasonal ambiance. (One cue, though, androgynous lover Aaron (or is it Erin?), or other. And put a pair of black horned- may have been missed at the end of the whose death she feels responsible for. rimmed glasses and a sweater vest on show – that of the talking cookie jar that’s “You will not regret this,” Tina Hovitch, and the always-entertaining actor inhabited by the gang’s recently deceased tells her friends as they embark on their is transformed into a very believable nerd gay neighbor.) adventure. But I suspect she’ll change her who is still pining for his divorced wife. And I can’t help but wonder: Which mind about that rather quickly. Then there’s Bailey, whose timing came first, the plot or the decision to I knew we’d be in for one wild, but and facial expressions are always a delight. resurrect the rather unusual painting of funny ride simply by looking at the list The uncredited set looks like many Aaron/Erin – in reality, of improviser of the play’s creators – and “Seance 4” a basement rec room I’ve been in over Bryan Lark, which was used in an earlier certainly lived up to my expectations. the years. And on opening night, the production? Either way, it’s equally as Bickers and her four actors – along with snacks – props, of course – tempted many creepy as the rest of the show! And just jack-of-all-trades Sean McGettigan – who walked past them on their way to as funny! 27 Between The Lines • October 27, 2011 Rear View ODDS & ENDS The Kiss of Life Across 31 Collette of “United Down 27 Heavy mists States of Tara” 28 On your toes 1 Move the ball between 32 Home st. of Harper Lee 1 Russian River deposit your legs 29 Does without oral 33 Celeb who recently 2 Ancient shipwright gratification 5 Frat hazing sounds called 911 because of 3 Opening amount 31 Golf pegs 9 Gaze at gays, e.g. chest pains 4 Voyeur’s station 34 Bête ___ 13 Actress Skye 37 Not in the pink 5 Women who date men 35 They hold your 14 Designed for all grades 38 Rock group? who date men drawers 15 Poetic adverb 39 Left to pirates 6 Aquarium buildup 36 Homer, for one 16 A little behind 40 Lesbians in training, e.g. 7 “Beg pardon ...” 41 How a male stripper 17 Like sharp cheese 42 Work periods 8 Bench a jock makes a living? 18 British public school 44 Big rabbit features 9 “At Swim, Two Boys” 42 Stood out 19 With 46-Across, why 45 All the rage writer Jamie 43 Body part to shoot 33-Across said she 46 See 19-Across 10 Become disentangled from enjoyed the mouth-to- with 51 Do road work 45 Whodunit start mouth 11 Many August people 52 St. Patrick’s land 46 Surfer’s ride 22 Duck down 12 Coastal eagle 53 Bars for gay chefs 47 Touch off 23 Slow period 20 Earhart’s milieu 54 Malevolent 48 Fitzgerald of jazz 24 Where to find ‘er 21 Refused to budge Majesty’s navy? 55 Hoar 49 Top priority of a top 24 Didn’t use a greasy 50 Niles and Frasier to 27 Jock strap for Adam 56 Sparkle spoon and Steve? 57 Depend (on) Martin 25 Bea Arthur’s TV maid 51 P of mph 30 Member 58 Went lickety-split Esther 59 Seamen 26 Attacker of cotton balls Solution on 27

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28 Between The Lines • October 27, 2011 For expanded listings & to add a listing, visit pridesource.com

