JANUARY 20, 2016 | OUTFRONTONLINE .COM | FREE
I’m Off ended! Speaking Your Mind in the Age of Outrage
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O U T F R O N T O N L I N E . C O M 3
CONTENTS JANUARY 20, 2016 VOL39 NO20
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06 FROM THE EDITOR 08 POLITICAL CORRECTNESS ISN’T ALWAYS CORRECT 10 GUNS IN AMERICA: YOU CAN’T UNRING THE BELL 16 WE DON’T NEED CAITLYN JENNER’S APPROVAL — AND VICE VERSA 20 WHEN WILL TRANS ACTORS BE “GOOD ENOUGH” FOR HOLLYWOOD? 22 BOYCOTT BOYCOTTS
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24 SPEAKING MY COMIC MIND IN THE AGE OF OUTRAGE 26 JUST SAY YES TO TRIGGER WARNINGS 28 THROW IT IN REVERSE FOR RACISM 32 THE INAPPROPRIATE CULTURE OF OVERSENSITIVITY 36 REVIEW: VINTAGE THEATRE’S THE NORMAL HEART 38 DUELING WITH DEPRESSION: OFFENSIVE COMEDY AS A REMEDY 40 BREAKING BAD HABITS
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SERVING THE LGBT COMMUNITY OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS SINCE 1976 3535 Walnut Street, Denver, Colorado 80205 PHONE 303-477-4000 • FAX 303-325-2642 WEB OutFrontOnline.com FACEBOOK /OutFrontColorado TWITTER @OutFrontCO INSTAGRAM /OutFrontColorado FOUNDER PHIL PRICE 1954-1993 ADMINISTRATION info@outfrontonline.com JERRY CUNNINGHAM Publisher J.C. MCDONALD Vice President MAGGIE PHILLIPS Operations Manager JEFF JACKSON SWAIM Chief Strategist EDITORIAL editorial@outfrontonline.com BERLIN SYLVESTRE Editor RYAN HOWE Digital Content Manager BRENT HEINZE Senior Columnist CAITLIN GALIZ-ROWE Intern CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Chris Arneson, Geoffrey Black, Bil Browning, Brett Callwood, Sheila P. Carrigan, Faith Cheltenham, Steve Cruz, Evelyn Franco, Miles Griffis, O’Brian Gunn, Brian Jones, Rick Kitzman, Wesley Smith, Yvonne Wright, Mike Yost, The Cycle Sluts, Penny From Heaven ART art@outfrontonline.com TRISHA HIMMLER Art Director CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Charles Broshous MARKETING & SALES marketing@outfrontonline.com DUSTIN KRIER Director of Sales & Marketing JORDAN JACOBS Senior Marketing Executive TOPHER LA FLEUR Marketing Executive NATIONAL ADVERTISING Rivendell Media 212-242-6863 | sales@rivendellmedia.com DISTRIBUTION
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O U T F R O N T O N L I N E . C O M 5
F RO M T H E E D I TO R
WHEN I ASKED OUR WRITERS TO ADDRESS A FEW TOUCHY SUBJECTS THAT THEY TEND TO AVOID FOR FEAR OF COMMENTS-SECTION BACKLASH, I CAN’T SAY I WAS SURPRISED AT THEIR TIMID RESPONSES. “Can I use a pseudonym?” one writer asked. “I don’t want to sound lame, but people are weird lately.” And: “I might sit this one out … unless I can use a pen name.” I’m actually laughing as I write this. I know these people to be brave and outspoken individuals outside the magazine, but fully understand why they’d like to avoid being a pinata for today’s all-caps-offended, keyboard-warrior climate of modern internet society. So I gave them a greenlight to use a pen name. I figure it’s more about the message than the speaker, anyway, and I know these folks aren’t out to cut into anyone’s feelings — they just have an opinion of their own that isn’t too popular these days. That brings me to something I’ve been meaning to address for awhile. I’ve allowed a number of writers to dish many unpopular opinions in our pages since I’ve been OUT FRONT’s editor, and I’ll let even more through before I’m done. I always find myself fielding the “How dare you?” emails with the same response: Because we’re a community publication that values the community’s voice. Let’s be clear: There have 6 JANUARY 20, 2016
been countless times in which I’ve vehemently disagreed with a columnist’s piece, but I’ve never once considered canning the work over that. OUT FRONT is not The Berlin Show, which (incidentally) is also the very reason I’ve only written three editor’s letters since I began nearly two years ago. Our pages are meant to represent the people, from the outer fringes to the hearts of movements, and I always intend to keep it that way.
CONNECT WITH BERLIN Reach our editor by email at editorial@ outfrontonline.com At any rate, for this next installment, we present I’m Offended and hope that whether you find yourself nodding along in “amen” or shaking your head in disgust, you’ll take it to the web and let us know how you feel. See you in the comments section!
F RO M T H E I N B OX
I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED IN OUT FRONT’S DECISION TO RECENTLY PUBLISH DON’T CALL ME CIS. The opinion piece is not only tone-deaf and trivial — it’s also a dangerous and offensive distraction to issues impacting transgender people. Don’t get me wrong — I like an academic argument as much as the next person. But as transgender people in Colorado and across the country are dehumanized, violated, and sometimes killed, this opinion piece is laced with privilege and has no place in our community’s newspaper.
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Did you know that 41% of transgender Americans attempt suicide? Or that 35% of transgender kids report being physically assaulted? Or that one-fifth of transgender Americans have experienced homelessness? There are serious policy and social issues impacting members of our community. I hope the editorial staff and publisher of OUT FRONT remember this the next time they choose to publish a tone-deaf, privilege-ridden opinion piece in the community’s newspaper. Editor’s Response: I’m willing to bet that you and I have a similar opinion on trans issues. Perhaps identical, truth be told. On the decision to run the op-ed piece, we differ, but that’s always gonna happen. I’m well aware of the plights of our trans brothers and sisters face, and I also maintain that the opinion piece in no way undermined those facts.
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That said, here’s where I come from: We run lots of opinion pieces concerning matters and ideas that I don’t necessarily agree with because I realize that our community is larger than my opinion. Or her opinion. Or his opinion. Or their opinion. (See my editor’s letter on the previous page.) I get rough pitches from time to time, and I always like to leave room for people who feel their story, or their side of things, isn’t being told. “Ok, fine,” I’ll say. “Talk about it. What’s on your mind? If it’s a conversation that needs to be had, let’s have it.” That’s what we’re here to facilitate: dialogue around the community’s issues. The piece you refer to has gotten lots of boo-hisses and a few “amens” ... all of which I’m grateful for. In truth, I’m hoping someone will write a counter to the piece. The invitation to the community is always open — I’d love to have that voice, as well.
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POLITICAL CORRECT NESS ISN’T ALWAYS CORRECT Mike Yost
Politically incorrect jokes reveal the absurdity of the real homophobic/racist/ sexist assh*les who routinely spew their revolting hatred into the world.
CONTEXT. INTENT. WHY DO SO MANY PEOPLE dismiss these two vital characteristics of human communication? And why do some proponents of PC speak in absolutes? You mean to tell me there’s never a situation where offensive language is acceptable? Well, I f*cking disagree. In fact, I argue that in some situations, using offensive language is essential to human connection. When I was in the military, joking with each other was a way to foster solidarity. Usually the jokes revolved around the other guy’s mom performing some appalling, salacious act the night before. From race to religion to sexism, whoever came up with the most vile, belligerent joke was venerated, not necessarily for the joke itself, but for making everyone laugh in an environment that was often exceedingly stressful. Had anyone heard our conversation without understanding the context and intent of the jokes being flung around the squadron like shrapnel, they might quickly judge us as insensitive, motherhating bastards. My favorite example is when I came out of the closet to my older brother. He and his wife invited me over for dinner one night, and I was so nervous I only ate half a taco, mumbling through our banter. When I finally confessed to being gay, my brother remained quiet and walked into the kitchen. He came back to the dining table with cupcakes and said, “Well, we have cupcakes for dessert. Do you people like cupcakes?” I started laughing. He and his wife started laughing. And with that single comment, all that tension and anxiety was completely wiped away. (And for the record, gays LOVE cupcakes.) Again, had anyone heard my brother’s comment out of context without taking into account his intent, they might judge him to be homophobic. This kind of humor is indispensable. Politically incorrect jokes reveal the
8 JANUARY 20, 2016
absurdity of the real homophobic/racist/ sexist assh*les who routinely spew their revolting hatred into the world. It also cultivates unity among those (like myself) who have been cut deeply by the barbs of true hate speech. But this perspective has come under scrutiny, as several comedians have been criticized for being too politically incorrect (isn’t that their job?) and in some cases excluded from college campuses. When Bill Maher was scheduled to give a commencement speech at UC Berkeley in December of 2014, students petitioned to ban him from campus grounds because of his religious jokes, specifically comments he made about Islam. Ironically, UC Berkeley celebrated the 50th anniversary of the free-speech movement that year. Patton Oswalt told The Voice that it’s the responsibility of comedians to remain as irresponsible as they can regarding mockery and language. “We are the safety valve ... we are there saying the rude, saying the obnoxious, saying the funny and the smart, we just need to be there as the Id.” Oswalt added that, “comedy is pretty f*cking essential ... it has a positive effect on society.” Philosopher Slavoj Žižek argues that political correctness cultivates a system of thought totalitarianism. “It’s a form of self-discipline which doesn’t really allow you to overcome racism; it’s just oppressed, controlled racism,” he argues in a video on the website, BigThink.com. “Without such a tiny exchange of friendly obscenities, you don’t have real contact with another. It remains this cold respect and so on ... we need this to establish real contact.” Does that mean comedians and coworkers should be allowed to harass others with hate speech? Of course not. It’s all about nuance, about thinking beyond absolutes and taking into account context and intent. I’ve adopted a sensible balance myself — don’t be overly PC, but don’t be a c*nt to each other, either.
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O U T F R O N T O N L I N E . C O M 9
their Smith & Wesson when someone crawls through their window with a piece of their own. You don’t have to be a wackadoo, violence-loving conservative to understand that.
