Under fire Bills banning or restricting drag performances are getting a lot of attention in Texas and around the country. It's all part of the ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Drag
under fire
Bills banning or restricting
drag performances are
getting a lot of attention
in Texas and around the
country. It’s all part of the
right’s war on LGBTQ people
By David Taffet, page 10
MEDICAL PRACTICE OF
Dr. Steven M. Pounders
Are you PrEP’ed for 2023!
Start 2023 in the hands of experience.
An award-winning medical practice with more than
30 years experience!
Steven Pounders, M.D.
Chad Nyland, D.O
Erin Simms, FNP-C
Chad Crager, FNP-C
D. Trew Deckard, PA-C, MHS
Ryan Lomeda, FNP-C
• Primary Care
• HIV Specialists
• Gender Affirmation
• Cosmetic Procedures
• Pharmacy
• Concierge Medicine
Direct care access
24-hours a day,
seven days a week
Same or next day appointments
More consultation time
Ask about PrEP
Located in the heart of our community
3500 Oak Lawn Ave., Suite 600 | 214.520.8833 | DrPounders.com
Call today to schedule an appointment!
1825 Market Center Blvd., Suite 240, Dallas TX 75207 | 214-754-8710 | dallasvoice.com
March 10, 2023 | Volume 39 | Issue 44
PUBLISHER Leo Cusimano, leo@dallasvoice.com
MANAGING EDITOR Tammye Nash, nash@dallasvoice.com
SENIOR STAFF WRITER David Taffet, taffet@dallasvoice.com
STAFF WRITER Rich Lopez, rich@dallasvoice.com
PROOF READER Philip Burton
CONTRIBUTORS Chris Azzopardi, Sean Baugh, Gary Bellomy, Jenny Block, Joey Casiano,
Jesus Chairez, Lawrence Ferber, Januari Fox, Hardy Haberman,
Scott Huffman, Lisa Keen, Mark Lowry, Jonathon McCellan, Cassie Nova,
Dr. Josh, Josh Robbins, Gilberto Rodriguez, James Russell, Howard Lewis
Russell, Terri Schlichenmeyer, Leslie McMurray, Gregg Shapiro, Casey Williams
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Chad Mantooth, mantooth@dallasvoice.com
CONTENT MARKETING SPECIALIST Mathew Dominguez, mathew@dallasvoice.com
NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE National Advertising Representative
Todd Evans, Rivendell Media Inc. | 908-232-2021
ART DIRECTOR Kevin Thomas, thomas@dallasvoice.com
MULTIMEDIA Jimmy Bartlett, Website Management
Israel Luna, DVtv Video Producer
Tom Roma, DVtv Producer; Joseph Herrera, Producer
DVtv Hosts Regina Lyn, Larry The Fairy, Corry Williams
CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Linda Depriter, distribution@dallasvoice.com
FOUNDERS Robert Moore | Don Ritz
ON THE COVER: Cassie Nova, photo by David Taffet
AFFILIATIONS | MEMBERSHIPS
Associated Press - Associate Member
Certified LGBT Business Enterprise
© 2023 Voice Publishing Company, Inc. All rights reserved. Reprint rights are available by written consent of the publisher. Dallas Voice
is published every Friday. Additional copies may be purchased for $1, at the Dallas Voice office. Dallas Voice may be distributed only by
authorized independent distributors. No person may, without prior written permission of Dallas Voice, take more than one copy of each
weekly issue. Subscriptions via First Class Mail are available: Three months (13 consecutive issues), $69. Six months (26 consecutive
issues), $92. One year (52 consecutive issues), $138. To subscribe call 214-754-8711.
Paid advertising copy represents the claim(s) of advertisers. Bring inappropriate claims to the attention of the publisher.
Dallas Voice reserves the right to enforce its own judgments regarding the suitability of advertising copy, illustrations and/or photographs.
Unsolicited manuscripts are accepted by email only. To obtain a copy of our guidelines for contributors, send a request by email to the
managing editor at editor@dallasvoice.com.
03.10.23 █ dallasvoice 3
Bites from our blog
OF
FE WE N
R B OW
OT
OX
TO
Tired of O !
SHAVING?
We Can Help! WHAT’S THE TEA: DallasVoice.com
Serving the LGBT
Community since 2011!
Smashing High Prices! Carolyn Miles, far left, in 1995 in
front of The Oasis (also known
Call Today for your as Cowgirls Oasis) and Miles in
FREE The Largest Selection of Cabinets, Doors, 2022 in front her former bar’s
Consultation! Vanities and Tubs in the DFW Area current incarnation, The Chat
Room Lounge.
682-593-1442
Save 40% - 60%
htgtelectrolysis.com 2610 West Miller Rd • Garland • 972-926-0100
4245 N. Central Expy. 5832 E. Belknap • Haltom City • 871-831-3600 Fort Worth’s YesterQueer faced in gay male establishments in earlier
Suite 450, Dallas, TX www.builderssurplustexas.com decades.”
hosting Gay History Happy
—Tammye Nash
Hour with Carolyn Miles
In celebration of Women’s History Month,
YesterQueer: The Fort Worth Gay History Proj- House Speaker Dade Phelan
ect continues its series of Gay History Happy
Hours with this month’s topic, “Where the Girls lays out his priorities
Were: What Happened to All of Our Lesbian Outlawing drag queens and causing trans
Bars?” The event will feature guest speaker kids to commit suicide are not among the priori-
Carolyn Miles, former owner of Cowgirls Oasis, ties of House Speaker Dade Phelan. Instead, he
and takes place next Wednesday, March 15, at would like to improve school safety, better sup-
7 p.m. at Liberty Lounge, 515 S. Jennings Ave. port Texas teachers and provide a cost-of-living
at Pennsylvania Avenue. adjustment for retired educators in the state.
In 1995, Miles, a retired American Airlines He chose six bills he would like to see
employee, wanted to open a bar geared passed during the current session, each written
toward gay professional women. But when by Republicans. They’re common sense pieces
neighborhood opposition arose, protests put of legislation that will benefit everyone in Texas,
the bar’s liquor license in jeopardy, which lead are affordable and don’t erode anyone’s rights.
to a months-long legal battle. Miles will be on —David Taffet
hand to discuss her trials and tribulations, from
dealing with neighborhood busybodies to local Billy Porter Dallas concert is
and even statewide officials.
