How Community Leaders Cornelius Wilson, Robert Tate Shaped Hotter Than July into Detroit’s Premier Black LGBTQ Pride Event

‘Who Am I to Judge?’ Church Music Director Terry Gonda Fired for Same-Sex Marriage

BTL Photo: Adnrew Potter

PRIDESOURCE.COM JULY 9, 2020 | VOL. 2828 | FREE

NEWS OPINION 8 Why It’s Legal for Religious Institutions 16 Transmissions: Water in the Desert VOL. 2828 • JULY 9, 2020 to Discriminate Against LGBTQ ISSUE 1152/53 Employees — and Why That Might 16 Parting Glances: Win $2.5 Million Change (Save. $499) PRIDE SOURCE MEDIA GROUP

10 Community Foundation Provides 17 Creep of the Week: Donald Trump Phone 734.293.7200 Grants to Metro Detroit LGBTQ PUBLISHERS Organizations ENTERTAINMENT Susan Horowitz & Jan Stevenson EDITORIAL 10 More than $30,000 Raised in 22 His Black Queerness, Front and GoFundMe Campaigns for 2 Women Editor in Chief Center Susan Horowitz, 734.293.7200 Killed in Hit-and-Run [email protected] 24 Michigan ‘Hamilton’ Star Sydney 10 Devon Robinson Sentenced for James Harcourt Talks Broadway and Entertainment Editor Chris Azzopardi, 734.293.7200 2019 Triple LGBTQ Murder Loving his Home State 12 [email protected] 11 HTJ 25th Anniversary 28 Deep Inside Hollywood News & Feature Editor Eve Kucharski, 734.293.7200 12 Pride & Poise: How Community 29 Q Puzzle [email protected] Leaders Cornelius Wilson, Robert Tate Shaped Hotter Than July into Detroit’s 30 Community Resources News & Feature Writers Premier Black LGBTQ Pride Event Michelle Brown, Ellen Knoppow, Jason A. Michael, 14 Drew Howard, Jonathan Thurston 13 HTJ Schedule of Events 2020 CREATIVE Webmaster & MIS Director 14 New Political Action Committee Kevin Bryant, [email protected] Benefits LGBTQ Candidates in Michigan Columnists 14 Henry Ford Health System Charles Alexander, Michelle E. Brown, Recognizes Pride Month with Flags Mikey Rox, D’Anne Witkowski, Gwendolyn Ann Smith, Dana Rudolph Outside Hospitals, Offices Cartoonists 18 Obituary: Joy E. Geng Paul Berg

18 House Approves Bill to Designate Contributing Photographers Pulse Nightclub a National Memorial Andrew Potter, Andrew Cohen, Roxanne Frith, Tih Penfil ADVERTISING & SALES 18 Virginia Nondiscrimination Bill Takes COVER Director of Sales Effect Jan Stevenson, 734.293.7200 6 ‘There Must Be a Better Way’: Rally [email protected] 20 HUD Appears to Defy Bostock in Support of Terry Gonda, left, and her 22 Ruling with Anti-Trans Rule for Homeless wife Kirsti Reeve. Sales Representatives Shelters Ann Cox, 734.293.7200 BTL Photo: Andrew Potter [email protected]

National Advertising Representative Rivendell Media, 212.242.6863 MEMBER OF Michigan Press Assoication Online @ Pridesource.com National LGBT Media Association National Gay & Lesbian Chamber Q Syndicate

Here are some of our latest online-only pieces: Oakland County Policy Adopted to Help Small Businesses Recover From “Between The Lines Newspaper” COVID-19 by Benjamin Decker Follow us @YourBTL

Obituary: Mark J. Rabchun by Jason A. Michael Email your op–eds to [email protected] Global Pride Amplifies Black Voices During 24-Hour Virtual Event by Kaela Roder To find more Between The Lines content, Sign up online to receive our E–Digest D.C. Installs ‘Progress Pride’ Rainbow Flag Crosswalk by Michael Key visit our site online at Pridesource.com and Our rate cards are available online. All material appearing in Between The check out our PrideSource YouTube Lines is protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publishers. Between The Lines channel. There, viewers can find one-on- is supported by many fine advertisers, but we cannot accept responsibility for claims made by our advertisers, nor can we accept responsibility for one interviews like our talk with Queer Eye.. Also, make sure to check back for continuing COVID-19 coverage. materials provided by advertisers or their agents.

Copyright 2020 www.PrideSource.com BTL | July 9, 2020 3 IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY® This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY and does not replace (bik-TAR-vee) talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment.

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY BIKTARVY may cause serious side efects, including: BIKTARVY may cause serious side efects, including: � Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you have � Those in the “Most Important Information About both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if BIKTARVY” section. you stop taking BIKTARVY. Do not stop taking BIKTARVY � Changes in your immune system. Your immune system without irst talking to your healthcare provider, as they may get stronger and begin to ight infections. Tell your will need to check your health regularly for several months. healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking BIKTARVY. ABOUT BIKTARVY � Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription provider should do blood and urine tests to check your medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults and children who kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they weigh at least 55 pounds. It can either be used in people who may tell you to stop taking BIKTARVY. have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are � Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. provider determines they meet certain requirements. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach that causes AIDS. pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a medicine that contains: feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. � Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. � dofetilide Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these � rifampin symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, � any other medicines to treat HIV-1 dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY � The most common side efects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies Tell your healthcare provider if you: were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%). These are not all the possible side efects of BIKTARVY. Have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including � Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any hepatitis infection. new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY. Have any other health problems. � You are encouraged to report negative side efects of � Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare or call 1-800-FDA-1088. provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your � Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY. breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY you take: Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food. � Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter GET MORE INFORMATION medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider � This is only a brief summary of important information about and pharmacist. BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more. � BIKTARVY and other medicines may afect each other. Ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist about � Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5 medicines that interact with BIKTARVY, and ask if it is � If you need help paying for your medicine, visit BIKTARVY.com safe to take BIKTARVY with all your other medicines. for program information.

Get HIV support by downloading a free app at BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, DAILY CHARGE, the DAILY CHARGE Logo, LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. Version date: February 2020 MyDailyCharge.com © 2020 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. BVYC0218 04/20 � �

�

�

�

� HUGO � LIVING WITH HIV SINCE 1995 � REAL BIKTARVY PATIENT �

�

� � KEEP �

� CONNECTING. Because HIV doesn’t change who you are. �

� BIKTARVY® is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in certain adults. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. � � Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you. � See Hugo’s story at BIKTARVY.com.

Featured patient compensated by Gilead.

Please see Important Facts about BIKTARVY, including important warnings, on the previous page and visit BIKTARVY.com. ‘There Must Be a Better Way’: ‘Who Am I to Judge?’ Church Music Director Fired for Same-Sex Marriage

