11.16 – 11.29.2018 ISSUE NUMBER 02, VOLUME 3
| NOVEMBER 16 – 29, ‘18
LOS ANGELES
Celebrating
THANKSGIVING with Your Chosen
Queer Family MORE ON PAGES 9 – 12
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RROR • WWW.SMMIRROR.COM
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11.16 – 11.29.2018
LOS ANGELES
2
NEWS
NATIONAL
` ⚫ BY AMY PATTON
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FEBRUARY 10 – 16, 2017
2018 MIDTERM ELECTIONS `⚫ BY ELIJAH ROOT SANCHEZ
LGBTQ Victories in the Midterm Elections With the dust settling on yesterday’s midterm election results, it seems there is hope on the horizon for LGBTQ+ representation nationwide. Not only did a record number of LGBTQ candidates run for various offices and win primaries nationwide, but several made history as of last night by winning. Here are the top 10 victories in the Rainbow Wave at the midterms. 1. Jared Polis from Colorado becomes the first openly gay man to be elected governor Polis is a five-term Democratic congressman and father of two. He beat Republican state Treasurercitizen Walker Stapleton lastperson night. had appeared to The added that this “Tonight, Colorado the Trump-Pence have been picking itemsrejected off the ground next to the administration’s politics of bigotry and fear vehicle before leaving the area. The citizen gave by the choosing bold pro-equality Jaredand Polis, officers a detailed descriptionchampion of the suspect the the nation’s openly officers wentfirst in search of gay thisman man.elected As the goverofficers nor,” Human Campaign president were searchingRights the area they spotted anotherChad vehiGriffin in a statement. nearly a decade cle withsaid a smashed window “For that was parked at the side of the street. officers then drove back in Congress, PolisThe fought to advance fairness andto the 2000 in block of Picoand Boulevard where they spotequality Colorado across America. ted2.a man who Davids fit the description of thequeer suspect. Sharice is the first The officers detained this and a fewKansas moments Native American toman represent later the citizenDavids who had the officers Democrat beatflagged Republican Kevin down Yodappeared and3rd positively identified the making suspect. er in Kansas’ Congressional District, Shortly thereafter the owner of the first vandalized vehicle appeared and stated that numerous items that had been recovered from the suspect had been stolen from his car. The owner of the vandalized vehicle was desirous of a prosecution so the officers arrested this 19-year-old Santa Monica resident and he was charged with vehicle burglary in addition to possession of opiates. Bail was set at $20,000.
He Tried Speed On Wednesday, February 1, at 3:40 a.m. officers of the Santa Monica Police Department received a call for service in regard to a possible bicycle theft that had just occurred in the 1300 block of 10th Street. As the officers hastened to the scene they learned via police radio that a victim had seen a man stealing her bicycle that at that time, had been locked up in a bicycle rack in the courtyard of
MIRROR ARCHIVES
the apartment complex in which she resided. The victim had been able to supply a detailed descriptionthe of the suspect, had also her first Nativewhich American andbeen theconveyed first LB- to the officers, as they were en route to thein location. GTQ+ person to represent the state ConThe officers arrived in the vicinity of the apartment gress. complex and began to scour the area. TheChris officers 3. New Hampshire elected soon spotted the first suspect lurkinggay in the 1300 block Pappas as the openly member of Congress Alley Number 10. The suspect was easy to recof ognize due to the Pappas fact thatbested in addition to the Democrat Chris Republican description giveninbyNew the victim the suspect ridEddie Edwards Hampshire’s 1st was Coning one bicycle whilstApushing one with his gressional District. formera second state lawmaker, free hand. officers attempted stop this susPappas will The be succeeding retiringtoDemocratic pectCarol but heShea-Porter. tried to speed away and in doing so disRep. carded the second bicycle. The officers eventually caught the man and he was arrested and taken off to jail. A search of this 21-year-old Hemet, California resident resulted in the discovery of not only the seemingly obligatory burglary tools but also a packet of methamphetamine. This man was later charged with possession of burglary tools, possession of methamphetamine, theft and resisting or delaying arrest. Bail was set at $10,000. Editor’s Note: These reports are part of a regular police coverage series entitled “Alert Police Blotter” (APB), which injects some minor editorial into certain police activities in Santa Monica. Not all of The Mirror’s coverage of incidents involving police are portrayed in this manner. More serious crimes and police-related activities are regularly reported without editorial in the pages of the Santa Monica Mirror and its website, smmirror.com. Photos: Facebook.
Jared Polis from Colorado becomes the first openly gay man to be elected governor.
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4. Lesbian Angie Craig bested antiLGBTQ congressman in Minnesota Not only is Craig the first openly gay person and lesbian elected to Congress from Minnesota, but she also defeated anti-LGBTQ+ GOP Rep. Jason Lewis. 5. New Hampshire elected two transgender women to the House of Representatives Lisa Bunker and Gerri Cannon won seats in New Hampshire’s Rockingham 18 and Strafford 18, respectively. This makes them the only openly trans members of any U.S. state legislature. 6. Democrats Susan Ruiz and Brandon Woodard became the first queer members of Kansas state legislature. Queer-identifying State Representatives Susan Ruiz and Brandon Woodard will represent Kansas’ 23rd and 30th Districts respectively. 7. LGBTQ+ community defender/ ally Zach Wahls became a state lawmaker Democrat Zach Wahls won the Iowa Senate District 37. He first made headlines in 2011 for defending his two moms and gay marriage before the Iowa House of Representatives. 8. Pennsylvania elected Malcolm Kenyatta as the first LGBTQ black man elected to state legislature. A 27-year-old former Democratic National Convention delegate, Malcolm Kenyatta won the state representative seat in Pennsylvania’s 181st District. 9. Teri Johnston elected mayor of Key West, Florida, becoming the state’s first lesbian mayor. Teri Johnston was elected mayor of Key West. A former city commissioner, she is the first openly lesbian mayor in Florida’s history. 10. Massachusetts voters uphold transgender rights protections Last but not least, Pop. 3 on the ballot asked voters whether they wanted to keep an existing state law that shields transgender people from discrimination in public places.The majority “yes” vote means people could use public facilities that match their gender identity.
COLUMN: Riding the Rainbow Wave
The 2018 midterm election has been considered the most diverse election in terms of candidates and elected officials in America’s history. It was the lowest year ever in terms of straight white male candidates running for political office. There were a record number of queer and transgender candidates in the 2018 midterms, many of them winning their races. With over 150 queer and trans folks victorious in their respective elections, this midterm was a major advancement in social progress. Many are calling this “Rainbow Wave” a major checkpoint in the fight to achieve equality for queer and trans people in the United States. There were many queer and trans people who made history this election season, being the first of their people to be elected in their position. Colorado elected the nation’s first openly gay governor with Democrat Jared Polis. Coming from a state with homophobic bakery owners to electing an openly gay man to the state’s highest elected position, this midterm election has shown Colorado’s evolution with gay rights and equality. As the first openly gay governor elect, Polis is the first to have such major influence over queer and trans policy in a state. Sharice Davids became the first ever queer person to be elected to Congress from the state of Kansas. Winning Kansas’s 3rd District, Davids was also one of two women this midterm election to be the first Native American women to be elected to U.S. Congress, joining Debra Haaland of New Mexico. In a year where thousands of Native Americans were threatened to be disenfranchised, its is encouraging to see two Native American women victorious. New Hampshire elected to two openly trans women to their state legislature. Lisa Bunker and Gerri Cannon make history by joining the very few openly trans officials in elected positions. With their victories, this can be considered a major triumph for trans rights. Over 110 million people and counting voted in the 2018 midterm election, making this the highest ever voter turnout in a midterm election, with around 48 percent of eligible voters casting a ballot this November, according to AP projections. Undoubtedly, the spike in queer and trans representation can be attributed to the spike in voter turnout. Historically, high voter turnout favors left-leaning candidates, and there were no queer or trans candidates for the republican party. With more representation, queer and trans folks will have more of a say in creating, defending, and combating policy that will directly affect them.
11.16 – 11.29.2018 COMMUNITY LONG BEACH
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LOS ANGELES
LEFT IN ASHES
` ⚫ BY STAFF WRITER
Photos: Facebook.