According to the Lesbian Bar Project — a May 10
national campaign created by Erica Rose and Grammy Award-, Emmy Award- and Tony
Elina Street to “celebrate, support and preserve Award-winning actor/singer/composer/director/
the remaining lesbian bars in the U.S.” — there author/playwright Billy Porter announced his
were roughly 200 lesbian bars in the country in 25-city Black Mona Lisa Tour Volume One,
the 1980s. Today, there are fewer than 30. which kicks off April 29 at the Paramount The-
In Tarrant County, there were more than 30 atre in Seattle and comes to Dallas’ Winspear
lesbian bars over the years . But today there Opera House on May 10.
are none. Tickets go on sale to the general public Fri-
Todd Camp said the March YesterQueer day, March 10, at 10 a.m. But AT&T Performing
gathering will “explore many of the early night- Arts Center’s Center Circle members at the
spots for women in Tarrant County — places $250 silver level and above can purchase their
like D.J.’s Bar & Restaurant, the Split Image, tickets early. If you are already a Center Circle
Partners, Tequila Sunrise, the Powder Puff and member, call 214-978-2888 for info on pre-sale
the Purple Lady — while not shying away from tickets.
the segregation and discrimination women — Tammye Nash
█
Adoptable / SCARLETT
May. She’s done well in her journey since and is currently in foster
care so an appointment is necessary to meet her.
Adult dogs and cats are normally a $75 adoption fee from the SPCA
of Texas. Puppies and kittens under the age of six months are $150.
Adoption fees vary for small mammals, equestrian and livestock.
Fee includes spay/neuter surgery, age-appropriate vaccinations,
a heartworm test for dogs six months and older and a FIV/FeLV
test for cats four months and older, initial flea/tick preventative
and heartworm preventative, a microchip, 30 days of PetHealth
Insurance provided by PetHealth, a free 14-day wellness exam
with VCA Animal Hospitals, a rabies tag and a free leash. The Jan-
Meet Scarlett, a dainty but energetic little lady available for Rees Jones Animal Care Center is open to the public seven days a
adoption from the SPCA of Texas. Scarlett is a Labrador retriever week, noon-6 p.m. Appointments are required for foster animals
mix approaching her 11th birthday who can still scamper around. and animal housed in the Russell E. Dealey Animal Rescue Center.
As an older dog, she is available for adoption with a medical Please browse available animals at SPCA.org/FindAPet and visit
consideration to address some age-related issues. Scarlett came to SPCA.org/DogAdopt to inquire about a dog or SPCA.org/CatAdopt
the SPCA of Texas from a hoarding seizure in Hunt County back in to inquire about a cat.
4 dallasvoice.com █ 03.03.23
03.03.23 █ dallasvoice 5
HOME
COOKING DONE
RIGHT!
Breakfast
all day!
Innovative Italian Food
All Made From Scratch! Simply
Located in the heart of the Gayborhood the Best!
4434 Harry Hines Blvd. • 214-521-0992
3102 Oak Lawn in Centrum Bldg.
enotecaitaliadallas.com
972-685-2112 originalmarketdiner.com
Cedar Springs
214-522-1212 hunkys.com 214-941-3322
Bishop Arts
Best Diner! Curbside &
Thanks Dallas Voice Readers!
EAT • DRINK • SUPPORT Third Party Delivery
Available!
LOCAL
2014 Irving Blvd. 6509 W. Park Blvd.
Dallas Plano
214.742.8646 972.473.8877
2412 W. Shady Grove 111 East Main
Irving Forney
972.790.2778 972.552.3463
MamasDaughtersDiner.com streetsfinechicken.com
469-917-7140
Take dining to
the next level…
Come dine and play
with us...
5757 Main St. Frisco + 214.308.9080 + nerdvanafrisco.com
Fresh
Italian
2021 Reader’s Voice Awards:
Best Italian & Best Pizza
HAPPY HOUR
20% Off with ad
M-Thur 3P-7P Cremona Kitchen
2618 Oak Lawn www.cremonabistro.com
campuzanomexicanfood.com 2704 Worthington █ 214-871-1115
VOICES
OPINIONS FROM THE COMMUNITY
Weaponizing sex
Right-wing politicians are using are meant voyeuristic thrill. want to limit drag performances to
our communities to rile up their only to Boom! age-restricted venues. These bills are
voters. We have to fight back strike fear Tennessee just passed a bill banning being introduced because the idea of
into the gender-affirming health care to trans drag being seen by children strikes fear
T
here is currently a “War on hearts youth. For the trans kids this means into the hearts of the right-wing base.
Drag” going on here in Texas of trans they will no longer have access to hor- Drag queens, they insist, are somehow
and in Florida, as well as in Ten- people mone treatments and puberty blockers “grooming” children to become trans-
nessee where the governor just signed and, more — treatments that make some young gender or gay.
anti-drag legislation into law and in trans people’s lives more bearable. This Of course, these same people de-
Kentucky where a state Senate commit- ban assuages the fear of those ignorant monizing drag and drag queens dress
tee approved a similar bill. Such legis- to the reality of trans-affirming care who their daughters up in blatantly sexu-
lation is on the table in at least 36 other have been given only images of radical alized outfits and makeup and parade
states too. surgical procedures. But for trans youth them about in child “beauty pageants”
The good news in all this is that most it means struggling through the confu- on a regular basis. Talk about “groom-
of these bills will die before becoming sion of puberty with no help at all. ing!”
law. The bad news is that some, like the importantly, into the hearts of the right- Boom! Boom!
one in Tennessee, will not. wing voters who immediately envision Several states are trying to — or al- The hand grenades of weaponized
But why the sudden panic among shady characters posing as someone ready have — classified drag shows as sex will continue to explode, terrifying
conservative lawmakers about trans- of the opposite “sexually-orient- potential voters and making LGBTQ
gender folk and drag queens? I suspect sex for some ed entertain- people’s lives into a minefield. Legisla-
it is driven by the fact that transgender kind of ment.” tors need to realize what kind of collat-
youth have become the latest bogeymen They eral damage they are doing with their
conservatives are using to frighten their depraved attacks. They must learn —
base and garner votes and campaign from the mouths of their constituents
funds. It certainly isn’t because of any — about the consequences of their acts.
real concern for the safety of trans- That means YOU need to contact your
gender youth and their families. The representatives and tell them you don’t
damaging side effect is the fear these appreciate their cheap theatrics at our
proposed laws put into the hearts of community’s expense.
