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Candidates Share Their Platforms at LGBT Detroit Forum PAGE 4

Gen. Dunford: ‘No Modifications’ to Trans Military Service for Now PAGE 14

Organizers Say 22nd Annual Hotter Than July was the Hottest Yet PAGE 4

Our Guide to the Best LGBTQ Events PAGE 26

August 3, 2017 VOL. 2531 | FREE ‘Kinky Boots’ Star and Doc Subject on Finding His Courage, WWW.PRIDESOURCE.COM Shero Emulation and Inspiring ‘Little Todricks’ 2 BTL | August 3, 2017 www.PrideSource.com

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS NATIONAL

COVER: 20 How Found His Yellow Brick Road NEWS 4 Candidates Share Their Platforms at LGBT Detroit Forum 13 Creep of the Week (Again!) Donald Trump 9 DOJ: Anti- Perfectly OK Under 30 ARTS.BLACK to Host Book Fair, Fundraiser Federal La 14 Gen. Dunford: ‘No Modifications’ to Trans Military Service 10 Grant Money Helps EQMI Continue Fighting Hate 15 Senate Advances Anti- Bathroom Bill Crimes 30 Help Students Affected by Homelessness 10 Organizers Say 22nd Annual Hotter Than July was 19 NGLCC Celebrates 15 Years of Supporting LGBT Businesses the Hottest Yet Get an Education 11 Jackson Hosts Inaugural Pride Celebration 14 Gen. Dunford: ‘No Modifications’ to Trans Military Service for Now HAPPENINGS DEEP INSIDE HOLLYWOOD AUGUST PRIDE 15 45 Senators Call on Mattis to Resist Trump’s Transgender Military Ban 15 Texas Senate Advances Anti-Transgender Bathroom Bill 19 NGLCC Celebrates 15 Years of Supporting LGBT Businesses OPINION 12 Parting Glances 12 Transmissions 13 Creep of the Week: Donald Trump LIFE 20 ‘Kinky Boots’ Star on Finding His Courage and 26 Check out hundreds of 11 Jackson Gets Ready for Inspiring ‘Little Todricks’ great events coming up this Inaugural Pride Celebration 24 Cool Cities: Royal Oak month! 26 Happenings 28 Classifieds 29 Puzzle and Comic 31 ‘L-Word’ Revival in the Works 31 Deep Inside Hollywood

VOL. 2531 • AUGUST 3, 2017 EDITORIAL CREATIVE ADVERTISING & SALES ONLINE AT ISSUE 1026 Editor in Chief Webmaster & MIS Director Director of Sales Susan Horowitz, 734.293.7200 x 12 Kevin Bryant, [email protected] Jan Stevenson, 734.293.7200 x 22 “Between The Lines Newspaper” PRIDE SOURCE MEDIA GROUP [email protected] [email protected] 20222 Farmington Rd., Livonia, 48152 Columnists Entertainment Editor Sales Representatives Phone 734.293.7200 Charles Alexander, Michelle E. Brown, Follow us @YourBTL Chris Azzopardi, 734.293.7200 x 24 Mikey Rox, Dan Woog, D’Anne Witkowski Ann Cox, 734.293.7200 x 13 PUBLISHERS [email protected] Gwendolyn Ann Smith [email protected] Email your op–eds to Susan Horowitz & Jan Stevenson Senior News Editor Cartoonists Donelle Kremke, 734.293.7200 x 16 [email protected] MEMBER OF Kate Opalewski, 734.293.7200 x 10 Paul Berg, Dave Brousseau [email protected] [email protected] Sign up online to receive our E–Digest Michigan Press Assoication Contributing Photographers National Advertising Representative National Gay Media Association News & Feature Writers Andrew Potter Rivendell Media, 212.242.6863 National Gay & Chamber Emell Derra Adolphus, Todd A. Heywood, Alexander Godin Q Syndicate Jason Michael, Eve Kucharski, Ellen Knoppow Our rate cards are available online. All material appearing in Between The Lines is protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publishers. Between The Lines is supported by many fine advertisers, but we cannot accept responsibility for claims made by our advertisers, nor can we accept responsibility for materials provided by advertisers or their agents. Copyright 2017 Pride Source Media Group www.PrideSource.com August 3, 2017 | BTL 3 NEWS Candidates Share Their Platforms at LGBT Detroit Forum

BY KATE OPALEWSKI

GBT Detroit and the Center for Disparity Solutions and Equity at the LUniversity of Michigan Dearborn hosted this year’s annual gathering of LGBTQ issues on July 28 at the UM Detroit Center. The event, “Defeating Apathy: A Movement Towards Equitable Solutions in Detroit,” coincided with Hotter Than July, a week-long social justice and equality celebration that combines cultural, spiritual and educational components in its programming. The event was facilitated by Alfredo D. Smith, Linkage to Care Supervisor with UNIFIED - HIV Health & Beyond and David A. Nelson, Jr., who offers early intervention services and care coordination with Health Emergency Lifeline Programs. Keynote speaker Dr. Truman Hudson, Jr., Director of Industry and Community Partnerships, Center for Disparity Solutions and Equity, UM Dearborn, focused the discussion around apathy. “When you look at this term around equity, people who are apathetic influence the vote,” he said, pointing to Robert’s Rules of Order. “If you abstain from the vote, you agree with the affirmative. If you don’t vote no, if you Top: Phillips Simmons, Garlin Gilchrist II, Ingrid LaFleur, Nguvu Tsare, Curtis Lipscomb and Dr. Truman Hudson, don’t vote yes, you voted.” Jr. Middle: Coleman A. Young II; Bottom: Dr. Truman Hudson, Jr. with Brenda Jones and Curtis Lipscomb. Hudson, Jr. makes some valid points as Photos courtesy of Ray O’Shay citizens in Detroit are getting ready to vote “By bringing hemp to us, we can grow our in the primary on Aug. 8 when the mayor, all manufacturing. That means we can create nine city council seats, and the city clerk are Where Candidates Stand hempcrete that can repair our infrastructure up for election. LaFleur, a write-in mayoral candidate, that seems to crumble every single winter,” “If you are affirmative, you get what you spoke about what she wants to accomplish she said calling out the racial disparity that want. If you are apathetic and not engaged, in the city of Detroit. She believes in a new already exists when out of 100 cannabis you’re giving them what they want. So, if economy and a new government like the dispensaries that are open, only one percent you don’t get what you want, it’s because you community has never seen before. are Black owned. haven’t exercised your voice,” he said. “Make “The institutions, the systems that we are LaFleur envisions a creative economy, like your voice count. If we’re not active, it’s on working within are literally created on the Berlin’s, that makes $900 million a year off us. If we don’t have what we want, it’s on us.” foundation of oppression and white supremacy of techno music. Following Hudson, Jr. was a mayoral and their patriarchy. It was never meant for me. “We don’t even have a cultural affairs candidate forum organized by Ricky L. Jones, It was never meant for you. It was never meant department,” she said. “We have not valued a volunteer with LGBT Detroit. This was an for us, right? So it’s a state of emergency,” the culture and the skills and the talent of our opportunity for candidates to speak directly to she said to a room full of mostly African people. We have a 64 percent poverty rate. the LGBTQ community in Detroit. American men. “This is real. This is about This is ridiculous. That includes the working “Just because they answer these questions more than survival. I want us to be living in poor, which breaks my heart. You are working doesn’t mean it’s going to happen once they Detroit. I’m tired of us struggling and being and you still can’t pay your bills. You’re still get in office,” said Hudson, Jr. “We have to distracted with water shutoffs and people struggling. Enough of that. We need to be hold the people we’re voting for accountable losing their homes and can’t even afford to investing. We need to be looking at new ways when they tell us they’re going to give us what repair homes that are aging and over 100 years to make sure that our people – Detroiters, we want. We have to engage our politicians old – they’re beautiful – but they’re aging, so Black Americans, Latinos, LGBT – we need and make sure they hear our voices.” what can we do?” everyone on the table to be thriving and living There to share their campaign promises were only openly LGBTQ person running for office When discussing the various ways to move and wealth building. This is the time and Senator Coleman A. Young II (D-Detroit), in Detroit this year. Tsare said he decided to forward, LaFleur said she’s been investigating we have to think of new ways forward. We Ingrid LaFleur, Garlin Gilchrist II, Nguvu run for office because “I got sick and tired of the possibilities, like cryptocurrency, need new methods that are outside of these Tsare and Brenda Jones. The forum was seeing people exploiting the people that I’ve decentralizing government, a digital society, oppressive systems.” moderated by Phillips Simmons, founder and dedicated my life to fighting for.” Tsare jumped and investing in the cannabis industry, which Tsare, a write-in candidate for Detroit City executive director of Pure Recovery, Inc. will be a $50 billion industry in 2021. Council in District 2 was applauded as the See next page

4 BTL | August 3, 2017 www.PrideSource.com Public Invited to View, Discuss ‘Detroit’ Film Michigan’s Definitive LGBTQ-Friendly Members of the LGBT community will have On Aug. 8, LGBT Detroit will host a Wedding and Anniversary Guide the opportunity to view the film “Detroit,” a community gathering to discuss the film 2017 American period crime drama directed during the organization’s Talk Tuesday event by Kathryn Bigelow and written by Mark at 6 p.m. at 20025 Greenfield Road in Detroit. Boal. The film is based on and is being released The conversation will be facilitated by Woods, MiLGBTWedding.com to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Algiers Dr. Tim Retzloff, professor of the Department Motel incident during Detroit’s 1967 12th of History and Center for Gender in Global Street rebellion. Context at Michigan State University, and LGBT Detroiters are invited to the Bel Air Curtis Lipscomb, executive director of LGBT Luxury Cinema at 10100 E. 8 Mile Road in Detroit. Together, they will discuss the film’s Detroit at 4 p.m. on Aug. 6. Tickets are $7. perspective of law enforcement and the LGBT Seating is available for 87 people. A voucher presence of 1967. Light refreshments will be can be purchased prior to the film at 3:45 p.m. served. and is good for a free drink with purchase from For more information, visit www.lgbtdetroit. the concession stand. Please RSVP to Dani Woods, the Detroit Police Department’s LGBT org or connect with LGBT Detroit on Facebook Liaison Officer, at 313-400-4450. www.facebook.com/lgbtdetroit.

