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15 THE GAY-ETY STARTS HERE!

MONTROSE STAR.COM

Wednesday October 14, 2020 e VOL. XI, 15

≈ Houston Rainbow Herald ............... 4

≈ Foodie Diaries................................. 11

Photo: Universal Music

≈ What A World................................. 12

INDEX Editorial Crossword Guide to the Clubs

5 18 22

Reba

Still Fancy

8

PAGE 2 | MontroseStar.com e | Wednesday October 14, 2020

IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®

This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment.

(bik-TAR-vee)

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:  Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section.  Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking BIKTARVY.  Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking BIKTARVY.  Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.  Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain.  The most common side effects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%).

 Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking BIKTARVY. Do not stop taking BIKTARVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.

ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults and children who weigh at least 55 pounds. It can either be used in people who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements.

BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS. Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a medicine that contains:  dofetilide  rifampin  any other medicines to treat HIV-1

BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY Tell your healthcare provider if you:  Have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis infection.  Have any other health problems.  Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby.

Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY.  Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed.

Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk.

These are not all the possible side effects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take:

Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food.

 BIKTARVY and other medicines may affect each other.

Ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist about medicines that interact with BIKTARVY, and ask if it is safe to take BIKTARVY with all your other medicines.

MyDailyCharge.com

BVYC0220_BIKTARVY_C_10X13-65_MontroseStar_Hugo_r1v1jl.indd All Pages

Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY.

HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY GET MORE INFORMATION

 Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.

Get HIV support by downloading a free app at

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

 This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more.  Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5  If you need help paying for your medicine, visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.

BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, DAILY CHARGE, the DAILY CHARGE Logo, LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.

Version date: February 2020 © 2020 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. BVYC0220 04/20

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MontroseStar.com e | Wednesday October 14, 2020| PAGE 3

HUGO LIVING WITH HIV SINCE 1995 REAL BIKTARVY PATIENT

KEEP CONNECTING. Because HIV doesn’t change who you are.

BIKTARVY® is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in certain adults. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS.

Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you.

See Hugo’s story at BIKTARVY.com.

Featured patient compensated by Gilead.

Please see Important Facts about BIKTARVY, including important warnings, on the previous page and visit BIKTARVY.com.

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6/12/20 11:42 AM

PAGE 4 | MontroseStar.com e | Wednesday October 14, 2020

HRH REPORT

OFFICE 713-942-0084 EMAIL TheMontroseStart@gmail.com Publisher / Executive

LAURA M VILLAGRAN Business Development Manager

RANDALL JOBE

Copy Editor

NANCY FORD Scene Writers

Production

RAFA ESPINOSA News Features

JOHNNY TRLICA

JIM AYRES JANICE ANDERSON Distribution

MIRIAM ORIHUELA ELIZABETH MEMBRILLO

TH E S TA R CO NTR I B UTI N G W R ITE R S JIM AYRES by day is an employee benefits and human resources writer. By night he turns his creativity toward the local food and restaurant scene. Do you know of a restaurant that needs a review? Info@montrosestar.com NANCY FORD has enjoyed a front row seat to the most remarkable and sparkly Cultural Revolution in the history of mankind. “What a world!” She reflects appropriately. After moving to Houston from Ohio in 1981, Ford became a highly visible player in Texas’ LGBT publishing circles as an editor and contributor to myriad other local and statewide LGBT magazines and newspapers.

RANDALL JOBE has been a fixture in the Houston LGBT Community for several decades in marketing and promotions for top nightclubs, as an actor/director/writer for dozens of theatrical productions, and is also known for his whimsical art pieces. He is the author of the 12-part series “This Old Queen”, which summarized his many experiences living in the gay Mecca, Montrose.

VIC GERAMI is journalist, media contributor and Editor & Publisher of The Blunt Post. Vic grew up in LA and has a BA in Theater Arts. He spent six years at Frontiers Magazine, followed

by LA Weekly and Voice Media Group. His syndicated celebrity Q&A column, 10 Questions with Vic, is a LA Press Club’s National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Award finalist. Vic is a contributor for Montrose Star, DC Life Magazine, Out & About Nashville, Q Virginia, GNI MAG, QNotes, Windy City Times, WeHo Times, GoWeHo, Los Angeles Blade, Asbarez, California Courier, Desert Daily Guide, Armenian Weekly, GED, The Pride LA, IN Magazine and The Advocate Magazine.

FOREST RIGGS is no stranger to the adventures of life, he bills himself as a “raconteur with a gypsy spirit.” A former educator, public speaker, hospital administrator, counselor and gay owner, he was instrumental in the formation of OutSmart Magazine in the early 1990s. He has written for several newspapers, magazines and other publications. Recently he completed a collection of short stories about his beloved Galveston and is working on a novel. He currently resides on the island where he can be found wasting bait and searching for the meaning of life.

JOHNNY TRLICA has called the Houston area home all of his life. Four years ago he founded and still edits the Houston Rainbow Herald and has worked in the apartment leasing industry for the past two years. His passion is keeping the battle for LGBT rights at the forefront of today’s headlines and fighting complacency in the LGBT community.

©2020 GLYP Media. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without written permision from the Publisher.

The Montrose Star is published every two weeks and distribuited free of charge at choice establishments throughout Houston, the Bay Area & Galveston. Annual mail subscriptions are $54.

All rights to material by outside contributors revert to the author. Views expressed in articles, advertisements, graphics an/o photos appearing in Montrose Star do no necessarily refelcts the views of the views of the editors or advertisers. The Montrose Star is not responsible for unsolicted submissions of articles or artwork. Advertisements accepted for publication in the Montrose Star are presumed to contain information that is true and advertisers are authorized to sell the product(s) shown in his/her ad.

The Montrose Star assume no responsablity nor liability for possible errors contained herein or for advertisers' claim or performance.

Karma reacts to evil. Will America? e B y J oh nn y T rlica

“

THROUGHOUT HISTORY, IT HAS BEEN THE INACTION

of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph.” —Haile Selassie Commentary: America has been confronted with evil at various times throughout its history. Sometimes the evil has come from within, such as slavery and antisemitism. At other times we have faced evil from abroad, such as fascism and Nazism.

Whatever the evil has been, America has always looked it squarely in the eye and combated it. The past four years, the evil we face sits at the resolute desk in the Oval Office at the White House. Evil, however never acts alone and it is very contagious.

Few can deny the President has not only corrupted the office he holds but the entire party that sent him there and has enabled him to remain there.

One of the evilest policies of the Trump administration is the separation of immigrant families. Children and babies, some still breastfeeding, have been pulled from their mothers’ arms and placed in cages. Many will never be reunited with their families due to shoddy record keeping. Stephen Miller, the President’s senior policy advisor, is the man responsible for the war on immigrants.

He tested positive for the corona-virus on October 6.

White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany, who promised, “I will never lie to you. You have my word on that,” and has not made an honest statement since, tested positive on October 5.

First Lady Melania Trump made anti-bullying her pet project with a “Be Best” campaign. She was unable to rein in the biggest bully on the planet — the man she sleeps with. Well, presumably. She showed her true colors while visiting immigrant conditions on the border when she wore the coat that had “I don’t really care, do you?”

Inscribed on the back. She tested positive on October 2.

White House counselor Kellyanne Conway, who never met a lie she didn’t like, will be remembered for her “alternative facts” debacle. She participated in preparing Trump for the debate with Joe Biden, where the president made a complete ass of himself with constant interrupting. She tested positive on October 2. v Facebook.com & t Twitter Find us on P

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie helped prepare Trump for the debate, as well. His advice allegedly was, “People who overcome stuttering have a harder time maintaining their train of thought when interrupted. Keep interrupting him and he’ll stumble when he tries to speak. This will enforce the ‘senile’ narrative.” Christie tested positive and was hospitalized on October 3.

Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Senator Mike Lee of Utah are Trump sycophants. Lee submitted federal “religious freedom” law legislation to attempt to allow the legal discrimination of LGBTQ citizens based on someone’s “deeply held religious faith.” Tillis, meanwhile, put forth legislation to overturn the Affordable Care Act. Both senators declined to hear witnesses during Trump’s impeachment trial and voted against removing Trump when they had a chance, and yes, they both tested positive for COVID-19.

Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel never misses a chance to appear on the Sunday talk shows and praise the job Trump is doing and talk about his impending landslide victory. She tested positive on October 7.

Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien took on the role of rearranging chairs on the Titanic during the summer. He tested positive on October 2. He is not to be confused with his predecessor Brad Parscale who was recently arrested after his wife called police to report he was suicidal.

All the corona virus-infected people named above have one thing in common. They are on a first name basis with Karma. That, and they all attended a Rose Garden ceremony that introduced Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s replacement on the Supreme Court.

Ginsberg’s last wish was that the selection of her replacement be made by the winner of the election.

Karma still had one more perpetrator to take care of. The President, himself. Karma does not always act swiftly, but she does act. She has a great memory, too.

She remembered the evil the President has placed upon on the country he was elected to lead. She remembered all the lies — 25,000 of them, by some accounts. She remembered the mocking of the disabled and sick, the corruption, the racism and the incompetence. She remembered the cavalier attitude in the words, “it is what it is.”

Of course, the President being who he is, we may never know if he caught the virus or if it was just a play for sympathy.

Karma saw enough and acted accordingly, but will America? We will find out on November 3.

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” —Edmund Burke e The views expressed in this article are entirely those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of MONTROSE STAR. Johnny Trlica is the administrator of the Houston Rainbow Herald Facebook page. Reach him at: HRHeditor@gmail.com.

MontroseStar.com e | Wednesday October 14, 2020| PAGE 5

OP-ED

Creep of the Week

Amy Coney Barrett e By D ’ An n e W i tkow s k i

R

UTH BADER GINSBURG. WHAT A

devastating loss. For her family, for the country, for the rule of law.

We didn’t let her have a single moment of peace in the last years of her life. She didn’t get to retire. She didn’t get to look back on and celebrate her historic and spectacular legacy. Nope. Because millions of Americans voted for a washed-up TV crook masquerading as a businessman, Ruth Bader Ginsburg worked until her dying day.

She deserved better.

And now, even though it was literally her dying wish not to be replaced by him and even though a clear majority of Americans think the next justice should be appointed by whoever wins the 2020 election, Trump is getting to choose her replacement. A man who lost the popular vote by millions who leads a party that represents a minority of Americans will have appointed three Supreme Court justices by the end of his first term.

Trump has nominated Amy Coney Barrett, a woman who has benefited from the glass ceilings RBG has shattered, is poised to follow RBG and to not only reinstall those glass ceilings but make them stronger.

You might be reading a lot of “think pieces” about how we might be able to avoid a Coney Barrett confirmation. We only need four Republican Senators to vote against her! Surely there are four with a conscience!

Ha. Right. If you believe that then

you have perhaps been in a coma during the entirety of Trump’s presidency. And for that I envy you.

The Republicans have unlocked the ultimate level of Grand Theft Democracy: stacking the Supreme Court with conservative judges. They will stop at NOTHING to see this through. They don’t even care if, as some pundits have mused, that rushing through a nomination might result in the death of the GOP. But what the fuck do they care? They have stacked the lower courts with Trump appointees, and now they’re taking the Supreme Court. They will have power from beyond the grave and will haunt us for the rest of our lives.

That isn’t an exaggeration. Coney Barret isn’t even 50 years old. A lifetime appointment could be hella long for her. And for us.

“President Trump and his party and Judge Barrett will overturn the Affordable Care Act, and they won’t stop there. They have made clear that they want to overturn Roe v. Wade, and restrict reproductive rights and freedoms,” Democratic Vice President Nominee Kamala Harris said during a campaign stop in North Carolina. “Judge Barrett has a long record of opposing abortion and reproductive rights. There is no other issue that so disrespects and dishonors the work of Justice Ginsburg’s life than undoing the seminal decision in the court’s history that made it clear: a woman has a right to make decisions about her own body.”

Not for long.

But don’t worry. I’m sure Coney Barret will be great for LGBTQ rights, right?

Ha. Brian Brown, the co-founder of the National Organization for Marriage, in an email to anti-marriage equality supporters, writes that this Supreme Court nomination could “pave the way for the restoration of marriage to our laws and scrapping the

illegitimate, anti-Constitutional imposition of same-sex ‘marriage’ on the nation.

It will mean that religious liberty will be restored to its rightful place as a foundational constitutional right, and that the fake ‘rights’ that are constantly demanded by the left – including special rules for homosexuals and the so-called transgender – will no longer see the light of day.”

Could marriage equality be undone?

Well, of course it could, just like Roe v Wade. And if that happens, the right to marry will go back to the states who will once again decide whether or not LGBTQ people are fully human or not.

Brown writes, “You can be certain that LGBT extremists will be doing everything in their power to block this confirmation.

It’s imperative that we be on the front lines fighting for control of the Supreme Court by demanding that Republicans support President Trump’s nominee.”

He’s right, of course. Supporters of equality will oppose this nomination with everything we have. Unfortunately, we don’t have very much right now.

On top of it all, we still have a pandemic raging through the country that has claimed over 200,000 lives and a president who is far more concerned about rigging the election by lying about absentee ballots and claiming that he might not give up power if he loses.

It is difficult not to get discouraged. But for those who depend on the highest court in the country for our most basic civil rights: LGBTQ people, women, Black and brown people, immigrants, people with preexisting medical conditions to name a few. We are all in danger.

But we are not dead. So we are not defeated. We must keep moving forward. e

OCTOBER 14, 2020 | VOL. XI, 15

COOKING WITH PAULA DREAM Yummy chicken and cherry recipes

10

D’Anne Witkowski is a poet, writer and comedian living in Michigan with her wife and son. She has been writing about LGBT politics for over a decade. Follow her on Twitter @MamaDWitkowski.

MY LIFE BEHIND BARS Oh, what a tangled web

14

CONTENTS HRH Report............................................................ 4 OP-ED...................................................................... 5 OP-ED...................................................................... 6 Cooking with Paula Dream..............................10 Foodie Diaries.......................................................11 What a World........................................................12 My Life Behind Bars...........................................14 PFLAG Houston News.......................................15 Community............................................................15 Across the Causeway........................................ 17 Crossword Queeries..........................................18 Deep Inside Hollywood.................................. 20 Guide to the Clubs............................................ 22 ©2020 Montrose Star All Right Reserved Montrose Star™ Newspaper since 1976, is owned

by GYLP Media, a Texas minority-certified company est. in 1990.

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CORRECTIONS & AMPLIFICATION October 14, 2020. None as of press time.

PAGE 6 | MontroseStar.com e | Wednesday October 14, 2020

OP-ED

Politics in the time of coronavirus e B y Colby E t h e rt on

O

N SEPT. 29, THE FIRST OF THREE

presidential debates took place between President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden. The debate was largely deemed a shit show, as Trump flew off the rails and constantly (literally, constantly) interrupted Biden.It appeared to be a deliberate strategy to throw off Biden and make him come off confused or unable to complete his thoughts.

However, Trump only ended up damaging himself. Biden was deemed the winner of the debate (if a winner could even be determined from that 90 minute dumpster fire), and Trump brought the focus to himself as he astonishingly couldn’t even bring himself to denounce white supremacy. All he could muster was “stand back and stand by,” which he said regarding the Proud Boys, a far right extremist group.

The Proud Boys relish in being “western chauvinists,” and according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, espouse white nationalist rhetoric and anti-Muslim sentiment. It’s hard to think of many things that come easier than denouncing white supremacy, so to hear the President not even make an attempt in front of the seventy three million people that watched was beyond troubling. It was dangerous.

In addition to that disquieting moment, the President continued to spread misinformation about voting. At this point, it is abundantly obvious: the President doesn’t want masses of people voting by mail because he knows that a larger turnout correlates with higher odds of him losing the election.

This isn’t surprising. The President has solicited foreign help to bolster his reelection odds. He knew the severity of COVID19 and sat on that information because he didn’t want “panic.” Spreading misinformation fits in line with his playbook. He urged his supporters to be “poll watchers,” essentially people who hover around polling locations and instill fear/intimidation in people merely waiting in line to vote.