LGBTQ citizens who are rightfully Take the unique opportunity to
upset by the prospect of draconian do just that on March 20 as Equality
laws that will affect their lives. Texas, the Transgender Education
This is just the latest battle in Network of Texas, Texas Freedom
the right wing’s ongoing efforts to Network, ACLU of Texas, Lamb-
weaponize sex. Their disregard for da Legal and the Human Rights
the lives and well-being of sexual Campaign host the 2023 All in for
minorities will someday be looked Equality Advocacy Day at the Texas
upon with the same abhorrence as Capitol.
the use of rape as a weapon during Get more information about the
war. Proposing anti-trans and an- advocacy day at Secure.EveryAc-
ti-LGBTQ bills in our state legisla- tion.com/_ihQkvsUCEy2uQdI-
tures is intended to have a similar MOn4Dw2, and start making your
effect. They are emotional hand gre- plans to attend now. The voices at-
nades that not only inflame their base tacking the transgender community
but do real damage to LGBTQ citizens. and the drag community are loud. We
Need an example? Laws forcing have to make our voices louder. █
transgender individuals to use public Hardy Haberman is a longtime local
restrooms that conform to their assigned LGBT activist and board chair for the Wood-
sex at birth are unenforceable without hull Freedom Alliance. His blog is at Dun-
some kind of gender policing. They geonDiary.blogspot.com
03.03.23 █ dallasvoice 7
IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®
This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY and does not replace talking to (bik-TAR-vee)
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:
� Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. Your healthcare � Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY”
provider will test you for HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, section.
your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking BIKTARVY. � Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get
Do not stop taking BIKTARVY without first talking to your stronger and begin to fight infections that may have been hidden
healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health in your body. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new
regularly for several months, and may give you HBV medicine. symptoms after you start taking BIKTARVY.
� Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare
ABOUT BIKTARVY provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. If
BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to
used to treat HIV-1 in adults and children who weigh at least 55 stop taking BIKTARVY.
pounds. It can either be used in people who have never taken HIV-1 � Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a
medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your
medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness
certain requirements. or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of
breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting,
BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that
cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or
causes AIDS. abnormal heartbeat.
Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a medicine that contains: � Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your
� dofetilide healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the
white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-
� rifampin
colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or
� any other medicines to treat HIV-1 stomach-area pain.
BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY � The most common side effects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were
diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%).
Tell your healthcare provider if you:
These are not all the possible side effects of BIKTARVY. Tell your
� Have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while
infection. taking BIKTARVY.
� Have any other health problems. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs
� Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health
provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY. before and during treatment with BIKTARVY.
� Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not
breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk. HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food.
� Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter GET MORE INFORMATION
medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements,
� This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY.
and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.
Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more.
� BIKTARVY and other medicines may affect each other. Ask your
� Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5
healthcare provider and pharmacist about medicines that interact
with BIKTARVY, and ask if it is safe to take BIKTARVY with all your � If you need help paying for your medicine, visit BIKTARVY.com for
other medicines. program information.
BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, GSI, and KEEP ASPIRING are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related
companies. Version date: February 2021 © 2022 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. US-BVYC-0085 02/22
#1 PRESCRIBED
HIV TREATMENT *
*Source: IQVIA NPA Weekly, 04/19/2019 through 05/28/2021.
DIMITRI
LIVING WITH HIV SINCE 2018
REAL BIKTARVY PATIENT
KEEP
ASPIRING.
Because HIV doesn’t change who you are.
BIKTARVY® is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used
to treat HIV-1 in certain adults. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS.
Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you.
ONE SMALL PILL, ONCE A DAY
Pill shown not actual size (15 mm x 8 mm) | Featured patient compensated by Gilead.
Please see Important Facts about BIKTARVY, including important
warnings, on the previous page and visit BIKTARVY.com. Scan to see Dimitri’s story.
Legislating hate
TARGETING THE COMMUNITY
Texas lawmakers have found 93
ways to discriminate against the
LGBTQ community, with trans
folks and the drag community
the main targets
DAVID TAFFET | Senior Staff Writer
taffet@dallasvoice.com
he score in the 2023
Texas Legislature Texas state Rep. Bryan Slaton
so far is 104 “good”
bills to 93 “bad” bills
Get married, stay married, be
according to Equali- fruitful and multiply
We wanted to give a special shout out
ty Texas. Good bills
to HB 2889, introduced by Rep. Bryan
are those that protect Slayton, a Republican and a former pastor
the rights of LGBTQ from Mineola, a wide spot in the road
Texans, and bad bills are those that take on Highway 69, just north of Tyler and
away those rights. Interstate 20.
Now, this isn’t his Texit bill, the seditious
One new category of “bad” bills that
proposal that would have Texas leave the
has begun to pass in state legislatures U.S. And it’s not his bill to ban minors from
around the country (See story Page 11) attending drag performances.
and has been introduced in Austin in- This is the one to give homestead ex-
Jenna Skyy, left, and Cassie Nova pose with Drag Queen Story Hour fan Grayson emptions to couples with children.
volves drag performances.
But he isn’t proposing exemptions for
Senate Bill 1601, introduced by state tention is House Bill 1266, filed by state — and performing drag in front of chil-
just any couple. Only straight couples.
Sen. Bryan Hughes who represents Ty- Rep. Nate Schatzline — not because it dren. Of course, a photo from Lee’s year- With both partners in their first marriage.
ler and Longview, revokes state funding does anything different than SB 476 or book promptly showed up with Lee do- Who had their children while married to
to any municipal library that hosts an two other identical House bills, but be- ing drag for a school performance. each other (that’s biological children or
all-ages drag story time, like the one in cause soon after he filed the bill, a video The governor issued a statement that adopted because there’s apparently some-
thing evil about adopting a child before
which Cassie Nova and Jenna Skyy read surfaced showing Schatzline in drag. said drag shows can’t be conflated with
you marry).
to a packed crowd of all ages that was Schatzline, a freshman lawmaker who “lighthearted school traditions.” Be- The size of the straight-never-divorced
organized by the Grauwyler Branch of represents a large swath of Fort Worth, cause drag shows are serious affairs? family determines the size of the tax break.
the Dallas Public Library but hosted in admits the video is of him. But, he says, And wait a minute: Drag shows are A family with four children would get 40
the Grauwyler Recreation Center. it was part of a school theater project and a tradition at the school he attended in percent off their taxes. A family with 10
children would get 100 percent tax relief.
SB 476 defines any business that hosts was just a joke so it doesn’t count. But Tennessee?
No provisions are made for straight
performers exhibiting a gender identity his bill doesn’t distinguish between the- The law Lee signed makes his light- families with 20 or 30 children.
different from that assigned at birth — ater performances, a drag show like the hearted performance on school property There is also no mention of how those
including makeup or clothing — as a ones held at the Winspear Opera House illegal. families would be penalized if any of the
sexually oriented business. That chang- during the pandemic, a weekly show at Schatzline has also authored an an- children turn out to be transgender, gay or
lesbian.
es the distance the business is required The Rose Room or performances that are ti-transgender bill and has signed on as
In introducing his bill, Slayton said,
to be from a school. It also requires sepa- “just a joke.” a co-author to two others. “Get married, stay married, be fruitful and
rate and more expensive licensing. So Broadway Dallas and Bass Hall In HB 1532, which he authored him- multiply.”