® Detroit Forum of two at-large seats because she said her job as a “citizen’s voice” is unfinished. Her focus Continued from p. 4 is Jones – jobs, opportunities, neighborhoods, in the race as an “authentic voice” to decrease education and safety. crime, increase economic opportunity and When addressing the LGBTQ people in A PROJECT OF strengthen public services in a city where 83 the room, Jones said, “I think about all of the percent of African Americans live. fights that you guys have had. I think about Through his One Dollar One Dream all of the fights we have had as black folk. program, Tsare hopes to increase – on a You’ve had your share of fights. We continue to have our share of fights. Not just blacks, not micro level – home ownership, which acts To learn more contact [email protected] as a firewall to gentrification, and create just LGBT, but everybody can tell you a fight more entrepreneurs, which increases the that they’ve had...But I say how long have we Call 734-293-7200 ext. 22 employment rate and strengthens small Black- been singing ‘We Shall Overcome?’ When are owned businesses. we going to overcome? When are we going “Millennials are coming forward with out- to finally sing we have overcome? I’m ready of-the-box ideas and approaches to solving to write the words for it...At what point do some of the city’s problems. If you want more we stop fighting? But, I’m gonna’ tell you, of us in the room, you have to be willing to I’m gonna’ continue to fight along with you.” accept that, and our different positions on Gilchrist II, who is running to be the next social issues,” he said. “We don’t care about city clerk, said that fight includes making who’s pants are saggin’, who’s smokin’ sure people have full access to the political weed. We don’t care about who’s in church process in Detroit. and who’s not in church. We care about true “We have to fix the system that enables equity, true equality and achieving it by any us to reclaim that aspect of our political means necessary.” power,” he said about the elections process Young II said someone told him if he specifically. In his role, Gilchrist II said he wanted to become the next mayor in the city is committed to “making sure that our votes of Detroit, he woud have to come to LGBT are counted properly, making sure that we Detroit’s event, so he did, and listed the aggressively register voters in the city of various reasons why he’s running. Detroit, and making sure we make that all “Our people deserve better,” he said easy and trustworthy.” announcing his plan to put people to work, He plans to better inform people about what rebuild roads and waterways, rebuild their government is doing or not doing. infrastructure and tear down abandoned “One of the reasons that our people are buildings, keep schools open, sue the “racist, not voting at a high level is because our redlining” auto insurance companies, and government has not been transparent. They enforce equal pay for equal work laws. haven’t trusted it. They haven’t gotten the “And I think it’s a shame before God in results that they want,” said Gilchrist II, this state that you can be fired because you’re adding that he will “open the doorway to our gay. In this city, we will not tolerate that and entire democracy in Detroit so we all can be we will not have that because discrimination active, informed, empowered participants in of any kind is wrong,” said Young II. “We every decision making process that impacts want to attract new people, we want to bring us as individuals and our neighborhoods as new people in here, but that doesn’t mean we a whole.” abandon the folks who stay.” For more information about each candidate’s Like Jones, who has lived in Detroit since campaign platform in the city of Detroit, visit their 1967. On the Detroit City Council for 12 individual websites. Connect with LGBT Detroit years, Jones is running again this year for one online www.lgbtdetroit.org. www.PrideSource.com August 3, 2017 | BTL 5

NEWS Judge Orders FBI to Release Docs on 1950s-Era Anti-Gay Purge

BY LOU CHIBBARO JR., BLADE A U.S. District Court judge in Washington carrying out Executive Order 10450 in the on July 28 handed down a ruling ordering the 1950s before Eisenhower appointed him to the FBI to search for and release thousands of Supreme Court. documents it initially said it could not find or “The Court finds it nearly impossible to declined to release that pertain to an anti-gay believe that a search for every permutation of “purge” in the 1950s that resulted in the firing the name of the man who was charged with of thousands of gay federal employees. carrying out EOP 10450, the ‘overseer’ Warren Judge Royce C. Lamberth’s ruling came Berger...yielded zero responsive documents,” in response to a Freedom of Information Lamberth wrote in his ruling. Act lawsuit filed last year by the Mattachine In his ruling Lamberth granted part of a Society of Washington, D.C., an LGBT rights motion by the Justice Department seeking group that called on the FBI to release all summary judgment to withhold the release of a government documents in its possession smaller collection of documents that Lamberth generated by a 1953 executive order issued by found to be exempt from the FOIA statute. President Dwight Eisenhower. He ruled that for a large collection of Known as Executive Order 10450, the order documents that the FBI released in which gave the FBI and federal agency heads the names were redacted, the FBI would have to go The Justice Department under Jeff Sessions rejected gay protections under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act authority to investigate and dismiss federal back and replace the names with “alphanumeric of 1964. Photo by Gage Skidmore; courtesy Wikimedia Commons employees linked to “sexual perversion.” markers, which are to be uniquely identifiable Historians knowledgeable in LGBT history and consistent throughout all documents say that term was a pretext used to purge gays produced pursuant to this FOIA request.” DOJ: Anti-Gay Discrimination Perfectly OK Under Federal Law from the government. He added: “The parties are hereby ordered Mattachine Society President Charles to meet and confer to determine appropriate BY CHRIS JOHNSON, WASHINGTON BLADE expected. Outside sources familiar with the Francis said the group filed its lawsuit after terms for future searches. If the parties cannot department’s plan informed the Washington the FBI balked at releasing and searching for agree to appropriate terms, plaintiffs may The U.S. Justice Department has declared Blade earlier this week a brief would be thousands of documents the group requested submit a proposed order with suggested terms anti-gay discrimination is lawful under forthcoming in a case alleging anti-gay in what the lawsuit says was a violation of the to the court.” current federal civil rights law, filing an workplace discrimination before the U.S. Freedom of Information Act. Francis said Lamberth’s ruling would enable friend-of-the-court brief in a case of alleging Second Circuit Court of Appeals. In his ruling, Lamberth stated attorneys Mattachine Society to obtain most of the employment discrimination. However, the Justice Department was for the U.S. Department of Justice, which documents it believes exist as a result of the In a 23-page brief, the Justice Department expected not only to reject the idea that anti- represented the FBI in court, argued that the Eisenhower executive order. under U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions gay discrimination is covered under Title FBI was able to track down 552 pages of “It is time for the government to release these rejects the notion that sexual-orientation VII, but also transgender discrimination. documents it released to the Mattachine Society historic FBI and DOJ documents that launched discrimination is a form of sex discrimination The brief ultimately avoids the issue of while it withheld an additional 583 documents decades of discrimination against LGBT under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of discrimination based on , on grounds that they were exempt from the Americans,” Francis said. “Thousands of 1964. although its reasoning could apply to cases Freedom of Information Act. LGBT Americans were ruthlessly investigated, “The essential element of sex discrimination of transgender discrimination. “The FBI’s response fails to demonstrate interrogated and fired because of this Order, under Title VII is that employees of one sex The brief was filed on the same day that their search was reasonably calculated to and historians still do not know the full extent must be treated worse than similarly situated President Trump announced on Twitter uncover all relevant documents,” Lamberth of its implementation and enforcement by such employees of the other sex, and sexual he’d reinstitute the ban prohibiting openly states in his ruling. officials as then Assistant Attorney General orientation discrimination simply does not transgender people from serving in the armed In bluntly worded language, Lamberth said [and later Chief Justice] Warren Burger,” have that effect,” the brief says. “Moreover, forces. Coupled together, the brief and the it “strains credulity” that the FBI claimed it Francis said. could not find any documents prepared by whatever this Court would say about the president’s tweets span moves enabling This article originally appeared in the Washington or pertaining to former U.S. Supreme Court question were it writing on a blank slate, discrimination across the entire LGBT Blade and is made available in partnership with Congress has made clear through its actions community. Justice Warren Burger, who was in charge of the National Gay Media Association. and inactions in this area that Title VII’s James Esseks, director of the ACLU’s prohibition of sex discrimination does not LGBT and HIV Project, quipped upon encompass discrimination. review of the brief, “Trump and Sessions Ex-Navy Doctor Promises Free Surgery for Trans Military Patients Other statutes and rules may prohibit such together have made it Anti-LGBT Day for Dr. Christine McGinn, an ex-Navy surgeon, has that transgender people in the military caused discrimination, but Title VII does not do so the administration.” vowed to offer free gender-confirmation surgery “tremendous medical costs and disruption.” as a matter of law, and whether it should do The brief is just the view of the Trump for transgender military patients. McGinn says the cost of medical care for so as a matter of policy remains a question administration and has no binding effect. McGinn told CNN’s Michael Smerconish that transgender people is one the military’s budget for Congress to decide.” Whether or not anti-gay discrimination will she will still perform operations for patients can afford. The brief is signed by Chad Readler, be considered lawful under Title VII is up already on her list despite President Donald “I think it’s being twisted and spun to make it acting assistant attorney general for the the Second Circuit. Trump announcing a ban on transgender people seem like it would be more than it is,” McGinn Civil Division; Tom Wheeler, acting More to come. in the military. says. “I think the cost of getting rid of very well assistant attorney general for civil rights; “If the commander-in-chief won’t take care of specialized, trained military service people is Deputy Assistant Attorney General Hashim our veterans, our veterans will. I will do surgery exponentially larger than just taking care of them.” This article originally appeared in the Washington Mooppan; and Justice Department attorneys for free on the number of people that I have McGinn transitioned in 2000 while a senior Charles Scarborough and Stephanie Marcus. Blade and is made available in partnership with already lined up for surgery,” McGinn, who is also flight surgeon at Willow Grove Naval Air Station. The Justice Department brief was the National Gay Media Association. transgender, told Smerconish. She was also nominated flight surgeon of the year Trump stated that the reason for the ban was for the U.S. Navy. www.PrideSource.com August 3, 2017 | BTL 9 NEWS

