Buttigieg Tapped to Become First Openly Gay Person Confirmed to Cabinet Role

A Zoom of A Year

PrideSource.com DECEMBER 24, 2020 | VOL. 2852 | FREE 2 BTL | December 24, 2020 www.PrideSource.com NEWS 4 Communication in the Era of COVID-19 VOL. 2852 • DECEMBER 24, 2020 How LGBTQ Community Orgs Adapted Services in Physical Isolation ISSUE 1164 6 A Look Back on 2020 PRIDE SOURCE MEDIA GROUP

8 HTJ Retrospecitive: A Cold As Hell Interview Phone 734.293.7200 PUBLISHERS 12 Buttigieg Tapped to Become First Openly Susan Horowitz & Jan Stevenson Gay Person Confirmed to Cabinet Role EDITORIAL 14 Mombian: 2020 LGBTQ Parenting Year in Review Editor in Chief Susan Horowitz, 734.293.7200 [email protected] OPINION 16 Entertainment Editor 10 Parting Glances Chris Azzopardi, 734.293.7200 [email protected] 10 Viewpoint: Michelle E. Brown News & Feature Editor 10 Creep of the Week: Donald Trump Eve Kucharski, 734.293.7200 [email protected]

News & Feature Writers ENTERTAINMENT Michelle Brown, Ellen Knoppow, Jason A. Michael, 16 Dolly Parton on the Other Pandemic Cure (Rhinestones!) and Her Gay Dance Drew Howard, Jonathan Thurston Album CREATIVE Webmaster & MIS Director 20 Deep Inside Hollywood Kevin Bryant, [email protected] 14 21 Q Puzzle: The Queen’s Gambit Columnists Charles Alexander, Michelle E. Brown, 22 Michigan Community Resources Mikey Rox, D’Anne Witkowski, Gwendolyn Ann Smith, Dana Rudolph

Cartoonists Paul Berg

Contributing Photographers Andrew Potter, Andrew Cohen, Roxanne Frith, Tih Penfil ADVERTISING & SALES Director of Sales Jan Stevenson, 734.293.7200 [email protected] 4 - 7 COVER STORY Sales Representatives 12 Ann Cox, 734.293.7200 [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 Here are some of our latest online-only pieces: Q Syndicate Plymouth-Canton Schools Approve Inclusive Bathroom-Usage Policy By Jason A. Michael “Between The Lines Newspaper” Pay Attention, Be Astonished and ‘Read This for Inspiration’: Ashly Perez Talks Creativity During 2020 Follow us @YourBTL By Eve Kucharski Email your op–eds to Jody LaMacchia Elected Chair of Oakland County Democratic Party [email protected] By Ellen Shanna Knoppow Sign up online to receive our E–Digest Bhutan Lawmakers Vote to Decriminalize Homosexuality Our rate cards are available online. All material appearing in Between The By Michael Lavers Lines is protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publishers. Between The Lines is supported by many fine advertisers, but we cannot accept responsibility Jody LaMacchia. for claims made by our advertisers, nor can we accept responsibility for materials provided by advertisers or their agents.

Copyright 2020

www.PrideSource.com BTL | December 24, 2020 3 Cover Story Communication in the Era of COVID-19 How LGBTQ Community Orgs Adapted Services in Physical Isolation

BY EVE KUCHARSKI along with working in a virtual world. Our staff the challenge of providing services for our meetings were usually heavy brainstorming movement — the pandemic was no exception. SAGE Metro Detroit — Angie s 2020 winds down, conducting sessions when hosted in-person, so it took some 2020 saw some of the most programming we’ve Perone, Executive Director meetings via Zoom or phone calls adapting for us to become used to things like had in recent years, and we were able to reach seems like an average day of work slight audio delays and other Zoom-related an even broader audience with technology A 1. When did you learn that your office would be for many Michiganders. But back in March issues. eliminating some barriers to access. when the first stay-at-home order was put in switching to primarily/partially remote work? place by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer because of 4. What’s something that’s been made easier 3. What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had SAGE Metro Detroit is unique in that the novel coronavirus pandemic, the 70-day or better, if anything, by shifting to this kind of because of telecommunications work? we operate more like a virtual community long period was a time of intense adaptation work? The biggest challenge LGBT Detroit faced center. Before COVID-19, we already had an and uncertainty. Considering how prevalent Again, I would say that going virtual has was the understanding of how to respond to infrastructure in which our team all worked video and teleconferencing has become, it provided many more folks the accessibility to a new type of emergency. Adapting to change remotely. COVID, however, drastically changed wouldn’t be far-fetched to say that Zoom — our services at Affirmations. is hard ... especially during the beginning of a how we engaged the LGBTQ older adults we and its counterparts — has both kept up the world crisis. LGBT+ people know this. We’ve serve. workplace status quo in some respects and 5. Do you feel that you’ll continue using Zoom or been through this before. Also, learning new ushered in a new age of working from home as related services even after the pandemic? programs that enable us to work effectively and 2. How did that switch impact the services you the standard. Between The Lines reached out to We foresee a hybrid format going forward to communicate efficiently was the primary provide? Did it result in fewer or adapted in- several of Southeast Michigan’s biggest LGBTQ once we are able to reopen the building. concerning issue this spring season. Lastly, person offerings? organizations to get a sense of how Zoom has locating unrestricted funding to purchase SAGE Metro Detroit engages in advocacy, altered their standard workdays. Affirmations is an LGBTQ community center enough mobile technology within a short direct services, trainings and information based in Ferndale. Learn more about its offerings period of time was an incredibly stressful dissemination directly in the community. The at goaffirmations.org. occasion. COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted much of that. We already had a robust telephone Affirmations — Kyle Taylor, 4. What’s something that’s been made easier matching program that was designed to provide Development and Community or better, if anything, by shifting to this kind of social support between LGBTQ older adults LGBT Detroit — Curtis work? and volunteer callers — many of whom are also Relations Manager Lipscomb, Executive Director The easiest part about the shift to this work is older adults. COVID-19, however, increased the that many of our donors and friends understood demand for this program by 70% and doubled 1. When did you learn that your office would be immediately how difficult this could be for the duration of calls as participants’ needs grew 1. When did you learn that your office would be switching to primarily/partially remote work? us. Because of the support of persons that and became more complex. As the demand for We made the decision to start working switching to primarily/partially remote work? understood what it meant to stay connected our services grew, we adapted our services to remotely once the first lockdown occurred On March 6, LGBT Detroit was initially to the community and [that] to deliver services provide food delivery, tablets and tech support, back in early March as a safety precaution for aware of a national scare that caught our is [very] important to us made the stress more and virtual programming. We also transitioned our staff members. attention located in Northwest America. That bearable. Also, the good news is that we were to virtual trainings and created an interactive date was the beginning of an awarenesses able to leverage resources and tools to be able resource website to accompany our Rainbow 2. How did that switch impact the services you to switch from a primary to a partial work to make the shift. It was necessary for us to Resource Guide. provide? Did it result in fewer or adapted in- environment. My staff was gravely concerned, communicate to the world how we were going and I immediately authorized permission to 3. What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had person offerings? to effectively deliver programs and services. leave the premises. It wasn’t until my birthday because of telecommunications work? Our staff had to work round-the-clock to on March 23 that there was a formal decision 5. Do you feel that you’ll continue using Zoom or The biggest challenge has been the inability help implement our services from in-person for LGBT Detroit staff to begin to work from to connect in-person to our community. to virtual. This included our many support related services even after the pandemic? home. Interestingly enough, our increased virtual and discussion groups, youth programs and LGBT Detroit will continue to use Zoom and programming has increased our outreach counseling services. The Lettuce Help Food other popular social media communication 2. How did that switch impact the services you and the number of people we serve. However, Program was established when many of our platforms. We have established practices that provide? Did it result in fewer or adapted in- the digital divide that exists for many of the funders wanted to switch gears to assist with have been successful within the year and will communities we serve has posed new challenges emergency services. You could say that there’s person offerings? continue to use them. With the evolution we’ve to ensure we reach the diverse LGBTQ aging been a silver lining with our programming The switch from working onsite to undergone this year, we’re excited for both the community that we serve. going virtual, since, before, folks could only remotely was incredibly overwhelming and expansion in programs as well as the integration impactful. We were immediately unprepared of virtual services and programs to our robust access our services if they came into our 4. What’s something that’s been made easier building. Now, folks from all over are able to is an understatement to this other type of offerings of in-person resources. or better, if anything, by shifting to this kind of access those services. emergency. Prior, we operated in an expected and traditional manner like most community For over 20 years LGBT Detroit has been aiding work? 3. What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had centers — face-to-face engagements, direct the LGBTQ community in Detroit unwaveringly. Prior to COVID, we rarely used Zoom. because of telecommunications work? services operations and on-site activities Learn more about the organization online at Zoom has helped us connect with our SAGE occurred daily. As a small team, it has taken us a bit to get lgbtdetroit.org. team, community partners and the LGBTQ While there was an initial shock, LGBT used to the different atmosphere that comes older adults we serve in new ways that have Detroit has, since its inception, risen to expanded our outreach and services. We have