GUNS IN AMERICA: YOU CAN’T UNRING THE BELL Wesley Smith WHEN I WAS ASKED RECENTLY WHETHER I’D TAKE AN ASSIGNMENT IN FRANCE, I told my friends who instantly responded in a chorus of, “Wow, that’s amazing — when are you going?” It’s France, right? A dream destination! As such, you’d think my initial response would also be a series of backflips and a woot right back at my buddies. Instead, as a reporter, I had a moment of pause. I’d no sooner than a day prior read an article outlining the two most dangerous countries for journalists — Syria and France. I was given this assignment to open up about a topic I mostly keep shut on, and for me, that’s guns. So before I begin, I want readers to know that there are die-hard liberals out here who love the idea of a peaceful nation that doesn’t wake up to news of daily shootings, but also don’t see a lick of good coming from the fallacious notion that guns can be controlled. (Might I remind you of the abysmal failure that the War on Drugs keeps delivering to the American public? Same concept.) Like drugs, guns are already out there and there’s a voracious love of them from both the “good guys” and the “bad guys.” Tightening restrictions, though well intentioned, only hinders the law abiders. Think about it: bad guys don’t give a rat’s ass about the law — that’s why they’re bad guys! Just as pot was once bought in our state via back-alley dealings that often led to violence — not to mention arbitrary reasons to give someone a criminal record — making good guys jump through even more hurdles is going to guarantee that fewer men and women are able to reach for
2015: THE YEAR OF LYING OUTRAGEOUSLY Rick Kitzman DESPITE VEHEMENT DISCLAIMERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, followers of Jesus Christ — the epitome of human love, some say — vomited hate on the local, national, and global LGBT community, an unparalleled avalanche provoked by the same-sex marriage issue. In June, the US Supreme Court decided favorably, in spite of two of its judges (Alito and Scalia) who childishly displayed eye-rolling contempt. Our country’s foundations of civility, tolerance, and common human decency was sorely uncommon. 10 JANUARY 20, 2016
According to The Washington Post, as of now there are more guns in the United States than there are people. Sounds terrifying when you think about it, but then if you consider it statistically, the majority of those guns are locked in safe places and are being used responsibly. If that weren’t the case, we’d be in utter chaos; a war zone. (And please don’t insult people in war-torn regions by suggesting that America is a war zone.) Back to Paris: I looked into their gun laws only to find that I won’t be able to carry once I’m there, which makes me touchy. In the land where journalists have been slaughtered by masked gunmen (who illegally obtained their weaponry, of course), I’m going to feel incredibly vulnerable at the pseudo-political event I’ve been asked to attend. I guess for me it’s not so much about “good guys with guns” as it is “good guys without guns.” Some may call that paranoia, but I’d rather be safe than sorry. I’ll add that I never want to use my gun. Ever. But I have to admit that my grandfather’s words about preparedness have stuck with me: it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
The plea for decency was best invoked in 1954, when John Welch, chief counsel for the US Army during Senator Joseph McCarthy’s anti-communist witch hunt, said to McCarthy, “Until this moment, Senator, I think I have never really gauged your cruelty or your recklessness,” and concluded, “You’ve done enough. Have you no sense of decency, sir? At long last, have you left no sense of decency?” Unfortunately, blacks, Native Americans, and Muslims did not escape these followers’ mendacious remarks. From their own words, at long last, have you left no sense of decency?
ANDRÉE SEU PETERSON WHEN: May WHERE: World, a far right, “Christian” magazine, her opinion column. SAY WHAT? “If you think a man lying with a man is the moral equivalent of eating too many doughnuts, produce a passage in Leviticus where overeating called for execution.” CONT. PG 12>>>
WEIGHING YOUR OPTIONS: TAKING YOUR PARTNER’S LAST NAME
LEGAL DIRECTORY
Sheila P. Carrigan IF I ENTER INTO A CIVIL UNION AND I WANT TO CHANGE MY LAST NAME TO MY SPOUSE’S LAST NAME, HOW DO I DO THAT? After your civil union license has been recorded at your local county clerk and recorder’s office, obtain a few certified copies of your union license. Take a certified copy to the driver’s license bureau to obtain a license in your new name and to the local social security office to obtain a new social security card. Do not forget you will need to change your name with your banks, credit cards, utility bills and all other such entities. You will also need to change your passport. If you are honeymooning immediately after the nuptials you may wish to get your tickets in your pre-ceremony name to be sure your travel plans are not delayed.
WHAT IF I WANT TO CHANGE MY CHILDREN’S LAST NAME? If you already have children you will need to go through a name change process and have birth certificates reissued. If you have children after your civil union you can name your partner as the child’s second parent and give the child
either name or a hyphenated last name. If your child does not have a second parent now your partner can adopt via a step-parent adoption after the ceremony.
WHAT IF I WANT TO KEEP MY LAST NAME? OR HYPHENATE IT? If you want to keep your name you don’t need to do anything. Hyphenating it is the same process as changing it.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW BEFORE ENTERING INTO A CIVIL UNION AND HOW CAN A LAWYER HELP MY FAMILY PREPARE? You may want to consider a consultation with a family law or estate planning attorney before you enter the civil union, especially if you have significant assets or either of you have children from previous relationships. Individuals considering civil union should be aware under the current law, many common provisions that apply to spouses will not apply to parties in a civil union if the unions later dissolve. For example, dividing retirement and other benefits at the time of divorce cannot be accomplished under federal laws.
BLOCH & CHAPLEAU, LLC
303-331-1700 • BlochChapleau.com 1725 Gaylord St., Denver Family Law • Civil Union Dissolutions Pre-Union Agreements • Auto Accidents
LAW OFFICE OF LISA E. FRAZER, LLC
303-861-7717 • FrazerFamilyLaw.com 936 E. 18th Ave, Denver Family Law/Civil Unions • Divorce Child Custody
LAW OFFICE OF BYRON K. HAMMOND, LLC
303-501-1812 • BKH-Law.com 3900 E. Mexico Ave., Denver Wills • Trusts • Estate Planning Probate • Elder Law
TITUS PETERSON, AAL
303-260-6412 600 17th St, Suite 2800 South, Denver Personal Injury • Divorce • Criminal Law Marijuana Business Compliance
WOODY LAW FIRM, LLC
303-968-1711 • WoodyLawLLC.com 1407 Larmier St., Suite 300, Denver Dissolution of Civil Unions/Marriage Legal Separation • 2nd Parent Adoption
The opinions expressed in this article are general in nature. For specific legal advice about your particular situation, please contact an attorney.
outfrontonline.com/legal-directory | To advertise here, please call 303-477-4000.
OUTFRONTONLINE.COM 11
AN ARGUMENT FOR GUN CONTROL Miles Griffis MASS SHOOTINGS HAVE OBVIOUSLY AFFECTED COLORADO. In 1999 we had Columbine; the New Life shootings of 2007; the Batman shooting of 2012; and recently, two mass shootings in Colorado Springs: the October curbside open fire (four blocks from my apartment) followed by the Planned Parenthood attack in November. I am appalled that the only immediate legislative reaction to the recent shootings was a plan by Congress to defund Planned Parenthood, which put the blame on the helpful family-planning organization and not on America’s gun problem. But this opinion is not about abortion or Congress’ ridiculous and elementary thinking about women’s (i.e. people’s rights) — this is about gun control. Most 2nd amendment-ers are concerned that if more gun control occurs, their guns will be taken from them, misinterpreting the word “control” — which would bring order and hopefully more peace — for the word “ban.” Some of them may be worried for a reason; they might not pass the background checks required to possess firearms. But the majority of others are confused about how the 2nd amendment reads. The “right to bear arms” does not include the right for high-volume magazines, concealed carry, armor-piercing bullets, or protected privacy from background checks. These are privileges that no society can handle. Banning of simple things like high-capacity magazines minimize the potential for significant death tolls like Sandy Hook and Virginia Tech. We need control. Let’s look at Australia, a country I lived in for an entire year, and noticed a remarkable difference in gun related violence. In fact, I did not hear about one mass shooting in my entire year there. Here’s why: In 1996, in Port Arthur, Tasmania, a shooter entered a public space and shot 35 people to death. In a fortnight, freshly elected Prime Minister John Howard began an aggressive assault on gun ownership called the National Firearms Agreement (NFA). The NFA banned most semiautomatics, assault rifles, and self-loading guns, as well as any individual’s gun that did not have “genuine reason” for owning a gun. And guess what? Self defense did not cut it. He then implemented a gun
buyback program and procured over 700,000 firearms. Sounds pretty severe right? Guess what? In the first decade of NFA there was a 59-percent drop in gun homicides and a 65-percent drop in gun-related suicides. Guess what else? There hasn’t been a mass shooting in Australia since the Port Arthur tragedy. I know, I know, America is not Australia. We unfortunately have the clouded 2nd amendment and large, ignorant, selfish organizations like the NRA. We are also the most heavily armed nation in the world. And consequently, we have the correlating statistics of the highest rate of homicide-by-gun in the world, with 12,000 deaths in 2013 (30 people per day). Though we are not Australia in 1996, things can change for America. But only if we follow what Prime Minister Howard did, by acting bravely and boldly, as fortune truly does favor the bold. American presidents have been held back by inefficient bi-partisan bickering. People, kids, teachers, veterans, moms, dads, wives, husbands, and best friends are dying daily because of 2nd amendment-ers’ fears of a future tyrannical American government. They are delusional. We are not focusing on the reality of our present, thousands of slaughtered victims a year. Gun control must happen this year, for each mass shooting inspires another.
2015: THE YEAR OF LYING OUTRAGEOUSLY BILL JACK Founder of the “non-denominational” Christian organization Worldview Academy
WHEN: January WHERE: Statement released to Denver’s KUSA-TV, after requesting Bible-shaped cakes with “God hates gays” written in icing and two men holding hands with an “X” crossing them out, being refused by Azucar Bakery and becoming “very pushy and disruptive.”
headquarters, comparing the terrorists with LGBT activists who supported the termination of Atlanta’s fire chief for his conservative views on perverts, i.e., gays and lesbians. SAY WHAT? “So they demanded the Mayor of Atlanta fire the Chief of the Fire Department for daring to write that his first duty was to ‘glory God’ and that any sex outside of heterosexual marriage was a sin. And the terrorists won in Atlanta.”
SAY WHAT? “I believe I was discriminated against by the bakery based on my creed. As a result, I filed a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights division.” (He lost his case.)
ROBERT MUGABE
ERICK ERICKSON WHEN: January
WHERE: BBC Africa interview, following the US legalization of same-sex marriage, after proposing marriage to President Obama to get US aid.
WHERE: His website and show, on the same day of the massacre of 12 in Paris at Charlie Hebdo’s magazine
SAY WHAT? “Even Satan wasn’t gay; he chose to approach CONT. PG 14>>> unclad Eve instead of unclad Adam.”
RedState founder and Fox Noise contributor
12 JANUARY 20, 2016
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and complex human, so to be known as “the gay dude with nice clothes” is to minimize your potential. That’s what the privileged in power want.
HEY, GAYS: MOVE INTO A HOUSE NEAR ME PLEASE Brett Callwood WE’VE ALL HEARD THE TONGUE-IN-CHEEK STATEMENT: Please, gay people, move into a house on my street — the real estate values are sure to shoot up. The assumption is that gay people, stereotypically gay men, take good care of their homes and gardens. Of course, the idea is flawed on many levels. First of all, just because a house near yours looks nice doesn’t mean the price of your unkempt shit-hole will skyrocket. How about everybody care for their own house and, hey, good things will happen? But is there any truth in the notion? Any at all? Well, kinda. Young couples with disposable incomes are more likely to spend money on their home than, for example, a couple with children who are more focused on getting through the day without a little one eating mud and doing something potentially life-threatening. With the adoption laws still being as archaic as they are in this country (in most states anyway), most gay couples that buy or rent a house don’t have kids. But the bigger stereotype is that gay people are largely more stylish than straight people are. It’s kind of like the “all black guys have a large manhood” chestnut. Right-minded people know that you can’t lump groups of people together like that and, even if you can, nobody should want to be recognized for something so shallow. It’s a way of compartmentalizing y’all. So if you’re sat there thinking, “Hey, I’m stylish. Nothing wrong with that,” you’re missing the point. You’re also a rounded
And then there are the many gay people I’ve known who give less of a damn about their home décor and clothing than many straight people I’ve known. You’re out there, you hairy, sweaty, glorious men and disheveled women who, thank God, have more important things to worry about as you go about your full lives. Don’t stand for it. Leave a trashed car on your driveway. Wear sweatpants and a crop top in Walmart. Continue to succeed at work and school. We all know that you’re far more than a realtor’s plus point. The truth is, those ideas were likely dreamed up by self-loathing homophobes. The kind of homophobes who swear that they’re not homophobes because they knew a gay guy once. The idea of gay people kissing and canoodling is uncomfortable enough for them to have to divert their attention elsewhere in order to say something nice. “Ohhh, look at the clothes and houses.” It’s bull. In fact, try that. Make your garden look pretty, put on some Prada (nothing like going old school with the stereotypes), and then make out on your front yard. If the neighbors are as delighted to have you there as they say they are, they’ll stand and applaud.