Unfortunately, the debate was a disservice to everyone watching. We were the losers of the night, because there was hardly any semblance of policy discussion. Even without the interruptions, it’s hard to imagine what Trump would have put forward as far as policy, considering that the official Republican platform

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for 2020 is a mere recycling of 2016’s.

As if 2020 couldn’t fly even further off the rails, President Trump announced on Twitter that he and First Lady Melania Trump were diagnosed with COVID-19 on October 2. As of this writing, Trump is at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center undergoing treatment. It’s a bit of a surprise the President is just now contracting it, considering his rallies where social distancing wasn’t being practiced and large swaths of people weren’t wearing masks. Many in his inner circle hadn’t been wearing masks until his announcement.

As for what this means between now and November 3, your guess is as good as mine. As it stands, there’s a possibility that the remaining scheduled debates between Trump and Biden will be cancelled. It seems that the Vice Presidential debate between California Sen. Kamala Harris and Vice President Mike Pence is still underway, as Pence tested negative for COVID-19 on October 2.

Trump will be off the campaign trail until at least mid-October, assuming that he recovers. What remains to be seen is how Trump’s rhetoric will change, if at all, when it comes to the pandemic. For so long he has downplayed it, and his response to the pandemic has been slow. He regularly mocked Joe Biden for constantly wearing a mask. Will there be a stark change in tone, or will he propose scaling back the reopening of many parts of the country? Will he proclaim that he “defeated” COVID and that it isn’t that bad? In a presidency as unpredictable as this one, it is hard to say.

The effects that Trump’s diagnosis will have on the Senate confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett are yet to be known; along with Trump, Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah, and Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, have tested positive for COVID-19.

Considering that Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins have said they won’t support approving a judge until after the election, this may prolong their goal to get another judge onto the Supreme Court before November 3.

Meanwhile, more two million Americans have already voted. Texans can only vote by mail if they are 65 or older, are sick or disabled, are out of the country on Election Day or during early voting, or are in jail but still eligible to vote. Which means that everyone else who doesn’t fall under one of those qualifications must vote early or on Election Day. It is important that everyone makes a plan for how they’re going to vote, as it can’t be stressed enough how make-or-break this election is. Early voting started October 13, and runs through October 30. e The views expressed in this article are entirely those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the views of MONTROSE STAR.

MontroseStar.com e | Wednesday October 14, 2020| PAGE 7

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PAGE 8 | MontroseStar.com e | Wednesday October 14, 2020

Country legend talks 30 years of drag queens doing ‘Fancy,’ gay country stars and ripping off Barbra Streisand e B y Ch ris Azzopardi

I

T WAS 30 YEARS AGO WHEN REBA

McEntire – music legend, gay icon, the epitome of country glamour – made Bobby Gentry’s “Fancy” her own. A feminist statement about a woman who turns to sex work to overcome childhood poverty, the story-song became synonymous with McEntire after her version surpassed the original on the country music charts.

McEntire’s remake was featured on her 1990 album Rumor Has It, her 17th studio album. It has resurfaced three decades later in an anniversary edition, featuring two new versions of “Fancy.” One, a dance mix, was produced by DJ Dave Audé; the other is an acoustic live version.

On Zoom from her home just outside Nashville, McEntire greets me on my computer screen with her signature Southern charm and a full-face smile.

Strands of her fire-red hair are being repositioned by an assistant’s floating hand.

“I’m never my own glam squad,” she says.

“I have (makeup artist) Neil (Robison) here with me. We were up bright and early this morning gettin’ ready, and I have my team to make sure I am decent.”

Even amid a pandemic, the sight of an undone Reba is ... well, let’s just say there’s a better chance of getting a reboot of her hit TV series Reba (she’s on board). Because no-frills Reba? “I wouldn’t do that to ya,” she jokes.

During our conversation, the superstar reflected on how “Fancy” solidified her gay icon status, what impresses her most about drag queens who have performed the song, and why she doesn’t “judge the book by the cover” when it comes to the queerness of out country artists Orville Peck and Lil Nas X.

Photo: Universal Music

What do you remember about the photoshoot and that whole look for the Rumor Has It cover?

I don’t remember much about the photoshoot except (that) it was Sandi Spika who did my clothes and my hair back in the, oh, late ’80s and ’90s, and then all the way up until I went to do Annie Get Your Gun in 2001. She did my clothes, my hair, and it was her idea to do the rip-off inspired by the Barbra Streisand photoshop album cover. So we did that and everybody loved it. Of course it was the last setup of the day because she had worked two hours on all this hair and then, of course, we had it underneath that little scarf and the hat.

Still Fancy

When you go to Walmart like you did to show your Twitter followers the Rumor Has It vinyl – well, first of all, do you always go out to Walmart looking like yourself?

No! Ha! We just popped in to visit the record department and sign a few albums.

They were rippin’ the plastic off the record cover and I was signin’ some. It was fun. It was fun just to pop in and kind of make a little surprise appearance and then leave.

So you went there expecting to be noticed as Reba.

Yeah, yeah. Well, I had my mask on.

When you go as yourself do people actually believe it’s you or do they think they’re getting a Reba look-alike?

No, pretty much they go right for it, especially when I talk.

It’s the voice.

If I say something, then they’re (like), “I knew it was you!”

Are you saying no drag queen could duplicate that voice?

Some have gotten real close!

It’s been 30 years since “Fancy” was released, and by the time it was released in 1990, you already had a fairly devoted LGBTQ following.

But with “Fancy,” is that when you knew you were a gay icon?

If I wasn’t sure, I was definitely sure after I released “Fancy,” yes. I don’t have any reason to think that I had a big gay following before that, but I think I did.

But it just increased a lot by the time “Fancy” got out, and then the clothes changes and all that kind of stuff.

There was a whole drag explosion because of the song. Is that what you’re referring to?

Yeah.

For your gay fans, hearing “Fancy” at a gay bar after midnight was sort of just another day. Do you have any memories of hearing “Fancy” at a gay bar yourself?

No, no. Can’t say I have.

I feel like you’ve missed out. These 30 years have gone by and not one time have you stepped into a gay bar and heard “Fancy.”

I’m gonna have to make that happen!

What do the drag queens who have done “Fancy,” including Kennedy Davenport and Miz Cracker’s performance on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, get wrong and right when they’re performing that song?

Any time I have seen on television or YouTube anybody doing “Fancy” in drag I am in awe of their makeup and the time that they have spent to get all dolled up and just look fantastic. Anybody who can sing that whole song in heels and the outfits that they wear, hey, I’m applaudin’. There’s not gonna be any criticism from me at all.

I watched when you dropped the dress at the CMAs and a lot happens in the face. It’s a lot of acting.

Oh, attitude. Lots of attitude.

Well, drag queens have that.

You bet. I do know this: That they get my hand motions down pat, and the way I stand, and it’s just very flattering. I love it.

The “Fancy” remix on the anniversary reissue is produced by Dave Audé. What kind of input did you give Dave on what you wanted for the dance mix?

I didn’t. When a person knows how to do that, do a dance mix, I’m not one to give advice or say, “Do it this way or that way.” That’s their forte. Let them do their job. I think he did a great job.

I’ve talked to you twice in the past about LGBTQ issues. One of our conversations was about marriage equality, and you came out in support of it. It was a big moment. I remember seeing the headlines: Reba McEntire says everybody deserves marriage rights no matter their sexual orientation. And you illustrated why with a couple of friends of yours. Do you think that you’ve been able to be a bridge between the LGBTQ community and the conservative

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MontroseStar.com e | Wednesday October 14, 2020| PAGE 9

I wanted to know if you have heard Orville Peck’s version of “Fancy” and what you thought of it.

Also, what do you think of him and his contribution to country music as an out gay artist?

I loved his version of “Fancy.” I thought it was different. I liked how he kept the music, the production, real low until the end of the song and then it got real big. I was expecting it earlier, so that was a great surprise. But I’ve just got introduced to him, because of his remake of “Fancy,” and so I’m not that familiar with him to answer the second part of the question.

What do you think is the significance of Lil Nas X being the first openly gay Black artist to win a CMA award for “Old Town Road”?

See, here’s the deal: You’re putting more emphasis on him being gay. To me, I looked right past that. I saw he was a very talented young man who had a vision about this song and he pursued it and it turned into a huge thing. I respected him for that. That he’s gay – that didn’t change my mind about how much I admired him for pursuing his dream.

