O&AN | October 2017

O&AN TURNS FIFTEEN BROOKE LYNN HYTES COMPETES IN MGA

OCTOBER 2017 / VOLUME 16 / ISSUE 10 FIRST ISSUE FREE - ADD’L COPIES 50 EACH ¢

Nashville Black Pride 2017

SHANIA TWAIN

EXHIBIT OPEN JUNE 30, 2017 - JULY 15, 2018

Don’t miss Shania Twain: Rock This Country. The exhibit highlights Twain’s influential career, from her early years singing in bars in northern Canada, to releasing Come on Over, the best-selling album by a female in any genre.

EXPLORE THE MUSEUM

#PressPlayRecord • #CMHOF50 • @CountryMusicHOF O U T A N D A B O U T N A S H V I L L E .CO M OCTOBER 2017 2 CountryMusicHallofFame.org/Membership • Downtown Nashville

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STAFF

Publisher: Jerry Jones jjones@outandaboutnashville.com

Managing Print Editor: James Grady jgrady@outandaboutnashville.com

Managing Digital Editor: Joseph Brant jbrant@outandaboutnashville.com

Sales Associate: Eric Ginsberg eginsberg@outandaboutnashville.com

Sales Associate: Bridgett Jones bjones@outandaboutnashville.com

Sales Associate: Jay Yochim

LGBT NEWS DIRECT TO ALL OF YOUR SCREENS

jay@outandaboutnashville.com

Advertising Design: Donna Huff dhuff@outandaboutnashville.com

Design, Layout and Production: Mike Moore

Since June 2005, Out & About Today has brought LGBT related issues to Middle Tennessee with news, business, and entertainment segments.

mmoore@outandaboutnashville.com

Distribution: George Webster gwebster@outandaboutnashville.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Writers: Julie Chase, James Grady, Josh Robbins Photographers: Aleksander Antonijevic, Alyssa Barker, James Grady, Kelly Hunter, Karolina Kuras, Phalcon, Purple Dragonfly Photography, Cody Stallings, Erika Wagner Cover Photograph: Courtesy of Phalcon & Nashville Black Pride National Advertising Representative: Motivate Media | 858-272-9023 Rivendell Media | 212-242-6863 | 1248 Route 22 West | Mountainside, NJ 07092

OPPORTUNITIES

Out & About Nashville welcomes volunteer writers, photographers and videographers throughout the year. If you’re interested in contributing to our publication, send an email to editor@outandaboutnashville.com with a resume, contact information and samples of your work if available. Our volunteer staff is unpaid, but contributors do receive credit for their work in our print publication and online. Those seeking an internship in journalism or mass communications are strongly encouraged to apply.

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LEGAL

Out & About Nashville strives to be a credible community news organization by engaging and educating our readers. All content of Out & About Nashville is copyrighted 2017 by Out & About Nashville, Inc. and is protected by federal copyright law and shall not be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. All photography is licensed stock imagery or has been supplied unless otherwise credited to a photographer and may not be reproduced without permission. The sexual orientation of advertisers, photographers, writers and cartoonists published herein is neither inferred nor implied. The appearance of names or pictorial representations does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of the person or persons. Out & About Nashville accepts unsolicited material but cannot take responsibility for its return. The editor reserves the right to accept, reject or edit submissions. All rights revert to authors upon publication. The editorial positions of Out & About Nashville are expressed in editorials and in the editor’s notes as determined by the editor. Other opinions are those of writers and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Out & About Nashville or its staff. Letters to the editor are encouraged but may be edited for clarity and length. There is no guarantee that letters will be published. Out & About Nashville only accepts adult advertising within set guidelines and on a case-by-case basis.

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

OCTOBER 2017

YOUR NASHVILLE SYMPHONY Live at the Schermerhorn BRONFMAN

BEETHOVEN

AEGIS

SCIENCES FOUNDATION

October 27 & 28

EST. 2013

October 29

HALLOWEEN MOVIE NIGHT

NOSFERATU

HAYDN’S CREATION NASHVILLE SYMPHONY AND CHORUS

H A L LO W E E N MSILENT O V I E N IFILM G H T : WITH ORGAN

N O S F E R AT U

S I L E N T F I L M W I T H O RG A N

AEGIS

October 31

AN ACOUSTIC EVENING WITH

LYLE LOVETT &

JOHN HIATT

SCIENCES FOUNDATION

November 3 & 4

EST. 2013

AMOS LEE with the Nashville Symphony

November 5

November 9 to 11

November 11 • Veterans Day

November 12

KIDS’ CONCERT

with the Nashville Symphony

with support from:

615.687.6400 • NashvilleSymphony.org @OUTANDABOUTNASH

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10.17

CONTENTS

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O&AN CELEBRATES 15 YEARS ON NASHVILLE NEWSSTANDS

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FIRST ANNUAL CHURCH STREET BLOCK PARTY A SUCCESS

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STRONGER TOGETHER: NASHVILLE BLACK PRIDE 2017

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BROOKE LYNN HYTES LOOKS TO BECOME MISS GAY AMERICA

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MURFREESBORO PRIDE DRAWS LARGE CROWDS

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OCTOBER 2017

Taste food and drink from Nashville’s tastemakers, a fabulous silent auction, and lively entertainment in Nissan Stadium’s West Club.

1 ) 0 5 0 ( 3 " 1 ) : 5-8 PM | Sunday, November 19th | tastenashville.org All proceeds benefit the Chamber’s Foundation and our mission to educate, inspire and empower lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender business professionals throughout Nashville and the surrounding area.

252.562.8245 • codystallings.com /CodyStallingsPhotography

Insta

/CodyStallingsPhotography

@CStallingsPhoto

SALON

We celebrate the individual that is you.

We celebrate our clients.

We celebrate beautiful hair.