Grant Money Helps EQMI Organizers Say 22nd Annual Hotter Than Continue Fighting Hate Crimes View the Online Gallery July was the Hottest Yet www.pridesource.com BY JASON A. MICHAEL BY JASON A. MICHAEL Equality Michigan is halfway through a short term grant How hot was Hotter Than July? This designed to provide additional resources to its Victim year, it was 80-plus degrees and sunny Services Department. The $60,000 grant from Open Society with no rain. The weather is important, Foundations is part of the Communities Against Hate according to Curtis Lipscomb, executive initiative. The Rapid Response Grant covers the period of director of LGBT Detroit, because “it May-September 2017. impacts the spirit of the picnic in Palmer “The Report, Respond and Rebuild Detroit (3-R Park on Saturday, and normally on any Detroit Initiative) will provide ground level effective given day in July, rain is a possibility. community education geared towards responding to hate So the fact that it stayed away this year crimes appropriately; dedicated rapid financial assistance made for a great day.” for legal services and representation to greatly increase Around 4,000 people attended the the successful resolution of the crime; and emergency picnic on July 29, an event that many financial assistance geared towards intersectional victim people look forward to at the end of a re-stabilization from the suffered,” said Serena week-long celebration of black LGBT Johnson, EQMI’s director of victim services. pride events hosted by LGBT Detroit. Johnson said the grant was a natural for EQMI as it The picnic featured live entertainment was in line with the work they already do. “The work is by local musicians like DJ Tone and the same,” she said. “The EQMI Department of Victim DJ Romeo, appearances by Rico Pruitt Services has been dedicated to working to combat hate and other models from event sponsor crimes and to educate the community for many years. The BlackBoyAddictionz.com, and the Jeynce Mizrahi hosted the legendary House of Mizrahi mini-ball during Hotter Than July. Below grant has provided additional resource, which has allowed legendary House of Mizrahi mini-ball. Taneisha McCarthy. BLT Photos: Jason Michael our advocates to increase their client caseloads as well as “We received great feedback on the increased the emergency financial resources we are able unique about it was they were mingling. ball,” said Jeynce Mizrahi, who gave to provide to individuals who have suffered from a hate It wasn’t just this generation over here away $1,300 in cash and 15 AT&T incident throughout these past few months.” and this generation to the left. They were tablets during the event. “People said In addition to being able to provide greater financial merged and participating in conversation it reminded them of something like resources to hate crime victims, the grant also allows for with each other. I think that was the best Coachella. It was just a festival of community meetings to increase awareness of hate crimes. part about it – seeing everyone share the celebration, freedom and love. People “3-R Detroit will provide deep community conversations experience.” are already talking about they can’t wait and small group meetings to engage people more fully,” Even Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan till next year.” said Johnson. “We will create an atmosphere of openness stopped by the picnic to show his Logan McClendon, who has been that works to remove perceived stigma and shame of support. attending the picnic for the past several LGBT hate crime victimization. By increasing education, “It was good that our mayor made an years said, “It’s the most I’ve enjoyed it awareness and empowerment, we will increase reporting appearance,” said Taneshia McCarthy. in all the years I’ve been going. I actually of hate crimes.” “It made me feel like our voices are stayed out there the longest amount of Johnson, herself, designed the educational component finally being heard and things are finally time I ever have. I don’t usually enjoy of the grant. starting to get done.” being outside, but I had fun. I got tested, It has included activities, brochures, group sessions and Lipscomb said the week went “well” I looked at all the booths and I enjoyed one-on-one meetings for clients in regards to gaining the and he noticed an increase in attendance a little bit of the ball even at the end.” knowledge of what a hate crime is, how they would report at all the events from the candlelight For Dontelle Smith, this was his first the crime, safety planning and prevention. To date, EQMI vigil to the opening party co-sponsored time at the picnic or any pride activity. has held four such community meetings, with two taking by Equality Michigan to the fine arts “It was a really fun experience,” he place in Grand Rapids and two in Detroit. reception and the annual gathering. people who gathered on July 30 for a said. “I would absolutely do it again. I “We have learned that the community is aware of the “Hotter Than July is the longest worship service at Whosoever Ministry enjoyed being around my friends and term ‘hate crime’ but in general have had no idea how to running gay black pride in the world,” United Church of Christ and brunch knowing there were so many people I report, respond or heal past many of the horrible incidents said LGBT Liaison Officer Dani Woods at Granite City Food & Brewery in could reach out to. It was great meeting that have happened,” Johnson said. “This short-term rapid of the Detroit Police Department during Detroit’s Renaissance Center, hosted by new people.” response grant has provided tremendous help to many the opening ceremony on July 25. the Billionaire Boys Club. Like Smith, Telly Harris was new within the LGBTQ community. But it has also shed light “There’s not a whole lot of things you “The week was amazing,” said to HTJ. He drove up from Louisville, on how grants and increased funding is needed far beyond can say ‘in the world’ about. This is a Jamesion King of LGBT Detroit. “A lot , to party with friends. a five-month period. So our work continues.” week-long event. It should be a year- of people really enjoyed themselves. It “I really loved it,” said Harris. “One long event. Seriously. Because this is was a wonderful experience.” thing that I observed is when you go pride and we should be proud of who If you have experienced discrimination, violence or harassment, to different prides or different events, we are and loving who we want to love contact the EQMI Department of Victim Services at usually you’ll see a big generational and being out in public doing our thing. To help LGBT Detroit plan for next year’s 313-537-7000 or visit the organization’s website divide and that wasn’t the case for this We need to show people who we are.” Hotter Than July celebration, connect online https://equalitymi.org/victim-services. pride. Every generation and population The week wrapped up with 100 or so at www.lgbtdetroit.org. had their spot there. But what was

10 BTL | August 3, 2017 www.PrideSource.com Carl Struble (left) cuts a ribbon to open the Jackson Pride Center with Nikki Joly, director of the center. BTL photo: Todd A. Heywood Jackson Hosts Inaugural Pride Celebration

BY KATE OPALEWSKI

The city of Jackson is getting ready for its first ever LGBTQ Pride celebration this month with a parade, flag raising and festival Aug. 5. The festivities, hosted by Nikki Joly and the Jackson Pride Center, show support for the LGBTQ community in Jackson, but also to let people outside of the community know that Jackson is an accepting and inclusive town. “I’m incredibly geeked,” said Joly, who is expecting well over 1,000 people to attend the Jackson Vice Mayor and Sixth Ward Councilman Derek inaugural event. Dobies. BTL Photo: Todd A. Heywood Joly said members of the Jackson community kept saying “let’s do something” following the the first pride celebration, which council passing of a non-discrimination ordinance in unanimously approved in June. April, which prohibits discrimination on the The parade will start at noon on the corner of basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Mechanic and Biddle Streets, and will march “The NDO was important to provide those to Michigan Street. The flag raising and pride protections, but also to make sure that we are festival will be at Horace Blackman Park a city that practices tolerance and inclusion, following the parade at 1 p.m. There will be a and outwardly shows that we view diversity Miss Jackson pageant as a strength, particularly within the city where and a Drag Queen Extravaganza Show hosted we’ve lost 40 percent of the population over by Delicious with special guests Pariis Wilson the past decades,” said Vice Mayor and Sixth and Destiny Deville. The festival will close Ward Councilman Derek Dobies, who will with a DJ dance party from 6-9 p.m. challenge Mayor Bill Jors for his seat in the On Aug. 6, the Jackson community is invited November election. Jors, who voted against the to the second annual “Love Is Love Is Love” NDO several times, did not respond to BTL’s interfaith worship service at 4 p.m. followed inquiry about the pride celebration in Jackson. by a picnic sponsored by PFLAG. “We need to put up a welcoming sign and Joly said they scheduled Jackson’s pride in work to attact new residents and businesses August because they want people from other and we certainly aren’t going to do that by communities to be able to attend. Everyone continuing to allow discrminatory practices is welcome to attend. A $10 donation is within our city,” said Dobies. “The NDO was suggested. a good first step toward progress and really showed people that if they love their city, the city is going to love them back.” For more information, visit the Jackson Pride Progress was made when the Jackson Pride Center’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/ Center opened in February, and now with jxnmipride. www.PrideSource.com August 3, 2017 | BTL 11 Remembering My ‘Friends of Dorothy’

