Music + Drag = Art Thorgy Thor headlines Night of Stars fundraiser - by Tammye Nash, Page 8 - Dallas Voice
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Music + Drag
= Art
Thorgy Thor
headlines
Night of Stars
fundraiser
by Tammye Nash, Page 8
2 dallasvoice.com █ 09.06.19
toc
09.06.19 | Volume 36 | Issue 18
10 headlines
█
TEXAS NEWS
8 Thorgy Thor headlining Night of Stars
10 Out in the Park just a week away
11 Woodruff supporters seek retrial
█
LIFE+STYLE
14 K. Flay is out to slay
16 Jillian Bell ia running for a hit
14
18 FILM: Pennywise is back in action
█
ON THE COVER
Drag
performance artist and musician
Thorgy Thor.
Design by Kevin Thomas
18
departments
6 The Gay Agenda 21 Best Bets
8 News 24 Jenny Block
13 Voices 25 Scene
14 Life+Style 30 MarketPlace
09.06.19 █ dallasvoice 3
Presented by
FASHION OPTICAL
instanTEA
SAY HER NAME: Trans teen
DallasVoice.com/Category/Instant-Tea
Democrats said they filed a variety of bills
addressing gun safety, and all of those bills,
Bailey murdered in Baltimore except Anchia’s, died in committee.
A 17-year-old transgender girl known as
The legislators acknowledged that their
Bailey was shot to death in the 4300 block
bills wouldn’t stop all gun violence but ar-
Luxury
of Parkwood in Baltimore on Labor Day,
gued that the legislation would prevent some.
according to reports posted by WMAR2
While Chris Turner, D-Arlington, sounded
Eyewear News, the ABC affiliate in Baltimore, and on
the Instagram account murder_ink_bmore.
optimistic about the call for a special session,
EXPO
Anchia was particularly discouraged. He said
Residents of the area told WMAR that around
that if the governor was against preventing
8 p.m. they heard gunshots and then heard
people from openly carrying military assault
people screaming.
weapons on active runways at commercial
The WMAR report, posted online Tuesday
airports — a no-brainer, he called it — he
morning, Sept. 3, says that Bailey and her
had little hope anything would be accom-
friends had just left a party when the shooting
plished.
happened. A comment on the murder_ink-
“The bills we’re seeking are not radical,”
bmore Instagram posted said that Bailey was
You are cordially invited!
Anchia said.
“just a(n) innocent bystander.”
Rep. Nicole Collier, D- Fort Worth,
WMAR reports said that police detectives
summed up the feeling of the 10 legislators
spent several hours at the scene on Tuesday
Join us at the fabulous ZaZa Hotel for an extravaganza of style! when she said she’s done with thoughts and
recovering evidence and interviewing people,
prayers: “We’re sick and tired of being sick
and the murder_ink-bmore post said police
n Eyewear collections from top designers will have asked anyone with information to call
and tired.”
— David Taffet
410-396-2100 or Metro Crime Stoppers at
be on display with representatives on site! 1-866-7lockup.
Bailey is at least the 17th trans person Muhlaysia Booker’s mother
Check out this list! murdered this year. Of those, 16 were trans announces new foundation
women of color. And Houston trans activist
and blogger Monica Roberts said via Twit- benefitting trans women
ter that she has heard reports of an as-yet On the same day that Judge Hector Garza
un-named transgender woman found dead rejected a defense attorney’s effort to dead-
in a burned-out car in Clewiston, Fla. name her murdered daughter, Stephanie
— Tammye Nash Houston announced Thursday, Aug. 29, that
she is launching the Muhlaysia Booker Foun-
dation, a nonprofit corporation dedicated
Democrats ask Abbott to providing housing, advocacy, emotional
to call special session support, counseling, employment resources
and training to transgender women.
“We strive to inspire, nurture and provide a
safe haven to this community by addressing
acts of violence, homelessness, sex work
and suicide,” Houston said in the press
release announcing the new organization and
her role as its executive director.
Ahmad Goree, elected as president of the
board for the foundation, said he is “honored
to have the privilege” of being the founda-
tion’s first board president and helping set its
agenda.
Ten Dallas-area state representatives
“I look forward to working with this pro-
spoke at Dallas County Commissioners
gressive board of directors and Stephanie
Court encouraging Gov. Greg Abbott
Houston. We are committed to honoring
to call a special session to address gun
Muhlaysia’s legacy through meaningful work
violence. (David Taffet/Dallas Voice)
to an extremely marginalized segment of
Democratic Texas state representatives society.”
held press conferences across the state “It is most appropriate that I honor the
Wednesday morning, Sept. 4, to call for a legacy of my daughter by creating this
special session of the Texas Legislature to foundation, which can help young women
deal with gun violence. Locally, 10 DFW reps like Muhlaysia to feel loved, be safe and be
September 14th n 12:30 to 5:30pm
spoke in the Dallas County Commissioners greater,” Houston said. “I have chosen to be
Court room, urging the governor to call them proactive rather than reactive in helping to
back into session. save these young women. The brutal assault
n Top designer glasses & sunglasses at substancially reduced prices Dallas state Rep. Rafael Anchia spoke on and murder of my daughter will forever leave
a bill he sponsored with Rep. Terry Meza that a hole in my heart, but it will also serve as
n Bring your prescription as these frames are for purchase would prevent open carry of firearms on air- motivation for myself and others to fight
port tarmacs. The bill passed with bipartisan the current government agenda against
n Valet parking available n FREE and open to the public support in the legislature earlier this year but transgender women and the increasing acts
was vetoed by Gov. Greg Abbott. of violence.”
