Gay San Diego, Issue 10, Vol. 12, June 7-20, 2019

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Volume 10 Issue 12 June7-20, 2019

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Fiction novel explores diversity in romantic relationships

COMMUNITY VOICES

Pain and difficulty are part of being alive

8 FILM

Documenting first Prides in the Deep South

9

THEATER

Landa Plenty starts off the evening’s events at Out at the Fair on June 1 at the San Diego County Fair.

Author Kimberly K. Robeson

(Photo by Albert H. Fulcher)

(Courtesy photo)

Another huge success for the growing Out at the Fair extravaganza Albert H. Fulcher | Editor

A comedic look at searching for love

w DINING

More than 54,000 people attended the first full day of the San Diego County Fair on June 1 and brought thousands to the Paddock for the ninth annual Out at the Fair (OATF) event,

now the principal “Out” event in San Diego County and getting larger each year. People filled the Paddock all day and through the evening as the Paddock stage entertained the crowd with comedy, music, drag shows, Dunk a Hunk, children’s events

and a lot of audience participation. Although OATF is an LGBTQ+ event, many people attending the Fair stepped into the Paddock area to enjoy the day full of fun events.

see Out at the Fair, pg 2

Drew Schiff releases ‘Ride the Wave’

Breakfast, pizza, and ice cream galore!

Index Opinion ................................... 6 Classifieds............................ 13 Puzzle ................................... 14 Calendar ............................... 14

Contact us Editorial/Letters 619-961-1960 albert@sdcnn.com

Advertising 619-961-1951 david@sdcnn.com

www.sdcnn.com San Diego Community News Network

Proceeds of new single being donated to Stonewall Community Foundation Albert H. Fulcher | Editor Drew Schiff makes a conquering return to pop radio with “Ride the Wave,” a song he wrote about the importance of leaning on loved ones in times of need. Distributed by U.K. label AWAL, “Ride the Wave” is Schiff’s third single release

and is available on iTunes, Spotify and all digital platforms. All proceeds from “Ride the Wave” are being donated to the Stonewall Community Foundation.

“There have been times I have felt I wasn’t strong enough

see Drew Schiff, pg 3

Drew Schiff’s debut single, “RayBans,” is an upbeat, fun, summer-y track. (Photo courtesy of Drew Schiff)

Albert H. Fulcher | Editor Kimberly K. Robeson embarks on a quest in her debut novel, “The Greek Persuasion,” that examines the gradation of sexual orientation and the complication of mother-daughter relationships. Through her protagonist, Greek American professor Thair MylopoulosWright, the novel travels through family generations and journeys across the globe on a quest for wholeness while she experiences several surprising and stirring romantic relationships.

Consumed by a myth about Zeus, soul mates and a magic sword, Mylopoulos-Wright gains admiration for the influence of her family’s ancestresses but decides to fashion her own path beyond the traditional. Engaging in relationships with both men and women, she gains new insight into her quest for completion.

In “The Green Persuasion,” Robeson takes readers on an emotional journey through exotic settings and complex desires that will leave readers

see Persuasion, pg 15

2

FEATURE

GAY SAN DIEGO June7-20, 2019

FROM PAGE 1

OUT AT THE FAIR InAchord, GIRLboy and Effie Passero provided a well-rounded day of musical entertainment for this year’s event with choral excellence, the pop/hip/hop sounds of GIRLboy and a phenomenal performance by Passero who had everyone on the edge, especially with her own take on the rock classic “House of the Rising Sun.” The Glam Show brought the best of drag from around the country, but it was San Diego’s hometown girls and guys that stole the show.

Land Plenty brought the house down as she sashayed her way on the stage performing before starting as the evening’s host along with Alexander Rodriquez, taking over for The Guncles, Pauly and Monks who entertained the crowd throughout the day.

The San Diego Kings Club brought some local favorites with numbers from “Grease,” and more. The Family Jewels started with a tribute to the theme of the fair, “Oz-some” donning some spicy looks for Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion. Neither of these groups ever disappoint and they all took advantage of the large crowd to perform for. The only thing missing, was they left everyone wanting more.

Unusually held at the first full day of the opening of the

Fair, it gave everyone a great opportunity to not only enjoy the OATF event, but also the eccentric commodities of the Fair. From deep fried Oreos, gourmet candied apples and a plethora of unique and delicious dishes, there had to be something there for anyone who visited, and following that with the thrill of the rides, it was a great day at the Fair which runs through July 4.

There were many children at OATF this year and it was ready for them giving special times for children’s events and prizes for all. The non-binary OATF mascot Dabby, spent the day taking photos with children of all ages.

Our hosts for the day and the night also created a fun day, getting the audience involved in dance competitions, lip syncing for your life, quick answer trivia questions, all the while sending showers of souvenirs from the stage. They did so much more than just filling the gap between performances, being great entertainers throughout the day.

William Zakrajshek, Out at the Fair founder said that this year event was its largest turnout to date and expanded across all Out at the Fair activities.

“This year we changed the set-up of OATF by creating umbrellaed non-profit tables allowing better flow throughout the Paddock,” Zakrajshek said. “This also allowed for better viewing of the full

gay-sd.com

Out at the Fair 2019 group photo (Courtesy of San Diego County Fair) Paddock set up and helped with the interaction between fair goers and non-profit booths. For the first time a rainbow flag and transgender flag were raised at the information booth inside the main gate of the San Diego County Fair.”

Zakrajshek said the 2019 entertainment lineup kept OATF attendees captivated from start to finish which included InAchord, GIRLboy, Christy from Little Women: LA, American Idol’s Effie Passero, the OATF Glam Show, and Rich’s After Dark featuring platinum recording artist DEV. DEV’s high energy pop set and a DJ battle

between DJ K-Swift and DJ John Joseph left the Paddock Stage dancing until Fair closing with our largest 9 p.m. crowd yet.

“New Popular OATF activities this year were the OATF Super Smash Brothers Tournament in 17 Hands ‘Mom’s Basement,’ OATF LGBTQ+ Comedy Hour sponsored by Hillcrest Comedy in the Turf Club, special OATF host Mariam T in The Wicked Wahine Rooftop Speakeasy and our LGBTQ+ Art Area at the Paddock Tavern,” Zakrajshek said.

“This year we introduced the Dabby pin and adult Dabby T-Shirts. Both were huge

successes and are available in the OATF Merch Store inapp with new flat rate shipping. With how popular the grey adult Dabby T-shirt was this month we will be adding a darker color adult Dabby shirt!

“The group decision of moving OATF from the second weekend in June to the first weekend to not compete with LA Pride anymore was a great choice,” he continued.

“We can bring the community together, the first weekend in June and kick off Pride month together at OATF.” —Albert Fulcher can be reached at albert@sdcnn.com.t

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MUSIC

gay-sd.com FROM PAGE 1

DREW SCHIFF to deal with a problem,” Schiff said. “I’m a strong guy, so yeah, I probably had most of what it took to rise above the crisis but sometimes, when things get really dark, everyone needs that tiny ray of light, that little whisper of ‘I believe in you’, to help overcome what appears to be insurmountable.”

Schiff said he encountered many storms over the past few years but the most impactful was when he was forced to leave home due to his inability to live up to what his parents dreamt him to be.

Growing up in Hungary, Schiff enjoyed a nice childhood surrounded by his sister and cousins (who were also like siblings to him). Everything changed, however, in his teen years with the divorce of his parents and his mother openly objecting to his sexual fluidity.

He found solace in pop music.

“Pop artists like Pharrell, Kanye West and Lady Gaga provided an escape from the everyday wreck of my life,” he said. “They helped me to ride the wave of my troubles until I was ready to make it out on my own.”

Schiff writes and records songs that take listeners on journeys. His debut single, “Ray-Bans,” is an upbeat, fun, summer-y track. His second single, “It’s Just Today,” about missing a special someone, presents a more sentimental side to the young singer. In “Ride the Wave,” he digs even deeper into his emotions.

Though Schiff has split ties with most of his family, he counts himself lucky to have forged lifelong friendships with men and women in the LGBTQ+ community. It is a big reason why Drew decided to donate all proceeds from “Ride the Wave” to the Stonewall Community Foundation.

“This year marks the 50th year of the Stonewall Riots, the very first modern-day LGBTQ+ march,” Schiff said. “Back then, it was [a stand] against police oppression and [for] basic human rights. It makes you stop, think and appreciate what the generations before us have done. The liberties we all have now to live our lives, be ourselves, and not just be accepted and tolerated but respected and celebrated.”

In an interview with Gay San Diego, Schiff discussed his upbringing, creative process and sexual identity.

Describe the fluidity in your sexual identity?