Rally in Support of Terry Gonda BY ELLEN SHANNA KNOPPOW

she said. “And this decision was not “Morality Clause” handled lightly.” By now, readers may already be familiar with Terry Gonda’s story. She is the former music director of St. John “Who Am I to Judge?” Fisher Chapel in Auburn Hills who was Gonda knew something was brewing ired from her part-time job there when at St. John Fisher Chapel, where she the Archdiocese of Detroit learned of served in the music department for 26 her longtime marriage to her wife and years — for six years as its director — decided to activate its “morality clause.” well before being forewarned on June hat is, being in a same-sex marriage 12 in an email by her pastor, Monsignor rendered her unit to keep her job. Michael LeFevre, that she was to be Gonda and Kirsti Reeve, her wife ired by the AOD. of 16 years, recently sat down with Parishioners learned in March there would be a change of priests come July. Protestors rally for former music director Terry Gonda, who was fired from her role in the Catholic church for being married Between The Lines outside their to her wife of 26 years. BTL Photo: Ellen Shanna Knoppow. ranch-style home on a tree-lined street he incoming priest was described by in Royal Oak where they have lived Gonda as “prayerful and faithful,” but of a particular pastoral approach that commitment to, their church and its members. together since their unoicial marriage BY ELLEN SHANNA KNOPPOW was unlikely to it with their church. “I’m here because Terry has brought many people in 2003 — they were oicially married Not only that, she pointed out that 85 n Saturday, June 27, approximately 150 back to their faith,” Andrews said. “When I went in Washington, D.C. in 2011. percent of the church members where individuals, mostly parishioners of St. John through a crisis in my life, she was there for me, too. As to the view that their marriage he had served most recently had let. Fisher Chapel in Auburn Hills, gathered She spent 30 years working with all diferent people lacks “morality,” Gonda turned that O reasoning on its head. A deeply Gonda said she could only interpret this outside ater mass to rally in support Terry Gonda. from all walks of life making sure that they felt like move as an “intentional wrecking ball.” Days earlier, Gonda had been oicially ired from they had a place to call home. spiritual person, she explained why “No disrespect to him,” Gonda said. her job as music director at the church for being “I think that in particular, anybody that felt any kind it was not in spite of, but because of, “I think he’s living in his integrity. And married to her wife, Kirsti Reeve. heir marriage of resistance from people in the world, whether they church teachings that she and Reeve I think we’re living in our integrity, and was not news to anyone at the church — including felt that they had questions about faith or questions felt compelled to marry. it seemed like a purposeful mismatch. its pastor, Monsignor Michael LeFevre — it was the about who they were, if they felt ridiculed by people, if “It’s not like we are unaware of So I began to grieve.” Archdiocese of Detroit that decided to activate its they grew up being bullied, she always had something church teachings,” Gonda said plainly. In the past, Gonda said, she and “morality clause.” to say to make them feel like this church was their “The church teaches that [same-sex Reeve had come to an understanding Carrying signs with slogans like “What would Jesus home,” she continued. “And I always felt like I was relationships are wrong]; the church with their previous pastors. say?” and “Who am I to judge?”, members of the crowd proud to come to a place where they felt people were also teaches primacy of conscience,” “I have walked through discernments expressed grief, anger and confusion regarding the safe here. She was a big part of that.” which she explained in detail. with my two previous pastors,” Gonda AOD’s decision to terminate the employment of a he rally began with a song by Gonda, followed by “You need to do five things,” she said. “We spoke to our incoming pastor particularly beloved member of the church family a prayer and prepared remarks. said, enumerating with each finger. ive years ago and were willing to go on since her college years in the 1970s. Individuals from the crowd were then invited to the “Understand the church teachings; this journey with him to [say], ‘Here’s Colleen Sanders, who has been attending St. John mic to express their feelings for their former music understand scripture; understand our discernment journey; here’s the Fisher for 30 years, said it was unfair. director. Gonda’s remarks, excerpted and paraphrased, science, sociology — the best wisdom fruits of our decisions; whether you “I’m here to support Terry and the gay community,” follow: the world has to offer when you’re think it’s of God ... judge for yourself Sanders said. “My sign says, ‘Love is love.’ It doesn’t “I am devastated and sick in my soul at having to making a decision; and then deep whether we still belong in leadership matter who you’re married to. So I just get kind of step down from ministry in the very parish that has prayer and discernment and walk with or not, in your mind.’” frustrated with this kind of stuf because a person’s loved me, shaped me and grown me into the leader a spiritual director; and then the impact Gonda described this as the Church’s private life and who they love shouldn’t have any that I am today,” Gonda said. “And that the reason of any decision on community.” traditional approach: the pastoral bearing on their employment. To me, it doesn’t make given on June 12 for my removal is my legal vowed Gonda said after doing those five accompaniment. It’s what Pope Francis sense. commitment to Kirsti, a woman who has modeled things, if one hears “a voice telling meant when he asked, “Who am I to “I don’t think there’s gonna be any change, because God’s unconditional love for me for 26 years.” you to do something,” one must do judge?” the Catholic Church is so old and antiquated and And yet, she said, they hold love, not bitterness for it — regardless of church teachings. “I had done a lot of grieving and hierarchical,” she continued. “hey have a lot of man- the AOD’s leaders. hey “refuse to demonize good Therefore, she emphasized, her sobbing and ranting and healing and made rules that — even though I am Catholic and I men who we fully believe are doing what they think marriage was not meant in any way to coming to not only acceptance but I call myself a Catholic — I don’t agree with. But we do is best for the church.” Further, she asked the crowd lout church authority. Instead, it was began to have a welling of deep love need to show our support so that people know that this not to attack the church or its leaders by calling them a higher calling of the Holy Spirit: that in my heart for the new priest coming isn’t just an individual incident, this is something that’s bigots or homophobic. is, the highest authority. in, Father Dan,” Gonda explained. “So happening everywhere. And especially the timing “I am the Catholic church,” she emphasized. “And “We were long-distance for nine I know that was of the Holy Spirit. In with the Supreme Court, just saying you can’t do our loving faith family at St John Fisher is the Catholic years,” Gonda said. the middle of prayer, and just illed with this, and then the church being exempt — that just church.” Early on in their relationship, Reeve love — I don’t know this guy, and it seems not right.” he question, Gonda said, that moves her and Reeve was living abroad. was unmistakable. hat was a big sign.” Linda Andrews said she has known Gonda for many forward is, “How are baptized Catholics to come “And anyone who knows us, and who Excited and curious about what was years through the church’s young-adult program, together and build bridges to create a healthy church?” knows me particularly, knows that I to come, and open to a new approach, which serves those ages 18 to 35. She spoke of her In conclusion, Gonda echoed the sentiment of the obnoxiously turn things over and over Gonda wrote the new priest a letter personal experience with Gonda’s love for, and day: “here must be a better way.” and over in prayer and logically look at all those ive things over and over,” to welcome him and request a “quiet 6 BTL | July 9, 2020 www.PrideSource.com conversation” before he landed, as she and priest, “I’m leading the welcoming party.” rally, which occurred the evening before this Reeve had done in the past. Whether he was Further, Gonda said it has not at all afected interview. too busy or she had been outed, Gonda doesn’t her faith. “What we saw last night was the fruits of know — she never received a response. “his is not about the faith,” she said. “It’s our marriage,” Gonda said. “Saved lives. People Following the email by LeFevre on June 12, like trying to leave the country because you coming closer in their faith. People being Gonda was oicially informed by the AOD that don’t like a particular administration. The nurtured. Ironically, people staying Catholic.” she was being let go shortly before her contract Constitution’s the Constitution. he Church Gonda acknowledged that many LGBTQ expired June 30. is the Church.” Catholics feel hurt and angry about how they “hey are making a clear statement here,” she and others have been treated by the Catholic said. “Or, to be kind, getting rid of a problem Church over the years. She has a message for before the new priest had to deal with it.” The Catholic Church and the them. LGBTQ Community “Your anger is valid,” Gonda said. “What I say is, take the resentment, let it go. Become Impact At the same time, Gonda is not naïve. She free, forgive and then ind a faith community The firing has caused Gonda and Reeve said what she experienced is just the latest in that works for you so you can go deep ... into a pattern of church employees in same-sex tremendous pain. It has also had a profound of George Floyd by the police. People are less a relationship with Jesus. And then go out and marriages losing their jobs in this Archdiocese. impact on parishioners, some of whom have tolerant of injustice, as a result. save the world. Go make it a better place. Find Hers is the third she knows of. Not only that, known Gonda for the 30 years she has been a “Now we’re able to hear better and see better,” your tribe. Don’t let anyone highjack Jesus from church leaders in Metro Detroit have been member of St. John Fisher. A rally was held Gonda added. you — and people have. informed by the AOD not to perform mass outside the church to show support following he timing of the Supreme Court decision “I want people to feel healed,” she continued. for Dignity/Detroit and Fortunate Families, mass on June 27. But beyond St. John Fisher, that ruled LGBTQ employees are protected “I’m a spiritual director. I want people to go in two LGBTQ-friendly Catholic groups. While Gonda’s plight has touched many — her story from discrimination under the Civil Rights and be transformed and let their light shine. Gonda remains rock-solid in her faith, she is has made news across the globe. She said she’s Act of 1964 is an obvious factor, too. However, And if you’re just feeling anger and resentment also speaking out against injustice. a bit surprised. Gonda’s situation does not apply because and pointing ingers at the Catholic Church, “This is a pattern,” Gonda said. “This is “Somebody being fired in the Catholic employees of religious institutions who have your light’s not shining. You’re still a bit in one person’s way to come up with a uniied church for being gay isn’t news,” Gonda said. “ministerial” roles are exempt from protection. jail. I want [you] to be free. hat’s my hope approach in dealing with gays and lesbians. To “So why would it hit the news cycle?” “And for some reason, somebody who’s been for everybody.” others, it feels like a witch hunt, because, again, She ofered a few theories. hurt, standing up and saying, ‘I love these it goes back to intent. What are the fruits of this “We are all very vulnerable from people; don’t demonize them,’ and, ‘I forgive behavior? here are now people who are LGBT COVID[-19], and we are having more time to them—’ apparently, that’s news,” Gonda said, Gonda went on to recommend several LGBTQ- who are working in the Archdiocese who are relect on what’s important,” she said. “We need with a laugh. “hat surprises me.” affirming Catholic resources for people who now afraid of being outed and losing their jobs, each other. We miss being with one another Despite others’ threats to leave St. John feel conlicted by the Catholic Church’s actions. who are in terror.” and I think that’s been tremendous for people.” Fisher over her iring, Gonda is staying put. To Notably, she metnioned newwaysministry.org. By contrast, Gonda spoke of the support She also referenced the impact of the murder underscore that point, she said of the incoming

www.PrideSource.com BTL | July 9, 2020 7 Why It’s Legal for Religious Institutions to Discriminate Against LGBTQ Employees — and Why That Might Change

BY ELLEN SHANNA KNOPPOW religious institutions — like Terry Gonda who was ired ater three decades as a music director of St. John Fisher Chapel in Slippery Slope Auburn Hills — now that LGBTQ employees are protected In the Our Lady of Guadeloupe case, one of the individuals under civil rights law. is alleging disability discrimination because she was ired from The Ministerial Exception, Explained Between he Lines spoke with ACLU staf attorney Jay Kaplan her teaching job ater informing her employer she would be he separation of church and state, enshrined in the U.S. about the two cases and their relation to Gonda’s iring by the taking time of for cancer treatment. Hers was largely a secular Constitution, has been a subject of debate time and again by Archdiocese of Detroit. teaching role; she taught one religion class from a workbook. the courts. And while not the central issue, the recent Supreme “he case before the court involving two elementary school And while the case applies to private religious schools, there Court case that ruled that LGBTQ people are protected from teachers ... seems to be an attempt to ask the court to broaden could be wider implications. employment discrimination under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that ministerial exception,” Kaplan said. “In other words saying, “I think we could go down a dangerous slippery slope with ensured that religious institutions are protected as well. ‘Just look at the job title itself,’ or, ‘If they perform some things a very broad ministerial exception decision, and we could see hose protections, as named by Neil Gorsuch in his majority that are considered to be religious functions, then these parochial more religious entities using that,” Kaplan warned. “And it’s not opinion, include the First Amendment, the Religious Freedom schools are automatically exempt.’ We wouldn’t want to see that. even about justifying discrimination. hey don’t have to. What Restoration Act of 1993 and a 2012 Supreme Court ruling that “With regard to [Gonda’s] situation, I think you would also their argument is, you don’t have legal standing to challenge recognized what’s known as the “ministerial exception.” hat have to look at the totality of the circumstances,” he continued. this. ... It doesn’t matter that you had cancer, in the case of the is, employees of religious institutions who provide a religious “She was the music director. So you would want to see what one teacher ... we can do that because we have this unfettered function are exempt from employment protection. Over the that entailed. Did she lead people in prayers? Did she provide discretion to decide whether or not you stay in our employ years, the courts have grappled with how broad the deinition any religious instruction? his would not be totally indicative, because you’re a ministerial employee.” of “ministerial” should be and how it is to be determined. [but] what was her title?” he Supreme Court justices seemed concerned about this A case currently pending in the U.S. Supreme Court, Our When asked, as an example, whether the iring of a black slippery slope, too, as evidenced by their line of questioning Lady of Guadeloupe v. Morrisssey-Berru, involves two ired employee by a religious institution for no other apparent reason during oral arguments May 11. For example, it was asked by teachers who alleged employment discrimination — one based than race could be permitted under the ministerial exception, one justice whether a coach who leads the team in a prayer falls on disability, and the other based on age. The outcome of Kaplan replied, “possibly.” under the ministerial exception. Another asked about an art this case could have repercussions for LGBTQ employees of “Under this ministerial exception, the religious entity doesn’t teacher who teaches Vatican art. have to ... articulate it,” Kaplan explained. “All they have would have to do is put forth this argument that this person’s job was primarily a religious function and therefore we could let that A Mercy Approach Over a Legal Approach person go. And [the person] might allege it was because of Terry Gonda, who was not only a music director at St. John their race, yet they still could be exempt from compliance with Fisher but also a spiritual director, shared her view about the that civil rights law. Any day now, we’re gonna get this opinion ministerial exception for employees of religious institutions [from the Supreme Court].” and her hopes for the future. “I’m not a big fan of forcing peoples’ change by law,” Gonda said. “Sometimes it has to. In this case, however, I think there’s gonna be a stairstep of walking up. So, when positions are non-ministerial — if you’re a janitor, if you’re a teacher — I think the church needs to abide by those rules the same,” she said, meaning they should be protected under civil right law. hen Gonda addressed the issue of LGBTQ employees directly. “While it may be easy to say, ‘Well, it’s all in this basket now, of age, race, gender, etc., and therefore, we would never let a church say people of a certain race are inferior so ... they can be in our church, they just can’t be leaders—’ we would never allow that.” However, Gonda called the church’s treatment of LGBTQ employees “a bit diferent.” “We have to shine a light on it and ind a new way to talk about it and not, I think, force this,” she said. “I think we need to make it really clear and come right up to that line [through the courts], and then it would be better if the church ixes this itself and igures this out itself, and came up with a mercy approach as opposed to a legal approach.” Kaplan sounded sympathetic. “he way that you sometimes change things in church, with the church hierarchy, policy and stuf, you do that through advocacy and through membership in the church itself,” he said. “We do have separation of church and state. We don’t want the government setting policy particularly regarding the religious activity of religious institutions.”

