Nurse Asineth Little Talks Work During COVID-19, Care for LGBTQ Community State Department Human Rights Commission Report Largely Omits LGBTQ Issues

Crazy Sexy Time with Dan Stevens

‘Eurovision’ Actor Talks New Campy Gay Role – and His First-Ever Gay Role

Photo: Netflix

PRIDESOURCE.COM JULY 23, 2020 | VOL. 2830 | FREE 2 BTL | July 23, 2020 www.PrideSource.com NEWS ENTERTAINMENT VOL. 2830 • JULY 23, 2020 ISSUE 1154/55 4 Community Leaders, Friends 18 Crazy Sexy Time with Dan Stevens PRIDE SOURCE MEDIA GROUP Remember Slain Detroit City Council Aid 21 John Montgomery Talks New Phone 734.293.7200 4 Nurse Asineth Little Talks Work During Documentary About His Activist Brother, COVID-19, Care for LGBTQ Community ‘America You Kill Me’ PUBLISHERS Susan Horowitz & Jan Stevenson 6 Holland City Council Considers 22 Screen Queen: Paris Is Burning ... EDITORIAL Passing Nondiscrimination Policy Editor in Chief 24 Deep Inside Hollywood Susan Horowitz, 734.293.7200 6 Union Steward Cynthia Thornton Plans [email protected] to Engage the Community as District 7 25 Q Puzzle: After Simon Entertainment Editor State Rep Chris Azzopardi, 734.293.7200 04 RESOURCES [email protected] 8 Sterling Heights City Council Divided on Diversifying Zoning Board 26 Michigan Community Resources News & Feature Editor Eve Kucharski, 734.293.7200 10 Endorsements for Oakland County [email protected] Executive News & Feature Writers Michelle Brown, Ellen Knoppow, Jason A. Michael, 06 11 Obituary:Kenneth Jacob Drew Howard, Jonathan Thurston CREATIVE OPINION Webmaster & MIS Director 12 Parting Glances Kevin Bryant, [email protected] Columnists 12 Viewpoint: Roland Stringfellow Charles Alexander, Michelle E. Brown, Mikey Rox, D’Anne Witkowski, 13 Creep of the Week Gwendolyn Ann Smith, Dana Rudolph

14 State Department Human Rights Cartoonists Commission Report Largely Omits Paul Berg LGBTQ Issues Contributing Photographers Andrew Potter, Andrew Cohen, Roxanne Frith, Tih Penfil 15 Poland’s Anti-LGBTQ President Reelected ADVERTISING & SALES Director of Sales 16 Instagram and Facebook to Ban Jan Stevenson, 734.293.7200 Conversion Therapy Content COVER [email protected] 21 18 Crazy Sexy Time with Dan Stevens Sales Representatives Ann Cox, 734.293.7200 [email protected]

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By Chris Johnson Email your op–eds to [email protected] COVID-19 Redraws 2020 LGBTQ Travel Roadmap To find more Between The Lines content, By Scott Stiffler Sign up online to receive our E–Digest visit our site online at Pridesource.com and Sudan Repeals Death Penalty for Homosexuality Our rate cards are available online. All material appearing in Between The check out our PrideSource YouTube Lines is protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced in By Michael Lavers whole or part without the permission of the publishers. Between The Lines channel. There, viewers can find one-on- is supported by many fine advertisers, but we cannot accept responsibility for claims made by our advertisers, nor can we accept responsibility for one interviews like our talk with Queer Eye.. Also, make sure to check back for continuing COVID-19 coverage. materials provided by advertisers or their agents. Copyright 2020

www.PrideSource.com BTL | July 23, 2020 3 Community Leaders, Friends Remember Slain Detroit City Council Aid BY JASON A. MICHAEL or the mayor. He was going to be the top of whatever it was he was going to do.” y all accounts, DeAndree Watson had Nguvu Tsare, a field organizer for the a bright future ahead of him. he 30- Michigan Democratic Party who met Watson Byear old legislative aid to the Detroit through the New Leaders Council, a group for City Council even dreamed of being elected progressive millennials, agreed. president one day. But those aspirations came “He literally was on track to be one of our to a screeching halt July 5 when Watson was most powerful elected officials,” Tsare said. found dead in his car outside the Willow “When I first became friends with him, he Creek Apartments in Westland. Shortly ater told me that his goal was to be the president discovering Watson, who had been shot to of the United States. I believed him. And as his death, Westland Police found a second man, friend, we would have strategy conversations Deontez Jones, dead of an apparent self- about how he was going to get there.” inlicted gunshot wound in an apartment in Tsare praised Watson’s leadership skills. the complex. Police, who are still investigating, “I’m so glad that God blessed me to be in believe the two deaths are connected. such close proximity with such a great man, Watson was a Detroit native who loved his such a respected man. He was one of those city. He was the president of Central Student leaders who knew how to lead from behind. Government at the University of Michigan his He was very good at making you do something senior year. He graduated with a bachelor’s and then making you feel like you had come degree in political science in 2012. Watson DeAndree Watson (left) poses with Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. Via Instagram. up with it on your own. I don’t know if I’ll ever started his tenure with the Detroit City Council be able to do that. as in interim in Councilman Charles Pugh’s “He was the best friend I ever had,” Tsare oice. Ater Pugh let oice, Watson went on spoke oten about change and realized the way two were both working in Pugh’s oice. went on. “He was my brother. He was my to work as a policy analyst for Councilman to transform many of the ills that have gripped “He was very quiet and shy in the beginning,” soul mate. I really miss my friend and I’d give James Tate. our society was through public policy.” Glover recalled. “But then he began to come anything to have him back. here’s not a person “DeAndree was the epitome of a leader and In a Facebook post, Detroit Mayor Mike out of his bubble. He was progressive. He went who knew him wouldn’t give anything to have was oten the irst person to volunteer whenever Duggan called Watson, who was headed back deep into his policy. … He was a policy guru.” him back.” he was needed,” Tate said in a statement. “In to UofM to attend law school in the fall, “one of Glover said the possibilities for Watson’s here will be a memorial service for Watson the seven years we worked together, I had Detroit’s rising leaders with a deep commitment future were endless. this Saturday, July 18, at the Fisher Funeral the pleasure of witnessing him mature from to public service and the city he called home.” “You hear people say that he had a bright Home, located at 24501 Five Mile Road in a previously outwardly shy intern into a very future or a promising future ahead of him, Redford Charter Township, from 3 to 6 p.m. opinionated young man who was very active Watson greatly admired and those words should not be taken lightly. Only 25 people will be allowed in the funeral in progressive social and political issues. He He did everything he needed to be done to get home at a time. Masks are required. Dawan Glover irst met Watson when the to where he was. He could have been a judge Nurse Asineth Little Talks Work During COVID-19, Care for LGBTQ Community

BY JASON A. MICHAEL took a month of before they could come back.” As for Little, well, she doesn’t scare easily. t’s not easy to be a certiied nurse assistant “his is not my irst rodeo with quarantining,” in the midst of a pandemic. But four months she said. “When shingles irst came out and Iinto the novel coronavirus crisis, and no one knew much about it, they would shut Asineth Little is continuing to get by. facilities down and the people working there “When it irst started it was a little scary,” could not leave. At that time, shingles were not Little recalled. “I would sit in my car for a known to have come from chickenpox. You had minute, say a prayer and then go in. Ater work, to wear your PPE into people’s rooms who were I take everything of when I come in. hen I infected. hat’s one of the reasons I don’t work take a shower and wash my clothes every night.” in nursing homes anymore.” Little, who works for a health agency that But to Little, her work is more than just a sends her to diferent clients, said she doesn’t job. It’s a calling. She said she’s always enjoyed even know if she’s taken care of anyone who working in the medical ield in any capacity had COVID-19. she could. “If they are positive, they don’t tell us,” she “I think it came from when I was a child. said. “hey get sick and they go out. hey’re When someone was sick in my family, my just sick and out. If they send us to a client they mother would take my sister and I — we don’t tell us their status. hey just say, ‘Treat I go into. hey ask you questions. Have you fellow caregivers as well. couldn’t have been more than 10 — and we everyone as if they have it. Always wear your traveled? Have you come in contact with anyone “I talk to other caregivers about how they’re would go and sit with my aunt or uncle or PPE at all times.’” who’s had it? Have you noticed any symptoms?” doing and dealing with their families and grandparents,” Little said. “here wasn’t much To get in and out of the facilities Little she said. “hey ask you quite a bit before they things, their husbands and children. A lot that we could do. But it helped us just being sometimes works in is a challenge, as most allow you to come through.” of them have young kids and they’re really there. And I found comfort in that ater a while. remain on lockdown. Little said she has seen COVID-19 impact concerned about taking it home,” she said. not just patients who have become isolated but “Some quit. And others were so frightened they “hey take our temperature at each facility See Nurse Asineth, continued on p. 5

4 BTL | July 23, 2020 www.PrideSource.com When not working, Little stays active in ® Nurse Asineth Continued from p. 4 Detroit’s LGBTQ community, particularly helping women’s groups. Through the I didn’t mind going. It made me happy. I enjoy years, she has been a part of the Ruth what I do. Ellis Center, S.P.I.C.E. and more LGBTQ- It’s all about getting to know people. hat, affirming organizations. Today, she is a Little said, is the key to great health care. part of The Center for Lesbian and Queer “When I took care of babies, babies teach you now to be gentle because you have to take Women and Girls at Kofi House — a some care. Then working with teenagers is division of the Ruth Ellis Center —and, always a teachable moment. It’s more than just in fact, Little was a friend of a late Ruth taking care of the wounds. You also have to Ellis for whom the center was named. take care of the mental component,” she said. “And when I work for hospice, you take care of the entire family mentally and get them to for Lesbian and Queer Women and Girls at Koi understand the process and what’s going on House — a division of the Ruth Ellis Center with their loved one.” —and, in fact, Little was a friend of a late Ruth But if she had to choose a favorite group Ellis for whom the center was named. to work with, Little said it would be seniors. “Heck, we used to go to the club,” said Little “hey have so much to tell you in regard to with a laugh. “And she could dance. She could their lives, what’s here and been here and what’s out dance us all. She had a lot of fundraisers new to them. I’ve taken care of people as old we would go to. And Ruth was a great talker. as 105,” she said. “I had a lady at 105 who was A very lovely woman.” still mopping her loors and taking care of her And before meeting Ruth, Little worked as a daughter who was 70-something. I just love patient care technician during the AIDS crisis. them. hey have so much wisdom.” “I had to draw blood on [a particularly frail] When not working, Little stays active in AIDS patient and me, being who I am, I had Detroit’s LGBTQ community, particularly no idea this was going to upset me,” she said. helping women’s groups. hrough the years, “I was shaking like a leaf and I had to stop. she has been a part of the Ruth Ellis Center, And the guy’s partner said, ‘It’s OK,’ and he S.P.I.C.E. and more LGBTQ-affirming took my hand and calmed me down and I was organizations. Today, she is a part of he Center able to draw it.”

