With Billy Porter headlines Black Tie Dinner by David Taffet, Dallas Voice
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with
Billy Porter
headlines
Black Tie Dinner
by David Taffet,
Page 8
2 dallasvoice.com █ 11.01.19
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instanTEA DallasVoice.com/Category/Instant-Tea
and having the opportunity to take part in the
decision-making and implementation process-
the spring, bigger and better than before. And
watch for an announcement about Christmas
es of programs and services to improve and trees and poinsettias.
Sharyn Grayson joining vices,” an AP Inc. press release noted. empower the lives of transgender women of — David Taffet
According to the press release, Grayson color here, is my perfect dream job.”
AP Inc. staff began her transition in Dallas in 1964, later AP Inc. CEO Kirk Myers said the agency is
moving to Los Angeles where she started her “excited to have Ms. Grayson join our family at
Wichita Falls trans woman
career in the nonprofit sector and “committed this exciting time of growth and development in running for Congress
her life to improving standards of healthcare, our history. I am certain that Sharyn’s presence Two Wichita Falls Republicans have an-
education and overall equality for the black will assist in elevating our transgender-focused nounced their candidacies for Texas’ District
LGBT community but most of all, for her fellow initiatives to the forefront of our community, 13 seat in the U.S. House, and one of those
black transgender women.” providing much needed benefits to local trans- two is a transgender woman, according to
Grayson has received numerous awards and women of color.” TexomasHomepage.com. Monique Worthy
commendations through the years celebrating — Tammye Nash and Kevin McInturff have both said they will be
her pioneering work in the transgender move- running to replace Rep. Mac Thornberry, the
ment aimed at creating jobs, finding funding Republican who has held the seat for 24 years.
and finding other opportunities for organiza-
North Haven Gardens holding Worthy — whose campaign website includes
tions supporting equity and empowerment for ‘Survivor Sale’ a plea for help in either raising the money to
the community. Our friends at North Haven Gardens are pay the filing fee or to get the 500 signatures
In 1986, while living Oakland, Calif., Grayson having a survivor sale, and you can help them necessary to file without paying the fee — told
started her own consulting firm, the Nonprofit recover. North Haven Gardens has been TexomasHomepage.com that her campaign
& Consumer Services Network, which she digging through the rubble in the wake of the slogan is “Make Congress Great Again,” and
currently operates on a limited basis out of Oct. 22 tornadoes, and a number of plants that she is the “outspoken, openly conservative
Abounding Prosperity Inc. announced Thurs-
her home office in Little Rock, Ark. Her client and ornamental items survived. So, from 9 candidate the 13th district needs.” She said,
day, Oct. 31, that “legendary advocate and
base has grown steadily through the years and a.m.-3 p.m. on Nov. 8-10, they’re having a “Black people are mostly Christian, and we
community icon Sharyn Grayson” has joined
now stretches throughout the United States, sale. mostly believe in things that the bible teaches.
the API staff as director of development and
putting her in the small but prestigious group of The sale is cash only with no holds or Worthy also said she wants to make sure all
transgender programs/services.
minority transgender women in the U.S. who deliveries. immigrants that enter the country do so legally,
“Affectionately known to hundreds in the
have owned and operated businesses for more The street, which was completely blocked while adding that she doesn’t agree that immi-
LGBTQ+ community as ‘G-Mama’ or ‘Auntie
than 10 years! by downed power lines and trees following grants are doing the job U.S. citizens won’t do.
Sharyn,’ Ms. Grayson brings a wealth of knowl-
Grayson described her new job as a director the tornadoes, is now cleared and open. “I know plenty of Americans who will get out
edge and experience that will serve AP Inc.
with Abounding Prosperity as “a tremendous North Haven is planning to rebuild its facili- there and work some construction and stuff like
well as we continue to advance our community
opportunity and extremely humbling situation ties at 7700 Northaven Road, which were de- that if you paid them the right dollar,” she said.
through innovative programming and ser-
for me, personally. Dallas is my hometown … stroyed by the storm and hopes to be back in — Tammye Nash
Always
PROUD
to BE a part of the
annual Black Tie Dinner
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Other restrictions and limitations apply. Residential Mortgage Loan Originator. Equal Housing Lender. Branch address: 1300 Monticello, Suite 150 Dallas, Texas 75205.
4 dallasvoice.com █ 11.01.19
11.01.19 █ dallasvoice 5
THE
GAY AGENDA
Have an event coming up? Email your
information to Managing Editor
Tammye Nash at nash@dallasvoice.com
• Nov. 6: Estate Planning Seminar
Kent C. Weimer, senior charitable
advisor for Parkland Foundation, leads
• Nov. 10: Prime Timers
Games at 2 p.m. in Carrollton hosted by
Brian. Call 214-218-0912 for address and
Help steer Oak Lawn development if
you live or work in the area at 6:30 p.m.
at Melrose Hotel, 3015 Oak Lawn Ave.
or Senior Staff Writer David Taffet at a discussion on estate planning from directions. chapters.theprimetimersww.
taffet@dallasvoice.com by Wednesday at 5:30-7 p.m. at Resource Center, com/dallasfortworth. • Nov. 12: Preston Hollow
5 p.m. for that week’s issue. 5750 Cedar Springs Road. Democrats Meeting
• Nov. 11: Creating Change Host Join the Preston Hollow Democrats
NOVEMBER • Nov. 7: Brewing Up Business Committee Meeting in their monthly meeting, this month
• Nov. 1-2: De Los Muertos Develop new business relationships by The Task Force needs volunteers to featuring candidates for congressional
Verdigris Ensemble presents swirling giving your 30-second elevator speech, plan the January 15-19 Creating Change and Local races; US House of
skirts, painted faces, decorated altars exchange business cards and learn more Conference in Dallas. Committees Representatives, US Senate, and Dallas
and thoughtful remembrances in De Los about this month’s sponsor at 8:30 a.m. include fundraising, special events, County Democratic Party Chair.