Yeah. I guess in an industry where it has felt that it’s difficult for a gay person to breakthrough – and a Black person, for that matter – on my end, it seems like a big deal.

Yeah, I can see why. But it’s kind of like, I don’t judge the book by the cover; you gotta know the person, and if I don’t know the person, I’m taking the information I can get – talent, ambition, perseverance, a gift – and going with that.

Have you met Lil Nas? I haven’t. But I know Billy Ray (Cyrus, who appears on the “Old Town Road” remix with Lil Nas X). I’ve looked and seen a lot of things about (Lil Nas X) in different stories.

I think it was a Sunday morning program that I learned more about him. But admiration. Total admiration for him doing that.

How’s life in quarantine been for you? Is everybody healthy? Are you healthy?

All of my bunch are doing very well, thank you for asking. And I’ve really enjoyed the quarantine because I never had this much time off. I’m enjoyin’ it. I’m just relaxing.

I grew a garden this year and I’m cookin’ out of it. I’m lovin’ it. It was weird, the first two months. In March, April and May I was in Oklahoma after my mom passed and we were cleaning her house out and separating everything, and then I came back to Tennessee after Mother’s Day and just kind of stayed out in the country, so not around big crowds at all.

I know you’re an “everything happens for a reason” person, and I was thinking about that because of what is happening to all of us in some way, shape or form right now. We’re all going

through our own challenges with the pandemic. What do you believe is the reason for what is happening to us right now? Have you thought about that?

I’ve got different philosophies. Sometimes when things happen to me – like when I broke my leg skiing in ’96 – I always thought that was God’s way of saying, “Slow down, slow down, you’re going way too fast.” Not only skiing – but in life in general. So I see the good things that have come out of the pandemic and the quarantining, where families are sittin’ at the table again eating supper together and breakfast and being a unit instead of everybody going (in) different directions, running 100 miles per hour.

There are bad things that have happened because of people being sick and losing their lives and people losing their loved ones. That hurts my heart. But if I had to say the good parts about the quarantine, it’s that we’ve slowed down. Everybody goes too fast.

And if we can just focus on the good and not so much of the bad, I think we’ll just be better off. Just take the good out of every situation you can get and not just dwell on the bad.

How do you stay so optimistic through everything that’s been happening that has me all shook up?

It comes with age because you can’t do anything about it, one way or the other.

So you can choose to dwell in the misery or you can just search with all your might to try to find the more positive things that are coming out of the situation. That’s just what I try to do. I remember a long time ago, (I decided) to stay away from negative people because that’s infectious and it’s contagious, and I try to stay and hang out with positive people. It just makes the day so much brighter and easier. It just flows easier. Everything goes better.

To end, since we’re here for Rumor Has It, what have been some of the craziest rumors you’ve read about yourself?

There was one out just this past week about everybody up in arms about me investing in a CBD store or company or something. Well, I’ve never done that. And then somebody was telling me, “Well, I saw it; here it is,” and I said, “Well, I didn’t do that,” and then another friend in another part of the country sent it to me and said, “Did you do this?” I did not invest in a CBD company. And then there was a lot of very famous entertainers in this article that said, “Reba’s turned me onto this CBD; I am just so thrilled.” Garth Brooks being one of them. I don’t see how they get away with it.

Artists Lounge Live and A.D. Players at The George present

‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered: John-Mark McGaha Sings Stevie Wonder’

A

.D. Players at The George and Artists Lounge Live are thrilled to be working together again after a long, socially distanced hiatus. The doors of The George have been closed since March, and though A.D. Players was able to produce their virtual gala to great success in August, this special event will mark the beginning of the gradual reopening of The George.

After months of careful planning, creating new health and safety protocols and examining everything from entry to the building to seating, A.D. Players and Artists Lounge Live are confident in bringing an amazing musical moment to Houston.

Acclaimed singer, multi-instrumentalist and dear friend of A.D. Players, John-Mark McGaha returns for an extended run of Signed, Sealed, Delivered: John-Mark McGaha Sings Stevie Wonder.

The concert will run Tuesdays through Saturdays, October 13-31 at varying times.

Broadway World calls McGaha’s God-gifted voice “crystal-clear perfection.” A child prodigy like his musical hero, McGaha makes a joyful noise as he sheds a personal light onto the miraculous life of one of America’s most gifted singer/songwriters. This abundant collection of hit songs includes Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely,” “My Cherie Amor,” “For Once in My Life,” “I Wish,” “Superstition,” “Sir Duke,” “I Just Called to Say I Love You,” and many more.

A.D. Players audiences have had the privilege of hearing John-Mark at the last three After Dinner Affair Galas. He is a showstopper, to be sure!

“John-Mark is one of the most talented people I’ve ever known, and I am honored to also call him one of my closest friends,” said executive director Jake Speck. “I believe that this event is something the people of Houston need: a chance to safely get out and be encouraged and uplifted. It will be a night to remember.”

Seating is extremely limited due to COVID-19 capacity restrictions. Face coverings will be required and all seating will be socially distanced. Cleaning and sanitizing protocols have been updated and you can rest assured that A.D. Players are implementing all the latest disinfecting technologies and complying with all state, local and CDC guidelines.

For a full list of all COVID-19 audience protocols, please check ADPlayers.com.

Get your in-person tickets at ADPlayers.com. If you aren’t quite ready to leave your home, stay tuned for information on virtual tickets to a live stream option of this event. A full calendar of all dates and times can also be found on the website.

About John-Mark McGaha John-Mark McGaha is a nationally acclaimed singer and multi-instrumentalist. Off-Broadway credits include the hit musical, Cafe A Go Go. In television, McGaha appeared as a featured artist on BET’s Centric Celebrates Selma: 50th Anniversary Music Special. Other performances nationwide include portraying jazz great Lionel Hampton in Tuxedo Junction, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Violet, The Ray Charles Legacy, The Sinatra Legacy, and The Cash Legacy at Nashville’s legendary Ryman Auditorium.

A native of Birmingham, Alabama, McGaha began studying classical piano at the age of five, earning the moniker “child prodigy.” He performed internationally as a teen, adding organ, guitar, saxophone, and voice to his repertoire. He studied piano, opera, musical theatre, and music education at the prestigious Birmingham Southern College and attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York.

McGaha’s central passion is worshipping God in spirit and truth. He currently serves as director of contemporary worship and arts at Trinity United Methodist Church in Birmingham.

He is married to the love of his life, Grace, and they have five beautiful children.

WHAT: Signed, Sealed, Delivered: John-Mark McGaha Sings Stevie Wonder WHERE: A.D. Players at The George, 5420 Westheimer Rd., Houston, Texas 77056 WHEN: Tuesdays through Saturdays, October 13-31 TICKETS AND INFO: ADPlayers.org Photo by Credit Amy Boyle

community who had or have trouble embracing LGBTQ people?

Maybe. I haven’t asked. I’m not the type of person who forces my views and my opinions on other people when they are so adamant about it, but I am a person that will discuss it and say why I am the way that I am. I walked (my friends) Nathan and Justin down the aisle. It’s all because of love. It has nothing to do with anything except those two boys I love with all my heart and I wanted to be there for ’em. And if we just love each other and quite judgin’, I think this world would be a lot better place. It’s not my job to judge. I don’t want that job, at all. I just want to love people.

So, you’re not having CBD gummies with Garth?

That’s never happened?

No! Ha! Well, we’re gonna nip that one in the bud.

Thanks. I need all the help I can get. Ha! It was great to talk to you, Reba.

Good talkin’ to you too. Stay well, stay healthy and be safe, and I hope we get to talk soon in person or over the phone. I enjoy visitin’ with you. e As editor of Q Syndicate, the LGBTQ wire service, Chris Azzopardi has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Cher, Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, GQ and Billboard. Reach him via Twitter @chrisazzopardi.

John-Mark McGaha.

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PAGE 10 | MontroseStar.com e | Wednesday October 14, 2020

COOKING WITH PAULA DREAM

Yummy chicken and cherry recipes

bottom. Layer with half of tortillas, half of chicken mixture, and half of tomatoes, cilantro, and cheese. Repeat layers. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Top with avocado, chopped green onions and chopped cilantro.

e By Paula Dream (AKA Kale Haygood)

H

ELLO TO ALL OF YOU WITH CABIN

fever! I hope you have escaped the virus. Despite having cabin fever, you are like me enjoying the lighter traffic on the freeways, Yes, I too have picked up the pounds!

