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CONTENTS 9
FIGHTING FOR LGBT EQUALITY ON THE HILL
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MTV REALITY STAR GETS LOUD
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20
LOCAL SONGWRITER’S FESTIVAL HITS MILESTONE ANNIVERSARY
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9
6
CMT STAR CODY ALAN COMES OUT
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DEBORAH COX SHINES IN THE BODYGUARD THE MUSICAL
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MARCH 2017
NASHVILLE’S LGBT & IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES COME TOGETHER CONEXION AMERICAS HOSTS LGBT CHAMBER EVENT STAFF
PHOTOS: CODY TRACEY
In this divisive time, with so many minority groups feeling under pressure or attack, it’s more important than ever for us all to band together. It would be easy to remain so focused on the problems “our groups” face that we ignored the needs of others. But it is by standing strong together that we will all weather this storm and come out stronger on the other side. Each month the LGBT Chamber of Commerce holds a “Brewing Up Business” event to bring business and community leaders together, and its February event was hosted at Nashville’s beautiful community center, Casa Azafran by Conexion Americas. O&AN featured both organizations in our January 2015 issue focused on LGBT immigrants and immigration, and it was great to see our business leaders and community getting a closer experience of these great organizations. There’s nothing like sharing food and drink to bring people together, and attendees were able to learn more about and participate in the #Indivisible campaign, as well as tour Casa Azafran.
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MARCH 2017
Tennessee Equality Project Holds ‘Day on the Hill’ February Marks First of Three Planned Events STAFF
This year’s legislative session may shape up to be one of the worst for the LGBT community in some years, but the Tennessee Equality Project’s citizen-advocates are reminding our legislators that we are here and our issues are important to us. One “Day on the Hill” repeat advocate, Kristine Evenson, shared some thoughts about her history with, and experience at, the event: I have participated in this event every year since I think 2012. When I first started to come out I confided to a friend that I already knew was a lesbian asking her advice on how exactly to [get involved as I came out]. She suggested I look at the events scheduled at the Memphis gay and lesbian community center. I saw a meeting listed for the Tennessee Equality Project. At that time I didn’t know anything about TEP, but I thought it couldn’t hurt to go and find out. At the meeting, I asked how I could help. Michelle Bliss told me about Equality Day On the Hill. My first reaction was that I was too horrified at the thought of speaking to my representatives, but I was also afraid to admit that to anyone. So I did go. The first legislator I spoke to was Rep. Steve McManus. I had rehearsed a speech for a month on the talking points I wanted to go over. I went into the meeting and introduced myself. He asked what I wanted to talk about, and I said I was concerned about the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Before I could say anything else, he talked for what seemed like 10-15 minutes on why he didn’t like the bill. By the time he was through, I sat there stunned, not able to speak. He basically took my speech from me. I had
difficulty thinking of what to say next. Finally I had to admit what I did, how I had rehearsed what I wanted to say, and that I was shocked to know that I had what was most likely the only Republican representative in the Tennessee legislature that believed in equality for all. I thought about the meeting for the next several months. That man was a goldmine. I had to go back and talk to him, just for the sake of keeping it in his mind how important equal rights were. When it comes to talking about bad bills, a Republican will be more likely to listen to another Republican compared to a Democrat, so I went back for several more years. Last year, I made an appointment with Rep. McManus. As I was entering the legislative plaza I received a phone call from his assistant canceling the appointment, and he had no other time that day to speak with
me. I was very angry for the next several days, having gone all the way to Nashville for no reason. I vowed never to go back again. A few days later Chris Sanders asked for volunteers to come back to Nashville to discuss the discriminatory anti-transgender bill. I just happened to live in one of the key Senate districts that he thought was the most important. To sum things up, I went back to Nashville just a week after saying I was never going back. I went to speak with Senator Kelsey and my new House representative, Dwayne Thompson. I am still an awkward speaker. But I learned to keep the words “never again” out of my vocabulary. I may go back in March and April. It will depend on what is going on in the legislature at the time. And I’m sure I will be going back to Nashville at least once a year, probably for as long as I live in Tennessee.
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Fighting for
LGBT EQUALITY on Capitol Hill With one Day on the Hill under his belt and two more (at least) still in the planning, Tennessee Equality Project’s Chris Sanders sat down with managing print editor James Grady to discuss how the year has been shaping up so far, what may still lie ahead, and how we can be engaged with the legislative process every day. And all I can tell you is that it’s going to be a bumpy ride… 10
A Conversation with TEP’s Chris Sanders James: What’s the climate like amongst activists on the hill this year? Chris: A lot of people are excited about the President. That word might have been misleading, but you know what I mean by it… That is driving people into all levels of activism, and then on top of that, of course, you’ve got the perennial issues of our state legislature. They are not disappointing this year. They are definitely bringing the same level of hate they brought last year. I think for those who want to get involved, this is a great time to jump in, because we absolutely need them… These are troubling times and we need all hands on deck. James: February saw our first Day on the Hill of this year. What did the agenda look like, and what were people doing? Chris: They were really only focused on a few bills then. We didn’t at that point have the Bathroom Bill and the latest anti-marriage equality bill filed. They were focusing on the counseling discrimination bill, which is now on hold in favor of a different administrative kind of tinkering. They were working on Senate Bill 127, which is a RFRA-in-disguise bill. They were also working on the LGBT erasure bill. Those were the three that were focused on the first day. Thirty people visited fourteen lawmakers, and they did very well. Of course, most of the district captains had been through Lobbying 101... They indicated they were prepared, and I think they gathered good information. You don’t always change a mind, but you gather intel. Everybody brought back in their reports, which was useful to us.