Muertos at 7 p.m. at Arts Mission Oak at Crickles and Co., 4000 Cedar Springs hospitality, recruitment. Dinner at The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at
Cliff, 410 S. Windomere. Road Suite E. $10 in advance. $20 at the 7 p.m. and meeting from 7:30-9 p.m. at Walnut Hill Recreation Center. For more
VerdigrisMusic.org. door. Free to LGBT Chamber members. Resource Center, 5750 Cedar Springs information visit ThePHD.org.
Road. For more information visit
• Nov. 2: Glory Holellujah • Nov. 7: Sequins & Saddles CreatingChange.org. • Nov. 12: Oak Lawn
Not your grandma’s gospel presented Toast to Life mixer from 5:30-7 p.m. at Committee meeting
by the United Court of the Lone Star Billy Can Can, 2386 Victory Park Lane. • Nov. 12: Grief group Meetings of the organization that
Empire from 6-10 p.m. at Dallas Eagle, Grief group for persons who have lost a weighs in on development in Oak Lawn
5740 Maple Ave. DallasCourt.org. • Nov. 9: Family Zoo Day same-sex spouse meets the second and are open to the public at 6:30 p.m. at
The Dallas City Council’s LGBT Caucus fourth Tuesdays each month from Melrose Hotel, 3015 Oak Lawn Ave.
• Nov. 5: Election Day — Adam Medrano, Omar Narvaez 6:45-8 p.m. at Resource Center,
and Chad West — present free tickets 5750 Cedar Springs Road. • Nov. 12: Prime Timers
• Nov. 5: Last Day to receive ballot to the Dallas Zoo. They’ll have a table For more information visit Dinner at 7 p.m. at Asian Mint,
by mail at the front gate with tickets from MyResourceCenter.org. 11617 N. Central Expressway.
9 a.m.-noon at Dallas Zoo, chapters.theprimetimersww.com/
• Nov. 5: Prime Timers 650 S. RL Thornton Freeway. • Nov. 9: Pathfinders dallasfortworth.
First Tuesday lunch at 11:30 a.m. Pathfinders group is a community
at Golden Corral, 3312 Forest Lane. • Nov. 9: Prime Timers resource for trans masculine individuals • Nov. 14: TPIF Grant Presentation
chapters.theprimetimersww.com/ Brunch at 11 a.m. at Barbec’s, (including non-binary trans masculine Texas Pride Impact Funds presents
dallasfortworth. 8949 Garland Road. RSVP 214-218-0912. people and binary trans men), age 18+ grants to three DFW recipients, free
in the North Texas/DFW area. Meets the cocktails, hors d’oevres and free valet
• Nov. 5: Classic Chassis Car Club • Nov. 9-11: Arboretum second Tuesday of every month from from 6-8 p.m. in The Turtle Room,
LGBT car enthusiasts meet Complimentary admission for active 6:30-8 p.m. in the Oak Lawn Library 3525 Turtle Creek Blvd.
from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Ojeda’s, duty and retired military from 9 a.m.- Auditorium, 4100 Cedar Springs Road.
4617 Maple Ave. For more information 5 p.m. at Dallas Arboretum and • Nov. 14: DIFFA Wreath Collection
visit ClassicChassis.com. Botanical Garden, 8525 Garland Road. • Nov. 9: Oak Lawn Committee The 24th annual DIFFA Wreath
meeting Collection: Naughty+Nice silent
Weekly: Lambda Weekly at 1 p.m. on and Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday a walk or run at Oak Lawn Park, near the details; LGBT Sex Addicts Anonymous
Sunday on 89.3 KNON-FM with David Taffet, at 11:30 a.m. at Resource Center, 2701 intersection of Turtle Creek and Hall Street, meets at 6 p.m. every Friday at 1919
Lerone Landis and the late Patti Fink. This Reagan St.; Core Group Meeting every 1st every Wednesday at 7:15 p.m. and every Independence St., Room 19, Plano. 972-
week’s guest is counselor Candy Marcum; and 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.; Saturday at 8:30 a.m.; Leadership Lambda 316-9188 for details; Leadership Lambda
Silver Pride Project Coffee and Convo for Fuse game night every Monday evening Toastmasters practices and develops Toastmasters gay-identified Toastmasters
LGBTQ+ seniors meets Mondays from 11 except the last of the month at 8 p.m. at the speaking and leadership skills from 6:30–8 group meets from 6:30-8 p.m. every
a.m.- 1 p.m. at Oak Lawn Library, 4100 Cedar Fuse space in the 3918 Harry Hines Blvd.; p.m. on Mondays at First Unitarian Church, Monday at the First Unitarian Church, 4015
Springs Road, Tuesdays from 10 a.m.-1 FuseConnect every Wednesday from 7 p.m. third floor of the Hallman Building, 4012 Normandy Road (does not meet on Mondays
p.m. at Grauwyler Park Branch Library, 2146 For more information call or e-mail Jalenzski St. Andrews; Thrive, program of Resource that are holidays); United Black Ellument
Gilford St. Wednesdays for Breakfast Club at 214-760-9718 ext. 3 or Jalenzski@ Center for LGBTQ adults 50+ support group hosts discussion on HIV/AIDS in the black
from 10 a.m.-noon at Reverchon Recreation myresourcecenter.org; LGBT square dancing every Monday from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. community (UBE Connected) at 7 p.m.
Center, 3505 Maple Ave. and Thursdays for group Pegasus Squares meets the second followed by free lunch at Resource Center, every fourth Tuesday of the month at 3918
Rainbow Rec from 10 am.-noon at Reverchon and fourth Sunday from 2–4 p.m. at Grace 5750 Cedar Springs Road; Lambda AA Harry Hines Blvd.; DVtv in Spayse, news
Recreation Center, 3505 Maple Ave.; Unwired United Methodist Church, 4105 Junius St. meets at noon, 6:30 p.m., 7:45 p.m. and and entertainment discussion live streaming
Group of Crystal Meth Anonymous meets For more info, email pegasussquares@ 11 p.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, every Friday, 4–5 p.m., on the Spayse Station
Sunday at 5:30 p.m., Monday, Wednesday gmail.com; Dallas Frontrunners meet for 6525 Inwood Road. Call 214-267-0222 for YouTube channel.
