The Pride L.A. 1.25.19

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1.25 – 2.07.2019 LOS ANGELES 1 SPECIAL ISSUE: Westside Food Scene | New Year, More Food Pages 5 – 12 ISSUE NUMBER 07, VOLUME 3 | JAN. 25 – FEB. 7, 2019

SUPREME COURT APPROVES TRANS MILITARY BAN more on page 2

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LEGAL

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END DISCRIMINATION NOW

⚫ BY AMY PATTON

Fair Sex Offense Laws for LGBTQ+ Adolescences

Supreme Court Approves Trans Military Ban

The Supreme Court on on Tuesday, Jan. 22 approved the Trump Administration’s ban on transgender people from serving in the military.

"The Supreme Court’s decision today to grant the Trump Administration's request to allow temporary enforcement of its ban on transgender people serving in the military is both wrong-headed and morally repugnant,” The LGBT Center of Los Angeles stated in a press release. "Transgender members of our military serve our country with honor and distinction. The attempt to deny their participation in the military is a policy 'fix' in search of a problem. It has no function but to appease the President’s base and further stigmatize and harm people who have only showed the highest degree of character and patriotism. It is behavior that is the very definition of 'conduct unbecoming.”

The vote was 5 to 4. Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen G. Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan dissented.

"The Court’s decision is not final, as three lawsuits against the ban in other jurisdictions will continue to move forward,” the Center stated in the press release.

“But the slim majority on Court that let the policy stay in place have signaled that they are inclined to believe that the Constitution’s guarantees can be summarily withheld from certain people, even those people whose only offense appears to be their willingness to die for their country.

These service members—and all transgender Americans—deserve the full measure of the unalienable rights promised in the nation’s founding documents.”

The policy, which President Donald Trump first announced via Twitter summer 2017, prohibits people identifying with a gender different from their biological sex from military service, excluding several hundred transgender people already serv-

ing openly and for those willing to serve “in their biological sex.”

The Supreme Court declined to rule on the merit of the case, but will allow the ban to be enforced while lower courts work through various cases against the ban.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi tweeted Tuesday morning after the announcement that a “ban on trans Americans serving in our nation’s military was purpose-built to humiliate brave men & women seeking to serve their country. Deeply concerning that #SCOTUS is allowing his ban to proceed for now. #ProtectTransTroops” The Justice Department issued a statement, saying that the Defense Department "has the authority to create and implement personnel policies it has determined are necessary to best defend our nation."

"Due to lower courts issuing nationwide injunctions, our military had been forced to maintain a prior policy that poses a risk to military effectiveness and lethality for over a year," Kerri Kupec, a spokeswoman for the Justice Department, said in a statement.

"We will continue to defend in the courts the authority and ability of the Pentagon to ensure the safety and security of the American people."

The Pentagon said in a statement Tuesday that the policy is about clarity rather than a ban on all transgender persons from the military.

“As always, we treat all transgender persons with respect and dignity,”Lt. Col. Carla Gleason, a Pentagon spokesperson, told CNN. “(The Department of Defense’s) proposed policy is NOT a ban on service by transgender persons. It is critical that DoD be permitted to implement personnel policies that it determines are necessary to ensure the most lethal and combat effective fighting force in the world. DoD’s proposed policy is based on professional military judgment and will ensure that the

U.S. Armed Forces remain the most lethal and combat effective fighting force in the world.”

Who’s affected by the decision?

Most transgender persons are now disqualified from military service except: • Service members who have been stable for three years in their biological sex prior to joining the military – meaning 36 months after completion of surgery and hormone treatments.

• Service members diagnosed with “gender dysphoria” after joining the military can stay in the military if they don’t require a change of gender and remain deployable.

Gender dysphoria involves a conflict between a person’s physical or assigned gender and the gender with which the person identifies, according to the American Psychiatric Association.

• Service members who were diagnosed with “gender dysphoria” before the effective date of the policy can still serve and receive medical treatment.

• Transgender persons without a gender dysphoria diagnosis or history can serve in their birth sex.

The Defense Department can issue waivers on a case-by-case basis.

The policy also states that transgender persons serving who require gender reassignment surgery or hormonal treatment during their service would be disqualified due to their inability to be deployed for a period longer than 12 months.

By the government’s own numbers in 2016, there were approximately 8,980 Service members that identify as transgender.

During the Obama Administration, 937 members were diagnosed with gender dysphoria and began or completed their transition.

This story is developing. Check thepridela. com for updates.

