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‘Triptych’ Explores Robert Mapplethorpe’s Artistic Impact
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NEWS
Transgender Thought Leader Says ‘Transphobia Is a Sin’
J Mase III Aims to Change the Course of History on Transgender Issues
BY JASON A. MICHAEL
P “ learned
oet, educator and self-described thought
leader, J. Mase III will be speaking at the This is work that I’ve
opening ceremony for LGBTQ Week at
Oakland University on March 12. Mase will be just by doing.
speaking about faith and the criminalization
of the black trans body through poetry and a
A lot of people have to
discussion. As a trans man, Mase said he was get credentials, but my
a unique insight into the issue.
“What brought me into doing this credentials come from life.
intentionally was working at an LGBTQ youth From helping communities
center in Philly where much of my job was
outreach and education work with providers of like mine, that’s where I
gained my expertise.
”
youth services,” Mase explained. “The questions
I was getting from medical providers, teachers,
social workers ... many were not unclear about
the physical pieces of taking care of trans youth, - J. Mase III
but rather were asking specific questions about
whether or not they would be sending a child
to hell by affirming this truth about them.”
Mase said that what “clicked” while doing about religious-based violence. The campaign
that outreach was that as a member of the black, itself is still ongoing and folks are welcome to
transgender community, often his life, and add photos to the hashtag #TransphobiaIsASin
the lives others within that group, is dictated on all social media.”
by not only his own religious practice, but by The fact that the campaign is word and
that of others. message-focused is not a mistake, either. At
“Which impacts our ability to access work, the heart of all Mase does is his love of words,
housing, medical care and physical safety,” for he is a poet first and foremost.
he said. “I have wanted to be a poet since I was 8
Though he has a bachelor’s degree in years old and learned what poems are,” Mase
multicultural relationships, Mase said it’s not said. “Yet, I didn’t become a full-time poet and
his institutional experience that qualifies him educator until I, like a vast portion of black
to do this educational work. trans people, got pushed out of 9-to-5 work.
“This is work that I’ve learned just by doing,” Being an artist is often one of the few accessible
he said. “A lot of people have to get credentials, work forms for black trans people in which we
but my credentials come from life. From helping get to have our own autonomy and demand a
communities like mine, that’s where I gained living wage while preserving a legacy of black
my expertise.” trans culture and resistance.”
Recently, Mase has been speaking out about Mase said he enjoys his work even if life is a
a new Human Rights Campaign report released little rougher on the road in this new MAGA
in November. Titled “A National Epidemic: like the pastor in the pulpit. roots in colonization and white supremacy, it is era.
Fatal Anti-Transgender Violence in America “Much of the things we are facing stems part poems, part spells and part prayers,” Mase “When it comes to traveling these days as a
in 2018,” the report includes many sobering from a view of religion that allows trans said. “No other resource exists like it and it will black trans person who is queer and reads as
statistics. For instance, more than 22 trans people, and especially black trans people, to be be the first of its kind.” trans or queer often, I have noticed an uptick
women have been killed since the beginning of dehumanized,” Mase continued. “It is one thing Mase is currently accepting donations to help in people being antagonistic when I am on the
2018. Of those, 82 percent have been women of for someone not to like you. It is another for with this project. But perhaps Mase’s biggest road,” he said. “White folks, cisgender folks,
color and 64 percent were under the age of 35. them to say that not even their God likes you. project to date has been the #TransphobiaIsASin straight folks are definitely feeling way more
“Thinking about Kelly Stough, who was From that place, many learn the language and campaign. entitled to harass people, including me. It is
murdered [in Detroit] by a pastor recently; practice of viewing trans people as something “The campaign came out of the work we definitely more stressful being on the road
thinking about the rising numbers of anti- other than worthy of care and protection.” had already been doing to lay the groundwork these days to me, than say, even five years ago.
trans violence that physically targets black And when not traveling the college circuit, for the ‘Black Trans Prayer Book,’” Mase said. That also reminds me how necessary the work
trans women and femmes; thinking about the Mase is working on a new project called the “Back in January, we had participants from at myself and Dane do is.”
legislative antagonism we are facing, which “Black Trans Prayer Book” that he is co-editing least six countries on three continents share
also has some roots in the ways that large along with collaborator Lady Dane Figueroa photos with one of four phrases: ‘Transphobia J. Mase III will be at speaking at Oakland
LGBTQ organizations intentionally divested Edidi. The project is an interfaith resource Is a Sin,’ ‘Transphobia Is Harem,’ ‘Trans People University at noon on March 12 at Oakland
from protecting trans people in the ‘90s and dedicated to healing members of the black Are Divine’ or ‘Trans People Exist Because Our Center, Suite 151, Gold Rooms A&B, 312
beyond; thinking about the harassment we get transgender community and allies to them. Ancestors Existed.’ We wanted to get people Meadow Brook Road in Rochester. For more
on the street,” Mase said. “That can sound a lot “It is part history that links transphobia to both in and out of religious communities to talk information on Mase, visit jmaseiii.com.