Long Beach LGBTQ+ Novelty Shop "Hot Stuff" Up in Flames After 45 Long Beach firefighters battled a blazing fire almost an hour and a half, local LGBTQ+ novelty shop Hot Stuff was left blackened and severely damaged Friday, Nov. 9. Hot Stuff’s Facebook page on Saturday morning read, “Hello fans. Sad news for this Friday morning. In the early morning a fire started in the shop and much is destroyed or smoked out. We will be closed until further notice. Lots to clean up..Sorry for the inconvenience.Thank you for your support. We will keep you updated…” The flames started around 3:54 a.m., sending dozens of firefighters rushing to the blaze. They had to force their way into the shop to get at the flames, according to Long Beach Fire Capt. Jack Crabtree. The firefighters we able to prevent the fire from spreading to the next-door businesses, although some smoke damage was reported.
Hot Stuff has been in business in this Broadway strip mall for decades. “It’s a long weekend,” the Facebook page read. “Sorry that we cannot be open to serve you.. We are grieving our 38 years of legacy in our wonderful neighborhood & LGBTQ Community. our retro ambience may be gone but our history, legacy and memories will live on @ Hot Stuff Long Beach”.
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NEWS
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11.16 – 11.29.2018
LOS ANGELES
>
REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN FAMILY
MOURNING TRANS LIVES LOST The transgender community is still one of the most targeted minorities in the United States. Not only are gender-nonconforming individuals being harassed and attacked on the streets, but the government is attempting to erase their entire identity out of existence. With National Transgender Day of Remembrance coming up on November 20, the City of West Hollywood is planning a ceremony for the trans lives lost this year at Jeremy Hotel from 6 - 9 p.m. In total, there were 29 deaths of transgender people in the U.S. in 2017. So far, there has been a total of 22 deaths due to fatal violence. LIVES LOST: • Christa Leigh Steele-Knudslien, 42, was found dead in her home on January 5, in North Adams, Massachusetts. Steele-Knudslien organized and produced the Miss Trans New England and other pageants, and was loved and known by many in both the local and national trans community. • Viccky Gutierrez, 33, a transgender woman from Honduras was stabbed and had her body set ablaze inside her Los Angeles home on January 10. Friends described her as “a young trans Latina immigrant woman whose warm smile would give anyone comfort.” • Celine Walker, 36, was fatally shot in a hotel room on on February 4 in Jacksonville, Florida. It was not known for several days that Walker was trans because local police claimed to not refer to victims as transgender. Investigators are still looking for a suspect in her death. • Tonya Harvey, 35, was fatally shot on February 6 in Buffalo, New York. A friend of Harvey’s expressed her condolences on Facebook, writing: “I knew her since I started transitioning, she was so sweet and loving.” Police have confirmed they are looking into the incident as a possible hate crime. • Zakaria Fry, 28, went missing in New Mexico in mid-January. Her body was later found 40 miles outside of Albuquerque on February 19. Albuquerque Police arrested and charged Charles Spiess with two open counts of murder. Fry's loved ones shared comondolences on Facebook with one friend saying: "You were my older sister. You took care of me and loved me like family. I’ll
Photo: Facebook.
Viccky Gutierrez, 33, was stabbed and had her body set ablaze inside her Los Angeles home on January 10.
forever love you. I’m sorry.” • Phylicia Mitchell, 45, was shot and killed outside her home on February 23 in Cleveland, Ohio. On April 10, Cleveland. com reported that a warrant has been issued for the arrest of Gary Sanders. Sanders was charged with aggravated murder in Mitchell's death. Her longtime partner, Shane Mitchell, described her as "funny and kind" and that "everyone loved her." • Amia Tyrae Berryman, 28, was fatally shot at a local motel on March 26 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Few details are known about the crime, and police report they have no suspects or persons of interest at this time. • Sasha Wall, 29, a transgender woman of color, was fatally shot on April 1 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. The FBI is assisting with local investigators, and are analyzing phone records and collecting DNA evidence. Donovan Dunlap, a friend of Wall’s, expressed condolences on Facebook, writing, “I will miss you my beautiful sister. I cannot sleep, I hope they find who did this.” • Karla Patricia Flores-Pavón, 26, was found choked to death in her apartment in Dallas, Texas, on May 9. Dallas Police arrested 24-year-old Jimmy Eugene Johnson III on May 17, charging him with Flores-Pavón’s murder. "It hurts a lot,
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you were a good-hearted person. Sister, fly high. We will remember you with love. Your beautiful smile will stay with us,” a friend posted on her Facebook page. • Nino Fortson, 36, was fatally shot in Atlanta on May 13. City police were nearby executing a traffic stop and rushed to the scene, but Forston later died at the hospital, said transgender advocate Monica Roberts. • Gigi Pierce, 28, was fatally shot on May 21 in Portland, Oregon. When officers arrived they tried to administer aid, but Pierce died at the scene. Police investigators say they believe that Pierce was shot during an altercation with Sophia Adler, who has been charged with Pierce’s murder, according to KGW-TV. • Antash'a English, 38, was fatally injured in drive-by shooting in Jacksonville, Florida on June 1. On her Facebook page, English described herself as an “independent” transgender woman who “thrives on being the best person” she can be. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has declared an active murder investigation and asks anyone with information to contact their office. • Diamond Stephens, 39, was found shot to death on June 18 in Meridian, Mississippi. In interviews with a local television station, family members said that Stephens had an “incredible personality.” As is too often the case in the reporting of anti-transgender violence, Stephens was originally misgendered in local police statements and media reports, which delayed our awareness of this deadly incident. • Cathalina Christina James, 24, was fatally shot in Jacksonville, Florida, on June 24. In an interview with First Coast News, James’ mother described her daughter as having a “big and bold” personality, saying she loved to dance and travel. James is the third transgender woman murdered and the fourth shot in the Florida city this year.
• Keisha Wells, 54, was found dead with a gunshot wound to her abdomen in the parking lot of an apartment complex on June 24, according to Cleveland.com. A longtime friend of Wells described her as “the nicest person ever” but also a “tough cookie.” • Sasha Garden, 27, was found dead with signs of trauma in Orlando, Florida, early July 19. Originally from Wisconsin, Garden is remembered by loved ones as a “firecracker” who “didn’t hold anything back.” Friend and local transgender activist Mulan Montrese Williams recalls that Garden was a talented and aspiring hair stylist and had been saving money to fund her transition. • Vontashia Bell, 18, was fatally shot on August 30 in a neighborhood of Shreveport, Lousiana. The Louisiana Trans Advocates organization released a statement condemning the shooting and calling on the city’s leaders to help curb the violence against the trans community. • Dejanay Stanton, 24, was found with a fatal gunshot wound to the head on August 30, according to media reports. After an autopsy, her death was ruled a homicide and the investigation is ongoing. “Every time you saw her she had a smile on her face," said LaSaia Wade, executive director of Brave Space Alliance. “She was just trying to live her best life as a young girl.” • Shantee Tucker, 30, was found with a fatal gunshot wound in the back in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 5. Friends and family honored her life and mourned her death on Facebook, recalling that she was like “another big sister” to them and remembering her “beautiful spirit and fun aura.” • Londonn Moore, 20, was found dead of multiple gunshot wounds in a remote area of North Port, Florida on Sept. 8. Moore is remembered by her family and other loved ones, who described her as “hilarious” and someone who “made everyone laugh all the time.” • Nikki Enriquez, 28, was one of four women killed in Sept. in what local officials describe as a “serial killing spree” allegedly carried out by an intel supervisor for the U.S. Border Patrol. Enriquez, who also went by the name Janelle, is survived by numerous loved ones that were “sad and in disbelief” at her death. Cousin Veronica Castillo described her as a “very outgoing” person who loved to party and was beloved by the local LGBTQ community. • Ciara Minaj Carter Frazier, 31, was fatally stabbed and her body left behind an abandoned building by a man with whom she was arguing on October 3 in Chicago. As reported in the Sun Times, Chicago police declared Frazier’s death a homicide after appearing on the scene. She is remembered by friends and loved ones, who said that she will “always be missed.”
11.16 – 11.29.2018 NEWS
LONG BEACH
` ⚫ BY STAFF WRITER
>
LOS ANGELES
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REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN FAMILY
LB LGBTQ Center’s Trans Day of Remembrance
5.75 in.