We celebrate our neighborhood.

We celebrate Nashville.

We celebrate our creative stylists.

We celebrate 4 years being voted Best Salon.

We celebrate having fun.

We celebrate 10 years of serving you.

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@OUTANDABOUTNASH

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OUT & ABOUT NASHVILLE TURNS FIFTEEN STAFF REFLECTS ON O&AN’S IMPACT

Fifteen years ago, Nashville was a very different place: it wasn’t one of the 25 largest cities in the country, Pride wasn’t one of summer’s must-attend, city-wide events, and our leaders weren’t dependably LGBT allies.

It was in that Nashville that O&AN was born, the work of Jerry Jones and a team of dedicated volunteers, who agreed that the LGBT community in Nashville needed a reliable source of news and information on social and political events and issues facing us. In the years since, it has grown from a small paper mailed out, to a newsprint monthly, to the magazine it is today. Numerous other LGBT publications have come and gone in the market, but O&AN stuck to its roots and has held on to become the oldest, and largest, LGBT publication in Tennessee.

This month, our staff reflects on what the magazine has meant to them and to our community, and next month we will look at O&AN’s next fifteen years, with some exciting new announcements!

JERRY JONES, PUBLISHER I started this publication 15 years ago with just an idea and a dream—I felt like Nashville needed a professional publication that would report on the LGBT community and serve as a hub to the many spokes in our community. For 15 years a brilliant team of volunteers, editors, journalists, and designers have built one of the best monthly LGBT magazines in the country.

We have grown with the times, had our ups and downs, and as a community, experienced our share of heartache. We have worked hard to constantly give back to the community through many ways that we don’t even publicize.

Our future, with our readers as our beacons, is bright and we are excited to be constantly changing to meet the many challenges that we face.

I would be remiss to not take the time to thank those that have helped us for the past 15 years—our advertisers and our small staff. Without the advertisers, well, there would be nothing. We are proud to say that we have many, many advertisers who have been with us for all 15 years, supporting you and our community along our journey. We have always worked with a very small staff, some without pay or recognition, and to them I remain grateful for their dedication to our cause in building a great LGBT community here in Middle Tennessee.

ERIC GINSBERG, AD SALES When I started selling ads for O&AN, it changed my life forever. It allowed me to finally accomplish my dream of having a career that would allow me to be who I am and to work closely with the Nashville LGBT community. My position has helped me be engaged more in my community by representing O&AN at events such as Nashville Pride, Murfreesboro Pride, & Nashville Cares’ AIDS Walk. O&AN has even allowed me to get more involved with of some of my passions such as Nashville Pittie, which holds Pit Bull Awareness Day. I have appreciated getting to know all of our wonderful advertisers. Their support has been the driving force to tie O&AN to the community.

I am also proud and honored to be part of such an amazing team! We all work so hard together and it’s truly a dream to be able to work with my team, and I couldn’t have O U T A N D A Basked O U T N Afor SHV I L L E .CO M OCTOBER 2017 more.

MIKE MOORE, DESIGN LAYOUT & PRODUCTION I moved to Nashville 10 years ago and I remember seeing O&AN on the stands at Kroger. I was in the closet then, and I was terrified to be seen picking it up and putting it in my cart. To say the least, a LOT has changed since then.

When I saw that there was a design postion open for the publication three years ago, I applied immediately.

Magazine layout has always interested me and I knew working for a LGBT publication would be so much fun.

It was a very exciting time for me, personally, to see this publication transition from a newspaper to a magazine.

Jerry and the rest of the staff put so much of their heart into this magazine and it’s exciting to be around.

Being a part of something that the entire LGBT community in Middle Tennessee sees every month is truly rewarding.

DONNA HUFF, ADVERTISING DESIGN My history with O&AN dates back to its humble beginnings with an all-volunteer staff of editors, writers, photographers and designers. We spent many an evening at Jerry’s home gathered in a circle brainstorming the next month’s articles and feverishly hand-stuffing envelopes and separating them for bulk mail to deliver to the post office for our subscription service.

During that first year in 2002, I volunteered as a layout designer for O&AN. I first picked up O&AN on the newsstand at my college. At the time, I was still dealing with an emotional coming out to my family and knowing there was a large LGBT community in the Nashville area helped me to have a better perspective of my personal situation.

Becoming involved with the publication became a defining moment for me; not only did I make lasting friendships, but O&AN also heavily influenced my career path. During my early volunteer days with O&AN, I met my current ‘day job’ employer. At that time, many people were still worried they could be fired over sexual orientation and working for a lesbian co-owned company alleviated that concern for me. I was relieved to not share the same burden as so many of my friends who were having to hide their personal lives.

After a short break from O&AN, I returned to the paper as a member of the editorial board taking the position of advertising production/graphic designer in 2007. Besides Jerry Jones, our O&AN publisher and a wonderful personal friend, I am proud to say I have been with O&AN longer than any other member of the board. We have seen many changes over the years and our publication has changed to remain current and timely. I am extremely grateful to have crossed paths with such a talented and loving group of people.

JOE BRANT, MANAGING DIGITAL EDITOR I didn’t know ANY of these people—yes, that includes you!— before I joined the staff at O&AN all those years ago. I began writing news articles way back when there was no website, no Facebook algorithms to deal with, back when we all met up once every month to eat pizza and stuff mailing envelopes with copies of the latest print issue.

Remember when subscriptions were free? Back when the LGBT Chamber of Commerce was called NAPP, when Tribe and PLAY were new, when lawmakers only acknowledgment of us came when they were banning us from getting married, when LGBT bookstores like OutLoud! here in Nashville were... you know, still alive and reasonably thriving. Remember when porn was only available on overpriced DVDs? <insert long wistful sigh here> In the time since, Jerry and all the staff and volunteers have become prized friends and now, more importantly, they hold all of my admiration and respect for their devotion and contribution and commitment to the health and wellbeing of this community.