6 BTL | March 7, 2019 www.PrideSource.com
Stand With Trans Expands Ally Moms
Program to Include All Parents
BY EVE KUCHARSKI grown so much since its inception that almost
F
all 50 states have Ally Parents ready to offer
eeling alone or misunderstood in one’s support services to youth in need. Keith added
adolescent years is, for many, a rite of that once the current round of applications are
passage. Especially within the LGBTQ processed that they will number close to 400,
community, that period often leads those and the service is on track to have 600 active
enduring it to discover more about themselves parents receiving calls by the end of 2019. For
and find a group of peers who feel similarly. those interested in becoming a Ally Parent, the
However, for those who aren’t able to find such requirements are simple: an applicant must
a support group there can be consequences be the parent of transgender child and pass a
that range from anxiety, feelings of isolation, background check. Once approved, a training
depression and, in some instances, suicide. video will go over basic listening skills and,
Stand With Trans is a nonprofit dedicated to perhaps most importantly, what parents should
aiding transgender Youth, and its Founder Roz do if they encounter a caller in crisis.
Keith said it was a story of suicide that inspired “Once they get approved, we send them the
welcome letter and
a link to the training
video. Basically, it’s
run by two people
who are well-versed
in working with
at-risk youth and
youth who have
been in vulnerable
situations,” Keith
said. “A lot of it is
about good listening
skills and how to
ass ess if t here’s
a crisis because
we’re not cr is is
counselors and we’re
not therapists. So if
her to create a helpline for transgender youth. there’s a safety issue happening, then that’s one
“Ally Parents started as a way to provide love behavior that they know they need to refer them
and support over the phone for trans youth who to call 911 or the Trans Lifeline or the Trevor
perhaps were not getting that at home. It started Project. We don’t try to resolve those issues,
about four years ago when we heard about the and the video will make the parent aware of
passing of Leelah Alcorn, a young transgender what to watch out for.”
woman who did not have the support and was Then parents are invited into the private
not recognized as a trans girl,” Keith said. “She Ally Parents Facebook group where they can
was misgendered by family and finally just share information about transgender resources
couldn’t take the pain any longer. Unfortunately, available to their callers locally, seek advice from
that was her way out.” other parents on how best to advise their callers
Now as of February 2019 the service is called and view Facebook Live events that cover Ally
Ally Parents, but those familiar with it may Parents-specific issues. Keith, who is also an
remember it being originally titled Ally Moms. Ally Parent herself, said that it’s rewarding being
Keith said that there was “something so sweet” a part of someone’s transition process because
about the idea of moms of trans kids serving the correspondences offer a benchmark into a
as support centers for youth in need. youth’s forward progress.
“But as we grew and as we got more and “Generally, if there’s somebody who reaches
more requests, we realized that we needed to out and clicks with one parent, they will reach
expand the offering and open up the group to out from time to time. I know I have people
all parents of transgender individuals,” Keith that I might not hear from for a few months
said. “We have right now 250-plus moms on the and then, all of a sudden, they’ll pop up and
list, but we probably have about 100 requests send me some random text letting me know
on the list that are being processed. And then, something or that they made progress at home,”
within that, we have started to process requests Keith said. “That’s kind of fun because you can
from the dads and other parents. And if a parent see how their transition is going.”
doesn’t identify as mom or dad, we felt that [the
name] Ally Parents was a way to not specifically To find out more about Stand With Trans and the
gender the parent.” Ally Parents program go online to standwithtrans.
Keith said that interest in the program has org.
www.PrideSource.com March 7, 2019 | BTL 7
Michigan Churches React as UMC Maintains
Plan to Ban Same-Sex Marriage, LGBTQ Clergy
Bishop David Alan Bard Says Constitutionality of Traditional Plan May Be in Question
BY KATE OPALEWSKI
T
he debate over LGBTQ issues may finally
split the United Methodist Church,
America’s second-largest Protestant
denomination.
Following a special session of the church’s
General Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, over
the weekend, delegates voted down the One
Church Plan on Tuesday, Feb. 26. The proposal
was submitted by more progressive members
of the global church to lift the denomination’s
ban on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ clergy.
With the threat of schism looming, a
majority of the Council of Bishops in May
2018 recommended the One Church Plan as
a way forward through the denomination’s
nearly 50-year-old battle over homosexuality. It
would have let individual churches and regional
bodies decide whether to ordain and marry
LGBTQ members.
Michigan Bishop David Alan Bard is one of
those bishops.
“It was a difficult day, chaotic in terms of just
the legislative process,” he said.
The One Church Plan was first rejected
during a preliminary vote on Monday, Feb.
25, getting only 47 percent support. It was
Michigan Bishop David Alan Bard is one of the bishops who recommended the One Church Plan. It would have let individual churches and regional bodies the right to
presented again by the Rev. Tom Berlin of decide whether to ordain and marry LGBTQ members.