8 BTL | July 9, 2020 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com BTL | July 9, 2020 9 Community Foundation More than $30,000 Raised in GoFundMe Campaigns Provides Grants to Metro for 2 Women Killed in Hit-and-Run Detroit LGBTQ Organizations BY EVE KUCHARSKI oleen Hulling, 29, and BY BTL STAFF Melissa Williamson, 25, were on an DETROIT – he Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan C aternoon bike ride in London announced that ive key LGBTQ organizations have received grants Township in Monroe County totaling $200,000 from the Community Foundation’s HOPE — on Friday, June 26, when a Helping Others through Partnerships and Education ‚ Fund. Each driver swerved and killed organization received $40,000 to support operating needs during the two women. GoFundMe the COVID-19 crisis. campaigns have been set up to aid both Hulling’s and he organizations receiving grants are: Williamson’s families with funeral costs that now have - Airmations raised over $30,000. - Equality Michigan “As many of you have heard, Friday, June 26th was Melissa Williamson (left) and Coleen Hulling. GOFundMe screenshots. - LGBT Detroit a tragic day for my family. My being a hate crime, Lt. Mike Sura, who is working on the - Ruth Ellis Center cousin, Melissa Williamson, and her girlfriend, Coleen case, said that police are not ruling anything out. - SAGE Metro Detroit Huling, were killed by a reckless driver while riding their “At this point, I would say we’re looking at everything in bikes. hese incredible women were taken from this earth the case. I would not want to speak prematurely and say, “2020 has been diicult and diferent,” said Allan Gilmour, Chair of far too soon and they will be missed by so many,” wrote ‘No, this wasn’t a factor or this was a factor.’ he detectives he HOPE Fund of the Community Foundation. “With multiple crises Kennedy Haight, the organizer of Williamson’s GoFundMe are following up on all the leads that we have and all the in our nation and magniied in our region, we adapted our annual campaign. “… My goal is to ease the inancial burden on information to put together the best case.” Sura said. grantmaking strategy to meet the current needs of organizations Melissa’s family. Many of us know the costs that go into a Currently, police are searching for the vehicle, which serving the LGBTQ+ community.” service, and I feel that the Williamson’s should not have to they believe to be somewhere in Monroe or Washtenaw “he grant from he HOPE Fund of the Community Foundation worry about inances during this impossible time.” Counties, a lat black 2000 Mercury Mountaineer. has given us the freedom to be lexible and meet the unexpected needs On June 27, Michigan State Police reported that a 21-year- A service was held last week for both women at Ochalek- of the LGBTQ+ community during the COVID-19 pandemic.” said old male was apprehended as a suspect in the crime and Stark Funeral Service. Jerry Peterson, Executive Director of the Ruth Ellis Center. will be facing charges. he Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan has been When asked about the possibility of the hit-and-run his is a developing story. supporting these and other groups for the last 25 years through he HOPE Fund. Many of these organizations — like other nonproits nationwide – have increased demands and at the same time have Devon Robinson Sentenced for 2019 Triple LGBTQ Murder had to cancel fundraising events and rethink how to engage donors amidst the COVID-19 crisis. BY EVE KUCHARSKI “We are doubling the annual grantmaking from he HOPE Fund,” Gilmour says. “It was particularly important in these times to be able ast week, 19-year-old to proactively support these groups and provide general operating Devon Robinson of support so that organizations can allocate resources the way they see LDetroit was sentenced it. We are thankful for our donors and he HOPE Fund endowment to three life terms in prison funds that make this possible.” without the possibility of he HOPE Fund, established in 1994, was created to strengthen parole for the May 2019 triple organizations and projects that support LGBTQ+ individuals and murder of two gay men and a families, through targeted grantmaking, projects and technical transgender woman. Robinson assistance. To date, more than 173 grants totaling over $2.5 million shot and killed 21-year-old have been distributed, resulting in a more responsive array of services, Alunte Davis and 20-year- programs and organizations for southeast Michigan’s LGBTQ+ olds Timothy Blancher and community. he HOPE Fund endowment continues to grow and Paris Cameron. Prosecutors believe that Robinson’s actions will be able to help meet future needs of the community. Pictured left to right are victims Alunte Davis, 21; Paris Cameron, 20; and Timothy Blancher, 20. are the result of anti-LGBTQ intent to murder. sentiment. Learn more about he HOPE Fund at CFSEM.org/HOPE. At Robinson’s sentencing “his case illustrates the mortal danger faced by members last year, Wayne County of Detroit’s LGBTQ community, including transgender Prosecutor Kym Worthy women of color,” said Alanna Maguire, president of LGBTQ emphasized the importance of advocacy organization Fair Michigan that handled this case. stopping future anti-LGBTQ “he LGBTQ community knows that the Fair Michigan crimes. Justice Project, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Oice and “he alleged actions of this the Detroit Police Department stand ready to aggressively defendant are disturbing on prosecute these brutal crimes.” so many levels …,” she said. In addition, Robinson was sentenced to two years “We must remain ever vigilant consecutively for ive felony irearm counts and to 10 to Devon Robinson. Courtesy in our ight to eradicate hate in 20 years in prison for each of his two counts of assault with of the Wayne County Wayne County and beyond.” Prosecutor’s Oice. 10 BTL | July 9, 2020 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com BTL | July 9, 2020 11 Pride & Poise How Community Leaders Cornelius Wilson, Robert Tate Shaped Hotter Than July into Detroit’s Premier Black LGBTQ Pride Event

BY EMELL DERRA ADOLPHUS had three or four bars downtown. hrough word-of-mouth, some of the bar owners or hen most Pride celebrations are the folks would come to Men of Color or they winding down at the end of June, would show up at some of the BBC’s functions. WPride is only just beginning in So through word of mouth folks would come Detroit thanks to Hotter han July, the second- check us out just because they had heard about longest LGBTQ Pride celebration in the this thing.” country. But whereas the irst Pride was a riot, Hotter han July was created as a reclamation of sorts. Online Interaction “When we decided to start doing Hotter Although Hotter han July will be virtual han July, we speciically said that this was not this year, Wilson and Tate both agree that it going to be one of those things where we got a is a natural evolution to it the needs of the bunch of naked boys and half-naked women, current community. dancing in front of a bunch of folks,” said “I just think that this pandemic has moved Cornelius Wilson, one of the event’s original folks along the continuum a little bit quicker founders. “his is going to be about education, than we expected,” Wilson said. “I think we information, entertainment and family fun. were heading in this direction anyway, but I And that’s how we wanted it.” think the pandemic just kind of took us from zero to eight unexpectedly.” Tate agrees. ‘Breaking Barriers’ “To me, it is so diferent the way they are Cornelius Wilson and Robert Tate. It started with two organizations. he irst Photo by Jason Flowers. Intentionally Inclusive doing it, and it’s unbelievable that the planning being being Men of Color, organized by Wilson, and everything that they are doing can still If Hotter han July has a little something for focusing on health and education when it came make Hotter han July happen,” he said. “All everyone, that is by design. he event, started to HIV awareness. and things and they were just so surprised at the diferent activities that goes on during the in 1996 to celebrate Detroit’s Black LGBTQ “A bunch of us got tired of going to the club. the clientele that came in, and they were gay; week of Hotter han July, I really think they community, began as a way to showcase the So we started getting together at our homes it was just unbelievable.” all play a big part. I can’t really see a change in multifaceted lives of Black LGBTQ people. and having a discussion party so to speak,” anything because all of the diferent activities “It kind of evolved,” Wilson said. “In the says Wilson, who was working for Community that go on is what goes on to be successful.” A Fateful Meeting earlier days, you had pretty much a broad Health Awareness Group at the time. “And as But no matter whether the event is virtual spectrum of participation. You had the old. that organization grew, which happened to be Tate and Wilson met each other during one or in-person, both organizers say that having You had the young. You had other community CHAG, they started getting money to promote of Men of Color’s meetings. something for everyone is what has made members that got involved and set up things for HIV awareness in the Black community. We “I went to one of their meetings one time, Hotter han July last through so many years. the children because we always wanted it to be were asked to start a group and slowly but surely and I was hooked,” he said. “I never missed a “I believe the thing that made Hotter han a family friendly afair. So, you know, we had the discussion group became a support group, meeting once I started.” July stand out is that from Tuesday through entertainment and professional entertainment which became Men of Color.” It was during the BBC’s weekend anniversary Sunday there was something uniquely diferent that did some things, but it’s evolved over the Whereas Men of Color focused on health celebration at the end of July when it joined in the community that no matter how you it ye ar s .” and education awareness for LGBTQ people together with Men of Color to start the in the community, there was something there One evolution is how the event goes about of color, the Billionaire Boys Club, organized beginnings of Hotter han July. that you felt you could connect to,” Wilson networking itself in the community. by Robert Tate, was a social group. “What Men of Color was doing at that time said. “And it also gave people in the community “I would say back then when we started it “Each month the club would go to diferent before Hotter Than July, in particular, we who have talents and skills a chance to be was almost [exclusively by] word-of-mouth. It members’ homes and have dinners,” Tate said. were doing picnics over at Metro Beach or highlighted. It put us up front to showcase wasn’t a lot of organizing like it is today,” Tate “So we got a chance to meet all the diferent Kensington Park,” Wilson said. “I wanted to their talents.” said. “Back then it might have been at least 10 members friends.” get information out in the community about And talent continues to be a core of what or 15 social groups or organizations and they From there, the club grew into a network. the HIV and AIDS stuf that was going on. So makes Black LGBTQ culture so special in all taken part in it and made it comfortable “he BBC was breaking barriers in the city we decided to try and do a combined health Detroit today. and brought all of the people together because because we went places that gay people would fair, picnic time thing. I guess you could say everybody knew somebody. hey would bring never think about going, and they opened their those were the irst iterations of Hotter han all those people together and it just blossomed doors and welcomed us in and always welcomed July. When we started doing it, it kind of went Emell Derra Adolphus is a veteran culture into this wonderful thing that’s been going on us back,” Tate said. “We went to the Renaissance overwhelmingly successful based on the level journalist of 10 years. He is working on his irst for 25 years.” Club, the Detroit club, the University club — of participation.” novel. Reach him at [email protected]. Cornelius added, “he other thing was that, we went all over Detroit doing diferent events we had a whole lot of bars that we went to. We

