O&AN | March 2019 by Out & About Nashville

NASHVILLE FASHION WEEK Features LGBTQ & Allied Designers MARCH 2019 / VOLUME 19 / ISSUE 03 FIRST ISSUE FREE - ADD’L COPIES 50¢ EACH

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03.19

CONTENTS 6

Photographers: Doug Barry, Leah Harrington, Jakob Wandel

FREEWAY II: CONFESSIONS OF A TRICKBABY

Cover: Photo Courtesy of Nashville Fashion Week, Designs by Hickey Freeman, Credit Leah Harrington

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SHOVANN STATON-BACKUS, THE STILETTO CHEF

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WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE MARKET THIS YEAR?

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ARE WE LOSING NATIONAL & LOCAL LGBTQ MEDIA?

Shake it up.

Stir it up.

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SHELF SPECIAL THE ● SHELF SPECIAL

of a Trickbaby A little-seen cult classic road movie sees the light of day JASON SHAWHAN

Barely released at the end of the ‘90s, and with its DVD long out of print and going for insane prices on the secondary market, Matthew Bright’s film, Freeway II: Confessions of a Trickbaby, spent twenty years lurking around the corners of podcasts and filesharing services as a grungy whatsit with some notable stars, before newcomers Dark Force Entertainment did a proper restoration and have now released it, properly, into the world. The first Freeway, with its heatstroke and crystal meth take on Little Red Riding Hood, helped launch Reese Witherspoon from child star to more adult roles.

THE

SPECIAL

SHELF

●

THE

FREEWAY II: Confessions

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JANUARY 2019

Confessions of a Trickbaby, a sequel in name and theme only, uses Hansel and Gretel as its foundation, and finds in star Natasha Lyonne (Russian Doll, Orange is the New Black) a similarly iconic and fearless turn. Crystal “White Girl” Van Meter (Lyonne), bulimic and belligerent, finds herself staring at a twenty-five year prison sentence for trying to sell some crack rocks pilfered from her otherwise-occupied mother. Fortunately, between her and that quarter-century cage is Angela “Cyclona” Garcia (Maria Celedonio), a lifer with heaps of secrets and a genuine fondness for Crystal. So they break out from their intermediate medical facility and head to Cyclona’s childhood refuge, a mysterious nun named Sister Gomez (Vincent Gallo, in as troubling a concept as you might expect) who tends a mission for runaway children. Along the way there’s a lot of murder, riffing on mythology, vomiting, Veruca Salt jams, and exploration of sexual boundaries. Despite all the grotesquery (think Desperate Living meets America’s Most Wanted), it’s a fascinating exploration of sexual fluidity, women in love, and what happens when you’re not afraid to get really out there narratively. This is very much a product of its time, and there are moments that clang, disrupting the wild spell this unique film more often than not casts. As beautiful as it is gross, Confessions of a Trickbaby is a remarkable film that dares the viewer to hate it, even as it wins over even the most depraved of hearts. Now Apocalypse premieres on Starz on March 10. Freeway II: Confessions of a Trickbaby is available on blu-ray from Dark Force Entertainment

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The Stiletto Chef CRAIG AMMON

The Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce experienced tremendous growth in 2018 with 146 new members, who add to its diversity and strength in so many ways. One such new member, The Stiletto Chef, is already making several contributions. This month the Stiletto Chef herself, Shovann Staton-Backus, talks with us about her business ventures, the challenges of balancing career and family, and her involvement with the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Staton-Backus has been cooking all her life but didn’t turn that passion into a full-time career until a few years ago. After caring for patients as a registered nurse for 15 years, in 2014, Staton-Backus launched The Stiletto Chef to, as she said, “celebrate the crazy, fun, flavorful and sexy side of cooking and great good.” The Stiletto Chef offers a range of services, such as catering, private cooking classes, and instructional videos for her Facebook group with 15,000 followers! Staton-Backus says that the inspiration for the name of The Stiletto Chef came from the idea of a career woman who can come home from running a successful business to create a hearty meal for her brood of kids or a romantic meal for her partner before she’s even taken off her stilettos. Staton-Backus knows first-hand the challenges balancing career and family. She and her wife Toya, as Staton-Backus said, got to talking, “went on one date and never parted.” Of course, there have been challenges. They are both busy entrepreneurs. They now have a blended family with teenagers, an adult child, and a new grandbaby. And Staton-Backus said there is traditionally not a lot of support for same-sex couples in the African American community. But they are committed to making it work, and she is proud that friends and family have come to view theirs as a model of a healthy relationship. From her work as The Stiletto Chef, Staton-Backus’ business evolved to include a line of her own spices to add just the right flavor to a few of her favorite dishes. She used them in her popular instructional videos, and viewers started asking to buy them.