Thankfully fall is here and the cooler weather. Hope you enjoy these recipes, especially the potato chowder. My mother would make this chowder particularly in the fall and winter, and there were never any leftovers.

Talking through this damn mask, I wish you all safety and good eats.

SALSA CHICKEN CASSEROLE

2 7 10 Montrose Blvd.

Houston, T X 7 7 006

713.526.0202 Order Online www.pepperonis.net

2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken 1 cup sour cream 1-1/2 cups jar of salsa verde, divided 8 6-inch corn tortillas 2 cup Roma tomatoes, chopped 1/4 cup cilantro 2 cups Monterrey Jack cheese Suggested topping:

Avocado, mashed or sliced Green onions, chopped Cilantro, chopped In a small bowl add chicken, sour cream, 3/4 cup salsa. In a square 8” baking dish spread 1/4 cup salsa on

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POTATO CHOWDER

8 cups potatoes, peeled and diced 3 cans (14-1/2 ounces) chicken broth 1 can cream of chicken soup 1/3 cup chopped onions 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper, or to taste 1 package cream cheese, cubed 1/2 pound sliced bacon, cooked and crumbled Minced chives Add first five ingredients to slow cooker. Cook on low eight to ten hours. Add cream cheese. Stir until blended in. Garnish with more bacon and chives. Great with homemade cornbread.

QUICKIE CHERRY PIE

3 egg yolks 1 can condensed milk 1/3 cup lemon juice 1 graham cracker piecrust 1 can cherry pie filling In a medium bowl, beat egg yolks. Stir in sweetened condensed milk and lemon juice. Pour into piecrust. Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes. Cool for an hour or so, then refrigerate to set. Top with cherry pie filling. e Paula Dream, AKA Kale Haygood, owns Beyond Service, a Montrose based, home-cooking catering company. For more information, call 713-805-4106 or email barrykale@yahoo.com.

Killen’s Satisfies

With medical blights, food delights e By J i m Ay re s

I

WAS SO HOPING IT WOULD BE OVER

with. This summer, as you may know, I was stuck in the hospital for a month recuperating from a nasty foot infection.

Twice-daily IV doses of Vancomycin would surely erase everything. Perhaps it did, but another toe became infected recently. As I write this, I go back to Methodist tomorrow for an outpatient procedure to have the tip of that toe clipped off. Oh, the joy.

Anyway, I drove to Methodist’s Pearland clinic last week for the diagnosis. In my funk over having another infection, yet in my joy that I would not have a lengthy inpatient stay, I remembered that Killen’s Barbecue was just a few blocks up Broadway.

I pulled right up and grabbed my mask. Not even a face covering could “mask” the wonderful smell of wood smoked meats coming

from the pit. There was a short, socially distanced line to get in, but that took mere minutes in pleasant sunshine.

Walking up to where the sign told me to, I ordered a two-meat plate. Pork ribs and sausage, it would be, along with sides of potato salad and baked beans. At Killen’s they assemble your plate as you walk along the counter. They don’t skimp on portions. Suddenly my tab of $27.92, including drink, didn’t seem so bad. After all, Killen’s has been the pride of Pearland ever since it opened in 2013. Accolades have come from all over the world.

Food Network calls it one of the best restaurants in America. Writers from the Washington Post and Los Angeles Times have bowed to the chef (a two-time James Beard Foundation nominee). Killen’s Barbecue has made so many Top-5 lists in Texas alone it’s impossible to count them all.

Well, add my praise to the heap. As I sat at my precisely distanced table, I went

Photo by Katie Smith/ unsplash

FOODIE DIARIES

MontroseStar.com e | Wednesday October 14, 2020| PAGE 11

directly to the carbs.

The potato salad, a mustard variety, was much like the kind you can get at H-E-B, except all the seasonings (celery seed, maybe a little smoked paprika) were bolder and the potatoes cooked just so.

Next, I bit into my tender, meaty, somewhat fatty pork ribs. Oh my Lord, these were barbecue You may be surprised at your own cooking skills!

Heaven! So big, too. I took exulted sauce. The combination is magnificent. joy in each bite. They needed no sauce The baked beans were the best I’d to taste perfectly smoked. I cannot ever had. Sweet yet smoky from, well, say enough good about these ribs. smoke, these are the type of homeSpeaking of sauce, Killen’s offers two at made beans you’d expect in someeach table — a vinegar-forward one’s backyard on the Fourth of July.

Tangy which I thought was excepAn A for effort goes to the sausage. tionally good, and a coffee-inIt tasted good but was very dense and fused one called Coffee. This sauce too hard to handle with plastic ware. was a revelation to me. Imagine I recommend a trip to Pearland adding some of your grandmother’s for what Killen’s describes as percolated coffee into a barbecue “The Best BBQ. Period.” e

Killen’s Barbecue 1201 St. Emanuel, Houston, TX 77003

832-582-7202

A G R I C O L E H O S P I TA L I T Y. C O M / I N D I A N O L A

EXCITED FOR BRUNCH? SO ARE WE! SUNDAY BRUNCH 11AM - 3PM LAURENZOS.COM / 4412 WASHINGTON AVE / 713.880.5111

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PAGE 12 | MontroseStar.com e | Wednesday October 14, 2020

WHAT A WORLD

Thanks for the laughs, Donald.

Now get out e By N anc y Ford

I

T’S SIGNIFICANT TO NOTE THAT THIS IS

the final What a World I get to share with you prior to the presidential election. My, how time flies when you’re living in a fascist regime.

Kidding. It’s been a long, hard, exhausting four-year cluster-covfefe.

I agree with the general assessment that this election has been billed as “the most important election in the history of our country.” Hopefully by the time the next MONTROSE STAR is published (November 11), decent people will be rejoicing in the news the President-Elect Joe Biden is packing his bags for the White House.

Equally heavenly is the realization that, God willing, we’ll get to enjoy Saturday Night Live’s Maya Rudolph’s spot-on impression of Vice President–Elect Kamala Harris for at least another four years. Better yet, let’s pray that Uncle Joe stays healthy enough for two terms,

and then President Harris slides into the Oval Office through 2028. Bestcase scenario, Rudolph gets to extend that performance through 2036.

Speaking of SNL, we’ll miss Alec Baldwin’s pouty, orange-stain-in-a-poorly-fitting-suit Trump impersonation.

Maybe Alec can reprise the character for SNL’s Halloween episodes, popping up in the elevator with Tom Hanks as David S. Pumpkins. Scary.

And — oh, my god — how we loved Martin Short’s SNL cameo as Dr. Harold Bornstein. You remember Dr. Bornstein, don’t you? He was Trump’s doctor who looked like the Grateful Dead’s road physician. Remember how Bornstein (the real one) would lean back in his desk chair and we’d wait, fingers crossed, for it to tip over backwards, spilling the good doctor ass-over-teacup, all tangled in his stethoscope as a rainbow of loose pills and syringes fall out of his pockets? He’s the doctor that provided the phony letter of confirmation that insisted, “If elected, Mr. Trump, I can state unequivocally, will be the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency.” Now, that’s comedy.

Thanks for the giggles, Doc. I wish you were my doctor, because after the past four years, I could use some serious sedation.

Laughs aside, if you haven’t already, make your plan to vote. Right now. Please.

Early voting in Harris County started on October 13 and runs through October 30.

There are 130 places where you can vote early; you don’t have to stick to your own district. Locations are listed at HarrisVotes.com. Take your driver’s license and/

or a reliable form of ID; if you have it, take your voter’s registration card. If your name does not appear on the list of registered voters, ask for a provisional ballot.

If you choose to vote by mail, invest in the extra 55 cents and put two stamps on the return envelope, just to be safe. Your mailed ballot must be postmarked by no later than 7 p.m. November 3 and received by the Harris County Clerk by November 4.

Better yet, deliver your sealed ballot directly to election headquarters at NRG Arena, 1 NRG Parkway, Houston, Texas 77054.

