SEPT 2012
k l o F , y z z u F d Gay an
VOLUME 11 I ISSUE 9
First issue free, each additional 50 cents
E ON Y E S ’ SET E C UM A B F L Z A Z FU SING A E L RE
The art of masculine fashion IN THIS ISSUE The Lavender Table
WINNER!
BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL 2011 TONY AWARD® Starring
RACHEL YORK
“A DELUXE CANDY BOX OF
COLE PORTER’S BEST SONGS” Directed and Choreographed by
KATHLEEN MARSHALL illustration by robert rodriguez
any thinggoesthemusic al .com
R o u n d a b o u t t h e at R e c o m pa n y i s a n ot- f o R - p R o f i t o R g a n i z at i o n .
October 23-28 at TPAC public On-Sale FRiDaY, SeptembeR 7
TPAC.Org/Anythinggoes 615-782-4040
TPAC Box Office Downtown Groups of 10 or more call 615-782-4060 Presented by
When Out & About,
it ’s all about your Label.
Wardrobe for Every Man
2222 12th Avenue South, Nashville, TN. 37204 • 615.915.0722 info@thelabelnashville.com - ww.thelabelnashville.com
Quiet Performance.
Turanza tires with Serenity technology* absorb road noise and deliver a smooth, quiet ride.
*Available on Turanza Serenity and Serenity Plus models. For your nearest Bridgestone Authorized Retailer, visit our website
bridgestonetire.com
or call 1-877-TIRE-USA.
12bridge8868-1 Mpsc OutAbout 9.5x10.75.indd 1
7/31/12 11:28 AM
SEPTEMBER 2012
O U T A N D A B O U T N E W S PA P E R . CO M
3
N E W S
LOCAL
Avant Garde heads ‘Under the Big Top’ by O&AN STAFF REPORTS
615-246-2787 PHONE 615-596-6210 FAX
outandaboutnewspaper.com
STAFF
PUBLISHER Avant Garde will be held Saturday, Nov. 10. "Get ready to have sensory overload as the venue is converted to a late 1800s circus with fire breathers, stilt walkers and many, many more sideshow acts. Who will the ringmaster be? ... You will have to just wait and see." Tickets will be on sale the second week of September. O&AN
Cho brings‘MOTHER’ tour to Zanie’s
NAGAAA World Series Results by O&AN STAFF REPORTS
4
O U T A N D A B O U T N E W S PA P E R . C O M
LAYOUT & PRODUCTION
editor@outandaboutnewspaper.com
nward@outandaboutnewspaper.com
SALES MANAGER
ADVERTISING DESIGN
ahaley@outandaboutnewspaper.com
dhuff@outandaboutnewspaper.com
DISTRIBUTION
WEBMASTER
gwebster@outandaboutnewspaper.com
rhuber@outandaboutnewspaper.com
Patrick Armstrong
Neil Ward
Donna Huff
Allen Haley
George Webster
Ryan Huber
Rivendell Media, 212-242-6863 1248 Route 22 West, Mountainside, NJ 07092
Margaret Cho is launching her brand new stand up comedy tour, “MOTHER,” this Fall with a stop in Nashville at Zanie's on Wednesday, Sept. 19, at 7 and 9 p.m. Cho has been nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her portrayal as Kim Jong Il on NBC’s “30 Rock.” Ticket’s can be purchased at www.nashville.zaines.com or buy calling (615) 269-0221. O&AN
A Division Champions: #3 Atlanta Sluggers B Division Champions: #34 Long Beach Rounders 2.0 C Division Champions: #16 Tampa Venom D Division Champions: #24 Seattle Inferno
MANAGING EDITOR
NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE
by O&AN STAFF REPORTS
Series Tournament Champions
Jerry Jones
jjones@outandaboutnewspaper.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Ellen Angelico, Zack Barnes, Joseph Brownell, Ryan Darrow, Shannon Freeman, Jessica Gibson, Hollis Hollywood, Beth Roth, Ryan Whipkey, and Joe Morris
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Gina Anderson, Jessi Coggins, Keith Hinkle, Ethan James, Sid Niazi, Jeremy Ryan, and Kelly Searcy
OPPORTUNITIES
Out & About Newspaper welcomes volunteer writers, photographers and videographers throughout the year. If you’re interested in contributing to our publication, send an email to editor@outandaboutnewspaper.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.
Nashville Teams
Force: 13th place overall Stars: 25th place overall Misfits: 17th place overall Blaze: 33rd place overall
COVER
Photo by Jessi Coggins, Special thanks to FuzzFace.
LEGAL
Out & About Newspaper strives to be a credible community news organization by engaging and educating our readers. All content of Out & About Newspaper is copyrighted 2008 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 Newspaper accepts unsolicited material but cannot take responsibility for its return. The editor reserves the right to accept, reject or edit and submission. All rights revert to authors upon publication. The editorial positions of Out & About Newspaper 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 Newspaper or its staff. Letters to the editor are encouraged but may be edited for clarity and length. All letters sent may not be published. Out & About Newspaper only accepts adult advertising within set guidelines and on a case by case basis.
SEPTEMBER 2012
N E W S
LOCAL
Alleged newspaper theft has been identified by O&AN STAFF REPORTS
After a two year battle, Out & About Newspaper in Nashville has identified the person who has allegedly been taking hundreds of newspapers and disposing of them. The rack located in Light Hall on Vanderbilt University’s campus were being thrown in a trash can
or recycling bin by an employee who has been there for 30 years. The video footage shows the person approaching only the O&AN rack, taking about 100 papers and discarding. Jerry Jones, publisher of O&AN, was the one who was noticing the newspapers stacks missing from the rack and found them disposed of. “We’ve asked for help from Vanderbilt Police and from Vanderbilt’s Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action and Disability Services Office,” Jones said. “While they expressed great concern that a potential employee or student could be doing this, they offered no assistance in making it stop unless we secured the identity of the person responsible.” After Vanderbilt was notified about he theft on Monday, they contacted the District Attorney’s Office and the person was identified the next day. What prompted Vanderbilt Police to take action this time was because of a cost attached to this issue. “We included the statement ‘first issue free, each additional 50 cents’ so that if theft happened again, we could take action,” said Patrick Armstrong, managing editor/creative director of O&AN. Armstrong was named managing editor two months ago, and when he was briefed on the theft he suggested adding the cost for each additional issue. “When I was in college, I was told stories about our student newspaper being stolen several years ago,” he said. “What they did to combat this was place a cost on it and it worked to end the theft.” For this issue, O&AN had planned a stack out
by the newspaper stand. “We had people scheduled in the morning and afternoon to catch the person, but the last theft occurred at a time when know one was there,” Armstrong said. The motive for the theft is unknown at this time. “Vanderbilt is such an inclusive and supportive environment for its GLBT community, employees, students and patients, that we’re surprised such a hate filled action would take place there,” Jones said. “We would like to thank VUPD and the District Attorney’s Office who have been worked on this. We would also like to thank our readers who shared this story via social media,” Armstrong said. “Our readers felt like their voice in the community was being suppressed by this individual’s actions. We have been apart of their lives for 10 years and we will continue to be the voice of the Nashville GLBT community.” For more information visit www. outandaboutnewspaper.com or follow them on Facebook and Twitter. O&AN
Facebook.com/outandaboutnews Twitter.com/outandaboutnews
writers wANteD Are you skilled with A pen? do you hAve A wAy with words? do you wAnt to see your nAme in print? we Are looking to expAnd our teAm of volunteer writers. interested writers pleAse send A writing sAmple to BeN rock At eDitor@outANDABoutNewspAper.com.