Staton-Backus says that since she is African American, a lot of people expect her to focus on soul food, which she does very well. But her 36 spice combinations add just the right flavor to a wide range of international cuisines, American comfort food, and, of course, light and healthy dishes. One of her fans with a large social media following tried the spices and raved about them online, giving a huge boost to the demand. Staton-Backus started making large quantities of the spices, creating new flavors, and hired a team of 14 Spice Divas who buy the spices from her and sell directly to consumers throughout the Southeast. Now she can barely keep up with demand, sending out 2,500 packages of spices each month. As a African American LGBT business owner, she said some might feel she has “two strikes” against her in building successful businesses. She says she doesn’t feel at all disadvantaged. However, Staton-Backus recently joined the Chamber, not only to broaden her network but to become more involved in the LGBT community and to help the Chamber with its initiatives benefitting other Nashville LGBT business owners. In just a short time, Staton-Backus has thrown herself into the Chamber with the same enthusiasm that drives her businesses success. The Stiletto Chef once again served some of her signature dishes to the crowd at TASTE 2018. It seemed everyone was raving about her sinfully delicious Mac ‘n’ Cheese! The folks at Nashville CARES loved her food and hired her to cater their Christmas party. Recently, she joined the Chamber’s Inclusion Committee, which was formed last year to ensure that the Chamber itself is fully inclusive. That committee is well represented by women, people of color and transgender persons. Staton-Backus brings her own experiences into the dialogue to help the committee support diversity within the Chamber and the Nashville business community. Finally, Staton-Backus and other members of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce joined prominent business leaders and elected officials on February 11, 2019, as Mayor David Briley signed a historic executive order related to LGBT-owned businesses doing business with Metro. Mayor Briley recognized the significant

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contributions that LGBT-owned businesses make in Nashville and provides them with more opportunities to compete and succeed. The Chamber asked Staton-Backus to speak at the press event, as she is beginning her certification as a LGBT Business Enterprise. She said, “Today, I am privileged and honored to be a part of history. I feel like I have beat the odds, and I can be the face and let everyone know this is OK ... to love who you love and for there still to be opportunities ... being I am a black business owner, a female business owner and part of the LGBT community.” To learn more about The Stiletto Chef, visit thestilettochef.net, or search for their Facebook group!

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NASHVILLE FASHION WEEK 2019 Schedule of Events SATURDAY 3/16

Influencer Brunch at the Fairline Hotel

WEDNESDAY 3/27

Men’s Style Event at Dream Nashville Hotel

TUESDAY 4/2

NFW Night 1 at OZ Arts Nashville Featuring A Lady of the Lake, Ola Mai, Shea Steele, Splashed by DKG and Van Hoang

WEDNESDAY 4/3 THURSDAY 4/4

FRIDAY 4/5

SATURDAY 4/6

NFW Night 2 at OZ Arts Nashville Featuring Lily Guilder, Love & Osker, Ona Rex, Paulie Gibson and Rang & Sugar NFW Night 3 at OZ Arts Nashville Featuring Article X, Barbara Bultman, Britache’ by Bri, Laura Citron and Truly Alvarenga NFW Night 4 at OZ Arts Nashville Featuring Amanda Casarez, Any Old Iron, Ashe Cain, Justin Mark Richards and Lagi Nadeau Nashville Fashion Forward Gala Cocktails, Dinner, and an Art Auction featuring Tess Erlenbom

For updates regarding Nashville Fashion week, and its full schedule of events, check nashvillefashionweek.com regularly!