JAMES GRADY, MANAGING PRINT EDITOR Shortly after I came out in 2013, I decided that I wanted to get more involved in the Nashville LGBT community, something that would force me as an introvert to explore a world that was new and uncomfortable to me. Writing for O&AN became a way for me to meet groups and community leaders and to discover a lot about my new world.

Then, in June 2014, I became managing print editor—something I never expected and hadn’t event thought much about. In the years since, I have had the great honor and privilege of meeting many of the great people who make the Nashville LGBT community the vibrant entity it is—artists, writers, actors and directors, activists and advocates, business leaders—and have made many friends I probably would never have even met otherwise.

I won’t lie, the job can be frustrating. But I stick with it because there are still too many people I need to meet and too many stories that need to be told. If I haven’t met you yet, introduce yourself (please)—it’s never gotten any easier for this introvert, but I’d love to hear your story.

NEW TO O&AN JAY YOCHIM, AD SALES O&AN publisher Jerry Jones recently announced the hiring of a second, full-time advertising sales person. “As O&AN has grown and evolved, it became clear to me that getting our beautiful publication in front of potential advertisers was the work of more than one person,” Jones said.

“We began looking for just the right person to help Eric Ginsberg represent our brand and grow its presence in Middle Tennessee.”

Jay Yochim, the newest member of the O&AN staff, just moved to Nashville in March from Houston, Texas. He has his degree in Public Relations, and is a former NCAA athlete. For the past 2 years he has been working for Nordstrom and is excited to join the O&AN team. “I’m excited to get more involved in the LGBT community here in Nashville,” Yochim said, “and I @OUTANDABOUTNASH cannot wait to see what I can bring to the table.”

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www.bartdurham.com | 615-242-9000

404 James Robertson Parkway, Suite 1712 Nashville, TN 37219

YOU DESERVE TO BE PAID FOR WHAT YOUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;VE GONE THROUGH.

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OCTOBER 2017

I WANT TO BE HEARD IN MY HEALTHCARE HIV ACTIVIST SHARES JOURNEY TO BECOME HEARD AS A INDIVIDUAL INSTEAD OF A RISK POOL STATISTIC JOSH ROBBINS

“I want to be heard.”

It is really as simple as that. I just want to be heard.

More specifically, I want to be heard in my healthcare. I want my healthcare delivered to me to be personal, derived specifically for me, and the exact opposite of community-wide healthcare. I don’t want to be a statistic anymore, and I could care less what risk pool in which I’ve previously been placed or grouped. Sometimes the labels and words like ‘MSM’ (men who have sex with men) and ‘high risk’ (sexually) completely veil my identity within my own health. And it isn’t okay, anymore.

I am an individual first, and my healthcare needs to be mine. I want to be heard.

As a cisgender white male, I have substantial privilege, obviously.

I completely accept that, as neither my fault nor my reward. I cannot affect it. But as an HIV-positive queer trying to navigate healthcare, at times, I feel I am losing. I have yet to find health equity—and I’m putting in the work.

Since the Affordable Care Act was implemented, I have been dropped by insurance companies four times—each followed by brief interruptions of me seeing my doctor and once completely stopping my adherence to antiretroviral meds. I consider myself to be pretty savvy at navigating the system. If I am having trouble with the system, I suspect others may have already just stopped trying to figure it out altogether. But I am not giving up on healthcare. I am fighting to stay engaged.

When I finally make it to the doctor’s office, I also want to be heard. In 2012, my first appointment with my HIV specialist focused on community wide recommendations to begin antiretroviral therapy immediately. Sure, there are benefits to starting treatment early, but at that time, arguments could be made for waiting—especially because I was showing signs of being an HIV controller.

Since being diagnosed with HIV in 2012, almost every time I have a minor illness or issue arise, I sometimes cringe when telling any non-HIV specialized doctor or nurse practitioner that I am positive because it immediately changes how they treat me both literally and medically. Usually the moment that I disclose that I am positive, everything is attributed to the virus. I understand, accept, and believe that HIV treatment works—but not every minor issue is related to living with HIV. I joke sometimes that I could run into a glass door and break my nose, and when I hit the emergency room instead of helping me with my sideways nose, they would be attempting to study how HIV is starting to affect my cognition. “My nose is broken because I ran into a glass door. HIV isn’t to blame,” I would say.

I just want to be heard.

When I describe some of the health problems that I experience to my physician, like the embarrassing issue of HIV-related diarrhea, I wasn’t met with recommendations for FDA-approved diarrhea treatment (http://Mytesi.com). Instead, I was told on more than one

occasion that my doctor “does not see diarrhea anymore” because of the improved HIV meds that we now have.

Honestly, I do not care what they see or don’t see among patients living with HIV, because I am experiencing that side effect. And I wanted to be heard—to be treated individually and not ignored.

This year I have learned that my healthcare requires my active participation, my active engagement, and my resolve to fight battles for myself like I could never imagine I would be fighting.

When an insurance company dropped my coverage in my state, I fought to get new coverage. I will fight at the end of this year again.

I will be heard.

When I was told that I had to order my medicine from a specific pharmacy, I fought to keep my pharmacist because I believe they are important in my patient journey because they know all my allergies.

I will be heard.

When my doctor made treatment plans based off of statistics instead of recommending what would be best for me as an individual, I fired that doctor and found a new one who now listens to me and takes what I have to say into consideration before making a plan. I will be heard.

As much as we are told to stand up and fight for social issues, to rise up and speak against inequalities, and to do the important work to bring justice and equity to all people—I realize that each of us has the right and needs to be heard as an individual in our own personal healthcare.

I will be heard. You should be heard, as well.