2015: THE YEAR OF LYING OUTRAGEOUSLY BEN CARSON Neurosurgeon, Republican presidential candidate
WHEN: March/October WHERE: Interview with CNN’s New Day, when asked whether being gay is a choice, providing no supporting evidence; and Meet the Press interview by Chuck Todd. SAY WHAT? 1. “A lot of people who go into prison go into prison straight — and when they come out, they’re gay.” 2. “Women who have abortions are like slave-owners who thought that they had the right to do whatever they wanted to that slave. Rape and incest, I would not be in favor of killing a baby because the baby came about in that way.”
CHARLES C. JOHNSON Independent American journalist and owner of the website GotNews.com
WHEN: May WHERE: Successive Tweets following the Amtrak derailment 14 JANUARY 20, 2016
in Philadelphia, first believing the conductor at fault was black, followed shortly after by the discovery he was gay. SAY WHAT? 1. “Affirmative action hiring low-qualified blacks is more often to blame for train derailments than poor infrastructure.” 2. “It is reasonable to ask if this night shift driver was on meth or had history with it, given gay proclivities to it.”
RUSH LIMBAUGH Radio talk show host
WHEN: May WHERE: The Rush Limbaugh Show, telling businesses to blame their anti-gay bigotry on Muslims. SAY WHAT? “Instead of telling the gay couple that you refuse to bake the cake for their wedding because you disapprove of homosexuality, you should now say you are not going to bake a cake for the gay wedding because you fear Muslim backlash. Or, due to your respect of Islam, you CONT. PG 18>>> cannot bake a cake for a gay wedding.”
OUTFRONTONLINE.COM 15
WE DON’T NEED CAITLYN JENNER’S APPROVAL — AND VICE VERSA Brian Jones
This transition has (and always will be) her own — just as everyone’s transition is, celebrity or otherwise.
16 JANUARY 20, 2016
FEWER CELEBS RUSTLE THE LGBT JIMMIES LIKE CAITLYN JENNER. From praying with a noted anti-LGBT pastor in Houston to not believing in same-sex marriage and (I’m wincing as I type this) advising trans women to take note of their appearance and not “look like a man in a dress” because “it makes people uncomfortable,” there’s foot-in-mouth on tap with this woman. It’s safe to say that before I go forward, I understand that these (and other follies which can be easily found thanks to Google) are dreadfully uncouth things to do and say. The outrage that’s ensued, however, has taken a similar path of uncouth (and patently, ironically offensive) behavior. Let’s preface this with very notion that Caitlyn has said time and again that she doesn’t want to be anyone’s role model, and although she gets that she’s in the spotlight, this transition has (and always will be) her own — just as everyone’s transition is, celebrity or otherwise. Now, would it be nice if she adhered to a more obvious path of progressive politics and positive acquaintances? Perhaps. But that’s not anyone’s decision to make, so let’s keep our wits about us. Now. The derision that struck me initially was the “privilege” angle, in which we’re to believe that because Ms. Jenner has lots of money, she’s inherently unable to live the “true” transgender experience that frequently includes job- and homelessness. Understand, the statistics on the global trans experience are enough to make you sick and anyone who’d refute that is a damned fool. But that’s not, however, to say that unless you fall into the underprivileged category, you can’t know what it’s like to live your life as an out trans person. This indictment gives me the same feeling as seeing Facebook memes in which a Rubenesque cartoon declares, “REAL
men like curves!” — as if to say that if an individual doesn’t follow a prescribed path on beauty, he or she isn’t worthy of being called “real.” Hogwash. What a way to discount a human being’s lived experience. Is Ms. Jenner monied? Sure — thanks to her hard work, that is. Caitlyn grew up as one of four children being raised in an apartment and built herself into the Olympic powerhouse who was the pride of the USA for many years. Gold medals aren’t something you can buy. If anything’s a meritocracy, that’d be the Olympics. So because she’s able shop uptown and undergo surgical procedures doesn’t mean she isn’t a proper trans person — it just means she’s a rich one. Would that we all had the foresight to train our asses off and compete on a global level … or any number of ways we might’ve amassed a fortune. But there’s a reason I bring up this misnomed “privilege” point. I recently read a particularly nasty tirade on a trans activists’ Facebook page in which an angry trans author declared she was going back to calling her Bruce. Whoa whoa whoa, there — that’s pretty low and something I’d expect to see on a Tea Party/GOP website. Bruce? Really? It’s a free country and all, but to “revoke her trans card” because she isn’t a trans activist is about the most hypocritical thing I can imagine. For all the enraging and improper misgendering that goes on out there, to add to it while calling yourself a trans activist is pretty shameful. So she’s a rich Republican with shitty friends. Yeah, it’s lame but it’s nothing new. That we’d shun a trans woman because she’s not exactly like us, well ... no one need look any further than our own community for the real dissolution of brother- and sisterhood between us. “I’m going to call her Bruce.” Wow. Who sounds like the Republican now?
AN OPEN LETTER TO CAITLYN JENNER
HEY, CAITLYN.
me”? It’s sick.
You’ve had a pretty big year, huh?
To top off your controversies, you’re a Republican, too, who isn’t really into gay marriage. I don’t care much about that either, except it just makes your ideals really, really confusing.
Chris Arneson
Do I think you’re a hero? Sure, you’re redefining what courage means … and for some reason, it’s scaring people. Was it right that you were named a Glamour “Woman of the Year” even though you weren’t physically a woman that entire year? Whatever.
You’re a trans Republican who isn’t into gay marriage. I don’t care much about that, but it makes your ideals really, really confusing.
I never knew you as an Olympian. To me, you were that awkward guy who hung out with the Kardashians; the fella with the botched plasticsurgery face who had really attractive offspring.
I think I’m more upset with society for ignoring that award came with “Transgender Champion” attached. Are people really arguing that there was a more visible, revolutionary transwoman in 2015? For every outlet that’s publicly embracing your change, there are people digging for reasons why the details are wrong. They expect you to be a complete woman so quickly. They don’t care that literally every little thing you do is on blast, and how freaking difficult that must be. And you’re still trying to figure out who you are. I want to say sorry, but I know you have nothing to be sorry about. To me, you’re Caitlyn because that’s who you really are, and you chose to embrace it. Is it really so hard to look at someone and see them the way they see themselves? I’m not even sure I like the name Caitlyn. But is that something I should waste my energy on? Hell no. I can’t stand how people are still so intent on calling you Bruce. Do they think if they do it long enough, you’ll just go back? 99 percent of these people have never met you, so why are they stuck on “HE will always be BRUCE to
I guess I just don’t know what to think about you, Ms. Jenner. You seem like a lovely person. Your speeches come across as honest and heartfelt. I truly believe you did this for a greater good and got caught in the crosshairs because of your fame. And you’re constantly aware that everything you do is scrutinized. I watched the first couple episodes of I Am Cait because I wanted to see you more than an Annie Leibovitz portrait. (Also your closet.) When Diane Sawyer explored your new life, I was entranced. You were an obvious top choice for Barbara Walters’ 10 Most Fascinating People last year. What I know about you is a fierce hybrid of what other people say. Tabloids have made me side-eye you. Your stylish outings have forced me to see you in a different light. Even South Park has made me reconsider how silly I looked for going all PC when I heard people say you were anything less than “stunning and brave.” But I don’t think I was ever fighting for you personally. You’re the face of a radical, necessary cause, and I didn’t want that cause to become a joke. Do I care about you, or am I just stoked there’s a movement? So, thank you for being a force in this, both in your personal choices and your reactions to society’s expectations. Clearly you’re doing something right. After everything, to me, the weirdest part is remembering you’re Kanye’s stepmother-in-law now. OUTFRONTONLINE.COM 17
IT’S CALLED ACTING Steve Cruz
If only trans actors should be cast in roles of transgender characters, does it not follow that only cisgender actors should be cast for cisgender characters?
WHEN THE DANISH GIRL’S FIRST PROMOTIONAL PHOTOS OF ACTOR EDDIE REDMAYNE in character as Lili Elbe surfaced, entertainment and gay news sites took immediate notice. Comment threads were overwhelmingly positive, but almost immediately, objections were voiced over the casting of a “non-trans” or “cisgender male” actor as Lili. I was surprised to read early reviews of the film in which some critics had taken up that same issue. I didn’t know the story of Elbe’s gender transition in the early 1900s, but she was one of the first people to undergo gender reassignment surgery. It was encouraging that this story was in the hands of skilled and renowned film professionals. This film project has garnered early positive reviews as a gorgeous creation with astonishing performances in a tenderly conveyed story. Though The Danish Girl is “inspired by” the story of Lili Elbe and her wife Gerda, it is not a documentary, and while the film promises exposure of trans history, a continuation of conversation about trans issues, and high-level handling of the subject, the main complaint has been that a non-trans actor is playing the role of a transgender woman. This brings up a few questions:
Who should have been cast?
Making a major motion picture requires a mountain of money. Actor selections must pass the scrutiny of marketing and publicity experts who are often the ones getting studio heads and producers to open their wallets. Another consideration in casting the lead would be everybody-else-associated-withthe-film. Top talent — actors, directors of photography, artistic and costume designers, music composers, et al — are attracted to projects because of who is attached at the top. With a project of this magnitude, failure to cast the right pair of leads might have prevented the film from being made entirely.
Should a transman or transwoman actor have been cast?
The character in the film requires an actor who can portray a man — specifically a husband in a loving relationship — who transitions to a woman. While some online commenters suggested transwomen actors, would they have been convincing as a pretransition man? I asked and received replies such as: “We won’t know if they’re not given a chance.” With $15 million on the line, this probably isn’t a situation where relative newcomers will receive “a chance.”
2015: THE YEAR OF LYING OUTRAGEOUSLY ISIS WHEN: August WHERE: UN Security Council meeting, Jessica Stern, executive director of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission spotlighting the “barbaric treatment,” violence, and discrimination against LGBT people by ISIS in Syria. SAY WHAT? “In addition to men perceived as gay, transidentified people and lesbians are among those who have been raped and killed. Sodomy is punished with stoning, firing squads, beheadings, and by pushing men from tall 18 JANUARY 20, 2016
buildings.” (This is not a lie, but outrageous because the issue has yet to be addressed.)
