My Journey Back to HIV Treatment

Page 10

State Notable Book Award in Hot Water Page 6

Study: ‘Rare’ Infection Found During PrEP Page 9

Program Looks at Strengthening Gay/Straight Alliances Page 15

Our Guide to the Best LGBT Events Page 22

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20th Anniversary Michigan COVER STORY ComedyFest 16 ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ favorite comes to Royal Oak Preview Coming Sunday March 20 NEWS 4 Interfaith summit will look at racial, economic inequality BTL 6th Annual Wedding 6 State Notable Book Award in hot water & Anniversary Expo 7 Michigan delegation split across party lines on environment Page 14 8 Study: Rare infection during PReP noted BTLWeddingExpo.com 9 Trans woman runs for township supervisor HAPPENINGS CREEP OF THE WEEK COMING NEXT WEEK: OUR SPRING PET ISSUE OPINION 10 Parting Glances 10 Positive Thoughts: Something more important than fear 11 Creep of the Week: Pat McCrory COMMUNITY 14 MotorCity ComedyFest celebrates 20th year 15 Strengthening gay/straight alliances Hip-hop artist LIFE North Carolina Gov. 18 Mombian: Two books tell the stories of Hoodie Allen will LGBTQ families Pat McCrory 18 Cool Cities: Ann Arbor play the Fillmore 21 Ann Arbor gets ready for film festival Detroit See page 25 See page 11 22 Happenings 26 Classifieds 27 Deep Inside Hollywood

VOL. 2409 • MARCH 3, 2016 EDITORIAL CREATIVE ADVERTISING & SALES ONLINE AT ISSUE 954 Editor in Chief Webmaster & MIS Director Director of Sales Susan Horowitz, 734.293.7200 x 12 Kevin Bryant, [email protected] Jan Stevenson, 734.293.7200 x 22 “Between The Lines Newspaper” PRIDE SOURCE MEDIA GROUP [email protected] [email protected] 20222 Farmington Rd., Livonia, Michigan 48152 Contributing Writers Phone 734.293.7200 Entertainment Editor Charles Alexander, Michelle E. Brown, Sales Representatives Follow us @YourBTL Chris Azzopardi, 734.293.7200 x 24 Emell Derra Adolphus, Todd Heywood, Jason Ann Cox, 734.293.7200 x 13 PUBLISHERS [email protected] Michael, Jerome Stuart Nichols, Gwendolyn [email protected] Susan Horowitz & Jan Stevenson Ann Smith, Christopher J. Treacy Email your op–eds to Assistant Editor Donelle Kremke, 734.293.7200 x 16 [email protected] MEMBER OF Shelby Clark Petkus, [email protected] Cartoonists [email protected] Paul Berg, Dave Brousseau Michigan Press Assoication Calendar Editor National Advertising Representative Sign up online to receive our E–Digest National Gay Media Association Shelby Clark Petkus, [email protected] Contributing Photographers Rivendell Media, 212.242.6863 Q Syndicate Andrew Potter Staff Writers Our rate cards are available online. All material appearing in Alexander Godin Between The Lines is protected by federal copyright law and AJ Trager, [email protected] 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 Copyright 2015 Pride Source Media Group, LLC provided by advertisers or their agents. www.PrideSource.com March 3, 2016 | BTL 3 NEWS HELP OUT: Phone Bank For Flint Families

FERNDALE – Affirmations and Equality Those interested can meet at 6 p.m. at Michigan will host a phone bank March 3 to Ferndale’s Affirmations and are encouraged to help families in Flint. The two organizations bring a cell phone. All other supplies will be and those participating will be calling families provided. Visit the Facebook event page at www. in Flint to follow up on a community canvass, facebook.com/events/1560122744298594/. making sure that these families have the Affirmations is located at 290 W. Nine Mile Road correct filters, supplies of bottled water and will help them with any additional resources in Ferndale. or information.

Interfaith Summit Will Look at Racial Discrimination and Economic Inequality

ANN ARBOR – An upcoming interfaith as injustice that must be considered by the summit held on March 6 will look at how Muslim Community. racial discrimination and economic inequality “We need to reframe and discuss how affect the larger society. we think of it. The first Muslims here were “Connect and Act: Building the Movement African-American, about one third of the for Economic and Racial Justice” will offer American Muslim community is black. Those an opportunity for faith communities and who have been involved in the struggle for members of the LGBT and ally communities freedom, justice and equality – those names to gather and discuss how people of faith we don’t know preceding Malcolm X, to can come together and figure out how to Muhammad Ali, to people (of) Masjid Wali best address the mechanisms through which Muhammad, that used to be Temple Number racial discrimination and economic inequality One off of Linwood and Burlingame in are being reproduced in the society through Detroit – have always been part of the Muslim areas like housing segregation, educational experience,” he said. stratification, income inequality and the Huezo has coordinated UFE’s popular criminal justice system. education work and facilitated many The event will feature three keynote workshops. Recently she became UFE’s speakers and a series of workshops focused on executive director after serving the company strengthening existing action campaigns and for 14 years, advocating for multilingual raising awareness between local groups and justice at the organizational and movement individuals working on these issues. level. Keynote speakers will include Shane Workshops to be offered at the Connect Claiborne, founding partner of The Simple & Act Summit will focus on different ways Way; Dawud Walid, executive director of the people can connect with local groups and Michigan chapter of the Council on American- individuals working on these issues in the Islamic Relations; and Jeannette Huezo, community and act either through existing director of United for a Fair Economy. action campaigns, raising awareness or Claiborne is a self-proclaimed “ordinary through developing the various skills needed radical” from eastern Tennessee and is a to make these efforts effective. founding member of the New Monasticism Dozens of community groups from across movement, which encourages a life of the state will attend and offer participants the simplicity, nonviolence, community and opportunity to “get up to speed” with what’s prayer. He has written multiple books around happening in communities across the state. his work in the faith community including To register for the event, go to “Jesus for President,” “Red Letter Revolution” www.connectandact.org/register. and “Common Prayer.” A coalition of congregations is organizing Walid is head of the Michigan chapter of a breakfast with Shane Claiborne on March America’s largest advocacy and civil liberties 7. To be included contact Joe Summers, organization for Muslims. CAIR has been Reverend at The Episcopal Church the actively involved in the national Black Lives Incarnation at [email protected]. Matter movement, seeking to challenge The summit will be held from 1-8 p.m. on March ingrained societal inequality and racism. At a recent conference in Detroit, Walid urged 6 at the Vineyard Church. The Vineyard Church is attendees to consider recent police shootings located at 2275 Platt Road, Ann Arbor.

4 BTL | March 3, 2016 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com March 3, 2016 | BTL 5 NEWS State Notable Book Award in Hot Water BY AJ TRAGER as: “Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo in Detroit” by Mark Rosenthal, “Great Girls in In over 20 years of operation, the Notable Michigan History” by Patricia Majher and Book Award, an annual award given out by We have a unique culture “The Stone Circle Poems: The Collected the Library of Michigan for works focusing Poems of Terry Wooten” by Terry Wooten, on strong Michigan themes or written by as LGBT citizens. To recognize that just to name a few. While Frida Kahlo, Michigan authors, has never presented an “ an out bisexual, and her partner Diego award to an out LGBT Michigan author. culture and recognize the depth Rivera were famous for their polyamorous The Notable Book Award is a program of that culture could certainly relationship, Rosenthal’s book focuses of the Library of Michigan and got its start almost exclusively on their time in Detroit in 1991 when it was called Read Michigan. have an effect not only for that and the controversy over Rivera’s 27 fresco According to the program’s website, the author but also for readers who murals in the Detroit Institute of Arts Michigan Department of History, Arts where critics viewed Rivera’s depiction and Libraries took over the award in perhaps didn’t know they were of traditional images of the holy family 2002; two years later it changed its name as parody rather than homage, Wikipedia to the Notable Book Award and then in looking for something. states. 2009 the Library of Michigan moved to “How is it that people get to know a the Michigan Department of Education, community?” asked Keith Orr, owner of bringing the award with it. – Keith Orr, owner Common Common Language, the LGBT bookstore Language ”Books, Ann Arbor located in Ann Arbor. “One thing is to Lev Raphael, an LGBT Michigan author Ph.D. candidate Courtney Caviness who has published 25 books over the know a particular person. For gay marriage course of his career, recently wrote an op- that have been on the list. I don’t make a they used to say that the biggest factor for Upcoming Talk: Inequality and ed about the award which was featured in big point announcing that and outing who support is if they know somebody who is BTL. In it he condemns the award as being is gay on our list. I think that is up to the gay. We get to learn cultures through their Policing of LGBT Sexual and Gender discriminatory against LGBT authors and authors themselves. I don’t know them to works. If African-American works show LGBT content. that level where that is even part of the up at the DIA, that makes a difference Identities Post-DADT Even though the Library of Michigan criteria when we are rolling out who is on to the African-American community in publicizes the awards as being “reflective the list,” Riley told BTL. Detroit when a major institution recognizes YPSILANTI – An upcoming talk that is part of of Michigan’s diverse ethnic, historical, Riley remembered one book in particular the cultural heritage and significance. We the Equality Knowledge Project of Eastern Michigan literary and cultural experience,” Raphael that was submitted and had a gay-theme: have a unique culture as LGBT citizens. University’s Equality Research Center will look at believes it has a “major blind spot” as it Dean Kuipers’ 2006 book titled “Burning To recognize that culture and recognize the organizational inequality and policing of LGBT sexual relates to diversity. Rainbow Farm: How a Stoner Utopia Went depth of that culture could certainly have and gender identities post-“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” “...Since 1991 there hasn’t been a single Up in Smoke.” an effect not only for that author but also Ph.D. candidate Courtney Caviness from the book with major LGBT content published “The gripping story of two marijuana for readers who perhaps didn’t know they University of California-Davis will address military by a Michigan press or written by a advocates gunned down by the FBI after were looking for something.” policies pertaining to LGBTQ individuals and the Michigan author worthy of recognition,” a five-day standoff,” the first line in effects of military culture on sexual orientation and Raphael writes. “Think about it: No notable the Amazon synopsis reads. The book gender identity in the larger culture post-DADT. LGBT books by talented queer authors in follows the relationship of Tom Crosslin Finding an Audience Caviness, seeking a Ph.D. in sociology, has Michigan in almost 25 years worthy of and his partner, Rollie Rohm, opening While the Notable Book Award has very studied sex and gender, race, sexuality and work recognition by the judges of this program.” up an inclusive campground in southwest little to do with what he purchases for the and occupations. She has been published in multiple The program is highly competitive. Michigan. bookstore, Orr said that a nomination of journals including Teaching Gender and Sex in Every year 20 books are selected out of So, while Riley admits that books written that magnitude would certainly have an Contemporary America; the Encyclopedia of Gender 150-400 submitted titles for the award. by LGBT authors or books with LGBT impact on LGBT publicity in the state. and Sexuality Studies; and The SAGE Encyclopedia of No cash award is granted for making the content have been submitted and even “Books will find their audience, but Psychology and Gender. Her skills have been honored list; however, authors that find themselves quietly granted the award, there seems to things like awards or notable reviews can with multiple awards including a variety from UC among the selected few often find that be a lack of LGBT representation. help that book find its audience,” said Orr. Davis, Texas State University and the Alpha Kappa the publicity leads to hundreds, possibly “It (the award) speaks a lot to how the Delta Honor Society. thousands, of copies sold. LGBT community is treated in Michigan.” DADT prohibited service members from Randy Riley, a state librarian who Selection Process Orr provided BTL with a short list of discriminating against or harassing closeted LGBT has been with the Library of Michigan Due to a lack of extraneous funding, the LGBT authors living in the state who could service members or applicants while barring openly for 26 years, has been involved with the book award committee only reviews books be considered for the award: Salvatore LGBT people from service. DADT was the official Notable Book Award for 14 years. He that are submitted to them. For many self Sapienza, who writes books on spirituality; U.S. policy on service by LGBT service members in says that books that are granted the award published authors, printing upwards of 20 Wade Rouse, a New York Times best the military. The program was instituted by the Clinton are chosen because the work features the copies of their manuscript can get costly selling author; Marianne Martin, a lesbian Administration in February of 1994 and lasted until state’s rich cultural, historical and literary if there’s no guarantee that they’ll be author and writer/co-owner of Bywater Sept. 20, 2011. heritage. A team of 13 committee members reimbursed with either money or publicity. Books; Carol Popovich, who writes lesbian Caviness will present her material at 5:30 p.m. from a range of backgrounds including Riley admits that it is a possible hurdle for romance novels; and Lev Raphael. March 8 in room 310A in the Student Center on EMU’s booksellers, book reviewers, journalists, authors without a publisher. “Lev Raphael is someone who could campus. The event is free and open to the public. librarians, historians, archaeologists and The committee doesn’t have a formula garner that type of award based on the For more information and to RSVP, visit the Facebook event more decide which titles will be given the for which books they choose as it relates quality of the writing and the impact award. page atwww.facebook.com/events/474849042705074/. to various genres. Books for the 2016 nationally and internationally,” Orr said. “In the past there have been gay authors Notable Book Award include titles such See Notable Books, next page