Virginia as a minority report during the plenary
session of the General Conference made up of homosexuality.” marginalized in the church,” Bard said. “Our Plan will prompt church members to leave.
of 864 invited delegates, split evenly between These provisions have been on the books families, our friends, we hurt. We feel that hurt The loss of church membership is complex
laypeople and clergy. About 43 percent of the for years, repeatedly reaffirmed by General and the important thing is not to minimize that. and while it can’t be traced simply to LGBTQ
delegates were from abroad, mostly from Africa, Conference, which takes place every four years. Acknowledge the depth and pain of that hurt inclusion, Bard said that is a concern.
and overwhelmingly supported the LGBTQ Throughout that time, Bard has been and stand with each other in the midst of that.” “There are some broad social forces that
bans. This top lawmaking body makes decisions traveling across the state holding dozens of While members of the community may feel have affected every mainline denomination
for the church and is the only body that can listening sessions at local churches to hear like they’re done with the church after Tuesday’s in the U.S. and are also impacting the UMC,”
officially speak on behalf of the church. questions and concerns from members of the decision, Bard urges them to breathe and he said. “Even if we get to a place of greater
Berlin, a member of the church’s legislative community about how the church is addressing reassess as there are a number of unknowns. LBGTQ inclusion, that does not fully resolve
committee, made a final push to substitute human sexuality. “Take a couple of steps back and engage your the issue of declining membership. That is why
the One Church Plan for the Traditional Plan, “One of the most important aspects of these thinking as well as your feeling,” he said, noting we continue to focus on mission and ministry
asking delegates to otherwise abstain from listening sessions is learning how to share there is a chance the Traditional Plan may be that serves our local communities.”
voting for the more conservative legislation. what’s on our hearts without causing harm to ruled unconstitutional by the Judicial Council. In Michigan, the denomination serves
The One Church Plan minority report failed others. I think it has helped,” Bard said. “We “The Traditional Plan seeks to add some thousands of residents through local
by 75 votes. have also provided lots of resources to local provisions for more strongly enforcing those community mission programs including
The Traditional Plan, which delegates from churches who want to learn more and start provisions if a clergy or bishop violates those. disaster response, homeless shelters, food
around the world voted 438-384 to pass, will their own dialogues. Right now, our United What’s still left to be determined, however, banks, free stores, after-school mentoring
reinforce the church’s current positions. Methodist Church polity is under question, is the constitutionality of some of those and tutoring programs, summer camps and
The Book of Discipline teaches that but historically, it is what has held our church enforcement provisions,” Bard said. “The others – all of which could be impacted by the
homosexual practice – as well as all other together. We continue to discuss, debate and Judicial Council on a couple of occasions has vote. Since 1972, the UMC, which claims about
extramarital sex – is inherently immoral, pray on how to move forward.” identified constitutional problems with the 12.6 million members worldwide, including
bans “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” Traditional Plan, and they may or may not nearly 7 million in the U.S., has kept its policy
from being clergy, forbids their ministers
from performing or their congregations from
Where Do We Go From Here? have been rectified during the amendment
process today.”
against homosexuality. Many of the growing
communities in the Philippines or countries in
hosting same-sex wedding ceremonies, and “It’s really important to acknowledge that If that happens, the One Church Plan may Africa are committed to theological teachings
forbids the use of official denominational funds our current language about LGBTQ people is be brought back as a minority report. Despite against same-sex relationships and marriages.
from being used “to promote the acceptance experienced as tremendously hurtful. They feel that, Berlin said the passing of the Traditional Yet there has been an increasingly public
8 BTL | March 7, 2019 www.PrideSource.com
movement of more liberal United Methodists Given where they are as a congregation, the
openly defying these standards. In May 2016, Rev. Janet Gaston Petty of the Metropolitan
111 members of the clergy signed and released United Methodist Church in Detroit was
a letter saying they identified as LGTBQ. About also hopeful the One Church Plan would be
80 percent of the pastors, deacons, elders and considered because it would have allowed for
ministry candidates who signed the letter said further dialogue.
they were coming out publicly to their bishops “Metropolitan is a ver y welcoming
and district superintendents for the first time. congregation in theory,” she said. “What I mean
Six in 10 United Methodists in the U.S. believe by that is our former minister of music is a
homosexuality should be accepted, according gay man who has a husband and a family. The
to a Pew Research Center Report. Despite its church appreciated his ministry and embraced
policy against homosexuality, the New York his family. I only had the privilege of working
Times points out that some congregations have with him for a few weeks. He made the decision
celebrated same-sex weddings and had LGBTQ to leave his employment with Metropolitan
pastors, at times receiving church approval to United Methodist Church because he was
do so even though it technically violated church concerned about the General Conference’s
policy. The report said, “Punishment of those stance on human sexuality issues. That being
who violated the rules has been uneven, and said, I am aware that we have members
church trials for the few who were sanctioned who consider homosexuality a sin and they
have been unpopular.” Under the Traditional would strongly support not changing the
Plan, regional bodies would be compelled to denomination’s position on this matter.”
expel LGBTQ clergy. “Our congregation strives to welcome all,”
However, no progressive or traditional local said the Rev. Marsha Woolley of First United
churches in Michigan have indicated they Methodist Church in Northville. “We have
plan to leave the denomination. And 2,000 members and attendees who are LGBTQ, some
clergy and laity, non-clergy, will still meet in of whom have been here for 50 years. We host a
Traverse City on May 30 to June 2, 2019, for gay support group, we have celebrated members
the Michigan Annual Conference. who have married partners, have had gay
members on staff and have baptized children
What Rules? whose parent or parents are gay.”
