Los Angeles Blade, Volume 07, Issue 37, September 15, 2023

Hip-Hop turns 50 VP Harris leads celebration of milestone as we revisit genre’s complicated history with queer representation, PAGE 19

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 • VOLUME 07 • ISSUE 37 • AMERICA’S LGBTQ NEWS SOURCE • LOSANGELESBLADE.COM

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OUSD school board passes anti-trans policy after toxic meeting

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The majority of the speakers were proponents of the policy some who identified themselves as residents of other jurisdictions

By BRODY LEVESQUE ORANGE, Calif. – The Orange Unified School District Board of Trustees minus three trustees who left after being fearful for their personal safety after a contentious and combative meeting, described as ‘extremely toxic’ by an attendee who spoke to the Blade, voted just before midnight Thursday to approve an anti-transgender parental notification policy.

The new policy requires all schools in OUSD to notify parents if their child requests to be identified or treated as a gender other than what’s listed on their birth certificate.

The policy would include requests to use pronouns that don’t align with their biological sex or gender or a name different from their legal name.

Additionally, parents would be notified if a student asks to use a restroom or changing facility of a gender different than the one listed on their official paperwork.

The meeting was interrupted and had delays several times, including at one point by an audience member using a bullhorn shouting against the policy who was then escorted out by security after the room exploded into chaos. The meeting lasted nearly three hours with audience members cheering and booing speakers, and some of the speakers holding props like American flags and some wearing light blue, pink and white transgender flags; A few holding up graphic photos.

The attitudes in the room and outside in the overflow spaces grew more heated and acrimonious with angry vitriolic comments directed at the board, causing three trustees opposed to the policy to abruptly leave.

In an emailed statement to the Los Angeles Blade and other media outlets, OUSD Trustees Kris Erickson, Ari Page, and Andrea Yamasaki, accused Board President Rick Ledesma of allowing the chaos and enabling the pro-policy anti-LGBTQ demonstrators to disrupt the proceedings.

“During the September 7th board meeting, outside extremists from LA to San Diego, who are aligned with Ledesma’s majority, filled our boardroom, shoving OUSD parents and teachers out of the process. The rhetoric and vitriol maligning our teachers and others escalated throughout the night. We received reports our security team could not control the physical fights between groups outside the boardroom and, at one point, were advised to shut the meeting down for the safety of us and others. Yet, the meeting continued.

“When the altercation erupted inside the board room, President Ledesma did nothing. The audience, many of whom seek viral video content for social media, turned on us. One videotaping agitator, in a frenzy, started targeting and encouraging the mob to focus on Trustee Erickson.

Riverside Republican Assemblymember BILL ESSAYLI speaks to Orange Unified school board trustees during public comments. (Screenshot/YouTube OUSD)

Our staff escorted us to our vehicles as we saw no safe option other than to leave. President Ledesma failed to follow board protocol to stop the meeting and escort the board to a safe room. His lack of leadership or concern for us as his colleagues is appalling.”

After the scuffle broke out with the audience member with the bullhorn and the meeting had resumed, Erickson, Page, and Yamasaki had departed the meeting, escorted to their vehicles by school board staff and security.

In their statement the three trustees offered their support for the LGBTQ+ students of the district and placed the blame on the toxic environment on the Board President and his allies.

“By bringing culture wars into Orange Unified, the Ledes-

ma majority has invited the most radical elements into our district, OUR home. We can only imagine how difficult it is for our LGBTQ youth to exist in this toxic and hateful environment where politicians are exploiting their very existence to score political points. The five-day forced outing is arbitrary and cruel and has no basis in good mental health practice. We provide no ongoing support for these students and families that we inject ourselves into – on our timeline, not theirs – to confront a sensitive and nuanced issue they may not be ready to deal with. This will force young people back into the closet to deal with difficult issues alone. It’s shameful.

We have put our hearts and souls into OUSD as trustees, parents, longtime volunteers, and former students. We are heartbroken that our board is focused on political antics instead of driving our district forward for our students.”

Just prior to the vote at around 11:30 p.m., Trustee Madison Miner told those in the room, “Keeping parents aware of what is happening is the only way we can move forward towards safety in our district.”

The majority of the speakers were proponents of the policy some who identified themselves as residents of other jurisdictions. These included Riverside Republican Assemblymember Bill Essayli, one of the co-sponsors of Assembly Bill 1314, which would have required schools across the state to notify parents when a child identifies as transgender. However, the bill died for the 2023 Assembly legislative year after the chair of the Assembly’s education committee opted not to schedule it for a hearing.

Essayli framed the issue as parents rights and critiqued the Democratic-majority legislature and took aim at California Attorney General Rob Bonta who sued the Chino Valley Unified school board over a similar policy which a San Bernadino Superior Court Judge blocked on Wednesday. The Republican lawmaker said he had a message for Bonta: “Do your job. Focus on crime. Leave parents alone.”

Recently, Attorney General Bonta issued a statement following Anderson Union High School District, and Temecula and Murrieta Valley Unified School District Boards’ decisions to implement copy-cat mandatory gender identity disclosure policy targeting transgender and gender-nonconforming students, warning those districts that his office would be vigilant and proactive in defending the civil and human rights of LGBTQ+ students in California.

LOSANGELESBLADE.COM • SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 • 03

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NorCal school board approves anti-trans ‘outing’ policy ROCKLIN, Calif. — A third California school district board has now voted to implement a mandatory gender identity disclosure policy which requires school administrators and faculty to notify parents if “their child wants to be identified as a gender other than their biological sex.”

The Rocklin Unified School District School Board passed the policy after an hours long contentious meeting Wednesday. Board members voted 4-1 to approve the policy just before 12:40 a.m. Thursday. Board trustees Julie Hupp, Tiffany Saathoff, Rachelle Price and Dereck Counter voted in favor of the policy amendment. Michelle Sutherland was the lone member to vote against it, Sacramento NBC affiliate KCRA 3 reported.

Similar to other forced outing policies recently enacted by certain school districts, the policy requires schools to inform parents, with minimal exceptions, whenever a student requests to use a name or pronoun different from that on their birth certificate or official records, even without the student’s permission. The policy also requires notification if a student requests to use facilities or participates in programs that don’t align with their sex on official records.

The vote comes after Attorney General Rob Bonta sent a letter to the Board cautioning them of the dangers of adopting its forced outing policy, emphasizing the potential infringements on students’ civil rights and educational opportunities.

and Murrieta Valley Unified School “Despite our ongoing commitDistrict Boards’ decisions to implement to stand against any acment copy-cat mandatory gender tions that target and discriminate identity disclosure policy targeting against California’s transgender transgender and gender-nonconand gender-nonconforming youth, forming students.

Rocklin Unified has chosen to enRainbow Youth Project USA danger their civil rights by adopt(RYP) and Our Schools USA (OSUing a policy that forcibly outs them SA) have expanded resources and without consideration of their safesupport services to students and ty and well-being,” said Attorney staff impacted by Parental NotifiGeneral Bonta. “I have said it becation policies in California school fore and I will say it again: We will districts. not tolerate any policy that perpet“We are proud to expand our uates discrimination, harassment, (Photo Credit: Rocklin Unified School District, Rocklin, California) services and resources to meet the or exclusion within our educational growing needs of LGBTQ+ students institutions.” and staff affected by Parental Notification policies in numerThe San Bernardino Superior Court ruled earlier on Wednesous California school districts,” said Kristen Johnston, Case day to issue a temporary restraining order against Chino ValManager & Crisis Team Leader of Rainbow Youth Project USA. ley Unified School District Board of Education’s (CVUSD) man“Our commitment to offering free, accessible, and confidendatory gender identity disclosure policy, immediately halting tial services ensures individuals seeking support can access its enforcement. Just last week, Attorney General Bonta ana wide range of resources, including educational materials, nounced a lawsuit challenging the enforcement of CVUSD’s support groups, and LGBTQ+-friendly mental health counselforced outing policy. ing services.”

Recently, Attorney General Bonta issued a statement followBRODY LEVESQUE ing Anderson Union High School District, and Temecula Valley

California lawmakers send bill barring school book bans to Newsom

The dome of the California State Capitol building in Sacramento.

(Photo Credit: Office of the Governor)

SACRAMENTO - A bill that would effectively halt efforts by school districts in California to ban text books and curriculum related to LGBTQ+ subject matter, including queer history, gender and racial diversity is now headed to the desk of California Governor Gavin

Newsom.

Assembly Bill 1078 passed in the state Senate last week, and the governor already has indicated he will sign it as soon as he receives the legislation.

In a statement released on Thursday, September 7, Newsom said: “California is the true freedom state: a place where families — not political fanatics — have the freedom to decide what’s right for them. With the passage of legislation to ban book bans & ensure all students have textbooks, our state’s Family Agenda is now even stronger.”

The bill had passed overwhelmingly in the Assembly in May after the Temecula Valley Unified School District Board voted to reject inclusion of a book that included mention of slain former openly gay San Francisco City Supervisor Harvey Milk and LGBTQ+ topics.

Board Member Jennifer Wiersma, one of the three who is backed by the Inland Empire Family Pac, a far-right group that opposes LGBTQ+ rights, transparent sexual education

curriculum, and so-called ‘Critical Race Theory’ although that material is not taught in K-12 schools anywhere in the United States argued: “I don’t want my 3rd grader studying an LGBTQ issue.

I don’t want them going into gender ideology.” Wiersma, supported by the other two conservatives, Danny Gonzalez and Dr. Joseph Komrosky, signaled that they were also opposed to any curriculum that included lessons or information about former openly gay San Francisco City Supervisor Harvey Milk.

School Board Dr. Joseph Komrosky referred to Milk as a pedophile, “My question is, why even mention a pedophile?” Komrosky said during a May meeting drawing the ire of Gov. Newsom who tweeted: “An offensive statement from an ignorant person. This isn’t Texas or Florida. In the Golden State, our kids have the freedom to learn. Congrats Mr. Komrosky you have our attention. Stay tuned.”

Komrosky and the School District Board the defied a letter warning that that the state would take action. Newsom, joined by Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, and Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson announced the state would begin the process of securing textbooks for students in the Temecula Valley Unified School District and enact legislation, Assembly Bill 1078, to fine school districts for failure to provide adequate instructional materials.