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SOMEWHERE: PHOTOS COURTESY OF NFW, CREDIT DOUG BARRY, LEAH HARRINGTON, JAKOB WANDEL

NASHVILLE FASHION WEEK Features LGBTQ & Allied Designers Fashion has long been a safe harbor for members of the LGBTQ community to show their creativity, and to express their individuality. Nashville Fashion Week (NFW) does not defy that reality: it embraces it. Many involved in the event itself, from those working behind the scenes as models and makeup artists, to organizers, to the designers themselves, either identify as LGBTQ or are proud allies of the community. In advance of the event, we are highlighting a few of these designers, and many more will be featured online over the course of this month. We hope this will

O U T A N D A B O U T N A S H V I L L E .CO M

pique your interest so that you will head out to OZ and experience the artistry of NFW for yourself.

Daniel Grierâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Splashed by DKG Grier is a returning designer, whose brand has made a big â&#x20AC;Ś splash in previous years (pardon the pun). Splashed by DKG is a Street-Style brand that exists to make everyday look and feel like a runway. DKG, named after Grier, began in 2013 as a project to

JANUARY 2019

DANIEL GRIER— SPLASHED BY DKG

reinvent classic denim pieces by adding its bold, signature Splash. Since its debut, DKG has been seen on celebrities such as Tamar Braxton, Ty Hunter, Jasmine Burke, Mishon, and Goo Goo Atkins, and featured on WEtv's "Braxton Family Values" and "Cutting it in the ATL." Grier’s career has been deeply impacted by being a LGBTQ, he said. “Fashion has given me an outlet, shaped my voice and point of view as a designer. I realized early on that Fashion is activism and using my voice to speak out about issues that affect my community such as HIV/AIDS has been very important to me over my design career.” “I utilize my platform to be a positive light and spark much needed conversations surrounding important issues we face daily,” he added. “Issues such as being gay, loving yourself, supporting the trans community, whom I feel are very overlooked, and also uplifting my culture as an African American.” Exposure to LGBTQ role models and trailblazers has helped him shape his trajectory as well. “It has been very encouraging to me to have visible representation of LGBTQ people that look like me in the fashion space, such as Ty Hunter, Andre Leon Talley, Law Roach, and Jason Bolden, to name a few.” Such representation, he added, “lets you tangibly see no matter what you can make it in fashion if you work hard. I love a good back, like the story of how they made it to be the icons they each are. I draw a lot of inspiration [from them]. Often times, when things get tough and I need a reminder, I go and pull interviews these guys have done and re-center myself.” Grier also credits NFW and its organizers with fostering his career. “I really appreciate how far they go to highlight the fashion community in Nashville and surrounding areas through NFW,” he said. “They do a lot to nurture their emerging talent that comes through their program, and best of all it’s always very diverse!” And since fashion begets fashion, “Fashion also opened the door for myself and others in the Birmingham area to launch, Magic City Fashion Week, an inclusive and diverse program to uplift minorities, educate about issues such as HIV/AIDS, and provide us with a safe space to highlight our work and build community where we weren’t given those opportunities before.” But despite this new venture he looks forward to returning to NFW. "I am thrilled to be showcasing in NFW for a third time! It's always such a wonderful experience that we have looked forward to in the past

couple of years. Be prepared for a SHOW, we ready! See you on the runways in April!"

Caitlin Stolley—Lily Guilder Design Stolley’s vision of fashion is what you might call “queer”—in that, like this label for a sexuality, it defies conventions and it defies classical boxes. So too does Stolley refuse to be too pinned down by labels. “Lily Guilder Design,” she said, “trades in the transformative power of clothing. Our mission is to infuse the world with wonder, connect people with their own beauty and power, and cause no harm. Our collections are celebratory and empowering, so we vibe with all kinds of people, which of course include folks who identify as LGBTQA+. My strength as a designer is my ability to channel people's spirits rather than the boxes they may or may not fit into.” “We talk about our designs as ‘unisexy,’” she added. “Lily Guilder is here to help everyone stand a little taller and prouder. We all look good in sequins,

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you know? Every time I meet someone who is fabulous and unprecedented, I am inspired to reflect that level of exceptionality in my designs.” Sequins, you say? Now, I know I don’t look good in sequins (I may never have tried them, but trust me), so where exactly is Stolley coming from? Probably, it’s the influence of one of her favorite sources of local inspiration. “I really can't get over our Nashville drag community,” she explained. “Our queens are worldcaliber. I live for The Princess, Vanity, and Nichole Ellington Dupree. Their originality, craftsmanship, and drive are inspiring. We are so lucky to have them. Anytime I walk into Play I know that I'm going to leave with an empty wallet and a full heart.”