Let’s fight to make it happen.

Josh Robbins is a GLAAD Award nominated blogger for imstilljosh.com and an HIV positive patient advocate.

He is a paid spokesperson for #MyHIVThankYou campaign sponsored by Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., makers of Mytesi.

He lives in Nashville and is single and ready to mingle.

Follow him @imstilljosh

@OUTANDABOUTNASH

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CHEF ELENI VAVOURIS & HER EV ORIGINALS

STAFF

Sometimes in life, you think you’ve got it all figured out: the path you should take, the career you should have. But life has a way of twisting and turning and ending up in a whole different place.

Sometimes it takes a person, or certain words, that can change the “plan”. That is exactly how it all changed for Eleni Vavouris.

Eleni Vavouris is the executive chef and owner of STF Events and Catering. Eleni grew up in a large Greek family and community in Memphis. Her love of eating and cooking grew organically by watching and learning from her Greek and Southern relatives.

However, she never saw food as a career, just a stress relieving hobby.

She headed off to college at the University of Tennessee Martin and earned a degree in Human Environmental Sciences and Psychology. A year into her studies for a Master’s in Family Counseling, a friend, sensing her frustration in her chosen field, asked, “Why don’t you go to culinary school? You cook for us all the time. It just makes sense.” It all clicked for Eleni, and she set off to discover her true life-long passion.

After a culinary apprenticeship at the famed Opryland Hotel in Nashville, and earning culinary and catering degrees from Sullivan University in Louisville, Kentucky, Eleni moved back to Middle Tennessee to begin her cooking career.

After a stint as an executive chef with Sodexo, she decided to start her own catering company: Savor the Flavor Catering (now known as STF Events & Catering) was born in 2005. With the freedom to create her own recipes and be her own boss, she flourished. Guests and clients took notice of how fresh and flavorful her dishes were and were soon asking for recipes. Once they figured out that a Chef never shares her recipes, they began asking where they could buy certain dishes and items. She began to think about how she could bring her food to a broader market.

The “original famous salsa” was the catalyst. With so many asking how they could buy it outside of catered events, she knew this would be her flagship. With the encouragement of her family, friends, and partner, she started to research how to bring her products to market. EVOriginals—Eleni Vavouris Originals—had been a dream of Eleni’s for over 10 years.

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS, NOT WALLS.

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PHOTOS: PURPLE DRAGONFLY PHOTOGRAPHY

Plans were finally set in motion to make EVOriginals a reality in February 2016. Between February 2016 to June 2017, creating the name, the designs, and the products took place. For the first time ever, Eleni actually wrote down the recipes that she had so long just made by taste. She then set out to find a co-packer who could produce items for her, because she knew it would be too much with her catering schedule.

The folks at Nashville Kitchen and Cannery were the perfect fit. She met with Parker and Vance and knew right away that they would handle the ingredients and products with the same love and care she did. After several test runs together, Eleni and the NKC crew perfected 4 recipes: the original salsa, the spicy roja salsa, the chipotle peach sauce, and the Greek marinade. All EV Originals, made with attention and great care in small batches, with love! All delicious and unique.

The products are officially “Pick Tennessee” product and are currently available at the Murfreesboro Saturday Market, the Readyville Mill, Sperry’s Mercantile, Green Door Gourmet, and Batch Nashville.

STF Events and Catering has also been a member of the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce for five years. It has been a mutually beneficial partnership. From partnering on events, participating at TASTE, corporate event client referrals, and putting Eleni in contact with retailers, the relationship with the LGBT Chamber has been invaluable. “I have found Lisa Howe and the Chamber to be a valuable resource helping me grow a small business,” said Eleni.

Chef Vavouris never thought she would end up as a small business owner, creating jobs in Middle Tennessee, with her own line of food products, but she is happy to share EVO with everyone.

Eleni enjoys interacting with her clients and customers and feels like they can talk about food and life. She is only a year shy of her Master’s degree in counseling, after all.

For more information on EV Originals, visit Facebook.com/ EVOriginals.

505NASHVILLE .COM

NOW ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS FOR MOVE-INS BEGINNING OCTOBER 2017 The Nashville LGBT Chamber is a professional and consistent resource to find businesses who are inclusive of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and ally customers and clients.

The Chamber directory at www.nashvillelgbtchamber.org/ list will help you find The Mockingbird and other LGBTfriendly businesses and organizations.

505 CHURCH STREET NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37219 615 / 214.4505

@OUTANDABOUTNASH

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CHURCH STREET BLOCK PARTY ROCKED

PHOTOS: CODY STALLINGS

The music-centric Church Street Block Party hosted an impressive lineup of musicians and entertainers on Church Street between 16th Avenue and 17th Avenue. Featuring DJ Jane Dupree and Bob the Drag Queen from RuPaul’s Drag Race, as well as singers like Mary Lambert, the event was also right at home in the heart of Nashville’s most concentrated gayborhood.

Party-goers also enjoyed Glow & Fire Performances by Magnificent Light Entertainment, Aerial Performances by Suspended Gravity Circus, and Street Performances by Dylan Radford. Food from some of Nashville’s favorite food trucks, as well as cocktails, beer, and wine, were also on hand!

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STRONGER TOGETHER

Nashville Black Pride 2017 JAMES GRADY

Fifteen years ago, a group of activists and community leaders joined together to host a new event and form a new organization: Nashville Black Pride. Held in October, the event is organized not to compete with the Nashville Pride organization and events but to offer a safe and affirming place to celebrate the community that it serves.

As the Fifteenth annual Nashville Black Pride approaches, O&AN spoke with Dwayne Jenkins, the organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s president and one of its founders, about how the event came about, how it developed, and where he sees its future in Nashville.

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How has Nashville Black Pride evolved to meet the needs of the community?