Theatre, 6600 W. Maple Road, West Downriver Council for the Arts ® Bloomfield. Through Nov. 13. 248-788- “Michigan Woodworkers Guild & Music 2900. www.jettheatre.org Sculptors Guild of Michigan Exhibition” Continued from p. 26 Two 3-Dimensional mediums collide at Lend Me a Tenor $10-20. Great Escape the Wyandotte Arts Center. From wood Stage Company at The Franke Center for to metal, this show will feature a wide regular acts of police brutality, the federal the Arts, 214 E. Mansion St., Marshall. variety of sculpture and craft. Wyandotte government had to act. The Freedom Oct. 26 - Oct. 31. 269-589-5127. www. Arts Center, 81 Chestnut, Wyandotte. Riders became internationally recognized greatescapestagecompany.com Oct. 27 - Nov. 21. 734-720-0671. for their civil rights activism. Archival Much Ado About Nothing $12-30. Downriverarts.org footage is utilized, some never seen before, Hilberry Theatre, 4743 Cass Ave., Detroit. interspersed with lighter moments to help Flint Institute of Arts “Quilting Traditions: Oct. 28 - Nov. 19. 313-577-2972. www. The Art of the Amish” Amish women’s pace the film. Cafe Ambrosia, 316 Maynard hilberry.com St., Ann Arbor. 7 p.m. Nov. 7. traditional quilts assembled by collectors My Son The Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy Marsha and Thomas French. Examples M&M Enterprises “Southfield Pavilion $35; $89.95 dinner package for two. are from the Amish communities in Antiques Expo” Celebrating its thirty-first Andiamo Novi Theatre, 42705 Grand River Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana from the season, this remarkable show and sale Ave., Novi. Through Oct. 30. 1-800-745- 19th to mid-20th century. Flint Institute of features a diverse selection of fine 3000. www.andiamonovitheatre.com Arts, 1120 E. Kearsley, Flint. Sep. 9 - Nov. American, European and Oriental antiques 13. 810-234-1695. Flintarts.org and decorative art. Admission: $8.00. National Acrobats of The People’s Southfield Civic Center, 26000 Evergreen Republic of China $15-35. Wharton Lawrence Street Gallery “Uniform Road, Southfield. 1 p.m. Oct. 28. 586-465- Center at Michigan State University, East Variations” Memorable characters 9441. Antiquesexposition.com Lansing. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27. 517-353- struggling to find meaning as they begin 1982. www.whartoncenter.com their final act. Dave Hardin’s subjects, men of a certain age, are depicted in Something Wicked This Way Comes vintage military uniforms. Lawrence $30-39. Meadow Brook Theatre, 2200 N. Street Gallery, 22620 Woodward Ave., Squirrel Road, Rochester. Through Oct. 29. Ferndale. Nov. 2 - Nov. 30. 248-544-0394. THEATER 248-377-3300. www.mbtheatre.com Lawrencestreetgallery.com CIVIC/COMMUNITY THEATER Super Happy Funtime Burlesque $15. Michigan Depression Glass Society A Salute to the Red, White and Blue $7. The Acorn Theater, 107 Generations Dr., “Depression Glass Show & Sale” The Kalamazoo Civic Senior Class Reader’s Three Oaks. 8 p.m. Oct. 28. 269-756- Michigan Depression Glass Society Theatre at Carver Center Studio, 426 S. 3879. www.acorntheater.com presents the 39th Annual All Depression Park St., Kalamazoo. Nov. 4 - 12. 269- $10. and Era Glass Show. Over 20 dealers 343-1313. www.kazoocivic.com The Great Pumpkin Massacre Crawlspace Theatre Productions at from 10 states fill the showroom with American-made glassware from the Conspiracy $10. Riverwalk Theatre, 228 Farmers Alley Theatre, 221 Farmers Alley, 1920’s to 1960’s including depression Museum Dr., Lansing. Through Oct. 30. Kalamazoo. Oct. 28 - 31. 269-343-2727. glass, elegant glass, Fire King, Pyrex, 517-482-5700. www.riverwalktheatre. www.crawlspacetheatre.com Fenton and more. Ford Community com The Hot Mess Chronicles 3 Free; and Performing Arts Center, 15801 Frankenstein $13-15. Avon Players, donations accepted. The Abreact Michigan Ave., Dearborn. 9 a.m. Nov. 5. 1185 Washington Road, Rochester Hills. Performance Space, 1301 W. Lafayette Michigandepressionglass.com Oct. 28 - Nov. 12. 248-608-9077. www. #113, Detroit. Through Nov. 5. 313-454-