Nashville – 636 Old Hickory Boulevard Chattanooga – 7734 Lee Highway Knoxville – 230 Papermill Place Way
McKay
Buy • Sell • Trade www.mckaybooks.com
Used Books, CDs, Movies, & More
Find Something You Want Now posting great McKay finds on Facebook & Twitter!
SEPTEMBER 2012
O U T A N D A B O U T N E W S PA P E R . CO M
5
N E W S
LOCAL
Lavender Table Show ‘Keeps the Conversation Going’ in Knoxville
by MIKE BREWER, CONTRIBUTING WRITER mbrewer@outandaboutnewspaper.com
As Knoxville continues to earn national accolades for its gay-friendly reputation, Gary Elgin is doing what he can to keep the conversation going. Part intimate profile series and part online E! Network for the locals, Elgin affectionately describes The Lavender Table – his one-man web talk show – as “the Charlie Rose for Queers.” His efforts have earned him an opportunity to conduct “red carpet” interviews at TEP’s Olympus on Sept. 22. True to his chosen form, The Lavender Table’s YouTube channel features an interesting series of one-on-ones, the likes of which you’d probably hear on a GLBT-only version of NPR. A video journalist who Pictured here, singer, songwriter, Karen Reynolds, who shared her song "It's defies conventional softball Okay To Say Gay" with The Lavender Table audience, during the first season. questions and traditional subject matter, Elgin has posted thought-provoking interviews with Conrad Honicker, a former Knox County High student who gained national notoriety for founding the school’s Gay-Straight Alliance, as well as local PFLAG co-chair Larry Kitchen
PFLAG - Memphis Donates $15,000 to Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center MGLCC Successfully Completes 3-Month Challenge Campaign to Match Donation by O&AN STAFF REPORTS
Memphis - The Memphis chapter of Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) has donated $15,000 to help support Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center’s (MGLCC) life-enhancing, life-saving programs and services. PFLAG previously donated $5,000 specifically to MGLCC’s counseling referral program to ensure that folks in our community can connect to counselors who respect every individual regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. This second gift completes an offered $20,000 total donation from PFLAG-Memphis to MGLCC for 2012. PFLAG-Memphis treasurer Dee Billmeier states, “For 40 glorious years, [PFLAG has] been educating, supporting and advocating for gays, lesbians,
6
O U T A N D A B O U T N E W S PA P E R . C O M
who shares his views on how GLBT activism differs in Knoxville from his native Chicago. Another left-of-center Lavender Table interview has Joseph Lowery, a renowned chef, discussing Knoxville’s history of ’70s gay marriages at Epworth Center. In another segment, Elgin asks John Wilson, a Knoxville drag performer at Rainbow Club West (stage name Anastasia Alexander), “John, tell me what it’s like being brown and gay.” “I was inspired by Charlie because he had a unique style,” Elgin said. “One man and one guest at a table.” Now in its second season on YouTube with a relatively small but growing subscriber base, Elgin recently hosted a three-part show with Del Shores, renowned Author of “Sordid Lives.” He’s also netted promotional show teasers by Knox County Commissioner Amy Broyles. A long-time chairman of Knoxville Pride over the years and activist for the city, Elgin started The Lavender Table in his dining room. “After I handed over the reins of Pride, I had to go in a different direction of my life,” Elgin said. “I thought, ‘Well, you’re a performer, Gary, so get out there and perform.’ So I did. The first shows were done with a portable Sony camera around my oak dining room table.” No stranger to controversial subject matter, Elgin has recently been taking The Lavender Table on the road, with stops at gay-friendly bars and businesses in Knoxville. During one such production, Elgin hosted a stand-up Q&A where patrons were encouraged to share their opinions on hot-button topics like Chickfil-A and gay marriage equality. For his part, Elgin says working to promote GLBT acceptability in Knoxville a bittersweet endeavor. “Knoxville has matured to point that I couldn’t have even dreamed of 20 years ago,” Elgin said. “We are seeing it already. Of course the gay bars here are still popular. But they are nowhere near as packed as it used to be because we’re now welcome anywhere in our community. I think a part of us celebrates, but a part of us grieves because our work will be over. Let’s keep the conversation going.” O&AN bisexual and transgender persons worldwide. PFLAG is one of the oldest and most far-reaching gay rights organizations in the United States, with over 200,000 members and 350 local chapters. But the majority of the work done in the Memphis community to support the causes we are all championing is done by the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center.” MGLCC Executive Director, Will Batts, said, “PFLAG and MGLCC are strong partners in the struggle for LGBT equality. PFLAG’s gift will help us expand the services we offer to the more than 4,500 people who visit us each year in search of assistance, support and community. We are incredibly grateful to PFLAG for their generosity.” The Memphis PFLAG chapter was founded in 1986. It meets on the first Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. at the Benjamin Hooks Central Library on Poplar. For more information, see www.pflag.org. For more information about MGLCC’s programs and services, see www. mglcc.org. O&AN
SEPTEMBER 2012
Have a news tip or a story you would like us to report? Send us a message on twitter - Twitter.com/outandaboutnews
SEPTEMBER 2012
O U T A N D A B O U T N E W S PA P E R . CO M
7
N E W S
BUSINESS
The Art of Masculine Fashion by JESSI GIBSON, CONTRIBUTING WRITER jgibson@outandaboutnewspaper.com
September marks the first anniversary of The Label, the unique boutique that brings singular style to the modern Nashville man. Of course, for some guys the word boutique may conjure up thoughts of frilly, lacy, ephemeral objects and frufru pieces. The Label smashes that image with a sledgehammer. This is a store for men. Located in the 12th South district, The Label is as eclectic-yet-put-together as the stars that stylist Renee Layher, owner of the boutique, has worked with. The artfully bricked building was chosen for its proximity to Music Row, along with its easy parking in the rear and side of the building. Featuring reclaimed
Experience you need. Results you want. Benjamin Papa Attorney & Mediator
• Adoption • Surrogacy
• Powers of Attorney
• Domestic Partnership Dissolutions • Probate • Domestic • Wills Partnership • Child Custody Agreements • Divorce
615.425.2268
www.paparoberts.com
bpapa@paparoberts.com 5500 Maryland Way, Suite 133 Brentwood, Tennessee 37027
8
O U T A N D A B O U T N E W S PA P E R . C O M
wooden furniture and statement pieces from DAO, walking into The Label is impressive. The store almost has the feel of an art gallery, and everything is for sale. With whale vertebrae in the window, a chandelier made of Shure microphones, furry cowhides on the floor in lieu of rugs, and weathered guitars by Allan Tomkins custom made for Gary lining the walls, this is a store that quietly proclaims its confident rebellion against the status quo from the door. That rebellion is carried even further in the stack of Out and About newspapers located in the center of the room – a proclamation that The Label is not only friendly to the GLBT community, but actively welcomes everyone. Then, of course, there are the clothes. “These designers are artists, really,” Layher said. Featuring exclusive lines and collections from notable designers such as Antonio Barragan (Demon Riff), Jeff Garner (Prophetik), Frank Rodriguez (V22) and Elon Ahol (5150 Leathers). The Label emphatically brings the art of masculine fashion to Nashville. Using a huge variety of textiles and textures such as leather, wool, cotton, denim and even bamboo, these artists create one-of pieces that are original and beg to be worn. That Layher has such close relationships with designers of this caliber speaks volumes about her success in the fashion industry. The close relationships also bring another benefit: 90-95 percent of these clothes are designed and manufactured in the U.S.