www.PrideSource.com BTL | July 23, 2020 5 Holland City Council Flipping Perspectives, Fighting for Change Considers Passing How Union Steward Cynthia Thornton Plans to Nondiscrimination Policy Engage the Community as District 7 State Rep

thought of it that way, but workers’ rights are Aspirational Goals are Worthy BY JIM LARKIN still crucial to me. Civil rights are still crucial to me. Water shut-ofs are still crucial to me. Goals [Stopping] facial recognition technology [is he Holland City Council is trying to BY EVE KUCHARSKI crucial to me, too].” When asked why Thornton believes she decide whether it wants a toothless ter years of union advocacy, Cynthia would be the best candidate for the position, she Tpolicy that states its opposition to hornton is prepared to run for oice. said that her combination of union work and discrimination against LGBTQ residents Changing Minds on Key Issues AAter all, she says, when it comes to paralegal education has given her familiarity or adopt an ordinance that would allow representing the people of Michigan’s State hornton is passionate in the arenas of civil both with constituent issues and legal questions. it to enforce such anti-discrimination House District 7, it’s not far removed from rights enforcement, working to dismantle Additionally, she said she’s been working to measures. Supporters who proposed the her existing job of Pride at Work Michigan systemic racism within the criminal justice broaden her existing knowlege base and looks anti-discrimination measures protecting president and as a union steward. system, LGBTQ advocacy and continuously forward to taking on public service fulltime. LGBTQ residents are leaving no doubt “I’m accustomed to being a representative fighting for workers’ rights. Similar to the “And I continue to do that work. In the last year or so, I have learned more about sexual about which option they prefer. in the interest of other people. You have your lasting efects of the conversation that changed assault than anybody could probably want “We want an ordinance so that it can law book, so to speak, which is your contract, her mind and inspired her to run for oice, and you are advocating. So the people in that to learn and some of the ramifications that have legal ramiications if people do not hornton’s goal is to do the same for on-the- situation would be the membership,” hornton I had never considered. So being a state rep follow it,” said Sara Van Tongeren, who has fence voters. said. “So on a larger scale, state rep versus union “I actually had a Republican man tell me in will broaden the number of issues that I’m been spearheading the anti-discrimination rep, your job is the same: to make sure that the the last year that his having been in my space involved in because, guess what, it will be my efort with Out On he Lakeshore Chair interests of your constituency are being met and and having heard me talk about issues afecting fulltime job. I will not have to spend eight to the Rev. Jennifer Adams and OOTL that the laws, as they apply to the circumstance, LGBT [people] and particularly talking about 10 hours a day on other work,” hornton said. Director Jef Sorensen. “To be honest, I are being fairly applied to your constituents so the fact that we want to make a living, be And coupled with her LGBTQ identity, it’s am frustrated they are even thinking of a that they get what they’re entitled to.” able to take care of ourselves, take care of our her diversity of lived and work experience that policy that has ramiications of ‘separate But as eager as hornton is now to run, it’s children, retire with dignity. How is that any hornton hopes will translate in the August but equal,’ and yet, here we are.” a decision that developed over the last five diferent than what any other working person primaries. “My voice is still going to be there no matter he council is expected to decide at its years. hough hornton said her status as an wants?” hornton said. “And for him being what I’m doing, but having people who look like 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, meeting out lesbian in the ‘80s could be considered a able to hear that from someone, a real person, form of activism, it was 2011 that she took up me and who are very out and very outspoken whether it will move forward with an it made a diference for him. And we difer the activist banner. As early as 2015, she began and proactive on behalf of myself and other ordinance, policy or both. Moving forward philosophically on a lot of things, but the point receiving a regular question: Why aren’t you is I was able to reach him. And if can reach him peoples’ interests, it just seemed to take that to with an ordinance would require a second running for oice? then I can potentially reach others.” the next level,” she said. “Civil rights in general, reading and inal action at another council “My routine response was, ‘Because I’m too he key to that interaction, hornton said, workers’ rights, all that’s under attack and it meeting, which could be as early as Aug. 5. busy running for my life.’ And that’s still a real was viewing the man not as an “R” to convert doesn’t seem to be decreasing.” Five of eight council members — Jay thing,” hornton said. to a “D” but as a person. Win or lose, however, hornton made sure to Peters, Lyn Raymond, David Hoekstra, For hornton, speaking “truth to power” “To me, that is the most important part: impress one point to voters: “Nothing is going Nicki Arendshorst and Raul Garcia — and has not always been the simple thing to do, get to know me as a person. Hear me as a to change if we just sit back.” Mayor Nathan Bocks spoke in favor of merely the right thing. For instance, she’s stated person. Let me tell you peoples’ stories, not “Well, I’m going to put it this way: it won’t change necessarily the way you want it to. Life an ordinance at the council’s July 8 work bluntly that her activism has not always been just positions, not just policy. Let me tell you changes all the time, but in terms of having a session. Bocks would only vote in the case kind to her personal career goals. Like when how people are experiencing this, what they the executive director of an organization said vision, and some people may laugh, but I do. of a tie. are considering that you may not know. And that her workers’ rights advocacy work was At its simplest, I want a ‘Star Trek’ world. I want Council members Myron Trethewey, if you are somebody who is identifying as a “hurting my promotional opportunities.” human being and not just as a politician who to see people from all walks of life, all colors, Scott Corbin and Quincy Byrd expressed Fully content to continue her work — like has a loyalty but actually as a public servant all sizes, all diferent abilities coming together reservations about passing an ordinance establishing the first LGBTQ Caucus in a who has a higher calling than that, then we can [and] working toward a common goal,” she rather than a policy. Trethewey voted Michigan Congressional District and the irst move forward and we can make some progress,” said. “... If they could model that for us in the against an anti-discrimination ordinance LGBTQ Committee in the MDP Black Caucus hornton said. “hat’s what I’m looking for: ‘60s, is that not something we can actually be when the council voted 5-4 to reject it in — it was one conversation that really tipped who is open? And I have to be open, too. I’m now accomplishing in the 2000s? ... So, I’m June 2011. the balance for hornton to run. here to listen. I’m here to educate myself and doing what I can do to move it forward so that But the majority of council members “A union brother said to me, ‘You know ind commonality, because within our stories, over the next 50 years, and hopefully shorter, but so that the people who come behind me now appear to be in favor of such an that you can take that activist mindset and if you’re telling me something that I don’t know won’t be saying, ‘Why are we still here? Why ordinance. your activism in general to being a legislator; and I’m telling you something that you don’t it doesn’t have to change who you are and are we still battling the same ight?’ We need “We’ve been talking about this for 10 know, we might actually hear something that how you advocate. It actually just gives you a resonates and allows us to build something to not let this particular set of protests die on stronger voice for the issues that are important,’” together. And that’s what we need to do.” the vine. Whatever may come out of it, we need to stay engaged so that there’s actually See Hollands, continued on p. 7 she said. “I had to agree with him. No one had said it that way [to me before], and I had never [change] fulilled.”

6 BTL | July 23, 2020 www.PrideSource.com discriminate based on sexual orientation, ® Holland gender expression, gender identity, disability, Continued from p. 6 education, familial status, height and weight. “his sends the message that lives have two diferent values — separate but equal,” years and this is the biggest disappointment Van Tongeren said. I’ve ever had in my life that we didn’t pass Van Tongeren encouraged supporters of this 10 years ago,” Peters said at the July 15 the ordinance to submit public comments meeting. “I know well the impact it has had in favor at publiccomment@cityoholland. and continues to have on this community. com. She said such statements would indicate “I have absolutely no interest in a policy,” “my life is as equal as those protected” by the Peters continued. “It is a terrible statement. current housing ordinance. It falls way short.” She also encouraged people afected by he proposed ordinance would not only the ordinance, speciically LGBTQ people, add sexual orientation, gender expression and to review the ordinance and speak to how it gender identity to the list of those protected is important to be treated equally. She also by the city’s housing ordinance but it would asked religious institutions to review it and also add disability, education, familial status, comment on how it would not infringe on height and weight. If a policy were adopted their right to practice religious freedoms. She instead of an ordinance, the city would be said people could speak out via the public in a position of being able to enforce anti- comment email address, coming to the June discrimination penalties against those listed 15 council meeting and/or by writing a letter in the current ordinance but not against the to the editor of he Holland Sentinel. proposed new classes of protected residents. “We need to keep pushing for an So it could penalize those who discriminate ordinance,” she said. “It is within reach. All against residents because of age, race, national we need is ive votes for it to pass, but we origin, color, sex, religion or source of would love more!” income, but it would not apply to those who