avonplayers.org 1542. www.theabreact.com Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit “Stephanie Nava: Considering a Plot (Dig God of Carnage $15. Peppermint Creek The Importance of Being Earnest for Victory)” A work in progress, developed Theatre Company at Creole Gallery, 1218 Previews Nov. 3-4. $28-$30. Tipping by French artist Stephanie Nava. Its Turner St., Old Town Lansing. Nov. 3 - 12. Point Theatre, 361 E. Cady St., Northville. installation at MOCAD marks the artist’s 517-372-0945. www.peppermintcreek. Nov. 3 - Dec. 18. 248-347-0003. www. first solo exhibition in the United States. org tippingpointtheatre.com Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, 4454 Woodward Ave., Detroit. Sep. 16 - Little Shop of Horrors $5-12. Warren The Man Who Lost His Sundays Dec. 30. 313-832-6622. Mocadetroit.org Civic Theatre at Warren Community & Picasso at the Lapin Agile $20. Center auditorium, 5460 Arden, Warren. Epicenter Theatre Group at Varner Hall Lab The Detroit Institute of Arts Through Oct. 30. 586-268-8400. www. Theatre, Oakland University, Rochester. “Cantruction” Sponsored by the American warrencivic.org Oct. 27 - Nov. 5. 586-246-7546. www. Institute of Architects, Canstruction is epicentertheatregroup.com a juried competition for metro Detroit One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest $17. architects, engineers and designers to Village Players, 34660 Woodward Ave., The Odd Couple $18. Two Muses Theatre build large-scale sculptures entirely Birmingham. Nov. 4 - 13. 248-644-2075. at Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 6800 constructed of canned fruits and www.birminghamvillageplayers.com Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield. vegetables. Free with museum admission. Nov. 3 - 27. 248-850-9919. www. The Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 The Guys $8-$12. Over the Ledge Theatre twomusestheatre.org Company at Holt Senior High School, 5885 Woodward Ave., Detroit. Oct. 26 - Oct. 30. W. Holt Road, Holt. Nov. 3 - 12. 517-318- Turning Points $18. Flint Youth 313-833-7900. Dia.org 0579. www.overtheledge.org Theatre, 1220 E. Kearsley St., Flint. The Gallery Project “Umwelt (Subjective Through Oct. 29. 810-237-1530. www. World)” Multimedia exhibit in which over PROFESSIONAL flintyouththeatre.org 20 local, regional, and national artists Anatomy of Gray $18. UDM Theatre and scientists explore the unique sensory Company at Marygrove College Theatre, worlds of animals. The Gallery Project, 215 8425 McNichols Road, Detroit. Nov. 4 - 13. S. Fourth Ave., Ann Arbor. Sep. 23 - Oct. 30. 313-993-3270. theatre.udmercy.edu ART ‘N’ 734-997-7012. Thegalleryproject.com Bunnicula $10. Farmers Alley Theatre, The Scarab Club “Clara Driscoll and the 221 Farmers Alley, Kalamazoo. Tiffany Girls” Speaker Dr. Martin Eidelberg, Oct. 28 - 30. 269-343-2727. www. Professor Emeritus of Art History, Rutgers farmersalleytheatre.com AROUND University discusses Clara Driscoll and her role at Tiffany Studios. The Scarab Club, Daddy Long Legs $34.50-44.50. The access.dance “Rasta Thomas’ Bad Boys 217 Farnsworth, Detroit. 6 p.m. Nov. 9. Gem Theatre, 333 Madison Ave, Detroit. of Dance” Founded by dance superstar 313-831-1250. Scarabclub.org Through Oct. 30. 313-963-9800. www. Rasta Thomas in 2007, BBD dancers gemtheatre.com have performed on Broadway, in feature University of Michigan Museum of Art films, and have been adored by millions “Mark di Suvero: Tabletops” Best known Engagement Rules $17 in advance, $20 on hit TV shows. In 2010 they performed for his dynamic and monumental works at the door. Detroit Repertory Theatre, at Carnegie Hall with Sir Elton John for made of industrial steel and salvaged 13103 Woodrow Wilson, Detroit. Nov. a charity event alongside Lady Gaga, materials that populate museum grounds, 3 - Dec. 23. 313-868-1347. www. Sting and Bruce Springsteen. Today the landscapes, and urban environments detroitreptheatre.com company gives more than 150 shows around the world. In addition to countless Evil Dead: The Musical $25. Who Wants a year and has performed for fans exhibitions and awards, in March 2011 Cake? at City Theatre, 2301 Woodward worldwide, and had the distinct honor of President Obama honored Di Suvero with Ave., Detroit. Through Oct. 29. 800-745- performing at the opening ceremonies of the National Medal of the Arts in a White 3000. www.whowantscaketheatre.com the USA International Ballet Competition. House ceremony. University Of Michigan Tickets: Starting at $25. Detroit Opera Museum Of Art, 525 South State Street, Freud’s Last Session $39.50 - $44.50. House, 1526 Broadway, Detroit. 7:30 p.m. Ann Arbor. Oct. 8 - Feb. 26. 734-763- Century Theatre, 333 Madison St., Detroit. Oct. 29. 313-237-SING. Michiganopera. 4186. Umma.umich.edu Through Oct. 30. 313-963-9800. www. org/access gemtheatre.com Hedwig and the Angry Inch $10-20. Who Wants Cake? at The Ringwald, 22742 Woodward Ave., Ferndale. Through Nov. 7. 248-545-5545. www. whowantscaketheatre.com Imagining Madoff $36-43. Jewish Ensemble Theatre at Aaron DeRoy