SEPTEMBER 2012
If clothes make the man, then accessories are what complete him. The Label features the work of leather and jewelry designers just as exclusive as the clothing lines they carry. Along with the leather cuffs and belts of 5150, and the solid and intense vintage silver jewelry by Christian Evans, you can also find highly usefulyet-stylish bags from Tucker and Bloom, and hats from the “Hollywood Hat Maker” Baron Hats (think “Indiana Jones,” “True Grit,” “Madmen” and “Public Enemies”). The options for creating your unique, signature look are almost endless. For some, the range of styles and designs available can become somewhat overwhelming. “Guys don’t shop,” said Monica Thompson. “They buy.” Thompson is the manager of The Label, and she is the force that drives the dayto-day business. With 18 years in both ladies and menswear, she is well-suited – pardon the pun – for her role as caretaker of The Label. That knowledge, understanding that so many choices and options can become overwhelming, is The Label’s secret weapon. A gentleman’s first visit will result in measurements being recorded, greatly saving time on subsequent trips. Those who feel intimidated or irritated with shopping for clothes can confidently walk into The Label, access celebritylevel stylists who will efficiently help achieve the look desired, and get you on your way. Those who like a slower pace of shopping will find lots of fun little details on the clothes, and staff who honestly love to talk about what they
N E W S
BUSINESS
do. How have shoppers responded? “Once they come in they are returning clients,” Layher said. She is casual cool, with a downto-earth confidence that makes it easy to understand why she has been so successful in the fickle world of fashion. After cutting her teeth with Ralph Lauren in New York in the early ’90s, she relocated to Nashville later in the decade. Finding herself feeling boxed in by her corporate job, she began to look for other options. With encouragement and assistance from the creative director
of Warner Brothers, Janice Azrak, she began her career as a wardrobe stylist. Her first job was with the Lynns. In the years since, she has worked with celebrities and bands including; The Band Perry, Journey, Brooks and Dunn, The Dixie Chicks, Martina McBride and her business partner Gary Allen. She remarks the store came about in answer to her frustrations in finding the right pieces for the celebrities she served as a stylist for. “I found I was always traveling to New York or L.A. to find those signature pieces,” Layher said.
While the constant travel brought its own personal frustrations, she was finding that style budgets for her stars were being slashed, and the travel costs were eroding her ability to procure the pieces she needed. One afternoon about two and a half years ago, while having lunch with Allen, she remarked that she was thinking of creating a store that would carry designers she had developed relationships with over the two decades she has been in the industry. “Let’s do it,” Allen replied. And so began the partnership that culminated in The Label. The Label will be hosting a gathering to celebrate its first anniversary on Sept. 13. Layher lights up when she talks about the event. Demon Riff designer Antonio Barragan will be in attendance, along with other
At this rate, you might think about remodeling your kitchen.
All photos by Phillip Chadwell, contributing photographer.
designers carried by the store. She hints at perhaps a celebrity or two as well. At the event, Layher will announce details of a rental option from The Label that will be starting soon. Renting the same unique and artistic clothes the store is known for will allow even more Nashville men to experience The Label. Whether you need to stand out in the office with professional yet whimsical suits from Moods of Norway, or want to soak up every bit of the spotlight on stage with jewelry from Jennifer Jesse Smith, The Label is where you go to create the look that gets you looks. The Label is open Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you prefer to shop one-on-one set up a private appointment by calling (615) 394-1541. O&AN
Rates as low as
3.49
%
APR1
Get a great rate on a Home Equity Line of Credit. There’s never been a better time to make those home improvements you’ve been thinking about. U.S. Bank is offering a Home Equity Line of Credit at a great rate of just 3.49% APR with no closing costs.2 Not to mention potential tax advantages,3 great service and convenient branch locations. Start adding value to your home today.
branch usbank.com/ratediscount 800.209.BANK 1. 3.49% Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is available on Equiline Home Equity Lines of Credit with a U.S. Bank Package, a $100,000 credit line and an 80% loan-to-value (LTV) or less. The APR will vary with Prime Rate as published in the Wall Street Journal. As of August 1, 2012 the variable rate for home equity lines of credit $100,000 or more ranged from 3.49% APR to 8.49% APR. Lines less than $100,000 range between 3.99% APR and 8.99% APR. Higher rates apply for lower credit limit or higher LTV. The rate will not vary above 25% APR or applicable state law, nor below 3.25% APR. An annual fee up to $90 may apply after the first year. Offer is subject to normal credit qualifications. Rates are subject to change. 2. Property insurance is required. 3. Consult your tax advisor regarding the deductibility of interest. Some restrictions may apply. Home Equity Loans and Lines of Credit are offered through U.S. Bank National Association ND. ©2012 U.S. Bancorp. All rights reserved. Member FDIC.
SEPTEMBER 2012
O U T A N D A B O U T N E W S PA P E R . CO M
9
A R T S
&
E N T E R T A I N M E N T
MUSIC
Former O&AN Writer releases album by ELLEN ANGELICO, CONTRIBUTING WRITER eangelico@outandaboutnewspaper.com
Here at Out & About Newspaper, we like to hire high achievers. Myself, for instance. I am a master popcornmaker and I also vacuumed this morning. So when I caught up with our former contributing writer, Homer Marrs, it’s no surprise to hear he’s
released a hilarious new EP called “Prom King” or performed a song on Jimmy Kimmel Live via webcam. The Chicago-based Marrs writes fun, catchy music that sounds like Jonathan Coulton read David Sedaris all weekend and then wrote an EP. “The band I'm most often equated to is They Might Be Giants, which I take as a huge compliment,” Marrs said. “My personal tastes run darker and heavier, which surfaces sometimes in covers I'll do live, like ‘Iron Maiden’ or ‘Danzig.’ Sometimes people think I'm joking when I do them, but I'm not.” He might not be joking about his love of metal, but he is joking a lot of
ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT
nd 2 2 R E B SEPTEM
10 a.m. to Sponsored by
K R A P L A I N N E T N E C t a . 4 p.m
9:00 am Mutt Strutt Registration 9:45 am Time to Strutt 10:00 am Dog Day Festival
Mutt Strutt
$25 Adult $20 Youth Kids 10 & Under Free
Dog Day Festival
2012 Top Dog
Chu
nk!