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James: Counseling discrimination has been dropped in favor of this broader measure about licensing. What do you make of this? Is it an end-run that should scare us? Chris: I’m told of about 75% of professions that are licensed already have to go through the Government Office Committee to get changes to their licensing procedures anyway. So it’s already something that has to go through a government office. This just puts all the professions on an even footing. They’ve all got to go through Government Office now. Do I think it’s the ideal outcome? No, but it’s better than passing legislation on a particular field when that is charged with all kinds of LGBT implications. That’s what we’re avoiding, so I think this is a good outcome. If the license comes from the state, the legislature can determine how that license is granted, how it’s updated. It’s a shift, but it’s in the end not a huge shift, I don’t think, because they’re already doing it with so many other professions anyway. James: I think some people are a little confused about the professions themselves: there are independent means for censuring members of professional organizations. This wouldn’t change that at all, would it? Chris: Right, exactly right. The ACA could denounce or censure or sanction or whatever a member of its own organization… They could speak against what that counselor was doing, absolutely. James: What do you view as the top priorities now that the last bills have been filed? Chris: Under President Obama people assumed that
“I think for those who want to get involved, this is a great time to jump in, because we absolutely need them…
these are troubling times and we need all hands on deck.”
the federal government would intervene to withhold funding and so forth if certain bills last year were passed. Under this President, I think it’s extremely unlikely that states will get punished [for passing bad laws], so we have to take all of them seriously, even ones that we would have viewed as rather clownish last year, like the Tennessee Natural Marriage Defense Act. I would say the top priority is probably going to be the trans bathroom bill, because that is so dangerous to those students. We just cannot go through that again. The father/mother/husband/wife bill is very dangerous. The Tennessee Natural Marriage Defense Act is dangerous. Senate Bill 127 is very likely a mini RFRA in disguise, as I’ve said, and if the analysis continues to bear that out, that’s a very dangerous bill too. James: Just a little bit more information about the bill that you described as a mini RFRA bill: Are there any standout points that makes this different than the ones we’ve seen before in other places, or is it pretty much what we’ve seen before but here? Chris: No, this is different. This is another effort to cloak this, but what it does is it uses the word discrimination in there, but instead of individuals being the victim of discrimination, this bill posits that there are businesses and nonprofits out there that are being discriminated against by government. Why might a business or a nonprofit not be selected by government for a contract? For example … if that business or nonprofit refused to serve everyone? That’s where it’s tricky or clever. Whether you want to praise it or blame it, it’s devious. That’s why it’s something we really need to watch. James: It sounds almost like it’s building off the law that was passed to keep local governments from passing protections beyond state anti-discrimination ordinances. Chris: I think you’re right. I think House Bill 600 from 2011 does take care of most anti-discrimination powers of local government, but this adds a little bit of extra layer. I would definitely put this high in the second tier of bills, but again the top would be the anti-trans bill, the LGBT erasure bill, and the marriage bill for now. Again, I don’t know what’s involved today, but I’d say those three are the top three that we’ve got
to work on first, and then we’ll need to get busy with the others. James: The erasure bill... How does that expand what we’re already seeing? Chris: Sure. If you’re in the midst of a divorce case and suddenly this bill passes, God forbid, and let’s say you are in a far-flung part of the state. The judge can say “Look, you’re no longer a husband according to Tennessee law. I’ve got to stop these proceedings.” Husband, naturally, ordinarily, means a husband to a wife. Or let’s say you’re in the midst of establishing custody. If you’ve got two women and one of them has given birth, the other one can’t be listed as a mother, and can’t even be construed legally as a mother then. Mother means the one who gave birth, or the female parent. If there’s clearly one who’s already given birth, then this other woman legally is nothing. It could hit a variety of situations. James: Besides upcoming Days on the Hill, what is TEP doing right now? Chris: Lobbying 101 is continuing, and we have other events around the state where we are engaging more communities. I’m on the Hill about one day a week now, and spending most of my time getting out in the state. I was in Sumner County last night, where we’re starting a new committee. We had 22 people up in Gallatin! In Franklin County, and we had about 15 people at that first meeting. There’s a meeting next month in Winchester. We’re trying to reach some places where you haven’t had a committee, that are red areas, that are challenges, but we need people from those areas contacting their own lawmakers. Yes, we’re hitting the big cities, but we’re trying to spend as much time as possible in other parts of the state. James: Our next two Day on the Hill events are in March and April. By that time, these bills may have advanced a little further. In the meantime, what can people do? Chris: Though not associated with us, there’re events that take place every Monday at the Capitol called the “We Are Watching” rallies. If people want to attend those, you should look for that on Facebook. If you do, bring LGBT-specific signs about specific bills we’re facing and hold those.
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We will have ways for people to contact their lawmakers soon, because those bills will be hitting committee… And of course can call their own legislators at any time. Just go to capitol.tn.gov and find their own two legislators, and just call them right up. They can leave a message with the legislative assistant or they can email them. If you email, put “Vote no on” and then the name and number of the bill, because if the legislator is getting a bunch of emails and doesn’t have time to read the body, then they use subject line to calculate the numbers of emails they get on each side. In a phone call, you want to establish that you’re a constituent, if you are, and what you want them to do. That’s all you’re doing in the phone call. James: Do you think a phone call is more effective than an email? Chris: It definitely gives notice, yes, but the most effective thing is, if you’re able, to be part of a personal visit. Unlike in Congress, where you probably are going to meet with staff, generally speaking in the legislature you meet with either a Representative or a Senator directly.
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Pody & Beavers Abort Press Conference on Capitol Hill Activists Demand Answers Over Planned Legislation On Wednesday, February 15, 2017, Senator Mae Beavers and Representative Mark Pody announced, as late as possible, that they would host a press conferenced related to the extreme anti-LGBT measures they had filed for consideration by the legislature. The dynamic duo had only recently taken the opportunity to file two malignant new bills, a new and improved “bathroom bill” and the “Tennessee Natural Marriage Defense Act.” The two Republicans drew wide criticism on social media for what seemed like an attempt to prevent interested parties from attending the event and to hold a “friends-only” session. Due however to last minute get-theword-out efforts by activists, a large troupe of protestors descended on legislative plaza to make their voices heard. Apparently dissent ruined the mood for the triumphant legislators, who, when the crowd demanded real answers, fled their own press conferences and then their own offices rather than face opposition.
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IT’S ABOUT TO GET LOUD
JAMES GRADY
It’s a story that’s repeating more and more often: reality television personality tries his hand at a music career. Sometimes it’s just opportunism without any real skill or talent. Sometimes, as is the case with the music-oriented shows, it’s the direct result of going through the proving-grounds in front of a ready-made fan-base. But sometimes it’s just hard work and determination. And that brings us to Davis Mallory, a gay former cast member of MTV’s “The Real World.” Long before he hit “The Real World,” Mallory knew he wanted to be a performer, but that’s not what drove him to the show. It was something else. “I had a story to tell,” Mallory explained. “My family members are pastors and work in the Christian music industry or are Christian authors. And I was the gay son that they didn’t want… They love me, but that’s just not what they wanted.” “I had just come out in college,” he added, “and was literally told I wasn’t allowed to come home anymore, because I was living a lifestyle that they didn’t approve of. And in that pain, I auditioned for ‘The Real World.’ And I dragged my family through the mud on the show, and it hurt our family a lot. And I regret it, but I also feel like it was a little about me taking power over my situation.”