ZaZa Hotel n 2332 Leonard St in Uptown Lawmakers addressed their Republican Goree said that an event is being planned
counterparts, who criticized one bill filed to launch the Muhlaysia Booker Foundation,
Call for more information: 214-526.6006 with more information coming soon.
as something that wouldn’t have prevent-
Fashionopticaldallas.com n mgianni.com ed any one particular mass shooting. The — Tammye Nash
4 dallasvoice.com █ 09.06.19
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THE
GAY AGENDA
Have an event coming up? Email your
information to Managing Editor Tammye
Nash at nash@dallasvoice.com or Senior
• Sept. 8: Prime Timers
Games at 2 p.m. hosted by Brian in
Carrollton. For directions, call
Shenaniganz, 1290 I-30 East, Rockwall.
shenaniganz.com/locations/rockwall.
in the North Texas/DFW area. Meets the
second Tuesday of every month from
6:30-8 p.m. in the Oak Lawn Library
Staff Writer David Taffet at taffet@ 214-218-0912. For more information go • Sept. 9: Stonewall Democrats Auditorium, 4100 Cedar Springs Road.
dallasvoice.com by Wednesday at 5 p.m. to PrimeTimersWW.net/DFW. of Tarrant County
for that week’s issue. Legislative update with state Sen. • Sept. 10: Prime Timers
• Sept. 9: Creating Change Host Beverly Powell at 7 p.m. at The Dinner at 7 p.m. at Mei Mei Chinese
SEPTEMBER Committee Meeting Women’s Club of Fort Worth, Buffet, 10455 N. Central Expressway.
• Sept. 7: A March to End Violence The Task Force needs volunteers to 1316 Pennsylvania Ave., Fort Worth. RSVP. 214-218-0912. For more
Dallas Police Department sponsors plan the January 15-19 Creating Change information go to
a march to help end violence in the Conference in Dallas. Committees • Sept. 10: Grief group PrimeTimersWW.net/DFW.
city and support those who have been include fundraising, special events, Grief group for persons who have lost
victims. Meet at 9 a.m. in Deep Ellum hospitality, recruitment. Dinner at a same-sex spouse meets the second and • Sept. 10: Oak Lawn Committee
at 200 N. Crowdus and march to 7 p.m. and meeting from 7:30-9 p.m. at fourth Tuesdays each month from Public meeting at 6:30 p.m. at The
2639 Main St. Resource Center, 5750 Cedar Springs 6:45-8 p.m. at Resource Center, Melrose Hotel, 3015 Oak Lawn Ave.
Road. For more information visit 5750 Cedar Springs Road.
• Sept. 8: PositiviTEA CreatingChange.org. • Sept. 12: Chamber Business
A Legacy brunch benefiting the Grace • Sept. 10: Pathfinders Connections Mixer
Project Women’s Conference from • Sept. 9: Stonewall Democrats Pathfinders group is a community North Texas LGBT Chamber of
1-4 p.m. at The Mack Grand Ballroom of Rockwall County resource for trans masculine individuals Commerce business connections mixer
at SMU, 3300 Dyer St. Tickets at Monthly meeting at 6 p.m. at (including non-binary trans masculine from 5:30-7 p.m. at Te Deseo,
Positivitea.com. people and binary trans men), age 18+ 2700 N. Olive St.
• Weekly: Lambda Weekly at 1 p.m. on Meth Anonymous meets Sunday at 5:30 For more info, email pegasussquares@ Call 214-267-0222 for details; LGBT Sex
Sunday on 89.3 KNON-FM with David p.m., Monday, Wednesday and Friday at gmail.com; Dallas Frontrunners meet for Addicts Anonymous meets at 6 p.m. every
Taffet, Lerone Landis and the late Patti 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at a walk or run at Oak Lawn Park, near the Friday at 1919 Independence St., Room 19,
Fink. This week’s guest is documentary Resource Center, 2701 Reagan St.; Core intersection of Turtle Creek and Hall Street, Plano. 972-316-9188 for details; Leadership
maker Scott Poggensee; Silver Pride Group Meeting every 1st and 3rd Tuesday every Wednesday at 7:15 p.m. and every Lambda Toastmasters gay-identified
Project Coffee and Convo for LGBTQ+ of the month at 7 p.m.; Fuse game night Saturday at 8:30 a.m.; Leadership Lambda Toastmasters group meets from 6:30-8 p.m.
seniors meets Mondays from 11 a.m.- 1 every Monday evening except the last of Toastmasters practices and develops every Monday at the First Unitarian Church,
p.m. at Oak Lawn Library, 4100 Cedar the month at 8 p.m. at the Fuse space in speaking and leadership skills from 6:30–8 4015 Normandy Road (does not meet on
Springs Road, Tuesdays from 10 a.m.-1 the 3918 Harry Hines Blvd.; FuseConnect p.m. on Tuesdays at First Unitarian Church, Mondays that are holidays); United Black
p.m. at Grauwyler Park Branch Library, every Wednesday from 7 p.m. For more third floor of the Hallman Building, 4012 St. Ellument hosts discussion on HIV/AIDS in
2146 Gilford St. Wednesdays for Breakfast information call or e-mail Jalenzski at Andrews; Thrive support group from 11:30 the black community (UBE Connected) at 7
Club from 10 a.m.-noon at Reverchon 214-760-9718 ext. 3 or Jalenzski@ a.m.-1 p.m. followed by mixer every Monday p.m. every fourth Tuesday of the month at
Recreation Center, 3505 Maple Ave and myresourcecenter.org; LGBT square dancing at Resource Center, 5750 Cedar Springs 3918 Harry Hines Blvd.; DVtv in Spayse,
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nity College in Bridgeport with a degree in
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Thorgy Thor: Night of Stars 2019
Thorgy Thor headlines the Night of Stars 2019, a fundraiser
benefitting the Greg Dollgener Memorial AIDS Fund’s Team
Metro and the 2019 LifeWalk. The show will be held from 5-9
p.m. at The Rose Room inside S4, 3911 Cedar Springs Road.