Leslie Stephens—Ola Mai Stephens is another returning designer who is an outspoken ally, whose development as an artist has been shaped by LGBT icons, mentors and colleagues. Her line, Ola Mai, is a Nashvillebased and locally produced clothing line designed, launched by the desire to help every woman express herself. Stephens, a Nashville native herself, works to support a positive body image for women with her quality garments, known for their unique elegance. The line takes its name from Stephens’ great-grandmother, Ola Mai. About her influences, Stephens said, “Fashion and performance go hand in hand. I’m most often inspired by artists that don’t conform to traditional ideas of gender roles, sexual identity, and body image, such as Annie Clark and Beth Ditto. They compel me to create at new levels. Having these women as role models gives me hope for the future.”

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Designer Alexander McQueen was also “an important part of my development as a designer,” she added. “He led with his distinctive designs, touched many with each collection he sent down the runway, and changed ideas of what’s considered beautiful. His gracefully haunting work redefined what I thought fashion was capable of doing, and the significance it can have on a person and the community as a whole.” Locally, she has been impressed by Dylan Stephens, “a local model and musician who breaks gender normative roles on the runway (and in front of the camera). He mentors local models, passing down his honed skills. He is a great leader,” she said. “He does everything with compassion and kindness... and that’s the key. He’s the type of person that is just as beautiful on the inside as they are out. He’s a wonderful example of a human and reflects greatly on the Nashville fashion community.” Stephens’ vision is so shaped by her desire to empower women and by her awareness of those who don’t conform to societal expectations, we have no doubt that what she presents will be stunning.

Nashville Fashion Week (NFW) does not defy that reality: it embraces it.

While we wish we had the space to profile every artist featured at NFW, check in at OutAndAboutNashville.com throughout the month for mini-features introducing the other presenting designers, and for more from NFW’s organizers.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

03.21

THURSDAY

Brewing Up Business

Networking and Announcement of Finalists for Business Awards 04.18

THURSDAY

Brewing Up Business Networking and Talking LGBT Certified Businesses

JOIN US Tuesday, April16, 2019 for Dining Out For Life a benefit to support Nashville CARES. A portion of all restaurant proceeds go to end the HIV epidemic in Middle Tennessee. See a list of participating restaurants: DiningOutForLife.com/Nashville

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Online Dating – Safety First

OFFICER CATIE POOLE, MNPD LGBTQ LIAISON

In the fast paced, technological world that we live in today, online dating services have grown exponentially. As busy as many people are these days with work and other obligations, finding a date online is just one more way to make life a bit more convenient. While convenience is definitely a plus, it is important to take into consideration the potential risks and connotations of utilizing an online dating service. After all, the initial interaction with others on an online dating app removes the face-to-face connection that can subtly give a person that initial attraction or gut

instinct to create distance. It is also much easier to hide ulterior motives behind the screen of a phone or computer. Since online dating is the evolution of the modern dating scene, people must practice good sense and follow simple safety guidelines to ensure they get the maximum benefit from these apps while minimizing the risk involved. Most people who have used the internet for any length of time are no stranger to scams. Scam artists are typically pretty fair in their approach to potential victims, targeting religious, mainstream, and LGBTQ-specific dating services. In order to recognize and avoid falling victim to various scams, it is important to know how to recognize when someone is attempting to defraud you. Common scams include extortion or pleas for help resulting from an alleged recent disaster. When a scam artist uses extortion, they may threaten to contact the police or another entity concerning something they allege you have done, unless you send money, personal information and/or items. “Sextortion” is a version of extortion where a person will threaten to release your sexual images or activity to police and/or other entities unless you give in to their request. A simple way to identify such scams is to recognize a few red flags: 1. Someone attempts to continue communication with you off the main website.