“The three political activists on the school board have yet again proven they are more interested in breaking the law than doing their jobs of educating students — so the state will do their job for them,” the governor said.

AB 1078, sponsored by Assemblyman Jackson would fi-

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nancially penalize school boards that enact bans on books and education material related to Black, Latino, Asian, Native American and LGBTQ topics, provided they are part of an approved school curriculum.

“We’re taking a firm stand against book banning in California’s schools, ensuring that our students have access to a broad range of educational materials that accurately represent the rich cultural and racial diversity of our society,” Jackson said.

Then in July, after oft times contentious, acrimonious and emotional public comments as both sides presented arguments in favor or against California’s new elementary level social studies book and curriculum previously rejected twice, the Temecula Valley Unified School District’s board relented and voted unanimously to adopt it.

Curriculum that deals with LGBTQ+ history is mandated under California’s FAIR Education Act, which was signed into law on July 14, 2011, and went into effect on January 1, 2012. It amends the California Education Code to include the Fair, Accurate, Inclusive and Respectful reference to contributions by people with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ community in history and social studies curriculum.

Conservative school board majorities and some parents argue that curriculum that deals LGBTQ topics to Critical race theory are either not age-appropriate for younger students, radical or, in some cases, are framed asanti-American.

“We’re not having the conversation at the core of the issue, which is age-appropriate materials,” Sen. Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) told The Sacramento Bee. BRODY LEVESQUE

San Bernardino judge blocks Chino schools forced outing policy SAN BERNANDINO, Calif. - Today was the first hearing in California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s lawsuit against Chino Valley Unified School District challenging gender notification policy after which Superior Court Judge Tom Garza granted the state’s request for a temporary restraining order to halt the policy.

Chino Valley Unified School District Board of Education’s (Board) mandatory gender identity disclosure policy, initially adopted in July, requires school staff and administrators to inform parents, with minimal exceptions, whenever a student requests to use a name or pronoun different from that on their birth certificate or official records, even without the student’s permission and even when officials are aware that a trans or queer student may be harmed emotionally or physically by the disclosure.

Judge Garza’s will immediately halt its enforcement.

“San Bernardino Superior Court’s decision to issue a temporary restraining order rightfully upholds the state rights of our LGBTQ+ student community and protects kids from harm by immediately halting the board’s forced outing policy,” said Attorney General Bonta. “While this fight is far from over, today’s ruling takes a significant step towards ensuring the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of transgender and gender-nonconforming students. As we continue challenging the policy in court, my office will continue providing our unwavering support to ensure every student has the right to learn and thrive in a school environment that promotes safety, privacy, and inclusivity.”

In the lawsuit, the state argues that the policy infringes on several state protections safeguarding students’ civil and constitutional rights. Furthermore, the lawsuit alleges that the board’s policy has already placed transgender and gender-nonconforming students in danger of imminent, irreparable harm from the consequences of forced disclosures. These

students are currently under threat of being outed to their parents against their will, and many fear that the District’s policy will force them to make a choice: either “walk back” their constitutionally and statutorily protected rights to gender identity and gender expression, or face the risk of emotional, physical, and psychological harm.

Parents protesting the policies of Chino Valley Unified School District Board of Education School Board President Sonja Shaw.

(Screenshot/YouTube KCAL CBS LA)

In the filing the state also points out that the board’s policy thus unlawfully singles out and discriminates against transgender and gender nonbinary students, subjecting them to disparate treatment and harassment, including mental, emotional, and even physical abuse.

In an email to the Blade, the Indianapolis-based Rainbow Youth Project, which had assisted the Attorney General’s staff with collaborative documents and statements from students and families affected by the policy, issued a statement: “We are proud to collaborate with California Attorney General Rob Bonta in our ongoing efforts to protect the rights and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals in California schools,” stated Lance Preston, Executive Director at Rainbow Youth Project USA. “By assisting his office in securing the restraining order against the Chino Valley Unified School District, we have sent a clear message that forced outing policies

have no place in our educational institutions.

We will continue to work diligently to ensure that all students feel safe and supported at school and in their communities.”

The lead group that is combatting the policy on the ground in Chino, Our Schools USA, reacted to Garza’s ruling : “Today, the courts confirmed what we knew to be true — this hateful policy poses real safety risks to vulnerable students. Our Schools USA is proud to have supported our local chapter of parents in standing up to a hateful policy that deprives educational opportunities for students,” spokesperson Kristi Hirst told the Blade.

Chino Valley Unified School District Board of Education President Sonja Shaw, has been a leading opponent of LGBTQ+ visibility and rights in the district’s schools. During LGBTQ+ Pride month this past June, she led the board in a 4-1 vote to ban LGBTQ+ pride flags in all district classrooms. After the vote in what was best described as a contentious and heated meeting, Shaw addressed the audience saying: “If a teacher has to fly a flag in the classroom to show a kid this is safe space, that is a teacher problem.” That comment brought immediate angered shouts from those gathered in the room.

The current fight over the ‘Outing policy’ culminated in a 4-1 vote by the board this past July to involuntarily Out trans students to parents or guardians in a new parental notification policy after another contentious and heated school board meeting.

During that meeting Shaw battled and then belittled California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond, who personally attended and addressed the board.

Thurmond’s presence created a stir with Shaw, who cut the Superintendent’s mic off after he went past the minute speaking time allotted for the public comments section.

Addressing the board, Thurmond cautioned

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the policy may “not only fall outside of the laws that respect privacy and safety for our students, but may put our students at risk because they may not be in homes where they can be safe.”

As Thurmond attempted to finish his remarks, Shaw repeatedly talked over him saying “time.” At this point a number of students and others opposed to the policy began cheering which caused Shaw to reprimand those audience members saying: “Guys, be respectful.”

Then Shaw turned her attention back to the Superintendent.

“I am going to do a point of order, which I learned from a previous board president,” She continued. “Tony Thurman, I appreciate you being here, tremendously. But here’s the problem. We’re here because of people like you.”

“You’re in Sacramento, proposing things that pervert children,” Shaw shouted, as the students continued to cheer Thurmond. She then ordered Chino Police officers to escort the Superintendent from the room.

Prior to filing a lawsuit, Bonta announced opening a civil rights investigation into the legality of the board’s adoption of its mandatory gender identity disclosure policy. Prior to opening the investigation, the Attorney General sent a letter in July to Superintendent Norman Enfield and the Board of Education cautioning them of the dangers of adopting its forced outing policy, emphasizing the potential infringements on students’ privacy rights and educational opportunities.

Recently, Attorney General Bonta issued a statement following Anderson Union High School District, and Temecula and Murrieta Valley Unified School District Boards’ decisions to implement copy-cat mandatory gender identity disclosure policy targeting transgender and gender-nonconforming students.

Chino Valley Unified School District nor Board of Education President Sonja Shaw responded to a request for comment.

BRODY LEVESQUE

Grindr loses 45% of staff due to Return-to-Work policy WEST HOLLYWOOD - Grindr had a significant reduction in its workforce, with approximately 45% of its employees quitting rather than adhere to a return-to-office policy.

The LA TIMES and Bloomberg Business report that this policy was introduced in response to a majority of employees expressing their intention to unionize.

The LGBTQ dating app company based out of West Hollywood mandated that workers return to in-person work for two days a week last month at designated “hub” offices or face termination. This led to the resignation of around 80 out of 178 employees, as reported by the Communications Workers of America in

a statement released on Wednesday.

Additionally, Grindr provided severance packages to staff who couldn’t relocate, a move criticized by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) as an attempt to stifle workers’ voices concerning their working conditions.

The CWA filed a new labor complaint against the company, marking the second such complaint in approximately a month.

CEO George Arison stated that he expected staff attrition resulting from the mandate during the Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology conference in San Francisco. He indicated that the downsizing of the team would positively impact the company’s short-term fi-

nancials, emphasizing the efficiency and leverage achieved with a smaller workforce. Arison acknowledged that staffing expenses were a significant cost factor for the company, second only to fees paid to app distribution platforms like Apple and Google.

The situation at Grindr underscores the broader tension between employers and employees as companies transition back to in-office work after adopting flexible remote work policies during the pandemic.

In August, the CWA informed the National Labor Relations Board that Grindr’s policy was a retaliatory response to the unionization efforts initiated by workers on July 20. The labor

organizing campaign, which is ongoing and has not yet received official recognition from the company, enjoys substantial support among a proposed bargaining unit of approximately 100 employees, according to pro-union staff.

According to the LA TIMES these workforce challenges, Grindr recently increased its fullyear revenue and profit margin outlook, citing strong demand for its new weekly subscription offering and other features. The company’s shares have risen by 17% this year.

The preceding article was previously published by WeHo Times and is republished with permission.

PAULO MURILLO

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LOCAL

Wiener pulls PrEP bill after Assembly committee adds poison pill

SACRAMENTO – Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) announced Friday that he is pausing Senate Bill 339 in the Assembly after the Assembly Appropriations Committee inserted a harmful amendment to the bill.

SB 339 improves access to PrEP and PEP, a powerful preventative HIV medication, by ensuring pharmacists can furnish PrEP without a prescription. The bill deals exclusively with ensuring pharmacists are able to provide PrEP. Last week, the Assembly Appropriations Committee inserted an extraneous amendment into SB 339 having nothing to do with the bill — essentially inserting an unrelated bill into this bill — and which *undermines* access to PrEP. According to Wiener’s office, this amendment would allow insurance companies to impose prior authorization and step-therapy for PrEP and PEP, which are significantly limited under existing law and regulations. In other words, the amendment reduces patient protections.

This harmful amendment is not only completely unrelated to the purpose of the bill – i.e., improving pharmacists’ ability to furnish PrEP and PEP – but it also upends longstanding guidance from state regulators and runs counter to California’s ongoing efforts to improve access to PrEP and PEP for Californians most at risk for contracting HIV, a spokesperson for Wiener noted adding that because these amendments undermine PrEP access, they’re effectively a poison pill and therefore untenable.

The amendments were never analyzed or voted on by a health policy committee, and Senator Wiener opposes them.

