PRIDE From across the LGBTQ+ spectrum - including allies - Pride is the bedrock of our community - Dallas Voice
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PRIDE
From across the LGBTQ+ spectrum
— including allies —
Pride is the bedrock of our community
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In This Issue June 25, 2021
Volume 38 | Issue 8
1825 Market Center Blvd., Ste. 240, Dallas, Texas 75207 | 214-754-8710 | dallasvoice.com
NEWS
14 | Chad West named Dallas mayor pro tem
PUBLISHER Leo Cusimano, leo@dallasvoice.com
16 | Faces of Pride: Dallas, Grayson Pride pics
MANAGING EDITOR Tammye Nash, nash@dallasvoice.com 20 | SCOTUS’ Fulton ruling analyzed
14
SENIOR STAFF WRITER David Taffet, taffet@dallasvoice.com 24 | A history of Pride in Dallas
PROOF READER Philip Burton
CONTRIBUTORS Chris Azzopardi, Gary Bellomy, Jenny Block, Joey Casiano, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Jesus Chairez, Lawrence Ferber, Hardy Haberman, Scott
34 | New doc explores biblical mistranslation
Huffman, Lisa Keen, Mark Lowry, Cassie Nova, Josh Robbins,
Howard Lewis Russell, James Russell, Terri Schlichenmeyer, 37 | Uptown Players return to in-person shows
Leslie McMurray, Mathew Shaw, Casey Williams 42 | Asia O’Hara is headed to Vegas
44 | Greg Bourke releases memoir
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Chad Mantooth, mantooth@dallasvoice.com
MARKETPLACE MANAGER Stephen Mobley, mobley@dallasvoice.com 16
NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE National Advertising Representative ON THE COVER
Todd Evans, Rivendell Media Inc. 908-232-2021 BITES FROM OUR BLOG.............8
VOICES.....................................12
ART DIRECTOR Kevin Thomas, thomas@dallasvoice.com
PLAN YOUR WEEK....................57
MULTIMEDIA Stephen Mobley, Social Media Director
Israel Luna, DVtv Video Producer, Host CASSIE NOVA...........................58
Brad Pritchett DVtv Host | Regina Lyn DVtv Host SCENE.......................................62
MARKETPLACE........................70
CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Linda Depriter, distribution@dallasvoice.com 34
Original cover Illustration by
FOUNDERS Robert Moore | Don Ritz William Bubba Flint
AFFILIATIONS | MEMBERSHIPS
Associated Press - Associate Member
National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association
Certified LGBT Business Enterprise
Founding Member - North Texas LGBT Chamber
Founding Member - National LGBT Media Association
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06.25.21 █ dallasvoice 7
Bites from our blog
WHAT’S THE TEA: DallasVoice.com
‘A horrible accident’ — Driver, at CocoAndre Chocolatier and Horchateria, 508 Nassib also said that he would be donating
W. 7th St. in Dallas. $100,000 to The Trevor Project.
victims in Florida Pride parade There will be vendors, food, drinks, a drag NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said “The
incident ID’ed show and music by @EternosTx. NFL family is proud of Carl for courageously
Masks are encouraged for the safety of all at- sharing his truth today. Representation matters.
tendees and vendors and are still required when We share his hope that someday soon state-
entering the shop. ments like his will no longer be newsworthy as
— Tammye Nash we march toward full equality for the LGBTQ+
community.”
— Tammye Nash
Raiders’ Carl Nassib is first active
NFL player to come out as gay Stage West announces
2021-22 season
Fred Johnson Jr., right, was driving the
truck that hit and killed James Fay, left.
Although the investigation continues into an
incident at the Stonewall Pride Parade in Fort
Lauderdale, Fla., on Saturday evening, June
19, Fort Lauderdale police said today that “all
available information and evidence indicates
this was a terrible accident.”
Police identified the driver of the Dodge Ram
pickup as 77-year-old Fred Johnson Jr. of Oak-
land Park. Killed in the accident was James
Fahy of Fort Lauderdale, 75. Jerry Vroegh, 67, Stage West this week announced the lineup
also of Fort Lauderdale injured and taken to for its 43rd season, featuring seven shows
Broward Health Medical Center where he was including two that will overlap. Three will be
treated and released. All three were members presented in the brand-new Evelyn Wheeler
of the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus. Gary Swenson Theatre — “The Evie” — and four will
Keating, founding director of the chorus, was happen in the renovated Jerry Russell Theatre.
treated for minor injuries. Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Carl The line-up begins with:
The Pride parade was just getting underway Nassib made history on Monday, June 21, • The regional premier of JQA by Aaron Pos-
when organizers motioned for a waiting pickup when he came out as a gay man, becoming the ner, Oct. 7-31 at the Swenson Theatre, re-imag-
truck to take its place in the parade lineup. first active player in league history to come out ining the story of John Quincy Adams.
The driver of the truck then accelerated into a publicly. • The regional premiere of Scrooge in Rouge,
crowd of people, killing one man and injuring Nassib made the announcement in a video he an English Music Hall version of A Christmas
two others. posted to Instagram. In the video, Nassib, 28, Carol Dec. 2-24 at The Russell.