Each voter is responsible for delivering their own ballot, by the way. And bring ID. If you want to play it old school and cast your vote in person on Tuesday, November 3, there are 784 places in Harris County to choose from. Check out HarrisVotes. com. Galveston County residents, go

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to GalvestonVotes.org to find your most convenient voting location.

Wherever you cast your vote, remember: Mask up. Keep your distance.

Hydrate. Wear comfortable clothes and appropriate shoes. Avoid wearing a T-shirt or hat that might indicate your political leanings. Bring a stool or folding chair if you have trouble standing for long periods of time, or opt for curbside voting. Pack an umbrella, and maybe a sandwich. If you feel you are being intimidated or your voting rights are being abused, tell your precinct workers or call the Secretary of State at 1-800-252-8683.

And, if you’re so inclined, say a prayer for our nation.

Bottom line treat this election as you would a Texas weather disaster: Hope for the best, prepare for the worst, and get yourself to Spec’s.

Most of us are optimistic about an electoral return to some semblance of normalcy that restores America to its position on the global stage as a trusted leader of democracy. But if that’s not the way it goes, if it turns out that we are destined to endure an extension of the Trump Reich, remember the wise words of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt who was, yes, likely a lesbian but was never photographed doing lesbian porn: “We gain strength and courage and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face. We must do that which we think we cannot.”

See you on the other side.

Log on to VoteTexas.gov for full voter details. e

MontroseStar.com e | Wednesday October 14, 2020| PAGE 13

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PAGE 14 | MontroseStar.com e | Wednesday October 14, 2020

MY LIFE BEHIND BARS

part SEVEN

The demon liquor e By R an dal l J obe

W

ORKING IN THE GAY BARS CAN

be like trying to swim in quicksand. Unless you have an incredibly strong constitution, a highly developed strong moral fiber, or both, there is always something or someone attempting at every turn to drown your ass. Too often, thinking it’s just a good time and harmless fun, you may find yourself in any number of harrowing scenarios.

Not surprisingly, in the bars, it’s the demon liquor. Enticing and available, it is the social norms that almost everyone in the environment of painstakingly well-selected outfits and manicured hairstyles at one point or another abuses it or is abused by it. From behind the bar, I saw it provide countless hours if entertainment and periodically wreak its havoc. It was a constant parade of happy drunks, sad drunks, angry drunks and the evitable falling-down drunk. Not that there weren’t those queens who drank responsibility, but like the wearers of the true crown, they were few and far between.

One all-too-frequent guzzler at my bar

was the happiest of happy drunks, a legit singer, who would suddenly burst into operatic song, startling some unsuspecting victim he was attracted to. It generally began well, but as the evening and the imbibing progressed, it became a garbled, unintelligible mess. The responses ranged from polite bemusement to “Get the fuck away from me.”

The sad drunks are, well, sad. They have not realized the stimulant they believe makes everything peachy can be the very downer that creates the unhappiness with their lives. One forlorn soul lusted after the bartender working next to me and would sit for hours, gazing longingly at the object of his affection with a hangdog somewhere between “Gimme a treat” and “Gotta keep!” He would awkwardly attempt clever conversation until the last call and lights up when he was forced to give up until another night. I watched for tears and he never gave me courage to ask for a proper date outside the comfortable confines of the bar. To the bartender’s credit, he humored the love-struck puppy as he tossed multiple tips into his jar, remembering the annual birthday and Christmas cards that always contained a healthy

“The devil will drag you under by the sharp lapels of your checkered coat.”

— Guys & Dolls

amount of his suitor’s hard-earned cash.

Angry drunks were by far the worst, partly because they generally started out congenial enough and seemingly sane.

But like the clock striking midnight, they would lose all trappings of a princess and turn into something out of a horror film. They lived to pick fights and throw punches or beer mugs or barstools.

Cross an angry drunk with ex-lover drama, then get ready for the worst possible outcome. Some times the chaos was confined to a drink in the face or a good old-fashioned “bitch slap.” Other times it was incredibly violent. I once saw a beer mug from a jealous ex take out an eye.

When fists or mugs flew, bartenders, bar backs and bouncers would jump into the fray. Occasionally, when employees were the targets of an angry drunk’s rage, it never ended well for the culprit. He was either smacked down or tossed out and usually banned for 30 days to life. Then

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he’d make his way to a neighboring bar and repeat the process. There were a few perpetrators who had such bad reputations that they were forced to seek out a straight hangout. Hopefully when they started shit there, they got their asses totally kicked.

Although guys were often the fighters, there were some girls who embodied the knock down, drag out, bitter, vicious drunk. They were fond of the hair pulling, punching, kicking and spitting technique, and separating them was like pulling a cat from the mouth of a determined pit bull.

The falling-down drunks were the most harmless and the most comical because, before the falling on the floor, there was falling off a bar stool, peeing in a corner or the sudden urge to get naked.

There is a Texas law that makes it illegal to serve drinks to “a known alcoholic or the criminally insane.” If those rules were followed, it would close down the bars faster than a pandemic. e

PFLAG HOUSTON NEWS

Let the conversation flow e By J an ice An de rs on

Y

ESTERDAY, A STUDENT TOLD ME

they wanted to be called another name. They didn’t like their name. I asked what name they would choose for them self. After some discussion about the name and why they wanted it, I shared that my child had changed their name, and they liked their new name much better. Sometimes names just don’t fit. The student said my child sounds like they are transgender. Yes, I said, they are transgender and they are much happier now that we call them by the right name.

The conversation didn’t have to turn into a discussion about gender. I listened and let them lead. If they just wanted a less frilly name, we would have talked about how my sister wanted to go by their middle name, Jo, when we were younger. I let the conversation flow. I didn’t force a coming out moment for the student, but I came out as a parent and advocate for my children.

This is my second year teaching in my new school. My old school knew me. The students knew me as the Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA) teacher; the teachers knew me as the mother of the child who transitioned at the end of eighth grade. If students came out to them, teachers would send them to me. I don’t have a solid rep yet at my new school, so I am coming out as a parent of three LGBTQ children to students and to my fellow teachers, one person at a time.

Coming out is a continual and personal process. My children have their coming out process with people they meet. As a

parent of LGBTQ children, I have mine.

With children at school, I share to let kids know they are safe to be themselves in my classroom. With adults, I share to let them know I am working on making this world safer for my children to be themselves.

I will call this student by the name they told me. They said they’ll tell their other teachers and their parents to use the name, too. I may get a call from home soon.

The topic for the General Meeting on November 8 is Mental Wellness and Health. As we get closer to the election, we will all be feeling increased stress. No matter how the election is decided, November will be a difficult.

Not to mention that we are still experiencing a stressful pandemic. Our guest speaker will discuss coping strategies that will help get us through November and beyond.

We will also hold elections for Board of Director positions during the November meeting. We are still in search of candidates for the treasurer position. Candidates must be PFLAG Houston members in good standing. If you are interesting in serving on the board, as the Treasurer or a Member-at-large, please email JaniceAnderson@yahoo.com.

After our guests speak, we will break into small support groups. Small groups are the heart of PFLAG. It’s a time where you can meet other parents and allies and LGBTQ folk. We share our stories and experiences, voice our concerns and triumphs. e For information about support, upcoming events and meetings, as well as up-todate news relevant to PFLAG Houston’s family and friends, visit PFLAGHouston.org, email helplinePFLAGhouston@gmail.com or call the PFLAG Helpline at 713-467-3524.

COMMUNITY

Texas United Charities presents gifts to Montrose Center, Omega House

D

ESPITE THE

fact that Texas

United Charities (TUC) has discontinued fundraising events due to COVID-19, the group has announced it has donated $3,000 to Montrose Center’s “Housing Our Future” program providing safe, stable rapid rehousing services to homeless LGBTQ youth.

“This is an exciting program that we whole heartily support and The Montrose Center needs to be commended for their vision to take care of not only the elderly GLBT community members, but our younger population as well,” said Melissa A. Flories, TUC co-founder.

Additionally, TUC member Orlin Culliver brought another community need to TUC’s attention: The awning needed to be replaced at Omega House. TUC is going to pay for replacing the awning at Omega House at an approximate cost of $700.