6 BTL | March 3, 2016 www.PrideSource.com Michigan Delegation Split Across Party Lines When Caring for Environment National Scorecard Show Low Scores for Republicans

ANN ARBOR – Michigan League of “The 2015 scorecard shows that the radical Conservation Voters today unveiled scores leadership in the House and Senate wasted for Michigan’s Congressional Delegation no time pursuing big polluters’ agenda last that were released as part of the League of year, and their environmental assault is well Conservation Voters (LCV) 2015 National underway in 2016,” said LCV President Gene Environmental Scorecard. The scorecard Karpinski. “Fortunately, we have a growing includes the most votes ever scored and force of environmental allies, including the records a Congress that has not been favorable president, as well as many in Congress, who to the environment. The scorecard is available are working tirelessly to combat climate in both English and Spanish at scorecard. change, transition to a clean energy economy lcv.org. and safeguard our air, water, lands and “As evidenced by the Flint water crisis, wildlife.” the health of our state’s residents depends on the quality of our natural resources,” said Lisa Wozniak, executive director for Michigan Delegation Scores: Michigan LCV. “Despite last year bringing (D) Senator Debbie Stabenow, 100 major threats to our clean water and clean (D) Senator Gary Peters, 100 air, congressional leaders again have failed to (R) Congressman Dan Benishek, 3 prioritize protections for our natural resources (R) Congressman Bill Huizenga, 0 or the Michiganders who depend on them.” (R) Congressman Justin Amash, 20 The 2015 scorecard includes votes cast (R) Congressman John Moolenaar, 3 during the first session of the 114th Congress. (D) Congressman Dan Kildee, 94 It includes 35 House votes and 25 votes in the (R) Congressman Fred Upton, 3 Senate, covering issues ranging from clean (R) Congressman Tim Walberg, 0 air and water protections to land and wildlife (R) Congressman Mike Bishop, 3 conservation. (D) Congressman Sander Levin, 97 The good news is that the scorecard also (R) Congresswoman Candice Miller, 0 includes many votes led by environmental (R) Congressman Trent Lott, 3 allies who stood up for climate change (D) Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, 97 science, clean energy, public lands and (D) Congressman John Conyers, 94 wildlife protections, among other issues. (D) Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence, 94 Fortunately, many of the worst threats to the environment and public health were defeated. In Michigan, only five House members The National Environmental Scorecard issued earned a score of 80 percent or more on by LCV has been the nationally accepted the 2015 scorecard, while eight House yardstick used to rate members of Congress on members earned scores of 10 percent or less. environmental, public health and energy issues Sen. Stabenow and Sen. Peters received an for the past 40 years. For more information, visit exemplary 100 percent. http://scorecard.lcv.org.

® Notable Books to showcase the state’s rich literary history and, Continued from p. 6 through their compelling stories, the diverse experiences of life in the Great Lakes state. “In my 13 years of doing this I have one Over the next year winners of the award regret, and that was not selecting ‘Middlesex’ will tour libraries across the state and give (by Jeffrey Eugenides),” Riley said. presentations about their work and their “Middlesex” sold over three million copies process. Not all libraries participate in the in 2011 and was loosely based on aspects of author workshops. Eugenides’ life and observations of his Greek Anyone wishing to submit a book for heritage. The main character for the novel is the 2017 award can send a message to intersex and the work received praise from the committee at [email protected]. the intersex community, according to Olivia The committee will start discussing 2017 Banner, who peer reviewed the academic nominations in June. Those submitting titles journal Signs that said “reviews of the novel are encouraged to do so sooner rather than in medical journals judge it favorably for later. what it reveals about the interior lives of the To read more about the Notable Book Award intersexed.” and the committee, go to www.michigan.gov/ Award recipients will be honored at “Night for Notables,” an event held April 2 in Lansing, libraryofmichigan. www.PrideSource.com March 3, 2016 | BTL 7 NEWS Study: ‘Rare’ Infection Found During PrEP BY TODD A. HEYWOOD genotypes with the data collected on combination with TasP and increased the case report form either because testing could significantly reduce new Out of the Conference on Retroviruses those algorithms and software are only HIV infections in the U.S. and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) housed at CDC,” Minicuci said in an “Reaching the nation’s treatment held in Boston last week came news of a email Friday. “We can watch if NRTI goal of ensuring 80 percent of all of 43-year-old gay man who seroconverted resistance is increasing in general, those diagnosed with HIV achieve despite being compliant with the drug and perhaps correlate that to PREP viral suppression (that is, keeping taken for pre-exposure prophylaxis, or prescriptions. We will have a new MHS their virus under control and at a level PrEP. report coming out soon but because it is that dramatically reduces the risk of But scientists were quick to point out CDC data, there is a significant lag in transmission) alone would prevent an the case was “rare” and an exception to the timing and the data would likely be estimated 168,000 infections over the the high efficacy of the drug. They noted a year behind.” next five years,” the federal agency that the patient in the case contracted a Despite the heavy resistance to three reported on its website. “Increasing the virus that had resistance to several drugs of the seven classes of HIV medications, use of PrEP, a daily anti-HIV pill, among used to treat HIV, including both drugs scientists reported the man was able to people who are uninfected but at high in Truvada, the brand name of the drug start treatment and has suppressed his risk could prevent an additional 17,000 that is used as PrEP. Studies on the virus viral load. infections over the same time span.” the man contracted showed resistance to While the case was trumpeted as “If we expand the use of our current drugs in nucleoside reverse transcriptase evidence of a need for caution related to prevention strategies today, we can inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse PrEP as a prevention option by some, the significantly reduce new HIV infections transcriptase inhibitors, and integrase scientists stressed that having resistance tomorrow,” said Dr. Jonathan Mermin, inhibitors classes of drugs. to both drugs found in Truvada is director of CDC’s National Center for Drug resistance is linked to people exceptionally rare, and very unlikely to HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and living with HIV failing to continue to happen on a regular basis. Scientists said Tuberculosis Prevention. The statement take their prescribed medicine properly testing and pharmacy records provided was made in the same press release. – cited reasons for this include missing evidence to show the man was likely “This study confirms that we have the doses or not taking them on time. In compliant with the drug regimen – taking right tools to dramatically reduce new Michigan, a study of newly diagnosed it daily as prescribed. HIV infections, but we have a long way people living with HIV found 15.3 Studies have put the efficacy of the to go in order to make those reductions percent of cases of the virus contained drug when taken daily at over 92 percent a reality.” resistance to at least one drug used to effective. A model of efficacy from the There are currently an estimated treat HIV. About 11 percent of the 422 National Institutes of Health put the 48,000 new HIV infections in the U.S. cases studied had resistance to the two efficacy at 99 percent. In addition to annually – with a significant number drug classes found in Truvada. PrEP, those living with HIV who take of those infections in men of color Angela Minicuci, a spokesperson their medications properly and suppress who have sex with men. Another study for the Michigan Department of Health their virus to “undetectable” levels are released by the CDC found that one in and Human Services, said the state significantly less like to transmit the two black men who have sex with men data could not be parsed to determine virus. That intervention is known as could be infected with the virus in their how many of those viruses studied had treatment as prevention, or TasP. lifetime. resistance to both drugs in Truvada. At the same conference, the CDC “We don’t have a way to link up released a study showing that PrEP in Trump Tangles With White Supremacy Support

Donald Trump has been dogged for Politico – that despite organizing for Ted failing to immediately reject support from Cruz in various U.S. territories last year, the KKK. In an interview with ABC’s he is now backing Trump. Lennox used Jake Tapper Sunday, Trump was asked to lead the Central Michigan University about David Duke, the former leader Young Americans for Freedom student of the KKK, and his endorsement. He group which was closely associated was also asked about the support he was with Michigan State University’s student receiving from white supremacist groups. group of the same name. The MSU Trump declined to condemn the groups, chapter was named a hate group by the or reject Duke’s endorsement, until he Southern Poverty Law Center in 2007, had more information. Later in the day and its former leader, Kyle Bristow, he rejected Duke’s endorsement and the has gone on to become a leading white KKK. But social and traditional news nationalist voice. Lennox was often in media ran with the story. attendance at anti-immigrant and other Meanwhile, Dennis Lennox, a programs hosted by the MSU chapter. former drain commissioner in northern Republican frontrunner Donald Trump Michigan, has announced – according to

8 BTL | March 3, 2016 www.PrideSource.com Trans Woman Runs for Township Supervisor SPARTA (AP) – A transgender woman is running for township supervisor in a rural community north of Grand Rapids. Gidget Groendyk was the first person to get on the ballot for the township supervisor race in Sparta. The Grand Rapids Press reports that the ballot will note that Groendyk was formerly known as Scott Wade Langford. Groendyk says she’s running because she wants the township to enact a nondiscrimination ordinance with protections for LGBT residents. State law doesn’t provide housing or employment protections for LGBT residents, but some municipalities have passed ordinances regarding discrimination based on sexual orientation. April 19 is the deadline to get on the ballot for the August primary elections.