12 BTL | July 9, 2020 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com BTL | July 9, 2020 13 New Political Action Committee Benefits LGBTQ Candidates in Michigan BY ELLEN SHANNA KNOPPOW by the coronavirus pandemic, that number of are experienced in the political ield, they can donors was not achieved. Still, they are able to be brought in to help with things like training, function as a PAC and contribute to campaigns strategy and networking. In the future, Renautt By the Numbers at the individual level. In the future, they hope said they’d like to be able to develop a list of By his own account, Ferndale resident Oscar to scale up. LGBTQ professionals who can provide lyers, Renautt is “a numbers person.” hat’s why, when There are several criteria that candidates t-shirt printing and the like. he calculated how grossly underrepresented must meet to secure endorsement by the Unity the LGBTQ community is in elective oice, Fund. First of all, they must be committed to he wanted to do something about it. making a diference when it comes to LGBTQ Get Involved “I do a lot of research, so according to our rights. Legally, they must be formally registered “If people want to get involved on a diferent sources, we currently have just under 1 percent as a candidate either with the county or state. level, they can also become members of our of LGBTQ elected officials in our nation,” And of course, they must be openly LGBTQ. PAC,” Renautt said. “hey can come join us Renautt said. [by this account, .13 percent] “If Because they are a new organization with and be more active, because we are growing I do my numbers correctly, that’s roughly 600 limited funds, for an endorsed candidate to and we are going to be expanding and we’ll people out of nearly 520,000 elected oicials in people in public oices locally, and we need receive inancial support, they must also be be looking for people to offer to help us in our country. And while our community consists them in the Senate; we need them in the House. strong contenders in their races. diferent areas. An organization like ours is of 5 to 6 percent of our nation, we should be hat’s why we all came together, and we decided Thus far, the PAC has endorsed and is going to have social media outreach; we’ll be closer to 20,000 elected oicials in our nation to pool our resources, contribute ourselves supporting four candidates: Cynthia hornton doing a lot of fundraising … we probably will to be equally represented.” to the fund and then publicly announce the (State Rep, 7th District), Kevin Kresch (State never have a building because we are trying Determined to remedy the situation, Renautt formation so the LGBTQ community [and Rep, 27th District) and Jody LaMacchia (State to keep our expenses very low. We don’t have founded the Unity Fund, a political action allies] can come help us inance these elections.” Rep, 46th District) have each received $1,000 day-to-day activities except to fundraise and committee that endorses and inancially assists from the Unity Fund. Dave Coulter, candidate meet once in a while.” LGBTQ candidates in Michigan. PACs like Background for Oakland County Executive, is another Because the Unity Fund is entirely run by the Victory Fund endorse LGBTQ candidates candidate who’s been endorsed and will be volunteers and has no overhead at present, all over the country; this is the irst one solely he Unity Fund was founded in April 2020, receiving a donation. 60th House District State 100 percent of donations currently go to the deined by the state’s borders. just in time to support candidates running for Rep. Jon Hoadley has been endorsed in his race endorsed candidates. “The Unity Fund is a political action oice in November 2020. for U.S. Congress as well. In the future, Renautt simply wants to committee that consists of citizens — “We started talking about it last year, because As Renautt explained, “we are still in our early enable more LGBTQ candidates to seek oice LGBTQ and allies —that came together to we got inspired by the rainbow wave of 2018 stages,” so to be considered for endorsement, in Michigan. support LGBTQ candidates because we see a and we saw how many LGBTQ candidates “We obviously rely on our network, our friends, “We would like to see more LGBTQ void in the support currently locally and we ran very successful campaigns and we elected obviously on professionals,” he said. ”We have a candidates running successful campaigns, all understand that local elections are very some very brilliant people on the state level source at the LGBTQ Democratic Caucus that stress-free, hopefully, or with reduced stress important for us,” Renautt said. “So we wanted and locally as well,” Renautt said. provided us with some recommendations… and … winning their campaigns,” Renautt said. to ... create something that would help our he steering committee’s original plan was to there’s a lot of networking, currently, and we “And hopefully putting an end to LGBTQ civil LGBTQ candidates ... to run more successful form an independent PAC; that way, by backing created a list and select the ones in our opinion rights issues, which is a goal and dream for all campaigns. Until we’re going to have campaign a minimum of three candidates and with a that would make the biggest impact for the of us, I believe.” reform in our country, running a campaign is minimum of 25 individual donors, they could community.” very expensive. contribute to each of their chosen candidates In addition to inancial assistance, there are To learn more visit unityfundmi.com. “[The] LGBTQ community needs at up to 10 times the individual donor level. other ways the Unity Fund aims to help its representation,” Renautt continued. “We need However, due to the constraints brought about candidates. Because they have members who Henry Ford Health System Recognizes Pride Month with Flags Outside Hospitals, Offices

BY BENJAMIN DECKER patients equitable health care. he Pride each June as a way to commemorate the ERG also has the duty of recruiting Stonewall Riots in June of 1969, which enry Ford Health System has and retaining LGBTQ team members largely sparked the modern ight for acknowledged Pride month throughout the staf. LGBTQ equality. he company plans Hand took it to social media to “Celebrating our differences with on planting a Pride lag in front of its share its open support for the LGBTQ observances like these and learning to facilities every June onward as a tribute community. All across the Detroit understand one another is what truly to those who fought at Stonewall and to Metropolitan area, Pride lags stand unites us, as we continue to focus on honor the contributions by the LGBTQ tall at five of its hospitals and three providing equitable care and reducing community to society today. administrative oices. disparities within the communities that “We are committed to providing “Our nation is facing truly we serve,” Lassiter said. safe, equitable health care for all and unprecedented and historic times, he six-hospital system makes sure supporting the LGBTQ community. making diversity, equity and inclusion that at the core of its work, its staf is Honoring diversity is one of the more important now than ever before,” committed to values of compassion, key principles at the very core of said Wright Lassiter III, president and innovation, respect and results. In its our organization, not just through CEO of Henry Ford Health System. goal to practice inclusion and equality our policies and procedures, but This is the second year Henry for all patients, representatives said that through our actions every day,” said Ford celebrated Pride month. The it only feels right for the Pride lag to Kimberlydawn Wisdom, M.D., senior Celebrating Pride Month and practicing social distancing are Jacob Sierocki, Henry Ford Health System Corporate Compliance Specialist and Pride employee initiative was led by the company’s stand tall outside the facilities. vice president of Community Health & resource group president, next to a Pride Month flag with Henry Ford Hospital Pride employee resource group, whose Henry Ford has recognized the Equity and chief wellness and diversity President, Veronica Hall. members work to provide LGBTQ importance of celebrating Pride month oicer for Henry Ford Health System.