On Tuesday, Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) introduced Senate Bill 145 to end blatant discrimination against LGBTQ+ teens regarding California’s sex offender registry.

Currently, for consensual yet illegal sexual relations between a teenager age 15 and over and a partner within 10 years of age, “sexual intercourse” (i.e., vaginal intercourse) does not require the offender to go onto the sex offender registry; rather, the judge decides based on the facts of the case whether sex offender registration is warranted or unwarranted. By contrast, for other forms of intercourse – specifically, oral and anal intercourse – sex offender registration is mandated under all situations, with no judicial discretion.

“There’s no reason for the law to treat a high school senior dating a high school junior differently because of their sexual orientation or gender identity,” Equality California Executive Director Rick Zbur said. “For years, we’ve been working to make this common-sense fix and ensure LGBTQ young people are treated the same as their peers. We’re deeply grateful to Senator Wiener for his leadership on this critical issue of fairness and equality.”

Until recently, that sex offender registration was for life, even if the sex was consensual. Under 2017 legislation authored by Senator Wiener, registration is for a minimum of 10 years.

“SB 145 puts an end to blatant discrimination against young LGBT people engaged in consensual sexual activity,” Wiener said. “This bill is about treating everyone equally under the law. Discrimination against LGBT people is simply not the California way. These laws were put in place during a more conservative and anti-LGBT time in California’s history.They have ruined people’s lives and made it harder for them to get jobs, secure housing, and live productive lives. It is time we update these laws and treat everyone equally.”

SB 145 is sponsored by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and Equality California, and is supported by both law enforcement and civil rights advocates. It is co-authored by Assemblymember Susan Eggman (D-Stockton).

“Justice should be applied fairly and equally regardless of a person’s sexual orientation,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey said. “I support this bill to correct the unjust application of the law.”

SB 145 does not change whether particular behavior is a crime and does not change the potential sentence for having sex with an underage person. Rather, the bill gives judges the ability to evaluate whether the party in question should registrater as a sex offender. SB 145 extends existing regulation to include other forms of intercourse.

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ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS

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GAY L.A.

` ⚫ BY HENRY GIARDINA

In 1958, Gay Rights Won For the First Time

When the Supreme Court sided with a gay magazine, history was made.

Before the 1950s, America didn’t have any gay publications. While there may have been pulpy Gay and Lesbian fiction for folks to read and a few movies about gay life playing in cinemas (1936’s “These Three” and 1944’s “Laura” come to mind,) there weren’t any magazines or even pamphlets that queer folks could pick up to read about gay life.To put out an out-and-out gay magazine was just too risky, and while Lisa Ben, the RKO staffer who put out the country’s first lesbian magazine-cum-newspaper in the 1940s, was responsible for penning entire issues of “Vice Versa,” she had to keep it quiet.

Then the 1950s happened. The Mattachine Society, started up by Harry Hay and a few other prominent gay men in Los Angeles in 1950, decided to start up its own publication: Something that would cover serious political issues concerning LGBT rights as well as topical subjects and happenings. The first issue

of ONE magazine came out in January 1953, and while the Los Angeles gay community was happy about it, law enforcement was not.

To put things in a bit of context: This was before Stonewall, before the Black Cat protests in Silverlake, even before the Cooper’s Donuts riot in 1958 where rent boys and drag queens headed off the cops at a late-night hangout in L.A.’s “gay ghetto.” The world may have been ready for ONE magazine’s frank treatment of civil rights, social justice and gay life, but the U.S. Postal Service was not. A magazine boasting the headline “Something About Sailors” simply wasn’t going to go unnoticed by the world at large.

According to Matt Baume, who hosts the podcast “The Sewers of Paris,” ONE tried to come out quietly in the early years, featuring: “No matchmaking ads; no racy photos; no descriptions of physical intimacy—even cuddling. But the following year, an issue contained ads for sheer pajamas and a short story that involved some touching, which led the Post Office to seize the issue.”

The Post Office refused to mail issues of ONE through the mail. While issues were mostly sold in bars, it was being mailed enough

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to get under the skin of Los Angeles Postmaster Otto Olesen. ONE found itself on the wrong side of the law, with no one, not even the L.A. ACLU to help out. ONE’s attorney Eric Julber had a long journey ahead of him. He not only had to convince the Supreme Court that ONE wasn’t “filthy.” He had to make a strong case that a publication dealing frankly with homosexuality isn’t the same thing an ob-

scene or pornographic publication.