After he was on the show, Mallory spoke with the show’s director, “And I ask him, ‘What should I do now that the show’s over?’ And he’s like, ‘This is what I tell all cast members. Whatever it was you wanted to do before, do that.’ I had wanted to be a singer since I was a kid, and I didn’t pursue it because I was gay. I always felt like, if I was gonna be a singer, I was gonna need to be a Christian singer, and how could I be a gay Christian singer? I just didn’t feel like it was ever gonna happen for me. So I just kind of gave up on that dream.” Nevertheless he knew he still wanted to be a singer, but he made the decision not to leverage his “Real World” appearance. “I wasn’t trying to be that kind of artist… I wanted to be a singer that was actually a talented person and was writing heartfelt lyrics and making good music.” So instead Mallory went to work in New York for a label, Astroworks. “I tried to let them know I was a singer every day I was there, but it didn’t happen for me. They didn’t discover me or anything.” While there Mallory began meeting other artists, including Parson James, who appeared at Nashville Pride last year. “It was Parson who actually kind of challenged me as to why I was working at a record label, when he was going after his career very straightforward. And I was going after mine a little tangentially. After meeting him, I quit my job at the record label and just went after it more straightforward.”
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“At times I sing with a southern voice,” he added with a laugh, “because I’m from Georgia. Although I’m not trying to be a country singer, it just comes out. And someone was like, ‘I think you’d do well in Nashville, because you’re from the south.’ So, I called my dad, who had moved to Nashville the year earlier, and he said, ‘Move here.’ So I moved in with my dad, and I’ve been here for going on four years.” After a few years of working steadily as a DJ and writing music with some talented co-authors, as well as independently, Mallory is now preparing to release his EP, Loud. When asked to describe the album, Mallory laughed and said, “I think it was only after I was asked by publicists, ‘What’s the album about?’ that I realized that almost all of them were about a guy that I have been dating on-and-off since I moved to Nashville. We both moved from New York to Nashville the same year.” “We met on Grindr,” he added, “though we have common friends from New York but we never met in New York.. We’ve had breakups, we got back together, we’ve been best friends, we’ve been lovers, boyfriends… Now we’re broken up. But most of the songs are about him in some way, or in some way related, because everything was written during the relationship. I mean in fact, I wrote a song today and it was about him. I’m still writing songs about him and I’m trying not to, but...” The feeling is real, and it translates into the music, but it isn’t all sappy or sad. “The songs cover different stages of love. The song I put out on February 7 is called ‘Under Your Spell…’ When I wrote it I wasn’t writing ONLY about him, but also about all the guys I’ve ever fallen in love with… That’s what the song’s about, just falling under someone’s spell. But then I have a song called ‘Be Without You’ which was literally about when he decided to take a break from me and move to Florida. I was sad, and I couldn’t be without him.” On the far end of the spectrum is “Loud” which is a little less about emotion and more about motion. “It was really literally about him… because we were f***ing loudly. I’m gonna make a clean version,” he added with a laugh. “It’s just about having sex. It could be about anyone. That’s the one that’s not just completely about him, but … it was him.” “There’s also a song called “Distance” that I wrote with Bay Brooks from “The Voice,” and it’s about a long-distance relationship. Kind of driving a million miles to try to make something long distance work,” he explained. “And it wasn’t necessarily about him, because I’ve done long distance relationships a couple times in my life, and it was just about that experience.” Having spent most of the last few years writing, Mallory has finally also begun getting more experience as a live performer. “I’ve played at the Belcourt Taps Writer’s Round, and I’ve sung at Tennessee Brew Works, and I did a Christmas carol show with a bunch of original songwriters, just singing their original stuff,” he explained. “I’ve sung for Firewrite, which is a writer’s round, and I played at Family Wash, which is one of my favorite places to hear good music.” And we are sure that, once Loud releases, we’ll be hearing a lot more from Mallory. Look for the EP to drop April 25, 2017. For more information, visit DavisMallory.com. 18
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“THE SONGS COVER DIFFERENT STAGES OF LOVE...I WASN’T WRITING ONLY ABOUT HIM...BUT ALSO ABOUT ALL THE GUYS I’VE EVER FALLEN IN LOVE WITH...THAT’S WHAT THE SONG’S ABOUT, JUST FALLING UNDER SOMEONE’S SPELL.”