‘Drag is the ultimate art form’
In addition to Thorgy Thor, the show will feature Carmella
DuBuque,
Jenna Skyy, Gloria Devine, Krystal Summers, Jada Pinkette Fox,
Sabrina Starr, Linze Serrell and Wayne Smith. Kelexis Davenport
will be the emcee.
horgy Thor (aka VIP Reception and early seating is from 5-6 p.m. Doors open
Shane Thor Galligan) for general admission at 6 p.m., and a meet-and-greet will follow
first gained national the show, from 9-9:30 p.m.
VIP Individual tickets are $50 plus service fees in advance.
attention as a contes-
The Bronze VIP Package is available in advance for $175
tant on Season 8 of plus service fees and includes early access and refreshments
RuPaul’s Drag Race, plus access for photos with Thorgy Thor for four people. The
and then again when $250-plus-service-fees advance price provides VIP access for
he appeared on Sea- six people.
son 3 of Drag Race All Stars. But Thorgy Advance tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available
was already a force to be reckoned with online at BrownPaperTickets.com/event/4272316.
Individual VIP tickets are $75 at the door, if any are still
in the Brooklyn drag scene.
available.
Thorgy brings her unique brand of General admission tickets are $25 plus service fees in
music+performance art+fashion+drag advance and $30 at the door.
to Dallas’ Rose Room on Saturday, Sept.
14 to headline the Night of Stars 2019, a that “Brooklyn’s drag edy performance art — moving forward
fundraiser for the Greg Dollgener Me- style has contributed in your career, which one would you
morial AIDS Fund’s Team Metro for to [your] aesthetic.” choose, and why? Well, they are all very
LifeWalk, and Dallas Voice chatted with What does that mean? different. I would never choose to exclude
What sets Brooklyn drag any of those expressions; they are all
her recently via email to find out more
queens apart and makes intertwined. In my show “Thorgy and the
about this one-of-a-kind performer. █
them special? Describe Thorchestra” at Gramercy Theater on
— Tammye Nash the “Brooklyn drag style” Aug. 24, we played Mendelssohn’s String
for me and explain what Quartet No. 6 and in the next piece I was
Dallas Voice: How did your stage name, makes it different. When chugging a beer on stage then moving
“Thorgy Thor,” come about? Thorgy I first moved to Brooklyn, into a modern dance. There are no limits
Thor: My middle name is “Thor,” after there were two gay bars, as an entertainer. Do what you feel and
my grandfather. He grew up in Norway, and I could count on one always try new collaborations.
married a Thora, had four kids, then came hand the drag entertainers With that said, there is nothing more gratify-
over to Long Island. I’m proud of my Nor- that worked. Now there ing than nailing a lip sync to your favorite
wegian heritage, so I combined my middle are hundreds! Every time I Whitney Houston track and watching a kid
name with my last initial, G — “ THORGY.” return from tour, there’s a in the front row living his best life.
You started out as a musician. What was new queen who says “Hi,
Music, comedy and theatrical perfor-
the catalyst for becoming a drag queen, my name is Poopy Diapers,
and used that as the score to many of mances are art forms. What makes
too? I always found myself leading the and I’m available for bookings!” I support
my earlier drag shows. I would add voice drag an art form, too? Do you think
violin section of an orchestra, playing all of it.
over and always tell a story. Most of time, there is a difference between “just
Tchaikovsky and imagining how much Brooklyn is just tons of fun. All the entertain- drag” and drag as an art form? Drag is
I would incorporate what was going on in
more fun it would be to incorporate a ment and venues are within walking dis- the ultimate art form. There are no limits. It
the news at the time. I should bring back
ridiculous entertainer in the front, with tances from each other, so it’s fun to just combines fashion, performance, move-
my 12-minute number about Octomom.
musical score. In the middle of a Brahms hit the streets in fashion and go door-to- ment, expression and comedy. What a
Remember her?
symphony, I would think to myself, door showing off. I was the first Brooklyn great life to live! Use your body as a medi-
“Wouldn’t it be divine to have three figures On top of the music, the drag and the girl on RuPaul’s Drag Race, and I’ll never um to express yourself. Drag is about ideas.
move across the stage in unison, in cloaks performance art, you are into fashion, too. forget RuPaul saying to me “Thorgy Thor,
… paddling a canoe?” So, I started to What sparked that interest, and what part Drag is in a state of constant evolution,
you brought the BK to the RDR, and I aint
experiment with makeup and costum- does the fashion play into the rest of your and RuPaul’s Drag Race is obviously
gonna lie, I’m loving it!” My good friend
ing, and the rest is history. I dare you to stage persona? Who isn’t into fashion!?! affecting that evolution by constantly
and BK Drag Race Sister Sasha Velour
find some early pictures of me in “drag!” I’ve been collecting and restoring vintage showing the difference in and dynamic
stole the crown shortly thereafter, and
They are hilarious. I was a pre-YouTube, clothing since middle school, so I have between the different styles of drag —
I couldn’t be more proud that we both
pre-Facebook queen, so my scope of quite a collection. Truth be told, part of my fashion drag, performance art drag,
represent what Brooklyn is about: art,
influence was minimal at best. week is taking inventory of my closet to dance drag, pageant drag, etc. What
fashion, ridiculous ideas and supporting
include in my insurance! I have everything do you see as the next step in that
Can you describe the process you went one another as a community.
from fabulous McQueen pieces to Chanel evolution? Skydiving in unison with 100
through to combine your musical skill Your bio on your website says that you queens from the sky to open up the Met
suits to medieval armor! You cannot deny
and talent with your talent for drag and “love to lip-sync just as much as Gala next year!
when you put on a vintage stone-washed
performance art? Was it something create collaborative performance art
denim studded jacket from the ’80s that Tell me a little bit now about Thorgy Thor
you thought out and planned, or was that mashes together drag, music and
your inner fashion clown doesn’t shine! off-stage, or in another words, tell me
it more spontaneous? I sat in front of comedy.” What is it about lip-sync that
my computer for years recording all four I read on Wikipedia that you consider about every-day, real-life you. What are
attracts you it? If you had to choose
parts of a Mendelssohn string quartet yourself “a Brooklyn drag queen,” and just one — lip-sync or music and com- THORGY, Page 12
8 dallasvoice.com █ 09.06.19
09.06.19 █ dallasvoice 9
Sister Helen Holy joins
Out in the Park
Ticket sales end midnight between The Titan and the New Texas
Wednesday Giant, highlighted by a performance by
comedian Paul J. Williams as Sister Hel-
DAVID TAFFET | Senior Staff Writer en Holy, entertaining during the picnic.
taffet@dallasvoice.com This year, Out in the Park is sponsored
by HELP’s Centers for LGBT Health and
ay Day at Six Wellness in Arlington and Fort Worth.