Police said that the truck “accelerated unex- said, “What’s up, people? I’m Carl Nassib. I’m • The regional premiere of Church & State by
pectedly” and hit the pedestrians before it con- at my house here in West Chester, Penn. I just Jason Odell Williams, about a U.S. senator who
tinued across all lanes of traffic before coming wanted to take a quick moment to say that I’m has a life-altering crisis of faith and how it affects
to a stop in the Fort Lauderdale Garden Center. gay. I’ve been meaning to do this for a while now, his campaign. Running Jan. 27-Feb. 2, 2022, at
— Tammye Nash but I finally feel comfortable enough to get it off The Russell.
my chest.” — Tammye Nash
PHNTX launches school
supplies drive
Prism Health North Texas is holding its
█
Adoptable / CASPIAN
annual school supplies drive through July 26 to
help take the burden off their clients diagnosed really caught the hang of fetch yet. Caspian always has a big, silly
with HIV/AIDS and their children affected by smile on his face that gets even bigger when you pull out a handful
the diagnosis. of yummy treats for him. Caspian is looking for a home with a
Donors are encouraged to order items di- fenced-in yard for him to play in — when it’s not too hot outside of
rectly from the PHNTX Amazon Wishlist, which course. Caspian would like a home with kids 12 and up, and would
includes sanitizers, masks, backpacks and like to meet dogs in the home first to see if they can keep up with
other supplies needed as students transition his energetic play style. Please bring by all members of the family
back to in person learning. to meet him. To celebrate Shelter Pet Summer, you can adopt an
The Back to School Drive is organized in adult dog or cat from the SPCA of Texas’ shelters for only $25. The
special will be offered for pets located at the SPCA of Texas’ shelters
partnership with Bank of America’s North Texas
and in their foster homes, and adoptions will be by appointment
offices and Cathedral of Hope, both gathering
only. Caspian is waiting to meet you at the SPCA of Texas’ Jan Rees-
donations to be distributed through PHNTX.
Jones Animal Care Center in Dallas. To request an appointment to
— Tammye Nash
meet Caspian, please fill out the application at SPCA.org/ dogadopt.
Orgullo Oak Cliff Pride Adoptions are available by appointment. Adopters will need to
submit an adoption inquiry form in order to begin the adoption
is Saturday Meet Caspian. This 65-pound, 5-year-old mixed breed gentleman
process and schedule an appointment to complete the adoption.
Texas Latino Pride and Common Hearts is a big, lovable goofball who enjoys playing, playing and more
Please browse our available animals at SPCA.org/FindAPet and visit
Market are hosting Orgullo Oak Cliff Pride and playing. Caspian loves running around outside, playing with his
SPCA.org/dogadopt to inquire about a dog or SPCA.org/CatAdopt to
Market this Saturday, June 26, from 5- 9 p.m., toys and soaking up the sunshine. He likes chasing balls but hasn’t
inquire about a cat.
8 dallasvoice.com █ 06.25.21
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06.25.21 █ dallasvoice 11VOICES
OPINIONS FROM THE COMMUNITY
Pride is that
real con-
ce- the Tiger, Sunny (from Raisin Bran), Hon-
ey Smacks Dig’em Frog, Snap, Crackle &
Christians cannot find corporate neutral-
ity with Kellogg’s, then they will vote
Grrreat!
sumption Pop, and Cornelius (from Corn Flakes).” with their pocketbook and support com-
is directly Okay. First of all, what is Kellogg’s panies that are neutral.”
correlated supposed to do with their mascots? NOT Remaining neutral in the cultural war?
with sex- push the LGBTQ agenda? I mean, Tony Corn Flakes were invented in a sanitarium
ual orien- the Tiger has been making kids gay since by a guy who thought “exciting and irri-
tation and 1952. Not only has he grown more buff tating food” caused people to masturbate,
While One Million Moms bemoan
gender since his debut — clearly hitting the gym which he called “the most dangerous of
Kellogg’s Pride cereal, the real identity. on the regular — he’s also always worn a all sexual abuses.” He thought a plain and
question is what politicians does On June red bandana. I would bet money I could bland diet would make people chaste.
18, OMM find Tony the Tiger NSFW fan fiction on- That guy was John Harvey Kellogg.
the company donate to
— a group line right now. That’s apparently the Kellogg’s era
of “mil- I won’t try to find it. But I definitely that the AFA and its handful of excitable
I
’ve gone from grocery store to gro- lions” of moms followed by 4,138 people could. moms long to go back to.
cery store, buying up every box of on Twitter — took to the interwebs to de- As for the Rice Krispie trio, Snap, I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again:
the Kellogg’s Together With Pride mand that Kellogg’s stop being so damn Crackle, and Pop (and by the way, I doubt No matter how many rainbows a compa-
cereal, and I have them all listed on eBay. fabulous. those are their REAL names), who can ny puts on its products, what really mat-
I’m kidding: I did not do that. Although Under the headline “Kellogg’s Con- definitively say what gender they are? I ters is how much money they’re giving to
apparently, some people did, because tinues to Use Cereal Mascots to Push mean, people assume they’re male, but anti-LGBTQ politicians and candidates.
good luck getting a box of this sweet, LGBTQ Agenda,” OMM Director Moni- that’s all it is: an assumption. Do better. And a lot of rainbow-happy compa-
heart-shaped crunchiness online for less ca Cole writes, “Kellogg’s has supported And then there’s Toucan Sam, the mas- nies have no problem selling out your
than $20 a box. the homosexual community for a long cot for Froot Loops. Enough said. civil rights and safety for a Republican
This pisses me off, frankly. As a time, and now it is obvious they are go- “The most disturbing feature is the box who promises corporate tax cuts.
card-carrying member of The Homo- ing after our children. As part of an ef- top that has a special spot for children to That’s not “neutrality” in the culture
sexual Agenda, I should be entitled to at fort to say ‘all are welcome,’ Kellogg is add their own pronouns of choice, which wars. That’s arming one side with tanks
least one box of Pride cereal. But appar- collaborating with the Gay & Lesbian encourages children to pick their pro- while giving the other side a wink and a
ently, Pride has just become too popular. Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) nouns,” Cole writes. thumbs up.
I should have known that the com- advocacy group once again.” OH. THE HORROR! Is it better than nothing that Kellogg’s
pletely real and official Homosexual NOW it’s obvious that Kellogg’s is af- But it’s true. Cereal boxes are the de- is donating money to GLAAD? Sure.
