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PLAN YOUR VOTE FOR EQUALITY Visit MiVoterGuide.com A project of BTL
Activists Believe Ginsburg Replacement
Barrett Could Hinder LGBTQ Rights
Michigan Secretary of State Announces
16- and 17-Year-Olds Can Be Poll Workers
Meet MOT’s New
Artistic Director
Yuval Sharon
Pledges to Make it the ‘Most
Progressive Opera Company’ in US
BTL Photo: Andrew Cohen
OCTOBER 15, 2020 | VOL. 2842 | FREE
NEWS OPINION VOL. 2842/43 • OCTOBER 15, 2020
6 First We Grieve, Then We Vote: 14 Parting Glances ISSUE 1159
Jay Kaplan Reflects on the Legacy of 14 Viewpoint: Jay Kaplan PRIDE SOURCE MEDIA GROUP
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Phone 734.293.7200
15 Creep of the Week
8 LGBTQ Activists Alarmed at Thomas- PUBLISHERS
Alito Anti-Equal Marriage Statement Susan Horowitz & Jan Stevenson
ENTERTAINMENT EDITORIAL
8 Activists Believe Ginsburg 18 Meet MOT’s New Artistic Director Editor in Chief
16
Replacement Barrett Could Hinder Yuval Sharon Susan Horowitz, 734.293.7200
LGBTQ Rights susanhorowitz@pridesource.com
22 Fall Auto Issue
11 Fair Michigan Launches LGBTQ Entertainment Editor
24 ‘Boys in the Band’ For a New Chris Azzopardi, 734.293.7200
Voter Participation Initiative chrisazzopardi@pridesource.com
Generation
11 Michigan Secretary of State News & Feature Editor
Announces 16- and 17-Year-Olds Can 28 Deep Inside Hollywood Eve Kucharski, 734.293.7200
Be Poll Workers eve@pridesource.com
29 Q Puzzle
12 FBI Reports Michigan Militia had News & Feature Writers
Michelle Brown, Ellen Knoppow, Jason A. Michael,
Plot to Kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer,
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18 Meet MOT’s New Artistic Director
Yuval Sharon
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www.PrideSource.com BTL | October 15, 2020 3
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First We Grieve, Then We Vote:
Jay Kaplan Reflects on the Legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
BY ELLEN SHANNA KNOPPOW
Vote, Vote, Vote
Editor’s note: This interview was conducted Kaplan doesn’t believe the Senate
before the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett Democrats have the power to reject a Supreme
Court nominee hostile to civil rights, as the
A
s staff attorney for the American Civil current president and Senate Republicans
Liberties Union of Michigan’s LGBT seem bent on doing. But there is recourse.
Project, Jay Kaplan often unpacks “The only thing that we can do, if we
legal decisions in a way that helps readers — want to change this whole trajectory, is to
and writers — understand. With the recent participate in this election at a rate and at a
passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader percentage like never before,” Kaplan stressed.
Ginsburg, we also asked that Kaplan share his “That’s what makes this election so important.”
own reflections of her tenure on the Court and Residents of Michigan may soon have
what it meant to him personally. to look more to the state courts for relief,
according to Kaplan. With Republicans
“Devastating” holding a 4-3 majority on the Michigan
Supreme Court, Democrats have a real chance
On Sept. 18, Kaplan had just returned home as heterosexual marriages. to see that not only do people certainly admire for the first time in two decades to secure
from Rosh Hashanah dinner with his mother Ginsburg sided with the majority in the her but also they really cared about her well- a progressive majority by electing Elizabeth
to celebrate the Jewish New Year. He was out marriage equality case and the Masterpiece being and her welfare and wanted her to be Welch and reelecting Chief Justice Bridget Mary
for a walk when a friend texted him with the Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission on this Court and really felt that she was such McCormack, the two candidates nominated by
news that Justice Ginsburg had died. case as well. Kaplan pointed out that although an incredible asset in her contributions to the the Michigan Democratic Party.
“It was devastating,” Kaplan said. “Just an most people focus on the issue with the baker — Court,” he said. “Once again, all paths lead to this election
incredible loss to the Court, to our country the civil rights judgments against the baker were Kaplan called Ginsburg “a living hero,” along and the importance of everybody participating,”
and, of course, what immediately also came up reversed — what the majority also ruled was with Congressman John Lewis, who the country Kaplan said. And that includes the LGBTQ
was the fear — what’s going to happen next? that a business open to the public must serve lost this year. community, now more than ever.
Because I had read before that Senate Leader the entire public. Further, the government has “There’s part of our community that’s
Mitch McConnell had told donors at several
fundraisers that, ‘Should Justice Ginsburg drop
a compelling interest in enforcing civil rights
laws that prohibit discrimination. ACLU Legend complacent and not very well-informed,”
Kaplan said. “And the fact that we have a fifth
dead before the election, even if it’s a week Finally, most recently, was the Bostock v. Before she was appointed to the federal court, of the [LGBTQ community] who aren’t even
before the election, we’ll get somebody else on Clayton County case. That decision ruled that Ginsburg worked for the ACLU, and it was there registered to vote, that’s of concern. There’s
that court, I promise you.’” discrimination against employees because of that she established the Women’s Law Project. so much at stake right now and certainly, the
Kaplan said that although her support of their sexual orientation or transgender status Kaplan described the Zoom videoconference courts are among them.”
