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NEWS PET ISSUE 6 Ginsburg’s Death Leaves LGBTQ 36 From COVID-19 to Black Lives VOL. 2840 • OCTOBER 1, 2020 Rights on Supreme Court Vulnerable to Matter, How Bingo Pet Salon is ISSUE 1164/65 Religious Claims Navigating 2020 PRIDE SOURCE MEDIA GROUP 8 Activists Believe Ginsburg 39 Pet Reiki Service can Provide Stress 06 Phone 734.293.7200 Replacement Barrett Could Hinder Relief and Relaxation for Dogs LGBTQ Rights PUBLISHERS Susan Horowitz & Jan Stevenson 10 Secretary of State, ACLU, ENTERTAINMENT MichiganVoting.Org Coalition Host 40- 42 Reba, Still Fancy EDITORIAL Day Early Voting Campaign Kickoff Editor in Chief Susan Horowitz, 734.293.7200 46 Talks New R&B Album, [email protected] 10 LGBT Co-Hosts Voting Authenticity and the ‘Dirty Game’ That Event with Lt. Gov. , BTL Is Dating Entertainment Editor Publisher Jan Stevenson Chris Azzopardi, 734.293.7200 50 Lansing-Area Libraries Offer National [email protected] 12 Election Q&A: Supreme Court Chief Read Woke Program Through Oct. 31 Justice Bridget Mary McCormack Talks News & Feature Editor Eve Kucharski, 734.293.7200 Reelection [email protected]

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www.PrideSource.com BTL | October 1, 2020 3 For Joe Biden, Push Relentlessly Until Nov. 3 NATIONAL LGBT NEWSPAPER GUILD, BTL MEMBER in their schools and battled to take away the Trump’s governing has been much like his Since Hillary Clinton lost the presidency in right of student athletes to compete in sports. court appointments — where he is not cruel, 2016 even while winning almost three million And against the trans community as well as he is merely incompetent. Mexican and other more votes than Trump, the Democratic Party mong the many compelling reasons lesbian, gay and bisexual Americans, Trump’s Latin American immigrants have been slurred has undergone an internal battle of sorts for its to make sure that Donald Trump administration fought tooth and nail to prevent in overtly racist terms and their children have soul, pitting insurgent, left-leaning candidates, Aand Mike Pence are not reelected on the pivotal advance we won at the Supreme been caged. Muslim newcomers to America many of them young newcomers, against Nov. 3, perhaps the 26 most compelling are Court in June — the recognition that we enjoy have also been stigmatized where they have more moderate establishment figures — on the transgender Americans — most of them employment nondiscrimination protections not been blocked outright. The damage is not issues from racial justice to health care policy, trans women of color — known to have been thanks to the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Still, Trump limited to the newcomers. Latinx- and Muslim- economic inequality and climate change action. murdered this year. and his see-no-evil GOP Senate allies refuse to American citizens have faced increasing levels Those are all areas on which debate is legitimate, We needn’t be simple-minded in making move the Equality Act, which would extend of hostility and hate crimes. and indeed needed. this argument. Trump and Pence did not pull those nondiscrimination protections across Trump saw “very fine people, on both But here’s the thing: with four more years of the trigger, and those who did must, of course, the board in areas like housing and public sides” during the 2017 neo-Nazi invasion of Trump, there is no real consequential venue for bear the consequences for their horrific acts. accommodations. For them, the nation’s most Charlottesville, but he’s been snide in reacting having those debates. Trump and his enablers But the all-too-toxic environment that too embattled minority are bigots who want to to the Black Lives Matter movement, telling are draining the oxygen out of our democracy. many of our transgender siblings have endured enshrine their right to discriminate under the Bob Woodward in response to a question about Debating between left and center in the House in their lives has gotten immeasurably worse cloak of “religious liberty.” why he can’t bring himself to empathize with of Representatives is no substitute for regaining over the past four years. As in every other aspect of this endorsement, African-American citizens, “You, you really the White House and the Senate. Only then can For this reason and many more, in a historic Joe Biden and Kamala Harris offer a stark and drank the Kool-Aid, didn’t you?” we have our debates, lick our wounds and set move, the 12 newspapers of the National LGBT redemptive alternative. The novel coronavirus’ most recent surge a course for a better tomorrow. Media Association, which represents the After Senate Majority Leader Mitch — in the Midwest — and the wild fires raging This election will decided in a small number nation’s oldest and most established LGBTQ McConnell denied President Barack Obama through wide swaths of the West are only the of states — perhaps as many as a dozen, more publications with a combined circulation of federal judicial appointments in his last year most calamitous indicators of Trump’s refusal likely just a handful. In all of the battleground more than 1 million readers, are issuing this in office, he and his colleagues have rubber- to accept the basic facts of science, a posture at states, LGBTQ activists and our progressive joint endorsement of the Joe Biden/Kamala stamped an unprecedented number of judges one with his hostility to fact-based discourse on allies are on the ground working to elect Joe Harris ticket this week. — many of them viciously right-wing, others almost any public policy issue. It’s no surprise Biden and Kamala Harris. Especially in a year From the start, Donald Trump has used the lacking in even the most elementary judicial that the nation’s free press and the unfettered when much of the campaign will be carried out trans community as a punching bag to prove qualifications — whose influence will last for right of Americans to vote — the twin jewels on the air and online rather than in person, all his toughness to his socially conservative base decades to come. The cornerstone decision of American democracy — are, in his mind, of us — everywhere across the nation — can hungry for a strongman willing to turn back in protecting reproductive freedom — Roe v. enemies of the people. pitch in to help in those states where a boost for the clock. He has denied trans folks the ability Wade — may already be doomed by the Trump Meanwhile, Trump is most at ease with Biden is most needed. Grab a bucket, adopt a to serve openly in the military, sought to strip court’s configuration. Give him another chance fellow authoritarian figures around the globe, state and dive in to the battle. None of us should them of nondiscrimination protections in or two to name a member to the high court, whether it’s Russia’s Putin, North Korea’s Jong- wake up Nov. 4 wishing we had done more. health care, worked to rob trans youth of dignity and the ball game will definitely be over. Un, Turkey’s Erdoğan, or Brazil’s Bolsonaro.

See pages 19 -35 , compiled by Congressional District, to learn how your candidate is endorsed

A Project of Pride Source Media Group MiVoterGuide.com Michigan’s 2020 Progressive Voter Guide YOUR PRO-LGBT, WOMAN, ENVIRONMENT, GUN SENSE & LABOR GUIDE TO THE ELECTION

4 BTL | October 1, 2020 www.PrideSource.com WE BACK The National LGBT Media Association unanimously endorses Democratic ticket.

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75¢ est. 1976 HIGH-RISE September 18 - September 24, 2020 APARTMENT A survival guide to the Terrible Twos BUILDING TO FAMILY FORWARD , 2020 BE BUILT IN | SEPTEMBER 10 - SEPTEMBER 23 GAYBORHOOD, ISSUE NINETEEN Sarah McBride set to become first FREE | VOLUME NINETEEN MICHELE ZIPKIN [email protected] , ALL RIGHTS RESERVED transgender state“Sarah McBride senator is one of the| SCHNEPS most MEDIAafter primary win impressive© GAY CITY people NEWS I 2020 have had the Plans are underway for a high-rise JASON VILLEMEZ condominium to be built on the site [email protected] privilege to meet,” HRC President Alphonso David said. “From her currently occupied by the empty 12th brilliant policy expertise to her ability Street Gym in the gayborhood. Ac- Sarah McBride won the to inspire and empathize, Sarah is cording to a Civic Design Review sub- Democratic primary in Delaware’s the epitome of what can make an mitted in July 2020, the roughly 18,434 first state senate district Tuesday elected official great. Next year, as square foot, 31-fl oor building will con- night, all but assuring her a general the first transgender state senator in tain 448 residential units, retail on the election victory in the heavily our nation, Sarah will show that any fi rst three fl oors, and an underground Democratic area. With a win in child can achieve their dream, no garage of 68 parking spaces. November, McBride will become matter their gender identity or sexual In early 2018, after 12th Street Gym the first transgender state senator closed due to fi nancial hardship, de- orientation.” ew build- in U.S. history. McBride currently McBride won 91% of the vote velopers announced that the building serves as the national press secretary in the first district, which covers would be demolished and a n for the Human Rights Campaign. parts of Wilmington and up to the ing put in place. “Tonight sends a powerful signal Pennsylvania border. She will replace The development company, Mid- that candidates like me can win,” state senator Harris McDowell, who wood Investment & Development, also McBride posted on Twitter. is retiring after 43 years in office. struck a deal with the city in 2018 to “Everyone deserves to see Since age 13, McBride has been recreate the mural of Gloria Casarez themselves in government, to follow involved in politics, volunteering currently emblazoned across the wall their dreams, and to be accepted by on political campaigns and being of the existing building. The mural will their community. I will never take active in student affairs — including be recreated in a new location with fi - for granted the honor of carrying that campaigning for gender-neutral nancial assistance from Midwood, ac- mantle.” dormitories — while in college. cording to the company’s CEO John McBride, who has worked for But she found it difficult to achieve Usdan, though the new locationpage of 12 Delaware Governor Jack Markell, all she wanted while hiding part of the mural has yet to be former Attorney General Beau herself. determined. Biden, and the White House “The more successful I became, SARAH MCBRIDE Office of Public Engagement, the more I thought I had to hide my Pennsylvania voters from all across made history in 2016 as the first authentic self,” McBride told PGN15 in the state, some of whom were transgender persont to speak at the page a 2014 interview, “but I The calm protest contravened undecided, some who did not vote in Democratic National Convention. rationalized it to myself one of Trump’s main campaign 2016, and some, including a young She announced her campaign for The protests were peaceful on narratives he would repeat at the Black woman from Philadelphia, state senate in 2019. Tuesday night as they moved from Town Hall — that “lawless mobs” in who will be voting for the first time outside the Constitution Center “Democrat cities, Sanctuary cities” in November. at Independence Mall, up Market The Trump-Pence administration like Philadelphia are roaming the page 15 Equality is on the Street and ended in a rally at Love streets, fueled by Black Lives Matter has been more overtly Park. A few hundred mostly young, and anti-fascist protests. damaging to the ticket in November racially and gender diverse people The Town Hall, broadcast on gathered to protest President Trump ABC, featured questions from PA G E 2 as he held a Town Hall a few blocks VICTORIA A. BROWNWORTH away. PGN Contributor PA G E 1 3 USPS SEEKS DISMISSAL OF ANTIBIAS CASE

PA G E 4 JUDGE ISSUES PRO-LGBT RULING Attorneys for Postmaster General Louis DeJoy recently IN CITIZENSHIP DISPUTE asked a federal judge to dismiss the antibias case of a gay man who claims he was wrongfully terminated. HRC EXPANDING VOTING A federal judge ordered the U.S. State Department to RESOURCES IN PENNSYLVANIA recognize the U.S. citizenship by birth of Simone Mize-Gregg, the two-year-old daughter of a married same-sex couple. “This election means literal life or death for some LGBTQ people,” said Ryan Matthews, HRC’s Pennsylvania State Director. “We are competing for every last vote.” Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death leaves LGBTQ rights on the Supreme Court open to religious claims. (Blade photo by Michael Key) Ginsburg’s Death Leaves LGBTQ Rights on Supreme Court Vulnerable to Religious Claims

BY CHRIS JOHNSON of religious grounds.” children. The city of Philadelphia admitted “If a new justice is not sworn in by Nov. 4, The issue of religious freedom versus LGBTQ there were 250 children who were in institutions when the Fulton case is set for argument, and n the aftermath of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s rights, in fact, is presently before the court in Philadelphia and needed to be placed in the court rules 4-4, that ruling would affirm the death, the resulting conservative shift on in the case of Fulton v. City of Philadelphia. loving homes, and yet it refuses to move any of result of the 3rd Circuit, which rejected claims Ithe U.S. Supreme Court may enhance Catholic Social Services, which operates foster those children into homes that are empty like that a religious agency has a constitutional right the prospect of wins for religious freedom at care services in Philadelphia, is asserting a Sharonell’s, just because thaws families work to an exemption from a city nondiscrimination the expense of LGBTQ rights, including in a First Amendment to reject same-sex couples with Catholic Social Services of Philadelphia.” requirement in contracts under which the city pending lawsuit that will decide if a Catholic as parents based on religious objections, even Hunter said Ginsburg—who joined each pays groups to provide government foster care foster care center in Philadelphia can reject though it signed a contract with the city agreeing of the landmark Supreme Court decisions for services,” Davidson said. “A tied decision, same-sex couples. to abide by LGBTQ non-discrimination terms. LGBTQ rights and is remembered as a steadfast however, would not create any precedent The remaining 8-member court will lack The Supreme Court is set to hear oral LGBTQ ally—would have taken a skeptical binding on lower courts.” a reliably progressive voice as it adjudicates arguments in the case on Nov. 4, which is view of the religious freedom claims raised by Even with an 8-member court, there are where to draw the line on contentious social the day after Election Day. The stakes are Catholic Social Services. signs a majority of the court could rule against issues—and that disparity will be compounded incredibly high in the case because a ruling in “I just don’t think Justice Ginsburg would LGBTQ families. Already three members on the if President Trump gets to pick a replacement favor of Catholic Social Services could mean stand for that,” Hunter said. “I think she would court—Associate Justices Neil Gorsuch, Samuel from his list of potential judicial nominees, exemptions for religious entities to all non- say that in a completely privately funded space, Alito and Clarence Thomas—have signaled they many of whom with extensive anti-LGBTQ discrimination laws and policies—whether it be there are ways in which religious groups can live would have granted relief to Catholic Social records. based on LGBTQ status or any other category, out what they believe their faiths commands Services in a dissent to an earlier order the Nan Hunter, a law professor at Georgetown such as race, gender or national origin. them to do, but … the city has a right to use court had issued. That was before any briefing University who has written on LGBTQ issues, Lori Windham, senior counsel at Becket public funds and to contract with agencies that took place in the case at any level. said with Ginsburg gone the “biggest area of Law who’s set to argue on behalf of Catholic will abide by the city’s own anti-discrimination Moreover, Senate Republicans are chomping jeopardy for LGBT rights at the Supreme Court Social Services before the Supreme Court, laws.” at the bit to replace Ginsburg with a Trump will be in the area of religious claims from anti- previewed her argument on behalf of plaintiffs One possibility is without Ginsburg, neither appointee before the presidential election discrimination principles.” Sharonell and Toni Fulton in a conference call side in the case would be able to reach a in less than two months. They may succeed “She was rigorous in assessing the impact of with reporters Tuesday, although she explicitly majority and the court would issue a split 4-4 in confirming a justice such as Amy Coney religious liberty claims with regard to protecting didn’t address how Ginsburg’s factors into her decision. Barrett, a judge on the 7th U.S. Circuit Court employees and others who are protected by litigation plan. Jon Davidson, legal counsel for the LGBTQ of Appeals who’s Catholic and indicated her civil rights laws,” Hunter said. “You can see “Our litigation strategy is what it always group Freedom for All Americans, said judicial philosophy is with infused with her that in Masterpiece Cake[shop] for example, been,” Windham said. “Philadelphia has “Ginsburg’s death is a serious blow to the religious views. or in the Christian law student case where she violated the Constitution, and done it in a LGBTQ community, among others” and a tied Davidson, however, said all is not lost if wrote the opinion, so the issues that I worry way that is particularly harmful for foster decision would leave the issue open to further Senate Republicans get their way with a new about most are the issues involving those sorts moms like Sharonell and Toni, and for foster litigation. confirmation, pointing to conservative justices