"I’m just a boy; pretty boring answer. (laughs) To be honest with you, in my book, everyone is ‘fluid’. It’s a spectrum and it can change with time, it’s a journey. As we grow, we evolve physically, mentally and sexually, which is a combination of both. I personally just don’t like to think or talk too much about it, it’s just me and that’s it. Many people tell me … they say I might be on a journey to become gay, and that’s alright.

In that case I’ll be happy that way. I am just trying to accept myself as I come. OK, this last bit sounds slightly different

than I intended!" (laughs) Tell me more about your upbringing, your parents and how you found your chosen family in the LGBTQ+ community.

"I’ve spent most of my childhood in the outskirts of a big city. My father was a typical ‘macho man’; against most things that were different than he was. He used to call me names. I was a mommy’s boy until I started to reach puberty and once showed interest in a boy. That was the point when my relationship with my mom turned upside down. She didn’t accept it at all. We had big and ugly fights which led to me having to leave. Growing up without my biological family, I’ve had times when I felt incredibly lonely. I tried to find family in people I’ve met, connect with them. I think many people from the LGBTQ community can relate, as there are so many of us with similar stories, which is so sad."

In picking the Stonewall Community Foundation as your charity choice, how important do you believe that younger generations understand LGBTQ history?

"Very. To be honest, I’m a bit of a geek and love history and asking questions. Most of my generation doesn't know much

about the Stonewall Riots, or the symbolic importance of Judy Garland. The very first pride march, exactly 50 years ago, happened in the week Judy Garland died. Some say it’s related, some think it’s coincidence. The chosen flag of this community, many say, is also attributed to a little girl named Dorothy singing her heart out.

But let’s not forget that people of this community died every day. It was brutal. I feel that in this special, commemorative year, it makes you stop and think for a moment and appreciate what the generations before have done so that we can now live a life where we are not just accepted and tolerated but respected and celebrated — at least in some places, of course, still not everywhere. The donation is just a tiny contribution from me to the cause to say thank you."

Can you tell me a little more about your creative process in producing music?

"I do write my own songs.

It’s sorta funny as I feel that right now I’m evolving so rapidly, I often get annoyed by certain parts of my music that I released just mere months ago! But it’s a good thing to evolve and grow. Since I am an independent musician, I have

GAY SAN DIEGO June7-20, 2019

3

(Courtesy photo) full control over what I release.

I am not too sure how it works once you’re signed, I suppose these days people know you before you reach that stage so I doubt labels would force a very different agenda on you, like it happened with Pink at the start of her career."

What message do you have for LGBTQ youth that

are facing the same problems that you faced growing up?

"This is very tough. I might be expected to say ‘Be and act who you are on the inside and fight for who you are.’ But if I said that, some people could be bullied and hurt because of

see Drew Schiff, pg 4

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GAY SAN DIEGO June7-20, 2019

COMMUNITY VOICES / MUSIC

Don’t suffer

Life Beyond Therapy Michael Kimmel I used to be in a Buddhist study group. One of the main tenets of Buddhism was: Pain is part of life; suffering is optional.

What this means to me is that there is no way to avoid pain and difficulty — they’re just part of being alive — but we don’t have to suffer, we can get help and work our way through our pain.

Many of us try to avoid

pain: we pretend that we don’t see it, hoping it will go away.

And sometimes, it does. But, usually, problems don’t magically disappear on their own; they require some effort to be resolved.

As a psychotherapist, one of the problems I see the most is depression. I was surprised to learn that, in the U.S., only 1 in 4 people who suffer from depression seek help. I guess the other 75% of depressed folks are just hoping it will go away.

As someone who used to suffer from depression myself, it rarely “goes away” on its own.

Defining depression and its causes is a complicated

task: from the research I’ve read (and experiences I’ve had with clients over the past two decades), it seems to be a combination of family history, personal temperament, physical health, quality of relationships, traumatic life events and many other factors.

Depression can negatively affect so many aspects of our life, from our physical health and job performance to our sexual and romantic relationships. When I suffered from depression, my inner mantra was, “I’m doomed.” With a philosophy like this, it’s not a surprise how hopeless I felt and how much I suffered.

Ironically, I was experiencing this while I was learning to become a therapist (about 25 years ago). I think the process

gay-sd.com

(www.canstockphoto.com)

of becoming a therapist stirred up all kinds of unresolved pain/ trauma in my life and it began “popping up” in my daily life in all sorts of unpleasant ways: I was dissatisfied with my friends, my boyfriend, my university classes … and with life in general. Everything felt like it took too much effort; I slept as much as possible to avoid being awake and depressed.

Finally, I took action and got some counseling. And I tried anti-depressants. The combination was helpful. It lifted me up out of my funk so that I could take constructive action. My suffering began to decrease and my feeling of doom began to subside.

It didn’t happen overnight, but, gradually, I began to feel better about myself and my life.

As you read this, you may be asking yourself, “Am I depressed too?” Not an easy question to answer, since symptoms for depression vary from one person to the next, but consider these questions: • Have I been feeling sad or irritable for a while?

• Am I experiencing feelings of guilt, hopelessness or worthlessness?

• Is it hard for me to concentrate, remember things or make decisions?

• Has my weight or appetite changed lately?

• Am I having difficulty getting a good night’s sleep?

• Have I experienced recurring thoughts of death or suicide?

This isn’t an exhaustive list, but these are some typical ways that depressed people suffer. If you found yourself identifying with some of the questions, here are some constructive things you can do: Recognize that you’re

FROM PAGE 3

DREW SCHIFF my advice. So I guess I’d like to say, be smart. Strategic. First of all, it would be nice to find allies within your friends and family. Siblings or a nice granny. They should be able to help.

Be yourself, yes, but do it in a smart way so once you are becoming fully formed, you won’t have to be an underdog."

Who or what inspired the single, ‘Ride the Wave’?

"The song was inspired by hardship I’ve experienced in my life and how, at times, you can feel that you’re different or not good enough because the environment that you’re in doesn’t understand you. But no matter

suffering. Sometimes, this is the hardest part. We don’t want to admit we’re in pain so we keep denying that there’s anything wrong.

Be willing to take the first step to addressing your depression — just one step, don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to do more (yet).

Find yourself a good therapist: someone you can talk to, are comfortable with and who has a good track record of helping people struggling with depression.

Consider anti-depressants: they helped me tremendously. I took them for about six months and haven’t needed them since.

There is a common myth that you get dependent on them and have to take them forever. In my experience, this is rarely the case. Find a good psychiatrist to talk with. I recommend you don’t go to your general practitioner doctor; despite their good intentions, they don’t usually have the necessary experience with and detailed knowledge of all the different anti-depressants and how they work.

Psychiatrists specialize in this, tap into their knowledge.

As the Buddha said: Pain is part of life; suffering is optional.

Don’t suffer.

—Michael Kimmel is a licensed psychotherapist who specializes in helping LGBT clients achieve their goals and deal with anxiety, depression, grief, sexually addictive behavior, coming out, relationship challenges and homophobia.

Contact him at 619-955-3311 or visit lifebeyondtherapy.com.

Graphic by www.

CanStockPhoto.com.t what kind of shitstorm there is around you, as long as you’ve got at least one person who cares for you, that can really give you the armor to face everything. As I say in the song, together you can become the ‘eye of the storm.'"

What do you hope to do with your new platform as a pop singer?

"I always loved the idea of being able to spread a message, influence people, be the soundtrack of their special moments. It can be a very powerful and rewarding tool."

Drew Schiff’s “Ride the Wave” is available on iTunes, Spotify and all digital platforms. Follow on Instagram @ drewschiff.

—Albert Fulcher can be reached at albert@sdcnn.com.t

gay-sd.com

Out of the Archives

By David Cline I am honored to be a guest this month in this column, just as I have been honored to work with the Lambda Archives over the past two years. Since most of my work has been on social change movements, including LGBTQ+ history, and is conducted hand in hand with local history groups and community members, I quickly found Walter Meyer and Lambda Archives. Last fall, students in my undergraduate public history course spent hours in the archives with Walter and archivist par excellence Ken Selnick creating finding tools for many of the collections.

This past spring, I had graduate students back in the Archives with Ken while an entire class of undergraduate students in our digital history course attempted to apply to Lambda some of the latest digital tools and an understanding of how they can help community history projects, especially in terms of access and outreach.

I align myself with two specialties that most folks have never heard of before — what the heck is public history and what are the digital humanities? Public history describes the study of all the many and various ways that the public gets its history, from museums and historic sites to archives, documentaries, roadside markers, and websites and other digital projects.

Digital humanities are defined as “efforts to study digital technologies and culture, employ computational practices in research and teaching, and reflect upon the impact of the digital.”