LGBTQ rights might have been less obvious amounts to sex discrimination. call that occurred the Monday after her death,
because she did not author any of the attended by the full staff of the civil rights
Putting It in Perspective
movement’s seminal decisions, “she always
was with the majority from the very beginning.”
Remembering ‘Bostock’ organization: 1,000 employees strong from
across the nation. He said there were many Despite Ginsburg’s final wish, in all
He briefly enumerated those contributions. And it was during oral arguments for the tributes. likelihood, she will be replaced before the
In 1996, Justice Ginsburg sided with the Bostock case that Kaplan witnessed Ginsburg “One of the things that I was struck by, [and] election, and by a conservative justice.
majority in Romer v. Evans, the first case in in action, as he accompanied Aimee Stephens, I believe they might have been quoting her, “I’m always one that’s been kind of able to
which the Court declared that discrimination the Michigan funeral director who was fired they were saying something to the effect that put things a little bit in perspective and focus
based on sexual orientation violated for being transgender. even when you know you might not be able to on the work, but it’s been difficult,” Kaplan said.
constitutionally protected rights. Next, when “It’s very dramatic how the justices come out win, you have to still lead,” Kaplan said. “And “It’s been very difficult…when you care so much
the Court reversed a state’s sodomy law in there,” Kaplan explained. “They each have like you have to do this work to give hope to other [about] what’s happening in this world and you
2003’s Lawrence v. Texas case, by extension, a little entrance area right where they go up to people. So inspiring. Her life was so inspiring. see so much that goes against your ethics and
that invalidated all the remaining sodomy laws their bench and everybody rises and you see And her commitment to justice and fairness.” values about what you think is right and what
on the books in 13 other states. Ginsburg sided them sitting there — and there she was. She Among other things, Kaplan is concerned you think is fair.
with the majority in that decision, too, which looked very frail; this was less than a year ago. about a case that will be heard this fall, Fulton “But I find comfort in the fact that a lot of
finally made same-sex sexual activity legal in But when she spoke — and she did speak a lot, v. City of Philadelphia. That case will decide other people do share those same values,” he
every U.S. state and territory. she had a lot of questions to ask — her voice whether faith-based foster agencies have the continued. “And just like Justice Ginsburg
“And then, of course, the next decision was was very strong, and she was sharp as a tack. right to receive a government contract if they said, even when you know you might not be
striking down part of the Defense of Marriage And she really made it clear that she knew all discriminate against LGBTQ people, citing able to win, on everything you might want to
Act, that said that the federal government would about Title VII law and how this works and their religious beliefs. accomplish, you still have to lead. You still have
not recognize legal marriages between same-sex what this means in regards to discrimination “There’s potential for a lot of cases and to do things that give hope to other people.”
couples that were granted in the various states ‘because of sex.’” progress that we’ve made on many issues but Finally, Kaplan summed up the sentiments
that were permitting couples to get married,” He said that it was very “telling” that after also including many LGBT issues that look of many people who have felt Ginsburg’s
Kaplan said. He recalled her famous criticism the argument he got calls from friends about pretty precarious right now,” Kaplan said. “comforting and reassuring presence” on
of the federal government for treating same-sex family asking how it went and, immediately the Court over the past four years under this
unions as “skim milk marriages” — somehow after, people asked about Ginsburg. president.
inferior or weakened because they weren’t “‘How was Justice Ginsburg?’ ‘How’d she “Everybody feels a little untethered as a result
granted the same recognition or protections look?’ ‘Is she doing OK?’ It was just wonderful of her death.”
6 BTL | October 15, 2020 www.PrideSource.com
LGBTQ Activists Alarmed at Thomas-Alito Anti-Equal Marriage Statement
BY LISA KEEN have ruinous consequences for majority is already here,” said Lambda Legal
religious liberty,” the statement Chief Executive Officer Kevin Jennings. “The
W
hile there was cause for alarm read. confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney
for LGBTQ people watching the Davis needed at least four Barrett haven’t even started yet and Justices
opening day of the U.S. Supreme justices to say yes in order for Thomas and Alito are already creating a
Court’s 2020-21 session on Monday, there was the high court to take her appeal. laundry list of cases they want to overturn.
also at least a tiny bit of reassurance, too. She got only two, even though And unsurprisingly, marriage equality is first on
The alarm came with an unusual, unsolicited the court currently has five the chopping block. Confirming Judge Barrett
statement from two of the court’s most conservative justices. would be the final puzzle piece they need in
conservative justices, indicating they are still Her appeal did not win the order to make it happen.”
opposed to the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision support of Chief Justice John “Overturning our right to legally marry the
in Obergefell v. Hodges, which struck down Roberts Jr., who also dissented person we love and to protect our families
state bans on marriage for same-sex couples. in the Obergefell decision. And would only be the beginning,” said Jennings,
Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito it did not get the support of adding that “none of the hard-fought rights
made the declaration alongside the court’s President Trump’s two appointees that we have won in the courts are safe. That
announcement that it would not hear the appeal of this Court’s cavalier treatment of religion in – Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh. includes the right to marry, to work, or to be
of a Kentucky county clerk, Kim Davis, who its Obergefell decision, but she will not be the What troubles LGBTQ legal activists, recognized as the legal parents of our children.”
refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex last,” warned the statement penned by Justice however, is that the Obergefell decision in 2015 The Human Rights Campaign issued a
couples in defiance of Obergefell. Thomas. “… Obergefell enables courts and was a close one: 5-4, with now-retired Justice statement saying that, while it is good news
Thomas and Alito’s statement complained governments to brand religious adherents who Anthony Kennedy joining four liberal justices that there were not four justices to grant Kim
that the Obergefell decision had forced Davis believe that marriage is between one man and in the majority. Now, not only is Kennedy gone Davis’ appeal, Thomas and Alito “took it as
to choose between her religious beliefs and one woman as bigots, making their religious but so is another member of the Obergefell an opportunity to renew their war on LGBTQ
her job. liberty concerns that much easier to dismiss.” majority: Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Ginsburg, 87, rights and the historic marriage equality
They did not mention that Davis lost her Thomas and Alito agreed that the case Davis died Sept. 18 following a long struggle against decision.”
appeal at the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals brought before the Supreme Court did not cancer. And, to replace her, President Trump “They are paving the way for an anti-equality
before a panel of three Republican appointees, “cleanly” present an issue through which the has nominated a judge with a documented court, just as Senate Republicans rush to
including Judge John Bush, an appointee of court could revisit Obergefell and address “a hostility to same-sex marriages: Amy Coney confirm Amy Coney Barrett, who herself is
President Trump. problem that only it can fix.” Barrett. an anti-equality extremist,” HRC said.
“Davis may have been one of the first victims “Until then, Obergefell will continue to “The nightmare of a hostile Supreme Court
Activists Believe Ginsburg Replacement Barrett Could Hinder LGBTQ Rights
BY LISA KEEN “I do not think it lawful for a judge to impose legal organization in the United States,” the Neil Gorsuch, who authored it, are still there.
personal opinions, from whatever source Alliance Defending Freedom. And “because Justice Gorsuch’s opinion
P
resident Trump announced Saturday, they derive, upon the law,” Barrett said. “If In reaction to the news that Trump would for the Court was so relentlessly textual,”
Sept. 26, that his nominee to replace confirmed, I will apply the law faithfully and nominate Barrett to U.S. Supreme Court, said Stanford University Professor Pamela
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader impartially in accordance with the judicial Lambda Legal issued a statement, saying, Karlan, who successfully argued the case for
Ginsburg is, as expected, a jurist that LGBTQ oath.” “Barrett will unleash a Supreme Court majority the gay employee in Bostock, “I don’t see the
groups are expected to vehemently oppose. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.Is.) asked that is hostile to all of our basic civil rights, and Court coming out the other way on Title IX’s
President Trump said his nominee, federal of Barrett in a questionnaire, “Do you agree the impact will be felt for decades.” coverage.”
appeals Judge Amy Coney Barrett, would that the church’s view regarding marriage as a In the coming U.S. Supreme Court session, Jon Davidson, former legal director for
receive a “very quick” confirmation. union between a man and a woman is irrelevant the court is set to hear Fulton v. Philadelphia, Lambda Legal and current chief counsel for
LGBTQ legal experts are both deeply to the legal question of the right of same-sex a case in which a Catholic adoption service Freedom for All Americans, agrees.
concerned and somewhat confident that couples to marry?” wants the court to declare that it has a First “That majority [in Bostock] also should
this nomination could spell doom for legal Barrett responded with one word: “Yes.” Amendment right to violate a Philadelphia law agree that other federal laws prohibiting sex
protections of LGBTQ people and close doors She then repeatedly stated that several against sexual orientation discrimination. And discrimination (including laws barring sex
for future LGBTQ plaintiffs seeking their rights important LGBTQ decisions at the Supreme a Virginia school district is expected to appeal discrimination in education, housing, and
to be upheld under the Constitution. Court were “binding precedent that I will its loss in a case that tests whether Title IX of the credit) encompass discrimination based on
Barrett comes to the nomination after serving faithfully follow if confirmed.” federal Education Amendments Act — which sexual orientation and gender identity because
just two years the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of They included Obergefell v. Hodges, U.S. v. prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in the Supreme Court’s decision [in Bostock)
Appeals where she did not weigh in on any Windsor and Lawrence v. Texas. education — prevents discrimination on the did not rest on anything unique to the federal
LGBTQ-related cases. However, in her years LGBTQ groups opposed Barrett’s nomination basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. employment nondiscrimination, but rather
prior to that, as a professor at the University then. They said her views on civil rights issues There is some optimism still around the on the correct conclusion that, as a general
of Notre Dame School of Law, she signed onto were “fundamentally at odds with the notion Title IX case. That’s because, just last June, a matter, one cannot discriminate based on
a letter from Catholic Women supporting the that LGBT people are entitled to equality, 6-3 majority of the Supreme Court ruled that sexual orientation or gender identity without
church’s views on various issues, including liberty, justice and dignity under the law.” Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act, which discriminating based on sex,” Davidson said.
that “marriage and family [are] founded on In a letter to then-Senate Judiciar y prohibits job discrimination on the basis of But Both Karlan and Davidson expressed
the indissoluble commitment of a man and Committee Chairman Charles Grassley, 27 sex, also prohibits discrimination on the basis concern for what the Supreme Court didn’t
a woman.” national and state LGBTQ groups said in of sexual orientation and gender identity. That rule on last session: accommodating religious
During her 2017 confirmation process, one 2017 that they were concerned that Barrett’s ruling, Bostock v. Clayton County, is expected employers, such as the one in the Philadelphia
senator asked Barrett, via written questionnaire, “religiously-infused moral beliefs would inform to serve as a precedent for the Title IX litigation, case, set for oral argument on Nov. 4.
how she could assure members of the LGBTQ her judicial decision-making” on issues of too. “The outcome could have broad implications
community that she is committed to rendering specific interest to LGBTQ people. And they While Ginsburg is gone now from that 6-3
decisions impartially and without bias or expressed alarm that Barrett had delivered a Bostock majority, Chief Justice John Roberts, See Barrett, continued on p. 10
prejudice? paid speech to the “most extreme anti-LGBT who joined the majority opinion, and Justice
8 BTL | October 15, 2020 www.PrideSource.com
See page 7 of this issue to learn more on how
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® Barrett
Continued from p. 8
for the application of nondiscrimination laws
and government policies around the country,”
said Davidson.