Laws controlling “sexually-oriented better think twice before bringing in the self, life-saving care for transgender But 10 kids? I’m not telling LGBTQ
businesses” are meant to regulate sexu- new hit musical Some Like It Hot if this youth would be classified as child abuse. parents anything they didn’t know, but just
one or two can be a handful.
al activity. Drag shows — the target of bill passes. And the Tony-winning mu- Physicians would be prohibited from of-
Slayton said he introduced the bill to
SB 476 — are not sexual activity. Police sical La Cage Aux Folles would be illegal fering life-saving, best-practice care to address the state’s falling birth rate.
are on higher alert when complaints are to perform in Texas. So would modern trans youth, and insurance companies Texas’ falling birth rate doesn’t seem to
filed against sexually oriented business- interpretations of the classic Cabaret. would be banned from covering such be a problem with the millions of people
es. There haven’t been complaints about And so would Schatzline’s own per- treatment. Doctors who provide such who have migrated here in the last few
years. Oh, wait. Too many of those people
businesses that host drag shows — other formance that was “just a joke.” care would lose their medical licenses.
are liberals from California.
than from people who don’t go to bars In Tennessee, Gov. Bill Lee has signed Schatzline signed on as a co-author Now maybe that’s the real danger he’s
and have never been to a drag show. into law a bill that outlaws drag shows of HB 23 that expands the anti-trans- addressing.
The bill that has gotten the most at- on public property — such as in schools — David Taffet
HATE, Page 18
10 dallasvoice.com █ 03.03.23Kentucky Senate committee advances anti-drag bill
Opponents chant ‘shame’ viewed by children. restrictions on where drag shows could
“This bill is not anti-LGBTQ,” said occur. Despite the changes, opponents
after vote on proposal to
Republican Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, the continued to raise constitutional ques-
limit drag shows bill’s lead sponsor. “This bill is pro-chil- tions about the measure.
dren. For some reason, people want this “Our concern remains that this will
BRUCE SCHREINER | Associated Press type of content in front of children. And include some censorship from the gov-
I would dare ask, why? Why do we need ernment that is not in compliance with
RANKFORT, Ky. — Re- to sexualize our children?” our First Amendment-protected rights,”
publican lawmakers Violations of the bill would be punish- said Kate Miller with the American Civil
on Thursday, March 2, able as misdemeanors for the first two Liberties Union of Kentucky.
advanced a bill aimed offenses but would rise to a felony for The proposal — Senate Bill 115 — re-
at putting limits on subsequent offenses. Businesses hosting mains discriminatory despite the revi-
drag shows in Ken- such performances could have their al- sions, said Bob Heleringer, who rep-
tucky, sparking chants cohol and business licenses suspended resented the Fairness Campaign, an
of “shame” from oppo- or revoked. LGBTQ advocacy organization.
nents who decried the measure as dis- Across the country, conservative activ- “And an ounce of discrimination is
criminatory and said it would stifle First ists and politicians complain that drag Kentucky state Sen. Lindsey Tichenor the same as an ocean of discrimination,”
Amendment rights. shows are contributing to the “sexual- North Dakota, Montana and Oklahoma, said Heleringer, a Republican and a for-
“This bill not only compromises or ization” or “grooming” of children. The are considering similar bans. mer Kentucky lawmaker.
asks me to explain my humanity, but it Tennessee Legislature recently became After a lengthy discussion that at The legislation takes aim at drag
also brings into question my livelihood,” the first in the country to pass a bill ban- times turned emotional, the Kentucky shows by referring to adult performanc-
drag performer Poly Tics told a GOP-led ning public drag performances by clas- Senate committee sent the measure to es as a “sexually explicit performance”
Kentucky Senate committee, which vot- sifying them as adult cabaret, among the full Senate. If it passes there, it would that includes a performance involving
ed to advance the measure a few min- topless dancers, go-go dancers, exotic still need House approval. Republicans male or female impersonators.
utes later. dancers and strippers. Tennessee’s Re- have supermajorities in both chambers. David Walls, executive director of The
The measure would prohibit drag publican Gov. Bill Lee signed the bill The committee voted to scale back Family Foundation, praised the bill as
shows on public property or in places into law on March 2. the bill from its original version, which a “straightforward, common sense and
where the adult performances could be Several other states, including Idaho, would have imposed stricter location KENTUCKY, Page 19
‘It literally makes no sense’
Drag is art, not grooming, goes into effect July 1. “Drag is not a threat to anyone. It
experts say Across the country, conservative activ- makes no sense to be criminalizing or
ists and politicians complain that drag vilifying drag in 2023,” said Lawrence
KIMBERLEE KRUESI and JEFF MCMILLAN contributes to the “sexualization” or La Fountain-Stokes, a professor of cul-
Associated Press “grooming” of children. Several states ture and gender studies at the Universi-
are considering restrictions, but none ty of Michigan and author of Translocas:
ASHVILLE, has acted as fast as Tennessee. The ef- The Politics of Puerto Rican Drag and Trans
Tenn. — “If I forts seek to extinguish popular “ drag Performance.
hadn’t been a story hours “ at which queens read “It is a space where people ex-
girl, I’d have to kids. Organizers of LGBTQ Pride plore their identities,” said La Foun-
been a drag events say they put a chill on their pa- tain-Stokes, who has done drag himself.
queen.” rades. And advocates note that the bills, “But it is also a place where people sim-
Dolly Par- pushed largely by Republicans, burden ply make a living. Drag is a job. Drag is a
ton has uttered businesses in an un-Republican fashion. legitimate artistic expression that brings
those words famously and often. But if The protestations have arisen fairly people together, that entertains, that al-
she really were a drag queen, one of Ten- suddenly around a form of entertain- lows certain individuals to explore who
nessee’s most famous daughters would ment that has long had a place on the they are and allows all of us to have a
likely be out of a job under legislation mainstream American stage. very nice time.
signed into law by Republican Gov. Bill Milton Berle, “Mr. Television” himself, “So it makes literally no sense for leg-
Lee on March 2. Lee signed off on the was appearing in drag on the public air- islators, for people in government, to try
legislation without issuing a statement Dolly Partom (Photo by By Curtis Hilbun, My waves as early as the 1950s on Texaco Star to ban drag.”
or having a public ceremony. The bill News Desk) Theater.
SENSE, Page 19
03.03.23 █ dallasvoice 11Everyone hates Ted Cruz … but can anyone beat him?