6 BTL | October 1, 2020 www.PrideSource.com who joined with liberal justices in LGBTQ guarantee that LGBTQ people are protected grant birth certificates to children reflecting Fisher is asking the high court to review a U.S. rulings. under civil rights laws. same-sex parents where one parent is a birth Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that “The Fulton case is incredibly important. Hunter, however, downplayed the idea these mother, the other a same-sex partner. The sided with a gay married couple who challenged Its outcome could have broad implications wins could be in peril, making the case they’re Supreme Court affirmed Obergefell applies in the state’s birth records law. for the application of nondiscrimination “thoroughly accepted in the law and in society the cases, but Gorsuch led a stinging dissent Another issue that may soon come before laws and government policies around the more broadly.” suggesting marriage equality has limits, the court is whether or not transgender people country,” Davidson said. “But even though “For example, take Obergefell, you can’t including in the area of birth certificates. are guaranteed access to public restrooms freedom of religion matters to all of us as unmarry people,” Hunter said. “I think the Hunter conceded that marriage equality consistent with their gender identity. The 4th Americans, it shouldn’t be used to create a degree of acceptance of that issue is now so remains an issue around the edges, such as U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals refused this week license to discriminate. The justices should widespread throughout the country that I don’t employers who don’t wish to recognize same- to reconsider a decision determined Title IX oppose sweeping, extraordinary exemptions think there would be any significant effort to sex marriage in terms of spousal benefits. of the Education Amendments of 1972 grants that could create a broad license to discriminate try and reverse it. I just don’t think that would “I think the issue in terms of marriage, trans student Gavin Grimm access to shared based on a taxpayer-funded agency’s religious go there.” there the concern would be whether such facilities as a male. The next step in the case, if beliefs, and we are hopeful that any new justice Hunter made a similar assessment with an extremely conservative majority could the Virginia school district continues litigation, would recognize that as well.” the Supreme Court’s Lawrence v. Texas dominate the Supreme Court that although would be a petition for review before the It wasn’t immediately clear at what point ruling in 2003, which struck down state laws the right to marry would remain in place, there Supreme Court. it would be too late for a newly confirmed criminalizing same-sex relations, and the might be exceptions in terms of solely equal Davidson, however, cautioned he doesn’t Supreme Court justice to weigh in on the Bostock v. Clayton County decision this year, treatment of same-sex marriage at least by some expect the Supreme Court act on any of petition Fulton case. The Supreme Court public affairs which found anti-LGBTQ discrimination is a employers or some institutions,” Hunter said. related to LGBTQ issues before it decides the office didn’t respond to repeated requests to form of sex discrimination, thus illegal under “And the most likely category would be religious Fulton case. comment on what the rules say for when a Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. institutions or religiously affiliated institutions, “While there are several cases touching on Senate confirmation would be too late for “The power of Bostock was that it shifted or even as we saw in Hobby Lobby businesses LGBTQ rights in which petitions for Supreme a justice to intercede on any particular case the burden of inertia and Congress is so that are privately owned and owners claim to Court review are pending, I would be surprised pending before the court. dysfunctional at this point that unless there’s be acting on their religious beliefs in the way if the Court granted review in any of those cases a really transformational shift in the control they run a business.” when it considers pending petitions on Sept. of Congress, it’s unlikely to amend Title VII in Given the persistence in some of places of 29,” Davidson said. “I think it is more likely that Could past LGBTQ wins be in either direction frankly — either to secure the the U.S. were politicizing same-sex marriage the court will wait to decide Fulton before it peril? decision in Bostock or to undo it,” Hunter said. would be still be politically popular, state actors takes on any additional LGBTQ cases.” But while some past victories seem safe even might still be responsible. All it would take Meanwhile, fears persist with Ginsburg gone with Ginsburg no longer on the court, chipping is one state to undermine marriage equality. This article originally appeared in the Washington that LGBTQ victories previously won at the away at marriage equality remains a possibility. In fact, the question is before the Supreme Blade and is made available in partnership with Supreme Court will be in jeopardy. The range Although the Supreme Court had ruled in Court in the form of a petition of review filed by the National LGBT Media Association. of these victories include the decriminalization favor of marriage equality nationwide in 2015, the state of Indiana, which justices will consider of same-sex relations in the U.S., same-sex Arkansas had sought to relitigate the issue in ahead of the long conference at the start of its marriage nationwide and, most recently, a 2017 the case of Pavan v. Smith by refusing to term next week. Indiana Attorney General Tom

www.PrideSource.com BTL | October 1, 2020 7 Activists Believe Ginsburg Replacement Barrett Could Hinder LGBTQ Rights

BY LISA KEEN said Stanford University to marry that different-sex couples have and Professor Pamela Karlan, who that the marriages of same-sex couples do not resident Trump announced Saturday, successfully argued the case for deserve legal respect.” Sept. 26, that his nominee to replace the gay employee in Bostock, Barrett also wrote a law review article arguing PU.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader “I don’t see the Court coming that, while all Supreme Court decisions serve Ginsburg is, as expected, a jurist that LGBTQ out the other way on Title as a precedent for lower court decisions groups are expected to vehemently oppose. IX’s coverage.” and subsequent Supreme Court decisions, President Trump said his nominee, federal Jon Davidson, former legal some are “super precedents” and others are appeals Judge Amy Coney Barrett, would director for Lambda Legal more susceptible to change. Barrett’s super- receive a “very quick” confirmation. and current chief counsel for precedent theory, said Pizer, “seems designed LGBTQ legal experts are both deeply Freedom for All Americans, to create room for reconsidering and reversing concerned and somewhat confident that agrees. precedents that justices do not consider ‘super.’” this nomination could spell doom for legal “That majority [in Bostock] Barrett is Trump’s third opportunity to protections of LGBTQ people and close doors also should agree that other select a Supreme Court justice. He previously for future LGBTQ plaintiffs seeking their rights federal laws prohibiting sex nominated, and the Senate confirmed, two to be upheld under the Constitution. discrimination (including laws other federal appeals court judges to the Barrett comes to the nomination after serving barring sex discrimination in Supreme Court: Neil Gorsuch and Brett just two years the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of education, housing, and credit) Kavanaugh. Gorsuch’s nomination was marred Appeals where she did not weigh in on any encompass discrimination by the controversy that ensued when Senate LGBTQ-related cases. However, in her years based on sexual orientation Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to prior to that, as a professor at the University and gender identity because give consideration to then-President Obama’s of Notre Dame School of Law, she signed onto the Supreme Court’s decision nominee, Merrick Garland, even though Obama a letter from Catholic Women supporting the [in Bostock) did not rest still had 11 months to go in his second term. church’s views on various issues, including on anything unique to McConnell left the seat open until after the that “marriage and family [are] founded on Photo cap: The Trump Administration’s judicial nominee to replace the federal employment 2016 presidential election and, because Trump the indissoluble commitment of a man and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Amy Coney Barrett. Photo by ZI Jony. Photo nondiscrimination, but rather won that election, the Republican president was license link: gaybe.am/Qu. a woman.” on the correct conclusion given the opportunity to appoint the seat left During her 2017 confirmation process, one that, as a general matter, one open by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia in senator asked Barrett, via written questionnaire, paid speech to the “most extreme anti-LGBT cannot discriminate based on February 2016. how she could assure members of the LGBTQ legal organization in the United States,” the sexual orientation or gender identity without Kavanaugh’s confirmation was controversial community that she is committed to rendering Alliance Defending Freedom. discriminating based on sex,” Davidson said. as well following the accusations that emerged decisions impartially and without bias or In reaction to the news that Trump would But Both Karlan and Davidson expressed after his nomination that he had sexually prejudice? nominate Barrett to U.S. Supreme Court, concern for what the Supreme Court didn’t assaulted women. He denied those accusations, “I do not think it lawful for a judge to impose Lambda Legal issued a statement, saying, rule on last session: accommodating religious and the Republican-controlled Senate approved personal opinions, from whatever source “Barrett will unleash a Supreme Court majority employers, such as the one in the Philadelphia his nomination. they derive, upon the law,” Barrett said. “If that is hostile to all of our basic civil rights, and case, set for oral argument on Nov. 4. The Senate approved Gorsuch’s nomination confirmed, I will apply the law faithfully and the impact will be felt for decades.” “The outcome could have broad implications by a vote of 54-45, and it approved Kavanaugh impartially in accordance with the judicial In the coming U.S. Supreme Court session, for the application of nondiscrimination laws by 50-48. o at h .” the court is set to hear Fulton v. Philadelphia, and government policies around the country,” Barrett’s nomination also begins in Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.Is.) asked a case in which a Catholic adoption service said Davidson. controversy: While McConnell claimed he of Barrett in a questionnaire, “Do you agree wants the court to declare that it has a First Davidson said he doesn’t think existing couldn’t advance President Obama’s nominee that the church’s view regarding marriage as a Amendment right to violate a Philadelphia law marriages of same-sex couples are at risk. because it was a presidential election year, he has union between a man and a woman is irrelevant against sexual orientation discrimination. And “Those who married same-sex partners after promised to rush through Barrett’s nomination to the legal question of the right of same-sex a Virginia school district is expected to appeal the Obergefell decision did so in compliance even though this, too, is a presidential election couples to marry?” its loss in a case that tests whether Title IX of the with the law at the time and have strong due year. Barrett responded with one word: “Yes.” federal Education Amendments Act — which process rights in not having those lawful McConnell has made clear he has to votes She then repeatedly stated that several prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in marriages dissolved against their will,” Davidson to confirm the nominee and that he intends to important LGBTQ decisions at the Supreme education — prevents discrimination on the said. “Whether a new justice will respect the rush through that confirmation process ahead Court were “binding precedent that I will basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. precedent of Obergefell going forward, however, of the Nov. 3 presidential election. faithfully follow if confirmed.” There is some optimism still around the is of course of concern.” President Trump said Saturday that Barrett They included Obergefell v. Hodges, U.S. v. Title IX case. That’s because, just last June, a But Jenny Pizer, senior counsel at Lambda “will defend the sacred principle of equal justice Windsor and Lawrence v. Texas. 6-3 majority of the Supreme Court ruled that Legal, notes that, even with the marriage ruling for citizens of every race, color, religion and LGBTQ groups opposed Barrett’s nomination Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act, which in favor of same-sex couples, “we still have had creed.” then. They said her views on civil rights issues prohibits job discrimination on the basis of to continue fighting for family equality for Barrett professed “love” for the U.S. were “fundamentally at odds with the notion sex, also prohibits discrimination on the basis LGBTQ people and their children.” Constitution and said she is “mindful” of the that LGBT people are entitled to equality, of sexual orientation and gender identity. That “For example, we are in court now fighting legacy of Justice Ginsburg, whose seat she has liberty, justice and dignity under the law.” ruling, Bostock v. Clayton County, is expected for two married same-sex couples whose been nominated to fill. Ginsburg died at age In a letter to then-Senate Judiciary to serve as a precedent for the Title IX litigation, daughters are being denied citizenship by the 87 on Sept. 18, following a long struggle with Committee Chairman Charles Grassley, 27 too. Trump administration even though the law is cancer. national and state LGBTQ groups said in While Ginsburg is gone now from that 6-3 explicit that their American citizen parents’ Barrett noted that Ginsburg was good friends 2017 that they were concerned that Barrett’s Bostock majority, Chief Justice John Roberts, being married entitles them to citizenship,” with Justice Antonin Scalia, for whom Barrett “religiously-infused moral beliefs would inform who joined the majority opinion, and Justice Pizer said. clerked, despite the fact that Ginsburg was one her judicial decision-making” on issues of Neil Gorsuch, who authored it, are still there. And Barrett, says Pizer, “has been outspoken of the court’s most liberal jurists and Scalia one specific interest to LGBTQ people. And they And “because Justice Gorsuch’s opinion in her belief that same-sex couples do not have of its most conservative. expressed alarm that Barrett had delivered a for the Court was so relentlessly textual,” the same fundamental Constitutional right 8 BTL | October 1, 2020 www.PrideSource.com

LGBT Detroit Co-Hosts Michigan Secretary of State, ACLU, MichiganVoting.Org Voting Event with Lt. Coalition Host 40-Day Early Voting Campaign Kickoff Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, BY EVE KUCHARSKI through the time period in which the vote is finally counted. There must not be any n Thursday, Sept. 24, in front of obstacles or impediments placed on the BTL Publisher Jan a “Vote” mural by artist Ndubisi voting electorate by any negative forces OOkoye on the American Civil on the day of the election. If they are Stevenson Liberties Union of Michigan headquarters designed to intimidate, threaten or even in Detroit, the organization’s Executive prevent people from voting, we will take Director Dave Noble addressed the crowd at you to court and prosecute you,” he said. BY BTL STAFF a socially distanced press conference event. “If you really believe in justice for Breonna “Prior to 2018, voting in Michigan could Taylor, justice for George Floyd, justice for oting in any election is an important display of be complicated. You couldn’t vote early Ahmaud Arbery and justice for Ruth Bader civic duty, but in regard to LGBTQ equality, the without an excuse, you couldn’t register to Ginsburg, then you must vote.” Vupcoming presidential election in November vote on election day, and this system made Anthony’s statements were echoed by could have farther-reaching consequences than most. it harder for everyone to participate. So Hassan Jaber, the president and CEO of To help educate voters on the importance of making the ACLU, with partners across the state, the Arab Community Center for Economic their voices heard and all the ways in which they can do launched Proposal 3, the promote the and Social Services. He stated that through so, LGBT Detroit hosted its PRIDE Decides 2020: OUT vote initiative, to change that. Thanks to November, ACCESS has pledged to make and Voting event alongside SAGE Metro Detroit, LGBT the overwhelming support of the voters 50,000 calls to voters to reach marginalized Detroit Mobilization, United Precinct Delegates and For in Michigan, now voting is simple and immigrant communities. Rhonda Saxton, Michigan’s Future last week. The event was moderated accessible to all,” Noble said. “You can vote area director for the Michigan League by Between The Lines’ Co-Publisher Jan Stevenson. by mail, you can vote at your polling place Sharon Dolente, the American Civil Liberties Union on election day and, starting today, you can Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson of Michigan voting rights strategist, began the meeting vote early in person at your clerk’s office or with a message about Michigan’s extended voting rights local satellite location.” In the midst of a global pandemic, we anticipate record this year due to Proposal 3. This press conference was held in “ “It’s a challenging year for any number of reasons, but partnership with the Secretary of State numbers of citizens, perhaps more than ever before in the fact that Michigan has so many options and ways and the MichiganVoting.Org Coalition our state and in our city, will be casting their ballots in to make their voices heard in this election is a great and marked the official announcement of opportunity and I’m really happy that Michiganders Michigan’s 40-day period to cast a ballot the next 40 days. And we know many of them, in fact came together in 2018 to make sure that we have a voting for the November presidential election. system that works for everyone,” Dolente said, referring Additionally, it focused on the importance 2.4 million have already signed up for this, will be getting voters to the aclumich.org page for a full breakdown of of creating opportunities to increase the their ballots through the mail and will be either returning voting rights. votes of historically disenfranchised Next, Bilal Hammoud of the Michigan Department of communities like African American voters. them through the mail, at a local dropbox or in person at State and Ani Manolatos of For Our Future demonstrated Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson their clerk’s office. the process of requesting, completing and dropping off addressed the crowd second, citing the ballots early if opting not to vote traditionally on election record numbers of voters anticipated to ” day. In addition to traditional voting options, Prop 3 participate not only in-person on election the podium. He cited the significance of brought back straight-ticket voting, expanded voters’ day but through other methods. the number 40 in religious texts as a test of Conservation Voters Education Fund ability to participate in absentee voting for whatever “I’m proud to stand here as a Detroit and trial period, like when Jesus had to then took the microphone to encourage reason and vote up to 40 days early at their local clerk’s resident, as a Detroit voter in celebration of fast for 40 days in the wilderness or Noah Michiganders to sign up as poll workers. office. the work that the community has done to had to withstand a period of rain, stating Executive Director of LGBT Detroit Curtis Among the featured speakers, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist ensure that every voice is heard and every that, “If they could do all that in 40 years Lipscomb was the last of the speakers keynoted the event, and he emphasized his pride in vote is counted this year. We’re in one of the and 40 days, we can certainly go to the to address the crowd. He encouraged talking with the group “on the day voting began in 2020.” most remarkable moments in the history polls in this 40.” those interested to become poll workers, “What I am heartened by is that at the core of all of our democracy,” Benson said. “In the “I’m pleased to join with my colleagues reminding the audience that while most the things that have happened [in 2020], I actually see midst of a global pandemic, we anticipate in an effort to remind every Michigander people are eligible to work the polls those agency. I see the power within all of us as individuals record numbers of citizens, perhaps more — and particularly those in the city of who have committed a felony cannot. and as a collective to impact these situations, to change than ever before in our state and in our city, Detroit — that it’s time to take your souls Lastly, he cited LGBT Detroit’s LGBTQ- them for the better, to lead our communities forward to will be casting their ballots in the next 40 to the polls and vote. Forty days prior to a specific PRIDE Decides 2020: Out and a place where we are all safe and healthy and productive days. And we know many of them, in fact national election, the likes of which we have Voting campaign and left with a final plea and supportive and supported,” he said. “... And all of 2.4 million have already signed up for this, never, ever seen. And missed attempts by to get Michiganders to the polls. things that we’ve been dealing with this year and, frankly, will be getting their ballots through the mail the president of this nation and his effort “We encourage everyone to exercise some of the things that some of us have been dealing and will be either returning them through to suppress our Constitutional franchise by their right to vote early. Now. Between with for our lifetimes, whether you are a person of color, the mail, at a local dropbox or in person at eliminating the Postal Service and falsely now and Nov. 2, you can vote early in whether you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community their clerk’s office.” declaring absentee or mail-in ballotting is Michigan,” he said. “Details are available — you name it. Whether you are a woman who has She emphasized the importance of rigged or conspired by illegitimate sources,” at MichiganVoting.org.” had patriarchy have its proverbial knee on your neck spreading voter awareness about their Anthony said. “We must vote.” for eternity, we have an opportunity and we can do rights with partners across the state over Anthony then went on to say that the For those who are interested in voting something about that.” the next 40 days because of a “historic level NAACP is assembling a “cadre of lawyers but unsure of which candidate to choose, of efforts to misinform them about those in the spirit of justices Thurgood Marshall mivoterguide.com contains a ZIP very same rights.” and Ruth Bader Ginsburg to make certain code-specific guide of each politician’s To view the entire meeting visit the Between The Lines The Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, president that our election process is protected and endorsements and who is running in Newspaper Facebook page. of the Detroit Branch NAACP, then took respected.” Michigan. “They will be on duty on Election Day 10 BTL | October 1, 2020 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com BTL | October 1, 2020 11 Election Q&A: Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack Talks Reelection