My own students in the digital history class this past spring semester also got in on the fun. I’ll be spending the summer polishing up the projects before they go online via the Lambda Archives and San Diego History Center websites,

COMMUNITY VOICES though, so please be patient.

So, what did we set out to do and why? The answer is simple: To bring analog, real-world experiences into the digital world and thus provide another, and very different (and potentially hugely expandable) access point. I split my class in half and assigned each student to one of two projects — translating Lambda’s LGBTQ History of Hillcrest walking tour into an online, mapped, exploration using the program StoryMap JS; and working with Lambda and the SDHC to create an online LGBTQ timeline based on Lambda’s collections and the current SDHC exhibit, “LGBTQ+ San Diego: Stories of Struggles and Triumphs,” using a program called Timeline JS. What’s different? Just about everything, but the primary attractions to me are access (so many more people can be reached) and expandability.

For example, rather than lasting a few hours with limited information, the walking tour can be expanded online with infinite more locations and information and pictures and video interviews, and on and on.

One of my students, Mayra Cortez, had this to say in a recent blog post for the history department: “Digital media is transforming the way we interact and view the past [and] digital history is changing how we access information as we go from paper to digital copies, making history more accessible to anyone and everyone around the world.

As a current SDSU student, I have had the opportunity to complete a vast array of research, interpret, evaluate, present theories, and inform others of certain topics; the internet has been an important factor in helping me accomplish these tasks.”

Another student, Chelsea Coble, added, “Digital history is so much more than digitizing books or photos and publishing them to the web. Digital history includes interactive websites that can show a 3-D rendition of a building or sites that show the progression of ships or armies in video format. It can

GAY SAN DIEGO June7-20, 2019

5

Lillian Faderman, curator for the San Diego History Center LGBTQ+ exhibit inspecting the timeline before its opening.

(Photos courtesy Lambda Archives)

bring history to life in a way that books lack.”

And Brenda Samoun noted: “I believe digital history could act as an advocate for voices of the past.”

Historian Ed Linenthal praises those brave, or foolish, enough to “commit history in public.” Lambda Archives takes that risk and deserves our praise. Not only have they collected the material culture of a community whose history has often gone unpreserved and unrecognized, but they do so with accompanying outreach into the community and promoting a simply wonderful level of visibility. And using digital tools to do this, too, will only bring the work to more people.

Can’t make it to the Archives?

Explore their resources via their website and through SDSU’s Special Collections.

Can’t make it to the walking tour this month? Preview it by exploring Hillcrest neighborhood history online. Miss the SDHC exhibit once it comes down? Well now it can live on online and continue to expand

An important piece of San Diego’s LGBT bars, The Flame closed in 2013 after being a safe place for lesbian and their allies.

and incorporate new research.

So, thank you to Lambda for the opportunity to collaborate.

And check us all out online! dh.sdsu.edu sdpride.sdsu.edu

MICHAEL KIMMEL Psychotherapist Author of "Life Beyond Therapy" in Gay San Diego 5100 Marlborough Drive San Diego CA 92116 (619)955-3311 www.LifeBeyondTherapy.com

sandiegohistory.org —David Cline is the associate professor of History and the Digital Humanities, San Diego State University.t

6

OPINION

GAY SAN DIEGO June7-20, 2019

gay-sd.com

Guest Editorial

Religiously motivated crimes

By Maya Gilbert I am writing to express my concern regarding religiously motivated crimes and the harm they have caused. Religion has developed a negative connotation, as people are using it to justify their hateful acts. The increasing prevalence of hatred and killings surrounding religion have swarmed the media, yet action is not being taken against these hate crimes.

People may believe in a religion as a means to feel safe and secure; acts of terrorism contradict those core beliefs.

The need for one religion to dominate can be taken so far as to attempt to “eliminate” other religions, even though many view God as one who loves all.

In some instances, attacks can be made on a religion as an act of hate, stemming from areas other than religious dominance.

When a religious crime is committed, people immediately assume that anyone following or associated with that religion also wants to cause harm.

Currently, there are two serious problems facing our religious communities. The first problem is that religious hate crimes are being committed worldwide, and the second is that people do not know how to differentiate between religious extremists and the average religious follower. In an excerpt from “Doesn't Religion Cause Most of the Conflict in the World?” the authors relates the root of conflict throughout history to terrorism today: “Religion has been a major feature in some historical conflicts and the most recent wave of modern terrorism.”

Recently there has been an abundance of violence in places of worship. These attacks have been orchestrated not only by religious extremists but also by hateful individuals who aim to harm those whose views differ from their own. No human being should be attacked, let alone in a place of refuge. The recent April 27 shooting in a San Diego synagogue, Chabad of Poway, sheds light on this

issue. Lori Kaye, a 60-year-old member of the congregation took a bullet to protect the synagogue’s rabbi from the shooter. This act of hatred spread awareness throughout the community, displaying the reality of religious-based attacks. San Diego County Deputy District Attorney Leonard Trinh shared insight from the shooting, encouraging followers to grow from this experience. Trinh stated, “While Saturday's shooting devastated the heart of San Diego County, it has galvanized our spirit to stand against hate and to hold those who hate accountable.” As horrific as this violent incident was, it brought people together as seen by the welcoming of the parishioners to the neighboring church.

Given this information, I believe that there are certain solutions that can be considered. The acts of religiously motivated crimes will not be solved easily, but, one of the ways we can attempt to prevent the initiation of these crimes is by eliminating stereotypes.

Creep of the Week: James Dobson

By D'Anne Witkowski Hello LGBTQ Americans!

Are you ready to enslave “people of faith throughout these United States of America?”

Because the U.S. House just passed the Equality Act and, according to James Dobson, that’s our job now.

I don’t know about you, but I’m not prepared. Also, full disclosure, I’m not interested.

The “people of faith” Dobson is talking about have done a fine job subjugating themselves by living in fear of two men kissing or a woman in control of her own uterus. Also, note that I didn’t use the word “enslaved” because let’s not just throw that word around like hundreds of years of that shit didn’t happen in this country and foster the deeply entrenched racism black and brown people are still dealing with.

Dobson, however, is particularly tone deaf on this topic.

“In the history of our nation, there have been times when evil was so apparent — and so

heinous — that they stand in infamy decades later,” he wrote for Charisma News. “They include the Dred Scott Decision on slavery in 1857 and the Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion in 1973. Now, we are faced with another such tragic moment in American history.”

Dred Scott, you’ll recall, affirmed the rights of slaveholders and was horrible. Roe v.

Wade legalized a medical procedure. Not horrible. I get that Dobson thinks it is, but it isn’t.

And now Dobson is comparing the Equality Act, which would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to protect LGBTQ people, to slavery and the thing he thinks is the worst thing ever: abortion.

According to the Human Rights Campaign, “The Equality Act would provide consistent and explicit non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people across key areas of life, including employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs and jury service.”

EDITOR Albert H. Fulcher (619) 961-1960 albert@sdcnn.om

SALES & MARKETING DIRECTOR Mike Rosensteel (619) 961-1958 mike@sdcnn.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS David Cline Maya Gilbert Nicole Murray Ramirez Frank Sabatini Jr. D'Anne Witkoski

MARKETING MANAGER Francisco Tamayo (619) 272-1279

CONTRIBUTOR www.canstockphoto.com WEB AND SOCIAL MEDIA Albert Fulcher albert@sdcnn.com COPY EDITOR Dustin Lothspeich

ACCOUNTING Priscilla Umel-Martinez (619) 961-1962 accounting@sdcnn.com

DISTRIBUTION Gay San Diego is distributed free every other Friday of the month. © 2019. All rights reserved.

PUBLISHER David Mannis (619) 961-1951 david@sdcnn.com

This sounds perfectly reasonable. And, in fact, the majority of Americans think LGBTQ people should be protected from discrimination. But if you only asked people who don’t think that LGBTQ people are actual human beings, I suspect that number would drop by a lot. And no doubt Dobson is in that category.

Why is Dobson so afraid of the Equality Act? Because civil rights laws give LGBTQ people a legitimacy that he wants to continue to deny. Dobson calls the Equality Act “breathtaking in its scope” and he’s not wrong. It’s pretty momentous.

The HRC explains, “Decades of civil rights history show that civil rights laws are effective in decreasing discrimination because they provide strong federal remedies targeted to specific vulnerable groups. By explicitly including sexual orientation and gender identity in these fundamental laws, LGBTQ people will finally be afforded the exact same protections as other covered characteristics under federal law.”

In an article titled, “Don’t Let Stereotypes Warp Your Judgement,” the author discusses the idea of labeling by saying, “Worse yet, stereotypes get in the way of our judgment, even when we do observe the world.” People who form preconceptions of a certain religion or religious group immediately assume that everyone sharing those beliefs has bad intentions. The author continues discussing the notion that not everyone falls under one label: “And, of course, if he meets someone true to type, he stands triumphantly vindicated.