6 dallasvoice.com █ 11.01.19
auction from 6-9 p.m. at World Trade
Center, 2050 N. Stemmons Freeway.
DIFFADallas.org.
• Nov. 20: Resource Center
Speakers Series
Third in The Dallas Way, Resource PET SUPPLIES
PLU S
Center and UNT Library’s speaker
• Nov. 16: Snowball Gaybingo series on LGBT history in Dallas. Agatha
®
Gaybingo from 5-9 p.m. at the Beins speaks on the AIDS Memorial
Rose Room, 3911 Cedar Springs Road. Quilt, Art and Activism. A wine and
minus the hassle
Tickets at MyResourceCenter.org. light bites reception at 5:30 p.m. and
speaker from 6-7 p.m. at Resource
• Nov. 18: Stonewall Democrats Center, 5750 Cedar Springs Road. Free.
We Are
of Rockwall RSVP to tfrank@myresourcencenter.org.
Stonewall Democrats of Rockwall
meets at 7:30 p.m. at Harry Meyers • Nov. 20: Prime Timers
THANKF So
Community Center, Lunch at 12:30 p.m. at Charco Broiler
815 E. Washington St., Rockwall. For Steakhouse, 413 W. Jefferson Blvd.
more information, contact Patti or Heidi chapters.theprimetimersww.com/
at sdrockwall@att.com. dallasfortworth.
• Nov. 19: Stonewall Democrats
of Dallas
Largest Democratic club in Texas meets
at 6:30 p.m. at Mattito’s, 3102 Oak
Lawn Ave. For more information visit
StonewallDemocratsofDallas.org.
• Nov. 21: GALA Happy Hour
Free appetizers, game tables, for
GALA’s third Thursday happy hour
from 5-8:30 p.m. at Henry’s,
5741 Legacy Drive, Suite 100, Plano.
For more information visit
UL!
GalaNorthTexas.org.
Thank you for
making us part
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11.01.19 █ dallasvoice 7
Billy Porter headlining
This year’s beneficiaries: • Lambda Legal Defense and
Education Fund
Black Tie Dinner
• AIDS Outreach Center • Legacy Counseling Center
• AIDS Services of Dallas • Northaven Church
• Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star • Planned Parenthood
• Cathedral of Hope United • Promise House
Church of Christ • Rainbow Roundup
• Celebration Community Church • Resource Center
• Equality Texas Foundation • Trans Kids and Families of Texas
• Human Rights Campaign • Turtle Creek Chorale
Foundation • Uptown Players
Kuchling Humanitarian Award said, noting that Mai- for dancing together at the Village Sta-
recipient Don Maison won’t son has been on Black tion.
be able to attend after Tie Dinner’s radar for Maison will not be able to attend the
years for everything dinner because he is in rehab after re-
suffering stroke from his legal battles cently suffering a stroke that left him
to his work housing partially paralyzed. He is expected to
DAVID TAFFET | Senior Staff Writer people living with make a full recovery, and those who
taffet@dallasvoice.com HIV. know and love him agree he’s too ornery
At the time of his not to fully recover.
mmy and Tony retirement, Maison Maison said this week he is very hon-
Award-winner Billy was the longest-serv- ored to receive the recognition he’s got-
Porter headlines this ing CEO of an AIDS ten this year from the city and the county
weekend’s Black Tie organization in the and now from Black Tie Dinner.
Dinner at the Sheraton country. “Sorry I can’t be there,” Maison added.
Hotel in downtown AIDS Services of “Shit happens.”
Dallas. The sold-out Dallas, a Black Tie Robbins wished Maison a speedy re-
event is the largest Dinner beneficiary, covery on behalf of the Black Tie board
seated dinner in the Southwest. provides housing for of directors.
Porter, who originated the role of Lola
in the Broadway hit Kinky Boots and cur- Alphonso David
rently stars in the FX smash hit series
Pose, will receive the Elizabeth Birch Scheduled to speak at
Equality Award at Black Tie Dinner. the dinner on Saturday
Porter has also appeared on Broadway night is Human Rights
in Miss Saigon and a revival of Grease. On Campaign’s new presi-
film, he can be seen in First Wives Club dent, Alphonso David.
and The Broken Hearts Club, and he was David joined Lambda
recently announced as the fairy god- Legal as a litigation attor-
mother in the upcoming movie Cinder- ney in 2004, and he was
ella. appointed special advisor
Black Tie Dinner Co-chair Nathan to the New York Division
Robbins said, “Billy Porter represents to for Human Rights in 2007.
me someone who’s made a bold stamp The following year, he was
for the LGBT community. He’s broken named special deputy at-
down barriers and shown how broad the torney general for civil
LGBT community is.” rights cases in New York,
Robbins called Porter a powerful fig- and Gov. Andrew Cuomo
ure, adding, “We’re glad to honor him people living with tapped him to fill the newly-created po-
for the work he’s done and continuing HIV. Before Maison sition of deputy secretary and counsel
to do.” retired, ASD had just for civil rights and later as chief counsel
acquired another to the governor.
The Kuchling Award property that is being David is the first person of color to
renovated to become head HRC. Earlier this week, he testi-
Each year, Black Tie Dinner honors a housing for people. fied before the House Financial Services
member of the Dallas LGBT and allied Before heading the Committee’s Oversight and Investiga-
community with the Kuchling Humani- AIDS service organi- tions Subcommittee about anti-LGBT
tarian Award. This year’s honoree is Don zation, Maison was a discrimination in housing and lending,
Maison, a civil rights attorney and the civil right attorney. In including the attacks on transgender
recently-retired CEO of AIDS Services his most famous civil people by HUD Secretary Ben Carson.