Former State Reps. Cindy Gamrat and Todd Courser at the state capitol. AP file photo. Former Michigan Lawmakers Charged

BY TODD HEYWOOD

LANSING – Former Republican lawmakers Cindy Gamrat, R-Plainwell, and Todd Courser, R-Lapeer, have been charged with crimes stemming from the couple’s sex and email scandal. Attorney General Bill Schuette, a Republican, has charged Courser with one count of perjury as well as two counts of misconduct in office. Gamrat has been charged with two counts of misconduct in office. The two Tea Party and “family values” leaders fell from grace in August of 2015 when the Detroit News revealed audio recordings of Courser planning to “inoculate the herd” from revelations of his affair with Gamrat by sending a bizarre email alleging he had been caught having sex with a male prostitute behind a Lansing night club. In mid-September, after a marathon session of the state House, Courser resigned from his post and Gamrat was expelled by a vote of the body. Both sought to receive their party’s nomination to fill their own open seats following the resignation and expulsion, but failed to win the primary special election in November 2015. Both former lawmakers were arraigned in Ingham County Circuit Court on Tuesday. www.PrideSource.com March 3, 2016 | BTL 9 Tears for Closet Gay Pioneer Parting Glances OPINION BY CHARLES ALEXANDER

o diddle an old saying: You can’t judge a gay author or his book by its – or by his – cover. T Case in point: Groundbreaking 1951 sociological expose, “The Homosexual in America.” Gay nom de plume: Donald Webster Cory. Real name: Edward Sagarin. Outed dramatically 24 closeted years later in 1975. Cory’s “Homosexual” followed three years after Alfred Kinsey’s shelf- shocker, “Sexual Response in the Human Male.” Both books provided in- your-face facts, focus, insights on a previously little discussed, statistically undocumented subject. Homosexuality! Kinsey, a biologist and an authority on gall wasps, turned his scientific cataloging to humans. His research institute colleagues interviewed 5,940 men about their sex lives. The result: 804 innovative pages of tables, charts, statistics. Dull, but for the American public: titillating best-seller reading. Data showed 37 percent of the male population had at least some overt gay experience to ejaculation; four percent of white males were exclusively homosexual following adolescence. It’s safe to say of the time frame 65 years ago that your average Joe believed he had never met a homosexual; that fags, fairies, fruits were few, but even so: they were perverts, mentally unbalanced, to be incarcerated, punished if caught with their collective pants down, justifiably shunned by church, family, employers, military, government; to be dealt with by psychiatrists and/or police. (Sound just vaguely familiar?) Positive Thoughts Those Americans living in large cities – Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Detroit – were likely to be aware of thriving gay subcultures gathered secretly in gay bars. (Detroit’s bar community dates to Prohibition, with earlier house parties in the ‘20s. Gay bars thrived during World War II.) Sagarin, a married bisexual, sociologist and trained criminologist (and perfume Something More authority), documented gay life as a social phenomenon and as a participating observer in his “The Homosexual in America.” He provided a fair-minded understanding of gay persons, their subculture, Important Than Fear slang, sexual acts, their basic proximity to the so-called heterosexual “norm.” “As a minority homosexuals are caught in a particularly vicious circle,” said Sagarin, writing as Donald Webster Cory, a pen name name gleaned from Andre My Journey Back to HIV Treatment Gide’s 1924 gay novel “Corydon,” published in America in 1950. “On the one hand, the shame of belonging and the social punishment of acknowledgement are so great that pretense is almost universal. On the other BY RICK GUASCO lived with some measure of fear. Chemotherapy was the standard hand, only a leadership that would acknowledge (being homosexual) would be It didn’t matter how healthy I treatment for KS, but it often able to break down the barriers of shame and a resultant discrimination. ast October, I came out. was, or how sick I felt, fear has killed the weakest patients, and “Until we are willing to speak out openly and frankly in defense of our Everyone who knows me always lurked in the background. it seemed I was next. activities, and to identify ourselves with the millions pursuing these activities, we was surprised. Although In the summer of 1992, I The fear of KS was L developed blotches on my skin. overwhelming. More than 100 are unlikely to find the attitudes of the world undergoing any significant change.” I’ve been openly gay most of my Nonetheless, for all his advocacy on the behalf of America’s gay population, adult life, and I’ve been HIV- The purplish spots continued to lesions covered my body, 50 on Sagarin very cautiously, quietly, and only in 1962, joined the homophile positive since 1992, I have only blossom, about five new ones a my head alone. I looked like I had Mattachine Society. been on treatment for a very short week. When the fear became too two black eyes and a swollen lip. His participation was supportive but “don’t rock the boat”: no militant time. Three years ago, I fell out much, I got tested that December: I began reading the three advocacy for civil rights. of care completely and was no I was HIV-positive, and the spots handouts I’d been given, all of As a sociologist, himself in psychotherapy, Sagarin believed that longer on meds. were likely Kaposi sarcoma (KS), which were published by Test homosexuality was a pathology; that homosexuals should seek psychotherapy. You’d think I would know an opportunistic infection that Positive Aware Network (TPAN), Few of his gay friends or colleagues knew that he was the famous (at least in better. I’m a fairly intelligent the Centers for Disease Control an AIDS service organization in gay circles) Donald Webster Cory. (His second gay book is “21 Variations on person, even if also opinionated and Prevention had labeled as Chicago where I live. One of a Theme.”) and stubborn. Plus, I work an “end-stage AIDS-defining them was Positively Aware. The Sagrin’s real identity remained secret until a 1974 American Sociological for Positively Aware, an HIV illness.” more I read, the more my fear Society convention held in Montreal. He appeared on a panel, “Theoretical treatment magazine, so you’d “Good luck,” my post-test subsided to a level where I could Perspectives on Homosexuality,” speaking strongly against liberationist think I would be more, well, counselor said as he handed me think. That’s when I realized scholarship. aware, of the importance of HIV three publications. information was the key to getting A colleague, Laud Humphreys, took umbrage – and perhaps some treatment. Kaposi sarcoma is a disease in a grip on my situation. polymorphous perverse delight – in exposing Sagarin by repeatedly calling Except that I had become tired which malignant tumors can form I discovered a clinical trial him “Mr. Cory.” and afraid. I think that as long as in the skin, mucous membranes, Sagarin broke down in tears; withdrawing thereafter from all issues concerning I have lived with HIV, I’ve always lymph nodes and other organs. See HIV Treatment, next page homosexual discussion. He died in 1986, age 73.

10 BTL | March 3, 2016 www.PrideSource.com ® HIV Treatment My fears led me back to when I first Continued from p. 10 faced KS. I’d made it this far; I was Creep of the Week that used interferon, a known cancer-fighting drug, to treat KS. But I’m so afraid of needles, damned if I was going to die like it took more than two weeks before I could Pat McCrory BY D’ANNE WITKOWSKI bring myself to begin the daily course of a it was 1985. That’s when I decided self-administered injection of interferon into to get back onto treatment. ’m tired of talking about toilets, According to the Charlotte Observer, in my upper thigh. Whenever I jabbed myself, I everybody. I don’t love using public an email to two Republican City Council would close my eyes and look the other way. restrooms, mostly because of the ick members, McCrory wrote, “It is not only Imagine having the body aches of the flu I factor and lack of total privacy. But I sure the citizens of Charlotte that will be – every day. That was the major side effect of afraid that this was my new normal. am glad that public restrooms exist. And impacted by changing basic restroom and interferon. At its worst, I would rock back and I struggled for 11 months. My meds had if you, too, are a Peeing American, then locker room norms but also citizens from forth at my desk, like someone experiencing been covered by the state ADAP program, you likely share my appreciation for the across our state and nation who visit and withdrawal. But the interferon worked. Within and my job’s insurance was about to kick in. public restroom. work in Charlotte.” two years, nearly all the lesions were gone. However, the paperwork transitioning me from In other words, if you let trannies into In 1997, protease inhibitors, the first class ADAP to private insurance had gotten lost, and restrooms and locker rooms, ain’t nobody of effective HIV drugs, appeared. But soon I now had no way to pay for my refill. This safe no how. Also, the tourists! Won’t afterward, HIV patients began to report only seemed to add insult to injury, so I walked someone think of the tourists? side effects from the long-term use of these away from treatment. I should point out that support for medications and from having lived so long I was afraid, however, of being called anti-discrimination ordinances like the with the virus. Some people experienced irresponsible – or a hypocrite. I told myself one Charlotte just adopted are pretty a redistribution of body fat, giving them that my healthcare (or lack of it) was a personal high and more and more common across gaunt-looking faces, or swollen bellies, or the decision. After all, I still “felt healthy enough.” the country. So I guess tourists who are appearance of a slight hunchback. But old fears lingered. Once, I had been afraid concerned about running into LGBT So, quite frankly, I was grateful for my I wouldn’t live to see 30; having passed 50, people in Charlotte bathrooms could take interferon side effects. Having had a disfiguring I was starting to fear what might lie ahead. shelter in McCrory’s office in Raleigh disease, I have become self-conscious about North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory My fears led me back to when I first faced about 170 miles away. my appearance. My KS treatment was KS. I’d made it this far; I was damned if I was Warning that the ordinance would put apparently keeping me healthy enough that I going to die like it was 1985. “citizens in possible danger from deviant thought I could justify skipping HIV treatment. Most likely the “state That’s when I decided to get back onto actions by individuals taking improper After my insurance no longer covered treatment. Four weeks later, my numbers had advantage of a bad policy,” McCrory’s interferon, I stopped taking it. For a few legislative intervention” already significantly improved. And this time, email continued, “Also, this action of years, I coasted. I “felt healthy enough” to the side effects have been negligible. that McCrory is promising allowing a person with male anatomy, for refrain from HIV treatment. Then in 2011, a No one wants to admit to being afraid. Fear example, to use a female restroom or locker familiar purplish spot appeared, just below can make you feel helpless and isolated. But is one of those “religious room will most likely cause immediate my left ankle. the truth is, you are not alone. If you learn state legislative intervention which I would My KS was back. Once again, fear took how to use it, fear can be a good thing. It freedom” laws that make it support as governor.” hold. As months went by, I looked on as the can remind you that there is something more Okay, so if someone with a penis uses spot slowly grew. It was only the fear that safe to discriminate against important than fear. a ladies’ room anywhere in the state, then another spot might soon appear that made me people if Jesus tells you so. the Legislature and governor will spring see a doctor. A biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. to action. Total state response necessary Rick Guasco has been creative director of Positively These days, the only treatment for KS is here, folks. Bring out the National Guard! to go on HIV medication. Reluctantly, I did, Aware since 2010. He occasionally posts on We must inspect the genitals of all public going on one of the first single-tablet regimens. Facebook about his return to HIV treatment. Unfortunately, the public restroom is restroom users for the safety of the state! The spot began to shrink, then disappear, and Positive Thoughts is a project of Plus, Positively under attack. What was once a place of Also women will be required to wear long my viral load and T-cell count improved. Aware, POZ, The Body and Q Syndicate, the personal relief has now become a place for sleeve tent dresses that hit just above the The side effects came with almost the LGBT wire service. Visit their websites – http:// evil-doers to lurk. A place that was once knees so that they match the symbol on first pill. Repetitive dreams nearly as bad as hivplusmag.com, http://positivelyaware.com, a mostly private necessity has become a the restroom door because women wearing those from interferon. And during the day, a public symbol of doom. pants is just too confusing. depression was beginning to settle in. I was http://poz.com and http://thebody.com – for the latest updates on HIV/AIDS. And those evil-doers are, duh and Most likely the “state legislative obviously, Republicans. Did you think intervention” that McCrory is promising I was going to say transgender people? is one of those “religious freedom” laws Because Republicans think it’s transgender that make it safe to discriminate against people. And boy are they obsessed with people if Jesus tells you so. where transgender people go to the Then again, perhaps the Legislature bathroom. is planning a bill that would designate Case in point: the city of Charlotte, North McCrory’s office a safe space for hate. Carolina just passed an anti-discrimination What a tourist attraction that would be! The ordinance that includes protections for symbol on the ladies’ room could be just LGBT people. I’d say thank you, but like the common “No Smoking” symbol, I really think “it’s about time” is more only using a penis instead of a cigarette. appropriate. North Carolina’s state motto, by the way, Not surprisingly, the anti-gay right is is “Esse quam videri,” which means, “To aghast at Charlotte’s new homo-lovers be, rather than to seem.” It sounds like status, and this includes North Carolina McCrory is taking that quite literally. Gov. Pat McCrory.