4 BTL | December 24, 2020 www.PrideSource.com also doubled or tripled our participants in our suspend our DVS pop-up office hours on programs and services are still needed even if for fundraising focused on learning how to put larger virtual events by using Facebook Live. March 11, 2020, and we moved to remote work our guests at Mission Equality will not be able on a virtual event. However, the digital divide that exists for many beginning March 16, 2020. to interact with sponsors the same way. I should of the communities we serve continues to pose point out the great opportunities turning virtual 4. What’s something that’s been made easier challenges to reaching the diverse LGBTQ aging 2. How did that switch impact the services you provided, specifically traveling to the event or better, if anything, by shifting to this kind of community that we serve. provide? Did it result in fewer or adapted in- wasn’t a barrier for our guests, and we had work? person offerings? people from all over Michigan participating. Expanding our reach to people who might 5. Do you feel that you’ll continue using Zoom or Department of Victim Services: The DVS team Additionally, we were able to secure an amazing not have been able to participate or get involved related services even after the pandemic? has had to adapt how they provide crisis services keynote speaker in Dominique Jackson. with us if we hadn’t been forced to go virtual. Yes — we will likely continue to use Zoom to LGBTQ+ people who are experiencing Utilizing new technology such as tools that after the pandemic in a hybrid format to allow discrimination, harrassment and violence. 3. What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had support text banking, which we used to talk us to continue reaching a wide audience. Zoom’s As previously stated, we have suspended our because of telecommunications work? to nearly 700,000 pro-equality voters this past dial-in feature allows those who do not have in-person, pop-up office hours and have had Fundraising has been especially difficult. election. internet to connect; although, they are unable to to rely on outreach and educational efforts In addition to the economic impact of the access some of the tools by dialing in. A hybrid from makeshift home offices to provide critical pandemic, 2020 was also an important political 5. Do you feel that you’ll continue using Zoom or format that incorporates in-person and Zoom services to those experiencing trauma. We year. Organizations like Equality Michigan were related services even after the pandemic? should maximize our outreach and ability to have also utilized Zoom and Facebook Live competing for resources with candidates up and Yes, Zoom and other technologies will be serve a diverse service population. to promote our services and to hold virtual down the ballot. Additionally, we learned from incorporated into our work. There have been office hours with our partners across the state. other nonprofit organizations that ticket sales many best practices learned, in addition to SAGE Metro Detroit is part of a national and sponsorships were down, which forced us the ability to reach a wider audience in the network working aid and service LGBTQ elders. Fundraising/Mission Equality: Fundraising to adjust our goal and expectations. It became work. This will not be the only tool used for Learn more about the local branch online at was also a challenge as we have had to cancel even more obvious that fundraising would engagement but it will still be an important sagemetrodetroit.org. many regional house parties, our Lansing/ suffer as we made fundraising calls to past avenue to connect with the greater LGBTQ+ Capitol Road Rally and move our annual donors asking for their support. Several were community in the future. reception, Mission Equality, to a virtual event. impossible to follow up with because their It was hard to admit that a packed room in offices were closed, many told us they were Equality Michigan — Erin Knott, Detroit at the Roostertail wasn’t going to be focusing on emergency basic needs, and some Equality Michigan is a statewide LGBTQ political Executive Director possible because of the pandemic. That led decided not to give at all because their own advocacy organization that for 25 years has to new challenges including determining future was uncertain. And, while there is no worked to stop violence against the community. what format to use virtually, how to make it doubt that this pandemic has disproportionately Learn more about it online at equalitymi.org. 1. When did you learn that your office would be fun and inclusive for our guests and how to impacted the LGBTQ+ community, we are not switching to primarily/partially remote work? communicate to sponsors that funding for our the only community being affected. We also had Equality Michigan made the decision to to spend a great deal of time usually reserved

www.PrideSource.com BTL | December 24, 2020 5 May BTL’s Look Community support efforts continued throughout the month of May, notably with Menjo’s Manager Tim McKee-Zazo transforming the entertainment complex Back on into a food pantry to aid the community members who did not have the financial resources or health to shop for groceries. 2020 “The reason I do it is — I’m 54 years old, so I clearly remember the original AIDS epidemic,” McKee-Zazo BY EVE KUCHARSKI said. “This is what we used to do: gay people taking care of gay people. When there were no government Left to right: Deidre “D.S.SENSE” Smith, Pamela Alexander, Famika The Human Rights Campaign has endorsed Biden ith a week until the Edmond, London J. Bell and Cpl. Dani Woods will each attend a panel services, there was none of that stuff. It was literally for president. (Washington Blade file photo by in New York to discuss strengthening visibility for women of color. BTL us taking care of each other. I used to do this back in Michael Key) long, hard haul Photo: Andrew Potter the ’80s for friends that were [HIV] positive back then that was 2020 is or had full-blown [AIDS].” May also shifted focus to unfair restrictions on LGBTQ W people donating blood in the U.S. In particular, over, it’s hard to remember a That same month, Human Rights Campaign took the ban affects Men who have sex with men. It’s time that the novel coronavirus steps to officially back then-presidential candidate something that Dave Garcia, executive director of the March Joe Biden. pandemic and challenges to the Affirmations LGBTQ community center, said “didn’t Unfortunately one of the first “We reviewed his record on marginalized make sense.” legitimacy of the presidential in-person events to be canceled communities,” HRC President Alphonso David said. due to COVID-19 concerns, March “It is arbitrary. It’s an archaic, asinine policy that is election wasn’t the main thing “We reviewed his prior comments on LGBTQ issues brought about the news that five steeped in bigotry and prejudice and ignorance. And on the news. But as inundated as well as issues that affect people who bring Detroit activists sought to visit the frankly, any time you have a ... health policy with that intersectional identities to the table. As an example, as we’ve been with those UN to fight for women’s equality TSOCP Executive Director kind of prejudice and ignorance associated with it, I’m Black, I’m gay, I’m an immigrant. All of those reports, 2020 had a lot more and strengthen the visibility of Lilianna Reyes makes hand [it] leads to death. People are dying because of this issues are important for me and they happen to be for women of color. They are Deidre sanitizer to include in care stupid policy,” he said. to offer. Between The Lines has packages. the Human Rights Campaign.” “D.S.SENSE” Smith, Pamela compiled a month-by-month Alexander, Famika Edmond, look back at our issues for a London J. Bell and Cpl. Dani Woods. June review of everything that made March also brought the community-focused efforts of the Trans Sistas By June, COVID-19 had certainly changed the this year what it was. of Color Project to the fore. The group began the process of creating landscape but for the LGBTQ community it was care packages for transgender women in need due to the effects of especially visible because of the lack of in-person COVID-19. Pride celebrations. However, downtown Detroit did have its fair share of organizing in light of the police “For us, anything to do with trans women of color — to uplift them, brutality the resulted in the death of George Floyd or to create a better space for them, is part of our mission,” said the at the hands of Minneapolis Police Officer Derek project’s Executive Director Lilianna Reyes. Chauvin — among other incidents. One particular

protest had LGBTQ people of color in mind organized by January February April Detroit Queer Activist Coalition Founder Dorian Minley. Well before stay-at-home orders The Fair and Equal Michigan coalition April started off with an announcements “You hardly ever hear about a queer trans voice as far as were on the horizon, Michigan’s began to make waves in February from various nonprofit organizations that activism is concerned unless we’re dying, unless we’re a Episcopal Church kicked off the new with some community leaders fiercely virtual service would the new normal for the statistic. So, I wanted to give people of color, especially year with historic plans to ordain the vouching for the initiative, while others time being. At this time, many Pride-focused here in the city of Detroit, [a voice],” he said. “We have a big Rev. Dr. Bonnie A. Perry as its 11th hesitated about putting LGBTQ rights events were still planned for the summer dichotomy here in the city where it’s Black half the time and bishop diocesan. She became the up to a vote with the potential for a or in the early stages of being postponed. then all the people that are getting credit [for activism] are white. first openly gay priest to be elected Republican-led legislature to either Executive Director of LGBT Detroit Curtis Photo courtesy of LGBT Detroit. Well, that’s not what this is. White people will not be permitted to in the history of the diocese. reject or conservatively amend petition Lipscomb summed it up well. speak at this event just because this is a centered event for people of color and for queer people.” language. History was made politically, too, “We are open for business, but we’re doing business differently,” he said. “Consider During the same period of time, LGBTQ lawmakers began to when a citizen-led coalition created In the same month, Grace Bacon, engaging with us virtually as we believe that we can still meet our deadlines and meet our raise national public awareness of the importance of main-in by a group called Fair and Equal founder of transgender advocacy goals.” ballots to prevent voter suppression and for public safety Michigan announced plans to launch group Crossroads and the That optimism was shared by Ruth Ellis Center a petition to finally amend the Elliott- grandmother of Kevin Bacon, who June cont. next page Director of Development and Advancement Larsen Civil Rights Act. was brutally murdered over the 2019 Mark Erwin-McCormick who put his faith in a Holiday season, sought justice technology-focused future. for her grandson and urged that he be remembered as “a gentle “... I think right now it’s about finding alternative soul, who people loved and he ways for us to be able to somehow still bring loved in return.” the community together, whether that’s through social media or whether that’s doing peer support groups via videoconferencing — those Ruth’s House. Courtesy photo. kinds of things,” he said. Unlike the pro-equality religious reports of January, the same month brought the news of the Archdiocese of Detroit prohibiting LGBTQ-inclusive Detroit Queer Activist Coalition Founder Dorian Minley Catholic liturgies from being held anywhere on Church property. (left) with an unidentified protestor. BTL Photo: Eve Photo by Charlie Simokaitis. Kucharski 6 BTL | December 24, 2020 www.PrideSource.com June cont. cautiously optimistic. “If true, the Locally, June also brought more September November Pope’s comments could represent during COVID-19. religious news, this time with the an international game-changer As fall rolled around, more After days of uncertainty and firing of Terry Gonda, a lesbian and a major step forward for “During this pandemic, we should be anti-LGBTQ sentiment sprang thorough ballot-counting, BTL and woman who was fired from her job LGBTQI equality,” said Marianne doing everything we can to protect up in the religious communnity ® many other news organizations at St. John Fisher Chapel in Auburn Duddy-Burke, executive director people’s health and their access to as lesbian Grand Rapids Chief felt comfortable declaring that Hills, where she served in the music of DignityUSA. “It would remove a the ballot box — expanding vote by Judge Sara Smolenski received Joe Biden won the presidency. department for 26 years — for six key obstacle to LGBTQI inclusion mail is critical to ensuring that,” said news that she could no longer Alphonso David, president of the years as its director. in many places around the world, California State Rep. Mark Takano. receive Communion at St. Jon Hoadley was an openly LGBTQ Human Rights Campaign, said in especially in areas where LGBTQI Stephen Catholic Church where candidate running to unseat a statement the victory by Biden people are especially vulnerable to she was a lifelong parishioner. She incumbent U.S. Rep. Fred Upton and Harris “proves once again that (R) in Michigan’s 6th congressional discrimination and violence.” learned that it was because a new equality is a winning July district. Courtesy photo. priest at the parish, Father Scott issue.” Notably in July, a lesbian-owned Nolan, discovered that she was bakery in Detroit was trolled by “The Biden/Harris married to a same-sex partner. Despite the difficult decision, Smolenski ticket is the most an alt-right group that was hostile decided that she would not return to the parish. toward Pride month and LGBTQ pro-equality ticket in rights. April Anderson, the co-owner “I don’t want to go back when I can’t go up for Communion,” Smolenski history. President- of Good Cakes and Bakes, chose stated. “I feel like I’m being told I’m not good enough to be a real elect Biden and Vice to write a message of positivity member — but you can visit. And that’s no way to have a faith-based President-elect Harris instead. group to be with.” are not just willing to be our allies, but they “We’re in Detroit, we’re in a The same month brought a slew of unfounded and homophobic are true advocates President-elect Joe Biden and VP-elect predominantly Black city, a Black Good Cakes and Bakes Co-Owner attacks against Jon Hoadley, the challenger of U.S. Rep. Fred Upton for equality,” David Kamala Harris were elected with over 80 neighborhood. There is still, to this April Anderson. Photo George (R-Michigan). Ironically, Upton had just weeks before condemned hate- said. “And they’ve done million votes. day … some phobia within the Black Mitchell. filled political attacks. it for decades.” community of homosexuality. I’m anticipated. Executive Director and “The attacks against Jon are That same month, Pope not gonna be naïve about that,” Co-Founder of Transgender Michigan nothing more than a despicable Anderson said. “But, again, when Francis expressed Rachel Crandall-Crocker said that it attempt to make something out support for civil union we take a stand — as long as was the best option for the safety of of nothing. Jon’s record is clear: we’re happy with who we are, the laws for same-sex attendees he has been a voice for women couples that made decisions that we make — we stand and children throughout his “People are lonely and isolated, DignityUSA — the by it, we’re OK with it.” career and will continue to be especially now. This is a great way organization of Catholics our champion when elected to Although normally scheduled for for us to all come together without committed to justice, Congress,” said Michigan State August, Transgender Pride in the the tremendous risks [of COVID-19],” equality and full inclusion Rep. Kristy Pagan (D-Canton) and A 2014 pastoral visit of Pope Francis Park was another event that ended Crandall-Crocker said. “It will be of LGBTQ people in the legislative leader on women’s to Korea. By Jeon Han. gaybe.am/KO. up choosing to be virtual in 2020, a celebration of being trans, [and] Sara Smolenski. Courtesy photo. church and society — rights. showcasing that COVID-19 concerns because it’s online we will be able to would be here to stay for longer than reach out to more people.”