As a result, Senator Wiener has chosen not to move SB 339 forward at this time. Over the recess, Senator Wiener will determine if there is a path to deleting these harmful amendments.

If not, he likely will abandon the bill.

“It’s heartbreaking to see a straightforward, critically important HIV prevention bill stall this way,” said Senator Wiener. “Thousands of Californians contract HIV each year, and we need common sense measures like SB 339 to improve access to PrEP.” Despite significant public health advancements, HIV remains a major public health challenge in California, with nearly 4,000 new HIV diagnoses each year. Black and Latino gay and bisexual men, Black cisgender women, transgender women, and youth continue to be the populations most impacted by HIV. PrEP is a preventative drug taken orally or intravenously that reduces the risk of contracting HIV through sexual contact by more than 99%, making it more effective than any other measure to prevent HIV, including condoms. Despite its incredible efficacy, fewer than 25 percent of those who would benefit from PrEP are using these medications.

“We are shocked at the recent actions of the Assembly Appropriations Committee to reverse years of advocacy for HIV prevention in California and roll back essential protections for people at risk of acquiring HIV,” says Dr. Tyler TerMeet, CEO of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, “For decades California has been at the forefront of HIV prevention, ensuring that people had access to PrEP, our most effective form of HIV prevention, without delays caused by insurance red tape and greed. The

language changes added by the Appropriations Committee would undo that work and leave people at the highest risk of HIV vulnerable to pointless bureaucratic delays and denials, increasing HIV transmission and undoing our work to get to zero new HIV infections in California.”

Michael Conner, PharmD, President of the California Pharmacists Association states, “While the current version of the bill meets the goal of CPhA to allow pharmacists to independently initiate and provide PrEP/PEP, it removes protections for patients. Our commitment is to do what is in the best interest of patients, it is at the heart of what we do. Therefore, we cannot support moving the bill forward at this time. We look forward to working together to move a bill that meets the intention of improving access to these life-saving medications.”

“We are disappointed that SB 339 will not be advancing this year because of the Assembly Appropriations Committee’s amendments — we could not in good conscience move forward with the amended bill and roll back years of progress in the fight against HIV,” said Equality California Executive Director Tony Hoang. “The amendments would take California back to a time when health plans could impose onerous delays to accessing critical HIV prevention medications and they demonstrate a disregard for the HIV providers and advocates who have been fighting for years to improve PrEP access in California. We remain fully committed to expanding PrEP access for all Californians and look forward to continuing our work with Senator Wiener on this important issue.”

LA BLADE STAFF

Pelosi announces plans to seek reelection, Scott Wiener won’t run SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - U.S. Representative Nancy Pelosi announced Friday at a meeting of campaign volunteers that she will seek reelection to her seat in the U.S. House in the 2024 election races. The 83-year-old San Francisco Democrat’s congressional career spans three decades including most notably as Speaker of the House.

Pelosi made history as the first female U.S. House Speaker and has served in Congress since 1987.

The former Speaker also posted to X/Twitter: “Now more than ever our City needs us to advance San Francisco values and further our recovery. Our country needs America to show the world that our flag is still there, with liberty and justice for ALL. That is why I am running for reelection — and respectfully ask for your vote.”

Her announcement put the plans of Out gay State Senator Scott Wiener, (D-SF11) who had made preliminary plans to run for Pelosi’s seat had the congressmember decided to retire, on hold. In a text message to the Bay Area Reporter after Pelosi announced her run, Wiener wrote: “Speaker Emerita Pelosi is one of the most talented and transformational leaders of our lifetime, and it’s a good thing for San Francisco and the nation that she will continue to serve our community,” adding “Right now, I’m focused like a laser on the end of our legislative session in Sacramento. Yesterday, the Assembly passed two major housing bills I’m authoring, and the day before it passed our psychedelics decriminalization bill.”

He noted that he’s “locked in a battle with climate deniers to pass our corporate carbon transparency bill.”

Politico noted Pelosi’s daughter Christine is seen as a contender who could tap into her mother’s network of supporters and donors. Christine has not said whether she’d follow in her

mother’s path. A Wiener run could trigger multiple races to represent San Francisco in the state Legislature.

Bay Area Reporter Editor-In-Chief Cynthia Laird reported Friday that at the Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club’s annual Pride breakfast June 25 in San Francisco, Pelosi and Wiener both complemented each other.

Wiener thanked her for helping to turn around the fight for federal funds for AIDS when she went to Congress. During her remarks later, Pelosi acknowledged Wiener’s comment thanking straight Democratic state legislators who support LGBTQ-related bills even though they come from more conservative parts of California. She made a similar comment about House members who come from more conservative districts and states.

At the breakfast, Pelosi also offered a list of accomplishments during her two stints as House speaker (2007-2011 and 20192023). Those included passing the Affordable Care Act, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act, repeal of the military’s anti-gay “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy, and passing the Respect for Marriage Act. In 1996, legislation by Pelosi was signed into law by then-President Bill Clinton, elevating “the Grove” as the nation’s sole federally-designated National AIDS Memorial.

She also told attendees at the breakfast that President Joe Biden was the first “at his level” to come out in support of samesex marriage when he served as President Barack Obama’s vice president in 2012. Last December, Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act during a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House.

The Respect for Marriage Act repealed the discriminatory “Defense of Marriage Act” that was passed in 1996 but had key provisions struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2013 (Sec-

06 • SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 • LOSANGELESBLADE.COM

tion 3, U.S. v. Windsor) and 2015 (Section 2, Obergefell v. Hodges). Not only does it require federal recognition of same-sex and interracial marriages nationwide but also mandates states must recognize such unions performed in other states. The act includes protections for religious liberty.

Wiener was targeted with online harassment by QAnon conspiracy theorists and anti-Semites over Senate Bill 145, as the B.A.R. previously reported. The bill which was signed into law

by Governor Gavin Newsom, changed who qualifies for the California Sex Offender Registry. He has received death threats in recent years.

Wiener recently told the B.A.R. that the city’s LGBTQ political strength has ebbed and flowed over the years.

“Our community has had a lot of ups and downs politically in San Francisco,” he said in a recent brief phone interview earlier this summer. For example, from the time Rafael Mandelman joined the Board of Supervisors in July 2018 until last May, he was the only out member of it. He was then joined by gay District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey, whom Breed appointed to fill the seat of former supervisor Matt Haney, a straight ally who won election to the state Assembly. Dorsey went on to win a full four-year term last November, as did gay District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio, who defeated former supervisor Gordon Mar, a straight ally.

Wiener said the LGBTQ community, like others in the city, has been divided at times over the years.

“When we are united, or at least less divided, we are very, very strong,” Wiener added (Additional reporting from The Bay Area Reporter’s Editor-In-Chief Cynthia Laird) BRODY LEVESQUE

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NATIONAL

ICE has detained lesbian mother from El Salvador since 2017 Jessica Patricia Barahona-Martinez has won asylum twice

By MICHAEL K. LAVERS LAFAYETTE, La. — The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Louisiana on Wednesday asked a federal court to order the release of a lesbian mother from El Salvador who has been in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody since June 2017The writ for habeas corpus petition the ACLU filed in U.S. District for the Western District of Louisiana in Lafayette, La., on Jessica Patricia Barahona-Martinez’s behalf notes she and her three children entered the U.S. on May 31, 2016, “fleeing persecution she faced in El Salvador as a lesbian, and because the government had falsely identified her as a gang member.”

ICE released her “under conditions of supervision” and she “complied with these conditions for more than a year.”

San Salvador, El Salvador, from the slope of El Boqueron, a volcano that overlooks the Salvadoran capital.

(Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

ACLU Staff Attorney My Khanh Ngo on Thursday told the Washington Blade during a telephone interview that Barahona-Martinez, 40, was living with her sister and other family members in Woodbridge, Va., when ICE arrested and detained her on June 26, 2017.

“The sole reason for her arrest and detention was an Interpol Red Notice that was based on a Salvadoran warrant related to a charge of aggravated extortion for up to $30 — a charge for which she had initially been acquitted,” reads her petition.

She was at the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail in Williamsburg, Va., before ICE transferred her to the Caroline Detention Facility in Bowling Green, Va., in October 2018.

Barahona-Martinez arrived at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center, a privately-run detention center the GEO Group, a Florida-based company, operates in Basile, La., in October 2020.

Barahona-Martinez’s petition notes an immigration judge has granted her asylum twice, most recently in November 2019, “on the grounds that she faces persecution on account of her sexual orientation.” The government appealed and the Board of Immigration Appeals, which the Justice Department oversees, ruled in their favor.

“In sustaining the government’s appeal of that grant, the Board of Immigration Appeals (‘BIA’ or ‘board’) did not

address the merits of her asylum claim,” reads Barahona-Martinez’s petition. “Instead, in a two-to-one decision, over a strong dissent, it held that petitioner was ineligible for asylum under the ‘serious nonpolitical crime’ bar. The majority relied on the then-pending Interpol Red Notice and the Salvadoran warrant to find there were ‘serious reasons’ for believing she had committed such a crime. The dissenting Board member pointed out that petitioner had not only been acquitted of the alleged offense once, but had also submitted credible evidence to back up her claim of innocence.”

Her petition notes she appealed the Board of Immigration Appeals’ decision to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va., “which granted her a stay of removal pending appeal, reflecting it assessment of the likelihood of her success on the merits of her appeal.” Her petition further indicates the Commission for the Control of Interpol’s Files, an independent body that oversees whether Interpol properly processes personal data, in April “permanently deleted the Interpol Red Notice that had been lodged against Ms. Barahona-Martinez” after her new lawyer made the request.

“Her pro bono counsel has since filed a motion to reopen proceedings before the BIA on this ground, as it is relevant to the board’s analysis of whether the serious nonpolitical crime bar applies to petitioner’s case and renders her ineligible for asylum,” reads the petition. “The government has agreed to hold her appeal in abeyance in light of the pending motion to reopen, yet ICE continues to detain Ms. Barahona-Martinez as her removal proceedings continue.”

U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) in June 2020 told the Blade that detainees at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center did not have access to toilet paper or soap for nine days. The Illinois Democrat also said staff were not required to wear masks and they did not implement social distancing policies to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Ngo said Barahona-Martinez is at increased risk for COVID-19 because she has asthma.