Davidson said he doesn’t think existing
marriages of same-sex couples are at risk.
“Those who married same-sex partners after
the Obergefell decision did so in compliance
with the law at the time and have strong due
process rights in not having those lawful
marriages dissolved against their will,” Davidson
said. “Whether a new justice will respect the
precedent of Obergefell going forward, however,
is of course of concern.”
But Jenny Pizer, senior counsel at Lambda won that election, the Republican president was
Legal, notes that, even with the marriage ruling given the opportunity to appoint the seat left
in favor of same-sex couples, “we still have had open by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia in
to continue fighting for family equality for February 2016.
LGBTQ people and their children.” Kavanaugh’s confirmation was controversial
“For example, we are in court now fighting as well following the accusations that emerged
for two married same-sex couples whose after his nomination that he had sexually
daughters are being denied citizenship by the assaulted women. He denied those accusations,
Trump administration even though the law is and the Republican-controlled Senate approved
explicit that their American citizen parents’ his nomination.
being married entitles them to citizenship,” The Senate approved Gorsuch’s nomination
Pizer said. by a vote of 54-45, and it approved Kavanaugh
And Barrett, says Pizer, “has been outspoken by 50-48.
in her belief that same-sex couples do not have Barrett’s nomination also begins in
the same fundamental Constitutional right controversy: While McConnell claimed he
to marry that different-sex couples have and couldn’t advance President Obama’s nominee
that the marriages of same-sex couples do not because it was a presidential election year, he has
deserve legal respect.” promised to rush through Barrett’s nomination
Barrett also wrote a law review article arguing even though this, too, is a presidential election
that, while all Supreme Court decisions serve year.
as a precedent for lower court decisions McConnell has made clear he has to votes
and subsequent Supreme Court decisions, to confirm the nominee and that he intends to
some are “super precedents” and others are rush through that confirmation process ahead
more susceptible to change. Barrett’s super- of the Nov. 3 presidential election.
precedent theory, said Pizer, “seems designed President Trump said Saturday that Barrett
to create room for reconsidering and reversing “will defend the sacred principle of equal justice
precedents that justices do not consider ‘super.’” for citizens of every race, color, religion and
Barrett is Trump’s third opportunity to creed.”
select a Supreme Court justice. He previously Barrett professed “love” for the U.S.
nominated, and the Senate confirmed, two Constitution and said she is “mindful” of the
other federal appeals court judges to the legacy of Justice Ginsburg, whose seat she has
Supreme Court: Neil Gorsuch and Brett been nominated to fill. Ginsburg died at age
Kavanaugh. Gorsuch’s nomination was marred 87 on Sept. 18, following a long struggle with
by the controversy that ensued when Senate cancer.
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to Barrett noted that Ginsburg was good friends
give consideration to then-President Obama’s with Justice Antonin Scalia, for whom Barrett
nominee, Merrick Garland, even though Obama clerked, despite the fact that Ginsburg was one
still had 11 months to go in his second term. of the court’s most liberal jurists and Scalia one
McConnell left the seat open until after the of its most conservative.
2016 presidential election and, because Trump
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Invest in equality and work with
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10 BTL | October 15, 2020 www.PrideSource.comFair Michigan Launches LGBTQ Voter
Participation Initiative
BY EVE KUCHARSKI
F
air Michigan is a nonprofit LGBTQ
advocacy organization that works to
secure equal rights protections under
the law based on sexual orientation, sex,
gender identity and gender. Now, the group
is focusing its efforts on a voter participation
effort intended to engage and empower LGBTQ
people in Detroit, with a special emphasis on
people of color. Victim Advocate and Director
of Transgender Outreach and Advocacy for Fair
Michigan Julisa Abad is working spearhead this
movement by providing accurate information
to LGBTQ people across the city about how
to vote.
“We know the climate that we’re in and the
importance of voting. A lot of my community, Fair Michigan Victim Advocate and Director of
Transgender Advocacy and Outreach Julisa Abad.
specifically the LGBTQ community and trans
women of color, are really misinformed about
different things when it comes to voting,” that can go to Michigan.gov/vote. On there,
Abad said. “For example, if you are on parole, you can see where you’re registered to vote
people are under the assumption that you can’t and if you’re registered to vote. If people are
vote, if you’re on probation they think that you registered to vote, great. They can walk in on
can’t vote. People also don’t know that if they election day where it tells them to vote on the
are in or out of jail awaiting to be sentenced website. If they’re not, I want to also let them
they can still vote.” know that they can go into their clerk’s office,
For LGBTQ people, particularly those who [register to vote], request a ballot and vote right
identify as transgender or nonbinary, getting to then and there and they don’t have to wait.”
the polls can be difficult. In fact, the Williams Ultimately, Abad said, dispelling myths about
Institute — an LGBTQ research center and voting is vital to getting everyone’s voice heard
UCLA think tank —reports that 21 percent in this and future elections.
of LGBTQ Americans are not registered to “I don’t care who you believe in or what you
vote. Abad says many factors contribute to vote for, but I want everyone in my community
this reality. to get out there and have their voices heard,”
“A l o t o f p e o p l e t h at d o n’t h av e Abad said.
documentation that matches [with their gender
identity] might feel scared to go to a place to To find out more about how this initiative works
vote and be discriminated against or might not visit fairmichigan.org. To get a pro-equality
even know where to vote or where to register,” candidate guide for the upcoming election visit
Abad said. “I’m trying to get the word out there mivoterguide.com.