August October December October was a court- As World AIDS Day came on Dec. 1, 2020, it felt different than other years Oak Park English language arts focused month as due to the pandemic. Across the state of Michigan, many HIV/AIDS agencies teacher Owen Bondono made the world continued certainly felt similarities between the AIDS crisis and COVID-19 as well as the the BTL cover in August after to reflect on the many impediments to service that it being named Michigan’s Region legacy of Ruth Bader provided like in-person care. 9 Teacher of the year and, being Ginsburg who had This month also marked a settlement an openly transgender teacher died the month prior. 8 in the historic Aimee | 2020 Stephens - 2021 case. himself, making a pro-equality Staff attorney for Ruth Bader Ginsburg Stephens, who died in May at 59 from stance on his approach to the American Civil kidney disease, did not live to see the education. Liberties Union of Then, in October, the Senate confirmed Amy Coney Barrett to a Supreme Court rule in her favor and “I think that, in general, as Michigan Teacher of the Year Owen Michigan’s LGBT Project Jay Kaplan seat on the U.S. Supreme Court by decide that she and other LGBTQ people teachers it is our job to make Bondono. Photo by Andrew Potter. summed up what many in the U.S. a vote of 52-48, solidifying a 6-3 were protected from discrimination students safe and comfortable in were feeling at the time. conservative majority on the bench under federal employment law. U.S. our room so that they can bring “It was devastating,” Kaplan said. and President Trump’s lasting impact District Judge Sean Cox has signed whatever version of their authentic self that they’re comfortable bringing,” “Just an incredible loss to the Court, on the judiciary. off on a $130,000 settlement, which he said. “Because, beyond the academics, our whole purpose is to grow to our country and, of course, what Aimee Stephens. Photo includes $63,724 in back pay with by Andrew Potter. them into confident, successful people.” immediately also came up was the Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), the interest and $66,276 in damages. The first out lesbian elected to the August also brought the news of Joe Biden’s Democratic presidential fear — what’s going to happen next? R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home in Senate, joined other critics in saying primary win less than two hours after the polls closed. Nationally, the Because I had read before that Garden City, where Stephens worked for six years, also has to pay $120,000 Barrett’s confirmation was rushed state department sided in favor of a gay couple who had had difficulty Senate Leader Mitch McConnell had in legal fees to the ACLU. told donors at several fundraisers through and said on the Senate recognizing the U.S. citizenship of their children who were born abroad “This settlement marks a closing chapter in Aimee Stephens’ remarkable that, ‘Should Justice Ginsburg drop “voters across America should be via surrogates. fight for justice,” said Chase Strangio, deputy director for the ACLU’s LGBT & dead before the election, even if it’s allowed to cast their ballots first,” HIV Project. “We are sad that Aimee is not here to experience this moment “We are very relieved, on behalf of our daughter, on behalf of our family, a week before the election, we’ll but Republicans “have no interest in with her wife Donna and grateful for all that Aimee, Donna, and the many and on behalf of LGBT families across this great country of ours,” said get somebody else on that court, I listening to the people.” trans fighters for justice and their families have done to bring us to this place. Roee Kiviti, a member of the couple. promise you.’” As Aimee always said, this fight is about more than just her and it will stretch far beyond this case.” www.PrideSource.com BTL | December 24, 2020 7 A Cold As Hell Interview

BY SMITTY (THEY/THEM)

GBT Detroit’s winter Pride celebration, Cold As Hell, is the sister event to LHotter Than July. With the birth of this event in 2020, Cold As Hell advocates for and celebrate queer sexuality, attraction, education and freedom, with a focus on the intersection of Blackness. Lastly, event founder Curtis Lipscomb envisioned an expanded safe, brave space for the exploration of kink. For more information, visit LGBT Detroit’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/lgbtdetroit/. I was able to chat with a few dope people who have huge roles in bringing Cold As Hell to life that will happen this year Jan. 29 through 30, 2021. The first person, Jerron Totten (he/ him), is the Social Outreach Coordinator and Legislative Advocacy Specialist at LGBT Detroit and the Project Coordinator for Hotter place Jan. 29 through 30, 2021. Due to the but it was too late to participate in the way Than July and Cold As Hell. I was interested in COVID-19 global pandemic, Cold As Hell I wanted to. So, I reached out and offered to learning about how Cold As Hell contributed will take place in a virtual setting. Day one [To Jack Thompson]: What is one memorable help in any way that I could. Since then I have to LGBT Detroit’s mission and what to expect of Cold As Hell features instructional “How experience/lesson from Cold As Hell 2020 that appeared for Detroit’s LGBT+ programming from next month’s event — geez, 2020 flew To” videos of various kinks/fetishes. Cold you’ll be taking with you in the future? representing the Leather & Polyamorous by so fast! As Hell concludes on Jan. 30 with a panel Thompson: It takes planning, compromise communities. I also had the pleasure of The two hosts for Cold As Hell 2020 — 2019 discussion on Dynamics, Power Exchange and community to put on an event like providing a leather education & training International Mr. Leather Jack Thompson (he/ and Negotiation, and Women in Leather. This Cold As Hell. I have always found the task intensive weekend to Cold As Hell’s Project him) and Ironman Onyx Al J. Davis (he/him) year’s event will be hosted by Al Davis and Sir of putting something like that on daunting. Coordinator, Jerron Totten [and] christening — make an appearance. They talk about their Oya Ra of Washington, DC. Jerron, LGBT Detroit and all the volunteers the founding of Mount Saint Oya Service experiences hosting together and some of their were able to put on an amazing event and Montessori School. In hindsight, I wonder [To Jack Thompson & Al Davis]: What did you favorite moments from the events. Al Davis take away some lessons to make the next year if he was “working” the whole time and just is also returning in 2021 to co-host Cold As enjoy most about co-hosting with each other even better. I am inspired and will take all feeling out the quality of my educational Hell with Sir Oya Ra (he/him), 2020 & 2021 for Cold As Hell 2020? What was able to be that I have learned to help other events and offerings [laugh]... Mr. Maryland Leather. I asked them about accomplished with you two together that you organizations in the future. what they’re looking forward to for Cold As don’t think you could have done on your own? What are you looking forward to most and/or Hell 2021. [To Al Davis]: Jerron told me you’ll be returning hoping to add to the experience of Cold as Hell Thompson: Co-hosting with Al was great. It to co-host Cold As Hell 2021 with Sir Oya Ra. 2021? How is Cold As Hell similar to Hotter Than July, was our first time meeting, and I feel like I left the weekend with a new friend. We had good What are you looking forward to with your Ra: I am most certainly looking forward to and how is it different? What does it add to chemistry and were able to share the mic well. collaboration? the education! Education is major! I love to LGBT Detroit’s initiatives that Hotter Than July I hope we get to host something together Davis: I am looking forward to bringing the teach as I feel that teaching makes me sharper doesn’t? again someday. As for the work we were able same energy we brought this year into next as a practitioner. I look forward to being able Totten: Cold As Hell is LGBT Detroit’s winter to accomplish together, at different points of year’s event. We learned a lot, we had fun and to share an experience that may cultivate and pride event and fundraiser. Both event names the weekend he had other responsibilities like we helped to educate people on kinks and liberate. I want for people to be enlightened are commensurate to the seasons in which demoing and playing. I wasn’t teaching, so I fetishes. We have even more planned for this about what is their own “pleasure manifesto” they take place. Hotter Than July, Detroit’s was able to cover hosting while he was busy. year so I’m excited for that. as my mentee has coined it. “What gets you Black LGBT+ Pride is family-centered. Here, Davis: This is kind of a hard question goin’ ?!” Leading to, “It’s alright, you’re not there is something for everyone. Cold As Hell because there was so much that I enjoyed. The [To Sir Oya Ra]: As future co-host for Cold As alone.” This work should spark something celebrates LGBT+ sexual expression and is first thing I enjoyed the most was the open Hell 2021, how did your partnership with LGBT causing its participants to dive deeper into only for adults. Cold As Hell was piloted in panel where we got to address questions and Detroit come about? self and into community! January 2020, and it was hosted by Al Davis share our knowledge with the audience new Ra: Last year, I competed and won the honor of Atlanta, Georgia, and Jack Thompson, IML to kinks and fetishes. Secondly, the knowledge of carrying the title, Mr. Maryland Leather Smitty (they/them/theirs) is a Black, non-binary of Washington, D.C. sessions we had were very informative and 2020 [now 2021 due to COVID]; only the artist from Detroit, MI. They can be found on helped to further educate and even I was What are you most excited about for Cold As fourth Black Mr. Maryland Leather in 40+ their website, smittycommittee.com. able to learn things I didn’t know. Finally, the years. After my win, I was seeking ways to Hell 2021? demos we did allowed people to see different be of service to my direct community and Totten: This year Cold As Hell will take kinks and fetishes as well as try them. communities abroad. I noticed Cold As Hell, 8 BTL | December 24, 2020 www.PrideSource.com CAGE FREE 24 / 7 HAPPY HOUNDS