BY EVE KUCHARSKI

s the November election draws nearer, Americans won’t be voting just for a Apresidential candidate, both state and national candidates will be voted upon, too. In Michigan, there will be dozens of candidates running for the first time and for reelection across the state. Between The Lines has reached out to pro-equality candidates to get a sense of their goals and priorities for the LGBTQ community if they are to be elected. To get a full list of the pro-equality candidates running, visit mivoterguide.com. Here, Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack answers questions about why she would be a good fit for reelection to her Chief Justice seat on the Court. BOLD Why do you think that you’re a good fit for reelection? I hope that people are confident that the work that I have done so far on the court is worth continuing to support me in doing. I think that in addition to my contributions in the court’s decisions, I’ve taken up leadership roles not only since I’ve been the chief justice but even over the last six months. We’ve seen more the foundation upon which all the rest of it about front end of the criminal justice system before that on a lot of the other courts. I’ve change than we have in the last 30 years and stands. So I think it’s really important to finish through the recommendation of the jail Task done administrative oversight work where I’ve been at the center of all of that and it puts that work. We also are going to start doing Force and the ways in which we can think I think it has a tremendous impact on how me in a good position to continue to make some important work in the area of juvenile about the function of the juvenile justice people experience justice throughout our sure that that change is for the benefit of the justice, and I think there’s a lot of opportunity system — have a far greater ability to impact state. Michigan has 242 trial courts and they people of Michigan. to make a difference in so many families’ lives more people and impact whole communities. adjudicate 4 million cases a year and the when they have kids entangled in the juvenile What would be your top three priorities if Why is fighting to maintain LGBTQ equity Supreme Court has administrative oversight justice system, and I think that’s going to be a over them. And through that administrative elected? priority if I’m reelected as well. valuable to you as a judge? oversight role, we have a real opportunity to I think the top three priorities are finishing Well, I think the only thing courts have is In light of the recent Black Lives Matter protests, improve the way people experience justice the work of the Jail and Pretrial Task Force. the confidence in our decisions and our and I’ve been working very hard on a number We delivered 18 recommendations to the many communities around Michigan and the outcomes. I mean by that, we don’t have of ways in which we can do that, including my legislature in January and a number of those nation are looking closely at existing justice any army, we don’t have any weapons, we co-chairing with the lieutenant governor and recommendations have already been reflected systems and considering reform. In your role, don’t have any money, we don’t have the the governor’s task force on jail and pretrial in bill draft and a number of those have what are steps you’re taking to promote fairness enforcement mechanisms that other branches incarcerations and the Justice for All Task already had hearings. I see that a couple of in your courtroom? of the government might have. Force, which is something we announced last them were passed unanimously by the House Every decision in every case that we have All we have is public confidence in what year. And it’s a partnership between the courts Judiciary Committee, but there is still more to make we have to approach it with a we do. And the public loses confidence and we try to address the extremely high work to dos and I’d like to finish it. With the commitment to the law and the Constitution. when people aren’t treated equally; it’s fairly number of people in Michigan who cannot help of The Pew Charitable Trusts, [it’s] the But as I try to make clear, very few cases make simple and understandable from little kids afford lawyers when they have to figure out first time we’re collecting statewide data to try it to the Michigan Supreme Court. And that to your grandparents. Equal treatment under how to deal with a legal problem. Eight out and understand why Michigan’s county jail doesn’t mean they’re not important, those law is as foundational as it gets. And if you of 10 people in Michigan can’t afford lawyers, populations have tripled in the last 30 years issues become the rule of law for the whole want people to have confidence in the court’s and our Justice for All Task Force is aimed at while crime is at a 50-year low. And not only state, so each one is important. But most outcomes, and therefore abide them, then closing that civil justice gap. So I hope people do we now understand what’s driving those people experience [the law] in their local that basic foundation principle has to be the are confident that the work I’ve done is worth numbers, we also heard from people across courts, in their trial courts and that’s where center of what you do. supporting me to continue doing. the state, studied best practices and we have it really matters what our approach is to the What would you like more people to understand an opportunity to make Michigan a national people who come to those courts. And we have BOLD What have you learned during your time leader in pretrial and jail reform. And with about the Supreme Court? on the court that sets you apart from other had incredibly successful problem-solving all the work we’ve put into it, I’d like to push courts in Michigan where the enire theory How much it matters. The [Supreme] candidates? it across the finish line. I also really think of the court process is to connect people to Court has this tremendous ability to make Well, having served on the court for 7 1/2 years the work of the Justice for All Task Force resources to help them solve the problem that a difference in how the courts at the state now, I guess it’s fair to say that I’ve learned a is critical to making Michigan a national resulted in them ending up in court in the operate through our administrative oversight lot about how the Supreme Court functions leader in civil justice reform. Eighty percent first place. And we have all kinds of data now role. So many people have to use their local as well as all the ways it can have a positive of people in Michigan, if they’re facing a to justify how important and critical those courts — think of the 3 or 4 million cases a impact on people’s lives. And I’ve put a lot of civil legal problem like eviction or a family programs are and I think we’re always looking year. That’s a lot of people in Michigan who time into how we can do that effectively and problem or a consumer debt problem, they at ways to expand our restorative justice are impacted by those courts. So I guess I efficiently, and we’re undergoing some of the have to navigate courts on their own because model in our courts, but some of these other hope people will focus on how important this most important changes in the court system they can’t afford lawyers and that really can structural changes — like the way we think job is and how important the court is. undermine equal access to justice — which is 12 BTL | October 1, 2020 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com BTL | October 1, 2020 13 Federation of MCC churches. “I believe that we have been and MCC-D Ordains 3 Local Pastors are continuously being equipped with the skill needed to help lead BY JASON A. MICHAEL Roland Smith have demonstrated within our MCC-D on to a fuller responsibility church their leadership and spiritual maturity to and obligation to broaden our attie Alexander-Key, Karen Dillaman be ordained as local pastors,” Stringfellow said. scope our service and outreach. and Roland Smith, all longtime “Each engaged in a pastoral formation process The Lay Pastoral Triad is a team Hdeacons at Metropolitan Community over the past six months with Bishop Yvette built to strengthen pastoral in-reach Church – Detroit, were ordained as local pastors Flunder of the United Church of Christ who and outreach to the community. by MCC-D senior pastor and teacher the Rev. mentored all of us on becoming a pastoral team. … I see MCC-D as a bridge from Dr. Roland Stringfellow. The ordination took This is the new model we will be embracing as the marginalized communities place at an in-person service Sunday, Sept. 20, we move forward — letting go of a ‘top-down’ everywhere to our new structure the first in-person service the church has had hierarchy of leadership and replacing it with of ‘Church Outside of the Box.’ We since the beginning of the pandemic. a team model. These three have the skill set to are the Church Alive in service to all “The term ‘local pastor’ is another way of lead well in this church.” through the leading of the Divine.” saying ‘lay pastor,’ meaning they are not being Dillaman, of the three new pastors, has been with the church ordained as clergy into our denomination Roland Smith, MCC-D senior pastor and teacher the Rev. but they are being recognized by this local Meet the new pastors the longest. Dr. Roland Stringfellow, seated Hattie Alexander-Key and congregation as pastors,’’ Stringfellow explained. Alexander-Key had attended MCC-D at “I started attending in 1985 Karen Dillaman, all longtime deacons at Metropolitan “Each are taking on more responsibility than various points throughout the years before and have been a member since Community Church – Detroit, were ordained as local pastors. their role of deacon to respond to the new becoming a member in 2015. February 1986,” she said. “I was challenges we face providing pastoral care “I am a preacher’s kid of a preacher’s kid,” raised Presbyterian. I spent about and launching a hybrid model — in person she said. “My religious affiliation has been what a decade away from church before and online — of worship as we respond to I call Bapti-Costal, meaning that I was reared finding MCC-D.” they are,” Smith continued. “Being a pastor COVID-19.” in the Baptist Church and in my late teens I In her almost 35 years with the church, of a church that is progressive, inclusive and The newly ordained pastors we will not have became an active member of the Pentecostal Dillaman has served in most of the available teaches the love of Jesus is where I want to be.“ the title of reverend, which is reserved for those Church of God in Christ, where I began active volunteer positions, most recently as a senior who have met the MCC denomination’s criteria work in the ministry.” deacon. Preparing for a departure? and are not recognized outside the church as Alexander-Key has served as a deacon at “I am excited about the idea of our church clergy. Stringfellow said he also started off his MCC-D since 2017. She has also served as having a pastoral team — each bringing our Stringfellow has been the senior pastor of ministerial career in the Baptist church as a lead for the Prayer Team and the Christian unique skills and talents to the table,” Dillaman MCC-D since 2014, when he moved to Detroit local/lay pastor. Education Department, as well as Children’s said. “My recent retirement from GM gives me with his then partner Jerry Peterson, who was “Hattie Alexander-Key, Karen Dillaman and Church and as a lay delegate to the Universal available time to take on this role.” taking on the position of executive director for The future of the church, said Dillaman, is the . The two were married sure to be exciting. the same year. But this summer, the couple “The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us announced they were separating, leading some that there are possibilities for church ministry to wonder whether the triple ordination was that we never even considered previously. I see part of an exit strategy for Stringfellow, who that, ultimately, we will have a mix of online and maintains ties to the west coast and is on faculty local and in-person church worship, activities with the Berkeley, -based Pacific and ministries,” Dillaman said. “We are working School of Religion. on our strategic planning currently with our But Stringfellow said there’s no cause to goal to be a radically inclusive, welcoming, worry. loving, justice-seeking community.” “I have no plans for leaving this ministry Finally, there is Smith, who grew up in the and I am committed in developing this new Baptist church but found out early he preferred ministry model,” he said. “In the upcoming year a more non-traditional style of worship. of 2021, MCC-D will begin an active search “Being a person who was rooted and steeped for a permanent home for the church. It is our in the word of God, prayer, scripture and my preference to no longer rent space but own our faith has always been a major part of my life. property. This is a part of our plans for growth. Growing up, all I knew was going to school, I have my eyes set on expanded outreach and doing homework and then whatever activities a radical inclusion of our ministry.” were going on at church. Then we were there One thing is changing, or at least evolving, all day on Sundays.” and that’s how the church meets the needs of Smith said that for him, answering the call its parishioners in the middle of a pandemic. to ministry was a “no-brainer.” “As MCC-D continues to respond to “I have always been a person to help and the needs of our community during these encourage people. I do this in my professional challenging times, we strive to be a steady life. The difference is at my local church, so presence and a resource to help others with many are broken, confused and have a love-hate their physical and spiritual needs,” Stringfellow relationship with God because of the challenges said. “The ordinations took place on our 48th and circumstances in their lives,” Smith said. church anniversary. It was a great time for us “Our people need hope and a restored faith to reflect upon our legacy of community service that God loves them unconditionally. and look towards our future of being there for “I love people and view [ministry] as an the people of Southeast Michigan. And now our opportunity to lead guide and encourage God’s outreach extends beyond our region as we have people and people everywhere so that they others who are tuning in to our services from may know there is a place for them to come a far away as California and Florida.” and worship freely and unashamed of who 14 BTL | October 1, 2020 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com BTL | October 1, 2020 15 Parting Glances BY CHARLES ALEXANDER

Wagtail Talents Count he Grim Reaper in the guise of a mild-mannered tabby named Oscar made interesting news a year Tor so ago in many New Age magazines and journals. Apparently, Persian feline beauty Oscar was psychic. A visit by him to the bedside of a hospice patient was a sure sign the patient has only four hours to live. Oscar’s feline psychic prognosis proved correct at least 25 times. Or, so it was observed and record attending nurses — but who’s counting? On a lighter note, I personally knew a guy who had a parrot named Bette. Bette said three things with camp inflection: “What a dump!” “Come up, see me some time!” “Get you, Mary!” Curiously, Bette said these classic movie lines only to gay men. She outed several closet cases. I also remember years ago at downtown Detroit’s notorious lesbian Palais Bar there was a dyke nicknamed — I kid you not — Drano, who usually brought along her male poodle Patsy Belle. She’d rack the pool balls, plop perfumed PB down on Transmission the table, pat his manicured derriere, and one by one the miniature pool expert would wet-nose each ball into a pocket. His butch fans cheered. For what it’s worth, I learned to shoot pool at the Palais. Wet-nosing, elsewhere. My favorite dog story concerns Hector, a fox terrier owned by a Willem Mante, captain of the S.S. Simaloer, a JK Rowling and the Outdated, Dutch freighter docked at Vancouver, British Columbia. My own fox terrier Suzuki was an intelligent companion for 10 feisty, often-disobedient years — on her part, not Dangerous Trope mine. I saved money by clipping her. It took three nippy, but-determined, hours to do so. Hector liked to “explore” port cities, but one day failed to return from his amorous shore leave. Captain Mante, BY GWENDOLYN ANN SMITH understandably, was heartbroken but had a tight cargo delivery schedule and couldn’t wait out the truant canine ver the last few months, “Harry Potter” author JK I also have to critique Rowling for using a pseudonym Lothario. Rowling has developed from beloved children’s author to distance “The Cormoran Strike” novels from her more When Hector did return dockside he was seen by three Oto the trans equivalent of reviled anti-gay crusader child-friendly persona. While I’ve known many authors to separate crews to board their respective ships, sniff about, Anita Bryant. Rowling has evolved over the last two years, use pseudonyms, this feels more blatantly cynical than most, disembark. Only when the Yokohama-bound S.S. Hanley from having what her representative called a “clumsy and providing a buffer from more controversial works. was hours at sea was Hector discovered as a stowaway. middle-aged moment” by somehow accidentally retweeting Rowling’s fourth “Cormoran Strike” novel is surely a fine Nineteen days later, as the ship unloaded cargo at Tokyo, transphobic comments from others, to now openly writing example of said controversy. The story introduces us to the Hector became sparky, jumped overboard, swam to a lengthy transphobic screeds on her own website. character of Dennis Creed, described as a “transvestite serial landing craft then leaving the dock. “Harry Potter” is not her only book series, however. She also killer” who often dresses as a woman to insert themselves into Familiar faces were on board, including Hector’s owner, has written four detective novels under a pen name, Robert women-only spaces as a way to stalk their prey. It should not be Captain Mante. Dog and master were united 5,000 choppy Galbraith. The texts, known as “The Cormoran Strike series,” a surprise that this is exactly what Rowling claims transgender miles later! follow the eponymous investigator and his business partner, people are doing when they transition. “What puzzled the overjoyed Mante,” writes author Robin Elliott, as they solve brutal crimes. This is also not the first time Rowling a has introduced a Dennis Bardens in “Psychic Animals: A Fascinating I have to take a moment here to discuss Rowling’s pseudonym. trans pastiche in “The Cormoran Strike” books, with a character Investigation of Paranormal Behavior, “was how the dog She claims the first name came from her personal hero, Robert named Pippa showing up in another book of the series, stalking knew which vessel to choose at Vancouver. How did he Kennedy, while the last name coming from a fake name she the titular detective. The character is described unflatteringly, know the Hanley was Japan-bound? There’s no logical crafted for herself as a child, “Ella Galbraith.” focusing on her hands and her Adam’s apple. “Strike” even explanation, was all Mante could say. We can only marvel This said, because of her attitude toward transgender people, makes a prison rape comment ats Pippa’s expense. it seems suspicious that there existed a Robert Galbraith Heath, I also feel I should mention a character in “Harry Potter” an American psychiatrist who pioneered a lot of what is now See next page known as conversion therapy. See Transmissions, next page 16 BTL | October 1, 2020 www.PrideSource.com ® Transmissions Continued from p. 12 1957. Psychiatrists had believed Gein was Creep Of The Week attempting to make a “woman suit” to pretend to be his dead mother. that, in retrospect, may be the prototype for This notion of a “woman suit” was later Donald Trump BY D’ANNE WITKOWSKI Pippa and Creed — and no, I am not referring revisited in “The Silence of the Lambs,” a 1991 to that time that Professor Snape ended up in novel by Thomas Harris that became the much a dress during “Harry Potter and the Prisoner hen I learned that Ruth Bader Make phone calls; knock on doors — some better known film version a decade later. In it, of Azkaban.” Ginsburg died I was eating these campaigns are doing this, some aren’t. Any a serial killer named Jame “Buffalo Bill” Gumb The character of Rita Skeeter, a “poison little peanut butter granola bites campaign worth volunteering with should have is making his own “woman suit.” Though the W pen” journalist seen throughout the series, is I really like. I immediately felt like I was story tries to separate him from transgender a strict protocol of mask-wearing and social curiously described. While much is said of her going to be sick. I don’t think I’ll ever want people, the notion stuck in most minds. distancing to keep you and the people you’re scarlet fingernails, her penciled-on eyebrows to eat them again. Between “Psycho” and “The Silence of the talking to safe — write post cards, deliver yard and her blonde curly hair, she is also described The next morning my sister sent me a Lambs,” there were dozens more such stories, as having large, masculine hands — the same photo of my four-month-old niece reaching signs, make more phone calls. from the pulp novel “Killer in Drag” penned by as Pippa, perhaps — and an “an oddly square- for the image of a little woman with a bun schlock director Ed Wood Jr. in 1965, to Brian jawed face.” It could certainly fit that Rowling on her head and wearing a black robe. It De Palma’s slasher film “Dressed to Kill” in Democrats, especially the ones who appear would write a character known for fabrications was a board book about RBG. That image, 1980. You’ll see this played out — and I mean on the ballot before your State House race. and falsehoods to be transgender, in light of more than any op-eds about what her legacy played out — for comedy in “Ace Ventura: Pet In fact, the more investment a voter feels now-revealed views. meant or how Trump and Mitch McConnell Detective” and “Austin Powers: International in an election, the more likely they are to Now I need to reveal something of my own. would shit on it, put things in perspective for Man of Mystery.” You could even say that the bother voting in the first place. If the only First off, I am not a big fan of “Harry Potter.” I me. Every day the future seems bleaker and big bad wolf who dons Granny’s nightgown people you know on the ballot are Trump never read the books, and I really only watched bleaker. But there is still a future to fight for. and cap in order to eat little red riding hood and Biden, it’s easy to think that your little the films because my partner was a fan. I didn’t Some people are feeling more hopeless is yet another permutation. vote doesn’t make much of a difference — hate them, mind, I just really wasn’t able to get than ever. Others are stepping up and getting So, to Rowling: Not only is your transphobia you would be wrong, but I understand the that much into them. involved in ways they never dreamed of harmful, not only does it have real-world thinking. But if you know that your State Even as everyone touted her originality, I before. If you fall into the later category, consequences on people who really just want House candidate is a badass and she has saw stories that seemed to follow common great. Welcome. Thank you for coming. to live their lives and have no interest in there been knocking on doors, safely, with, say, fantasy tropes. The “fantastic beasts” all seemed If you fall in the former category, no bathroom-assault fantasies of you or the bigots a county commission candidate you will be to be fantasy staples — giants, dragons and so judgment here. The last four years have who echo your feelings, but, quite frankly, your more invested in voting. on — and while the notion of Hogwarts itself been psychological warfare on every good transphobia is trite and old. If you’re thinking, “I don’t have the time was largely original, a lot of the underpinnings and decent person. So much pain in so little It deserves to be sent to the remainder to volunteer, I’m trying to homeschool my hadn’t been that new since the days of J.R.R. time! It’s exhausting. rack between a dog-eared copy of “Microsoft child while also working from home and Tolkien. But if you’re looking for something Windows 3.1: Step By Step” and a 1977 “Starsky trying not to get COVID-19,” I understand. Her killer in drag is just as dated. to do with your anxious energy, I highly & Hutch” novelization, and it has no place in Everybody’s busy. But if you’re doom In 1959, Robert Bloch wrote the book recommend volunteering for a campaign. the world of today. scrolling through Twitter to see when “Psycho.” This was made into a film a year Find someone who is running who shares Trump calls RBG a “hag” — and, really, later by Alfred Hitchcock. In it, Norman your values. Someone who makes this Gwen Smith hopes Rowling will someday learn it’s only a matter of time — then you have Bates, a murderer, has been impersonating current hellscape a little less shitty. And from his mistakes. You’ll find her at gwensmith. time to do something positive to make sure and dressing up as his dead mother. The story then help them win. com. that Trump and his supporters don’t win is likely an allusion to the Ed Gein case from And here’s the thing: the top of the ticket is important, but you don’t have to choose more elections. to volunteer for Joe Biden. Here’s the truth: Another good argument for working on a down-ballot races — and “down-ballot” state race: should Trump manage to replace literally means races further down the RBG with another conservative, things like abortion rights, LGBTQ protections that we provide without knowing it.” ballot underneath the presidential ticket ® Parting Glances — are just as important as the presidency. and marriage equality are all on the line. Clever Hans, the world-famous Russian If overturned, those will all go back to the Continued from p. 12 ‘counting horse,’ to everyone’s amazement Unfortunately, they are also the races most likely to suffer from what is called “drop- states who can decide what is illegal and tapped out math answers with his hooves. what isn’t. Turns out, the Arab stallion scored 6 x 2 = 12 off” voting. That means someone gets a at the fact that it really happened.” ballot, fills in the circle next to Joe Biden Here are some of the things you can do simply by watching his owner’s subtle facial for campaigns: make phone calls; knock Once when my Suzuki got lost — followed giveaways. and Kamala Harris and then leaves the rest by two days of panic on my part and that of my of the ballot blank because said voter has on doors — some campaigns are doing To be on the safe side, I keep goldfish. On this, some aren’t. Any campaign worth then-partner Larry — we got a call. Suzuki’s a DVD aquarium, at that. They don’t kiss, never heard of these other people. safe but miles away. It’s tragic. volunteering with should have a strict watch anything not going on or smell. They protocol of mask-wearing and social “Your collar ID-tagged terrier hid under our just keep going with the swim of things. I’ve Now in some states you can vote “straight- dining table,” said the good Samaritan who ticket,” which has nothing to do with distancing to keep you and the people you’re named them L, G, B and T. (Let’s get booting talking to safe — write post cards, deliver rescued her. “She wouldn’t budge. She’d come Trump!) heteronormativity and everything to do out only when my husband or another man with checking one box that means, “I vote yard signs, make more phone calls. enters. Never for me or my women friends.” for all of the Democrats” — the Republican I have done all of these things and more, and I’ve lived to tell the tale. It’s not always Scent of course is key. And it goes without Charles Alexander is prolific both as a BTL option also exists but, you know, gross. But, saying that guys aroma was key. They of course, not everybody does this. fun — there are some people who love to columnist (700-plus columns) and as a call voters, for example, and those people physically scent differently than gals — well-known LGBT community artist (1000 See, here’s the thing with, say, a State especially ICON leather types. House race. If you get someone to commit are weird but also golden wonders any Facebook images). He is a Spirit of Detroit campaign would love to have — but it’s According to Jim Lessenberry, director of Award recipient and an Affirmations LGBT to voting for your Democratic State House a locally based Animal Learning Systems, candidate, that helps all of the Democratic necessary work. CENTER Jan Stevenson awardee. Connect with Nobody said defeating fascism would be “We know that dogs can identify and track to him at [email protected]. candidates on the ballot because that discreet scents emanating from five or more voter is much more likely to vote for other easy. Let’s go. miles away. Animals can also zero in on clues www.PrideSource.com BTL | October 1, 2020 17 18 BTL | October 1, 2020 www.PrideSource.com A Project of Pride Source Media Group MiVoterGuide.com Michigan’s 2020 Progressive Voter Guide YOUR PRO-LGBT, WOMAN, ENVIRONMENT, GUN SENSE & LABOR GUIDE TO THE ELECTION

