Brett Cullum has a conversation with D. Jerome, who was recently starring as the TIN MAN in a Hobby Center production of THE WIZ.
Deborah Moncreffe Bell talks with openly lesbian author Patricia Grayhall about her new book "A Place for Us"
Brett and his husband Lee Ingalls review the Hulu series MID-CENTURY MODERN.
Queer Voices airs in Houston Texas on 90.1FM KPFT and is heard as a podcast here. Queer Voices hopes to entertain as well as illuminate LGBTQ issues in Houston and beyond. Check out our socials at:
https://www.facebook.com/QueerVoicesKPFT/ and
https://www.instagram.com/queervoices90.1kpft/
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello everybody, this is Queer Voices, a podcast
version of a broadcast radioshow that's been on the air in
Houston, Texas, for severaldecades.
Brett Cullum has a conversationwith Dee Jerome, who was
recently starring as the Tin manin a Hoppy Center production of
the Wiz.
(00:21):
Debra Moncrief-Bell talks withopenly lesbian author Patricia
Grayhall about her new book APlace for Us.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
A Place for Us, which is a novel, is inspired by
Linda, my partner, and mystruggle to find a country where
we could legally live togetherbefore marriage equality.
So the novel blurs theboundaries between truth and
fiction to connect thecharacters' experience to
broader social and politicalthemes.
Speaker 1 (00:51):
Brett and his husband Lee Ingalls review the Hulu
series Mid-Century Modern, andwe have news.
Wrap from this Way Out QueerVoices starts now.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
D Jerome is coming to Houston to perform in the Wiz
at the Hobby Center.
It's going to run from April29th through May 4th.
He will be playing the 10 man.
Now this show has beenreinvented on Broadway and this
is the first tour of thisrevival.
So D Jerome is originally fromNorth Carolina.
He's described as a formidabletriple threat and a lot of his
(01:25):
past shows indicate that.
So hey there, deezer Rome, howare you?
I'm so well.
How's it going?
Speaker 4 (01:31):
It is good, so happy to be here.
Speaker 3 (01:33):
I am happy to have you.
You know what the Wiz it islike, this cultural phenomenon.
I remember I am old enough toremember when it first came out
I was a kid but I still rememberit and people were just crazy
for this musical.
Why do you think that the whizis so important?
I mean, what is it about thismaterial that just keeps it
going and going and going?
Speaker 4 (01:54):
I don't know.
I guess I could say this, BrentI think people love the idea of
being something that willwithstand time.
I think people like legacy.
People love to remember what itfelt like when there was a
demand for this cultural shiftand just to feel the vibration
of things changing and, you know, almost sort of a renaissance.
(02:17):
So I think 50 years ago the Wizcame at a time where Black
voices maybe weren't reallyelevated and even in that time,
looking at the iterations thatthe Wiz had, there were a lot of
things like in terms of I seeballroom scene in there as well.
So it's kind of like I thinkpeople were hungry for maybe a
new look, a new culture, a newfeeling, a new vibration, and I
(02:39):
think the story of joy andcommunity is what people love to
see, and I think that that'swhy the legacy of the Wiz is so
important the music, CharlieSmall's choreography, the
staging, everything about it.
So yeah, I think people love tosee legacy and we love to see
things be modernized and keephaving an effect on our
(03:00):
communities.
Speaker 3 (03:01):
What do you think is different about this version of
the Wiz?
I mean, when you approach it asan artist, what do you see as
the thing that makes it unique?
Speaker 4 (03:08):
So I've done the Wiz before and this iteration of the
Wiz is so special to me and Ithink because I was able to use
so much of my personalbackground to infuse into the
character.
This particular Tin man hassome hip-hop chops, so you know
I'm a dancer as well.
I started at the School of theArts in North Carolina and my
(03:31):
passion grew from there.
This Tin man gets to sing.
He has two songs, he has oneclassic number, slide Some Oil
To Me, and so what I like aboutthis version is that it's a
little bit more.
You know, I see how the musicwas influenced by Al and Renee
and then how our orchestration'smaster, joseph Dubert, was able
(03:53):
to kind of twerk that music andmake it still sound classic to
the original, but giving it amodern pull.
So this production I love thefact that it's modern and that
it can I think the approach willreally connect with all
generations.
Speaker 3 (04:07):
Well, I always have to ask you this what's your
favorite song in the show?
It doesn't have to be yours,but you know my favorite song in
the show is.
Speaker 4 (04:15):
So you Wanted to Meet the Wizard.
I love the song.
I keep saying I'm going to addit to my book, just because I
love the way it sounds.
And to be able to work with theincomparable Andre De Shields
during my my time working withGeorge Faison in the 40th
revival in New York city, thatwas just.
(04:37):
It's just unmatched to see himdo it.
And then so now it's like myfavorite song and it's it's the
one that I secretly want to do.
But I'll never let the whizknow, because I love my whiz
yeah.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
Love to you.
Speaker 4 (04:48):
Alan.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
Are you familiar at all with the original, the movie
adaptation?
Yes, okay, absolutely so.
So obviously, nipsey Russell hewas the he was the tin man.
Are you doing anything tosalute him or give him a shout
out or anything like that?
Speaker 4 (05:05):
Well, no, you know, in in the moments there's a
moment in what would I do if Icould feel and what I remember
about his iteration, because ithappens before slides of oil in
the film, so they reversedactually.
And when I think about himtalking about what if he could
feel, and when I think about himtalking about what if he could
feel, I remember his hands andhow his nails were like nails,
(05:29):
true nails, and so now I kind ofget my nails painted so I can
have a little bit of inspirationthere, because I wanted to look
like broken nails.
But during the song there's aline that I say and just to
think the time I could spendbeing vulnerable again and I
kind of fold my hands out.
If I'm tapped in enough, I'llfold them forward.
And I just remember a part ofhis choreography where he had
(05:51):
his hands and his arms kind ofexposed forward, and so that's
my ode to him.
And then I just love theclassic number itself and so I
had to work a little bit to makeit a little more modern,
because I'm like I love the jazz, I love how it sits and how I
love the sheet music, butsometimes we get we get a chance
to make it new, so it's beenreally fun thinking about him
(06:15):
during this process.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
Well, it's very cool Cause you've got kind of like in
your voice a little bit.
I can hear a little bit ofNipsey there, yeah.
Speaker 4 (06:22):
He's a raspy sultry guy little bit of nipsey there.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Uh yeah, he's a raspy sultry guy yeah, he's raspy.
Speaker 4 (06:28):
Yeah, right on there.
Yeah, I'm wondering how.
And?
And then I think I just kind ofresemble tiger aims, who played
the tin man on broadway.
So I just like I feel likewe're both kind of chocolate
skin and high cheekbones, soit's kind of interesting.
Speaker 3 (06:38):
I'm like I'm kind of using their definitely standing
on their shoulders, yeah well,speaking of the original cast of
the Wiz, the movie version in2022,.
You were in the original MJ onBroadway, the Michael Jackson
musical.
Speaker 4 (06:52):
What the heck was that like, yeah, you know they
opened and I was able to jointhe company Wow, it's been, it's
been insane.
You know, I give all glory toGod and you know, and the fact
that I put the work and the timeinto so being a part of MJ,
that was extremely crazy.
I went in for a call withworking for Amazon at the time.