Woolley continued, “If there is a split in the
In Michigan, the First United Methodist denomination, we will seek to continue to be
Church of Ann Arbor is among the most a welcoming church, open to all who want to
LGBTQ-friendly in the state. The congregation participate in a congregation that seeks to do
voted in 2007 to adopt a welcoming statement all the good we can.”
to make clear that they are inclusive. “One of the highest values of our faith
That statement reads: “As congregants of community is welcome. Those who are first-
the First United Methodist Church of Ann time guests share with us that they have
Arbor, we welcome and affirm all persons. experienced a feeling of openness and welcome,”
We are intentional in being inclusive of those said the Rev. Dr. Sherry Parker-Lewis of the
who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender First United Methodist Church in Brighton.
as well as all genders, ethnicities, nationalities “We seek to offer the love of Christ to all people.
and abilities. In modeling the ministry of Jesus While the decision before the greater UMC
Christ, we shall all journey together into full may indicate division, our church is unified
participation in the life of the United Methodist in its welcome and commitment to serving all
Church and a closer relationship with God.” persons in our community. We will continue
According to the Rev. Nancy S. Lynn, senior to do this, no matter the outcome of the vote.”
pastor of the Ann Arbor church, one of the In their commitment to their core values to
strengths of their denomination is that it is Welcome All and to Put Love Into Action, the
a global church with many different cultural sanctuary held a community prayer on Feb.
perspectives. 27, at the Birmingham First United Methodist
“That said, the majority of people in my Church known for being a loving and diverse
congregation hope that the United Methodist Christian community.
Church would pass a plan that allows for “As a congregation, many of us are still
full inclusion of the LGBTQI community reading and working to understand all of the
including permission for our clergy to perform legislation that was passed today. The legislation
gay marriages and for gay individuals to be affects our members, families and the ones they
ordained,” she said. “If the United Methodist love in a variety of ways. In the present moment,
Church should split, our congregation will we are inviting people to pause, to breathe, to
consider thoughtfully and prayerfully how we pray and, most importantly, to exemplify the
can best move forward with our commitment love of Jesus for each other by being the church
to the LGBTQI community. We have been together,” said the Rev. Elbert Dulworth.
present in Ann Arbor for almost 200 years.
No matter what happens, we will continue to The next regular General Conference is set for
be here loving God’s people and serving our 2020 in Minneapolis.
community and world.”
www.PrideSource.com March 7, 2019 | BTL 9
St. Joseph LGBTQ Non-Discrimination Ordinance
Could Be Passed by Month’s End
BY EVE KUCHARSKI
L
ast week, commissioners in
the city of St. Joseph went
through the first reading of
a non-discrimination ordinance
targeted at expanding Michigan’s
Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to
expressly protect the rights of its
LGBTQ citizens. Now tentatively
scheduled for a second reading
and vote for March 11, if passed,
the ordinance will bring the
number of explicitly LGBTQ-
inclusive communities in the
state to 46. As it stands now,
it will punish all instances of
discrimination with a $500 fine.
Mary Jo Schnell is the executive
director of the OutCenter which
St. Joseph, Michigan. Wikimedia Commons
serves the Southwest Michigan
LGBTQ community. She was in
attendance at the meeting in her
capacity as executive director
and said she’s thrilled to hear that St. law enforcement use or interpretations lead to unfair treatment if that person
Joseph is taking this step. of being LGBT that we’ve experienced were biased. Goos agrees, too.
“when I got the news on Sunday that beginning a year ago this last month, “We’re reviewing it because, again, we
the packet was available online to take that being LGBT is a choice, a lifestyle want to make sure whoever is responsible
a look and then show up on Monday, I and/or belief system. And so, when law for reviewing a complaint, and preferably
was over the moon,” Schnell said, adding enforcement or elected representatives more than one person, that they have an
that she had been waiting for months or people in government look at sexual objective understanding of the ordinance,”
for a decision on the issue. “Because I orientation as a choice or lifestyle, belief Goos said. “In other words, so that claims
know that part of the [commission’s] system, they’re not thinking consciously of discrimination would not be turned
conversation consisted of, ‘Now we have or unconsciously about how they’re away because of potential bias.”