Dallas. rights case, he defend- This will be the first dinner in Dallas
“With his retirement this year, it was ed men who were ar- where David will speak. Robbins said
a perfect time to honor him,” Robbins Billy Porter, top, Don Maison, above and Shea Diamond, right rested in a police raid BLACK TIE, Page 18
8 dallasvoice.com █ 11.01.19
Mansfield CoC’s
S t y l e
anti-LGBT tweet
Third anti-LGBT incident in three
Defined!
We hate to drop names, but...
years prompts concern among
Mansfield LGBT residents • Brioni • Bottega Venetta • Caviar • Cartier
JAMES RUSSELL | Contributing Writer • Cazal • Celine • Dior • Dolce and Gabanna
james.journo@gmail.com
• Fendi • Fred Lunettes • Miu Miu • Tom Ford
he Tarrant County
city of Mansfield is • Tom Ford Private Label • Iyoko Inyake
again under pres-
sure from lesbian, • Lara D’ Essedue • Onirico • Nannini • Ziggy
gay, bisexual and
transgender activ- • Pomellato • Gucci
ists after two recent
15%
incidents left them Open 7 days a week.
!
OW
A R L IN
questioning the city’s commitment to OFF Onsite lab and Optometrist.
their safety. FRAMES
RS TICA
3430 Oak Lawn Ave
On Oct. 22, members of the pro-LGBT
@ Lemmon Ave
IN
15%
YEA OP
Mansfield Equality Coalition asked the pages,” Willis wrote in an e-mail. 214-526.6006
OFF
13 BEST
district school board at their monthly Willis maintains that the city has noth- Fashionopticaldallas.com
meeting to add protections for sexual ing to hide from the public, nor does the LENSES mgianni.com
DF TED
orientation, gender identity and expres- city discriminate. The policy that is cur- We accept EyeMed, VSP, Spectra, United Health Care,
W
VO
Davis Vision, Superior Vision. Cannot be combined with
sion to their nondiscrimination ordi- rently posted has been in place for many insurance and purchase of RX lenses required.
nance. The group has been demanding years, Willis said, adding, “The city has
the changes for a year after a lesbian always been and remains an equal op-
teacher was put on administrative leave portunity employer.”
following a parent’s complaint she was But the city’s current ordinance does
promoting the “homosexual agenda” by not protect LGBTQ people, according to
showing photographs of her fiancé. Rafael McDonnell, communications and
That teacher, Stacy Bailey, sued and advocacy manager for Resource Center.
was reinstated. That’s why he reached out to Everhart
The Rev. Katie Hays of Galileo this summer, requesting a meeting to
Church, who leads Mansfield Equali- make the case for protections.
ty, told trustees the city recently added She was happy to meet, he recalled, af-
similar protections. ter the city finished the budget process and
Or so she thought, based on language open enrollment ended for employees.
appearing on the city’s website. He called Everhart in early October
The city of Mansfield personnel direc- but did not hear back. He did notice,
tor, Shelley Everhart, called Hays on the however, that the requested language
following day, and disputed Hays’ state- appeared on the website.
ment. The language had not changed, “We were happy,” McDonnell said.
Everhart said. While the center does not have a
According to Belinda Willis, the city’s presence in Mansfield, he credits ac-
director of communications and market- tivists in the city for taking the lead.
ing, the language was included on the The situation worsened on Friday,
new website, which launched Oct. 17, in Oct. 25, when the Mansfield Chamber
error. of Commerce tweeted a link to a post
“During the redesign of the website, on the American Family Association
content for the Human Resource Depart- website calling for a boycott of Target
ment that had not yet been approved or because of its support of LGBT youth
finalized as policy was mistakenly add- programs. The social conservative or-
ed to the HR department pages of the ganization is designated as a hate group
website by the HR director. Once the by The Southern Poverty Law Center
error was discovered the current poli- for its anti-LGBT positions.
cy was placed onto the HR department MANSFIELD, Page 17
11.01.19 █ dallasvoice 9
Grapevine HS teacher literacy. He started working at Grape- them stoked and ready for the “huge”
fighting termination
vine High School as the oral interpre- debate tournament Grapevine High was
tation teacher/coach and professional hosting, beginning the next day. The stu-
communication instructor in August dents, he said, weren’t prepared for the
2017, beginning with a team of eight tournament, and he was trying to moti-
freshman that later became seven. vate them.
“Those seven have been with me since “I told them, ‘We’ve all been through
the beginning,” Hamilton said. “My first this before, and you know you can do it. I
Josh Hamilton says district fired district’s executive director of communi- day at Grapevine High School was their mean, look at me. You guys watched me
him for telling students he is gay cations, provided Dallas Voice with this first day there. They are juniors now.” last year have the worst year of my life,
written statement: Those seven plus one senior, the team and you’ve seen me come out the other
“To be clear, Mr. Hamilton’s sexual captain, comprise the Grapevine High side as a happy, functioning gay man.’
TAMMYE NASH | Managing Editor orientation has absolutely nothing to do School team that last year continued the “It was a big hype session, and it
nash@dallasvoice.com with the reason Mr. Hamilton has been school’s winning tradition by claiming worked. They told, ‘Yeah Hamilton!
proposed for termination. Mr. Hamilton state and national championships. That, You’re right!’”