Michigan Secretary of State Announces
16- and 17-Year-Olds Can Be Poll Workers
BY JASON A. MICHAEL Rhonda Saxton, area director for the Michigan
League of Conservation Voters Education Fund.
M
ichigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Poll workers are trained and paid for their
Benson and The Michigan Voting work. According to Michigan law, those with
Coalition, as part of its 40 Days of felony records are allowed to vote, but they
Early Voting campaign focused on historically are not permitted to serve as poll workers.
disenfranchised communities, is trying to sign The critical need for poll workers was a key
up poll workers for the Nov. 3 general election. message reinforced by the diverse members of
Any registered voter can be a poll worker, and, the Michigan Voting Coalition and Secretary of
for the first time, it has been announced that State Benson at a press conference kicking off
16- and 17-year-olds can participate as poll the 40 Days of Early Voting campaign.
workers as well. Many communities struggle to recruit
“Poll workers are first responders for enough poll workers to make Election Day
democracy, and they serve to ensure our run smoothly. Without enough poll workers,
election runs smoothly before the polls open at
7 a.m. and well past closing time at 8 p.m.,” said See Poll Workers, continued on p. 12
www.PrideSource.com BTL | October 15, 2020 11After Thwarted FBI Reports Michigan Militia had Plot to Kidnap Gov. Gretchen
Kidnapping Plans,
Whitmer Calls for Unity Whitmer, AG Nessel Hosts Press Conference on Charges
BY EVE KUCHARSKI BY EVE KUCHARSKI of a Michigan highway bridge for places to seat
an explosive.”
S
ix people have been charged by the Birge’s office, the US Attorney’s office for the
G
ov. G r e t c h e n W h i t m e r
a d d re s s e d t h e St at e of federal government with conspiring Western District of Michigan, is prosecuting
Michigan after a plan to to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen this federal case with assistance from the US
kidnap her and other Michigan Whitmer and other government and law Attorney’s offices in the Eastern District of
government officials was thwarted enforcement officials. Seven others have Michigan and Delaware.
by state and federal law enforcement been charged by the state of Michigan Nessel’s office filed state charges against
agencies. for conspiring to commit terrorist acts seven people in addition to the charges already
She started by saying thank you brought by Michigan Attorney General announced by the US Attorney’s Office in the
to law enforcement and FBI agents Dana Nessel. Law enforcement reports that Western District.
who participated in stopping this all 13 are in custody at this time.
kidnapping attempt as well as Attorney Nessel held a press conference today - Paul Beller, age 21 of Milford, is charged
General Dana Nessel who held a press “regarding significant law enforcement with three felony counts: providing material
conference earlier today announcing operation and criminal charges” of those support for terrorist acts, gang membership
the charges against those who have involved with the kidnapping plot. and carrying or possessing a firearm during
been taken into custody. Whitmer “The interagency effort represented here the commission of a felony.
went on to say that 2020 has been a in tandem with my office culminated in - Shaun Fix, age 38, of Belleville is charged
hard year, but that Michiganders can the execution of several search warrants with two felony counts: providing material
move past it. and arrests across the state including support for terrorist acts and carrying or
“We’re Michiganders. We have grit. in the communities of Grand Rapids, possessing a firearm during the commission
We have heart. And we are tough as Hartland, Luther, Canton, Orion Township, of a felony.
hell. We made it through the great Waterford, Belleville, Milford, Cadillac, - Eric Molitor, age 36 of Cadillac is charged
recession, we made it through auto Shelbyville, Plainwell, Zeeland, Munith, with two felony counts: providing material
bankruptcies, we made it through Ovid, Kalamazoo, Charlotte, Clarkston, support for terrorist acts and carrying or
floods and polar vortexes, but none Sterling Heights and Shelby Township,” possessing a firearm during the commission
of us has faced a challenge like she said. of a felony.
investigation of these individuals earlier in the
COVID-19. Not in our lifetimes,” Nessel was joined by Andrew Birge, US - Michael Null, age 38 of Plainwell, is charged
year after becoming aware of their presence on a
Whitmer said. “I’ve said it many times. attorney for the western district of Michigan; with two felony counts: providing material
social media group where they were “discussing
We are not one another’s enemy. This Matthew Schneider, US attorney for the eastern support for terrorist acts and carrying or
the violent overthrow of certain government and
virus is our enemy and this enemy is district of Michigan; Josh Hauxhurst, FBI possessing a firearm during the commission
law enforcement components.”
relentless.” assistant special agent-in-charge; and Michigan of a felony.