O U T A N D A B O U T N A S H V I L L E .CO M MARCH 2019

Scam artists typically believe by doing this, there will be less chance of their actions being reported to the main website, where they may attempt to scam many other people. 2. Someone shows a disproportionate amount of interest too quickly. The person may have motives far beyond wooing you! 3. Someone continually comes up with reasons why they cannot meet you in person. While the reasons provided may be practical, it is important to be able to identify and see through their agenda. Meeting a person face-to-face can ease your suspicions, bit it brings a host of other safety risks that you must account for and mitigate. Recently in Nashville, there has been a string of alleged robberies, where the suspects utilized mainstream gay dating/hookup apps to target victims. Individuals have met up with their potential dates and subsequently been robbed at gunpoint. While this is an extreme example of the dangers of online dating, it is a very real possibility! Thankfully, there are some safety measures that can dramatically increase your safety and allow you to get the most out of your online dating experience. Always meet in a well-lit, public place, where there will be plenty of other people. You can always head to a more private place after meeting your date and getting a basic feel for who they are. Trust your gut

on this initial introduction if something does not feel right: leave. You are not obligated to spend any more of your time with that person. Drive to that predetermined location separately. This keeps your home address private, and, if you need to abruptly leave for any reason, it is best to have your own transportation so you can do so without question. Always tell a friend or family member who you are meeting and where you will be, including any plans that develop. And make sure the person you’re with knows it—but you can be subtle about that. This way someone will be able to keep tabs on you and check up on you to ensure your safety. When you first meet a date, it is best to limit your consumption. Alcohol lowers your inhibitions and makes you feel more comfortable, but it also decreases your awareness of your surroundings and your ability to make good choices. Reserve those uninhibited times for when you are with people you trust in a safe environment. Always be mindful of how much personal information you reveal on your profile. Don’t provide details that allows a potential scam artist or stalker to find more personal information online. It is best not to include your full name on you profile, or any other information that could help narrow a search of who you are (such as alma mater). Also, don’t the same photo on your dating profile as you do on other social media accounts: remember reverse image search! Online dating is nearly the universal, but some simple steps can reduce your risk of falling victim to scams or violent crime. By recognizing these and other red flags and utilizing easy safety guidelines, you can more safely navigate the many potential dates and ‘dates’ just a tap away. Most importantly, trust your gut when a situation doesn’t feel right: chances are, something is wrong, and you need to get out as fast as you can.

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WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE MARKET THIS YEAR? BY EMILY BENEDICT

This is by far my most frequently asked question. I believe past experience predicts future performance, so I’ll share some statistics (ugh, math) to sum up what I think lies ahead of us (but like the weather, things are subject to sudden, unexpected changes). Nationwide, the real estate market was bananas in 2018. Our beloved Nashville was one of the top markets in the country. I like to describe it as screaming down the road at 100 miles per hour. That’s fun, right? And a little scary too. The current outlook has us slowing to, let’s say, 80. That differential feels like slowing to a crawl, but it’s fast and will become the new normal pretty quickly. The National Association of Realtors Economic and Housing Outlook for 2019 summarizes the real estate market with the following nationwide statistics: ● 2018 had 3.6% more new construction home sales than 2017 ● 2018 had 2.1% fewer existing home sales than 2017 ● 2018 overall was down 1.5%, a total decrease of 100,000 homes out of 6.0 million sold ● Keep in mind that 2017 was the best year in a decade for home sales If you wanted to buy a house in 2017, market conditions were excellent—lots of homes for sale, growing wages, and low interest rates. In 2018, we were very slightly less apt to buy. In addition to the impact to consumers, the smallest change in interest rates can cause investors to delay sale, giving fewer options for buyers. So today, how much inventory is there? The perception is that we are changing from a seller’s market to a buyer’s. There is some truth in that, but I would categorize our status as leveling out, with more parity for both sides. Instead of sellers having the