Fort Worth man who says has been proposed for termination for Hamilton said, is what he was hired to do. Hamilton said he spent the afternoon
he is being fired from good cause due to violations of the dis- “My very first day of training, the super- on the phone with parents, working to
his position as a teach- trict’s electronic communications policy, intendent came in and asked what I was secure the final details for the coming
er with the Grape- violations of student privacy, failure to teaching. I told him and he said, ‘Ooooh, tournament. He also met with a couple
vine-Colleyville ISD follow written directives, and violations that’s a big program, a lot of pressure.’ He of students who were, he said, strug-
because he is gay of the Texas Educator’s Code of Ethics. was telling me coming in that the expecta- gling before finally leaving for home
has filed com- In GCISD, we hold all employees to high tion was ‘Coach these kids and win, just about 5 p.m.
plaints with both standards for their interactions with our like we’ve done for years.’” “That was it,” he said. “A normal day.”
the EEOC and the Office of Civil Rights most important people, our students. But Hamilton’s place in that winning But the next morning, about 6 a.m.,
challenging his firing. His conduct is not acceptable for an edu- tradition ended in September, the day af- Hamilton received a text from the GHS
The Grapevine-Colleyville Indepen- cator in GCISD.” ter he mentioned to his team that he was principal, Dave Denning, asking him to
dent School District has denied Josh Hamilton has a bachelor’s degree in gay. come to Denning’s office at 8. Hamil-
Hamilton’s claim that he is being fired communications, a master’s degree in It was a Thursday, and Hamilton was ton said he assumed that he had missed
because he is gay. Kristin Snively, the education and a Ph.D. in language and giving his team a pep talk, trying to get some detail. But when he walked in, he
10 dallasvoice.com █ 11.01.19found himself facing not just Denning, back together,” Hamilton said, adding
but two representatives from the dis- that the HR representative expressed
trict’s HR office, too. concern about where he would go and
“I was like, what the hell?” Hamilton what he would do when he left the office,
said. and that the principal offered to drive
The three began questioning Hamilton him home.
on whether he had taken the district’s train- But Hamilton declined, telling the
ing on communications with students and principal he would be ok to get home
texting, asking if he had ever texted stu- and that he was going to turn his phone
dents and, when he said yes, asking which off to give himself time to process what
students he had texted and why. had happened. He gave the principal his
Hamilton said he told them that it was ex-wife’s phone number so they could
the eight students on his competition reach him that way if necessary.
team that he texted about competition Hamilton said Denning instructed
and debate information. “I traveled with him to respond to the allegations in writ-
those kids. I spent 46 days and nights, ing by the end of the day, something he
total, with them,” Hamilton said. “I was found difficult to do because he wasn’t
their caregiver, the adult who looked af- Josh Hamilton know I’m gay?’ and she said, ‘Do they?’” clear on what it was he did wrong, espe-
ter them. I took them to the doctor when Hamilton recalled. “I told her yes, sure cially since they wouldn’t tell him what
they got sick; I held them when their anything for them.” they do. Just like they know I was mar- texts in particular were problematic.
mother died when they were out of town Hamilton said he even handed over his ried. Just like they know I have kids. And Finding himself in “a pressure situa-
for a competition. phone and let the principal go through immediately, the paperwork came out.” tion,” Hamilton said, he wrote a state-
“That was me, taking care of them. all the texts before, about 45 minutes into Hamilton said the HR representatives ment in which he acknowledged having
They were like my own children. In the meeting, he finally asked outright. said he was under investigation for shar- texted students, apologized for doing
fact, for every hour I spent with my own “I said, what are we getting at here? ing too much personal information with so and pledged to be more circumspect
children, I spent six with those kids,” he And the HR lady — I’ll never forget it students and that he was on leave effec- moving forward.
said. “I’m not talking about Little Suzy — she says, ‘Have you told the kids any- tive immediately. “I didn’t have an attorney then, and I
that I might see in class every other day. thing about your personal life changes?’ “She tells me I’m on leave, and I just didn’t think anything was really wrong.
These are my own children. I would do I said, ‘Are you asking me if the kids break. I start crying, and I can’t get it
TERMINATION, Page 14
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11.01.19 █ dallasvoice 11Be Seen by the
Finding a
‘Safe’ place
Premier HIV/Infectious
Disease Doctors in Dallas
Dallas couple starting nonprofit
to create an LGBT tiny home
village
TAMMYE NASH | Managing Editor
nash@dallasvoice.com
verybody needs some-
where they can go and
know they are among
friends. Somewhere
they know they can
be themselves without
worrying about being
judged. Somewhere
they can relax and not constantly have to
be on guard.
STI testing & treatment at our Everybody needs somewhere they
location on the Baylor campus know they are safe. And nobody needs
that more than LGBT people.
PrEP Services provided with And that’s exactly what Dallas couple
specialty pharmacy on-site Ethan Avenzino and David Whitehead
Financial & medication hope to provide for people in the LGBT
community through the newly-estab-
assistance available lished nonprofit, Safe To Be.
Prep & HIV Clinical Trials “When I came out [and] transitioned,
available and when I was talking with people
about my story of acceptance from my niors who don’t have children or other
Gender affirmation family and friends and at work, I started family to care for them as they age.
hormone therapy to realize, my story is not the normal sto- “And so Safe to Be was born.”
ry,” said Avenzino, a transgender man Avenzino and Whitehead said they re-
Anal Cancer screenings who works for Southwest Airlines. ally began working toward establishing a
We accept most Many trans people are fired from their non-profit organization aimed at creating
insurance plans! jobs, kicked out of their homes and lose a “tiny home” LGBT village in April of
their family and friends, he said. And last year. “That was when the idea real-
MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT AT those who find themselves homeless ly solidified,” Whitehead said. “I mean,
214.823.2533
also often find that shelters and services life-changing-commitment solidified.”
are not at all trans-friendly. So they began the process of applying
3409 Worth St. Suite 710 “That is something that has to be ad- for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. Unfortu-
Dallas, TX dressed in our community,” Avenzino nately, after they started that process,
214.890.1616 continued.
So when he started seeing articles
the federal government shut down for
five weeks, from Dec. 22, 2018 to Jan. 25,
9301 North Central Expy. Suite 310 about “tiny home” communities that 2019. So the waiting period between fil-
Dallas, TX are being created for homeless people, ing for and actually being approved for
Avenzino said, it struck him: “Why don’t nonprofit status took about six months.
infectiousdiseases.com we do that with an LGBT focus?