“Through confidential sources, undercover
She went on to call for unity. State Police Col. Joseph Gasper. - William Null, of Shelbyville, is charged with
agents and clandestine reportings, law
“It doesn’t care if you’re a Republican “Last night, the FBI and Michigan State Police two felony counts: providing material support for
enforcement learned particular individuals were
or a Democrat, young or old, rich or arrested six individuals charged in a federal terrorist acts and carrying or possessing a firearm
planning to kidnap the governor and acting in
poor. It doesn’t care if we’re tired of complaint with conspiring to kidnap the governor during the commission of a felony.
furtherance of that plan. The alleged conspirators
it. It threatens us all. Our lives, our of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer. According to - Pete Muscio, age 42, of Munith is charged
used operational security measures including
families, our jobs, our businesses, our the complaint unsealed this morning, Adam Fox, with four felony counts: threat of terrorism,
by communicating by encrypted messaging
economy, it preys on our elderly and Barry Croft, Ty Garbin, Kaleb Franks, Daniel gang membership, one count each of providing
platforms and used code words and phrases in an
medically vulnerable residents, and Harris and Brandon Caserta conspired to kidnap material support for terrorist acts and one count
attempt to avoid detection by law enforcement,”
it has exposed deep inequities in our the governor from her vacation home in the each of carrying or possessing a firearm during
Birge said. “Among other activities, members
society,” Whitmer said. “This should be western district of Michigan before the November the commission of a felony.
of this conspiracy conducted on two occasions
a moment for national unity where we election,” Birge said. “Under federal law, each of - Joseph Morrison, age 42, of Munith is charged
coordinated surveillance on the governor’s
all pull together to meet this challenge these individuals faces a term of any number of with four felony counts: threat of terrorism,
vacation home.”
head-on with the same might and years up to life in prison if convicted.” gang membership, one count each of providing
Birge went on to say that, according to the
muscle that put a man on the moon.” Fox, Garbin, Franks, Harris and Caserta are material support for terrorist acts and one count
complaint, Fox and Croft discussed “detonating
residents of Michigan, while Croft is a resident each of carrying or possessing a firearm during
explosive devices to divert police from the area of
of Delaware. Birge said that the FBI began an the commission of a felony.
the home and Fox even inspected the underside
® Poll Workers LGBT Detroit has already signed up to assist 40 Days of Early Voting campaign: person at your city or township clerk’s office
Continued from p. 11 with the effort to recruit more poll workers. and provide proof of residency. Once you are
“LGBT Detroit is a proud par tner - Now: Voters can print and submit a paper registered, you can vote, all in one trip. If you
voters may have to wait in long lines, an organization, and happy to be among this application for an absentee ballot for the Nov. plan to vote by mailing in your absentee ballot,
inconvenience that has disproportionately hugely diverse statewide coalition,” said Curtis 3 general election. You can also request an please put it in the mail by this date to make
impacted Michiganders from communities Lipscomb, executive director of LGBT Detroit. absentee ballot online at mvic.sos.state.mi.us/ sure it arrives on time.
with significant numbers of voters of color “We need poll workers. Poll workers are an avapplication. Already registered voters can - Nov. 3 is Election Day. Polls are open from
and young voters. In addition to the right to essential part of the democratic system. Almost vote early at their city or township’s clerk’s office. 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time.
vote by mail and vote early, Michigan voters any registered Michigan voter can become a - The last day to register online or through
have the right to vote at their assigned polling poll worker, [as well as] 16- and 17-year-old the mail for the Nov. 3 election is Monday, To learn more or sign up today, visit
location on election day. Having enough trained teenagers.” Oct. 19. michiganvoting.org/be-a-poll-worker or email
poll workers is critical to ensuring full and fair - Starting on Oct. 20 through 8 p.m. on pollworkers@michiganvoting.org.
access to the ballot for all Michigan voters. Some important dates to note as part of the Election Day, you must register to vote in
12 BTL | October 15, 2020 www.PrideSource.comwww.PrideSource.com BTL | October 15, 2020 13
Parting
Glances
BY CHARLES ALEXANDER
White House Shenanigans
M
artin Luther King, Jr.’s 1965 historic march from
Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, for equal voter
rights changed the South forever. Or, did it?
Few know that another King – William Rufus DeVane
King – gave Selma its name 145 years earlier. It means “high
seat” or “throne,” and comes from an epic Ossianic poem,
“The Song of Selma”.
Billy DeVane was the live-in companion – partner, spouse,
lover – of James Buchanan, the 15th president of the U.S.
Buchanan met Billy in 1834 while they were both serving
in the Senate. They became inseparable for almost 20 years.
Gay historians say there’s a strong possibility that Buchanan
may have broken his engagement to his fiancee Ann Coleman
for the handsome, slightly older Billy. Poor Ann. She died
brokenhearted shortly thereafter.
Buchanan referred to Billy’s friendship as a “communion”.
Washington gossips called Billy Jamie Buchanan’s “better half,”
and the two of them “the Siamese Twins”.
Former President Andrew Jackson dubbed Billy “Miss
Nancy”. Jackson’s own wife – a zesty, buxom tart of a thing –
was also the subject of much amorous gossip.
Democrat Aaron Brown confided in letters to his friends Viewpoint
that Billy was “Aunt Fancy trigged in her best clothes”. He
called Billy “she” and referenced to “her” telltale behavior
and conversations. There’s hinting that Billy may have been
a crossdresser.
But Billy was also a highly respected politician, with 38
years of dedicated service in the House of Representatives,
Senate and as Minister With Portfolio — perhaps beaded — to
France and to St. Petersburg, Russia.
A Tribute to RBG’s Pro-LGBTQ Legacy
It’s rumored at the time that Billy took the post in France to
quash gossip about himself and Jamie. Whether true or not,
he did a splendid job of keeping the French from interfering BY JAY KAPLAN
in this country’s plans to annex Texas from Mexico. Things
might have been better for all parties concerned today if
P
eople who have been in my home will note that most of LGBTQ rights.