14 BTL | July 9, 2020 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com BTL | July 9, 2020 15 Parting Glances BY CHARLES ALEXANDER Win $2.5 Million (Save. $499) t must have been something cogent and articulately pleading in my weekly prayers, but recently I’ve just been darn lucky. INot once, but twice. This past week I received an email from an unknown generous “friend” who said he himself had won $3 million in a Michigan lottery that he was going to share among several LGBTQ organizations and a few gay persons. “You, Charles, are one of them!” (I couldn’t have been that good in bed. Let’s say he was a fan of my art.) he previous week I received a call and was excitedly told I had won a Publisher’s Clearing House award of $2.5 Million, AND! a 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia. (Che Bella, Mary.) I’ll admit to being intrigued by the possibility that somehow, someway a previous mailed-in entry did get picked. (God knows everybody plays the PCH game for the chance of a lifetime.) What followed next from my informant was a strictly secret series of two 10-digit numbers to be given as ID when receiving my winning check and the Alfa. I was cautioned to show no one these numbers. “here are too many out there who just might take advantage of you, and we wouldn’t want you to miss out on this once-in- a-lifetime Mega Bucks winning.” Transmissions I was then given background about the Better Business Bureau and the IRS monitoring that goes with the handling of the joint winnings. “Now, Mr. Alexander: Do you prefer your delivery with full publicity TV fanfare, or simply non-publicized handling?” Playing the winning game, so to speak — modest person that I am — I turned down instant-star publicity, but, nonetheless, BY GWENDOLYN ANN SMITH I was intrigued. (Is there a possibility that I have indeed won. What will I do with the money? Will I share it? Will I be generous to LGBTQ friends, organizations, allies? Decisions. Decisions. Decisions!) Water in the Desert Next came the inal requirement to get the Italian car rolling, so to speak. “Go to your nearest Walgreens or Rite Aide store and etlix has recently released “Disclosure: Trans Lives on are trans deceivers, wearing clothing associated with a diferent purchase a Vanilla One Card for &499. This will be used Screen,” a documentary created by Sam Feder, Amy gender to get a job or ind housing, such as in the 1980s sitcom to initiate IRS and BBB’s initial implementations,” were the NScholder and Laverne Cox. In it, a cast of transgender “Bosom Buddies.” instructions. and nonbinary people examine the history of trans images in More oten than not, though, they are played for laughs: “hat simple, Charles. Let us know when you get your Vanilla movies and television. caricatures of transgender identity, men in dresses, such as One card, and you’ll get your check and 2020 Alfa Romeo in It really is a remarkable piece of ilmmaking, covering a he hree Stooges in ballerina gear. just a matter of days, a week at the most. hat’s it, lucky guy!” fairly in-depth history of the good, bad and ugly of trans “Disclosure,” however, takes a look at each of these through I’ll give him credit for his spiel. It was artfully done, and it representation, from D. W. Griffith’s 1914 take on a trans the trans eye, and it explores how these stories have shaped was ever so cleverly articulated. It was happy in tone. Cheering. character in “Judith of Bethulia” to FX’s groundbreaking series, and afected both the popular view of transgender people, but hen came my research. Reluctantly to be sure. (God knows “Po s e .” also their own transgender lives. his, in my opinion, is key. I could use the money. Well, lets say $100,000 of it. Surely that’s One thing that is clear through so many of the stories While “Disclosure” covers a lot of ground, it was the movies not asking too much.) covered is just how much of the media centered on transgender and TV shows of the 1970s and 1990s that stuck with me the Here’s what I found: The phone call was from Jamaica. characters over the years has not been made for a trans audience. most. hese were the ones I grew up, and the ones I came of he Jamaican Lottery is rife with its own scams. And second: Even the best of them are morality stories attempting to change age with as a transgender person. Publisher’s Clearing House informs winners of their winning non-transgender minds to be more accepting of trans lives. So many of them were such awful depictions, but in their status by email. Most, however, fall far from that mark. hey are tales of trans time and place, as a young transgender person, they were also In response to a scam of yet another internet vintage, I serial killers, like Bufalo Bill in “he Silence of the Lambs.” water in the desert. hat is, a very problematic representation hey are also tragic plotlines, such as television shows like that, when it is the only representative you have, is far more “ER” casting transgender women dying due to their bodies See next page rejecting feminizing hormones or prostate cancer. Some, too, See Transmissions, next page 16 BTL | July 9, 2020 www.PrideSource.com “get a sex change.” here wasn’t much trans Creep Of The Week ® Transmissions representation on TV at the time in the Continued from p. 14 1970s. Of course, that character was reduced to a Donald Trump BY D’ANNE WITKOWSKI gay man shortly ater, which was presented elp, the Supreme Court issued its palatable. in part as to why he wanted to transition Granted, these aren’t the only “The Crying Game,” covered in in the irst place, then he got married to a abortion ruling that everyone has “Disclosure,” is a good example. When the woman and had a kid who later turned out Wbeen bracing themselves for and as cases the Supreme Court heard character of Dil — and here’s a 28-year- to be the devil. But that is beside the point. it turns out... Wait, reproductive rights won? old spoiler alert — is revealed as having a In looking back on “Soap,” you can see But Kavanaugh. But Gorsuch... this term, but these are some penis, another character, Fergus, runs to the how the character’s female presentation was But nothing. he Supreme Court has been restroom in a spasm of vomiting. played purely as a gag: the unshaven face issuing rulings lately that have horriied the far- very unexpected outcomes for right conservatives who sold this country out It’s a terrible reaction, and it set up ages and wash-and-go blonde wig, coupled with both liberals and conservatives. of similar scenes of revulsion at trans bodies a pink satin dress and otherwise masculine to a racist con man in exchange for a couple of from “Ace Ventura” to “Family Guy.” It is a body make this clear. Supreme Court seats. Abortion providers can’t moment that is hurtful, as a trans person, Yet “Soap” was the irst time I regularly be saddled with arbitrary laws intended to shut to watch, knowing that even people who saw a character who was actually presented them down. DACA kids can stay. Transgender But the answer is pretty simple: it’s the courts. were romantically attracted to us — up to as trans, right there on the front room with Americans are protected from employment Right-wing Christians believe that secularism that moment — will react to our very lesh my parents, hunched over TV trays! his discrimination. is strangling their freedom of religion. And with utter, uncontrolled, disgust. wasn’t Corporal Klinger trying to dodge the Granted, these aren’t the only cases the they are right, so far as they deine “religious Yet, at the time, it came out, in many Army, or a comedic character like Geraldine Supreme Court heard this term, but these freedom” as being able to discriminate against trans circles, the view was diferent. People played by Flip Wilson. In its time, this was are some very unexpected outcomes for both whomever they want and amassing political were excited to see a movie that appeared to quite the thing to see. liberals and conservatives. power by smashing the wall between church have an actual trans person in it. As bad as Nevertheless, like so many other So, does this mean that lighting the country and state. And they are pissed about it. it all was, it was still so rare to see anything examples, the Jodie Dallas character had on ire in order to trash the will of the majority Look, I’ve been following right-wing so- approaching an honest representation as a dual efect: while it helped illuminate me who supports things like reproductive rights called Christians for decades. hey didn’t sell the character of Dil that may within the to my own transness, it was also feeding me and marriage equality isn’t worth it and that out their principles because they didn’t have community largely glossed over how a narrative that being trans was a horrible judges don’t matter? any in the irst place. Power has always been terrible the reveal and subsequent scenes thing. This was all we had, but this was Well, yes and no. he damage that has been the end goal. Let’s stop being surprised by their were for that character. also horrible. done to this country under Trump is truly lack of morals. he same could be said for “Boys Don’t If you are trans or nonbinary, I astonishing. So many people dead, so many Along those lines, these right-wing Cry.” he ilm has many sins, not the least of recommend watching “Disclosure.” Know, people sick, so many people unemployed. And conservatives need a second Trump term more them being the omission of Philip DeVine, however, that it may hit some very sot spots then there’s Trump’s racism and misogyny, his than ever considering recent Supreme Court a Black friend of Brandon Teena killed for you. A lot of the material presented in unwillingness to learn or take responsibility for rulings. hey aren’t going to abandon Trump. the same night, from the narrative. Yet, at hard to sit through. It is worth watching all anything, his fawning over Vladimir Putin and hey need him to get even more seats on the the time it was released, many — myself the way through, though. other authoritarian leaders. his was a risky bet courts. In fact, I predict that the ight to keep included — were happy to see a big-budget And if you are not trans, you still need by right-wing conservatives and, unfortunately, their man in power will bring out the very Hollywood ilm centered on such a tragedy. to watch this. You will gain a very new they were gambling with all of our lives. And worst in them. And him. hat Hilary Swank won an Academy Award perspective on trans lives, and you’ll enjoy they lost, which means we all lost. I know, I know. It might seem like we’ve seen was, at the time, also viewed as a positive a documentary that provides an honest But do judges matter? Does it really matter the worst of what Trump already. But there is by many in the community, a high-water and fresh view on trans representation in who appoints them? Yes, they do and yes, it no limit to the depths he will sink. Right now mark for its time. popular media. does. Trump has been illing seats in lower his main objective is to convince Americans Another pivotal moment from level courts like wild, which is something he that everything is ine and that the economy “Disclosure” was Billy Crystal’s character Gwen Smith would really like to see a whole gets to do as president. But unlike previous is perfect even while COVID-19 infections on “Soap,” Jodie Dallas, who was planning lot more from the “Disclosure” team. You can Republican presidents, Trump’s picks have been are rising and the number of people who have to transition. Or, as it was put at the time, ind her at gwensmith.com. selected because they are ideologically extreme died is in the staggering 130,000 range. Yet not because they are expected to be good at there are still millions of Americans who will their jobs. In multiple cases, Trump’s picks enthusiastically vote for him again. were rated as unqualiied by the American Ater the abortion ruling came out on June Bar Association. So this is deinitely a quantity 29 author Jessica Valenti Tweeted, “I don’t over quality situation. And the country will know how to process good news anymore.” ® Parting Glances I replied to its bitcoin screwup succinctly: be paying for these appointments for decades Very relatable. Because there is so little of it to come. Continued from p. 14 “ATTORNEY FOLLOW-UP PENDING these days. Bad news dominates. Americans EMAIL INVESTIGATION.” he Supreme Court is important. If Trump spend their time ‘doom scrolling’ looking for I’ve not heard back from him. Not a gets another term he very well could get to the next bad thing. And there’s always a new appoint more justices, which would be was told in no uncertain bitcoin, pay-me- peep. (As for porn, let’s hope Biden replaces bad thing. Every time I get a news alert on my devastating for everyone who doesn’t look naughty-guy terms that my porn-watching Trump in 2020.) phone I feel a wave of anxiety: ‘Oh no, what like Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch. Black was being recently monitored and that if did he do now?’” people, LGBTQ people, poor people, women, I didn’t pay up to the sender I would have Charles Alexander is proliic both as a BTL Donald Trump is at the heart of all of immigrants have much to fear from a second my friends, my family and my Facebook columnist (700-plus columns) and as a this, but a heart cannot survive outside of a Trump term. followers contacted. (Whether or not that well-known LGBT community artist (1000 body. he body is the Republican Party. heir People have oten voiced confusion about was to be facilitated on Zoom is anyone’s Facebook images). He is a Spirit of Detroit embrace of this reckless and racist president why Trump is so popular with evangelical guess.) Award recipient and an Airmations LGBT says more about them than it does about him. Christians. He is clearly an unrepentant sinner his scamming, according to an article CENTER Jan Stevenson awardee. Connect He’s never claimed to be “a perfect person,” as by their deinition. He is morally bankrupt, in the Detroit Free Press, originated in with him at [email protected]. he said ater the “grab ‘em by the pussy” tape cruel and dumb. Not exactly the kind of guy England. To date, a few local internet was released. Republicans didn’t abandon them Jesus would call his BFF. queens have been so scamed. then, they won’t now. Vote them all out. www.PrideSource.com BTL | July 9, 2020 17 Obituary: Joy E. Geng

BY JASON A. MICHAEL

July 27, 1944 – June 21, 2020

oy Geng, one of the irst out employees at Ford and a Jlongtime supporter and board member of Equality Michigan — and its predecessor the Triangle Foundation — died Sunday, June 21. She was 75. Geng, who lived in Dearborn Heights, grew up in Plymouth. She graduated from Plymouth The makeshift memorial at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., on May 31, 2020 (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers) High School before attending Wayne State University where she would eventually go on to earn House Approves Bill to Designate Pulse Nightclub a National Memorial an MBA. She began in a starting worked even harder for Triangle, and found other organizations to level position at Ford in 1967 and BY MICHAEL LAVERS moved forward legislation that will he onePULSE Foundation, a group moved up as quickly as a woman help out as well devoting countless hours to LGBTQ and animal rights help to ensure that the memories of founded by Pulse owner Barbara Poma could at that time. Geng grew used he U.S. House of Representatives the victims will always be a part of that is planning to build a permanent to keeping her sexual orientation groups. “I won’t do it for money,” she approved a bill last month that would our national identity and that they memorial, on Friday applauded he a secret on the job. designate the Pulse nightclub as a will never be forgotten.” lawmakers who introduced HR 3094. In 1991 and at the behest of said. “I do it for the cause.” When not working for national memorial. “Four years ago, we saw the “Today, the House of her next-door neighbor Henry A press release that U.S. Reps. atrocious and destructive nature of Representatives passed a bill to Messer, Geng joined the board of nonprofits, Geng was an avid golfer. She also enjoyed gardening Darren Soto, Val Demings, and hatred plague our Orlando community recognize Pulse nightclub as a National the Lesbian and Gay Foundation Stephanie Murphy released notes when 49 lives were taken and 53 Memorial Site, reminding the world of Michigan, which, only a short and being by the water at her condo in Oscoda. Though they House Resolution 3094 “grants a others were injured,” added Soto. “As that we will not let hate win,” said the time later, changed its name to the federal designation honoring the 49 we continue to honor the memory of onePULSE Foundation in a tweet. Triangle Foundation. never decided to marry, Geng and Maria Winiarski lived as partners lives taken on June 12, 2016, as well those lost, I am proud to lead the ight June 12 marked four years since a “Henry kind of bugged me until as the survivors, irst responders and with Congresswomen Val Demings gunman killed 49 people inside the I gave in,” Geng recalled in a 2018 for 38 years. “She was hot and had beautiful the entire Central Florida community.” and Stephanie Murphy to designate nightclub during its Latino night. interview with Between he Lines. Soto, Demings and Murphy are the National Pulse Memorial. Today, he massacre at the time was the “I had a more than a full-time job blue eyes,” Winiarski said when she recalled what irst attracted her Democrats who represent Orlando we remind the world that hate will deadliest mass shooting in modern at that time and I didn’t have a lot in Congress. never defeat love, grief can turn U.S. history. of extra time. I had a partner and to Geng. “She was such a dynamic person and I adored how she could “I am grateful that the House has into strength and that a place of loss a family. But he got me.” passed our legislation to make the can become a sanctuary of healing. This article originally appeared in Geng was an active board take control and do anything.” Kevin McAlpine served as Pulse site a national memorial,” said Together, we will continue to open the Washington Blade and is made member and worked especially Demings. “We will always honor the minds and hearts. We will make the available in partnership with the hard in the area of finance, her director of development with Triangle and worked at the agency family, friends, and neighbors we Pulse Memorial a national symbol of National LGBT Media Association. specialty. Still afraid to come lost that night. Today, the U.S. House hope, love and light.” out on the job, it wouldn’t be for 10 years. until 1997, shortly before her “Joy had a practical, no- retirement, that she outed herself nonsense approach to life that I in a story for the Ford worldwide appreciated,” he said. “I learned employee newspaper. At the time, a lot from her. She was a great Virginia Nondiscrimination Bill Takes Effect as manager of Ford’s retirement mentor to many and did so much and savings plans, Geng was for the community.” Paula Merideth served on the the highest salary grade, active BY MICHAEL LAVERS with grit, determination, heart and management employee to come Triangle board with Geng for several years. The two became purpose, we can achieve the civil rights out. A bill that adds sexual orientation that LGBTQ people need and deserve,” “hat was the time that I knew fast friends. “The thing I will remember and gender identity to Virginia’s said Northam in a video for Global I was ready to risk my job, my life, nondiscrimination law took effect Pride, a 24-hour virtual Pride event everything for the cause and for the about Joy the most, and it’s kind of universal in her life, is whatever on Wednesday. that took place on Saturday. young people,” Geng told BTL in he Democrat-controlled General he Washington Blade will update 2005. “I really did it for the young she cared about and invested herself in she was steadfast. She Assembly earlier this year approved this story. people. I had calls and comments the Virginia Values Act. Governor and letters from people from all stayed with it her entire life,” The Virginia Capitol (Washington Blade Merideth said. Ralph Northam signed it into law on photo by Michael Key) This article originally appeared in over the world. I had about 100 April 11. the Washington Blade and is made people working for me at that time, commonwealth. Virginia is the irst Visitation for Geng took place Republicans, who lost control of state in the South to enact these available in partnership with the and I can’t think of one person who the General Assembly last November, National LGBT Media Association. didn’t acknowledge that.” Friday, June 26, at the Dearborn protections. Chapel of Voran Funeral Home. previously blocked efforts to ban “his victory shows the world that Ater retiring from Ford, Geng anti-LGBTQ discrimination in the