[Democratic] leadership in the state, looking at the letter of the law.” When asked why as an ally it is
why don’t we just wait for the state to St. Joseph Commissioner Laura Goos important to her that the local LGBTQ
do something?’ And so, when we heard said that she values Schnell’s contributions community have protections like these,
that we had the opportunity to educate to the discussion on the ordinance because Goos said that the answer is simple:
them about what Speaker Chatfield has even as an LGBTQ ally, she didn’t notice because the Michigan legislature hasn’t
already kind of said and what happened the potentially problematic implications done it yet.
with then-governor-elect [Whitmer’s] of using the word that way. “What I’m hoping is that the Michigan
transition team in December, that there “Quite honestly, after I had read it legislature takes up this work so that
was little or no confidence that the state several times I didn’t even realize it was municipalities don’t have to create special
legistlure, which was predominantly GOP, in there and then she pointed it out and ordinances to cover our citizens,” she said.
was going to amend Elliott-Larsen.” it’s like it’s in a glaring, bold font,” Goos “These are members of our community
Schnell was involved in the original said. “So we absolutely wanted to remove that need to be included in the Elliott-
push to introduce this ordinance this the word ‘practice’ because we did not Larsen language and I would hope that
past summer, and presented to the city want there to be any thought of choice our Michigan legislature would see to
commission the merits of expanding the versus nature. We definitely want to be take care of that glaring gap. It would be
existing civil rights act — that does not inclusive in the verbiage because there’s remarkable of course if it was our entire
currently include protections on the basis sexual orientation, there’s gender identity, state and we’re hoping we can be another
of sexual orientation or gender identity. there’s gender expression and nobody’s spark to light the fire, but the fire does
After reviewing the existing language in ‘practicing.’” need to be lit.”
the first draft, Schnell said she was happy The second proposed change regards
with it overall, but suggested two changes. the proposed complaint review committee The next meeting scheduled to discuss
First, the ordinance uses the word put in place by the ordinance. To simplify the ordinance will be held on Monday,
“practice” in reference to the LGBTQ the complaint review process, it requires March 11. To find out more about that
community. that they be submitted to the city manager. meeting, read the proposed ordinance and
“No. 1, it’s not a practice,” Schnell However, Schnell pointed out that a future meetings, visit https://sjcity.com/
said. “We are concerned about area review process by a single individual could government/city-commission.
10 BTL | March 7, 2019 www.PrideSource.comOBITUARY
James “Diamond Jim” Brown II
Aug. 2, 1960 – Feb. 11, 2019
BY JASON A. MICHAEL Bear Expo on his Wall to Wall Fur.” said. “We would laugh and talk with
F
Goddess Lakshimi, Ms. World Leather others who were battling some form of
ormer bar owner and gay rodeo 2003, met Brown just before she ran for cancer and he would be cheering others
enthusiast James Osmond Brown her title. on in their fight.”
II, known to many as Diamond Jim, “We were line dancing at what I did Brown was, friends say, looking
died Feb. 11 from congestive heart failure. not know what his bar,” she said. “When forward to getting back out there this
He died at his home in Detroit summer as the
with his rescue dog Diamond Motor City Bears
by his side. He was 58. celebrated their
Brown grew up in 25th anniversary.
Highland Park and attended But it was not to
Cass Technical High School. be.
Following high school, Brown “He always had
moved to California to study a large presence,
architecture at UCLA in 1979. though he had
It was in Los Angeles that a s of t-sp oken
Brown came out. rich baritone,”
Brown returned to Detroit Lakshimi said.
in 1984 and became involved “The Ancestors
in the city’s leather scene. He have gained a
won the titles Mr. R&R and p owe r f u l a l ly
Mr. Michigan Leather, which and I will always
allowed him to compete in know there is a
the annual International Mr. big gay bear, line
Leather contest in Chicago. dancing-loving,
He would go on to work on l e at h e r a n g e l
the production of IML for the watching over
Michigan’s Definitive LGBTQ-Friendly Resource next 16 years. me and all of his
A love of rodeo led Brown to chosen family.”
MiLGBTWedding.com found Michigan International Brown was
Gay Rodeo Association in also remembered
1994. Brown produced five fondly by Musfasi
rodeos at the Michigan State Ali, the founder
Fair Grounds. He was an of ONYX, the
accomplished bareback bronc leather fraternity
buster, bull rider and steer for gay, bi and
wrestler having won over 20 t r ans m e n of
buckles overall in various color.
national rodeo competitions. I made the decision to run for the title “My longtime friend and brother
Brown participated in the Gay Games of Ms. World Leather, he said the bar Diamond Jim has crossed over to be
in 1990 and 1994 competing in shot put, would be glad to help sponsor me. The with the ancestors,” Ali said. “Jim was a
discus and flag football. He would go sponsorship was not monetary but longtime and fervent support of ONYX
on to return to the Gay Games in 2006 advisory. He opened his bar to whatever and our mission since our inception. He
and win a silver medal in the Masters I desired to do. He even participated in was a dedicated gay rodeo participant,
When Tying the Knot: Heavyweight Division. the mock interviews I did to practice bar owner, contest producer [Mr. Leather
Our Stories But of all his many achievements, what answering questions from the leather Cowboy] and Detroit leather community
Brown will probably best be remembered and gay press. member who always had a huge smile
The Ultimate LGBTQ for is his bar. Brown opened Diamond “He was known for his philanthropic and a big hug. ... May his spirit always
Wedding Expo October
2018 2019 Jim’s Saloon on the west side of Detroit endeavors,” Lakshimi continued. “He ride on in us.”
in 2001. sponsored many people in events and
“He did a lot for the bear community, titles that gave back to the community.” Funeral services for Brown were private.