www.PrideSource.com BTL | July 23, 2020 7 ‘I represent the gays. My uncle is gay’: Sterling Heights City Council Divided on Diversifying Zoning Board BY ELLEN SHANNA KNOPPOW Councilmember Maria Schmidt took or that knew what that process was.” issue with what she described as “cherry- Between he Lines spoke with Radtke picking” candidates. a week after the meeting; council “The day we start cherry-picking members Sierawski, Koski, Schmidt The ZBA, and Why it Matters candidates for some of these boards and and Ziarko did not respond to emails Kelley Skillin, a nine-year resident of Sterling commissions based on sex or ethnicity is a for comment. Heights, said she was “horriied and appalled” sad day. his is a nonpartisan board up here. “I think a lot of these arguments are at the language used and the ideas perpetuated We need to keep that in check, because when disingenuous,” Radtke said. “At the end at two recent city council meetings, particularly that is not kept in check special interests of the day, my sole focus is two-fold. the one held July 7. come before this city,” Schmidt said. “And One is to dismantle the ‘good-old-boy’ “I voted for some of these people,” Skillin we are here to do what’s in the best interest networks that operates insidiously said. “And everything that they said showed of every resident of this city. hat’s the oath — people don’t even realize they’re just a marked lack of understanding about I took and that’s what I live by.” operating. But more than that, I simply representation and why it matters.” Because no other candidates had been want the committees in Sterling Heights he issue at hand was the nomination and brought forward, Schmidt said she was to relect the diversity I see when I walk subsequent vote to appoint an individual to comfortable with voting for Hansinger. outside of my house every day.” the seven-member Zoning Board of Appeals. Mayor Pro Tem Liz Sierawski said the Walking outside her house every day, he ZBA is one of the two highest-proile and distinction between being an elected oicial Skillin herself has seen vast changes in important boards and commissions, along who represents the entire community and ‘OK, this board is composed of seven people. just the nine years her family has lived with the city’s Planning Commission, as both an appointed member to a board or commission We have to have one female that’s gay, we have in Sterling Heights. When they moved in, the are rule-making bodies. is an important one. to have one male that’s homosexual, we have neighborhood mostly consisted of older white During the June 16 city council meeting, “I represent the gays. My uncle is gay. He’s to have one black, we have to have one yellow, homeowners who bought houses when they councilmember Barbara Ziarko nominated been gay his whole life, obviously. I’m not we have to have one green, we have to—’ that’s were originally built in her subdivision in the Dennis Hansinger to an open position on gay but I still can represent those interests. I not the way it’s supposed to be. It’s supposed to ‘60s and ‘70s. the ZBA. The vote was 6-1 in favor, with represent men. I have ive men in my immediate be the knowledge, the training the experience Now, she said, “a lot of younger people have councilmember Michael Radtke as the sole family … I represent their best interests. I that you have that you are willing to share with moved in, a lot of families, a lot of immigrant ‘no’ vote. He explained that his vote was not a represent — and I’ve said this before — African your fellow citizens of your city help make families, African American families.” comment on Hansinger’s qualiications, it was Americans. Who knew I actually had some in your city better.” simply that six white males already sat on the my history? I represent Muslims because I care Mayor Michael Taylor commented that board; Hansinger will be the seventh. about … what they believe, and [their right] both sides made valid points and that there Putting Principles into Practice According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates to practice their faith in any way they choose. was a need for greater diversity on boards and When pressed about how to fulill the goal of for 2019, of more than 132,000 people who So my specific gender, sexual orientation commissions. With Sterling Heights having widening the pool of applicants for any given live in the city, Sterling Heights is comprised and ethnicity doesn’t come into play when I one of the highest foreign-born populations in post, Radtke acknowledged there was more the of 51 percent female residents. In terms of represent the people of Sterling Heights.” the state, he said the boards and commissions city council could — and should — do. race, non-Hispanic white (82 percent), Asian Like Schmidt, Sierawski said there simply should relect that. “I think the city has not fundamentally (7.5 percent) and Black or African American wasn’t a large diverse number of candidates who “It’s unfortunate that this happened the way altered its application process in many years,” (6 percent) rank highest in number. In 2012, applied for the position. She said she “would it happened tonight and I call on all of us to do Radke said. “And so I guess we’ve been relying close to 40 percent of businesses were women- love to have every woman in this community better the next time,” Taylor said. on people to come to us and affirmatively owned, and about 16 percent were owned by apply for positions” to ensure that there would saying, ‘I want to be appointed to this board minorities. hat’s signiicant because zoning be a wide pool with “multiple blacks, Muslims, or this thing,’ and I think that because we’ve not issues afect all property owners, both home gays, lesbians, transgenders, so that we have Walk the Talk done the outreach that we need to do — and and business. options,” but that they lacked those options. Skillin, the Sterling Heights resident, said I’ll blame myself on this. We should be doing ZBA appointees go through two rounds of Councilmember Radtke implied he didn’t that if the council members claim they want more to outreach to communities.” votes, a nomination vote and an appointment buy the argument that the applicant pool was diversity it should be relected in their actions. Radtke said the application process was being vote. he second vote occurred at the July 7 lacking and the council was helpless to do “Saying things like the fact that you have revamped, something Skillin is likely to be council meeting. By then, councilmembers anything about it. a gay uncle means that you represent the pleased to hear. had clearly taken sides. “Inclusivity starts with us,” Radtke said. “It’s interests of LGBTQ people” was one example “We are poised to be the third-largest city in on the council to go out and ind candidates she provided of a lack of understanding. the state,” Skillin said. “And I really think that for these positions … and then to put them on “It’s just frustrating because … we just the city needs to be showing some leadership The Council Members Speak boards. In a city of 133,000 people, 51 percent declared a resolution for Pride Month and on issues of diversifying their boards, and to The first council member to speak on which is women, it shocks me that we can’t Juneteenth and then they go, at the very next think that they don’t have a responsibility to do Hansinger’s appointment at the July 7 meeting have or ind a female candidate for one of our meeting, and say, all of these things that go this is just kind of passing the buck and letting was councilmember Ziarko, who said she major boards.” against all the things they claim they want to everything continue the way it has in the past.” believed in equality, and that anyone can be A woman already serving on one of the recognize and promote,” Skillin said. In fact, there may be an opportunity for what subject to discrimination. She also pointed out committees had been identiied by Radtke as a Both Skillin and Radtke decried the claim Skillin calls “showing leadership” on the issue: that four of seven council members are women. candidate. He said she was a lawyer and wanted that because the pool of applicants was limited, when all was said and done, Hansinger declined “This appointment has turned into to move up to the ZBA. their hands were tied. the appointment, which means the council must something it never should have been turned Councilmember Deanna Koski spoke “It’s easy to say the words and not as easy to go through the process again. he vote was 4-2 into,” Ziarko said. “Equality is equality. I know next. She said, “Our purpose was to have do the work,” Skillin suggested. “You have to in favor, with Radtke and Taylor voting against that discrimination has no boundaries. It could representation of the city” on the boards and actively seek out a wider pool of candidates. You the appointment; one council member was not be gender, sexual orientation race, color of commissions, and things such as the color of can’t just say, ‘Well, we put an application on present. According to Radtke, the day ater the your skin. It’s discrimination and that’s how I one’s skin or sex shouldn’t matter. our website, and anyone who wants to volunteer meeting, Hansinger sent a letter indicating his feel because we are all equal. We all come from At the same time, Koski said, “We don’t go can.’ Because what happens is you end up with circumstances had changed. No speciic reason the same two people if you are a Christian.” down the boards and commissions and say, the 114 people that knew that that board existed was given. 8 BTL | July 23, 2020 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com BTL | July 23, 2020 9 Coulter is the Right Choice for Oakland County Executive

BY OSCAR RENAUTT its course to become LGBTQ candidates like David Coulter. a vibrant and safe We need to continue a dialogue in our ess than a year ago, on community for its society. he topics of equality and inclusion BTL Endorses Dave Nov. 27, 2019, David LGBTQ population. are extremely uncomfortable for many. here LCoulter signed a The city of Ferndale were plenty of occasions when our elected Coulter for Oakland resolution to adopt an anti- is nnow one of the allies proudly declared their support for the discrimination addition most progressive and LGBTQ community while delivering very little to employment policy that forward-thinking to further solidify our rights. hat is why we County Executive protects LGBTQ workers in communities in our need to support openly LGBTQ candidates who Oakland County. county, if not in the are willing and ready to raise their hand and BY BTL STAFF Previously, Oakland whole state. speak about inequality. We need to elect leaders County’s policy had forbidden I do not have to that stand against discrimination, confront n the race for Oakland County Executive discrimination based on race, remind anyone about bigotry and cast their vote in favor of policies there are two excellent choices in the sex, age, physical or mental the current political and resolutions that focus on human rights. IDemocratic primary Aug. 4 – Dave handicap, national origin, climate in our country here is no doubt in my mind that David Coulter and Andy Meisner. Between these two religious beliefs or political ailiation. Nothing and how LGBTQ rights are under constant Coulter is our champion and our advocate. I longtime advocates for LGBTQ issues, BTL in the original resolution indicated the inclusion attack. am certain that David Coulter will continue strongly endorses Dave Coulter. As the interim of protection from discrimination based on Local politics are always important since the to bring people together and will progress our Oakland County executive, Coulter has proven gender identity or expression. From day local oicials we elect are our ampliied voices. county forward, focusing on social and civil himself to be a competent, energetic, creative one, serving as Oakland County Executive, They oversee especially important policies issues that are so important for our community. and resourceful leader. And with over 1.2 David Coulter concentrated his efforts on locally and on the state level. But policies and I am certain that David Coulter will reserve to million residents in the county, he is the making Oakland County a safer and stronger resolutions to safeguard the LGBTQ population positive, progressive and digniied practices LGBTQ elected official representing more community that promotes equality and are not easy to introduce and adapt. It is an while in the oice, and he will continue his residents in the state than anyone else, except inclusion. David Coulter is a passionate human uphill battle, and our community cannot stop. eforts to further unite our community. Attorney General Dana Nessel. rights activist with a proven track record. We cannot take the back seat just because in Coulter has been active for decades in As a Ferndale resident, I have observed David 2015 gay marriage was legalized. Our liberties Oscar Renautt is the founder of the LGBTQ LGBTQ political groups and HIV/AIDS Coulter serving as our mayor for many years. are being challenged and undermined daily. Unity Fund, a PAC created to support LGBTQ organizations. He served as the executive Under David’s leadership Ferndale continued Therefore, we need to advocate for openly candidates in Michigan. director of the Michigan AIDS Fund and was the second openly gay Mayor of Ferndale from 2011 until August 2019. Coulter has been an openly LGBTQ politician for almost two Meisner is the Right Choice for Oakland County Executive decades. In 2013 he was the irst Michigan Mayor to perform a same-sex marriage. He BY KEVIN HOWLEY on the policy issues Andy have the better odds of winning in the was also elected to be the first openly gay we care about, those November election, he’ll have coattails that will Oakland County Commissioner, a position n just a month, Michigan policy issues become be critical for so many other elections. he held from 2002 to 2011. He served as a voters will be heading to unimportant if the his unique time in our history puts another vice chair of the Michigan Democratic Party the polls for a primary Democrat doesn’t key decision-making factor in play: getting LGBTQ Caucus. I election to select their win. And the stakes elected is important of course, but being Last year the Oakland County Commission candidates for November. are even higher able to deliver will be critical. Our current voted to appoint him to serve out the The headline race for the in 2020 with a economic meltdown is putting severe pressure remainder of Oakland County Executive L. Democratic nominee for presidential race, on municipal budgets. Andy’s eight-year stint Brooks Patterson’s term following Patterson’s Oakland County Executive a U.S. Senate race as Oakland County Treasurer and his history death. Coulter is running now to continue in features two good men, both and two Michigan as a member of the Michigan Legislature give that position he’s held since last year. of whom have a long history Supreme Court me an extra level of conidence that he can Coulter understands how government of being solid on issues of seats on the ballot. put the team in place to weather this storm. works and has consistently been a strong concern for the LGBTQ Oakland County is Experience matters. representative of the LGBTQ community. community, and one of whom happens to be critical to each of those races. Democrats need I’m excited about the abundance of LGBTQ His deep experience fighting the AIDS gay. to drive a solid majority in the County to win candidates across the state of Michigan running epidemic has served him well in responding Being a member of the LGBTQ statewide races. Our selection of Andy to head for positions from city commission to U.S. to the current COVID-19 epidemic. He has community myself, I have made a practice the Democratic ticket in Oakland County is a Congress. It’s important for us to continue been swift and decisive in issuing safety and a commitment in my business career to relection of the reality that, in this race, “all to break through glass ceilings and push past orders and getting necessary resources to the aggressively support the advancement and things are not equal”, or near thereto. discrimination to take our rightful place at the people, health care providers and businesses growth of job candidates from underrepresented Meisner is a proven and seasoned candidate. table. We all have a responsibility to mentor and in Oakland County. We were lucky to have communities. I’ve been fired for being gay He has won election as Oakland County support community leaders with great potential someone with his perspective on such a and have lost other jobs for the same reason. I Treasurer three times — with larger margins so that they are well-positioned to meet future serious health crisis in that position when understand the challenges we face. All things than any other Democratic candidate in the challenges. For today’s challenges, however, I’m the epidemic broke out. being equal, I always hired the candidate facing County. He has created campaign teams that are endorsing Andy Meisner for Oakland County his is a chance for the LGBTQ community glass ceilings. All things being close to equal, broadly representative and, more importantly, Executive. to elect one of our own, and we should take I provided extra weight to the value of having have shown an ability to operate with high this opportunity to hold on to such a high level underrepresented voices at the table to those energy and success. Meisner has built coalitions Kevin Howley runs a turnaround management seat at the table. Allies are certainly critical but that had not yet had the chance to shine in throughout the County that have tapped into irm. He has worked with several non proits diversity is also essential. LGBTQ people are their career. communities that are oten considered swing with close ties to the LGBTQ community over underrepresented at all levels of government. All that being said, I am endorsing the voters. Andy knows how to raise money and the years. He was the Democratic candidate for Coulter will serve Oakland County well and candidacy of Andy Meisner for Oakland is already far outraising the other primary and Oakland County Executive in 2012. He and his be a highly visible representative of our County Executive. While both men are solid general election candidates. Not only does family live in Huntington Woods. community. 10 BTL | July 23, 2020 www.PrideSource.com friends in the dozens,” Jacob said. “hey threw body, he had to learn to feed himself with his Obituary: me a surprise party and there were over 200 of right hand. my friends that showed up. hey did a roast Jacob was let unable to work. He lived with for me a couple of years ago. his mother for some years before she passed. Kenneth Jacob “Getting laid is easy,” Jacob continued. “But And then he lived in an independent senior making a friend is hard. And I’m blessed that apartment for some time before his condition BY JASON A. MICHAEL I get to meet a lot of people.” worsened. Jacob, a lover of all things “I Love Lucy” “He was there for three or four years, and I and Lucille ball, had a huge collection of took him to the doctor and the grocery store. memorabilia, and he was also active with the And then it got to the point where he would fall Sept. 12, 1952 – June 14, 2020 Forum Foundation. He served on its board out of bed, and my partner and I would have to for several years, helped sell tickets to the go pick him up,” DiDonato recalled. “Finally, enneth Jacob, known simply to friends Foundation’s events at the store and he enjoyed I told his brother, ‘You have to do something as Kenny, died Sunday, June 14, ater attending all of them — especially the group’s because we can’t keep picking him up.’ It was sufering a fatal stroke. Jacob was well- annual summer boat cruise on the Detroit a very challenging life for him but he was a K River. strong little bugger.” known and much beloved in Metro Detroit’s But the same year as the BTL story, Jacob Jacob’s family moved him to a care facility in LGBTQ community as the longtime manager and ater Cook’s and Ashley’s death and Bruce’s sufered a major stroke. At irst, he recovered Maysville where he sufered and succumbed to of Chosen Books. departure, he became the manager under the quickly, but it was to be the start of a worrying yet another stroke earlier this month. Long before there was an Affirmations ownership of Cook’s father, Joe Karasinski. He trend. Several years later, in 2004, Jacob was at “Kenny had a marvelous sense of humor,” LGBTQ community center in Ferndale, there ran the store, took care of its longtime mascot home when he experienced a strange pain that said longtime customer and friend BTL was a Chosen Books. The gay and lesbian Miss Kitty — a cat that wandered about the he felt did not warrant a trip to the hospital. columnist Charles Alexander. “He was most bookstore was opened in 1981 by personal place — and doled out a naughty kind of humor he next morning, he was unable to walk. Tests helpful and he was just fun. He made you feel partners John Cook and Bill Ashley and that his customers loved. revealed he had sufered a series of ive strokes good.” business partner Paul Bruce. It was located “He was quite a comedian,” said John D. within the prior six months, including another DiDonato agreed. irst in Palmer Park and then, ater several years, DiDonato, his friend of many years and major one the day before his hospital visit. “He was a very strong individual,” he said. in Royal Oak. he store served as an unoicial caregiver for a time. “He had a wonderful sense he damage from the latest stroke overlapped “Even with all the challenges God put in front LGBTQ community center and was, for a long of sarcastic humor.” with the damage from the previous strokes and, of him he never complained He kept his sense time, just about the only place people could For a 1999 piece on the store, Jacob told as a result, Jacob was paralyzed on the right of humor and he just continued on. We all miss learn more about the LGBTQ community. he Between he Lines that the best part of working side of his body. He had limited motor skills, him terribly.” store even operated a hotline for some time. at the store was “meeting new friends.” and, having lost the use of the let side of his Jacob started working at the store in 1985, “I’m very blessed. I have an inner circle of