(07:14):
Well, they, they saw me in anaudition dance and the funny
part is this you know, and ifanybody can take anything away
from this, if you're in thisindustry and you're going to an
audition, you know, don't, don'tregret not taking something
with you.
So, like, make sure, if youknow you need to dress shoes, or
(07:35):
if you need that shoes or youneed something else, half of the
battle is preparedness.
And so at the audition, I dance.
You've been hit by you.
You know we had to do it and ifI didn't watch the video
tutorial before that audition, Iwouldn't have been prepared.
So I'll get off of that, but,yes, be prepared.
So I had my jazz shoes and itwas great.
So after that, I joined thecompany and it was just a
(07:57):
surreal experience.
It was so nostalgic to me.
I started in middle school andmy middle school teacher, miss
Grady Smith, had us dance to theJackson 5.
And so that's literally one ofmy very first experiences in
dance.
And so to join the Broadwaycast of MJ the Musical was
(08:18):
surreal.
I was like I'm actually doing ashow where it's like I'm
working with one of the fiercestartists to ever walk this
planet and I get to go on stageand I get to live my childhood
dream.
I used to always say my momcould dance for Michael Jackson,
because that's I know, I got mydancing ability from her.
She was just an incredibledancer from the videos that I
(08:40):
saw back in the day.
And so I was, you know, joiningthat company.
I, I can't, I could neverreplace that experience.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
So I think every kid wanted to be Michael Jackson.
At some point I learned tomoonwalk.
I mean, I was like all into it.
Yeah for sure, I don't thinkI'm going to be doing this.
Speaker 4 (09:03):
Hey, come on, everybody can do it in their
living room and all we need is alittle ai now and you can work
it out I gotcha you also touredwith hamilton.
Speaker 3 (09:12):
I mean, you're like this pop culture devo.
What shows or roles would youlove to do next after you do
this 10 man stint?
Speaker 4 (09:20):
oh, that's.
That question has really beencoming up a lot and I believe a
lot and you know, I believe alot in manifestation and what
you say.
You know the law of attractionin the universe hears you.
Now, funny story I was reallykind of between two because I
(09:45):
had already booked somethingthat I really wanted to do and a
director I wanted to work with,but then Hamilton came at the
time that it did and I joinedthe company and it was an
incredible experience, anincredible story.
I still can't believe that I wasa member of the Angelica tour
of Hamilton, the music.
I mean.
You know I don't take itlightly.
A lot of people think like, ohmy God, you't take it lightly.
(10:06):
A lot of people think like, ohmy god, you always take it
lightly.
I take my work seriously, mycraft seriously, so I deserve to
be in any room that I'm in, butit's still surreal when you're
like yo, this is a phenomenon,this is a cultural awakening.
When Hamilton came around, thecharacters I'd love to play now,
(10:26):
definitely I'm not going toback down off of that.
I think I could play an awesomeHamilton.
I think Aaron Burr is in thestars there.
I would really love to play,although he talks a lot.
I love Lafayette Jefferson.
I think that that is the rolethat would kind of capture all
(10:48):
of the nuances of who I could bein those two particular
characters.
But we'll see what happens andI'm open.
Hmm, what else is on Broadwaythat I'd be interested in
playing?
There's a Simba out there.
I actually went in for what'shis name.
In Chicago I actually went infor Billy Flynn.
Well, I went in and then I gota packet for Billy Flynn.
(11:09):
I sent the whole packet in,heard nothing back.
We'll see.
It just would be amazing tohave a young, dark-skinned Billy
Flynn with locks up here stillgiving him class, giving him
sophistication and just a suavefinesse.
Speaker 3 (11:23):
I think I'd really enjoy doing Billyy flynn that
would be amazing because, youknow, usually usually billy
flynn just stands there anddoesn't move while everyone
dances around him so it'd becrazy because I think it'd
elevate me.
Speaker 4 (11:37):
You know I love movement, but people know that
everything is movement.
You know just how wecommunicate in our body language
, and so I'm loving this tin manand how he gets to.
You know just how wecommunicate in our body language
, and so I'm loving this Tin manand how he gets to.
You know, settle into his body,because he literally needs
people to up and move, and sowhat does it look like, from
going to being stiff and notable to move and then gaining
(11:59):
the mobility back again.
How do you tell that story ofactually coming alive?
So it's fun.
I'm having a good time.
Speaker 3 (12:07):
It sounds like a good time.
I mean, the Wiz is going to beplaying Hobby Center in April
29th through May 4th, so we'reall super excited about it.
I can't tell you how popular Ozis right now, between Wicked
and everything else, and nowthis.
Speaker 4 (12:22):
So ready to come to, so ready for Houston.
Speaker 3 (12:25):
It's going to be Ready.
Speaker 4 (12:27):
Yeah, and my birthday is on the 25th, and so I'm
literally coming in.
I'm hoping to throw openingnight birthday bash.
Hopefully we can make it work.
But I'm really excited yeah.
Speaker 3 (12:38):
So you're bringing the Taurus energy?
Is that what you're saying?
I'm bringing the.
Speaker 4 (12:40):
Taurus energy, but the thing about it is that it's
a Taurus, you know I love myAries feel, because I'm April,
you know, and I also like myVirgo moon, you know.
So I really have.
I'm about business, but Ireally enjoy having a good time
and really connecting withbeautiful people, knowing that
relationships are the source of,you know, our community and so
(13:03):
building relationships andactually, you know, showing each
other that we see you like I, Iadmonish and admire your work
and the things that you're doingto help support, you know, a
better community.
So, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 3 (13:17):
Well, thank you.
That's what it totally explainswhy you're a triple threat
right there.
All right, well, thank you somuch.
Speaker 1 (13:25):
Did you know that KPft is completely listener
funded.
There are no underwriters, soit's up to all of us to pay for
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That means you participate inour programming just by
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(13:47):
Please do that now by going tothe KPFT website and clicking on
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Thank you.
Speaker 7 (14:01):
Patricia Grayhall joined us a few years ago when
she was talking about her memoirMaking the Rounds.
The story of a woman whoentered the medical profession
at a time when it was stillfairly rare for women to become
physicians, and the story of herjourney through that and her
acceptance of herself as alesbian is beautifully written
(14:25):
in that book.
But this time Patricia joins usto talk about a novel A Place
for Us.
Patricia, welcome back to QueerVoices.
Speaker 2 (14:36):
Thank you, debra, I'm happy to be here.
Speaker 7 (14:39):
This book.
It is fiction, it is a novel,but I think you have woven some
autobiographical things into it,because how can you not?
Speaker 2 (14:52):
Exactly so.
All writers draw from their ownlives, and A Place for Us,
which is a novel, is inspired byLinda, my partner, and my
struggle to find a country wherewe could legally live together
before marriage equality.
So the novel blurs theboundaries between truth and
fiction to connect thecharacters' experience to
(15:13):
broader social and politicalthemes.
Speaker 7 (15:16):
And so the characters are not me and not Linda and
much of the story is fictional,but the initial meeting and the
immigration story closely tracksour real life experience.
(15:39):
So negative towards those of uswho identify as LGBT, for women
and certainly for immigrants,mostly if they're immigrants
whose skin color is darker, alot of people here have said oh,
I'm going to leave, I'm goingto go to another country.
(16:00):
And what I learned reallyquickly from reading your book
was it's not that easy.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
No, it definitely is not that easy, and you're right.