$5 Donation Mutt Strutters and Kids 10 & Under Free
REGISTER TODAY: www.nhamuttstrutt.org Top Fundraisers win great prizes! For more information, visit www.nashvillehumane.org FREELAND
SUPERSTORE
10
O U T A N D A B O U T N E W S PA P E R . C O M
SEPTEMBER 2012
the rest of the time. In addition to music, he’s also a talented comic, writer and actor. He’s worked for Second City in Chicago, written for magazines in Las Vegas, and maintains a hilarious monthly column called “Marrs Attacks.” Marrs adds, “I’m a little embarrassed of the title, but at this point I’m very happy to have a regular outlet to keep that muscle going.” For now though, music is Marrs’s focus. “Getting ‘Prom King’ heard and performed is taking up a lot of my energy. Since this is my first effort in music, I'm a newbie and so it's very tough to get anyone to listen to the EP or to want to have me play at their show. But I'm used to persistence and rejection from the other arts, so I'm patient.” Marrs is also — surprise! — gay. “I feel fortunate to be an openly gay artist in a time when so many barriers have already been broken,” Marrs said. “I can incorporate being gay into my work without having to make it the focal point of my work. In 2012, you can be out and proud without having to write every song about gay rights or how it felt to be marginalized as a child.” If you check out “Prom King,” there are a lot of hilarious pictures of Marrs dressed up as a sad/angry/ generally emotional prom king. Fantastically, Marrs was, in fact, prom king in high school. “The older I get the funnier that becomes. I think of a prom king as an all-American clean-cut jock with a future in finance, which I was not.” Marrs will be performing in Seattle at XL Weekend Bear Run over Labor Day weekend and often plays clubs and variety shows in the Chicago area. You can check him out at homermarrs.com, facebook.com/homermarrsmusic, and @HomerMarrs on Twitter. Download his EP, “Prom King,” at homermarrs. bandcamp.com at your own risk — I’ve had his “Facebook Song” stuck in my head for three days now. O&AN
SEPTEMBER 2012
O U T A N D A B O U T N E W S PA P E R . CO M
11
A R T S
&
E N T E R T A I N M E N T
‘I’m Billy. The Vampire Slayer. And You Are?’ by BEN ROCK, CONTRIBUTING WRITER brock@outandaboutnewspaper.com
After its seven seasons on television, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” has garnered quite the following in the gay community. Even now, almost 10 years after its final television episode aired, it is a source of strength for countless young GLBT men and women going through the hellish tribulations known as high
COMICS
school. Those who are older can still relate to its “high school as hell” metaphor. Not only does Buffy portray one of the most realistic lesbian relationships in television with its pairing of Willow Rosenberg and Tara Maclay, it also accurately paints the coming out process as Willow embraces her attraction to the same sex and reveals her relationship with Tara to her friends. Buffy herself also serves as a source of empowerment for many young men and women dealing with the stresses of high school: bullying, sexuality, drug abuse and the ever-present desire to fit in and be normal. Still, for a show so progressive in its thinking, the characters have had such an impact on young gay men and women are all female or heterosexual. For the young gay male, there is not a character he can truly
relate to. Until now. In the Dark Horse Comics continuation of the series, now halfway through its Season Nine, veteran Buffy scribes Jane Espenson and Drew Z. Greenberg have returned to the series that launched their careers and have introduced its first gay male character. Out & About Newspaper sat down with the two writers to discuss “Billy” and the potential for his reappearance in the confirmed Season Ten.
Out & About Newspaper: When it was first announced you two were creating a new gay male character, the Buffy, comics, and GLBT communities became abuzz with all kinds of speculation: Who he could be? What he would bring to the cast? Would he be a love-interest for the sexually-ambiguous Andrew Wells? Would Andrew finally be coming out? With the hints that he will have a new way of slaying vampires, what can you tell me about the new character appearing in your arc in issues 14 & 15? Where did he come from? How is going to play into the story?
Jane Espenson: I'm thrilled to hear that we caused such astir! He comes from somewhere in California, and he is going to play into the story [of the new world without magic] in an awesome way. Really, there's not much we can say yet about him, except that...well... really...there are TWO new characters. O&AN: Whose idea was it to introduce this new character? And why a gay male when the Buffy-verse already had such a strong GLBT presence in Willow? JE: I've been working on my own online comedy called Husbands (http://husbandstheseries.com), and as I was doing that it struck me that Buffy's message
12
O U T A N D A B O U T N E W S PA P E R . C O M
SEPTEMBER 2012
A R T S
COMICS
me to influence her taste in drinks to such an extent that I now always have someone to share my Malibu and Coke with me when the opportunity arises, so there's also that.
O&AN: What inspired the midseason introduction rather than near the beginning with the rest of the new characters? DG: I'm glad he gets a chance to shine in his own origin story. Truly, Joss [Whedon, Buffy creator] and Andrew Chambliss have done such a great job charting the entire arc for Season Nine; I must admit I was pleasantly surprised to find out where our particular two-part story would fall within the context of the season. I think it'll be a fun ride for the readers.
&
E N T E R T A I N M E N T
JE: We get to see some of his story before he intersects with Buffy, so he's not discovered in place like the others. These issues are his introduction. O&AN: If things play out as they have in previous seasons of Buffy and Angel, characters introduced at midseason points are usually upgraded to regular cast member status the following season. Are there plans to do this with the newbie in Season Ten? Or will his story be limited to this arc/this season? JE & DG: Season TEN?!?!
DG: As my boss at Warehouse 13, Jack Kenny, often says when asked these types of questions: "I just got very, very tired." O&AN Read more at outandaboutnewspaper.com
is bigger than just telling girls they can triumph. So many young men got through difficult high school years while drawing strength from Buffy, and it felt to me as though there was something there that deserved to be brought into the story on the page. Willow's journey is equally important, but it's a different journey. If you're going to take on a rainbow, all the stripes are worth taking seriously. I think I brought the idea to Drew, but it's possible he was working toward this idea on his own via his own path.
Drew Z. Greenberg: Jane's absolutely right, she brought up the idea first. I will say, back when we were working on Buffy (the TV show), I used to joke often about how, given enough time, I was determined to introduce a gay demon fighter, to which Jane would always respond (with perfect deadpan timing): why would someone want to fight gay demons? But the truth is, I always hoped we'd have the chance to introduce a regular gay character into the mix. When the show ended, I assumed the opportunity had passed. The comics gave us another bite at the apple, and Jane's commitment and determination made the possibility real. When Joss said yes, I was thrilled. The wish had become reality. And if I might add, this is one of the most remarkable things about having someone like Jane Espenson in the world: her empathy, her ability to see past her own experience and tell stories from the distinct points of view of others, all combined with her fierce drive and passion to tell those stories...it all comes together to make her a great ally. She's doing all this amazing work on behalf of LGBT people. We're very lucky to have her on our side. Seriously, if she wasn't, she'd be terrifying. And she has allowed SEPTEMBER 2012
O U T A N D A B O U T N E W S PA P E R . CO M
13
pet names that lovers in my life have given me, you’d have some pretty awful band names. No one wants to play the new “Cuddle Monster” album or go to “Bed Angel’s” concert, but when you take a look at Chris Teague, Lucian Nicholson, Matt Woodruff and Samuel Damewood you see why the name Fuzz Face is a perfect fit. A penchant for scruffy guys, their own varying degrees of facial hair plus a Craigslist missed connection make for a humorous origin story.