‘They're all like that.’” My goal is to spread awareness of the misconception that “all” people practicing religion do not have bad intentions, even if a member of their community is a religious extremist and is involved in crimes. Another quote from Heilbroner reads, “We can become aware of the standardized pictures in our heads, in other people's heads, in the world around us.” If we, as a society, can learn to mitigate preconceived notions regarding religion, we can then hope the frequency of religious terrorism will decrease.t

Why, if this passes the Senate (it won’t. Mitch McConnell is a ghoul), then bakers might have to make cakes for same-sex couples and employers can’t just fire someone for being trans and landlords can’t kick you out of your home for being gay!

According to Dobson, “This legislation will represent one of the most egregious assaults on religious liberty ever foisted on the people of this great nation. It therein imposes a thinly veiled death sentence to the First Amendment to the Constitution.”

Wow. That’s some hyperbolic shit right there. A “thinly veiled death sentence to the First Amendment?” Can someone please let Dobson know that the First Amendment isn’t “Freedom to use your religion as a weapon against people you don’t like?”

Dobson continued, “We must not remain silent as our historic liberties are gutted by Democrats and their friends in the LGBT movement. They will enslave us if they prevail. We must let our voices be heard, first in the U.S. Senate, and then to the world.”

OK, first of all, just about

every right-wing conservative Christian has his or her own radio show so I don’t know what he means by this “remain silent” business. Also, a blanket right to discriminate is a “historic” liberty only in that it belongs in the past. With slavery.

Dobson ended his statement with, “Viva biblical values and beliefs.”

I know what you’re thinking: isn’t “viva” Spanish? Yes! It is.

And after vowing to continue to make life as miserable as possible for LGBTQ Americans, Dobson launched into an impassioned plea that we stop ripping Spanish-speaking children from their parents at the border and putting them in cages because it is unchristian.

Just kidding. He did not.

That would require some sort of moral code that cared about other people. Somebody should send Dobson a pamphlet or something about Jesus.

OPINIONS/LETTERS: Gay San Diego encourages letters to the editor and guest editorials. Please email either to albert@sdcnn.com and include your phone number and address for verification.

We reserve the right to edit letters for brevity and accuracy.

Letters and guest editorials do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or staff.

SUBMISSIONS/NEWS TIPS Press releases and story ideas are welcomed. Send press releases, tips, photos or story ideas to editor@sdcnn.com.

For breaking news and investigative story ideas contact the editor by phone or email.

Copyright © 2019 San Diego Community News Network

—D'Anne Witkowski is a poet, writer and comedian living in Michigan with her wife and son. She has been writing about LGBT politics for over a decade. Follow her on Twitter @MamaDWitkowski.t

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Gay San Diego 444 Camino Del Rio South, Suite 102 San Diego, CA 92108 sdcnn.com Facebook.com/GaySD Twitter @GaySD Instagram @Gay_SD

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gay-sd.com

COMMUNITY VOICES

GAY SAN DIEGO June7-20, 2019

7

First ceremony for USNS Harvey Milk in September Conversations with Nicole Nicole Murray Ramirez There are three official ceremonies for a new naval ship.

The laying of the first steel, the keel ceremony and finally the official dedication with the navy ship's new officers, crew, top brass and dignitaries.

Not long ago I was honored to be invited to the laying of the keel official ceremony of the USNS John Lewis at the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) shipping yard. Many civic and leaders from all over were in attendance. I was there representing the Harvey Milk Foundation which I serve on the National Board of Directors and our founder Chairman Stuart Milk who was in Europe. Everyone, I have had the honor to meet Congressman John Lewis and hearing him speak. It's like hearing Moses from the Bible.

This man, I believe was touched

by God and is carrying on the work of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. The Secretary of the Navy announced three ships that will be built: the USNS John Lewis, the USNS Harvey Milk and the USNS Robert F. Kennedy with all ships being built at the world-famous NASSCO Ship yard, one of the very best builders of ships in the world.

Eric Young, one of Mayor Kevin Faulconer's top aides

took me to the large shipyard and Eric knew all the Navy officers and NASSCO top officials and introduce me to all of them. We were given front row searing and Lewis once again gave a most moving speech with highlights from his youth.

I could listen to Lewis all day.

What impressed me most was how so many of those hard workers were there and beamed proudly of their work.

I met one of San Diego's most respected and caring citizens whose reputation speaks for its self, Mr. Kevin Graney who was so accommodating to all my questions.

I was especially impressed with Graney expressing in his speech how proud that he is that the NASSCO workforce is so diversified with many women and people of color holding such high-ranking positions. I was there to get some ideas for the three ceremonies for the USNS Harvey Milk on behalf of Faulconer and Milk and the Harvey Milk Foundation.

The top-ranking Navy officials including those in from Washington, D.C. were very helpful to me and answered all my questions. But a gold star goes to Dennis DuBard who was outstanding and made everyone feel at home. Dennis could answer any questions about General Dynamics, NASSCO or any of the new ship ceremonies. Graney and DuBard are not only the pride of General Dynamics/NASSCO but of their thousands of

friends and allies. She has been an outstanding mayor and has also served Utah well in the State Legislature. And she spearheaded the new boulevard street named after Harvey Milk, second to San Diego and followed by Portland.

Many of you ask what I am going to do now with the Keys to Cities I have been honored with from Portland, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, San Diego and now Salt Lake and Lexington. I will be donating all my works, historic papers and collections to different LGBT museums and LGBT archives who have asked for them.

(l to r) Georgia Rep. John Lewis and Nicole Murray Ramirez at the National Steel and Ship Company for the Keel Ceremony for the USNS John Lewis.

(Courtesy photo)

workers. I took a lot of notes and have some great ideas for the dedication of the USNS Harvey Milk here in San Diego and that includes countless LGBT veterans and active duty military! Thank you so much Eric Young and Mayor Kevin Faulconer.

2 keys to the cities: Salt Lake and Lexington

As many of you know I travel many times a month for mostly speaking engagements at conferences, Prides, dinners, coronations, benefits, etc. I am so blessed to meet so many kind

people in all my visits, especially LGBT activists and leaders all over the USA, Canada, Mexico, Italy, and more. Most important many become lifelong friends and we watch out for each other. Of course I am honored when I am recognized for my activism but in Lexington for me to receive the Key to the City of Lexington along with both Dennis and Judy Shepard from Mayor Linda Gorton was so moving and humbly as these two people are true heroes and Icons.

I just love mayor Jackie and her wife. We have become good

—Nicole Murray Ramirez has been writing a column since 1973. He has been a Latino/gay activist for almost half a century and has advised and served the last seven mayors of San Diego.

Named the “Honorary Mayor of Hillcrest” by a city proclamation, he has received many media awards including from the prestigious San Diego Press Club.

Reach Nicole at Nicolemrsd1@ gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Nmrsd2.

Editor’s Note: The opinions written in this column are the author’s own and does not necessarily represent the opinions of the staff and/or publisher of Gay San Diego and/or its parent company, San Diego Community News Network (SDCNN). The newspaper and its staff should be held harmless of liability or damages.t

8

FILMS

GAY SAN DIEGO June7-20, 2019

'Southern Pride' Albert H. Fulcher | Editor Malcolm Ingram directed an award-winning documentary in 2006, "Small Town Gay Bar,” that dug into the cultural existence of gay bars in rural Mississippi. As some of the only safe places for LGBTQ people in the Deep South, this film showed how bigoted forces in higher places continue to repress LGBTQ rights. After the election of Donald Trump (which spurred LGBTQ hatred in the region) and the Pulse nightclub shooting, Ingram went back down to Mississippi to document two lesbian bar owners in Biloxi and Hattiesburg as they tried to hold the region's first Pride events in their small-town

history.

In his latest documentary, "Southern Pride," Lynn Koval is the white owner of Just Us Lounge in Biloxi, the oldest gay bar in the state.

Shawn Perryon Sr. is the black owner of Club Xclusive in Hattiesburg. Both of these women decided to hold inaugural Pride celebrations in wake of the "open season" mentality fired up by the current administration, Mississippi's Religious Liberty Accommodations Act, the Pulse shooting and the murders of three Gulf Coast transgender women. The film begins at Trump's inauguration.

In the beginning of the documentary, Koval and Perryon Sr. do not know each other,

“Southern Pride” Director Malcolm Ingram follows Lynn Koval, owner of Just Us Lounge in Biloxi, Mississippi as she attempt to hold the first Gulf Coast LGBTQ+ Pride festival in the state’s history.

and have no idea that each of them are striving for the same things: unity within their local LGBTQ community, visibility, and a connection with the rest of the community so that they can see who they are and hopefully come to understand that they are people who deserve the right to live as they choose.