www.PrideSource.com March 3, 2016 | BTL 11 NEWS Italy Senate OKs Civil Unions, but LGBT Texas to Use Birth Certificate to Groups Are Unhappy Determine Athlete’s Gender ROME (AP) – Italy’s Senate voted Feb. AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – School move, saying it will force transgender students 25 to grant legal recognition to civil unions, superintendents in Texas have overwhelmingly to amend their birth certificate, a laborious as the last holdout in Western Europe took a approved a change that requires public school and costly process, in order to play. Chris compromise step to give some rights to gay officials to use a birth certificate to determine Mosier, the founder of TransAthlete.com, couples after a bitter, years-long debate. a student-athlete’s gender. told the newspaper that the policy would deny Premier Matteo Renzi described the A referendum ballot submitted to transgender athletes an “equal opportunity passage of the bill Thursday as “historic.” superintendents last month shows they voted to sports.” But gay and lesbian groups denounced 586 to 32 to amend University Interscholastic Texas becomes one of seven states that the watered-down legislation as a betrayal League rules when it comes to transgender require high school students to provide because Renzi’s Democratic Party sacrificed athletes. either a birth certificate, gender-reassignment a provision to allow gay adoption in order to The UIL is the state’s governing body for surgery or documentation of hormone therapy, ensure passage. high school sports. Its Policy Director, Jamey according to TransAthlete.com. It says other The legislation, which must still pass the Harrison, told The Dallas Morning News states like California and Florida have more lower Chamber of Deputies, is nevertheless (http://bit.ly/1VKmwZ8) that the change inclusive rules. significant for an overwhelmingly Roman codifies the advice the league has been giving “At the high school level, we should be Catholic country where the Vatican holds to superintendents. encouraging participation for all students,” sway in politics and society, although Pope A gay couple was photographed during a sit-in to “When we were asked by a school for Mosier said. “Texas school leaders have Francis remained conspicuously silent as request a law for registered partnerships including also couples of the same sex in Milan, Italy. guidance, that was the recommendation we a responsibility to ensure that transgender debate raged in recent months. Photo: G.dallorto/Wikimedia/CC gave them,” Harrison said, “although we told athletes can participate in a way that is safe, The bill passed 173-71, well over the them to work through their own process and comfortable and affirming of their identity.” threshold necessary. in 2016 ... in a country like Italy which is own legal counsel as well.” The NCAA does not have a mandatory After being stalled in parliament for years, so proud to be part of this Europe, that it’s The amendment goes into effect Aug. 1. It policy for transgender athletes, but it did the legislation was spurred on after the possible to make a law on civil unions without does allow other government documents to be release a list of inclusion recommendations European Court of Human Rights condemned considering children who should be protected used for the purpose of identification if a birth in 2011, stating the issue was “an emerging Italy last year for discriminating against gays. as Italian citizens and discriminated minors,” certificate is unavailable. endeavor” and that “policies may need to be Ruling in favor of three homosexual couples, she told The Associated Press. The Texas Observer first obtained the list re-evaluated to ensure that they reflect the the court found that Italy had failed to provide Defenders of the bill insisted that the of superintendents and their votes. most current research-based information.” gays with even the most basic rights owed legislation preserved the right of Italian Transgender advocates condemned the to couples in stable relationships, including judges to grant adoptions to gay partners on inheritance rights, and recommended civil a case-by-case basis, as has been the practice union recognition. to date. The law grants same-sex couples many “Thanks to this text, the magistrates What We Know: ‘Bathroom Bills’ Assert Transgender Rights of the same rights as married couples: the can still interpret the law on adoptions in possibility of having the same last name, the interest of the child to have a stable CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) – The city inheritance rights, hospital visitation rights Broader Implications and continual relationship” with the non- council in Charlotte, North Carolina, has and decision-making rights about medical biological partner, said Anna Finocchiaro, the expanded its anti-discrimination ordinance to The anti-discrimination laws typically deal care. head of the Democrats in the Senate. include sexual orientation, gender identity and with much broader protections. The ordinance But it stops far short of authorizing gay Given the risk that the whole law on civil marital status. The law has many aspects, but Charlotte approved Monday adds sexual marriage, which was passed last year in unions might have failed had the so-called public debate has focused on how it legalizes orientation, gender identity and marital status predominantly Catholic Ireland and was stepchild adoption provision remained, “this the ability of transgender people to choose as attributes protected from discrimination in legalized as well across the United States. was a wise choice,” she said. men’s or women’s bathrooms according public accommodations including restaurants, Last-minute changes removed references The center-right claimed a victory for to where they feel most comfortable. Gov. retail stores and other businesses. Public to the obligation of “faithfulness” in the having whittled down the original text. Pat McCrory says he will work with state schools would not be affected by the law, relationship lest it be construed as equivalent “We prevented an anthropological lawmakers to overturn it. Here’s what we which takes effect April 1. to marriage, which the Catholic Church insists revolution against nature,” exulted Angelino know: is a lifelong union between a man and woman. Alfano, the interior minister and head of the What’s Next More painful for the LGBT community National Debate New Center-Right party. was Renzi’s decision earlier in the week to North Carolina cities and counties are Avvenire, the newspaper of the Italian LGBT activists have pushed to expand scrap the provision allowing gays to adopt creations of the state, which means the bishops’ conference, lamented in an editorial anti-discrimination laws as sweeping changes the biological children of their partners. It was General Assembly can pass legislation Thursday that Renzi had forced senators to take hold in the wake of the Supreme Court’s sacrificed to ensure support within Renzi’s cancelling the Charlotte ordinance or pre- choose between their consciences and the legalization of gay marriage. LGBT advocates own Democratic Party and other necessary empting any similar or regulations statewide. government in imposing the confidence vote. say nearly all of the nation’s 20 largest cities supporters, and even then Renzi put the bill Legislators could also require such ordinances “It would have been better to not so heavily fall under local or state nondiscrimination laws up to a confidence vote -- a common tactic to be approved by voter referenda before they condition the freedom of conscience of the that allow transgender people to use whatever in Italian politics to ensure that the majority are enforced. The governor and leaders of the senators who will vote (with a few announced bathroom they identify with. As conservatives closes ranks. house and senate, all Republicans, said they exceptions) not because of their intimate push back, they’re finding success by raising “We are outraged, angry, disappointed,” will intervene. McCrory told the Associated conviction of the quality of the law but out concerns about bathroom safety. said Marilena Grassadonia, president of Press that the Charlotte ordinance is “an of loyalty or not to a political judgment of Rainbow Families, the Italian association of extreme regulation that changes the basic Renzi’s executive,” Avvenire said. homosexual parents. “We can’t believe that norms of society.”