Flags has been Dallas Voice and Arlington Conven-
held every year tion & Visitors Bureau are cohosting the
on Pride parade event.
weekend since Tickets are $48.45 and include parking,
1997. This year a “family” picnic lunch, entertainment,
the parade moved raffle items and giveaways. That is a
to June, but the significant discount off the regular ad-
celebration in the park, now renamed mission of $82.99, which doesn’t include
Out in the Park, remains on the third food or parking.
Sunday in September. Only those who have purchased spe-
This year’s event, along with the name cial Out In The Park tickets can partic-
change, features a “family picnic” meal ipate in the picnic, but season ticket
from 2-4 p.m. at the pavilion located Niketa Watson
HELEN, Page 12
10 dallasvoice.com █ 09.06.19Justice
denied
When prosecutors sent the knife back for dent.
a second test, one drop of Woodruff’s The bodies weren’t found until two
dad’s blood appeared. days later, giving someone else plenty of
The timeline shows Woodruff had 14 time to return to the house in Hunt Coun-
minutes to kill his parents. The living ty and clean the bathroom. But Woodruff
room, where the bodies were found, was couldn’t have been that person. He was
very bloody, with blood going right up with his friend at S4 that night and by the
to the bathroom. The bathroom, howev- next morning had returned to school.
er, was scrubbed clean. Prosecutors con- Poggensee said he’ll screen the docu-
Supporters of Brandon Woodruff tend Woodruff killed his parents with mentary he’s been making about the case
will travel to Austin to petition multiple weapons and then cleaned the on Tuesday evening, Sept. 17, to an Aus-
Appeals Court to reopen case scene and showered in that short time. tin audience and hopes the next morning
No trace of blood was found in Wood- some will return to deliver the petition
Brandon Woodruff
ruff’s truck that he drove from their to the court.
DAVID TAFFET | Senior Staff Writer Woodruff was convicted of murder- house, which he did visit earlier in the On Wednesday, Sept. 18, they’ll walk
taffet@dallasvoice.com ing his parents in 2010 when he was 19, evening. from the hotel to the court at 8 a.m. and
despite no physical or DNA evidence Phone records would prove Wood- present the petition to become part of
cott Poggensee will host linking him to the crime. Poggensee said ruff was not at his family’s new home the public record. He said there are three
a screening of Texas Jus- prosecutors violated Woodruff’s 6th in Hunt County when the murder took possible outcomes. The court could over-
tice: Brandon Woodruff Amendment rights when they listened place are missing. He claims he was at turn the verdict, call for new oral argu-
at the LaQuinta Austin to all discussions between the accused their old house in Heath along Lake Ray ments or refuse to reopen the case.
Capitol on Sept. 17 be- teen and his attorney in the Hunt Coun- Hubbard. While phone records exist for Poggensee said he hopes people from
fore presenting a peti- ty jail. the day before and the day after the mur- Dallas who have followed the case will
tion to the Texas Court The documentary maker said the ap- der, the records for that day are mysteri- be able to come to Austin to present the
of Criminal Appeals the peal to the court includes pages full of ously missing. petition. State Rep. Richard Raymond
next morning asking for evidence that doesn’t add up. For exam- From Heath, Woodruff drove to North of Webb County will be accompanying
Woodruff’s case to be reopened. ple, there were three murder weapons — Dallas to pick up a friend and the two Poggensee to the court. █
Poggensee said he hopes friends from two knives and a gun. That normally in- went dancing at S4 on Cedar Springs To sign the petition, visit Change.org/p/
Dallas will join supporters in Austin to dicates multiple attackers. One knife was Road. The next morning, Woodruff re- texas-court-of-criminal-appeals-hear-bran-
file the plea. tested for blood and the lab found none. turned to Abilene where he was a stu- don-woodruff-s-pdr
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09.06.19 █ dallasvoice 11HELEN, From Page 10 P
holders can participate by paying a fee of Six Flags’ friendly staff one’s doing things safely in the park. being operated safely. She offered a few
1
H
$24.95, which will cover parking and the Among the LGBT staff welcoming Usually the medical treatment involves examples of her work: At the haunted
family picnic gathering. And Out in the guests to Out in the Park at Six Flags bandages for blisters and, during the houses in the upcoming Fright Fest, a
Park tickets are only available through will be First Aid and Safety Supervisor summer, attending to overheated she’s moved some props to assure safe L
midnight on Wednesday, Sept. 11, and
won’t be available for purchase at the gate.
Niketa Watson. Watson’s job is year-
round, but she said summer, when the
guests. Most people, she said, perk up
with some Gatorade and a short rest be-
walking areas, and she’s added some
lighting to highlight stairs.
e
T
Tickets are available at SixFlags.com/ guests are streaming through the park fore going on their way to enjoy more Watson said her favorite ride is the A
OverTexas. Then in the top banner, click every day, is her favorite time of the rides. Texas Titan roller coaster, but she’s D
on Enter Promo Code and type outin- year. Watson also does ride audits making looking forward to trying the Aquaman P
thepark. That takes you to the discount- She said she offers medical treatment sure coasters, parachutes, tea cups, cars Power Wave coaster coming next sea- C
J
ed tickets. when needed and makes sure every- and bobsleds and other attractions are son. She described it as a one-of-a-kind
F
coaster and water ride all in one. L
For those who will be staying late at H
Out in the Park and looking for dinner T
after the “family lunch” that afternoon, B
P
Watson suggested checking out her fa- I
vorite restaurant, Chop Stix, a new Chi- L
nese restaurant located near the Tower.