dominant hand, buyers are able to be a bit more choosy. Last year in Davidson County, we experienced a 1.3% of homes sold, which ammounts to 523 fewer homes than 2017. As those numbers went down, prices went up. The average purchase price of a home in Davidson County increased by about $19,000 (condos by about $15,000). So we are seeing fewer, but more expensive, homes sold, which is typical of a basic supply and demand economy. In addition, costs of materials are rising, resulting in the rise of new construction costs. Take a deep breath because I have a few more important statistics coming now. Another indication of the health of the housing market is the interest rate for a mortgage loan. According to FreddieMac, the current rate is 4.55%. This is one of the lowest levels in the past 50 years. The average rates for each decade from 19702018 were 8.9%, 12.7%, 8.12%, 6.29%, and 4.11%, respectively. At the risk of sounding curmudgeonly, today’s kids have it easy. It is cheaper than ever to borrow money. Economists predict that rates will increase to about 5% by the end of the year, still lower than the past fifty years, this decade excepted. No matter your age, be responsible to only borrow what you can pay, and use a trusted lender. Other indicators that influence home ownership include the unemployment rate, job openings, and rising wages. Unemployment is at a record low, while we are seeing more job openings, however wages are not rising quickly. Circling back to the National Association of Realtors 2019 Outlook, it’s not very sexy. We are expected to grow modestly, getting back to 2017’s home sales of 6.1 million. 2020 does look better with a likely increase of 200,000 homes over projected 2019 levels. Values are

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still on the rise, but they also have slowed a little. The average price of a home in Nashville is $306,000 countywide, which is a 6% increase year-over-year. April through June records the highest number of homes sold, which means there should be more homes on the market and more buyers competing to buy them. With rates low, inventory and values on the rise, the largest pool of buyers ever (Boomers, Gen X, and Millennials), now is an excellent time to stop paying the landlord’s mortgage and start paying your own. With Amazon bringing 5,000 jobs to Nashville, AllianceBernstein bringing another 1,000, plus the organic job growth we are seeing from existing employers, I’m optimistic about our momentum. While the outlook is good, there’s no Magic Eight Ball for the market. But, our region has sustained, for more than a year (or two), its position as one of the most desirable places to live, work, and play. I suspect we will get another chance to top that list in 2019.

Emily Benedict is a Realtor working with buyers, sellers, investors, and developers throughout Middle Tennessee.

HEALTH

COUNSELING & PSYCHIATRIC HEALTH

REAL ESTATE

Dental Services East Side Smiles 7 North 10th Street Nashville, TN 37206 615-227-2400 Eastsidesmile.net

Individual & Couples Therapy Barbara Sanders, LCSW / John Waide,PhD,LCSW 2016- 21St Ave South / 2323- 21st Ave South, Ste. 401 Nashville, TN 37212 615-414-2553 / 615-400-5911 Dignitytherapynashville.com

Sheila Barnard, Realtor, THE REALTY ASSOCIATION 1305 Murfressboro Road Nashville, TN 37217 615-385-9010 cell 615-424-6924 Sheilabarnard.realtyassociation.com

OPTOMETRIST

PERFORMING ARTS

Look East 1011 Gallatin Avenue Nashville, TN 37206 615-928-2281 Lookeastnashville.com

Nashville Symphony Schermerhorn Symphony Center One Symphony Place Nashville, TN 37201 615-687-6400 Nashvillesymphony.org

Cool Springs Internal Medicine & Pediatrics Bradley Bullock, MD 1607 Westgate Circle, Ste 200 Brentwood, TN 37027 615-376-8195 Coolspringsinternalmedicine.com Nashville Pharmacy Services 100 Oaks Plaza Skyline Medical 615-371-1210 615-724-0066 Npspharmcay.com BARS & NIGHTCLUBS PLAY Dance Bar 1519 Church Street Nashville, TN 37203 615-322-9627 Playdancebar.com Tribe 1517 Church Street Nashville, TN 37203 615-329-2912 Tribenashville.com

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Bart Durham Injury Law Office 404 James Robertson Parkway Nashville, TN 37219 615-338-6177 Bartdurham.com John Cannon Studios 1108-C Woodland Street Nashville, TN 37206 615-496-1259 Johncannonart.com SHOPPING Wags & Whiskers Pet Supplies & Dog Wash 1008 Forrest Avenue Nashville, TN 37206 615-228-9249 Wagsandwhiskersnashville.com