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SPIRITUALITY Covenant of the Cross 752 Madison Square Madison, TN 37115 615-612-5040 | covenantofthecross.com
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Bart Durham Injury Law Office 404 James Robertson Parkway Nashville, TN 37219 615-338-6177 | bartdurham.com High Gravity Photography Mt. Juliet, TN 615-347-4515 | highgravityphotography.com John Cannon Studios 1108-C Woodland Street Nashville, TN 37206 615-496-1259 | johncannonart.com Papa & Roberts, PLLC, Attorney and Consultants Benjamin Papa/ Attorney & Mediator 1612 Westgate Circle. Ste 220 Brentwood, TN 37027 615-767-5900 | PapaRoberts.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 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
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ERIC PATTON
June’s CMA Festival may be the highest profile, but it certainly isn’t the only Nashville festival that celebrates music. For the past 25 years, Nashville has played host to the Tin Pan South Festival, presented by the Nashville Songwriters Association International. The festival is a series of shows at various local venues featuring songwriters playing their hits and telling the stories behind the songs. We all know what a musical ‘round’ is: now take the ‘round’ concept and space it out over five days and feature over 300 songwriters. It features a massive amount of musical talent and an absolute blast to see every year. In preparation for the festival, Jennifer Turnbow, NSAI’s senior director of operations and the co-director of Tin Pan South, took some time to tell us a little bit about what this year’s event has in store. “It is Tin Pan South’s 25th anniversary, so we’re doing more shows this year than we’ve ever done. We’re doing 100 shows over the course of the five nights! We’re going to do a few shows that are a nod back to our history. In the early years of Tin Pan South, they would do something called ‘The Legends Show.’ They kicked off the week with a big collaboration show with six or seven legendary song writers who would each play a short set at the Ryman. We’re not doing that exactly, but at Third and Lindsley, we’re going to do an homage, if you will, to that legends show, with the legendary song writers.” This year will also feature a show at The Country Music Hall of Fame in conjunction with Tin Pan South. The Hall will start celebrating their 50th year on April 1st, the last day of the festival, so that show will bridge the anniversary festival and the Hall of Fame’s big anniversary year. 20
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Some of the artists that have confirmed for this year’s festival are names we all know and love, including Brothers Osbourne, Jake Owen, Maddie and Tae, Raelynn, Ryan Beaver, Lucie Silvas, Craig Campbell, Kellie Pickler, Jeffrey Steele, Mac Davis, Kree Harrison, and more. Those looking for the songwriters will be pleased to see names like Brett James (“Jesus, Take The Wheel” for Carrie Underwood and “Out Last Night” for Kenny Chesney) and Tom Douglas (“The House That Built Me” for Miranda Lambert and “Meanwhile Back At Mama’s” for Tim McGraw). “Throughout the week, you’ll constantly be seeing subtle looks back at our history. That’s what we’re trying to accomplish with our 25th anniversary,” Turnbow said. “I think you’ll see it consistently, night after night, with these ‘Wow’ moments that make you sit back and think. It’s going to be a big anniversary.” She also confirmed that hit songwriter Shane McAnally will be performing this year. He’s penned several hits for artists like Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Jake Owen, The Band Perry, and so many more. He will be playing with longtime cowriter Josh Osbourne, along with their friends Matt Ramsey and Trevor Rosen of the new hit group Old Dominion. McAnally is also a member of the Nashville LGBTQ community. He and his husband Michael Baum married in Mexico five years ago, but made it official with a ceremony solemnized by Mayor Megan Barry on
MARCH 2017
PHOTOS: JASON DELKOU
Celebrates
Ashley Gorley
Bobby Bones
Sean Douglas
Kacey Musgraves & Shane McAnally
January 20th, the same day President Trump was inaugurated. They were joined by their twin children, Dylan and Dash in the Mayor’s office as they said their vows. He said on Instagram “On a day where we felt the weight of a divided nation, we chose to celebrate our freedom to love who we love.” One of the great things about Tin Pan is you don’t always know who’s going to be there. A lot of times, you’ll see a songwriter there who is just getting started, but then goes on to make a huge splash. “One of my very first Tin Pan Souths,” Turnbow recalled, “we had Luke Bryan on a round. And Luke was just becoming a thing. He wasn’t the superstar that he is today. He was just starting to get some notoriety, and I hadn’t really seen him before… It would have been around the time of his first album. I remember feeling his stage presence and just knew in that moment that he was going to be such a big deal.” Normally, the layout of Tin Pan works like this: Nine venues (The Bluebird, The Listening Room, Douglas Corner, Hard Rock Café, Whiskey Rhythm, Blue Bar, The Country, Station Inn, & Commodore Grille) host two shows each night, one early and one late show. Usually Third and Lindsley only hosts a couple of big, special shows in the later part of the week. That’s going to change this year. Each night, Third and Lindsley is going to have two shows in conjunction with Tin Pan South. This means that 10 venues will have 10 shows a piece. With the addition of the Country Music Hall of Fame show, that means there will be no less than a record 101 shows for the 25th anniversary festival. If you’ve ever gone to the festival, you know that keeping up with who’s on when and where is the biggest trick of the week. This year, they’re making it a little easier with the Tin Pan South App, available now on the App Store and Google Play. The app allows users to create their own schedule and pull the shows they most want to see into an easy to use queue. The app will also feature exclusive giveaways to people using the app.
The 25th Tin Pan South is already being billed as the best festival yet. The rumors are swirling hot and heavy about some big surprises and some really big names in music. You can follow Out & About Nashville on Twitter for up-to-the-minute information. And you can buy your passes and find the full lineup, along with all the information you need, at www.tinpansouth.com.
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COVER
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COVER BY ANGELA GIMLIN
@OUTANDABOUTNASH
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on’t be surprised to find Cody Alan at the grocery store sporting his Crocs. Yes, that Cody Alan—the co-host of CMT’s Hot 20 Countdown and radio shows like CMT Radio Live and CMT After Midnite. Here’s a guy who gets to rub elbows with Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire and that handsome Blake Shelton. Perhaps the show business flair that makes Cody a bit of a fashionista, but not when it comes to his comfy Crocs house shoes. He wasn’t, however, wearing Crocs the night he let me interrupt his weekly appointment of Bachelor viewing with his daughter and partner. Like so many of his fans, I wanted to discuss his recent big announcement. Over the New Year, he made a big blip on country music’s radar by coming out publicly. Cody said his timing wasn’t exactly planned. He was just finally ready. “I came out now because I’m finally comfortable enough for everyone to know this truth about me,” he said. “Being gay is not a choice I made recently, but something I’ve known about myself my whole life. Through life’s twists and turns, I came to a point where I felt it was time to be 100% open and real.” Now that the initial fuss is over, he is settling into his role as an unintentional leader within the Nashville gay community. 24
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Cody says our fair city had a starring role in his decision to publicly declare his true self. “Nashville is a very accepting city, loving and kind. You get that sense not only from your day-to-day walk with people, but also the music industry people,” he said. “And over the years I’ve become friends with many of the stars of today and the people behind the scenes, and I knew that, if I said something to most of them, it would be received positively.” It was the comfortable environment of Nashville that encouraged Cody to make the decision to come out, along with the insight that everything would be okay on the other side. He includes Mayor Megan Barry on his list of inspirational people, saying she has been a valuable proponent for equality and openness in Music City. “I’m not sure every city is like that. I’m not sure every Southern city is like that, particularly,” he added. That’s why it’s still important for figures like Cody to be open about who they are, if they can. “I think there are probably some kids on dirt roads in lots of places who listen to country music who are different,” he said. “Maybe not gay, but different in some way and don’t feel there’s a place for them. I think if I can be the voice of someone who is a little bit different and embraces who they are, I will have done some good here.” Now that he has spent his first few months as an openly gay man, Cody’s next step, or evolution, is one of continued discovery and inner peace. His great revelation was a much better experience than that experienced by many LGBTQ people.