Usually Six Flags winds down its
a
C
season with Fright Fest then opens on N
weekends for Holiday in the Park before S
gearing up for the next spring/summer N
Providing comprehensive and compassionate medical care season. But just this week, the company R
to the LGBT community for more than 35 Years!
announced the park will be open year- a
round on weekends, starting this fall. █ K
S
m
S
THORGY, From Page 8 B
I
B
your interests and hobbies? What do B
you do to relax? Do you have a partner R
or other family you want to mention?
c
You interested in dating me? Give me a L
call! My brain works fast, and most of
my friends are constantly frustrated with f
R
me, so be prepared. I love to go out to
extravagant lunches and order the most a
expensive things on the menu and sit A
there for hours on my days off. This week N
I’m going to the Met CAMP exhibit in NY C
and then going flea market street shop- F
David M. Lee, M.D.
BEST General Practitioner
F
Comprehensive ping … anyone want to join?
Marc A. Tribble, M.D.
6 Years in a Row! HIV/AIDS management What’s next for Thorgy Thor? Where
should we be watching for you? What
Donald A. Graneto, M.D. BEST Medical Group Practice do you want to do that you haven’t
Eric Klappholz, NP BEST HIV Specialists STD testing and treatment gotten to do yet, career-wise?
Peter Triporo, NP This past year I have soloed with the Pitts-
PrEP counseling and treatment
Jason Vercher, PA-C
Uptown Physicians Group burg Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco
Symphony Orchestra and many others
Uptown Tower General adult medical care are lined up for 2020. I couldn’t be more
Vanessa Bludau, NP proud to reach that stepping stone as an
4144 N. Central Expressway, Suite 750
artist. I’m working on a comedic album,
William Hays, MD, ATC, LAT
214-303-1033 Cosmetic - BOTOX® which I hope to drop out of nowhere in
Ismail Boodhwani, FNP-C www.UptownDocs.com and JUVÉDERM® 2020. I’m hoping to be traveling with a
smaller show called “Thorgy and The
Thortet” this coming year in intimate
Dr. Marc Tribble and
theaters across the United States, so
Dr. Donald Graneto Voted 2019 Readers Voice Awards keep an eye out. I’m not supposed to
named to D Magazine’s BEST Medical Group Practice
Best Doctors BEST HIV Specialists say anything, but I have a very special
in Dallas for 2017 in Peter Triporo, NP named Top 10 in 2018 and Dr. David Lee, six-episode TV show coming out that is
Infectious Disease and America’s Top Nurse Practitioner Awards BEST General Practitioner
currently in the works … so, shhhh!
Family Medicine respectively. presented by Point of Care Network
12 dallasvoice.com █ 09.06.19Phone 214-754-8710 Fax 214-969-7271
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█ commUNITYvoices
We’ve celebrated the
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in individ- people are willing to take those risks. The
administration
past, now we must
uals’ gen- choice many make to be openly non-bi-
Leo Cusimano Publisher 114 █ der consid- nary may be the same rite of passage we
editorial look to the future erations.
Choosing
went through, but the environment al-
lows them to fully submerse themselves
C
Tammye Nash Managing Editor 113 █
Arnold Wayne Jones Executive Editor Life+Style 129 █
elebrations surrounding the 50th to embrace to explore what had been taboo and to
David Taffet Senior Staff Writer 125 █ anniversary of the Stonewall Ri- non-bina- dismiss every long-held superstition in
Philip Burton Proofreader ots and the LGBT community’s ry roles ways we as older LGBT people were too
Contributors: Chris Azzopardi, Gary Bellomy, Jenny Block, struggle for equality are winding down. challenges afraid to try.
J. Denton Bricker, Alicia Chang, D’Anne Witowski, Lawrence
By now, surely only a minority of this all LGBT Our younger LGBT people are getting
Ferber, Hardy Haberman, Scott Huffman, Lisa Keen, Mark
Lowry, Joey Moreno, Cassie Nova, Josh Robbins, Mikey Rox, planet’s residents are not aware of Stone- people to closer to the true reality of gender iden-
Howard Lewis Russell, James Russell, wall’s impact. reject the tity — the reality that it is, in fact, pure
Terri Schlichenmeyer, Leslie McMurray, Mathew Shaw, As the myriad awareness and promo- constraints myth, that our genitalia are not the lone
Brandi Amara Skyy, Mark Stokes, Jef Tingley, Casey Williams tional campaigns began, I looked ahead of social- demarcation of our gender. We are far
Photographers: Kat Haygood, Chuck Marcelo, Cassie Quinn
Interns: Jacob Kelley, Joshua Kelley, John McClanahan,
with both pride and some ownership. ly-determined gender. These gender more than our physical sex.
Lily Philips I am so proud of what this incredible roles have been the primary obstacle in The majority of older LGBT never
movement has accomplished. We have our full development as a queer people. reached this understanding before. And
advertising shined a light on the world that has It can be argued, that at our core we are if there is a trans-enlightenment occur-
Chad Mantooth Advertising Director 131 █
Nicholas Gonzalez Advertising Account Rep. 115 █ changed lives as we taught acceptance of all gender-fluid in some fashion. We all ring, it benefits everyone.