BOARDING IN COMFORT Day & Overnight Care! Female Sexual Orientation Genetics Research Depends on You

Sexual orientation is a fundamental trait of great scientific interest. Understanding the origins of sexual orientation will enable us to learn a great deal about sexual motivation, sexual FOR DOGS identity, gender identity and sex differences. Our primary goals are scientific, but we also are hopeful for greater societal WHO DON’T LIKE TO BE TREATED LIKE ANIMALS understanding. To assist us in our research, we are seeking participants who GROOMING pet care extraordinaire BOARDING are: • cisgender (i.e., women assigned at birth as female) A SECOND HOME FOR YOUR FURRY FRIEND ACCOMMODATIONS • women (at least 18 years old) • regardless of sexual orientation (e.g., lesbian, bisexual, straight)

Participants will receive a gift card after providing DNA samples (saliva) and answering a questionnaire.

For more information, call tollfree 866 -.364.7571 24/HR SUPERVISION FemaleSexualOrientation.com

(734) 459-3647 or visit 673 S. Main, Plymouth, Michigan www.HappyHoundsDayCare.com

www.PrideSource.com BTL | December 24, 2020 9 Parting Glances BY CHARLES ALEXANDER

Gold, Incense, and Mirth

here are paths that by strange chances on Christmas Eve mix up in time, in space, in thought, yea verily in crazy Tactivation. Some fact. Some fantasy. Who knows? So it happened once upon a near but distant whimsical time in a playful universe that was hoodwinked into crisscrossing paths. Five companions on one. Three, on the other. Switching both respective destinations. Our first group of travelers, names familiar to young and old alike – Dorothy and Toto, Tin Man, Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion – were following the fabled Yellow Brick Road to Oz when the unexpected celestial switcheroo occurred. Quite suddenly they were sideswiped by a brilliant klieg light that seemed to whisk them through December’s winter gloom. Giddy. Very, very young. Exuberantly naive at heart. They forgot all about Oz, which isn’t an easy thing to do. Ask any LGBT grown up or drag queen. Our second regal sojourners: Caspar, Balthasa,. Melchoir – bearing gifts for someone deemed eventually of high political estate – were baffled to find themselves in a poppy-infested countryside, traveling only heaven knows to where. A neon sign pointed MGM: “Much Grander Make Believe!” Along the way, Dorothy and her rerouted friends found themselves waved at by shepherds tending flocks by night. “It seems we’re celebrities,” giggled Scarecrow, as Tin Man, Cowardly Viewpoint Lion and little barking Toto busied themselves (bravely to be sure) in chasing off wolves in sheep’s clothing howling too close for comfort. Yea, verily, readers, the night was radiantly clear. And the starry light got even brighter. “No doubt!” ventured Scarecrow, with newfound mental acumen, “This star is of -1.46 magnitude. Building Back, and Forward, A biggie.” Inspired by their dreamlike mood, Dorothy, who had palatial lyric gifts – she hoped someday to perform in Off-Broadway Better Together musicals – started to sing. And, belting out of the celestial blue, she sang lyrics she had never heard before but somehow knew by heart, with Tin Man, Cowardly Lion and Scarecrow crooning in. BY MICHELLE E. BROWN Surprise of surprise, a heavily choir of non-union angels actually on fanning division, we marched not just for women but for hummed along. 020 was supposed to be the year we woke up from the young and old, from all communities for social justice, against How quickly the miles rolled and reeled by. And before they horrible nightmare that began with the 2016 presidential racism, bigotry and hatred. Then in November, we did it by could finish their twelfth joyful rendition of “Meet Me in St. election. It was supposed to be the year that our passionate 2 mail. Early and at the polls, we did it starting the process to Louis, Louie,” they unexpectedly found themselves among a cries for a return to civility, humanity and what was right about end the orange scourge and begin the healing. small crowd gathered in front of a tiny, makeshift manger. It’s America were answered. It was a year that we were able to So how do we “Build Back Better”? How do we go beyond bubble lights twinkled merrily. finally put away pink pussy hats and marching pumps, having slogans to create real change? How do we stay engaged, stay There were shepherds, seven celebrity hi-ho! dwarfs, a newly reached our goal of grabbing them at the polls and returning “woke,” stay empowered to prevent another 45? But most awakened princess, her adoring prince, and in the center of it all, the House, Senate and White House to the people. importantly how do we heal the divisions in our communities a smiling mom, a proud carpenter dad, a small baby wrapped in I had even started writing my fiery remarks to deliver at with accountability? Life will never be like it was before! hand-me-down swaddling clothes. the 2020 Women’s March to send my sisters — and every Due to COVID-19, over 300,000 friends, families, co- And so, most probably because this was an awe-inspired, progressive-leaning voter they passed along the way — to the workers and neighbors have died in this country — Leaders, opening-night crowd applauding gaily, the little guy began to polls. It wasn’t going to be a blue wave, it was going to be a change-makers, future leaders, keepers of the dream. Just cry. Not too loudly. But authoritatively audible nonetheless. And damn tsunami! But little did we know that our fall down the because 45 is gone, the work continues. Remember almost in a moment of exquisite improv, Scarecrow pulled straw from rabbit hole would be so deep that it would require Amazonian 75 million voted for Donald J. Trump! his thump-thump-thumping, make-believe heart and blushingly efforts to escape! We had candidates, so many candidates, but we were able So how do we fix this mess? to — despite our differences — come together behind one. See next page And while, like a modern-day Nero, the president tweeted See Viewpoint, next page 10 BTL | December 24, 2020 www.PrideSource.com ® Viewpoint So how do we “Build Back Better”? How Continued from p. 10 do we go beyond slogans to create real Creep Of The Week change? How do we stay engaged, stay “woke,” stay empowered to prevent BY D’ANNE WITKOWSKI Let us start by putting the final nail in the another 45? But most importantly coffin of the GOP that has enabled, by action Donald Trump past four years that Republicans don’t work. or silence, this wave of conservatism that how do we heal the divisions in our adly, Donald Trump remains in power “There are almost 4 million employees excludes, discriminates and denies rights. and continues to do serious harm to communities with accountability? Life who work for federal contractors, including Remember these tRumpsters in 2022 and send the country every single day. them packing. Don’t get me wrong, I am not will never be like it was before! S another 1.6 million who work for federal Case in point: Trump is working furiously grantees impacted by this rule,” Lambda saying “vote blue, no matter who.” What I am to make it easier and legal to discriminate Legal Senior Attorney Sasha Buchert saying that there need to be viable political against LGBTQ people for “faith-based” said in a statement. “Already, from 1/3 to choices. We got behind Joe and Kamala for the the work. reasons. At issue is the Department 1/2 of the 8.1 million LGBTQ employees win but there were some other important ideas There’s so much we need to do to move of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract nationwide report facing discrimination on brought forth that should not be forgotten. forward, to build back better. But most Compliance Programs and the scrubbing the job. This rule effectively allows almost And let’s break down the evangelical-political importantly we must remember each and of protections for LGBTQ employees issued any federal contractor to claim a right to machine. There is a reason for the separation every day that over 300,000 people have died in 2014 by President Barack Obama. In fire a person, deny health benefits or take of church and state — IJS! There is a role from COVID-19. short, Trump is giving federal contractors other forms of discriminatory action for for churches in the community to feed the They died in part because some chose the green light to discriminate as they see fit. marrying a same-sex partner or coming hungry, provide refuge/shelter for those in politics over science, because winning and Fun fact: Eugene Scalia heads the out as transgender, or who the employer or need and promote a message of love. Stay in personal gain was placed over human life. Department of Labor under Trump. would-be employer discovers is transgender, your lane and out of politics. They died because many ignored the wise Yes, that’s the son of Antonin Scalia, the for living in accordance with their gender Time to ratchet back the anger! I admit words of Spock — refusing to wear masks, Supreme Court Justice who, in his dissenting identity.” I am guilty. If you had too many American or socially distance even marching on state opinion on Obergefell v. Hodges, the case It’s important to remember that with the Flags on your truck, I made an assumption capitals like Lansing bearing arms protesting that legalized marriage equality, wrote that Trump Administration, the cruelty is the about your politics and rolled my eyes. If you infringement on their personal rights — when “public debate over same-sex marriage point. This rule isn’t lifting a burden off of walked like a “Karen,” talked like a “Karen” logic clearly dictates that the needs of the displayed American democracy at its best.” religious institutions, it’s putting a burden and looked like a “Karen,” I gave you a very many outweigh the needs of the few. Ah, yes. I remember those days when on LGBTQ people. cold shoulder. I considered certain areas — 2020 was the year we climbed out of the people debated whether or not LGBTQ Let’s remember that “religious freedom,” counties, suburbs, etc. — as enemy territory. rabbit hole transporting us from the surreal people were even human or just sexual much like mask-wearing, has been Even now when I see someone without a state of the past four years. It threw everything deviants who should be jailed/murdered/ politicized by the Republican Party in the mask, I bristle. at us including the proverbial kitchen sink. cured. I definitely felt like I was living in United States. The only acceptable religion Now is the time to use our words to speak And even though we have yet to hear a a freer America when there weren’t laws when it comes to freedom is Christianity. up for what is truth, to find common ground, concession speech, we won the battle and that granted me civil rights and protected And the most important freedom is the say thank you and be generous. It’s also time to came out on the other side. me from discrimination based on these ability to use Christianity to justify bigotry call out the BS and the perpetrators complicit Our numbers are fewer, the challenges hateful ideas. and hurt people who don’t fall under the to the crimes against our humanity not just remain great, but the possibilities are limitless. Oh, wait, did I say hateful ideas? I meant umbrella of Christian, white, heterosexual, over the past four years but in the past. Grab We can build back, and forward, better and deeply held religious beliefs. and cisgender. them at the polls! The blue tsunami may not stronger together. According to Lamba Legal, Trump’s “This new rule uses religion to create an have happened but let’s keep that slow roll administration isn’t bothering to clearly essentially limitless exemption allowing going to 2022! define what a religious institution is, taxpayer-funded contractors to impose Black lives STILL matter so don’t put your Michelle E. Brown is a public speaker, activist which “allows contractors — including their religious beliefs on their employees T-shirts and posters away. Lift up Black voices. and author. Her blog radio podcast “Collections large for-profit companies — to use the without regard to the resulting harms, such Keep the difficult conversations on race going By Michelle Brown-Blog Radio” airs every special treatment designed for religious as unfair job terms, invasive proselytizing in every community and march for our lives. Thursday at 7 p.m. Current and archived organizations.” and other harassment that make job settings Ending systemic racism isn’t a one election episodes can be heard on Blog Talk Radio, Oh, and they also aren’t bothering unbearable for workers targeted on religious fix and its not all on Black people. White iTunes, Stitcher or SoundCloud. Follow her to separate the kinds of discrimination grounds,” said Pizer. folks, your T-shirt does not absolve you - do on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram religious organizations are welcome to A deeply held religious belief isn’t, “Oh, I engage in. While it is widely believed that really like this part of the Bible when Jesus the scrapping of protections is intended does the loaves and fishes and stuff.” It’s, “Oh, to harm LGBTQ folks, the net is actually the Bible says there are only two genders so ® Parting Glances what Auntie Em would say?” sighed Dorothy, much wider. I don’t have to hire transgender people, and Continued from p. 16 shaking her newly halo’d head from side to side. “It is hard to overstate the harm that the also, too, transgender people aren’t even “And why in heaven’s name would a shepherd Office of Federal Contract Compliance human and are sick and disgusting I don’t be wearing Ruby Red slippers and clicking Programs is visiting on LGBTQ people, want them near my children and if they are gave it to gently cradle the small kid’s head. his heels? Is he funny that way?” camped the women, religious minorities and others faced with violence and even murder, well, Dorothy, with perfect on-stage presence, Cowardly Lion, with a roaring, “AH-men!” Plus with the sledgehammer it is taking to federal they just brought that upon themselves by sang another lullaby that again popped an I-just-got-lucky wink. (And one presumes nondiscrimination protections,” Lambda going against God’s will.” And by “God’s will” magically into her head. “Somewhere Over the those ecumenical, lucky Wise Men got high Legal Director of Law and Policy Jennifer that means “my personal opinion.” Oh, and Rainbow” she sang. The baby hushed. Smiled. and enlightened on the poppies.) Pizer said in a Dec. 7 statement. the Bible doesn’t say anything about there Gave the tinniest of – so a Macy’s movie Santa And while this might seem to be just an only being two genders or about same-sex years later claimed – technicolored laughs. Charles Alexander is prolific both as a BTL obscure rule, it will actually apply to a lot marriage being evil. That’s an interpretation. (The baby’s own over-the-rainbow-time would columnist (700-plus columns) and as a well- of employees in this country. You may or It’s worth noting that to these folks, it come another day.) known LGBT community artist (1000 Facebook may not know this, but a lot of people work is also a deeply held religious belief that Alas! Alas! In the twinkling of an eye, images). He is a Spirit of Detroit Award for the federal government. Well, I should Trump won the 2020 election. He didn’t. Dorothy, Tin Man, Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion recipient and an Affirmations LGBT CENTER clarify: a lot of people are employed by the Thank God. and tail wagging Toto were suddenly whisked Jan Stevenson awardee. Connect with him at federal government. We’ve seen over these away, back to timeline 1939! “Well, I wonder [email protected]. www.PrideSource.com BTL | December 24, 2020 11 Buttigieg Tapped to Become First Openly Gay Person Confirmed to Cabinet Role