MIKE HUCKABEE WHEN: September WHERE: Facebook posting that turned out to be a lie as confirmed by The Vatican. SAY WHAT? “The Pope recognized something that the chattering class in Washington and Wall Street will never understand — that Kim Davis followed her conscience and convictions. The Pope thanked Kim for doing so and congratulated her for her stand.” CONT. PG 20>>>
Would a prominent trans actor take the role?
UK pop singer Will Young recently released a music video for the track Brave Man. The video stars actor “Finn” (no last name I could find), who is transgender. Finn released a statement to Pink News saying he is proud of the video, but doesn’t want to be known as “that trans actor.” Would the lead role in The Danish Girl create an image for a trans actor that he or she might never overcome? Actor Jaye Davidson of The Crying Game (1992) acknowledged that his career in film and TV acting was cut short because he couldn’t move past that image in the minds of directors and casting agents.
Does demanding trans actors for trans characters impose undesired limitations?
If only trans actors should be cast in roles of transgender characters, does it not follow that only cisgender actors should be cast for cisgender characters? This issue is very similar to those who called for gay or lesbian actors to have first dibs on gay or lesbian roles. In the course of that argument, several prominent directors pointed out that gay and lesbian actors portray heterosexual characters, and no actor wants to be confined to a “casting closet.” When Neil Patrick Harris was asked about his TV role as a womanizer, he responded, “It’s called ‘acting’ for a reason.” During a Women’s Studies college course, my professor brought up the term “more equal.” She pointed out that after centuries of civil and social mistreatment, some women’s activists wanted extra advantages for women because of an unfair past. She asked rhetorically how women’s issues could ever move ahead with that burden. Are stories about transgender characters too sacred to be portrayed by non-trans actors? Redmayne is an intellectual actor and has repeatedly expressed his concern for transgender issues. He recently expressed the vulnerability he felt in the role and how it heightened his awareness of the judgment, abuse, and violence endured by transgender people. Additionally, he sought advice and guidance from transgender people, praising director Lana Wachowski (The Matrix, Sense8) for her openness to and patience with his questions. OUTFRONTONLINE.COM 19
WHEN WILL TRANS ACTORS BE “GOOD ENOUGH” FOR
HOLLYWOOD? Evelyn Franco
GLAAD’S TRANS IMAGES ON TV REPORT YIELDED A PRETTY DISMAL FIND: 46 percent of people surveyed found trans characters on television “defamatory.” The survey, taken in 2013, could use an update, but I doubt much would change. It’s seemingly never a good time to cast a trans character in a film unless depravity, deception, and/or a punchline is the basis for their presence. We can do better. When you want to effectively capture what’s at the heart of a character, you need someone who can be the living embodiment of the writing, a full representation of the role, a vessel in which a story is believably conveyed to an audience. Would The Color Purple be as effective if, instead of Oprah and Whoopi Goldberg in leading roles, the casting directors chose Geena Davis and Sigourney Weaver to tell the story? Would The Joy Luck Club had half as much impact if the leading ladies were Sandra Bullock and Meg Ryan? Or how about 12 Years A Slave, starring Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix? No thanks — and that’s just a switcheroo of race.
How about gender?
If someone were to remake Erin Brockovich, a famous film about a woman taking on the system, and
Zachary Quinto were cast in the title role, wouldn’t there be a mountain of criticism to overcome as the producers tried to explain away why a cis male is depicting a woman? Of course there would be; it’s disingenuous. Now tell me why it’s “patently ridiculous” to suggest that shows and movies depicting trans characters be played by trans actors. We already deal with trans actors having a rough time getting roles that aren’t only positive, but don’t adhere strictly to the trans-specific themes. Would Hollywood let actress Candis Cayne, who is trans, play Erin Brockovich? You know the answer to this already — count how many roles Hollywood has given trans actors (much less leading roles) and see the blackout for yourself. So if Hollywood’s audience isn’t ready to experience trans leading men and ladies in cis roles, can’t we at least play parts written for and about us? Let’s be frank: American audiences haven’t been so gaga for Eddie Redmayne that his casting was a guarantee of box-office success. Ditto Elle Fanning for About Ray. Why, then, is it so inconceivable that some of us would turn the other cheek when yet another trans character will be depicted by a cisgender actor? The consideration of this notion is all I ask of readers.
2015: THE YEAR OF LYING OUTRAGEOUSLY SARAH PALIN Owner of Sarah Palin Channel, online TV “news network,” currently shut down
WHEN: September WHERE: Interview with Fox and Friends host Steve Doocey, who, following up Palin’s statement that some immigrant groups should go home, asked: “Where are Native Americans supposed to go?” SAY WHAT? “Well I think they should go back to Nativia or wherever they came from. As if they just have some sort of automatic right to be in this country. But I say if they can’t learn to get off those horses and start speaking American, 20 JANUARY 20, 2016
then they should be sent home too.” (Doocey was dumbfounded.)
NICOLAS DE JESUS LOPEZ RODRIGUEZ Dominican Republic Cardinal
WHEN: December WHERE: Responding to allegations of corruption from James Brewster, the 7th openly gay US ambassador. SAY WHAT? “That man needs to go back to his embassy. Let him focus on housework, since he’s the wife to a man.”
OUTFRONTONLINE.COM 21
BOYCOTT BOYCOTTS Bil Browning
AS AN ACTIVIST COMMUNITY, LGBT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN EARLY ADOPTERS of new technology and strategies aimed at our target audience. So why do we continue to cling to a relic of the past that hasn’t worked for decades? Boycotting a company or product was productive until the early 2000s, but its worth as a modern activist tool is over. As a society, we’ve evolved our corporate structures and distribution models to make it nearly impossible to meet the definition of a successful boycott. Remember the outrage over Chick-fil-A donating sandwiches to an anti-gay group? How did that turn out for us? (Right wingers bought tons of chicken sandwiches and the company didn’t go out of business — it didn’t really affect their sales at all!) As a boycott, it was a bust.
Companies can wait for a boycott to sputter out, but in today’s world they have to respond to bad publicity immediately.
22 JANUARY 20, 2016
I’ve been the lead loudmouth for the campaign to expose the Salvation Army’s anti-gay history for almost a decade. The piece that started it all was called Why You Shouldn’t Give to the Salvation Army, but nowhere in the blog post did I call for a boycott. Instead, I simply told people about the group’s history and let them make up their own mind on whether or not they wanted to chuck change into the red kettles. It was an informational campaign — not a boycott. After the post went viral, there was no way for the Salvation Army to put the genie back in the bottle. The successful portion of the Chickfil-A campaign came along the same lines. The company’s sales didn’t shrink enough to cause any real damage, but news that the company’s leadership was anti-gay made national headlines. Soon politicians, celebrities, and half of Facebook were talking about Chick-fil-A and how homophobic they are as a company. Again, the internet did our job for us. We didn’t need to point to declining sales as our goal post, but that’s how it was set up. It
wasn’t a successful boycott, but it was an incredibly effective public-relations campaign. The internet has helped LGBT people organize and push for civil rights at lightning speed compared to other civil rights struggles. We used that tool to come out, meet other members of our community, share information, and, most important of all, organize ourselves. Who would want to go back to the days of local phone trees when you can send an email to everyone at the same time? Our community is too small to put a big dent in any major multi-national corporation’s bottom line, but we can definitely put a dark spot on their reputation. With social media tools in hand, we can bring any organization to its knees by simply sharing the information they don’t want the public to see. Companies can wait for a boycott to sputter out, but in today’s world they have to respond to bad publicity immediately. The Salvation Army started a major public relations push a couple of years ago to tell folks they’ve changed their ways. Chick-fil-A announced they would stop donating to anti-gay groups. Was it because they lost a fortune? No. They lost their good standing in the public eye — and that’s much more worrisome for any corporation. That is where we win. This way, we get the same results, get a faster response, and gain allies along the way. Why should we position ourselves into a losing situation when there’s a better solution staring us in the face from our laptop and phone screens? In the days of global trade and online shopping, boycotts are a thing of the past. It’s time to finally call off the boycotts and embrace modern PR campaigns.
DAMN RIGHT WE SHOULD BOYCOTT Faith Cheltenham
We should protest! We should all be disrupting and getting in the literal way of any group of people terrorizing any community, just for being born a certain way!
EVERYONE’S GETTING INTO THE MOVIE BOYCOTT BUSINESS THESE DAYS, with New York City police officers recently calling for a boycott of The Hateful Eight after director Quentin Tarantino spoke out against police brutality in NYC — you know, the home of Alberta Spruill, Abner Louima, Sean Bell, and Eric Garner. NYC’s police brutality isn’t just Springsteen song fodder; The Wall Street Journal reported that the 10 cities with the largest police departments (including New York) collectively paid out $1.02 billion in settlements over the past five years for police misconduct cases. So it’s easy for me to support Tarantino’s desire to create conversations about police reform in New York, and as a black, bi, queer woman of color, it’s critical that I support and champion the demands of Black Lives Matter across the country. I also support the idea that NYPD police officers support a boycott against The Hateful Eight for two reasons: 1) Everyone, including The Hateful Eight’s own mega-producer Harvey Weinstein, knows no one is seeing anything other than The Force Awakens these days. Weinstein even told Variety, “It’s not sour grapes, but if I’m writing a memo to myself, I would say, ‘Do not open against Star Wars.” 2) I personally delight in the opportunity for free speech for everyone — including the police. If NYPD officers can pull together a petition for The Hateful Eight, surely they can muster the internal reforms necessary to stop killing innocent, unarmed black and brown people, can’t they? If not, I think we should protest! We should all be disrupting and getting in the literal way of any group of people terrorizing any community, just for being born a certain way! So a movie boycott can work both ways, as most things can for this bisexual. I can vote with my dollars and take a trip to see The Hateful Eight and, in some small way, support
police reform in New York. (Plus, folks say Jennifer Jason Leigh is at her best and I mean, c’mon: when is she not?) Zoolander 2 premieres this spring, already sparking a boycott in the fall of 2015 after its trailer included Sherlock’s Benedict Cumberbatch in what petitioners called “an over-thetop, cartoonish mockery of androgyne/ trans/non-binary individuals.” The Care2 petition, which at the time of this writing has over 23,000 signatures, gave helpful hints to the filmmakers, saying that the movie should have cast a trans or nonbinary actor if it intended to “provide social commentary on the presence of trans/androgyne individuals in the fashion industry.” With producer Ben Stiller having yet to respond to concerns, it seems likely the boycott will continue to have a critical impact on audience interest … in protesting it. In the spring of 2014, Annalee Newitz at io9.com was critical of the first official The Force Awakens cast list, crying, “Hey Star Wars: Where the Hell Are the Women?” Within a day of tweets rising on the topic, the Hollywood Reporter wrote that director JJ Abrams had “another substantial role to fill — and it’s a female part.” Before it even premiered, The Force Awakens screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan confirmed to Vulture.com that the concerns about the representation of women had been heard and resulted in a twist, one never seen before in the Star Wars universe. Before a boycott could even get off the ground, criticisms were heard and responded to, with the resulting Star Wars film now on track to become the highest-grossing movie of all time. Movies do better when they reflect more of our collective humanity, and when more people can see themselves in roles, no matter if they’re hero, villain, or both. Storytelling is at its most successful when we’re all yelling at the screen with joy, and I think that’s always worth fighting for. OUTFRONTONLINE.COM 23
SPEAKING MY COMIC MIND IN THE AGE OF OUTRAGE Penny From Heaven
KILO THE GOOD BOY
“STICKS AND STONES MAY BREAK MY BONES BUT NAMES ARE FAR WORSE because my bones will heal, but microaggressions will damage my self-esteem, invalidate my feelings, and forever trigger me, compelling me to seek safe spaces and leave me feeling oppressed and unable to participate in an adult world.” — Rhyme recently overheard at a schoolyard near you.
challenging any conventional ideas and
We live amongst an army of weaklings who have learned to make money by whining. The same spirit — or more appropriately lack of spirit — has lead us to accepting “I’m offended” as an argument. It’s not. It’s an unsolicited complaint that doesn’t merit a counter argument. Note to those who get by this way: if I want to know if you’re offended, I’ll ask you.