We live in interesting timesright now, you say
euphemistically.
Same-sex relationships haveonly been recognized for
immigration in the United Statesfor a decade, and currently
we're sliding backwards withregard to LGBTQ rights.
And it wouldn't surprise me todiscover that same-sex
(16:31):
applicants for US visas orimmigration status are given
greater scrutiny now and withmore roadblocks to obtaining
permanent residence status orcitizenship under the current
administration.
So at the end of my book I givesome resources for LGBTQ people
facing barriers to USimmigration.
(16:52):
But you asked about immigratingto other countries, and it
definitely is not that easyalthough it's a little bit
easier now to immigrate toCanada, which is where we ended
up when we first got together in2003.
And in 2002, in Canada,same-sex partners became
eligible to apply for familyclass sponsorship programs, were
(17:15):
able to immigrate as same-sexpartners, either under common
law or conjugial partner status,and the only problem with that
is that you had to have eitherlived together for a year or
show that you had close ties,that you supported each other
financially.
You had to get all theseletters from family and friends
(17:39):
and of course, that would bevery difficult for couples
coming from countries wheresame-sex relationships are
illegal and in which their livesmight be at stakes.
Even that is a little difficult.
Speaker 7 (17:52):
There's also requirements having to do with
your age.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
In Canada.
There's different categories ofways that you can immigrate.
One of the most common is as afederal skilled worker.
Ways that you can immigrate Oneof the most common is as a
federal skilled worker.
That's dependent on your age,language ability, your education
, your skills.
There are different categories.
For example, if Canada needsmore medical doctors which they
(18:17):
do they would have a categoryfor that.
Or more veterinarians, or moretradespeople, more electricians,
more farmers.
You can apply for the ExpressFederal Skilled Workers Program
under these different categories, but it's still hard and it
takes a long time and there's alot of documentation required.
(18:38):
It certainly helps if you canspeak English and French, but it
was worth it.
Both Linda and I became Canadiancitizens in 2016.
That was at the time Obama wasstill president and I had my
head in the sand.
I said to my partner why don'twe just stay in the US?
It's so much better now.
(18:58):
She said absolutely not.
Trump is going to be elected.
And I said, no way.
It's never going to happen.
But I followed her advice andwe did get our citizenship in
March of 2016.
Speaker 7 (19:10):
When the book opens, jo, who is an environmental
attorney based in Washington DC,and Lauren, who is from Britain
, meet in a pub while Jo isthere visiting, and I think she
went there for a year to studyor something.
Speaker 2 (19:31):
So Jo's an environmental attorney and she's
going to a conference.
And yeah, it was very short.
Actually she was only in Londonovernight.
During that overnight visit shewent to a pub where she met
Lauren, and Lauren, as it turnsout, was on her way to New York
the following day.
So they just had this verybrief experience.
It was actually Lauren's firstexperience with a woman and then
(19:54):
they go their separate ways.
Lauren goes to New York for herweek and a half visit, joe goes
off to Paris for her conference.
Then circumstances arise wherejoe cuts her planned vacation
short and goes back to london inhopes of seeing lauren again
during her remaining vacation,and lauren stays in new york
(20:16):
hoping to encounter joe when shereturns from her conference.
So the ships are passing in thenight and they miss each other
until the final day or two ofjoe's stay in london, when
finally lauren despondentlygives up and comes home and
there and there is joe waitingfor her.
(20:37):
So they have a little bit oftime together.
And then they have anadditional visit in the united
states.
That was was 1981, and at thattime the barriers to immigration
were far worse.
I mean there wasn't a Canadianoption.
There's no way Joe couldsponsor Lauren to come to the US
.
Their love was thwarted at thattime.
Speaker 7 (20:59):
They both continue their lives.
Speaker 2 (21:02):
Joe ends up in San Francisco Bay Area, lauren ends
up in Paris and with otherpartners 22 years later, both
women are trapped in unhappyrelationships, but they still
are haunted by the memory oftheir lost love.
Lost love.
(21:25):
And then, when Laurenunexpectedly arrives at Joe's
San Francisco doorstep with herFrench partner, joe, and
Lauren's chemistry erupts witheven greater intensity than
before.
Finally, when they go on avacation to Yosemite, they
surrender to a passion that hasonly grown stronger with time.
But they have to navigate thewreckage of their current lives
(21:46):
and relationships and facepainful truths they've avoided
for decades.
And of course, then they havetheir most daunting challenge
yet, in a world that refuses torecognize them as a couple.
How can they possibly build alife together when no country
will grant them sanctuary as acouple?
Speaker 7 (22:04):
And if you're going to do something like that, then
by golly do it on a camping trip, yeah.
Speaker 2 (22:12):
That whole episode is .
There's a very explosive scenethat happens on that trip, which
is one of the more dynamicscenes in the book.
Speaker 7 (22:22):
In what ways does this mirror your own life?
Were you and your partner?
Did you meet young and thenreconnect later?
Speaker 2 (22:30):
Part one of the book, which is the meeting in London
in the subsequent several weeks.
All of that mirrors ourexperience very closely the
immigration part it tracks ourexperience almost exactly.
Dramatic scenes and other partsof the book are there basically
for me to explore other issuesthat are relevant to LGBTQ life.
(22:56):
I have them struggling withex-partner abuse and things like
honesty and commitment and oldpatterns and things Things that
I think are relevant to queerpeople today.
So that part I think I made upjust to make it have more
relevance to queer lives, Iguess.
Speaker 7 (23:16):
Yeah, so explores issues within relationships and
how we navigate or negotiatewith one another, sometimes
facing painful realities, evenif we're not necessarily happy.
We hate to give up.
It feels like you've lostsomehow if you give up on
(23:37):
something, even though it may infact, be toxic.
I thought that was reallyinteresting.
I found the whole idea of beingin that situation and then how
you would go about making thedecisions, and I was like, oh my
gosh, they found a way to betogether.
There is a place for us.
(23:58):
So you found a beautiful housein British Columbia, found a
beautiful house in BritishColumbia.
You both had professions thatallowed you to be there and then
, of course, now you're retired.
In your experience as a writerand exploring lesbian themes,
(24:19):
you had your own life to use andthe experiences in your first
book, making the Rounds.
Then, in A Place for Us, youhave a wider range of characters
.
Speaker 2 (24:32):
There's a larger ensemble of In my first novel,
making the Rounds.
Of course it was based on reallife so I couldn't really
deviate from that.
It's essentially acoming-of-age memoir, when I was
thrashing around trying tofigure out what I wanted in a
love relationship and reallyduring a specific era that had
(24:54):
its own challenges, and tryingto integrate that with a really
demanding career.
It had a larger ensemble ofcharacters because it covered a
greater period of time anddifferent themes.
Just a lot of the book wasabout determination and
resilience to overcome barrierafter barrier.
It wasn't a romance exactly,even though there was plenty of
(25:17):
romance in it, but it didn'tfollow the structure of romance
novel with a happy ending,whereas A Place for Us does.
In fact, in real life we didhave a happy ending and we did
end up in Canada.
We did buy a house.
I had readers after they readMaking the Rounds.
They wanted to know.
So what happened?
(25:37):
So what happened after that?
I just didn't think.
I had another memoir in me,greta Kammermeyer, who you may
know, who wrote Serving inSilence.