Being in Biloxi for so long, Koval had built many local ties to the people. The bar was active in helping not only the LGBTQ population, but the township as a whole. When Just Us Lounge was nearly destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, the community came and helped her rebuild it, many of them doing so before returning to their own homes to rebuild.

And it showed that this bar was much more of a family than a place. But this did not sway Koval's vision for a Pride celebration at the Gulf Coast.

In the meantime, Perryon Sr. decided to hold Hattiesburg’s first Unapologetic Black Pride. It had nothing to do with racial separation, rather Perryon Sr. believed that there was so much division within the black LGBTQ community that she felt she had to help them learn unity among themselves before they were ready to include themselves in a larger Pride celebration.

Though both stories eventually intertwine, this is a stark look at what two persistent women will go through to make a difference. Neither task is an easy one and both of them hit several roadblocks. But filmed over nine months, this film

events @THECENTER Friday, May 31

Shawn Perryon Sr., owner of Club Xclusive in Hattiesburg, Mississippi discusses why her community needs to come together for the city’s first Unapologetic Black Pride event before they can move forward with a large Pride event with other organizations. gives a phenomenal insight into the LGBTQ culture of the Deep South and dives not only into their triumphant moments, but also deep into their worst fears of living in such a repressed state.

Director Malcolm Ingram said that after filming "Small Time Gay Bar," the Pulse shooting and Trump's election, he knew it was time to go back. From the urban areas of Toronto, Canada, Ingram said he loved the South and that it is an interesting place for him. After reflecting on how important these bars are to the community in the South as safe places, he wanted to see what was happening with the radical shift in America’s politics through the lens of small towns putting on their first Pride events.

"We were filming with Lynn Koval at Just Us Lounge and found out about Club Xclusive

through its Facebook page," Ingram said. "It has a really low-key, inset presence. So we decided to drive up there and Shawn [Perryon Sr.] had a very interesting take on things and we connected very well. I understood her message. She was concerned with her community and what was going on with it. She wanted to get her own community in check before they went under the umbrella of a full Pride. She wanted to be there to support her smaller community. The sense I got was that the black community has more complicated issues within its culture when it comes to sexuality. I don't want to speak for the black community, but Shawn understood those complexities."

Ingram said he gets it.

"I'm a big, fat white guy," he continued. "I felt very outside

see Southern Pride, pg 12

Thursday, June 20

South Bay Youth Center’s Ice Cream Social

Summer Solstice 6-9 pm, Porto Vista Hotel Rooftop Deck

2-4 pm, South Bay Youth Center Join The Center’s South Bay Youth Center for the first ever Ice Cream Social! Youth ages 10-13 and their families are welcome to tour the South Bay Youth Center and enjoy FREE local ice-cream!

This is a fabulous opportunity to meet other LGBTQ+ youth and families. Please help us share this event with youth and families! For more information contact southbayyouth@thecentersd.org.

Saturday, June 15

Rainbow Prom: Haunted Fairy Tale 6-10 pm, The Center An enchanting celebration awaits you - Youth Services at The Center invites you to the 2019 Rainbow Prom! The theme this year is “Haunted Fairy Tale” and all are welcome to come dressed as a spooky fairy tale creature/character.

We are here to create an affirming and magical prom for LGBTQ+ youth ages 14-18. This free event includes food, a DJ, a photo booth, a live drag performance by the fabulous Friidae, and much more! We can’t wait to see you there!

For more information contact hyc@thecentersd.org.

www.thecentersd.org The San Diego LGBT Community Center 3909 Centre Street • 619-692-2077 Twitter: @LGBTCenter

gay-sd.com

facebook.com/At.The.Center

MARYAH (Metro Area Real Estate Professionals for Young Adult Housing) and the San Diego LGBT Community Center invite you to join us for our Summer Solstice Event. Guests will enjoy great music by a local DJ, bottle service for your exclusive private cabana– should you wish to purchase one, networking with the local real estate community, and an amazing time with stunning harbor views and a spectacular sunset. The event includes a cash bar, hors-d’oeuvres, entertainment and much, much more with all proceeds benefiting The Center’s Sunburst Youth Housing. Tickets and more info at www.maryah.org.

Saturday, June 22

12th Annual Pachanga de Frida 6-10 pm, The Center Each year we celebrate the birthday of Frida Kahlo, commemorating the legendary life of one of the most influential Mexican painters of the mid-twentieth century. Attendees will enjoy live music, art exhibits by local Latin@ artists and vendors, a Frida look-alike contest, great food and tequila! Proceeds from this event benefit The Nicole Murray-Ramirez Latino Services @ The Center. Ticket information coming soon! For more information on the event or accessibility requests, contact Ricardo at latinos@thecentersd.org or 619.692.2077 x116. For sponsorship opportunities contact Megan at events@thecentersd.org or 619.692.2077 x255.

Visit us online at events.thecentersd.org/frida.

“Southern Pride” follows to small town gay bars in Mississippi as they attempt to hold inaugural Pride events after the changing climate after the 2016 election of President Donald Trump and its aftermath on their communities. (Photos courtesy of "Southern Pride")

THEATER

gay-sd.com

The book is long…

…and the ending has not been written Albert H. Fulcher | Editor

D

iversionary Theatre is wrapping it up its 33rd season with a marvelous uproarious “unromantic” comedy that illustrates that love is an elusive reverie for some in the world. Looking for romance is center stage in this production as Jordan (Tom Zohar) seeks his “matching half of a human whole” as in Aristophanes, Plato’s “Symposium.” Filled with love from his best girlfriends Vanessa (Andréa Agosto), Kiki (Jamie Criss), and his bestie for life Laura (Megan Carmitchel), Jordan is on the sequential quest for finding his very own soul mate as his friends, one by one, began dating, marrying and having children.

Jordan is an energetic emotional wreck as he watches his life slipping past him while others are fulfilling his lifelong dream of love, marriage and children.

What follows is a hysterical look at the life, emotions, and drama between friends and lovers as Jordan wonders if he’ll ever find the Mr. Right in his life. This message is a driving force as he goes through a barrage of bachelorette parties, baby showers, weddings as he tries to navigate his own

way through his unstable single life.

Playwright Joshua Harmon is a master of words in the play bringing an age-old theme into a bright limelight with his witty writing and comedic timing. There is never a dull moment and when you least expect it, there are some hidden treasures of heartening insight scattered throughout the play.

And this entire cast got it, portrayed it and delivered it with an outstanding performance from the first line to the last. Simply a deliriously entertaining play that makes you laugh, tugs at your heart and gives hope that love is waiting out there for everyone.

Casting for this play was spot on. Zohar ruled the stage with his emotional delivery, whether showing love for his friends, discourse with their impeding future, visiting is superiorly wise grandmother (Dagmar Krause Fields), fielding potential mates for his girlfriends and looking for love for himself. And the rest of the cast followed the same course. Bryan Banville and Wil Bethmann did a superb job in multiple roles as friends, husbands and dates, never leaving you wonder what character was on stage at the moment.

GAY SAN DIEGO June7-20, 2019

‘Significant Other’ Runs through June 23 Diversionary Theatre 4545 Park Blvd. #101 Diversionary.org 619-220-0097 Although sometimes outrageous, the friendships are relatable and feel real.

They make this play a safe place to get lost in a story, and this is a rare thing to witness.

—Albert Fulcher can be reached at albert@sdcnn.com.t

(l to r) Jordan (Tom Zohar) and Laura (Megan Carmitchel) are the best of friends that come to terms with her marriage changing their lives forever.

(Photos by Simpatica)

June 26

POP 2000 TOUR

hosted by LANCE BASS of *NSYNC (l to r) Dagmar Krause Fields plays Jordan’s grandmother, full of love for her grandson and sheds insightful wisdom

June 29

PITBULL

(l to r) Vanessa (Andréa Agosto), Jordan (Tom Zohar), Laura (Megan Carmitchel), and Kiki (Jamie Criss)

9

10

DINING

GAY SAN DIEGO June7-20, 2019

BIG-BANG RAMEN Restaurant Review Frank Sabatini Jr.

F

ans of Nishiki Ramen in Kearny Mesa can now elude the lines for scoring a bowl of Tokyo-style soup by instead visiting Nishiki’s sister restaurant in the heart of the gayborhood.

Manten Ramen is the latest tenant in the HUB Hillcrest Market, and perhaps the neighborhood’s umpteenth ramen house. But compared to others, she offers some of the most exciting flavor-forward broths I’ve had in a while.