Vote NOV. 3 Guide To the Guide

Between The Lines presents the Progressive Voters Guide for Michigan, which includes Guide also provides right wing, conservative endorsements so voters can see which endorsement information from five key progressive sectors of the electorate – LGBT Is- candidates, if elected, would actively work against progressive values in Michigan. sues, Women's Rights, Labor, the Environment and Gun Control. All in one place, voters can see which candidates would support fairness and equality on a host of issues. The Here is a key to each of the organizations that have endorsements included in this Pro- gressive Voter Guide:

LGBTQ Issues percentage of pro-LGBTQ votes.Learn environmentally-minded officials ratification. Decisions are made after Right-Wing XXX more at www.hrc.org and lobbying in Lansing. They also examining the voting records of in- created a 2014 legislative scorecard cumbents and previous officeholders BTL – Between The Lines is Michigan’s CTV – Citizens for Traditional Values for both the Michigan House and or the stated positions and pledges weekly newspaper serving the LGBT political action committee supports Senate. www.michigan.sierraclub.org of new candidates. Members often community in Michigan. BTL has pro- Women’s Rights candidates that are anti-LGBT, an- get to grill candidates directly on duced a LGBT Voter Guide every other ti-choice, support teaching creationism EMILY’S LIST – A national PAC MLCV – Michigan League of year since 1996. Endorsements are important issues facing workers. in schools and want the government committed to electing pro-choice Conservation Voters is the lead- based on responses to questionnaires, to reflect Judeo Christian values.http:// Democratic women to office.Learn ing non-partisan political voice for incumbents voting records and candi- www.ctvmichigan.org more at https://www.emilyslist.org protecting Michigan’s land, air, and Gun Control dates public positions on LGBT issues water. MLCV seeks to elect and including workplace fairness, access MI-RTL – Michigan Right to Life MICHIGAN NOW – A chapter of the hold accountable public officials to Moms Demand Action - to healthcare, adoption and family political action committee endorses National Organization for Women ensure the right policies are enacted Michigan – Moms Demand Action rights, marriage and safety, including candidates who support a federal dedicated to bringing women into to protect our families’ - and future is a grassroots movement fighting their positions on bullying. Learn more Human Life Amendment to the U.S. full participation in the mainstream generations’ - health, economic for public safety measures that can at www.PrideSource.com Constitution that would outlaw all of American Society. Learn more at well-being, and ability to enjoy the protect people from gun violence. abortions, even in cases of rape, http://www.michnow.org pure beauty of our state. They have over 6 million supporters EQMI – The Pride incest or to protect the mother’s life. with chapters in every state. www. PAC is an independent Political THE PROGRESSIVE WOMEN’S AL- gunsensevoter.org Action Committee that evaluates and NRA-PVF – The NRA Political Victory LIANCE – is committed to influenc- endorses candidates based on their re- Fund (NRA-PVF) is the National Rifle ing public policy through the election Labor Brady United – A national organiza- sponses to a questionnaire that is sent Association’s political action commit- of candidates and the advocacy of tion that promotes a comprehensive to every candidate running for public AFL-CIO – The American Federation tee. The NRA-PVF states that “gun progressive values. approach to preventing gun violence. control” schemes are an infringement office. Learn more at www.eqmipride- of Labor and Congress of Industrial Jim Brady became permanently dis- on the Second Amendment and a pac.com PLAN’D P’HOOD – Planned Par- Organizations is a national trade abled from a gunshot would during proven failure in fighting crime. www. enthood Advocates of Michigan is a union center made up of 56 national a 1981 attempted assassination of HRC – The Human Rights Campaign nrapvf.org 501©(4) nonprofit focused on fund- and international unions representing President Ronald Reagan. Brady represents a force of more than 3 raising to endorse pro-choice candi- over 11 million people worldwide. and his wife, Sarah, founded Brady million members and supporters dates and electoral work in Michigan. They endorse candidates and initia- United in 1993. nationwide. As the largest national tives that support collective bargain- http://miplannedparenthood.org LGBTQ civil rights organization, HRC ing and workers rights.http://www. will endorse a candidate based upon miaflcio.org/ these criteria; support for issues of concern to the LGBTQ community, Environmental Groups UAW – United Auto Worker’s demonstrated leadership on HRC’s Community Action Program (CAP) SIERRA CLUB - Michigan Political issues, and viability. They also grade endorsements are based upon Committee is responsible for electing incumbent legislators, assigned a membership input and leadership

U.S. Congressional Districts - Michigan

Use this map to determine which 1 Congressional District’s voter grid is yours! Unsure of your district? Go to www.MIVoterGuide.com and enter your zip code 1 to receive a more specific ballot! 8 10 5 11

14 9 Did you know... You can see an example of your ballot before Nov. 3 by entering 4 7 11 13 2 your voter information at www.Michigan.gov/Vote 10 5 Make sure you know as much about whose running in your region today! 3 12 12 8 11 14 9 13 12 More links and resources are available at www.PrideSource.com 6 20 BTL | October 1, 2020 www.PrideSource.com7 1ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT STATEWIDE XXX

U.S. Congress LGBTQ Women Envir Labor Gun Right-Wing RACES Between The Lines Strongly Endorses These Statewide Candidates

District Candidate Party BTL EQMI HRC E’L MIPC NOW PP SC LCV AFL-CIO UAW GSV RTLM CTV NRA Ferguson, Dana D 1 Bergman, Jack (I) R XX Boren, Ben L State Representatives McGill-Rizer, Beth D 101 O’Malley, Jack (I) R XX

103 Rendon, Daire (I) R XX O’Neil, Dan D 104 Roth, John R. R XX Crum, Jason L Burke, Jonathan D 105 Borton, Ken R X Joe Biden Kamala Harris

Allor, Sue (I) R XXX 106 Johnson, LeeAnn D President Vice President Page, Jim D 107 Damoose, John N. R XXX Richer, Renee D 108 LaFave, Beau Matthew (I) R XXX Cambensy, Sara (I) D 109 Wagner, Melody R Hafeman, Jim TAX Metsa, Janet D 110 Markkanen, Gregory (I) R XXX Sauermilch, Rick G Gary Peters Bridget McCormack Elizabeth Welch XXX U.S. Senate Mi. Supreme Court Mi. Supreme Court

Ellen Cogen Lipton & Jason Strayhorn State Board of Education Brian Mosallam & Rema Reynolds-Vasser MSU Trustees Eva Garza-Dewaelsche & Shirley Stancato WSU Governors Mark Bernstein & Shauna Ryder-Diggs U-M Regents

Go to www.MIVoterGuide.com and enter your zip code for local election endorsements. Check back again for updated endorsements Learn more online www.MiVoterGuide.com from your progressive organizations. See the key to endorsements on page 20 of this issue www.PrideSource.com BTL | October 1, 2020 21 2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT STATEWIDE RACES XXX U.S. Congress LGBTQ Women Envir Labor Gun Right-Wing Between The Lines Strongly Endorses These Statewide Candidates

District Candidate Party BTL EQMI HRC E’L MIPC NOW PP SC LCV AFL-CIO UAW GSV RTLM CTV NRA Berghoef, Bryan D Riekse, Max L 2 Creviere, Jean-Michel G Huizenga, Bill (I) R XX Van Sickle, Gerald T. TAX State Representatives Cheng-Schulting, Lily D 72 Johnson, Steven (I) R XXX Hintz, Meagan L. D 74 Huizenga, Mark (I) R XXX

Brann, Tommy (I) R XX 77 Joe Biden Kamala Harris Smith, Bob (I) D Almquist, Erik D 80 President Vice President Whiteford, Mary (I) R XX Cornielle, Franklin D 88 Meerman, Luke (I) R X Brown, Anita Marie D 89 Lilly, Jim (I) R XX Banks, Christopher P. D 90 Slagh, Bradley (I) R XXX Hosticka, Brian D 91 VanWoerkom, Greg (I) R X Sabo, Terry J. (I) D 92 Gary Peters Bridget McCormack Elizabeth Welch Haueisen, Michael L. R Clarke, Sandy D U.S. Senate Mi. Supreme Court Mi. Supreme Court 100 VanSingel, Scott A. (I) R XXX McGill-Rizer, Beth D 101 O’Malley, Jack (I) R XX Ellen Cogen Lipton & Jason Strayhorn State Board of Education XXX Brian Mosallam & Rema Reynolds-Vasser MSU Trustees Eva Garza-Dewaelsche & Shirley Stancato WSU Governors Mark Bernstein & Shauna Ryder-Diggs U-M Regents

Go to www.MIVoterGuide.com and enter your zip code for local election endorsements. Check back again for updated endorsements from your progressive organizations. Learn more online www.MiVoterGuide.com See the key to endorsements on page 20 of this issue 22 BTL | October 1, 2020 3RD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT STATEWIDE XXX

U.S. Congress LGBTQ Women Envir Labor Gun Right-Wing RACES Between The Lines Strongly Endorses These Statewide Candidates

District Candidate Party BTL EQMI HRC E’L MIPC NOW PP SC LCV AFL-CIO UAW GSV RTLM CTV NRA Scholten, Hillary D 3 Meijer, Peter R XX State Representatives

Haadsma, Jim (I) D 62 Dave Morgan R XX

Howell, Luke D Wolf, Rafael L 63 La Pietra, John Anthony G

Hall, Matt (I) R XXX Garvey, Karen D 70 Outman, Pat R X Joe Biden Kamala Harris Cheng-Schulting, Lily D 72 Johnson, Steven (I) R XXX President Vice President Saxton, Bill D 73 Posthumus, Bryan R XXX Gerrard, Theodore TAX Hintz, Meagan L. D 74 Huizenga, Mark (I) R XXX LaGrand, David (I) D McKeiver, James R 75 Palus, Louis WC Bulnes, Marco T. G Hood, Rachel (I) D 76 Gary Peters Bridget McCormack Elizabeth Welch Zandstra, Doug R U.S. Senate Mi. Supreme Court Mi. Supreme Court Brann, Tommy (I) R XX 77 Smith, Bob (I) D Hayes, Sue D 86 Albert, Thomas A. (I) R XX Ellen Cogen Lipton & Jason Strayhorn Molette, Jay D State Board of Education 87 Calley, Julie A. (I) D XXX Brian Mosallam & Rema Reynolds-Vasser XXX MSU Trustees Eva Garza-Dewaelsche & Shirley Stancato WSU Governors Mark Bernstein & Shauna Ryder-Diggs U-M Regents

Go to www.MIVoterGuide.com and enter your zip code for local election endorsements. Check back again for updated endorsements Learn more online www.MiVoterGuide.com from your progressive organizations. See the key to endorsements on page 20 of this issue www.PrideSource.com BTL | October 1, 2020 23 4TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT STATEWIDE XXX

RACES U.S. Congress LGBTQ Women Envir Labor Gun Right-Wing Between The Lines Strongly Endorses These Statewide Candidates

District Candidate Party BTL EQMI HRC E’L MIPC NOW PP SC LCV AFL-CIO UAW GSV RTLM CTV NRA Hilliard, Jerry D

Moolenaar, John (I) R XX 4 Canny, David L Slepr, Amy G State Representatives Garvey, Karen D 70 Outman, Pat R X Garrison, Andrea Kelly D 85 Frederick, Ben (I) R XX Rais, Muhammad Salman D 93 Filler, Graham (I) R XX Tibbs, Demond L. D Joe Biden Kamala Harris 94 Wakeman, Rodney (I) R XXX O’Neal, Amos D President Vice President 95 DeMaet, Charlotte R Young-Wenkel, Celia D 97 Wentworth, Jason (I) R XXX Schulz, Sarah D 98 Glenn, Annette (I) R XXX Zang, John D 99 Hauck, Roger (I) R XX Lambert, Melissa Noelle G Siggins, Amanda D 102 Hoitenga, Michele (I) R XX Gary Peters Bridget McCormack Elizabeth Welch 103 Rendon, Daire (I) R XX U.S. Senate Mi. Supreme Court Mi. Supreme Court XXX