The Black Pride movement has grown immensely over the years, across the country and abroad. The Federation of Black Prides was renamed the Center for Black Equity (CBE), and pride events for Black and Brown LGBT/SGL individuals have moved beyond the large metropolitan areas to include over thirty

develop sponsorship strategies, foster community development, provide technical assistance, mentor and support one another as CBE members.

Over the years all Pride and Black Pride organizations ask themselves how we can stay relevant in our ever-changing environment.

"...we understand the importance and power of gathering as one."

When and how did Nashville Black Pride form, and what were the major concerns that made you feel like such an event would well serve your community?

The first Nashville Black Pride celebration was hosted in October 2003. Our mission is to bring together African American and other Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) and Same Gender Loving (SGL) People of Color in a social, non-threatening environment to uplift, empower and educate the community.

Highlighting the accomplishments of local, regional and national Black and Brown LGBT/SGL people was something that was important to us.

This very targeted and intentional outreach effort would help to maintain and develop healthy, productive and visionary individuals to carry our history for generations.

My primary work in HIV at Nashville CARES with Brothers United (BU) provided me with the opportunity to participate in a lot of events. Since the BU program and the separate 501c3 BU Network organization had a large following, I was asked to host a targeted event during what was then a week-long Nashville Pride celebration. Simultaneously, I was traveling to Black Pride celebrations in cities like my hometown, New York, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., and I hoped that something similar could one day take place in Nashville.

When I shared this sentiment with my mentor, Earl Fowlkes, the President of DC Black Pride & CEO of the International Federation of Black Prides, he encouraged me to stop waiting for someone to do it and make it happen.

The process [of organizing the first event] took about a year-and-a-half. Our Board disseminated a survey within the Black LGBT/SGL community to ensure we had a pulse on what people wanted, and included two advisors from the Nashville Pride Board. It was important that our organizations worked together in a noncompetitive fashion, which is a something weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re still proud of fifteen years later.

different cities within the southern states of the United States, as well as to places like Paris, France, London, England, and Jamaica.

Most Black Pride organizations were rooted in addressing a variety of advocacy issues in their respective locations. When we came together, our collective purpose was to network,

Although the political climate, along with other social issues, can provide a road map for topics [driving] the evolution of overall vision and purpose, we understand that people want to have fun and be entertained.

Many organizers have realized that a large number of participants simply want to assemble to celebrate their

@OUTANDABOUTNASH

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Where does it go from here? What is the future of Black Pride?

Each year our Board comes up with a theme that sets the tone for the weekend. STRONGER TOGETHER was selected for our 15th Anniversary Black Pride celebration, because we understand the importance and power of gathering as one.

The cohesiveness of our team is unique, in that some have been in the trenches and have volunteered their time, money, blood, sweat, and tears since the very first event in 2003. Their commitment to celebrating our life and culture is something that many won’t see outwardly, but will feel inwardly when people share that they had a good time, learned something, or were just happy to be in a space that sees them.

I think any group or business has to continue to ask themselves why are they here, and how do we continue to contribute to our local citizens? At one point, Prides/Black Prides were seen as huge money makers to outsiders and promoters, which made it difficult for the actual organization hosting the event, especially those that weren’t associated and or giving back to the primary organization hosting Pride.

People would sleep, shop and prepare for the party or nighttime club events during the day, and not participate in the film screenings, book signings, vendor marketplace, workshops or town halls. Some felt that participants would lose out on a prime opportunity to meet actors, authors and other special guests, but also miss out on what the entire experience of what pride means.

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For more information about Nashville Black Pride, visit the group at Facebook.com/nashvilleblackpride and nashvilleblackpride.org.

PHOTOS: PHOTOS COURTESY OF PHALCON & NASHVILLE BLACK PRIDE

shared experiences and their contributions that have helped build stronger, healthier communities in a manner that effectively combats homophobia, transphobia and stigma in the Black community, as well as to address racism in the greater LGBT community.

This in no way means that parties and club time aren’t important, because the truth of the matter is, at least for Black Pride in Nashville, a bulk of our donations have come from our official bar sponsors/partners, and we appreciate their continued support.

When I traveled to other cities, I was the opposite of what I see a lot today. I attended as many sessions and activities as I could to meet our Black & Brown LGBT/SGL pioneers up close and personal. I spent my time getting autographs and photos and all my coins on DVDs, books, and vendor items, and skipped paying the $25-and-up entry fees to clubs. I’d attend the poetry slams & spoken word events that took place in the evening not only to network and enjoy the talent but also because it fed me in a different way.

Today attendees have different appetites, and we have to take that into consideration when planning. In short, it’s important to find the balance between the past and the future, in order to try and provide that vibe that can appeal to the widest audience, without losing the integrity that the foundation was built on but also keeping it fun, safe and memorable.

This year our weekend kicks off with a special Award presentation theatrical performance. Each year the Brothers and Sisters United Network, recognizes local individuals and businesses with our prestigious Legacy Award! Each of our honorees have either volunteered or supported our efforts for a minimum of ten years. Our 2017 BASU Legacy Award recipients are bestselling author Terrance Dean, Tennessee Equality Project, and the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

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SEPTEMBER 2017

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ENTREPRENEUR GREG CASON WORKS TO BUILD BRIDGES

Supporting Nashville Black Pride a Priority JAMES GRADY

Local entrepreneur Greg Cason has a long involvement with Nashville’s LGBT community, Nashville Pride, and Nashville Black Pride. Working diligently with multiple organizations has given him some insight into the relationships within that community and how we can work to enhance those relationships.