She said you know, you have towrite a sequel to this, to
Making the Rounds.
And I said no, I'm not, I justcan't.
But I could write autofictionwhich allowed me to maintain
(26:01):
some privacy but at the sametime draw on the rich trove of
experiences I've had in my 75years of life.
Let me just say that theadvantage of being 75 is that
I've lived a lot, made manymistakes, learned from them and
(26:23):
I have a rich trove ofexperiences to draw on.
So autofiction is great, bothfor this novel Place for Us.
And then I just finished athriller which also features Joe
the environmental attorney, andthat's also based on a real
life experience of a physiciancolleague who was arrested for
bank robbery.
Speaker 7 (26:36):
Well, now that's intriguing.
Patricia Grayhall, in hersecond career from physician to
writer, author of now, two books.
Am I wrong in thinking this,that you and Linda wrote a book
together?
Speaker 2 (26:53):
We did.
When I was writing Making theRounds I was sitting there, my
computer, with my back to her,writing about my old girlfriends
and understandably she didn'tlike that.
So I suggested, in self-defense, that we write a book together.
She had never written a bookbefore, but we had a great time
because we'd sit there, you know, at happy hour, we'd talk about
(27:16):
the plot and each go back andwrite a little bit and we'd come
back and talk about it againand integrate it and we ended up
with a novel called GoldenYears and Silver Linings that
features two 60-something womenwho met early on in their 20s
but didn't work out.
(27:37):
One married, had several kids,and then they meet much, much
later on the golf course in PalmSprings and sparks fly again.
But life is very complicatedwith their adult children and
it's a romance, so it has ahappy ending.
So what was interesting aboutthat?
Whereas Making the Rounds and APlace for Us is with a
(27:59):
publisher, now distributed bySimon Schuster, so it has a wide
distribution, this littleromance novel that we wrote
together I self-published withno publicity, and it basically
has continued to rock on.
I mean, every day when I lookat my Amazon author page, I see
that people are reading it,which surprises me.
(28:22):
Happily surprises me.
I've gotten feedback from olderreaders who said thank God, you
know you wrote a romancefeaturing older lesbians.
Speaker 7 (28:32):
I have often thought that in some of the novels that
I've read, it's everything fromteenagers to early 20s, and it's
like wait a minute.
There's life after that and,thank goodness, people do find
love in later years.
Patricia Grayhall, thank youfor sharing your stories with us
.
They are available wherever onewould find books.
(28:55):
I look forward to the next one,that thriller books.
Speaker 2 (29:02):
I look forward to the next one, that thriller.
I will probably give you achance to read it very soon
because it's almost finished.
Speaker 7 (29:05):
Thanks for being with us on Queer Voices.
Speaker 1 (29:08):
This is KPFT 90.1 FM Houston, 89.5 FM Galveston, 91.9
FM Huntsville, and worldwide onthe internet at kpftorg.
Speaker 6 (29:24):
Hi, I'm Cleve Jones and you are forming and
participating in the LGBTQ pluscommunity as you listen to this
program.
This is Queer Voices.
Speaker 3 (29:34):
Today we're going to do a little bit different,
because we're going to talkabout a show that I think
everybody's watching.
It's called Mid-Century Modern.
It's a show that premiered onHulu last Friday and, lee, if
you want to tell us what's theshow's premise, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 5 (29:49):
So, exactly as you said, everybody's talking about
it.
We're going to add our voice toit.
So the show's premise is aboutthree gay best friends of a
certain age, jerry Arthur andthe improbably named Bunny
Schneiderman.
After an unexpected death, theymove into a Palm Springs house
Living with a wealthiestfriend's mother, sybil, played
by Linda Lavin.
They navigate their goldenyears as a chosen family,
(30:11):
supporting each other throughlife's challenges.
Speaker 3 (30:14):
And it stars obviously Nathan Lane, Matt
Bomer, Linda Lavin and NathanLee Graham, kind of all together
.
Linda got a little bit of aheavier billing than Nathan
because he's a little bit lesswell-known.
Yeah, it kind of marked LindaLavin's last TV role, which is
really sad.
Did you watch her on Alice?
Speaker 5 (30:32):
Yeah, yeah.
So I saw her on Alice andthat's kind of where the world
or we were introduced to her andher talents.
So, yeah, I was so sad to seethat she passed and she did such
a great job in this series sofar.
Speaker 3 (30:45):
Yeah, yeah, We've only watched about half of it,
so don't expect us to knoweverything, but she passed away
after only completing sevenepisodes and there are ten of
them out there.
But after her death they didsome re-editing and things like
that so that her scenes from afourth episode would instead be
used in an eighth, and they kindof made it so that it works as
(31:05):
a season one arc and so we'rekind of booking it Like you
mentioned.
It starts with a funeral forone of their friends and then
probably going to end with onefor Sybil, the mother character.
So kind of sad.
The whole show was created byMatt Muchnick and David Kohan,
who you would know as thecreators of, basically, Will and
Grace, and the executiveproducer and the guy that really
(31:26):
kind of made all of this happenis Ryan Murphy.
Last Friday, March 28th.
So the first season.
Speaker 5 (31:31):
like you said, 10 episodes were released
simultaneously.
It's reminiscent of the GoldenGirls in Hot in Cleveland, so
highlighting the humor, themesof friendships and romance
without age limits.
Speaker 3 (31:52):
Yeah, and the Golden Girls was interesting because
when it debuted they had neverhad a show about women of a
certain age.
And when we say of a certainage, the Golden Girls were
supposed to be in their 50s whenthey started, which I find
really crazy.
We went back and watched theoriginal pilot and the second
episode of Golden Girls to get afeel for it again, because this
(32:14):
feels like Golden Girls and itkind of is in a way, isn't it it
?
Speaker 5 (32:20):
is.
Yeah.
So you know, you're exactlyright.
Just to kind of get a sense ofit, because that's what
everybody was comparing it to,we wanted to do an actual
comparison.
What does you know?
What does the two of them looklike and how are they similar
and how are they different?
So yeah, the premise of theshow in the first episode is
pretty much exactly the same.
It in the first episode ispretty much exactly the same.
It's, you know, they're allmoving into the one house and
(32:41):
there's a fear of loss becauseof some event that takes place
during that that they might notactually be able to stay, and
then, of course, in the end theydo so very, very similar that
way.
But you're right, the age ofthe actresses in Golden Girls
you know.
Even now, when I watch it, theyseem much older than in their
50s.
Speaker 3 (32:59):
Do you think it's just the styling of them?
Do you think if they gave thembetter hair or something like
that, I don't know they wouldlook younger?
Speaker 5 (33:07):
I think they did it on purpose.
They tried to make them lookolder, seem older, to kind of
get that whole.
You know, after the large partof your life has passed now
these are your twilight years.
So I think they did that onpurpose.
Speaker 3 (33:22):
I was a little bit taken aback by having Matt Bomer
in there as somebody that wouldbe considered a golden girl in
the gay world.
I mean, matt's like a littlebit younger than me.
I mean actually I don't know, Idon't want to say how many
years.
Speaker 5 (33:39):
I don't think the characters line up exactly the
way that they did in GoldenGirls.
I think they have kind of thesame thing.
So if I were to match him toone, it would obviously be Rose
Nyland, because the pretty kindof ditzy one.