France had succeeded.
the wall space in my 840-square-foot abode is adorned During RBG’s 27-year tenure on the Supreme Court she
In 1853, Billy became vice president to our 14th president,
by theatrical posters of plays and musicals, most of had the opportunity to weigh in on each and every seminal
Franklin Pierce. Billy, who owned slaves, was chosen as a
which would be regarded as “obscure.” In addition to all those LGBTQ rights case. Although she was not the author of the
compromise candidate on a pro-slavery ticket. But before
colorful and varied posters, there is wall space reserved for a majority opinions in each of these decisions, she sided with the
taking office he showed signs of tuberculosis, hastening to
wonderful piece of artwork by our community’s much-beloved majority each and every time, affirming the dignity of LGBTQ
a friend’s plantation near Havana, Cuba, to recuperate and
Charles Alexander, who so kindly and generously gifted it to people and challenging policies and practices that treated our
mint julep it up in the sun.
me. Also hanging on limited wall space in my kitchen is a community unfairly. The following are those decisions:
For the only time in our history, a special act of Congress
framed poster, featuring the silhouette of Justice Ruth Bader
was passed to allow King to take the Oath of Office outside
Ginsburg, with a quote from her: “Fight for the things you Romer v. Evans (1996): Here, the Supreme Court struck
of the U.S. But excessive drinking further weakened Billy’s
care about but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” down a Colorado voter initiative that prevented state and local
constitution, and within six weeks of being sworn in he was
Like so many others, I’m still mourning the loss of RBG and governments from passing laws protecting LGBTQ people from
dead. Jamie Buchanan was devastated.
her contributions to the world of jurisprudence, particularly in discrimination. The Court majority held that laws targeting
In 1850, Buchanan without his beloved Billy, became our
the area of civil rights and social justice — now even more so LGBTQ people for discriminatory treatment and motivated
only bachelor president. His indecisiveness in office brought the
because of the rush by the Trump Administration and Mitch by animus against them violate the Equal Protection Clause
Civil War closer. Lincoln inherited the conflict. Gay historians
McConnell to fill her seat with a judge whose legal viewpoint to of the Constitution. This decision helped provide a template
think Lincoln a possible sleep-over bisexual.
civil rights is so vastly different from that of Justice Ginsburg. for challenging anti-LGBTQ laws, policies, and practices at
Billy DeVane King is buried in a shady cemetery just outside
If the Republican Senate majority is successful in confirming both the state and federal levels of government.
Selma, a city remembered today for two Kings. And a queen.
Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court before the
Perhaps America’s first — J. Edgar Hoover, drag would-be,
Nov. 3 election, there is so much at stake for those who care
notwithstanding.
about access to health care, a woman’s right to choose and
See next page
14 BTL | October 15, 2020 www.PrideSource.com® Viewpoint
Continued from p. 12
Creep Of The Week
Lawrence v. Texas (2003): This decision
overturned the previous 1986 Bowers v.
this decision because she did not believe
that the facts presented showed hostility
Mitch McConnell BY D’ANNE WITKOWSKI
Hardwick decision upholding laws that or animus towards the baker’s religion to
T
he Senate Confirmation Hearing for
criminalized private same-sex sodomy
between consenting adults. In addition
result in this reversal. Justice Ginsburg’s
dissent demonstrated her concern that Amy Coney Barrett was happening today (Trump) is a danger to the country
to criminal penalties, these laws often religion not be used as a basis to justify and I watched exactly zero minutes of it and even to the Republican party.
were used to justify discrimination discrimination against LGBTQ people in because I was practicing self care.
against LGBTQ people by defining them non-religious settings. Another reason I have no doubt that she will be confirmed But McConnell is more than happy
and the Supreme Court will lurch to the right for
solely by presumed sexual behaviors. In her voice will be very much missed is
decades. I know that there are a lot of pundits
to aid and abet this president if it
striking down Texas’ criminalization of that on Nov. 4, the Supreme Court will
same-sex sodomy as unconstitutional, the hear arguments in the case of Fulton who are hypothesizing how it might be stopped, means that he can pack the courts
Court majority recognized that LGBTQ v. City of Philadelphia, a case that will and that’s a fun exercise, but that’s all it is. If a
people are to be afforded the same privacy determine whether faith-based foster care miracle happens I will be the first one to say with judges who will rule against
interest in their intimate relationships as agencies that have government contracts I was wrong. But I’m not going to waste time
prepping a correction speech.
things like reproductive rights, LGBTQ
heterosexuals. can discriminate against LGBTQ families
who wish to become foster parents, citing It’s interesting, no, hypocritical, that all equality, environmental regulations
Windsor v. United States (2013): the agencies’ religious beliefs. Republicans want to do right now is shout about
The Court struck down a provision of court-packing as if they haven’t been packing and racial justice. For decades.
the federal Defense of Marriage Act Bostock v. Clayton County (2020): In the court with right-wing extremists during
that prohibited federal recognition of June 2020 the 6-3 Supreme Court decision every second of Trump’s term. And no, President
Christian nation. It isn’t. It never has been. We
legal same-sex marriages. During oral held that employment discrimination Obama didn’t leave seats open because he was
literally stole it from people who were neither
arguments, Justice Ginsburg asked against employees because they are too lazy to fill them, as Glenn Beck recently said.