Ellen Cogen Lipton & Jason Strayhorn State Board of Education Brian Mosallam & Rema Reynolds-Vasser MSU Trustees Eva Garza-Dewaelsche & Shirley Stancato WSU Governors Mark Bernstein & Shauna Ryder-Diggs U-M Regents

Go to www.MIVoterGuide.com and enter your zip code for local election endorsements. Check back again for updated endorsements from your progressive organizations. Learn more online www.MiVoterGuide.com See the key to endorsements on page 20 of this issue 24 BTL | October 1, 2020 5TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT STATEWIDE XXX

U.S. Congress LGBTQ Women Envir Labor Gun Right-Wing RACES Between The Lines Strongly Endorses These Statewide Candidates

District Candidate Party BTL EQMI HRC E’L MIPC NOW PP SC LCV AFL-CIO UAW GSV RTLM CTV NRA Kildee, Daniel T. (I) D 5 Kelly, Tim R X Goodwin, Kathy WC Harris, James L State Representatives Neeley, Cynthia R. (I) D 34 Miraglia, James R

Martin, David W. R X X 48 Kennedy, Sheryl Y. (I) D Cherry, John D 49 Lutz, Bryan R Sneller, Tim (I) D 50 Joe Biden Kamala Harris Fitchett-Hickson, Christina R X May, Brad D 51 President Vice President Mueller, Mike (I) R XX Wood, Patrick J. D 84 Green, Phil (I) R XXX Tibbs, Demond L. D 94 Wakeman, Rodney (I) R XXX O’Neal, Amos D 95 DeMaet, Charlotte R Elder, Brian K. (I) D 96 Beson, Timothy R X Young-Wenkel, Celia D 97 Wentworth, Jason (I) R XXX Gary Peters Bridget McCormack Elizabeth Welch Schulz, Sarah D U.S. Senate Mi. Supreme Court Mi. Supreme Court 98 Glenn, Annette (I) R XXX

Allor, Sue (I) R XXX 106 Johnson, LeeAnn D Ellen Cogen Lipton & Jason Strayhorn XXX State Board of Education Brian Mosallam & Rema Reynolds-Vasser MSU Trustees Eva Garza-Dewaelsche & Shirley Stancato WSU Governors Mark Bernstein & Shauna Ryder-Diggs U-M Regents

Go to www.MIVoterGuide.com and enter your zip code for local election endorsements. Check back again for updated endorsements Learn more online www.MiVoterGuide.com from your progressive organizations. See the key to endorsements on page 20 of this issue www.PrideSource.com BTL | October 1, 2020 25 6TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT STATEWIDE XXX

RACES U.S. Congress LGBTQ Women Envir Labor Gun Right-Wing Between The Lines Strongly Endorses These Statewide Candidates

District Candidate Party BTL EQMI HRC E’L MIPC NOW PP SC LCV AFL-CIO UAW GSV RTLM CTV NRA Hoadley, Jon D Upton, Fred (I) R 6 DePoy, Jeff L Lawrence, John G State Representatives East, Amy L. D 59 Carra, Steve R X Rogers, Julie M. D 60 Mitchell, Gary R X Morse, Christine D 61 Haltom, Bronwyn R X Howell, Luke D Joe Biden Kamala Harris Wolf, Rafael L 63 President Vice President La Pietra, John Anthony G Hall, Matt (I) R XXX Wheeler, Abigail D 66 Griffin, Beth (I) R XX Lisa Cheng-Schulting, Lily D 72 Johnson, Steven (I) R XXX VandenHeede, Dan D 78 Paquette, Brad (I) R X Warner, Andrew J. NL Pitchford, Chokwe D 79 Wendzel, Pauline (I) R XX Gary Peters Bridget McCormack Elizabeth Welch Almquist, Erik D 80 U.S. Senate Mi. Supreme Court Mi. Supreme Court Whiteford, Mary (I) R XX XXX

Ellen Cogen Lipton & Jason Strayhorn State Board of Education Brian Mosallam & Rema Reynolds-Vasser MSU Trustees Eva Garza-Dewaelsche & Shirley Stancato WSU Governors Mark Bernstein & Shauna Ryder-Diggs U-M Regents

Go to www.MIVoterGuide.com and enter your zip code for local election endorsements. Check back again for updated endorsements from your progressive organizations. Learn more online www.MiVoterGuide.com See the key to endorsements on page 20 of this issue 26 BTL | October 1, 2020 7TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT STATEWIDE XXX

U.S. Congress LGBTQ Women Envir Labor Gun Right-Wing RACES Between The Lines Strongly Endorses These Statewide Candidates

District Candidate Party BTL EQMI HRC E’L MIPC NOW PP SC LCV AFL-CIO UAW GSV RTLM CTV NRA Driskell, Gretchen D. D 7 Walberg, Tim (I) R XX State Representatives Slat, Christopher D 17 Bellino Jr., Joe (I) R XX Lasinski, Donna (I) D 52 Marquis, Greg R Brabec, Felicia D 55 Baird, Bob R Kitchens, Keith W. D 56 Clements, TC R XXX Rubley II, Jeffrey Jon G Joe Biden Kamala Harris Garcia, Will D 57 Kahle, Bronna (I) R XXX President Vice President Barnes, Tamara C. D 58 Fink, Andrew R XXX Hofman-Kingston, Sandra D 64 Alexander, Julie (I) R XXX Lightner, Sarah L. (I) R XX 65 Smith, Nancy (I) D Witwer, Angela (I) D 71 Johnsen, Gina R XXX McCuiston, Dalton R. G XXX Gary Peters Bridget McCormack Elizabeth Welch U.S. Senate Mi. Supreme Court Mi. Supreme Court

Ellen Cogen Lipton & Jason Strayhorn State Board of Education Brian Mosallam & Rema Reynolds-Vasser MSU Trustees Eva Garza-Dewaelsche & Shirley Stancato WSU Governors Mark Bernstein & Shauna Ryder-Diggs U-M Regents

Go to www.MIVoterGuide.com and enter your zip code for local election endorsements. Check back again for updated endorsements Learn more online www.MiVoterGuide.com from your progressive organizations. See the key to endorsements on page 20 of this issue www.PrideSource.com BTL | October 1, 2020 27 8TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT STATEWIDE XXX

RACES U.S. Congress LGBTQ Women Envir Labor Gun Right-Wing Between The Lines Strongly Endorses These Statewide Candidates

District Candidate Party BTL EQMI HRC E’L MIPC NOW PP SC LCV AFL-CIO UAW GSV RTLM CTV NRA Slotkin, Elissa (I) D 8 Junge, Paul R XX Hartman, Joe L State Representatives Bettes, Donnie D 42 Bollin, Ann (I) R XXX Breadon, Nicole D 43 Schroeder, Andrea K. (I) R XXX Forrest, Denise D 44 Maddock, Matt (I) R XXX Anness, Barb D 45 Tisdel, Mark R X Joe Biden Kamala Harris LaMacchia, Jody D 46 President Vice President Reilly, John (I) R XX Smiddy, Adam D 47 Bezotte, Robert J. R XXX May, Brad D 51 Mueller, Mike (I) R XX Hope, Kara (I) D 67 Ross, Nate J. R X Anthony, Sarah (I) D 68 Atkinson, Robert J. R X Brixie, Julie (I) D 69 Norris, Grace S. R Gary Peters Bridget McCormack Elizabeth Welch Gutierrez, Gene G U.S. Senate Mi. Supreme Court Mi. Supreme Court XXX

Ellen Cogen Lipton & Jason Strayhorn State Board of Education Congressional Dist. 8 - Local Races: Barb Byrum, Ingham County Clerk Derrick Quinney, Ingham County Register of Deeds Brian Mosallam & Rema Reynolds-Vasser Lorie Savin, Circuit Judge of Circuit Court Dist. 6 Eric Schertzing, Ingham County Treasurer MSU Trustees Carol Koenig, Circuit Judge of Circuit Court Dist. 30 Carol Siemon, Ingham County Prosecutor David Coulter, Oakland County Executive Scott Wriggelsworth, Ingham County Sheriff Eva Garza-Dewaelsche & Shirley Stancato Lisa Brown, Oakland County Clerk & Register of Deeds Erin Graham, Ingham County Commissioner WSU Governors Vincent Gregory, Oakland County Sheriff Mark Grebner, Ingham County Commissioner Karen McDonald, Oakland County Prosecuting Attorney Robert Orlando Pena, Ingham County Commissioner Mark Bernstein & Shauna Ryder-Diggs Robert Wittenberg, Oakland County Treasurer U-M Regents Micelle McClellan, Oakland County Commissioner Dist. 3

Go to www.MIVoterGuide.com and enter your zip code for local election endorsements. Check back again for updated endorsements from your progressive organizations. Learn more online www.MiVoterGuide.com See the key to endorsements on page 20 of this issue 28 BTL | October 1, 2020 9TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT STATEWIDE XXX

U.S. Congress LGBTQ Women Envir Labor Gun Right-Wing RACES Between The Lines Strongly Endorses These Statewide Candidates

District Candidate Party BTL EQMI HRC E’L MIPC NOW PP SC LCV AFL-CIO UAW GSV RTLM CTV NRA Levin, Andy (I) D

Langworthy, Charles J. R X 9 Kirby, Andrea L. WC Saliba, Mike L State Representatives Hertel, Kevin (I) D 18 Babat, Michael R Steenland, Richard M. D 22 Warner, Steven G. R Woodman, Michelle D 24 Marino, Steve (I) R XXX Shannon, Nate (I) D 25 Joe Biden Kamala Harris Smith, Paul M. R X Ellison, Jim (I) D 26 President Vice President Meister, Chris R Weiss, Regina D Goss, Elizabeth R 27 Stempfle, Gregory Scott L Wells, Sherry A. G Stone, Lori M. (I) D 28 Colegio, Stephen R Horndt, Frederick L Chehab, Michael A. D 30 Mohamed Chehab, Bridget McCormack Farrington, Diana (I) R X Gary Peters Elizabeth Welch Sowerby, William J. (I) D U.S. Senate Mi. Supreme Court Mi. Supreme Court 31 Valerio-Nowc, Lisa R X Bolden, Kyra Harris (I) D 35 Davis, Daniela R Ellen Cogen Lipton & Jason Strayhorn Yow, Tim L State Board of Education Manoogian, Mari (I) D 40 Cleary, Kendra R Brian Mosallam & Rema Reynolds-Vasser Kuppa, Padma (I) D MSU Trustees 41 Sosnoski, Andrew J. R X Eva Garza-Dewaelsche & Shirley Stancato XXX WSU Governors Mark Bernstein & Shauna Ryder-Diggs Congressional Dist. 9 - Local Races: Karen McDonald, Oakland County Prosecuting Attorney Robert Wittenberg, Oakland County Treasurer U-M Regents Lorie Savin, Circuit Judge of Circuit Court Dist. 6 David Woodward, Oakland County Commissioner Dist. 17 David Coulter, Oakland County Executive Dan Cherrin, Oakland County Commissioner Dist. 18 Lisa Brown, Oakland County Clerk & Register of Deeds Jennifer LaTosch, Ferndale School Board Go to www.MIVoterGuide.com and enter your Vincent Gregory, Oakland County Sheriff zip code for local election endorsements. Check back again for updated endorsements Learn more online www.MiVoterGuide.com from your progressive organizations. See the key to endorsements on page 20 of this issue www.PrideSource.com BTL | October 1, 2020 29 10TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT STATEWIDE XXX

RACES U.S. Congress LGBTQ Women Envir Labor Gun Right-Wing Between The Lines Strongly Endorses These Statewide Candidates

District Candidate Party BTL EQMI HRC E’L MIPC NOW PP SC LCV AFL-CIO UAW GSV RTLM CTV NRA Bizon, Kimberly D 10 McClain, Lisa R XX State Representatives Woodman, Michelle D 24 Marino, Steve (I) R XXX Shannon, Nate (I) D 25 Smith, Paul M. R X Chehab, Michael A. D 30 Mohamed Chehab, Farrington, Diana (I) R X Boucher, Justin D 32 Hornberger, Pamela (I) R XX Joe Biden Kamala Harris Jabari, Olu D 33 President Vice President Yaroch, Jeff (I) R XX Murphy, Robert D 36 Wozniak, Douglas C. (I) R XX Bourgois, Debbie D 81 Eisen, Gary R. (I) R XXX Tkach, Jerry D 82 Howell, Gary (I) R XX Armstrong-Helton, Stephanie D 83 Beeler, Andrew R X Wood, Patrick J. 84 Green, Phil (I) XXX Gary Peters Bridget McCormack Elizabeth Welch XXX U.S. Senate Mi. Supreme Court Mi. Supreme Court

Ellen Cogen Lipton & Jason Strayhorn State Board of Education Brian Mosallam & Rema Reynolds-Vasser MSU Trustees Eva Garza-Dewaelsche & Shirley Stancato WSU Governors Mark Bernstein & Shauna Ryder-Diggs U-M Regents

Go to www.MIVoterGuide.com and enter your zip code for local election endorsements. Check back again for updated endorsements from your progressive organizations. Learn more online www.MiVoterGuide.com See the key to endorsements on page 20 of this issue 30 BTL | October 1, 2020 11TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT STATEWIDE XXX U.S. Congress LGBTQ Women Envir Labor Gun Right-Wing RACES Between The Lines Strongly Endorses These Statewide Candidates

District Candidate Party BTL EQMI HRC E’L MIPC NOW PP SC LCV AFL-CIO UAW GSV RTLM CTV NRA Stevens, Haley (I) D 11 Esshaki, Eric S. R X Schwartz, Leonard L State Representatives Jones, Jewell (I) D 11 Townsend, James C. R Pohutsky, Laurie (I) D 19 Ptashnik, Martha R XXX Koleszar, Matt (I) D 20 Lacny, John R XX Puri, Ranjeev D 21 Hess, Laurel R X Kamala Harris Sullivan, S. Dave R Joe Biden 29 Carter, Brenda (I) D Vice President Steckloff, Samantha D President 37 Swoboda, Mitch R Young, James K. L Breen, Kelly A. D 38 Turner, Chase R XXX Pulver, Julia D 39 Berman, Ryan (I) R X Croff, Anthony L Manoogian, Mari (I) D 40 Cleary, Kendra R Kuppa, Padma (I) D Gary Peters Bridget McCormack Elizabeth Welch 41 Sosnoski, Andrew J. R X U.S. Senate Mi. Supreme Court Mi. Supreme Court Breadon, Nicole D 43 Schroeder, Andrea K. (I) R XXX Forrest, Denise D 44 Ellen Cogen Lipton & Jason Strayhorn Maddock, Matt (I) R XXX State Board of Education Anness, Barb D 45 Tisdel, Mark R X Brian Mosallam & Rema Reynolds-Vasser XXX MSU Trustees Eva Garza-Dewaelsche & Shirley Stancato WSU Governors Congressional Dist. 11 - Local Races: Karen McDonald, Oakland County Prosecuting Attorney Robert Wittenberg, Oakland County Treasurer Mark Bernstein & Shauna Ryder-Diggs Lorie Savin, Circuit Judge of Circuit Court Dist. 6 Melissa Daub, Wayne County Commissioner U-M Regents David Coulter, Oakland County Executive Anne Marie Graham-Hudak, Supervisor Canton Twp. Lisa Brown, Oakland County Clerk & Register of Deeds Sommer Foster, Truste Canton Twp. Vincent Gregory, Oakland County Sheriff Go to www.MIVoterGuide.com and enter your zip code for local election endorsements. Check back again for updated endorsements Learn more online www.MiVoterGuide.com from your progressive organizations. See the key to endorsements on page 20 of this issue www.PrideSource.com BTL | October 1, 2020 31 12TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT STATEWIDE XXX

RACES U.S. Congress LGBTQ Women Envir Labor Gun Right-Wing Between The Lines Strongly Endorses These Statewide Candidates

District Candidate Party BTL EQMI HRC E’L MIPC NOW PP SC LCV AFL-CIO UAW GSV RTLM CTV NRA Dingell, Debbie (I) D 12 Walkowicz, Gary WC Jones, Jeff R State Representatives Whitsett, Karen (I) D 9 Stephens, James R Garza, Alex (I) D 12 Bailey, Michelle R Liberati, Tullio D 13 Frump, Megan R Clemente, Cara A. (I) D Stasik, Darrell R Joe Biden Kamala Harris 14 Coleman, Simone R. WC President Vice President Hammoud, Abdullah (I) D 15 O’Neill, Carla R Betts, Larry Darnell WC Slat, Christopher D 17 Bellino Jr., Joe (I) R XX Puri, Ranjeev D 21 Hess, Laurel R X Camilleri, Darrin (I) D 23 Poe, John R XXX Lasinski, Donna (I) D 52 Marquis, Greg R Gary Peters Bridget McCormack Elizabeth Welch Rabhi, Yousef (I) D 53 U.S. Senate Mi. Supreme Court Mi. Supreme Court Holland, Jean E. R Peterson, Ronnie Dean (I) D 54 Church, Martin A. R X Brabec, Felicia D Ellen Cogen Lipton & Jason Strayhorn 55 Baird, Bob R State Board of Education XXX Brian Mosallam & Rema Reynolds-Vasser MSU Trustees Eva Garza-Dewaelsche & Shirley Stancato WSU Governors Mark Bernstein & Shauna Ryder-Diggs U-M Regents