“There is a need for transgender
Approval finally came through at the
end of March of this year.
or ntidc.org people to have somewhere safe to live, That process isn’t free, and White-
somewhere that they can be themselves head said that he and Avenzino that
and not be afraid,” he continued. “There they raised the money to pay for it the
is a need for housing for homeless LGBT way they’ve raised all the organization’s
youth, a need for housing for LGBT se- funds so far: primarily through the LGBT
12 dallasvoice.com █ 11.01.19David Whitehead, left, and Ethan Avenzino DESTINATION WEDDINGS
AND HONEYMOONS. GAY & LESBIAN
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Avenzino recalled an incident on their
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first visit to Eureka Springs in which
they were walking down the sidewalk
holding hands when “this big Bubba in
Names you know, names you trust,
for more than 20 years
his big truck pulled up beside us and
rolled down his window. I thought, ‘Oh,
here it comes.’”
Instead, the man asked if they were Proudly Saluting the
on their first visit to Eureka Springs then Black Tie
welcomed them to town. And when they
met with the man from whom they pur-
Dinner
chased the land for Safe To Be, he also
offered a warm welcome and acknowl- Individuals, Couples
edged them as a couple. & Groups
Plus, as they say in real estate, loca- Deborah Beckman Tim Myrick
tion is everything. And this property has MS, LPC, NCC MEd, LPC, NCC
location in spades, the couple said. It is
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wooded, rural setting will offer residents
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a kind of “spiritual retreat” away from
the strife of big city living.
“Nature tends to nurture,” Whitehead
said. “I am hoping that’s what happens
here.”
community. The Safe To Be property will feature
The couple are members of the United what Whitehead and Avenzino said STEVEN
Court of the Lone Star Empire, and the are known as “shomes” — a collection
GRAVES
Court has played a big role in helping of residences, each consisting of two INSURANCE AGENCY
raise the funds Safe To Be has needed so sheds, each converted into a tiny home
far, they said. “We are so thankful for the each with its own kitchenette and living
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have done anything that we’ve done so deck or porch. There will also be com-
far without them.” munity gardens, community kitchens
But for the biggest expenditure so far, and other shared spaces and amenities.
Avenzino and Whitehead dug into their Safe To Be will provide emergency
own pockets, using their own funds to housing for those with immediate need,
purchase 22 acres of wooded land in Eu- transitional housing for those looking
reka Springs, Ark., which will become the for a safe way station on the way to
site of the Safe To Be village. They closed something else and permanent housing
on the sale Wednesday, Oct. 30, and will for those who “want to stay there for the
later donate all but one acre of the prop- rest of their lives.” “Steven Graves Insurance is now a division of ABCO Home Plus
erty to the Safe To Be organization. That The idea is to provide safe housing Insurance and we bring a level of service unparalleled in our industry”
one acre, they said, is where they will that gives residents the privacy they — David Holeman, Agency Owner
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11.01.19 █ dallasvoice 13TERMINATION, From Page 11
In my mind, they’d be like, ‘Hey, don’t low written directives.”
text the kids. Use this app instead.’ And Hamilton said he immediately con-
I would be back at work, no problem,” tacted a friend, Seth Phillips, to be his
he said. attorney, and that he and his attorney
Hamilton had also been directed not just recently received copies of the texts
to communicate with any of the Grape- that apparently prompted his termina-
vine High School faculty or any of the tion. There were, he said, eight texts. In
students while the situation was under one instance, which Hamilton asked the
investigation, unless he had a familial or student to babysit, and when the student
social relationship with that student and asked why, Hamilton told him he had an
the student’s family. appointment with a counselor. In anoth-
The following Monday, Hamilton re- er, Hamilton was explaining to the stu-
ceived a text from the principal, Den- dent that he and his wife were separat-
Put your health in the hands ning, instructing him to be at the dis-
trict’s HR office at 3:30 that day. “I still
ing because Hamilton was gay. And in a
third instance, Hamilton was discussing
of one of the most trusted physicians with
wasn’t sweating it,” he said. “I figured if a “problematic” team member with the
there was something seriously wrong, I team captain.
would have gotten something from the In addition to school officials having
HR department. I figured I would get “proposed [him] for termination,” giv-
written up then sent back to work. I even ing him 15 days to appeal, Hamilton said
went dressed to go to Meet the Parent the district also sent a notice to the Texas
Concierge Medicine Night afterwards.”
He arrived early then at 3:30 was called
in to the office. “Their first words were,
Education Agency, although no state or
federal law required them to do so in this
instance. As a result, he said, TEA has
• Direct access 24-hours a day, seven days a week
• Same or next day appointments • More consultation time ‘Ok Josh, we’ve done an investigation. flagged his teaching certificate, which
MEDICAL PRACTICE OF We’ve reviewed the texts and we are no keeps him from being able to find anoth-
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no idea what had just happened.” iation,” he said. “That’s why the EEOC
Hamilton said when he asked to see took our claim.”
the texts in question, the HR represen- Hamilton said that he and his attorney
tative refused, saying they were protect- filed complaints with the EEOC and the
ing the student. Even when he pointed ORC primarily on the basis of “lack of
out that the texts were his own texts, accommodation for mental health re-
they refused. “I knew immediately that quests,” because that even though he
I would be getting an attorney, so when asked Denning, the GHS principal, on
they refused to show me the texts, I said, three separate occasions to either reas-
‘Ok, then you’ll have to give them to my sign him or provide him with help on
attorney.’ And that’s when she stopped an issue causing him problems, Denning
talking. They took my keys; they took did nothing.
my badge, and they told me I was done.” Hamilton said that the district re-
Hamilton said that as far as he under- ceived notice of those complaints on
stood, the investigation was over, and Monday, and that afternoon, he has been
he was no longer an employee, which told, Denning began calling his former
meant directives about not communicat- students into the office, “trying to dig up
ing with students or faculty were no lon- dirt on me.”