That's where I would line it up.
But the age is certainlydifferent.
He's playing a younger person.
That's still very much a partof his fun years or adventurous
(34:01):
years.
Speaker 3 (34:02):
Well, they indicate in the show that there's a
backstory for him, that he's aMormon, an ex-Mormon, and he was
supposedly savagely outed bysomething and even has a
daughter which they bring up inthe show and things like that.
So kind of interesting.
But yes, you're right, he isobviously Rose Nyland, because,
oh my gosh, they make him soditzy.
And I thought what wasinteresting is that Nathan
(34:23):
Lane's character, bunnySchneiderman, is Blanche.
I mean, he's the one that'slike sexually kind of aggressive
and active and he's the onethat's going on all the sites
and all the dates.
And it's kind of a littlesurprise because I would have
expected Matt to kind of havethat kind of sex, starved kind
of guy or whatever.
And then would you agree thatArt feels like Dorothy?
(34:46):
I mean, is that where we'relanding on these?
Speaker 5 (34:48):
Yeah, yeah, I guess.
So Very conservative, verymethodical and has a great taste
in clothing.
That's his history.
So yeah, I would totally agreewith that.
Speaker 3 (35:01):
Well, they make a really interesting trio, of
course and of course addingLinda Lavin to the mix is just a
genius stroke, but they do havesome paths together.
I think Bomer and Nathan Laneboth worked with Ryan Murphy
before Bomer did American HorrorStory and Nathan Lane worked
with Ryan Murphy on Monsters orthe Menendez Brothers series,
(35:22):
and I think that they were allfriends of Ryan Murphy.
I was not familiar with NathanLee Graham who plays Arthur.
I mean, he was a side villainin Zoolander and he's been on
stage quite a bit.
I think he was in one of theoriginal casts of Priscilla on
Broadway.
He seems to be morestage-oriented than he is TV and
film.
I haven't really seen him a bit.
I think he was in one of theoriginal cast of Priscilla on
Broadway.
(35:42):
He seems to be morestage-oriented than he is TV and
film.
I haven't really seen him a lot.
Speaker 5 (35:44):
I was less familiar with him, I don't remember
seeing him very frequently, buthis cast, his character, is
perfect for this role.
He seems to be perfect for it.
He's delivering it really well.
Speaker 3 (35:56):
Yeah, that's true, but it is, I don't know.
Do you feel like that when youcontrast Golden Girls with
mid-century modern?
What is your take on that?
Speaker 5 (36:06):
Yeah, so I think it's a fresh take on the Golden
Girls' success and formula fortoday's audience.
So, yeah, I think it's verymuch needed.
Welcome I've enjoyed all theepisodes.
It took me a minute to get usedto seeing Matt Bomer out of his
more serious roles and onethat's more campy and certainly
over the top gay.
(36:27):
But yeah, no, it worked.
Speaker 3 (36:29):
Well, he even said in a bunch of interviews that he
had done so many heavy roleshere lately between boys in the
band, fellow travelers, thingslike that, that he wanted to
kind of explore his kind ofsilly, goofy side, I guess.
Speaker 5 (36:43):
It took me a couple of episodes to get used to
seeing him and his delivery thatway, but, like I said, it works
.
He's doing a great job.
Speaker 3 (36:51):
Well, when you look at this contrast with Golden
Girls I mean I think GoldenGirls felt this feels like a
reboot of it, almost so italready is diminished by not
being quite as smart as theGolden Girls I feel like yeah,
yeah, and Susan Harris was justa genius and they packed in joke
after joke after joke in thatshow and they just never let up.
(37:12):
And I feel like MidsommarDreamwater maybe doesn't have
that intensity of just one-linerafter one-liner after one-liner
and the things.
And it is taking me some timeto get used to their characters
because they feel like they'recreated with a very broad stroke
.
It's very much a traditionalsitcom.
They even have a laugh track,which I found really weird.
I haven't heard one of those inyears, have you?
Speaker 5 (37:35):
No, no, I haven't.
Yeah, very much so.
To set the stage for a stagedelivery of the show, yeah,
absolutely.
Speaker 3 (37:45):
Well, they used to be recorded in front of live
studio audiences and then theysupplemented them with laugh
tracks and things like that too,if they didn't get the reaction
they wanted.
I think so.
It's weird to hear that againand I don't know if this younger
generation gays of a certainage younger will actually get
what the reference is with thatlaugh track and stuff.
It does seem designed to beimmediately nostalgia.
(38:06):
I mean, do you think that it'sgoing to register with younger
people but of course, goldenGirls kind of did, I guess.
Speaker 5 (38:12):
Yeah, yeah, I think it will.
I mean, I think it's so much apart of that particular genre
within the entertainmentindustry that, yeah, I think
it'd be accepted well and wehave to address one of the
elephants in the room is thateverybody's calling it the gay
golden girls.
Speaker 3 (38:26):
But I've seen nathan lane say on several interviews
and I agree entirely you do nothave to make a gay golden girls,
because there already is a gayshow and it was the golden girls
.
Yeah, they really were kind ofgay in a lot of the topics.
They chose A lot of theallegories of just having three
single women living together.
(38:48):
I mean they were doing that andthe spoiler alert is that their
staff writers were pretty muchall gay guys.
I mean, they really made themtheir voices kind of.
Speaker 5 (39:00):
Yeah, and I can't tell you how many times we go to
a costume event where there isno theme that there is a group
of guys that come in there asthe Golden Girls.
So we've seen it over and overon TV and now in our personal
life as well.
Speaker 3 (39:12):
Well, how do you feel about the fact that now we're
both in the age range where wecould be Golden girls or
mid-century modern people?
Speaker 5 (39:25):
I hate to say it, but I think I'm actually older than
what Sophia was supposed to bein the original.
Speaker 3 (39:30):
Oh, I don't think so.
I think that Sophia wassupposed to be Dorothy's mom,
right?
If Dorothy's in her mid-50s,then Sophia's probably in her
80s, around my age.
Well, she's north of you, let'sput it that way.
So another major question Ifyou were a golden girl from the
original sitcom series, wouldyou be Blanche, dorothy Rose or
(39:51):
Sophia?
Which one would you think thatthey would cast you?
As Me it would definitely beSophia.
Speaker 5 (39:57):
Sophia, why?
First of all, I meet?
Why, yes, well, first of all Imeet the age requirement.
Secondly, I can think of allthese things but I just can't
think of the words that go withthem.
So I stumble in coming up withthe right words and I know who
the actor is, but I can't tellyou what their name is by
telling you all the shows theywere in.
So there's those Swiss cheesekind of gaps in my knowledge.
(40:19):
So, yeah, it would totally beSophia.
Speaker 3 (40:20):
I would say the only thing that reminds me of Sophia
with you is the bluntness ofSophia.
It's kind of established in thepilot that she had a stroke and
she doesn't think before shespeaks.
So she speaks the truth a lotand you definitely do have a
bluntness about you, but I don'tthink that you're the
stereotypical age range for that.
But I think that my horror as Iage is that I always thought,
(40:45):
oh yeah, sure, I'm going to bethe Dorothy, I'm going to be the
Bea Arthur one, but I thinkthat I'm actually probably more
the Rose.
I think I'm way too shiny,happy with people and things
like that, and I think I'm alittle bit more blonde, if you
want to say it, things like that, and I think I'm a little bit
more blonde, if you want to sayit, than you.