Ngo said a doctor gave Barahona-Martinez Tylenol when she showed COVID-19 symptoms, “and unsurprisingly she got extremely sick.” Ngo told the Blade that Barahona-Martinez a few weeks ago went to the emergency room because of “excruciating stomach pain.”

“It’s clear that she’s been deteriorating in detention, both physically and mentally,” said Ngo. Ngo told the Blade that Barahona-Martinez’s asthma has become worse since arrived in Louisiana, and suffers panic attacks nearly every day. Ngo said the only way that Barahona-Martinez can “get back into a mental state that will keep her going” is by talking with her family.

“The food is rotten. She is afraid because she is gay in attention. She’s been harassed and threatened by both officers and other detainees because of her sexual orientation,” said Ngo. “She doesn’t feel safe there at all. She tries to keep to herself.”

Ngo said Barahona-Martinez works up to five hours a day in the facility’s kitchen. She earns around $3 a day.

08 • SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 • LOSANGELESBLADE.COM

Transgender woman murdered after US deported her to El Salvador Discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity remains commonplace in El Salvador.

A court in San Salvador, the country’s capital, in 2020 sentenced three police officers to 20 years in prison for the murder of Camila Díaz Córdova, a Transgender woman.

Díaz asked for asylum in the U.S. because of violence against LGBTQ+ and intersex Salvadorans. The U.S. deported her in 2017, and her friend reported her missing at the end of January 2019. Díaz died at a San Salvador hospital on Feb. 3, 2019.

Barahona-Martinez is from San Salvador.

President Nayib Bukele in March 2022 declared a state of emergency that allowed his government to crackdown on rampant gang violence.

The Associated Press in July reported Salvadoran authorities have detained upwards of 70,000 people. Human Rights Watch and other groups say arbitrary arrests, torture of detainees and other human rights abuses have taken place since the crackdown began.

“The situation in El Salvador is much worse,” Ngo told the Blade. “It was bad in 2016 when she [Barahona-Martinez] fled, but with the state of emergency that’s in place right now, there’s been a lot of reporting about how much worse conditions are in the prisons against people who are accused of being with the gangs. There’s a lot of arbitrary detentions and killings and abuses.”

Ngo said Salvadoran authorities tortured Barahona-Martinez after they arrested her. Ngo said her former criminal defense attorney told her that Barahona-Martinez would be “in danger if she were returned” to El Salvador.

“She said, as much as possible, please keep her in the United States,” said Ngo. “She was known as a lesbian back then. It’s clear coming back they would know that she had applied for asylum in the United States and there’s the potential retaliation for that. She’s really risking her life if she’s sent back there.”

Barahona-Martinez’s petition names Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and South Louisiana ICE Processing Center Warden Eleazar Garcia are among those named as defendants.

ICE and the Department of Homeland Security have not responded to the Blade’s request for comment.

Barahona-Martinez, for her part, says she simply wants to be reunited with her children.

“I always think back on that day in 2017 when I was arrested by ICE and taken away from my children. They were so young at that time. I never thought that I would still be in detention six years later. I have missed so many of their birthdays, graduations, and other big life events,” she said in a statement to the ACLU. “Being separated from my children for this long has been so difficult, but I am fighting for a future here with them. All I want is the chance to show a judge why we should be reunited.”

NATIONAL

EXCLUSIVE: Sen. Blumenthal defends Kids Online Safety Act

Blackburn comment on ‘trans influence’ raises alarms

By CHRISTOPHER KANE | ckane@washblade.com He has also been a staunch pro-equality ally for the LGBTQ Responding to criticism from some in the LGBTQ community community, earning a perfect 100 on the Congressional Scoreabout the Kids Online Safety Act, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal card from the Human Rights Campaign, America’s largest (D-Conn.) defended the legislation and reiterated his strong LGBTQ advocacy group. support for queer youth.

“I care deeply about that community as is evidenced by a life“I would never put my name on any bill that targets or distime of work in this area, as attorney general and now as the parages or harms the trans or LGBTQ community,” Blumenthal U.S. senator,” he said. told the Washington Blade on Friday.

“The Kids Online Safety Act is designed to give children and “There have been a lot of eyes” on the Kids Online Safety Act, their parents tools to protect themselves,” Blumenthal said, he said. “A lot of very smart and careful people have reviewed “and also to impose accountability on those companies that its language, and they and I have worked to make it as rigorous are profiteering; achieve more transparency about those aland tight as possible.” gorithms; and give parents reporting mechanisms and other The proposed legislation, introduced by Blumenthal and means, in effect, to take back control and [also for] children to Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (Tenn.), would address take back control.” harms experienced by children and their families at the hands The proposed bill would require covered platforms to “take of dominant social media and tech platform companies. It enreasonable measures” to “prevent and mitigate” harms to joys broad bipartisan support in the Senate. youth such as “anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance Critics took issue with previous iterations of the bill, however, use disorders, and suicidal behaviors,” along with “patterns of raising alarms that conservative state attorneys general tasked use that indicate or encourage addiction-like behaviors” and with enforcing its provisions might treat positive or tonally neu“physical violence, online bullying, and harassment of the mitral LGBTQ content as harmful to children under the statute. nor.”

A coalition of organizations issued a letter last year warning LGBTQ youth are affected by these challenges and harms, Congress that “online services would face substantial pressure too, and in many cases, disproportionately. to over-moderate,” at a time in which “books with LGBTQ+ “Take bullying, for example,” Blumenthal told the Blade. No themes are being banned” and “people providing healthcare to longer relegated to the school yard, this behavior follows victrans children are being falsely accused of ‘grooming.’” tims home, he said, adding, “the addictive quality of social meBlumenthal told the Blade changes to the 2023 version in dia is so powerful that it can be all consuming.” areas including the duty of care, which were made in consulDuring an interview Thursday on the Rated LGBT Radio tation with a bevy of LGBTQ groups and individual advocates, program, attorney Laura Marquez-Garrett noted how LGBTQ have changed these organizations’ positions on the legislation. youth will turn to social media platforms searching for affir“We have tightened the statute – tightened and clarified the mation about their sexual orientation or gender identity only statute – as much as we can to try to make it as rigorous as to find “this really harmful experience that is causing, in many possible to avoid both the misuse and potential chilling effect,” cases, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts.” the senator said.

Marquez-Garrett, a litigator who left her law practice in 2020 He also highlighted some reasons for the urgent need for to join the Social Media Law Center, explained the Kids Onpassage. line Safety Act includes a carve-out, “added in the last couple “The real devastating harms done to children by the bullymonths, which says that a covered platform has no duty to ing,” along with toxic content promoting eating disorders and prevent or preclude any minor under 17 from deliberately and suicide, “largely as a result of black-box algorithms, is the kind independently searching for or specifically requesting content.” of evil that I have fought throughout my career,” he said.

Still, concerns persisted after Blackburn noted, in March, efThe senator has fought for accountability from these comforts toward “protecting minor children from the transgender panies for decades, combatting child predation on Myspace [sic] in this culture and that influence” before talking about the and Facebook as attorney general of Connecticut in the early Kids Online Safety Act. aughts and, in Congress, championing antitrust reforms targetHer legislative director later clarified that, “KOSA will not — ing Big Tech that have come to the fore in recent years.

10 • SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 • LOSANGELESBLADE.COM

Sen. RICHARD BLUMENTHAL (Blade file photo by Michael Key)

nor was it designed to — target or censor any individual or community.”

Addressing these matters, Blumenthal told the Blade, “whatever anyone including Senator Blackburn may say about their personal beliefs, I know what the bill does and that’s what’s important here.”

“My goal,” he said, is to remedy the problems caused by social media and online platforms, problems that in too many cases are fatal for young people, while avoiding “any of the unintended consequences” because “it’s not enough to have good motives.”

Blumenthal said that while “my colleagues on the Republican side and I may differ in certain beliefs about a wide variety of issues” and “Senator Blackburn and I vote together a small minority of times, where we’re united, we try to work together.”

“And we’re united on preventing the harms that are so egregiously crippling and killing,” he added.

So, Blumenthal said, “looking at it substantively, putting aside who’s for it and who’s against it, I think on the merits, it holds up. The merits and the substance and the actual words of the proposed statute really refute those arguments that the tech companies have sought to make.”

Asked whether he believes the dominant tech platforms and social media companies might be behind efforts to sow doubt and distrust with respect to the Kids Online Safety Act among LGBTQ and other communities, the senator noted, “they have no compunction about distorting or misrepresenting the facts and trying to twist and deceive about specific provisions of legislation.”

“They resort to any and every means,” he said, “And they will try to exploit communities that may be susceptible to their misrepresentation.”

Additionally, Blumenthal said, the “tech and social media companies have – I don’t know how to put it politely – but they’ve essentially tried to ignore the important changes that we have made” including “the narrowing of the duty of care provisions” and “the broadening of support services.”

INTERNATIONAL

Lil Nas X Toronto Film Festival appearance delayed by bomb threat TORONTO, Canada - The widely anticipated global premiere of the documentary “Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero” at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) was forced to be delayed after homophobic bomb threat festival organizers said.

The 48th Toronto International Film Festival which opened on September 7 and runs till September 17, was briefly delayed Saturday night after a threat was made according to a TIFF spokesman. Variety reported: The gala screening was scheduled for a 10 p.m. start at Roy Thomson Hall, one of TIFF’s premier venues. The documentary’s co-directors Carlos López Estrada and Zac Manuel and editor Andrew Morrow arrived on the red carpet first, posing with fans that lined the entryway. But as their subject, pop superstar Lil Nas X, pulled up in his car to join them, organizers were informed that a bomb threat had been called in and the artist was told to hold, sources told Variety. The threat specifically targeted the rapper for being a Black queer artist, one

Singer-songwriter & rapper LIL NAS X answering questions after the premiere of the documentary at Roy Thomson Hall Saturday. (Screenshot/YouTube TIFF)

source added.