To the modern day court jesters I say, the
The comedy stage is the last oasis of free speech. We need to protect it, as we should any other dying national resource. Every comedian encountering would-be Thought Police uttering “I’m offended” should emergently answer, “Good.” The notion that offensive comedy should be quashed for that reason belies ignorance. Standup comedy is art, and if it’s not offending anyone, then it isn’t
(Okay, that last sentence was a hack. Tell
Meet Kilo! A sweet, gentle boy who walks well on a leash. He did well with cats, dogs, and kids under 12 in the past. Though he has some age-related medical issues like arthritis and hearing loss, he’s still got plenty of love to bring a good home.
24 JANUARY 20, 2016
MANHATTAN THE HAPPY
isn’t provoking thought. The comedian throws life’s absurdities back at the audience. It is folly to make a list of sacred cows that cannot be discussed if only because today’s truths may become tomorrow’s absurdities, and it’s the comedians who will alert of the change. more society regulates general discourse through statute and a neo-Victorian code of social conduct, the more special the comedy stage becomes. Comedians must be on guard and at the ready to defend our soapbox, always wary of the foes of free speech. And remember, you have nothing to fear, but fear itself. me you’ve never done it!)
Penny is the creator and hostess of Capitol Hillarity at Blush and Blu. She also does Penny’s Two Cents, a monthly review of the news every first Saturday at Bits and Pieces.
Manhattan is a happy, energetic dog that would be a great match for an active owner. He enjoys playing fetch and already knows some basic commands. He would do best in a home without children where he has plenty of playtime!
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OUTFRONTONLINE.COM 25
JUST SAY YES TO TRIGGER WARNINGS O’Brian Gunn
JUST AS WE’VE BECOME MORE AWARE OF HOW DEEP THE PSYCHOLOGICAL WOUNDS OF TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES CAN GO, trigger warnings (I prefer to refer to them as content warnings) have also started to become more prevalent. Just as there are things we’ve done in our pasts that we’d rather not dredge up accidentally or on purpose, so too are there individuals who would prefer a disclaimer or warning about material they’re about to read or watch that may send fissures cracking through the foundation they’ve built over their traumas.
My Definition of a Trigger/ Content Warning
Just as you would warn a vegetarian that a soup contains chicken stock or a house guest that a step is loose, that same sense of caring and compassion is exemplified in offering a trigger warning.
To me, adding a content warning to an article, film, discussion, syllabus, or anything else is a display of good manners. Just as you would warn a vegetarian that a soup contains chicken stock or a houseguest that a step is loose, that same sense of caring and compassion is exemplified in offering a content warning. The core concept of good manners is to make people feel at ease and comfortable in your presence, which can’t be done if you show a blatant disregard for their lifestyles, preferences, or past experiences.
The Other Side of the Game
One thing we have to bear in mind when it comes to content warnings is that there are different responses to the same stimuli. Just like you might not give a flying TIE fighter about the newest Star Wars movie, someone else might be willing to have a kidney removed without anesthesia to get a front row seat. The same idea holds true of traumatic experiences. You don’t get to decide what’s traumatic for another person. If you grew up in a war-torn country and had shots and screams as a morning alarm clock, you might not bothered in the slightest
26 JANUARY 20, 2016
by seeing someone having their head blown off right in front of you. The same might not be necessarily true of someone who grew up in an extremely isolated environment. Content warnings aren’t coddling; they’re an acknowledgement.
Shooting Straight
Now, I won’t say that everything needs a content warning. I know they can be especially problematic in academia where students might opt out of a discussion rather than risk being uncomfortable at the sake of learning something or earning a degree. It can also be difficult to determine which students have a good reason for opting out and which are simply taking advantage of the option. One thing to remember about higher learning is that no one (usually) is forced to go to college. Not only that, but the sheer expense of earning a degree weeds out most of the individuals who don’t want to be in the classroom. What I’m getting at is that someone who truly wants to learn, who truly wants to improve him/herself in and out of the classroom despite past traumas will find a way to weave around psychological obstacles and do what it takes to complete a class or participate in a discussion. Not reading a single article is one thing, but depriving yourself of an opportunity to learn and grow (and possibly find a new way to cope with your trauma) is another. There’s a time and place for content warnings. Just as you shouldn’t be surprised to see naked bodies and drinking in a strip club, you shouldn’t be surprised to encounter provocative ideas and content on a college campus. Simply because someone who’s experienced trauma and is given a content warning doesn’t automatically mean he or she will “back away.” A content warning is just as much of a precaution as it is a choice.
ON HIGHER EDUCATION’S ENEMY, THE TRIGGER WARNING
REAL LIFE DOES NOT COME WITH TRIGGER WARNINGS. There are not amber alerts that read “Caution! Around the corner, you will overhear a racist comment.” No, real life is frustrating, haphazard, disturbing, confusing, and sometimes, terrible. Logically, then, the books, movies, and media we consume reflect these difficulties and perversions. Art, after all, is a mirror reflecting our own society.
students. Because if they do, the
Miles Griffis
The argument from supporters of trigger warnings is that the warnings need to be administered before any potentially discomforting work over the PTSD threat for the reader or viewer. I agree that there is plenty of material out there that could rouse flashbacks and panic attacks to a victim of past trauma; I do not agree, however, that adding trigger warnings is in the best interest of our society. By choosing to skip over challenging ideas, we do not engage fully, and are subsequently not exposed to the horrendous occurrences in our world. We then have no fire lit beneath us to fight or change the injustices, because, with trigger warnings, we are choosing to live a life entitled to pleasantness. No change or progress for the betterment for our world can come from a life of posies and dandelions.
allow them to skip what they don’t like
The largest push for trigger warnings is happening on college campuses across the United States and the UK. The push is from entitled, wining, middle to upper class millenials. Coddled by drone parents in a society of extreme political correctness, these students believe that anything outside of their liberal arts school bubble can be traumatizing.
people. We need to know about them so
This mass of students is ruining higher education. Professors are more and more intimidated to use their normal syllabuses in fear of offending their
young people that life contains trauma is
If we ignore work with triggers warnings, we have no fire lit beneath us to fight injustice; we are choosing to live a life entitled to pleasantness. No change or progress for the betterment for our world can come from a life of posies and dandelions.
professors could receive poor reviews. Since so many professors are part-time employees, their jobs are at risk with negative reviews. The point of higher education is to expose students to difficult texts, art, films, conversations, and philosophies during their four years. Students must be allowed to mature. Trigger warnings and what they do not know. I fear that if students begin picking and choosing what to ignore because of uncomfortable emotions, the entire higher education system will become complete rubbish.
If you do not want to be forced to engage with the history of mankind, with genocide, humiliation, racism, sexual assault, and all the other triggers in history and art, then homeschool yourself like an Evangelical Christian and deny yourself the rich multitudes of educated opinions and live in pillow-padded world. But do not dilute society because of your own experiences. Terrible things happen everyday to that we can better deal with them. A comment from Andrew Tsao on trigger warnings from a New York Times article Why I Use Trigger Warnings by Kate Manne says it eloquently: “To swim in the ocean, one understands there is the chance of drowning. I propose warning akin to trying to make all the ocean safe for the swimmer. A noble endeavor, but a fool’s errand nonetheless.” OUTFRONTONLINE.COM 27
THROW IT IN REVERSE FOR RACISM O’Brian Gunn
IF I RULED THE WORLD, WE WOULD SPEND MORE TIME DISSECTING AND DISCUSSING THE UNUSUAL (yet endlessly intriguing) relationship between Dr. Hannibal Lecter and Will Graham on the show Hannibal, but unfortunately my fantasies have very little sway on reality, which means we instead spend more time dissecting and discussing the nuances of racism. I’m not saying that racism is a subject that shouldn’t be brought up, just that it’s a subject with so many roots and layers, you could spend five lifetimes talking about it and still be no closer to figuring out a solution that works for everyone. In regard to turning the barrel of racism around and firing it at the majority, is it a weapon that can be wielded by everyone, or just members of a certain race?
Black men and women have to constantly ask themselves if they look threatening, suspicious, or like a target while out in public and especially around the police.
Firing Blanks
Before we dive into the Matrix of Reverse Racism, I want to preface by saying these are my opinions/thoughts/observations and mine alone; not OUT FRONT’s, and not every member of the black community. Alright, onward. I believe that reverse racism does not exist. I most certainly believe that any person of any race can be prejudiced, but racism is to prejudice what the sun is to the moon. They both exist in space and they’re both round, but they’re different sizes, different hues, have different gravitational effects and so on. To me, being prejudiced means having certain assumptions, opinions, and ideas and believing stereotypes about an individual without having prior engagement with that individual or anyone like him or her. Over the centuries, racism has grown from a murky pond filled with the belief that one race is superior to another into a tumultuous, swollen ocean of an institution designed to make one race of people feel as if they are a collective genetic failure while making another
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race (often the majority) seem as if they are proof that God exists and they have His favor.
Break It Down Like a Fraction
While a caucasian person can most certainly feel and comprehend the stinging concept of prejudice and being dismissed simply because of his skin color and the associations inherent in his skin color, he cannot (but can try to) fully comprehend what it means to inherit a sense of shame, guilt, self-loathing, hatred, rage, isolation, misery, fear, and misunderstanding. This is what it means to be born black in America, these words are the epitome of the black experience and have been for centuries. School history books tell black students their race rose up from slavery, but often neglect to tell them they’re descended from royalty and magnificent scholars. Black men and women have to constantly ask themselves if they look threatening, suspicious, or like a target while out in public and especially around the police. The black community struggles to find a combination of uplifting, multifaceted, unadulterated, and honest representations of itself in fashion, film, literature, TV, and even video games. Black people are the lost children of one continent and the unwanted offspring of another, forever struggling to make peace and find strength in our current “home.” I don’t mean to say these experiences aren’t true of or similar to other races, but the unique combination of the above scenarios and the way they play out in contemporary America is indeed unique to the black community. Think about it. Now ask yourself if a caucasian person (or anyone of a majority race) has ever or could ever be made to feel this way. Just because you shift the gears doesn’t mean the machine will still work.