29 Between The Lines • October 27, 2011 BY JODY VALLEY

get something, or just when good things happen Pay your own way to me. This is bad enough with other people, but My partner and I have a problem with I don’t even get it from my girlfriend. another couple that we frequently dine I recently got a promotion at work. You’d with.Q: This other couple has more money than we think that my co-workers would come up and do and they like to eat at fairly pricy restaurants. congratulate me, but they didn’t; only one person When we go out to eat, they seem to find the did. It was just like another day as far as most most expensive dinners on the menu, along with people were concerned, and no congratulation an appetizer, two to four drinks each and end up party like some others get. You probably are with a dessert. We are OK with going to the pricy thinking that I must not be liked at work, but I restaurants since there are usually inexpensive don’t think that’s true. I think I get along pretty selections. We never have more than two drinks, well with people. and skip the appetizer and dessert. Why do you think that people are acting this This hasn’t been a problem, except that last way? I wasn’t a braggart about it. I just let them time they said that they wanted to start splitting know how happy I was to get this promotion. the bill in half from now on because, as they Do you think they are jealous of me and that’s put it, we all look like little old women dining why they say nothing? out when we try to split the bill. We were a bit stunned, but agreed to do it. Confused We really don’t care if they want to spend this kind of money, but my partner and I can’t From what little I have to work with afford to share the bill for all four of us. The here, I’ll just have to throw out an idea or problem is we feel embarrassed to bring this two.A: I have to take your word for it that you are issue up to them, because it makes us feel not generally liked by others, not obnoxious about as successful in life. the good things that happen to you, and that this Do you have any ideas as to how we is not just a work phenomenon. In general, some can change the bill-paying arrangement at the people tend to be jealous about good things that restaurant without looking like cheapskates or happen to others, so they can’t bring themselves financial failures? to be happy for them. But that doesn’t account Living On A Budget for what you are describing as your experience, which leads me to wonder if you genuinely You are not being a cheapskate by living affirm and congratulate other people on their within your means, and you are not less accomplishments and joys; if you don’t do this, ofA: a person by not being able to afford what you will probably not get it in return. The other someone else can afford. (I find it a bit audacious thing you might want to do is ask your girlfriend of your friends to ask you to help pay for their or another good friend to see if they have any expensive meals. Surely they have been aware insight into it. of the discrepancy in your dinner bills.) My suggestion is: When you go out to eat next time Go to Dear Jody Valley on Facebook to find tell the waiter, in advance, that you and your out how giving praise is the key to getting it.} partner’s meals will be on one bill. That takes care of it right up front. Jody Valley spent 12 years as a clinical social worker. She worked with the LGBT community Where’s my congrats? both as a counselor and a workshop leader in the areas of coming out, self-esteem and relationship I’m wondering if I am the only one with issues. Reach Jody at DearJodyValley@hotmail. this problem. People don’t seem to be happyQ: for me when I accomplish something, or com. The “Dear Jody” column appears weekly.