Chef-owner Hajime “Jimmy” Kitayama is a grand master of ramen. A native of Tokyo, he slow-cooks the broths daily using chicken, pork and seasonal vegetables, makes the noodles in-house, and boils and then torches to perfection any added meats known as chashu.

Since opening Nishiki four years ago, he has attracted a wild following that makes it difficult to land a fast table in his Kearny Mesa restaurant.

Though here in Hillcrest, on a recent Saturday afternoon, hubby and I waited less than a minute to place our order at the counter, which greets you just inside the doors. And in no time at all, we seized a table amid many seating options that were up for grabs along the window ledges and on the

roomy patio.

Such casual service, however, didn’t match in quality what we were about eat.

The young floor staffers running plates from the semi-open kitchen to the tables function as quasi servers. But they were too aloof to qualify as such and couldn’t answer basic questions about the food.

One employee didn’t know what goes into the Japanesestyle ranch dressing zigzagged over a plate of chicken wings we ordered. I suspect sake or miso was hiding in it. Another couldn’t confirm whether the ramen noodles are house-made.

They are. And when I asked at the order counter why the traditional inclusion of a “slow egg” in the ramen costs extra, followed by a request that our appetizers be served first — I was given a blank stare.

No surprise that all of our food came out at once. But my complaints ended there.

The wings were crispy and abundant, all “flats” and no “drums.” Even better was the hefty portion of chicken katsu served with so-so French fries. The panko-coated breast meat, cut into accordion slices, is Japan’s version of Southern fried chicken. Each piece offered crunchy edges and tender interiors. In an American twist, it came with ramekins of Buffalo hot sauce and more of that mysterious ranch dressing.

Proceeding to the most luxurious part of our lunch, hubby ordered the menu’s crown jewel,

gay-sd.com

Manten Ramen 1040 University Ave. (Hillcrest) 619-831-0101 mantenramen.net Prices: Small and large plates: $3.95 to $10.95 Ramen, $9.45 to $14.95 a pork-broth ramen called BFE. The acronym stands for “beast from East.” It’s loaded with a pound of ultra-tender pork rib meat as well a generous scoop of pulled pork that closely resembled carnitas. The broth was fantastic, offering smooth flavors of bone marrow, green onions, garlic and cabbage. It lacked nothing.

The “red blow” ramen is as dangerously sexy as it sounds.

Also pork-based, the broth is discernibly laced with a house-made red chili sauce in addition to garlic and miso.

Strewn throughout are bean sprouts, green onions, diced pork, and of course a bounty of comforting noodles cut into thin-medium width — just how I like them.

Floating on top was a plop of ground pork steeped in a less-diluted version of the chili sauce. When the meat started collapsing into the broth, it climbed from level 4 to level 7 in spiciness. With my lips aflame, I savored every drop. If ever a trusty hangover cure is needed, this will be it.

Manten Ramen is an offshoot of Nishiki Ramen in Kearny Mesa. (Photos by Frank Sabatini Jr.)

There are 13 ramen choices in all. They include a vegetarian variant of the red blow; a meatless yellow curry ramen in soy broth; the chicken-based “dooodle dooo” with chicken meatballs and bok choy; a pork-seafood ramen with pork chashu and a fish cake; and the classic pork-broth tonkotsu with minced pork and toasted sesame seeds.

The menu mimics the one at Nishiki Ramen, but omits a few things such as tuna poke and beef bowls and the cult-favorite “gyoza caprese” with lemon sauce and crispy noodles.

Manten Ramen’s small sixseat bar is rigged with 24 taps featuring both Japanese and local craft beers. Wine, sake and imported Japanese sodas are also available for refreshing the palate between courses and sips of chef Kitayama’s sharp creations.

—Frank Sabatini Jr. is the author of “Secret San Diego” (ECW Press), and began his local writing career more than two decades ago as a staffer for the former San Diego Tribune.

You can reach him at fsabatini@san.rr.com.t

Chicken katsu

The spicy “red blow” ramen

The “BFE” ramen

DINING

gay-sd.com

San Diego’s first ice-cream festival is coming to North Park, bringing together nearly two dozen local ice-cream makers in celebration of the centuries-old craft.

Scoop San Diego will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., June 23, at North Park Way and 30th Street.

Organized by Daniel Szpak, a co-founder of Hammond’s Gourmet Ice Cream, the event will benefit Monarch School, which is dedicated

GAY SAN DIEGO June7-20, 2019 to helping homeless students break the cycle of poverty.

Participating ice-cream vendors include Mariposa Ice Cream, An’s Dry Cleaning, Chocolat, Moo Time Creamery, Stella Jean’s Ice Cream, Scoops La Jolla and more. They will dole out samples in weights averaging 2 ounces. Some will be dairyfree. Tickets range from $20 to $35. For more information, visit scoopsandiego.org.

Company crispy chicken thighs: Crispy chicken thighs with eggs at North Park’s newest breakfast spot (Crave Imagery)

The much anticipated Sisters Pizza opened June 3 in Bankers Hill.

(Courtesy photo)

After about 18 months in the making, Sisters Pizza has opened in a charming 1930s-era building in Bankers Hill. The pizzeria, which specializes in a range of other Italian-comfort food such as chicken or eggplant Parmesan, spaghetti with house-made meatballs, and hearty submarine sandwiches, occupies a quiet corner at Fourth and Brookes. It greets with an expansive patio and a cozy interior with midcentury touches.

Owner Emily Green Lake is a former literacy teacher who became motivated to open the restaurant after the unexpected passing of her sister, Kate Green.

Popular local chef Rich Sweeney has a new gig. (Facebook) Former “Top Chef” contestant and LGBT community member Rich Sweeney has taken on the role of area culinary directory for Los Angeles-based Tocaya Organica, a popular health-conscious eatery with locations in the Gaslamp

“I always wanted to run my own restaurant, and my sister and I were big pizza lovers,” she said.

Helming the kitchen is Long Island transplant Marc Damiano, who previously worked at Mr. Moto Pizza House and Surf Rider Pizza.

On any given day there are nine specialty pizzas available by the slice. The pies are also sold in 16-, 18- and 20-inch sizes, in addition to a 14-inch gluten-free option.

Sisters Pizza is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Brunch service on Saturdays and Sundays is expected to begin in July. 3643 Fourth Ave., 619255-4200, sisterspizzasd.com.

Quarter (755 Fifth Ave.), UTC in La Jolla (4301 La Jolla Village Drive), and another coming soon to One Paseo in Carmel Valley.

Sweeney, who is also known for the comfort fare he dished up when operating the former R Gang Eatery in Hillcrest for five years, most recently served as executive chef for North Italia in Fashion Valley Mall. Before that, he helmed the kitchen at Waypoint Public in North Park.

“I’ll be doing quality control and training-development in San Diego and for two locations in Arizona,” Sweeney told us, adding that he is fond of Tocaya’s culinary concept.

“The entire menu starts out vegan, and then if you’re a meat eater, you can add meat and cheese to the dishes. We buy just about everything we can organic. And the environments are cool and welcoming — not hoity.” tocayaorganica.com.

Look no further than the new North Park Breakfast Company for dishes such as waffles topped with mashed potatoes and spicy sausage, and crispy chicken thighs served with eggs and cauliflower confit.

The eatery opened recently as an offshoot to Breakfast Republic, a proliferating chain founded by Johan Engman of the locally based

Rise & Shine Restaurant Group. The menu at this newest venture, however, is different due to more vegan/ vegetarian options, craftier cocktails and a general “sweet-meets-savory” flavor profile that defines many of the dishes. Hours of operation are from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. 3131 University Ave., 619-269-2118, breakfast-company.com.

11

Gay-owned Stella Jean’s in University Heights is among dozens of icecream businesses taking part in Scoop San Diego. (Facebook) A wide range of cuisine is in the offing during the return of Food Truck Fridays at the El Prado walkway in Balboa Park. The event, now in its fourth year, runs from 4 to 8:30 p.m. every Friday through Sept. 27. It features about a dozen different food trucks each week as well as live entertainment.

Trucks scheduled for June 14 include Devilicious, Super Q, Sushi Uno, Frida’s Cocina, Mangia Mangia, and more.

The series is presented by the Balboa Park Conservancy and the city of San Diego’s Parks and Recreation Department. Free roundtrip shuttle service is provided until 8 p.m. from the Inspiration Point parking lot, located at the corner of Park Bouvelard and President’s Way. Plaza de Panama/El Prado, 619-331-1920, balboaparkconservancy.org.