Parting Glances OPINION BY CHARLES ALEXANDER

was in the Sunday habit, a few years back, of taking a suburban bus to Birmingham. Riding with me were regulars, most of whom were I off to church, or gave that halo’d impression by dress or demeanor. Motivated by whimsy by a half-hour drive of boredom, uneventful scenery, I dubbed these weekend travelers with romantic titles: The Dowager Empress, The Princess Royal, The Countess, The Waterloos. Looking up now and then from my newspaper, I made mental notes on this group of not unreasonably friendly faces, although as the saying goes, “distance lends enchantment to the view.” Dowager Empress and Princess Royal were Aunt Jean and niece Linda. (They were Catholic. Aunt Jean would dutifully – and quickly – cross herself when passing Royal Oak’s International Shrine of the Little Flower.) Aunt Jean had raised niece Linda “properly from early on.” Charitably, the two were wallflowers who blushed, rarely bloomed, lived mostly sight unseen. They had limited social life, used public transportation to get to shops, Big Boy restaurants for small and low-caloric, treaty non- adventures. When I came out, gays all Countess was middle-aged, a school teacher. Prim, proper, went by nicknames. We led a pleasant. She got off at People’s Community Church. She was Transmissions double life. Anonymity was a white. The congregation, persons must. You told no one where of heavenly color. I admired her spirit of integrated belonging. you worked, where you lived, Waterloos, Angie and Tony, were seniors. Tony told bus driver who your dates were. Stella he was “an energetic 85,” Transition the Battlefield his girl friend, a “keep-pace 67”. They were health food faddists, living on combined SS incomes. Angie, once a ballerina, chatted on and on about her glory days. Tony was an “expert” on New Testament numerology. 666. That sort of nonsense. Abruptly, the Waterloos went AWOL. I learned sometime later from BY GWENDLOLYN ANN SMITH SMART driver Stella that Angie had died in Tony’s arms following a brief illness. (I never saw ballerina-bereft, “energetic” Tony again.) What’s in a nickname? There was a time when gays and lived o matter how I put this, it feels like an disagreeing with the DOJ. and survived with only a nickname to negotiate by. Sometimes campy, understatement: we are living in increasingly Meanwhile, a move by Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo) to ban sometimes exotic, a colorful bit of ID rainbow. frightening and dangerous times. This is health care for transgender military personnel and their When I came out, gays all went by nicknames. We led a double life. N especially true for those of us who are transgender. families failed to pass in the House of Representatives, Anonymity was a must. You told no one where you worked, where you Sitting in a subcommittee right now in our House in spite of a pair of odd speeches in support by Steve lived, who your dates were. It was a big sin to out someone as gay, of Representatives is HR 2796, aka the Civil Rights King (R-IA) and Louie Gohmert (R-TX). King conflated especially to anyone who unfortunately happened to be straight. Uniformity Act of 2017. I spoke of this before. It would transgender troops to slaves forcibly conscripted and Nicknames did provide a clue as to whether or not a new face was do nothing less than void protections for transgender castrated in the ottoman empire, and suggested that trans “family,” “a friend of Dorothy” – reference to Judy Garland’s “The Wizard people under the Patient Protection and Affordable folks would join to somehow “game the system” for of Oz.” Care Act (“Obamacare”), the Civil Rights Act of 1964, surgical care, while Gohmert tried to draw a comparison Among my friends were Little Bobby, Marshmallow, Butch Jimmy, TD the Fair Housing Act, and “any Federal civil rights between money spent for transgender care and that used (Tall Dick - vertically speaking!), Estralita, Miss Bruce, Streeta Gayworth. law, and of any related ruling, regulation, guidance, or to defeat “radical Islam,” as if one would take away Among dykes: Drano, Speedy, Rusty, Sky, Big Red, Big Mamoo, Mack, interpretation of the various administrative bureaus and from the other. Bombshell Betty. agencies of the United States.” While the Hartzler amendment failed, it apparently As my imagination then was a long way behind in – I was Not apparently interested in waiting for HR 2796 to was not unnoticed President Donald Trump, who took shy, skinny, 19 – I called myself – rather uneventfully, I must confess – pass or fail, the Department of Justice under beleaguered to Twitter for one of his now-infamous tweetstorm cum Al. (Alexander the Great might have opened many doors, both private, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, has filed a legal brief policy statements. public and revolving.) in Zarda v. Altitude Express, claiming that Title VII “After consultation with my Generals and military A friend, Tom Ingersoll, a police precinct captain’s son (later caught of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 doesn’t cover sexual experts, please be advised that the United States in an after-hours police raid) took perverse delight in bestowing secret orientation. While the brief doesn’t mention gender Government will not accept or allow Transgender orientation specifically, we can guess where Session’s See next page DOJ might side. Oddly enough, the Equal Employment See next page Opportunity Commission has filed its own brief, 12 BTL | August 3, 2017 www.PrideSource.com ® Transmissions medications to all troops, trans or otherwise. Continued from p. 12 So we have a scattershot policy, dictated via social media without adequate consultation and individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. not tethered in fact. Transgender troops are in no Military,” said Trump. “Our military must be way bankrupting our armed forces, nor us there focused on decisive and overwhelming victory any evidence of them disrupting the service. BY D’ANNE WITKOWSKI and cannot be burdened with the tremendous Now plenty have said that Trumps tweets were Donald Trump medical costs and disruption that transgender in nothing more than a distraction, something to steal the military would entail.” the spotlight from news of the health care bill Trump, of course, cannot This is all nonsense. and its failure, or the increasingly dysfunctional meet and never has met the The military responded with surprise, having Administration, or the continuing Russia probe. apparently not been consulted on this policy. Maybe there is some truth to that, but I find military’s high standards, What’s more, Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, myself considering that a distraction ceases to be or the high standards of General Joseph Dunford, has stood in opposition, a distraction when it is harming people. stating in a memo that there are “no modifications Trump’s insistence on attacking transgender the presidency, for that to the current policy until the President’s direction soldiers, while his Department of Justice and has been received by the Secretary of Defense others attack and protections matter. He can’t even meet and the Secretary has issued implementation at the Federal level is causing real harm. It is the most basic standards guidelines.” seeking to establish a second – or even third – n July 26 at 8:55 a.m. Donald To date, no such implementation guidelines class status for transgender people in America, Trump Tweeted: “After of human decency. have arrived. barring us from rights and protections throughout Oconsultation with my Generals Trump seems somehow unaware that there our Federal Government. and military experts, please be advised that “feminists” and “the left” were are already transgender troops in our military. These are policies that could prevent our that the United States Government will emasculating the military’s culture “of While reported numbers have varied from as employment, our ability to find and retain housing, not accept or allow……” manhood and masculinity.” little as 250 to as many as 50,000, a study by to gain adequate healthcare, and an education in For nine long minutes there was no The right-wing demonization of the RAND Corporation in June 2016 estimated addition to halting those willing to kill people in followup Tweet. In fact, some members transgender people has been unrelenting somewhere between 1,320 to 6,630 active-duty the name of our country. These send a message of the Pentagon initially feared that Trump in the past few years. Having lost the trans service members out of a total pool of 1.3 that transgender people are simply unwelcome, was about to declare war. battle against marriage equality, keeping service members. What’s more, this same study and no longer a part of American society. It turns out that Trump was declaring trans folks out of public restrooms became noted that trans-related health care for these Of course, that also simply lumps us in with war, only it wasn’t on North Korea. It the new right-wing obsession. And since troops would cost somewhere between $2.4 and every other “undesirable” group that have was on transgender troops right here in they couldn’t keep gays and lesbians out $8.4 million per year. This is a drop in the bucket already been singled out: immigrants, people of the United States. of the military, they’ve moved the goal compared to current military spending. color, and other are certainly no strangers to the He followed his initial Tweet with posts again and put trans troops in the It is also a fifth of spending that the military machinations of this administration. two more that read,“….Transgender crosshairs. And they see Trump as their currently doles out for erectile dysfunction There is a bright spot in all this, however. individuals to serve in any capacity in political savior. While Trump and his administration – and, of the U.S. Military. Our military must be And Trump, who loves to be fawned course, those who seem hell-bent on following focused on decisive and overwhelming over, is more than happy to sacrifice trans Trump seems somehow unaware him no matter what – are willing to demonize victory and cannot be burdened with the troops if it means that the religious right that there are already transgender trans people, a growing coalition of others isn’t. tremendous medical costs and disruption will stick by him and his total failure of A Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll held between 226- that transgender in the military would a presidency. troops in our military. While reported 18 July found that 58 percent felt that transgender entail. Thank you.” As Alex Wagner pointed out in Slate, people should be allowed to serve in the military, Yes, he really ended the third Tweet trans troops are already serving. Wagner numbers have varied from as little compared to only 27 percent who said no. Even with “Thank you,” you know, like a warns that if Trump’s Tweets become as 250 to as many as 50,000, a amongst Republicans only, only 49 percent Commander In Chief does when he’s policy it would result in “a horrifying weren’t willing to support transgender people in singled out a vulnerable minority in his witch hunt” study by the RAND Corporation in the armed forces. own country’s military and fired them, “The military will be tasked to delve June 2016 estimated somewhere These are dark times, and I fear they will grow opening them up for scorn and ridicule. into the private lives of our armed forces grimmer, but we have one thing on our side: Since this radical policy change we’ve to identify trans troops—who were, between 1,320 to 6,630 active-duty public support for transgender people is growing seen many different responses to it. just a year ago, encouraged to serve as the dinosaurs fade. In that, we can find hope. Everything from “the military spends openly,” Wagner writes. “Such a purge trans service members out of a more money on Viagra than it does on of transgender individuals from the ranks Gwen Smith has never wished to serve in the military. total pool of 1.3 service members. trans health care” to “Uh, we’re the would represent an unprecedented attempt You’ll find her at www.gwensmith.com generals and military experts and we to socially engineer a military that is weren’t told shit about this” to “Trump finally is open to all Americans who can is a draft dodger who should be thankful meet its high standards.” there are people willing to volunteer for Imagine being a trans troop member, ® Parting Glances Entertainer names were always used as forms the armed forces.” open and brave and serving your country. Continued from p. 12 of polite show-biz address. Miss Rae Bourbon. In fact, as of July 31, the Pentagon had And the President of the United States Miss Chunga. Miss Lola Lola. Miss Vicki received no formal guidance regarding publicly declares you an enemy. Marlane. Fat Jack. Tabu. Chi Chi Latrine. My trans troops, according to ABC News. Trump, of course, cannot meet and never put-down nickies on rivals. Victory Garden. No favorite drag name’s a classic. Gay Cocken! It has And until that happens, well, nothing has met the military’s high standards, or No Nannette. H. Livonia Beckons. Lovely Hula a feygeleh ring to it. Yiddish: Little bird. . really happens. the high standards of the presidency, Hands. Tiny Tears (who cried non-stop during Gai Kokken. Go take a dump! So is Trump’s tweet just a meaningless for that matter. He can’t even meet the President Kennedy’s televised funeral). And not in the Betty Davis “what a dump” temper tantrum? Hardly. most basic standards of human decency. Tom’s nickname – bestowed by lover Paul sense, either. Oy, veh! Note that President Obama lifted Trump is a failure and a fraud. Lashing out – was Beads O’Bleach, given for hitting the the ban on trans service members. against Americans who are dedicated to peroxide bottle, with not infrequent patchwork Connect with Charles Alexander at Charles@ Conservatives were not happy. The this country and willing to risk their lives results. (God bless you, Tom. Missed now some pridesource.com Family Research Council’s Tony Perkins, for it, when Trump is neither, is beyond 45 years.) for example, lamented back in December shameful. www.PrideSource.com August 3, 2017 | BTL 13 NEWS

10 Days In, Pro-LGBT Scaramucci Out From Gen. Dunford: ‘No Modifications’ to Trans Military Service for Now White House Role those details come out,” Sanders said. BY CHRIS JOHNSON, WASHINGTON BLADE Pressed further on the timeline, Sanders said, “Again, I don’t have a Ten days after his appointment as White House specific timeline on what that looks like, communications director, which some hoped would change but I know they’re ready to start moving the administration’s approach to LGBT rights, Anthony and working on that implementation.” Scaramucci has left the role. Meanwhile, public officials and White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders transgender advocates continue to confirmed Scaramucci, nicknamed the “Mooch,” was set to exit comment on Trump’s decision to ban the White House after major media outlets reported the news. transgender people from the military. “Anthony Scaramucci will be leaving his role as White Carter told CBS News Trump’s ban House Communications Director,” Sanders said. “Mr. on transgender service is “social policy” Scaramucci felt it was best to give Chief of Staff John Kelly that would interfere with the mission of a clean slate and the ability to build his own team. We wish the U.S. military. him all the best.” “Quality people in uniform are what The 10 days Scaramucci occupied the White House were make our military the finest fighting marked by open assaults in the press against former White force the world has ever seen,” Carter House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, whom Scaramucci said. “I continue to maintain that what derided as being a leaker to the press and mocked as a matters in choosing those who serve is “paranoid schizophrenic” using colorful expletives. that they are best qualified. To choose Gen. Joseph Dunford has said there will be “no modifications” to transgender policy until further service members on other grounds than Scaramucci’s remarks to the New Yorker on Priebus guidance. File photo by Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Dominique A. Pineiro via Wikimedia soaked up a lot of the attention last week, when the Senate military qualifications is social policy was considering and failed to pass a measure to repeal and BY CHRIS JOHNSON, WASHINGTON BLADE exact nature of his policy isn’t yet and has no place in our military. There replace Obamacare. fleshed out. are already transgender individuals who The Wall Street financier-turned-White House The top uniformed military adviser “In the meantime, we will continue are serving capably and honorably. This communications director also bemoaned the publication of to President Trump has told his to treat all personnel with respect,” action would also send the wrong signal his personal finance document, even though they’re publicly subordinates the U.S. military will have Dunford writes. “As importantly, given to a younger generation thinking about available. Additionally, Scaramucci’s wife, Deidre Scaramucci, “no modifications” to its policy allowing the current fight and the challenges we military service.” announced last week she’d file for divorce shortly after his transgender troops to serve until further face, we will all remain focused on Trump’s decision to bar transgender appointment even though she’s nine months pregnant, citing guidance from the White House. accomplishing our assigned missions.” service in the armed forces comes after his “naked ambition.” Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of During the White House briefing the U.S. House rejected an amendment Priebus, former chair of the Republican National Committee, Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford made July 27, White House Press Secretary proposed by Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R- reportedly objected to Scaramucci’s appointment as White assurances the policy will be the same Sarah Huckabee Sanders was unable Mo.) to bar transition-related care for House communications director on the basis of his outsider for time being – despite Trump’s tweets to provide information on whether transgender service members. status. Also opposing Scaramucci’s appointment was former announcing a ban transgender service additional guidance from Trump would Media outlets reported Trump issued White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, who resigned in – in a message to the military service be forthcoming – or whether it would his ban on transgender military service in the aftermath. chiefs, commanders and senior enlisted affect transgender people currently in exchange for lawmakers who supported A self-proclaimed “gay rights activist,” Scaramucci in leaders obtained the Washington Blade service. the measure to support funding for his November predicted Trump would support LGBT rights as and other media outlets. “As I said yesterday, the White House U.S.-Mexico border wall. president and said he gave money to LGBT groups. “I know there are questions about will work with the Department of During his weekly news conference, “I’m also a gay rights activist,” Scaramucci said. “You can yesterday’s announcement on the Defense and all of the relevant parties to House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said look it up. I’ve given to American Unity PAC, I’ve given to the transgender policy by the President,” make sure that we fully implement this he’ll await the forthcoming guidance Human Rights Campaign, I’m for marriage equality. And by Dunford writes. “There will be no policy moving forward, and do so in a from the Pentagon before commenting the way, this’ll be the first American president in U.S. history modification to the current policy lawful manner,” Sanders said. on the transgender ban. that enters the White House with a pro-gay rights stance.” until the President’s direction has Asked if Trump was aware he can’t “The concern here in the House Some hoped Scaramucci would move the administration been received by the Secretary of make policy changes on Twitter, Sanders was whether or not the military will away from assaults on LGBT rights upon his appointment as Defense and the Secretary has issued replied, “I think he was making the be forced to pay for these surgical communication director, but those hopes were quickly dashed. implementation guidance.” announcement of the policy change.” procedures,” Ryan said. “I share those Days after Scaramucci came to the White House, the Trump Under the Obama administration, Pressed further on whether that means concerns. The question on the broader administration unleashed a torrent of anti-LGBT attacks. former Defense Secretary Ashton Carter his policy hasn’t yet been formulated, issue – that is being reviewed by the In one day, Trump announced he’d ban transgender people lifted the medical regulation barring Sanders said the White House and the DOD and the White House, and I look from the armed forces “in any capacity,” his Justice Department transgender people from serving openly Pentagon “will have to work out the forward seeing what it is that they voluntarily filed a legal brief asserting gay people have no legal in the armed forces, allowing them to details on how that all moves forward to actually produce.” protections under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and come out without fear of discharge. They lawfully implement that policy changes Pressed further on the issue, Ryan he appointed as ambassador at large for international religious were also eligible to receive transition- from this point.” repeated, “DOD is reviewing this with freedom Gov. Sam Brownback, who’s renowned for related care, such as hormone therapy Sanders also professed to have no the White House. I want to see what it undermining LGBT rights in the name of “religious liberty.” and gender reassignment surgery, information when asked how long it is they actually produce.” It’s not the first time Scaramucci was given a White House through the military’s health system. would take until the White House knows This article originally appeared in the position that was later gone. At the start of the administration, Trump’s tweets last week declaring the details of the new policy. Washington Blade and is made available in Scaramucci was initially named head of the White House transgender people won’t be allowed “I don’t have a specific timeline but I partnership with the National Gay Media Office of Public Engagement, but the appointment was later to serve in the U.S. military “in any believe they’re going to start moving on Association. rescinded. capacity” changed that, although the it quickly, but we’ll keep you posted as

