August 4, 2017 | Volume XV, Issue 7
Trump: Federal Law Doesn’t Bar LGBT Bias Washington, DC – The Trump administration filed an amicus brief in an employment nondiscrimination case that says sexual orientation is not covered by Title VII that bars discrimination based on sex. The case in the 2nd Circuit of the US Court of Appeals in New York involves a man who alleges he was fired because he is gay. The plaintiff claims he should be covered by the Civil Rights Act Title VII which covered discrimination based on sex. The Obama administration’s position was that sexual orientation is included in that category. The Trump administration is arguing since Congress hasn’t specifically included sexual orientation into the law, the courts
By Frankie Kujawa Audiences are invited to enter the enchanting world of Cirque du Soleil’s “Ovo” this month at Baltimore’s Royal Farms Arena. Running from Wednesday, August 23rd – Sunday, August 27th, “Ovo” is a headlong rush into a colorful ecosystem teeming with life. A world where insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight, and look for love in a non-stop riot of energy and movement. It’s love at first sight when a gawky, quirky fly arrives in this bustling community and a fabulous ladybug catches his eye – and the feeling is mutual. “Ladybug is kind of this symbol of love in the show,” explains Ladybug performer Michelle Matlock. “She is the only ladybug in the show. A lot of other families of bugs have other groups with them.
can’t do that on their own. The law was enacted because women are often treated differently than men in employment. Prior to this law, classified ads routinely listed jobs under headings of jobs for men and jobs for women. Those arguing that sexual orientation should be included in sex discrimination say that gay men are treated differently than straight men and lesbians differently than straight women. In the case Zarda v. Altitude Express, Donald Zarda, a skydiving instructor, claims he was fired when the new owners of Altitude Express learned he was gay. Zarda later died in an unrelated skydiving accident but his executors pursued the case. The US district judge said Zarda could file a complaint under Love bugs – Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Ovo’
state law, which prohibits employment discrimination based on sexual orientation in New York. The appeals court agreed. Zarda’s estate appealed and the 2nd Circuit is hearing the case en banc. If the estate loses this appeal, they can appeal to the US Supreme Court to decide whether sexual orientation is covered by Title VII. t (D allas Voice – David Taffet at Dallasvoice.com; edited by Jim Becker for Baltimore OUT loud)
Reversal of Obama stance
Eating his words
Cirque du Soleil’s Lovely Ladybug Lands in Charm City
She starts off as a pretty lonely ladybug looking for love. But she’s confident and secure with herself just looking for that right bug to come into her life.” Matlock works hard to peel back the layers of Ladybug’s character in order to translate the meaning of the character for audiences. “For me, Ladybug is always just about the joy of life and finding the love of your life. She’s a symbol of what we all go through. It’s a very simple story but it’s a love story.
Ladybug meets ‘the fly’ and they instantly fall for each other. Throughout the show, they go through the ups and downs of dating. He’s not doing what she wants him to do and so yes, it’s kind of a reflection of what people go through on their way to finding love in a relationship.” The show, which premiered in Montreal in 2009, started production with Matlock as Ladybug. “It was about nine years ago that I was asked to create this role.” Matlock explained. “I was part of the creation of this character. We did about 6 months of creative work before the show opened.” Prior to Matlock joining the show, the Seat-
tle, Washington, native had been performing in New York. She shared how an “accidental” gay march changed the course of her career and life. “This happened during my first visit to New York City. I’d come to New York to do an acting program in the Catskills for the summer. That weekend a teacher had invited us down to see a show she had written. I’d absolutely no idea what I was getting into. I was trying to make my way back, but the taxi was stuck in traffic. There I was, sitting and watching the meter going up —continued on page 20
‘Ovo’ extravaganza explores love through bugs