Stephen Mobley MarketPlace Sales 123 █
ourselves. I am grateful to have survived have some characteristics associated with Trans folk are at times frustrated that
National Advertising Representative a darkness that claimed the lives of so the gender role of the opposite sex. Men of the rest of us are so slow to understand
Rivendell Media Inc. 908-232-2021 many others, and my responsibility for any orientation in this society are afraid to our changing culture. They are frustrat-
art having that privilege has not escaped me. embrace their feminine qualities. ed that they are expected to provide the
Kevin Thomas Art Director 119 █ Through most of these 50 years since Femininity in men is equated with ho- answers to our questions. I understand
Shawn Weston Graphic Designer 132 █
Stonewall, I have been active in the bat- mosexuality, and the threat of violence their wariness. As in overcoming other
multimedia tle, and that earned familiarity had con- is intensified for feminine gay men. So, prejudices, one has to understand his or
Stephen Mobley Social Media Director █
123 vinced me there was nothing left for me many gay men have gone out of their way her own part in the oppression to move
Brian Kennedy Video Producer to learn. to hide vital parts of themselves to avoid past it.
Israel Luna Video Producer/DVtv host But it never occurred to me that all being seen as feminine. In fact, more femi- Recognizing the problem has never
Brad Pritchett DVtv Host
Brandi Amara Skyy DVtv Host
of what I believed would be challenged nine gay men and even transgender wom- been enough to allow me to fully com-
Regina Lyn and re-defined. It is ironic that in this en over time became human shields that prehend it, and each us must compre-
50th anniversary year, just as members the rest of us used to insulate ourselves hend the problem to participate in any
circulation of the trans community initiated this from danger. Gay men developed our real solutions. As older LGBT people, we
Linda Depriter Circulation Director 120 █
struggle on that June night in 1969, an own class structure, the the more feminine must accept that the future of this com-
founders entire trans movement is providing the of us were the bottom rung. munity is no longer in our hands, and if
Robert Moore Don Ritz
█
rest of this community — and the entire We openly excluded the transgender we want to help build a new world, we
affiliations/memberships world — with the possibly the deepest community from any gains we achieved. must adapt.
Associated Press - Associate Member truths of who we are. That was amplified again in the midst Our older generation got us to where
National Gay and Lesbian Journalists Association
Certified LGBT Business Enterprise
There has been a rapid increase in of the AIDS pandemic when, our oppo- we are now; we were pioneers. It took
Founding Member - North Texas GLBT Chamber transgender visibility over the last cou- nents launched their loathsome “family tremendous courage to present our-
Founding Member - National LGBT Media Association ple of years. Trans people have become values” assaults against us. Gays and selves as strong men and women that
a force, demanding that their issues be lesbians pushed back with the effective defied sexual norms. We had to make it
understood and included in the struggle. “We Are Family, Too” campaign, only perfectly clear what we were to the out-
At the same time, they have been that family quickly began to ape the side. But we have to accept that our view
targeted by the most virulently hate- hetero format and its traditional gender of gay culture may well be outdated.
ful pieces of legislation. And the rate of roles. The progress we made ensures the
anti-trans violence is higher than ever Many older gay men feel that younger success of our gay children. They have
© 2019 Voice Publishing Company, Inc. All rights reserved.
Reprint rights are available only by written consent of the
before. So, given all that they endure, LGBT people have an air of entitlement a natural understanding of the path for-
publisher or managing editor. their visibility and their willingness to springing from freedoms won by old- ward. It involves seeing ourselves clear-
Dallas Voice is published every Friday. Additional copies
may be purchased for $1 each, payable in advance at articulate the truth about their nature is er gays and lesbians. The bitterness in- ly and loving all that we see, and it will
the Dallas Voice office. Dallas Voice may be distributed
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or distributors. No person may, without prior written
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everyone to begin understanding our Our goal was always to create a world There is no gay. There is no lesbian.
each Dallas Voice weekly issue. own selves. where LGBT children could live freely There is no bi. There are no trans. We
Subscriptions via First Class Mail are available: Three
months (13 consecutive issues), $65. Six months (26 The 50th anniversary of the birth of the and safely as themselves. Now do we re- are all the same. We are the same. Trans
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LGBT movement is the birth of its second sent what we helped create? people understand who we truly are. It
Paid advertising copy represents the claim(s) of the wave. I believe this growing awareness The level of tolerance and acceptance is possible for us to learn what their lives
advertiser. Bring inappropriate claims to the attention
of the publisher. Dallas Voice reserves the right to enforce will define LGBT culture; it is that im- in which younger LGBT people are com- are teaching us. █
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copy, illustrations and/or photographs. portant. The courage required for trans ing of age is unprecedented. But it still Gary Bellomy is a long-time LGBT activ-
Unsolicited manuscripts are accepted by email only. people to live openly has forced a growth takes great bravery, and these young ist in North Texas and beyond.
To obtain a copy of our guidelines for contributors,
send a request by email to editor@dallasvoice.com.
09.06.19 █ dallasvoice 13K. Flay,
LIFE+STYLE
music
here to slay A
sk genre criss-crosser K. Flay
about all the music she grew
up with, what the soundtrack
of her youth is, which CDs she rushed
The out wordplayer wasn’t to the store for just as they hit the
serious about pursuing shelves, and she, a two-time Gram-
my-nominated artist, will shock you: “I
songwriting. 3 albums later, it didn’t really care about music growing
obviously struck a chord up.”
For kid K. Flay, who was born
Kristine Meredith Flaherty and grew
up in Illinois, there were no emotional
ties to music — certainly not in the
way teenagers eat up her pop-rock-rap
style and relate to musical themes like
unconditional self-love and newfound
queer romance, which are scattered
throughout her punchy, motivation-
al and moving third studio album,
Solutions.
Here, the 34-year-old artist talks
about her career starting off as a joke,
how she got outside her comfort zone
for Solutions and navigating queerness
in her music. █
— Chris Azzopardi
Dallas Voice: In June, you performed
alongside Kesha, Tegan and Sara,
and Imagine Dragons frontman and
festival creator Dan Reynolds at the
LoveLoud Festival, a fundraiser for
LGBTQ charities. For you, what was
the highlight? K. Flay: Honestly, the
highlight for me was… intellectually, I
know what that festival’s about from
knowing Dan since its inception, and
also just kind of following it over the
years, but often, no matter what the cir-
cumstance, when you’re playing shows
you forget that you’re a part of some-
thing that’s bigger, you know?