14 BTL | August 3, 2017 www.PrideSource.com 45 Senators Call on Mattis to Resist Trump’s Transgender Military Ban BY CHRIS JOHNSON, WASHINGTON BLADE unable to meet these challenges. military would be cruel and discriminatory,” there’s a problem that’s been proven – then An estimated 15,000 service members in the letter says. “It would harm our readiness by I’m not going in with the idea that I’m going A bipartisan group of 45 senators led by armed forces are transgender. They were able denying the military of these service members’ to review these and right away start rolling Trump Tweets U.S. Military ‘Will Not Accept or Allow’ Trans Troops Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) are calling to serve openly as result of former Defense capabilities and requiring the military to something back.” on Defense Secretary James Mattis to resist Secretary Ashton Carter lifting the ban on replace them at a time when the recruiting pool Dana White, a Pentagon spokesperson, President Trump in his plan to bar transgender transgender military service last year. (A plan for the services continues to shrink.” said in response to the letter the Defense people from the U.S. armed forces. to allow openly transgender people to enlist Among the signers of the letters are Sen. Department remains in a holding position on “We strongly oppose this policy change, starting July 1 was put on hold six months by Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), the only out lesbian transgender service. and urge you to advise the president against Mattis, who announced he needed to further in Congress, as well as Senate Minority Leader “The Department of Defense is awaiting it,” the letter says. “This announcement time review the issue.) Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Bernie formal guidance from the White House as contradicts existing Defense Department On July 26, Trump made a surprise Sanders (I-Vt.). The sole Republican to sign a follow-up to the Commander-in-Chief’s policies, undermines our military readiness announcement on Twitter transgender people the letter is Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine). announcement on military service by and puts our transgender service members as won’t be able serve in the armed forces “in any The senators may find a sympathetic ear. transgender personnel,” White said. “We will well as their commanders in an impossible capacity,” raising questions about the extent During his confirmation hearing in January, provide detailed guidance to the Department situation.” of his plan and whether openly transgender Mattis indicated he didn’t plan to reverse the in the near future for how this policy change In the letter, dated July 28, the senators people already in the military will be able to changes in the U.S. military for gay and will be implemented. The Department will write “at a minimum” the Pentagon shouldn’t keep their jobs. service members. continue to focus on our mission of defending separate any service members based on their Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. “I believe that military service is a touchstone our nation and on-going operations against our gender identity until the transgender service Joseph Dunford wrote in a memo there would for patriots of whatever stripe,” Mattis said. foes, while ensuring all service members are review Mattis announced June 30 is complete; be “no modifications ” to the policy allowing “It’s simply the way that they demonstrate treated with respect.” he’s reported back to Congress challenges he transgender people to serve until further White their commitment. And I believe that right This article originally appeared in the Washington foresees in retaining and recruiting transgender House guidance. now the policies that are in effect – unless a troops; and has determined the Pentagon is “Forcing these brave Americans out of our service chief brings something to me where Blade and is made available in partnership with the National Gay Media Association. Texas Senate Advances Anti-Transgender Bathroom Bill BY CHRIS JOHNSON, WASHINGTON BLADE case on the Senate floor would be a “solution to reject the nation the transgender bathroom said. “That should have sent a message to for Texas” to ensure safety and privacy in the bill is necessary for privacy, according to the senators: Texans don’t want their government The Texas State approved legislation on July restrooms, according to the Texas Tribune. Texas Tribune. to write discrimination into law. They don’t 25 that would bar transgender kids from using Although the Texas legislature couldn’t On Friday, a Texas Senate committee want their legislators to be chasing phantom certain restrooms consistent with their gender agree on anti-transgender bill during its approved the legislation by an 8-1 vote despite problems, especially not when the purported identity, inching the state closer to enacting the general session, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott 10 hours of testimony in which opponents of solution could send shockwaves through law despite objections the from transgender called lawmakers back into a special session the legislation outnumbered its supporters advocates, the business community and law this summer to ensure passage of legislation. 13 to 1. Texas’ economy and harm transgender and enforcement. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has made barring Transgender advocates blasted the Texas non-transgender Texans alike.” By a 21-10 vote, the chamber approved transgender from using restrooms consistent Senate for approving the measure, saying Senate Bill 3 is similar to ’s Senate Bill 3, which would bar schools with their gender identity a personal legislative its passage would harm transgender children anti-LGBT House Bill 2, which resulted in an from allowing transgender students to use priority. trying to learn in school. estimated loss of $600 million for the state in the restroom of their choice and undercut The Texas Senate approves the legislation Mara Keisling, executive director of the economic boycott before lawmakers replaced municipal non-discrimination protections for despite objections from companies large and National Center for Transgender Equality, the measure. LGBT rights supporters say the transgender people in restrooms, locker rooms small that operate in Texas. In a letter dated said in a statement the advancement of Senate new law is still discriminatory. and athletic activities. July 17, 16 -area CEOs – including Bill 3 is a “groundless attack on transgender JoDee Winterhof, senior vice president of The bill now heads to the House, where its American Airlines, AT&T and BNSF Railway children.” policy and political affairs at the Human Rights fate is uncertain. Texas House Speaker Joe – urged Abbott to reject the bill because it “When hundreds of Texans – including Campaign, said in a statement Senate Bill 3 is Strauss has objected to legislation that seeks “threatens our ability to attract and retain the educators, law enforcement officers, women’s to undermine transgender people’s access to best talent in Texas, as well as the greatest rights activists, business leaders, and more – a “blatantly discriminatory bill, demonstrating the restroom, but that might not be enough to sporting and cultural attractions in the world.” came to Austin last Friday to testify on SB yet again that these lawmakers care more about stop passage of the bill. Law enforcement officials have also voiced 3, the overwhelming majority spoke out in pursuing cheap political points than protecting State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham), opposition. On Tuesday, police chiefs from opposition to discrimination, outnumbering the lives of transgender Texans.” the sponsor of the bill in Senate, made the large cities in Texas gathered at the Capitol the supporters of the bill 13 to 1,” Keisling

www.PrideSource.com August 3, 2017 | BTL 15

NGLCC Celebrates 15 Years of Supporting LGBT Businesses

BY MARK LEE, WASHINGTON BLADE expanding economic opportunities for LGBT people, and the exclusive certifying body for LGBT-owned businesses, The historically unparalleled accelerated advancement NGLCC and its affiliate local chambers provide direct B2B in LGBT cultural acceptance and civil equality has been networking opportunities. Resource sharing, skills training, successful and strengthened in large part due to the engagement corporate collaborations and business policy advocacy make of the business community. No greater ally has served as a membership a value-added premium proposition for local more effective advocate for fair treatment and evenhanded LGBT enterprise. opportunity. Nelson looks to the future first by looking back at the A disproportionate engagement in commerce by the successes so far, pointing out that “NGLCC has spent the LGBT community is a primary contributing hallmark of this last 15 years helping more LGBT Americans gain access to accomplishment. the American Dream than ever had it before. And yet, we’ve The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce will barely scratched the surface of what we can do. As more be celebrating both that legacy and the organization’s 15th corporations and government agencies intentionally include anniversary this week in . our certified LGBTBEs, more opportunities to create jobs and More than 1,000 entrepreneurs, corporate decision-makers, innovate industries will spring up in every state in the country. leaders from 52 affiliated local chambers nationwide - NGLCC co-founder Justin Nelson is celebrating the organization’s 15th NGLCC-certified companies are continually proving one of alongside federal, state, and city government officials from anniversary. Washington Blade photo Michael Key our favorite mottos true: ‘If you can buy it, a certified LGBT across the country and representatives from around the world - Business Enterprise can supply it.’” will gather Aug. 1-4 at the 2017 NGLCC International Business “Every single day our community is building equity by and Leadership Conference. LGBT people exist in every community, and as industries opening new local businesses, and by expanding operations This benchmark is the result of a shared vision by co- modernize there will always be LGBT business owners at the of larger LGBT-owned companies to countries around the founders Justin Nelson, NGLCC president, and Chance forefront delivering the goods and services this country needs world,” Mitchell adds. Mitchell, who serves as CEO. to stay competitive in a globalized economy.” Nelson confidently predicts, “The next 15 years will be An organization literally launched around a coffee table NGLCC is continuously connecting with LGBT businesses focused entirely on gaining more ground for our community is now the voice for the nation’s 1.4 million LGBT business throughout the country, and increasingly interacting with to thrive economically - in America and around the globe.” owners and the $1.7 trillion those enterprises add to the owners and operators in localities large and small. In order Additional information on NGLCC programs and activities, national economy each year. NGLCC enjoys the support and to better reach them, NGLCC has initiated regional “road participation of more than 150 corporate partners as well as shows” and digital interfaces to provide communities new membership opportunities, and identification of local chamber prominent executive leadership in striving to promote pro- service platforms. affiliates nationwide is available online at NGLCC.org. business and LGBT-inclusive policies. In 2004, the organization introduced a best-in-class “Back in 2002 we realized that too few government leaders diversity certification program that, according to NGLCC and corporate executives had considered the economic equality senior vice-president Jonathan Lovitz, distinguished “the of LGBT people or the impact economics could have on the organization [as] the exclusive national third-party certifying future of the equality movement,” notes Nelson. “So with a body for LGBT-owned businesses. LGBT Business Enterprise few forward-thinking corporate partners and a small network (LGBTBE) Certification is now in use by more than one-third of LGBT business owners willing to tell their story, NGLCC of Fortune 500 companies, as well as federal, state and local was born.” governments.” Co-founder Mitchell describes those early days, recalling Mitchell added, “the positive responses received when that “word began to spread about NGLCC very quickly, we began certifying LGBT Business Enterprises showed us thanks to outlets like the Washington Blade and Out magazine we were on the right track. In the little more than a decade recognizing the previously underreported strength and promise since, we have certified nearly 1,000 companies. The spikes of the LGBT business community. That proved what we, and in certification and the influence of the LGBT business our NGLCC corporate partners, always believed: economic and community and our business allies parallel the milestones in social visibility go hand-in-hand as we march toward equality LGBT community advancement. That will only be further and opportunity for all.” strengthened as more corporations intentionally stand with the “We needed a way to showcase that LGBT people were LGBT community by including our businesses in their daily a vital part of America as business owners and employers,” operations and supply chains.” Nelson emphasizes. “LGBT business owners were, and are, an More than 150 corporations now seek out LGBT suppliers essential part of the engine that makes the U.S. economy run and recent changes to the HRC Corporate Equality Index, and therefore deserve an equal place at the table.” fully implemented last year, now measure LGBT supplier LGBT businesses have always represented a uniquely contracting policies as a stand-alone scoring criteria. This large proportion of the community, contrasted with other motivates more than 500 large enterprises to interface with demographics. An estimated 10 percent of lesbians and gays LGBT businesses in order to attain a positive ranking or are among the ranks of corporate owners, small and moderate- preserve a perfect rating. In addition, several states now require sized business operators, and leadership in commerce. or promote inclusion of LGBT businesses in contracting. “Business ownership thrives in the LGBT community Four years ago, the organization launched NGLCC Global, because we have all learned to be the entrepreneurs of our connecting LGBT-owned and allied companies, multinational own lives,” explains Mitchell regarding this modern gay corporations and international affiliate chamber leaders and metier. “LGBT business owners prove that being out and being members on five continents. successful does not have to be mutually exclusive.” NGLCC this year released a groundbreaking “America’s Mitchell hastens to add, looking to the future, “the American LGBT Economy Report” – the first-ever exploration of the workforce will be younger, more diverse, and more inclusive economic impact of LGBT-owned businesses on the U.S. than ever before in the years ahead, and with that comes the economy. opportunity to innovate and collaborate across communities in Beyond its signature role as the business voice of the LGBT ways that continue to shatter stereotypes and misconceptions. community, the largest advocacy organization dedicated to www.PrideSource.com August 3, 2017 | BTL 19 ‘Kinky Boots’ Star on Finding His Courage and Inspiring ‘Little Todricks’

BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI

odrick Hall grew up in Plainview, Texas, with a dream to be “one of these black Twomen who could sing all these crazy notes.” It is, after all, in his blood – his cousin is none other than “Dreamgirls” song slayer Jennifer Holliday. But first, as a child, the aspiring soul singer found life in “The Little Mermaid,” replicating Ariel’s crimson hair with a red towel on his head and gadgets and gizmos a-plenty. Clasping a fork, he created a makeshift fishtail by binding his feet together with a water hose. Meanwhile, to channel another shero of his, Catwoman, he got his hands on some blue tape, nails and a jump rope, which doubled as his whip and tail. “My backyard was my playground,” the 32-year-old singer says of his childhood, when he discovered another one of his female role models: Mariah Carey. His adoration for the biracial diva ran deep. “I think I just was more inspired to be like Mariah Carey,” he says. In 1993, he made a revelation after seeing the “Dreamlover” music video: “I was like, ‘Oh my god.’ I had never seen anyone who appeared to be Caucasian sound like that. I was just fascinated.” His propensity for female vocalists extended to Lauryn Hill’s singing in “Sister Act 2” and Brandy in the Whitney -as-the-fairy- godmother version of “Cinderella,” along with ’90s R&B girl-group sensation SWV. And, because he felt destined to become all these ladies, “I would practice day in and day out.” That practice led Hall beyond his own backyard, from ballet at age 9 to “The Color Purple” with “American Idol” alum Fantasia Barrino. Then, in 2009, he impressed the “American Idol” judges himself, nabbing a spot in the semi-finals. With vocal tributes to artists such as Rihanna, Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, his “4” series on YouTube gave his career a nice boost. (Soon, he says he’ll be honoring his childhood idol with a webisode dedicated to Mariah Carey: “I just have to be on vocal rest for, like, three weeks; her music is so hard!”) After releasing an ambitious, 57-minute conceptual album in 2016 and replacing Billy Porter in “Kinky Boots” on Broadway that same year, Hall says, “I think my younger self would be really shocked (about my career now) because I didn’t have very high expectations for my life, and I’ve just gotten to do some really, really cool things I never Photo: AwesomenessTV thought I’d get to do.”

20 BTL | August 3, 2017 www.PrideSource.com The album, called “Straight Outta Oz,” being himself has been his greatest asset. He reflects thoughtfully and powerfully on Hall’s says he was offered the role of Lola, the lead coming-of-age as a gay black kid in Plainview, in “Kinky Boots,” “without even auditioning, through his rise to fame while struggling to because they felt my story was so similar to adjust to a new life in Los Angeles. “Color” that of Lola’s.” ruminates on his first boyfriend, a handsome “It’s opened up so many doors,” he blithely Londoner named Garrett, “the first to really adds. know me.” Visually, it replicates Dorothy’s Hall’s galvanizing story is the kind that own life in a new world, as yellows, blues makes for movie magic, which is what and greens pop into the video’s stark, black- filmmaker Katherine Fairfax Wright set out to and-white frame. create with the new documentary “Behind the Guest stars include “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Curtain: Todrick Hall,” currently making its vets , Bob the Drag Queen and Willam Belli, as well as Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Nicole film fest rounds. The documentary goes deep Scherzinger and, as Hall’s mother, Amber into the entertainer’s struggles to find his place Riley, who contributes the moving tearjerker in Hollywood as a gay black man. “There’s not “See Your Face,” about a woman yearning for a lot of roles for gay African-American men,” her distant son. “Got a picture framed of you he says during the film. “I was like, ‘I’m gonna on stage at your very first ballet, and I know create my own opportunities because they that you won’t answer,” she wrenchingly sings, don’t exist if I don’t.’” “but I’ll call you twice a day, just in case today His moxie and unflappable ambition might be the day I get to see your face.” resulted in 16 videos – miraculously, all shot For Hall, “I think I was honestly very in two weeks – for “Straight Outta Oz,” its naive growing up and thought I was a Disney creation covered in depth during Wright’s princess my whole life,” he says, laughing. “Behind the Curtain.” Post “Straight Outta “I still kind of think I do feel that way! So, Oz,” he began receiving calls from Broadway I didn’t feel super different as a child, minus producers. Publishers offered him book deals. the moments where my dad made me feel Even Taylor Swift, who came to see him in really weird. My mom always applauded me “Kinky Boots,” is a fan – and friend – now. for wanting to do ballet. But I didn’t attach a During Thanksgiving last year, Hall sexual orientation to my life until much later.” celebrated with Swift and her crew, and – like a Though he grew up feeling fearless, when he full-circle dream come true – the two even sat moved to L.A. to pursue showbiz, “I learned how to be insecure and I learned how to doubt down at a piano to sing “Part of Your World” myself.” Ashamed of his race and sexuality, from “The Little Mermaid.” “It was such an he admits, “I didn’t really believe in myself.” epic moment,” he recalls, gushing about how “I wished I could change so I could be she’s the “ultimate great best friend.” more successful commercially,” he recalls. “She gives me the best advice,” he continues, “I remember being on ‘American Idol’ and I “and when I watch her, it’s much like watching couldn’t be myself. I had to talk a certain way RuPaul – RuPaul is not only where he is to (host) Ryan Seacrest. I was just so nervous because he’s a legend in his own right, he that people would figure out my secret.” treats every single person who he works for Even if “this is gonna sound really crazy,” and works with so well and that’s why he has during a rough patch with his mom caused people who’ve been around him for years.” by his relationship with Garrett (they’ve After guest-judging “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” since reconciled), he found comfort in Nicole Hall’s relationship with the drag and cultural Richie. He says the star and her reality show, icon has given him new aspirations: He, like “The Simple Life,” were his pick-me-ups. “I RuPaul, hopes to empower people who once just think she’s so funny and so whippety,” felt as discouraged and hopeless as him. he says. “I literally had dreams about being “Every time I sit next to RuPaul on our friends with her. So, when I meet her one day, panel, I’m like, ‘I want to be this one day.’ I’m gonna lose my mind.” When you walk into a room and people say, Now, “not only am I not ashamed,” he ‘Thank you for doing what you have done.’” asserts, “I’m so proud to be an openly gay black man and so proud that me using my “I wanna be somebody who’s a trailblazer voice to tell my story can help people.” His for our community – so a little Todrick in journey through self-discovery and into Texas right now can look up to me and say, empowerment is mirrored in his work, where ‘You know what? I can do it because Todrick did it.’” INFO As editor of Q Syndicate, the international LGBT Todrick Hall @ wire service, Chris Azzopardi has interviewed a OUTFest multitude of superstars, including Meryl Streep, 8 p.m. Aug. 5 Mariah Carey and Beyonce. Reach him via his Kerrytown, Ann Arbor website at www.chris-azzopardi.com and on a2outfest.com Twitter (@chrisazzopardi). www.PrideSource.com August 3, 2017 | BTL 21 6 20 2 24 25 B 4 14 16 9 22 21 8 23 5 7

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22 BTL | August 3, 2017 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com August 3, 2017 | BTL 23 Royal Oak Mayor Says Farmers Market Will Stay Open

Residents in Royal Oak have expressed past few years and values its role in our their concerns on Facebook about community,” he wrote. redevelopment plans in the city. A petition “We can all agree, the Royal Oak Farmers called “Save the Royal Oak Farmers Market is a jewel in our city. The proposed Market” has been circulating after the Royal Oak Civic Center development will city commission proposed a new city hall enhance the market by adding parking, and police headquarters, which residents additional outdoor vendor space and creating believe will threaten the ROFM’s existence more opportunities for both residents and “by eliminating significant surface parking visitors to enjoy what we think is the best through poorly planned city development suburban farmers market in the region. The projects and gifts to developers.” implied suggestion that the city commission In response to the petition, on July 27, is forsaking the farmers market is unfounded Mayor Michael Fournier issued a statement and untrue. We encourage you to visit romi. on the ROFM’s Facebook page. gov/civiccenter.” “At no point have city officials ever Visit the ROFM’s Facebook page http:// considered closing or jeopardizing the gaybe.am/V5 to read more about what the market. The city has invested thousands residents in the city of Royal Oak have to of dollars improving the market over the say.