—Frank Sabatini Jr. can be reached at fsabatini@san.rr.com.t

12

FILMS

GAY SAN DIEGO June7-20, 2019

FROM PAGE 8

SOUTHERN PRIDE of the gay community for a very long time and I still do find it very difficult to fit in. I feel that a lot of gay people are apathetic now. At a time when we are in crisis, not just in America, but in the world today, [it’s] terrifying. The rise of religion, not only Christianity, but like, the Muslim religion — these are very conservative religions. I don't think the way forward in the world today is in the embracing of conservative religions. That's not our way out of the problems we are facing right now. I don't like people that hide behind religion. I don't believe in dogma.

I very much believe in spirituality. And I literally believe the root to all evil is organized religions."

Ingram said the world is getting to a place where worldly events are so intense in politics, climate change and the

repression of minority groups, that things like LGBTQ rights are getting pushed aside because the world has become like a "dumpster fire." He said with so many things going on across the globe that people don't know what to address anymore because there too much going on.

"Nobody in our own queer community seems ready to pick up the flag and fight the fight like was done in the past," Ingram said. "We own the rights of privileges that our past gays gave us. Our past brothers and sisters fought very hard for the rights that we are all very lucky enough to enjoy. There are plenty of people out there taking the flag and running with it, but it doesn't seem to be the norm right now when it should be. I think it is our responsibility as queer people to fight equally hard to maintain those rights for the next generation. We have to leave it better than when we got it."

Ingram said a lot of progress

Lynn Koval and friends look on with amazement seeing the first Gulf Coast Pride event become a reality.

gay-sd.com

Lynn Koval's Just Us Lounge in downtown Biloxi, Mississippi goes through extensive street construction right before Pride. (Photos by "Southern Pride") has been made in the queer community, but it feels like many progresses that we have made are slipping away.

"I hope that there are more Lynn Kovals and Shawn Perryons to pick up where things left off because we are headed to a very scary place," Ingram said. "Especially in the South. The South gets dumped on a lot and it's horrible to see liberals making jokes about the South. We all have our crosses to bear, we all have our fights to fight. Look at what's happening in the South with abortion rights now."

Ingram said there are a lot of great people in the South and it is like any other place — it has its good and its bad.

But he believes the South is

incredibly misunderstood.

"And there are people there like Shawn and Lynn who are willing to fight the fight and these people need to be supported," Ingram said. "What we don't need is people blankly targeting places in the South like Mississippi and Alabama and calling them ignorant rednecks. What we should be looking for is a fundamental understanding of these places instead of just pushing them aside. I love the South and find it incredibly rich. It's diverse, it's complicated, but also it is full of a lot of incredibly wonderful people that are doing their best with the situation they are handed and fighting the fight. That is what this movie is about."

"Lynn Koval is a fighter," Ingram continued. "She's been fighting for her community for decades. She has been at the front line of this battle. These two bar owners are remarkable people, and though it wasn't intentional, this film is populated by women. It is the women that are leading the charge. [Like in the AIDS crisis], it was the drag queens and lesbians that stepped in. And you know what? It is going to be the drag queens and the lesbians that step up and get us out of this shit we are in. God bless the drag queens and the lesbians because they are the ones that are going to save us."

—Albert Fulcher can be reached at albert@sdcnn.com.t

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PUZZLE SOLUTION: (FROM PAGE 14) I RISE

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GAY SAN DIEGO June7-20, 2019

Friday, June 7

‘Significant Other’ – As Jordan Berman pounds the New York City pavement searching for Mr. Right, he wards off lonely nights with his trio of close-knit girlfriends. As singles’ nights turn into bachelorette parties, Jordan must face his own capacity to love and be loved. This hilarious and heart-wrenching Broadway comedy dives into the trenches of urban single life and the aspirational gay wedding, reminding us that you can’t hurry love — no matter how much you wish you could.

Diversionary Theatre. Runs through June 23. $15-$25.

Dates and times vary. 4545 Park Blvd. #101. bit.ly/2EenrRf 'Little Shop of Horrors' – Take a musical journey through the streets of skid row to a rundown flower shop where a bloodthirsty plant from another world eagerly awaits its next victim. Full of delightfully demented humor, this long-running off-Broadway musical comedy was inspired by Roger Corman's shockingly schlocky B-movie.

Enjoy all the bloody good fun of doo-wop inspired songs like “Somewhere That’s Green,” “Feed Me” and “Suddenly, Seymour” with this creepy, campy creature feature ... starring some of San Diego's best musical theater talent! Runs through Aug. 4 at New Village Arts Theatre. $28-$50. 2787 State St., Carlsbad. bit.ly/2XlbErQ ‘Pride and Prejudice’ – The outspoken Elizabeth Bennet faces mounting pressure from her status-conscious mother to secure a suitable marriage. But is marriage suitable for a woman of Elizabeth’s intelligence and independence? Especially when the irritating, aloof, self-involved… tall, vaguely handsome, mildly amusing, and impossibly aristocratic Mr. Darcy keeps popping up at every turn. Literature’s greatest tale of latent love has never felt so theatrical, or so full of life as it does in this effervescent new adaptation.

Runs through June 16 at the Cygnet Theatre. Tickets start at $45. 4040 Twiggs St. bit.ly/2EahFQv

gay-sd.com Red Dress Party 2019 – Red Dress Party San Diego is a whimsical fundraising event where everyone is encouraged to be brave, let loose, and celebrate impact.

Like the name suggests, attendees are required to wear a red dress, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. This serves as a powerful sign of compassion and solidarity for those affected by HIV/AIDS and as a way to unite the crowd in one radiant theme. Pre-sale tickets now available at discounted prices. General admission: $55. VIP admission: $150.

Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier. 100 N. Harbor Drive. bit.ly/2HnWRpr San Diego Greek Festival – It’s been 50 years in the making. The first “Greek Bazaar” (as it was called a half-century ago), was held at the Scottish Rite Center in Mission Valley.

Today, San Diego’s original Greek Festival, which takes place on the grounds of St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church in Hillcrest, has grown into one of the city’s most highly anticipated and well-attended cultural celebrations. It’s a festival, a block party and a coming together for everyone. All are welcome to enjoy St. Spyridon’s well-known Greek hospitality. Organized by an army of volunteers and led by St. Spyridon’s parish priest, Fr. Andrew Scordalakis, the San Diego Greek Festival offers an abundance of food, fanfare, music and dance.

The festival opens Friday night, June 7 (5-10 p.m) and continues throughout the weekend —Saturday, June 8 (11 a.m.-10 p.m.) and Sunday, June 9 (11 a.m.-8 p.m). Park and take the shuttle to and from the festival. The parking lot is located behind the San Diego Unified School District offices (4100 Normal St.). bit.ly/2Mlri5s

Saturday, June 8

South Bay Pride fundraiser – San Diego's South Bay Pride Art and Music Festival Fundraiser is ready to kick off your summer with a super fun night of good vibes, music, beverages, fantastic people, dancing, a raffle and

prizes! Come out and play at Gossip Grill and listen to the live music of The Social Animal and Ingénue. 6-9 p.m.

Gossip Grill. 1220 University Ave. bit.ly/2WiZYcv

Monday, June 10

Write Out Loud – Write Out Loud,an organization founded in 2007 with a commitment to inspire, challenge and entertain by reading literature aloud for a live audience, announces “Around The World in 80 Minutes (or more…),” the final production in Story Concerts Season XII, on June 10, at the Old Town Theatre. Write Out Loud will share literature by favorite authors from across the globe. Write Out Loud Story Concerts bring literature to life — aloud — with rehearsed readings by professional actors. Each program explores specific themes by weaving a variety of stories, poems, and sometimes music, together into a literary tapestry. Deanna Driscoll, Jason Heil and Fernando Vega join co-founders Veronica Murphy and Walter Ritter to celebrate people of the world. A pre-show reception starts at 6:15 p.m. with a 7 p.m. curtain. $25. 4040 Twiggs St. bit.ly/2EMmqA9

Tuesday, June 11

Music showcase – 91X Loudspeaker's Timothy Pyles presents an all-local, independent musical showcase featuring live performances

by Rodrigo Bars, Jehlad Akin and Tennessee Tina.

The Merrow. 9 p.m. $5. 1271 University Ave. bit.ly/2Welq2g Hillcrest Town Council – HTC's June Community Meeting is shaping up to be a great one! County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher (District 4) will be our featured speaker, sharing updates about county issues and taking questions from the audience. The meeting will also include an update from San Diego Pride about this year's rally, parade, and festival, and a brief presentation from ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties on community policing. Want more info?