Emily Benedict, Realtor, VILLAGE REAL ESTATE 2206 21st Ave South, Ste. 200 Nashville, TN 37212 615-585-1258 BSLNashville.com Kate Nelson, Realtor, VILLAGE REALESTATE 2206 21st Ave South, Ste. 200 Nashville, TN 37212 615-383-6964 Realestatewithkate.com SPIRITUALITY Holy Trinity Community Church 6727 Charlotte Pike Nashville, TN 37209 615-352-3838 www.htccnashville.com ORGANIZATIONS Nashville Humane Association 213 Oceola Avenue Nashville, TN 37209 615-352-1010 Nashvillehumane.org Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 330971 Nashville, TN 37203 615-507-5185 Nashvillelgbtchamber.org

Holy Trinity Community Church Presents

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1 5 Y E A R S O F LG B T N E W S

ARE WE LOSING NATIONAL & LOCAL LGBTQ MEDIA? In the past 30 days, over 2,100 journalists have lost their jobs... JOSH ROBBINS

Media companies are downsizing, in some cases eliminating entire divisions. Some of the reporters affected are individuals who cover LGBTQ issues. Some of these reporters identify as LGBTQ and have the authority and experience to write the important news pieces and stories that speak to the heart of who we are in the community. They can offer unparalleled coverage about our community, from those who truly understand our community. Now, many of these talented journalists have no idea where they will go—we call them freelancers. But, at the moment, they are just unemployed. This is problematic, in my view, not only for these individuals, but for those of us who want access to important stories and coverage. I fear we may be witnessing a decline of LGBTQ media and coverage. Buzzfeed, HuffPost, Into, Pride, AOL, Yahoo News, and Gannett have all laid off journalists. Vice suggests it will be next. These large national publications arguably helped change the conversation during the marriage equality fight, but local LGBTQowned and published media outlets are the backbone of LGBTQ media, and they too are facing the harsh reality of struggling to sustain their publications. Unfortunately, many have not been able to do so. The September 20th issue of the Wisconsin Gazette was its final. December 17th marked the final publication of Miami Herald’s Palette Magazine. San Diego’s LGBT Weekly has suspended operations, while Vital Voice Magazine, based in St. Louis, ended its print edition following the June 2017 Pride issue. Options, Rhode Island’s volunteer-run LGBT newsmagazine, has suspended publication due to financial problems. Oregon’s PQ Monthly has become Proud Queer, downsizing print but expanding its online presence. QLife rebranded QVegas as the city’s LGBT magazine and destination website. Los Angeles-based Frontiers magazine has suspended publication due to the bankruptcy of its parent company, Multimedia Platforms Worldwide (MMP). For the websites that have been able to survive the wave of closures, people on social media have begun to share their unhappiness about many of these outlets’ the new direction and style.

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AfterEllen has changed drastically since downsizing. Queer singer-songwriter Grace Petrie tweeted recently: “If you aren’t aware, AfterEllen used to be a cool lesbian/bi content website years ago. It was bought out, changed management and now spews regular transphobic articles. Original creators & recent contributors have made public statements in opposition to it due to this.” Gay.com was sold. Advocate and Out are now technically owned by straight men. This should be the alarm sounding off for the LGBTQ community to double down and support the outlets that tell our stories, that cover news focusing on us, and that don’t relent on issues that affect marginalized communities within the LGBTQ demographic. Just as Pride is celebrated each year, we should make sure we celebrate the news and publications that are writing about us. That means protecting these publications before they cease to exist. If you were affected by the recent layoffs across media, WAXoh.com is looking for writers.

Josh Robbins is a sexual health activist and the awardwinning publisher of imstilljosh.com. He’s also the national spokesperson for DatingPositives.com.

IT IS MORE THAN JUST A HOUSE.

Receive a FREE $200 gift card of your choice at closing. SHEILA D. BARNARD REALTOR®

m (615) 424-6924 o (615) 385-9010 barnard@realtracs.com

SheilaBarnard.RealtyAssociation.com 1305 Murfreesboro Pike Nashville, TN 37217