Comedian Returns Home for Royal Oak Performance

J Chris Newberg is funny. Ask him. He will disagree, but in a way that is probably humorous. He has performed on “America’s Got Talent,” but lost to dancers that sparkle. He has also been on the “Tonight Show,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and Comedy Central. He has toured nationally in arenas with Dane Cook, internationally in stadiums with Russell Peters and written songs for “American Idol”. He is, in fact, the funniest person that you have never heard of. Yet. Cedric The Entertainer agrees saying, “He has got an odd sense of humor and he is unique in his point and is currently writing at E! He doesn’t ask you of view. His quirkiness and his own kind of to think. He’ll do that for you. Just watch and demeanor are things that can go a long way in listen and then tweet your friends and pretend this business. Talented folks will see it, and the you wrote it. Newberg will perform Aug. 10-12 industry will see it.” Newberg also writes jokes, at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, 310 South a lot of them. Some of your favorite comedians Troy St. in Royal Oak. Doors open at 6:30 have used his jokes on “SNL,” “Late Night p.m. Daniel Weingarten will also appear with With David Letterman,” “Chelsea Lately” and MC Melanie Hearn. Tickets are $10 for the “The Conan O’Brien Show.” Newberg recently 18 and over show. For more information, visit finished being lead writer on “Idiotest” for GSN http://comedycastle.com.

24 BTL | August 3, 2017 www.PrideSource.com See page 24

www.PrideSource.com August 3, 2017 | BTL 25 Support the Fight Against Human Trafficking Detroit bred hearthrobs Brother Son will perform during the first ever Free Flow Festival and Waterfront Concert from 6-10 p.m. on Aug. 4 at the historic Belle Isle Boathouse to benefit Sanctum House - a safe home in Royal Oak for survivors of human trafficking to heal and rebuild their lives. Other performers include Gwen Foxx and Kory Barksdale. Food will be provided. Cash bar with beer and wine available. Tickets are $20. All proceeds benefit Sanctum House. For more information, call 248-918-3547 or visit www. sanctumhouse.org/belleislefundraiser.

Jackson Pride March and Parade 12 Sunday, Aug. 6 p.m. Flag raising and rally immediately OUTINGS OUTFest & Pride Picnic A community following the march in Horace Blackman celebration. Jim Toy Community Center, Detroit Dance City Festival Park on the corner of Jackson and Thursday, Aug. 3 319 Braun Ct., Ann Arbor. 734-995- Michigan streets. Jackson Pride Trivia with Terry 8 p.m. Aut Bar, 315 9867. www.jimtoycenter.org/outfest Share your love of dance in the city at 1:30 Braun Ct., Ann Arbor. www.autbar.com Center, 801 S. Mechanic, Jackson. p.m. on Aug. 18-20 with performances by www.facebook.com/Jackson-Pride- Love is Love is Love Interfaith Worship Karaoke Night 10 p.m. 18+, free cover Center-342478499468836/ Service 4 p.m. Hosted by Jackson dancers, musicians and performance artists. 21+ Lipgloss Productions, 1247 Center Together, Jackson Pride Center, First Caregiving Resource Workshop 1 p.m. Detroit Dance City Festival is a three-day St., Lansing. www.spiraldancebar.com Congregational Church UCC of Jackson, Please register by phone. Free event. St. Johns United Church of Christ/United international festival full of performance, Discuss nutrition, finances, veterans Center, Westminster Presbyterian Church Friday, Aug. 4 resources, exercise and fitness, and networking, classes and more that will give of Jackson and Universalist Unitarian Turn Up Fridays 9 p.m. $5 for 18+ until community resources. AARP and DMC, Church of East Liberty. Jackson Together participants, dancers and non-dancers alike a further connection to dance and the city of Detroit. 11 p.m., $10 after. No cover for 21+ 3990 John R. Road, Detroit. 877-926- and others, 212 W. Michigan Ave., until 11 p.m., $5 after. Music by Klees. 8300. The event takes place at the Detroit Institute of Arts - Summer Stage, 5200 Woodward Ave. in Spiral, 1247 Center St., Lansing. www. Jackson. http://gaybe.am/Yi Detroit. For more information, call 313-833-7900 or visit www.detroitdancecityfestival.com. spiraldancebar.com 1st Annual Miss Jackson Gay Pride Pageant 2 p.m. Winner takes Monday, Aug. 7 cash, crown and the title of the first Brotherhood of Support 6 p.m. For Saturday, Aug. 5 ever reigning queen. Winner will also transmasculine identified people ages Smart Recovery 10 a.m. Smart Recovery headline the Drag Queen Extravaganza 16 and older. Group is affiliated with support-discussion-groups offers people with any type of addiction a following the pageant. Registration fee: Talk Tuesday 6 p.m. The topic of Breaking the Cycle 6 p.m. Help with FtM Detroit. FtM A2 Ypsi, 319 Braun place to learn how to change unwanted $50 Pariis Wilson and Jackson Gay discussion will be Detroit. LGBT Detroit, quitting tobacco class for LGBTQ people. Court, Ann Arbor. 734-995-9867. www. behaviors through cognitive based Pride, 212 W. Michigan Ave., Jackson. 20025 Greenfield Road, Detroit. www. Wednesday, Aug. 9 Deadline to register is Aug. 8. Email or jimtoycenter.org/ lgbtdetroit.org call Heather Aymer. LGBT Detroit, 290 W. methods. This is a non-12 step program, www.facebook.com/Jackson-Pride- Senior Koffee Klatch 1 p.m. A discussion Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. 248-398- led by Smart Recovery trainers, and does Center-342478499468836/ Transition 2.0 7 p.m. Facilitated by and networking group for people Coming Out Together 7 p.m. A 7105. [email protected] www. not require abstinence. Affirmations, 290 Hannah Hartley, this group is focused 45 years of age and older. Various Men’s Discussion Group 6 p.m. Field confidential discussion group covering all lgbtdetroit.org W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. 248-398- on the art of transition. Integrate safely discussion topics, social outings and trip to Belle Isle, Aquarium, Conservatory aspects of coming out and the effects it 7105. www.goaffirmations.org/programs- and positively into society. Open to all. potlucks are incorporated throughout Affirmations, 290 W. Nine Mile Road, may have on your life. Affirmations, 290 FtM Detroit Support Group 7 p.m. services/support-discussion-groups Affirmations, 290 W. Nine Mile Road, the year. Affirmations, 290 W. Nine Mile Ferndale. 248-398-7105. www. W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. 248-398- Support is limited to transmasculine, AFAB Ferndale. 248-398-7105. www. Road, Ferndale. 248-398-7105. www. Coming Out Over Coffee 10:30 a.m. goaffirmations.org 7105. www.goaffirmations.org people who no longer identify as female, A casual discussion group covering all goaffirmations.org goaffirmations.org/programs-services/ or are questioning, and their guests. FtM GLBT AA 8 p.m. Jim Toy Community Narcotics Anonymous 7 p.m. support-discussion-groups Detroit, 290 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. aspects of coming out and the effects it UNPLUGGED Social and Support Group Center, 319 Braun Court, Ann Arbor. 734- Affirmations, 290 W. Nine Mile Road, 248-398-7105. [email protected] may have on your life. Affirmations, 290 7 p.m. First Monday of every month. 3rd Annual LGBT Community Chat 6 995-9867. www.Jimtoycenter.org Ferndale. 248-398-7105. www. W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. 248-398- For those shunned, disfellowshipped goaffirmations.org/programs-services/ p.m. LGBT Liaison Officer Dani Woods 7105. www.goaffirmations.org/programs- Kiki Saturdays 9 p.m. 18+, guest or excommunicated from their religion, support-discussion-groups will host this event where members of Thursday, Aug. 10 services/support-discussion-groups entertainers, 10 p.m. drag show Spiral, family or friends for being LGBTQ. law enforcement will engage with the All Day Fundraiser for Affirmations 11 1247 Center St., Lansing. www. Affirmations, 290 W. Nine Mile Road, Transgender Life Support 7 p.m. community, allies, and local organizations a.m. A percentage of the day’s net sales Neighborhoods Day 11 a.m. Help An open discussion group for people beautify LGBT Detroit’s #SafeBraveSpace. spiraldancebar.com Ferndale. [email protected] to help improve public trust and establish will be donated to the center, including www.goaffirmations.org identifying as transgender and their positive relationships. Detroit Police dine-in and carry-out orders. Affirmations, Free food and drinks provided. LGBT DJ & Dancing 10 p.m. Aut Bar, 315 Braun allies. Affirmations, 290 W. Nine Mile Detroit, 20025 Greenfield Road, Detroit. Department, 19013 Woodward Ave. and 240 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale. ktaylor@ Ct., Ann Arbor. www.autbar.com Road, Ferndale. 248-398-7105. www. Merrill Plaisance, Detroit. goaffirmations.org www.facebook.com/ www.lgbtdetroit.org Tuesday, Aug. 8 goaffirmations.org/programs-services/

26 BTL | August 3, 2017 www.PrideSource.com The Seagull Tickets: $12 . Slipstream Theatre Initiative, Slipstream Theatre, 460 Hilton Road, Ferndale. Through Aug. 13. 3139869156. www.slipstreamTI.com 5th Annual Sidewalk ART ‘N’ AROUND Affirmations “Remix Reframe: the Work Festival of the Arts of Aimee Michele Coldren” Opening reception Aug. 3 at 7 p.m. Pittman-Puckett This year’s two-day Sidewalk Festival of the Arts explores Gallery, 290 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. the power of a moment and the lasting impact of people’s Aug. 3 - Sep. 30. www.goaffirmations.org choices – both as individuals and collectively as a society. Casa de Rosado “Intersections: a Todd House of Bastet Heywood photo exhibit” reporter Todd For the first time, over 50 curated artists were invited Heywood shares images of extremist to create original work around the theme, “Radical and hate groups taken in Michigan in the past 15 years. Casa de Rosado, Moment(um).” Each year artists are challenged to create 204 E. Mt. Hope, Lansing. July 16 work in alleys, storefronts, sidewalks, parking lots and the - Aug. 6. www.facebook.com/Casa-de- roofless warehouses of Artist Village. The festival is from 7-10 p.m. on Aug. 4 and 3-10 p.m. on Aug. Rosado-805030536302750/ 5 at 17336 Lahser Road in Detroit. For more information, visit www.sidewalkdetroit.com. DIA “Art of Rebellion: Black Art of the Civil Rights Movement” Explore powerful artworks by African American artists who formed collectives during the Civil Rights Movement of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Detroit zekesrockandrollbbq/ Project Michigan, 290 W. Nine Mile donation: $5. All proceeds benefit JTCC. Institute of Arts, 2100 Woodward Ave., Road, Ferndale. 248-398-7105. www. Jim Toy Community Center, 319 Braun Detroit. July 23 - Oct. 22. 313-833-7900. Gender Non-Conformists 7 p.m. A goaffirmations.org Court, Ann Arbor. 9 p.m. Aug. 4. 734-995- www.dia.org social and support group for genderqueer, 9867. www.a2outfest.com genderfabulous, transgender, gender- Integrity Shows “Belle Isle Art Fair” exploring folks and all those who Detroit juried fine art fair brings in 100 transgress gender binaries. Affirmations, MUSIC & MORE Other visual artists who sell a wide array of 290 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. Aut Bar “Women’s Music on the Patio” handmade and creative items plus 10 arts 248-398-7105. www.goaffirmations.org/ Concerts Featuring Marsha Gayle and Debbie and cultural organizations from Detroit. programs-services/support-discussion- Queer Women’s Community and Vogel. Aut Bar, 315 Braun Ct., Ann Arbor. New this year is the Heritage Artists Tent groups OutFront Kalamazoo “Music Night” $5 June 28 - Aug. 30. 734-994-3677. www. and a Theater Arts tent. Food trucks, cover. Louie’s Trophy House Grill, 629 fresh lemonade and Detroit-made Italian autbar.com coupons for any sale over $100 to be 6622. www.mocadetroit.org Support group for parents and Walbridge St., Kalamazoo. 7 p.m. Aug. 11. ice will be available. For the first time, a used in August. Lawrence Street Gallery, transgender youth 7 p.m. Youth meet www.outfrontkzoo.org Aut Bar “Live Jazz with the Jesse Kramer bar offering local beer and wine will be 22620 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale. Scarab Club “May Contain Fruit” The in the “youth lounge.” Parents meet in Trio on the patio” . Aut Bar, 315 Braun Ct., available to benefit the Detroit Repertory Aug. 2 - Aug. 25. 248-544-0394. www. scientific basis for humanity’s fascination room 100. Second and fourth Thursday Ann Arbor. June 27 - Aug. 29. 734-994- Theatre. Belle Isle Park, 6925 E. Jefferson Film & Video lawrencestreetgallery.com with fruit is explored. The Scarab Club, of each month. Stand with Trans, 30450 3677. www.autbar.com Ave., Detroit. Aug. 6 - Aug. 6. 313-821- Aut Bar “Campy Movie Night” . Aut Bar, 217 Farnsworth, Detroit. July 20 - Aug. 19. Farmington Road, Farmington Hills. 248- 9844. www.belleisleartfair.com/ 315 Braun Ct., Ann Arbor. June 28 - Aug. MOCAD “99 Cents or Less” A major group 313-831-1250. www.scarabclub.org 739-9254. [email protected] www. exhibition of 99 artists based in the U.S. 30. 734-994-3677. www.autbar.com Theater Lawrence Street Gallery “30th standwithtrans.org that addresses Detroit’s ongoing economic Dirty Prancing Tickets: $10-20. The Anniversary Celebration 1987-2017” Jim Toy Community Center “Movie crisis and its 2013 bankruptcy. Museum of Red Umbrella Support Group 7:30 p.m. Ringwald Theatre, 22742 Woodward Ave., Opening Reception: Aug. 4, 6-9 p.m. Night: Hairspray” Domino’s pizza, popcorn, Contemporary Art Detroit, 4454 Woodward For individuals involved in the erotic Ferndale. Through Aug. 7. 2485455545. Mid-month Party: Aug. 13, 2-5 p.m. pop and water provided. Suggested Ave., Detroit. June 23 - Aug. 6. 313-832- labor industry. Sex Workers Outreach www.theringwald.com Gallery is offering 30 percent off