Go to www.MIVoterGuide.com and enter your zip code for local election endorsements. Check back again for updated endorsements from your progressive organizations. Learn more online www.MiVoterGuide.com See the key to endorsements on page 20 of this issue 32 BTL | October 1, 2020 13TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT STATEWIDE XXX

U.S. Congress LGBTQ Women Envir Labor Gun Right-Wing RACES Between The Lines Strongly Endorses These Statewide Candidates

District Candidate Party BTL EQMI HRC E’L MIPC NOW PP SC LCV AFL-CIO UAW GSV RTLM CTV NRA Tlaib, Rashida (I) D Dudenhoefer, David R 13 Bomer, Articia TAX Wilcoxon, D.Etta G State Representatives Tate, Joe (I) D 2 Rodriguez, Mayra R Simpson, DaNetta L. Thanedar, Shri D 3 Vinson, Anita R Boyle, Stephen G Aiyash, Abraham D Joe Biden Kamala Harris Weathington, Howard R 4 Rayburn, Linda WC President Vice President Alam, Md Rabbi Johnson, Cynthia A. (I) D 5 Day, Harold M. R 6 Carter, Tyrone (I) D Scott, Helena D Cole, Ronald R 7 Givens, Kimberly WC Belle, Anita G Young, Stephanie A. D 8 Gorak, Miroslawa Teresa R Gary Peters Bridget McCormack Elizabeth Welch Whitsett, Karen (I) D 9 U.S. Senate Mi. Supreme Court Mi. Supreme Court Stephens, James R Cavanagh, Mary D 10 Alcorn, Cathy L. R Jones, Jewell (I) D Ellen Cogen Lipton & Jason Strayhorn 11 Townsend, James C. R State Board of Education Garza, Alex (I) D 12 Brian Mosallam & Rema Reynolds-Vasser Bailey, Michelle R MSU Trustees Liberati, Tullio D 13 Frump, Megan R Eva Garza-Dewaelsche & Shirley Stancato Clemente, Cara A. (I) D WSU Governors 14 Stasik, Darrell R Coleman, Simone R. WC Mark Bernstein & Shauna Ryder-Diggs Bauman, Emily R X U-M Regents 16 Coleman, Kevin (I) D

XXX Go to www.MIVoterGuide.com and enter your zip code for local election endorsements. Check back again for updated endorsements Learn more online www.MiVoterGuide.com from your progressive organizations. See the key to endorsements on page 20 of this issue www.PrideSource.com BTL | October 1, 2020 33 Between The Lines Strongly 14TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Endorses These Statewide Candidates

XXX

U.S. Congress LGBTQ Women Envir Labor Gun Right-Wing

District Candidate Party BTL EQMI HRC E’L MIPC NOW PP SC LCV AFL-CIO UAW GSV RTLM CTV NRA Patrick, Robert Vance R Kolody, Philip WC 14 Gioia, Lisa Lane L Shabazz, Clyde K. G Lawrence, Brenda (I) D State Representatives Kamala Harris Joe Biden Wiejaczka, Kathy D 1 Vice President O’Malley, Jack R President Tate, Joe (I) D 2 Rodriguez, Mayra R Simpson, DaNetta L. Thanedar, Shri D 3 Vinson, Anita R Boyle, Stephen G Aiyash, Abraham D Weathington, Howard R 4 Rayburn, Linda WC Alam, Md Rabbi Gary Peters Bridget McCormack Elizabeth Welch Johnson, Cynthia A. (I) D 5 U.S. Senate Mi. Supreme Court Mi. Supreme Court Day, Harold M. R 6 Carter, Tyrone (I) D Scott, Helena D Ellen Cogen Lipton & Jason Strayhorn Cole, Ronald R 7 State Board of Education Givens, Kimberly WC Belle, Anita G Brian Mosallam & Rema Reynolds-Vasser Young, Stephanie A. D 8 MSU Trustees Gorak, Miroslawa Teresa R Cavanagh, Mary D Eva Garza-Dewaelsche & Shirley Stancato 10 Alcorn, Cathy L. R WSU Governors Weiss, Regina D Mark Bernstein & Shauna Ryder-Diggs Goss, Elizabeth R 27 U-M Regents Stempfle, Gregory Scott L Wells, Sherry A. G

Sullivan, S. Dave R 29 Carter, Brenda (I) D Bolden, Kyra Harris (I) D Congressional Dist. 14 - Local Races: 35 Davis, Daniela R Yow, Tim L Lorie Savin, Circuit Judge of Circuit Court Dist. 6 David Coulter, Oakland County Executive Steckloff, Samantha D Lisa Brown, Oakland County Clerk & Register of Deeds 37 Swoboda, Mitch R Vincent Gregory, Oakland County Sheriff Young, James K. L Karen McDonald, Oakland County Prosecuting Attorney Pulver, Julia D Robert Wittenberg, Oakland County Treasurer 39 Berman, Ryan (I) R X Marcia Gershensen, Oakland County Commissioner Dist. 13 Croff, Anthony L David Woodward, Oakland County Commissioner Dist. 17 Manoogian, Mari (I) D Dan Cherrin, Oakland County Commissioner Dist. 18 40 Mike McGuinness, Pontiac School Board Cleary, Kendra R XXX

34 BTL | October 1, 2020 www.PrideSource.com See page 9 of this issue to learn more on how registerd voters can turn in your ballot early. Let’s Make Michigan Progressive Again.

Just plug in your zip code to see how to vote

MiVoterGuide.com A project of Pride Source Media Group

The 2020 Michigan Progressive Voters Guide aggregates endorsements from 10+ state and national organizations dedicated to supporting equality and justice for all Americans regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, economic status, age, concern for the environment or other divisive lines drawn between us and our fellow citizens.

All in one place, you can see which candidates have the support of the progressive organizations on your own personalized statewide and local ballot. The Guide also provides right wing, conservative endorsements so voters can see which candidates, if elected, would actively work against progressive values in Michigan.

Go to www.mivoterguide.com to learn more. From COVID-19 to Black Lives Matter, How Bingo Pet Salon is Navigating 2020

Brian Lane is the owner of Bingo Pet Salon in Royal Oak. BTL Photo: Andrew Potter

BY ELLEN SHANNA KNOPPOW Lane shared videos with instructions on how acknowledged. “But while I was home, I was found at 719 E. 11 Mile Road, several blocks to brush one’s dog and do nail trims at home. telling people, ‘Continue to call me, I’m just east of the Emagine theater and just west of the Still, he was fielding 20 to 30 calls per day. sitting home, quarantined.’” Hotel Royal Oak. Following the Rules Temporarily shutting Bingo’s doors was not But Lane wasn’t just worried about his own Whereas Lane and his groomers had 1,000 The third time it happened Brian Lane the only virus-related woe that afflicted Lane: health. He had his business and his staff to square feet to work with in the old space, the notified the police. An angry client, likely he contracted the illness himself. Lane think take care of. He said the hardest thing for him new place has more than doubled the staff’s drunk, was calling Lane in the middle of the his husband, Clinton, caught the virus from when Bingo was closed was making sure his workspace at 2,500 square feet. There’s now a night to curse him out for refusing to schedule a the restaurant where he works in Royal Oak groomers got their unemployment payments. small area for retail, including CBD products hair appointment during the novel coronavirus- during the city’s St. Patrick’s Day bar crawl. But “I told them to relax, enjoy your time off,” for pets. And not only that, Bingo has gained related shutdown. But Lane, who is not a stylist, Clinton didn’t exhibit signs of COVID-19, so Lane said. “Let me worry about the business. a parking lot, which has become a much- owns Bingo Pet Salon. And the man in question they concluded he was asymptomatic and then Let me worry about this stuff. I felt like I tried appreciated amenity for owners of teacup was calling on behalf of his shaggy dog. passed it to Lane. to take on as much as I could to relieve that Yorkies and bull mastiffs alike — not to mention “It was a little disturbing to get those [calls] “I felt like I ran a marathon every day for from them.” cats, which Bingo also grooms. day after day after day,” Lane admitted. “That about a week,” said Lane, describing the effect Good news for Bingo came in the form of “We were supposed to be moved prior to was the only one that was really that bad. Most the illness had on him. “My body just ached. approval for a Paycheck Protection Program the shutdown but the city couldn’t do their people were understanding. I do know that I was sore. I was tired. And then I couldn’t lay loan, a grant from Oakland County and an inspections, so we finally moved in here July 1,” some people went to places that were still open down, so I was pacing a lot, ‘cause when I laid economic disaster relief loan through the Small Lane explained. “So, that was hard and stressful. that weren’t supposed to be. I wasn’t going to down, whatever part of my body I was laying Business Association. Our industry is kind of a little more recession- tell people no. They’re desperate to get their on hurt.” proof. Anything pet-related. People love their dogs groomed.” At that point, the hospital refused Lane a pets. They’ve done studies. People will skip Lane said at Bingo, they were adamant about test because his fever wasn’t high enough to New Space getting their own hair cut to get their dog’s hair following the guidelines as posted. warrant one. When he did finally receive a test, As if navigating a business through a cut ‘cause they don’t want to be around their “I’d have people calling, and we’d be like, ‘We the results were delayed, then lost. Ultimately, pandemic wasn’t stressful enough, Lane had stinky, smelly dog. So we’re in a good industry can’t groom your dogs. We can’t do nail trims. Lane got a clean bill of health. the added challenge of the planned relocation that can bounce back.” We can’t do anything,’” Lane said. “Even though I was sore for about a week, of his Royal Oak shop. Formerly located on 4th a lot of people had it way worse,” Lane To offer guidance to his desperate clients, St. in downtown Royal Oak, Bingo can now be See Bingo, continued on p. 38 36 BTL | October 1, 2020 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com BTL | October 1, 2020 37 ® Bingo country is too many people are like, ‘Well, I Continued from p. 36 don’t want to talk about that; it’s uncomfortable.’ Change is uncomfortable,” Lane said. “Change When Bingo finally did reopen, the demand needs to be uncomfortable. And uncomfortable to book appointments was overwhelming. For conversations need to happen for ... meaningful a week Lane received 400 to 500 calls per day change to happen.” from their 6,000-plus clients. Lane said having a platform like social media “We told people we’re not judging anyone with so many followers has enabled the business on the condition of your dogs when they come to take a stand and set an example. That was in, ‘cause we know everyone was in the same on display when Quinn arrived one morning situation. We call it the COVID shave-downs or in tears after the murder of George Floyd and the corona shave-downs, where everyone came Lane wanted to do something. in, and it was just like, yeah, everyone’s getting “I bought those shirts for them,” Lane said. shaved. We don’t have time to spend three hours “‘Trans Lives Matter,’ ‘Love is Love,’ ‘Science is brushing out a matted dog, unfortunately, ‘cause Not a Liberal Conspiracy,’ ‘Black Lives Matter.’” of the amount of dogs we were taking in.” Lane told his employees that along with their Just as Lane doesn’t judge clients by the Bingo logo scrubs, the new T-shirts were now condition of their pets, he doesn’t judge them by among their uniform choices. their personal circumstances either. In fact, he’s “Something needs to be done and something shown compassion for his customers’ hardships. needs to be said and people need to listen, and “I had some clients who came in and were the more places they see things the more that like, ‘I lost my job and I can’t pay much.’ So I think there’s an opportunity for change to happen,” Lane said. “People just shut up and Brian Lane purchased T-shirts in support of social justice causes for his staff and posted a photo of him and his there were times when I was like, ‘Well, what employees wearing them on social media. Lane said having a platform like social media with so many followers can you afford?’” he said. “If you don’t have don’t say anything.” has enabled the business to take a stand and set an example. Courtesy photo. empathy for people, you suck.” Lane shared the story of meeting a new neighbor when he and his husband moved to Hazel Park. New Uniform “I have a neighbor who has a Confederate It’s clear that under Lane and head groomer flag in their backyard and they have the Trump Helen Quinn’s leadership, Bingo is a business signs on their car,” Lane said. “And my husband with a conscience. Further proof of that is Bingo was like, ‘But they’re nice to us.’ But the first Cares, Lane’s nonprofit that offers free grooming thing they said to us when we moved in [was], for rescue organizations and shelters, which ‘We’re OK that you’re gay. At least you’re not increases the likelihood that the homeless Black.’ That’s not OK with me. animals will be adopted, as long as the agency is “Nothing’s gonna change if we just let status a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Those services quo be just what status quo is,” Lane continued. are provided by Bingo Institute of Grooming, “So I posted that picture.” a school for groomers that Lane opened with The photo of Bingo’s staff received mostly Jessica Conway five years ago. positive feedback on social media. Yet Bingo sets an example that goes beyond “I’ve always said that any person that feels good stewardship of animals. Evidenced by him uncomfortable, this is a safe place to come,” and his staff wearing black T-shirts with slogans Lane said. “If someone were walking by and like “Black Lives Matter,” “Trans Lives Matter” they felt like they were being accosted by and “Women’s Rights are Human Rights,” Lane somebody because they were a woman or they doesn’t shy away from carrying a pro- social were gay or trans or Black or Muslim, you can justice message. come into my shop and it’s a safe place to be. I Photo: Andrew Potter “I’m a huge proponent in social [justice] don’t tolerate intolerance in here.” matters,” Lane said. “And I would absolutely be willing to tell any person who came in here Learn more about Bingo Pet Salon online at who was like, ‘I don’t support that,’ to be like, bingopetsalon.com or by calling 248-544-7424. ‘Fine, turn around and leave.’ Because a big The shop is located at 719 E. 11 Mile Road in problem of what I see in where we are as a Royal Oak.

Photo: Andrew Potter 38 BTL | October 1, 2020 www.PrideSource.com Pet Reiki Service can Provide Stress Relief and Relaxation for Dogs BY EVE KUCHARSKI

s animal owners already know, pets can provide Acompanionship and often times a much-needed mood boost. And beside them being cuddly companions, the National Institues of Health report that pets may also “decrease stress, improve heart health, and even help children with their emotional and social skills.” But as much stress-relief as Bingo or Spot might provide to their owners, they’re not immune from it themselves. A Finnish study found that as many as 70 percent of dogs exhibit some sort of anxiety-related behavior, like noise sensitivity and compulsion. While there are many options that owners can utilize to help with that issue, some can be potentially invasive like medication. Radiant Paws Pet Massage Owner Jill Valuet said that reiki for pets can be a great, hands-off option. “Reiki is very gentle and non- invasive, so what that means is that it can be totally hands-off with the dogs. So, a session to an outsider might look like I’m sitting in a room with a dog not Jill Valuet of Radiant Paws Pet Massage offers reiki treatments doing anything, but really what’s going to pets. Courtesy photo. on is I am in a meditative state with this dog, and I am channeling energy from the ground through me and into the dog, gives students the ability to practice on others] and, basically, it kind of acts like a battery for — and just more for understanding of what it the dog, if you will,” Valuet said. “The energy was than how I could use it,” Valuet said. “At goes into them and recharges them and kind the time, I didn’t understand how I could use it of boosts their own natural healing abilities, on other people, but then, when I started doing their own natural calming abilities.” the dog massage, reiki just kind of seemed like Reiki originated in Japan and is a practice a natural fit for that.” that Johns Hopkins describes as “energy Through Radiant Paws Pet Massage, Valuet healing, in which hands are placed just off the charges clients $40 for a half-hour reiki session body or lightly touching the body, as in ‘laying and $75 when coupled with a massage for on of hands.’ Reiki can also be done ‘long- an hour-long experience. She said that both distance, as a form of prayer.” And those who alone and in combination with massage, reiki practice it regularly report feeling that, among brings about positive changes in her clients’ other benefits, their anxiety is lessened. Though dogs quickly. there are many versions of reiki’s origin story, “I have a client who is a large great Dane it is commonly agreed that Dr. Mikao Usui who is older in life, and [her owners] came brought the practice into popularity in 1922. to me wanting to do the energy work just to Valuet herself said that it wasn’t until four years help her. They know she has some hip issues ago that she found out about the practice. and just is not moving as well as she used to, “And it wasn’t until three years ago that I so they wanted me to come in with the reiki actually got certified in level two reiki [which See Reiki, continued on p. 41 www.PrideSource.com BTL | October 1, 2020 39 Transgender Michigan Hosts its Health Fair Virtually BY EVE KUCHARSKI health issues related to the transgender community. Additionally, Dr. Patricia A. In light of the novel coronavirus Schmidt has discussed hormonal health for pandemic, many nonprofits and community the transgender community. Last weekend, organizations have been forced to cancel Sept. 26, a presentation on intimate partner regularly scheduled programming and events violence and the transgender community to adhere to social distancing guidelines. was included, which was moderated by In the case of organizers at Transgender Kye Campbell-Fox, a prevention education Michigan, a nonprofit dedicated to providing specialist at HAVEN, an anti-domestic advocacy and support to transgender violence organization. Michiganders across the state, they’ve “Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a opted to move the annual health fair online. leading healthcare concern in the United Currently, its resources can be accessed at States and transgender individuals are transgendermichigan.org. disproportionately impacted with over “We have the Transgender Health Fair half of transgender individuals reporting because very often transgender people are experiencing IPV (2015 US Transgender afraid to see health care providers because Survey),” reads the TGMI website. “HAVEN of bad experiences in the past, and this can will define intimate partner violence, break really cause health problems to get even down the myths and misconceptions around worse,” said Rachel Crandall-Crocker, IPV, identify trans-specific barriers and Transgender Michigan’s executive director. resources, and discuss models for community So far at the online event, attendees have accountability and support within the had the opportunity to hear from Dr. Paul transgender community.” Benson, who is the medical director of the Be Well Medical Center, and Zil Goldstein of the To learn more about TGMI or see its Health Callen-lord Center in on various Fair, visit transgendermichigan.org.