Agenda’s, um, agenda to make every ter children? NOW? It wasn’t when Pop ciders when it comes to pronouns. Noth- I don’t know what Kellogg’s political
single person identify as LGBTQ would Tarts released their Frosted Wildlicious ing you can do about it. Just the way it is. giving looks like, but there are plenty of
backfire when it came to procuring lim- Wild Berry flavor, which was designed Chances are your kid is going to use pro- companies who are supporting the very
ited-edition breakfast foods — especial- in a lab to be completely unpalatable to nouns someday. Start preparing yourself extremists who hurt LGBTQ people. It’s
ly since I read that eating this cereal ei- adult humans? now. Because whatever your kid writes not “Grrreat!” █
ther makes you queer or increases your “To attract children, the Together With on that box is legally binding. D’Anne Witkowski is a writer living in
queerness. (Think Popeye and spinach.) Pride limited-edition box features be- “Kellogg’s needs to hear from you,” Michigan with her wife and son. She has
Which explains why the American loved characters,” continues Cole, “in- says Cole. “Supporting the homosexu- been writing about LGBTQ+ politics for
Family Association side hustle, One Mil- cluding Mini holding a Pride flag (from al agenda versus remaining neutral in nearly two decades. Follow her on Twitter @
lion Moms, is so upset. Everyone knows Frosted Mini Wheats), Toucan Sam, Tony the cultural war is just bad business. If MamaDWitkowski.
12 dallasvoice.com █ 06.25.21BE
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06.25.21 █ dallasvoice 13Chad West becomes mayor pro tem
CITY COUNCIL NEWS
West is the fourth out gay man
to serve in that position in Dallas
DAVID TAFFET | Senior Staff Writer
taffet@dallasvoice.com
allas City Coun-
cilman Chad
West was named
Mayor Pro Tem
at last week’s
council meet-
ing, becoming at
least the fourth
gay man to serve in that position. Gay
City Councilman Omar Narvaez called
West “one of the hardest-working coun-
cil members, and I was proud to support
him to be mayor pro tem.”
West follows Adam Medrano in that
position. Former council members Chris
Luna and John Loza also served in the
number 2 position in Dallas city gov-
ernment. But while Medrano, Luna and
Loza all represented District 2, West is
the first gay man to serve as mayor pro
tem from another district.
West called the process to select a may-
or pro tem and deputy mayor pro tem,
the city’s No. 3 official, a wild experi-
ence, comparing it to The Hunger Games.
“I appealed to my colleagues on my
record,” he said.
But he and other council members de- New Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Chad West
clined to comment on the process. Tech School of law. staff positions. When the mayor is white, mayor pro tem
West described his style and record as Before West was elected to the coun- West called the position of mayor pro and deputy mayor pro tem are filled by
working “both sides of the aisle.” While cil, former Councilman Scott Griggs ap- tem “largely ceremonial.” When asked a Black and a Hispanic council member.
city elections are nonpartisan, Dallas’ pointed him to the city Plan Commission by the mayor to represent the city, he Mayor Eric Johnson is Black, so one po-
political divide can be described as being where, he said, Gloria Tarpley chaired said, he’d do that “to the best of my abil- sition is filled with a white council mem-
between what’s north of the Trinity Riv- the committee skillfully. Even when he ity.” ber.
er and what’s south of the Trinity River. didn’t agree with her, he said he admired When the mayor is not at a council West adds diversity to city leadership
West’s district is south of the river. her leadership ability. meeting, the mayor pro tem leads the because he is gay, but no woman was
During his first term on the council, As an example, when Methodist Hos- meeting. And in case the mayor leaves chosen for either position.
in order to form alliances with council pital wanted to build a state-of-the-art office early, he would serve as mayor Councilman Adam Bazaldua pro-
members from North Dallas, West invit- fitness center on a particular piece of until a special could be held. That last posed that these appointments would be
ed Jennifer Gates to tour his district with land the hospital owned, West sided happened when Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine for one year instead of the traditional full
him. She said he was the first council with the neighborhood against the proj- Caraway became acting mayor after Tom two-year term of a council member. The
member to invite her to cross the Trinity ect. He said Tarpley’s position on the Leppert resigned to run for the U.S. Sen- council agreed. That’s a first since the
to visit to his district. issue pissed him off, but her leadership ate. Leppert lost in the primary to Ted Dallas City Council adopted the current
West said leadership is important to style was exemplary. Cruz. configuration in 1993.
him. He was a member of the U.S. Army As mayor pro tem, West said hopes For now, however, West is concentrat- West said he plans to do a good enough
and is a combat veteran who served in he won’t be pissing anyone off, but even ing on representing his district. job as mayor pro tem that his colleagues
Hungary and Bosnia. After his military when there are disagreements, he said Traditionally, the council has voted will re-elect him to finish this term in his
tour, he attended law school at Texas he’ll always respect other council and for diversity in its leadership positions. leadership position. █
14 dallasvoice.com █ 06.25.2106.25.21 █ dallasvoice 15
Faces of Pride DALLAS PRIDE (PHOTOS BY CHUCK MARCELO) 16 dallasvoice.com █ 06.25.21
GRAYSON PRIDE (PHOTOS BY DENI JO BAKER)
06.25.21 █ dallasvoice 1718 dallasvoice.com █ 06.25.21
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06.25.21 █ dallasvoice 19Understanding ‘Fulton’
NEWS ANALYSIS
Legal experts’ opinions on on sexual orientation, and its contracts
recent SCOTUS ruling vary; with outside organizations include sim-
ilar language. City officials discovered
some say it twists logic; others that one of the private agencies to which
say the LGBTQ community it refers children in need of foster homes
dodged a bullet — Catholic Social Services (CSS) — had
a policy of denying such placements to
same-sex couples.