12 BTL | March 3, 2016 www.PrideSource.com Utah Senate Approves Adding LGBT Protections to Hate Crime Law SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – Utah state proposal during the debate, saying it protects senators backed a proposal on Feb. 26 that many groups of people that are not currently would beef up the state’s hate crime law protected in the state. and add protections for gay and transgender “Painting a smiley face on a synagogue is people. a very, very different action than painting a Lawmakers voted 17-12 to give preliminary swastika,” said Sen. Daniel Thatcher, R-West approval of the plan after debating it. They Valley City. must still cast a final vote on the measure A number of community and religious sometime in the next two weeks. groups have also endorsed the plan. The proposal would increase the penalties Utah is one of over a dozen states with hate for crimes against a person or their property if crime laws that lack protections for sexual the action was motivated by factors such as the orientation and gender identity, according victim’s sexual orientation, race, or religion. to the Human Rights Campaign. The current Bill sponsor Sen. Steve Urquhart, R-St. law doesn’t include specific protected groups George, said he feels fantastic that the plan but instead speaks generally about crimes advanced. that cause a person to fear they cannot freely He said he is wary about its chances exercise their constitutional rights. advancing further given that The Church of Some lawmakers criticized the proposal, Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a saying it gives special protection for certain statement last week urging legislators not to groups of people over others. upset a balance between religious and LGBT “How is this equal?” said Republican Sen. rights. Most lawmakers are members of the Todd Weiler of Woods Cross. “If someone faith. attacks me if I’m obese, there’s no protection “I would need to perform some serious for me.” magic to get it through the process now that the “We don’t have a big history of people church has spoken against it,” said Urquhart. saying, ‘let’s roll up on a fatty,’” Urquhart Mormon church spokesman Dale Jones later said. “The reality is certain groups are said in the statement that lawmakers struck a attacked because they belong to that group.” balance last year with an anti-discrimination Lawmakers also voted in support of law that protected religious rights and LGBT Urquhart’s accompanying proposal on Feb. rights. Jones said that balance should be 26, which would clarify that a person’s maintained despite efforts on both ends of the membership in a specific group or hate speech political spectrum to upset it. Jones declined alone cannot serve as evidence that something to elaborate. was a hate crime. The person’s comments or Urquhart, a Mormon, said his proposal is actions must be specifically related to the balanced and would protect religious groups, crime – such as stating an intent to attack a including members of the LDS Church. specific person because of their race, not past Some lawmakers spoke in support of the statements against members of a race. Bill Allowing Companies to Deny Services to Gays Advances

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) – Kentucky reviewing the case. businesses could refuse services to LGBT The bill is the latest effort of lawmakers in clients in the name of protecting religious some states to react to the U.S. Supreme Court beliefs under a bill advancing in the state ruling last summer that effectively legalized Senate. same-sex marriage nationwide. The Georgia The bill comes after the Lexington-Fayette legislature is considering similar legislation, Urban County Human Rights Commission and the Missouri legislature is considering ordered a Christian T-shirt company to amending its state constitution to protect get diversity training for refusing to print businesses that decline to provide goods or shirts for a gay pride festival. A state judge services for same-sex marriage ceremonies overturned the order, but an appeals court is or celebrations.

www.PrideSource.com March 3, 2016 | BTL 13 COMMUNITY Motor City ComedyFest Celebrates its 20th Year

BY JASON A. MICHAEL KD: There is nothing I won’t joke about, but I would say that I try very hard not to DEARBORN – The 20th annual Motor make fun of already marginalized groups or City ComedyFest is coming to the Dearborn people. I am not here to reinforce the status Ford Community & Performing Arts Center quo. My jokes or stories will make fun of the on Saturday, March 12. The event is sponsored system or situations that put people on the Poppy Champlin Karinda Dobbins by Equality Michigan and features four top margins. An integral part of my comedy is comedians from across the country. Here’s a opening the portal to my life which includes quick Q&A with each of them. almost daily encounters of racism, sexism and homophobia and making people think of Poppy Champlin those things from the perspective of which I am forced to live them; we can then laugh at What is funny to you? the absurdity of it. PC: A lot of things. I can make anything Who are your comedic influences? funny really. I hear things funny. I say things KD: Moms Mabley and Richard Pryor funny. If I am not in a good mood though, not a lot is funny. It is my mood. I can see funny What can folks expect from your act at the in most things. ComedyFest? What don’t you joke about? KD: Folks can expect to have a really good time! PC: I don’t joke about domestic violence, misogyny, rape – anything anti-women. Jaye McBride Who are your comedic influences? PC: I was influenced by Lucille Ball. Seeing What is funny to you? a strong woman be funny, independent, JM: Anything dark. I love dark, “Addams Jaye McBride Sampson McCormick mischievous, ambitious, defiant, can take a Family” type stuff. I try not to go too far in my pie in the face, loving, generous ... She had act. When I start to hear people whispering, it all. I was also into “The Three Stooges,” “How horrible!” I know I’ve gone too far. Who are your comedic influences? and I was also very, very influenced by matter how serious it is, I’ve gotten away Joan Rivers. As I was becoming a comedian What don’t you joke about? with making it funny. ... I think it’s just the SM: Without a doubt, Moms Mabley, Redd I seemed to be tracking with her. I was on JM: I don’t like to take easy jokes. If it’s way I do things, say things, think things ... Foxx, Whoopi Goldberg, Joan Rivers, and her late night show as a contestant in a Joan about stereotypes or easy punchlines, I don’t it can be mischievous but sweet. And above folks that I saw growing up, like the old Rivers-for-a-day contest and came in first bother. If I’m at a roast, I’ll go after everyone just being funny, I think having the ability to black women who would sit on the front runner up. Years later in New York I won an and everything, but I’d like to leave it there. relate, to find things in common with folks. porch with a cigarette flapping in the corner America’s Funniest Real Woman contest on I’ve always had the ability to connect with of their mouth, eating crackers and tuna her morning show. Who are your comedic influences? people, no matter who they are, that allows fish, talking shit about people, and hollering JM: Anthony Jeselnik, Mitch Hedberg, Sarah them to open up and let me get to that funny at people who walked past the yard, “Hey What can folks expect from your act at the Silverman and of course, Joan Rivers! bone, and we end up having a great time baby! How you doin’? How your mama and ComedyFest? together. ‘nem?” They were hilarious and I picked up What can folks expect from your act at the a lot of their habits and attitude. They were PC: I will be delivering some new, high What don’t you joke about? paced, upbeat material and hopefully a ComedyFest? amazing women. couple of new song parodies that I always JM: At ComedyFest, I expect I’ll be different SM: I’m pretty old school. I grew up in the ‘80s playing “The Dozens” (verbal sparring What can folks expect from your act at the come up with. than almost any other comic they’ve seen ComedyFest? before. I also expect them to each bring me matches that include “Yo Mama” jokes and a homemade pie and/or cupcake. I expect to making fun of flaws with oneself and other SM: Honesty, a very personal point of view Karinda Dobbins put on a lot of weight this weekend. people) in the hood, and of course, being about life, and where we are right now. And, a gay man, throwing shade and reading of course, I share a lot of stories. That’s my What is funny to you? (humorous trash talks and put downs), so I style: make folks who’ve never had a black know how to crack a joke and take one. I’m or gay best friend feel like they finally have KD: I love various types of humor including Sampson McCormick not politically correct, but I’m not an asshole, one. political satire and ‘70s variety shows (“The either. So, nothing is really off the table. But To purchase tickets for the ComedyFest visit Carol Burnett Show,” “The Richard Pryor What is funny to you? I don’t make fun of the handicapped, or do www.comedyfest.org or pick them up at Five 15 Show,” “The Flip Wilson Show”). SM: My point of view and the way that I say rape jokes, or any of that, or attack groups in Royal Oak or Common Language book store What don’t you joke about? things about them. I’ve always had a way of – unless its FOX News, then that’s no holds being so lighthearted about things that no barred. in Ann Arbor.

14 BTL | March 3, 2016 www.PrideSource.com Strengthening Gay/Straight Alliances Program Reaches Out Across Michigan to Build Network

BY AJ TRAGER

FLINT – BAMM GSAs, a program of the Michigan Organization on Adolescent Sexual Health, is in its second year of operation. Over the last two years, BAMM GSAs has worked with schools and administrations across the state to strengthen gay/straight professionals to improve the social and health alliances’ opportunities and spread knowledge outcomes of LGBT youth by increasing the and awareness on the benefits of establishing number and improving the capacity of GSAs GSAs in schools. in the state. “Every successful GSA has a purpose,” Erin Two years into the program, MOASH has Busbee, GSA organizational development conducted a multi-tiered situational assessment specialist from MOASH, said in a January of GSAs and the climate in Michigan. The presentation about the program. team interviewed 10 students, 10 teachers and Every year more and more young Americans five advisers from schools across the state. are coming out as LGBT. And it’s no secret The team will develop a model program – a that GSAs improve the health of LGBT youth guideline – from the interview results. through social support, group affirmation and advocacy for supportive politices. LGBT youth with GSAs in their school are less likely to Statewide Strategy miss school due to feeling unsafe, less likely MOASH is working with Equality Michigan, to be verbally harassed, more likely to have GLSEN Southeast Michigan and West higher GPAs than their LGBT counterparts Michigan Chapters, Kent Intermediate School with no GSA, and feel a greater sense of District, Michigan Department of Education belonging. and the Neutral Zone to enact more inclusive In Michigan, there is no current strategy, changes to Michigan schools. The next steps network or resource for the promotion, that the organization and partners will take implementation and development of GSAs. will include collaboration on the development Only 44 percent of Michigan schools have of a statewide GSA strategy based on best active GSAs. MOASH is currently working practices, creation of a model program for across the state to help bridge the gap and help organizational development of GSAs, and more schools implement a GSA. However, creation of the first ever working summit on the progress is “under-utilized, inconsistently GSAs. In the next year and a half the group funded and done in isolated pockets throughout will place trained organizational development the state,” MOASH representatives said at the advisers on-site in schools with community SOGI Conference held in January. GSAs, monitor and evaluate progress and According to 2013 GLSEN statistics, 56 continue to put on its annual working summit. percent of LGBT students are still experiencing discriminatory school practices and policies, 65 percent heard homophobic remarks, 30 Summit percent do not feel safe attending schools, and 85 percent still experience verbal harassment. The organization will host the Second LGBT youth across the country are twice as Annual BAMM GSAs Working Summit at 9:30 likely than heterosexual, cisgender counterparts a.m. March 18 at the Harding Mott University to not attend school over a 30 day period, be Center at the University of Michigan-Flint physically injured, become depressed, consider campus. The event is open to all students, adult or attempt suicide, use substances and engage advisers and parents who are affiliated in any in risky sexual behavior. LGBT youth in way with a gay/straight alliance. Michigan report being victimized, excluded The one day summit will include workshops and physically, sexually and verbally harassed. and seminars dedicated to developing new and “There’s a lot of transphobia in our schools. strengthening existing GSAs in the state, with While schools are not actively doing it, they presentations by GLSEN Southeast Michigan are perpetuating by allowing it to happen. It and MOASH. The campus building is located shows students that they aren’t supported,” at 400 Mill St. in Flint. Busbee said. While registration for the annual summit is MOASH received a three-year federal currently closed after reaching capacity, those grant through the Mobilization for Health: interested are encouraged to email the director National Prevention Partnership Awards of programs at MOASH, Taryn Gal, at taryn. from the Department of Health and Human Service of the Assistant Secretary for Health [email protected]. Interested students can obtain an in 2014. The project brings together working official letter to provide school administration for their excused absence. www.PrideSource.com March 3, 2016 | BTL 15 ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Favorite Coming To Royal Oak With New One-Woman Show