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40 BTL | October 1, 2020 www.PrideSource.com ® Reiki Continued from p. 41 and see what I could do to kind of boost her natural healing process,” she said. “All of a sudden, [after sessions] she was using her voice more. ... It was a positive sign because it meant she was feeling better and she was moving around more and she actually started running with her humans for a while. She was feeling so much better and had a better attitude overall.” And as successful as a single session can be, Valuet recommends that “like with human maintenance and chiropractic care, regular sessions are better.” Before the novel coronavirus pandemic, Valuet would meet clients at their homes to complete sessions, but she’s since moved to Bingo Pet Salon at 719 E Eleven Mile Road in Royal Oak. While a change from her previous setup, Valuet said the move to a single environment has allowed her to take standardized COVID-19 precautions. “We’re the only ones in the space at that time and I can make sure that everything is clean before and after,” she said. “The humans aren’t going to run into anybody else, and that way we can control everything to minimize exposure for everybody involved — and I can still create a decent space for the dogs to come and relax and not feel stressed out.” And even for those animals that don’t seem to struggle with anxiety disorders, Valuet recommends giving the practice a try. “A half-hour session is the equivalent of a half-hour walk, so for people who aren’t able to walk their dogs as much as they There are hundreds of want to or for dogs who have high energy, this works to disperse businesses that advertise a lot of the energy and makes the dogs feel really relaxed,” she calmed him right down. ... She said that he was quiet and sleepy said. “I had a client this week whose dog was a five-year-old lab and back to her normal dog for the rest of the day. So, it really in BTL and welcome with boundless energy and he had been barking all morning does work and it’s amazing what it can do to help these animals.” everyone. and interrupting her meetings and she couldn’t get them to settle down. ... The first thing I did was to ground him and that Invest in equality and Learn more about reiki and how it could benefit your dog online work with businesses that at radiantpawspm.com. support Michigan’s LGBTQ community!

www.PrideSource.com BTL | October 1, 2020 41 Reba, Still Fancy

Country Legend Talks 30 Years of Drag Queens Doing ‘Fancy’ and Ripping Off Barbra Streisand

BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI why she doesn’t “judge the book by the cover” when it comes to the queerness of out country t was 30 years ago when Reba McEntire artists Orville Peck and Lil Nas X. – music legend, gay icon, the epitome of Icountry glamour – made Bobby Gentry’s What do you remember about the photoshoot “Fancy” her own. A feminist statement about and that whole look for the “Rumor Has It” a woman who turns to sex work to overcome cover? childhood poverty, the story-song became I don’t remember much about the photoshoot synonymous with McEntire after her version except (that) it was Sandi Spika who did my surpassed the original on the country music clothes and my hair back in the, oh, late ’80s charts. McEntire’s remake was featured on her and ’90s, and then all the way up until I went 1990 album “Rumor Has It,” her 17th studio to do “Annie Get Your Gun” in 2001. She did album. It has resurfaced three decades later my clothes, my hair, and it was her idea to do in an anniversary edition, featuring two new the rip-off inspired by the Barbra Streisand versions of “Fancy.” One, a dance mix, was photoshop album cover. So we did that and produced by DJ Dave Audé; the other is an everybody loved it. Of course it was the last acoustic live version. setup of the day because she had worked two On Zoom from her home just outside hours on all this hair and then, of course, we Nashville, McEntire greets me on my computer had it underneath that little scarf and the hat. screen with her signature Southern charm and a full-face smile. Strands of her fire-red hair are When you go to Walmart like you did to show being repositioned by an assistant’s floating your Twitter followers the “Rumor Has It” vinyl – hand. “I’m never my own glam squad,” she well, first of all, do you always go out to Walmart says. “I have (makeup artist) Neil (Robison) looking like yourself? here with me. We were up bright and early this morning gettin’ ready, and I have my team to No! Ha! We just popped in to visit the record make sure I am decent.” department and sign a few albums. They were Even amid a pandemic, the sight of an rippin’ the plastic off the record cover and I undone Reba is ... well, let’s just say there’s a was signin’ some. It was fun. It was fun just better chance of getting a reboot of her hit TV to pop in and kind of make a little surprise series “Reba” (she’s on board). Because no-frills appearance and then leave. Reba? “I wouldn’t do that to ya,” she jokes. So you went there expecting to be noticed as During our conversation, the superstar Reba. reflected on how “Fancy” solidified her gay Yeah, yeah. Well, I had my mask on. Photo: Universal Music icon status, what impresses her most about drag queens who have performed the song, and

42 BTL | October 1, 2020 www.PrideSource.com When you go as yourself do people actually mix? believe it’s you or do they think they’re getting a I didn’t. When a person knows how to do that, Reba look-alike? do a dance mix, I’m not one to give advice or No, pretty much they go right for it, especially say, “Do it this way or that way.” That’s their when I talk. forte. Let them do their job. I think he did a great job. It’s the voice. I’ve talked to you twice in the past about LGBTQ If I say something, then they’re (like), “I knew it was you!” issues. One of our conversations was about marriage equality, and you came out in support Are you saying no could duplicate of it. It was a big moment. I remember seeing that voice? the headlines: Reba McEntire says everybody Some have gotten real close! deserves marriage rights no matter their sexual orientation. And you illustrated why It’s been 30 years since “Fancy” was released, with a couple of friends of yours. Do you think and by the time it was released in 1990, you that you’ve been able to be a bridge between already had a fairly devoted LGBTQ following. But the LGBTQ community and the conservative with “Fancy,” is that when you knew you were a community who had or have trouble embracing gay icon? LGBTQ people? If I wasn’t sure, I was definitely sure after I Maybe. I haven’t asked. I’m not the type of released “Fancy,” yes. I don’t have any reason person who forces my views and my opinions to think that I had a big gay following before on other people when they are so adamant that, but I think I did. But it just increased a about it, but I am a person that will discuss it lot by the time “Fancy” got out, and then the and say why I am the way that I am. I walked clothes changes and all that kind of stuff. (my friends) Nathan and Justin down the There was a whole drag explosion because of the aisle. It’s all because of love. It has nothing to song. Is that what you’re referring to? do with anything except those two boys I love with all my heart and I wanted to be there for Yeah. ’em. And if we just love each other and quite For your gay fans, hearing “Fancy” at a gay bar judgin’, I think this world would be a lot better after midnight was sort of just another day. Do place. It’s not my job to judge. I don’t want that job, at all. I just want to love people. you have any memories of hearing “Fancy” at a gay bar yourself? I wanted to know if you have heard Orville No, no. Can’t say I have. Peck’s version of “Fancy” and what you thought of it. Also, what do you think of him and his I feel like you’ve missed out. These 30 years have contribution to country music as an out gay gone by and not one time have you stepped into artist? a gay bar and heard “Fancy.” I loved his version of “Fancy.” I thought it I’m gonna have to make that happen! was different. I liked how he kept the music, What do the drag queens who have done “Fancy,” the production, real low until the end of the song and then it got real big. I was expecting including Kennedy Davenport and Miz Cracker’s it earlier, so that was a great surprise. But performance on “RuPaul’s All Stars,” I’ve just got introduced to him, because of get wrong and right when they’re performing his remake of “Fancy,” and so I’m not that that song? familiar with him to answer the second part Any time I have seen on television or of the question. YouTube anybody doing “Fancy” in drag I am in awe of their makeup and the time that they What do you think is the significance of Lil Nas have spent to get all dolled up and just look X being the first openly gay Black artist to win a fantastic. Anybody who can sing that whole CMA award for “Old Town Road”? song in heels and the outfits that they wear, See, here’s the deal: You’re putting more hey, I’m applaudin’. There’s not gonna be any emphasis on him being gay. To me, I looked criticism from me at all. right past that. I saw he was a very talented young man who had a vision about this song I watched when you dropped the dress at the and he pursued it and it turned into a huge CMAs and a lot happens in the face. It’s a lot of thing. I respected him for that. That he’s gay – acting. that didn’t change my mind about how much Oh, attitude. Lots of attitude. I admired him for pursuing his dream. Well, drag queens have that. Yeah. I guess in an industry where it has felt that You bet. I do know this: That they get my it’s difficult for a gay person to breakthrough – hand motions down pat, and the way I stand, and a Black person, for that matter – on my end, and it’s just very flattering. I love it. it seems like a big deal. The “Fancy” remix on the anniversary reissue is Yeah, I can see why. But it’s kind of like, I don’t produced by Dave Audé. What kind of input did See Reba, continued on p. 44 you give Dave on what you wanted for the dance www.PrideSource.com BTL | October 1, 2020 43 ® Reba out of the situation. That’s just what I try to Continued from p. 43 do. I remember a long time ago, (I decided) to stay away from negative people because that’s infectious and it’s contagious, and I try to judge the book by the cover; you gotta know stay and hang out with positive people. It just the person, and if I don’t know the person, makes the day so much brighter and easier. It I’m taking the information I can get – talent, just flows easier. Everything goes better. ambition, perseverance, a gift – and going with that. To end, since we’re here for “Rumor Has It,” what have been some of the craziest rumors you’ve Have you met Lil Nas? read about yourself? I haven’t. But I know Billy Ray (Cyrus, who There was one out just this past week about appears on the “Old Town Road” remix everybody up in arms about me investing in with Lil Nas X). I’ve looked and seen a lot of a CBD store or company or something. Well, things about (Lil Nas X) in different stories. I I’ve never done that. And then somebody was think it was a Sunday morning program that I learned more about him. But admiration. Total admiration for him doing that. How’s life in quarantine been for you? Is everybody healthy? Are you healthy? All of my bunch are doing very well, thank you for asking. And I’ve really enjoyed the quarantine because I never had this much time off. I’m enjoyin’ it. I’m just relaxing. I grew a garden this year and I’m cookin’ out of it. I’m lovin’ it. It was weird, the first two months. In March, April and May I was in Oklahoma I’ve got different philosophies. Sometimes parts about the quarantine, it’s that after my mom passed and we were cleaning when things happen to me – like when I we’ve slowed down. Everybody goes her house out and separating everything, and broke my leg skiing in ’96 – I always thought too fast. And if we can just focus on then I came back to Tennessee after Mother’s that was God’s way of saying, “Slow down, the good and not so much of the bad, Day and just kind of stayed out in the country, slow down, you’re going way too fast.” Not I think we’ll just be better off. Just take so not around big crowds at all. only skiing – but in life in general. So I see the good out of every situation you the good things that have come out of the can get and not just dwell on the bad. I know you’re an “everything happens for a pandemic and the quarantining, where reason” person, and I was thinking about that families are sittin’ at the table again eating How do you stay so optimistic through because of what is happening to all of us in supper together and breakfast and being a everything that’s been happening that has me telling me, “Well, I saw it; here it is,” and I some way, shape or form right now. We’re all unit instead of everybody going (in) different all shook up? said, “Well, I didn’t do that,” and then another directions, running 100 miles per hour. going through our own challenges with the It comes with age because you can’t do friend in another part of the country sent it There are bad things that have happened pandemic. What do you believe is the reason anything about it, one way or the other. So to me and said, “Did you do this?” I did not because of people being sick and losing their for what is happening to us right now? Have you you can choose to dwell in the misery or you invest in a CBD company. And then there was lives and people losing their loved ones. That thought about that? can just search with all your might to try to a lot of very famous entertainers in this article hurts my heart. But if I had to say the good find the more positive things that are coming that said, “Reba’s turned me onto this CBD; I am just so thrilled.” Garth Brooks being one of them. I don’t see how they get away with it. So, you’re not having CBD gummies with Garth? That’s never happened? No! Ha! Well, we’re gonna nip that one in the bud. Thanks. I need all the help I can get. Ha! It was great to talk to you, Reba. Good talkin’ to you too. Stay well, stay healthy and be safe, and I hope we get to talk soon in person or over the phone. I enjoy visitin’ with you. As editor of Q Syndicate, the LGBTQ wire service, Chris Azzopardi has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Cher, Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. His work has also appeared in , Vanity Fair, GQ and Billboard. Reach him via Twitter @chrisazzopardi.

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Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Find us on Facebook! Find Puzzle p. 53 Sunday & Monday: Closed www.posteritygallery.com www.PrideSource.com BTL | October 1, 2020 45 Peppermint Talks New R&B Album, Authenticity and the ‘Dirty Game’ That Is Dating

BY EVE KUCHARSKI going on behind the album. eppermint has a habit of breaking the This is a trilogy, so is the material already being mold. Both the first out transgender written for the second and third installments? Pwoman cast on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Yeah! They’re almost finished. Everything’s and the first to originate a principal role on written and some things are recorded, but in “Head Over Heels,” the versatile they will be coming out next year. I want performer is just as comfortable acting in the people to kind of go on this year-long Emmy award-winning series “Pose” as she is experience with me just how it was a year- taking the stage to headline an international long experience creating it. This first album, tour. Now, as she prepares for the release of I literally met my lover in this album in the her new album “A Girl Like Me: Letters to summer, and we were together for a year. My Lovers” on Oct. 16, the seasoned singer- And by the time we broke up, it was around songwriter is taking a different approach the fall around the end of the year. That’s yet again: this album is her rawest and most exactly the timeframe that this all takes place. intimate creative work yet. So the first album is the first few months of The first part of a trilogy, each of the our relationship and the next one will be the upcoming three albums will take listeners middle of it and then the final one will be the on a deep dive through a year of Peppermint’s end of it, but I won’t say how it ends (laughs)! dating life, and “A Girl Like Me” explores the rosy side of the “honeymoon period” at the So many people can relate to having a start of a relationship. She said that in addition transformative relationship like this one, but to it being full of “open and light” R&B tracks, not many people make something creative Peppermint hopes it’ll be a helpful tool for out of it. Has reflecting on this relationship to people in the LGBTQ community to use in make the record changed how you approach reflecting on their own relationships. relationships? “I want people to like it and identify with it, and if it helps people with their breakups? Well, I can’t say that just writing this album Great. Or, if it helps people understand more has changed how I approach relationships. the experiences of someone who is queer or Really, writing the album is how I’m coping. what a Black trans woman can go through, I was in love, and writing the album is how then I obviously want that. And so, hopefully, I’m dealing with the end of the relationship it will be helpful. And if they say, ‘We wanted a — spoiler alert (laughs), but that’s probably dance song where you were just saying, “Look pretty obvious. And, to be honest with you, at my shoes,”’ this is not the album for you,” I’ve had other breakups — as we all have, she said with a laugh. “That’s all.” they’re a part of life — and I remember And when not working on creative projects, having a different relationship. Peppermint is no stranger to using her Photo: Magnus Hastings And although I want to say that this is platform for LGBTQ activism. She’s worked heavily inspired by one relationship last year, to help the prevent LGBTQ it’s me speaking, so there are other parts and homelessness, bring awareness about the trans what I want. I don’t necessarily have a label is more from the experience or perspective experiences and things that I’ve had that are experience through roundtable discussions, telling me, “You need to be this brand or of somebody who listens to a full CD or a reflected in this album, too. I’ve had another uplift the voices of Black LGBTQ people that brand.” And I think that goes along with cassette tape. And so, I still wanted to be able relationship before this one where it ended through events like the Black Queer Town being an independent artist, but now that to present this as though people were listening terribly. It was [like] a song! I couldn’t eat, Hall and much more. Ahead of a busy release feeling is really growing in the music industry to it on a record player, and I wanted to take I couldn’t sleep, I didn’t want to listen to schedule, Peppermint caught up with Between where labels aren’t really dictating everything them through this journey because this album music. I believe I was clinically depressed, The Lines over the phone to talk more about that an artist does. And so, I really wanted is really one part of a journey that I went on. and that was a tough thing. This is the first why she hopes this album will inspire other an opportunity to do a straight-up just R&B, The interludes and the songs are really the time I was able to take something that felt so LGBTQ musicians to create, why artistic nitty-gritty album that was very real and first season of last year when I fell in love painful and something that felt so depressing honesty is more important now than ever, the would talk about feelings and emotions in and met someone and was in a relationship and upsetting and triggering and turn it into lessons she learned making “A Girl Like Me” a way that we’ve never seen a drag artist do getting to know them and flirting and having something that I feel is so beautiful. I’ve taken and why “dating is a dirty game, honey!” before. wonderful sex with them — all of the great all these experiences and all this pain and things that can happen at the beginning of a turned it into art that I’m very proud of. What was your musical inspiration when you The interludes between songs definitely gave me relationship, the honeymoon period. And so, This album seems really timely because it’s were putting the album together? an R&B feeling. Was your intention with them to that’s what the album is. And more than the a raw and honest work released during a give a backstory to the listener? My musical inspiration was really everything songs, I wanted really to explain what was in time when people are having a lot of frank my mind and I knew that, other than talking from my childhood. I’ve done dance music One-hundred percent. I really like the idea of conversations about major issues like COVID-19 before and since I’m an independent artist, interludes on an album, and I think it’s pretty with you, I wouldn’t necessarily have a lot of and systemic racism. Do you hope that this I have the luxury or the ability to just create obvious that my approach to album-listening opportunities to express or explain what was

