Editorial

OP-ED Creep of the Week Amy Coney Barrett

By D’Anne Witkowski

RUTH 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

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. OCTOBER 14, 2020 | VOL. XI, 15

COOKING WITH PAULA DREAM

Yummy chicken and cherry recipes 10

MY LIFE BEHIND BARS

Oh, what a tangled web

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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

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CORRECTIONS & AMPLIFICATION

October 14, 2020. None as of press time.

OP-ED

Politics in the time of coronavirus

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By Colby Etherton

ON 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 Find us on P v Facebook.com & t Twitter 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

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Still Fancy

Country legend talks 30 years of drag queens doing ‘Fancy,’ gay country stars and ripping off Barbra Streisand

e

By Chris Azzopardi

IT 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.

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.

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. 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

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.

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. 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.

PAGE 9

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 times can also be found on the website. About John-Mark McGaha John-Mark McGaha is a nationally acclaimed sing-

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 er 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

2 710 Montrose Blvd. Houston, T X 77006

713.526.0202

Order Online www.pepperonis.net

COOKING WITH PAULA DREAM Yummy chicken and cherry recipes

e By Paula Dream (AKA Kale Haygood)

HELLO 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 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 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.

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.