www.PrideSource.com BTL | July 23, 2020 11 Parting Glances BY CHARLES ALEXANDER Book in progress No. 1

keep on my laptop desk a corner of chalky red brick. It’s all that’s let of the Cassboro Apartments formerly Iat 444 Peterboro, Detroit. I found this memento among broken boards and shattered glass of the recently razed, four-story building. he red brick anchors childhood memories for me. At the time of the onset years of World War II, Peterboro was lined with a half dozen houses dating back to the 1880s and four apartment building dating to the 1920s. Several of the houses had fenced victory gardens that were alive with lowers and small vegetables. In 1941, I was ive when we moved into the Cassboro’s apartment 114. My father, a factory worker, was 35; my mother, a laundry helper, 30. To this day, I have no idea how and where they met, nor do I recall their demonstrating any afection for each other in my boyhood presence. We were not an afectionate family. We lived in four small rooms, which might have provided family warmth and privacy, but my father’s mother — matriarchal, Southern-born Granny Lottie Lee Alexander — came to stay. She was related to Robert E. Lee. She prepared our dinner meals. She called me “Granny’s Lil’ Bubba”. I was Viewpoint 18 when she died. he Cassboro was built in 1920. (I remember a pre- fridge ice box, gas stove, a milkman with horse-drawn van.) here were 60 apartments that were owned by a Mr. Burston. Each month he drove up in his black sedan, collected rents, chatted with landlords Mr. and Mrs. Hoag. He rarely noticed us kids. With a Supreme Court Victory Behind Us, I liked Landlord Hoag. He laughed a lot, showed me a basement storage room illed with furniture and toys. Congress Must Finish the Job on LGBTQ His wife was cranky. She caught me talking to Japhus, the building janitor, who was washing front porch windows. Japhus told me he had seen a dead cat brought back Nondiscrimination Protections to life ater being stufed with sand. “You’re not to speak to mistreatment in housing, schools and public places like to him,” Mrs. Hoag squinted. “Do you understand, BY REV. DR. ROLAND STRINGFELLOW Alexander?” restaurants and bars. Even in health care, as the country confronts the novel coronavirus pandemic, a majority of states I carefully avoided her, though once I hid under a “It is my duty as a representative in Congress ... to represent don’t explicitly protect LGBTQ people from discrimination. staircase listening to her gossip with sedate Mrs. Barnes everyone in my community,” Congressman Justin Amash says. And the Trump Administration has worked overtime to make who lived on the fourth loor. It was a scary thing to do. Last month, I joined so many across the nation in breathing it easier to deny care to LGBTQ people because of their sexual he Cassboro was illed with kids. I didn’t mind being a sigh of relief at a U.S. Supreme Court decision airming that orientation or gender identity. an only child. the federal law prohibiting employment discrimination based As the White House attempts to sow division we know that here was Betty Renny, whose ailing mother could on sex protects LGBTQ workers. For too long, LGBTQ people nationwide, strong bipartisan majorities support protecting sleep nights only by sitting upright. here was blond Patsy in the workplace have feared for their jobs, remained in the LGBTQ people from discrimination in every area. Clearly, it’s Katja, who had the best comic books to trade. Tomboy closet to avoid being ired and worried about the attitudes time for Congress to come together and pass comprehensive Joan McGonagle, who I heard through gossip did “things” of potential employers because of a lack of protections from federal nondiscrimination protections. Only then will we be with Tommy Tudman in his unmarried mom’s bedroom. employment discrimination. Now, LGBTQ Americans can feel able to inish the job and patch the vulnerabilities that leave here was Danny who lived across the hall. His clubfoot safe knowing that the law is on their side. LGBTQ Americans behind. mom caught us, each age 8, showing our unbuttoned Despite this advance, critical gaps remain in our nation’s he Supreme Court ruling — a 6-3 decision authored by trophies in an abandoned car parked outside her window. nondiscrimination laws, leaving LGBTQ people vulnerable

See next page See Transmissions, next page 12 BTL | July 23, 2020 www.PrideSource.com Despite this advance, critical gaps remain in our nation’s nondiscrimination laws, Creep Of The Week leaving LGBTQ people vulnerable to mistreatment in housing, schools and public places like restaurants and bars. Even in health care, as the country confronts the Michael Heath BY D’ANNE WITKOWSKI novel coronavirus pandemic, a majority of states don’t explicitly protect LGBTQ orporate America, man. Who knew they had the power to do seemingly people from discrimination. Cimpossible things like getting the Heath, an internet minister, spends a lot Washington football team that uses a racial slur as a goddamn mascot to change its name? I of time thinking about gay stuff and really ® Viewpoint mean, the team has had a LOT of pressure over loves to use the F-word. This has led many the years, especially from native Americans and Continued from p. 14 everyone who thinks racism is bad, but it turns folks responding to the news of his FedEx Congressman Amash said in a statement out that the pressure just wasn’t rich enough. to Inclusive Justice this year. “It is also my I’m kidding. Of course we knew that corporate firing on Twitter by calling him a “closet stalwart conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch responsibility to set an example for public America has the biggest and loudest voice in this case” who is going to have his “Larry Craig — relects the reality that Americans, by discourse by listening and communicating country and they amplify that voice through a enormous margins, want to ensure that thoughtfully. ... All at the meeting agreed megaphone made of their pockets. And inside moment” when his Grindr profile is leaked. their LGBTQ neighbors and loved ones are on the need to show love and kindness to of those pockets is money, although no one’s safe from harm. Building these majorities our neighbors and on the importance of real pockets could ever hold so much... Never and changing people’s minds has required having a civil conversation. he diversity mind, you get the picture. decades of work, patience and time. It’s of our country is a great asset, and we must It took FedEx threatening a major inancial required LGBTQ people to share their be willing to listen to one another and not blow against the team to get team owner Daniel on June 26, 2020, on the anniversary of the stories, confront misunderstandings about lose sight of how much more unites us than Snyder to inally agree that, OK, maybe a racist Obergefell ruling. I suspect plans were derailed their identities and engage in challenging divides us. I’m thankful to Inclusive Justice mascot is not great. Needless to say, a lot of, by COVID-19, but who knows? Heath might be discussions. for taking positive steps in the community mostly white, people are pissed and this has coming to a Hobby Lobby near you. Every day LGBTQ people and our wide to promote this kind of dialogue and mutual really ruined an otherwise perfect summer Anyway, Heath appeared again on range of supporters have been hard at work understanding.” for them. Daubenmire’s show to lament that he had lost for the past several years having frank and I’m heartened by these conversations with Not that I’m in the business of praising his job as a driver for FedEx because of his upfront conversations with our members of Rep. Amash. I believe that honest and open FedEx, but it is nice to see a corporation use deeply held religious views that gay men are Congress. Here in Michigan, faith leaders discussions about the issues that matter their powers for good rather than evil. ly larvae. and people of faith who support LGBTQ so deeply to our country and to our path So a tip of the hat to FedEx for iring Michael Actually, to hear Heath tell it, he wasn’t “ired” dignity and freedom have met several times forward. It is the responsibility of Congress, Heath. he was “disqualiied” because apparently we with Congressman Justin Amash. They of all of us, to move closer to a country Heath, an internet minister, spends a lot of all live in a live game show called “Hi, We’re in have urged Rep. Amash to join with his where no one faces discrimination in any time thinking about gay stuf and really loves Hell” right now. colleagues across the ideological spectrum area of life simply because of who they are to use the F-word. This has led many folks Heath says that FedEx decided that “he said in support of comprehensive federal or who they love. responding to the news of his FedEx iring on homosexuality is wrong, he used the word nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ It’s time for Congress to act! Twitter by calling him a “closet case” who is f-ggots, he can’t represent us anymore.” people. And he has heard their voices. going to have his “Larry Craig moment” when Can’t say I blame them. “It is my duty as a representative in Rev. Dr. Roland Stringfellow lives in Detroit, his Grindr proile is leaked. Heath does, though. In a column on his Congress to defend the Constitution and Michigan. Honestly, these jokes only further cement the Helping Hands Ministry site (because of course) represent everyone in my community,” idea that being gay is a punchline, which hurts titled “Am I Allowed to Have an Opinion?” he all LGBTQ people. I don’t care if Heath is gay begins with the epigraph “God hates f-gs,” made or not. He’s a hateful and deeply unhappy man infamous by Fred Phelps, who Heath claims was who has devoted his life to hurting other people “more right than wrong.” under the guise of loving Jesus. Boy, between Trump and Phelps this guy play draw-a-dare. He wrote dares on paper Heath announced in February that he was ® really knows who to idolize. Parting Glances scraps. You got points for each challenge going to “do a world tour” called, well, it doesn’t I don’t know if this column was written before Continued from p. 14 accepted. I wanted to do more than kiss bear repeating but rhymes and means “gay men or ater the FedEx “disqualiication,” but in it the living room ish bowl, but I wasn’t sure are ly larvae.” He was inspired to go on this hate he writes, “I believe that sodomy is gross and just quite what. tour by Donald Trump. disgusting.” here was Tommy Black at 116. From my One day Bobby popped naked into the “I’m going to do a world tour,” Heath said on Well, thanks for letting us know. We’ll note bedroom window one summer evening I hallway. He had just showered, answering Dave Daubenmire’s “Pass he Salt Live” show it on your chart. saw his mother’s breasts when she let the to a friend’s knock. To this day, I can still earlier this year, according to Right Wing Watch. “Strong enough words don’t exist in any bathroom light on. Tommy came out as a see his soapy, suntanned skin, lashy teenage “I started supporting Donald Trump early in language on earth to accurately describe this teenager. smile and muscular body shake and shiver. the 2016 primary for one reason: He insults his wickedness,” he continues, explaining that “gay here was red-haired Deanie, 13, who It was a daredevil moment just as I was enemies. He makes things personal that deserve men are ly larvae” comes the closest. “Typing asked me, age 9, just for fun when his conveniently passing by. Other sucessful to be personal,” he said. “he decades of letists out the phrase [‘Gay Men are Fly Larvae’] seems parents were gone to take of my clothes. daredevil encounters occurred from time being the only ones allowed to make everything to help for some reason. I think these accurate For my silence, he gave me his Captain to time. personal are over. It’s long past time for WASP English words tap into a fundamental spiritual Midnight ring. manners to take a back seat to the truth.” need of our age.” here was teenager Bobby Hendrix. At Charles Alexander is proliic both as a BTL WASP manners? Has he SEEN how white I can’t help but picture that scene from “he Christmastime his mother invited neighbor columnist (700-plus columns) and as a people behave? It is amazing to me that anyone Shining,” only it’s Heath behind the type writer kids in for Dickens’ “Christmas Carol” well-known LGBT community artist (1000 with even a glimmer of knowledge about the furiously typing “Gay Men are Fly Larvae” over recordings. She smoked with a cigarette Facebook images). He is a Spirit of Detroit history of this country would think that WASPs and over in order to meditate. Deinitely a totally holder and acted like screen-star Betty Award recipient and an Airmations LGBT are the good guys. normal and well-adjusted person. Grable. CENTER Jan Stevenson awardee. Connect By the way, the “tour” was supposed to start When I was 12, Bobby got us kids to with him at [email protected]. www.PrideSource.com BTL | July 23, 2020 13 State Department Human Rights Commission Report Largely Omits LGBTQ Issues