LISA KEEN | Contributing Writer When CSS’s contract with the city
Keen News Service came up for renewal, the city declined
to renew it, saying CSS was in violation
as it a of the city ordinance and the contract’s
“signifi- language. CSS sued, saying the city’s
cant” victo- refusal to renew its contract violated its
ry for LGBT First Amendment Free Exercise right. Be-
people, or sides, said CSS, it never violated the law
another sign because no same-sex couples had ever
of “death by a come to CSS, and, if they had, CSS would
thousand cuts” have gladly referred them to some other
for LGBT equal rights? Was it an “im- foster care agency.
portant win for religious liberty”? Or
was it a “failure”? Finding escape clauses
Reaction to the U.S. Supreme Court’s
June 17 decision in Fulton v. Philadelphia Writing for the court, Chief Justice
— allowing a Catholic foster care agency John Roberts accepted CSS’s contention
to refuse to obey a city non-discrimina- that, by certifying a family for potential
tion ordinance — elicited an unusually foster care placements, it was making an
wide range of often contradictory assess- “endorsement of their relationships.”
ments. “CSS does not object to certifying gay
One LGBT legal activist called it a or lesbian individuals as single foster
Jenny Pizer
“significant victory for LGBTQ people;” parents or to placing gay and lesbian
another called it “troubling.” One con- instances must, protect [LGBT people] wrote Chief Justice John Roberts. “It children,” wrote Roberts, noting that no
servative commentator called it a “re- in the exercise of their civil rights. … At does not seek to impose those beliefs on same-sex couple had ever gone to CSS
sounding victory for religious freedom,” the same time, the religious and philo- anyone else.” seeking to be certified. And he reiterat-
while another lamented that Fulton was sophical objections to gay marriage are Joining Roberts in the opinion were ed CSS’s contention that, if a same-sex
a “failure by the high court to definitely protected views and in some instances the three more liberal members of the couple had gone to CSS, the Catholic
end the ongoing governmental targeting protected forms of expression.” court — Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia agency would have directed the couple
of faith-based organizations.” In Fulton, the court said: “We do not Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan — and two to an agency that does certify same-sex
The Fulton decision did not deliver doubt that [the city’s] interest [in the of the court’s newest conservatives — couples.
a straightforward message as did the equal treatment of prospective foster Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Co- Jenny Pizer, senior counsel and direc-
Obergefell v. Hodges ruling in 2015, when parents] is a weighty one, for [quoting ney Barrett. tor of law and policy for Lambda Legal,
the court said, “same-sex couples may from Masterpiece] ‘our society has come The remaining three conservative jus- could not buy into that line of logic.
now exercise the fundamental right to to the recognition that gay persons and tices — Justices Clarence Thomas, Sam- “Think about this in another area of
marry in all states.” In Fulton, the court gay couples cannot be treated as social uel Alito and Neil Gorsuch — concurred law, like health care,” said Pizer. “If a
did not spell out clearly, as it did in Bos- outcasts or as inferior in dignity and in the judgment that Philadelphia owed doctor announces prospectively that
tock v. Clayton last year when it ruled that worth.’ On the facts of this case, howev- CSS an exception to its non-discrimina- they intend to discriminate — that they
“An employer who fires an individual er,” said the Fulton decision, “this inter- tion policy protecting LGBT people. But will treat only people of this one race and
merely for being gay or transgender de- est cannot justify denying [Catholic So- Alito and Gorsuch wrote their own con- not another race — that’s a discrimina-
fies the law.” cial Services, or CSS] an exception for its curring opinions, indicating they would tion problem. And maybe people hear
Instead, Fulton carried a nuanced religious exercise.” have gone much further in ruling for that doctor’s message and don’t go to
message, akin to that of the Masterpiece “CSS seeks only an accommodation CSS. And Thomas joined both. that doctor. But that doesn’t absolve that
Cakeshop v. Colorado decision in 2018. In that will allow it to continue serving The facts of the Fulton case are these: medical office.
Masterpiece, the court ruled: “the laws the children of Philadelphia in a man- The city of Philadelphia has a city ordi- “You wouldn’t have a decision saying
and the Constitution can, and in some ner consistent with its religious beliefs,” nance prohibiting discrimination based FULTON Page 22
20 dallasvoice.com █ 06.25.212
06.25.21 █ dallasvoice 21FULTON, From Page 20 that, ‘Lots of doctors in town are willing accommodation.” A public accommoda- not only objection- to treat Black people, so Black people can tion, he said, is one that provides a bene- able but hurtful,” just go somewhere elsewhere.’ There has fit to the “general public.” wrote Alito. “Nev- never been that kind of understanding of “Certification as a foster parent, by ertheless, protecting how civil rights laws are supposed to op- contrast, is not readily accessible to the against this form of erate,” Pizer said. public,” wrote Roberts. “It involves a harm is not an inter- The Fulton decision, she said, is “a lot customized and selective assessment est that can justify like Masterpiece. In both cases, it seems that bears little resemblance to staying in the abridgment of there was a search through the record to a hotel, eating at a restaurant, or riding First Amendment find reasons to allow the religious claim a bus.” rights … .” to win.” Alito continued, In Masterpiece, that reason was a state- Paths of least resistance “Many core reli- ment made by a member of the Colorado gious beliefs are human rights commission during a hear- What Roberts did not do was tackle a perceived as hate- ing on a gay couple’s complaint against 1990 Supreme Court decision (Employ- ful by members of a baker who refused to make them a ment Division v. Smith) that conserva- other religions or wedding cake. The 7-to-2 majority said tives, like Alito, hoped the court would nonbelievers. Pro- the commissioner’s statement constitut- overturn. claiming that there ed “official expressions of hostility to In Smith, the Supreme Court ruled that is only one God is religion” and