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30 Between The Lines • October 27, 2011 Horoscopes Give a little, Gemini!

BY JACK FERTIG

Mars is in Leo, trine Eris and sextile Saturn, helping to focus the recent surge of strong competitive energies. Knowing that you are being watched should help you to apply yourself better and to be more gracious in competition.

ARIES (March 20 – April 19): SCORPIO (October 23 – Feeling pressured by others November 21): You’re feeling to work harder? Never mind chatty and friendly, but rude them. The real pressure is from remarks, especially about co- within. Know that you can excel workers, could slip out and cause at what you love. Focus your you a lot of trouble. You won’t energy wherever your passion reach your goals without your is. That will sustain you through teammates. Being principled and everything else. ambitious can also help draw love your way. TAURUS (April 20 – May 20): Talk to your partner about any SAGITTARIUS (November 22 domestic problems that have – December 20): Don’t worry. been bothering you. The next What they’re saying about you month or two can be all about behind your back is mostly clearing the air and building a good. If they’re having jokes at stronger relationship. Single? your expense, it’s because they Flirt like crazy and have fun! know you have a good sense of humor. Someone looking out GEMINI (May 21- June 20): for you is about to make herself Resolve whatever problems you known. have with colleagues. Remember you’re all on the same team! CAPRICORN (December Being tactful may be challenging 21 – January 19): Needing at first, but it will get easier. Give to conquer the world and a little and you’ll get a lot in return. prove yourself isn’t entirely unreasonable, but you may CANCER (June 21- July 22): be overplaying it. Sexual Powerful creative insights bring divertissements can help you you up against the walls of relax and be more efficient. A expense and other people’s deeper metaphysical context for efforts to meddle. Push yourself your goals is also helpful. to be as resourceful as a drag queen on welfare and encourage AQUARIUS (January 20 – others to step back and take the February 18): Friends and long view. You can do it! family are eager to promote you. Your kindness and generosity LEO (July 23 – August 22): will boost theirs. Focusing too You are not your home, family much on your work can be tough or community. As much as on your partner. Save some you identify there it can be energy for your sweetheart, or a challenge to let others be focus some on finding one. themselves. The value of your milieu is that others there do PISCES (February 19 – March have different perspectives that 19): Future opportunities are you can learn from. looking brighter, but don’t bowl your friends over with Solution to puzzle from page 25 VIRGO (August 23 – optimism. In the real world PUZZLE SOLUTION September 22): Meditation can making those advances will help calm that busy brain, but take hard work and thoughtful what about your motor mouth? partnership. Working hard and You need to share very deep feeling accomplished helps you insights, but for most people it’s look sexy. way too much information. Find a good listener among your most Jack Fertig, a professional Visit our website! caring friends. astrologer since 1977, is available http://www.pridesource.com LIBRA (September 23 – for personal and business October 22): The first step consultations in person in San Add our fan page! to solving financial worries is Francisco, or online everywhere. Search: “Between The Lines Newspaper” to stop future-tripping. Deal He can be reached at 415-864- with the present by talking out 8302, through his website at your problems and goals with www.starjack.com, and by email Follow us! someone who has a good grasp at [email protected]. @YourBTL of the larger issues. Choose your confidant carefully!