Joining with over 100 cities around the world, The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach will be hosting an International Transgender Day of Remembrance event. Taking place every November 20, the Transgender Day of Remembrance memorializes the hundreds of transgender people lost to anti-transgender violence over the last year. At least 22 transgender identifying individuals have been killed so far. 2017 saw a total of 29 trans deaths. Co-sponsored by The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach, 1st District Councilwoman Lena Gonzalez and the Human Rights Campaign, this year’s Transgender Day of Remembrance event will start at 5 p.m. at Long Beach City Hall as Councilwoman Gonzalez leads a proclamation presentation where the City of Long Beach will officially recognize The Transgender Day of Remembrance. The formal program will take place at Harvey Milk Promenade Park, the first park in the United States named after the slain LGBTQ-rights advocate, for a community event at 6:30 p.m. The first Transgender Day of Remembrance was held in 1999 to honor transgender murder victim Rita Hester, whose case has yet to be solved. This year’s event will feature several speakers sharing information on their experiences in Long Beach, available services to the
Photo: Getty Images.
transgender community and a reading of names of transgender people murdered in the last year. According to the latest Hate Crimes Report from the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations, 94 percent of hate crimes targeting transgender people were violent, a 4 percent increase from the previous year. The 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey notes that nearly 10.0 in. people report experiencing half of transgender sexual assault and 40 percent report attempting
suicide during their lifetime. Most recently, the federal government has moved to prohibit transgender people from serving in the military and has proposed rewriting federal guidance so that transgender people are no longer protected from discrimination under federal law. “Our federal government’s flaccid attempts at erasing our transgender community will not go unchallenged,” the Center’s Executive Director Porter Gilberg said. “The Transgender Day of
Remembrance is a day for our entire community, trans and cisgender alike, to come together in strength and unity for transgender people here and everywhere.” At 5 p.m., prior to the event, Gonzalez will be reading a proclamation in honor of the Transgender Day of Remembrance along with introducing an agenda item opposing the federal government’s attempt to strip transgender people of legal protections under Title IX. “As an ally of the LGBTQ community, it is important that we use our positions to continue to advocate for transgender-inclusive polices at all levels of government,” Gonzalez said. “It is critical that we provide a voice for those whose voices are being diminished at the federal level and whose lives are being cut short because polices don’t go far enough. I am proud to be a part of that movement.” The Transgender Day of Remembrance will take place Tuesday, November 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Harvey Milk Promenade Park (3rd and Promenade). Long Beach City Council meets at 5 p.m on November 20 at 333 W. Ocean Ave. Both the Transgender Day of Remembrance and the City Council meetings are free and open to the public. For more information contact The Center at 562.434.4455 or visit www.centerlb.org
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PHOTOGRAPHY
11.16 – 11.29.2018
LOS ANGELES
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GAY L.A.
` ⚫ BY HENRY GIARDINA
WHO IS MICHAEL CHILDERS? The photographer, whose work is being exhibited at the ONE Archives, has always turned his lens toward gayness.
One could argue that film and photography had queer origins from the start. One of the earliest Edison films features two men waltzing to a tinny photograph record. Likewise the history of the still image is full of male nudes, studies, from Eadweard Muybridge’s studies to Mapplethorpe’s more explicit images. The Hollywood photographer Michael Childers finds himself somewhere in between these styles. While his work isn’t exploitative or pornographic, it does tend to gaze tenderly
upon the male form in a way that feels daring for its time. Childers, whose work is currently on display at the UCLA ONE Archives in West Hollywood until January, has been working in and around Hollywood since he was a UCLA student in the 1960s. He got involved with film and filmmaking early, and was able to use his passion as an entryway into the world of the 60s and 70s subculture of queer artists headed by none other than Andy Warhol himself. “[Childers] went to New York as an assistant to his new love interest, John Schlesinger, to shoot “Midnight Cowboy,” which earned the British filmmaker the Academy Award for best director in 1970,” according to Palm Springs Life magazine. “Childers’ role was to photograph the actors in action, but he also turned Schlesinger on to the city’s underground culture. They frequented Max’s Kansas City, which was popular with artists, including Warhol and his entourage.”
He got to capture the Warhol crew, including proto-Fabio Warhol subject Joe Dallesandro, and to move onto the cream of Hollywood during the fascinating intersection of the new and old guards. Childers started shooting early enough to catch young stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jane Fonda and late enough to get older stars on their way out: Mae West and Groucho Marx among them. The current exhibition takes a look at Childers’ later, more experimental work following the Warhol years. Inspired by the work of sculptor Henry Moore and queer filmmaker Jean Cocteau, the “Distortions” series, as titled by ONE Archives, was “produced over the course of three years and featured participating subjects from a range of racial, sexual, and gender identifications.” There are few living artists whose work shares the scope of Childers’, perhaps due to the fact that Hollywood, as a subject, shows more starkly and stunningly the passage of time than a series of landscape portraits taken over the same 60-year period. Hollywood, especially the Hollywood landscape of the lost, semi-experimental 1970s, showed Childers how to look at bodies differently. His portraits of stars from Paul Newman to Denzel Washington show a male vulnerability that isn’t often in evidence, either in traditional studio portraits or glamorous fashion spreads. What Childers has been trying to find from behind the lens is a kind of emotional truth to his male subjects that can only be exposed through their physicality. Call it old fashioned, call it idealistic: It’s moving just the same.
Photos: Michael Childers.
DIRECTLY BELOW – Arnold Schwarzenegger in Venice’s Muscle Beach, 1976. BOTTOM RIGHT – Joe Dallesandro in 1970. BOTTOM LEFT – Grace Jones in Hollywood, 1984.
11.16 – 11.29.2018
LOS ANGELES
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Cinema Italian Style’s Student Short Contest
By Sam Catanzaro
Cinema Italian Style, the five-day film festival bringing the best of contemporary Italian filmmaking to Santa Monica, is putting on a short film contest for film students from Santa Monica College, USC, Chapman University and the New York Film Academy Los Angeles.The winner will get a 4-day trip to Rome (roundtrip flight and hotel accommodation), a private guided tour of the Luce-Cinecittà Studio and a Plaque of Recognition of Excellence. These shorts, all under five minutes, are inspired by, or pay homage to, classic Italian cinema.The Santa Monica Mirror talked with three of the finalists to hear about their shorts and passion for filmmaking. “Chef-D’Oeuvre Film D’Art,” directed by Chris Armienti (University of Southern California USC School of Cinematic Arts) This short film, directed by Chris Armienti, a student at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, is described as a parody of French new wave cinema but done with an Italian sense of comedy. “The only thing I really want the audience to take away from the movie is that life is too short to be so serious all the time. It’s okay to have some fun and laugh once in a while,” Armienti said. Armienti became interested in filmmaking as a 14-year-old when given a digital camera by his father and was soon posting comedy
Photo: Courtesy.
A still from “La Finta Famiglia,” directed by Roee Myzel, a finalist in the Cinema Italian Style student short film contest..
skits on YouTube. “It was a lot of fun, and it was the first initial seed that planted the idea that maybe one day I would want to pursue a career in entertainment,” Armeneti said, adding that after he saw “The Godfather” and discussed the film with his father, “I wanted to learn everything more that I could about my Italian heritage. Learning more about my family history brought a real bonding experience for me and my dad.” Armienti’s short film “Chef-D’Oeuvre Film D’Art” will be screened on Thursday, November 15 preceding “There’s No Place Like Home.”
“Departure,” directed by Sungho Chun, (New York Film Academy) In this film, directed by Sungho Chun, who moved to the United States after serving in the Korean military, a man is preparing to commit suicide, but a woman comes along and changes his fate. The short is inspired by “The Dreamers” by Bernardo Bertolucci, which Chun says left him pondering the nature of the world. “At the end of “The Dreamers”, why did Isabelle try to commit suicide?” Chun asks. “Because she rejected the reality and ideals of our world. In my film,The Man also rejects the
truth of the world. Actually, this is a problem that all humans face, but I don’t want them to give up their lives. “The Dreamers” left me pondering ‘what exactly is a dream, and who is a dreamer’?” Chun’s short film “Departure” will be screened on Thursday, November 15 preceding “The Stolen Caravaggio.” “Il breakup” directed by Ericka Cabrera de Alexander (University of Southern California USC School of Cinematic Arts) “Il breakup” directed by Ericka de Alexander from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, pays homage to Roberto Benigni’s “Life is Beautiful.” “We have the younger version of Guido and Dora in a more modern era, and on their anniversary, Dora decides to give Guido a ‘breakup letter.’ Heartbroken, Guido, the romantic and lovable character that we all love and care for, decides to give love another chance,” de Alexander said. “At the end of the day, we cannot decide who we fall in love with.” “Il breakup” will be screened on Saturday, November 17 preceding “Like a Cat on a Highway” Also to be presented is the short film “La Finta Famiglia” directed by Roee Myzel of the University of Southern California USC School of Cinematic Arts. The screening will take place on Friday, November 16 preceding “Boys Cry.” For a full list of screenings and to purchase tickets visit https://bit.ly/2JQyrG7.