that this hostility was “in- a state could deny unemployment ben- offensive to poly- consistent with the First Amendment’s efits to a person fired for using illegal theists, and saying Shannon Minter guarantee that our laws be applied in a drugs as part of a religious ceremony. It that there are many contexts.” manner that is neutral toward religion.” said a state law denying benefits to em- gods is anathema to Jews, Christians and Essex noted that, since the Master- Because the baker’s religious beliefs ployees fired for “misconduct” (illegal Muslims. piece decision, anti-LGBT activists have did not receive a neutral hearing, the drug use) was generally applicable to all “While CSS’s ideas about marriage “tried to get courts to rule that business- Supreme Court invalidated the claims persons. As then-Justice Antonin Scalia, are likely to be objectionable to same- es, health care providers, employers and against the baker. who wrote Smith, put it, society would sex couples,” said Alito, “lumping those government contractors all have a con- In Fulton, Roberts relied on a statement be “courting anarchy” to allow “consti- who hold traditional beliefs about mar- stitutional right to discriminate because in the city’s contract that allowed the tutionally-required religious exemptions riage together with racial bigots is insult- of their religious objection to LGBTQ city’s commissioner of health to grant an from civic obligations of almost every ing to those who retain such beliefs.” people.” “exemption” of non-discrimination poli- conceivable kind — ranging from com- He then cited the Supreme Court’s 2015 The ruling in Fulton, he said, rep- cies if it was in the best interest of a child. pulsory military service to the payment decision in Obergefell v. Hodges striking resents the “second time that the [Su- “It’s not standard analysis,” Pizer in- of taxes, to health and safety regulation down state bans on marriage for same- preme Court] has refused to do so … .” sisted. “The evidence in Fulton was that such as manslaughter and child neglect sex couples and the Masterpiece decision, Shannon Minter of the National Center Philadelphia enforced the law in a reli- laws, compulsory vaccination laws, drug saying the majority in Obergefell “refused for Lesbian Rights said one might even giously neutral way, and the fact that laws … and laws providing for equality to equate traditional beliefs about mar- consider it the third time, noting that there was a theoretical possibility of al- of opportunity for the races.” riage … with racism” and “promised” in 2010 the Supreme Court, in Christian lowing an exception doesn’t usually de- Chief Justice Roberts wrote in Fulton that religions could “continue to advo- Legal Society v. Martinez, upheld a Cali- feat the whole process.” that “This case falls outside Smith be- cate with utmost, sincere conviction that, fornia college’s policy banning discrim- Roberts made two other arguments cause the city has burdened the religious by divine precepts, same-sex marriage ination based on sexual orientation in for his decision, as well. One focused on exercise of CSS through policies that do should not be condoned.” campus group membership. A Christian the way Philadelphia’s foster care sys- not meet the requirement of being neu- “An open society,” said Alito, “can student group at a public law school in tem was set up: The city had custody of tral and generally applicable.” keep that promise while still respecting San Francisco had claimed a free exercise children in need of homes and asked its Philadelphia’s non-discrimination the ‘dignity,’ ‘worth’ and fundamental right to exclude LGBT students. various foster care contractors to “certi- policies were not generally applicable, equality of all members of the commu- “Anti-LGBTQ groups have tried twice fy” couples who could provide suitable he said, because they included the pos- nity.” now (really three times, going back to homes. CSS said certification was tanta- sibility of gaining an exemption, and the the Christian Legal Society case of 2010) mount to endorsement and claimed its city denied an exemption to CSS for its Dodging bullets to get the Supreme Court to recognize religious beliefs were opposed to endors- religious hostility to same-sex couples. a constitutionally compelled exemption ing same-sex marriages. Arguing that Smith should be over- James Essex, director of the national to anti-discrimination law,” said Minter, So, the city’s insistence that CSS certi- turned, Alito said there was “confusion ACLU’s LGBTQ & HIV Project, said it’s “and the court has declined both (or all fy qualified same-sex couples “forced” about the meaning of Smith’s holding on very important in Fulton that “the court three) times. That is a significant victory CSS to choose between its religious be- exemptions from generally applicable did not rule, as CSS had asked, that there for LGBTQ people. liefs and serving foster care children in laws.” He said Smith was “wrongly de- is a constitutional right for government “I am amazed we dodged this bullet Philadelphia. (The city had argued that cided,” that Scalia’s concern about “an- contractors such as the foster care agency again,” Minter added. “I am not sure CSS received $26 million per year for archy” was “not well founded,” and that to discriminate in their work for the city how long we can keep dodging it, but for its services, “which is hardly something CSS’s policy simply “expresses the idea based on religious beliefs.” now, we live to fight again another day.” demonstrating religious hostility.”) that same-sex couples should not be fos- Fulton, he said, “means that govern- But Essex says “any loss — even this Roberts’ second argument was that ter parents … .” ments can and should continue to en- narrow one — will be painful to the foster care placement is not a “public “Many people today find this idea force their non-discrimination laws in all LGBTQ community, particularly in the 22 dallasvoice.com █ 06.25.21
wake of a record number of anti-LGBTQ preme Court relied upon in ruling for Numerous other
bills moving in state legislatures this CSS. That could potentially send the cases around the
year. same case back to the Supreme Court country are also
“The legal fight about whether, and again. testing the issue of
in what context, the Constitution gives The Masterpiece Cakeshop case could religious exercise
some people a right to discriminate is end up back at the Supreme Court versus non-dis-
one of the most important legal issues again, too. On June 15, a Colorado dis- crimination laws.