BY CHRIS JOHNSON of the work, which is how it works right now,” Buttigieg said. “We cannot go on like this.” ete Buttigieg, who made history in the Buttigieg said as South Bend mayor he’d 2020 primary before dropping out and get a call when there’s a hole in the road, but Pendorsing Joe Biden, has won the nod to would only get enough funding to redo every become the first openly gay person to take a road “every 25 years or so.” Cabinet post that requires Senate confirmation, “So, we need federal leadership to build the Washington Blade has confirmed. first-rate infrastructure in the United States Buttigieg, who previously served as mayor of America,” Buttigieg said, “including $100 of South Bend, Indiana, is set to be nominated billion to help build out local transit and for transportation secretary. CNN was first to transportation systems, because that helps report the news. our economies locally, including leadership Amid media reports in Axios, CNN and the on roads, bridges, and rail, which is a big part Daily Beast that Buttigieg was in contention for of our future, including those unsexy pieces of the job, a Democratic insider told the Blade infrastructure like wastewater and I could spend Buttigieg was heavily lobbying the transition a whole hour on wastewater but I promise team for the role. n ot t o.” Vice President-elect Kamala Harris also Buttigieg also said digital infrastructure was “leaned in heavily” to promote Buttigieg to a big part of the plan and called for $80 billion become transportation secretary, a Democratic “to make sure that every household in America, insider told the Blade. The two bonded during either by wireless or by fiber, can get high- preparations for the vice presidential debate in quality internet access.” Salt Lake City when Buttigieg stood in for Mike Former Transportation Secretary Ray Pence, the Democratic insider said. LaHood, a Republican who served in Obama’s Pete Buttigieg has been tapped to become transportation secretary. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key) The news comes after the Blade reported Cabinet, said Biden’s choice of Buttigieg to lead last week some in the LGBTQ community the department is “a good pick,” according to were unhappy with LGBTQ movement leaders the president-elect’s vision of a government confirmation for the acting DNI job, even Axios. for not being more vocal in calling for the that reflects America,” Parker said. “As an though the chamber approved him for his “It sends a loud message to mayors and to nomination of an openly LGBTQ Cabinet out LGBTQ person, Pete will bring a unique concurrent role as U.S. ambassador to Germany. cities that they count,” LaHood is quoted as secretary. After all, other minority groups, perspective that will inform and influence Buttigieg, therefore, will have the distinction of saying. “It’s where the action is on putting including Black and Latino leaders, were more policy throughout the federal government. being the first openly gay person confirmed by people to work.” openly pushing for Cabinet appointments and Most important, however, is that Pete will bring the Senate for a Cabinet-level position, provided Buttigieg will face during his confirmation getting key appointments as a result, unlike the his intellect and energy to the Department of he wins Senate confirmation. process a Senate that will be at best a 50-50 split LGBTQ community as of last week. Transportation and our nation will be better Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.), who supported or under Republican control, depending on the At the same time, Buttigieg had been turning off because of it.” Buttigieg during the Democratic primary, outcome of the upcoming run-off election in down roles in Biden’s Cabinet. Buttigieg told Biden following initial news reports hailed news the former candidate was selected Georgia for two U.S. Senate seats. Annise Parker, CEO of the LGBTQ Victory confirmed in a statement he had nominated to become transportation secretary as “a The Blade has placed a request in with both Institute, he wouldn’t pursue the role of Buttigieg as transportation secretary, calling brilliant and historic appointment.” Democrats and Republicans on the Senate secretary of veterans affairs despite media him “a patriot and a problem-solver who speaks “President-elect Joe Biden has again shown Committee on Commerce, Science and speculation he was in contention for the job, to the best of who we are as a nation.” his commitment to diversity and made history Transportation seeking comment on news according to two Democratic sources. “I am nominating him for secretary of with the first-ever nomination of an openly Buttigieg would be nominated as transportation One Democratic insider said Buttigieg transportation because this position stands gay American to lead a Cabinet department,” secretary. rejected the role of director of Office of at the nexus of so many of the interlocking Beyer said. “As Secretary Foxx and others have Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), a Management & Budget, and said he wanted a challenges and opportunities ahead of us,” demonstrated previously, local elected leaders member of the Senate Commerce, Science & position in the “real Cabinet” and not a “staff- Biden added. “Jobs, infrastructure, equity and understand transportation from the most Transportation Committee, said in a statement level” job. climate all come together at the DOT, the site important perspective: That last mile to your Buttigieg’s experience as mayor makes him Buttigieg had previously sought the position of some of our most ambitious plans to build home or business. Pete Buttigieg’s leadership a good nominee as transportation secretary. of U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, back better. I trust Mayor Pete to lead this work and work to spark investment helped bring “A major, historic investment in our but the nomination ended up going to Linda with focus, decency, and a bold vision — he will about a renaissance in South Bend.” crumbling infrastructure must be a top priority Thomas-Greenfield, a Foreign Service officer bring people together to get big things done.” On the campaign trail, Buttigieg had for the Biden administration, and will require with years of experience. Despite the historic first Buttigieg is set to expressed a desire for overhauling the nation’s vision and leadership from a new transportation Annise Parker, CEO of LGBTQ Victory achieve, he won’t be the first openly gay person infrastructure. In November 2019 during the secretary,” Blumenthal added. “I look forward to Institute, hailed the news Buttigieg would be to serve as a Cabinet official. That distinction Abby Finkenauer Fish Fry in Cedar Rapids, speaking with Mayor Buttigieg about his vision nominated as transportation secretary as “a new belongs to Richard Grenell, who was acting Iowa, Buttigieg said he was genuinely surprised for the Department of Transportation and how milestone in a decades-long effort to ensure director of national intelligence during the President Trump didn’t fulfill his campaign he plans to work with Congress to achieve it.” LGBTQ people are represented throughout Trump administration before he resigned promise to take on infrastructure reform. our government.” and became the face LGBTQ outreach for the “Worse, they put out this infrastructure plan This article originally appeared in the Washington “It distances our nation from a troubled Trump campaign. they were talking about, and the plan was for Blade and is made available in partnership with legacy of barring out LGBTQ people from Grenell, however, never won Senate us — local and state governments — to do most the National LGBT Media Association. government positions and moves us closer to 12 BTL | December 24, 2020 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com BTL | December 24, 2020 13 Mombian: 2020 LGBTQ Parenting Year in Review BY DANA RUDOLPH many in June with a landmark 6-3 ruling to get a court judgment confirming the We weren’t having clients come in. in Bostock v. Clayton County, written by nonbiological parent’s legal parentage. “ n a year like no other, LGBTQ families, Trump appointee Neil Gorsuch, stating In July, New Hampshire enacted a law We were making calls. That’s just not like all others, struggled with the that people cannot be fired from their clarifying that LGBTQ couples have access Iphysical, mental and economic to second-parent adoptions but do not challenges of the pandemic. And with need home studies; expanding access to LAAN. It threw us for a loop. Face-to- children of LGBTQ parents much adoption by unmarried couples; and more likely to live in poverty than updating the state’s parentage laws in face allowed us to discern how our those with non-LGBTQ parents, the gender-neutral and inclusive terms. pandemic may have hit many LGBTQ The same month, Rhode Island also clients were actually doing. families particularly hard. updated its parentage laws to provide Pandemic aside, there were many stronger, more equitable protections Ligia” Romero, LAAN political and legal challenges — and for families formed via assisted a few victories — directly related to reproduction. Among other things, LGBTQ parents and our children this parents using assisted reproduction year. Here are the highlights, good can now establish legal parentage for and bad. the nonbiological or nongestational parent simply by filling out a simple, free Voluntary Acknowledgment of Trump Administration Parentage form. In May, National Foster Care Month, jobs because of their sexual orientation A South Carolina law banning any the Trump administration stopped or gender identity. discussion of same-sex relationships in collecting data on the sexual orientation The Supreme Court in December public school health classes — except of youth in foster care and of foster and refused to hear an appeal in Box v. in the context of sexually transmitted adoptive parents. The data is used to make Henderson, in which Indiana was trying diseases — is unconstitutional, a federal decisions and track outcomes for youth to deny nonbiological mothers in married district court said in March. in care. same-sex couples the right to be put on The State of New York passed the The administration in June finalized their children’s birth certificates. A 7th Child-Parent Security Act in April, a rule that says health care anti- U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision legalizing gestational surrogacy and discrimination protections do not in January said the state must allow simplifying and strengthening the laws cover discrimination based on LGBTQ nonbiological mothers to be on the birth recognizing nonbiological parents and identities. certificates; the Supreme Court’s refusal to single parents in all families formed In December, it finalized a rule that hear the case means that decision stands. through reproductive technologies. will allow federal contractors to cite In July, the court upheld the Trump The Kansas Supreme Court ruled in religious or moral beliefs as a reason to administration’s desire to allow almost November that nonbiological mothers discriminate against LGBTQ workers. any employer, even for-profit ones, to may be recognized as parents simply by On the positive side, the U.S. State cite religious or moral beliefs as a reason acknowledging maternity at the time a Department in October backed down to refuse to cover birth control for its child is born and showing that the birth in two cases where it had been denying employees. This is a queer issue because mother consented to shared parenting. the citizenship of children born abroad many LGBTQ people do have sex that to married two-dad couples who were can result in pregnancy and because birth U.S. citizens. Two other similar cases are control is sometimes used in fertility Systemic Racism still pending. procedures even for same-sex couples — The widespread attention to addressing as was the case for myself and my spouse. systemic racism, sparked by the tragic The court in November heard Fulton v. killing of George Floyd in May, is as much The Biden Administration City of Philadelphia, a case to determine an issue for LGBTQ families as for any The Biden administration has promised whether taxpayer-funded foster care others. Not only do we come in all colors, to push for Congress to pass the Equality and adoption agencies—and possibly but Black and Latino same-sex couples are Act during his first 100 days in office, and any provider of government-contracted roughly twice as likely as white same-sex to reverse Trump’s anti-LGBTQ actions. services—can cite religious beliefs as a couples to be raising a child, according Additionally, two lesbian moms of color reason to discriminate against LGBTQ to UCLA’s Williams Institute. And 50 in November were named to Joe Biden’s people and others. percent of children under 18 living all-women White House communications The court in December declined an with same-sex couples are non-white team. Karine Jean-Pierre, who was senior appeal from Oregon parents who sought compared to 41 percent of children living advisor to President-Elect Biden and chief to prevent transgender students from with different-sex couples. Statistics were of staff to Vice President-Elect Kamala using bathrooms and locker rooms not available for other LGBTQ identities, Harris during the campaign, will become aligned with their gender identities. but the numbers underscore just how principal deputy press secretary. Pili many LGBTQ families are impacted by Tobar, who was the communications State Happenings ongoing racism in our country and why director for coalitions on the campaign, actively working to stop it remains a task will become deputy White House New Jersey in January enacted for us all in the coming year. communications director. a law allowing married and civil- unioned LGBTQ couples using assisted Dana Rudolph is the founder and publisher reproduction to avoid the intrusive, of Mombian — mombian.com — a The U.S. Supreme Court expensive second-parent adoption process GLAAD Media Award-winning blog and Puzzle Queens Gambit p. 21 The U.S. Supreme Court surprised and simply file a few documents in order resource directory for LGBTQ parents.