Planning Tools & Resources the leather community, he crossed a lot of After more than a decade, Brown closed A GoFundMe page has been set up to
for Your Special Day genres,” said Tim Zazo, general manager the bar in 2010 as a result of landlord cover the cost of final arrangements. Any
A PROJECT OF
of the Menjo’s Entertainment Complex, issues. He survived a bout with cancer additional funds raised will go to create
who worked for Brown for a time at in 2012 and a devastating car accident the James O. Brown, II Legacy Fund to
Diamond Jim’s. “He did line dancing, in 2014, which lead to a withdrawal from benefit Detroit’s LGBT community. The
which was a staple of his for years. The the community. link is gofundme.com/jamesobrownii-
To learn more contact donelle@pridesource.com
biggest event he did in his bar was called “When he had his battle with non- legacy-fund.
Call 734-293-7200 ext. 101
16 Wall to Wall Fur. It was a huge bear event, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, I would sit with Editor’s Note: Brett Reynolds contributed
a weekend event. I literally modeled my him in his chemo sessions,” Lakshimi to this story
12 BTL | March 7, 2019 www.PrideSource.comwww.PrideSource.com March 7, 2019 | BTL 13
Parting
Glances
BY CHARLES ALEXANDER
Catnippers and Boners Go Gay!
A
veterinarian-funded study by People & Friends of
Cats and Dogs, or P-FCD, reports that “persons of
rainbow personality make the best dog owners, but
have little influence on pussies, er, cats, although this should
not be misconstrued as homophobia on the part of America’s
feline population.”
The P-FCD Study — “Are American Pets at Risk with
Gay/Lesbian Owners?” — finds that “dogs owned by LGBT
people are happier, better-mannered, more likely to heel and
to fetch than dogs reared by straights. They shed less — the
dogs, not the heterosexuals — during summer months, and
do their gender sniffing and hydrant marking in a covert,
more decorous manner.”
Interestingly, too, is the study’s finding that most breeds —
with the exception of Pekingese, Chihuahuas and dachshunds
— show marked sporting instincts: catching Frisbees, treeing
squirrels, chasing unmarked police cars and guarding
unattended U-Hauls when raised by lesbians (the dogs, not
the U-Hauls).
“Rottweilers, when dyke-raised, tend to be a one-owner Positive Thoughts
breed. They are loyal to a fault. (The dogs, not the dykes.)
I’m an HIV-Positive Gay Man Committed
Curiously, pit bulls become remarkably docile when trained
by lipstick lesbian owners in suburban settings. Rainbow
rhinestone collars help.
“Breeds raised by gay men seldom bark, or if they do, it’s
barking in quieter tones, and are less likely to eat ill-prepared
dinner scraps or TV frozen dinner leftovers. They also show
to Racial Justice
a preference for dog houses that are painted in warmer tones BY MICHAEL LAMB
and edged with white lattice work. Collars are preferred with
sequins and, in leather outings, studs or spikes.”
T
Man, I knew the pathway to my walk I’m not trying to sound curt or
The old saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks!” he day the universe decided it of shame backwards and with my eyes insensitive, but that was the only
has been proven, “to be utterly false and denigrating to aging wanted to see sugar, spice and closed, strutting every step of the way difference between us. Both gay men
canine populations. Old dogs — with gay owners as role everything nice, it was June 10, while my hips said, “Yes ma’am,” with living in Florida, under 25 at the time, we
models — are actually remarkably adept at doing new tricks. 1991 – the day I was born. Even as a every sway. had the same “risk behaviors.” Our skin
Especially if they - the tricks - stray into backyards. child, I was always talkative and quite I became an advocate for HIV tones separated us like water fountains in
A big study disappointment is with finicky cat populations. the jokester. Winning “Loudest,” “Class awareness after living with the virus for the 1960s separated our parents. Yes, the
It’s determined that cats raised by LGBT people are just as Clown,” and “Most Likely to Work for two years. Stigma led me to my reactive civil rights movement wasn’t that long
likely to be as independent as cats raised by straights. “The The New York Times” my senior year of test, and stigma caused me to bury a ago. It hadn’t dawned on me yet that
truth is that cats just don’t give a rat’s winkie if you’re straight high school proved not only that I could friend who died due to complications there are racial and systemic barriers
or gay. If you feed them on time, they just couldn’t care less. make anyone laugh, but that my banter from AIDS in 2014. “I could’ve sworn surrounding black gay men diagnosed
And whatever you do, don’t smoke their catnip around them. always led to greater conversation. my doctor said the medicine nowadays with HIV – at least not until I had to
And please leave their fur balls alone.” Taboo topics have always been my keeps people living longer! Why is my bury two more black gay men in white
There is a note of progress, however. For some reason “alley favorite conversation-starters. Whenever friend dead?” I thought to myself as the caskets, in 2016 and 2017. Black gay
cats seem to live longer when kept by gay, single males. This the topic of HIV/AIDS came up, I casket closed. men are dying in the “better days of the
applies whether neutered or not neutered.” (The cats, not the was the smartest man alive. “Only When I first heard of my friend’s epidemic.” This is news to some, but a
single males.) crackheads, hookers and people who passing, I was shocked. Growing up reality to many.