ger applicable. So when the debate team Hamilton said he intends to continue
captain, the student that had babysat his fighting what he sees as GCISD’s an-
children, called him that night asking ti-LGBT prejudice, and he adamantly
what was wrong, Hamilton responded, disputes the district’s claim that his sex-
saying he didn’t know and giving the ual orientation is not at the root of him
student some instructions on wrapping being fired.
up loose ends from the debate tourna- “We just won the state and national
ment that had just taken place. championships last year. The kids find
Hamilton later discovered that was the out I’m gay, and now I’m gone,” Ham-
student whose parents had complained, ilton said. “Thursday the kids heard the
prompting the investigation, even word ‘gay.’ Friday, I am on leave. Mon-
though the student wasn’t aware. And it day I am gone. For the district to say me
was that communication that prompted being gay has nothing to do with it is
the charge against of him “failure to fol- bullshit.” █
14 dallasvoice.com █ 11.01.1911.01.19 █ dallasvoice 15
Renoir in
perspective
The Kimbell Art Museum exhibit nudes by Corot and Reubens, artists of
focuses on the artist’s nudes by an earlier generation whose work influ-
enced Renoir’s earliest paintings.
comparing and contrasting Renoir grew up in Paris blocks from
the Louvre. “Diana Leaving Her Bath”
DAVID TAFFET | Senior Staff Writer by Francois Boucher, on loan from the
taffet@dallasvoice.com Louvre, is a painting that, Renoir said,
“was the first painting that grabbed hold
hat could of me, and I have continued to love it all
the Kim- my life, as one does his first love.”
bell Art Next are works by Renoir’s friends
Museum do and contemporaries, such as Degas and
to follow its Cezanne, hung side by side with his can-
blockbuster vasses. Similarities and how they influ-
Monet exhibi- enced each other are evident, as are each
tion that drew artist’s distinctive style.
record attendance and unprecedented Finally displayed are nudes by young-
new memberships? Renoir. er artists such as Matisse and Picasso
But this exhibit isn’t just “same genre, who were fans of Renoir and influenced
different artist.” This is an entirely differ- by him. One Renoir canvas, “Bather
ent look at one facet of Renoir’s work. Seated in a Landscape, Called Eurydice,”
The exhibit is entitled Renoir: The Body, was purchased by Picasso in 1920 and is
The Senses. While the artist painted land- larger and well defined. included in this exhibition on loan from
scapes, cityscapes and family portraits, Interesting about “The Bathers” is that the Picasso Museum in Barcelona. It is
this exhibit focuses on the woman’s two nude women are lying in a field one of seven Renoirs that were part of
body, mostly nudes. Renoir was, Kimbell painted in a very Impressionistic style. Picasso’s personal collection.
Art Museum Director Eric Lee said, “the Three women are bathing in a pond be- Another surprise in this exhibit are
greatest painter of the nude of his time.” hind them. Obviously, the scene is an bronze sculptures by Renoir. Created
The entry gallery includes the first exterior. But maybe not. The front nude with an assistant later in life when he was
painting by Renoir accepted into the Sa- lies on a pillow, and the women behind stricken with arthritis, he directed every
lon. In the next is the only nude by the her props her up on her elbow leaning stroke of the creations even if his hands
artist entered in the Impressionist ex- on something that blends into the land- weren’t directly molding the bronze.
hibitions. And in the final room hangs scape. A note about judging the beauty of the
“The Bathers,” finished in 1919, the year The main women in “The Bathers” figures in Renoir’s works: While his mod-
of Renoir’s death. George Shackelford, were painted on a sofa in Renoir’s studio els may have been thin, Renoir painted
Kimbell deputy director and co-curator while the exterior was from a different his own idealized vision of beauty at that
of the exhibit, called this work Renoir’s view or maybe from memory. But the time. Breasts were uniformly rounded
masterpiece and a “glorious last move- blending of interior and exterior in one and firm. Heads were often smaller than
ment of a symphony.” of his final, if not his last work, is a bril- what might have been accurate and hips
“The Bathers” also serves as an inter- liant piece that I kept returning to during were always wide.
esting contrast to the previous Monet my visit to the collection. On the hundredth anniversary of the
exhibition, which focused on the last While expecting comparisons between artist’s death, we have a vision of what
years of that artist’s life. With dimming the recent Monet: The Late Years exhib- beauty was a century ago and an exhibit
eyesight, Monet’s canvasses got darker it and Renoir, I kept finding contrasts. that amazes and wows any lover of Im-
and more abstract. Renoir’s “The Bath- The Monet exhibit focused entirely on pressionism.
ers” was brighter. Shackelford describes that artist. One Monet after another, While the Monet exhibit was about a
the color as “too saturated.” most from collections I’d never seen be- lot of the Monet you wanted to see, this
Although Renoir suffered from se- fore. The current Renoir exhibition puts exhibit is about a Renoir you didn’t ex-
vere arthritis, an assistant would place the artist in context. His nudes are jux- pect to encounter. █
a brush in his hand, and his movements taposed with similar and contrasting Renoir: The Body, The Senses on view at
came from his arm rather than his fin- works by other artists. the Kimbell Art Museum, 3333 Camp Bowie
gers to produce nude figures are that In the opening galleries of Renoir are Blvd, Fort Worth through Jan. 26. $18.
16 dallasvoice.com █ 11.01.19top companies on the Index likely have
SAFE, From Page 13 MANSFIELD, From Page 9 a store or employees in the city, he said.