18 BTL | July 9, 2020 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com BTL | July 9, 2020 19 HUD Appears to Defy Bostock Ruling with Anti-Trans Rule for Homeless Shelters BY CHRIS JOHNSON “For example, under the proposed rule, discrimination on the basis of sex in housing, if a single-sex facility permissibly provides and any regulations emanating from the U.S. n apparent defiance of the recent U.S. accommodation for women, and its policy government on that statute. Supreme Court ruling against anti-LGBTQ is to serve only biological women, without Neither the Justice Department, which has Idiscrimination, the Trump administration regard to gender identity, it may decline to been charged with implementing the Bostock has announced plans to change Obama-era accommodate a person who identiies as female decision, nor the Department of Housing regulations to allow homeless shelters to refuse but who is a biological male,” the proposed rule & Urban Development responded to the to house transgender people consistent with says. “Conversely, the same shelter may not, Washington Blade’s request to comment on their gender identity. on the basis of sex, decline to accommodate how the proposal is consistent with the Supreme Secretary of Housing & Urban Development a person who identiies as male but who is a U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Court ruling. Ben Carson announced in a statement biological female.” Ben Carson has issued a proposed rule to allow Mara Keisling, Executive Director of the Wednesday the plan would allow homeless LaLa Zannell, Trans Justice Campaign anti-trans discrimination in homeless shelters. National Center for Transgender Equality, said shelters to voluntarily establish policies on the Manager for the American Civil Liberties (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key) in a statement the proposal “lies in the face of admission of transgender people. Union, said in a statement the proposal is cruel the Bostock Supreme Court ruling, so it will not “his important update will empower shelter amid high unemployment rates during the those women may have just been beaten, raped, stand, but it could still put people in danger.” providers to set policies that align with their coronavirus crisis. and sexually assaulted by a man the day before,” “Discrimination and criminalization have missions, like safeguarding victims of domestic “Housing Secretary Ben Carson: Where Carson said. let countless transgender people, particularly violence or human traicking,” Carson said. should the Black and Brown trans women who he proposal concedes HUD “is not aware transgender people of color, exposed to violence “Mission-focused shelter operators play a vital have faced discrimination at work and violence of data suggesting that transgender individuals and abuse, all while family rejection can leave and compassionate role in communities across in their homes and the streets go ater we have pose an inherent risk to biological women,” but transgender youth with nowhere to turn,” America. The Federal Government should been turned away from shelters?” Zannell said. adds “there is anecdotal evidence” non-trans Keisling said. “Secretary Carson is contradicting empower them, not mandate a single approach “Shelters funded by taxpayers should be open women may fear being housed with transgender the very mission of his department by trying that overrides local law and concerns. HUD to all — period. We should all tell the Trump women. to make shelters less safe for those who need also wants to encourage their participation administration that this proposed rule is not Sharita Gruberg, senior director for the them and further endangering the lives of in HUD programs. hat’s exactly what we are only wrong but deadly.” LGBTQ Research and Communications Project marginalized people. We will ight this rule doing with this rule change.” he proposal justiies the change by asserting at Center for American Progress, said in a like trans lives depend on it because trans lives In 2016, the Obama administration the 2016 Obama-era regulations exceeded statement the proposal “is targeting transgender do depend on it.” under then-Secretary of Housing & Urban authority under the Fair Housing Act, people for discrimination.” he submission of the proposed rule is the Development Julian Castro updated the Equal minimized local control, imposed regulatory “Giving shelters a license to discriminate last step in the process before publication in the Access Rule, which had been interpreted in burdens and burdened shelters with deeply held against transgender people would be wrong Federal Register. A 60-day comment period for 2012 to bar anti-LGBTQ discrimination in religious convictions, referring to a 2017 memo at any time, but to do so in the midst of a the rule is expected to start in the coming days. government-subsidized homes, to require from former U.S. Attorney General Jef Sessions pandemic and an economic crisis constitutes HUD had previously announced it would homeless shelters with single-sex facilities to requiring U.S. agencies to accommodate an act of wanton cruelty,” Gruberg said. gut the 2016 rule for homeless shelters with house transgender people consistent with their religious objections in regulations. According to a study from the Center for a rule allowing homeless shelters to refuse to gender identity. “In some faith traditions, sex is viewed as an American Progress and Equal Rights Center house transgender people based on religious But the Trump administration proposal, immutable characteristic determined at birth,” before the 2016 regulations went into efect, beliefs or privacy issues, but no document until according to a 28-page proposed rule being the proposal says. “Thus, legally compelled only 30 percent of shelters tested were willing now had reached this point in the rule-making circulated among congressional committees, accommodation determined on a basis in to appropriately house transgender people, stage, according to the American Civil Liberties seeks effectively to undo those Obama-era conlict with the provider’s beliefs could violate and 1 in 5 outright refused to provide them Union. regulations. religious freedom precepts.” with shelter. The White House didn’t respond to the he proposal would purportedly preserve the Further, the rule draws on privacy issues, he proposal appears to conlict with the Washington Blade’s request to comment on 2012 Equal Access Rule barring anti-LGBTQ a concern cited by opponents of allowing recent ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court whether President Trump is OK with the rule discrimination in federally-funded housing transgender people to use the restroom in case of Bostock v. Clayton County, which and think it’s consistent with the Supreme programs, but “require any determination of sex consistent with their gender identity, as a reason determined anti-LGBTQ discrimination is a Court’s decision in the Bostock case. by the shelter provider to be based on a good for the change. form of sex discrimination, thus illegal under faith belief, and require the shelter provider to “HUD does not believe it is beneficial to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. his article originally appeared in the Washington provide transfer recommendations if a person institute a national policy that may force Although that ruling pertained to employment, Blade and is made available in partnership with is of the sex not accommodated by the shelter homeless women to sleep alongside and interact not housing, the logic in the decision should the National LGBT Media Association. and in some other circumstances.” with men in intimate settings — even though affect the Fair Housing Act, which bans Shop The Rainbow here are hundreds of businesses that advertise in BTL and welcome everyone.

Invest in equality and work with businesses that support Michigan’s LGBTQ Find Puzzle on p.25 community!

20 BTL | July 9, 2020 www.PrideSource.com The Effort to Pass Michigan’s First-ever LGBTQ Rights Law Through a Citizens’ Bill Needs Your Help

Fair and Equal Michigan - the campaign to amend our civil rights act to include LGBTQ people - needs to close a financial gap due to the impact of COVID-19

Hashtag: #FairAndEqualMI - Facebook: @FairAndEqualMI - Twitter: @FairandEqualMI Instagram: @FairAndEqualMI - Web: www.FairAndEqualMichigan.com

he Court: Independent attorneys reviewed the Supreme Court de- Financial gap: We have approximately $1 million in pledges but we are cision and the Attorney General released a statement: we still need to short $875,000 due to the impact of COVID-19. Adding to the chal- amend Michigan’s Civil Rights Act. he Court’s ruling was not based lenge: We have a tight timeline as we’ll need to launch by July 15. Let’s upon constitutional rights and applied narrowly to federal employment work to close the gap to achieve our goal of prohibiting discrimination law, not state law. LGBTQ people still face discrimination in local em- against LGBTQ Michiganders and making sure every Michigander has ployment, housing, education, public accommodations and services. an equal right to succeed.

Campaign status: While we are halfway to goal to introduce the Why we ight: Trans women of color are still sufering the highest lev- irst-ever citizens’ bill for equality (you’ve collected 150,000 signatures els of discrimination. It is why we started this campaign in January. so far), we’ll need $1.8 million to build the canvassing operations to his efort remains Michigan’s best option for equal rights for all. his gather the rest. he Court of Claims recognized that COVID-19 im- campaign remains deeply personal for many people: 311,000 adults pacted the rights of our nearly 200,000 supporters, allowing us to sub- identify as LGBTQ and at least 61,000 are youth. he Williams Institute mit signatures this October. his sets up a legislative vote in lame duck reported 32,900 identify as transgender. session and a deining moment on equal rights this December. From the bottom of our hearts: hank you.