Not everyone is pleased with the P-FCD findings. The shoot up get HIV,” and, “You can tell in Fort Myers, Florida, I’ve lost many Where I’m from, I was often the only
Family Way, a right-wing, vigilante organization headquartered who got that shit because they look sick,” friends to gun and gang violence. I knew white person, or one of five white people,
in Free-Fall, Montana, expresses outrage at the P-FCD in its were two sentences I remember proudly for a fact my friend wasn’t a gangbanger. in black-dominated spaces. My mother
monthly newsletter, “The Litter Box.” (Editorial correction: stating. That wasn’t the same energy I After I reached out to his sister, she was owned a daycare on Evans Avenue. She
That should be Letter.) had when I was diagnosed with HIV basically shocked at my emotional outcry and another gentleman were the only
“The gay agenda stops at nothing,” opines the editorial. “Not on Dec. 19, 2012. for answers, responding, “Boy, you didn’t white people who owned businesses in
only do they want special political rights, the right to marry I was the average 21-year-old white know he had AIDS?” I was in shock. that area. All her employees and students
and to adopt children, now they want to raise America’s wagtail gay man. Living it up, partying every How could we have both been diagnosed were black. As the years went on, those
weekend, experimenting with drugs, with the virus, but he’s dead and I’m
See Parting Glances, continued on p. 15 and of course having plenty of sex. alive? Oh yeah, he was black. See Headline, continued on p. 15
14 BTL | March 7, 2019 www.PrideSource.com® Positive Thoughts
situations of injustice, then you have chosen the
side of the oppressor.” I couldn’t live with myself Creep Of The Week
Continued from p. 14 allowing my black friends to become nothing
but a quota to fill for a snowcap organization to
employees became family. I have so many aunties
gain funding. As a gay white man, I don’t know
oppression like a gay black man, nor will I ever Marc Short BY D’ANNE WITKOWSKI
T
because of that place. My mother was finishing know. Many times, I have challenged my white crazy, but if there really was an organized
school, going through a terrible divorce, and peers, colleagues and fellow advocates to first his week’s column comes to you from and coordinated homosexual agenda I kind
running a business, so naturally her time was have a conversation surrounding the experience both the “But People Can Change” of doubt everybody agreed on “let’s die off ”
spread thin. She trusted black women to look of their black counterparts living with HIV and Department and the “Yeah, but no” as an effective strategy.
after her white children. My mother didn’t raise to see the role they themselves have played that Department. Short also claims that homosexuals were
us on “don’t see color” – she raised us on, “Treat contributed to the oppression of their friends, Think back to who you were an super excited that Magic Johnson got AIDS
good people better than the world does, because colleagues, clients and employees. White folks undergrad in college. I’m going to make since it helped them further the myth that
the world will turn good people bad.” with badges aren’t the only ones helping kill black an educated guess and say that you were straight people can get it, too. He also railed
When I entered the world of HIV advocacy, folks – it’s the white folks in lab coats too. insufferable. Granted, you were probably against “sodomites” getting “preferential
I jumped in headfirst, wanting everyone to White people who claim to “get it” and wave the sexiest you’ve ever been even though treatment,” and by “treatment” he meant
know their status, but I wasn’t yet hip to the fact their allyship to black folks are the worst. Trust you ate pizza for breakfast, lunch and any government funding for the disease.
that knowing your status and navigating the me, I was one of them. Always trying to prove dinner most days. But you likely thought But it’s not as if senior in college Marc
health care system once HIV positive is not the myself to black people, explain racism to black you knew everything. And that’s annoying. Short was unfeeling.
same. From inner community stigma, culture people, and basically telling black people how If you’re reading this thinking, “But I “Naturally we feel sympathy for ... all
differences, racism, lack of health literacy or to be black. Yep, I was your typical white gay. was a genius 18 to 21-year-old with no AIDS victims,” he wrote, “but that does not
cultural competency, and the “one size fits all” Not only was I singing to the wrong choir, I was flaws and incredibly humble to boot,” my mean we glorify homosexuals’ repugnant
messaging at play in the HIV nonprofit world, it’s totally singing off key. response is: Do some introspection. Maybe practices of frequent anal intercourse nor
no wonder black and brown bodies fall through If it weren’t for black leaders, including Maxx yoga will help. should we consider them brave for coming
the cracks of what is supposed to be the glory Boykin, Larry Scott-Walker, David Malebranche Anyway, I have no doubt that I wrote out of the closet.”
days. and Phill Wilson – who taught me to check my things when I was an undergrad that would Got it. Homosexuals grossed Short out
You would think after the Centers for Disease privilege at the door and told me certain spaces make me cringe today. Thankfully, my and the penalty for grossing Short out
Control and Prevention released statistics were for black folks only, black folks are a priority undergrad years took place at the infancy should be death.