ELECTIONS 2024
If Allred runs for Cruz’s seat,
constituency is about seat, that opens the District 32 seat that
will Julie Johnson run for three times larger than he’s held since 2019.
Allred’s seat? a Texas congressional Last week, the Dallas Morning News
district. So more people speculated that state Rep. Julie Johnson,
DAVID TAFFET | Senior Staff Writer have voted for Turner one of the eight openly LGBTQ mem-
taffet@dallasvoice.com than for Allred. bers of the Texas House, is considering
On the other hand, in a run. Johnson’s office wouldn’t con-
ormer Sen. Al Franken Texas history no mayor firm or deny that the state lawmaker is
once said, “I like Ted of a Texas city has ever thinking about running for Congress,
Cruz more than most gone on to become Tex- but others are talking about her as a
of my other colleagues as governor or a U.S. well-qualified candidate.
like Ted Cruz. And I senator. Johnson, whose district includes Cop-
hate Ted Cruz.” And as mayor, Turn- pell and Addison and covers parts of Ir-
Democrats around er was unable to get ving, Farmer’s Branch and Carrollton, is
the country have long HERO — the Houston a founding member of the Texas House
held a special hatred for Cruz, and Re- Equal Rights Ordi- LGBT Caucus. She’s also one of the Tex-
publicans don’t like him much more nance — reinstated. So as Democratic Party’s fundraising pow-
than Democrats. And yet, Cruz keeps on Houston remains the erhouses.
winning elections. Not only has he been only large city without Noble said that if Allred does decide
elected to two terms as U.S. senator, but a nondiscrimination to challenge Cruz, and if Johnson con-
he beat Trump in the 2016 Texas presi- law. Turner was a state siders making a bid for Congress, John-
dential primary. representative prior to son has many connections throughout
But polling shows he’s vulnerable, at becoming mayor, and the state and in D.C. in addition to her
least in part because people don’t like Equality Texas gave fundraising skills.
him personally, so Democrats are gear- Turner an A+ rating “She’s an effective legislator for her
ing up for a tough battle to defeat him in when he was in the constituents,” Noble said. “And she’s a
his 2024 bid to be re-elected to the U.S. House, placing him in great team player. She supports candi-
Senate. the top 10 of Texas law- dates up and down the ballot.”
Among those Democrats considering Sen. Ted Cruz, above; Congressman
a run against Cruz is U.S. Rep. Colin Colin Allred, right, and
Allred, who represents a district that in- state Rep. Julie Johnson, far right.
cludes parts of Oak Lawn and most of
northern Dallas County. the money to mount a statewide cam-
Allred was initially elected in 2018 to paign to attract voters in areas of the
a district that had been represented by state where he’s not as well known.
Republican Pete Sessions. Sessions was Dallas County Democratic Party Chair
first elected to Congress in 1996 and, Kristy Noble said there have been “rum-
with redistricting, was elected to the blings of different folks” considering a
32nd District in 2002. After Allred de- run from around the state, as well. She
feated Sessions in 2018, Sessions moved said Allred would make a good candi-
to Waco where he was returned to Con- date because he has shown he can work
gress to represent a safely Republican across the aisle. She called him “a rising
district. star in Democratic party.”
So Allred, in just a few short years in An important part of the state where makers in 2015. Noble said if Allred’s seat does come
office, has the experience of taking down Allred would have to widen his popu- Julian Castro, former secretary of open, she expects a competitive race on
an established and entrenched politician. larity is Houston, and that city may have HUD, is also sending up trial balloons both sides to fill it.
Allred, an ally in Congress for the its own local contender: Houston Mayor about a U.S. Senate run. One likely — and well-qualified —
LGBTQ community, is popular in his Sylvester Turner is term-limited out of Before serving in the Obama adminis- candidate is Rep. Victoria Neave Crea-
district and around North Texas. He se- the mayor’s office at the end of this year. tration, Castro was elected mayor of San do. In the same Dallas Morning News
cured funding for a VA hospital in Gar- Houston mayors may run for up to three Antonio for two terms. article, Neave, whose legislative district
land. He’s been prominent in the fight two-year terms in office, and Turner is Whoever runs, Noble said, “We want also falls into Allred’s congressional
to lower prescription drug costs and finishing his sixth year in office this year. strong Democrats running against Ted district, said she was happy where she
worked on a paid family leave bill. Turner will leave office as a popu- Cruz.” is and not interested in a congressional
The question is whether he can raise lar mayor of the state’s largest city. His If Allred does run for the U.S. Senate race. █
12 dallasvoice.com █ 03.03.23Meow Woof
BEARS ON THE DANCE FLOOR
The DJs of Thunderpuss
continue their reunion headlining
BearDance
RICH LOPEZ | Staff writer
rich@dallasvoice.com
n its usual fashion, BearDance
will host a marquee DJ for its
annual dance event. But this
year, organizers proved to
have impeccable timing. Rid-
ing high off their reunion as
Thunderpuss, Barry Harris
and Chris Cox have been tak-
ing their beats to the people with live
performances. Since getting back to-
gether for its Whitney Houston project,
Thunderpuss will now give the bears
something to purr about right here in the
Dallas Gayborhood.
BearDance: Angels and Demons goes
down March 17 at Station 4 during Texas
Bear Round-up.
Thunderpuss’ resurgence wasn’t ex-
pected to be what it is today, according
to Cox. Basically, they were looking at
a one-and-done type of situation. But
when word got out the DJs were reunit- BearDance 2022 (Photo by Chad Mantooth)
ing, things went a different way.
“This wasn’t really in the plan,” Cox “Hosh Gurelli, who was formerly of created “Don’t Cry for Me,” a whole of sounds, so I don’t think Thunderpuss
said by phone. “We were just gonna do Arista records and worked with us on new track by Whitney Houston. is all that different this time around in
the one record. But when the cat was out ‘It’s Not Right, But It’s Okay,’ reached Cox described the experience as com- 2023.”
of the bag, people started inviting us to out to us last fall 2022 and coordinated ing full circle. The two DJs are not strangers to queer
play. We hadn’t planned for a whole se- it with Pat Houston and Clive Davis and “It is just that. Most of my career clubs because of their dance catalog.
ries of things to happen.” Sony Music,” Harris said. “It was his comes from that one Whitney record, so Dance divas and club mixes are pret-
Harris and Cox first teamed up in the idea to reunite Whitney and Thunder- I do owe my career to her,” he said. ty much what keep those dance floors
late ’90s, remixing and producing many puss. He reached out to both of us and Since the movie came out in December going. That legacy is hardly lost on the
of the top pop divas’ hits for the dance- asked if we’d consider doing a Thunder- along with the song and soundtrack, it artists.