Sometimes, I don't know, I feellike I'm gravitating towards
(41:05):
that Rose thing, which isinteresting because it was a
Betty White character, obviously, and I never thought of myself
as that.
Speaker 5 (41:13):
I can kind of see that you do have a wealth of
knowledge.
So if I need to know somethingor if we're going to play
Tribble to Pursuit, I'm going tobe on your team.
However, yeah, I do see thatagain, the gaps there sometimes.
Speaker 3 (41:26):
Well, of course we're beating the dead horse that is
the Golden Girls.
I mean, how can you not talkabout them when you look at this
show, because my gosh, it's soclose?
Yes, I mean, it really truly is, and I I think in the media
they're really arguing about whois who you know.
Obviously, but I, I gave you mytake.
I I think that definitely thematt bomer character is more of
(41:48):
the rose and nathan lane is moreof the blanche and arthur is
more of the dorothy andobviously that leaves linda
lavin, sybil, to be sofia.
So if you were in this show,who do you think you?
Speaker 5 (42:00):
would be.
I would be Nathan Lee, nathanLane.
No, nathan Lee.
Speaker 3 (42:04):
Oh, nathan Lee, yeah, graham, oh, nathan Lee, graham,
duh, yeah, I was like pushingyou into Nathan Lane, so you
would be Nathan Lee For sure.
That's kind of strange, becauseI think I would be too.
Speaker 5 (42:15):
I don't know, I don't know, I would.
I don't know, I don't know, Iwould.
I don't know.
You'd be kind of a combinationof Matt Bomer and Nathan Lane.
Speaker 3 (42:22):
Okay, Uncomfortable truths on Prairie Rainbow Review
.
Okay, Well, hopefully Mid-CityModern gets picked up.
I mean, I hope.
Would you like to see a seasontwo?
Speaker 5 (42:37):
Yeah, yeah, I do.
You know, all the actors are sogood at what they do and the
choices they made for castingthem was so good.
Nathan Lane is just one of myall-time favorites.
You know, one of my all-timefavorite shows is the Birdcage,
which, of course, he was one ofthe leads, and his take on that
role just made the movie for me.
So, yeah, I would definitelylike to see him on stage again,
(42:59):
and I would like to see MattBomer kind of explore this even
more, and then, of course,getting to know Nathan Lee
Graham I would like to see thatas well.
I just hate that they lostLinda Lavin.
She added so much to this.
I don't know how they wouldever compensate for that.
Speaker 3 (43:16):
That is such a huge loss, even just in the world in
general.
She was such a part of popculture, history and all of that
.
I grew up watching Alice.
It was one of my favoritethings.
I still hear that crazy themesong in my head about the new
girl in town and all that.
I really hate that she's notgoing to be around to go to the
second season.
But I wonder, will they try toreplace her some way somehow?
(43:39):
Like have an estranged auntcome live with them, because you
almost need an older lady inthe house.
Speaker 5 (43:44):
Yeah, yeah, I mean it would be interesting if they
tried to do that, and then whowould they pick?
Speaker 3 (43:49):
Yeah, that would be the other question.
Maybe we can get like JenniferCoolidge or something now that
she's not on White Lotus.
Speaker 5 (43:56):
I'm not sure she'd want to play an old lady, but Ah
.
Speaker 3 (44:02):
If Matt Boomer's in there.
Well, and before we wrapeverything up, we have to
mention somebody who just passedaway.
Speaker 5 (44:09):
Yeah, a little sidestep.
Richard Chamberlain, you know,I tell you what, as growing up
as a young gay guy in a worldthat thought I was all alone, he
was one of those actors thatgave me hope.
He was one of those actors thatgave me hope.
He was such a nice-lookingyoung man and his roles that he
played were so iconic.
Is that Thornbirds?
Speaker 3 (44:27):
Yeah, Was he in Thornbirds?
Speaker 5 (44:29):
Yeah, I think he was.
Speaker 3 (44:31):
He certainly was.
Speaker 5 (44:33):
Yeah, he was one of my mother's favorite actors as
well, and later in life, when hecame out, mom said she knew
that Richard Chamberlain was gayall the time and I thought,
well, maybe he should haveshared that with me.
But yeah, so he's certainly animportant person in my personal
history, so his loss wasdefinitely impactful.
Speaker 3 (44:51):
And he was a vet.
He served in the army.
Speaker 5 (44:53):
Yeah, wow, I didn't know.
Speaker 3 (44:54):
That's crazy.
He was a sergeant in post-warKorean War, so Richard
Chamberlain definitely going tobe missed, definitely somebody
who was very private, was veryguarded.
He wasn't really out and it'sfunny that your mother would say
that, because it sounds like hereally wasn't outed until 1989,
is what they were saying andhow she knew it or how she
didn't necessarily have to betold.
Speaker 5 (45:15):
She just really had some clarity around that.
Speaker 3 (45:17):
I guess she just really had some clarity around
that I guess I always thinkthat's interesting when you have
people that say that they knewBefore.
It became kind of like a popculture moment of that, and
there's always people.
I mean, I don't want to throwout any of my speculations, but
there's always people I look atand go oh, something's up there.
(45:39):
Another funny one was when RosieO'Donnell came out, my mother
said well, who didn't know?
That was painfully obvious.
Yeah, it was funny.
That was a moment, well, anyway.
Well, here's to mid-centurymodern.
I can't believe.
I can't say that, since welived in a mid-century modern
house for several years in thefirelands.
Yes, oh, my gosh.
But I hope it does really well.
I hope that everybody kind ofgets wrapped up in it.
(46:01):
It's certainly light, it'sfluffy.
It's probably what we needright now.
It's just a sitcom.
It's not anything even moreelaborate than that.
I mean, I don't even think theytried to make it.
Speaker 5 (46:10):
No, no, it's one of those shows that you can.
Like I said, you won't have todo a lot of thinking behind it,
it's just pure entertainment.
30 minutes.
Speaker 3 (46:23):
So that's what we're watching.
Speaker 5 (46:24):
I guess right now.
Speaker 3 (46:25):
Anyway, have a great rest of your week.
Speaker 8 (46:27):
Yes, I'm Joe Bainline .
Speaker 9 (46:32):
And I'm Sarah.
Speaker 8 (46:33):
Monkagil With News Wrap, a summary of some of the
news in or affecting LGBTQcommunities around the world for
the week ending May 17, 2025.
A non-binary Brazilian canidentify as gender-neutral on
their official governmentdocuments, thanks to a historic
decision by the Superior Courtof Justice.
The unnamed applicant, assignedfemale at birth, had initially
(46:56):
requested a male gender markeron their birth certificate after
gender-affirming treatment.
They later had second thoughtsand appealed to the court to
change to gender-neutral.
The ruling of the five-judgepanel was unanimous.
Judge Nancy Andrihi spoke forthem all, using female pronouns
for the gender-neutral applicant.
Andrihi wrote this human beingmust be requirement that
(47:31):
transgender people undergosurgery or hormone therapy
before changing their legalgender in 2018.
They can simply go to agovernment registry office
without providing supportingmedical or legal documents.
In this new ruling, the judgesof South America's largest
country have allowed thedesignation of gender neutral on
a person's government documentsfor the first time.