In statements to Variety and other media outlets Saturday after the incident, the TIFF spokesperson said: “Earlier this evening, we were made aware by the Toronto Police Service of an investigation in the vicinity of the red carpet for the ‘Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero’ screening. Our standard security measures remained in place during this time and the screening commenced with a slight delay. To our knowledge, this was a general threat and not directed at the film or the artist.”

A spokesperson for Toronto Police on Sunday said: “Yesterday, at the TIFF, a passerby uttered a threat towards private security,” “Out of an abundance of caution, the Toronto Police and the private security swept the scene and cleared within 20 minutes. The threat was general and did not target any one person.”

BRODY LEVESQUE

ELLE magazine thumbs its nose at an anti-LGBTQ government On the cover of our latest issue, we present a Hungarian rainBUDAPEST, Hungary - The September issue of fashion and bow family: we can get to know the story of their becoming a culture magazine Elle Hungary features a prominent married family, their honest and loving everyday life with their little girl, gay couple with their infant child on the cover.

Hannabell. Hubert Hlatky-Schlichter While seemingly innocuous, the and Dr. László Szegedi confess honphotograph of Hungarian restauraestly about the difficulties and prejuteur Hubert Hlatky Schlichter and his dices they had to face as a gay couple neurosurgeon husband Laszlo Szegeat home and how fate-changing the di kissing their daughter Hannabel is arrival of their daughter was for them. in open defiance of the homophobic With their story, we want to send a government of Prime Minister Viktor message to everyone who has felt that Mihály Orbán. they or their loved ones have been On June 15, 2021, a Hungarian Law attacked more recently: you are not purportedly aiming at taking stricter alone, and there is a positive scenario! action against pedophile offenders We hope that with our current issue, and amending certain laws to protect even if on a small scale, we contribute children was adopted. Some of the to the acceptance of rainbow faminew provisions target and limit the lies, and manage to give inspiration, access of minors to content and adencouragement and support to the vertisements that “promotes or pormany thousands of readers who share trays” the so-called “divergence from the same values with us. The slogan of self-identity corresponding to sex at our cover page sums up our message birth, sex change or homosexuality.” beautifully: Born From Love, because Prime Minister Orbán has been families, regardless of their structure, criticised by international human are rooted in deep, unconditional love. rights groups as discriminating against Join the conversation by using the LGBTQ+ people with this law which Euhashtag #BornFromLove to campaign ropean Commission President Ursula Elle Hungary has defiantly featured a samesex married couple and their daughter on for all forms of love and family across von der Leyen called a “disgrace.” its cover. (Photo Credit: Elle magazine Hungary) the country!

Orbán, who has publicly proIn the featured article written by Elle claimed that he is a “defender of traHungary editor-in-chief Vivien Mádai that accompanies the ditional family Catholic values,” has been criticized by internacover, the couple discussed the division of parental roles, and tional human rights groups as discriminating against LGBTQ+ candidly about discrimination they’ve faced in Hungary, particpeople. ularly as they welcomed their infant daughter into the world.

Publishing the cover on its Instagram account Monday, Elle PinkNewsUK noted that while a same-sex couple featured Hungary stated that the magazine’s intention was to “contribon a British or US-based magazine would seem innocuous, in ute to the acceptance of rainbow families” and help the publiHungary, it marks a landmark step for positive queer reprecation to “campaign all over the country for love and all forms sentation in the media. of family.”

On Instagram, the magazine’s comment section has been (Translated from Hungarian): flooded with people celebrating the cover.

Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, caring and supThis past April, Hungary’s President Katalin Novak vetoed a portive environment, and no one can prevent that because of legislation that included a provision for citizens to anonymoustheir parents’ gender identity or sexual orientation.

ly report on same-sex couples who are raising children. In a rare departure from the policies of Orbán whom she generally supports, Novak returned the bill to the parliament telling lawmakers to strike that provision.

The country’s constitution states that the institution of marriage is ““between one man and one woman,” and notes that “the mother is a woman, the father a man.”

This law’s passage and Novak’s veto came after the country’s Constitutional Court issued a ruling in February that will continue to block new applications from transgender people for legal gender recognition. The judgment effectively creates two categories of trans people in Hungary: those who applied early enough to pursue gender recognition and those who did not.

A spokesperson for the German government told the media earlier this year that Germany and France joined with other EU member states in the European Commission lawsuit over a Hungarian law which discriminates against people on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

The move by Elle to feature the gay couple on its cover follows a July incident where Hungary’s second-largest bookstore chain was fined for violating the nation’s 2021 law that limits the access of minors to books, media content and advertisements that “promotes or portrays” the so-called “divergence from self-identity corresponding to sex at birth, sex change or homosexuality.”

The chain was fined for selling copies of British author Alice Oseman’s LGBTQ+ graphic novel series ‘Heartstopper,’ a global phenomena due to the runaway hit Netflix show based on her books in the series.

The Budapest Metropolitan Government Office, (BMGO) fined Lira Konyv bookstore chain for placing the book series in its youth literature section, and for failing to place it in wrapped plastic packaging as required by the 2021 law.

The bookstore chain was fined 12 million forints ($35,930 Euros) French daily afternoon newspaper Le Monde reported that as a result, bookshops have decided that books deemed “sensitive” must be wrapped in plastic or moved them to the adult section, if they have not decided to refrain from selling them altogether.

BRODY LEVESQUE

LOSANGELESBLADE.COM • SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 • 11

V O L U M E 07 I S S U E 37

BRODY LEVESQUE is editor of the Los Angeles Blade.

Impact lingers 22 years after that bright September morning

Religious zealotry that led to 9/11 can be seen in far right politics New York City at the World Trade Center and then suddenly it was Tuesday, September 11, 2001, a point in time that forever alour turn as the entire building shook as Flight 77 crashed into the tered the world in a series of events, terrorist attacks, that would southwestern face of the Pentagon. linger on politically, spiritually, culturally, and leave an indelible The next 16 hours are still a vignette of sounds, smells, and mark on those alive at the time who experienced that day. sights from that day that have never left me. The events of that A human being born that day celebrates their twenty-second day would later debirthday today, havfine my career and ing grown up in a set me on a path of world where securibeing far more cynity measures- some cal than I was previdraconian domiously as I viewed a nate and where a changed world. certain sense of colHere, two delective innocence cades years later, I has been lost. reflect still on what Perhaps the ulticould have been mate irony is that and yet still remain lessons of peaceoptimistic even in ful diplomacy that the face of greatcould have possibly er turmoil, widebeen gained from spread authoritarthat day were inianism, a global stead lost to the climate crisis exacsense of paranoia erbated by war, and and nationalistic then too of war itideology and mesself as evidenced by saging as governthe illegal incursion ments reacted, The Pentagon in Arlington just across the Potomac River from Washington D.C. on the morning into the sovereignty and in the case of of September 11, 2001, approximately 10 minutes after terrorists flew American Airlines flight 77, which had taken off from Dulles International Airport, into the southwest side of the buildof the Ukraine. the United States, ing killing 184 people. (Screenshot/YouTube Archival news footage) The rise of nacommencement tionalism- especialof a war that bely of the white supremacist variety tied to religious fundamencame the longest in American history. talism is the primary danger and the direct linear descendent of The number of American servicemembers who died fighting the terrorism that was seen on that Tuesday morning twenty-two the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan had passed 7,000 at the end of years ago. It is not just an American issue, it is a global issue, one 2021. The ‘War on Terror’ as it was known spanned 20 years, saw that needs to be exposed and then dealt with. the expenditure of $6 trillion dollars, 900,000 lives lost around The religious zealotry that fed the extremist ideology that led to the globe and at least 38 million people who have been displaced. the acts of terrorism that bright September morning can be seen 9:37:46 AM, The Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia just across the again manifesting in the extremist actions of the far right beyond Potomac River from Washington D.C.: American Airlines Flight 77, politics. Book bans, the war on trans and queer people, stifling of which had taken off from Dulles International Airport, struck the free speech and ideas, promotion of anti-immigrant, anti-LGBTQ+ southwest side of the building killing 184 people. and racist ideas all contribute to a society that is rapidly becoming This reporter was in the Pentagon that fateful morning, havvery unsafe and a petri dish for the next 9-11. ing agreed to substitute for a sick colleague. I witnessed the utter This is the lingering impact of that long ago day and must be disbelief on the faces of every one of my colleagues as we were mitigated, before history repeats itself. clustered around a television set watching the events unfolding in

12 • SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 • LOSANGELESBLADE.COM

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LAURA MARQUEZ-GARRETT

is a 2002 Harvard Law School graduate and spent the first twenty-years of her career in Big Law, where she oversaw complex litigation matters and business disputes and specialized in electronic evidence and forensic investigation.

The (Revised) Kids Online Safety Act protects LGBTQ+ Youth

You search for “Gay Pride” and “Pride Parade,” then get videos over days, weeks, even months telling you gay is bad, and you are going to hell You’re fourteen years old, in a small, conservative midwest town, and queer. Where do you go? Afraid to approach anyone in person, you go online. You search on YouTube for “Gay Pride” and “Pride Parade,” then get videos over days, weeks, even months telling you that gay is bad, and you are going to hell. Now where do you go?

This is what LGBTQ+ youth deal with everyday. Not because there isn’t enough gay-positive content on the Internet, but because certain online platforms choose to prioritize engagement over safety. They push kids into excessive use through things like engagement with strangers, endless scroll, push notifications, and extreme content.

Which brings me to the Kids’ Online Safety Act (KOSA). KOSA was introduced in late 2021. As a parent, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and an attorney who walked away from a successful, business litigation practice in early 2022 to work with children and families harmed by certain online platforms, I admired its intent but could not unequivocally support it. Understanding, as I do, both the life-saving importance of resources for LGBTQ+ youth and the devastating harms these products cause millions of kids every day, KOSA’s original wording fell just short of striking a necessary balance between the two.

But that KOSA is gone.

In response to feedback and concerns, KOSA’s co-authors met with LGBTQ+ organizations and communities and listened – as reflected in the changes they made – and a new KOSA was born. The new bill will protect young people from harmful design and programming decisions, while explicitly safeguarding youth autonomy to explore online.