for the LGBTQ community,” Essex said trict court judge in Denver ruled, in Many are challeng-
in his analysis of the Fulton decision. “It Scardina v. Masterpiece, that Masterpiece ing Trump admin-
has consequences for how every single owner Jack Phillips violated the state istration regula-
non-discrimination law and regulation human rights law when he refused to tions that sought
operates and could allow all of the civil bake a “gender reveal” cake for a trans- to enable various
rights laws that our community strug- gender customer’s birthday, saying he health agencies, in-
gled for decades to establish to be un- had strong religious beliefs that a per- cluding foster care
dermined and side-stepped and ulti- son cannot be transgender. services, to claim
mately rendered close to irrelevant.” While Phillips is a “man of good faith religious beliefs to
The conflict between religious-based religious convictions,” ruled Judge A. deny equal treat-
hostility to LGBTQ people and laws Bruce Jones, appointed by then-Gov. ment to LGBTQ
prohibiting discrimination against Bill Ritter, a Democrat, the state law pro- people. Some are
LGBTQ people was neither resolved hibiting discrimination based on sexual challenging other
nor reduced by the Fulton decision. orientation is a “neutral law of general Catholic foster care
While Philadelphia City Solicitor Di- applicability” that requires the baker not agencies.
ana Cortes said the city would work refuse service to a potential customer In Texas, for in- Chief Justice John Roberts
with the CSS, as the Supreme Court based on the customer’s sexual orienta- stance, a lesbian his concurring opinion, disappointed
decision requires, she added, “The city tion. couple seeking to adopt unaccompa- that the majority had not struck down
e will not waver from our commitment to “The anti-discrimination laws,” nied refugee children applied to Catho- Smith, “These cases will keep coming
- ensuring equality for all Americans, in- wrote Judge Jones, “are intended to en- lic Charities in Fort Worth but were told until the court musters the fortitude to
d cluding LGBTQ families.” sure that members of our society who they did not qualify because the couple supply an answer.” █
- Some legal observers expect the city have historically been treated unfairly did not “mirror the holy family.” © 2021 Keen News Service. All rights re-
to eliminate the “exception” that Su- … are no longer treated as ‘others’.” As Justice Gorsuch said at the end of served.
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n
,
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y
06.25.21 █ dallasvoice 23LGBTQ rights in Texas
A LOOK BACK
It’s been a long, back-and-forth
battle for equality
ANTHONY T. EATON | Contributing Writer
8anthonyeaton@gmail.com
here is no question
that we have made
significant advances
in our fight for equal-
ity here in Texas.
However, to under-
stand how far we still
have to go in Texas,
we need to understand our political his-
tory, which has been a myriad of gains
and losses.
In Texas, the fight for our equality
has been a continual effort against pre-
dominantly white, male, conservative
Republican lawmakers. So let’s start by
looking at losses. For example, an initial
1986 court ruling striking down Texas’
sodomy law was ultimately overturned
in the same year due to a Georgia fed-
eral case that criminalized sodomy as a “any legal status identical or similar to became the first openly lesbian candi- LGBTQ+ community.
non-private act when the U.S. Supreme marriage.” date elected as mayor of Houston. It should come as no surprise that the
Court refused to hear an appeal of the Even faced with these losses, the In 2009, six years before the U.S. Texas Legislature in 2021 introduced
original Texas case. LGBTQ community in Texas has still Supreme Court’s ruling on marriage more than 20 anti-LGBTQ bills, more
The Texas legislature prohibited the is- managed through the years to establish equality, a Texas district judge granted than any other state. These include Bill
suance of marriage licenses to same-sex political leverage for equality. For exam- a divorce to men who had been mar- 29, which had it passed would have
couples in 1997, and in 1999 the state su- ple, in 1975 the Houston GLBT Political ried in Massachusetts, even though forced student athletes to play on sports
preme court annulled all trans marriages Caucus was formed. And in 1980, the Texas law prohibited recognition of teams based on their biological sex in-
in the state. Despite the fact that legisla- Texas Democratic Party added certain same-sex unions performed in other stead of their gender identity. House
tion preventing same-sex couples from LGBT rights to its platform. In 2001, Gov. jurisdictions. Bill 1399 would have banned doctors
obtaining marriage licenses was already Perry signed the James Byrd Jr. Hate The community’s political strength from providing gender-affirming health
on the books, in 2003, lawmakers passed Crimes Act. The new law included sex- increased in 2012 when the Texas Dem- care to transgender children as would
a bill voiding all same-sex marriages and ual orientation as a protected class, but ocratic Party became the first Southern have Senate Bill 1311. Both of these bills,
civil unions and prohibiting the recogni- did not — and still does not — include party to support same-sex marriage as thankfully, also failed.
tion of such from other jurisdictions. gender identity. part of its platform. And of course the And then there was Senate Bill 1646,
Even though the U.S. Supreme Court As noted earlier, the 2003 landmark U.S. Supreme Court’s June 25, 2015, rul- which would have made parents “child
struck down all remaining sodomy laws U.S. Supreme Court decision nullified ing in Obergefell v. Hodges, striking down abusers” for consenting to gender-af-
the U.S. in 2003 with Lawrence v. Texas, any sodomy laws remaining in the U.S., all state bans on same-sex marriage, was firming care for their child and would
Texas Penal Code 21.06 remains on the including Texas’ sodomy law, with its de- one of the LGBTQ community’s big vic- have allowed CPS to remove those chil-
books even today. Then-Gov. Rick Perry cision in a case that originated in Hous- tories in history, as was the court’s June dren from their parents’ custody. That,
criticized the ruling and called the sod- ton, Lawrence v. Texas. Three years later 2020 ruling in Bostick v. Clayton County, too, failed.