“I have a passion for serving others and giving back to the community in which I live,” Cason explained. “My involvement in the LGBTQ+ community gained momentum when I became a member of Nissan’s LGBT Business Synergy Team entitled ‘GSAN’ which stands for Gay Straight Alliance at Nissan. As President and Vice President, I had the opportunity to represent Nissan at various events. This allowed me the opportunity to meet a wide variety of people and organizations that have an impact to the LGBTQ+ community. That impact isn’t always a positive one so being a vocal change agent is extremely important.”

Becoming familiar with these various groups let him see the disconnects that exist. “As an African American gay male, I saw the disconnection that exists within the Nashville LGBTQ+ community in several aspects. One in particular is the number of corporations that sponsor Nashville Pride but not Nashville Black Pride. I contacted Dwayne Jenkins and started donating my time, money, and, most importantly, effort in getting Nissan to become a sponsor for several years.”

Cason was also diligent about building his credibility with community-wide organizations, to better serve the mission of bridging divides. “Serving on the Board of Directors of the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce and networking with other individuals and organizations in the LGBTQ+ community is one tool for bridging the community gaps but it doesn’t stop there.

I have to promote, support, and attend events that enhance our community as a whole.”

“It’s discouraging to hear that various LGBTQ+ individuals don’t feel represented and/or supported here in Nashville,” he added. “It’s important that all of us expand our personal networks and comfort zones to ensure that our programs and events include individuals that ‘don’t look like us.’ It’s a gradual process that starts with each person reaching out to the next person. No movement of great importance was successful based on the efforts of one group of individuals. It takes all of us working together to close the gaps that exist. “ When it comes to Nashville Black Pride, Cason sees that a lot of work remains. “Nashville Black Pride is in desperate need of financial support, especially businesses that already support the LGBTQ+ community,” he explained. “Neighboring states realize an economic boost during black pride weekend. The same can be realized for Nashville if the funding was available to attract entertainment, enhance marketing activities and expand programs that resonate with the community.”

“In the future,” he added, “I envision Nashville Black Pride working closer with the Nashville Pride Board and other Pride

My motto is: "If you are not giving back, what are you giving?" organizations in neighboring cities to share ideas and resources.

I also hope that other LGBTQ+ nonprofit organizations expand their support of Nashville Black Pride. This can be accomplished by making it a part of their strategic plan. This is one organization where a $1,000.00 sponsorship/donation can make a huge impact.”

Why does he see making a commitment to Nashville Black Pride as such an important investment in our community? “We have all seen or heard reports that Black Americans have been disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS since the beginning of

@OUTANDABOUTNASH

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the epidemic and it doesn’t appear to be slowing down. Black Pride weekend is a great way time to educate the community on prevention, treatment, absence and HIV/AIDS studies that can eliminate the spread of the disease.”

Aside from all his work in the community, Cason has also branched out into even planning, founding Inspired Concepts and Events, LLC. “I have been hosting and promoting parties for the past 7 years for family and friends on a small scale. Each event provided an outlet for me to embrace my creative side, so in January I decided to start Inspired Concepts and Events, LLC. Inspired Concepts and Events is a full service event planning company. Starting a business and working full time [at Nissan] has created its challenges but seeing the smiles on my client’s face is worth every sleepless night!”

While the time commitment of working, running a side business, and working in the community is great, Cason vowed, “No matter how large my business becomes, my commitment to this community will never diminish. My motto is: ‘If you are not giving back, what are you giving?’”

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OVER

the RAINBOW

THE GOOD BAPTISTS

JULIE CHASE | @notninahagen

Let me be honest...this is a very alien culture to me. I suspect it will always be, and for once I am not talking about the Rainbow Planet. For better or worse, the unrequested blessing grants me some insight into that one.

Let’s see here: They hate us, but they don’t hate us...they actually love us. They hate what is inside each of us, that which we cannot help but to be, but they love us when we try to find ways to not be us—it makes them feel better about us not giving in to being “us”. You see, they claim to be “broken,” too, and if we just did a better job of realizing all that...

Right. I grew up an Episcopalian of the 1970s, and we never cracked open one of those New Testament Bibles.

I covered the recent national conference of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) for this magazine. The ERLC, simply put, is the educational and activist wing of the SBC in the public sphere.

I had a good perch for three days watching SBC-affiliated people try to pass along their viewpoints to a mostly young group of church educators. They made me cry on two occasions, and laugh on many more, which is why the so-called “Nashville Statement” was a minor bombshell for me when it dropped. That’s not what I saw at ERLC—not at all.

Nothing about the poorly named “Nashville Statement” leaked during the conference. Evidently the group that crafted it, the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, had met quietly the day the conference began and published it a day or two after everyone had left. Perhaps there was a tacit understanding already about the generalities of the forthcoming statement’s content (possible) or perhaps there may have been a decent-sized outcry amongst those younger SBC educators present if that statement had hit the floor

before all had left town (more likely).

The ERLC is ostensibly independent of the SBC, but does have many of the top SBC brass as signatories of their statement. A quick check with the ERLC’s communications department confirms independence from the formal SBC structure.

However, some of the convention’s speakers did publicly acknowledge a reluctance to offer more critical analysis of secular trends from a faith perspective, and not just on LGBTQ+ issues, out of fear that what they say would be taken out of context. They worry about being branded as bigots and subjected to retaliation in the secular world as a result.

It is likely that this group gives the SBCaffiliated signatories an outlet to voice their true opinions, with a fair shot of plausible deniability for their day jobs. Other denominations allow for this too, but they probably do a far better job of separating themselves from an outlier when they choose to.

Either way, the statement does not make any of these folks look good to anyone. Frankly it looks like the beginnings of a sanctified anti-LGBTQ+ program of apartheid—inside their denomination at the very least. Message to SBC leadership from someone who knows about this subject first hand: this doesn’t end well for you.