Because, yes, online platforms do provide much needed communities for LGBTQ+ youth. In 1995, my first year of college, we searched for and found local resources, as well as entire communities via virtual bulletin boards and chatrooms, on this new thing called the Internet. For most of us, me included, it was the first time we felt seen and heard.

Only those platforms helped us without also manipulating and exploiting us; while the platforms at which KOSA takes aim – in fact, the only platforms at which KOSA takes aim – are exploiting and abusing the youth who need them the most. Don’t forget the Facebook documents exposed in late 2021 showing images of teenage brains, discussing vulnerabilities of youth and related design and programming “Opportunities.”

I see it every day. Transgender teens targeted with violent, suicide-themed, and transphobic content, no matter what they search; children so locked-in to extended use designs and social metric tools that they stop sleeping and self-destruct; young women – almost every one of them – flooded with connection recommendations to predatory, adult users; middle and high school kids targeted with drug dealer “Quick Adds” and advertisements for vaping, alcohol, and other harms. What about the 16-year-old who goes through a break-up and searches for “positive affirmations” and “inspirational quotes,” and gets hundreds of videos advocating self-harm and suicide instead?

If you think these are hypotheticals, think again. I have investigated accounts and associated data for multiple 16-year-olds who asked platforms that would have been covered under KOSA to send them uplifting content only to receive overwhelming amounts of self-harm and suicide. Those children are gone. I have seen accounts used by 10- and 11-year-old girls where adult strangers reached out via direct message, saying how happy they were to find them, that the platforms’ technologies recommended them, then abused and exploited them. Some of those children are gone as well.

This is the status quo for millions of American children and these are the types of harms KOSA tackles, while also now making clear that content is not at issue. To accomplish this,

it defines harms via existing statutes, definitions, and other objective metrics; and also now includes a “Limitation” carving out any circumstance where a child deliberately and independently searches for or specifically requests content. The new and improved KOSA explicitly recognizes that it is the province of youth to search for LGBTQ+ content (or any content).

(Image courtesy of Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, Norfolk, Virginia)

To say it plainly: If a child is seeking out LGBTQ+ content, under KOSA, they would still be able to search for it. KOSA prevents Big Tech algorithms from pushing dangerous content onto that child’s feed without their consent.

For the record, KOSA does not require identity verification. It also does not cover every type of online platform or service. Non-profits, for example, are exempt, meaning that any non-profit providing LGBTQ+ resources will fall outside of KOSA’s reach entirely. These are just a few examples of how KOSA was changed to ensure the protection of LGBTQ+ youth on every side of this debate.

When did we become okay with companies treating people like this, much less children?

And now that we know, are we actually thinking about waiting another year or two to see what happens?

For adults, if you remain unsure, ask LGBTQ+ youth (or any teen) about their experience. Not open-ended questions like “Do you enjoy social media?” but things like “Do these platforms ever give out your information to or try to connect you with predators or drug dealers?” and “Do you ever want something positive but get self-harm, disordered eating, or suicide content instead?”

For American youth, if you have yet to read KOSA, please do. Please ask questions and share your own experiences with your representatives – good or bad. It’s easy to get caught up in panic and what-ifs. But I promise you, the biggest danger right now is not KOSA, it is relying on anyone but yourself to decide your future and the future of the kids who come after you.

This is your moment. Speak up so we can hear you.

LOSANGELESBLADE.COM • SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 • 13

Exploring queer artistry: Felix D’eon’s queer nostalgia “Our queer ancestors weren’t able to tell their own stories”

By NOAH CHRISTIANSEN piece had a distinct queer perspective. As Felix manages to seamlessly incorporate LOS ANGELES – In the vibrant heart of Los Angeles’ art scene, Felix D’eon presented a plethora of identities, races, and gender expressions into his creations, he offers a captivating exhibition this past month at Artbug Gallery, a renowned LA-based venue a comprehensive portrayal of the queer experience. Many of D’eon’s fans were imthat celebrates artists of different backgrounds and cultures. pressed with his ability to retell history through an accurate lens.

Love and Marvels D’eon’s title of his artistic sojourn, was an exploration of queer One of D’eon’s paintings shows two women in love – a scene from WW1 with a nurse culture beautifully expressed through various mediums, including drawing, sketches, in love with her patient. “These fantasies of love,” D’eon explains, “have been denied paintings, and unique twists on traditional childhood games. to queer people.” Through this piece and others like it, Felix challenges the dominant historical narratives that have ignored or silenced the contributions and experiences of queer individuals.

“I didn’t know of that many artists who were queer and Chicano and made art like this.”

One of the most engaging aspects of D’eon’s exhibition was his unique take on traditional games.

He introduced a queer twist to two beloved classics— La Lotería and Chutes and Ladders.

Felix’s interpretation of La Lotería discarded the conventional imagery typically associated with the Mexican game. D’eon’s version featured symbols and scenes pertaining to the LGBTQ+ community. Each card told a story, weaving together the vibrant tapestry of In the vibrant heart of Los Angeles’ art scene, FELIX D’EON presented a captivating exhibition at (Photo by Noah Christiansen) Artbug Gallery. (Photo by Noah Christiansen) queer experiences, struggles, and triumphs. It was a poignant reminder that queerness is not just about identity but also about shared narratives and D’eon has been a professional histories. artist for 20 years with his style Chutes and Ladders also received the Felix D’eon treatment. This revamped version, evolving over time. “I’ve always called “Serpientes y Escaleras” infused with queer themes, brought a whole new dipainted and drawn in a somewhat mension to the game. Like a regular game of Chutes and Ladders, players start on the realistic style,” D’eon said poignantfirst square and work their way towards the end – hoping to not regress to a previous ly. For Felix, art has been a medium square. This game was a thought-provoking commentary on the queer experience. for self-expression and societal reWith a slice of pizza in hand and sipping on their beverage of choice, Miguel, an atflection. “The voices of queer peotendee of the exhibit, was truly encapsulated by the queering of these games. “There’s ple have been silenced for the past a reminiscence to my childhood… [D’eon’s games] bring back joy to moments that repfew thousand years,” D’eon notes, resent family gatherings where, if they included queer images, would have made me “It’s important to contextualize us feel even more welcome in those environments of love. His queer Lotería, and now and place us in history… Our queer his queer Chutes and Ladders, makes us part of the game not only by bringing back ancestors weren’t able to tell their beloved activities we did with as children, but also makes us feel seen and have fun own stories.” through finding us as we move our little pieces in these makes. Turning our presence To this point, the gallery was (Photo by Noah Christiansen) into a ludic, almost innocent, representation that changes the cultural meaning of abuzz with attendees commenting queerness in Mexico.”Felix explained his motivation behind queering these games: “I on the politically charged pieces. grew up playing La Lotería and Chutes and Ladders as a kid. These games tell a story However, it is integral to bear in mind that D’eon wasn’t just doing a typical art show that’s patriarchal and antiqueer and don’t speak to the values that I hold in any way… with queer themes present – he was presenting artwork that explored the intersection Making these games is nostalgic and I love watching people play my games… Queer joy between being queer and being Chicano. Evidently, as D’eon has progressed in his aris an important concept.” tistic abilities, he has also incorporated other demographics into his artwork.

Many individuals were struck by the depth of emotion and the stories that each piece Rogelio, an attendee of the exhibit and a model for D’eon, finds deep resonance with conveyed. D’eon’s ability to capture the essence of queer life.

D’eon’s artwork. “[Felix] weaves queer and trans people into the center of the themes, In an ever-changing world, it’s essential to have artists like Felix D’eon who are unnarratives, histories, and iconography,” Rogelio said, “That’s so often omitted from viafraid to use their talents to shine a light on the beauty and resilience of the LGBTQ+ sual depictions of everyday intimacy or in cultural representations where queer or community. It is evident that Felix is not merely an artist but also a storyteller, a chrontrans experiences are rarely reflected.” icler of authentic queer narratives.

D’eon’s art, with a myriad of styles and techniques, shared a common element—each

14 • LOSANGELESBLADE.COM • SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

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TV & FILM

Despite Hollywood strikes, a number of queer films, TV shows coming in fall ‘Rustin,’ ‘Nyad’ among season’s highlights

We’re not going to lie: the prospects for our fall entertainment (and beyond) are looking grimmer than usual, thanks to the strikes that have Hollywood’s writers and actors off the job for an indefinite chunk of the future.

Sure, there are lots of titles that were in the can and ready to go before the talent walked off the set, but with no certain end date in sight and a union-mandated ban on participation in publicity efforts, much of the ready-to-go content remains in release-date limbo, while prospects for new material being produced anytime soon are pretty much nil.

Even so, we’ve managed to put together a solid list of titles that are officially on the slate for this autumn, and we think it will give you more than enough to look forward to while we all wait for the entertainment industry to cobble together some kind of mutually acceptable agreement that will allow it to get back to work.

The list, by release date, is below.

Cassandro,

Sept. 15 (Theaters/Sept. 22 Prime Video)

By JOHN PAUL KING

American Horror Story: Delicate, Sept. 21 (FX/Hulu)

The 12th season of Ryan Murphy’s now-venerable and uncompromisingly queer horror anthology series has been, like the preceding installments, shrouded in mystery – though the inclusion of reality star Kim Kardashian in a starring capacity has garnered much publicity, and not a little controversy, due to skepticism about her acting chops. Despite these misgivings, it’s still probably one of the most anticipated entries on this list, the return of a queer fan favorite that – while it may have a reputation for uneven quality, haphazard storytelling, and fizzling out before it reaches the end – continues to draw the kind of audience numbers that has made it a tentpole autumn TV staple for a dozen years and counting. Sure, it’s a guilty pleasure, but we all have our share of those, and when they come in as slick and stylish a package as this elegantly garish and unapologetically campy pulp culture stalwart, who can resist? Also starring series veteran Emma Roberts, with fellow alums Zachary Quinto, Billie Lourd, Denis O’Hare, and Leslie Grossman also coming to the table, as well as Golden Globe winner Michaela Jaé Rodriguez and newcomer to the Murphy fold Matt Czuchry (“Gilmore Girls,” “The Good Wife”).