showing that black gay and bisexual men have to black people, and my presence or my voice of the digital renaissance, and so most of But what does Grown Up Marc Short
a one in two chance of contracting HIV in their wasn’t needed at the time – I’d still be stuck in that work is lost to history, and likely for have to say about all of this?
lifetime before age 40 that there would be plenty my old ways. I can’t thank them enough. I’d be the best. “I reg ret using l angu age as an
of space, education, marketing materials and lying if I didn’t say the lesson was a hard one to That said, a short story I wrote in high undergraduate college student that was
representation for black leadership roles to open learn, sometimes with tears emanating from my school did just recently end up on the not reflective of the respect I try to show
up to spread awareness of testing, access to pre- own white fragility. But it helped me be a better internet, so I guess no one is ever safe. others today,” he told The Daily Beast. “We
exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), sexual health and person, a better white person. The thing is, when I was in college I have all learned a lot about AIDS over the
navigation to care if diagnosed. Nope. Not at all. “Nothing about us without us,” said Larry Scott- wasn’t making grand pronouncements past 30 years and my heart goes out to all
I remember working for an organization that Walker at the 2018 United States Conference about how disgusting and awful gay the victims of this terrible disease.”
whenever they had any need for anything to on AIDS, as his beautiful locs hung like wind people were. Granted, I was a gay people, The subhead of The Daily Beast’s piece
do with black people, I was their go-to man. chimes down his broad back. Usually, in the HIV so maybe that doesn’t count. Still. There’s read that Short “expressed regret for words
Why? Because I had black friends. I remember community, this expression is used to speak to a difference between writing bad poetry he says are no longer reflective of his
my boss even saying, “I need a gay, black, HIV- the need to keep people living with HIV at the or an impassioned diatribe against rape worldview.” Perhaps there was more to the
positive man to hire as a prevention specialist. center of all decision-making about prevention, culture via a compare and contrast paper statement Short gave them, but when I read
Can you think of any of your friends that would treatment programs and policymaking. But in about the “Porky’s” and “American Pie” the part they quoted, which I have included
want a job?” He wanted to hire my gay, black, that moment in Orlando this past September, I movies (one stellar observation that I can above, that is not what Short means. He
HIV-positive friends, but when I wore a Black interpreted Larry’s call as, “No discussions about remember: ‘80’s movie nudity contained said he regrets being disrespectful. He
Lives Matter shirt to work, I was asked to change, the betterment of black people are to be had at the cellulite). But if those writings surfaced I doesn’t say that his worldview no longer
because “my politics aren’t the same as everyone table without black people at the table.” Period. wouldn’t be like, “Oh, wow. I hurt people.” sees homosexuals as sodomites deserving
else’s.” He wanted a gay, black, HIV-positive man The same cannot be said for Marc Short, of death.
to work for him, but the only time we ever went Vice President Mike Pence’s new chief of And here’s the thing: It’s hard to believe
to a neighborhood that was predominantly black HIV-positive millennial Michael “Miss Mikey” staff, who wrote super homophobic garbage that Short is such a new and improved man
was for National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Lamb is a contributor to TheBody.com, as well as when he was in college and published it in considering who he is working for. Mike
Day. I took this kind of tokenizing as a spit in the an author, life coach, and empowerment speaker. the March 1992 issue of The Spectator, the Pence is anti-LGBTQ through and through.
face, and a piss on the graves of my three friends. He blogs at www.getchalifewithmike.com. This conservative college paper he helped found. He has been Creep of the Week many times,
It’s at moments like this that the voice of South column is a project of Plus, Positively Aware, POZ, The front cover of that issue contains a for good reason.
African Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond TheBody.com and Q Syndicate. “teaser” that reads: “AIDS: Who Gets It?” Pence’s leadership and empathy
Tutu rings in my ears: “If you are neutral in The essay inside is called “AIDS and failure dealing with AIDS as governor
the Heterosexual” and it is vile. The gist of Indiana is well-documented. The
of the essay is that heterosexuals can’t get Trump Administration’s approach to
AIDS, only gay people can and trying to AIDS nationally and globally seems more
The editorial ends with the usual request get heterosexuals to care about AIDS is all interested in shaming people than in saving
® Parting Glances for money in the “cultural war to save our a part of a big gay plot to both get money lives.
Continued from p. 14 four-footed friends from a life of pampering from Congress and “de-stigmatize the So, yeah, no. If Short wants anyone
and eternal perdition. Heaven loves a cheerful perverted lifestyles homosexuals pursue.” to believe that he no longer believes the
benefactor.” How true! That is, um, one hell of a plan. I garbage he wrote about AIDS then he
majority — our innocent dogs and cats — as
Give a pup or kitten a loving home in 2016. mean, so many gay men died horrible should maybe consider working for people
same-sex, housebroken pets. Maybe a dry-blown,
Call the Michigan Humane Society today. Happy deaths while the Reagan administration who aren’t currently operating under the
perfumed poodle or two, but not a born-again
Arf! Merry Meow! And a perverted purr! basically laughed it off and the first Bush those same garbage ideas.
Boxer. Never!”
administration was hardly better. Call me
www.PrideSource.com March 7, 2019 | BTL 15You can also read