“Hats off to the TUC Board for approving these distributions and to the membership who allowed us to have this money to donate

in the first place,” Flories said. “Please feel free to reach out to me or any board member for other areas of need in the GLBT community.

We will assist as much as possible. And don’t forget about the Jimmy Carper Helping Hands Fund for individuals needing immediate assistance.”

“This has been a year of challenges, to say the least, for us all. For many people, the world has been vastly affected in way we would never have imagined. It has caused us to stop and evaluate what is most important in life. Hopefully, we will come out stronger and wiser when it is all said and done. After all, this is not the first time our community has been faced with insurmountable odds to over come, yet we always find ourselves on the other side of the rainbow,” Flories concluded. “We may be a little scarred, but we’re still standing.”

For more information, please visit TxTUC.org. e

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MontroseStar.com e | Wednesday October 14, 2020| PAGE 15

PAGE 16 | MontroseStar.com e | Wednesday October 14, 2020

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≈ Crossword Queeries ........................

18

Another one flew over the cuckoo’s nest MONTROSE STAR.COM

THE GAY-ETY STARTS HERE!

ACROSS THE CAUSEWAY

HALLOWEEN 2020

N tc a n ta e By Fore s t R igg s

F

ALL WEATHER IS FINALLY TRYING TO ARRIVE AND

Photo via NPS.gov

bring with it some cooler temperatures and welcomed changes in Galveston. The beaches are not as crowded, the water appears a prettier blue-green and, most of all, traffic along the Seawall and 61st Street has gotten back to normal, and there are shorter lines to get into a favorite restaurant.

COVID-19 has, of course, put a damper on so many Island activities and events that normally kick-off the fall and winter season. Many of the traditional happenings have been canceled or drastically changed with new rules and guidelines, in attempt to take precautions during the pandemic.

The “big” one of all is, of course, Halloween. Normally the Island comes alive with parties and fantastic decorations in all the local businesses and most of the homes. Going way beyond a jack-o-lantern in the window, Galvestonians usually work S 19

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CROSSWORD QUEERIES

Another one flew over the cuckoo’s nest Across 1 Out of (Paula Martinac novel) 5 Like a bleak fairy tale brother?

9 Parenting couple, sometimes 14 Forbidden fruit site 15 Chaplin partner 16 Last letter on Lesbos 17 Enjoy Harper Lee 18 R. Nureyev’s land, once 19 Like a fem’s clothing 20 She plays the title role in 39-Across 23 Tickle pink 24 Elton’s john 25 Larry Kramer, to Yale 29 Come upon

50 Like Kopay,

22 Karen Walker, perhaps

from the NFL

26 It’s for giving

51 Type of queen

“more” in Oliver

56 She plays Gwendolyn

27 Old line for

Briggs in 39-Across

cockpit workers

60 Traditional Eden fruit

28 Karl or Harpo

63 Part of a split in

30 Versatile vehicle

a religious body

31 Composer Rorem

64 Mambo king Puente

32 Love triangle

65 Lindsay of Liz & Dick

expanded to eight?

66 Fruits did this

34 Barry Manilow hit

in the orchard

35 Playful swimmer

67 Dirt clump

36 In this place, to Colette

68 Comes out

38 Small salamander

69

buco

40 Bobby Orr’s org.

Down

41 Anti-discrimination letters

1 Closemouthed 2 Everett’s An

33 Queer

Husband

three-dollar bill

3 Ben Stiller’s

34 Wet one’s lips, e.g.

mother Anne

37 Wood not needing

4 Finish with

moth balls

5 Take back a blow job?

39 Web television series

6 Painter Bonheur

based on the Ken Kesey

7 Kind of shot

novel One Flew Over

8 Streetcar guy

the Cuckoo’s Nest

9 Teri of The Fosters

40 Venue for 39-Across

10 Kitchen appliance brand

42 Release from bondage

11 Chest muscle, for short

43 Where to see Cats

12 Personal-ad info

44 JFK preceder

13 Like McCullers’ cafe

45 Porn Santa’s member?

21 Town for fudge

48 Jane of a 1944

packers?

Moore head flick

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39 Sort of awakening

70 Gay cable network

43 Some S&M restraints 46 Grecian vessel 47 “Get your rear in gear!”

49 Fame 52 Throw, to Billy Bean 53 Wilde in France 54 Turner that goes either way 55 Battery pole 57 Longs, to a Samurai?

58 Tops cakes 59 Part of Welk’s intro 60 Maugham’s Cakes and 61 Curse wrongly attributed to Mercutio 62 F-word start, for Socrates?

MontroseStar.com e | Wednesday October 14, 2020| PAGE 19

ACROSS THE CAUSEWAY S 17 magic on their porches and lawns. This year the season is off to a slow start and things are not nearly as decorated as usual. There is no word of any great costume parties or costume contests this year. The LGBTQ community loves Halloween and a good excuse to dress up, or down.

With bars and restaurants not being able to “fully” open and plan some great Halloween activities, guys and gals are feeling the pinch of COVID. For the first time in many years, Robert’s Lafitte will not be presenting their annual “Rocky Horrible” production. Like the Bolivar Ferry, the giant crab at Gaido’s, the Bishop’s Palace and Lady Victory on Broadway, Lafitte’s yearly Halloween show has become iconic and will be missed. Not happening this year is yet another clear indication of the seriousness of the pandemic.

But all is not lost. For the community that seeks a hangout or place to catch-up with friends, Todd and Tommy have reopened 23rd Street Station Piano Bar. Manager Jim Greaser says the supportive crowd has returned and with many new faces in the mesh. Still offering a live music venue, the regular performers are bringing in the patrons and entertaining the island community and visitors. Louis Johnston is now tending bar on the patio and, as always, serves up a mean Bloody Mary on Sundays!

The community looks forward to the reopening of Rumors and Robert’s Lafitte. Todd Slaughter, owner of Rumors, has worked very hard on some renovations and changes to the popular seaside bar and, having recovered from COVID himself, is taking every precaution to ensure bar patrons are safe and happy.

Now, onto the Ghost of Halloweens Past! Galveston, as everyone knows is full of ghosts and stories of abnormal happenings. Over the years, many paranormal investigative teams have visited the Island, and all agree Galveston is a very haunted place. The nighttime Ghost Tours remain exceptionally popular and

continue to bring folks to the Island, hoping to experience some of the ghostly stories and activities that have given rise to Galveston’s claim of being haunted.

Sadly, with COVID-19 and the fear of contamination, things are just not the same as before. Islanders comment that the usual Halloween excitement is simply not around this year and there is great disappointment in not being able to celebrate as before.

Just about everyone has great Halloween memories. In childhood, no matter what generation or time in history, the night of goblins, witches and ghosts, was anxiously awaited and vigorously celebrated. Times change and so do the costumes and customs of Halloween. Older folks readily recall bobbing for apples at a neighborhood party and being given homemade treats such as popcorn balls and other delicacies. There has always been yellow and white candy corn, SweeTarts, and birch flavored wax lips and teeth as well as carved pumpkins and fake spider webs.

Country folks recall having few to no trick-or-treaters and usually going to a PTA carnival or church social before it became “demonic” to celebrate Halloween. Many remember hayrides, making candied apples and, of course, the costumes. In the 1960s, Perry Brothers and Woolworths were the places to go, long before Walmart took over.

Halloween aisles where lined with orange and black boxes containing masks and a tie-on suits — devils, witches, ghosts and monsters. Everyone carried a huge orange bag, usually with a witch or black cat on the side and the words “Trick of Treat.” In simpler times, parents did not stress over the dangers and social ills that now cause so much alarm and concern. Long before hidden razor blades and rat-poisoned candies, a tossed egg or water balloon was about the worst of it. Tricks and treats!

It is easy to say “times were simpler then.” Perhaps they were. Thing is, each generation had their time and those memories over the years make that time different or better than anyone’s, before or after. Time is a great

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thing when it comes to recollections and making things “better” or “simpler.” In troubled times, we all look back.

Whatever you do this Halloween or as you approach the day, do so with a spirit and fun memories of your Halloweens past. Recall the childhood excitement, the anticipation and joy experienced in a time that was unique to you. People are still people and that does not change. Joy and happiness abound, even if only in memories. Get out your orange bag, put on a plastic mask that smells and go trick or treating.