Mexican actor Gael García Bernal, long a queer fan favorite thanks to his roles in films like “Y tu mamá también” and “Bad Education,” stars as the real-life Saúl Armendáriz, a gay amateur wrestler from El Paso who reinvents himself as the flamboyant title character and rises to international stardom as the “Liberace of Lucha Can KIM KARDASHIAN act?

Dicks: The Musical, Libre” – turning both the macho wrestling world and Find out as she stars in ‘American Horror Story.’

Sept 29 (Theaters) his own life upside down in the process. Acquired by Amazon even before its world premiere at this year’s Comedy legend Larry Charles (“Seinfeld,” “Borat”) diSundance Festival, this wild-and-wooly biopic was directed by Roger Ross Williams, who rected this outrageously titled and absurdly satirical farce, adapted by screenwriters and became the first African-American director to win an Oscar for his 2009 short film “Music co-stars Aaron Jackson and Josh Sharp from a stage production they created as members

by Prudence,” and it has all the earmarks of a “must-see.” Also starring Roberta Colindrez, of the Upright Citizen’s Brigade. The pair star as two self-obsessed, conspicuously heteroPerla de la Rosa, Joaquín Cosío, and Raúl Castillo, with special appearances from El Hijo del sexual businessmen and very close friends who discover they are also long-lost identical Santo and Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio (aka Bad Bunny, for those who didn’t know). twins, sparking a “riotously funny and depraved” plot to reunite their eccentric divorced parents (Nathan Lane, Megan Mullally). Also starring Megan Thee Stallion and Bowen Yang Sex Education, Season 4, (as God, no less), and teasing the kind of campy, transgressive vibe that marks all the true Sept. 21 (Netflix) classics of underground queer cinema, the press for this one touts it as “a queer, hard-R musical comedy which may very well additionally be a future midnight-movie classic.”

The cast of this runaway UK hit has come a long way since the series debuted in 2019, Frankly, that’s more than enough to earn it a place on our not-to-be-missed list. with the imminent debut of breakout star Ncuti Gatwa as the new titular Time Lord of the venerable cult sci-fi series “Dr. Who” and his appearance, alongside co-stars Emma Mackey Eismayer, and Connor Swindells, in Greta Gerwig’s blockbuster hit “Barbie,” but that’s not enough to Oct. 6 (Theaters/Oct. 10 Digital) keep the whole student body from reuniting for a final season as they join fellow headliners Asa Butterfield and Gillian Anderson to wrap up the deliciously scandalous storylines Fans of queer foreign movies can look forward to this Austrian entry, an award-winner that have made this good-natured dramedy about life and sexual discovery in a rural Enat Venice and other prestigious film festivals, from director David Wagner. Gerhard Liebglish secondary school a favorite for queer and straight audiences alike. Besides taking mann stars in the title role, a legendary real-life drill instructor in the Austrian Armed Forcus along with its irresistible cast of misfits on a new set of adventures, it features “Schitt’s es; renowned for his brutal toughness and his uber-macho image, he leads a double life of Creek” star and co-creator Dan Levy in special appearance as a new character – but even anonymous sexual encounters with men behind his wife’s back, but when an openly gay without that extra icing on the cake, we would have been ready to click “watch now” the new recruit (Luka Dimić) challenges both his authority and his rigid ideas about masculinisecond this one drops. If you’re already a fan, you don’t need our endorsement to bring ty, he finds himself drawn into a relationship that will leave “his closeted existence shaken you on board; if you’re not, we advise you to do a catch-up binge on seasons 1-3 in time to to the core.” A boot camp drama that challenges toxic traditional conceptions of what it join the rest of us as we enjoy the final batch of episodes from this refreshing, queer-emmeans to “be a man” – especially one that is based on a true story – is always welcome, and bracing, sex-positive slice of saucy absurdity. this one comes with a substantial amount of praise to recommend it. Also starring Julia

16 • LOSANGELESBLADE.COM • SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

TV & FILM

JODIE FOSTER and ANNETTE BENING star in ‘Nyad.’

COLMAN DOMINGO starts in ‘Rustin.’

Koschitz and Anton Noori, it might not be “feel-good” entertainment, but the buzz says it’s worth seeking out for anyone with a taste for raw and uncompromising cinema.

the prestigious Palme d’Or. Publicized as “a Hitchcockian procedural,” it centers on a German writer (Sandra Hüller) accused of murdering her French husband, who must prove her innocence at trial with only the testimony of her blind son – the sole witness – to back up her claims. Hüller’s performance has won raves, and the film was a hit when it went to general release this summer in its native France (only “Barbie” topped it at the box office); as for details about the nature of the movie’s queer relevance, you’ll have to find out the details firsthand, because advance press on this side of the Atlantic has remained scrupulously spoiler-free, though Triet has revealed that she drew inspiration from the case of Amanda Knox, who was notoriously accused of murdering her roommate during a trip to Italy. Our verdict is that it will be worth the effort.

The Matthew Shepard Story: An American Hate Crime, Oct. 9 (ID Discovery)

Just in time for the 25th anniversary of his death, Investigation Discovery premieres a new documentary honoring Matthew Shepard’s life and legacy, featuring interviews from Matthew’s friends and allies, as well as local journalists and community members, and commentary from key celebrity voices deeply affected by Matthew’s tragic story, including Rosie O’Donnell, Andrew Rannells and Adam Lambert. Considered one of the worst anti-LGBTQ hate crimes in American history, Matthew’s shocking murder captured America’s attention and became a turning point in the fight for queer rights, jump-starting a long-overdue conversation about the discrimination, danger, and violence that many LGBTQ Americans face – especially in rural communities – every day, and if we’re being honest, there’s been no shortage of documentaries about it. Even so, this one, which benefits from the perspective granted by time and also casts attention on the progress society has made toward queer acceptance (as well as the work that still need to be done), promises to offer the kind of scope that gives it a relevance beyond simply lamenting the unjust cruelty perpetrated against a young gay man who – like all martyrs – became an unwilling touchstone in the eternal fight against bigotry, bullying, and brutality fueled by hate.

Candela,

Oct. 10 (Digital) Another international offering with a somewhat more exotic premise, this festival-acclaimed thriller co-produced by France and the Dominican Republic is set in the city of Santo Domingo, where the fates of three strangers – a privileged young high society woman, a lonely and alcoholic police lieutenant, and a charismatic cabaret drag performer – are entwined by the death of a young poet and drug dealer on the eve of an advancing hurricane. Directed by Andrés Farías Cintrón and touted as “a Caribbean pop movie,” it’s been noted by advance reviewers for its stunning imagery and visual style, its offbeat and captivating characters, and an “edge-of-your seat” suspenseful plot full of meticulously-crafted twists and turns. Starring Cesar Domínguez, Félix Germán, Sarah Jorge León, Ruth Emeterio, Frank Perozo, Yamile Scheker, and Katherine Montes, you won’t find this one at your local multiplex, but it should be well worth the handful of clicks it takes to queue it up on your VOD platform of choice.

Anatomy of a Fall, Oct. 13 (Theaters)

French filmmaker Justine Triet’s (“Sibyl”) latest film was entered as a competitor for the Queer Palm at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, but it ended up taking the festival’s top prize,

Nyad,

Oct. 20 (Theaters/Nov. 5 Netflix) Billed as “a remarkable true story of tenacity, friendship and the triumph of the human spirit,” this high-profile biopic stars four-time Academy Award nominee Annette Bening as marathon swimmer Diana Nyad, who, three decades after exchanging the life of a worldclass athlete for a prominent career as a sports journalist, becomes obsessed with becoming the first person to complete the 110-mile journey from Cuba to Florida – known as as the “Mount Everest” of swims – without a shark cage. The screenplay by Julia Cox is adapted from Nyad’s own memoir (“Find a Way”), two Oscar-winning documentarians (Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, responsible for the popular and acclaimed “Free Solo”) make their narrative film debut at the helm, and Bening is joined onscreen by two-time Oscar-winner Jodie Foster as her best friend and coach. What else could anyone ask for in a strong, inspirational piece of lesbian-themed filmmaking? Count us in.

Rustin,

Nov. 3 (Theaters/Nov. 17 Netflix) Probably the most high-profile piece of queer filmmaking of the upcoming season is this biopic about the gay Black architect of 1963’s world-changing March on Washington, Bayard Rustin. Starring Emmy-winner Colman Comingo in the title role and helmed by five-time Tony-winning director George C. Wolfe, this ambitious fictionalized portrait of an extraordinary, history-making queer hero shines a long overdue spotlight on a man who, alongside giants like the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., Adam Clayton Powell Jr., and Ella Baker, dreamed of a better world and inspired a movement by marching. Notably, it also comes from Higher Ground, a production company founded by Barack and Michelle Obama, and its August premiere at the Telluride Film Festival resulted in a 100% (so far) approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from the critics who were there to see it. Besides the powerfully charismatic Domingo, the film features an all-star cast including Chris Rock, Glynn Turman, Aml Ameen, Gus Halper, CCH Pounder, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Johnny Ramey, Michael Potts, and special appearances from Jeffrey Wright and Audra McDonald.

LOSANGELESBLADE.COM • SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 • 17

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Season’s best new books offer something for every taste

MEDICAL HEALTH

By TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER love at a chance Shorter days, meeting at a bakcooler temps, and ing-show contest longer nights can and “The Christmas send you skittering Swap: A Novel” by inside, right? Don’t Talia Samuels (Alforget to bring cove Press), a holione of these great day rom-com. books with you You’re just warmwhen you settle in ing up for the fall. for the fall.

Look for “Iris KelReleasing in Seply Doesn’t Date” tember, look for

by Ashley Herring “Between the Head Blake (Berkley, and the Hands” Oct. 24) and “Let

by James ChaaraMe Out,” a queer ni, a novel about a horror novel by young Muslim man Emmett Nahil and whose family turns George Williams him away for being (Oni Press, Oct. 3). gay, and the teachNonfiction lovers er who takes him in will want to find (ECW Press, Sept.

“Dis... Miss Gen10). Also reach for der?” by Anne Bray “Cleat Cute: A Nov(MIT Press, Oct. el,” by Meryl Wil24), a wide, long sner (St. Martin’s look at gender and Griffin, Sept. 19), a fluidity; “Friends of fun YA novel of socDorothy: A Celebration of LGBTQ+ Icons” by cer, competition, and playing hard (to get).