“Fuzz Face was a pet name I was given by an online friend a few months before the band formed. I saw a guy in a waiting room at a tanning salon and couldn’t muster the courage to say hello,” singer Woodruff admitted. “My friends convinced me to post a [Craigslist] Missed Connection ad and he responded. He started calling me Fuzz Face and I guess it kinda stuck.” Aside from being a pet name, Fuzz Face also describes the band’s vibe. “It encompasses the rawness and ‘rough around the edges’ vibe we love to have,”
Damewood said. Coming from various musical backgrounds, the guys instantly clicked and were able to build upon each other’s diverse musical tastes to create a “furry and fun” sound. “Mumford & Sons definitely have an impact on our sound arrangement. We’re very attracted to using minimalist /offbeat percussion instruments,” Teague said. But don’t expect every track to sound like a Mumford record. Damewood started out playing jazz and bluegrass, Teague has written a children’s musical,
Nichols has spent his time honing his guitar and dobro skills, and Woodruff has strong pop sensibilities. The culmination is music plays across a wide spectrum of genres. “When I listen to our song “Furry Belly” I hear this unique rockabilly sound and wonder where that even came from?” Woodruff questioned. It doesn’t matter where it came from, what matters is that these guys know exactly where they want to go. Into iTunes, your CD player, your car and your home stereo – it doesn’t matter. Fuzz Face has been working diligently for the resources to fund their
first EP. “So many folks ask us at our concerts where they can pick up our CD,” Teague said. Using Kickstarter, the band is currently more than two-thirds of the way to making sure the next time someone asks where they can get the album they will be directed to their merch table. Kickstarter has become the new electronic wave of raising funds for artists and musicians. A group sets a monetary goal and then different level in which fans can interact and receive perks for helping the band achieve their goal.
In true Fuzz Face fashion, the levels are named after varying degrees of facial hair. The $10 level, The Mustache, gives fans a digital advance of the EP when it’s complete. The $25, or The Fu Manchu, gives fans the digital release plus a limited edition T-shirt. As the levels increase the perks increase as well. But what should fans expect from the EP? “The EP is going to be a close representation of the sound you hear when you see us perform live,” Woodruff explained. “We’re eager to finally have a FUZZ FACE cont’d on page 16
FUZZ FACE cont’d from page 15 tangible representation of our music that fans can take home with them.” In addition to the Kickstarter campaign, Fuzz Face has put a lot of energy into honing their live shows. For those who have yet to attend a show Teague promises “high-energy folk music with twangy, tongue-in-cheek lyrics and raw, sweeping ballads from a queer, human perspective.”
“Whether there are 2 or 200,000 people out there, we will entertain and have fun to the fullest,” Damewood added. But if their first headlining show at Canvas Lounge was any sign of things to come, they won’t have to worry about only two people showing up. “We played to a packed house and were overwhelmed so many fuzzy and fuzzy as heart folks came out to show their support,” Woodruff said. But
All photos by Jessi Coggins
16
O U T A N D A B O U T N E W S PA P E R . C O M
SEPTEMBER 2012
this is just the first step in an expansive set of shows to come. “We want to bring this fun to your town,” Damewood exclaimed. “So make sure you contact and book us!” The Fuzz Face mission doesn’t stop with music though. A portion of the proceeds from their Kickstarter campaign will benefit Ben Cohen’s StandUP Foundation, the world's first foundation dedicated to anti-bullying. Nicholson admits to being bullied as teenager so the band’s decision to work with StandUP was a no-brainer. But don’t expect the band to ignore the obvious. “Have you seen Ben Cohen,” Woodruff coyly asked. “WOOF!” In addition to the band’s work with StandUP, Damewood is also the founder of the Peeled Labels Organization- a company aimed at “allowing artists to perform without prejudice.” “Sexuality should have no bearing on a band’s ability to reach an audience,” Damewood said. Damewood’s Peeled Label Organization is working to promote unity within the music industry but at the same time help HIV/AIDS awareness and cancer research. With such strong convictions who wouldn’t want Fuzz Face to succeed? Log on and help Fuzz Face ‘kick start’ this EP. You can find Fuzz Face on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fuzzfaceband on the web at www.fuzzfacemusic.com and help fund their Kickstarter campaign at www.kickstarter.com/ projects/2027027244/fuzz-face-recording-our-debutep-album. O&AN
A R T S
DRAG
My bling diva
Miss Gay Tennessee America by HOLLIS HOLIDAY, CONTRIBUTING WRITER hollis@outandaboutnewspaper.com
Don Wolfe and Howard Watts love a good drag pageant as much as they love to travel. Of course travel isn’t cheap and the sheer number of local, state and national pageants meant they had to be incredibly selective about which they chose to attend. Until in 2010 they had a eureka moment and hatched a plan that thrust them into the center of the pageant world itself. Noting the gap between cheaply made costume jewelry large and flashy enough to appeal to performers and pageant contestants and the high dollar highest quality pieces typically sold at pageants themselves, the Memphis businessmen, dads and partners decided to fill it with something in between. Adopting the business name “My Bling Diva,” they began sourcing moderately priced, high quality drag jewelry, then loading up their SUV and heading out to pageants all over the Mid-South.
Don remembers the first trip out with the new venture they nicknamed “The Diva.” “Our first trip with the Diva was very exciting. We put everything we had on a four-foot table and were so proud and very well received. Sales were so good we had to go to a local wholesaler to restock for the night. We felt right off the bat that female impersonators want a big look for not a lot of dollars, so we focused on filling that niche. We learned real fast what the girls liked and that we had to carry a larger inventory.” Getting help from professionals to create a brand they could be proud of and represented their vision was important to the partners, who knew creating a website was the next logical step. “We consulted with a graphic designer about a logo. We had an idea with a Marilyn Monroe type persona. She listened to us, but had a different approach in mind. One that was more in line with the concept of a Diva,” Watts recalls. “When we saw the Diva Eye logo she created, we knew that was it, and it has been our stamp on the bling business ever since.” As sales online and at shows rapidly grew, and they began to make contacts throughout the pageant world, Wolfe and Watts began to consider another dream: owning a pageant of their own. The Miss Gay America system appealed to them the most. “We had been around the MGTNA system for several years,” Wolfe said. “We have seen it change ownership several times and always thought it would be fun to own the pageant. The last owner let us know that
&
E N T E R T A I N M E N T
he was not going to renew his franchise and with us owning the Diva it was a natural tie in for us. We love the art of female impersonation and the America system really seeks out the best to compete.” So far the new pageant owners have found their new venture thrilling and are ready to show Tennessee a spectacular event. “Our friends and supporters have been cheering us on through it all. We are excited to show everyone what talent we have in this great state. We never do any thing small, so this years Miss Gay Tennessee pageant is going to be an event to remember. This is the first time in years that the pageant is 2 days and we are excited that we have 10 great contestants. The gowns and talent presentations will be spot on and the Competition will be fierce. We have 5 contestants from the Middle Tennessee area, which is just the beginning of our quest to expand the system.” The future looks bright for Wolfe and Watts. Don shares with O&A, “We have several goals set for both our ventures. The Diva is growing in presence online and at events. Hopefully one day we can quit our day jobs and ship bling all over the country. As for MGTNA we want our state to be one that is recognized on a national level. We want Miss Gay Tennessee America to be America at its Best, which is our slogan as well as the state slogan. We see great promise for the future of both our baby's and like any parent we will be there through the ups and the downs till they both succeed.” O&AN
Miranda’s
ADULT STORES
novelties • DVDs • games supplements • lubes • leather goods lingerie • books • cards Gay DVD’s starting at $4.99
Largest selection of gay products in Tennessee GAY OWNED AND OPERATED
Nashville
Nashville West
Jackson
Clarksville
Elkton
Chattanooga
Bucksnort
Greensboro (NC)
822 5th Ave South 615/ 256-1310
5329 Charlotte Ave 615/ 383-2160
186 Providence Rd 731/ 424-7226
19 Crossland Ave 931/ 648-0365
1166 Bryson Rd 931/ 468-2900
2025 Broadstreet 423/ 266-5956
4970 Hwy 230 931/ 729-2006
1310 E Bessemer Ave 336/ 274-7188
SEPTEMBER 2012
O U T A N D A B O U T N E W S PA P E R . CO M
17
A R T S
&
E N T E R T A I N M E N T
THEATRE
Dance Theatre of Tennessee launches its 2012-13 season with the inaugural Ballet in the Park series
Find your
nest with
by O&AN STAFF REPORTS
Kate
REaL ESTaTE with KaTE Build your nest. Build your nest egg.