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11.16 – 11.29.2018
LOS ANGELES
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OPINION DATING
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CALL: 310.855.6000 VISIT: 8761 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90064 1 Rate is per person, land only, based on double occupancy, for check-in on December 21, 2018 and includes government taxes. 2Kids stay free in same room as adults using existing bedding. Occupancy limits apply. 3Activity voucher does not apply to air/car only booking. Valid toward the purchase of a select optional activity. Not valid for hotel direct activity bookings. Minimum 5 night stay at participating AAA Vacations® properties required. Voucher is non-refundable, non-transferable and has no cash value. 4Age restrictions may apply. 5Resort coupon restrictions apply as follows: Spa treatment coupons are broken down into coupons of $40 and one coupon of $20. Only one coupon can be redeemed per spa treatment. To use coupons for romantic dining, one $40 coupon and one $20 coupon may be combined, resulting in a total discount of $60 off one romantic dining experience. When using coupons toward wine purchases, only coupons worth $10 may be used and cannot be combined, therefore one $10 coupon can be applied toward one bottle of wine. Resort coupons cannot be applied toward the following items: beauty salon services, spa product purchases, telephone charges, dolphin experiences, gift shop purchases, boutique purchases, dive shop, Internet service, marina services, medical services, car rentals and travel agency services. Resort Coupons must be redeemed at the time of reservation/service. They have no cash/commercial value, are not refundable and non-transferable. They are not applicable for tips, taxes, private functions and/or special events. Resort Coupons are not cumulative and cannot be combined with any other promotion or special offer including, but not limited to spa treatment discounts. They are only valid during the original stay and cannot be deducted upon check out. This entire offer is based on availability and can be modified or closed out at any time. Not valid for group bookings. Unless otherwise indicated: Rates quoted are accurate at time of publication & are per person, based on double occupancy. Airfare, taxes, fees, surcharges, gratuities, transfers & excursions are additional. Advertised rates do not include any applicable daily resort or facility fees payable directly to the hotel at check-out; such fee amounts will be advised at the time of booking. Rates, terms, conditions, availability, itinerary, taxes, fees, surcharges, deposit, payment, cancellation terms/conditions & policies subject to change without notice at any time. Cruise rates capacity controlled. Advance reservations through AAA Travel required to obtain Member Benefits & savings which may vary based on departure date. Rates may be subject to increase after full payment for increases in government-imposed taxes or fees & supplier-imposed fees. Blackout dates & other restrictions may apply. Not responsible for errors or omissions. Your local AAA club acts as an agent for Pleasant Holidays®. CST 1016202-80. ©2018 Auto Club Services, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Grindr is launching a “Kindr” campaign in attempts to combat its not so kind reputation. The gay dating app is attempting to address its many criticisms of racism and non-inclusive environment on the app. People of color on the app have often experienced racism, body shaming, femme-shaming and transphobia. This discrimination has been ingrained into the culture of Grindr and gay dating culture, disguising itself under “preference.” Grindr users put in their biographies phrases like “No fats, no femmes, no blacks, no Asians.” In July of 2018, an Asian-American Sinakhone Keodara announced his intent to bring a class-action lawsuit against Grindr, claiming that he “has been offended, humiliated, degraded and dehumanized by Grindr allowing gay white men to write in their profiles ‘No Asians,’ ‘Not interested in Asians,’ or ‘I don’t find Asians attractive,” according to his tweet. In an interview with NBC, Keodara said
that Grindr “allows blatant sexual racism by not monitoring or censoring anti-Asian and anti-black profiles.” Until this point, Grindr has been a complete bystander, allowing this culture to cultivate. Grindr is now trying to combat this explicit racism, body shaming and femme-shaming with the new Kindr campaign, stating “At Grindr, we’re into diversity, inclusion and users who treat each other with respect. We’re not into racism, bullying or other forms of toxic behavior.” Although Grindr is attempting to address this issue now, it is unclear if their efforts are too late. Grindr has been complicit of this behavior for nine years, so critics suspect campaign may not do much to stop it. Grindr recognizes that people will continue to have preferences, but they will not tolerate bullying and harassment, according to Kindr Campaign website. Grindr encourages its users to “[r]eport discrimination when you see it. Use your voice and share your story to call out prejudice and spark change.”
OUT OF BUSINESS SALE
Pioneer Magnetics Leaving Santa Monica Manufacturing and Factory Equipment Hand Tools, Test Equipment, Computers, Office Furniture and Supplies 3122 Nebraska Ave., SM 90404
310.829.6751 • faguilera@pioneermagnetics.com HOURS: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
11.16 – 11.29.2018 COMMUNITY
LOS ANGELES
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LOS ANGELES
⚫ 9
THANKSGIVING SPECIAL
` ⚫ BY AMY PATTON
Celebrate Transgiving with Your Chosen Family LaDonnte Covington Attendee and volunteer
Nearly two decades ago, many transgender and queer folk in the local LGBTQ+ community had nowhere to turn for the holidays. And then the Unique Woman’s Coalition (UWC) stepped in to fill the gap in community connection. Almost 20 years later, the UWC is welcoming the 18th anniversary of Transgiving Celebration on Wednesday, November 21 at the L.A. Celebrations Banquet Hall in Los Angeles. The Pride L.A. spoke with UWC Founder/President Chela Demuir-Cartier as well as frequent attendee and volunteer LaDonnte Covington. Chela Demuir-Cartier UWC Founder and President
The Pride L.A.: What was going on when when you guys started Transgiving? Chela:When we started TransGiving, there was nothing like it all happening. No community entity had a dinner for our community. In fact most organizations who outreached to our community regularly were closed during the holidays. TransGiving was created as an action response to a need. What is the need for Transgiving celebrations? Especially with the current climate? The need for this events hits on different layers, often our community may be estranged from our families and may not have much of a social network, we aim to create that environment. Community is embraced with positive and uplifting energy What can guests expect at this year’s celebration? Guest will be treated like royals, they will be served a full course Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings, be able to sit down and enjoy one another.
What kind of folk attend the event? Families, friends, single individuals, etc. We're usually a mixture of community members, loved one's and allies.This year we being intentional for our dinner portion and having it exclusive to people who identify as Transgender and Gender Non Conforming. We will have a party portion that will follow the dinner and that space will be open to everyone.We definitely have had families including young kids join us, the space is great for all ages. Is the purpose all fun, vs. educational, fundraising, etc? It's purpose is to build and amplify community, create unity and camaraderie What is the impact/importance of “friendsgiving” or celebrating with those that are not biologically related to you in the LGBTQ+ community? We're a community that historically doesn't get much support, rather it be from our born family or the world around us. Most of the time
when we find some support it's through community and from people who may have many of the same reoccurring themes within their individual journeys and they become instrumental in helping us deal with elements of our lives, these people become our chosen families.
The Pride L.A.: How many years have you attended Transgiving? LaDonnte: About 16 year's or from the beginning What is something you’ve noticed consistently about the event over the years? It's always bigger and better than before. What is something that is always different? The wonderful people that attend. What is your favorite part of the celebration? Seeing us all together enjoying ourselves as one family. What is one thing you’d tell a sad/scared/lonely trans person during the holiday season? I would welcome them to please join our family of love. For more information on UWC or Transgiving, visit www.uniquewomansco.com.
⚫ COMMUNITY LONG BEACH
11.16 – 11.29.2018
LOS ANGELES
10
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` ⚫ BY AMY PATTON
THANKSGIVING SPECIAL
Thanksgiving with
Long Beach Mayor Garcia W
hat better way to get to know the man running a city with one of the largest LGBTQ+ populations outside of San Francisco than over a Thanksgiving feature? The Pride L.A. met up with Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia to discuss food, family and the future of the local queer community. What are your Thanksgiving traditions? Actually for the last the last 10 years it's been switching back and forth between me and my partner's family. One Thanksgiving here in Southern California. another one San Jose and we'll go back and forth. We are actually getting married in December. So we're actually hosting them here this year because we're so busy... Our tradition is just Turkey, ham and mashed potatoes and all sorts of traditional Thanksgiving food. Just a lot of eating, and my mom over-feeding me and that's that. And then just relaxing. We oftentimes go see a movie or, just relax with the kids. Does your family have any fun Thanksgiving or holiday traditions. We really just get together and laugh and eat. Everyone would just overcook and have tons of leftovers for like a week later. I eat turkey and I have more turkey sandwiches for like a week. What is your favorite Thanksgiving side dish? My favorite Thanksgiving side is the sweet potato casserole that my aunt makes. Does it have marshmallows on top? Not ours, but it's so good. It's a sweet potato with like you know, eggs and some sort of like sweet crab, and it's probably like 3000 calories. That sounds so good. What's your favorite pie flavor? Oh hands down. Dutch Apple Pie, ooh
Dutch Apple. I love Dutch or French. Could you comment a little bit about the importance of like friends giving in the LGBT community. I think it's very important. I think that that's something that I do as well. We almost always have a friendsgiving before Thanksgiving at some point. Most of my friends are pretty close to family. You know it's no secret that one of the busiest nights of the year for some of the gay bars and Long Beach is Thanksgiving. And so you know, there are people in the community that are as close to family. There are those that would like to spend [Thanksgiving] with their gay family. Is there anything else you'd like to say to the LGBTQ community? We have to be responsive to the needs of other minority groups and it's not enough to say gay marriage and trans rights. We have to also fight for women's rights and rights of immigrants, stand up for low income people. Now more than ever. We are together stronger together.
Photo: Courtesy.
Mayor Garcia’s (left) engagement photo.
11.16 – 11.29.2018 COMMUNITY
WEST HOLLYWOOD
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LOS ANGELES
⚫ 11
THANKSGIVING SPECIAL
` ⚫ BY AMY PATTON
At the Table with West Hollywood Mayor Duran
Thanksgiving and traditions look different to every person. But what does Thanksgiving look like when you’re not surrounded by your family? The Pride L.A. sat down with the City of West Hollywood’s
Mayor John Duran to talk about his holiday experiences and the longstanding tradition of “Friendsgiving” in the LGBTQ+ community. Do you have any comments about the results from the 2018 Midterm elections? Oh it was a big win for LGBT people it certainly was a big win. First of all we took over the house which means that we can stop all the really bad stuff that the Tea Party or Donald Trump might have had in store. But beyond that we have you know Kate Brown is now out bisexual Governor of Oregon and Jared Polis, who's a friend of mine, as the outgoing governor of Colorado and yeah that was big money with out lesbian member of Congress in Kansas of all places. Let’s launch right into the fun part. Do you have any specific things you like to do each year? Yes, I go to my mother and father's. I am a native Angeleno, so I will go back to Santa Fe Springs. My mother passed away in March, so this will be the first Thanksgiving without her. She was an elected official too. She was
on school board member for many years and she was the mayor. She's my inspiration. And so we will carry on that tradition. My father, my brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces... everybody. That’s wonderful. Any other traditions? In the evening, I play lesbian poker every Thanksgiving. A [friend] group of lesbians and I play poker and I always lose. It's interesting to see like the transgiving or friendsgiving in the LGBT community because a lot of LGBT members can't go to their families sometimes. Right, right. Very true. I have both a birth family and chosen family. I'm very fortunate because my family has been supportive since I came out in the 1970s and they've been by my side through the last 40 years to this. So it's been great. It is wonderful. I also created an LGBT family around here. Is West Hollywood is doing anything specific for the LGBT community around the holidays? Most [LGBTQ] people in West Hollywood come from somewhere else. Very few
native West Hollywood people are around during the holidays. So often on Thanksgiving Day, many of our residents are traveling. The city... it’s kind of dead Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. What is your favorite Thanksgiving side dish? Cranberries because they’re sweet and tart, just like me! I like them fresh or canned. It doesn't matter. What is your favorite type of pie? I don't really eat desserts because I'm very much into health and fitness and try to stay physically fit. But I guess if I had one it would be lemon meringue. I feel like it's light and airy. Is there anything you want to tell the LGBT community that might not feel that they have the power or support they need? Moving into the future, keep them positive. Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.
⚫ 12
COMMUNITY
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
` ⚫ BY AMY PATTON
11.16 – 11.29.2018
LOS ANGELES
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SHOP LOCAL
Best L.A. Queer Shops for Small Business Saturday 4. Wide Eyes Open Palms Coffee Shop 416 Cherry Ave., Long Beach
Trailing Thanksgiving are two more important holidays. That’s right, Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. With all the deals, discounts and more more moreness of the weekend following Turkey Day, serious dollars are dropped. According to Adobe Analytics, U.S. retailers earned a record $7.9 billion on Black Friday in 2017, an 18 percent increase from 2016. Adobe further predicted that Cyber Monday would bring an additional $6.6 billion in internet sales. So, why not spend some of that cold hard cash on the hard-working LGBTQ businesses in the area? Here’s a list of the Top 10 Queer Businesses to Shop at for Holiday Gifts 1. Wildfang Clothing shop 3430 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles Wildfang. A clothing store-meets hangout spot, this feminist and queer-run business has been a part of the New York and Portland communities since 2013. And now, they’re ready to take on L.A. “We exist to empower every kind of woman to be the best possible version of herself, smashing gender roles and the patriarchy in the
A feminist and queer-friendly coffee shop nestled in the Arts District of Long Beach, Wide Eyes Open Palms has been a long time coming for couple Kat McIver and Angie Evans. They said that they always had a vision of the kind of cafe they wanted to open after working in the service industry for years, continually seeing male dominated kitchens and not queer affirming spaces. “The queer is real, and I couldn't love it any more,” Jesse C. From Downey said on Yelp!. “Glad I finally got to check them off my list. I was also impressed with how well they organized the space, it's nice and simple.They let the coffee, the food, and their character do the talking.” Photo: Courtesy Wildfang.
process,” the Wildfang website states. “Sometimes this means giving her the confidence to rock a suit to the party. And other times it means supporting her in taking a stand against
reproductive injustice, gender violence, labor inequality and, well, the current administration.” 2. Nik Kacy Footwear Shoes and Accessories Website, Los Angeles-based Founder of unisex shoe company, Nik Kacy is no stranger to the exclusivity of the fashion industry. Growing up trans and later non binary, Kacy said that they were never able to find shoes that adequately expressed their sense of style. “Why do products and materials have to have genders?” Kacy pondered. So they created their own footwear line. Nik Kacy Footwear not only directly benefits a small queer business, but it provides high quality shoes to an underrepresented niche in the fashion industry. 3. Cuties Coffee Shop 10 N Heliotrope Dr., Los Angeles Cuties is not only Queer owned and operated, but it is a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community can gather comfortably. This is much needed in the greater Los Angeles area, as most social gathering for the LGBTQ+ community are at bars. It’s nice to have the option to hang out with the community in a safe space that doesn’t revolve around booze and partying. It is with that that Cuties opens its door to the community, serving them coffee and peace. “I’m so grateful for Cuties, Chelsie R. from Seattle,WA said on Yelp!.“I make a point to visit whenever I'm in L.A. Beyond great coffee and a cozy place to work, Cuties provides the city with a gathering space for queer community and works directly to grow and connect folks. Having a sober, daytime space for people is really affirming and vital. I hope they can continue to thrive.”
5. AIDS Assistance Thrift Store Thrift Store 2011 East 4th St., Long Beach Why not support the LGBTQ+ community and Mother Earth? Find all the best gifts gently used at this local thrift store nestled in the heart of Long Beach’s Arts District and is neighbors with the LGBTQ Center of Long Beach. “The AIDS Assistance Thrift Store Inc. collects and sells donated items through the AIDS Assistance Thrift Store, performs fund-raising activities, provides facilities for volunteers and people choosing to perform community service and directly engages in the business of raising funds to be distributed to various agencies and programs in the Long Beach community who provide direct services and support to men, women and children living with HIV and AIDS and their families,” The Long Beach Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce website reads.
Photo: Cuties Coffee.
11.16 – 11.29.2018 COMMUNITY
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
` ⚫ BY AMY PATTON
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LOS ANGELES
⚫ 13
SHOP LOCAL
Queer-Friendly Big Businesses to Give Your Business
Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equalirt Index takes the ethical guesswork out of Black Friday.
As quickly as Thanksgiving comes and leaves us stuffed and merry, the madness of Black Friday descends upon us. There’s nothing quite as American as the gluttony of Black Friday. With the objective being getting as many deals, deals, deals as possible, it can be easy to forget to consider where one’s dollar is going. Who’s corporate pockets are we fattening? Every year, Human Rights Campaign releases a Buyers Guide index to hundreds of Fortune 500 companies.The guide assesses whether the companies are committed to LGBTQ-inclusive workplace practices and policies. “Our annual Buying for Workplace Equality guide provides quick, user-friendly help in selecting everything from groceries to cars, allowing fair-minded consumers to use their wallets to resist attacks on the LGBTQ community by supporting brands committed to fully inclusive workplaces,” said Deena Fidas, Director of HRC Foundation’s Workplace Equality Program. “ Every year we hear from members of the LGBTQ community and many other consumers who want to choose brands that align with their priorities of workplace fairness. Using the Buying for Workplace Equality guide this holiday season helps ensure that their dollars go to businesses that support equality.” The Buying for Workplace Equality guide sorts businesses by sectors, assigning them a score ranging from zero to 100 based on LGBTQ workplace equality, as measured by HRC’s annual Corporate Equality Index and HRC-researched data. Here’s a look at the top and bottom ranking companies in each of the 19 categories, with 100 being the highest score and 0 being the lowest. For more information and the full catalogue, visit www. hrc.org/apps/buyersguide. Apparel & Accessories Tiffany & Co. - 100 J.C. Penney - 100 Target - 100 The Trump Organization - 0 Skechers - 0 Chico’s - 0 Automotive CarMax - 100 Subaru - 100 Tesla - 100 Harley-Davidson - 10 Genuine Parts Company - 0
Graham Holdings - 25 Reader’s digest - 10 Twenty-First Century Fox - 0 Oil & Gas Chevron - 100 Wawa - 100 Shell Oil - 100 Phillips 66 - 85 Spectra Energy - 85 Hess - 65 Pet Care Boehringer Ingelheim - 100 Nestle Purina - 100 PetSmart - 100 Kroger - 95 Mars - 90 Giant Eagle - 85 Check out the hundreds of LGBTQ-friendly businesses when shopping for the holiday season.
Sonic Automotive - 0 Banking American Express - 100 State Farm - 100 Morningstar - 100 Harley-Davidson - 10 CNO Financial - 0 The Trump Organization - 0 Entertainment Comcast NBCUniversal - 100 Netflix - 100 Walt Disney Co. - 100 DISH Network - 0 The Trump Organization - 0 Twenty-First Century Fox - 0 Food & Beverages Hershey - 100 MillerCoors - 100 Starbucks - 100 Chick-fil-a - 0 In-N-Out - 0 Krispy Kreme - 0 Fun & Games Hasbro - 100 Mattel - 100 Microsoft - 100 Walt Disney Co. - 100 Sony Interactive Entertainment - 80 Zynga - 20 Health and Beauty Avon - 100 Johnson & Johnson - 100 Procter & Gamble - 100 Tupperware - 10 Giorgio Armani - 0 Mary Kay - 0 Home & Garden
Photo: Courtesy.
Home Depot - 100 IKEA - 100 Macy’s - 100 La-A-Boy - 0 Masco - 0 Michaels - 0 Household Products Clorox - 100 Colgate-Palmolive - 100 Kroger - 95 Sysco - 90 RB - 50 Koch Industries - 0 Insurance & Healthcare Allstate - 100 Quest Diagnostics - 100 MetLife - 100 Auto-Owners Insurance - 0 CNO Financial - 0 Mutual of America Life Insurance - 0 Kids Bayer - 100 Kimberly-Clark - 100 Pearson - 100 Williams-Sonoma - 90 Scholastic - 80 SUPERVALU - 75 Newsstand Gannett - 100 Google - 100 Time Warner - 100
Restaurants Darden Restaurants - 100 McDonalds - 100 Burger King - 95 The Palm - 55 The Cheesecake Factory - 20 Jack in the Box - 0 Retailers Best Buy - 100 Gamestop - 100 Walgreens - 100 Foot Locker - 10 Pier 1 - 0 Bass Pro - 0 Shipping FedEx - 100 UPS - 100 Genuine Parts Company - 0 Note, this category had only three entries total Technology Adobe - 100 HP Inc. - 100 Lyft - 100 Eventbrite - 85 Hortonworks - 65 Yahoo! - 0 Travel & Leisure Airbnb - 100 Carnival - 100 Uber - 100 Spirit Airlines - 20 Las Vegas Sands - 10 Accor - 0
Get your business SEEN with an ad in one of our papers today! Contact Judy Swartz judy@smmirror.com 310.310.2637, ext. 102
⚫ CULTURE THEATRE
11.16 – 11.29.2018
LOS ANGELES
14
>
CENTER STAGE
` ⚫ BY JORGE PANIAGUA
A Queer Eye for the Boxing Guy Playwright Oliver Mayer’s latest drama, “Members Only” delivers groundbreaking queer experience at LATC.
When playwright Oliver Mayer’s bestknown play, “Blade to the Heat” made its debut in 1994, the political climate throughout the United States was profusely anti-LGBTQ+. Although the sitting president at the time, Bill Clinton, was a Democrat, he signed initiatives, such as the Defense of Marriage Act which banned federal recognition of same-sex marriage, further marginalizing the LGBTQ+ community. Moreover, the AIDS/HIV Crisis during the time continued to be a relentless issue for the community. Mayer’s sequel to “Blade to the Heat,”
“Members Only” takes place 20-plus years after the events of the 1982 original and is, once more, a play influenced by the country’s current political climate. For instance, “Members Only” touches on relevant matters such as sexual fluidity, the advancement of women in sports, “machismo” in the Latinx communi-
ty and the overall marginalization of LGBTQ+ people of color trudging through a heteronormative world. “I think this play reflects on our moment. It’s set in 1982 but it sure looks like 2018 because we got a lot of the same problems we had then,” playwright Oliver Mayer, who is an associate professor at the USC School of Dramatic Arts, said. “[We also have] a lot of the same kind of excitement and young people taking charge of their lives and, at the same time, an institutional kind of politics that really doesn’t give a damn and really doesn’t care if we live or die.” “Blade to the Heat” was rather controversial during its regularly sold-out run at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. The mainstream play showcased an LGBTQ+ narrative unorthodox for its time: one featuring a professional boxer of color struggling to come to terms with his homosexual identity. Furthermore, the protagonist’s struggle is deepened by the hyper-masculinity deeply entrenched within the male-dominated sport of boxing. The themes presented in the play were also
widely recognized as being connected with the AIDS Crisis during the ‘90s. Although the original play was centered in the late 1950s, many audience members thought of “Blade to the Heat” as “almost like an ‘AIDS’ play,” according to Mayer — one beaming with relevance and metaphors in regards to the AIDS Crisis which was ongoing at the time. The AIDS/HIV Crisis was a central issue in Mayer’s sequel, “Members Only;” only this time the matter was directly, and not subliminally, addressed. “The experience of living through the history of AIDS in this country — which, of course, is ongoing — but that particular generation between the ‘80s and ‘90s was the most dramatic thing that I have ever lived through,” Mayer said. “As a playwright, I have to remember the really hard moments in my own life — losing friends, being confused and also being the victim of misinformation.” Aside from shining a necessary light on the crisis, another theme central to the plot of “Members Only” is “coming out” and the struggle that comes with openly identifying as an LGBTQ+ person. The protagonist of “Members Only,” Pete Quinn, is living through a defining era in his life: although his physical state is debilitating his spirit is as strong as ever. Not only has Quinn succeeded throughout his career as a prizefighter but he has also lived an adamantly gay life, one filled with love interests of the same sex, without ever admitting, to himself or another person, that he identifies as a gay man. “Quinn is, you know, not out in this play. And he’s kind of outed over the course of the play. I thought that [coming out] was one of the strongest personal choices — personal kind of events that a person could have,” Mayer said. “And it’s not just a sexual outing —
REVIEW, see page 15
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Photos: Courtesy.
The entire cast of “Members Only,” the sequel to Oliver Mayer’s groundbreaking 1994 play, “Blade to the Heat.
11.16 – 11.29.2018 CULTURE THEATRE
>
LOS ANGELES
⚫ 15
CENTER STAGE ... Continued
` ⚫ BY JORGE PANIAGUA
Photo: Courtesy.
PRICE REDUCTION
Playwright of “Members Only” Oliver Mayer pictured sitting next to director of the play, Jose Luis Valenzuela.
REVIEW,
from page 14 there’s all kinds of outings that you can do to the people — but when they’re not ready to reveal who they are, and someone else does it for them, that’s such an invasion. But it’s also, for a dramatist, such an exploration — something so worth looking at and spending time with.” According to Mayer, the writing process for this sequel took between seven to eight years to complete. This is in stark contrast to the writing process of “Blade to the Heat,” which took less than a week, Mayer said.The finished product, “Members Only,” provides audience members with a completely immersive storyline not exclusively focusing on Quinn; the play rightfully develops the other characters in a gradual manner throughout the play. For instance, actress Gabriella Ortega’s performance as “Lone” in the play was captivating — she successfully embodied the sort of angst and irritation that comes with being an aspiring woman boxer in a sport controlled by men. Lone serves as Quinn’s mentee and admires him to a very passionate extent — her performance alongside actor Ronnie Alvarez, who plays the “Kid,” creates one of the strongest subplot lines in the play. However, “Members Only” was filled with a number of all-star performances: Marlene Forte, for example, who plays Sarita, gives the
performance of a lifetime as the widow of professional boxer, Mantequilla Decima, who is killed in the ring by Quinn. Her portrayal suffused with Latinx culture. Sarita was once an ardent practitioner of Santeria, a pantheistic Afro-Caribbean religious cult popular among Cubans; however, following the death of her husband, she has lost her way and no longer has faith in the spirits she once passionately attempted to invoke. On a side note: Forte served as a major source of inspiration for Mayer to create this sequel. Forte, who is Mayer’s wife of 15 years, did not get the opportunity to play the female lead role “Sarita” in the original “Blade to the Heat.” She joked that if Mayer waited too long to finish “Members Only” she would be too old to play the part, Mayer said. In essence, the queer play serves as a dynamic look into the arduous endeavor that is coming to terms with one’s LGBTQ+ identity in a rampantly discriminatory world. However, the play also triumphantly showcases queer Latinx community members, as well as Latinx culture, in a vibrant and stylistic manner. The sequel is just as groundbreaking as its predecessor and serves as a kind of embodiment of what queer Latinx culture, in many ways, is. “Members Only,” produced by the Latino Theatre Company at Los Angeles Theatre Center, will run at LATC until Nov. 18. For more information, visit www.thelatc.org/members-only.
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⚫ 16
ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION
` ⚫ BY STAFF WRITER
11.16 – 11.29.2018
LOS ANGELES
>
DRAG THE HALLS
We’re So Ready for RuPaul’s “Holi-slay” Spectacular What better way to kick off the holiday season than with “RuPaul’s Drag Race Holi-slay Spectacular?” VH1 recently announced that this holiday will bring back franchise favorites including Eureka O’Hara, Jasmine Masters, Kim Chi, Latrice Royale, Mayhem Miller, Shangela, Sonique, and Trixie Mattel as they compete for the title of America’s first “Drag Race Xmas Queen.” "Nothing says Christmas like ‘Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, and drag queens slipping on their pantyhose,'"host and EP RuPaul said. "Celebrating the holidays with my most festive girls inspired me to record my new album, ‘Christmas Party.’ And this VH1 holiday extravaganza is my way of saying thank you to my ‘Drag Race’ family by spreading a little bit of love, laughter and light across the country and around the world.” The eight queens will return for an extraordinary holiday-themed episode filled with jaw-dropping surprises, fashions and epic performances choreographed by Todrick Hall. T he queens will be dancing and lip-syncing to original holiday music from
Photo: Instagram.
Captioned on Instagram, “Hey Sis! It’s Christmas! Now this is a holiday card if I’ve ever seen one! Don’t miss the #DragRace Holi-slay Spectacular FRI Dec 7th at 8/7c on @vh1!”
two RuPaul holiday albums, the classic “Slay Belles” and the new album, “Christmas Party.” Michelle Visage, Ross Mathews and Todrick Hall will join RuPaul on the judging
PRODUCTION MANAGER AMY PATTON
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Sam Catanzaro
panel to help crown America’s first “Drag Race Christmas Queen.” “RuPaul’s Drag Race Holi-slay Spectacular” will premiere on Friday, Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. This announcement was shortly after the announcements of the cast and judge panel for the 4th season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars.” Competitors include: Farrah Moan (season 9), Gia Gunn (season 6), Jasmine Masters (season 7), Latrice Royale (season 4), Manila Luzon (season 3), Monique Heart (season 10), Naomi Smalls (season 8), Trinity Taylor (season 9) and Valentina (Season
9). VH1 recently announced the following guests judges as well: Jenifer Lewis, Ciara, Kacey Musgraves, Gus Kenworthy, Keiynan Lonsdale, Zoë Kravitz, Yvette Nicole Brown, Cecily Strong, Rita Ora, Susanne Bartsch, Ellen Pompeo, Frances Bean Cobain, Felicity Huffman, Jason Wu and Erica Ash. The groundbreaking competition is set to return with 90-minute episodes and more stunning fashions, killer lip-syncs and jaw-dropping twists than ever before. “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” premieres on Friday, December 14th at 8:00 PM ET/ PT on VH1.
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11.16 – 11.29.2018
LOS ANGELES
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11.16 – 11.29.2018
LOS ANGELES
WHAT’S HAPPENING? Closing Weekend: “Members Only” When: Now through November 18 Where: Los Angeles Theatre Center What: “Members Only” is a play about an America of color forging racial and sexual identities to the pulsating beat of Willie Colon and Blondie, on the cusp of discovery, at the edge of a plague. Why: “Members Only” is the the long-awaited sequel to the ground breaking BLADE TO THE HEAT, 20 years later We Will not be Silenced! When: Friday, Nov. 16 from 7 – 9 p.m. Where: 2936 W. 8th St., Los Angeles What: A Trans Day of Remembrance remembering that our community is one of power and strength. Why: a night of solidarity where we will discuss topics centered around trans issues like police incarceration and what that means for our struggle. Trans Day of Remembrance Shabbat When: Friday, Nov. 16 from 8 – 10 p.m. Where: Congregation Kol Ami,West Hollywood What: annual Shabbat obeserving Transgender Day of Remembrance with special guest speaker Eli Mendelson and the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles Why: Spend a day of remembrance with your community and support group
The best goings-on around and about L.A., period.
Palm Springs Trans Day of Remembrance When: Tuesday, Nov. 20 from 3 – 6 p.m. Where: Palm Springs city Hall What: Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil (TDoR) is held annually on November 20th to bring needed education to Transgender, Intersex, Gender Non-Conforming and Non-Binary inequality and violence. Why: Raise awareness and funds for the new Transgender Health and Wellness Center
Where: Harvey Milk Promenade Park, Long Beach What: Join The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach, HRC OC/LB/PS, Councilwoman Lena Gonzalez, for the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR). Join us as we stand in solidarity and honor the resiliency of our trans community. Why: TDoR was created to memorialize those who are killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice.
West Hollywood Transgender Day of Remembrance When: Tuesday, Nov. 20 from 6 – 8 p.m. Where: The Jeremy Hotel, West Hollywood What: On and around November 20th across the world, people gather in solidarity to mourn those who have been victims of anti-trans violence, and to ensure that their lives, and deaths, are not forgotten. Transgender Day of Remembrance Why: This allows us to call attention to the continued violence and discrimination transgender people face every day.
Long Beach LGBTQ Center Thanksgiving When: Thursday, Nov. 22 from 12 – 4 p.m. Where: LGBTQ Center of Long Beach What: Join the Center staff, volunteers, and family at our annual Thanksgiving Dinner. Why: We, as a queer community, are fortunate to choose our own family. We are all family here. Let's celebrate as one!
LGBTQ Center of Long Beach’s Transgender Day of Remembrance When: Tuesday, Nov. 20 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
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Unique Women’s Coalition Transgiving When: Wednesday, Nov. 21 from 5 – 8 p.m. Where: L.A. Celebrations Banquet Halls What: A Thanksgiving Celebration with the local Transgender community Why: The Queer community often have to choose their family, and during the holidays is no exception.
11.16 – 11.29.2018 POWER BALLADS
BY ERIK AGARD AND ALEX BRIÑAS / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ
LOS ANGELES
NY TIMES CROSSWORD PUZZLE
89 Batman’s favorite rapper? 91 Revivalists, for short 1 Agcy. for Kennedy and Reagan 93 Not only that but also 4 Push 95 Singer Sumac 9 Positive quality 96 The Avalanche, on sports tickers 14 Provider of directions, for short 97 Make do with a lesser option 17 Penne ____ vodka 99 Thor’s favorite rapper? 19 Around 101 Actress Thurman 20 Claw 102 32° Fahrenheit, in Celsius 22 “Intriguing!” 23 Aquaman’s favorite singer? 103 Parisian street 25 The Human Torch’s favorite 104 ____ volente (God willing) band? 27 ____ Edberg, two-time U.S. 105 Old-fashioned provider of directions Open tennis champion 107 Completely set 28 With child, informally 109 Sir and madam 30 Nicely muscled 112 Electro’s favorite singer? 31 Canine warning 32 Feminine-hygiene product 114 What the musical artists in this puzzle would form 33 Seashore feature if they all performed 34 Oriental, e.g. together? 35 The Hulk’s favorite band? 116 Decompose 38 Does 110, say 117 Let breathe, as stinky 40 Sculptor/collagist Jean shoes 41 Staff 118 Tangent line? 42 Number between cinque 119 Princess Fiona, after and sette sunset 43 Mama ____ Elliot 120 One begins, “Thou still 44 Iceman’s favorite band? unravish’d bride of quietness” 48 Bermuda, e.g. 121_ ___-turvy 50 Sweetly sing 122 Chocolate cup inventor 52 14-pound unit H. B. ____ 54 Australian friend 123 Pained cry 55 The Flash’s favorite singer? 58 Adamant refusal DOWN 60 Animator’s frame 1 Things the police may keep 61 “Your” of yore on suspects 62 Bit of progress 2 Narrow cut 64 “Seriously?” 3 [legally covering our butts 66 Front of a vessel here] 68 Magneto’s favorite band? 4 Clickable item 70 Quaint agreement 5 Boom ____ 71 Comment advising you 6 Remit in advance to set your sights a little 7 Digital greeting lower? 8 “Stay in your ____!” 73 Low tie 9 Approximately 74 Response to “You have something on your face,” 10 Untroubled maybe 11 Divine bovine? 75 List-ending abbr. 12 Timeline sections 76 Gobbles (down) 13 Wee bit 78 Spider-Man’s favorite band? 14 Destined for greatness 83 Smell ____ (sense 15 Opening in cosmetology? something fishy) 16 Molt 85 Like Hägar the Horrible 18 Woodard with four Emmys 87 ____ Martin 21 Covalent bonds of a carbon atom, e.g. 88 “Enough already!” ACROSS
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24 Things sailors spin 26 Late afternoon hour 29 Some economic figs. 32 Tournament bridge players, typically 35 Stick-to-it-iveness 36 Santa ____, Calif. 37 Speak out against 38 City by the Bay, informally 39 “Why, you little …” 43 Several quarter turns? 45 Jay with jokes 46 Starting squad 47 Speak up, and then some 49 ____ Brand, two-time N.B.A. All-Star 51 Boo-boo 53 Good trait in a housemate 56 “Jeez, wasn’t expecting that!” 57 For rent 59 Test for fit
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63 Song with the lyric “A loko e hana nei” 65 Things equestrians have on hand? 66 ____ dish 67 What 14-Across will do if you miss a turn 68 Fruit-salad ingredients 69 “____ bon” 71 Pup grown up 72 Uptown 74 “____, won’t you blow your horn?” (old lyric) 77 Cold summer treat 79 Puerto Rican city that shares its name with an explorer 80 System of roots? 81 Part of a so-called “grand tour” 82 Trade barbs or blows 84 Like some saws and bobsleds
86 Supplication 90 “What did Delaware?” “I don’t know, but ____” (classic joke) 92 University in North Carolina 94 “Feel me?” 98 “____ fugit” 99 Gooey chocolate treat 100 Public transit system 103 Be economical with 105 Lead-in to -centric 106 Stepped 107 Italian dear 108 Victim of a revolution 109 What the upright yoga pose vrikshasana simulates 110 It’s worth a little more than a dollar 111 Violently send out 113 Stridex target, informally 115 Mag personnel
Sudoku Puzzle T R O D
A F R O
P E T R I
S E A L G R I T T A B S
R E C A L C U L A T E
T W O M A N
S A L L A I L L T E F G R R E E O D S L E A Y L T O N
I M P E L C I R C A Y O C E A N A N P R E G R P A D D N D A Y S P S E I C A S C R O O N O R S W I F T H Y I N R O W M E T A L O T E O N E W O L F S T N O R S E A Y N E N E L S E T T L A Z E R O S C E M E N K Z A P P A A I R O U T T O P S Y
T S A R A L O H A O E
R E U S E
A S T E A R G E U N E E S S T I D I N E S S
M U D P I E C E S T S A C R E D C O W
E T R A T A D E S T R S A O L D N E O N T F O R A Y D O P I N O N N A Y C H A E D T I E R G D E S E
G O F I O N U G R P P L M A C R E E S I N E S T Y M O L O G Y
M E T R O
E U R O
S P E W S P A R
R O M E
Y E L L
A T E A M P O R E
S H E D
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STAR GAZING ARIES (March 21-April 19) The planets are in a position that encourages you to focus on mental health. Stretch your mind in a productive way. Don’t forget the importance of eating right for maintaining healthy emotional footings. Today is a five out of 10. Color gold plays a role. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Pay attention to your family, Taurus. You play bigger roles in their lives than you realize. Today might be a windy day where you are, but you can be someone’s steady oak tree. In the evening, especially, look to reconnect with someone you thought was lost. GEMINI (May 21-June 21) Gemini is feeling Mars in particular today. Wake up feeling refreshed and empowered. Today you have the heart of a lion if you're willing to roar. Overcome that mental obstacle that’s been holding you back lately. Something scandalous is around the corner at work; don't get pulled into the drama. CANCER (June 22-July 22) Cancers are feeling the chill of an icy relationship lately. How might you turn up the heat? Look to connect on a deeper level, and don’t be afraid to reveal your true feelings. Planetary transits are beneficial to you today, so accept the kindness of a stranger. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) There are some challenges awaiting you today, Leo, but if you stick it through, the day ends on an upswing. End your evening with self-affirmation. Your power spice today is celery seed, so try out a new recipe that uses it. Today is a six out of 10. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Virgo, you are living through an intense period of change right now. Health and beauty concerns are possibly creating a great upheaval in your mind lately. They might even be interfering with your sleep. Black and Gold are your power colors today. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Libras will benefit from finding someone to talk to today. Commit to making the best choices for your emotional well-being. A special movie might play a role in how the day progresses. Stand for something as opposed to falling for someone today. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21) How have you been feeling, Scorpio? Be honest when you answer. You can use some changes right now, and the position of Mars is a great inspiration for those changes. Reach a new height in personal development. Find a book that challenges you. This is a great day to start a new fitness routine, and maybe find a friend along the way. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Today is a nicely harmonious day for you, Sagittarius. Things are aligning well. Some of the stars’ positions point to the completion of tasks that have troubled you for a while. Enter into a new phase with your relationship, or seek to change the status of an old one. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Capricorns can expect a run of good luck in the near future. Don’t take it for granted or blow all the profits on some gaudy extravagance. Always set something aside for when the luck begins to fade. Today is a nine out of 10. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Aquarius, today is all yellow for you. Yellow is your power color, and lemons are a source of strength. Take strength in cheerfulness and humor. Offer it as much as you can. It’s a great day to do a kindness for a stranger! PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) Keep protecting the people you love, Pisces. You’re doing a fantastic job of being a positive influence on the people around you. Seek opportunity to be around the color white today, because it's a source of strength and power.
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LOS ANGELES
11.16 – 11.29.2018