You just might fill your bag with some good stuff.

Happy Halloween. e A resident of Galveston where he can be found wasting bait and searching for the meaning of life, Forest Riggs recently completed a collection of short stories about his beloved island and is working on a novel.

DEEP INSIDE HOLLYWOOD

Star Trek’s first trans and nonbinary characters e By R om e o S an V ice nt e

T

HE CBS ALL ACCESS SERIES STAR TREK: DISCOVERY

will continue to fulfill the franchise’s progressive ideals and for the upcoming third season include the show’s first transgender and non-binary characters.

Queer characters already existed in the ST:D universe, played by Anthony Rapp and Wilson Cruz, so the addition of the two new characters will be a welcome expansion of the ranks. Ian Alexander, a trans actor most known for his role on Netflix’s The OA, will play a trans Trill named Gray (Non-Trekker? A Trill is a species of humanoid from the planet Trill. And now you know.) and UK actor Blu del Barrio, who is also non-binary, will play the non-binary character Adira. This will be del Barrio’s first major acting role, and they have told the press that they realized that “non-binary” was the best way to describe their gender nonconformity after seeing Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’s non-binary cast member, Lachlan Watson. In other words, we see ourselves in the media for the first time and it sometimes makes things a little more clear, gives us the words to describe ourselves, and, to adapt a Trek cliché, go boldly and get our life.

Dominique Jackson, Alec Mapa, Fortune Feimster get into a Chick Fight

of the day is, “What if Fight Club, Thebutquestion comedy-plus-women?” And the answer is

Please credit KathClick.

PAGE 20 | MontroseStar.com e | Wednesday October 14, 2020

– coming Nov. 13 to theaters and streaming platforms – the indie feature Chick Fight.

The story of a woman who is introduced to an underground, all-female fight club, and who then discovers she has a personal connection to the history of the club, it stars Billions regular Malin Akerman, Alec Baldwin, Bella Thorne, Kevin Connolly (Entourage), and former pro wrestler Kevin Nash (Magic Mike).

Meanwhile rounding out that cast are three Dominique Jackson queer champions that we’ll follow anywhere: comedians Fortune Feimster and Alec Mapa, as well as Pose’s Dominique Jackson. Originally developed

by Ash Christian, the queer indie screenwriter and producer who suddenly and tragically died last month at age 35, the film is directed by Australian actorturned-director Paul Leyden (As The World Turns) from a script by first-timer Joseph Downey. We plan to channel any post-election rage into watching this cast commit acts of comedy-violence. Should work.

Trans musician Billy Tipton’s story told right in No Ordinary Man

illy Tipton was a successful touring jazz musician B from the 1930s until the 1970s. Billy Tipton was also a trans man. His story is remarkable for many reasons, but in the hands of non-queer, cisgenderdominated media, his story is also almost never told

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with respect or understanding. The late musician is routinely misgendered, treated as a kind of gender double agent, and discussed in terms of deception and secrecy, as “a woman pretending to be a man.”

No Ordinary Man, co-directed by Aisling Chin-Yee and Chase Joynt, a film that premiered this week at the Toronto International Film Festival, seeks to change all that. It’s a documentary of sorts, written by Amos Mac (co-founder of the trans magazine Original Plumbing), telling the story of Tipton’s life, elements of which are recreated by actors and trans artists because there was no traditional archival material available. Picked up for distribution by Radiant Films, keep an eye out for a streaming/theatrical release of this fascinating story, one finally properly told by queer people.

Good Joe Bell walks the walk

pro-queer film starring Mark Wahlberg? Well, A we were a little surprised ourselves to be honest, but there’s a first time for everything (being a Calvin

Klein underwear model doesn’t count). And that’s why we’re pleased to see that Wahlberg will be giving a world some good vibrations in Good Joe Bell. Based on a true story and also co-produced by Wahlberg, the plot follows Oregon dad Joe Bell, who walks across the United States with his gay son Jadin ( Play by Play) as they try to raise awareness about the bullying and abuse of LGBTQ kids. Co-starring Connie Britton, and directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green (Monsters and Men), it also boasts a script from Academy Award-winning Brokeback Mountain team Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana (and that’s about the gold standard of screenwriting cred when it comes to straight writers). The film has its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, no doubt with some award season hope on its mind. Look for it to pop up on screens (big or small) later this year. e Romeo San Vicente is regularly described as a sweet sensation.

MontroseStar.com e | Wednesday October 14, 2020| PAGE 21

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GUIDE TO THE CLUBS HOUSTON n MONTROSE - MIDTOWN Buddy’s 2409 Grant St Ste A, Houston (281) 310-1050 Cocktails | Beer | Karaoke |Pool | DJ’s Crocker Bar 2312 Crocker St, Houston (713) 529-3355 Large Deck | Karaoke George’s Country Sports Bar 617 Fairview Ave, Houston (713) 528-8102 Sports Bar | Pool & Darts | Patio JR’s Bar and Grill & Santa Fe 808 Pacific St, Houston (713) 521-2519 • jrsbarandgrill.com Videos | Patio | Karaoke | Shows Michael’s Outpost Piano Bar 1419 Richmond Ave, Houston (713) 520-8446 Neighborhood Bar | Pub | Piano Rebar Houston 2401 San Jacinto (281) 846-6685 RichsNightclub.com Barcode Houston 817 Fairview Ave, Houston

(713) 526-2625 • facebook.com/barcode77006

Shows | Neighborhood Bar | CD/Trans The Ripcord 715 Fairview St, Houston (713) 521-2792 • facebook.com/ ripcordhouston

Leather | Uniform | Fetish | Men

Moon Tower Inn 3004 Canal St, 77003 (832) 969-1934 • damngoodfoodcoldassbeer.com Hot Dogs | Beer Gardens

Neon Boots Dancehall & Saloon 11410 Hempstead Highway Houston, TX 77092 (713) 677-0828 • neonbootsclub.com

Neil’s Bahr 2006 Walker St, 77003 (281) 352-7456 • NeilsBahr.com Premier Nerd | Gamer

Viviana’s Night Club 4624 Dacoma St, Houston (713) 681-4101 • vivianasniteclub.com Latino | Tejano | Dance

Tout Suite 2001 Commerce, 77002 713-227-8688 • toutsuitetx.com Bakery | Cafe | Pub

n SW HOUSTON

Voodoo Queen 322 Milby St, 77003 713-555-5666 • damngoodfoodcoldassbeer.com Casual | Po’ Boys | Games n DOWNTOWN / WARDS 1-4 Tony’s Corner Pocket 817 West Dallas Street, Houston (713) 571-7870 • tonyscornerpocket.com Neighborhood Bar | Pool | Dancers n HOUSTON - NORTH SIDE Ranch Hill Saloon 24704 Interstate 45, Spring (281) 298-9035 • ranchhill.com Country | Cowgirl | Neighborhood Bar The Room Bar 4915 FM 2920 Rd, Spring (281) 907-6866 • roombarspring.com Neighborhood Bar | Shows | Dance | Mixed

n DOWNTOWN / EADO

n NW HOUSTON

Lucky’s Pub - Downtown 801 St Emanuel St, 77003 (713) 522-2010 • Luckyspub.com Sports Bar | Food

La Granja Disco & Cantina 5505 Pinemont Dr., Houston (713) 518-6753 • lagranjadisco.com Latin dance club

Crystal Night Club 6684 SW Fwy, Houston (713) 278- 2582 • crystaltheclub.com Latin Dance | Salsa n HEIGHTS / WASHINGTON CORRIDOR Pearl Lounge 4216 Washington, Houston 832-740-4933 • pearlhouston.com Neighborhood Art Bar | Live Music | Women

GALVESTON 23rd Street Station 1706 23rd St, Galveston (409) 443-5678 • 23rdstreetstation. com Piano Bar | Pub | Live Entertainment Robert’s Lafitte 2501 Ave Q, Galveston (409) 765-9092 • galveston.com/robertslafitte Neighborhood Bar | Pub | Cruise | Shows Rumors Beach Bar 3102 Seawall Blvd., Galveston (409) 497-4617 • RumorsBeachBar.com Beach bar | Shows

Solution From PAGE 18

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