"I came out now because I'm finally comfortable enough for everyone to know this truth about me...
“So many people came forward to put heart emojis on my Facebook or to send personal messages to me just to say thank you for speaking up. I’ve had thousands of those over the last few weeks, and it’s been overwhelming. I think it’s such a personal thing for someone to even write that on Facebook or just send a message to me, telling me their story. Some of these messages are paragraphs long, ya know, telling me ‘This is what I’ve been through…’” Cody takes all of these heartfelt messages seriously and is currently spending much of his free time personally responding. He says it’s the least he can do. “They didn’t know me personally, until now,” he explained, “because I’ve opened up in such a way that many people feel like they know me better.” While there is admittedly some negativity in Nashville’s gay community, Cody claims he hasn’t seen it yet. He wouldn’t focus on that anyway. Instead, he turns to messages where people tell him he is saving lives by simply coming out. He is grateful, though that isn’t what he set out to do. “I wanted to live my life and to share where I have been and my journey with people and I wanted to be honest. I just felt like it was time for me to be transparent, so for someone to say I have effected them or others in such a way positively, that’s a real humbling responsibility.” Cody’s timing was interesting because he came out during a time in the United States where some in political power do not agree he has the right to equality. But Cody doesn’t allow his mind to be bogged down with pessimism.
Being gay is not a choice I made recently, but something I've known about myself my whole life." “I look at the glass half full. I’m an optimist at heart. I don’t look at the negative. I try to focus on the positive. It sounds cliché, I know,” he explained. “I do think we do have to stand up and speak out for what we believe because when you have a chance to reason with someone over issues that we are fighting for, I believe that it’s not difficult to convince people.” While Cody did officially come out in January, he had previously headlined LGBTQ events, making some wonder if he was gay. But, coming out on a national platform was something he needed to be prepared for privately and publicly. “It really wasn’t difficult to host events and be active with CMT’s LGBTQ group for Pride and other functions, because I was okay if people assumed I was gay. I never tried to hide it. In fact, feeling comfortable in those settings with other like-minded individuals helped. Ultimately, I wanted to take the time to prepare the people closest to me, not completely knowing what coming out would mean for my life and those around me. Everyone’s story is different. I certainly respect everyone’s timing on how and when they share because it’s truly such a personal journey.” With such a well-known personality in country music putting a face on LGBTQ issues, could some big stars follow his lead? Could his fan base begin to change some of their views? Only time will tell how Cody’s coming out will continue to inspire people and change things. If you would like to connect with Cody more directly, feel free to follow him at www.facebook/codya and on Twitter @CMTCody—and feel free to reach out!
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EAT OUT FOR A GOOD CAUSE! Tuesday April 18, 2017
FIND YOUR
SHAMROCK
SWEETIE Thousands of people from all over Nashville will choose their favorite participating restaurant and dine out for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner, and a percentage of their bill will be donated by the restaurant to benefit Nashville CARES and the fight against HIV/AIDS. For a list of participating restaurants visit: www.DININGOUTFORLIFE/NASHVILLE.com PRESENTED BY:
DIP INTO THE POT OF GOLD LOCATED IN OUR FRONT LOBBY AND FIND YOUR GOLD COIN DISCOUNT. ADOPTING DURING MARCH GIVES EVERYONE THE LUCK OF THE IRISH! VISIT US
213 Oceola Avenue • Nashville TN 37209 615.352.1010 • nashvillehumane.org Monday 10am – 5pm
Tuesday 10am – 5pm
Wednesday CLOSED
Thursday 10am – 5pm
Friday 10am – 5pm
Saturday 10am – 5pm
Sunday 12pm – 5pm
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BY ERIC PATTON
n 1998, Canadian songstress Deborah Cox released her single, “Nobody’s Supposed to be Here.” The song peaked at number two on the Hot 100 charts and stayed there for eight weeks (R Kelly and Celine Dion’s I’m Your Angel and Brandy’s Have You Ever were the spoilers). It did stay at the top of the R&B charts for a record breaking 14 weeks—a record that held until 2006. The song’s success was followed by years of touring, with Cox playing all over the world. She even headlined Nashville Pride in 2010. She remains one of Canada’s most successful R&B artists, if not the most successful. Now, Cox has now joined the cast of the musical adaptation of *The Bodyguard*. Based on the Whitney Houston classic, the musical premiered in London’s West End back in 2012. It was a huge hit there and was open for just under 2 years.
Ultimately, lack of adequate performance successful performer, there was an element of space forced the show into a tour spanning the fandom that went into her decision to take the UK and Ireland. Now in its American debut role. tour, the show is making a stop in Nashville at “I love the music, the story, the film… TPAC’s Jackson Hall from March 21–March I thought it could be cool and dramatic, 26. something very different to see on the stage. I In preparation for the show’s Nashville run, mean, who doesn’t love *The Bodyguard*?” Cox took some time to answer a few questions she asked. “I fell in love with the film. In regards from O&AN. to Whitney Houston, I’ve been a longtime fan. We started off talking about how it feels to So, I feel blessed to have been chosen. I was take on the iconic character of Rachel Marron, asked to do this role about eight years ago, but it played so famously by Houston. “It’s thrilling,” Cox admitted. “It’s a wasn’t the right timing and the right situation, so complex role, but that allows me to stretch more I’m just fortunate that it all worked out this time than I’ve ever stretched before in any other for me to do it.” The Bodyguard premiered on the big role I’ve ever been in. I know there are huge expectations given the enormity of this role. It’s screen in 1992, right as Deborah Cox was starting to perform. As a young artist, she been a good experience though.” While taking the role might have been explained why the movie inspired her so much 1 5 Y E A R S O F LG B T N E W S intimidating, Cox admitted that, even @OUTANDABOUTNASH as a originally. 27
“I HAVE SO MANY MEMORIES OF ALL THESE SONGS THAT I HAVE TO TAKE MYSELF OUT OF IT FROM BEING A FAN AND FORCE MYSELF INTO BEING RACHEL MARRON AND TO TELL THE STORY FROM MY PERSPECTIVE AS RACHEL MARRON.”