Kate Nelson Village Real Estate Services RealEstatewithKate.com direct 615-268-0319 office 615-383-6964 kate@villagerealestate.com
photos as: Dance Theatre of Tennessee's "Carmen". Photo by: Martin O'Connor
In line with their mission of bringing the beauty of dance and the magic of ballet to the people, the Dance Theatre of Tennessee is launching Ballet in the Park performance series from Sept. 28 through Oct. 1. The performances will be held at the Centennial Park Bandshell and is being presented in partnership with Metro Parks and Recreation. The City of Nashville through its Metro Parks have launched successful partnerships in presenting classical music (Symphony) and classical theater (Shakespeare) in a relaxed, relatable and easily accessible setting. “After a well received performance during the pre-show for Shakespeare in the Park last year, we were encouraged to look into the possibility of presenting classical dance as a full performance series,” said DTT Artistic Director Christopher Mohnani. For the first Ballet in the Park, DTT will present “Carmen” based on the famous opera of the same title. Seville’s vibrant beauty serves as the background for this tragic story of a fiery gypsy girl whose seduction of a naïve officer leads to rejection, jealousy, and ultimately death. “Ballets that have strong narratives like ‘Carmen’ provide the perfect experience at the ballet,” Mohnani said. “It allows audience members to enjoy dance as a much more relatable theatrical experience.” “Carmen” stays true to the story line and dramatic liturgy of the opera. Condensed in one act – be immersed in this intriguing world of seduction, betrayal and death as we follow Carmen and her naïve officer Don Jose in their journey of passion, distrust, rejection and murder. “I want the audience to leave the performance empathizing with the lead characters rather than hating them and know that love truly is a rebellious bird that no one can tame. ‘Carmen’ is just like watching reality TV but this time it is live and up-close,” Mohnani said. The performances are free to the public. A suggested donation of $10 is encouraged and appreciated. A special patron tent is available for a $50 donation. Performance starts at 7:30 p.m. with a pre-show entertainment at 6:30 p.m. Food trucks will be on site to provide several dining options. All performances are at the Centennial Park Bandshell. Performance information including special patron tickets can be found at www.ticketsnashville. com. For more information, please visit at www.dancetheatretn.org or call. O&AN
18
O U T A N D A B O U T N E W S PA P E R . C O M
SEPTEMBER 2012
SEPTEMBER 2012
O U T A N D A B O U T N E W S PA P E R . CO M
19
Join Nashville CARES in the Fight Against AIDS UR YO IEND FR
UR YO IEND FR
PLEASE JOIN US AT RIVERFRONT PARK ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2012. REGISTER TODAY! NashvilleAIDSWalk.com REGISTRATION: 10AM | WALK & 5K RUN: 11AM
UR YO IEND FR
AIDS WALK
&5K RUN October 6, 2012
www.NashvilleAIDSWalk.com 20
O U T A N D A B O U T N E W S PA P E R . C O M
SEPTEMBER 2012
UR YO IEND FR
NASHVILLE
2012
U YO
L I F E
HOUSING
Blast of Nashville’s Past
Annual Old Hickory Village Home Tour by MIKE BREWER, CONTRIBUTING WRITER mbrewer@outandaboutnewspaper.com
As stainless steel lofts and highrise towers begin to capture more residential dollars in Nashville than suburban square footage, Old Hickory Village sits as a quiet reminder of our city’s easily overlooked manufacturing roots. Old Hickory Village is a place where residents tend to a large community garden every afternoon and where “walkability” is rivaled only by its much younger coastal sister, Seaside, Fl. But it’s also a place where social media has ironically taken on a life of its own. A glance at the Old Hickory Village on Facebook uncovers a real-time
neighborhood watch and a place to barter furniture, clothing and services between Villagers. “Having lived in Old Hickory Village for five years now, my experience has been that the neighborhood appeals to anyone who simply appreciates a true community - clean streets, charming houses, and neighbors who invest in each others’ lives,” said Villager Laura Gore. “I think that most people consider their ‘neighbors’ to be the people whose houses are next door or across the street; however, in Old Hickory Village, we refer to each other as neighbors even if we live 10 blocks apart.”Bound by Old Hickory Lake and a former Dupont manufacturing plant, The Village also stages one of Nashville’s most celebrated annual home tours each fall. This year’s event, scheduled for Oct. 13, promises no exception. “This year, we’re planning 18 home stops and all of the houses in the tour except one, was built in 1918,” said Kim Huffines, the home tour coordinator. “We also have two churches on the tour, three or four local businesses and the Old Hickory Country Club, which was also built by Dupont during the 1920s.” Old Hickory Village was born in 1918 when U.S. government contracted with DuPont to build what was then the world’s largest gunpowder plant on 5,600 acres in the hairpin turn of the Cumberland River, known as Hadley’s Bend. The company built a cluster of modest housing for its factory workers and by the end of WWI, more than 3,800 buildings had been
The Dupont Company built all the original homes in Old Hickory Village, many still retain their 1920s charm
constructed, with housing for 35,000 people. DuPont many basic more floor homes overitthe decade, usingbuilt the same plans hadnext used as the government’s contractor on the original construction. DuPont maintained Old Hickory as a company town, repairing and renovating the homes on a regular basis, for the next quarter-century. In the late 1940s DuPont sold hundreds of the houses to employees who had been renting them. What remains of the Village is, as they say, is history. Yet it’s history very well-preserved. “Among my neighbors, you’ll find a wide variety of incomes, backgrounds, faiths, politics, histories and dreams,” Gore said. “I hope people will come see that for themselves during the Home Tour!” The tour is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and tickets can be purchased 10:30 a.m. at Old Hickory Church of Christ at 1001 Hadley Ave. in Old Hickory for $12 per person. O&AN
THIS SEPTEMBER
H O LY T R I N I T Y W E L C O M E S
Bryan Currie, M.Div. our new Pastor of Education & Congregational Care
JOIN US: SEPTEMBER ACTIVITIES
Labor Day Weekend SUNDAY • SEPT 2 - 9:30 & 11:00AM worship services Homosexuality & Scripture led by Pastor Bryan (not what your grand-pappy preached) SUNDAY • SEPT 23, 1-4PM Fall Sermon & Small Group Study Series -
My Name is Not John Doe... Rediscover a God who Wants to be Known!