Dan gave this kind of pep talk to all the
artists who were performing beforehand
and just reminded people that, “Hey,
this is an event where, for a lot of folks,
it’s the first time they’re interacting with
people who openly identify as LGBTQ.
This is like the first Pride-ish event for
a lot of people.” You take so much of
that for granted as a performer and as a
traveling person, and it was an important
reminder. It reframed the whole day for
me. I think if there was a highlight it was
just kind of, in a weird way, that refram-
ing moment of realizing that you’re part
Photo courtesy
Night Street/Interscope Records
14 dallasvoice.com █ 09.06.19of a day that can really change people’s a week after she and I met. [Laughs] talk about that. Hence the album title. Exactly.
lives in this quite profound manner. So… it’s pretty queer? Yeah [laughs]. The The album’s sound is more optimistic You actually got a late start to music.
Having recently spoken openly about process of writing this thing, in many and lighthearted than your past work. In fact, you studied psychology and
your sexuality to GQ with your girl- ways, was informed by the process of not Is that because of your relationship sociology at Stanford University before
friend Miya Folick, did LoveLoud only falling in love with somebody, but I with Miya? Yeah, I think being in love, in pursuing music. Were you a musical
resonate differently? Did you get a dif- think really being outside of my comfort general, you have to be kind of optimistic kid at all? My dad was kind of a hobby-
ferent kind of response from the queer zone. That’s very fruitful territory for any to do that. ist guitar player, and so my dad taught me
community? I think there’s always been creative enterprise, and the best work The odds of it working are greater if you how to play guitar — pretty basic guitar,
a large contingent of people who listen always comes from being outside of your are optimistic. If you aren’t, it probably maybe in fifth grade, something like that. I
to my music and come to the shows and comfort zone, but for me that comfort won’t work. Right, exactly! To success- think in large part he just wanted a rhythm
engage online who are queer, so it hasn’t zone we’re talking about is a very specific fully fall in love you need to be optimistic. guitar player while he sort of drunkenly
felt like a sea change. I always tried to kind of cultural, political and sexual place. But I think there was an optimism and a noodled (laughs), so I kind of learned
create an environment that felt very open I do think it’s relevant to discuss, and also hopefulness that was emanating. I think some of the basics. Definitely my dad
and welcome to everybody, so I haven’t; we talked a little bit about that. Miya and the other component of that is that I’d listened to a ton of music, so there was
but we haven’t played a ton of shows yet, I have talked about this at great lengths: gotten off the road; I was out for about music in the house, but my parents are
so maybe I’m still at the frontier of that. that we do think it’s important and useful two-and-a-half, three years touring, and I all pretty ... I have two dads. One was a
I might have a better answer in like four for all stories to be a part of the narrative kind of lost the plot a little bit. I think I was lawyer, one’s a doctor, and my mom is a
months! because the great privilege of a straight, sort of burning the candle at both ends, lawyer. Everyone has these straight-laced
You spoke with your record label to make white man in the United States, or in the and I got off the road and just felt like I professional jobs, so it wasn’t a super
sure they didn’t exploit your queerness equivalent wherever, is the privilege of was out in the middle of the ocean pretty arty house but there was music in the air,
to sell this record. Why was it neces- nuance. That a straight, white man can untethered and kind of fundamentally not you could say.
sary to have that discussion with your do anything and be anything and act any grounded. I just felt like I was at a point in What artists did you latch onto growing
label? Certainly I did not want to capi- way and have a rich, complex inner life. my life where I needed some answers, in up? I had no real emotional connection
talize on this identity and this community And I think the idea that other people’s a pretty basic way. For me, those kinds of to music as a teenager, which is sort of
that in a lot of ways I’m kind of new to narratives have to fit into categories is solutions were really returning to the basic interesting to me in retrospect. But the
and still sort of figuring out my place and a disservice to everybody. I just feel it’s things I know about: how to live, how to music I really started connecting with was
role there. The idea that I’d sort of be very important to be a part of the nuance treat myself well, how to hopefully treat in college. It was during the tail end of my
co-opting something or using something conversation, and I think it’s useful and other people well and how to be creative freshman year when I started listening
to my advantage just felt totally disingen- it’s important, and I just wanted to make and productive. It’s hard to parse it all out to a lot of West Coast indie-rap; the Bay
uous and bad and not what I was trying sure to do that in a way that was honest because it’s all connected, but in a broader Area has a pretty vibrant scene for that.
to do in any way, or what my goal is. But and authentic. Like, it’s not about selling a sense I felt like I had creatively and experi- What I really loved about it, and this is
I think the other side of the coin and story record; it’s just that it was created in this entially explored problems and I wanted to
is that this record was made pretty much context and I feel it’s important for me to move toward solutions. [Laughs] █
Flay Page 20
09.06.19 █ dallasvoice 15LIFE+STYLE moved into a house, I moved into a house
nearby. I keep telling her I’m stalking her
for the rest of her life.
screen
She’s had me on her podcast and we’ve
talked a lot about our careers, because
we’ve both been very blessed to have
some great stuff happen. She’s always
encouraging me; I’m always encouraging
her. And she’s kind of my touchstone of
someone who just makes me very, very
happy. I think she’s been so smart in her
career — the decisions that she’s made
and what she’s decided to do and what
it says about her — and she’s one of my
best friends, and I’m a big fan of hers.
I love Seth and how supportive he is of
Brittany, but what I really love is that
he’s not just the token gay best friend.
He also has a whole, full life of his
own. Remember when gay characters
only existed in films for the sake of the
female protagonist? This feels like prog-
ress. I know, I know. This was written by
Paul, and he is a gay man, and the charac-
ter he wrote that was basically inspired by
his own story is Seth. This is sort of a love
story for her of what she went through and
how she achieved these goals, and Seth
is a very important character in this movie.