Dr. Mira Jourdan, Jeynce Poindexter, Hon. Brandon Dillon, and Trevor homas Co-Chairs, Fair and Equal Michigan

www.FairAndEqualMichigan.com

Paid for with regulated funds by Fair and Equal Michigan, P.O. Box 10030, Lansing, MI 48901

www.PrideSource.com BTL | July 9, 2020 21 His Black Queerness, Front and Center ‘Love, Simon’ Star Talks Defiant Solo Album and Social Justice Uprising

BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI Were you feeling as defiant as the music on this album when you recorded it, or was it a nce Keiynan Lonsdale made no personal manifestation? apologies for who he is, the music Yeah, I was 100 percent feeling just as followed suit. he star of the CW’s O deiant. he songs were written, for the most “The Flash” and 2018’s gay teen comedy part, pretty easily. here was so much that “Love, Simon” celebrates his Black queer was ready to be expressed. And I think the identity on his 14-track anthemic solo debut momentum kept building, because I hadn’t “Rainbow Boy.” Dance-pop song “Gay Street felt that empowered to be able to write and Fighter” is an audacious strut of a rally cry, make music that was so unapologetic. It felt proclaiming that even God is gay. And with a really, really ripe. shout out to “my non-binary bitches,” “White Noise” and its buoyant groove lits the stories When did you feel you could be unabashedly of Black people that have fallen through the yourself in your music? cracks. Lonsdale’s album comes at the same time here was deinitely one moment; it was as “Love, Victor,” the “Love, Simon” spin-of three years exactly before I released it, on Hulu. In the series, the 28-year-old Aussie where I had this realization that the best star reprises his role as quiet high-schooler way for me to create would be to hold Bram and becomes instrumental in Victor’s absolutely nothing back. I realized I was in journey to authenticity. control of the songs that I would write, and When I recently connected with Lonsdale it would be a matter of what the writing led during a Zoom call, he was riding out the last with, or staying in this sort of fear mindset two days of his mandatory 14-day quarantine that I had my whole life. And for good in a hotel in Australia. At one point, the reason. phone rang. And then it rang again. “Don’t But it felt kind of like a spell was broken, mind me,” Lonsdale said, laughing. “I’m in and I was like, “I can say this shit, I can sing the Australian quarantine right now, and so, this shit.” (Laughs) In fact, it’s what sparked actually, they call and check on you each day.” me to realize that I could have my own In quarantine, Lonsdale has been able to unique voice. Before that I would say that “take stock of the album release, the state I spent a lot of time trying to be like others, but always wanting to have the gall to be Photo: Cliford Prince King of the world…” He laughs again. “And the state of myself.” able to be my own (person). But I didn’t know what that meant. So it was nice to 22 BTL | July 9, 2020 www.PrideSource.com have that spell broken. uprising? It has reminded me of the necessity of it. I So then being able to mentor a younger gay was of the mind where I felt like maybe this person on “Love, Victor” and remind him that song was too on the nose, but then, clearly there’s no one way to be LGBTQ, what did that not. (Laughs) here are a lot of people who feel like for you? don’t understand the importance of this, and It was great to be able to play a role that could I wanted to approach that song with a level of share that knowledge, because it’s something joy and invitation, to be able to point out an that I think each of us have needed to hear at issue, pretty clear as day, yet to say that there’s ess, a way forward. I suppose everyone has a one time: that you are still the one that gets to deine who you are. here is no one way, diferent way of how they share their message, and as much as we like to paint people with and with that song I wanted to kind of teach the same brush, it’s just not how it works. So I – and with the album, in general – through think it sends an important message. I’m glad song and dance. that’s the route they went with with the (lead) d You taking pride in your Black heritage on character. “Ancient One” is a good example of that. Going back to the fear you said you felt when One-hundred percent. Because I think the you were younger, before you came out: How goal of life is to celebrate that we are here, much of that had to do with you being a Black and that we get to share this experience. It’s queer person? important to have reminders that there is a lot Yeah, it had a lot to do with that. I didn’t hear to this existence, and that it can be something and I still don’t hear … (there’s) a lack of that is full of rhythm and full of mystery and music that proclaims same-sex love. What’s full of celebration. ultimately needed is that it’s normalized; that “Love, Victor” has been getting attention for hearing a guy sing about a guy or singing its diversity, something many people thought about a girl, they can become one in the “Love, Simon” lacked. What are your feelings same and not something that is conlicting or jarring or uncomfortable, or something that on how the show and the movie handled people have to avoid. representation? I haven’t seen the show in its entirety yet, so Photographer Mark Clennon, who has been I look forward to that. But that was deinitely sharing images of the Black Lives Matter one thing I thought was exciting about this protests and demonstrations across New show. When anything is getting a spin-of, York City, described sharing Black stories as you get a little bit worried and you’re hoping “whimsical defiance” in a recent interview with that it’s done the right way. But I appreciated Interview magazine. For you, what does it feel that it was taking a turn from the movie and like to be sharing your perspective and story as moving forward, taking further steps. a Black queer person during our current racial In one way, I’m really proud of “Love, justice movement? Simon” and how things were represented, but I’m not unaware of the fact that that was one It’s both empowering and exhausting. I think step and that there are still many that need a lot of Black people would likely feel this way to be taken. As people also said, this is one too, because it’s a story we’ve lived with our speciic telling of what it is for one kind of entire lives. For a lot of us, we’ve expressed it person to grow up gay in a fairly accepting for a while. You know, I wrote a whole album environment, in a sort of privileged position. about my experience, and I wrote the album, And those are conversations to be had. I’m like, two years ago. So, it’s coming out now glad that the movie was both celebrated yet and it’s amazing on one hand that people are also a topic of discussion of, “How do we keep listening in a diferent way than they were going?” before. hat provides me with a lot of hope on some days. On other days you just want to When you accepted your MTV Movie award for live your life. You want to be able to live your “Best Kiss” for “Love, Simon” in 2018, what was it life without having to explain it all the time. like to get on stage as an out queer person and And so I think that’s where it’s important to in a dress? have the balance of doing the ight and also It was super weird because I had come out a knowing, How do you heal at the same time? few weeks ater we’d ilmed (“Love, Simon”), Take care of yourself? So, yeah. It’s hard to so I was out for only 12 months by the time describe. the movie was out. hen I was doing all these I’m assuming the song “White Noise” was written interviews and speeches; it was really strange a couple of years ago too. During the song, you because I only just came out. I was kind of sing, “All the white noise that we just don’t need, very much in my own experience trying to you better move over.” What kind of significance See Keiynan, continued on p. 24 does the song take on now in the midst of this

www.PrideSource.com BTL | July 9, 2020 23 Photo: Hulu

® Keiynan that end, I wondered what you think being out Continued from p. 23 and playing Kid Flash has meant to both LGBTQ and people-of-color communities? igure a lot of stuf out. It’s meant a lot of things. Because at irst it was met with a lot of celebration, but I was But you seemed to have known what you were also met with thousands of racist comments doing when you got on that stage in that dress. online the day that it was announced. Same (Laughs) Yeah, well … I was just trying my thing when I came out. To be met with such best to listen to the spiritual aspect of it and celebration but then also the opposite, it’s a that’s what allowed me the conidence to wear funny juxtaposition. But I am proud. I’m what I wanted. happy that Kid Flash is a superhero and the message I know that a lot of kids have been How did you feel up there? getting is: hey’ve got to watch me as a Black I felt amazing. I was really nervous. I didn’t man play a superhero, and then they compare know what I was going to say until I started it with the fact that I’m an out queer Black walking up. It’s a surreal kind of experience. man who plays a superhero. We weren’t But I was over the moon, to be honest. It felt taught you could do that back in the day. And like a dream. And I felt really supported in so if that empowers kids to know they can be that moment. And yeah, it was quite magical. limitless, then that’s the best thing ever. I felt magical. As editor of Q Syndicate, the LGBTQ wire Did you see the crowd reactions? They were so service, Chris Azzopardi has interviewed a into your speech. multitude of superstars, including Cher, Meryl I deinitely heard them. It was really Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. His work has exhilarating. also appeared in he New York Times, Vanity Fair, GQ and Billboard. Reach him via Twitter I see how you affect a lot of LGBTQ youth, and to @chrisazzopardi.

24 BTL | July 9, 2020 www.PrideSource.com

Michigan ‘Hamilton’ Star Sydney James Harcourt Talks Broadway and Loving his Home State

BY JASON A. MICHAEL he participated in a workshop of the play. ydney James Harcourt “I knew it was a musical is a Detroit success that was telling the story of Sstory. Many young the founding fathers who rap,” actors from Michigan move he said. “My agents were very to New York City hoping skeptical about that. But I looked to make it in theater, with at the material and I thought Broadway, of course, being it sounded good.”Harcourt the ultimate goal. But unlike originally auditioned for the role Harcourt, most can’t brag of George Washington. about appearing as an original “It was very laid back. Two cast member in a show as auditions. One for the music lauded as “Hamilton” — a director and one with Lin production that many a critic [Manuel Miranda, who wrote has referred to as a cultural the lyrics and book]. I was the phenomenon. And while live irst person to ever sing ‘History Broadway productions might Has Its Eyes on You.’ He had be dark now due to the dire just written it and brought it in,” circumstances of the novel Harcourt said. “Then I never coronavirus, the show must had to audition again. When we go on. Originally scheduled moved to the Public heatre the for a theatrical release in cast just went with it, and the October 2021, “Hamilton” same for Broadway.” the movie is airing now on The show was an instant Disney+. sensation. It would go on to win Harcourt is in the movie in 11 Tony Awards. And Harcourt the roles he originated with would pick up a Grammy Award the production even before for his feature performance on it made it to Broadway. He the show’s original soundtrack. plays James Reynolds, Phillip “People ask me, ‘Did you know Schuyler and the doctor. (On early on it was going to be this big Broadway he would go on to replace Leslie Odom, Jr. in the role of Aaron Burr and appear in more than 700 performances of the show.) He said he had heard little about “Hamilton” when See Hamilton, continued on p. 30