BY MICHAEL K. LAVERS in principles so widely accepted as to be movement against police brutality. It has also to everyone everywhere, the United States must beyond legitimate debate; it is weakest when spurred a national reckoning on race in the U.S. now rise to the challenges with the same energy he Commission on Unalienable Rights’ it is employed in disputes among competing “he commission was never intended to time and spirit that it brought to the building of a 60-page report contains numerous groups in society over political priorities,” the release of this report to the current societal new international order in the post-World Treferences to the Universal Declaration adds the report. “Such political disputes are upheavals that are currently roiling our nation,” War period.” of Human Rights and religious freedom. he usually best left up to resolution through said Pompeo in his speech. “Nevertheless, the Advocacy groups in their sharp criticism of report refers to marriage rights for same-sex ordinary democratic processes of bargaining, report touches on this moment, and so will I, the commission noted, among other things, that couples, affirmative action and abortion as education, persuasion, compromise, and voting. because today’s unrest directly ties to our ability Pompeo named Glendon as chair. Democracy “divisive social and political controversies in he tendency to ight political battles with the to put our founding principles at the core of Forward in March iled a federal lawsuit against the United States” and how “it is common for vocabulary of human rights risks stiling the what we do as Americans and as diplomats all the State Department over the commission both sides to couch their claims in terms of kind of robust discussion on which a vibrant across the world.” on behalf of the Council for Global Equality, basic rights.” democracy depends.” Pompeo speciically criticized the New York Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, the Center “Indeed, it is a testament to the deep roots in he report also says “the efort to shut down Times over its 1619 Project that examines for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE) and the American spirit of our founding ideas about legitimate debate by recasting contestable slavery’s legacy in the U.S. the Global Justice Center. unalienable rights that our political debates policy preferences as ixed and unquestionable “hey want you to believe that America’s “From day one, the Trump-Pence continue to revolve around the concepts of human rights imperatives promotes intolerance, institutions continue to relect the country’s administration has been retreating from and individual freedom and human equality, even impedes reconciliation, devalues core rights, acceptance of slavery at our founding,” he said. undermining the global framework for human as we disagree — sometimes deeply,” reads and denies rights in the name of rights.” “They want you to believe that Marxist rights established in the Universal Declaration the report. “In sum, the United States should be open ideology that America is only the oppressors of Human Rights in 1948,” said Human Rights It does, however, criticize the U.N. Human to, but cautious in, endorsing new claims of and the oppressed,” added Pompeo. “The Campaign Government Afairs Director David Rights Council, which in recent years has human rights,” it adds. Chinese Communist Party must be gleeful Stacy on hursday in a statement. “As was clear championed LGBTQ rights, and other he report speciically refers to slavery, “the when they see the New York Times spout this from the start, Secretary Pompeo’s Commission international institutions. forceful displacement of native Americans from ideology.” on Unalienable Rights was designed to he Trump administration in 2018 withdrew their ancestral lands; the discrimination against Pompeo said “some people have taken these challenge the international consensus with a from the council ater what the report describes immigrants and other vulnerable minorities; false doctrines to heart,” speciically referring narrow view of human rights, that among other as “extensive eforts to work from within to and he imposition of legal liabilities on, and the to “the rioters pulling down statues thus see things would leave LGBTQ people even more reform” it. he report also notes China, Cuba, withholding of opportunities from, women.” nothing wrong with desecrating monuments vulnerable to violence and discrimination.” Russia, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and other “Respect for unalienable rights requires to those who fought for our unalienable rights OutRight Action International in a press countries “that are themselves lagrant human forthright acknowledgement of not only — from our founding to the present day.” release said the report “undermines human rights abusers” have been members of the where the United States has fallen short of its “his is a dark vision of America’s birth,” rights.” council. principles but also special recognition of the said Pompeo. “I reject it. It’s a disturbed “he fundamental principle of human rights “Charged with addressing human rights sin of slavery — an institution as old as human reading of history. It is a slander on our great is universality — human rights belong to us all, violations globally, the council gave greatly civilization and our nation’s deepest violation people. Nothing could be further from the truth regardless of religious denomination, gender, disproportionate attention to Israel while of unalienable rights,” it reads. “he legally of our founding and the rights about which race, sexual orientation, or any other number ignoring egregious human rights abuses in protected and institutionally entrenched slavery this report speaks.” of distinguishing features,” said Maria Sjödin, many other parts of the world,” reads the that disigured the United States at its birth A Black Lives Matter mural on a boarded-up the group’s deputy executive director. “By using report. “hese outcomes are in part a function reduced fellow human beings to property to restaurant in Asheville, N.C., on June 8, 2020. human rights language, the report claims to of programmatic bias in the UNHRC, and in be bought, sold, and used as a means for their (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers) safeguard human rights, while in fact doing the United Nations more broadly. The U.S. owners’ beneit.” Report ‘undermines human rights’ the opposite. It positions international human withdrawal from the UNHRC does not relect Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on hursday Pompeo last July announced the creation rights law as secondary to national legislation, a rejection of human rights and fundamental reiterated this point in a speech he delivered of the commission, which he said would elevates one human right over another, and freedoms, but rather a determination to ind at the National Constitutional Center in stress “natural laws and natural rights.” he equates ‘unalienable rights’ to ‘natural law’ and better means of efectively securing them.” Philadelphia. announcement took place against the backdrop ‘natural rights’ — terms used to describe a social he report among other things, also says “Now, it’s true that at our nation’s founding of continued criticism over the Trump order which is oten characterized by male- “new claims of rights must be carefully our country fell far short of securing the rights administration’s overall foreign policy and of domination, subservience of women, racial considered.” of all,” he said. “he evil institution of slavery the White House’s anti-LGBTQ policies in inequality, and complete erasure of LGBTIQ “With the passage of time, it is reasonable was our nation’s gravest departure from these the U.S. p e op l e .” to expect a certain expansion and reinement founding principles. We expelled Native Mary Ann Glendon, a professor at the A senior State Department official on of the list of recognized international human Americans from their ancestral lands. And our Harvard Law School known for her opposition Thursday acknowledged criticisms of the rights even as the essentials of freedom and foreign policy, too, has not always comported to marriage rights for same-sex couples, chairs commission when he spoke with reporters on human dignity remain constant,” it reads. “he with the idea of sovereignty embedded in the the commission. Glendon introduced Pompeo a conference call. application of existing rights to persons from core of our founding.” at the National Constitution Center. “He commission was greeted with immediate whom they have been wrongfully withheld is “But crucially — crucially — the nation’s “For the commissioners over these past and ierce criticism,” said the oicial. “Contrary particularly to be welcomed. It must be kept founding principles gave us a standard by which several months, it’s been humbling as well as to what Secretary Pompeo said about the in mind, however, that it was largely owing we could see the gravity of our failings and a moving to see American lags in the hands of mandate, it was immediately said that Secretary to the relative modesty of its reach that the political framework that gave us the tools to so many of the Hong Kong protesters,” said Pompeo’s secret purpose was to deny various UDHR (Universal Declaration of Human ultimately abolish slavery and enshrine into Glendon in her introductory remarks. “And groups their rights and radically elevate Rights) succeeded in launching the universal law equality without regard to race,” he added. it was the fact for us that so many people in religious liberty.” human rights project on a global scale. he The State Department released its report so many places count so much on the United “The report you will soon see bears no UDHR was deliberately limited to a small set less than two months ater George Floyd, who States — yes, even in the ways that our country resemblance to the criticisms that have been of rights on which there was perceived to be a was Black, died ater Derek Chauvin, a then- falls short of its own ideals, it was that fact leveled against the secretary or the commission,” near-universal consensus.” Minneapolis police oicer who is white, kneeled that led us to our principal conclusion, which added the oicial. “he fact is that the power of the universal on his neck for nearly nine minutes. was that as a nation that came into being by human rights idea is strongest when grounded Floyd’s death sparked a national protest airming certain unalienable rights that belong See Human Rights, continued on p. 15