SUNDAY • SEPT 30 SEPTEMBER 2012
Sunday Services: 8:55, 10:15 & 11:35 children & youth: 10:15 AM 6727 charlotte pike nashville, tn 37209 615.352.3838 HolyTrinityCommunityChurch.com
O U T A N D A B O U T N E W S PA P E R . CO M
21
E T C
BLOG
Dexter’s 50 cents
A blog for gamers
My name is Jamie Dexter, and I’m coming out of the closet. I’ve kept this a secret from many since I was old enough to form thoughts inside my tiny, Pixie-Stick-
addled brain. Yes, I have a secret identity. Several of them, actually. Sometimes I don a costume and fight the evils of Gotham City with many expensive gadgets. On other days, I may feel a little above the law and jack a few cars and drive recklessly, plowing down pedestrians while I’m running from one errand to another. Lately, though, I’ve felt more comfortable in a suit of armor, lobbing fireballs at gigantic spiders and slaying dragons with my two-handed sword. That is, until I took an arrow to the knee. No, I’m not crazy. I’m a gamer. I first picked up the joystick even before I began elementary school. A cousin handed me an old Atari with a box full of games, and I was blown away by all the different types of games I could play. “Frogger,” however, was my absolute favorite. Though I was too young to actually be good at anything, I did enjoy watching what passed for a semitruck smoosh what was supposed to be the innocent little frog I was controlling. Years later, as a young and slightly feminine nerd, I found myself the brunt of bullying and jokes, and sometimes violence. I was, and always have been, about as athletic as a paper weight. I watched as some kids coped with alcohol, drugs or whatever they could get their hands on, but when I was feeling like the world was against me, I’d
just boot up a game where the world actually WAS against me. And through hours of gameplay, a few tantrums and a ton of victories, I’d forget all about all the challenges that faced me in the halls of my school. While game graphics have changed, and storylines have become more like summer blockbusters than a simple task of rescuing a princess in need, my love for gaming has only grown. There’s nothing more satisfying than coming home from a tough day at work and tearing through a pack of zombies with a chainsaw. By day, I may be mild-mannered, nerdy writer Jamie Dexter, but once I’m off the clock, I can almost be anyone I want. I welcome you to join me on this journey from my Out & About blog, even if you aren’t a gamer. You might just find that you have a few secret identities waiting for you, as well. O&AN
Find us on Facebook Facebook.com/outandaboutnews
need an attorney
?
a Voice for the Voiceless
SEPTEMBER 8–22
Patricia Snyder Attorney-at-Law The Law Office of Patricia L. Snyder 2401 White Avenue / Nashville TN 37204 615.279.4411 phone / 615.523.1179 fax pat@psnyderlaw.com / www.patriciasnyderlaw.com No ChArge for INItIAL CoNSuLtAtIoN ALL PhoNe CALLS PromPtLy returNed general Practice, Landlord-tenant Law, Personal Injury Criminal Law: Felonies & Misdemeanors duI, Sex offenses, Internet-Based Crimes State & Federal
22
O U T A N D A B O U T N E W S PA P E R . C O M
SEPTEMBER 2012
Previews: Sept. 6–7
Johnson Theater, TPAC Tickets: www.tennesseerep.org TPAC Box Office (615) 782-4040
EXPOSED
ma r k w e s l e y p il ki n gt on Birthday
september 7, 1988
Timberfell Lodge
Current Town
nashville, TenNess ee
timberfell.com
Hometown
belmont, north carolina Zodiac ID
August 31 – September 3 Labor Day Weekend
virgo
Always a huge party! Book early to get your room and RV spot of choice. It always sells out fast. Be here for all the fun, food and MEN!
September 14 – 16 Pool Closing Party Weekend Summer is drawing to a close. Make plans to attend this last pool party of the season. Hot men and Happy Hour Poolside cocktails on Saturday.
all about mark I feel most confident when:
I have the support of my friends and family. What’s your favorite food?
Bojangles (Nashville needs more!) My greatest achievement has been:
I would say coming out and truly being happy with myself. I think it has been a process and now that I have moved to Nashville I have started a life where I can truly be me and be happy with who I am. Boxers or Briefs?
If you are making me pick I’d say boxers – though I prefer a jockstrap.
Photo by: Ethan James
What’s one item you can’t leave home without?
Chapstick.
What do you hope your next greatest achievement will be?
If I was being brutally honest, I would love to have my own talk show. In reality though I want to be able to continue to work in my profession and give back to the community. If you won $1 million (tax free) and had to give half of it away, who would you give it to?
I would give it to a deserving Nashville non-profit such as Monroe Harding, Inc.
SEPTEMBER 2012
September 28 – 30 Cocktobearfest 3: Fall BearFest BEARS, BEARS, BEARS!! Hirsute men and those that admire come to the mountains for a very festive weekend with Deutsch flair! German inspired menus and HOT parties to warm the chilly autumn nights.
Come visit us in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. 2240 Van Hill Road Greeneville, TN 37745 FOR RESERVATIONS:
423-234-0833 1-800-437-0118
O U T A N D A B O U T N E W S PA P E R . CO M
23
E T C
OPINION
Religious liberty is our right and our responsibility by DAVID SHELTON, GUEST COLUMNIST dshelton@outandaboutnewspaper.com
Your life. Your pharmacy. • Free, fast delivery • Free shipping • Personalized service Your independent hometown pharmacy since 2001.