Speaker 9 (47:55):
Political parties are banned from participating in
the UK's largest LGBTQ pridecelebrations this year.
The organisers of Pride inLondon, birmingham Pride,
brighton Pride and ManchesterPride cite the lack of
sufficient support fortransgender people by the ruling
.
Labour Party, the ConservativeParty and the Lib Dems, the
(48:15):
Greens, are also apparentlydeemed not to be doing enough in
the wake of last month'sSupreme Court ruling that
excludes transgender women fromthe legal definition of woman in
the Equality Act.
A joint statement from thePride organizers said attack.
Our resolve has never beenstronger.
(48:38):
We will not allow progress tobe undone.
We will not stand by as thedignity, safety and humanity of
our trans siblings are debated,delayed or denied.
Some sources say that politicalparties will also be excluded
by pride organizers in Belfastand Southampton, current Labour
Prime Minister, sir Keir Starmer, former Conservative leader
(49:01):
Boris Johnson, lib Dem leaderSir Ed Davey and Green Party
co-leader Carla Denner have allmarched in Pride parades.
Queer Party activists lament theban and call for further
dialogue and dignified access toNational Health Service,
(49:23):
gender-affirming care and areformed, accessible gender
recognition certificate processto allow legal gender changes.
They also demand sustainablefunding for trans-led services
and support organizations acrossthe country.
As they said in their jointstatement.
This is the minimum.
Anything less is not allyship,it's abandonment To those in
power.
(49:43):
When you demonstrate truesolidarity and tangible
commitment to trans rights, wewill stand with you.
Until then, we will continue tospeak truth to power and fight
for a future where every transperson can live safely, freely
and proudly.
Speaker 8 (50:00):
Mass discharges of transgender service members from
the US Armed Forces areunderway.
The Pentagon's May 14th ordercomes after the Supreme Court
lifted the temporary injunctionsthat were blocking the process.
On May 6th, no transgenderperson will be allowed to enlist
while the constitutionality ofthe ban continues to be
(50:20):
litigated in lower courts.
Troops with diagnosis, historyor symptoms consistent with
gender dysphoria who refuse toself-identify and do not
voluntarily resign will beweeded out by screening medical
records.
According to an unnamed seniorDefense Department official
speaking to Stars and Stripes,Active duty service members have
(50:43):
until June 6 to quit.
Military departments mustsubmit compliance reports by
June 15.
The Pentagon's memo alsoconfirms that the Defense
Department has reinstated itsban on gender-affirming health
care for active duty transtroops.
Trans troops who self-identifyby the applicable deadline will
get honorable discharges andbegin the separation process
(51:06):
within 30 days.
As Stars and Stripes reports,They'll also get financial
benefits based on rank, time inservice and whether they left
service voluntarily orinvoluntarily.
The anonymous Pentagon officialexplained to the military
publication that an enlistedmember at the fifth pay grade
with 10 years of service wouldreceive approximately $101,000
(51:29):
if they voluntarily separate.
They'd get less than $51,000 ifthey are forced out.
An officer at the third paygrade, with seven years of
service, would receive about$125,000 if they voluntarily
separate.
They'd only get about $62,000for an involuntary separation.
Those voluntarily separatingcan also access some regular
(51:52):
pre-separation services,including employment assistance,
financial counseling andcommunity reintegration services
.
They would also be eligible fortemporary health care coverage.
Trans people in the reserveshave until July 7th to
voluntarily resign or faceforced expulsion and the loss of
separation benefits.
(52:13):
Stars and Stripes says thatthere are about 4,200 service
members who have been diagnosedwith gender dysphoria, although
the precise number oftransgender service members is
not really known.
Speaker 9 (52:28):
Tennessee's transgender teachers and
students can now be dead-namedand have their preferred
pronouns ignored by schoolofficials with no recourse.
The new law specificallyprohibits public schools and
school districts from creatingpolicies that penalize those who
decline to use pronouns thatare inconsistent with a person's
(52:49):
biological sex or to use aperson's preferred name without
a legal name change.
It also allows lawsuits to befiled against school officials
who disregard the newlegislation to be filed against
school officials who disregardthe new legislation.
Violators will be opened tocivil liability that could lead
to injunctions and monetarycompensation.
The schools would also payattorney's fees.
(53:09):
Republican Governor Bill Leesigned the law that sailed
through both houses of theRepublican-controlled state
legislature.
Democratic State RepresentativeJustin Pearson was among several
in his party to condemn thelegislation, calling it the
Bullying LGBTQ Students Act.
(53:29):
Pearson is no stranger tostrident arguments.
After his famed temporaryremoval from the legislature for
opposing gun violence, he toldNBC TV affiliate WBIR.
With all of the problems thatwe have as a state, whether that
be dealing with poverty, thelack of health care, access, the
rights of women to choose whatthey do with their bodies we're
(53:52):
getting legislation afterlegislation that furthers
discrimination, othering andseparation.
It's despicable and ridiculousthat this is how we are using
our time and energy, and itisn't helping anybody.
Speaker 8 (54:05):
Finally, florida's ban on drag shows was struck
down by the 11th US CircuitCourt of Appeals on May 13th.
The 2-1 majority found that thelaw's vague language, allegedly
meant to protect children fromsalacious entertainment,
violates free speech guaranteesof the US Constitution.
Governor Ron DeSantis signedthe law when he was running for
(54:27):
president in 2023.
It threatened fines, loss ofoperating licenses and criminal
penalties against a venue orperformer for exposing a child
to lewd performances, even withparental consent.
Child to lewd performances,even with parental consent.
Drag shows were notspecifically mentioned.
Instead, it prohibited minorsfrom attending an adult live
(54:47):
performance that depicts orsimulates nudity, sexual conduct
, sexual excitement or specificsexual activities, including the
lewd exposure of prosthetic orimitation genitals or breasts.
There's nothing like that inthe kind of family-friendly drag
brunches that are wildlypopular at the queer-friendly
(55:10):
restaurant chain.
Hamburger Mary's.
The Orlando location filed suitagainst the ban.
The state appealed to the 11thCircuit after a lower court
issued a preliminary injunctionblocking its enforcement.
Writing for the majority, judgeRobin S Rosenbaum said by
providing only vague guidance asto which performances it
(55:31):
prohibits, the law wields ashotgun.
When the First Amendment allowsa scalpel at most, the case now
returns to the District Federalcourt, where a bench trial can
be scheduled.
Hamburger Mary's has sinceclosed its Orlando location,
while the owners have continuedto sponsor drag event community
fundraisers.
They plan to open a newrestaurant in Kissimmee.
(55:53):
Their victory statement said inpart this bill has nothing to
do with children and everythingto do with the continued
oppression of the LGBTQ pluscommunity.
Anytime our legislators want todemonize a group, they say they
are coming for your children,in this case creating a false
narrative that drag queens aregrooming and recruiting your
children, with no factual basisor history to back up these
(56:16):
accusations at all.
Speaker 9 (56:31):
That's.
Speaker 8 (56:32):
News Wrap global queer news with attitude for the
week ending May 17th 2025.
Accusations at all and broughtto you by you.
Speaker 9 (56:38):
Thank you.
Help keep us in gears aroundthe world at thiswayoutorg,
where you can also read the textof this newscast and much more.
For this Way Out, I'm SarahMontague.
Stay healthy.