14 BTL | July 23, 2020 www.PrideSource.com Poland’s Anti-LGBTQ President Reelected

Poland,” Magdalena Świder of Kampania Przeciw Homofobii, a Polish LGBTQ advocacy group, told the Washington Blade on Tuesday in a statement. “We will keep on fighting, as the community needs us. All the incitement to Polish President Andrzej Duda hate by president Duda resulted in many instances of BY MICHAEL LAVERS LGBT people being physically attacked or their homes being he anti-LGBTQ president of Poland won marked with homophobic vandalism, so our reelection on Sunday. main goal is to press for protection of sexual he Associated Press reported Andrzej Duda orientation and gender identity to be included defeated Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski by in the hate crime and hate speech legislation.” a 51.2-48.8 percent margin. he two men ran Human Rights Campaign President against each other in a runof because they Alphonso David echoed Świder in his own didn’t receive a majority of the vote in the statement. irst-round of Poland’s presidential election “President Andrezj Duda’s reelection ater that took place on June 28. running on a virulently anti-LGBTQ election Activists have sharply criticized Duda — platform is confirmation that the fight for head of Poland’s conservative Law and Justice LGBTQ rights and freedoms is far from over,” party — over his anti-LGBTQ rhetoric. said David. “However, Duda’s narrow victory Duda last month said LGBTQ “ideology” demonstrates that there are a great number of is more harmful than communism. Justyna Polish people who do not support his views, Nakielska of Kampania Przeciw Homofobii, including his cruel campaign pledge to ban a Polish LGBTQ advocacy group, told the same-sex couples from adopting children Washington Blade last month noted the Law that need loving homes, and his extreme anti- and Justice party ahead of last October’s LGBTQ rhetoric.” parliamentary elections described LGBTQ “Despite Duda’s victory, LGBTQ advocates Poles as “a threat to the family” and said they will continue to ight in Poland and elsewhere “want to sexualize children.” for the basic respect and dignity that our Duda on June 24 met with President Trump community deserves,” he added. at the White House. “As there is a feeling of huge disappointment This article originally appeared in the we need to remember that almost half of Washington Blade and is made available in Polish voters said firmly no to the hatred partnership with the National LGBT Media campaign waged by Duda, and showed they Association. are in favor of a democratic, modern and open

the meetings. “But we haven’t, as far as I know, ® Human Rights made speciic invitations to this organization Continued from p. 14 or that organization.” “We’ve given all organizations equally an opportunity to bring their opinions to us and we he oicial noted to the Washington Blade have studied all the opinions, all the statements, the commission has thus far held ive public all the questions, all the criticisms that have meeting with public comment sections in each. come forward,” added the oicial. he oicial also said there was an virtual public The State Department on Friday told the comment period that lasted nine months. Blade the drat report that is currently posted he oicial said in response to the Blade’s to its website “will reflect any additional question about whether the commission invited adjustments the commission may make in light LGBTQ advocacy groups to participate in of public comments” in roughly three weeks. these meetings that it “has consulted all of the statements that have come in.” his article originally appeared in the Washington “It’s far to say yes,” said the official in Blade and is made available in partnership with reference to LGBTQ groups’ participation in the National LGBT Media Association. www.PrideSource.com BTL | July 23, 2020 15 Instagram and Facebook to Ban Conversion Therapy Content BY KAELA ROEDER on a global level that this is something that anti-LGBTQ content was a “complicated” market the practice. has to end, and we’re going to push forward in process of identifying simple sentences and key nstagram and Facebook on July 10 advocating for that … It’s just the world of a phrases that suggest conversion therapy while announced they will ban conversion therapy diference as a survivor for me, and I really do resisting making the language restrictions too Critics’ expectations low Icontent on their sites, following a block on think it will save lives and save families from broad. Phrasing on the practice was analyzed Wayne Besen, the founder of Truth Wins ads promoting the practice earlier this year. ever choosing to go down that path.” from across the globe and evaluated in multiple Out, said he applauds the companies for his announcement comes on the heels of the Amie Bishop, a senior research advisor languages, as well. announcing this ban, but said he wants to see U.N. formally calling for a global conversion with OutRight Action International, said this Bishop said many sites and organizations that action before calling the efort a victory. therapy ban. action by Instagram and Facebook is a step promote conversion therapy employ deceptive Truth Wins Out is a non-proit organization Mathew Shurka, co-founder of Born Perfect, towards “multi-sector involvement” in banning phrasing and utilize misleading marketing that specializes in uncovering “ex-gay” a project run by him and the National Center conversion therapy. tools, such as including Pride flags in anti- conversion leaders’ claims, advocating for anti- for Lesbian Rights that is dedicated to ending “Bans, at any level, that are successful in LGBTQ content. The National Association LGBTQ media to be taken down and providing conversion therapy, worked with Instagram and blocking access to harmful programs and for Research and herapy of Homosexuality, platforms for survivors of conversion therapies Facebook to create a system to identify content interventions is really very important,” Bishop for example, changed its name to the Alliance to share their stories. promoting the practice. Shurka also worked said. “his move by Instagram and Facebook for herapeutic Choice and Scientiic Integrity Besen said he is unsure if social media with Victor Madrigal-Borloz, the independent represents another dimension of bans — now in 2014 to appear more “choice” focused and companies would make the effort to sort U.N. expert on LGBTQ issues, in preparation it’s the private sector also getting involved.” scientiically backed. through conversion therapy content because for the global call to end conversion therapy. Bishop also said for this action to make In order to maintain the ban and protect they rarely police white supremacy and other Shurka said this ban will protect LGBTQ an impact in eradicating conversion therapy, LGBTQ individuals against conversion therapy hateful content. people from viewing misleading or convincing the fundamental discrimination embedded content, Bishop also said social media platforms “If they’re not going to be able to address content promoting conversion therapy. Social in societies and cultures needs to also be will have to keep up with the ever-changing neo-Nazis and white supremacists, are they media sites have become a platform for recognized. Shurka and Bishop both said they branding. going to be serious about ex-gay conversion promoting the practice, and he said this ban hope this action inspires other companies in “There’s always going to be new content therapy?” he said. can eradicate that spread. the private sector to get involved in eliminating coming out that may be less obvious at the Besen also said content on conversion As a survivor of conversion therapy, Shurka conversion therapy practices, especially other beginning that it’s harmful,” she said. “hat’s therapy is only “five or 10 percent of the said this call by the U.N. and social media social networking sites. going to be the challenge, that you’re keeping up problem” online, and anti-LGBTQ activity is content ban is “incredibly important” for with the evolution of terminology and branding still rampant and harmful on digital platforms. LGBTQ rights on a global scale. to ensure that things aren’t slipping through.” “I want to see action. I don’t want to see this “When I was in conversion therapy and lost Algorithms need to be Shurka also said conversion therapists as a PR stunt at a time when they’re under and confused, I literally had no resources,” he adapted, experts say use language that can be misleading, such as increasing pressure,” he said. said. “Now you have the U.N. being really clear “gender wholeness” or “sexual wholeness” to Shurka said creating the algorithm to detect

16 BTL | July 23, 2020 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com BTL | July 23, 2020 17 Photo: Netflix Crazy Sexy Time with Dan Stevens ‘Eurovision’ Actor Talks New Campy Gay Role – and His First-Ever Gay Role

BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI and his breadth of chameleonic work, which former “Eurovision” contestant and drag that sequence. includes the live-action remake of “Beauty queen Conchita Wurst, sing an epic medley s closeted Russian pop prince Alexander and the Beast,” as the beast; the thriller “he of Madonna, Cher and ABBA. Can you name Is “Believe” your go-to Cher song? Lemtov, actor Dan Stevens shows up in Guest”; as a mutant with mind powers in the anything gayer that you’ve done in your life? I suppose it would be. I’m trying to think what the Netlix comedy “Eurovision Song trippy FX series “Legion,” and, recently, in the A (Laughs.) It’s certainly up there! I don’t know else I would go for now. “Strong Enough.” Contest: he Story of Fire Saga” bejeweled in Dave Franco-directed horror ilm “he Rental.” “Fernando.” “Chiquitita.” “If I Could Turn rhinestones, with a moppy head of Wham!-era As for Lemtov, this isn’t Stevens’s irst time if we can start ranking those, but most of those people coming out of the crowd were Back Time.” I probably would do a medley! George Michael hair. He gives double-cheek taking on a queer role. One of Stevens’s earliest (Laughs.) kisses. He gives invites to his “very crazy sexy” roles, as Nick Guest in the “he Line of Beauty,” previous “Eurovision” contestants – and not parties. Alexander’s extraness, and that he featured the actor as a gay man living in 1980s all of them drag queens, it should be said. But How did you navigate Alexander Lemtov’s campy- doesn’t see what other far-less-opulent people Britain during the height of the AIDS epidemic yeah, amazing to have Conchita Wurst, Bilal gay sexuality? do, is the joke. He’s beyond out of touch with in the 2006 BBC miniseries adaptation of the (Hassani) and Jamala. It was an amazing list of former contestants, all of them incredible First and foremost, I went at it from that the ordinary person, like Lars (Will Ferrell) Alan Hollinghurst novel of the same name. Euro-millionaire thing, which I’ve always and Sigrit (Rachel McAdams), small-town For our recent interview, Stevens lost the singers. And yeah, to duke it out with those guys, and found very, very funny. here’s a certain kind Icelandic best friends who become accidental Lemtov wig to reflect on portraying Nick of campiness to those sort of mysteriously “Eurovision” contestants and enter into a sing- Guest, and also talked about the safe place also with Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams, was pretty surreal. I think for pretty much wealthy Europeans, particularly the Russians of against Lemtov. “Eurovision” provides contestants from anti- with the philosophy that if something is gold Co-written by Ferrell, the campy musical LGBTQ countries and, just for good measure, everyone involved in that sequence it was – I don’t know about the gayest moment it must be best. Lemtov deinitely has that is an outrageous love letter to the “Eurovision his favorite Cher songs. kind of attitude. Song Contest,” an inescapable UK phenom. of their life, but it was certainly one of the most surreal. And I’ve shown that sequence It was very much inspired by a bizarre Alexander is certainly worlds apart from During what might be the gayest scene in meeting I had once at a thing with Irina Stevens’s star-making turn in “Downton Abbey” “Eurovision,” you, along with the cast and to a couple of, shall we say, “Eurovision” superfans who absolutely lost their minds at Shayk, the model. I met her in Manhattan