Anthony Uzarowski and Alejandro Mogollo You may want something light and fun Diez (Imagine, Oct. 10); and “300,000 Kisses: for now, so find “The Out Side: Trans and Tales of Queer Love from the Ancient World” Nonbinary Comics,” compiled by The Kao,

by Sean Hewitt and Luke Edward Hall (ClarkMin Christiansen, and Daniel Daneman (Anson Potter, Oct. 10). drews McMeel Publishing). It’s a collection of For November, look for “Underburn: A comics by nonbinary and trans artists, and Novel” by Bill Gaythwaite (Delphinium), a you can find it Sept. 26. layered novel about Hollywood, family, and The serious romantic will want to find second chances. It comes out Nov. 14. For “Daddies of a Different Kind: Sex and Rosomething you can really sink your teeth mance Between Older and Younger Gay into, find “The Bars are Ours: Histories and Men” by Tony Silva (NYU Press), a book Cultures of Gay Bars in America, 1960 and about new possibilities in love; it’s available After” by Lucas Hilderbrand (Duke University Sept. 12. Historians will want “Glitter and Press, Nov 21). It’s a huge look at the spaces Concrete: A Cultural History of Drag in New that played strong roles in LGBTQ history.

York City” by Elyssa Maxx Goodman (HaAnd if you’re looking for yourself or for a nover Square Press, Sept. 12); and “Queer special gift in December, check out “Trans Blues: The Hidden Figures of Early Blues Hirstory in 99 Objects” by David Evans Music” by Darryl W. Bullock (Omnibus Press, Frantz, Christina Linden, and Chris E. Vargas.

Sept. 14).

It’s an arty coffee table book from Hirmer In October, you’ll want to find “Blackouts: Publishers of Munich. You can find it Dec. A Novel” by Justin Torres (Farrar, Straus & 20. Also look for “Second Chances in New Giroux), a somewhat-fantasy novel about a Port Stephen: A Novel” by T.J. Alexander dying man who passes a powerful book on (Atria / Emily Bestler, Dec. 5) and if all else to his caretaker. Look for it Oct. 10. Also on fails, ask for or give a gift certificate.

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History, YA, horror and more on tap

FEFATURE

Hip-Hop’s complicated history with queer representation At 50, experts say the genre still doesn’t fully welcome LGBTQ inclusion

By TINASHE CHINGARANDE I didn’t really start listening to rap until my college years. Like many queer Black children who grow up in the closet, shielded by puritanical Christianity from the beauty of a diverse world, I longed to be myself. But the affirming references I could pull from — in moments of solitude away from the wrath and disdain of family and friends — were in theater and pop music.

The soundtrack to my teenage years was an endless playlist of pop divas like Lady Gaga and Beyoncé, whose lyrics encouraged me to sashay my hips anytime I strutted through a long stretch of corridor.

I was also obsessed with the consuming presence of powerful singers like Patti LaBelle, Whitney Houston, and the hypnosis that was Chaka Khan. My childhood, an extrapolation of Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays spent in church groups, choir practices, and worship services, necessitated that I be a fan of throaty, from-the-stomach singing. But something about the way these artists presented themselves warmed my queer little heart. LaBelle wore avant garde geometric hairdos paired with heavily shoulder-padded blazers. Houston loved an elegant slender gown. And Khan? It was the voluminous red mane that gently caressed her lower back for me.

Listening to rap music in college was a political experience.

My sociology classes politicized me and so it was only natural that I listened to rap music that expressed trauma, joy, and hope in the Black experience. However, I felt disconnected from the music because of a dearth of queer representation in the genre.

Nevertheless, groups like Outkast felt nostalgic. While delivering hedonistic lyrics at lightning speed, André 3000 — one half of the rap duo — mesmerized with his sleek, shoulder-length silk pressed hair and colorful, flowing shirts and trousers — a style that could be translated as “gender-bending.” Despite the patriarchal presentation rampant in rap and Hip-Hop, André 30000 represented to me, a kind of rebellious self-expression that I so badly wanted to emulate but couldn’t because of the psychological confines of my conservative upbringing.

My discovery of Outkast was also sobering because it was a stark reminder of how queerness is also often used as an aesthetic in Hip-Hop while actual queer people are shunned, rebuked, and mocked. Queer people in Hip-Hop are like backstage wingmen, crucial to the development of the show but never important enough to make a curtain call.

As Hip-Hop celebrates 50 years since its inception in New York City, I am filled with joy because it’s been half a century of Black people owning their narratives and driving the culture.

But it’s fair to ask: At whose expense?

A viral 2020 video shows rapper Boosie BadAzz, famed for hits like “Set It Off” and “Wipe Me Down,” rebuking NBA star Dwayne Wade and award-winning actress Gabrielle UnionWade for publicly supporting their then-12-year-old daughter after she came out as transgender.

“Don’t cut his dick off, bro,” said BadAzz with furrowed eyebrows and a gaze that kept turning away from the camera, revealing his tarnished diamond studs. “Don’t dress him as a woman dawg, he’s 12 years. He’s not up there yet.”

The responses from both Wade and Union-Wade were a mixture of swift, sarcastically light-hearted, and hopeful.

“Sorry Boosie,” Union-Wade said to an audience during a live podcast appearance at Live Talks Los Ange-

les. “He’s so preoccupied, it’s almost like, ‘thou doth protest too much, Little Boos.’ You’ve got a lot of dick on your mind.”

Wade also appeared on an episode of podcast, “I AM ATHLETE,” and looked directly into the camera.

“Boosie, all the people who got something to say, J-Boogie who just came out with [something] recently, all the people who got something to say about my kids,” he said. “I thank you because you’re allowing the conversation to keep going forward because you know what? You might not have the answers today, I might not have the answers, but we’re growing from all these conversations.”

This exchange between the Wades and BadAzz highlights the complicated relationship between Black LGBTQ individuals and allies and the greater Hip-Hop and rap genres and communities. While Black queer aesthetics have long informed self-expression in Hip-Hop, rappers have disparaged queerness through song lyrics and in interviews, or online rants like BadAzz, outside the recording studio.

And despite LGBTQ rappers like Queen Latifah, Da Brat, Lil Nas X, and Saucy Santana achieving mainstream success, much work lies ahead to heal the trauma that persists from Hip-Hop’s history of patriarchy and homophobia. “‘Progression’ will always be relative and subjective based on one’s positionality,” said Dr. Melvin Williams said in an email.

Williams is an associate professor of communication and media studies at Pace University. “Hip-hop has traditionally been in conversation with queer and non-normative sexualities and included LGBTQ+ people in the shaping of its cultural signifiers behind the scenes as choreographers, songwriters, make-up artists, set designers, and other roles stereotypically attributed to queer culture.”

“Although Hip-Hop incorporates queerness in their ethos, ideas, and trends, it does not privilege the prospect of an out LGBTQ+ rapper. Such reservations position LGBTQ+ people as mere labor in Hip-Hop’s behind-the-scenes cultivation, but not as rap performers in its mainstream distribution,” he added.

This is especially true for Queen Latifah and DaBrat who existed in the genre for decades but didn’t publicly come out until 2021. Still, both faced backlash from the Black community for daring to challenge gender roles and expectations.

Lil Nas X also faced backlash for his music video “Montero” with satanic references, including one in which he slides down a pole and gives a character representing the devil a lap dance.

Conservatives such as South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem accused him of trying to scandalize children.

“You see this is very scary for me, people will be angry, they will say I’m pushing an agenda. But the truth is, I am,” Nas X said in a note that accompanied “Montero.” The agenda to make people stay the fuck out of other people’s lives and stop dictating who they should be.”

Regardless, “Montero” debuted atop the Billboard 100.

In an article published in “Souls: A Critical Journal of Black Politics, Culture, and Society,” scholar C. Riley Snorton posited that celebrating queer visibility in mainstream media could be a problem as this kind of praise relies on artists presenting in acceptable forms of gender and sexuality expression and encourages representation that is “read alongside…perceptions of Hip-Hop as a site of Black misogyny and homophobia.”

In the case of Frank Ocean, who came out in 2012 prior to the release of his album “Channel Orange,” his reception

Rapper LIL NAS X faced backlash for his music video ‘Montero,’ but it debuted atop the Billboard 100.

was warmer than most queer HipHop artists because his style of music is singing, as opposed to rapping. Because of this, his music was viewed more as R’n’B or pop.

“Frank Ocean ain’t no rapper. He’s a singer. It’s acceptable in the singing world, but in the rap world I don’t know if QUEEN LATIFAH dodged questions about her sexuality for years before it will ever be acceptacknowledging her partner and their able because rap is son in 2021. so masculine,” rapper Snoop Dogg told the Guardian in 2013. “It’s like a football team. You can’t be in a locker room full of motherfucking tough-ass dudes, then all of a sudden say, ‘Hey, man, I like you.’ You know, that’s going to be tough.”

So what’s the solution for queer people in Hip-Hop? Digital media.

Williams, the Pace University professor, says that being divorced from record labels allows queer artists to be independent and distribute their music globally on their own terms.

“We witnessed this fact with artists such as Azealia Banks, Cakes Da Killa, Fly Young Red, Kevin Abstract, iLoveMakonnen, Lil Nas X, Mykki Blanco, and Saucy Santana, as well as legacy LGBTQ Hip-Hop acts like Big Freeda, DeepDickCollective, and Le1f,” he said. “The music industry has experienced an increasingly mobilized market due to the rise of digital media, social networking platforms, and streaming services.”

“More importantly, Black queer Hip-Hop artists are historicizing LGBTQ+ contributions and perspectives in documentaries, films, news specials, public forums, and podcasts. Ultimately, queer people engaging in Hip-Hop is a revolutionary act, and it remains vital for LGBTQ+ Hip-Hoppers to highlight their cultural contributions and share their histories,” he added.

(Hip-Hop pioneers Public Enemy and Ice-T will headline The National Celebration of Hip-Hop, free concerts at the West Potomac Park on the National Mall in D.C. on Oct. 6 and 7.)

LOSANGELESBLADE.COM • SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 • 19