floors. Gay clubs couldn’t resist their hot puss mix again together.” has been a whirlwind for the producing/ “You don’t realize it while you’re
mixes for Christina, Madonna and Brit- Houston’s songs were used to help the remixing team. Harris described how he working on things. You just go with the
ney. Their signature remix turned out story’s narrative along, but the filmmak- sees the differences between then and flow and the times,” Harris said. “I am
to be Whitney’s “It’s Not Right, But It’s ers did want to add something fresh if now — not just for Thunderpuss but for forever proud of the work that we did
OK” that she would use in performanc- possible. music in general. and the awesome chemistry and work
es. “When they started this movie, they “The times and the musical influences groove we were both running with at the
Their catalog and work kept going un- were trying to include anything that are completely different,” he said. “The time. Exciting times indeed.”
til they disbanded in 2003. hadn’t been released,” Cox said. “We first time around in the [aughts], there Cox added that he loves the idea of
When the biopic I Wanna Dance with heard about this performance in 1994 were still record stores, and the New the bear community coming together
Somebody came out last year, it made she gave at an AIDS benefit concert, and York club scene was thriving. The digital this way to dance the night away to all
sense Harris and Cox would come to- it was just an amazing performance at age, the internet, streaming, social media of Thunderpuss’ music (and then some).
gether for one more Whitney tune. The her peak.” in general has changed everything since “I see the same with Deadheads or
bigwigs thought so, too, and put things Using today’s technology, they ex- then. ravers — when you find that tribe, you
in motion. tracted the vocals, and Harris and Cox “But Thunderpuss often had a variety want that feeling to keep going,” he said.
14 dallasvoice.com █ 03.03.23Barry Harris Chris Cox
The lineup
BearDance: Angels and Demons will be headlined by DJs Barry Harris and Chris Cox, also
known collectively as Thunderpuss. The two will reign over the main dance floor at Station 4,
but the March 17 event has a lot more going on, too.
Drag Race queen Gottmik will headline the Rose Room. Superfans can purchase Premier
Access to the show that will offer premium reserved seating and a meet-and-greet with her.
However, Premier Access will be done in a silent auction format where the top bidders will win
the seats and fastpasses. Bidding starts at $100.
While Thunderpuss headlines BearDance, two other DJs will be dropping beats left and
right. The night will also include sets by Thee Filth and Dr. Beard.
In BearDance tradition, its Opposites Attract mixer will kick off at 8 p.m. This mix-and-min- “I know I like the feeling I get when I’m BearDance is open to the public with pro-
gle event is for all the bears and for all those who love them. SalemMoon will host the event. around my people, so I can see it here ceeds benefiting area LGBTQ nonprofits.
For more information, visit BearDance.org. with the bears for BearDance.” █ Tickets are available at BearDance.org.
Specializing in HIV Treatment & PrEP
Primary Care: In-Office Procedures:
• STI Testing & Treatment • Removal of Warts, Skin Tags,
• Diabetes Management • Skin abscess incision & drainage
• Cholesterol Management Lipomas & Sebaceous cyst,
Ingrown/deformed toenails,
• Weight Management
• Wound Closure/Stitches
• High Blood Pressure Management • Botox, Juvederm, Cosmetics
• Joint Injections
Specialized Care:
• Infectious Disease/HIV
• Hepatitis C Treatment
Book your
Luis Valdes Castillo,FNP-C | Peter Triporo, ACNP-BC | Marc Tribble, MD • Gender Affirming Care
• Psychiatric Services
appointment
(General Addiction)
online
“I am excited to join MD Progressive Care practice and
continue offering services to the LGBTQ Community with Voted 2022 Best Medical
additional Psychiatric Services” - Peter Triporo, ACNP-BC Practice, Best HIV
Specialist and Dr. Tribble
Best General Practioner
Scan Code & Pre-Register to Peter Triporota, NP
become a patient of Peter Triporo named Top 10 in America’s
Top Nurse Practitioner Awards.
at MD Progressive Care
MDProgressiveCare.com • 214-521-0100 • Voted 2022 Best Medical Practice, Best HIV Specialist and Dr. Tribble Best General Practioner
03.03.23 █ dallasvoice 15HATE, From Page 10
gender sports ban to the collegiate level Healthcare-related bills mostly aim veston County. To make sure we’d be They don’t allow LGBTQ people with
and bans trans youth from participating at preventing parents, doctors and in- getting the finest chaplains, they’d be sincerely held religious beliefs to refuse
in any sports in addition to the current surance companies from providing care exempt from any state certification, be- to serve straight people.
competition ban. recommended by every national medi- cause, you know, religion. Finally there is a category of bills that
He also signed on to HB 1350 that cal and psychological association. One Then there are the “don’t say gay” would preempt local ordinances. While
punishes district attorneys who refuse Senate resolution would censure those bills: Some would outlaw classroom dis- Dallas, Austin and San Antonio have
to prosecute parents of trans youth. That organizations for recommending med- cussion of sexual orientation or gender non-discrimination ordinances, and
bill refers to an illegal directive issued by ically necessary care. identity. Others would outlaw extracur- Dallas even has that non-discrimination
Gov. Greg Abbott that defines best-prac- One bill would require a psychologi- ricular activities such as gay-straight written into its city charter, seven bills
tice care of trans youth as child abuse. cal exam before any youth could receive alliances. School personnel would be al- have been filed to preempt those local
Child abuse is defined in the code that any form of gender-affirming care. Most lowed to opt out of any diversity train- laws.
regulates the Texas Department of Fam- parents already take or have taken their ing that included sexual orientation or The more bills that are filed, the less
ily and Protective Services, not by exec- trans kids for counseling anyway. gender identity if other bills pass. chance many will be heard. A committee
utive orders. Education bills add barriers to stu- Identity document bills would make only holds a hearing on a fraction of the
The attorneys referred to in the bill dents seeking mental health support it more difficult or impossible to update bills assigned to it. Then the bill has to
include Dallas District Attorney John from school staff. These bills affect far ID documents. be voted out of committee to make it to
Creuzot whose office has indicated it more students than just LGBTQ youth. Prosecutorial discretion bills would the House or Senate floor for a vote. If a
would not prosecute parents of trans Other education bills ban surveys limit the authority of district attorneys measure passes in one chamber, it then
youth seeking medical care for their and studies related to the LGBTQ youth to choose when and whom to prose- has to go through the process and get
children. That medical care for minors population. Violations would result in cute. These bills are aimed at lawsuits passed in the other chamber.
includes counseling and, at a certain age, state jail time. School staff, however, filed against parents of trans youth, not If the measure is then amended during
hormone blockers but doesn’t include would be required to out LGBTQ youth someone like the Collin County district the approval process in the second cham-
surgery. to family. attorney who has refused for more than ber, it goes back to the original chamber
One bill would replace school coun- eight years to bring indicted Attorney to get the amendments approved.