And miracle of miracles, he won. After losing out in court the first time, Julber got a swift reversal in 1958, thanks to the fact that previous cases dealing with nudity and “polygamy” had eventually won. While this victory might seem small to us, it set an important precedent. Even before the official start of the Gay Rights Movement, ONE was making history, right here in L.A.

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ASK AIDAN: Date and Dining Etiquette Dear Aidan, How does one go about splitting the bill when it comes to dating?

Dear Bill Splitter, There are many answers to this, depending on the situation. Here it is: • If you are the person that invited the person on the date then you should probably pay.

• If you have been invited out on a date let your date take the lead on ordering... it’s rude to order the most expensive champagne from the drink menu because you are expecting the person who invited you out to pay. Feel it out.

• If you have been invited out on a date you should be prepared to pay half. But most of the time the person who invited you will probably pay.

• If you have been invited on the date but feel uncomfortable with the idea of your date paying the entire bill, then you can offer to split the bill.

• If the date is going well and the person that invited you wants to pay, use that as an opportunity to invite them out to another date at the place of your choice so you can reciprocate the generosity.

• If you have been invited out on a date and then your date expects you to pay the entire bill... don’t talk to them again.

Dear Aidan, Frequently, when my husband and I eat out, the waiter feels confident that we're a small table and doesn't write down our order. Then they get it wrong more often than not. Is there a way I can politely ask the waiter to write our order down (with out getting my food spit on)?

Follow Aidan on Facebook/Instagram/Twitter @AidanParkShow and check out his upcoming comedy shows on his website AidanPark.com

Dear Conflicted Diner, Yes! Personally I would just ask them to write down the order since I'm a head on type of person when it comes to conflict. If you are comfortable with this sort of approach, I would just say, "Hi!

Photo: Getty Images.

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, Aidan Park covers topics regarding dating and dining etiquette in this week’s column.

Can you please write this down? Lots of times people get it wrong. I would really appreciate it so much.” But if you are not comfortable with such an approach, I would actually intentionally complicate the order and then make the reason for having to write down the order about your unusually complex specifications rather than the waiter getting it wrong!

Say you are ordering a pizza. Tell the waiter, "Hey... I have an unusually complicated order.

I’m so sorry could you write it down for me? I have some food allergies as well and it would be great if you could help me out by writing it out

so the kitchen gets it right.” Then add cheese, add onions, no chives, extra olives, sauce on the side, hold the pepper, etc. Make it so complicated that the waiter HAS to write it down. Then tip well!

That should go without being said.

“Dear Aidan” is a reoccurring advice column written by Aidan Park. Questions for Aidan can be submitted via social media or at amy@ thepridela.com. Follow Aidan on Facebook/Instagram/Twitter @AidanParkShow and check out his upcoming comedy shows on his website AidanPark.com

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Join us around the fireplace for specialty cocktails, craft beers, and delicious “Pub & Patio Faer”!

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LOS ANGELES LOS ANGELES 7

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FOUR THE LOVE OF COFFEE

4 Essential Coffee Shops on the Westside

By Kerry Slater

For coffee lovers, winter in Los Angeles means ditching the cold brew of a cup of hot joe. With craft coffee shops popping up in nearly every neighborhood, the hard part is picking which establishment to choose. While the search for the perfect cup of coffee never ends, here are four Westside staples that do a near-perfect job of warming the soul, awakening the mind and pleasing the palate with their unique approach to brewing coffee.

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Metro Cafe in Santa Monica makes great coffee in a friendly enviroment.

Photos: Kerry Slater.

Metro Cafe

603 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Balconi Coffee Company baristas brewing coffee in siphons.

Photo: Facebook.

Balconi Coffee Company

11301 Olympic Blvd #124, Los Angeles, CA 90064 Balconi Coffee Company’s small storefront on Olympic Boulevard may be easy to miss but all it takes is one sip for their coffee to be remembered by taste buds. Prepared with a siphon, Balconi takes what are already quality single-origin beans and brews them into something truly special. The “siphon method” gives the coffee the rich flavor profile usually found with a frenchpress but without the sediment. In addition, the extremely knowledgable staff, cool jazz and books to browse make Balconi the perfect place to sit down and enjoy a mug of warm coffee.

Is the coffee at Metro Cafe above average? Yes. Is the coffee at Metro Cafe world-class?