white nor Christian. Hence the whole, “America
particularly pointed questions, including LGBT constitutes sex discrimination Those seats weren’t filled because the Senate
is a nation of immigrants” thing. Trump would
whether the law imposed “two kinds of in violation of Title VII, the federal under Mitch McConnell refused to consider
like you to believe that immigrants are violent
marriage — the full marriage and then civil rights law that prohibits such them.
brown people trying to sneak into the country
this sort of skim-milk marriage” for discrimination in employment. This McConnell even said it himself during a 2019
to do you harm. The majority if immigrants
same-sex couples. The legal rationale for landmark decision provides a remedy to interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News about
are seeking a better life — which is something
overruling DOMA paved the way for the LGBTQ people, particularly those who the number of vacancies: “I’ll tell you why. I was
Republicans are all about when white people do
Court majority two years later to strike live in states, like Michigan, that do not in charge of what we did in the last two years of
it. They call it “personal responsibility.”
down state laws, including Michigan’s, provide explicit protections on the basis the Obama administration.” Hannity then tells
Unfortunately, Republicans have no sense of
that prohibited same-sex couples from of sexual orientation and gender identity McConnell he should “take a bow.”
collective responsibility. No sense of history.
marrying. in their civil rights laws. I attended the You’ll remember that McConnell refused to
No sense of decency. Also no sense of humor
Supreme Court hearings in the three hold confirmation hearings for Merrick Garland,
if we’re getting right down to it.
Obergefell v. Hodges (2015): This cases — one of those cases involved Obama’s nominee to the Supreme Court. His
And there’s Mitch McConnell at the helm
was the landmark marriage equality our plaintiff Aimee Stephens — and reasoning? It was an election year. The next
of it all.
decision where the Court majority held observed Justice Ginsburg demonstrate president should choose the next Supreme
Wait, you might be thinking, I thought Trump
that the right to marry is a fundamental her mastery regarding Title VII law and Court member. Now, of course, we’re not just
was at the helm of it all.
constitutional right that cannot be denied sex employment discrimination cases, in an election year, we’re in the middle of an
As if. Trump is a moron who spends most of
to same-sex couples and that the right through her sharp questioning during actual election and for some reason McConnell’s
his day watching Fox News. He is a danger to
to marry includes the legal benefits of oral arguments. Although looking frail, reasoning no longer holds.
the country and even to the Republican party.
marriage. her voice was strong and her comments Once Trump was elected he could nominate
But McConnell is more than happy to aid and
were highly focused on the issue what is a T-shirt with a Confederate flag airbrushed
abet this president if it means that he can pack
Masterpiece Cake Ltd v. Colorado discrimination because of sex. on the front and McConnell would rush the
the courts with judges who will rule against
Civil Rights Commission (2018): This nomination through.
things like reproductive rights, LGBTQ equality,
decision involved a Colorado baker During her almost three-decade tenure Ugh. Mitch McConnell. How I hate him. Hate
environmental regulations and racial justice.
who refused to bake a cake for a same- on the Court, RBG was a friend and ally him, too? Donate to his opponent, Democrat
For decades.
sex couple who were planning to marry, to the LGBTQ community and on the Amy McGrath here: amymcgrath.com.
You’ve got to hand it to McConnell he DGAF.
citing his religious beliefs. Here the Court right side of every historic LGBTQ civil As I write this it is Indigenous People’s Day.
Like, at all. No morals, no ethics, no chin. And he
majority reversed the Colorado courts’ rights case. In a year where we have lost I am listening to a compilation of Indigenous
will stop at nothing to get Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s
discrimination charges against the baker, two civil rights giants, John Lewis and now metal bands in order to observe this day. Donald
Supreme Court seat filled with a woman who
citing animus towards the baker’s religious Ruth Bader Ginsburg, we must commit Trump, however, chose to observe this day by
will eagerly undo RBG’s legacy.
beliefs on the part of the Colorado Civil ourselves to help carry on their work. We issuing a proclamation declaring it Columbus
And he’ll do it with a smile. Just kidding.
Rights Commission. The Court majority, need to ensure that RBG’s legacy continues Day that begins like a middle school book report
He is not capable of smiling. He’s capable of
however, did not say that discrimination through our courts. The fight for LGBTQ and ends like “Mein Kampf.”
moving his lips in a way that imitates a smile
against LGBTQ people in public rights and equality is a fight that we all The proclamation can be summarized thusly:
and doing this weird thing with his mouth. Just
accommodations — such as a bakery need to care about and we have to lead Italian gentleman Christopher Columbus sailed
Google “Mitch McConnell smiling” and you’ll
— based on religious beliefs is OK. The others to join us. the ocean blue and discovered America and did
see. You’ll see.
Court reaffirmed the government’s absolutely nothing wrong in fact America has
Not surprisingly, Newsweek just reported that
interest in enforcing civil rights laws Jay Kaplan is the Nancy Katz and Margo never done anything wrong in all of its history
he elicits ”very cold” feelings from, 57 percent
— including those that protect LGBTQ Dichtemiller LGBT Rights Project Staff and the Native Americans should be thanking
Americans.
people — and that when a business is Attorney of the Michigan ACLU. He can us for murdering them they deserved it.
It’s because his heart is made of ice.
open to the public, it has to serve the be reached at Kaplan@aclumich.org. It’s sick stuff. But it is also what a lot of people
public. Justice Ginsburg dissented from believe. The idea that America is a white,
www.PrideSource.com BTL | October 15, 2020 15You can also read