46 BTL | October 1, 2020 www.PrideSource.com “Well, I can’t say that just writing this album has changed how I approach relationships. Really, writing the album is how I’m coping. I was in love, and writing the album is how I’m dealing with the end of the relationship — spoiler alert (laughs), but that’s probably pretty obvious.”

willingness for discussion, in art and one-on- and has been around for ages, but when I first one, will continue on even after this quarantine heard it, it was a dance hit. I heard it from the period is over? ’60s and it’s a beautifully written song. The Well, look, I hope so. I definitely think it’s melody’s lovely and it’s so catchy and it feels high time that we have these conversations. like you’re humming along with a platitude, Obviously, I think that’s why people are “Will you still love me?” Everyone wants to participating in them, so it almost feels as know the answer to that question. But when though there is no alternative to having these you actually listen to the words, it’s about honest conversations that people have been this romance that happens undercover and having. And, I do think that — and this is me at night only, and that’s something that’s so speaking for myself — it feels as though the vulnerable and that’s something that does world, or at least America, hit a rock bottom describe a lot of the experiences that I’ve had when it comes to the actions and the act of as a trans woman romantically. doing everything that we were doing before. Especially dealing with cis, hetero- And it’s really interesting. So, I do think that identified men who are definitely 100 the pandemic, it took us a minute. I think percent attracted but 100 percent equally for a month everyone was just stunned. scared to let other people know that these Industries stopped, people weren’t working, are the people who they love or are into or and people were having a hard time, and whatever it is. And so, I just found that to be people were dying and that’s very serious. really interesting. And then, maybe it’s ironic So, it’s really difficult to come from that Carole King wrote a song that allows something like that and go, “OK, let’s party!” a Black trans woman like me to so easily I feel like that’s disingenuous. And so, an express how she feels about her experiences artist’s job, I think, by definition is to express in love and romance. And so, I wasn’t very how they see the world through their eyes calculated about it — I certainly didn’t feel it and run it through their processor and put was a chore. It was a song I absolutely loved it out to everyone. So, what we were seeing and I’ve listened to it, not necessarily my own when we were captive in our homes, what version of it, and the words alone could make was happening on the news, the world me cry. around us, a lot of the problems that were Do you hope an EP like this one will inspire still happening, we had no choice. I was a other artists to speak their truth the same way? little bit afraid that people are just going to want this lighthearted dance CD or album, Of course, we do have LGBTQ artists doing this, and that’s not where I am. And then when but it feels like we could absolutely have more I saw Taylor Swift’s album [“Folklore”] and and from different perspectives than we’re when I listened to what she released last seeing now. month, I was like, “OK, we’re good.” And Yes! The answer is yes. It wasn’t that long people were more receptive to these deeper ago that if you were out, period, you were in conversations, and I think that they’re more danger of losing your job and your career, receptive to change. and there’s countless stories of folks in entertainment having to marry beards and Going back to the point you made about artistic have a fake partner or hide this and that expression, your Carole King cover of “Will You about their identity. And, luckily, we’re in a Still Love Me Tomorrow” is a great example of place now where queer people and everyone, the relatability of a classic, in that people might hopefully, feels free to express what it is think they have nothing in common with a Black that they need to say. And when it’s your trans woman, yet this song resonates in your identity and when it’s about your love and life as much as anyone who has had a breakup. those emotions and how they connect your Was your intention when covering that song to identity, you need to say it. You need to. So, use it as a message as well as a piece of art? I think that’s certainly how I felt writing this, and I certainly hope that other artists Well, it was definitely a little bit of both. I don’t who are queer feel free enough to talk about know what Carole King was feeling when she their experiences that’s not so coded. And wrote it, but it seems pretty apparent, right? so, hopefully, they can sing about it in a way And when I first heard the song and the that’s so much more truthful and allows lyrics to the song, it was kind of one of those them to connect with other queer people in a ruses. I knew the song was obviously a big hit much easier way. www.PrideSource.com BTL | October 1, 2020 47 Deep Inside Hollywood BY ROMEO SAN VICENTE ‘The Extinction of Fireflies’ Bradley Cooper and Carey the next step in streaming Mulligan make music in theater Want to see a new play? You can’t, we know, ‘Maestro’ all the theaters are closed. But what if, in the The late, legendary American composer/ manner of “Hamilton” on Disney+, you could conductor Leonard Bernstein was gay. stream a new play at home? It’s not the ideal He was also married to a woman, Felicia situation, obviously, but is anything ideal right Cohn Montealegre, who understood his now? The answer to that would be a supersize , and chose to be with him. It no, so you’ll want to dig into the opportunity to was the 1950s, and this sort of thing was not watch “The Extinction of Fireflies.” It stars Drew uncommon for queer people, and it makes for Droege (“Bob’s Burgers,” all those amazing a fascinating entry point for a drama about the “Good evening, America, I’m Chloe Sevigny” closet. Enter Bradley Cooper, moving on to his videos on YouTube) as a would-be playwright next directorial project after “A Star Is Born,” who invites his friends over – played by Tracie with a new film for Netflix Bennett (“Coronation Street”) and called “Maestro,” in which “Buyer and Cellar”’s Michael Urie – he’ll star as Bernstein. Joining to read his latest work. The comedy him on screen as Montealegre is from James Andrew Walsh, and will be Carey Mulligan. it’s now in production in Walsh’s Cooper’s been working with own Rhode Island home, where the Bernstein family for a few it will be shot and delivered to years now, developing the an as-yet-unspecified streaming project, one that will cover platform (ticketing and dates also the couple’s more than 30-year to be announced). We love this relationship. Keeping in mind idea, naturally, because it makes that nobody likes a wallow in inventive use of space not designed queer misery for the sake of for theater. And now we’ve also got prestige entertainment, we’ll fantasies of Urie and playwright trust Cooper to do right by Sarah Paulson. Photo: KathClick Jonathan Tolins reviving this important subject matter. “Buyer” in Barbra Streisand’s Now that the United States actual basement. is, in general, somewhat less treacherous for many in the LGBTQ+ community, these complex stories from the past But I’m ‘An American Island become even more vital to keep in our collective Cheerleader’ memory. The project shoots in spring 2021. It’s time for the trans POC rom-com. It’s been time, really, but now one’s actually ‘Run’ from horror-mom Sarah on the horizon. From the beautiful minds of Filipinx queer creators Rain Valdez (the Paulson Emmy-nominated web series “Razor Tongue”) It’s always the Smother Mother’s fault, and Rachel Leyco (“Batman Beyond”) comes isn’t it? That’s what the movies like to tell us, “Re-Live: A Tale of An American Island anyway. But as long as the drama is high and Cheerleader.” The story revolves around a the suspense suitably tense, we seem to enjoy 10-year class reunion where the theme is the watching trapped kids escape whatever hell “do-over,” the chance to fix that one thing Mommy has devised for them. And who else high school didn’t provide. Valdez will star to play such a woman than Sarah Paulson, a as a successful movie star who goes home for veteran of multiple “American Horror Story” the event to fulfill the unrealized dream of trips down the path of madness? Well, she’ll being a high school cheerleader. What she be doing it again in “Run,” from filmmaker encounters instead is her mother’s worsening Aneesh Chaganty (“Searching”), co-written cancer diagnosis, a sister (Leyco) in need of by Chaganty and “Searching” collaborator Sev some sibling support, and then a little as-yet- Ohanian. Co-starring newcomer Kiera Allen undefined romance. Still in development, this as Paulson’s daughter, it’s the story of a young is the kind of non-traumatic story about queer woman raised in total isolation by a mother who people of color that needs Hulu or Netflix to controls her every move. Then the cracks begin give it the push and production cash it deserves to develop in Mom’s narrative and it becomes to get in front of audiences. We’ll be waiting time to do the thing in the title. It’s due to land and watching. in select re-opened theaters and Hulu in late November, so you don’t actually have to run Romeo San Vicente rejects pumpkin spice latte, anywhere to see it. but dives face-first into pumpkin pancakes.

48 BTL | October 1, 2020 www.PrideSource.com 30 Gay history mo. 9 Computer information path 33 “I’ve had better...” 10 Month in the land of the cut Ask about out family 35 Wife of Buck’s Wang 11 Taylor of “I Shot Andy Warhol” discount! 36 She plays Abby in 54-Across 12 Fateful March day 40 “Mod Squad” character 20 She’s George Celebrating 30 41 Antibiotic target 21 Anal insertion procedure (abbr.) Years of Custom 42 Gomer’s Sgt. Carter, for one 25 “Big Boned Gal” singer Framing! 43 Penetrating 27 “American Beauty” screenwriter Shadow Boxes 46 Hoppers, in Barry Humphries’ Ball Museum Glass land 28 Undercover crack investigator Archival & Acid Free 48 Tibetan holy man 29 Atop 50 Gives voice to 30 Abbreviated Broadway musical? 54 Gay Christmas rom-com to be 31 Singer Williamson released in November 32 Windshield feature 58 Loads 34 Belgian border river 59 South Korea’s Syngman 37 Michelangelo was one 60 Bucks prefix 38 Suit bottom Custom engraving services available! 61 Peter by the piano 39 Be a ham in “Hamlet”? 62 Will of “The Waltons” 44 Mai ___ cocktail 63 Get ready for action 45 Come out 64 Maria’s “do” equivalent 47 Terence’s family Q Puzzle 65 They may be split 49 White as a ghost PRINTING SERVICES 66 Admission exams 51 Former NFL player Tuaolo Gloss, Luster & Matte Finishes Rom-com, All Ye Faithful 52 Big name in synonyms Down 53 Moves the ball between one’s Large Format Printing legs 16 Uncommon, to Nero 1 Sows one’s seed, etc. Artwork & Photo Reproduction Across 54 Full house, e.g. 17 Melissa Etheridge’s “___ It Heavy” 2 Hayes of “South Park” Digitizing Services 55 Protected, to seamen 1 “I’ve never done this before,” et al. 18 Q to a Scrabble player 3 Canoe material Fine Art Giclée & Canvas Printing 56 Sweater? 5 Lorca’s room 19 She plays Harper in 54-Across 4 Killed a vampire, Buffy style 57 Began a hole, with “off” [email protected] 9 “The Great Masturbator” painter 22 “Julia” costar Maximilian 5 Tchaikovsky ballet 13 “Be that ___ may...” 23 Big name in soft balls 6 N. Mex. neighbor 14 Small songbird Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. 24 Rotary phone feature 7 Big dictator of Nureyev’s land Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Find us on Facebook! 15 Hot to trot 26 Eleanor’s husband’s middle name 8 Chipped in Sunday & Monday: Closed www.posteritygallery.com Clues p. 47

www.PrideSource.com BTL | October 1, 2020 49 Lansing-Area Libraries Community Connections Offer National Read Woke Walk to End Alzheimer’s Slated for this Month and Next, Team Program Through Oct. 31 Rita Hayyyworth is Ready to Go BY JASON A. MICHAEL Detroit. I was in love with him BY JASON A. MICHAEL and thought Detroit would be a More than 5 million Americans are unique social work experience. The National Education Association has been presenting Read currently living with Alzheimer’s Disease, So, five years later, I’m still in Across America, which is billed as the nation’s largest celebration according to the Alzheimer’s Foundation. love with him and very much of reading, since 1998. It is, according to the Association’s Further, the Foundation estimates that in love with Detroit.” website, “a year-round program focused on motivating children one in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s But it’s not always an easy and teens to read through events, partnership and reading or another form of dementia, taking the job. He said that his biggest resources that are about everyone and for everyone.” lives of more people than breast cancer challenges are the people who But Cicely Lewis, a Georgia high school librarian, did not and prostate cancer combined. And have limited social support feel that “everyone” was appropriately represented by the effort. although the novel coronavirus won’t and are in the early stages of “Read Across America is an exciting time for students allow for a large crowd to assemble for dementia. and teachers across the world,” Lewis posted on her blog, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s this year, “These people are often not cicelythegreat.wordpress.com. “Many schools have used this small groups and teams will still take to aware of or not in agreement opportunity to also celebrate Dr. Seuss and his contribution to the streets – or more likely sidewalks with their diagnosis,” he said. literature. In light of recent news about blackface and minstrel – throughout the state from the end of “They’re at risk for self -neglect caricatures found in Dr. Seuss’s work, many people are frustrated September until mid-October. Daniel and unsafe decision making. and looking for ways to diversify Read Across America. I started Horrigan works for PACE, and he That’s a tough situation. It can the Read Woke challenge at my school for high school students.” took place in the Metro Detroit walk be a tricky balancing act of That school, Meadowcreek High School in Norcross, Georgia, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26. keeping them safe, independent, Daniel Horrigan has approximately 2,600 students and 240 teachers. And Lewis, “The PACE program is a Program and maintaining their dignity.” who started Read Woke three years ago, was named Librarian of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly,” Still, the job must have its school. Their approach, programs and of the Year for 2020 by School Library Journal. Horrigan explained. “Our primary rewards? interventions for people with dementia Lewis started Read Woke as a reading challenge for her mission is to help low-income, nursing- “That’s a great question for a social and their caregivers are so simple, elegant students. home eligible adults remain independent worker because it’s a nice reality check. and effective,” he said. “I decided to walk “I curated a list that reflected current events in our society,” in their homes for as long as possible. In The successes for me are all of the clients this year because I see the impact that she explained. “This list featured characters that looked like graduate school, I focused a lot of my I have who are thriving in their homes the pandemic is having on people with my students. From African Americans to LGBTQ protagonists, work on older adults and this mission with my help and PACE’ Southeast dementia every minute of every day on Read Woke books cover a variety of topics and deal with many that is dedicated to both health care and Michigan’s services … and that’s honestly the job. I see it with their caregivers. issues plaguing our society.” dignity was really in line with my values. the majority of them,” he said. So, I’m walking for my clients and their According to Lewis’s strict guidelines, a Read Woke book PACE was at the top of my list when The COVID-19 crisis has, however, caregivers in a year where fundraising is must challenge a social norm, give voice to the voiceless, provide seeking post-grad employment.” brought with it its own set of difficulties. especially challenging.” information about a group that has been disenfranchised, seek Horrigan did not always dream of Horrigan said that seniors and people In line with his theatrical background, to challenge the status quo and have a protagonist from an becoming a geriatric social worker. with dementia often have very little social Horrigan has found a way to make the underrepresented or oppressed group. Living in New York, he ran a theater and recreational opportunities and the walk fun. “You are never too young to learn more about other people’s company for 15 years. pandemic has limited the options even “I reached out to some friends to walk cultures, struggles and dreams,” Lewis said. “There are so many “A lot of the work our company did further. with me and asked for a name. I wanted picture books with powerful messages about immigration, was social justice-oriented,” he said. “As “People who generally attend an something sort of gay and fabulous. My racism and other social justice issues. Also, picture books can my colleagues and I decided to move adult day program or senior center friend Jodi, who is a classic film buff, be used with high school students, too. From English Language on to new endeavors, I became eager to are no longer able to,” he said. “This is suggested The Rita Hayworths. Rita Learners to students with learning disabilities, all students can dedicate myself more directly to social affecting depression levels, which is very Hayworth was a glamorous and prolific benefit from picture books.” change and decided on social work as a interwoven with cognition. So we are film star of the ’30s and ’40s. She passed Here in Michigan, the Capital Area District Libraries in new career path. I did some volunteer seeing many older adults coming through away from Alzheimer’s at 68 in 1980, Lansing is participating in the Read Woke challenge now work with older adults. I chose them this pandemic debilitated, depressed and which is pretty young for this disease,” through Oct. 31. Participants can read titles in categories such because I had no experience working with cognitive decline.” he said. ” She is considered to have had as social injustice, diverse abilities and Hispanic American with this population and I wanted to lean Caregivers are feeling the impacts, too. early onset Alzheimer’s. Given her star voices. These books have been selected by CADL to reflect a into that discomfort. I volunteered at an “Some caregivers are home all day, 24 power and diagnosis, this seemed a good wide variety of cultures, places and experiences that promote adult daycare center in my neighborhood hours a day with their loved one. These fit. We just added two additional Y’s to dignity and respect for all. and it was like coming home. Turns out folks counted on these day programs, her name to make it extra gay.” To date, Read Woke, which has truly become a movement, having a background in theatre is really senior centers and respite opportunities has reached schools and libraries across the country as well as helpful when working with people who so that they can recharge or get work in Canada, the United Kingdom and Norway. have dementia. done,” Horrigan said. “We can assume Individual walks are taking place across “I started Read Woke to help empower my students,” Lewis “Creativity and improv are helpful that there is a higher level of caregiver the state from Sept. 12 to Oct. 11 and said. “I never in my wildest dreams imagined it would take skills when handling dementia burnout during the pandemic.” donations continue to be accepted from off like it has.” symptoms,” Horrigan continued. “Also For all those reasons and more, those who missed the walks in their areas. being loud and animated is a good fit for Horrigan said he felt like it was more Visit alz.org/walk or call 800-272-3900 if people who have low vision or hearing. important now than ever to join the Walk you are interested in participating in or Children, teens and adults who are interested in participating in Haha. So, it was after this experience to End Alzheimer’s. donating to the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Read Woke can sign up for CADL’s Read Woke Online Reading that I committed to a social work career “This is my first year doing Walk. or to learn more about the Alzheimer’s Challenge by visiting cadl.org/woke now through Oct. 31. focusing on older adults. My boyfriend I interned with the Alzheimer’s Association’s programs and services. Roman had his sights set on moving to Association in my second year of grad

50 BTL | October 1, 2020 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com BTL | October 1, 2020 51