BY JASON A. MICHAEL

he is large and in charge, chunky yet funky. Yes, the one and only Latrice “Mother Fucking” Royale is Scoming to town. The drag diva – “RuPaul’s Drag Race” favorite – will be starring in a one-woman show called “Here’s To Life” at the Baldwin Theatre in Royal Oak on March 10. The show chronicles Royale’s early years, the period she refers to as her “unfortunate incarceration,” and her heady days on “Drag Race” and beyond. Royale sings live in the show and will be signing CDs afterward. That’s right – Royale has branched out. Since becoming a break-out star on “Drag Race” – she appeared on the show’s fourth season, as well as “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” and the spin off series “RuPaul’s Drag U” – Royale has bloomed. In February alone she crisscrossed the country to perform shows in San Francisco, Atlanta, Mexico City and a few points in between. She’s also performed internationally, appeared in a documentary (“South Beach on Heels”), released a few dance tracks (including the smash hit “Weight” in 2014) and even become an ordained minister and begun officiating at wedding ceremonies. Yes, chile, Ms. Royale does it all. But she’s never too busy for her fans and graciously took time out to speak to Between The Lines from Hollywood, Florida, her home base, between rehearsals for her new show. Royale was born in California and grew up on the mean streets of Compton. “It was very tough,” Royale recalled. “It was very hard, and I endured a lot of things that no kid should have to endure. But I got through it the best way I knew how and I kept moving.” After being unexpectedly outed to her family by her brother, Royale moved east. She stopped first in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where she studied dance and color guard, before moving on to Florida. Drag was a natural extension of Royale’s love of performing. Her career as a female impersonator, however, got off to a rocky start. Royale entered her first drag contest, which took place at the Copa in Ft. Lauderdale, as a dare. Needless to say, she wasn’t among the winners at the end of the night. “They gave me a fashion citation and a drink ticket,” said Royale with a laugh. “It was horrible. Horrible.” But it ignited a spark in Royale, and she didn’t let her early disappointment discourage her from pressing on and perfecting her craft. Fast forward 15 years and Royale had become so successful she landed herself a spot on a television show. “Going on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ was a whim,” Royale said. “I just sent them an email talking shit and I got a Photo: Eric Wagner response. I wrote them on a Tuesday and got a call on

16 BTL | March 3, 2016 www.PrideSource.com Thursday and they wanted my video in by the show manage to morph their exposure into Monday. So I did it. I made it happen and I got a successful career. “It really is all on you to picked the first go ‘round.” find out what you’re going to do,” said Royale. Royale had been a fan the show. But soon “Some girls flourish and others fall by the enough she found out how different being on wayside. You have to have a big picture in mind the show was from simply viewing it. in order to be successful. If you don’t have a “Watching it, you don’t get the whole story,” bigger picture and goals, then you’re just going Royale explained. “You get a slice-and-dice to fly by the seat of your pants. You always have version of what we actually go through and to be ahead of yourself because that’s the only endure. So it looks very effortless on television way you’re going to stay relevant.” when you’re sitting at home. But in reality, oh And you best believe, Royale plans to stay my god, it was the most stressful, mentally relevant. Her motto? “Diversity is the key to challenging and exhausting experience that capturing an audience.” I’ve ever gone through. “If you don’t have something different and “No one can prepare you for what you’re fresh, you can take something old and give it going to go through,” Royale continued. a new spin,” Royale said. “But you’ve got to “There’s a lot of soul-searching that goes on change up the gig to fit into any situation given. because you have nobody there but you to rely I can go from the White House to the whore on. So if you go in there scared, it’s going to house, baby, but either which way you’re going chew you up and spit you out. And it’s going to be fully entertained and you’re going to get a to show up on camera. Everybody’s going to professional. So that really is the key: to change see it. But if you’re confident and you know it up and keep people interested in what you’re who you are and you’re strong, that’s also going to do next.” going to show. So it’s up to you how it’s going Luckily for Royale, she has help in keeping to play out.” her show fresh in the form of her personal Despite the challenges and stress of the show, assistant and romantic partner, Christopher including those vicious critiques by the judges, Hamblin. “My love life is amazing with a Royale began to hit her stride. capital ‘A’-mazing,” said Royale. “I am with “I understood what the purpose was, and the love of my life. He’s absolutely wonderful what my purpose was, and I was able to and supportive. I’m very grateful. I’ve finally share my story and everything that I had gone found my partner, someone that I can grow through in my life basically all made sense,” with. And that has been my lifelong dream. said Royale. “I had that ‘aha’ moment when So I’m kind of living my dream right now, and you realize you’re in the right place at the it’s really amazing. It’s kind of like putting all right time and this is what your purpose is, to the dots together and making it a full circle.” inspire and to let people know what you’ve gone through and to hopefully help somebody. So once I got my head around that I was really ready to go. I was ready to fly.” INFO After her run on the show – Royale made the top four – an opportunity arose for the entertainer to cash in on her newly found fame. Latrice Royale And Royale wasted no time in seizing it. >> 8 p.m. March 10 “I’ve always been a business woman first Baldwin Theatre and foremost,” she said. “I’ve always been 415 S. Lafayette Ave., Royal Oak business-minded when it came to my career.

I just knew that I needed a platform because www.stagecrafters.org I already had a plan ... and ‘RuPauls’s Drag Race’ was that platform.” Still, not all the contestants who appear on www.PrideSource.com March 3, 2016 | BTL 17 Mombian: Two Books Tell the Stories of LGBTQ Families BY DANA RUDOLPH Cool Cities tories have power. Two new Ann Arbor collections of stories about the Screation of LGBTQ families reinforce that point with two very YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD • YOUR MARKET different approaches. “Modern Families: Stories of Pinpoint your ad dollars where Extraordinary Journeys to Kinship,” they will do the most good . . . by Joshua Gamson (NYU Press: 2015) is a collection of creation tales about Advertise in the next Cool Cities Gamson’s own family and several other TO PLACE AN AD CALL 734.293.7200 LGBTQ families that he knows, woven together by insights on the meaning of families today and the intersecting and sometimes conflicting social, legal and economic contexts in which we create them. Gamson, a professor of sociology at the University of San Francisco, was motivated to write, he says, by people (It should not be confused with “Modern unsure which way to go. After reading inquiring about his own family. Gamson, Families: Parents and Children in New through these stories, prospective parents White and Jewish, and his biracial Family Forms,” by Susan Golombok, should indeed have a better sense of (black and white) husband Richard had also published last year and a worthwhile what’s involved with each method and one child with a friend of Gamson’s as overview of current academic research.) be better prepared to make their own their surrogate, and eggs from another Gamson places his book between what decisions. friend. For their second child, they used he calls “repro lit” – personal, honest For each section, Rosswood provides a surrogate from an agency and eggs accounts of starting families – and “repro a brief overview of what each path donated by a friend. While he sometimes crit,” often critical academic analyses to parenthood involves. The section bristled at questions about his family, of the institutional structures of family on “Open Adoption,” however, is he realized, “People really just wanted creation. The stories of the parents in misleading. His introduction there to know about origins: how a life and a his book, he says, cannot be understood implies that all open adoptions begin family started when not everything was outside their structural context but also with the birth of the child. All of the easy and scripted.” cannot be understood apart from the stories in that section do involve parents He was surrounded by such stories. personal, intense, creative drive that who adopted newborns, but the fact is, In his immediate social circle were a motivated them to become parents in the open adoptions – which allow some single mother by choice who adopted first place. His deft blending of the two form of association among the adoptive a child from Ethiopia; a lesbian couple makes his book a must-read for anyone parent(s), birth parent(s) and child – can who used one woman’s eggs while the interested in families today. occur with children adopted at any age, other carried the fetus, fertilized from as well as with those adopted from foster donor sperm; another lesbian couple care (whom Rosswood puts in a different co-parenting two adopted children (from In their own words section). The section would have been Nepal and India) with a gay male couple; This brings us to “Journey to Same- better titled “Infant Adoption.” and a couple consisting of a woman and Sex Parenthood: Firsthand Advice, Nevertheless, many same-sex couples a transgender man, who started a family Tips and Stories from Lesbian and considering parenthood will find the first- through private adoption. Gay Couples,” by Eric Rosswood person stories in this book immediately He shares their tales with an engaging, (New Horizon Press: 2016) which lies useful, both for their practical tips and gently humorous, and at times poetic more towards the “repro lit” end of the for the comforting sense they convey that style. At the same time, he also teases spectrum. It features stories of 19 couples others have been there before. out the connections between individual (and co-parenting units of more than Those seeking insight on how we family stories and the social systems two) telling us in their own words about LGBTQ families fit into larger social in which they are immersed. “There the obstacles and triumphs of forming systems, however, but who want is no separation between the ways their families. A list of legal tips and something more personable than an we make our families and the various questions to ask in choosing a parenting academic study, should turn to Gamson, social hierarchies in which we all path add to its practical, how-to feel. who gives us thoughtful proof that the find ourselves,” he says. His goal is We meet parents from around the personal is indeed political. not a systematic study, but rather an U.S., as well as the U.K., Ireland and “Hyperintentional, inventive and exploration of how these hierarchies South Africa. Their conversational and obstinate, the families wrote their own – of gender, ethnicity, race and class – candid essays are grouped by type of scripts,” he says. The stories in both may affect our family-making and are family formation: Open Adoption, books help us to better understand – and illuminated by it in turn. Often-expensive Foster Parenting and Adopting from to be part of – that creative process. assisted reproduction, for example, Foster Care, Surrogacy and Assisted Dana Rudolph is the founder and publisher “facilitates the creation of some queer Reproduction. Rosswood explains that families even as it reinforces the distance he wanted to include all these approaches of Mombian (mombian.com), a GLAAD between haves and have-nots.” in one volume to help others who are Media Award-winning blog and resource This is not an “academic” book, starting their parenting journeys but directory for LGBTQ parents. however, despite Gamson’s credentials. 18 BTL | March 3, 2016 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com March 3, 2016 | BTL 19 13

10 Cool Cities 6 3 18 11 17 Ann Arbor 9 YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD • YOUR MARKET 16 4 Pinpoint your ad dollars where 14 8 20 7 they will do the most good . . . 1 21 15 5 Advertise in the next Cool Cities 22 TO PLACE AN AD CALL 734.293.7200 2