26 BTL | July 9, 2020 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com BTL | July 9, 2020 27 Deep Inside Hollywood BY ROMEO SAN VICENTE> of understanding, since there was also a period in her own younger life when she was the object of intense media scrutiny and criticism. ‘Noah’s Arc’ drops a surprise Call it an anti-fairy tale, and we’ll be patient reunion! while production schedules remain on hold, but they can just go ahead and take our money Gone are the days when you right now. could learn about something on the horizon well before it asked for your immediate Gabrielle Union attention. Beyoncé is silent on a Saturday and drops a snaps up ‘All new album on Sunday and Boys Aren’t Blue’ everyone’s like, “Huh? What? OK, lucky us.” So, were you Journalist George pining away for years for M. Johnson’s beautiful a “Noah’s Arc” reboot or memoir, “All Boys Aren’t reunion? Of course you were, Blue,” a true story of being and now your wish comes queer and Black, explores true, a lot sooner than you his childhood, adolescence think. Ater 12 years, Noah, and young adult life. he Alex, Ricky, and Chance Kristen Stewart. Photo: KathClick book includes stories of are returning with a one-of being physically assaulted reunion called “Noah’s Arc: by bullies as a child, of his The ‘Rona Chronicles” on series creator fraught relationship with his police-officer Patrik-Ian Polk’s Facebook and YouTube father, and of his warm relationship with his pages. The original cast from Logo’s 2005 grandmother, all while grappling with ideas series about a group of Black queer friends about gender, masculinity, Blackness, structural – Darryl Stephens, Jensen Atwood, Rodney racism and growing up. Even better, hot on the Chester, Doug Spearman and Christian heels of its publication, Gabrielle Union – an Vincent – has returned and the scripted LGBTQ+ ally and passionately devoted mother episode will be all about – in case the title to her own queer child – has optioned the flew past you – the way life is right now. book to develop as a series for Sony Pictures Patrick-Ian Polk Entertainment and Gilead are TV. We love the title, with its nod and inherent presenting the special, which will raise money critique of those weird gender reveal parties for Black LGBTQ non-proit organizations, that straight people seem to love so much, and among them Birmingham AIDS Outreach, even though literally nothing is in place yet Casa Ruby, G.L.I.T.S (Gays & Lesbians Living beyond an intention to make this book into In a Transgender Society), In he Meantime something else, we also love that Union has Men’s Group, LGBT Detroit, Mobilizing Our taken up the cause. More on this one soon. Brothers Initiative (MOBI) and he Oakland LGBTQ Community Center. Be there on July Ben Whishaw is ‘Going To 5 at 8 p.m. Eastern, with some cash to donate. Hurt’ Kristen Stewart will play Emmy and Golden Globe-winner Ben Whishaw is set to star in the BBC adaptation Princess Diana in ‘Spencer’ of British comedy writer Adam Kay’s medical Pablo Larraín (“Jackie”) is set to direct memoir, “his is Going to Hurt.” he comedy- and Kristen Stewart to play Princess Diana in drama follow’s Kay’s account of life as a junior “Spencer,” a drama written by Steven Knight doctor on a hospital ward, and is based on a (“Peaky Blinders”) about one critical weekend collection of medical training diaries he kept in the early ’90s life of the princess, and the from 2004 to 2010. he series, scripted by Kay, freeing consequences of decisions she made should be fairly eye-opening for American then. In other words, it’s a biopic of sorts, but audiences unfamiliar with Britain’s National one that takes the micro versus the macro Health Service, which provides publicly funded approach. No tragic death, no heartbreaking care for every UK citizen (translation: you and sensational atermath, just the story of a don’t get slapped with $300,000 bills for a three-day Christmas holiday that found Diana hospital stay), and is currently under attack deciding that her royal life was no longer from conservative attempts to privatize it. No working (something her son Harry and his wife other casting news has been made public just Meghan Markle have also recently decided for yet, nor is there a premiere date, but when it themselves). And the casting is indeed inspired. hits the States, the AMC network will handle Now that Kristen Stewart has secured a place it. Stay safe until then. Wear your mask. in cinema history as one of the most talented and fascinating actors of her generation, she’s Romeo San Vicente would never hurt you. poised to interpret this character from a place 28 BTL | July 9, 2020 www.PrideSource.com 37 Like Cockney’s pubes? 12 Kunis of “Black Swan” 39 The Buckeyes, for short 13 Alfred Douglas’ school 40 Be expelled from a basketball 21 Sonny, to Chaz game 23 General activity 42 Peeples of “Fame” 26 Bright, in book credits 43 Financial 27 Desperate women in a series 45 Horseman that sticks it in you 28 Letters for debtors 47 More of the quote 29 ___-de-sac 51 Bentley of “American Beauty” 30 Rock trigram 52 Prepare to drag 32 One that is often penetrated 53 A.M.A. members 33 Moon of Uranus 54 Word with donna 34 Remove from the head 56 Home st. of Harper Lee 35 Fairy tale huffer 57 Physical therapy, briefly 36 As it should be 60 End of the quote 38 Stat exaggeration? 63 Tied, as a score 40 King of Lawrence’s land 64 O’Connor of “Xena” 41 Cheap and gaudy 65 Fruit center 44 Like mild weather 66 Wagon train’s direction 46 Product with three heads 67 Bedroom arouser 48 The “T” in IGLTA 68 “___ off?” 49 “All’s Well That Ends Well” Q Puzzle heroine CASHIER/CLERK WANTED Walk a Mile in 19 French composer …douard Down 50 Artful dodger 20 Start of a Hannah Gadsby quote, 54 Response to the SCOTUS Uptown Adult Superstore (Dvd’s, Toys, etc) Her Shoe after she said that she doesn’t hate 1 Start to climax transgender ruling Across males 2 Sneaky Pie cry 55 “Spamalot” review, perhaps Detroit area, must be 18yrs old 22 More of the quote 3 Patti Page’s “Let ___, Lover!” 58 Popular ‘60s hairstyle 1 Gunners shoot it off 24 Looker’s leg 4 Fruits with navels, maybe 59 Queer ___ (fruity beverage) 5 Terence of “Priscilla” Cashier, stock & cleaning 25 Way off 5 Witch hunt town 61 Lyricist Gershwin 10 “There Is Nothing Like a ___” 26 Where to stick your tool 6 Peter or Paul but not Mary 62 Calculator button 14 At no time, in poems Benefits-Hol/Vac/Health 28 Dick Button’s milieu 7 T or F, on exams 15 Moore costar 31 Kelly once of “All My Children” 8 Drag queen’s material, maybe 16 Ready for press Call (313)869-9477 or come in to apply 34 Batman and Robin, et al. 9 Scoppettone novel evidence 17 “Julius Caesar” costume 35 More of the quote 10 Comic Lea 18 Wonder Woman accessory 11 Man not made by breeders Clues P. 20

www.PrideSource.com BTL | July 9, 2020 29 Michigan Community Resources Hundreds of resources can be found online at PrideSource.com

AIDS/HIV Airmations Older Adults Ferndale Get Listed, Promote http://goairmations.org SAGE Metro Detroit Your Events Community Centers www.facebook.com/Airmations/ 290 W. Nine Mile Rd. Ferndale, MI You can add or update or follow them on Twitter @ 313-578-6812 Michigan has eleven active LGBTQ any listing by going to GoAirmations. sagemetrodetroit.org community centers, with a tenth www.PrideSource.com 290 W. Nine Mile Road Facebook: SAGE Metro Detroit planned in Lansing. Here are three and clicking on Yellow Ferndale, MI of them. Pages. Once you submit 248-398-7105 Political your listing, our staf will Jim Toy Community Center The LGBT and Allies contact you to conirm your Ann Arbor Legal information. www.jimtoycenter.org. Caucus of the Michigan You can add your event to www.facebook.com/jimtoycenter American Civil Liberties Democratic Party the Pride Source Calendar or follow them on Twitter @ Union of Michigan Facebook.com/TheLGBTA- online and in print by going JimToyCenter. Jay Kaplan, Staf Attorney, LGBT CaucusoftheMDP to www.PrideSource.com 319 Braun Court Project Stonewall for Revolution and clicking on Calendar, Ann Arbor, MI 2966 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI www.facebook.com/ then “Add Event.” Send 734-995-9867 www.aclumich.org stonewall4reolution any press releases and 313-578-6800 announcements to editor@ LGBT Detroit pridesource.com Detroit Fair Michigan Transgender www.lgbtdetroit.org. PO Box 6136 FtM Detroit www.facebook.com/lgbtdetroit Plymouth, MI 48170 https://www.facebook.com/ @LGBTDetroit. 877-432-4764, 313-556-2300 FtMDetroit/ 20025 Greenield Road fairmichigan.org [email protected]. Find a digital version of PrideSource Magazine Detroit, MI Facebook.com/fairmichigan2016 online under Our LGBT Yellow Pages Phone: 313-397-2127 Know Your RIghts Project FtM A2 Ypsi Find these resources online Outlaws U-M student group [email protected] Adoption Services [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/ Transgender Michigan 734-995-9867 ftma2ypsi/ 23211 Woodward Ave. AIDS/HIV Hotlines Ferndale, MI AIDS/HIV Organizations [email protected] Alzheimer’s Association www.transgendermichigan.org Animal Shelter ® and I come here as much as Hamilton 800-842-2954 Anti-Violence Continued from p. 26 I can.” When asked, Harcourt Trans Sistas of Color Archives/Collections said he is also hopeful for Project Campus; Student and Alumni Groups Cancer Support Groups thing?’ And I always tell them there’s Michigan’s artistic future. 19641 W. 7 Mile Rd. in Detroit Choruses just no way to know you’re going to be “In New York, there’s 313-537-7000 Ext 107 a part of a cultural phenomenon like an astonishing amount [email protected] Community Centers that,” he said. “You think it would maybe of successful artists from www.facebook.com/TSCOPD/ Employee Resource Groups be the biggest thing that season. But I Michigan. here’s something Families and Parents didn’t know I would meet President in the water here, and I have Youth Foster Care Barack Obama three times or be this hope that the art scene Foundations and Funders is going to explode here in standing in the White House. Ruth Ellis Center Hotlines & Switchboards Detroit and Ypsilanti and 77 Victor Street, Highland Park, And for Harcourt, “the journey Labor Union Traverse City,” he said. “To MI 48203 continues.” Legal Organizations “I still don’t know what’s coming me, this is the spot. This is [email protected] Facebook: Ruth Ellis Center Museums next with this juggernaut in my life. the place to be and I’m doing 313-252-1950 Music Groups But I do know it’s all blessings and all my part to help that happen.” But until concerns about the National Organizations opportunities,” he said. “I just try to Ozone House meet the moment and make the best pandemic die down, Harcourt Political Organizations 102 N. Hamilton Street use of the time I have to be a part of a has decided to sit back, relax Professional Organizations Ypsilanti, MI show that touches people so deeply.” and enjoy seeing a taste of the Religious & Spiritual 734-662-2265 Broadway experience at home. Senior Living hese days, Harcourt splits his time 734-662-2222 between Michigan and NYC. “We didn’t know when it Seniors was going to come out. hen, “I’m in Ann Arbor right now. I’ve Social/Community Organizations suddenly, four years later Stand With Trans been here since March. Ever since I Farmington, MI Sports heard about the pandemic I said Michigan is the safest you’re getting to see what you did. And for me, watching it back, I don’t remember www.standwithtrans.org Substance Abuse place to be. I went to the University of Michigan ater 248-739-9254 Transgender Groups/Services Interlochen, and I wanted to still live at home so we being that good,” Harcourt said. “I remember being tired, Women’s Health moved here. I love New York. It was a place of opportunity thinking, ‘How am I going to do it again?’ hen you see Youth Services when you were living in a time when there was no internet the inished project and the feeling is pride. It really is.” and you had to be in New York or LA just for auditions,” Harcourt said. “But Michigan is my favorite place to be Find the show online at disneyplus.com.

30 BTL | July 9, 2020 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com BTL | July 9, 2020 31