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“It was right before I was on the scene,” she recalled. “I was doing session work and writing and performing background vocals. And, right around that time, I was doing stuff with Celine Dion. I remember meeting with Clive Davis at the time who had just signed me. I ended up moving out to LA to start demoing … so it was a very interesting time in my life. But when I heard I Run To You and I Have Nothing, I was just floored. [The film] was just full of beautifully penned songs, wonderfully executed by the greatest voice of our generation, of all time. From the moment I heard those songs, I was all in.” Because she loves the original work so much, the mental preparation of this play is something Cox has to focus on. “It’s surreal. I have so many memories of all these songs that I have to take myself out of it from being a fan and force myself into being Rachel Marron and to tell the story from my perspective as Rachel Marron. So, there’s quite a bit going on with me mentally on the stage, but, I think, every night I try to get closer and closer to finding my own, authentic way of telling this story through my voice now” There have been rumors about this show making its way to Broadway. Hoping to get a little inside information, I asked Cox if she thought that was likely. “I don’t know what the intention is,” she admitted. “I would hope that it would come to Broadway, but we just don’t know. There’s so many variables. I’m just remaining in the moment and hoping that we can bring this across the country to a new generation. I’ve actually come across people who’ve never seen the film. That’s shocking to me, but it’s the truth!” I am a little embarrassed to admit—as I did when speaking with Cox—that, as a millennial, I had also missed this movie until preparing for this interview. Cox thinks the story remains compelling and still has something to say to our generation. “It just brings you back to a time in music where it was very melody and lyric driven. The story is a love story. I mean, who doesn’t love a love story?! And the way this show is done, the way it’s written, the songs help tell the story of the character,” she explained. “The love triangle with the sister and Frank Farmer, you really get a sense of the complexity of Rachel Marron and what she has to do to not show her vulnerability, but continue to show her strength and keeping her guard up. There’s so much that she’s got to deal with… You get to get inside her head with song.” The original film did not contain all the same songs that are in the play. We discussed that change and what it meant for the modern telling of it, especially after Houston’s passing. Millennials are not always up on Whitney Houston’s work. Cox hopes that the show will introduce a new generation not only to a film classic but also to a musical ones. “They’ve changed it a lot in the sense that they included the songs from the film, but they’ve also included stuff from earlier [in Houston’s career] like “How Will I Know,” “The Greatest Love of All,” “Saving All My Love For You,” “All At Once”—you’ll hear all of those songs. Millennials don’t know those songs. It was a wonderful time in music. That’s my goal, too: to be a part of the storytelling to the new generation. How else are we going to be able to preserve it? We have to let the new generation carry the torch, to keep passing it on. I think that’s important.” Deborah Cox will take the stage of Jackson Hall at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in all but two performances (Saturday matinee and Sunday night) to perform Whitney Houston’s classics. Wherever it’s been, it’s been a total smash. You do not want to miss this! Get your tickets at TPAC.com or by calling the TPAC Box office at 615-782-4040.
el folklor authentic fooD from Guatemala, El Salvador & Mexico
Open Daily 11am – 9pm 3249 Gallatin Pike in Inglewood 615 928.7897 Mention this ad for a
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OVER
the RAINBOW
NORTHERN EXPOSURE JULIE CHASE
My daughter exited the school door with that introspective look on her face. I have learned to dread that look. She hit me with the question right after closing the car door. “Why do Southerners seem to hate different people all of the time?” Daughter-unit had just heard of the latest dump of anti-LGBTQI bills into the state legislature. She is growing up with parents in a mixed marriage. Mom is a progressiveliberal Southerner; Dad is a Yankee army brat, relatively recently ‘out’ as a trans woman. Normally I would direct her to the mom for an answer to this question, but she was not in the car. I was trapped … and about to face my cultural Waterloo. ‘She’s a teen now,’ I thought to myself. ‘Dad time. Really think…’ Ok, fire. “Because traditional Southern culture can be just plain wrong,” I said. “It’s got a ton of good points … and some really suck-a** bad points that get underlined and highlighted in times like these. Sure, Yankee-land does this sort of crap too, but … well, not as much and not as blatantly. Multiculturalism really did change things up there, by necessity. You just have to find ways to get along and adapt when confronted with different cultures, religions and immigration waves.” “Yeah,” I added, “the South has done some of that too and is much better than when I first saw it as a kid, but the majority seem to feel they should be calling the shots on everything 24/7. It’s not soft bigotry in their eyes: they just call it tradition.” Her eyes began to grow wide. Obviously I had never shared these opinions before. “Let’s just cut to the chase here,” I said irritably. “Why don’t the people supporting this stuff just go ahead and also file legislation to bring back the Confederate States of America? I mean...that is what some of these folks probably want, and it would solve all of their problems in one fell swoop. They could sweeten the package with social and minority guarantees that just might be kept, as long as 30
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no one messes around with ‘their’ culture and how they raise and school ‘their’ kids.” “It would be a voluntary cultural apartheid,” I mused of their likely rationale, “in which somehow everyone wins, and it would be their side that bore the burden of it through extra taxation and sacrifice on their end to support separate, but supposedly equal, schools, neighborhoods and whatnot. It would be a libertarian’s dream state with a humming economy, bright well-scrubbed kids, and an officially recognized heterosexual, cisgender, super-Christian, New Testament Biblebelieving culture with room for, and ‘official’ tolerance of, us minority groups who ‘choose’ to live here.” Really getting warmed up, I added, “I mean, it would be a ‘choice,’ you know? It would look and feel like a friendlier 1980s South Africa from the 1980’s, and trust me, I know how that one works, except this time the homelands would be Williamson Countysized laagers, where traditionalists could legally wall themselves off from the world around them and resist all change, differences and Yankees… I’m sorry, foreigners.” “Could it be done? Of course it could! It’s been done before,” I said, leaving implied that I had seen it. “Look up ‘Orange Free State’ when you get home. Declare the South a special area with special values, wall it off, and watch it prosper! No real difference here from ‘Die Voortrekkers’ of old, and it just might work.” I paused. She never likes it when I talk about the Afrikaners of my youth. I get agitated… “Or perhaps we put a rather large spike into that idea back around 1865 or so, with some very belated follow-up efforts a century later? Maybe the folks pushing this crap understand that if they openly say any of this, they will get called on it by you, me, legions of pink pussyhatted women, and perhaps the Federal authorities someday?” “Here’s a better idea! Dump all of these ideas in disguise into state legislatures, try to enact them, gum up opposition efforts in the
MARCH 2017
courts for years. Then do it again in a slightly tweaked fashion once the Yankee liberals in the Federal courts throw them out. Hey, I have never argued that these folks are dummies. This tactic is just freaking soft-evil brilliant!” Daughter-unit was now scanning the horizon for our driveway, eager for the end of this diatribe. “No! We are not going to allow any of that,” I said, a little too loudly. “We like this place way too much and we’re not going to leave. Their side is scared of change and has the potential to do some really stupid things that they will regret down the road. Traditional Southern culture tends to go nuts every now and then when confronted with sudden change. We fight this s*** because it is wrong... The real South can be like your mom. That’s why I tell you to be like her…” We arrived home just in time. Daughterunit literally bolted out of the car. I suspect she asked her mom’s opinion later. Julie Chase is the pen name for a local 40-something trans woman. Somehow she managed to attend and graduate from The University of the South at Sewanee without incident. Julie secretly loves grits and strong Southern-raised progressive women, and she has a loving soulmate of that particular tribe.