But chances are at least one of these
Categories of bad selors with religious chaplains. That’s General Ken Paxton to trial.
a violation of the U.S. Constitution but Religious refusal bills allow people heinous bills will pass so legislators can
Equality Texas divides the “bad” bills perfectly reasonable to the bill’s author, with “sincerely held religious beliefs” boast to their constituents that they did
into seven categories. state Sen. Mayes Middleton of Gal- to discriminate against LGBTQ people. something to control the gays. █
18 dallasvoice.com █ 03.03.23!
KENTUCKY, From Page 11 SENSE, From Page 11
necessary” effort to protect children. Drag does not typically involve nu-
“Let’s state the obvious: Sexually ex- dity or stripping, which are more com-
plicit adult performances should not take mon in the separate art of burlesque. Ex-
place on public property and should not plicitly sexual and profane language is
be anywhere near children, and SB115 common in drag performances, but such
would help protect our children from content is avoided when children are
these performances,” Walls said. the target audience. At shows meant for
Drag performer Poly Tics later told adults, venues or performers generally
lawmakers the bill was an attack on her warn beforehand about age-inappropri-
livelihood: “As a drag performer who ate content.
depends on drag shows ... for income, The word “drag” does not appear in
this bill not only tells me that I am not the Tennessee bill. Instead, it changes
really a human worthy of rights, but I’m the definition of adult cabaret in Tennes-
also not worthy to work, and I’m not see’s law to mean “adult-oriented per-
deserving of an ability to make money,” formances that are harmful to minors.”
she said. It also says “male or female imperson-
A few minutes later, the committee’s ators” now fall under adult cabaret
Republican members advanced the bill. among topless dancers, go-go dancers,
After the vote, the bill’s opponents start- exotic dancers and strippers.
ed chanting “shame.” The chanting con- The bill then bans adult cabaret from
tinued as the committee chairman called public property or anywhere minors
up another bill to be considered. The might be present. It threatens perform-
opponents eventually left the committee ers with a misdemeanor charge, or a fel-
room. ony if it’s a repeat offense. OPEN: Tues-Sun 3pm-2am
█
DAILY HAPPY HOUR: 3pm-8pm Come celebrate
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All The bill has raised concerns that it St Pattys
BUFFET DRAG BRUNCH: Sat & Sun @ 12 noon
rights reserved. This material may not be could be used to target transgender peo-
For more info: enjoytheviewdallas.com
with us!
published, broadcast, rewritten or redistrib- ple, but sponsors say that is not the in-
uted without permission. tent. █ 525 SOUTH RIVERFRONT • DALLAS, TEXAS • 972-373-4011
03.03.23 █ dallasvoice 1920 dallasvoice.com █ 03.03.23
PLAN YOUR WEEK - The Gay Agenda... Our LGBTQ community calendar!
n March 14: LGBT Chamber of Commerce n March 17: St. Patrick’s Day
Business Connections Lunch Tarrant County from
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Main Street Cafe inside the n March 18: Back to the ’80s Gaybingo
Radisson Hotel Fort Worth North Fossil Creek, Gaybingo at 6 p.m. Play for a chance to win cash
2540 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth. Attendees pay and prizes. Station 4, 3911 Cedar Springs Road.
for their own lunch. Tickets at myresourcecenter.org/gaybingo.
n March 15: Pride Happy Hour n March 18: Beards, Bears & Brews
LGBTQ Chamber hosts Pride Happy Hour where Dot’s Hop House and Cocktail Courtyard, 2645
LGBTQ and ally professionals network to grow their Commerce St., hosts Beards, Bears & Brews, from
businesses at 5:30 p.m. at Aloft Dallas Downtown, 1-5 p.m. See the Facebook event page for details.
1033 Young St. Free to registered members and
their guests. At the door $10 Chamber members, n March 18: Love Equality
$20 non-members. Lisa.howe@lgbtchamber.com. In the 88th Legislature, anti-LBTQ hate is a priority
among some extremist politicians. Love Equality
n March 15-April 2: 2023 supports Equality Texas from 8-11 p.m. at
‘Moulin Rouge! The Musical’ Crozier Hall, 2218 Bryan St., Suite 105. $100.
Winter is over, and the bears are coming out of hibernation. Texas Bear Round-Up Broadway Dallas presents this musical based EqualityTexas.org.
starts Thursday, March 16, with events planned throughout the weekend — including on the Baz Luhrmann, Oscar-winning film that
BearDance’s “Angels & Demons” dance Saturday at S4. The Hyatt Regency down- keeps all the style and glamour with an updated n March 22: Same-sex spouse grief group
town is once again the host hotel for TBRU. Visit TBRU.org for a complete schedule of soundtrack of hits at the Music Hall at Fair Park. Grief support group for people who have lost a
events and other information. BroadwayDallas.org. same-sex spouse or partner meets in person on
the fourth Wednesday of the month from 6:30-
n March 16: Shots with Queens 8 p.m. at a restaurant or coffee shop. For this
n Red for community events Grapevine. Email info@UpRightTheatre.org The Shot Cellar, 931 Foch St. in Fort Worth, hosts month’s location, contact Richard DeKnock at
n Blue for arts and entertainment for information. the Shots with Queens drag show, hosted by tastefullyrichard@gmail.com.
n Purple for sports BeyondShade Starr, from 10:30 p.m.-1 a.m.
n Green for nightlife n March 11: NOH8 No cover charge; 21 and up only. n March 24-April 1: Cosi fan Tutte
n Orange for civic events and holidays Add your face to the fight for equality. Adam The Dallas Opera presents the Mozart comedy on
Bouska returns to Dallas for a photo shoot from n March 16: Log Cabin Dallas March 24, 26 and 29 and April 1 at the Winspear
n Every Wednesday: THRIVE 2-4 p.m. at the W Dallas – Victory Hotel, Log Cabin Republicans meets with happy hour at Opera House, 2403 Flora St. DallasOpera.org.
Resource Center’s THRIVE Wednesday Support 2440 Victory Park Lane. $40 single. $24 per person 6 p.m. and a presentation at 7 p.m. at Mattito’s,
Group for LGBTQ adults 50 and older meets from couple or group. NOH8Campaign.com. 3102 Oak Lawn Ave. Have an event coming up?
11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at Resource Center Community Email your information to
Center, 5750 Cedar Springs Road and is led by n Through March 12: ‘To Die:Go In Leaves’ n March 16-19: TBRU 27: Deadly Managing Editor Tammye
interns from the SMU counseling program. Cara Mia Theatre devised this production inspired Sins Nash at nash@dallasvoice.