omy law “appropriate.” in 2006, gubernatorial candidate Kinky which outlawed anti-LGBTQ discrimi- Now more than ever, we must be vig-
In 2005 voters approved a state consti- Friedman publicly supported same-sex nation in employment. ilant and continue our fight for equality,
tutional amendment that defined mar- marriage rights, saying, “I support gay Even with these historic victories, the because the loss of our rights is always
riage as consisting “only of the union of marriage. I believe they have a right to fight for equality continues, as we see nu- just one vote away. So, whether you are
one man and one woman,” prohibiting be as miserable as the rest of us.” merous efforts around the country, pre- a member of the LGBTQ community or
the state or any political subdivision of And the community’s political gains dominately in Republican-held states, to an ally of the community, you must take
the state from creating or recognizing continued in 2009 when Annise Parker undermine and restrict the rights of the action and make your voice heard. █
24 dallasvoice.com █ 06.25.21PRIDE
All hail the
King and Queen
T
he North Texas Pride Foundation held its annual pageant April 25 to pay
respect to and memorialize departed reigning Queen Sable Alexander, who
succumbed to COVID-19 in January, and to crown the new North Texas Pride
King Ray Byar, Queen Toni Faye Alexander (Tim Phillips), Prince Marcus David and
Princess Dahlia VonHexx (Dakota Brinker). They will represent NTPF and work to
raise awareness and funds for the next year. The event was held at El Noa Noa Tex-
Mex Restaurant in Plano, and was a sold-out event with 150 attending.
— From Staff Reports
Queen Toni Faye Alexander and King Ray Byar
All contestants
Crowning Marcus Dahlia crowned princess
06.25.21 █ dallasvoice 25What’s
PRIDE
your story
New website allows LGBTQ teachers and even other LGBTQ folks
understand parts of the community they
people to explore the coming hadn’t seen before.
out process Robyn: I would have to say overall, people
love it, and they are happy to have it as
ANTHONY T. EATON | Contributing Writer a resource and to read about coming out
8anthonyeaton@gmail.com stories and pressing issues the LGBTQ
community faces. We have made many
great connections with individuals who
ur stories are
share it with others, and it just keeps
what connect
spreading organically, and I can’t thank
us and unite those individuals enough. We have had
us. They let us a few distasteful comments on posts or
know we are ads. No matter the interaction, positive or
not alone in negative, I strive to interact with love and
our journey, compassion.
whatever that Not only does Come (Out) as You Are
journey may be. provide a place for individuals to
This is especially true for those who are share their story, but you also share
considering coming out, are in the pro- some important information related to
cess of coming out or have come out. understanding pronouns, things not to
Together, Katlyn and Robyn have cre- say to those who are trans, amongst
ated an online place for members of the other topics. Was this intentional or an
evolution? Robyn: Some were intentional,
LGBTQ community to share coming out
and some were an evolution. We decided
stories, a place where people can come
to write pieces on different genders and
to understand the coming out experience sexualities to educate ourselves and our
and what it means to be LGBTQ. That community, so we could be more inclusive
place is called Come (Out) As You Are and knowledgeable. As for “Things not to
(ComeOutAsYouAre.com). Recently the say to a trans person,” that came about
two women explained for Dallas Voice because we both know an individual who
how and why it came to be. would ask me some very uncomfortable
and not-so-trans-friendly questions.
Dallas Voice: Where did the idea for Come You’re “about” states Come (Out) as You
(Out) as You Are come from, and when Are is meant to be a safe haven … for
did you launch? Katlyn: The idea came those who can’t or choose not to come
to me as I was completing my college out. Can you elaborate on that? Katlyn:
career at the University of Wisconsin When I put the term “safe haven” on our
Oshkosh in fall 2020. I was in the middle about page, I meant it to be a place for
of job searching and thought to apply my people to feel validated. Reading stories
acquired skills through something I was about other folks’ experiences can plant a
passionate about — person-of-interest seed in their mind that there are other indi-
journalism, storytelling and reporting. viduals like them out there. You don’t have
Shortly after I graduated, I bit the bullet to be out to be LGBTQ, so having a little
and began Come (Out) as You Are. My place on the internet to garner education,
girlfriend helped me come up with the interest and validation for their identity can
name. be validating and a “safe haven” for them.
After I published a few stories, my former Robyn: Unfortunately, not every story is
journalism adviser took notice and offered easy or full of acceptance from parents
to donate $100 to get my blog moved to or peers, so some have to or choose to
its own domain. Around the same time, stay in the closet for a little longer than
I asked Robyn [who is trans] to help out they’d like to for safety reasons. We hope
with the blog. reading someone’s coming out story will
How has it been received so far, and what help those who can’t come out or are too
kind of responses have you gotten? scared to gain the courage to do so with-
Katlyn: Community responses have been Photo by Sharon McCutcheon from Pexels out sacrificing safety or security.
wonderful since the beginning. I received him to come out to his parents, which who may not have been ready to come Have there been any personal stories
word from an old colleague that one of was greatly affirming. It’s part of my goal out. I’ve also heard from my more miscel- that resonate with you? Katlyn: Every
my coming-out story posts encouraged to instill confidence and strength in those laneous posts that I’ve helped parents, coming out story has resonated with me
26 dallasvoice.com █ 06.25.21Proud to be one of
the top HIV researchers
in the country!
in its unique way. It absolutely astonishes each and every person behind the story.
me the resilience each person holds amid Overall, though, I may be a bit biased
their situation and journey to coming out. here, but Ivy’s story resonated with me
It’s crucial to let those in the closet know the most so far. I was there for the good
that folks have come out despite a dif- majority of her journey. We could relate ef-
ference in situations and flourished after fortlessly in our experiences with religion,
doing so. Even if the immediate response being trans and being a lesbian in a rural
to coming out isn’t favorable, it seems environment.
to be common, among a few people I’ve Despite our having more rights, protec-
asked since the start of this project, that tions and visibility, coming out does
their emotions and mental state improve. not seem to have become easier. Why
I can’t stress it enough: Though different, do you think that is? Katyln: It can stem
the stories behind the labels pull us closer
We are P
from several factors, of course. However, I
R
together.
to be par OUD
believe there is a deep-rooted fear among
Robyn: I read or publish stories filled with youths and even adults for how their
to
the LGBT f
very different experiences, some I can families might react. That internal struggle
relate to and others I can’t. But I cherish STI testing & treatment at our
CommunQ+
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06.25.21 █ dallasvoice 27STORY, From Previous Page
can come from observations children sure that you live for yourself first. And if
L
make that their parents never notice. It all that means you have to distance yourself
comes down to accepting one another from your family, then do it. If that means
for who they are no matter what, to teach you need to make new friends, then do
children it’s okay to wander from the it.” — Cory, Jan. 5, 2021 (the first person
status quo. who shared his story with me).