Life in middle Tennessee has quite a few factors that are part of the “norm.” Among those elements are sweet tea, cheap beer, football and church. Like most southern states, fundamentalist and evangelical Christianity is deeply rooted into our culture, and has been for more than two centuries. The simple fact is that we can’t read any part of the history of our great state without recognizing the fact that politics and religion — especially in Tennessee — are joined at the hip. Any time we gather, a prayer is offered. Whether it’s a football game, a city council meeting, a rotary club meeting, or even a business breakfast — an invocation is not only part of the program, it’s compulsory. We Tennesseans take our freedom of religion seriously — in every possible way. As long as it’s Christian. But what happens when a community of Muslims wants to build a mosque? Suddenly, our public prayer moments take on a new intensity. Gone are the platitudes of “wisdom” or “be in our midst.” Now they have an “enemy.” A false religion has invaded into their religious territory! How dare they! They’ll take down our country! The prayers turn to cries of horror as they beg their God to stop those horrible Muslims from building — or occupying — a place to worship! Despite the rise of Islamophobia, the freedom of religion still remains. The First Amendment has two clauses that address religion, both of which are relevant. “Congress shall pass no law respecting the establishment of religion nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” The Supreme Court has since clarified that the First Amendment applies to state and local governments as well. The reality is that the freedom of religion cuts both ways — We are free to worship however we wish, and our government is prohibited from passing laws that encourage or restrict religion. This freedom includes Christianity and Judaism. It includes buddhism, Taoisim, Wicca and even Islam. Far too often, our Tennessee religious zeal has been a catalyst for denying Muslims the freedom to worship in their own mosque. Zealots have stood in the way at every opportunity with a new anti-Muslim bill or ordinance. Thankfully, we have a system that’s subject to judicial review — where the courts can weigh every law and every policy in the light of the document that is truly the foundation of our government: The United States Constitution. We scarcely more American when we stand for liberty and justice for all. That’s the principle behind our struggle for GLBT equality, and it’s the pledge that we should not only give as allegiance to our flag — but to each other. That First Amendment guarantees several things: Freedom to worship. Freedom from religious tyranny. Freedom to shout and freedom to print. Freedom to join, and freedom to petition our government. We have the ability to do all of these things in the name of equality. More importantly, we have the responsibility to do them. Justice demands nothing less. David W. Shelton is a writer, activist, speaker, trainer and business owner. He blogs at skippingtothepiccolo.com. O&AN
NOW WITH 2 LOCATIONS! 100 Oaks Plaza Suite 57100 719 Thompson Lane Nashville, TN 37204 615.371.1210
Skyline Medical Campus Suite 110 3443 Dickerson Pike Nashville, TN 37207 615.724.0066
rxfd.com 24
O U T A N D A B O U T N E W S PA P E R . C O M
SEPTEMBER 2012
Find us on Twitter Twitter.com/outandaboutnews
E T C
FUN
DUI? • Flat rate
representation on many criminal charges
Wanderlust Carnaval:Unmasked Fundraising to benefit The Brooks Fund
by OAN STAFF REPORTS
The Brooks Fund 8th annual Wanderlust Carnaval: Unmasked raised roughly $30,000 with an attendance of about 465 on Aug. 10. “I’m thrilled with the results of Wanderlust, which supports The Brooks Fund’s ultimate goal of building our charitable endowment and being able to increase our grantmaking and impact in the GLBT community and beyond,” said Todd Grantham, Wanderlust event chair and advisory board member. “Attendees at Wanderlust Carnaval: Unmasked thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful food provided by Bacon and Caviar, drinks, music and dancing, and they really embraced the new theme with the fun masks and costume props and photos booths we had set up, as I think the pictures show. “It was the hard work of many volunteers and board members that helped make this year’s event successful, and of course, our guests really made the party a hit.” O&AN
• Free phone consultation • Confidential discussions • Flexible payment options Loy@CarneyFirm.com 1222 17th Avenue South Nashville, TN 37212
615.298.1854
The Carney Firm, PLC Loy Carney, Attorney at Law DUI Tip:
There is no Tennessee staute or case which requires a driver to submit to roadside field sobriety tests. You may, without legal consequence, refuse to perform the tasks, BUT BE KIND TO THE OFFICER. The officer’s report of your demeanor carries a lot of weight in our courts.
The Carney Firm is a full service law firm with a particular focus in the areas of DUI Defense, Personal Injury, and Real Estate Transactions. If you have questions regarding your criminal charge or civil matter, DON’T go it alone! Call today for a free consultation to see if we can help. Nothing in this advertisement is meant to imply specialization or certification in any area in which this firm wishes to practice.
Todd Grantham (Wanderlust event chair), Mike Smith, Dan Kuninsky (winner of the travel raffle drawing for a $2,000 travel voucher), Scott Ridgway (Brooks Fund board chair), Michael McDaniel (Brooks Fund Coordinator)
Ralph Cadenhead, Joe Rowland, Michael Burcham, Hal Cato. All photos by Tommy Lawson
SEPTEMBER 2012
O U T A N D A B O U T N E W S PA P E R . CO M
25
Bill Lentini
Managing Partner
A Tax & Bookkeeping Service
DIVERSE CITY PAGE
3522 Elkins Avenue Nashville, TN 37209 t: 615.730.9444 f: 615.658.2190 blentini415@gmail.com www.gunwel.com ‘Fav
VOT orit e E 2 y GLBT D ears Rea lto in a row r®’
JEFFREY BOYD PROFESSIONAL BODYWORK
1305 Murfreesboro Pike Nashville, TN 37217
TODAY
Sheila D. Barnard REALTOR®
m (615) 424-6924 o (615) 385-9010 barnard@realtracs.com
615 579 5345
SheilaBarnard.RealtyAssociation.com
EndlessSummerMassageWithJeff.com
Billy
WATCH LIVE
LMT
7 days a week 11am - 7 pm
FRIDAYS AT 10 p.m. ONLY ON
60 minutes – $70
deep tissue, sports & more
615 / 604-9207
new clients 10% off
medical care for your entire family
Psychotherapy
615/376-8195
Bradley Bullock, MD Cool Springs Internal Medicine & Pediatrics
DoctorMay.net Christopher May DC 2933 Berry Hill Dr Nashville, TN 37204 (615) 220-0777
1607 Westgate Circle Suite 200 Brentwood
it’s time
to feel
better
Individuals & Couples
John Waide, PhD, LCSW 615/400.5911 waide@psychotherapy-and-psychoanalysis.com Barbara Sanders, LCSW 615/414.2553 BarbaraSandersLCSW@gmail.com Music Row / Vanderbilt Area
Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Brandon Teeftaller, APN specializing in brief therapy & medication management crisis and evening appointments available all patients welcome including adolescents and adults most insurance accepted including Medicare
2200 21st Avenue S, Suite 406 Nashville, Tennessee 37212 615 | 301.8681
BART DURHAM I N J U R Y
L A W
Let our 30+ Years of Experience Work For You.
• Experienced personal injury attorneys for the GLBT community • 30+ years of experience • Handled more than 5,000 personal injury cases since 1985 • Fees are contingent – we make a charge only if you get paid • We promise to treat you with courtesy and respect We understand any legal matter adds stress. Let us take the stress off you. Bart Durham Injury Law 404 James Robertson Parkway, Suite 1712 Nashville, Tennessee 37219 615-338-6177 phone 866-468-6603 toll-free 615-254-6562 fax BLAIR DURHAM BART DURHAM
“Justice is Your Right! And We Demand It.” 615-338-6177 –OR– 866-468-6603
at Schermerhorn Symphony Center CHRIS ISAAK
SCHERMERHORN SYMPHONY CENTER
SEPTEMBER CONCERTS 7&9
MAHLER’S 8TH SYMPHONY OF A THOUSAND
GRAND AVENUE SPECIAL EVENT
BOYZ II MEN
11 13 - 15 17
CHRIS ISAAK
CONCERT PRESENTED WITHOUT ORCHESTRA
BOYZ II MEN
BANK OF AMERICA POPS SERIES
AL GREEN CONCERT PRESENTED WITHOUT ORCHESTRA
20 - 22 A WOMAN’S LIFE AL GREEN
SUNTRUST CLASSICAL SERIES
BUY TICKETS
PRESENTED BY INGRAM INDUSTRIES INC.
NashvilleSymphony.org 615.687.6400
DINE WITH US, AND HAVE A GOURMET EXPERIENCE BEFORE YOUR CONCERT FOR DINNER RESERVATIONS 615.687.6400 WITH SUPPORT FROM:
Enjoy a preset antipasto display, and then order from a menu of appetizing starters, delicious entrees and handcrafted specialty desserts, all delivered to your table!
FOUR COURSES FOR $38* *price is based per person; local/state taxes and gratuity not included.