14 BTL | December 24, 2020 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com BTL | December 24, 2020 15 The Light Queen Dolly Parton on the Other Pandemic Cure (Rhinestones!) and Her Gay Dance Album

Stacie Hukeba Courtesy of Butterfly Records LLC

BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI with everything Dolly” phase, and no one’s her, recording more uplifting dance music for oughta put that out,” like a record now. It was complaining. her LGBTQ fans, recording music with Leslie kind of my song of deliverance when I had olly Parton’s been everywhere this year, Dolly also, at the pandemic’s onset, held a Jordan and how no one is exempt from the been going through some personal darkness. and everywhere she’s gone – virtually, virtual series in which she reads bedtime stories; light of her love. Gifts for everyone. When I wrote it, it just kind of delivered me, that is – she’s brought good, gay it was meant for kids, but who could blame you brought me into the light. So it is a song of D all tidings to . for wanting Dolly to send you off to sleep with I don’t know how you stay so upbeat, positive deliverance; it is a song of light and hope. Dolly’s contributions to both science and “The Little Engine That Could”? and chill during a time that feels so heavy, dark Christmas amidst our collective existential I met up with Dolly over Zoom on two and dreadful. At times, I think to myself, “Can I Aside from that song, what’s a song of yours that pandemic panic have been rays of light and separate occasions: in October, with her take whatever Dolly’s taking?” Also, what are you still brings you comfort like “Light of a Clear Blue literal life-savers. Considering the remarkable “Christmas on the Square” co-star Christine taking? Morning” has brought me this year? timing of Dolly’s $1 million donation made to Baranski, and solo on the morning of November I actually write a lot of stuff. In fact, when the coronavirus research at Vanderbilt University, Ha! Well, I’m taking my time trying to 4, the day after Election Day. I was asked to COVID pandemic started, I started writing which helped fund Moderna’s COVID vaccine, process everything! I just always try to go avoid political and election questions, a request songs. I don’t know if you ever heard a song it’s only fitting that one of the most beloved, inside myself and try to find all the goodness that brought to mind Dolly’s own savvy way called “When Life Gets Good Again” (released iconic figures in pop culture is also playing a in there. I try to look right inside everybody of blurring political and apolitical lines. Her in May, which instructs others to “Be safe, be fictional angel in the Netflix musical movie else and see all the goodness in there, and try bipartisan credentials and subtextual political respectful, wear your mask, lead with love”), “Christmas on the Square.” In real life, Dolly is to weave that into something special and into statements led to her being deemed the “great but I tend to do more writing than I do the only person you might imagine haloed in some light rather than just dwelling on the unifier” in 2019’s New York Public Radio series finding songs to make me feel better. It makes glowing light with a pair of white angel wings. darkness. It’s easy to do that; it’s easy to get “Dolly Parton’s America.” Dolly’s politics are me feel better to be able to write those kinds Five decades into her career, Dolly, at 74, depressed when things are bad. But I refuse to signaled almost solely through voicing her of songs, to uplift somebody else, and in turn, remains an unstoppable cultural force – even do that. I like to be productive, and I just try core values – inclusivity, love, kindness and by teaching, I am taught; by helping, I am in lockdown, even during one of the worst years to think that everything will be better all the compassion for all – and then abiding by all helped. So it helps me to kind of do the thing in our lifetime. Just when we need her most, time. I always think no matter what’s going on of them. With Dolly, it’s always been action that I know that people need, and I’m able to like the patron saint she is, here she comes with things are gonna get better. over lip service. When she does speak, it’s with do it, and so I try to write things like that. So the confectionary campiness of “Christmas sincerity and conviction. And, of course, a Today I woke up remembering that during the I’ve written a few songs about the times. on the Square.” And a Christmas album, “A whip-smart quip. In August, Dolly spoke up beginning of the pandemic every morning I woke Holly Dolly Christmas,” her 47th solo studio about the Black Lives Matter movement, telling up to your song “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” In October, you and everyone’s favorite pocket album (and first Christmas record since 1990). Billboard, “Of course Black lives matter. Do we for days, for weeks, and I’d cry. That song, gay, Leslie Jordan, met for the first time. And And a coffee table book, “Songteller: My Life think our little white asses are the only ones featured in your new book “Songteller,” felt like Leslie can sing too. So I’m just gonna put this in Lyrics,” a deep dive into 175 songs that she that matter? No!” out here: I wouldn’t mind hearing you and Leslie has written. And just for good measure: a 19- the hug I needed every morning to get out of my On the morning of our one-on-one interview, collaborate on “Just a Wee Bit Gay” from that DVD box set of her performances through the Dolly appeared on video, still in the process funk and move on with my day. gay dance album you keep teasing us about. years, a baking line for Williams-Sonoma, and of getting mic’d. She made small-talk as we Sometimes I’ll sing that song too. I think virtual Christmas specials for CBS and Amazon waited for the greenlight, wisecracking that, “It that’s a really good song. Yesterday somebody Ha! You know, I never did put that song out! Music. We’ve evolved from the pandemic bread- takes a village to get all this stuff goin’!” Once played me a version of “Light of a Clear Blue I wrote a song called “Just a Wee Bit Gay” baking phase to the “fill every empty moment ready, she spoke about how healing others heals Morning” and I said, “You know, somebody and it’s really, really a cute song and he would be perfect. But you know what’s funny? He’s 16 BTL | December 24, 2020 www.PrideSource.com actually going to do an album of some music Rhinestones are your therapy. and I’m going to be singing with him on it, Yeah, they are! Ha! Rhinestones are my along with some other big celebrities. I’ll leave medicine. If I don’t wear ’em, I’ll take ’em! it to him to announce what it is and when it is. Shine from the inside out! But anyway, when he came, I (was like), I have seen him so many times, backstage, and I just With “Christmas on the Square,” were you aware felt like I knew him because I relate to him that what you were making had a gay sensibility? so much and they make jokes about, “He’s me I mean, there’s actually vogueing in that movie. in drag,” and all that. But when we met the (Sarcastically) What?! Ha! I have a huge gay other day, it was the sweetest, funnest day. We following, but some of our dancers and a lot were practicing safe-distancing and had our of the cast that were there, we had a lot of gay masks and everything. But it was fun, just to people (in) the (movie). We love it. You know be around him. He’s crazy as he can be! And me, I love my gay following. Anything I can I just love him. do to make them happy is always good. Did you let him wear one of your wigs? But I think when we were doing the movie, we were just concentrating on the little Well, he didn’t have a wig on that day, but I’ve town, the village, this mean old woman that seen him dressed in Dolly drag! Christine (Baranski) played trying to steal And I don’t want to sound greedy because our town, and I’m playing an angel coming in trying to save her. Hopefully it’s going to you have given us a lot this year that I’m very appeal to everybody! It’s gonna be a good, thankful for, but that dance album... maybe 2021? happy, joyful, magical Christmas, hopefully, Well, I am gonna do that. I have a lot of good that we have brought during a dark time right songs, and because there’s so much going on, now, don’t you think? I think all of my gay following, they love my attitude in my songs and I’m really wanting I think so. Dolly, I’m watching this and I’m to do a lot of faith-based or just uplifting thinking: to be a spirit of yours, what would it inspirational-type things. I might actually take? Would I have to wear rhinestones? How do incorporate some of that into a dance album I become one of Dolly’s spirits? where everybody can get out and dance and You wouldn’t have to, but I have a feeling you’d rejoice. So yeah, I’m still hoping to do that like to! Ha! Along with one of my dresses, dance album one of these days. maybe some of my wings, whaddya think? Now feels like a good time. I think everybody And maybe one of my wigs! So I could dress sort of wants to let loose, right? you up like an angel and you could have your little rhinestones. I could watch you twirl! I think you’re right. I’m sure you have heard “Faith” (with Galantis, released in October If you could send an angel to any past character 2019). of yours, maybe they need some of that Dolly angel truth-telling, what character would you This year, that was the song that I’d play in the send that angel to? middle of the day and it kept me going. If I send an angel to like a Doralee in “9 to 5,” Actually that one lifted me up a lot too. So I’d I would just give her a little extra strength to like to do more things like that, that you can kick Mr. Hart’s butt a little harder! dance to, move to, and really feel good about. Yeah, I’ve got some good things in mind for What do you hope the message of this movie is that. in terms of change in this country? Because this With everything that is happening right now in movie calls for literal change. the world, are you finding it difficult to get into Well, it does. I really think that people are the Christmas spirit? Because I’m over here like, going to relate to this movie, as I mentioned, “Lord, it’s like a hard candy Christmas.” because it is about family, a village, a town where all the people have their little lives Ha! It is! It is kind of like a hard candy and they’re trying to salvage everything they Christmas this year, ain’t it? It’s just hard can, they’re trying to keep their lives together times for a lot of people. But I just refuse to let and live their lives and they don’t want to be this dampen my joy. Although we are going scattered like we have been this whole year. to have to do it different. You can’t get out and all The whole world has kind of been like that do the things you’d like to. You can’t even little town now, kind of uprooted and thrown go shopping as much as you’d like to. around and in doubt and in fear. (But) they all But I do think that I will manage to have became better people because of it. my Christmas and have my little nieces and nephews and have as much of my family On “Christmas Is,” a song from your new album around as we can safely. I won’t let that “A Holly Dolly Christmas,” you sing about the stop me from rejoicing in my own way and true meaning of Christmas – kindness, love decorating my houses. I have a lakehouse and and compassion – with your goddaughter, Miley different things that I do. And I have to have Cyrus. What about that song made you think to all that gaud, and all that glitter, and all that ask Miley to sing it with you? food and all the stuff to go with it! Nothing’s gonna stop me from doing that. Well, that song actually is one of the songs