18 BTL | July 23, 2020 www.PrideSource.com and she asked me where I live, and at the When it came to the campiness of the time I was living in Brooklyn. She went (in character, was avoiding queer caricature a a Russian accent), “Brooklyn. Too far.” And I concern? said, “Well, OK, so where do you live?” And I guess. I think historically there have been she just said, in one phrase, “West Village issues with that and with caricaturing, but best place.” And I was like, “All right. OK.” you know, as we all know, there are as many (Laughs.) hat sort of told me everything I diferent shapes and sizes of a queer person as needed to know about her outlook and just there are of a straight person, so I think in the that sense of, when you just have that much context of “Eurovision,” obviously Lemtov is money it shapes how you see the world, and a particular kind of performer. Whether he’s also how that kind of warps your taste as straight or gay, it’s sort of immaterial; he’s just well. And Lemtov has some pretty warped that kind of guy, who’s just sitting on that and taste – both in the wardrobe the home- much money with that kind of taste and is decoration department. maybe not able to acknowledge fully who he George Michael’s name comes up at one point is back home. I think his need for Sigrit is a little diferent during the film. Did you tap into LGBTQ pop than we might expect. He’s not just the sleazy artists to get Alexander’s queer sensibility down? Lothario coming in to just kind of save Sigrit I mean, the wig was very much inspired and break up (their band) Fire Saga. He’s by George Michael. And there was a lot of got slightly more nuanced and complicated trolling of hundreds of hours of “Eurovision” reasons for wanting her by his side. acts on YouTube. Just sort of the way that they work the camera is very interesting. How does he compare to other gay or queer here’s always the lying camera, and they characters that you have played in your career? kind of embrace it lying around them. If I mean, he certainly has a more interesting you know “Eurovision,” there’s always at least wardrobe than say Nick Guest in “Line of one country that submits an oversexualized, Beauty.” I don’t think Nick ever graduated to erotically choreographed number with ire old-glamour camp. But to be honest, it never and leather, so Lemtov is deinitely from really occurred to me. I never sort of think, that school. here’s also a Russian crossover “I have had a quota of gay roles so I can’t take singer, a sort of opera-pop act called Philipp on another one.” Same with “Line of Beauty.” Kirkorov, who if you’re not aware of him It was just an absolutely beautiful book and a a quick Google search will tell you all you beautiful adaptation, so it never really was an need to know about him. He’s a really, really issue for me. sweet man who’s a real sort of feature of “Eurovision.” He’s written a number of songs I believe I read that your first sex scene was in for “Eurovision.” I think he’s performed there “The Line of Beauty.” at least once and he is a Russian superstar. It was one of the irst things I ever did, to Very, very friendly with Putin and apparently be honest. But quite possibly. I haven’t been married with kids. But his wardrobe choice keeping count. and his style might surprise you. That’s what I’m here for. The film points out the dangerous living (Laughs.) Yeah, right. You’ve got the league conditions that LGBTQ people face in Russia, table there. You know, to be honest, when and you recently talked about this with Attitude it comes to onscreen love scenes, they’re all magazine. Did the country’s conservative views fantasy scenes. hey’re all made up. Me and on queerness surprise you? whoever the other person is are not really I think the way it was phrased in Attitude was together in real life, so you’re always entering like I had never even heard of these issues into a fantasy scenario. he very nature of before and suddenly I was like, “Oh, wow, what I do is just sort of jumping into someone guess it’s really dangerous for them.” I was else’s life and exploring the world through very aware of that. And I guess what I meant their eyes, so it feels very much the same for to say is, I wanted to be sensitive to that. You me. couldn’t really do a movie about “Eurovision” I think obviously gay actors have been without touching on that subject; it’s famously playing straight roles for a very, very long time, a safe haven and a great champion of the and maybe not able to openly acknowledge LGBTQ+ community, and it has a huge fan their sexuality in the countries that they base around the world for that very reason. come from. I hope I’m not taking away roles One of the irst trans performers in Israel from gay actors by playing gay roles. I think winning a few years back. Conchita winning. it’s just the nature of acting, really, that I don’t Netta has a huge LGBTQ following. It really think we should necessarily have looked for a embraces that, and it’s a delight for that gay Russian actor to play Alexander Lemtov. reason. And yet some of these performers You could still sort of leap into a role as an come from countries where it’s dangerous actor, within the realms of possibility. to openly acknowledge their sexuality, and however silly our ilm is and however Would you say that with “The Line of Beauty” you ridiculous “Eurovision” is, I think it’s really first became aware that you had LGBTQ fans? important to remember that. See Dan Stevens, continued on p. 20 www.PrideSource.com BTL | July 23, 2020 19 ® Dan Stevens shower in “The Guest”? Continued from p. 19 (Laughs.) I mean, you’d have to look at your league table for that one. I don’t have the stats on that. I suppose that’s where it must’ve started. I mean, it is a really A film you starred in, “Permission,” took a hard look at monogamy beautiful book and I think a very, very beautiful and sensitive and prominently featured a gay couple. Is LGBTQ representation adaptation as well. important to you when you’re considering a project? What was your introduction to the LGBTQ community? Yeah. I mean, that one was particularly interesting because an I think it would’ve been in the National Youth heatre in old friend of mine, Brian Crano, who is himself a married gay London. Growing up, I didn’t have many friends who were writer and director, and David Craig, who is in the ilm, is his openly gay, and so I would’ve been about 15 when I irst went husband and that ilm very much came out of conversations to study – study is a strong word – but I got to go play with that – not just between myself and Brian but Brian and his the National Youth heatre and that’s the irst time that, for circle of friends – have had in the years running up to that many people involved, you’re meeting people from diferent movie. Just about relationships in general, not just LGBTQ, backgrounds from all over the country, and all of them have but about life partners and sexuality. this one thing in common: they love performing. And people I thought it was a really interesting ilm in terms of how from diferent ethnic backgrounds and diferent sexualities as nuanced the discussion was and the questions raised in it. It well. It was a really, really eye-opening experience, and really wasn’t clear cut. And it’s not clear cut. I think that’s the thing. fascinating. Some of those people are still my friends today. I think everyone wants sexuality to be black and white and But yeah, it was a really valuable experience. it’s just not. And everyone wants marriage to be that as well and it’s just not. And I think Brian is particularly sensitive to Which moment in your career helped court a bigger gay audience: that. He introduced me to Dan Savage and the “Savage Love” you as a hairy beast or the scene when you come out of the podcast many, many years ago and I’ve been a very, very long- time listener. I’ve never called in, not yet. What would you ask Dan Savage? Oh god, the list is so long. But I’m a huge, huge fan of Dan Savage and what he has done, not just for the LGBTQ community but actually just for people in general in their relationships. And particularly in the early days. It’s gotten a little less out there, I would say, the call-ins. Or maybe it’s that I’ve gotten less sensitive to some of these things! And about those dance-offs on your show “Legion”: What problems would you solve right now if problems could be solved by psychic dance-offs? (Laughs.) I mean, that is a great question. Psychic dance-ofs could solve all sorts of things right now. And actually I’ve seen in the streets, during some of the protests that have been going on all over the place, that some people have taken to sort of collective dancing and I think that that might actually be a way forward. 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 he New York Times, Vanity Fair, GQ and Billboard. Reach him via Twitter @chrisazzopardi.

Find Puzzle on p.25

20 BTL | July 23, 2020 www.PrideSource.com John Montgomery Talks New Documentary About His CASHIER/CLERK Activist Brother, ‘America You Kill Me’ WANTED Uptown Adult Superstore (Dvd’s, Toys, BY BENJAMIN DECKER etc) o call Jeffrey Montgomery a “The public still thinks Detroit area, must be 18yrs old gay rights activist would be an Tunderstatement. he legacy of the our lives are a political local warrior for LGBTQ rights is being Cashier, stock & cleaning cemented with the new documentary, issue, defined by the “America You Kill Me,” coming out later mythic Gay Agenda. Beneits-Hol/Vac/Health this year. It will take a look at not only Montgomery’s personal life, but his America… You Kill Me! Call (313)869-9477 or come in to apply lifelong ight for gay rights and equality. America kills all of us.” he production team includes Detroit ilmmaker Daniel Land and his brother, John Montgomery. – Jeffrey Montgomery Between he Lines got in contact with John Montgomery to discuss the ilm in- depth and learn about plans for release.

How has the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic affected the production of the documentary? he movie has been in the works for and become active again. So we came seven years. In April, we were supposed up with an idea of sending him on a to be the headline movie at the [Detroit] college lecture tour. Free Press Film Festival — hopefully, We had this woman that would interview now that’ll be in December — but We will see if that happens, if it does we and ilm him talking about all kinds of because of the pandemic that all got will be there. We want to have a lot of topics — from gay marriage to housing canceled. But it gave us the opportunity new people hearing about Jefrey and discrimination, job discrimination, hate to upgrade the movie with more getting involved in the story. [From crimes. he colleges would be able to animations, motion graphics, timelines, the live event] you will get an idea of handpick an interview and he would graphs — that kind of thing. It enabled Jefrey’s work and where the movie come to talk about it. A friend of mine us to have a better movie. stands right now. and Jef’s introduced us to Daniel Land, a local Detroit ilmmaker. He got to Since movie theaters are still closed, how Does the documentary focus on meet Jef and he just bought into the Montgomery’s whole life, or just when he have you been maintaining the general project — thought it was incredible. He public’s interest with the documentary started to get politically active? said, “You know, forget the lecture tour and keeping in touch with them? It starts out with family footage from — we’ll do a full-blown documentary We’re trying to — as we get ready to when he was a little kid and goes on this.” release it — build a community that through his whole life. In the beginning, is following the movie on Facebook, it pretty quickly ends up at his work at Since it has been seven years since the Instagram, etc. So, we got involved with Triangle — what really put him on the film started development, what are the the Woodhull [Freedom] Foundation map. It’s a full story with a rise, a fall and biggest difficulties you have faced besides for sexual freedom because Jef was a a legacy. the COVID-19 lockdown of course? board member and co-founder until Jef was alive for the irst three-and- It has taken a while because it has all he died. hey went to him for advice a-half years we were working on the been done on fundraising. here has for years on any kind of topics. hey movie. And he wanted no editorial been no speciic schedule, but for seven have been doing weekly shows and input on it. It was up to Daniel Land, years we have been doing fundraisers events through Facebook Live. his our ilmmaker and director, and myself to raise money for the ilm. For a few week, Saturday the 18, which is also the as to what the editorial content will be. years, progress was really slow. In 2018, fourth anniversary of Jefrey’s death, We couldn’t make it a luf piece, so we we got a really good donation from a they are featuring Jef and the movie. deal with the rise of the fall and what woman in Rhode Island and we were It is from four to 5 o’clock on Facebook happened at the end. able to get the movie done. What we Live. here will be clips and outtakes How did production on this movie start, or, are doing now is involving fundraising. from the movie, I know I also have an in other words, what was the inspiration We just got ailiated with Documentary interview in there. It inishes up with a Educational Resources and they have for it? live panel with three big time activists, become our iscal supporter. It enables Cathy Renna, Mandy Carter and Ricci What happened was in 2012 I had a us to have a 501(c)(3) involved in Levy. restaurant that went out of business. fundraising. We just have hope the At the same time, Jefrey’s health was world premiere will be in December. Do you have plans for when the failing so I became his caretaker. I documentary will be officially released? did that for about three-and-a-half To RSVP for the upcoming event, visit he Free Press said they will have the years. But during that time he decided gaybe.am/tu. festival in the irst week of December. he wanted to come out of retirement www.PrideSource.com BTL | July 23, 2020 21 Screen Queen Criterion Films Celebrate Diversity in All Its Forms