Here’s a spot of good news, if we want to call it that: Some of the presenters in both the main presentations and breakout sessions believe that LGBTQ+ people and the secular world have all but won the culture war. They think that the last election result was a fluke, the courts will continue to rule in favor of LGBTQ+ rights and their viewpoints will be condemned to the dustbin, if not worse. They advocate for a selective retreat from secular schools and culture, and suggest not completely expressing their religious views outside the home.

ILLUSTRATION: MELISSA GAY // PHOTOS: KELLY HUNTER AND ERLC

SOUTHERN BAPTISTS ARE QUITE CAPABLE OF UNCONDITIONAL LOVE AND PUBLIC STUPIDITY. WE REALLY SHOULD ENCOURAGE THE FORMER.

Now in fairness: the overwhelming majority of the people I am writing about here honestly and truly believe that even contemplating a favorable view of LGBTQ+ topics may place their mortal souls in peril.

I am personally dealing with a close relation going through this private hell, and I can assure you that these folks are not making all of this up. I agree that this is their problem and not ours, but I also think that most of us know as LGBTQ+ people what is it like to be genuinely scared.

It looks as if the SBC’s powers-that-be are trying to lock down the denomination’s theology concerning our community and to prepare for the long siege. So why wouldn’t we want them to just go behind their selfmade walls and disappear? Their quitting the fight in the secular world would take a massively annoying thorn out of our side at the very least.

Well, for starters, we actually do love them as fellow human beings. They tend to show their true colors when it really counts. Many don’t ask questions when emergencies happen, they just show up and show unconditional love and support for all who hurt. Some of them were there helping after the murders at Pulse. That should be commended and remembered.

More importantly, we need to keep in mind that there are sisters and brothers growing up in that denomination who

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PHOTOS: KELLY HUNTER AND ERLC

would be trapped behind those walls without outside support. When we engage the SBC types, we get to show the younger crowd especially that we exist and that there is nothing to fear either from us or from the special blessing inside more than a few of them.

It would make us all feel so, so good to see them run away. But pretty much every one of us down here has had at least one positive experience with this lot. It is the classic “Good German” argument applied to our particular circumstances. The SBC, especially their leadership, makes it really super easy to hate them sometimes, but we shouldn’t. It is quite obvious the majority

32

are scared of us and are acting accordingly.

We don’t mesh with their worldview, and if any group of people could use the “love bomb” approach from our side, it’s them.

Apartheid ended in South Africa mostly because the world held up a giant mirror for the white Protestant Christian Afrikaners to see themselves in, and it wasn’t a good look. Their kids changed and dragged many of the parents along. If we take the same approach with the SBC, I bet the same result will happen.

Boycotts don’t work, shame does.

Many of the younger SBC types are ashamed of their denomination’s position on LGBTQ+ people and would be willing to find a way out of this mess. A complete disengagement from younger Southern Baptist adults especially will only play into the hands of those who signed that bigoted statement.

Can they change? Odds are they can, and they’ve done it before. It won’t happen overnight, but I’m willing to bet 10-25 years out that we may see the same type of conference the SBC will hold this spring to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King applied to our community. Only they can change how they interpret that book of theirs, but stranger things have happened and I’m old enough to have seen some of this.

Ask yourself an important question: Can you imagine what could be done if we could bring this group of mostly decent people over to our side? We’re looking for the next Kings and Bonhoffers in this bunch, not the next bigots. Those are far too easy to find.

We’re looking for the ones who ask us to be brave and to have faith that we are truly blessed and not cursed. The ones who challenge and encourage us to be better human beings no matter our personal failings. The ones who raise us up when all we want to do is give up. The ones who will not hesitate to defend us no matter their conviction...who would willingly have taken a bullet for any of us at Pulse.

They’re out there. Let’s find them.

Julie Chase is the pen name for a local 40-something trans woman. A graduate of The University of the South at Sewanee, she loves butterflies, strong women and the Austrian School of Economics.

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

OCTOBER 2017

@OUTANDABOUTNASH

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JAMES GRADY

The Miss Gay America Pageant is coming around again, and again one of Nashville’s most talented queens is a strong contender. This year Play Dance Bar Playmate Brooke Lynn Hytes is competing, having qualified in Ohio. And she’s definitely one to watch!

She is a highly decorated queen, winning multiple Canadian titles before expanding her sights to the United States.

In 2013, she became Derby City Entertainer of the Year, and was first alternate for 2013 Entertainer of the Year. That same year she also won Miss Michigan Continental 2013, and first alternate for Miss Continental at Nationals—a crown she took in 2014.

Besides being an amazing pageant queen, Brooke Lynn Hytes brings unusually high skill levels to her performance and competition. In Canada, she was a professional dancer studying at Canada’s National Ballet School, before embarking her drag career.

In the midst of preparing for her competition, she was kind enough to share a few thoughts with O&AN!

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JAMES: Tell our readers a little about your path to competing in the Miss Gay America Pageant!

BROOKE LYNN HYTES: Sure! I became qualified in April when I placed first runner up at Miss Heart of America in Ohio. As far as preparation goes, I have been working really hard on some new talents, costumes and gowns that best showcase me and my talents.

JAMES: Participating in a major pageant always takes a dedicated team: tell us a little about your team, how you chose whom to work with, and what they have brought to your efforts?

BROOKE LYNN HYTES: It certainly takes a village.

My “team” consists of my promoters, David Pardue and Corey Wilson, who have been incredible both with their financial as well

support?

BROOKE LYNN HYTES: Miss Gay America Suzy Wong and former Miss Gay America (2016) Asia O’Hara have really been there for me every step of the way, offering me guidance and tips.

JAMES: What does it mean to you to participate in this national pageant, and where do you go from here, regardless of a win?

BROOKE LYNN HYTES: It means a platform to help and inspire others. I want to inspire people to want to be a part of this legacy or just to be better entertainers and people. As far as where I go from here? Hopefully, UP! JAMES: How has this particular pageant process changed your outlook, your drag style, your goals, etc.?