No. Does it deserve a place on this list considering the plethora of Westside coffee shops serving top-notch coffee? Absolutely. Located in Downtown Santa Monica, Metro Cafe’s welcoming enviroment and friendly staff foster a sense of community rarely found in urban coffee shops. The coffee is all donation based/name-your-price. In addition, Metro gives back to the community by operating a food pantry for individuals experiencing homelessness and others in need. With a modern indoor seating area and a spacious outdoor courtyard, Metro is a great place to grab a cup of coffee, have a conversation or get some work done.

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At Menotti’s espresso-based drinks take center stage.

Photo: Facebook.

Menotti’s Coffee Stop

56 Windward Ave, Venice, CA 90291 With 90s hip-hop vinyl records bumping on the speakers and baristas pulling top-notch espresso shots, Menotti’s Coffee Stop makes the most out of their small Venice storefront.

Menotti’s keeps it simple with their menu, which is primarily geared towards their specialty: espresso. Even those who may not normally have the palette for a straight espresso should give one at Minotti’s a shot, no pun intended.

At Demitasse, which boasts some of the best cold brew in Los Angeles (pictured), the hot coffee is also top-notch.

D emitasse

1149 3rd St, Santa Monica, CA 90401 While their specialty may be Kyoto drip cold brew, Demitasse baristas make every drink memorable. With a selection of single origin pour-overs that are constantly being updated, frothy lattees and unique barista signature creations, the constant theme that ties Demitasse's extensive menu together is quality. Located in the heart of Downtown Santa Monica, just north of the Third Street Promenade, Demitasse is the perfect place to get a pick-me-up during work or a refresh after a long day of shopping and sightseeing.

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WESTSIDE REVIEW: Dining at Divinio Divino 11714 Barrington Court Brentwood (310) 472-0886

By Grace Hiney A meal at Divino is always a pleasure as the food is terrific, the setting delightful and, better yet, you can HEAR those dining with you (which you often cannot in other restaurants).

Owner Goran Milic was born in Montenegro which is just 10 hours by boat from Southern It-

aly where the Italian influence was made strong on his cooking.

Not only was cooking the main event in his young life but he played water polo at a competitive level for the Young Montenegrin National team. Just look around the restaurant as you wait for your meal and see all the black and white photos of the team with Goran. Why does Goran speak such good English? Because he studied English in London in 1985 and then immigrated to the United States in 1986. He loved California where he worked for ten years developing skills he needed to open his own restaurant which he and his brother, Davor, did in 1996. Divino of-

Winner Top 10 Best Italian Restaurant in L.A.! -Citysearch

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fers authentic Tuscan cuisine. And, Chef Goran believes that continuous learning is essential, so that he continues to visit Italy and various Italian chefs as he hones his trade.

To those of us who are just diners, Goran’s sociable personality and first class service, along with crisp white linens, helpful servers and an easy to read menu make any meal at Divino special. Not only did I enjoy my dinner with my friend, Barbara, but just a day or two before I had a quick lunch with my son and his wife.

As none of us were very hungry that day, we shared a delicious little salad and a Margherita pizza with its light tomato sauce with basil and mozzarella. The $16 pizza was perfect, light, crisp and excellent.

For dinner, Barbara and I each enjoyed a glass of wine while checking the menu. We also nibbled the delicious bread with olive oil and a touch of pungent Italian balsamic vinegar. A shared salad of grilled fresh julienne vegetables in a light lemon dressing made a perfect start for $16.

Barbara was delighted with her Pollo Fantastico boneless whole chicken roasted with herbs and balsamic sauce along with special potatoes and spinach. ($35). She was thrilled that it was enough for her to take some home for lunch the next day.

My Linguine ai Frutti di Mare was equally special and delicious. The linguini pasta with its zesty tomato sauce is served with fresh clams, mussels, calamari and shrimp ($28).

It too was more than enough for me so that I

Photo: Facebook.

Seafood pasta at Divino, located at 11714 Barrington Court in Brentwood.

too could take some home.

Here, the dinner menu includes special soups such as homemade family-style minestrone ($16) and a selection of seven antipasti ranging in price from $16 to $19 for the pan seared scallops (Cappesante). There are half a dozen pizzas listed, with the various pastas all in the $26 to $28 price range. There are two risottos along with five dinners in the $34 to $41 price category.

Naturally, there are desserts, too. A shared slice of rich chocolate cake and a coffee for me concluded our delightful evening. Hours for lunch are 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. while dinner is from 5:30 to 10 p.m.