NO. BLACK PEOPLE CANNOT BE RACIST Evelyn Franco
ONE DAY, WHEN YOU’RE FEELING PARTICULARLY HEARTY OF SPIRIT, I urge you to look into an eye-opening study called the Clark Doll Test, which demonstrates beautifully just how quickly institutionalized racism embeds itself in our nation’s children. (There’s even a YouTube video that’ll let you watch it unfold before your very eyes but, like I said, make sure you’re feeling strong that day.) In the video, a child is asked a series of questions about two dolls — one black, one white — that sit on the table before them. “Show me the doll that you like best or that you would like to play with.” The child points to the white one. “Show me the doll that looks ‘bad.’” The child points to the black one. “Show me the doll that is the ‘nice’ doll.” The child points to the white doll.
The 1939 Clark Doll Test resulted in surprising outcomes when children were asked to choose between a black doll and a white doll.
It would seem an isolated incident, save for the fact that every child, regardless of color or gender or age, chooses the white doll as the favorable doll time and again. When asked for reasons why the black doll is bad, it’s because “it has dark skin.” Over and over, latherrinse-repeat. A recent viral video shows a more updated version of this when, upon unwrapping their gifts of two black dolls, a pair of young, white siblings breaks into tears. They abandon the dolls by video’s end, the disdain on their faces hiding nothing. I find that folks who fervently insist that black people can be racist actually mean that black people can be bigoted ... prejudiced. Racism, however, is evident when prejudice based on skin color has embedded itself into a society’s institutions and the mindsets of its people. For that to happen, you need (among other things) population
I find that folks who fervently insist that black people can be racist actually mean that black people can be bigoted ... prejudiced. numbers to prop up these skin-color biases to the point that they become systemic. The black community, at least in modern-day America, simply doesn’t have the numbers to mandate that the entire nation temper the societal progress of its non-black citizens — not that doing so is an agenda item for the nation’s black population, mind you. If its black community were able to infuse our nation’s public policy with the ability to deny the non-black denizenry the same benefits they themselves enjoy, well then … you’ll be able to thrash your finger at your powerful black overlords and properly accuse them of racism. Until then, feel free to note the many injustices and actual racist activity in our nation. Or, if you’re unconvinced, try a more straightforward approach and follow along as a group of armed, white men take over federal grounds with (at the time of printing) no repercussions to speak of, while the cops gun down 12-year-old black kids with toy guns and face (at the time of printing) no repercussions to speak of. That’s a pretty in-your-face demonstration of our institutionalized racial double standard. Or just racism, as it’s called. OUTFRONTONLINE.COM 29
WHAT DO ENCHILADAS, THE REDSKINS, AND A BINDI HAVE IN COMMON? Rick Kitzman
IN THE 70S, I LIVED IN NEW YORK AND WITNESSED THE GLORIOUS EXPLOSION OF GAY LIFE — until Saturday Night Fever debuted. No longer underground and unique, my tribe was front-page news. And it pissed me off! Today, I could’ve vented my hypersensitive spleen on a worldwide platform, tweeting “No homo would be caught dead in a white polyester suit,” and argued about cultural appropriation. The term broadly means the adoption by a majority of a minority’s tradition for its own empowerment, disrespectful of history or sacredness and costing that minority. During digital battles, usurpers scream “freedom of speech,” and couldn’t care less about hearing legitimate concerns. The less privileged protesters are often the least equipped and last heard above the bickering din. Is South Park’s Tickle Me Homo an amusing play on a child’s toy, or a disgusting promotion of anti-gay sentiments? Context decides.
All of human history could be deemed cultural appropriation.
Opponents equated SCOTUS’ same-sex marriage decision with the Dred Scott ruling regarding slavery, the court’s worst “sad day” — except perhaps to justices Alito, Scalia, and Thomas, The Three Stooges of the Supreme Court. (Does that insult the justices or the comics?) Context decides. Wearing blackface, Ted Danson roasted then-girlfriend Whoopi Goldberg who, as the Oscar hostess in whiteface, portrayed Elizabeth I as the African Queen. In White Chicks, The Wayans brothers portray African-American FBI agents in whiteface female drag. In Tropic Thunder, Robert Downey, Jr. applied “realistic” blackface. Black entertainers wore blackface in the early 1900s! Entertaining or not? Perhaps another decision for context. The Confederate flag: emblem of heroism, or reminder of cruel servitude? A Colorado bill proposed listing bakeries that offered same-sex wedding cakes,
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defending and excusing bakeries who discriminated. What’s next, anti-gay muffler shops? From dicey to pricey. LGBTs and other minorities fixed up homes and opened businesses, improving the Baker neighborhood, then couldn’t afford it; but “authentic” Mexican enchiladas are now enjoyed safely in chic restaurants. Losing a vibrant, diverse neighborhood? Meh. Are Blondie, Eminem, Iggy Azalea, and their millions of white followers “wiggas,” white people copying hip-hop culture and a pejorative play on the already pejorative “n” word? Or are they artists and fans? Context, are you here? The bindi, a sacred red dot to Hindus, has been worn as a beauty mark by Gwen Stefani, Julia Roberts, Madonna, and Selena Gomez. The top knot, also sacred to Asians, can be seen crowning white boys’ heads. Fashion blasphemies, or embraces of Indian culture? Paging context. Using geisha girls in their music, do Avril Lavigne and Katy Perry appreciate Japanese culture, or endorse misogyny? Killing Native Americans yielded rewards for scalpers when the US government and private companies paid for literal scalps, including genitalia, hence, “red skins.” Does the name of the Washington football team honor Native Americans? Pharrell Williams posed in a Native American war bonnet on an Elle UK cover, and The Village People had an “injun” stereotype in their costumed lineup. What’s the difference? All of human history could be deemed cultural appropriation. Romans were Greek wannabes. Popes forced Jews to convert to Catholicism. Ivan the Terrible morphed into Vlad the Putin. Muslim invaders knocked on the gates of Vienna in 1529, and again last year. In the United States, minority babies outnumber white babies. We will witness future flip flops of cultural appropriation for years to come. No. Big. Deal.
OUTFRONTONLINE.COM 31
THE INAPPRO PRIATE CULTURE OF OVER SENSITIVITY Yvonne Wright
If you think your culture is the first to wear a certain hairstyle, make a certain food, or create a certain type of art, you are most likely wrong. Every song, every recipe, every dance, every painting, every book, every idea owes something to someone who came before — it’s how the arts & sciences grow.
32 JANUARY 20, 2016
CULTURAL APPROPRIATION. It’s a term that describes people adopting elements of a different culture. It used to be considered a compliment, people who loving and appreciating the beauty of what others have created so much that they adopt it for themselves, adding their own elements to create something completely new. You know, like how Italians took pasta from the Chinese and created dishes Asian cultures never imagined. If it wasn’t for cultural appropriation we wouldn’t have spaghetti and meatballs, ravioli, or (God help us), lasagna!
accurately represent these cultural
Not anymore. Somehow, somewhere, someone decided that the food, the religion, the art, even the hairstyles that originated from one culture became its intellectual property. Furthermore, not only has it become oppressive to appropriate elements of someone else’s culture, it’s become the new bar the politically correct now beat us with. I, for one, have had ENOUGH!
of making it, and came up with a newer
Last year, Kylie Jenner was called out for wearing her hair in cornrows. Cornrows are a type of braid, similar to the French braid. Yes, they likely originated in West Africa, but can anyone tell me which culture holds the current patent on braids? What about dreadlocks? They originated in Greece. Am I allowed to wear my hair in a bun given its origins in Japan, China, India, and Europe? Or may I simply wear the hairstyle I think looks best on me?
Every song, every recipe, every dance,
Just last month, Oberlin College promised to change its student cafeteria menu so it would be more “culturally sensitive.” This after students accused the institution of “cultural appropriation.” Ironically, a Vietnamese sandwich known as banh mi and a General Tso’s recipe took center stage. It seems the cafeteria didn’t
grew out of hypotheses produced by
dishes. I say “ironically” because the Vietnamese originally “culturally appropriated” the banh mi from the French. They took the traditional French baguette sandwich, added their own local ingredients, and made something new. As for General Tso’s chicken, guess what? It was first made and served in America. Yes, but the school’s cafeteria steamed the chicken instead of frying it like the Chinese do. Just like the Vietnamese, they took a dish, added their own way (healthier) version. The thing is, there is no such thing as owning a piece of culture. Culture is a living, breathing, ever-changing, always growing entity. If you think your culture is the first to wear a certain hairstyle, make a certain food, or create a certain type of art, you are most likely wrong. every painting, every book, every idea owes something to someone who came before — often someone from a different race or culture. It’s how the arts and sciences grow. Were it not for the impact of French artists, Spaniard Pablo Picasso would not have created his Cubist masterpieces; Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity scientists from too many cultures to list; and William Shakespeare’s writing is largely influenced by early Greek and Roman literature. Each cultural block builds upon another. Now, pass the lasagna!
A WORD ON CULTURAL APPROP RIATION Ryan Howe
A bachelorette party rolls up to your local drag show, complete with tiny penis straws. They are very vocal about how exciting this bar is, and how everyone is sooooo nice. Then they vote against trans bathroom rights. They are appropriating our culture while keeping us among the oppressed. Get it now?
CULTURAL APPROPRIATION IS A REAL THING. You might not think so, because you aren’t a racist. Or, you are a racist and think that everything belongs to you, because you have the right to it. You don’t. Culture is defined as “a way of life of a group of people — the behaviors, beliefs, values, and symbols that they accept, and are passed along by communication and imitation from one generation to the next.” Appropriation is defined as “the action of taking something for one’s own use, typically without the owner’s permission.” Combine those two, and you get cultural appropriation, which in short means people in dominant cultures taking from other cultures that have been oppressed by said dominant culture. This is not the same as cultural exchange, where people mutually share with each other without the context of a power dynamic. This is also not the same as cultural assimilation, where oppressed cultures adopt elements and traits of the dominant culture to make life less of a struggle. Now that we all understand exactly what the term means, let’s get down to why it matters, and why it’s plain wrong. Cultural appropriation trivializes violent historical oppression. For example, the Washington Redsk*ns have refused to change their very offensive team name. Why? To them, it’s “honoring the Indians” and “keeping to tradition,” both of which are a slap in the face to a community that’s been systematically targeted by genocide, slavery, and colonization, the effects of which have lasted through generations. Not to mention the name Redsk*ns comes from a time when white
people were paid to kill Native Americans and used their scalps or even genitalia (to prove their sex), aka “red skins,” as proof of their “Indian kill.” Now, we use it to rake in money for the NFL. We should be ashamed of this, not celebrating it. We don’t have a team called the Alabama Nazis, do we? On a more personal level, cultural appropriation lets people love the culture of minorities but continue to oppress them. For all you queers out there who loooooove to eat Chinese food, but joke that they need to speak English instead of “Engrish” is the easiest example to give. If that didn’t strike a nerve, let’s give a more privileged example. A bachelorette party rolls up to your local drag show, complete with tiny penis straws and a sash. They are very vocal about how fun, and exciting this bar is, and everyone is sooooo nice and beautiful. Then they vote against trans bathroom rights, or your sacred marriage equality. They are appropriating our culture while keeping us among the oppressed. Are you catching on? Because I could rattle off lists of examples why cultural appropriation is very real, and very wrong. This is a call to action. Educate yourself beyond the history that you learned in school, because most of that is surfacelevel lies to paint America in a beautiful, whitebread portrait. This isn’t me telling you to drop the sushi like we dropped an atom bomb on Hiroshima. I’m not telling you to stop braiding your hair the same way those scalpless Indians styled theirs. I’m not telling you to cover up your tribal tattoos. I’m asking, no encouraging you to educate yourself and be thoughtful before using things from other cultures. OUTFRONTONLINE.COM 33
THE ANTI FEMINIST MANIFESTO Geoffrey Black
Men constitute an alarmingly high risk of suicide, with three male victims for every female victim, precisely because of these enforced stereotypes. It is less socially acceptable for men to explore their feelings, their impulses, and their sexuality while, at the same time, being held to the standards proffered in fitness magazines and pornographic films.