He’s always so positive and encouraging,
and you’re right: He’s seen in the light that
is different from a lot of films as the gay
best friend. I think that is such a wonderful
and important thing.
And of all the families portrayed in the
Final stretch
film, he seems to have the most togeth-
er, stable family unit. Yeah, he’s married,
he has a kid, and all he wants is to have
another kid and get in better shape in his
life, and he’s doing great. He’s a success-
ful human being, and that is important
to showcase in film. It makes me really
sad when it isn’t, and so I’m just happy
Scene-stealing ally Jillian Bell, finally leading a film, Dallas Voice: In real life, do you have any that our film is a part of doing something
talks gay running friends and telling more queer stories gay friends who’d run a marathon with hopefully right.
you? Jillian Bell: [My friend] Kyle would
R
Do you find that gay male directors have
est assured, I’m not spoiling growth aren’t just the result of going the actually be good at running a marathon. a special way or a different sensibility
anything when I say Jillian Bell literal distance. He would be cheering the entire time. The when it comes to telling a female-cen-
runs a lot in Brittany Runs a Mar- Also appearing this year in bisexual only thing: He would want to stop midway tered story? I can only speak to my
athon. All that sweat and all those tears director Lynn Shelton’s Sword of Trust to just grab a little bit of rosé, which relationship with Paul and how we worked
aren’t exactly taken from the 35-year- (which premiered at SXSW), Bell’s would make us very sick for the rest of the together, and there were moments where
old actress’ own life, but it metaphori- credits include a smattering of come- marathon. we would just cry together and moments
cally dovetails with Bell’s career and the dic TV series like Comedy Central’s Conveniently, he might already have that of great strength. And we had moments
infinite miles she’s clocked to get to her Workaholics and Idiotsitter; film-wise, in his Hydro Flask as you run. You know where we would laugh till we were on the
own finish of sorts: a starring role. she appeared alongside Scarlett Jo- the ones that are attached to the hat and floor. We just had each other to lean on
you just slurp out of them? That would be throughout this whole process, and it was
For her first lead part in a film, Bell hansson and Kate McKinnon in the
Kyle’s situation. But he’d be a blast. We’d a big bonding moment. Not only was he
portrays out writer-director Paul Downs bachelorette-party-gone-wrong farce
have so much fun. We’d probably laugh doing this almost for the second time in
Colaizzo’s real-life best friend in his Rough Night and 22 Jump Street, her the whole time. his life, because it’s about his real-life best
heartfelt debut feature, which won the mainstream breakthrough, playing friend, but it was his first film that he was
Do you have LGBTQ friends in your life
Audience Award at the Sundance Film the scene-stealing, deadpanning rival directing and that he wrote, so that was
who’ve pushed you to be a better
Festival in February. When we first meet to Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill’s version of yourself in the way that a huge achievement. We just had a really
Brittany, her life is in shambles. Land- doofus cop duo. Brittany’s gay friend, Seth, does in the strong connection, and we both were very
lord issues, job issues, friend issues, and Bell phoned recently to chat about film? Absolutely. One of my best friends passionate from the beginning about this
according to her doctor, a less-than-ideal wine runs with a dear gay friend, shoot- is Fortune Feimster. She’s hysterical. She story and how we weren’t sure if people
BMI issue. So she runs. Short jaunts at ing a scene with Bob the Drag Queen is the coolest friend of mine. We did [The would get it. We’re so excited now that,
first, then longer, steadier stretches. But and her commitment to telling LGBTQ Groundlings’] Sunday Company together for the most part, people are understand-
and then we ended up living next to each ing what this story is about. That makes
as she trains for a marathon, Brittany stories. █
learns that self-acceptance and personal — Chris Azzopardi other in apartments. Then, when she █
BELL Page 19
16 dallasvoice.com █ 09.06.1909.06.19 █ dallasvoice 17
L+S screen
‘It 2,’ brutal
Shocking and creepy, It is actually behind you!), but what he
Pennywise is at It again lacks in originality he more than makes
up for in bravado: This It is damn-near
ARNOLD WAYNE JONES | Executive Editor operatic, clocking in at just shy of three
jones@dallasvoice.com hours. It balances flashbacks and cre-
ations from the kids in 1989, seamlessly
W
hen last we met those seven interlinking them with clever editing,
scrappy tweens from Derry, while deepening our understanding
Maine, they were breathing of the characters as adults. (Among
heavy sighs of relief, having just — they the older cast, Jessica Chastain as the
hoped — killed the malevolent entity abused Bev, James McAvoy as stutter-
Pennywise, which they called merely ing Bill and Bill Hader as wisecracking
“It.” They concluded by pledging to Richie are the biggest stars.) The script
each other that should It ever return, breaks the plot into a manageable three
they would reassemble to fight the act structure: gathering to form an
child-murdering clown once again. insane-clown-killing posse, confronting
Tick, tock, fellas. individual demons on their own, and
For audiences, only two years have finally resolving to attack or die trying.
passed since It became a sensation; for (Seven kids survived last time; fewer
the characters, 27 years. And they are adults emerge now.)
about to encounter even stranger things, It Chapter Two is not, ultimately, a
because Pennywise has come home. great movie. While it keeps a stran-
Because the original was such a glehold around your throat almost
smash, a follow-up was preordained but constantly, there’s very little residual
also necessary. It Chapter Two completes discomfort. You walk out of the theater
the plot of Stephen King’s massive 1986 jauntily and unafraid what you’ll see
novel, a tale made all the creepier by around a corner. It doesn’t burrow
its generations scope. And the sequel into your psyche the way, say, Heredi-
doesn’t disappoint. Director Andy Mus- tary did. Then again, it’s pretty much
chietti isn’t afraid to manipulate his au- just what its audience wants: A slow
dience with shopworn cliches (ominous, dive down a scary rabbit hole, and we
or misleadingly soothing, music queues; return unscathed, breathless and full of
grisly sound effects; jump scares when popcorn. █
18 dallasvoice.com █ 09.06.19You can also read