GRIZZLIES GEAR UP FOR SPRING PRACTICE, GAMES, & BEER BUSTS THOMAS HORMBY
PHOTOS: CODY STALLINGS
The Nashville Grizzlies are hot off their most successful season in club history and are gearing up for tournaments in St Louis and Philadelphia this spring. The team is focusing on building on the progress it made this Fall and continuing and furthering our commitment to community service. Months after hosting the Bingham Cup, the team won its first ever tournament outright at the Charlotte Queen City Crown, competing against other gay rugby teams from across the southeast and mid Atlantic. The wins in Charlotte helped push the team’s record to 11-3, the best ever in club history. “We want to build on our successes on the pitch last year. We are working on teaching our new players basic skills while also developing finer technique with our veterans” said Jimmy Arredondo, head coach. “We look forward to competing at our tournaments in St Louis and Philadelphia and believe this will be our most successful season yet.” Community service has always been important to the team. This year, we are volunteering as a club at Launchpad, a shelter for LGBT youth here in Nashville, and will be holding a joint fundraiser for Tennessee Equality Project this April at our tenth anniversary celebration. The team practices at the Vanderbilt intramural fields every Tuesday and Thursday from 7-9 pm. The first home game is against the Charlotte Royals on March 11 and is tentatively scheduled to be played at Vanderbilt at the same fields. Players of all levels of experience and all sexual orientations are welcome! The accompanying photos are from the teams beer bust at Tribe on February 17, 2017!
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PLAY’S ONESIE PARTY OUR COMFIE SLEEPWEAR’S COMING OUT
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PHOTOS: CODY STALLINGS
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ANNUAL SISTERS’ FUNDRAISER RAISES THE BAR 2017 PINK PANTY PULLDOWN RECAP STAFF
PHOTOS: STEPHEN BLOODWORTH & JAMES GRADY
The 2017 Pink Panty Pulldown, an event hosted annually at Stirrup Nashville was a smash hit with barriers, raising over $2,000 for the Music City Sisters’ charitable works. From bears to twinks, there were models (and underwear sizes) suited to the interest of all bidders! Despite drawing a smaller crowd than the past few years (likely due to the many competing events of the evening), this year’s bidding exceeded all expectations, and while the atmosphere in the bar was … exciting!
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Nashville – 636 Old Hickory Boulevard Chattanooga – 7734 Lee Highway Knoxville – 230 Papermill Place Way
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A RAISIN IN THE SUN BY LORRAINE HANSBERRY FEAT. EDDIE GEORGE
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MARCH 25 – APRIL 15, 2017 At Johnson Theater, TPAC
TICKETS: (615) 782-4040 // NASHVILLEREP.ORG SEASON PARTNERS
INGRAM
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intimidated anytime a queen with a beat face and rhythm walks onto a stage. I’m used to it. I don’t give performers any time to get nasty with me. And I’m really not out to steal anyone’s spot light. Everyone wants to be the best. I Just do my own thing, and all I really care about is the impression I leave on stage. Queens respect that. And for the most part I feel like the community here is tight. We’re SO lucky!
A KIKI WITH PAIGE TURNER | @PaigeTurner01
Hey everybody it’s that time again. Let’s get untucked! This month I had the amazing pleasure of a kiki with Portia Clinique. You may not be familiar with her yet, but this Lady is setting the town on fire! Her incredible makeup skills, stylish looks, and jaw-dropping performances make her one queen you do not wanna miss. So let’s get to know the girl behind the makeup! What sparked you interests in drag? My interest in drag and female impersonation started close to four-and-a-half or five years ago. I was 19 and was (and still am) a kid with a dream. I have always been into performing, I grew up playing flute and guitar. I knew I wanted to be a performer. I was really getting into makeup at the time and trying to make it a gig. I thought that, if people could see what I could do to my face, then they would want me as a makeup artist. I have to give credit to Holly Vegas, who is now retired. She saw the potential in me and allowed me to perform at her show in my home town. Everyone thought I was of age, and I just continued to work for tips until I became of age and was able to make a name for myself. Have you faced any hardships with being gay or doing drag? I could write a bestselling novel on this subject! I feel like, growing up, the kids knew I was gay before I even knew what gay meant. High school was a living nightmare for me. But once I left I never looked back. But, man, does it feel good to go home! It’s like the awkward gay goose has turned into a swan when I do! It doesn’t affect me now-a-days. I don’t think most people want to mess with a 7-foottall drag queen in a spiky heel, anyways. Plus, I’m really good at killing people with absolute kindness. My family was totally cool about it. I have a gay brother and a gay sister. By the time I 36
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came out, it was old news. When my mom can make it to my shows, she’s usually in the very front of the crowd, waving her dollars. She’s always been there and stood by my dreams! What is the hardest part of doing drag and why? Well it’s not hard anymore … but understanding that there are going to be people who don’t get your drag, or don’t like your drag, or want to change your drag. And you just have to not care, take it in stride, continue to be yourself, and learn from those who want to help— because that’s when you’re at your best in drag and when you’ll start to improve the most! How would you describe your drag persona, style and performances? That’s so tough to say: I take from all kinds of people, places and things. Portia’s persona is very viper-esque. I was probably a rock ‘n roll sex goddess in a past life. I love being nasty and sexy, and I think I’m very sultry and eye catching. A good definition of Portia would be leather, sex, glitter, and a good hair whip! Okay, be honest girl: ever experienced any shade from other queens you can tell us about? All the damn time! I’ve definitely been banned from bars for co-hosting my own (harmless) show. I get it though: it’s business, and you either play by the rules, make them up, or do your own thing. I think all drag queens get
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Who do you think is the all-time best drag performer? In Nashville? Can I have more than one? Drag changes all the time. My opinion on the best changes too! But in Nashville, I can’t not say Aurora Sexton. She IS the current reigning Miss Gay USofA, and that package was dope. I’d love to crawl inside her mind for five minutes! I notice on your social media that you’re in a relationship. Has it been difficult dating and doing drag for you? No, it never has been. I’ve always been like, “Hey! Yo! I put on heels and Dance my a** off.” They either go running or stick around. Drag is a part of me, but I’m still a man. I’m very lucky to have what I have with my partner now; I couldn’t be any luckier or happier! What is your idea of the perfect man? The one I have now! A good smile, mischievous, tender-hearted bad boy, but sweet when no one’s around.