Robyn: I think we still face contention from “Build yourself a support system before you
an older generation that isn’t as accepting move to some of the harder coming out
and pushes the status quo. If we look at stages; it’s good to slowly build that up as
who is leading the government and the you feel more comfortable.” — Zach, Jan.
influence they have on American people, 12, 2021.
that can answer a lot of questions. When “If you never come out to people, you’re
biased media outlets speak about the always going to have that worry in your
LGBTQ community, they never choose stomach, and it’s never going to go away.
the best or most flattering way to present … If you’re in a place where you can’t
the community. I think another major play- come out yet, your day will come; don’t
er in the homophobia gambit is religion. give up.” — Lilith, May 10, 2021.
Many people use religion as their driving
Robyn: Make sure you’re in a safe envi-
narrative to be homophobic somehow.
ronment to do so. Make sure you have
The decision to come out or not, when a great support network, and never look
and how, is a very personal one. Is back. Get yourself to a place where you
there any advice you would offer to can be you without issue and be your
someone considering it? Katlyn: Let me best self and if you need support, reach
quote a few individuals who have said it out and get that support. There is abso-
better than I probably ever will: lutely no shame in getting the help you
“I think the most important thing is making Photo by Sharon McCutcheon from Pexels. need.
28 dallasvoice.com █ 06.25.21Living the executive life
BUSINESS
Trans businessman Jordyn really come to the rescue here.
How were you able to get people on
Pollak says his CBD products board with your product? I am a trans-
can help ease the stress of being gender male and part of the LGBTQIA
LGBTQ in a sometimes-hostile community. I have been very public with
my story and transition, which has led
world. me to have a decent following on social
media. I feel that I put out a very strong
and honest message as to my life and
MAT SHAW | Contributing Writer experiences as a transgender man. In my
Mathews.yb@gmail.com everyday life, I use CBD products regular-
ly, and people see that in a very authentic,
ordyn Pollack, a chef by trustworthy way.
trade, founded Ziggy’s Nat- Why is it important for companies to
urals, a CBD company based support the LGBTQIA community? It is
in Austin, several years ago important for companies to support the
with help of his father, Marc LGBTQIA community because, without
inclusivity and treating all equally, we
Pollack. The company is
will never move forward. The rights of
named after Jordyn’s wife,
LGBTQIA individuals are being challenged
Ziggy. Jordyn’s brother, Jake regularly. With the support of companies
Pollack, joined Ziggy’s as like Ziggy’s Naturals, we can all help fight
well and is director of sales for those rights together.
and marketing, making the company one Tell me about your experience as a
of the country’s leading family-owned transgender man owning a company.
sellers and distributors of purely organic What steps did you take to becoming
CBD products. a C-Suite member (C-suite is a term
Ziggy’s has been partnering with meaning the highest-ranking senior
Target and Chapstick throughout Pride executives in an organization, so called,
Month and boasts ambassadors such as because of the “C” representing the
LGBTQIA America’s Next Top Model word “chief”)? As a transgender man,
and Amazing Race contestant William I have found it very rewarding, and I
really just feel that I am a “man” owning
Jardell; “the world’s strongest gay” Rob
a company. I have conducted myself
Kearney, and Aydian Dowling, the first
as a professional in a very competitive
LGBTQIA man to appear on the cover of industry. I am extremely confident in all of
Men’s Health Magazine. my dealings. I am always educated and
Pollack spoke recently with Dallas prepared to face the challenges that come
Voice about his company and his philos- with owning a business.
ophy of life and business. To become a C-Suite Member, I learned
everything I possibly could about starting
Dallas Voice: What is Ziggy’s Naturals, and running a business from my father,
and what are CBD products? How do who is also an attorney, a high-level entre-
they benefit the LGBTQIA communi- preneur that has represented professional
ty? Jordyn Pollack: Ziggy’s Naturals is a athletes for almost 30 years, and fortu-
family-owned CBD company. We carry a nately, he is my partner in Ziggy’s Naturals.
variety of CBD products, from tinctures to
What do you do to feel safe and included
topicals and even edibles.
in our society? I don’t really look at life
CBD is a cannabinoid extracted from the this way. I live everyday as my authentic
hemp plant or marijuana plant. All of self and focus more on my happiness
our products are derived from the hemp rather than hiding in society to always feel
plant. These products directly benefit the safe. I understand in certain places and
LGBTQIA community in many ways, es- in certain situations people need to stay
pecially with anxiety. Sadly, in this society, safe, but I luckily haven’t felt the need to
being LGBTQIA isn’t as always welcomed hide who I am thus far in my transition. I
as we would want it to be. Consequently, think this is a very sensitive subject for the
a lot of people in the community experi- community, and it hurts me to know some
ence a great deal of anxiety, and CBD can people do not feel safe in our society.
Ziggy’s Naturals co-founder Jordyn Pollack
06.25.21 █ dallasvoice 29IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®
This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY and does not replace (bik-TAR-vee)
talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment.
MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY
BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including: BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:
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30 dallasvoice.com █ 06.25.21You can also read