See Dolly, continued on p. 18 www.PrideSource.com BTL | December 24, 2020 17 Does it hurt you to know that there are people ® Dolly who are not like you in the world? Continued from p. 17 Well, yeah, it does hurt me that anybody cannot open their heart to love people in the from the Netflix movie that I did, the musical, way they should. It does hurt. But all you can and I wanted to also bring it into the album do is to try to make the best of your world, try because we’re probably not going to have a to have enough love to reach out if you can, soundtrack from that musical as of yet. So I try to kind of calm things down if you see wanted to bring that over. I wanted Miley and there are problems going on. I just pray for Billy Ray (Cyrus) to be on this album because God to lead me every day and uplift people it’s been 30 years since I had an album out and glorify him. and you usually don’t do but one or two Christmas albums in your whole career, and Your book “Songteller” acknowledges a song that I figured this would probably be the last one. I just recently discovered called “Family.” Since Miley and Billy Ray are like family to me, I told ’em both, “You can’t even say no. Aww. I love that song too, where it talks about I’m not having it! You both have to be on this “some are preachers, some are gay, some are album with me forever! So when we’re all addicts, some are strays, but not a one is dead and gone or old, we’ll say, ‘OK, here we turned away, when it’s family.” And that, to are with family.’” me, is not just your own family; it’s the family But Miley, she’s always been great. I love her of man. It’s like, we’re all family. People just to death. She’s like my own. And so she said, don’t seem to get that. But if you could just “Yeah, I can’t put it out as a single because I look at everybody like a member of your own got a new project.” And I said, “I didn’t ask family, you’d have a lot more tolerance. You you to put it out as a single! I asked you to may not still like ’em, but you can still love sing on it!” So she said, “Well, of course I’ll ’em. Tolerate them. But anyways, I’m glad you sing it.” So we did. And that was wonderful. like that song. I wrote that with my friend Carl Perkins; he’s the famous one that (wrote) During this divisive year, I was thinking about “Blue Suede Shoes” back in the olden days. how you’re seen as the “great unifier.” And there The book acknowledges that the song, which are not many people who can say that about was released in 1991, is possibly the first country themselves. But you are the kind of person song to mention the word “gay.” How did country who’s able to bring mountain people and drag fans react to the word “gay” in that song at the queens together in one room. What does it time? mean to you to know that even though there is such division in this country that you are able Actually, I don’t remember anybody saying to reach people across the spectrum of religion, anything, because I really do believe whether you accept ’em or not, we all have gays and race, politics, gay, straight...? lesbians and transgenders in our family or in Well, I just love people. I love everybody. I our family of friends. There’s so many people love that God light and that God core that is that won’t just accept people for who they in every single one of us. I do not judge or are, which is really, really sad for the people criticize or condemn; I think we’re supposed that feel like they have to be different because to love each other. And I love all the different they’re different than what somebody else people in this world. I’m fascinated by says they should be. everybody’s personality; I want to know who I don’t remember at that time anybody they are. So I’m out to kind of pull people saying things because the way that I said in, not separate people. So I just love people “some are preachers, some are gays… and and people seem to love me and that makes not a one is turned away,” because to me that’s me feel really good. So hopefully that’s what how I feel about it. So that song really says a God wants us to do. At least that’s what I’m whole lot about a whole lot of things. Oh, I’ve thinkin’ he wants me to do, so I’m going to had pokes at me for saying certain things, but continue to do that. it never stopped me. I’m going to always let my love light shine – on everybody. WATCH ONLINE

Head on over to the digital version of this article at PrideSource.com to see BTL’s Chris Azzopardi interview Dolly on Zoom. And while you’re there, watch more of our interviews with celebs like Kristen Stewart, Gloria Estefan and Brandy!

18 BTL | December 24, 2020 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com BTL | December 24, 2020 19 Deep Inside Hollywood