I QUIT SUBSCRIBING TO FEMINIST DOCTRINE the minute it became so radicalized. Many radical feminists, like #BlackLivesMatter activists, are mere breaths away from becoming domestic terror organizations. The hardline ideologies of these groups eerily resemble many of the conspiracies of dictatorships past, seeking to divide rather than unite. For those who need a Social Sciences 101 refresher, feminism was intended to bring about the “political, social, and economic equality of the sexes.” Increasingly, I get the sense that that spirit has been abandoned in favor of Black Panther-like tactics to promote female empowerment — a down-withmen rhetoric which ignores the unique hardships men also face. After all, it’s not heterosexual males using lesbians as accessories, but rather heterosexual females commodifying gay and bisexual men. Likewise, the most ardent and vocal feminists seem to be white academics who are afforded the privilege of voicing their opinions from the safety and comfort of the ivory tower, or at home behind their computer screens with their hashtags and retweets. Indeed, white feminism seems to be a peculiar form of gender dysphoria or perhaps body dysmorphia, wherein otherwise able-bodied and competent young women cast themselves as “gender fluid and transgender” in an attempt to seek refuge from the influence of the patriarchy at the expense of genuinely transgender and/or gender fluid people everywhere. Never mind the peculiar contradiction of being both gender fluid and transgender, a logical fallacy, seeing as transgenderism is necessarily based on
34 JANUARY 20, 2016
the male/female binary. Radical feminism seems to focus solely on the aspects of male possession of women within a vast network of inescapable patriarchy. They fail to recognize the importance of female influence within the confines of a heterosexual relationship. In marriage, a wife may be her husband’s greatest confidant and support system through all of life’s hardships. Additionally, emotional privilege remains the domain of the feminine. We cannot fault men for expressing themselves as carnal creatures — we have been conditioned to measure ourselves against other men upon a spectrum of sexual conquest and professional success. Emotional authenticity has never been valued by culture at large. Men by and large remain emotionally repressed, suffering in silence, as they were raised to, “Shut up and take it like a man.” Men constitute an alarmingly high risk of suicide, with three male victims for every female victim, precisely because of these enforced stereotypes. It is less socially acceptable for men to explore their feelings, their impulses, and their sexuality while, at the same time, being held to the standards proffered in fitness magazines and pornographic films. Medically, American men constitute the only demographic in the developed world where genital mutilation is not merely advocated but encouraged. I suppose there would be a furor if American doctors advocated removing the clitoris as is custom in many undeveloped nations. In the workplace as well, radicalized
Emotional privilege remains the domain of the feminine and has never been valued by culture at large. Men remain emotionally repressed, suffering in silence, as they were raised to, “Shut up and take it like a man.” white feminists make the case that their dollar is worth $0.22 less than a man’s. However, when we examine that claim, it seems that education and ethnicity — already intimately related socioeconomic factors — have more to do with a woman’s worth than the mere status of her genitalia. White feminists, from the safety of their Tumblr pages, largely seem to be whining at the expense of hard-working hispanic and black single mothers everywhere, who make (and keep) far less than their caucasian counterparts. Of course, these thoughts don’t matter much, seeing as they are coming from a Cis-WhiteMale, the most popular pejorative used to negate arguments which counter the illogical hatred of radicalized feminists everywhere. It should be noted that in rhetoric circles, this form of shutting down an argument is nothing more than an ad-hominem attack on the speaker and not actually a valid counter to the points. Perhaps with more moderation and finesse, new-wave feminists will gain more support and acceptance. Until then, they remain alienated with their funny pronouns and haircuts at the expense of true female victims everywhere. OUTFRONTONLINE.COM 35
REVIEW: VINTAGE THEATRE’S THE NORMAL HEART Jerry Cunningham
Paul Jaquith’s no-frills direction is thought-provoking and gripping. “It’s every gay man’s story,” he says. “It’s a story that has touched all of us in one way or another. It is an important piece of history.” Charged with bringing this powerful story to life, the ensemble cast portrays each scene with purpose and conviction. Ned Weeks, played by Charlie Wingerter, is an impatient, selfproclaimed loudmouth in the gay community. His concern with the number of people that are dying as a result of a mysterious illness (and the lack of media and government attention) only fuels his fire to make the gay community more aware of the epidemic. While Emma Brookner, a polio-stricken, wheelchairbound doctor (played by Emma Messenger) prescribes her best-guess prognoses and tough love in counseling the neverending waiting room of patients. And when Felix Turner, Weeks’ lover, played by Vintage Theatre’s Artistic Director Craig Bond, goes to see Dr. Brookner, he finds out he too is infected with the disease and wonders if even a kiss could infect his partner. 36 JANUARY 20, 2016
The story becomes one of desperation, where the very word “activism” doesn’t feel so efficacious. The crisis unfolds on a stage that’s divided into three equal parts — a makeshift office; a confined apartment living room; and a grim hospital wing where Weeks’ fellow “infantry” take turns battling his frequent tirades against sexual liberation, making him wildly unpopular. Their newly formed organization, known in real life as the Gay Men’s Health Crisis, is recreated on stage with the help of Weeks’ brother, Attorney Ben Weeks (Clint Heyn), and is run by Weeks and his three friends — Mickey Marcus, a substance abuse physician played by Todd Black; Bruce Niles, a closeted golden boy played by Christian Munck; and Tommy Boatwright, a witty activist and self-affirming “Southern bitch” played by Mack Cantwell. They do so not without the support of Patrick Brownson and Ben Butler, both of whom aptly play multiple ensemble roles. This emotionally charged production is well worth the history lesson to see. Even in today’s world of PrEP, it is clear that the AIDS epidemic continues to rage on. This production is sure to garner the attention of diverse audiences, while leaving an indelible mark on the normal hearts and minds of those who see it. Tickets start at $22 and the show runs through February 21. Vintage Theatre Productions, 1468 Dayton St, Aurora, (303) 856-7830, VintageTheatre.com
PHOTO CREDIT: CHRISTINE FISK FOR DENVERMIND MEDIA LEFT TO RIGHT: MATT CANTWELL, TODD BLACK, + BEN BUTLER
LARRY KRAMER’S 1985 THE NORMAL HEART IS A GUT-WRENCHING, MULTI-AWARD-WINNING PLAY currently being staged at Denver’s Vintage Theatre. Born in 1935, Kramer continues to be a very outspoken and courageous gay activist and his play is an important work that documents the first days of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic in New York City, which unfortunately is no less relevant today.
ICRME STAR WARS AUCTION The Force awakened on January 2nd when the Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain Empire held a Star Wars auction at Mile High Comics. The event, hosted by Prince Royale 42 Charles Rozanski, featured vintage collectibles, members of the Star Wars 501st Rebel Legion, and Star Wars: The Force Awakens actors J. Trent Adams and DC Barnes. The event was a benefit for the Denver Rescue Mission. Photos by Charles Broshous
MARQUEE THE ADDAMS FAMILY A NEW MUSICAL COMEDY Now through February 27, 2016 5501 Arapahoe Ave. • BDTStage.com
OUTFRONTONLINE.COM 37
H EA LT H
DUELING WITH DEPRESSION: OFFENSIVE COMEDY AS A REMEDY Mike Yost I WORKED AS A NIGHT AUDITOR AT A DOWNTOWN HOTEL TO PUT MYSELF THROUGH COLLEGE. It was a great gig in some ways: I never had to worry about scheduling shifts around my classes; on slow nights I would read; and I didn’t have to get involved in the office politics during the day. Conversely, I never really got any sleep during the week; I had to deal with a lot of drunk, antagonistic guests; and I was constantly on the sharp end of people’s hate. I heard the words fagg*t, n*gger, and all the other colorful pejoratives hurled around at the staff by drunk guests almost weekly — usually because we wouldn’t serve alcohol at 3am or (my favorite) because we refused a refund after a guest’s prostitute stole his wallet. “It happened-d in your hotel-l,” one guest told me in drunkspeak. “It’s y-your responsibility.” Many of these guests, mind you, traveled often, spending large sums of money with our company, which means they did this with impunity. I always joked that no matter how good I felt about life, my cynicism would be reinforced nightly by that 38 JANUARY 20, 2016
job. I’d usually just ignore the hateful banter of drunk guests, but one night someone at the front desk called me a fagg*t and I lost my cool. I walked around the desk, pointing at him and screaming, “This man hates homosexuals!” The other guests in the lobby just stared at their feet uncomfortably or walked away. But it was only later that I realized I’d reacted exactly the way that man wanted me to. He was vomiting his hate to antagonize others, and succeeded. I allowed some stranger to take control of my behavior and disposition, allowed it to color my perspective and contribute to my own depression. Since then, I’ve taught myself not to be so reactive (it takes work, sometimes), which is why I’m confused and even concerned when I see others in an almost constant state of being offended by content that isn’t even meant to be hateful or mean — and comedy is a great example. Louis C.K. has a wonderfully offensive bit about the use of the word fagg*t and how, when he was a kid, it was never used as a pejorative against gays. “I would never call a gay guy a fagg*t,
When I learned to laugh at the absurdity regarding the importance we place on pejoratives, I robbed that very verbiage of its power. unless he was being a fagg*t, but not because he’s gay. Like, if I saw two guys blowing each other, I would be respectful to them. I would, you know: ‘Hello, gentlemen.’ Whatever.” Surely someone who hears that bit without any context or understanding of Louis’ intent would be offended. Even knowing his context and intent, some might still be upset. But for me, as a gay guy who’s been attacked on several occasions with that very same word, I laughed the first time I heard that bit. Still do. Being in a constant mental state of “waiting-to-be-offended” by the word fagg*t (in any use) only contributes to my struggle with depression. When I learned to laugh at the absurdity regarding the importance we place on pejoratives, I robbed that very verbiage of its power. Yet we have college campuses trying to censor controversial speech of any kind, regardless of intent or context. I see comedians being banned from the very institutions where free thought and challenging ideas were once encouraged. And what kind of impact does this have on students struggling with depression? “A campus culture devoted to policing speech and punishing speakers is likely to engender patterns of thought that are surprisingly similar to those long identified by cognitive behavioral therapists as causes of depression and anxiety,” Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt write in The Atlantic. “The new protectiveness may be teaching students to think pathologically.” The article argues that colleges are coddling students by trying to protect them from offensive language or controversial ideas to avoid so-called triggers. But for me, avoiding books like Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway because its “suicidal inclinations” only contributes to suicidal tendencies. Censorship, regardless of whether the intent is to protect, only exacerbates the real problems of hate speech and in a way subsidizes depression, giving it more avenues to manifest itself. And I refuse to allow my emotional well-being to be controlled by language (which isn’t always easy). I welcome the social commentary afforded by comedians who challenge what are essential socially-constructed policies (both on the left and the right), not moral absolutes. So the next time you see two guys blowing each other, be sure to be respectful and say, “Hello, gentleman.” And the next time you hear the word fagg*t, know that it only has the power to curve your spine and infect your soul if you allow it.