“It’s pretty likely some employees live
mit,” Whitehead said, Avenzino noted The chamber’s Twitter account has crimination protections based on sexual in Mansfield,” McDonnell said. “And
that “We will certainly be inclusive of since been removed, but screenshots of orientation, gender identity and expres- there are companies not based in Mans-
introverts, especially with trans folk. We the tweet shared with Dallas Voice verify sion. When presenting cities with mate- field but that have significance presence
want them to be comfortable living in that it did appear. The post also appeared rial about what the language should be there, like Target, Starbucks and other
their true, authentic gender, to be com- on the personal Facebook page of cham- included, he includes materials from the national retailers.”
fortable with who they are.” ber President and CEO Lori Williams. It Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate McDonnell chided Mansfield’s elected
And, Whitehead added, “We want has also been removed from that site or Equality Index, which rates companies officials and chamber leader, who owe
to give them a chance to celebrate who is at least no longer visible publicly there. on a scale from 0 to 100 for their commit- the public an explanation.
they are.” McDonnell has worked with multiple ment to LGBT equality. The chamber’s “There is something wrong in Mans-
Avenzino said he also sees Safe To Be cities and counties on adding nondis- tweet is troubling because many of the field,” he said. █
as “an amazing opportunity to bridge
the gap between generations. We are
not really communicating and sharing
our history across the generations now,
and this will be an incredible opportu-
nity to do that.”
Avenzino said one of the first steps
they need to take is to “beef up our
board of directors,” and they want to
hear from people who are interest-
ed in participating. Avenzino himself
will lead the charge, noting that he has Providing comprehensive and compassionate medical care
to the LGBT community for more than 35 Years!
“seen plenty of allies who want to help
and who do their best” when it comes
to services for transgender people. “But
to have a trans voice leading an organi-
zation — I think that is very important.
And of course, we want more trans rep-
resentation than just me on the board.”
“Putting together a solid board is the
top priority, and the second thing is cap-
ital funding,” he continued. “Right now,
we have a budget of about $1 million,
which is way over the top of what we
expected. And to start, we are looking at
20 homes, maybe a few more.”
The plan, Avenzino said, is to “cre-
ate a model that could be replicated
anywhere. If we can make this happen
here in the South” — “In Arkansas, of
all places,” Whitehead interjected — David M. Lee, M.D.
“there’s no reason it couldn’t be suc-
BEST General Practitioner Comprehensive
Marc A. Tribble, M.D.
cessful elsewhere.” 6 Years in a Row! HIV/AIDS management
Right now, Whitehead said, “What Donald A. Graneto, M.D. BEST Medical Group Practice
we need is for people to give money [to Eric Klappholz, NP BEST HIV Specialists STD testing and treatment
Safe To Be]. That’s the big thing. And we
Peter Triporo, NP
need people to spread the word and to PrEP counseling and treatment
be supportive of this project. We want Jason Vercher, PA-C
Uptown Physicians Group
people to realize that this isn’t some big Uptown Tower General adult medical care
corporation somewhere starting this Vanessa Bludau, NP
4144 N. Central Expressway, Suite 750
up; it’s just two people in Dallas who William Hays, MD, ATC, LAT
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happen to be gay who want to do some-
thing for our people.” Ismail Boodhwani, FNP-C www.UptownDocs.com and JUVÉDERM®
Avenzino added, “We know we are
reaching for the stars. But if we don’t
try, who will?” █ Dr. Marc Tribble and
Voted 2019 Readers Voice Awards
Dr. Donald Graneto
For information about Safe To Be, visit named to D Magazine’s BEST Medical Group Practice
Best Doctors BEST HIV Specialists
SafeToBe.org or contact Ethan Avenzino or and Dr. David Lee,
in Dallas for 2017 in Peter Triporo, NP named Top 10 in 2018
David Whitehead via Facebook. Infectious Disease and America’s Top Nurse Practitioner Awards BEST General Practitioner
Family Medicine respectively. presented by Point of Care Network
11.01.19 █ dallasvoice 17BLACK TIE, From Page 8 P
1
he expects to hear an incredible speech ist and singer/songwriter, known for H
in which David will outline his vision for her bluesy, soulful music and voice. In
HRC’s future. February 2019, she was nominated for a
The featured entertainment for the the GLAAD Media Award for Outstand- L
dinner will be African-American coun-
try music artist Mickey Guyton, an Ar-
ing Music Artist.
Diamond tells her powerful story
e
T
lington, Texas native who was, in 2016, through her music. A
nominated as new female vocalist of the “Many people have heard her sing,” D
year by the Academy of Country Music. Robbins said. “I’m anxious to hear her P
This year’s Visibility Award recipient speech. It will be powerful to hear her C
J
is Shea Diamond, a transgender activ- tell her story in words.”
F
Mickey-Guyton L
H
Other featured guests at the dinner T
will include actor Dyllón Burnside, who B
P
plays dancer Ricky Evangelista along I
side Porter in Pose. He has appeared in L
the HBO series High Maintenance and
NBC’s Peter Pan Live.
a
C
Comedian Dana Goldberg will return N
to the stage as the luxury auctioneer. S
Goldberg is a stand-up comedian who N
has appeared at Black Tie a number of R
times and has been one of the most suc- a
cessful live auctioneers in the history of K
the annual event. S
“We’re excited as always to welcome m
her back,” Robbins said. “She energizes S
the audience. She’s inspiring and funny.” B
Two of the items Goldberg will be auc- I
B
tioning from the stage are packages to B
the Grammys and tickets to the Demo- R
cratic National Convention July 13-16 in
Milwaukee.
c
L
In addition to the dinner itself, Black
Tie Dinner will also present B4Black, a f
R
free event kicking off the weekend at the
Sheraton Dallas Hotel on Friday, Nov. 1, a
featuring a musical performance by Brit- A
N
ish singer/songwriter Georgia Ku. C
The organization also hosts an official F
after-party on Saturday with music pro- F
vided by New York-based DJ Ty Sunder-
land.
Black Tie Dinner was founded in 1982
and the first dinner was held at the Fair-
mount Hotel and attended by 140 peo-
ple. That event raised $6,000 for HRC.
Since its inception, Black Tie has dis-
tributed $23 million to local beneficiaries
and HRC. About 50 dinners that benefit
HRC are held around the country, but
the Dallas dinner is the only one that
splits its proceeds between local groups
and the national organization.
This will be Robbins’ final year
co-chairing Black Tie. He said this was
the first time in a number of years that the
dinner completely sold out. He also said
to expect a surprise celebrity guest. █
18 dallasvoice.com █ 11.01.19You can also read