PHOTOS: ALEKSANDER ANTONIJEVIC, ALYSSA BARKER, KAROLINA KURAS, ERIKA WAGNER

as emotional support, as well as my good friend Reggie Hobbs, who will be doing my hair and dressing me at the pageant.

I love working with Reggie because he is very calming and soothing—something you need to have around during the chaos that is a pageant. He’s also one of the best wig stylists I know.

JAMES: Pageants aren’t cheap. How have you funded your participation, and who have been your major financial supporters?

BROOKE LYNN HYTES: I paid for most of it myself, actually. My promoters have been very helpful, and I have received great sponsorship from my friend Leslie Steele, as well as my sister Shae Shae Lareese.

JAMES: What other kinds of support have you received as you’ve been through this process? Who has been giving you moral

BROOKE LYNN HYTES: It has changed the way I look at my drag. I am starting to view it more as a business and look at it more from that side of things.

It hasn’t changed my drag style at all.

That is non-negotiable for me. And it really hasn’t changed my goals, because my goal has always been to keep on growing, learning and improving and that is exactly what I am doing now.

JAMES: What would you like to tell our readers?

BROOKE LYNN HYTES: I am so excited to be competing at MGA this year and I just want to thank everyone for all the love and support! And to all the girls out there who want to do a pageant but are nervous for whatever reason....DO IT! It is worth it.

You learn so much about yourself, you get inspired and got because of it. 35 @OUTANDABOUTNASH 1 5 Yget E A Rbetter S O F LG BT NEWS

MURFREESBORO’S SQUARE BRIMMED WITH PRIDE SECOND ANNUAL ‘BORO PRIDE DREW CROWDS

PHOTOS: JAMES GRADY

After a strong start in 2016, ‘Boro Pride returned for a second straight year, with dozens of vendors, food trucks, and thousands in attendance. Even gubernatorial candidate Karl Dean, the former mayor of Nashville, was in attendance!

When next year’s is scheduled be, sure to put it on your calendar.

It’s a Pride experience many have never had: Pride flags of all different stripes—transitional, trans, bear, etc.—flying high and draping bodies, but with the small town vibe of a festival on the square. The pace is slower, the event is smaller, the crowd includes many who haven’t made it to Nashville Pride—and it all goes to show the red counties that Pride is also a family value!

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OCTOBER 2017

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NASHVILLE JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL TO SCREEN “COMPARED TO WHAT?” DOCUMENTARY ON GAY CONGRESSMAN BARNEY FRANK JAMES GRADY

The 2017 Nashville Jewish Film Festival (NJFF) will run from October 17—November 11, 2017, with films showing at the Belcourt Theatre, Bellevue 8, and the Gordon Jewish Community Center. This will be the NJFF’s 17th year of bringing educational, entertaining and thought-provoking Jewish-themed films to Nashville.

This year’s lineup is diverse, including drama and intrigue with The Exception, a film about a young Jewish woman working in the household of Kaiser Wilhelm II after the rise of Nazi Germany, and Harmonia, a modern retelling of the story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar set in the midst of the Israeli Philharmonic. There are comedies, like The Kind Words, which tells the story of three siblings who decide to unravel the great mystery of their lives— who is their father?

And like all good festivals, the NJFF includes a few documentaries, including Compared to What? The Improbable Journey of Barney Frank. Frank, a Harvard College and Law School grad, worked in politics before getting elected, first to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1972, and then to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1980. Throughout his early career, Frank was well known as a hard dealing, abrasive, Jewish politician.

But in 1987, at the height of the AIDS crisis and public hysteria about those suffering from the emerging epidemic, Frank publicly came out as gay, after coming out to family, friends and close associates a few years prior. Frank battled public perception as an openly-gay lawmaker and rose to become the leading Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, holding the chairmanship from 2007–11, sponsoring famous legislation like the Dodd-Frank Act.

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In July 2012, he married his long-time partner, James Ready, becoming the first member of Congress to marry someone of the same sex while in office. Up to the end of his congressional career, Frank blazed trails, made friends and enemies, and for better or worse was subjected to scrutiny because of his identities. All of his actions were judged through the lenses of ‘gay’, but also ‘Jewish.’

For most of his life and entire Congressional career, Frank was known publicly as a Jew, and though he has become an agnostic, he continues to identify strongly with the Jewish community and has been careful throughout his career that his changing understandings of what that means not reflect negatively on other Jews. For example, when he stopped going to temple services on the High Holy Days he was careful to remain at home and out of the public eye in order that other Jews would not be criticized using his example.

The same could not always be said about his life as an openly gay man. While Frank learned much about identity politics by navigating the world as a Jew in a position of power in the United States, and the way his words and deeds would be construed to reflect on his community, he wasn’t always careful about how his life as an LGBT public figure would reflect on his community. That would come, but it was a lesson he could have learned earlier.

Frank is a fascinating figure for both the LGBT and the Jewish communities, and Compared to What? is an insightful introduction to the struggles of this bombastic, but caring, public servant.

The documentary, by filmmakers Sheila Carnavan and Mike Chandler, will be shown on Monday evening, October 30, 2017, 7:00 p.m. at the Belcourt Theatre, 2012 Belcourt Avenue, Nashville. For more information about the NJFF, see nashvillejff. net, or visit them on Facebook.

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TPAC.org is the official online source for buying tickets to TPAC events.

OC TO B E R 26-28, 2017 • T PAC ’ S P O L K T H E ATE R From the artistic director who created Dracula in 2015 Tickets at www.nashvilleballet.com or (615) 782-4040 Presenting Sponsor:

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

OCTOBER 2017

Media Sponsor:

Additional Funding Provided by: