publisher’s letter
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Joey Amato Creative Director Blake Kniffin photo by Adam Canada
A
s I sit and write this letter, our country is in turmoil. I hate to sound negative, but it is difficult to be optimistic about the state of our country when there are so many uncertainties on the horizon. Throughout this election I’ve tried to stay as neutral as possible. Many of my friends love and support Hillary Clinton, but much of my family supports Donald Trump. Needless to say, I’ve been caught in the middle of many arguments over the past few months. Now, before you jump to conclusions and assume my family must be uneducated redneck racists, think again. My family consists of well-educated, open-minded New Yorkers, who support LGBT equality and have friends of other races, but are just tired of the political system and think Trump is the best, worst option. Hence my dilemma. Why can’t we just agree that there is not one clear winner? Both candidates have flaws…lots of flaws. Let’s not let this election divide us. Let’s respect each other’s decisions and views. The amount of arguing on social media is so discouraging. If people wish to debate an issue, let’s do so respectfully, without name calling and ridicule. It’s the only way we are going to make it through the next few months. If we don’t, our Facebook friends will decrease significantly!
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Arts & Entertainment Editor Business Editor Business Correspondent Business Writer Health Editor Political Editor
Jesse Walker, Erica Rains A.J. Busé Michael Burcham, PhD Lisa Howe Brian Hooper, MDiv, PsyD Jim Schmidt
Contributing Writers Senator Lee Harris, Henry Seaton Advisory Board Mark Farrar, Sam Felker, Scott Glasgow, Joseph McLean Gregory, Lisa Howe, Rana Mukherji, Darrin Otto, Gordon Publow, Chris Robinette, Jeff Rymer, Jim Schmidt, Ro Toyos National Advertising Rivendell Media (908) 232-2021 Advertising & Editorial Joey Amato joey@unitemag.com (931) 313-9613 Cover courtesy of CTK Management www.unitemag.com
/UNITELGBTMAG @UNITELGBTMAG
It’s Not Complicated. Simple & Stress-free.
Julian B. Baker, III
REALTOR ® julian.baker@sothebysrealty.com julianintown.com c 615.436.3111 o 615.463.3333 @julianintown
Life can be very complicated and at times chaotic. Don’t let one of the most important purchases of your life be a source of worry or stress. As a native Nashvillian with almost 2 decades of experience, Julian will make your search for a home effortless. He also understands the obstacles and nuances that can make purchasing or selling a home overwhelming. Julian will provide a professional experience tailored to your needs. In short, Julian will hold your hand through the entire process, until all your needs and wants are met.
PROVIDING MILLION DOLLAR SERVICE AT EVERY PRICE POINT. Photo Credit: Seth Farmer Photography | SethFarmer.com
Each office independently owned and operated.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
pg. 22
PROUDLY SERVING OUR COMMUNITY
Feature
Dolly Parton: Pure & Simple José Munoz: Nissan North America
News
NLGJA Announces 2016 Inductees
Style
The Blockhouse
Op-Ed
Henry Asher Seaton Senator Lee Harris
Music
Miranda Lambert
Arts & Culture
Frist Unveils New Season Fine Art Photography
Food & Wine Fall Wine Cellar lhurst@villagerealestate.com LON HURST (615) 946-3177 mobile REALTOR ®, ePro, ABR (615) 383-6964 office
www.villagerealestate.com
(615) 383-6966 fax
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EVERY MOMENT COUNTS When facing a life-limiting medical diagnosis EVERYONE deserves an experienced advocate who seeks to understand what is most important to you, who works to ensure that every decision you make will be an informed decision, and who recognizes that every moment we have counts.
A  PAlliAtive CAre ComPAny
www.narushealth.com
news
Announces 2016 Inductees by Jesse Walker
NLGJA, The Association of LGBTQ Journalists, recently announced that two new inductees will be enrolled in the LGBTQ Journalists Hall of Fame this fall at the association’s 24th annual convention. This year’s Hall of Fame honorees are Ina Fried and LZ Granderson. Leroy Aarons founded NLGJA in 1990, pioneering a watershed movement in journalism and newsrooms throughout the nation. Following his death in 2005, the LGBTQ Journalists Hall of Fame was launched to set apart remarkable individuals like Aarons and to tell their stories. The LGBTQ Journalists Hall of Fame has honored 34 men and women, living or deceased, who have left a lasting mark on the profession – through their own courage, by blazing trails and through their dedication to the practice of journalism. Ina Fried is one of the nation’s top tech journalists, currently writing for Recode, while frequently covering and commenting on tech-
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photo courtesy of LZ Granderson
nology news on CNBC, National Public Radio, and a host of broadcast, online and print media. Her current beat focuses on, as she puts it, “wireless issues and devices, including tablets, smartphones and even some phones of average intelligence.” Before her current role, she spent a decade at CNET. Her reporting has spanned several continents, two genders and covering some of the top stories in her field including the Hewlett-Packard-Compaq merger, Bill Gates’ transition from software pioneer to philanthropist and interviewing Steve Jobs while covering the iPhone location tracking controversy. She has served on the NLGJA board of directors including her leadership role as Vice President of Print. As a recipient of numerous journalism awards, in 2014 Fried also was named to the Advocate’s list of the nation’s top 50 Most Influential LGBT People in Media. LZ Granderson today is considered the nation’s most visible, openly gay sports journalist and has been out his entire professional career
while working exclusively within mainstream media. He is currently an ESPN senior writer for The Undefeated and regular contributor to SportsNation, Around the Horn, and Outside the Lines, while also a tennis analyst and reporter at Wimbledon and the US Open. He is a regular ABC News contributor to GMA, This Week and Nightline, in addition to co-hosting ABC News’ first digital show Strait Talk and this year co-anchored ABC News digital coverage of the RNC and DNC. Prior to joining ABC, his unique observations on the intersections of athletics, race, identity, culture, LGBT issues and politics made him a popular CNN columnist and contributor to Erin Burnett OutFront, Newsroom with Don Lemon and Anderson Cooper 360. Prior to ESPN, Granderson was a reporter for such publications as The Atlanta Journal Constitution, The South
LZ Granderson
Bend Tribune, and The Grand Rapids Press. Outside of newsrooms, has previously served as an adjunct professor at Northwestern University and a Resident Fellow at the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics. LZ Granderson was honored by GLAAD and NLGJA for his outstanding journalism in years past, in 2012, Granderson was named NLGJA’s Journalist of the Year. NLGJA is the leading professional organization for LGBTQ journalists with 22 chapters nationwide, as well as members around the globe. For more information visit www.nlgja.org.
Tennessee State Museum A Free Attraction | Downtown Nashville | www.tnmuseum.org | 615.741.2692
style by Blake Kniffin
T
wo years in the making, the founding members of The Blockhouse broke ground in January 2016 on their first location in the Wedgewood Houston area of South Nashville. With a clean, industrial design highlighting the 1920’s building, the men’s salon occupies 1,700 sq.ft of the new May Hosiery CoOp at 516 Houston St. The Blockhouse Founders intend to create a place where every man can feel welcome. The Blockhouse is a Men’s Focused Salon and Lounge. Amenities include: Guest Lounge with Full Bar, Select Food Options, Pool Table, Free WiFi Access, and an Outside Patio. “The Blockhouse design comes from our desire to have a place where we would want to hang out. Concrete, wood, steel and whiskey...every aspect of our concept is built around that desire,” explains Founder Jerrod Brown. “We wanted to build a place where men can go and feel comfortable getting a haircut while also offering a space and atmosphere where you don’t feel like you have to rush in and out. Come early, stay late.” The Blockhouse name was inspired by our region’s frontier history. “A Blockhouse was a one room fort on the edge of a wilderness, that offered a safe haven for travelers during their cross-country journeys” says Founder Tom Hockensmith. “We want to offer men a cool place to hang. We want guys to find rest and refuge in our Blockhouse prior to going back out on their journey.” “Men’s hair cutting has been my passion for decades”, says Founder Matt Fine. “As a current salon owner, I’ve seen some men who are reluctant to come into the salon. I’ve always felt men would feel more comfortable in a barber chair with a beer in
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photo by Daniel C. White
hand instead of between two women who are getting a full highlight.” Fine continues, “I feel the unique environment we are creating with The Blockhouse will offer an experience men have been craving. We want to honor the tradition of the old school barber shop, while offering modern styling and a place any man can be himself.”
The Blockhouse
R e d e f i n e s M e n’s S t y l i n g
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op-ed
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How I Became a Student Leader for Equality by Henry Asher Seaton
Photo Courtesy of Henry Asher Seaton
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op-ed
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s one of the five Bank of America Student Leaders in Nashville, I spent my summer learning, exploring, growing and challenging myself through a summer internship with the Oasis Center, an organization that helps youth grow, thrive, and create positive change. The Bank of America Student Leaders program recognizes approximately 200 community-minded high school students across the country and connects them to summer employment, skills development and service opportunities. Until this summer, I thought I knew myself and understood what I was capable of. I also thought I knew what I was passionate about; prior to my experience with the Student Leaders program, a majority of my time and energy was dedicated to making a difference in the local LGBT community through guidance and education. It’s a cause I hold close to my heart because it’s a big part of my life. Following my sophomore year, I came out as transgender. I finally rejected the long-haired girl who never felt comfortable in her own skin and embraced the person I knew I was: Henry, the confident, artistic boy. Friends re-posted my coming out story over Facebook with statuses and comments in celebration of my transition and bravery. I was welcomed with tremendous love and support, and during that time, I wasn’t worried about going back to school. I entered my junior year excited to run for the many leadership opportunities within my high school community. My eagerness to do more good, however, was met with dismay; not only did I face tremendous adversity, but I also received death threats for being who I was. The girl in the dress
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had been loved, appreciated and respected by all of her classmates. I had her same ideas, accomplishments and attitude, but as Henry, I wasn’t welcomed, I wasn’t valued and I wasn’t elected to any of the leadership positions I ran for. Coming from a small, conservative town, I knew I would face judgment at some point, but losing these elections was when the reality of my transition hit me. The discrimination only continued, and I knew something needed to be done. After weeks of preparation and back-and-forth communication with the administration, my friends and I founded the Human Rights Alliance, an organization that celebrates equality and acceptance in an effort to transform our school into a welcoming learning environment for all students. The instant success of the Human Rights Alliance inspired me to do more, particularly with the local LGBT community. I discovered the “Just Us” program at the Oasis Center, where I befriended and connected with several other LGBT high schoolers. I became a chapter leader for the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network, joined several local pride groups, and petitioned against HB2414, Tennessee’s proposed “bathroom bill.” I did not allow discrimination to hold me back, but used it as an impetus for action. This summer, I redirected my focus toward volunteering with local youth through my summer internship at the Oasis Center. At the Oasis Center, I taught and mentored young people through the Nashville Scholar’s Academy program. While the program focuses primarily on academic enrichment, the Nashville Scholar’s Academy also offers College Knowledge workshops and extracurricular activities. On the first day of my internship, I came into the program with preconceived ideas about the kids I would be teaching. I assumed the students would be rowdy and disengaged, and I expected them to take out their frustrations on me. I felt intimidated presenting myself an authoritative figure to a group so close to my own age. I struggled to find my own leadership style, and earning their respect was difficult. After just a couple of days, I was no longer uncertain or nervous, and I began looking forward to each day at the Oasis Center. Just as I had tried to bring support to the LGBT community through guidance and education,
I quickly became determined to make a real difference in the lives of my students at the Oasis Center. These students are brilliant, kind-hearted and talented. They want to learn and grow and become successful. My newest project was to push these kids to discover who they are, become more confident and leave the program a better person. Over the course of my eight weeks at the Oasis Center, I became wholeheartedly invested in this program and these young people. While I will continue making a difference in the LGBT community, I realized through my internship that passion shouldn’t be limited to one cause or one concept. From an early age, people are pressured to commit to one hobby, one sport or one issue – but why put a quota on passion? Why limit the growth and positive change that can come out of realizing you care about several different causes or concepts? In mid-July, I spent a week in Washington D.C. for the Bank of America Student Leaders Summit, where I connected with the other Student Leaders from across the country and had the opportunity to meet elected officials from Tennessee and elsewhere, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Diane Black and Sen. Bob Corker. We spent our time focusing on building a more inclusive society and discussing different pathways to leadership. The experience was a powerful reminder that transgender youth have a voice. All gender identities, all sexualities, all minorities, all religions and all people matter. And for that reason, I will continue to explore causes and chase opportunities to serve others. Over the next year, I will focus on LGBT activism throughout the greater Nashville area. I’m thrilled to start an internship with the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee and I’ve also created a support and empowerment group for LGBT youth called MobiUS, which will begin convening in late August. Each day with these young people was rewarding, and I am grateful to Bank of America, a progressive and supportive corporation, for giving me this opportunity. One of the most inspiring moments during this summer was finding out I am the first transgender Bank of America Student Leader. I hope to inspire others facing discrimination to redirect that challenge into positivity, and I sincerely appreciate that Bank of America has been supportive in my quest for positive change.
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op-ed
State Lawmakers
Attack LGBT Community by Senator Lee Harris Unfortunately, this legislative session, the Tennessee Assembly spent too much time launching a cultural war against inclusion, diversity, and equality. Consider, first, that the legislature approved SB 1556, which attempts to deny counseling services to members of the LGBT community. Under the language of the new law, counselors may turn away patients based on the counselors’ “sincerely held principles.” Those on the other side of the aisle argued that the bill was necessary to protect the religious freedom of counselors. The right to deny services, they argued, was permitted under the exercise of religion clause of the First Amendment. David Fowler, a lobbyist and one of the leading proponents of the bill said: “The bill respects religious liberty and prevents the American Counseling Association from using Tennessee’s laws to promote government-compelled speech, contrary to the First Amendment.” We saw similar legislation in Mississippi this year. Since “principle” means, more or less, “one’s truth”, the new law seems to give counselors the chance to deny service for any reason. This, ladies and gentlemen, potentially puts Tennessee on a very dangerous and slippery slope. Another important bill to the LGBT community was SB 2387, which was ultimately not approved. This bill would have barred transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools, colleges, and universities from using the restrooms, locker rooms, and other sex-segregated facilities that correspond with their gender identity. Fortunately, the Republican bill sponsor withdrew the bill, thanks to pressure from Democrats, concerns of business groups, and the intervention of many progressive stakeholders. It is important
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photo courtesy of Senator Lee Harris
to note that a legal opinion from the Attorney General, which was requested by Democrats, declared that hundreds of millions would be lost in federal funding if the so-called “bathroom bill” passed. Nashville Mayor Megan Barry said that the bathroom bill could cost Nashville at least $58 million. Also, lawmakers on the other side of the aisle submitted a bill to eliminate marriage equality in Tennessee. The bill was HB 1412 and was called by its sponsor the “Tennessee Natural Marriage Defense Act.” This bill would have directed Tennessee courts to recognize only marriages defined between one man and one woman. The bill also directed Tennessee courts to
ignore the United States Supreme Court Obergefell v. Hodges ruling. The bill failed. Members of the LGBT community were not the only targets this legislative session. There were several other attempts to undermine efforts at diversity and inclusion. For instance, a bill to discontinue some funding from the University of Tennessee’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion passed by wide margins. In addition, the Tennessee Economic Council on Women, one of the major state organizations devoted to making sure talent, from both genders, is recognized in the workplace lost its funding. The organization had been helping Tennessee women in the workplace since 1998. Meanwhile, the Tennessee Assembly approved the so-called Tennessee Heritage Protection Act, a law that makes it extremely difficult for local communities to remove divisive Confederate symbols from the public landscape. The new law creates an arduous process, including multiple hearings, for local proposals to make changes or remove these honorifics to Confederate leaders. Final power to approve Confederate sites was taken out of the hands of local governments and transferred largely to now a Nashville state commission. Finally, let’s not forget the so-called debate over the “Bible bill” which would have made the Bible the “official” book of the state. Democrats largely opposed the bill because it would emphasize one faith tradition over others. For instance, my constituents tell me that they want us to respect the diversity of faith traditions in the state of Tennessee, not just a single view or single religious tradition. This group includes Tennesseans that are Jewish, Buddhist, and also those that do not identify with a religion. In Memphis, alone, there are nearly several thousand Jews. I’m a Christian, but I don’t think we should support a bill that promotes just my single view of faith and religion. That’s not fair to the other faith traditions in our state. The bill was ultimately vetoed by the Governor. The legislature could have tackled issues like expanding healthcare coverage, or infrastructure reform, or criminal justice reform, all issues that would have been broadly beneficial to Tennesseans. But, it didn’t. Instead, too much time was spent this legislative session debating issues that generate unnecessary controversy, create division, or, at best, only appeal to a very tiny minority of Tennesseans.
July 29 through November 6 Women, Art, and Social Change: The Newcomb Pottery Enterprise, an exhibition created and organized by Newcomb Art Museum, Tulane University, and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), was made possible in part through the generous support of the Henry Luce Foundation and an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, Art Works.
Smithsonian Institution The Frist Center for the Visual Arts is supported in part by
919 BROADWAY DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE
fristcenter.org/newcomb
Katherine Kopman, decorator; Joseph Meyer, potter. Vase with daffodil design, 1897. Underglaze painting with glossy glaze. On loan to the Newcomb Art Gallery from Ruth Weinstein Lebovitz
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music
M
iranda Talks
Wo m e n , P u p p i e s & E q u a l i t y by Jesse Walker
Talk about the inspiration behind Vice.
recorded songs about where I am in life. There’s no difference in this record.
The inspiration is just, the truth. Being honest and owning your shit.
How is being on tour with Kenny Chesney?
Does “Vice” carry a similar tone as the rest of the album? Yeah. It definitely sets up the direction with this record. I don’t have a release date yet, but we’re mixing and we’re getting there. I’m really excited to share it with people. I’ve been working on it for a year. I’m nervous, but excited!
photo courtesy of Sony Music Nashville
How has the music on this new CD evolved from Platinum? I’ve grown as a songwriter, for sure. I moved to Nashville so I got to write a lot more and I wasn’t on the road. I just happened to be going through some hard things in my life so all of that combined let me really grow as a songwriter. I’ve always written songs and
It’s great! We toured with him in 2009 and have done a couple [tours] since over the years. He’s always been so kind and so considerate. He’s the best tour to go on, ask any artist. We’ve been doing our own thing…and then gone back and forth with our tour. Do you have any favorite moments of the show that you really look forward to each night? I get to sing with Kenny on ‘You and Tequila.’ It’s always great. He’s just so sweet. He’s all about showcasing other artists and teaching us all he’s learned. Every time I’m out there, I’m like a sponge. I try to take something away from every show. With so much success from Cam, Maren Morris, Maddie & Tae, do you think country music is embracing today’s female artists again? It feels like that. It feels like there’s a little bit of a shift going on right now, which is awesome for female artists. I think that girls are starting to really deliver, and I think people are starting to catch on to that. For instance, Maren Morris. She’s definitely got a new sound and new twist. I haven’t heard anything like it in forever.
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If you could duet with one artist that you haven’t yet worked with, who would it be? I don’t ever think about it. Whenever collaborations come up, I’m like, ‘yeah, that sounds great!’ I think I’d say the Pistol Annies are still my favorite collaboration I’m a part of. Talk about recent news or updates with MuttNation? MuttNation is a passion of mine. We’re sort of in a phase of revamping and planning our new events for next year. We had a big presence at CMA Music Festival this year, which was awesome. I think that will probably be something we continue to do because it felt like a perfect match. It was a huge response and we adopted out like forty-eight dogs. We’re just always trying to come up with new ideas and innovative ideas for these pups. What would you tell your LGBT fans who are struggling with acceptance and being themselves? My mom always told me to learn who I was, then be who I was, and to stick with it and don’t change for anybody. I’ve used that so many times in my life. My dad’s lesson to me was to be a woman of character. If you have those two things, you know who you are, you’re proud of who you are, and you don’t make any apologies for just being yourself, then I think you get really far in life because you don’t live with fear. You just say, “here it is, you’re welcome.” Nashville favorites: Hang Out Spot - Winners Place to Relax - My porch Desserts or Sweets - Gigi’s Cupcake Favorite Neighborhood - Midtown Favorite Drink Spot - Patterson House photo courtesy of Sony Music Nashville
“Tequila Sunrise”
Sandy Spain
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feature
A Love
of Many Colors
by Erica Rains
I
f you ask Dolly what her new album, Pure and Simple, is about, her answer is just as “pure and simple”. It’s about love. “It’s like a love of many colors. True love, lasting love, all-time love, cheating love, sexy love, romantic love….I just had to cover it all.” “I did it in a very simple way, where I tried to be true to each song and not over produce it. I produced it and wrote it, so it was a very organic thing for me.” She says a lot of the songs sound like her early productions, and her fans are in heaven. If you experience Dolly in any way, you can’t help but note the layers of love that make her such an icon in the LBGT community. And you can’t help but love her back. Dolly’s Colors of Love Love of Performing This tour boasts a myriad of different sized venues, from stadiums to theaters. Does Dolly care whether it’s 1,700 or 17,000 seats at her show? “I just always look forward to seeing the fans, in whatever venue they stick me. I just try to do my job!” Her ‘job’ is one that can
only be done like Dolly can do it. “Hopefully I’ll be sold out,” she says with complete innocence. It’s almost like Dolly doesn’t know she is THE Dolly, and that’s just perfect. Would Dolly do a duet with someone current? She has shared the stage with everyone from Kenny Rogers to Diana Ross and Willie Nelson, but she has also given us duets with Queen Latifah and Norah Jones. The odds are good, and specifically she says she may want to do something with Adele and also, Miley Cyrus. “Who knows who I might show up singing with!” One of the highlights of the Pure and Simple tour is the intimacy and strong interaction with the live audiences that Dolly is really excited about. “I’m focused on them and they are focused on me. They seem to be really liking it and I’m enjoying it myself!” She says that it seems like the audiences can hear her better and concentrate more, without big productions and things distracting them in the background. “I’ve always loved my band, I love singing with great musicians and singers but this has been nice; where I don’t have to sing over or sing too hard or force myself to kind of rise to the sound.” The album itself lends itself to the beauty of simplicity, locked in a collection of deeper, heartfelt lyrics. “It’s actually been a very pleasant enjoyable thing for me as well as the fans.” Love of Everyone Dolly has always been an open-hearted loving icon in the LGBT communities. She fills people with hope and the desire to love more in their own life. “I just think people should get over themselves and start thinking about what would make this world a happier and better place; and a good Photos courtesy of CTK Management
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place to start would to be to allow people to be free and happy in their own selves. I just can’t imagine that you can be happy judging and criticizing other people all the time. What kind of life is that? I’d rather go with the flow and love everybody. Maybe God will love me more for loving more.” Timeless Love One of Dolly’s favorite tracks on her new album reminds us that love has no age. When you hear “I’m 16”, it’s easy to get swept away in the notion that love knows no age. Based on one of her sisters who had been through some bad relationships who finally found true love, Dolly and her family likened the love to that of teenagers, and a great song was written. “I had the most fun writing that song, I was by myself in my little apartment. I got the biggest kick out of it.” “Love is so rejuvenating, it makes you feel young again,” Dolly says, then shares a line from her song: “It goes to show you’re never old unless you choose to be.” Love of Community When asked about plans to tour various Pride festivals in 2017, surprisingly, Dolly responded, “Nobody has asked me about that,” she laughed. “It sounds like a good idea!” Yes, it does. Inside Scoop: She may be a bit busy next year, she reveals. Dolly is going to produce some television shows and possibly even be in a series, she says. We’ll keep a close eye on those developments, stay tuned to Unite for more Dolly on television (finally)! “I’m glad you love the album, and I’d be happy to sing it to anyone that would love to hear it!” She did hint that she’d be doing some appearances next year so we’ll cross our fingers for a Nashville Pride appearance. Love of Writing Writing has always come easy to the country icon. With her heartfelt lyrics on this new album, she
bases her ideas on real and people that inspire her to tell a story. She says it has never been an issue, or much pressure. “I’ve never really thought that I’ve had writer’s block. I write all the time, and I don’t feel like I have to write.” She said the closest she’s come to a block was a “writer’s stall” for a couple of days, once. “I just write all the time. I don’t write because I have to, I write because I want to. I’ve been doing it all since I was little. I’ve got a thousand songs, and I don’t really feel desperate. I got so many more laying there, I just pick ‘em up and rework ‘em!” Dolly says she writes for everybody, and the new album is proof of that. Love of Her Fans When asked about her loyal LGBT fan base, she says, “They know I love them, and they know I accept everybody for who they are.” Dolly noted that she had a lot of gay and lesbian family members, co-workers, and friends. “I just love people, I don’t even think about whether you’re straight or gay. I just love you because I love you. I think people respond to that to. I don’t judge people. I think everybody should be allowed to be exactly who they are and to love exactly who they love.” Dolly’s no stranger to the longing to be accepted herself. “I’ve always wanted people to accept me for who I am. I’ve always been persecuted for the way I look. I just care about the soul and the heart of the people.” It seems that everyone could take a page from the incredibly genuine book that is Dolly Parton. She just wants people to ‘get over themselves’, and to love each other as much as we can in this world, pure and simple. Photo courtesy of CTK Management.
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arts & culture
The Frist Unveils 2017 Exhibition Schedule by Jesse Walker
The Frist Center for the Visual Arts’ 2017 exhibition lineup offers an outstanding range of artistic perspectives. Some noteworthy highlights include Secrets of Buddhist Art: Tibet, Japan, and Korea, an exhibition which provides an introduction to the dazzling aesthetics of Buddhist art and fosters a basic understanding of the objects’ functions within Buddhist practice. State of the Art: Discovering American Art Now celebrates the quality and diversity of contemporary art created throughout the United States, both in major art centers and smaller cities. Secrets of Buddhist Art: Tibet, Japan, and Korea February 10–May 7, 2017 Ingram Gallery Tibet, Japan, and Korea all practice forms of esoteric or “secret” Buddhism that are explained only to initiates. The Vajrayana branch of Buddhism utilizes works of art that reveal a complex array of both human and divine figures. Organized exclusively for the Frist Center, the exhibition showcases approximately 100 works from the Newark Museum’s renowned collection that will introduce a general audience to the stunning aesthetics of Buddhist art and provide a basic understanding
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Mequitta Ahuja (b. 1976). Mocoonama, 2012. Acrylic, colored pencil, watercolor, waxy chalk, and enamel on vellum, 87 x 73 x 2 in. Courtesy Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas. Photo: courtesy of the artist
of these objects’ function within Buddhist practice. As part of an accompanying educational gallery and program, visitors will have the opportunity to watch Tibetan-Buddhist monks create a sand mandala painting. The painting will be on view in the galleries until the closing weekend of the exhibition, when it will be ceremonially destroyed. Claire Morgan February 10–May 7, 2017 Gordon Contemporary Artists Project Gallery Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland and now living in England, Claire Morgan uses organic materials and taxidermy to create intricate sculptures, hanging installations, and works on paper that explore the impermanence, complexity, and fragility of life forms. Her interest in natural processes and the physicality of animals is seen through her works that capture both the elegance and beauty of life, but also the senselessness and shock of death Emanating melancholy, Morgan’s works of life suspended in action portend a future of calamity and extinctions. This is her first solo exhibition in the United States. Irving Penn: Beyond Beauty February 24–May 29, 2017 Upper-Level Galleries Irving Penn: Beyond Beauty conveys the extraordinary breadth and legacy of the work of this influential American artist, whose renown as a fashion photographer is matched by the recognition of his innovative and insightful portraits, still lifes, nudes, and travel photographs. The first retrospective of Penn’s work in nearly 20 years, the exhibition contains more than 140 photographs from the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s collection, including the debut of 100 photographs recently donated by The Irving Penn Foundation and several previously unseen or never-exhibited photographs. The exhibition features work from all stages of Penn’s career, including street scenes from the late 1930s, photographs of the American South from the early 1940s, celebrity portraits, fashion photographs, and more intimate studio images. Highlights of the exhibition include Penn’s stunning late color work. Irving Penn: Beyond Beauty is organized by the Smithsonian American Art Museum with generous
support from ART MENTOR FOUNDATION LUCERNE, Sakurako and William Fisher, The William R. Kenan Jr. Endowment Fund, The Lauder Foundation—Leonard and Judy Lauder Fund, Edward Lenkin and Roselin Atzwanger, The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation, Margery and Edgar Masinter, The Margery and Edgar Masinter Exhibitions Fund, the James F. Petersen Charitable Fund in honor of Tania and Tom Evans, The Bernie Stadiem Endowment Fund, and the Trellis Fund. The C. F. Foundation in Atlanta supports the museum’s traveling exhibition program, Treasures to Go. State of the Art: Discovering American Art Now May 26–September 10, 2017 Ingram Gallery State of the Art celebrates the quality and diversity of contemporary art created throughout the United States, both in major art centers and smaller cities and communities across the country. The exhibition debuted at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in 2014 after the museum’s curatorial team traveled more than 100,000 miles, crisscrossing the United States to visit nearly 1,000 artists. This exhibition features 45 artists, including John Douglas Powers from Tennessee. Working in mediums ranging from paint and canvas to video, these artists provide a view from the ground of a wide range of subjects of importance to the people of this country: the impact of history on identity, challenges relating to race and immigration, the importance of family and community, and the protection of the natural environment. Vadis Turner: Tempest May 26–September 10, 2017 Gordon Contemporary Artists Project Gallery Nashville-born artist Vadis Turner recently returned to the Nashville area after living for many years in Boston and New York. In her work, she transforms everyday objects—typically hand-dyed textiles associated with women, such as ribbons and bedding— into colorful and textured assemblages. Although her works are largely abstract, many are meant to suggest atmospheres, landscapes, or archetypal female figures such as Eve or Ophelia. Turner also asks questions about traditional gender roles, the value assigned to materials and heirlooms, and the possibility of metamorphoses.
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arts & culture
Tommy Mitchell. Walu, 2008. Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, 40 x 60 in. Seattle Art Museum, Promised gift of Margaret Levi and Robert Kaplan. Š Tommy Mitchell. Courtesy American Federation of Arts
Ancestral Modern: Australian Aboriginal Art from the Kaplan & Levi Collection June 23–October 15, 2017 Upper-Level Galleries Ancestral Modern: Australian Aboriginal Art from the Kaplan & Levi Collection explores the spectacular flourishing of Indigenous Australian painting and sculpture that has occurred since the 1970s. It presents approximately fifty artworks, including paintings on bark strips, hollow logs, and canvases, in addition to a small selection of sculptures. In many cases, artists have translated motifs from traditional art forms, such as rock and body painting, to media that can be more easily shared with viewers around the world.
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In the late 1960s, decades of grassroots activism in Australia culminated in political changes that brought increased power and visibility to Aboriginal peoples. The years that followed marked the start of an artistic renaissance, fueled both by the end of government policies that demanded assimilation into white society and by the growing desire of Aboriginal artists to share their ancient culture with the wider world. The collection built by Robert Kaplan and Margaret Levi was developed over many years of travel and research and is the preeminent collection of Australian Aboriginal art in the United States. The exhibition was organized by the American Federation of Arts (AFA) and the Seattle Art Museum (SAM), and curated by Pamela McClusky, curator of art of Africa and Oceania at SAM.
Nashville LGBT Chamber presents
TASTE Enjoy a TASTE of the beautiful view of downtown from our new location at
Nissan Stadium November 6 BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW AT NASHVILLELGBTCHAMBER.ORG/TASTE
feature
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| UNITE Nashville photo courtesy of Nissan North America, Inc.
José Munoz,
Chairman of Nissan North America by Joey Amato Nissan North America continues to be a driving force in the growth and innovation of Middle Tennessee. We had the opportunity to sit down with Chairman José Munoz and discuss everything from the company’s award-winning diversity programs to its multi-million dollar local marketing initiatives. How does Nissan continue to shatter sales records in North America when there is so much competition among other auto makers? Nissan has made strategic investments in its U.S. operations to ensure the company is able to continue to build quality vehicles that meet the growing needs of U.S. consumers. Localization remains an important part of Nissan’s strategy in North America and the company has increased production of its core models in North America: Altima, Pathfinder, Sentra, Rogue, Versa, LEAF, Murano, Maxima and the TITAN. The Nissan Group has a very thorough global strategy led by our Global President and CEO, Mr. Carlos Ghosn, who has repeatedly succeeded in delivering all the plans that he set up since he took over 17 years ago, starting with the Nissan Revival Plan, the Nissan Value Up, etc., and ending in the current Mid-Term Plan called Nissan Power 88, whose last year is this fiscal year ’16. Credit also goes to our more than 37,000 employees and to our strong network of highly engaged Nissan and Infiniti retailers. What recent accomplishments make you proud? Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) sales for fiscal year 2015 set an all-time record of 2,009,119, passing the two-million sales mark for the first time in company history. Each of NNA’s three sales regions – the United States, Canada and Mexico – also set individual volume records for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016. In 2015,
Nissan marked a number of key U.S. milestones, including all-time records for total sales (1,484,918) and production (962,373). Nissan has registered market share increases in eight of the past nine years, with fiscal year 2015 share reaching 9.6 percent. In addition, Nissan’s investment of more than $18 billion in North America over the past 30 years has resulted in an annual manufacturing capacity of two million units. In 2015, 85 percent of vehicles sold in North America were produced here. Nissan continues to expand in Middle Tennessee. What makes Middle Tennessee different than other areas in the country? Middle Tennessee is a great place to live and do business and Nashville continues to be a go-to destination for visitors from around the world. We have enjoyed a long and successful partnership with the State of Tennessee. Nissan’s success in Tennessee for more than 30 years is due in large part to our ability to recruit and retain a quality workforce of more than 12,000 employees working at the company’s operations in Smyrna, Franklin and Decherd. The Nissan facility in Smyrna opened 33 years ago, and the impact of the company and its employees continues to be felt throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Nissan has invested more than $6 billion in the region while building nearly 11 million vehicles throughout the history of our Smyrna facility. Our ever-growing footprint in Tennessee includes vehicle and powertrain manufacturing facilities in Smyrna and Decherd respectively, along with our North American headquarters in Franklin. Credit also to the great state and local governments we have dealt with from the moment our plants were established, starting with Gov. Alexander and currently with Gov. Haslam. Nissan is committed to growing a diverse workforce. Can you talk about some outreach initiatives the company has implemented in recent years? In recent years, we’ve seen continued growth of our employee resource groups. One of the most successful elements of Nissan’s diversity strategy, these affinity groups provide employees who have shared interests/identities with the opportunity to work cross-functionally and develop programs that drive a culture of inclusion in the workplace.
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feature Members of our 25 employee resource groups work to raise cultural awareness within the company and serve as ambassadors within the community to educate others about the value of diversity. With 38% of our customers identified as multicultural, Nissan has the most diverse consumer base of any automotive manufacturer. We understand the importance of authentic engagement with our employees and the communities where we live and work. Earlier this year, Nissan North America was named to DiversityInc Magazine’s Top 25 Noteworthy Companies. Nissan’s diversity strategy extends into the community through partnerships with other businesses and organizations — both locally and nationally — including: • 100 Black Men of Middle Tennessee • Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) • Hispanic Scholarship Fund • Japan-America Society of Tennessee • Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics (LEAP) • League of United Latin American Citizen’s (LULAC) • Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce • NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) • National Council of La Raza • National Society of Black Engineers • National Urban League • UNCF (United Negro College Fund) Additionally, the Nissan Foundation — created in response to the civil unrest in Los Angeles in the 1990s — dedicates 100 percent of its funds to organizations with educational programs that foster a greater appreciation and understanding of cultural diversity. Last year, Nissan earned a perfect 100 score on the Human Rights Campaign Equality Index. Why is LGBT inclusion important to Nissan? Today’s workforce is increasingly diverse in terms of personal characteristics such as race, ethnicity, gender, national origin, religion, gender identity, and sexual orientation. And, a well-managed diverse workforce contributes positively to the business. Nissan’s employee group, the Gay Straight Alliance at Nissan (GSAN), continues to be the driving force behind the company’s LGBT outreach efforts. We offer inclusive benefits and Championing Diversity workshops for employees, and a “Diversity and Inclusion” team works closely with advocacy groups such as the Human Rights Campaign to drive a culture of equality in the workplace.
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Since 2013, Nissan has scored a perfect 100 in the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Corporate Equality Index for its LGBT-inclusive policies and commitment to the community. The company was among the fastest risers in the history of the index. Almost a year ago today Nissan secured naming rights to the Tennessee Titans’ Stadium. Can you speak about the reasons why the company felt it was important to grow its footprint in Nashville? Our partnership with the Tennessee Titans organization sends a strong message about the positive future on the horizon for Nissan, the Titans, the City of Nashville and Middle Tennessee. In our fourth decade of operations in Middle Tennessee, this significant investment demonstrates the strength of our commitment to the region. This agreement represents a tremendous opportunity for the Titans franchise and further entrenches Nissan’s roots as one of the region’s leading and most innovative corporate citizens. The stadium is a centerpiece of the downtown skyline, and we want visitors and Titan game TV viewers to know that we are proud to call Nashville and the great state of Tennessee, Nissan’s home. Are there any other local initiatives you can talk about? This week Nissan announced its annual Nissan Foundation grant recipients. For 24 years, the Nissan Foundation has funded innovative programs that encourage people to value cultural diversity that exists within American society. Seven local organizations in Middle Tennessee received 2016 grants including the Frist Center for the Visual Arts, the Nashville Public Library Foundation and Nashville Public TV. Additionally, Nissan has been active for many years with Habitat for Humanity in communities where we live and work. Since 2006, Nissan’s employees have logged more than 70,000 volunteer hours with Habitat for Humanity, building 63 homes across the United States and serving 569 families. Here in Middle Tennessee, Nissan employees have built and dedicated 10 Habitat homes. One component of our partnership with the Tennessee Titans and naming of Nissan Stadium includes assisting charitable organizations throughout Middle Tennessee in an array of community outreach programs. A centerpiece of this is the annual “Taste of Titans” charitable event, for which Nissan will serve as presenting sponsor. During the
course of our 20-year relationship, a total of more than $1 million resulting from these annual events is anticipated to be distributed to local non-profit organizations. Nissan also has a long-standing partnership with the Heisman Trust and its mission of building strong communities and service to America’s youth continues to be an excellent fit. As part of this relationship, we recently collaborated with the Tennessee Titans and former Heisman Trophy winners, including Tennessee Titan Marcus Mariota, to build a Habitat for Humanity home in North Nashville as well as host a youth football clinic at Nissan Stadium for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee. As one of the most high profile Hispanic CEOs in the state, do you think your role will open the door for other Hispanic people? I hope I serve as an inspiration not only for Hispanics, but also other minority groups who don’t feel they are adequately represented in senior leadership roles. Many minority groups are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. Nissan is a strong supporter of STEM education to inspire and develop talent to become our leaders of tomorrow.
My background is in nuclear engineering, so I recognize the importance of STEM education. Its basic principles are used in just about any industry. STEM-focused programs Nissan supports include National Society of Black Engineers, Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International’s A World in Motion, League of United Latin American Citizen’s (LULAC) National Educational Service Centers (LNESC) and DigiGirlz. In April, Nissan also donated $250,000 to six Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Mississippi to help support the schools’ STEM initiatives, including programs that are designed to develop future engineers, programmers and scientists. To date, Nissan has invested more than $1 million in local HBCUs – half of which supports STEM-specific curriculums. What motto do you live by? Grow or Go. This is a very simple way which I try to apply in everything I do. The key to be able to apply this is to have passion in everything you do. Our company and our job is part of our lives and family, and we need to dedicate to it with passion and motivation. Many thousand employees and their families depend on our actions, investments and results.
EXIT REALTY ELITE KEL WILLIAMS | OWNER/REALTOR®
615.373.3948
1200 Division St. Suite 206 | Nashville, TN 37203
615.957.5626
Photo by Joseph Llanes
food & wine
Fall Wine Cellar by Joey Amato
As the weather begins to cool down, it’s a great time to gather with friends and family to enjoy festive dinners and enjoy a nice bottle of wine. Here are some of our top suggestions this season. Angels & Cowboys Red, ($22) From one of California’s favorite designations, Sonoma, this ever popular red blend coupled with a graphic label exudes flavors of berries, dark cherry and fig accentuated with warm spice and dark chocolate. The perfect balance of texture and flavor and an impressive wine to bring any fall or holiday party. Attems Pinot Grigio Ramato 2013 ($19) Orange wines, which are produced by oxidation or grape-skin contact, are great transition wines between seasons. They retain a slightly tannic taste that is reminiscent of red wine, while maintaining firm acidity that will refresh the palate. This skin-contact wine boasts a rich, fruity bouquet with a full palate. Casa Silva 2014 Los Lingues Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($19) This is a full-bodied wine with aromas of ripe red fruit and notes of black pepper balancing its deep volume. 2013 Chardonnay, Napa Valley ($43) Miljenko “Mike” Grgich has been called “The King of Chardonnay” since the winery began in 1977, and you can taste why in this classically-styled wine: winemaker (and Mike’s nephew) Ivo Jeramaz did not allow the chardonnay to undergo malolactic fermentation, preserving its natural acidity and differentiating the wine from other “buttery” chardonnays typically produced in Napa. The wine displays ripe peach, mango and tropical flavors, with a note of minerality that’s brought out through food pairings such as fresh seafood, roasted chicken, grilled pork, and creamy cheeses. Criterion 2013 Carménère from Colchagua Valley ($17.99) The hints of cinnamon and nutmeg will truly leave them in awe(tumn) with sweet spices pairing beautifully with fall foods.
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2014 Elouan Pinot Noir ($24) Elouan is the result of California winemaker Joe Wagner venturing up to Oregon, one of the world’s renowned Pinot Noir regions, with a goal of producing Pinot Noir with depth of flavor, vibrancy and suppleness. Sourcing fruit from the Umpqua, Willamette, and Rogue Valleys, Elouan’s flavor profile includes red plum, bright cherry, minerality, dusty earth, and a hint of sweet tobacco, creating rustic layers of flavor with soft refined tannins that pair nicely with pork loin, pan-seared salmon, or Peking duck. Indaba Chenin Blanc 2015 ($11.99) This South African Chenin Blanc is a great party white; crisp enough for Sauvignon Blanc drinkers, with enough body to satisfy Chardonnay lovers. Indaba Wines have consistently been awarded best-value and best-buy accolades. Indaba Merlot, 2014 ($11.99) Crafted in a fresh, clean style, this velvety Merlot from South Africa offers enticing aromas and bright, juicy flavors of cherry, dark berry and plum backed by subtle mocha and herbal nuances and a delicate minerality. Committed to social responsibility, Indaba wines donate a portion of the brand’s global sales to the Indaba Education Fund, a fully accredited 501c3, which supports early childhood development by providing infrastructure, learning materials and teacher training at schools established for wineland workers’ children. Luce della Vite Lucente 2012 ($29) A superb blend of Merlot and Sangiovese showcased by a vibrant purple color, this wine offers a beautiful bouquet of black cherry and wild strawberry aromas, followed by a round, velvety palate, enlivened by sweet spices and fresh notes of eucalyptus. Consider pairing this fall red with Pecorino cheese, prosciutto crudo, crusty Tuscan bread, and of course, plenty of extra virgin olive oil for dipping. 2013 Mesa Pinot Noir ($48) Our elegant single block, single clone Pinot Noir has a spice element to it that melds really well with the earth and bright fruit on the palate. It goes well with fall fare, especially truffles!
Mezzacorona Pinot Noir ($10) Pinot Noir is the perfect red to bridge the gap between summer and winter as its vibrant aromas and flavors are the perfect complement to both lighter dishes like grilled or roasted chicken and pork with autumn squash, but can hold up to something heartier like charcuterie, and red meats. Mezzacorona’s Pinot Noir displays aromas and flavors or bright red cherry, blackberry, and brown spice. Purple Heart Red 2013 ($19.99) Drink this wine with a conscious- a portion of proceeds benefits the Purple Heart Foundation. Rich, up-front fruit and velvety balanced tannins make this wine an easy match for end-of-summer/fall barbecue favorites. Reckless Love, red blend ($19.99) This medium bodied wine is like walking down the aisle of a farmer’s market and eating a dark cherry, a ripe raspberry and an over-ripe cranberry all at the same time. The finish lingers jussst long enough for you to reflect on it, then encourages you to take another sip. Stemmari Nero d’Avola ($10) This indigenous Sicilian varietal is the perfect com-
䄀琀 ㌀Ⰰ 䴀愀礀漀爀 䴀攀最愀渀 䈀愀爀爀礀 眀愀猀 瀀氀愀礀椀渀最 愀琀 栀漀洀攀 愀渀搀 爀攀愀搀椀渀最 眀椀琀栀 栀攀爀 猀椀猀琀攀爀⸀ 唀渀昀漀爀琀甀渀愀琀攀氀礀Ⰰ ㌀ 椀猀 琀栀攀 愀瘀攀爀愀最攀 愀最攀 漀昀 攀渀琀爀礀 椀渀琀漀 栀甀洀愀渀 琀爀愀昀昀椀挀欀椀渀最 爀椀最栀琀 栀攀爀攀 椀渀 漀甀爀 漀眀渀 猀琀愀琀攀⸀ 䈀甀琀 礀漀甀 挀愀渀 搀漀 猀漀洀攀琀栀椀渀最⸀ 䜀漀 琀漀 圀栀愀琀椀猀㌀⸀挀漀洀 琀漀 栀攀愀爀 昀爀漀洀 一愀猀栀瘀椀氀氀攀ᤠ猀 䴀愀礀漀爀 漀渀 栀漀眀 礀漀甀 挀愀渀 栀攀氀瀀⸀
panion on crisp fall nights. The wine’s deep ruby color reflects with shades of violet and the bouquet gives off notes of currant, wild strawberries, and pomegranate. The soft and velvety wine tastes distinctly fruity. Risotto, baked pasta, red meats, lamb, savory cheeses, and classic Sicilian dish Spaghetti alla Norma. Sunday Funday, white blend ($11.99) NOT an oaky Chardonnay. This California Chardonnay-based blend explodes with pear, pineapple, apricot and lime. Most refer to it as a tropical fruit blended with a splash of weekend mischief. Viansa Gewurztraminer 2015 ($22) This is a brighter wine with delicate aroma of lychee, rose petal and flavors of honey, ginger and pineapple. Underlying spice notes make it a great match for spicy foods. It pairs well with spicy and aromatics foods from all over the world. Viña Errazuriz 2015 MAX Chardonnay ($14.99) Framed with notes of dried fruit, this white wine embodies signature fall flavors with hints of baked apple, light vanilla and an oaky finish.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY ARTS & CULTURE
NIGHTLIFE CONT’D.
Nashville Repertory Theatre Box Office (615) 782-4040 www.NashvilleRep.org
M Street Entertainment Group Justin Hawkins (615) 942-9590 www.mStreetNashville.com
PLAY Ryan Michael David (615) 322-9627 www.PlayDanceBar.com
Description: Nashville Rep is the city’s leading theatre company and is proud to feature the stunning local actors, designers, artists, and directors who call Nashville home. Producing high quality theatre for over 30 years has made Nashville Rep an indispensable part of our community’s creative life.
Description: Nashville’s premier dining and entertainment destination
Description: Play has been voted “Best Place to Dance” by the readers of the Nashville Scene for 11 years in a row. Female Impersonation Perfected! The Play Mates are considered one of the best drag casts in the country. Open Wednesday-Sunday, hours 9pm - 3am Wed, Thurs & Sun, show times 11 & 1. Fri & Sat 8pm-3am, show times 9, 11 &1. 18+
Tennessee State Museum Mary Skinner 615-741-2692 www.TNMuseum.org
Description: ShaBar’s is a licensed & insured, full-service professional mobile bar/bartender service. We specialize in creative party ideas as well as affordable event planning and bar/bartender services for any occasion, including: birthdays, weddings, graduations, anniversaries, private or corporate events, holiday parties and much more.
Description: The Tennessee State Museum is one of the largest museums in the nation with more than 70,000 sq. ft. of exhibits. Interpretive exhibits begin 15,000 years ago with prehistoric people and continue through the early 1900s with special sections on Native American Indians, pioneers, the Antebellum age, and the Civil War. York & Friends Fine Art Ron York (615) 352-3316 www.yorkandfriends.com
DENTAL SERVICES Solace Oral Surgery Wendy Anderson, Office Administrator (615) 320-1392 www.SolaceOralSurgery.com Description: All that is good begins with a Smile. We offer a variety of oral surgery services from extractions, dental implants and a brand new smile in one day. When you visit our office, your smile is our top priority. Our entire team is dedicated to providing you with the personalized, compassionate, gentle care that you deserve.
Be a part of the UNITE Magazine LGBT business directory. Email joey@unitemag.com for more information.
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EVENT PLANNING ShaBar’s Tamyron Moore (866) 548-1532 www.shabars.com
FILM Belcourt Theatre Cindy Wall (615) 846-3150 www.belcourt.org Description: The Belcourt Theatre is Nashville’s nonprofit film center, screening new releases, classics, foreign and documentary films 365 days a year. The Belcourt’s education and engagement programs reach audiences throughout our community to share the power of film.
HEALTHCARE SERVICES Brian Hooper, M.Div., Psy.D. 615-485-5923 www.drbrianhooper.com MediCopy Services, Inc. Elliott Holt (615) 780-2741 www.medicopy.net Description: MediCopy strives to make the Release of Information experience as enjoyable as possible by providing simple and secure Health Information Management solutions. We offer supreme customer service throughout the entire ROI process to ensure that your experience is efficient, reliable and pleasant.
TRIBE Bud East (615) 329-2912 www.TribeNashville.com Description: Nashville’s original Music Video Bar. Open daily 5pm 1am, Fri & Sat 5pm - 3am. 21+
REAL ESTATE EXIT Realty Elite The Gulch Nashville (615) 957-5626 cell (615) 373-3948 office www.KelWilliams.com Description: Serving Downtown Nashville and Surrounding Areas. “Buy land, they’re not making it anymore,” - Mark Twain The Lipman Group Sotheby’s International Realty Julian B. Baker, III (615) 866-7954 www.JulianInTown.com The Realty Association Sheila D. Barnard (615) 385-9010 www.RealtyAssociation.com Description: Won LGBT Favorite Realtor of the Year in 3 separate years. Sheila sells residential, and commercial property and has been a realtor for 18 years in Nashville and the surrounding area. She employs an excellent team that cares of one of the most important investments in life. If you have children, school districts are so important. She will lead you to valuable resources needed to help make your decision.
REAL ESTATE CONT’D. Village Real Estate Lon Hurst (615) 946-3177 (cell) (615) 383-6964 (office) www.LonHurst.com Description: Providing excellent customer service to the LGBT community in the greater Nashville area. My perseverance, attention to detail, and sensitivity to your needs makes the process of buying or selling your home a pleasant experience.
RETAIL Hope Diamond Collection, Inc. Joseph McLean Gregory (615) 554-4101 www.JosephMcLeanGregory.com Description: We are a global award-winning women’s fragrance called FABLE, author of two best-selling books (Queen of Diamonds and The Hope Diamond). Our company also offers public speaking, show hosting, and image-consulting in the entertainment industry. Two Old Hippies Cortney King (615) 254-7999 Description: Unique apparel for women, men, shoes, boots, accessories, live music, guitar Vault and more!
VETERINARY SERVICES Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice and In-Home Euthanasia (Nashville/Middle TN) Dr. Suzanne Gibson (615) 988-6828 www.lapoflove.com Description: Lap of Love provides in home hospice care and euthanasia for our pets. We believe our pets are family, and their last moments should be at home with you.
WINE & SPIRITS Case Selects Wine and Spirits John Klaritch (615) 595-5801 www.caseselects.com Description: A retail store in Franklin offering a large selection ofwine, spirits, beer, cigars, accessories and glassware.
arts & culture
Fine Art Photography o f B e n j a m i n Wa l l s by Blake Kniffin
Benjamin Walls, Appalachian Light, c. 2013, silver halide enlargement [Blue Ridge Parkway National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pisgah National Forest] From the private collection of John and Janet Rice.
An exhibition of fine art nature photography by Tennessee native Benjamin Walls opened at the Tennessee State Museum on July 1. Entitled Through Appalachian Eyes: The Fine Art Photography of Benjamin Walls, the exhibit features more than 50 nature images taken by Walls from Appalachia to Africa. Walls is a self-taught fine art photographer who has been winning awards for his work since early in his career. Now 36 years old, Walls has shown his work at some of the world’s most distinguished institutions, including the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. and London’s Natural History Museum. Building upon his critical acclaim, he opened his signature gallery in his hometown of Bristol six years ago. There is no admission charge to the exhibit which is on view in the museum’s Changing Galleries. At the age of 17, Walls took an 11-day-hike through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that changed his life. His father dropped him off at the trailhead and Walls trekked through some of the wildest and most beautiful sections of the Southern Appalachians. As he hiked, Walls took numerous photographs of the grand vistas that inspired him. He was fascinated by the diversity and beauty of life in the forests but when he returned home and developed his film, he was dissatisfied. Though his first efforts were disappointing, he pressed on. He returned to the wilderness again and again to practice, experiment, and hone his skills. Using his native Appalachian environment, he began to refine his process until he produced images that translated his own experiences accurately for others. What he accomplished in Appalachia inspired Walls to push both geographic and artistic boundaries. His passion for preserving wildness required that he have frequent access to it. So he became a voracious traveler. His first international trip was a study-abroad experience in Australia which gave him new ground to cover,
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both literally and artistically. During his semester at the University of the Southern Cross, Walls took every possible opportunity to hike and camp, capturing images that reflected his new passion for wilderness. He returned home with a drive to travel across the United States and the world, experiencing new environments and creating art that reflected his expanding creative abilities. Walls’ art has a rare depth and breadth, according to Museum Director Lois Riggins-Ezzell. Some of his images focus on the smallest details: like shimmering ripples on the surface of a Western river, or a stunning mosaic of autumn leaves from the Appalachian forest. Others show the grandeur of nature on a large scale: waves crashing against huge cliffs on the Australian coastline, or the vast beauty and open horizon of the African Serengeti. Through Appalachian Eyes: The Fine Art Photography of Benjamin Walls will be on view through October 2.