19

Ann Arbor Advertisers D’orio, Jd, Plc, Lynn B...... 7 Lewis Jewelers...... 12 Rosenberg, David ...... 12 Abracadabra Jewelry & Gem Gallery..... 1 Downtown Home & Garden...... 8 Lord of Light Lutheran Church...... * Sh\aut\ Cabaret and Gallery...... 6 Anderson, PLLC, Mary K...... 2 Esquire Interiors...... * Men’s Yoga...... 13 Spectrum Center...... 19 Ann Arbor Animal Hospital...... 12 First Unitarian Church of Ann Arbor.....* Merkel Carpet One...... * Three Chairs Co...... 20 Ann Arbor Civic Theatre...... 3 Frick, LMSW, BCD, CBT, Julie...... * Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams...... 14 Tios Mexican Cafe...... 21 Ann Arbor Saline Family Chiro...... * Gail van Langen Ph.d...... 9 Necto...... 15 Top of the Lamp...... * Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra...... 4 Greene, LMSW, ACSW, Marge...... 10 Orion Automotive Services Inc...... * Trillium Real Estate...... 6 The Ark...... 5 Groom N Go ...... * People’s Food Coop...... 16 Two Men And A Truck...... * /aut/ Bar...... 6 Hillers...... * Performance Network...... 17 UMHS Comprehensive Gender Services Program...... * Bassett & Associates...... * HIV/AIDS Resource Center (Harc)...... * Peterson, PLLC, Lisa J...... 18 University Musical Society...... 22 Common Language...... 6 Humane Society of Huron Valley...... * PFLAG Ann Arbor...... * Dependable Collision Center...... * Iglesia Martell Law...... 11 Polo Fields Golf...... * * Not shown on map Jim Toy Resource Center...... 6 Rock Shoppe...... *

20 BTL | March 3, 2016 www.PrideSource.com Ann Arbor Gears Up For Film Festival With Featured Filmmaker

BY BTL STAFF

As part of AAFF 54, the Ann Arbor Film Festival’s upcoming Penny Stamps Distinguished Speaker series will feature filmmaker David OReilly. Come hear OReilly speak about his past works beginning at 5:10 p.m., Thursday, March 17 at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor. Irish-born and Los Angeles-based, David OReilly is one of the most adventuresome and innovative independent animation filmmakers working today. A darling of the festival circuit — OReilly’s film, “Please Say Something,” won the Chris Frayne “Alien Child” (2013) Award for Best Animated Film at AAFF 48. OReilly directed “Alien Child,” the coattails of AAFF being awarded three Capital Improvements Grant. unforgettably funny and touching faux- times over from the Michigan Council The digital playback system occupies animated video game in Spike Jonze’s for Arts & Cultural Affairs. The Program a crucial role in the AAFF’s ability to “Her” (2013), as well as live visuals for for Operational and Project Support deliver its high-quality, world-renowned M.I.A. at Coachella (2009) and the U2 will provide $22,500 towards general programs to its community of local, animated music video “I’ll Go Crazy If operating costs. A $450 Minigrant will regional, national and international I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight” (2009). He support the first known AAFF board attendees. The current system, which was the first guest director in Cartoon retreat which will take place later this has been in place since the 48th Festival Network’s 20-year history, creating the month. A Capital Improvements Grant of in 2008, is reaching its end-of-life. Used “Adventure Time” episode “A Glitch Is $7,500 will enable the AAFF to obtain a during the week of the Ann Arbor Film a Glitch.” new digital playback system. Festival to exhibit approximately 200 OReilly is resolutely independent, The MCACA peer review process films in 40 programs at the historic moving freely among television allows each grant application to be Michigan Theater, it consists of two network, feature film and music competitively considered by a panel systems, one for each of the auditoriums. video commissions; metaphysical, of in-state and out-of-state arts and Approximately half of the AAFF otherworldly video games and interactive culture professionals. This ensures the materials for playback exist in a projects that question ideas of the self taxpayers, who support this project format outside the realm of what the and the nature of role-playing (Mountain through legislative appropriations, and Michigan Theater is capable of handling. and Character Mirror); Tumblr games, all other visitors or residents in Michigan Additionally, the Theater is not able to iPhone hologram apps and Twitter- will have access to the highest quality expand its closed system and has clearly based comic strips; and virtual reality arts and cultural experiences. indicated that the AAFF must maintain environments. The Ann Arbor Film Festival now its own ability to playback digital movies This rare opportunity to see such seeks to raise $7,500 in matching funds outside of the commercial standard DCP a renowned filmmaker comes on the necessary to activate the MCACA format.

www.PrideSource.com March 3, 2016 | BTL 21 that Michigans youngest Start planning your trip “out west” for Gilda’s children have high quality LaughFest, the nation’s only community-wide early learning experiences. festival of comedy, March 10-20. Featuring Flexible scheduling allows comedic acts such as Emmy Award winner David for half-day, full-day and Cross and YouTube sensation Miranda Sings, the extended day care options. festival will include more than 200 free and ticketed 2016 JCC Child Development Center Open House Details shows with over 100 artists at more than 40 When March 9th and 10th venues in Grand Rapids and Lowell during the 10 from 930-11 a.m.Where JCC days of the festival. of Metro Detroit (6600 W. Gilda’s LaughFest was created by a team at Gilda’s Maple Rd. West Bloomfield, Club Grand Rapids in 2011. Designed to celebrate MI 48322)Who Can Attend laughter for the health of it, LaughFest features free Anyone looking for a quality and ticketed events including stand-up, improv, film, authors, community showcases and a variety childhood developmental programthat includes age of seriously funny stuff. Past LaughFest headliners have included George Lopez, Wanda Sykes, Billy appropriate educational and Gardell, Jay Leno, Lily Tomlin, Mike Birbiglia, Margaret Cho, Betty White, Whoopi Goldberg, Rodney Judaic experiences and family Carrington, Martin Short, Kevin Nealon, Wayne Brady, Joel McHale, Lewis Black and Brian Regan. involvement in a safe, warm Individual tickets range from $7-80, excluding the Signature Event, and are available through and loving environment.More ticketmaster.com. For more information on the festival or the organizers, visit www.gildasclubgr.org. information www.jccdet. orgcdcopenhouse JCC of Metro Detroit, 6600 W. Maple Rd., West Bloomfield. 248- 432-5582. [email protected] www.jccdet.org/pittcdc

Saturday, March 12 Olympia Entertainment, 2211 and presentation each time. Michigan LGBT ComedyFest OUTINGS Woodward Ave., Detroit. Equality Research Center, 329 8 p.m. Tickets: $35+. Equality 313-471-6611. www. King Hall, Ypsilanti. 734-487- Michigan, 15801 Michigan Thursday, March 3 Olympiaentertainment.com 3032. equality.emu@gmail. Ave., Dearborn. 313-537- Flint Phone Bank 6 p.m. com 7000. [email protected] Bring a cell phone. Equality Sunday, March 6 www.Comedyfest.org Michigan and Affirmations, The Trans Day of Artivism Wednesday, March 9 290 W. Nine Mile Road, Monday, March 14 Ferndale. 248-398-7105. All day event celebrating trans Brackets For Good Online www.Goaffirmations. artists. Affirmations, 290 W. Tournament Starting Feb. 26, Happy Hour 4 p.m. Come join org/programs-services/ Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. online donations to help your us for happy hour and Man community-events-activities 248-398-7105. www. favorite nonprofit organization Crush Monday. Grenadier Club, Goaffirmations.org/programs- advance in Brackets For Good 3101 McDougall, Detroit. LGBT Chamber and services/community-events- and get one step closer to 313-910-6867. Michigan Employee activities $10,000 can be made by Resource Group Social Event visiting annarbor.bfg.org. 2016 Artistry of Hair & MUSIC & MORE 6:30 p.m. LGBT Chamber and $1 equals 1 point. Brackets Fashion Show 2 p.m. 2016 Michigan Employee Resource For Good, Ann Arbor. www. Artistry of Hair & Fashion Comedy Group Social Event, 2462 Annarbor.bfg.org Riopelle, Detroit. ShowSunday, March Gilda’s Club “LaughFest” 6thExperience the 2016 JCC of Metro Detroit Hosting . Multiple, Grand Rapids. Bobby Jo Valentine 7 p.m. Artistry of Hair & Fashion Child Development Center March 10 - March 20. www. Free. All ages. Openly gay Show!See exotic Hair, Fashion Open House 9:30 a.m. gildasclubgr.org Christian singer. First United & Avant Garde through the The JCC of Metro Detroit Methodist Church of Ferndale, eyes of Kevin Carter and is opening its doors and Concerts 22331 Woodward Ave., his team as they prepare to welcoming families to come Ferndale. compete in the Hair Olympics and learn more about the The Fillmore Detroit “Hoodie OMC Hairworld in Seoul, South Allen” Tickets: $20-45. Throwback Thursday people and programs at its Korea.Experience VIP - Tickets Sarah and Irving Pitt Child The Fillmore Detroit, 2115 7:30 p.m. Different movie Woodward Ave., Detroit. 7 p.m. each time. Tickets: $12. The @ $55General Admission - Development Center (CDC). Tickets $35Artistry of Hair March 4. www.Livenation.com Berman, 6600 W. Maple Road, The open house will give Salon 248-442-9560Brushed West Bloomfield. 248-661- families a chance toMeet UMS “The Chieftains” Tickets: 1900. www.Theberman.org Beautiful, LLC 586-580-1706 CDC staff and teachersTour $10-$60. Hill Auditorium, 825 Kevin Carter Artistry of Hair, the CDC facilityLearn about North University Avenue, Ann 22001 Northwestern Hwy, early childhood programs for Arbor. 8 p.m. March 5. 734- Saturday, March 5 Southfield. 586-580-1706. children ages 2 months to 764-2538. http://ums.org/ Name Change Clinic 1 p.m. edwina@brushedbeautiful. KindergartenExperience first- performance/the-chieftains/ The Queer Legal Project, 290 com Website hand CDC learning and growth W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. activities The Sarah and Dance 248-398-7105. www. Tuesday, March 8 Irving Pitt Child Development Goaffirmations.org Center has earned a 4-star Mosaic Youth Theatre of Equality Knowledge rating from the statewide Detroit “Dance to the Music” 8 Project Speaker Series A Night with Janis Joplin program, Great Start to Tickets: $15-24. The Music p.m. Tickets: $35.50-79.50. 5:30 p.m. Different speaker Quality. This rating ensures Hall Center for Performing