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Invest in equality and work with businesses that support Michigan’s LGBTQ community! www.PrideSource.com August 3, 2017 | BTL 29 COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS ARTS.BLACK to Host Book Fair, Fundraiser Help Students Affected by ARTS.BLACK is a journal of art include contributions from Renee and criticism from black perspectives Lynne, as well as other black writers predicated on the belief that art in the city. criticism should be an accessible The Knight grant and matching Homelessness Get an Education dialogue – a tool through which we support will allow for the publication question, celebrate, and talk back to to pay its writers, cover publication the global world of contemporary art. costs and continue operations. Ozone House Seeks Volunteers to Pack ARTS.BLACK was founded in 2014 “In the spirit of our personal and by editors Taylor Renee of Detroit and collaborative practice, we are thrilled Jessica Lynne of Brooklyn to support, to use this event as a site of knowledge Backpacks in Late August uplift and cultivate a new generation exchange and friendship, support of black art critics. The Ozone House in Ann Arbor Inventory Management Join the Extended Family ARTS.BLACK needs to pack 750 backpacks to Count, sort and organize school Network will offer a thematic start the school year. There are supplies, toiletries, clothing, etc. The Education Project’s Extended collection of new, used opportunities for the community to to be distributed to students and Family is a group of volunteers who and rare books on art and help during the last two weeks in families. Assemble school supply give the Ozone House permission labor during a book fair August. By way of The Education and toiletry kits as needed. to contact them approximately 1-2 from 1-5 p.m. on Aug. 26 Project, students experiencing times per month when families at Good Lab, 14720 E. homelessness or unstable living Distribution of Supplies have requests that the Ozone Jefferson Ave. in Detroit. situations can enroll, regularly Deliver backpacks and other House may not have funding for The book fair in the attend and succeed in school. supplies to schools, shelters, etc. to or for supplies the organization Jefferson Chalmers Under the federal McKinney- be given to students. (Completion does not have. neighborhood will serve Vento Homeless Assistance of Volunteer Orientation/ as a fundraiser for the Act, students who experience Training, Background Check and Make a donation publication to gather homelessness must have equal Fingerprinting required.) We are always in need of gift matching funds for access to free and appropriate cards (Meijer, Target, Big Lots, their Knight Grant and public education. The Ozone Shoppers etc.), school supplies, toiletries will feature catalogs, House will provide resources for Volunteers are needed to shop (shampoo, soap, deodorant, contemporary zines, youth to stay in school. (sometimes with families) at feminine hygiene products, history books pertaining The Education Project relies on Meijer, Wal-Mart, Target, etc. toothpaste, lotion, etc.) and cash to art and labor. a combination of grant support (using donated gift cards) for to be used to fund special needs “Labor and ingenuity is at the crux and dialogue,” said Lynne. Prior to from the state and donations from these items. (Completion of of students that may arise during of most artistic and creative practices the event, ARTS.BLACK will be members of the community. Many Volunteer Orientation/Training, the year. here in Detroit,” said Renee. “Using collecting book donations to sell at of the items provided to families, Background Check and literature and other writings as a tool, the book fair. like toiletries and school supplies, Fingerprinting required.) I see this fair as an opportunity to If you are interested in donating For those who are interested in are supplied through donations. talk about exchange, and fellowship books on art and or labor to ARTS. This allows The Education Project Organize a Drive volunteering, joining the Ozone House around themes that are central to BLACK, please send an email to the ability to fund other school Organize a drive for school network, organizing a drive, or making Detroit art practices.” [email protected]. related expenses like field trips, supplies, socks and underwear, a donation, contact the organization The funds raised will help support ARTS.BLACK is the 2016 recipient sports/activities, tutoring services toiletries or gift cards at your at volunteer.educationproject@ the publications upcoming writing of the John S. and James L. Knight Arts and temporary transportation for local religious organization, gmail.com or sign up to volunteer series, which will include essays, Challenge Award and is a sponsored students. place of work, neighborhood, online at www.signupgenius. interviews and reviews on art making project of Allied Media Projects. For Volunteers are needed to help schools, etc. Contact us for in the city, informed by its history, more information, visit https://www. com/go/4090f49afac2aaaf85- with the followings tasks: specific needs. politics, race and class. The series will alliedmedia.org/arts-black. theeducation.

30 BTL | August 3, 2017 www.PrideSource.com Deep Inside Hollywood BY ROMEO SAN VICENTE news special titled, “The Homosexuals” – has ‘L Word’ revival in development been in need of a good solid biopic for some time. Now is shooting one now called Showtime knows what you want. And “Gore.” Little is known about the production because you’re like us, you want – you have besides its director, Michael Hoffman (“The always wanted – more “L Word.” It was trashy, Last Station”), and its star, Kevin Spacey. But it was silly, it was like very few actual lesbians that star name is enough for now, because it you know in real life, and it was glorious. raises some issues, not the least of which is the Jennifer Beals knows this. So does ongoing dance of denial Spacey has Leisha Hailey and Kate Moennig. going with the press regarding his The three of them are working own sexuality. On the subject he’s as producers on a revival of the tight-lipped, he’s playfully sarcastic, series, currently in development he’s antagonistic, he’s merely silent. at Showtime. Should it all go well He says what he wants, unless he and come to series – that’s what “in doesn’t want to talk about it at all. And development” means, btw; it could now, like Queen Latifah in “Bessie,” all disintegrate over the course of he’s playing a historical queer public a lunch gone wrong – the premise figure while refusing to speak up for now is that Bette, Alice and about the absolutely normal. In the Shane would still be living in Los Jennifer Beals end, though, it’s the performance Angeles, surrounded by a pack of that counts in art, and Spacey will be fresh lesbians. Or maybe more of great as Vidal because he’ll bring the the original cast will come back, author’s prickly, agitated intelligence too. Who knows. It’s all so very up in the air to the part. Just don’t blame us for wanting a little that it’s almost jinxing to talk about it. But more than that. Beals recently spoke to Entertainment Weekly about the project and she took the words out of our mouth: “We are needed.” Yes, they are. Start praying to the goddess, y’all. Tony Kushner is writing a play about Donald Trump Barry Jenkins is going In Tony Kushner’s acclaimed ’90s play his own way “Angels In America,” there’s a scene in which the closeted politician Roy Cohn reacts to his The temptation for a filmmaker feeling AIDS diagnosis with an infamous monologue. the first flush of success – let’s call that In it, he declares that “Homosexuals are men filmmaker Barry Jenkins, whose magnificent who know nobody and who nobody knows.” “Moonlight” won the Academy Award for Best Well, it turns out Roy Cohn and a younger Picture – is to take the next big paycheck. And Donald Trump were quite close in the 1980s, in Hollywood, in 2017, the big paycheck often call the former a shark-like mentor to the latter, means joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe teaching him all the worst possible lessons of and, let’s keep it real here, stifling your own public life. And now it also just so happens that creative vision and fitting yourself into the Kushner, the man who immortalized Cohn’s one-handed you by a corporate entity. But true legacy, is writing a play about the current Barry Jenkins has other ideas. His next move sitting President of the United States. It has no will be to adapt the 1974 James Baldwin novel, title, and there are no details to share, but it’s “If Beale Street Could Talk.” Set in Harlem, happening, which means that we may yet see the story revolves around a young engaged a definitive piece of art related to this person, couple, with the man falsely accused of rape. one that is more substantive than a late-night Baldwin, who was black, gay, and could never talk show host’s impersonation or blistering once be accused of going along to get along response on Twitter, from a playwright who (see the incredible documentary about his knows very well how to contextualize history life, “I Am Not Your Negro,” to learn more), at its most mind-boggling. And why is he would probably be very pleased to see his work doing it? Call it a writer’s challenge. “The adapted by the serious-minded Jenkins. And Daily Beast,” quoting Kushner: “[Trump]’s while we’d also be thrilled to see what he’d the kind of person, as a writer, I tend to do with a superhero story, this feels just right. avoid as I think he is borderline psychotic. I definitely think that incoherence lends itself Kevin Spacey is (and is not) well to drama, but he really is very boring. It’s terrifying because he has all the power, Gore Vidal but without the mental faculties he ought to have. I think he is seriously mentally ill, and Author and public intellectual Gore Vidal died the fact that he is in the White House is very in 2012, and his legacy – in the late 1960s, before frightening.” We’ll wait, patiently. Stonewall, he calmly and defiantly declared that his was absolutely normal on a not-exactly-progressively-minded Mike Wallace Romeo San Vicente has a very long memory. www.PrideSource.com August 3, 2017 | BTL 31