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H E I N ZES I G H T
BREAKING BAD HABITS Brent Heinze, Senior Columnist INSTEAD OF MAKING A SERIES OF NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS that you will probably break in the first few weeks of January, consider making a promise to yourself to improve the ways you interact with people. We are all slaves to our patterns, but breaking out of them can be extremely beneficial.
ACCEPT YOURSELF Apologizing for who you are or what you enjoy shows high levels of insecurity. Work on figuring out what really makes you tick, then embrace those things and own them. Work on finding those people who like who you are instead of feeling bad about what you enjoy.
DON’T GET BUTT HURT None of us like to get rejected, but stop taking it so personally. Pout for a little bit and pick yourself up. There are plenty of people out there. Be careful about getting stuck focusing on the ones who didn’t work out.
BE HONEST If you have no intention of following through meeting up with someone or wanting a second date, just let them know instead of blowing them off, blocking them online, or stringing them along. It doesn’t matter if avoidance is an easier option; it’s better to be a truthful person.
TRY TO HOOKUP FOR SOMETHING OTHER THAN SEX Getting naked with someone can feel great, but looking for a different kind of connection with someone can be fantastic as well. Developing friendships can include sharing interests and other forms of good times — not just humping.
ASK FOR WHAT YOU WANT Hopefully, we develop the ability to express ourselves appropriately to make others receive our desired message. Be careful about being too subtle or not verbalizing your 40 JANUARY 20, 2016
If a person expresses interest in striking up a conversation, be careful about thinking they only want a sweaty exchange. You can take the time to find out without accusing them of stalking you as their sexual prey.
desires. Regardless of whether it’s a date, a partner, or a friend, let them know what you want, what makes you happy, and what you hope to gain. It’s better than making someone guess.
DON’T BE ASHAMED TO SHOW YOUR FACE It’s great to have your favorite body parts, but only showing them off and refusing to show your face on social networking sites or cruising apps shows aspects of secrecy and embarrassment. Put yourself out there without apology.
THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH SAYING HELLO It doesn’t matter if you want to screw or not. Being courteous to someone who reaches out with a greeting is a nice thing to do and striking up a conversation with them may benefit you. This person may actually be really interesting.
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR Recognize that asking to see someone’s junk or hear about their favorite sexual fantasy could be considered rude. Be cautious of requesting too much or you may risk losing something great before it even has a chance to start.
DON’T ASSUME SOMEONE IS TRYING TO GET IN YOUR PANTS There are times when someone actually wants to get to know another person for more than just sex. If a person expresses interest in striking up a conversation, be careful about thinking they only want a sweaty exchange. You can take the time to find out without accusing them of stalking you as their sexual prey.
GIVE SOMEONE A CHANCE It may be unclear at the moment about how this person may fit into your life, but don’t be so rigid to think you know what the future holds. Who knows what other interests you may share or how they can connect you with others? Being open-minded gives you more opportunities.
LIPSTICK GRAND RE-OPENING The Lipstick Discotheque celebrated its grand re-opening on New Year’s Eve. OUT FRONT photog Charles Broshous stopped by on January 2nd to check out the revamped club at its new location, 5660 West Colfax Ave in Lakewood. Lipstick features a welcoming atmosphere, two bars, two dance floors, a DJ, and several VIP areas. The club is also adding an outdoor patio in the near future. Photos by Charles Broshous
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BAR TAB AQUA LOUNG E
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BA RR ICU DA'S 1076 Ogden St., Denver (303) 860-8353 barricudasdenver.com
B LUSH & BLU 1526 E. Colfax Ave., Denver (303) 484-8548 blushblubar.com
B OYZTOWN 117 Broadway, Denver (303) 722-7373 boyztowndenver.com
B ROA DWAYS 1027 Broadway, Denver (303) 623-0700 broadwaysdenver.com HAPPY HOUR TIL 8PM $2 domestic drafts, $2.50 wells, $3 domestic mini pitchers SUNDAY DJ TONY All Day $1 Coors Light Draft MONDAY LEATHER & TATTOO $1 Coors Light, $3 Svedka 8pm–CL TUESDAY 2-for-1 wells/domestic drafts 8pm–CL WEDNESDAY All Day Happy Hour ABSOLUT THIRSTY THURS W/ DJ MIA $3 Absolut, $5 Fireball & Jack Fire, $6 Malibu Buckets 8pm–close FRIDAY DJ TONY 10–11pm & Midnight–1am $2 wells, $3 domestic mini pitchers SATURDAY DJ TONY All Day $3 Svedkas
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R&R
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8TH AVE. 6TH AVE.
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YORK ST.
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3430 N. Academy Blvd., Colo. Springs (719) 570-1429 clubqonline.com
M UPTOWN
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THE HOTTEST DENVER NIGHTLIFE
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LUG AT THE WRANGLER The latest edition of LUG: Leather, Underwear, Gear was held in the Svedka Lounge at the Wrangler on January 8th. Attendees were asked to don their leather, underwear, rubber, and sports gear for a night of fun at one of Denver’s hottest gear parties. This month’s event doubled as an official meet and greet for the contestants of the 2016 Mr. Leather Colorado Contest, which made its return to the Mile High City after a two-year hiatus. Photos by Charles Broshous
OUTFRONTONLINE.COM 45
ASK A SLUT [WARNING: GRAPHIC]
I recently got some Christmas presents that I do not like or want at all. What do you do when you get bad presents? Signed, IT DOESN’T GO WITH MY DECOR Zoey: I put them all into a box and store them away for the next year. Then I re-gift them to other friends or coworkers — saves me cash and stress from shopping.
Latexa: I find that putting the present on that person’s porch, setting it on fire, and ringing the doorbell is effective. When they answer, they can look me straight in the eyes as I tell them I don’t like their goddamned present. That usually gets the point across.
Cookie: I gladly accept these gifts and thank them. (I’m not really thanking them for the gifts, but rather the fact that they’ve already done my Christmas shopping for next year!)
JackLynn: Re-gift that shit right back to whoever gave it to you, then return the gift you got them for cash. Next step, buy porn. Everyone is happy. Well everyone who counts, anyway.
I am a woman of a certain age and have tried for years to put on false lashes, but it never comes out! How do you do it? Signed, EYES WIDE SHUT Zoey: First, I put a light layer of lash glue on the band. When it starts to set, I pray out loud to the Eyelash Goddess (Annelle) to help. Sometimes 46 JANUARY 20, 2016
sacrificing a drink in her honor helps. By sacrificing I mean drinking. Then I put them on my eyelids and thank the Goddess for her assistance.
Cookie: Aren’t you a little young to be asking this question? At 8 years old, you shouldn’t be following us at all!
I’m a late-in-life gay and am new to “hooking up.” Not too long ago, I came face to face with a large-gauge Prince Albert. I didn’t know what to do, or how to do it. Please help. Signed, FEAR OF CHIPPED TEETH Zoey: Wow, you jumped from “new to hooking up” right to heavy body jewelry and I assume heavier play. Nothing like jumping in (giving) head first. To deal with the big ring in the man thing, just open real wide. Once the head is mid-mouth, don’t worry about chipping a tooth. Worry more about swallowing the rest of the monster coming in.
Latexa: First off, there’s nothing to be afraid of. Treat it just like any other one: start slow and find your comfort zone. You can usually tug on the ring with your teeth — it’s quite fun for both of you. (Just remember not to get overzealous. I have a loose tooth because I was overzealous.)
Cookie: If you’re worried about chipping a tooth, don’t do it. However, I understand that from the other end, it’s perfectly ok. Nothing is really worth the potential dental bills that may come.
JackLynn: Just take your teeth out first.
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O U T BAC K CLASSIFIEDS Envisioned by Boberto
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BAC KWOR DS
THE SCOPES CAPRICORN: Your communication levels are higher than normal right now, and that goes double for your ability to pick up on the unspoken form of info-sharing. The body language coming off that person you’d never suspect of flirting? It’s flirting. Poke back. AQUARIUS: You’ve been handed a messy plate, but that’s ok. It’s been awhile since you’ve been able to turn madness into order like only you can, so revel in your chance to show everyone how it’s done. PISCES: Your normal routine is about to get turned on its head, but before you get too excited, it’s not exactly the news you want. Looks like the stars have a bumpy road ahead, but it’s nothing unsurmountable, Fishy Friend. Stay on your toes is all we’re saying. ARIES: You’ve made a few resolutions for the new year, but one thing you should address is your love of a wild time. It so often ends up that your aversion to what you call “boredom” (but the rest of us call downtime) gets you into more trouble than you bargain for. Watch that. TAURUS: What’s basically a small tiff at work is magnifying itself in your mind. Don’t let it. You’re going to cut ties with something you really, really need if you don’t watch your reaction to offenses that aren’t really there. GEMINI: You’ve always been a mindful sort, but this year’s gonna be next level. We’re not trying to say that big things are on the horizon because of your newfound thankfulness. (It’s the stars that are saying so.) 50 JANUARY 20, 2016
CANCER: At some point this week, you should get back into spending a few quiet moments outside. It’s cold, yeah yeah yeah, but that excuse has cooped you up for too long and it’s taking its toll. Brave the weather. It’s worth it. LEO: You’re on a breakneck track to a personal makeover, and you’re doing a fantastic job of being more mindful about the things you say and do. While you’re at it, might we suggest also taking a look at the things about you that rule, and leaving those intact? VIRGO: Because you’ve been dormant for so long, you’ve got to be careful not to hurt yourself as you dive back into that workout routine you used to love. We’re not saying to dive back onto the couch for the rest of the year — just pace yourself. LIBRA: You don’t spoil yourself enough. Before you find ways to contradict that, just trust the people around you who’ve been trying like mad to get you to take a night off. SCORPIO: Your abstinence is hilarious. Commendable, but hilarious. You’ve definitely proved that you’re capable of keeping clothed, but c’mon: You don’t have to prove that to anyone. The city misses you. Come back. SAGITTARIUS: So you’ve found someone you like after all. We’re really liking that the flight-risky Archer is nestling into the arms of that sweetheart. Maybe this time, don’t forget that your friends wouldn’t mind seeing you now and again.
Turns sledding back into driving.
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