31 Between The Lines • October 27, 2011 Rear View CLASSIFIEDS

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32 Between The Lines • October 27, 2011 33 Between The Lines • October 27, 2011 Deep Inside Hollywood

Jena Malone. Photo: Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com BY ROMEO SAN VICENTE ‘The Revolution’ will be Alan Cumming visits a less televised and it will star groovy 1970s in ‘Any Day Now’ Tim Gunn The struggle for LGBT marriage equality and What are they replacing all of those canceled soap adoption rights makes the news pretty regularly operas with? Talk shows, that’s what. Everybody now and each step forward feels like a small wants to be “The Talk,” “The View” or “The Chew” victory. Now imagine dealing with all of that these days, and ABC is aiming for another ratings in 1979. That’s the subject of “Any Day Now,” grab with January 2012’s “The Revolution.” The a film about gay adoption, inspired by a true self-improvement/lifestyle-oriented show will story, written and directed by Travis Fine include “Project Runway”’s Tim Gunn, fitness (“The Space Between”) and produced by Anne and nutrition guru Harley Pasternak and “Extreme O’Shea (“The Kids Are All Right”). It stars Makeover: Home Edition”’s gung-ho host Ty Alan Cumming (“The Good Wife”) and Garret Pennington. And those are just the first three to be Dillahunt (“Raising Hope”) as a couple who announced. Given the current trend of large panels take in an abandoned teenage boy with Down with rotating experts and guest co-hosts, the field Syndrome. When the authorities learn that gay is still wide open for other names to hop on board men are acting as caretakers, they step in to and help the fledgling show make audiences feel remove the boy and the family’s fight begins. guilty for sitting on the couch and watching TV. The film, which also stars Frances Fisher as And in the long run, with Oprah more or less out of a family court judge, will explore the issues the picture, it’s anybody’s game to win the daytime faced by families – then and, by extension, sweepstakes. Best of all, it can only help “The right now as everything starts to change, bit Soup” with new material. by bit, for the better. It just finished principal photography and will probably start showing Jena Malone aims for up at film festivals in 2012. ‘Lonely Hunter’ Roseanne Barr is She was married to a man, but Southern literary icon Carson McCullers, the author of “The Heart ‘Downwardly Mobile’ again Is a Lonely Hunter,” was bisexual and frequently So they axed “Roseanne’s Nuts.” Big deal. It’s involved with women. And now her life story will not like she needed the money. And besides, the come to the big screen in “Lonely Hunter.” The blue-collar comedy diva’s Hawaiian macadamia biopic is set to star acclaimed young actress Jena farm isn’t going to keep her from fulfilling her Malone (“Sense and Sensibility,” “Bastard Out of TV destiny. She just sold a show to NBC – the Carolina”), with lesbian cred behind the camera network that passed on “Roseanne” back in provided by screenwriter Sarah Schulman (“The 1987, oops – and the title makes it sound like the Owls”) and director/producer Deborah Kampmeier Connor family might be back in business again. (“Virgin,” “Hound Dog”). Meanwhile, you can bet It’s called “Downwardly Mobile,” about a trailer that indie A-listers will be lining up to grab the roles park family struggling to make ends meet. No, of McCullers’ pals Tennessee Williams, Truman it didn’t sound appealing to the Suits back in Capote, Ethel Waters and Gypsy Rose Lee. None 1987, either, but look what happened: America of them will look as cool as Malone in McCullers’s responded to the grittier version of reality and signature menswear, but they can give it a shot. poverty-based humor of Barr’s first series and Pre-production is where it’s at right now, so it’ll be then went along for the ride when she introduced a while before audiences get a chance to look at it. lesbian smooching later in the show’s run. Who Read a book while you’re waiting. knows what she’ll accomplish this time? Stay Romeo San Vicente flies solo but he’s never lonely. tuned as the outspoken heroine of the working He can be reached care of this publication or at class starts kicking up dust again. [email protected].

34 Between The Lines • October 27, 2011