AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH SCISSOR SISTERS PUBLISHER REFLECTS ON VISIT TO WHITE HOUSE LANSING, FERNDALE PRIDE FESTIVAL COVERAGE VAGINAS TAKE BACK CAPITOL POLITICIANS, PLAYWRIGHT AND ACTRESSES UNITE FOR ‘THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES’ PRIDESOURCE.COM JUNE 21, 2012 | VOL. 2025 | FREE 2 BTL \ June 21, 2012 www.PrideSource.com www.PrideSource.com June 21, 2012 / BTL 3 6.21.2012 Cover story 10 | Heard on Facebook The benefits of the gay gene 4 | Vaginas take back the Capitol Politicians, playwright, actresses unite on the 10 | S/he Said Capitol steps for “The Vagina Monologues” Bigotry and the Boy Scouts Large photo: Protestor carries sign reading “I can’t believe we still have to deal with this shit” Photo: Todd Heywood; Inset photo of State Rep. 12 | Parting Glances Barbara Byrum Byrum, State Rep. Lisa Brown, No believe it or why not? playwright Eve Ensler, State Sen. Rebekkah Warren (D- Ann Arbor). Photo: Bridgette Redman News Life 5 | Petitions filed to recall Troy Mayor 17 | Sister Act Daniels makes more antigay Jake and Ana talk 10 years together, remarks on talk radio show who’s gayer and disco idols 6 | Sunny Rainbow Run, then rain for Ferndale 18 | Hear Me Out Pride Kylie Minogue keeps the compilations 7,000 converge on Ferndale, new coming. Plus: “Rock of Ages” surprises faces attend festivities 7 | 3K gather for festival, 1K for political rally 19 | General Gayety Puzzling out the Phelpsians 9 | National group’s work for older LGBT adults focus of Detroit gathering 22 | Cool Cities: Ann Arbor Older Adult Coalition moves closer Jim Toy Pride Dinner to award to forming SAGE chapter scholar, advocate Sandra Cole 11 | Saginaw LGBT banquet to honor local 27 | Ringwald’s Gay Play Series fills the bill activists, businesses, politicians with talent 12 | Novi arson latest in life of challenges for Stacy Barker 28 | Happenings Featured: Aretha Franklin on June 22 13 | NC couples sue federally for second parent adoption Rear View 15 | Between Ourselves Meet Tyler Bradley 30 | Puzzle Opinions 31 | Horoscopes 8 | BTL Editorial 32 | Classifieds Thank you, Mr President 33 | Dear Jody 9 | Viewpoint Taking care of ‘Family’: Exploring the needs of our LGBT elders 34 | Cocktail Chatter JOIN THE CONVERSATION @ Get breaking news updates. Email your op–eds and letters to Follow us @YourBTL [email protected] Receive our E–Digest – just sign up Chat on our FB Fan Page. Search today online “Between The Lines Newspaper” 4 BTL \ June 21, 2012 \ Michigan News www.PrideSource.com Vaginas take back the Capitol Politicians, playwright, actresses unite on the Capitol steps for ‘The Vagina Monologues’ BY BRIDGETTE M. REDMAN LANSING – Thousands showed up to the Capitol Monday night protesting the silencing of Rep. Lisa Brown, D-West Bloomfield, and Rep. Barb Byrum, D-Onondaga. In an event titled “Vaginas Take Back the Capitol,” female Democratic lawmakers and professional actresses from around the state were led by Tony Award-winning playwright Eve Ensler in a rally and a performance of Ensler’s “Vagina Monologues.” Nor did it seem to make much difference to protesters whether Michigan House Speaker Jase Bolger, R-Marshall, instituted the one-day speaking ban because Brown used the word “vagina” or whether it was because her saying “no means no” likened the bill to date rape. “I was really unbelievably disgusted by their First Amendment rights being violated,” said Andy Adamson, Ann Arbor, who attended the rally with his wife. “That’s why I have this sign: First aMENdment includes WOMEN.” Brown said she felt compelled to speak against a bill that she described as overturning Roe v. Wade. “I decided I needed to speak in opposition to this bill, because we’re not going to let legislators turn the clock back to the ‘60s where women didn’t have a right to abortion and weren’t Over three thousand people attended the rally and performance of the Vagina Monologues on the state capitol steps June 15. BTL photos Bridgette Redman. insured they were going to have access to safe health care,” Brown explained. “In my speech, know Speaker Bolger has probably used worse Theater in California and had but a single day comes from. I am over the Michigan state I made a few points, but I dared utter the word language at his country club than what he heard off which she spent flying to Michigan for the legislature refusing to let Lisa Brown speak ‘vagina.’ We shouldn’t be legislating vaginas if on that floor.” performance of “The Vagina Monologues.” because they find the word vagina contemptible you can’t say vaginas.” Not everyone was angry with Bolger, “I had to be here. Know why? Because these or out of bounds or lacking in decorum. My Byrum’s ban came after she objected to however. Penny Gardner, president of the women stood up for our rights…and they were vagina’s got decorum.” the Speaker not allowing her to speak to an Lansing Association of Human Rights, saw the shut down. No one can put the genie back in the On the Tuesday following the performance, amendment she had proposed to the abortion ban having at least one positive outcome, “If it bottle. The vaginas are out and we are here to Byrum said she would be speaking at an Obama bill being debated. mobilizes this many people to get here, I want stay,” Ensler said. rally and that she was fairly certain she would “I was denied the right to speak to my to thank Jase Bolger. I want to send him a thank- Monologues ranging from comic to tragic be allowed to say ‘vagina’ during it. amendment,” Byrum told the crowds Monday you note and tell him I think this is incredible. to reflective – but all involving the vagina – were “In fact,” she said, “I think they might be evening. “(The Speaker) gaveled my amendment We haven’t had this many people at the Capitol performed by both female legislators and many of upset if I don’t say it. I’m energized and I am so down. Then, being the daughter my mother raised for any of the things I support until now, and it the theater industry’s most recognized actresses. thankful my mom taught me to be an outspoken me – hi, Mommy! – I said ‘vasectomy,’ there I came in a heartbeat.” Clara Lepard, whose step-mother, Emily woman.” said it, and I was gaveled that I was out of order.” Sutton-Smith, was performing a monologue The protest drew people of all ages, from A speaker for Bolger, Ari Adler, said ‘Vagina’ heard everywhere about a Bosnian woman who was assaulted toddlers wearing onesies stating “Viva Vagina” Byrum’s ban the next day came not for saying repeatedly in a rape camp, was out supporting and “I’m grateful for my mom’s vagina” to ‘vasectomy,’ but “for marching through the While ‘vagina’ may have been banned on the performance because of the speaking ban. veterans of the feminist battles. chamber and shouting like a small child throwing the House floor, the word was in widespread “I think it is ridiculous, and I’m glad to “I am so tired of this fight, and I say it is a temper tantrum.” use Monday evening, from attendees chanting see so many people are out here and making a time for the young people to stand up,” said Amy Geishert from Lansing, who carried the word, to the signs being carried and by fuss because it deserves that sort of response,” Sandra Ducklow, 68, of Waterford. “Where are a sign at the protest Monday stating, “Male the 30-some performers of Ensler’s “Vagina Lepard said. the Gloria Steinems? Tell me. Bring them on.” Reps Have Opinions. Female Reps Have Monologues,” directed by Performance In an impassioned speech at the end of the Other signs expressed disbelief that this Temper Tantrums,” was offended by such Network’s associate artistic director Carla “Monologues,” Ensler listed all of the things she battle was still happening. “I can’t believe we still characterization. “It is sexist, plain and simple. Milarch. was over – focusing primarily on the violence have to deal with this S—T” was a sign carried (The democratic representatives) were making Ensler, who followed Brown and Byrum against women and those who value the life of by a woman dressed in turn-of-the-century respectful opinions. It is just a double standard. on the steps, was quick to praise all who came a fetus over the life of a woman. She said those emancipation style dress while another sign I’m very proud of them for standing up and out and the two legislators. “I am so proud of who are truly pro-life would have an entirely asked, “Didn’t we do this already?” having a press conference and (this event).” Michigan. I am so proud you came out. You have different attitude toward women. “It’s outrageous,” said Kathleen Herrick Lance Enderle, a candidate for U.S. sheroes here. You have sheroes in your midst.” “You will honor them and even worship of Okemos. “We fought this fight, I thought 40 Congress in the 8th District, agreed. Ensler is currently rehearsing a new play, their vaginas,” she said. “And there is nothing dirty or disgusting about the place that all life “What happened – that was uncalled for. I “Emotional Creature,” at Berkeley Repertory See Vagina, page 6 www.PrideSource.com Michigan News / June 21, 2012 / BTL 5 Petitions filed to recall Troy Mayor Daniels makes more antigay remarks on talk radio show BY KATE OPALEWSKI the Troy Transist Center, Mayor Daniels put her ideology over the best interests of Troy PONTIAC – In an effort to remove the residents and business community.