Contact HTC Chair Benny

Cartwright at info@hillcresttc.org. 6:30-8 p.m. Joyce Beers Community Center, 3900 Vermont St. bit.ly/2Wd8ee6 Gay Men's Book Club – The Gay Men's Book Club will meet on June 11 to discuss this month's selection, "Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic," Alison Bechdel's graphic memoir about coming out as a lesbian and growing up in a Pennsylvania town, where her closeted gay father ran the family's funeral home. Anyone interested in novels, memoirs and plays with gay themes is welcome to join the club. 6-7:30 p.m. at the Mission Hills-Hillcrest Library, 215 W. Washington St. Contact Ron Alsop at ronald.alsop@gmail.com or 908-347-3877 for more information.

Thursday, June 13

Artist Talk with new media artist John Waiblinger – A conversation about Queer Romantic Art and how it generates ideas about masculinity and the ways men relate to each other. The Studio Door, 3867 Fourth Ave. Free. 6-7:30 p.m.

RSVP required. bit.ly/2XrqwEQ

Saturday, June 15

2019 Rainbow Prom – An enchanting celebration awaits you: we invite you to your 2019 Rainbow Prom!

The theme this year is "Haunted Fairy-tale" and all are welcome to come dressed as a spooky fairy tale creature/character. We are here to create an affirming and magical prom for LGBTQ+ youth. Youth ages 14-18 will enjoy this free event, which includes food, a DJ, a photo booth, a live drag performance by the fabulous Friidae, and much more! San Diego LGBT Community Center, 3909 Centre St. bit.ly/2XjJU6H Flow with Pride – Join San Diego Pride, The LGBT Center, and CorePower Yoga in a high energy Vinyasa Flow class for all levels.

CorePower Yoga is partnering with San Diego Pride to give back to the community.

With CorePower opening a

Baja Wine Tour – Join the next Baja Wine Tour For A Cause. $125 includes round-trip transportation from San Diego, all-youcan-eat Mexican breakfast at a hacienda, three winery stops with tastings included, one-stop samples of artisan cheese/bread/jams, and tour concludes with a lobster dinner in Puerto Nuevo, Baja, before returning home safely. A portion of the ticket sales will benefit The San Diego LGBT Community Center. Check-in and firstcome boarding begins Saturday at 7 a.m. inside The Old Town Transit Center located near the 5 and 8 interstate freeways.

All sales are final. Rain or shine. Please plan ahead and ensure you have all required travel documents.

A valid passport is required for everyone aboard the charter bus in accordance with Mexico and U.S. travel laws. Mexican officials also require a completed FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple) to stamp upon entering Mexico via this tour. bit.ly/2QBkC1z Mariam’s Tea Party: Broken Bolckbuster – Featuring: Mariam T, Glitz Glam, Evelyn Rose, Michele Ada, Disco Dollie, Lolita Von Tease,Vanity Jones and Gro Tesqua. Special performance The Diamond Dogs.

Sounds by DJ Jon Williams.

Tickets $10 • Doors open at 7 p.m. with the show starting at 8:30 p.m. Featuring Skrewball Whiskey. MO’s Bar and Grill. 308 University Ave. bit.ly/2KtEHFP t

QSyndicate.com

Q Q PUZZLE PUZZLE

solution on page 13

I RISE

DOWN

ACROSS

1 Brooklyn dyke neighborhood Park ___ 6 Rubber vessel, perhaps 10 Hand job, for one?

14 “American Idol” judge Callow 15 Falco of “The Sopranos” 16 “I'm ___ your tricks!”

17 Where a queen may rule 18 Mandlikova of tennis 19 Break under strain 20 Start of a quote from Madonna's “I Rise” 23 Danny to Rosie, for short 24 Garr of “Tootsie” 25 More of the quote 30 Baudelaire's evil 33 Humerus neighbor 34 Unknown degree 35 Canonized gay guy?

37 Baked, to Buonarroti 39 Skeptical ejaculation

new studio in Little Italy, we thought it would be best to give back, show our true colors, and encourage our friends and loved ones to move, connect, and give back as a family. The class will be lead by Juan Ayala, the Little Italy studio manager; assists and adjusters will be fellow instructors from CorePower.

Prizes for donations will be raffled, including a free month of yoga, a yoga bag, a pair of tickets for Pride Festival, Sony speakers, and more to come! $15. 9 a.m.

San Diego LGBT Community Center, 3909 Centre St. bit.ly/2Z5q0gx

41 Conger hunter 42 Rex Reed, for one 44 Straight line 46 Part used in forking around 47 Ending for lemon or lime 48 More of the quote 51 Starch source 52 Cukor's “A Life of ___ Own” 53 End of the quote 59 Word before cock 60 Film director Kazan 61 Career option for Jack McFarland 63 Like a slick head 64 Split 65 Garson of Hollywood 66 “Don't leave me!”

67 Bills stuffed in a stripper's G-string 68 “Oliver Button Is a ___”

1 The U.S., perhaps, if Trump is reelected 2 Willingly, to Shakespeare 3 Barbra's “Funny Girl” guy 4 A fireman goes down on it 5 Put on some fishnet stockings?

6 Vacation spot in Delaware 7 Cukor's rib donor 8 Subject to limitations 9 They help show off your oolong 10 Reagon of the Big Lovely band 11 Girl who goes both ways?

12 RBI to Glenn Burke 13 Keystone figure 21 Diva Celine 22 Practiced Vidal's art 25 Desert plant 26 Prayer starter 27 Release from bondage 28 Women's suffrage leader Carrie 29 She had her hand up Lamb Chop

30 Sasha Obama's big sister 31 “Looks ___ everything” 32 The Greeks plucked around with them 36 The M in SMU (abbr.)

38 Gillen of “Queer as Folk” 40 Glory hole inserts?

43 Jockey Angel 45 Put an edge on 49 Like undies that scratch your nether parts 50 Hate crimes, for example 51 Bear type 53 Vidal's “Rocking the ___” 54 Scat queen Fitzgerald 55 Baseball number 56 Doctor Zhivago 57 Vein contents 58 Objectifies, sexually 59 Network for “The Ellen Show” 62 Trick's tail?

BOOKS

gay-sd.com FROM PAGE 1

PERSUASION turning pages well into the night. The author navigates the landscapes of a port city in Egypt, a tranquil Greek Island and its mainland, cities in the United States, as well as the complicated human heart.

Throughout her life, Robeson has lived in many locales around the globe but has made Encinitas her home for many years. Now, a professor at Los Angeles Valley College, Robeson will be making a San Diego debut reading of “The Greek Persuasion” at the Carlsbad Library on June 9.

“My goal [in reading this novel] is that some people that are a little more close-minded in the world today can just experience love across all the different boundaries that we've set up.”

Robeson said that this novel is personal as she began writing the novel from experiences she had while growing up with her mother and grandmother.

“My novel is about matriarchs, women, motherhood and choices,” Robeson said. “I'm Greek-American and it was greatly influenced by Plato's ‘Symposium,’ a myth about Zeus separating people. I read that story in college and it sat with me for many years and then I saw ‘Hedwig and The Angry Inch’ when it first came out and that was the beginning of me thinking about what it would be like if you had a protagonist that was looking for love but was not going to be held down by family, her traditions, and [instead looks] for love across gender, sex, race, age and religion.”

Robeson started a foundation with the background that (Courtesy photo) she knew and from there she let her character go on her own journey and had a lot of surprises along the way.

“It's women's fiction, but at this point, a lot of men have read it and really enjoyed it.

Although I didn't think of men as part of my target audience, many of my colleagues that are straight men read it and loved it,” she said.

“There are a lot of same sex relationships in my novel; the protagonist, she has friends that are a gay couple,” Robeson continued. “Because I lived in Encinitas and Poway, I set many of the scenes in Hillcrest because I always felt that it was a place that was really welcoming, with all kinds of people. In grad school in the late ’90s, it was a place where people felt open and free regardless of

sexuality. It was a place I loved to hang out.”

Robeson said she was fortunate to go to Greece growing up and spent half her life overseas. Much of the novel takes place in Greece, and also in Encinitas where the character lives and it also takes place in Egypt in the 1930s and ’40s because that is where her grandmother lived. Then it goes into the 1960s in Athens, Greece.

“It was important to me as a character, and a woman writer, that when she does have a same-sex relationship, it is long, loving and not just a stereotype of curiosity. She just does not see gender. When she is looking for love, just like in Zeus' myth, she only wants to go on her own path.” Robeson said.

—Kimberly K. Robeson is a Greek American assistant professor at Los Angeles Valley College where she teaches world literature, creative writing, and composition. She is the co-advisor for the college’s LGBTQIA+ Club. She has lived in Venezuela, Borneo, and Spain, but grew up in Greece, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United States. She received a master’s degree in comparative literature and has taught English in Greece, Peru, and the United States for the past 27 years.t

GAY SAN DIEGO June7-20, 2019

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GAY SAN DIEGO June7-20, 2019

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