community members, she speaks to her in a way no one likely ever who teach Rivers queer has, her attraction expressed fervidly through ‘The Prince of Tides’ slang; a new sit-down sometimes nothing more than small, stolen arbra Streisand has garnered far less with Livingston, Sol moments when she ixes her enraptured eyes attention for her work behind the camera Pendavis, Freddie on Heloise. Aesthetically, the ilm is a ravishing Bthan in front of it, even though she was Pendavis and ilmmaker work of art all its own, a kind of visual poetry instrumental in dismantling the status quo Thomas Allen Harris; that cinematographer Claire Mathon captures of male-dominated directors. And so her and over an hour of to breathtaking efect. In stunning 4K, Criterion ilm “he Prince of Tides” rightfully deserves never-before-seen emphasizes the sumptuous beauty rendered in Criterion treatment, with all the bells and footage. “Now more each scene. Beyond the ilm itself, the Blu-ray whistles presented here, including a stunning than ever, the call includes a new conversation with Sciamma 4K transfer and lots of Babs. She is featured in for realness, that and ilm critic Dana Stevens, new interviews several interviews, and provides a thoughtful reverberating standard with Haenel and Merlant, and an interview audio commentary, recorded in 1991 and of ball excellence, is with Mathon. updated in required,” writes Black 2019. here’s LGBTQ activist and audition and filmmaker Michelle ‘All About My Mother’ rehearsal Parkerson in an essay in n the 1999 Spanish drama “All About My f o o t a g e , the 38-page liner notes Mother,” the celebrated gay ilm visionary behind- of the Criterion release, IPedro Almodóvar’s reverence for women the-scenes which also includes a movingly permeates every vibrant frame of footage and 1991 review by the late, his loving ode an alternate Black gay poet and to sisterhood. ending that BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI activist Essex Hemphill. Self-assembled features a In 2020, the ilm’s urgency can be heard loud family units s o n g t h a t and clear: our greatest act of deiance, it reminds are, of course, S t r e i s a n d ‘Paris Is Burning’ us, is living authentically, for the whole world a dynamic wrote for the to see. n “Paris Is Burning,” a strut is a defiant that is an oft- ilm called “Places hat Belong to You,” cut act, an exertion of suppressed power. In necessary from the movie so as not to distract from the the mid-to-late 1980s, when the landmark way of life for ilm’s central character study. Released in 1992, I ‘Portrait of a Lady on Fire’ members of “he Prince of Tides” was Streisand’s second documentary was ilmed, these moves couldn’t be showcased just anywhere. Today the same orbidden love lourishes in the quietest the LGBTQ feature as a director, ater her 1983 telling of is true, as the call to end violence against trans of corners, outside of view, beyond the community, “Yentl.” So emotionally invested in Pat Conroy’s people and to confront transphobia persists. Fpatriarchal pressures of conformant. which “All novel of the same name years before its release, Given the number of trans people killed since So it goes in A b o u t M y Streisand’s cinematic take on the story, which the doc was released (and the surge of trans writer-director Mother” honors through the character of she also starred in and produced, scored seven murders currently making headlines), that call Céline Sciamma’s Agrado (played by Spanish actress Antonia Oscar nominations and traverses genre borders, seems, still, to fall on deaf ears. And so white, achingly San Juan), an early figure of transgender from schmaltzy romance to family drama and, queer, non-trans director Jennie Livingston’s beautiful, queer- representation, and the way in which during the ilm’s most horriic reveal, a shocking 1990 ilm remains iercely important, as much feminist love Almodóvar matter-of-factly folds her into a thriller. he ilm features the multi-hyphenate a time capsule as a relection on how much story “Portrait of blended family of characteristically diverse living legend as Dr. Susan Lowenstein, a progress has been made (and has yet to be a Lady on Fire,” women. Those women include Sister Rosa psychiatrist who unearths one family’s buried made), its haunting relevance resonating yet where ire, oten (Penélope Cruz), an HIV-positive nun; Huma trauma. She does so through regular meetings again during our modern LGBTQ and Black in a literal sense Rojo (Marisa Paredes), an iconic actress; and with Tom Wingo (Nick Nolte) ater his sister, Lives Matter movements. At the time of its (there is lots of the ilm’s grief-stricken protagonist, Manuela Savannah, attempts suicide. Of note: George release, Livingston’s doc illuminated issues of actual ire), burns (Cecilia Roth), whose determination to stay Carlin as Eddie Detreville, Savannah’s trusted transphobia, racism, AIDS and poverty through iercely and freely connected to her teenage son ater his sudden gay neighbor, and Streisand’s gay son Jason intimate, everyday depictions of legendary between two women, one an enamored painter, death leads her to discover the magic of chosen Gould, who plays her son in the ilm. Moving voguers, drag queens and trans women, the other her reluctant subject. Sciamma sets family and the healing bonds those relationships through, and past, trauma is the ilm’s crux, including Pepper LaBeija, Dorian Corey her story in the late 18th century, during the engender. In a 1999 written tribute republished until it makes a full-on soap-opera leap and and Venus Xtravaganza, as they found both dawn of the Romantic era. A young painter, in Criterion’s digital restoration of the ilm, centers the soppy love-conquers-all romance refuge from the oppressive outside world and a Marianne, played by French actress Noémie Almodóvar relects on whimsical distortions between Streisand and Nolte, undermining the unifying sense of community within the drag- Merlant, arrives on a remote island of the coast of truth for the screen, and a perspective his drama’s stronger, more complex themes. What’s ball scene. “Paris Is Burning” introduced shade of France to paint Heloise, played by French mother shared with him as a child that became admirable, though, is how, nearly three decades and voguing; it was the doc that opened the door actress Adèle Haenel. he portrait is to be her the impetus for “All About My Mother,” one ago, Streisand shined a light on the potential for TV’s groundbreaking trans-centric show wedding portrait, but Heloise doesn’t want that is hard to argue with: “how reality needs danger of toxic masculinity and nurtured “Pose” and Netlix’s new doc on trans depiction to marry the man she is about to wed, so she iction in order to be complete, more pleasant, a project that encouraged men to embrace in media, “Disclosure,” which acknowledges refuses to pose. As Marianne’s relationship with more livable.” Elsewhere, Criterion’s Blu-ray sensitivity and vulnerability. the classic doc’s historical signiicance while Heloise blossoms, it’s clear she will have a better release includes a 52-minute documentary from also critiquing it for being exploitative of a chance at capturing Heloise than the previous 2012 on the making of the ilm, a TV program Chris Azzopardi is the editor of Q Syndicate, seriously marginalized community. The portrait artist, who let without accomplishing featuring Almodóvar and his mother, and a the LGBTQ wire service. His work has also Criterion Collection’s digital restoration of the task of painting Heloise. But Marianne post-screening Q&A from 2019. appeared in he New York Times, Vanity Fair, the ilm features an episode of “he Joan Rivers is diferent, patient. She draws Heloise from GQ and Billboard. Reach him via Twitter Show” from 1991, with Livingston and ball memory in secret until she establishes her trust; @chrisazzopardi. 22 BTL | July 23, 2020 www.PrideSource.com CAGE FREE 24 / 7 HAPPY HOUNDS FORBOARDING IN COMFORT DOGSDay & Overnight Care! WHO DON’T LIKE TO BE TREATED LIKE ANIMALS

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(734) 459-3647 or visit 673 S. Main, Plymouth, Michigan www.HappyHoundsDayCare.com www.PrideSource.com BTL | July 23, 2020 23 Deep Inside Hollywood BY ROMEO SAN VICENTE Look fashion forward to Some queer Hallmark ‘Halston’ with Ewan McGregor True fans of the late Roy Halston already dug Christmas movies are deep into “Halston,” last year’s documentary coming. Ho ho ho. that wore his last name. And it seemed like 2020 was going to give us For a long time we were another helping, this time comfortable allowing straight a narrative mini-series people to have Hallmark starring Ewan McGregor Christmas movies. It seemed as the late designer whose weirdly their thing and it name deined sophisticated was fine because everyone ’70s glamour. You know the knows those movies are … punchline of that grim joke not good. But then came last already, as production shut year’s miniature right-wing down several months ago. irestorm about a lesbian couple But when it’s safe to do so, in a commercial that aired Ewan McGregor. Photo: Starfrenzy it’ll up and run again on the one (shocking!) time on the series that promises a deep Hallmark Channel, and suddenly dive in the pool of ’70s excess. every member of the LGBTQIA+ community McGregor is, of course, still in. Rory Culkin stood up together and demanded to be the will play the late gay director Joel Schumacher. focus of a movie about someone who returns to he project is scripted by Ian Brennan (“Glee”) their hometown bakery at Christmas and inds and Sharr White (“he Afair”), directed by lukewarm romance. Now that collective wish Daniel Minahan (“True Blood”), and ittingly, is coming true, as Hallmark has announced very queerly executive produced by Christine some inclusion, in the form of queer characters Vachon and Ryan Murphy, among others. So all and story lines, coming for the 2020 Christmas you have to do now is keep your look together movie season. Crown Media spokesperson until – well, OK, we have no idea until when, but George Zaralidis has been quoted as saying that the future is full of hope and yours to imagine. the company wants the ilms to be a place “where Have you even seen the documentary yet? Go everyone feels welcome,” which is nice. And watch the documentary. It’s great and Liza’s in since the channel’s Christmas programming it, so hurry up now. starts in October before the Halloween candy is consumed, you won’t have long to wait. Pedro Almodóvar and Tilda CW casts a fresh lead for Swinton are shooting a ‘Batwoman’: Javicia Leslie movie now. Yes, now. hough she’s not yet a household name, you Undaunted and fully swaddled in protective may remember Javicia Leslie as a regular on the gear, a new ilm is in production from proliic two-season run of the very strange, Millennial- gay Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar and minded and ecumenically spiritual CBS drama star Tilda Swinton. Nope, it’s not being shot via “God Friended Me.” On that show she played a Zoom, but it is a one-person cast and, based on young lesbian bartender, and of camera Leslie the publicity photo, Almodóvar might even be is out, bisexual, and already has a new job: a one-person crew. he project is “he Human she’s Batwoman on the CW series of the same Voice,” a short feature based on the play of the name. When actor Ruby Rose let “Batwoman” same name from the legendary 20th-century ater one season, the assumption was that the queer French playwright and director Jean show would simply recast the role; Batwoman’s Cocteau. The action takes place in one act, normie name was Kate Kane and that seemed involving the main character calling a former to be how things would stay locked in. But in lover for the last time, as that person is due a fascinating wrinkle, the series will be getting to marry another person the next day. The a new lead character named Ryan Wilder, adaptation will update the action to the current played by Leslie. The character, according century, but the psychological complexities will to the official casting call, will be “the most most certainly remain timeless. he project was dangerous type of ighter: highly skilled and due to begin earlier this year, but ater some wildly undisciplined. An out lesbian. Athletic. recalibrating of the logistics of how a ilm gets Raw. Passionate. Fallible. And very much not made in the middle of a global pandemic, your stereotypical All-American hero.” Now director and star began shooting in Madrid all that needs to happen is production starting last week. up again, probably sometime in 2021, because more lesbian crimeighters dressed as bats are Romeo San Vicente keeps in warm and gracious how we will keep coping. touch with all former lovers.

24 BTL | July 23, 2020 www.PrideSource.com 37 What to do with your best shot, 11 “PrÍt-‡-Porter” actress to Benatar 12 Cole Porter’s “___ I Kissed My 38 “ ___ For All Seasons” Baby Goodbye” 39 End of the reason 13 Hit in the family jewels 42 Guesstimate from the cockpit 18 Kind of enc. 43 Works with visual effects 21 Takei’s “Star Trek” role 44 Frost over 23 Crooks crack them 46 Like John Hurt’s Caligula 24 Broadway composer Jerome 48 Czech champ of tennis 25 Ending with switch 51 El Greco’s homeland 26 Adam and Steve’s favorite James 52 Randy Rainbow songs, for Dean movie? example 27 Home of Picasso’s Stein portrait 55 Fill with cargo 30 Terminal in Chicago 56 Follow-up series to a movie 31 Baseball glove about Simon 32 Hot time for Colette 58 Pt. of AARP 33 Russian singing duo 59 McCormack of a rebooted series 34 Move the football between your 60 Homonym for Chaz’s mom legs 61 Triple X, for Caesar 36 Workplace for Michelangelo 62 Got going 40 Type of crime 63 Trojan beauty 41 Language of “Fiddler on the Roof,” historically Q Puzzle Down 45 You’ve heard it before After Simon 19 Who deserves malice, to Lincoln 46 Fame 20 Top Greek philosopher 1 “ ___ Hunter Confidential” 47 Body build Across 21 Spaghetti topping 2 Tributes in verse 48 “Alice” star Linda 22 What comes out of your head 3 Word after fish, in slang 49 With blood rushing to the head 1 The bottom line 23 Got in a pet 4 “Sorry, I have a headache tonight 50 Mo. to vote against homophobe 6 “___ Walked Into My Life” 24 Carolyn, who wrote about a ...” prop Trump 10 Fashion accessory for Zorro Nancy 5 Miraculous cure shrine 52 Minute opening 14 Town in a Hersey novel 27 Daughter of a gay-friendly 6 Marvin Gaye’s “___ Little Girl” 53 List ender 15 Actor with no lines president 7 Band members blow them 54 Kind of loser 16 Way to come 28 Pitching stat 8 Med. care providers 56 “Ben Hur” novelist Wallace 17 Start of the reason that the title 29 More of the reason 9 Always, to Byron 57 Kevin Bacon in “Footloose” character of 57-Across texted “Screw 35 Diana or Betsy 10 Da Vinci signature piece you!” to Simon Clues P. 20

www.PrideSource.com BTL | July 23, 2020 25 Find over 300 Non-Proit Listings Serving Michigan’s LGBTQ Online @ pridesource.com

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

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