Miranda’s
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Who is the biggest inspiration in your life and why? Oh gosh, my family. We all have so many dreams we’re chasing, and we’re all so far away from each other. But, when it comes down to it, we absolutely have each other’s backs, our support system is strong. I love you guys! Where can our readers catch your performances? Everywhere: I travel, and there’s QDP, Lipstick, PLAY, Shehaw, Trax… Book me! I know how to get down. I dress to impress, and I have the best nails in town. CUM SEE ME!!! You can follow you on social media on Facebook as Portia Clinique, and on Instagram @CharliexClinique.
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y g o l o k r Sna aginas Are Divas V
DISCLAIMER: Amy Sulam is a comic, and not everyone thinks she’s as funny as she does. We condone nothing she says, particularly not if you decide to take the following seriously. It should not be taken as such.
AMY SULAM | @Amysulam
Vaginas are such divas. Hell, mine might as well be wearing a feather boa right now. I mean seriously. And their owners? Don’t even get me started… For starters, gay men have it so easy in the oral sex department! Penises are a piece of cake. Going down on a guy is participationtrophy-level easy. Girls on the other hand? Vaginas are so complicated that, when it comes to going down on a girl, there’s literally an app for that. Hell, sometimes I still can’t figure out my own combination! It’s always a high pressure situation, like trying to dismantle a bomb. “Red wire? Green wire? I don’t know!” Then you realize there isn’t a wire, there’s a button to push. Finding the best way to a female orgasm is about as easy as getting through a labyrinth with David Bowie trying to derail your efforts. Vaginas are hard to bargain with. You can’t yell at them when they’re malfunctioning: you could cause the vagina owner to leak about the eyes and that’s a whole thing. Crying and vaginas are bad combination. I’ve had drama with my vagina for years now. I swear it’s like owning a lemon. Something can always break or go wrong. You’ve gotta worry about each part individually: vulva, cervix, labia majora, catalytic converter… It’s always something. And vaginas are soooooo offensive. There was an Instagram account where fruit played the role of a vagina and the account was shut down. Was Lafayette that spot on?! Everyone is “terrified of the p*ssy” it seems. Don’t get me wrong, they can be one haunted house disaster after another, but it’s not like there’s an axe murderer waiting inside each one... Or is there? Now, personally,,, I’m a believer that vaginas attached to unstable people are the best. Many times I’ve thought, “She’s gonna set me on fire but, the sex will be 38
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great.” That may just be personal preference though. Vaginas require a lot of grooming, especially if you’re LGBT. You can’t show your gay best friend a shitty wax job and expect not get roasted. I get so self conscious about receiving oral. I start wondering is it too hairy? Too bald? What if there’s a weird smell I haven’t noticed? What if I have yeast infection? A hemorrhoid? Do I need to bleach my butthole?! We do so much to dress our vaginas up. We vajazzle, have tightening surgeries, douche. We treat our vaginas like the ugly at kid camp who doesn’t know they’re ugly so we have to try to “pretty her up.” If you don’t remember who that kid was, it was you. We treat our poor vaginas this way and why? Are we scared of our genitals in their natural state? If you’ve ever been in a vagina you know all too well their mind control abilities. Going down on a girl is a bit less stressful. I’ve often found myself forgiving things I feel l’d be judged for. That’s another way vaginas are a pain in the ass: they can go all wonky with their packaging. Your vagina can try to escape from your bathing suit one lip at a time or eat the front of your pants and make its existence known to the world. What. The. French. My mom is the worlds worst about rocking a camel toe. I’ve often wondered if it’s even an accident anymore. I’m just like, geez mom, you have mirrors at home! (It’s times like this I’m glad Mrs. Sulam and her camel toe don’t read my column. ) Vagina owners can be real divas too. They get real persnickety when non-vagina-owning
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humans try to pass vagina control laws. In the lawmakers’ defense, we don’t have solid proof that vaginas are not in fact full of devil magic. If lesbians and bisexual women band together, we could probably do some pretty solid research on the matter ... at my birthday party this year. But I distress... Penis owning law makers tend to have vagina envy when it comes to reproductive rights. I mean, jealousy is the only logical reason I can think of for them to take our reproduction so personally. You’d think they had to carry the babies or worry about vagina invasion in super high rates. Jealousy must be the answer. It couldn’t possibly be the patriarchy using every tool at disposal to still exercise control over women under the guise of morality, right?! Naaaaaaah. But those persnickety vagina owners, like the divas they are, seem to keep insisting on fighting back. They want the right to, like, adopt the child their partner carried or get their tubes tied when they decide or, like, get free STD tests at planned parenthood. You know, real irresponsible stuff. Luckily, middle-aged penis owners are there to stop us before we hurt ourselves by thinking and junk. Vaginas may be divas but they’re our divas. When it comes to me and my dark cave of devil magic I want to rule over it like a benevolent dictator. So basically, I want to decide how to use it to torture others and how much punishment it can take on my own. I’m a real diva that way. Be nice to your vagina: know that it looks pretty and remember to feed the demon who lives in it.
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