For more information on the support group by Frida Kahlo’s paintings and biography. Dallas Bears presents TBRU 27: Deadly com or Senior Staff Writer
and how to join, please send an email to Get tickets for the English or Spanish versions Sins. Texas Bear Round Up returns to David Taffet at taffet@
THRIVE@myresourcecenter.org. at CaraMiaTheatre.org. the Hyatt Regency. dallasvoice.com by
TBRU.org. Monday at 5 p.m. for that
n Through March 12: ‘Silver Foxes’
MARCH Uptown Players presents a premiere by Golden n March 17:
week’s issue.
Look for extended
n March 10-19: ‘Evita’ Girls writers James Berg and Stan Zimmerman BearDance — Angels & Demons listings online at
North Texas Performing Arts in Plano opens this about three older queer men who save their BearDance presents Angels & Demons DallasVoice.com
Andrew Lloyd Webber classic based on the true best friend from his facility. Presented on the at S4, 3911 Cedar Springs Road, from 8
story of Eva Peron and her rise to adjacent power. Theatre Three stage. UptownPlayers.org. p.m.-4 a.m. Features headlining DJ duo
Just don't cry for her. NTPA is located in the Thunderpuss (Chris Cox and Barry Harris). Former Houston Mayor
Shops at Willow Bend. NTPA.org. n March 12: Tickets are $35 in advance and $45 at the Annise Parker is one of
New Texas Symphony Orchestra door, available online at EventBrite.com, many celebrities who have
n March 10: ‘Drag Race’ viewing party Denise Lee performs songs from Broadway at the Hyatt Regency (host hotel for been photographed for
Macarena and Pinche host a weekly viewing party and Hollywood with the New Texas Symphony TBRU) and at the door. Adam Bouska’s NOH8
for season 15 of RuPaul’s Drag Race each Friday Orchestra at 3 p.m. at Moody Performance Hall, campaign. Bouska returns
from 7-9 p.m. at The Round-Up Saloon, 2520 Flora St. Free. to Dallas for a new shoot
3912 Cedar Springs Road. Visit the Facebook Saturday, March 11.
event page for details. n Through March 12: ‘Beautiful’
The Carole King musical at Casa Mañana,
n March 10-19: 3101 W. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth.
‘Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella’ CasaManana.org.
Upright Theatre Company presents the Broadway
version of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella
at 7:30 p.m. at Palace Theatre, 300 S. Main St. in
03.10.23 █ dallasvoice 21Cassie Nova
ASK A DRAG QUEEN
his drag name, and he has to go by that
name only and forever.
He will forever be a Nova but only if
he does drag under the name I choose.
Oooh, he got so excited! He said, “Yes
Mommy! Name me!”
I told him that his name was going to
be — wait for it — Lady Diarrhea Eggfart
Nova.
He immediately blocked me without
a response. I should have gotten screen-
shots when I had the chance.
Who knows, maybe Lady Diarrhea
Eggfart Nova will show up at a show
near you soon. I hope she’s pretty.
Remember to always love more, bitch
less and be fabulous! XOXO, Cassie
Nova.
word search solution
Tennessee, Texas
make a joke for the parents that I know He said he wanted to start doing drag,
and the anti-drag haters the kids won’t get, but that is part of be- and he INSISTED that I be his drag moth-
ing a great entertainer, toot-toot. er. He wanted me to make him some
Hey y’all. I woke up today feeling I have loved doing the drag queen sto- pads, let him borrow an outfit and wig
pissed off. Seeing all of this anti-drag/ ry time, but it comes with a lot of awful- and, of course, he wanted me to do his
trans bullshit coming out of Tennessee ness. My picture has been put on right makeup. He kept saying that we were so
and Arkansas has put me in an awful wing websites where they called me a much alike and that we were going to be
state of mind. How are we, as a country, pedophile. They have posted my real best friends.
taking so many steps backwards? I just name and where I live. It’s scary. It was giving me Single White Female
don’t get it. I posted a photo on Facebook of me vibes.
Actually, I do get it: They — and when wearing a big, curly orange wig that I felt First of all, if you know me at all, you
I say they, I mean the Republicunts — are I looked like Pennywise, and I captioned know that none of that is happening. The
creating fake problems for the world to it, “Might lure some kids into the sewer quickest way to ensure that we will not
focus on instead of real issues that mat- later LOL.” They literally put that pic on be besties is to tell me we will be besties.
ter, like gun control. the front page of their newsletter with I am all about encouraging up-and-com- this week’s solution
There really is a simple solution to the headline, “This drag queen wants to ing drag queens, and I will give advice
drag queens performing in front of kids: lure your kids into a sewer!” all day long. But if you think I am going
If you don’t want your kids to see, hear I made the mistake of reading the com- to do everything for you — well, you
or think of a drag queen reading a story ments. I couldn’t sleep for a week. must not know ’bout me.
or performing for your kid, don’t take My heart truly breaks for every trans Then he tells me that I should help
’em to events where that is happening. person and drag performer in Tennessee him with his drag career because I don’t
Simple as that. right now. I want them all to know that want to make him into an enemy. I was
I have done a bunch of drag queen sto- we stand with them, and we feel their like, “Was that a threat?” He apologized
ry times, and I can tell you that we put a pain. Unfortunately, this is Texas; I’m and told me that he just wants me to be
lot of work into what we wear, what we sure it is just a matter of time before they his drag mother so bad that he would do
say and how we act. I know the audience come for us, too. Well, my wig is my hel- anything I asked of him — punctuated
I am catering to. If you see me in a night met, and my pads are my armor. Bring with a devil emoji.
club, performing for adults, you will get it bitch! It kept getting weirder and weirder.
an adult themed show. My humor can be Since I am feeling a little bitchy, I Mind you, there are no pics of him at all
raunchy and rude. I take no prisoners. thought I would tell you about some- on his profile, and the profile was very
Hell, I offend myself sometimes. thing that happened a few weeks ago. I new.
But, if I am performing anywhere fam- was contacted by a queen on Facebook So, I am thinking that someone is fuck- █ browse █ submit
ily-friendly, then I change everything. I by a profile with very limited informa- ing with me, so I decide to fuck back. I
put myself into fairy princess mode and tion — new with no pics and a name like tell him that I will absolutely be his drag For a more complete Community To submit an item for inclusion in
Calendar online, visit the Community Calendar, visit
cater to that audience. I will occasionally “Joe Smith.” mother on one condition: I get to choose Tinyurl.com/dvevents. Tinyurl.com/dvevents.
22 dallasvoice.com █ 03.10.23You can also read