See Happenings, page 25

22 BTL | March 3, 2016 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com March 3, 2016 | BTL 23 Townshend 12 Rosie O’Donnell’s “Exit to Q Puzzle 43 Enga ge in some watersports ___ “ 44 One who gets screwed by an 13 Ward of “Once and Again” agent? 21 Wear down 46 Triangle-shaped peninsula 22 “Evita” narrator 48 “ ___ Miz” 26 Chows down 49 “Gulliver’ s Travels” brutes 28 Randy Shilts’ area 51 Philippines island 29 Chase behind 53 The Gay Nineties, for 31 Dance legend Fuller example 32 Shade trees 55 Alexander conquered it 33 Noise of an ass 59 “Gone With the Wind” extra 34 Costa ___ 61 Where football players get 35 Where football players pat naked together each other 64 Video category for porn 37 Shakespeare’s Hathaway 66 Royal threesome 40 Sticky stuff 67 Go down 42 A pink triangle symbolizes 68 Release from bondage this 69 “How queer!” 45 Alarm cock? 70 Sea eagle 47 Cicero’s way 71 “See ya” 50 U. of San Francisco, e.g. 72 Actor Auberjonois 52 Wore away 73 Cannon of Hollywood 54 Score for Billy Bean 56 “Pardon me” Down 57 “___ roll!” Gay Things You Do Playing Football 58 Navratilova’s winter home 1 Persian Gulf figure 59 Male actor named Julia 20 He reaches between the 2 [ELK] - [K] + [LEND] - [D] 60 John Travolta’s “Hairspray” Across center’s legs 3 Erection supporter role 1 “The Unicorn” author 23 Aunt in a Disney film 4 Governor of 55-Across Murdoch 62 Hourly pay 24 Merchant of films 5 Stein, for one 5 Famed Loch 63 Actor Richard 25 Less likely to come out 6 Arab head 9 Sits for 63-Across 65 Hwy. to the Hamptons 27 Computer command 7 Stuck-up sort 14 “Queen of Country” McEntire 30 Make possible 8 Nanc y’s older son, on 15 Prefix with potent 33 Christopher, to Madonna “Weeds” 16 Give the slip to 36 Former NFL player Tuaolo 9 Tony of Hollywood 17 Give relief to a thief 38 Seat at the Stonewall Inn 10 Cheer for Lorca 18 One of Bernstein’s strings 39 Where boxers are visible 11 Winners of this wear Find solution to this puzzle at 19 Beat off 41 Sound from guitarist matching rings www.pridesource.com

24 BTL | March 3, 2016 www.PrideSource.com Civic/Community College/University Machine Trio: The Creation of Hip-hop artist Hoodie Allen will play the Fillmore the Universe.” Cranbrook Art Detroit with Figure and Bear Grillz this week. The Theater Theater Museum, 39221 Woodward New York-based artist is known for his mixtapes A2CT Presents Rosencrantz Love’s Labour’s Lost By Ave., Bloomfield Hills. Dec. and expert music sampling. Bear Grillz will bring and Guildenstern are Dead William Shakespeare. Hilberry, 1 - March 13. 877-462-7262. their Electronic Dance Music (EDM) to the stage, as Ann Arbor Civic Theatre Hilberry Theatre, 4743 Cass www.Cranbrookart.edu will Figure, known for his DJing of the sounds. presents Tom Stoppard’s Ave., Detroit. Through March 13. 313-577-2972. www. Cranbrook Art Museum tale of Hamlet’s hapless duo, “Lou Reed, Metal Machine The artist, who has publicly stated he Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Hilberry.com “wholeheartedly” supports the LGBT community, Trio: The Creation of the are Dead, directed by David Low Hanging Fruit The Universe” Cranbrook Art began his career as part of the duo Steve Widmayer, March 10- Markowitz and Obey City (he was Markowitz). He created the stage name of Hoodie Allen based in Theatre Company of University Museum, 39221 Woodward 13,2016 ,at the University of Detroit Mercy and Matrix Ave., Bloomfield Hills. Dec. part off of his childhood nickname of “Hoodie” and a play off of Woody Allen’s name. of Michigan’s Arthur Miller Theatre Company, The 1 - March 26. 877-462-7262. The all ages show will be March 4. Doors are 7 p.m. Tickets are $20-45. Visit http://concerts. Theatre. Shows 3/10 @ 7:30 Marlene Boll Theatre, Boll www.Cranbrookart.edu pm, 3/11 - 3/12 @ 8 pm, 3/13 livenation.com/event/08004F6823073B0A for tickets and more information. Family Y.M.C.A., Detroit. @ 2 pm. Ticket prices $17 March 3 - March 20. www. Flint Institute of Arts on 3/10, 3/11-3/13 adults TheTheatreCo.com “From Heart to Hand: African $22, $20 for seniors, students American Quilts from the all shows $11. Ann Arbor Montgomery Museum of Fine Civic Theatre, Arthur Miller Professional Arts” Throughout history, quilts film each Wednesday night. nufonia-must-fall/ ® Happenings Theatre, 1226 Murfin Ave, Ann agua de luna (psalms for the have held an important and State Theater, 233 State St., Continued from p. 22 Arbor. March 10 - March 13. rouge) 18+. Matrix Theatre, cherished place in our culture, Ann Arbor. Jan. 13 - April 734-971-2228. www.a2ct. Matrix Theatre Company, 2730 particularly in the American 27. 734-668-8397. www. THEATER org/shows/rosencrantz-and- Bagley, Detroit. Through March South. Flint Institute of Arts, Michtheater.org Butler Detroit Repertory Arts, 350 Madison St., Detroit. Theatre, 13103 Woodrow guildenstern-are-dead 20. 313-967-0999. www. 1120 E. Kearsley St., Flint. March 4 - March 6. 313- Matrixtheatre.org Jan. 24 - April 10. 810-234- Wilson, Detroit. Through March Auditions for Disney’s The 872-6910. Mosaicdetroit.org/ Shows 13. 313-868-1347. 1695. www.Flintarts.org our-season/singers/ UMS “Nufonia Must Fall” Jungle Book Free. Ann Arbor ART ‘N’ AROUND Tickets: $24-$54. Power The Odd Couple Tickets: Civic Theatre, A2CT Studio Cranbrook Art Museum Film & Video Center, 121 Fletcher St., Ann $19-43. The Purple Rose Theatre, 322 W. Ann St., Ann Theatre, Purple Rose Theatre, Arbor. March 1 - March 3. “Empire by Andy Warhol” The Michigan Theater Arbor. March 11 - March 137 Park St., Chelsea. Through 734-971-2228. www.A2ct. presentation at Cranbrook “CineManga Film Series” 12. 734-764-2538. http:// March 30. 734-433-7673. org/junior-theatre/junior- Art Museum is shown in Different anime or Japanese ums.org/multiperformance/ www.Purplerosetheatre.org theatre-auditions relation to “Lou Reed, Metal

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26 BTL | March 3, 2016 www.PrideSource.com Deep Inside Hollywood

BY ROMEO SAN VICENTE weird, public spectacles like that on a regular basis, especially ones where lots of celebs get Paul Rudd and Steve Coogan pranked. We need all of them we can get. move into ‘Ideal Home’ Guy Pearce, still flaming A long time ago, in the very bad old days, More than 20 years have passed since Guy Richard Burton and Rex Harrison portrayed Pearce appeared on screen as a larger-than-life a dismally unhappy gay couple in a wretched drag queen in “The Adventures of Priscilla, little movie called “Staircase” Queen of The Desert.” Now, (watch on TCM some day if that film’s writer-director, you dare). One problem: their Stephan Elliott, has recruited characters were unhappy Pearce for another round mostly because they were of sexual nonconformity. gay. A neat little trick to play Their upcoming film on gay audiences, don’t you together, also written and think? Well, we’ve come a directed by Elliott, is titled long way, and now we get “Flammable Children,” and to be unhappy for all the it co-stars Radha Mitchell. same reasons heterosexuals Telling the story of three enjoy, which seems to be the families on the beaches of plot of “An Ideal Home,” Australia in the mid-1970s, the new film from queer the comedy explores the director Andrew Fleming sexual revolution of that era (who worked with Coogan and the changes it effects before on “Hamlet 2”). The Paul Rudd. Photo: KathClick on everyone. There’s also a story involves Paul Rudd and 200-ton whale involved in the Steve Coogan as a married story, but we’re not sure what couple whose relationship is on the rocks. role it plays or if it’s a speaking part. If none of The situation is further complicated when that sounds especially “Priscilla”-esque, then Coogan’s surprise grandchild shows up at their we have two words for you: Lizzy Gardiner. door. Wild – and somewhat jaded – guess: She’s the Academy Award-winning costume the adorable child reminds them what family designer responsible for the “Priscilla” outfits. is really about. Whatever the typical tropes You’ll want to see this movie for her work, if may be, we love Coogan and Rudd and, so, nothing else. Cameras roll early this fall, the yeah, we’re in. beginning of Australia’s summer. James Franco, Kristen Stewart ‘I Love Dick’ is coming and Helena Bonham Carter When you’re hot, you’re hot, and Jill resurrect ‘JT Leroy’ Soloway is hot. On the strength of the critical and audience love of “Transparent” (those JT Leroy is back again. First there was a awards don’t hurt, either), Amazon has documentary, then another documentary, and ordered a second pilot from the show’s creator. now a narrative feature that has attracted the It’s called “I Love Dick,” but it’s probably not attention of James Franco, Kristen Stewart exactly what you have in mind. The comedy and Helena Bonham Carter. Who’s JT Leroy, comes from playwright Sarah Gubbins, based you ask? OK, you only ask if you don’t read on Chris Kraus’ 1997 novel, set in the rural art books, ever, but that’s fine, no judgments here. community of Marfa in Southwest Texas, and JT Leroy was actually nobody, a staggeringly the story revolves around an unhappily married far-reaching literary hoax sensation of the couple who become mutually obsessed with Coming Out June 2016 early ’00s, one concocted by a female author a difficult, magnetic professor named Dick. posing as a teenage literary wunderkind who Charting the dissolution of the marriage, it Apirl 15 Publication Deadline identified as transgender. Novels were written, will be told from various points of view, much literary acclaim followed, public appearances like Showtime’s “The Affair,” or, you know, were made by a young woman in a wig and “Rashomon.” Pilots don’t necessarily become sunglasses, celebrities lined up to sing Leroy’s series, but this one seems a pretty safe bet for praises, a few even participated in the lie. And Amazon’s biggest success story. Step up your then it all came to a screeching halt when the game, network TV, they’re killing it out there. truth was revealed. Fascinating, right? Justin Kelly, who has already directed Franco in the ex-gay biopic “I Am Michael,” is at the Romeo San Vicente will keep this space free for helm of this one. It’s early days yet, and no you to write your own “I Love Dick” joke. He ink has met a contract, but here’s hoping it can be reached care of this publication or at all comes to pass. They just don’t make cool, [email protected]. www.PrideSource.com March 3, 2016 | BTL 27 Over $25,000 in Giveaways Including Presented By Vacation & Entertainment Packages

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