1.25 – 2.07.2019 1.25 – 2.07.2019

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LOS ANGELES LOS ANGELES 11

5 Great Tips to Tackle a Tasty Game Day Menu Just like your favorite sports team, hosting a winning big-game party or tailgate takes planning, preparation and teamwork. To make your festivities fun-filled, remember these entertaining tips that are sure to score big with your fans.

Scatter the refreshments. Help direct movement and traffic flow by setting up food stations.

Using different rooms or areas helps prevent congestion and encourages guests to mingle.

Try placing finger foods and other appetizers in a couple of locations, beverages in another area and desserts in yet another space.

Embrace variety. Take into account taste preferences and dietary needs, and have an assortment of food and drinks available. Offer spicy options along with less seasoned dishes, both indulgent and better-for-you treats, plus an array of beverages for drinkers and non-drinkers alike.

Build your roster. If your party is a potluck, encourage guests to sign up for dishes so you don't end up with multiple versions of the same thing. Create a discussion group online, or simply ask guests to indicate what they'll bring along with their RSVP. Don't forget the dips. Wings are a tailgating staple, and dips are a great way to complement those zesty flavors or cool the heat, but you may find yourself in a team rivalry when it comes to the preferred dip at the game day bash: ranch or bleu cheese dressing? Both pair well with a range of wing flavors, so these dips are sure to

be crowd pleasers. The delicious combination of fresh herb and vegetable flavors make ranch a perfect party choice, and Litehouse Chunky Bleu Cheese features fresh buttermilk, homemade mayonnaise and a blend of spices as the backdrop for award-winning artisan blue cheese chunks that will make your fellow sports fans cheer for more.

Expand on tradition. Tailgating is a time-honored tradition, and the food lineup is often based on familiar fare. Along with those fan favorites, don't be afraid to put some new flavors into play, such as Sticky Sesame Chicken Wings that add a tangy ethnic flair to traditional wings!

2321 Abbot Kinney Venice, CA 90291 Tel: (1) 310.577.9775 Fax: (1) 310.577.9795 www.fr enchmar ket-cafe.com Open 7/7 - Fr ee Par king Outdoor Patio Beer and W ine by glass 7:00 am - 5:00 pm

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1.25 – 2.07.2019 COMMUNITY LOS ANGELES

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GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY

` ⚫ BY STAFF WRITER

50 Years Queer at the L.A. LGBT Center The LGBT Center of Los Angeles announced Thursday, Jan. 17 "50 Years of Queer," a jubilant campaign to commemorate its 50th anniversary this year. Throughout the new year, the Center’s signature events and other community-focused occasions will hallmark the organization’s half-century milestone.

“This is a historic moment for the Center and for the LGBT community,” Center CEO Lorri L. Jean said in a press release.

“Fifty years ago, a small group of volunteers banded together and decided to change the world. Perhaps that’s not how they thought of it, but that’s what happened. What began as a vision for helping members of our community developed into what’s now the largest LGBT organization, with nearly 700 employees, thousands of volunteers and supporters, and many more thousands of people whose lives have been changed for the better. What better way to celebrate who we are, where we’ve come from, and where we’re going than with a year-long set of opportunities for everyone to get involved!”

The year-long celebration will feature two landmark events that will serve as centerpieces of the anniversary festivities: On April 7, the Center will open the twoacre Anita May Rosenstein Campus, a firstof-its-kind complex in Hollywood which will offer comprehensive multi-generational services and 100 beds for homeless youth, a new Senior Community Center and Youth Academy, and expanded programming and administrative space. Phase

Photo: LA LGBT Center.

A rendering of the Anita May Rosenstein Campus set to open in Hollywood on April 7.

2—scheduled to open in early 2020—will include 99 units of affordable housing for seniors and 25 supportive housing apartments for youth.

On September 21, a star-studded celebration and concert at the Greek Theatre will feature musical headliners and special guests, preceded by a sit-down gala dinner.

In celebration of 50 Years of Queer, events throughout the year will integrate important historical and cultural themes that highlight not only the history of the Center, but the LGBTQ+ movement at large. Among those events will be a special year-long Big Queer Convo panel series

documenting the impact of LGBTQ+ people on the entertainment and news media over the last half-century, beginning on January 30 with The New Normal: Television and the Emergence of LGBT Identities. A host of other events will follow includ-

ing: Simply diVine (April 27), the premier food and wine event for LGBT people and their allies at Hollywood Forever; L.A. Pride Parade (June 9) in which the Center’s march contingency will hold placards depicting LGBTQ+ individuals who posed for the 50 Years of Queer campaign; Trans Pride L.A., one of the oldest and largest trans celebrations in the country (June 14–15); OUT Under the Stars summer outdoor film screenings at Hollywood Forever (tentatively scheduled for June 21 and August 16); and the 27th Annual Models of Pride, the world’s largest free conference of its kind geared for LGBTQ+ youth and their allies (October).

Starting later this month, a special series of commemorative books will be released throughout the year, along with a digital 50 for 50 series, highlighting 50 moments from the Center’s history and inviting community members to share their stories.

For the latest news and updates about the 50 Years of Queer campaign and yearlong events and activities, visit lalgbtcenter. org/50 and follow @lalgbtcenter on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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THE PRIDE L.A., The Newspaper Serving Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender L.A., is published by MIRROR MEDIA GROUP. Send all inquiries to: THE PRIDE L.A., 2116 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA. Phone: 310.310.2637 Written permission of the publisher must be obtained before any of the contents of this paper, in part or whole, can be reproduced or (c) 2017 The Pride L.A. redistributed. All contents THE PRIDE L.A. is a registered trademark of MIRROR MEDIA GROUP. T.J. MONTEMER, CEO 310.310.2637 x7

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CULTURE THEATRE

` ⚫ BY AMY PATTON

1.25 – 2.07.2019

LOS ANGELES

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THESPIAN LESBIAN

REVIEW: The Absurd Realism of “Hir” Art is an escape mechanism; We go to museums and live performances to get away from reality, but what happens when life follows you to the stage and is exacerbated and warped into a sad, dark comedy that vaguely reflects the raw emotion raging inside? You get “Hir.” Described as hilarious and terrifying, “Hir” is a dysfunctional family dramedy for a new era: a highly intelligent, heartfelt and deeply, darkly humorous portrayal of a family in crisis, in which domestic abuse, the trauma of war and the acceptance of gender neutrality are illustrated in a nearly absurd, emotionally gripping, intensely real dynamic. Somewhere in the American suburbs, Isaac, dishonorably discharged from his tour in Afghanistan, has returned home to discover a household in revolt.

Watching “Hir” is uncomfortable and, at times, bleak. But that’s part of its charm. Sitting in the audience watching, it is hard to rebound from the absolute chaos of the set to the insanity of the characters themselves. When center character Isaac (Zack Gearing) returns from the war, he is just as lost as the audience; where is the strained yet familiar life he left behind three years ago?

His stroke-surviving father has gone from raging domestic abuser to docile puppet for matriarch

Photo: Courtesy “Hir.”

Paige (Cynthia Kania) and recently out transgender sibling Max (Puppett).

As the play unravels, so does each character in their own way – each facing their own unique demons. Max’s character as a transgender teen is raw and conflicting. Battling hormones, ghosts of the past and hopes for the future, ze (Max’s preferred pronoun) spends most of the play in a fit of rage that resembles that of most adolescences. It is emotional and relatable. Ze is unlikable, yet very

lovable – proven as the plot progresses and the siblings’ relationship grows.

Director Bart DeLorenzo said in an interview with the Pride L.A. that “Hir” doesn’t have an inherent message, but rather, it is an “experience that asks a question.”

“Through the lens of a suburban American family, the play takes the audience on a journey into the heart of this present political/social moment and shows the current struggle in all its complex-

ity. Where will we go as a culture?” DeLorenzo said. “Retreating to some sort of oppressive patriarchal past, or stepping toward a very uncertain aspirational future? And what will we do with the past and those that can’t find their way? Like all great American plays, I think ‘Hir’ asks us to consider where we’re going.”

Performances of “Hir” take place on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. now through March 17. Additional weeknight performances are scheduled on Thursday, Jan 31;Wednesday, Feb. 20; and Wednesday, March 6, all at 8 p.m.Talkbacks with the cast follow the performances on Thursday, Jan. 31;Wednesday, Feb. 20; and Friday, Feb. 22.Tickets range from $32 to $37; there will be three “Tix for $10” performances, on Friday, Jan. 25; Thursday, Jan. 31; and Friday, Feb. 22. Friday, Feb. 22 is “College Night” and includes a pre-performance snacks on the patio for students as well as a post-performance discussion: $10 with valid student ID (use promo code COLLEGE). Additional discounts are available at select performances for seniors, students and patrons under 30; call theater for details.

The Odyssey Theatre is located at 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd.,West Los Angeles, 90025. For reservations and information, call (310) 477-2055 or go to OdysseyTheatre.com.

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