BY ROMEO SAN VICENTE is due to return for a third season sometime in 2021, but in the meantime he’s going to command the ball to drop in New York City’s Selena Gomez is going to Times Square on December 31. That’s when he’ll climb every ‘Mountain’ join Ryan Seacrest and “Pretty Little Liars” star Lucy Hale as a co-host of “Dick Clark’s New One of this year’s TV pleasures has been Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2020.” The watching a homebound Selena Gomez broadcast will be officially closed to the public earnestly trying to learn to cook this year due to COVID-19 (of via Zoom calls with various course, an official closing didn’t famous chefs on her HBO stop crowds from gathering Max series “Selena + Chef.” on sidewalks for the “Macy’s We had no idea that in between Thanksgiving Day Parade,” mastering the mechanics of a but there’s no telling people proper French omelette she anything these days), and it’s was negotiating new deals for assumed that the three hosts herself, but coming soon(ish) will be separated in various she’ll take on the role of real- locations, introducing musical life lesbian mountain climber acts as well as other celebrities. Silvia Vásquez-Lavado. Writer- But despite what’s sure to be an director Elgin James (“Little unusual production process Birds”) will adapt Vásquez- for this year’s event, count on Lavado’s memoir, “In the Selena Gomez. Photo: Starfrenzy the Tony-and-Emmy-winning Shadow of the Mountain,” as a Porter to show up ready for starring vehicle of Gomez (whose casting got performance in one (or several) of his bold a nod of approval from the queer Peruvian signature looks. After all, it’s not like you’re climber herself). Vásquez-Lavado not only tuning in to see what Seacrest is going to do, climbed Mount Everest but became the first say, or wear. Porter will make it worth staying out lesbian to climb the highest mountain on up to witness. each continent, a challenge known as the Seven Summits. No production or release dates are known yet, but this is already Appointment ‘Guardians of The Galaxy’ Cinema. hero Star-Lord is bisexual Guess what pandemic ‘The and polyamorous. Now Second Wave’ will be about what? This isn’t an announcement, really, even Queer screen darling Taylor Schilling though it is. And it hasn’t made an official (“Orange is The New Black”) is back for an impact on the films that draw inspiration upcoming limited series from Michelle and from Marvel Comics canon. But “Guardians Robert King (“The Good Wife,” “The Good of the Galaxy” protagonist Star-Lord has been Fight”). It’s called “The Second Wave,” and revealed to be both bisexual and polyamorous it’s about two neighbors, played by Schilling in the ongoing comic book series. This is both a and Audra McDonald, who find themselves very significant development and, annoyingly, locked down again in New York City when an possibly not going to matter at all when it comes unexpected second wave of the coronavirus to the film adaptations. That’s because Star- breaks out. The women are forced to handle Lord is played in the films by Chris Pratt, an their lives and jobs from the confined space actor who has always been quietly friendly to of their apartments, while contending with the LGBTQ+ community, but whose recent an even more deadly version of the virus, one surge of public religious devotion has made that may spell the end of humanity itself. The the prospect of him playing a bisexual space six-episode series will co-star Leslie Uggams hero somewhat unlikely, given his association (“Deadpool”), Steven Pasquale (“The Good with an anti-queer church. The “Guardians” Wife”) and “Hamilton”’s Phillipa Soo, and with film franchise continues, of course, and not vaccines currently rolling out, maybe by the everything canon in the source material finds time this series hits your TV screen, it’ll have its way into comic book-based films, but if the retro feeling of scary science fiction that queer fans were to consider lobbying hard for a can’t possibly happen again. Fingers crossed! little inclusion, now would be the time to start. And while we’re waiting for some official Pratt Billy Porter will rock your reaction, here’s what we’d like for starters: some cuddling with Drax. We’re pretty certain that New Year’s Eve the perpetually shirtless Dave Bautista would Billy Porter loves to work. We recently be up for that. reported that he’ll be directing the high school trans coming-of-age film “What If?,” and “Pose” 20 BTL | December 24 , 2020 www.PrideSource.com 31 Home state of J. Nabors 8 Like an asexual relationship 32 More of the quote 9 Ban on commercial intercourse 37 Market bear’s fear 10 Disney’s “That ___ Cat!” 38 It may be cold and hard 11 “Spartacus” extras 39 Yellow-brick way 12 UFO pilots 40 Lanford Wilson’s room renter 13 Yeses of Nuryev 41 AC unit 21 “ ___ Song Trilogy” 42 Turn sharply 22 They help bakers get it up 44 E. Lynn Harris’ “ ___ Way the 26 Cut Wind Blows” 27 “Messiah” composer 45 Title role for Salma 29 Screwball 47 Photographer Adams 32 Taking it lying down 48 Stamp of “Valkyrie” 33 Lech of Greek lore 50 Military cross-dresser Jeanne ___ 34 Big initials in fashion 52 End of the quote 35 Bellow in the library? 57 Well-worn 36 Cole Porter’s fifty million 60 Home paper 37 Converse at Zoosk, e.g. 61 Ms., to Mauresmo 41 You may play him on your organ 62 ‘80s tennis star Ivan 43 Shoot off a flare, e.g. 63 Hebrides language 45 Small hills 64 Genie portrayer Barbara Q Puzzle 46 Most queer The Queen’s Gambit 65 Strand in a drag queen’s wig 49 “Holy crow!” 66 Things to connect 51 Baldwin staffers 17 Land of Sinead O’Connor 67 Suffix for “bi”? 53 Wolfe of fiction 18 Kelly once of “All My Children” 54 Alan of “And the Band Played On” Across 19 Section for Bernstein Down 55 Glenn Burke, formerly 1 “All’s Well That ___ Well” 20 Start of a quote about 1 Boardroom VIPs 56 Say, “We never actually kissed...” 5 Bitch chessmaster Beth Harmon from “The 2 Black to Rimbaud perhaps 9 Cut leaves of grass by the Queen’s Gambit” 3 German engraver Albrecht 57 Lunch-counter order sidewalk 23 Delivery by Rev. Perry 4 Put a head on cappuccino 58 Atmospheric prefix 14 Draw a cross over 24 Gay activist, e.g. 5 Greek city of old 59 Opposite of SSW 15 Shape of an office that will soon 25 I, to Rilke 6 Month in the land of the cut lose a homophobe 28 They may be civil (abbr.) 7 Part of REM 16 Island near Sicily 30 Worn-out horse Clues p. 14

www.PrideSource.com BTL | December 24 , 2020 21 Community Connections Find over 300 Non-Profit Listings Serving Michigan’s LGBTQ Online @ pridesource.com

AIDS/HIV Campus Legal Get Listed, Promote There are dozens of AIDS/HIV Currently there are 19 American Civil Liberties organizations and resources listed organizations listed as active Union of Michigan Your Events at www.PrideSource.com. Here are Pridesource.com online at www.pridesource.com/ Jay Kaplan, Staff Attorney, LGBT You can add or update MICHIGAN'S LGBTQ ANNUAL MAGAZINE just some of them: yellow pages. The following are Project any listing by going to some in the southeast Michigan 2966 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI www.PrideSource.com Metro Care Coordination area: www.aclumich.org and clicking on Yellow Network U-M Ann Arbor 313-578-6800 Pages. Once you submit Free, comprehensive services for Spectrum Center your listing, our staff will those living with HIV/AIDS. Fair Michigan [email protected] contact you to confirm OVER 1,000 877-931-3248 PO Box 6136 LGBTQ-Friendly http://spectrumcenter.umich.edu your information. Businesses 248-266-5545 734-763-4186 Plymouth, MI 48170 You can add your event & Organizations Metrocarenetwork.org Oakland University Gender 877-432-4764, 313-556-2300 to the Pride Source & Sexuality Center fairmichigan.org Calendar online and in UNIFIED - HIV Health & [email protected] Facebook.com/fairmichigan2016 print by going to www. Beyond www.oakland.edu/gsc PrideSource.com and 3968 Mt. Elliott St. 248-370-4336 Know Your RIghts Project clicking on Calendar, Detroit MI 48207-1841 Eastern Michigan Outlaws U-M student group then “Add Event.” Send From the Publishers of 313-446-9800 University [email protected] any press releases 2020 - 2021 FREE • ONLINE • IN PRINT www.miunified.org LGBT Resource Center 734-995-9867 and announcements to Michigan HIV/STED Hotline emich.edu/lgbtrc [email protected] 800-872-2437 734-487-4149 The Lawrence Tech LGBT Older Adults Matrix MAC Health Resource Center SAGE Metro Detroit 429 Livernois St. Find a digital version of PrideSource Magazine ltu.edu/student_affairs/lgbt.asp 290 W. Nine Mile Rd. Ferndale, MI Ferndale, MI 48220 313-578-6812 online under Our LGBT Yellow Pages 888-226-6366 Wayne State JIGSAW Facebook.com/groups/ sagemetrodetroit.org 248-545-1435 Facebook: SAGE Metro Detroit FtM A2 Ypsi http://www.matrixhumanservices. WayneStateJIGSAW Find these resources online [email protected] [email protected] Adoption Services org/programs/matrix-mac-health/ https://www.facebook.com/ AIDS/HIV Hotlines Political ftma2ypsi/ Macomb County STD Clinic Community Centers AIDS/HIV Organizations Michigan has eleven active The LGBT and Allies 27690 Van Dyke Caucus of the Michigan Alzheimer’s Association Warren, MI 48093 LGBTQ community centers, with Animal Shelter a tenth planned in Lansing. Here Democratic Party Transgender Michigan 586-465-8440 Anti-Violence are three of them. Facebook.com/TheLGBTA- 23211 Woodward Ave. http://health.macombgov. Ferndale, MI Archives/Collections org/Health-Programs-HPDC- CaucusoftheMDP Jim Toy Community Center Stonewall for Revolution [email protected] Campus; Student and Alumni Groups HIVAIDSCounselingTesting www.transgendermichigan.org Ann Arbor www.facebook.com/ Cancer Support Groups 800-842-2954 Oakland Livingston Human www.jimtoycenter.org. stonewall4reolution Choruses Service Agency (OLSHA) www.facebook.com/jimtoycenter Community Centers or follow them on Twitter @ Trans Sistas of Color 196 Cesar E. Chavez Ave. Professional Groups Project Employee Resource Groups Pontiac, MI 48343 JimToyCenter. Families and Parents 319 Braun Court Detroit Regional LGBT 19641 W. 7 Mile Rd. in Detroit 248-209-2647 313-537-7000 Ext 107 Foster Care www.olhsa.org Ann Arbor, MI Chamber of Commerce 734-995-9867 P.O. Box 32446 [email protected] Foundations and Funders www.facebook.com/TSCOPD/ Arab Community Center Detroit, MI 48232 Hotlines & Switchboards for Economic and Social LGBT Detroit detroitlgbtchamber.com Labor Union Service (ACCESS) Detroit 1-800-DET-LGBT Youth Legal Organizations www.lgbtdetroit.org. Museums Sterling Heights Center Ruth Ellis Center 4301 East 14 Mile Rd. www.facebook.com/lgbtdetroit Ties Like Me Music Groups 77 Victor Street, Highland Park, MI Sterling Hts., MI 48310 @LGBTDetroit. Professional networking events National Organizations 48203 586-722-6036 20025 Greenfield Road third Weds. 5:30 - 8 p.m. [email protected] Political Organizations www.accesscommunity.org Detroit, MI TiesLikeMe.org Phone: 313-397-2127 Suits And The City Facebook: Ruth Ellis Center Professional Organizations Lansing, MI 313-252-1950 Religious & Spiritual Advocacy Affirmations [email protected] Senior Living Ozone House Equality Michigan Ferndale www.suitsandthecity.org Seniors http://goaffirmations.org 102 N. Hamilton Street Social/Community Organizations 19641 W. 7 Mile, Detroit, MI www.facebook.com/Affirmations/ Ypsilanti, MI 313-537-7000 Sports or follow them on Twitter @ Transgender 734-662-2265 equalitymi.org Substance Abuse GoAffirmations. 734-662-2222 Facebook.com/equalitymichigan FtM Detroit Transgender Groups/Services 290 W. Nine Mile Road https://www.facebook.com/ Women’s Health Ferndale, MI FtMDetroit/ Stand With Trans Youth Services 248-398-7105 [email protected]. Farmington, MI www.standwithtrans.org 248-739-9254 22 BTL | December 24 , 2020 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com BTL | December 24 , 2020 23