Speaker 8 (56:49):
And I'm Joe Bainline, stay safe.
Speaker 1 (56:59):
This has been Queer Voices, heard on KPFT Houston
and as a podcast available fromseveral podcasting sources.
Check our webpageQueerVoicesorg for more
information.
Queer Voices executive produceris Brian Levinka, deborah
Moncrief-Bell is co-producer,brett Cullum and David Mendoza
(57:24):
Drusman are contributors.
The News Wrap segment is partof another podcast called this
Way Out, which is produced inLos Angeles.
Speaker 6 (57:33):
Some of the material in this program has been edited
to improve clarity and runtime.
This program does not endorseany political views or animal
species.
Views, opinions andendorsements are those of the
participants and theorganizations they represent.
In case of death, pleasediscontinue use and discard
remaining products.
Speaker 1 (57:46):
For Queer Voices.
I'm Glenn Holt, Thank you.
Hello everybody, this is Queer Voices, a podcast
version of a broadcast radioshow that's been on the air in
Houston, Texas, for severaldecades.
Brett Cullum has a conversationwith Dee Jerome, who was
recently starring as the Tin manin a Hoppy Center production of
the Wiz.
(00:21):
Debra Moncrief-Bell talks withopenly lesbian author Patricia
Grayhall about her new book APlace for Us.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
A Place for Us, which is a novel, is inspired by
Linda, my partner, and mystruggle to find a country where
we could legally live togetherbefore marriage equality.
So the novel blurs theboundaries between truth and
fiction to connect thecharacters' experience to
broader social and politicalthemes.
Speaker 1 (00:51):
Brett and his husband Lee Ingalls review the Hulu
series Mid-Century Modern, andwe have news.
Wrap from this Way Out QueerVoices starts now.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
D Jerome is coming to Houston to perform in the Wiz
at the Hobby Center.
It's going to run from April29th through May 4th.
He will be playing the 10 man.
Now this show has beenreinvented on Broadway and this
is the first tour of thisrevival.
So D Jerome is originally fromNorth Carolina.
He's described as a formidabletriple threat and a lot of his
(01:25):
past shows indicate that.
So hey there, deezer Rome, howare you?
I'm so well.
How's it going?
Speaker 4 (01:31):
It is good, so happy to be here.
Speaker 3 (01:33):
I am happy to have you.
You know what the Wiz it islike, this cultural phenomenon.
I remember I am old enough toremember when it first came out
I was a kid but I still rememberit and people were just crazy
for this musical.
Why do you think that the whizis so important?
I mean, what is it about thismaterial that just keeps it
going and going and going?
Speaker 4 (01:54):
I don't know.
I guess I could say this, BrentI think people love the idea of
being something that willwithstand time.
I think people like legacy.
People love to remember what itfelt like when there was a
demand for this cultural shiftand just to feel the vibration
of things changing and, you know, almost sort of a renaissance.
(02:17):
So I think 50 years ago the Wizcame at a time where Black
voices maybe weren't reallyelevated and even in that time,
looking at the iterations thatthe Wiz had, there were a lot of
things like in terms of I seeballroom scene in there as well.
So it's kind of like I thinkpeople were hungry for maybe a
new look, a new culture, a newfeeling, a new vibration, and I
(02:39):
think the story of joy andcommunity is what people love to
see, and I think that that'swhy the legacy of the Wiz is so
important the music, CharlieSmall's choreography, the
staging, everything about it.
So yeah, I think people love tosee legacy and we love to see
things be modernized and keephaving an effect on our
(03:00):
communities.
Speaker 3 (03:01):
What do you think is different about this version of
the Wiz?
I mean, when you approach it asan artist, what do you see as
the thing that makes it unique?
Speaker 4 (03:08):
So I've done the Wiz before and this iteration of the
Wiz is so special to me and Ithink because I was able to use
so much of my personalbackground to infuse into the
character.
This particular Tin man hassome hip-hop chops, so you know
I'm a dancer as well.
I started at the School of theArts in North Carolina and my
(03:31):
passion grew from there.
This Tin man gets to sing.
He has two songs, he has oneclassic number, slide Some Oil
To Me, and so what I like aboutthis version is that it's a
little bit more.
You know, I see how the musicwas influenced by Al and Renee
and then how our orchestration'smaster, joseph Dubert, was able
(03:53):
to kind of twerk that music andmake it still sound classic to
the original, but giving it amodern pull.
So this production I love thefact that it's modern and that
it can I think the approach willreally connect with all
generations.
Speaker 3 (04:07):
Well, I always have to ask you this what's your
favorite song in the show?
It doesn't have to be yours,but you know my favorite song in
the show is.
Speaker 4 (04:15):
So you Wanted to Meet the Wizard.
I love the song.
I keep saying I'm going to addit to my book, just because I
love the way it sounds.
And to be able to work with theincomparable Andre De Shields
during my my time working withGeorge Faison in the 40th
revival in New York city, thatwas just.
(04:37):
It's just unmatched to see himdo it.
And then so now it's like myfavorite song and it's it's the
one that I secretly want to do.
But I'll never let the whizknow, because I love my whiz
yeah.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
Love to you.
Speaker 4 (04:48):
Alan.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
Are you familiar at all with the original, the movie
adaptation?
Yes, okay, absolutely so.
So obviously, nipsey Russell hewas the he was the tin man.
Are you doing anything tosalute him or give him a shout
out or anything like that?
Speaker 4 (05:05):
Well, no, you know, in in the moments there's a
moment in what would I do if Icould feel and what I remember
about his iteration, because ithappens before slides of oil in
the film, so they reversedactually.
And when I think about himtalking about what if he could
feel, and when I think about himtalking about what if he could
feel, I remember his hands andhow his nails were like nails,
(05:29):
true nails, and so now I kind ofget my nails painted so I can
have a little bit of inspirationthere, because I wanted to look
like broken nails.
But during the song there's aline that I say and just to
think the time I could spendbeing vulnerable again and I
kind of fold my hands out.
If I'm tapped in enough, I'llfold them forward.
And I just remember a part ofhis choreography where he had
(05:51):
his hands and his arms kind ofexposed forward, and so that's
my ode to him.
And then I just love theclassic number itself and so I
had to work a little bit to makeit a little more modern,
because I'm like I love the jazz, I love how it sits and how I
love the sheet music, butsometimes we get we get a chance
to make it new, so it's beenreally fun thinking about him
(06:15):
during this process.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
Well, it's very cool Cause you've got kind of like in
your voice a little bit.
I can hear a little bit ofNipsey there, yeah.
Speaker 4 (06:22):
He's a raspy sultry guy little bit of nipsey there.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Uh yeah, he's a raspy sultry guy yeah, he's raspy.
Speaker 4 (06:28):
Yeah, right on there.
Yeah, I'm wondering how.
And?
And then I think I just kind ofresemble tiger aims, who played
the tin man on broadway.
So I just like I feel likewe're both kind of chocolate
skin and high cheekbones, soit's kind of interesting.
Speaker 3 (06:38):
I'm like I'm kind of using their definitely standing
on their shoulders, yeah well,speaking of the original cast of
the Wiz, the movie version in2022,.
You were in the original MJ onBroadway, the Michael Jackson
musical.
Speaker 4 (06:52):
What the heck was that like, yeah, you know they
opened and I was able to jointhe company Wow, it's been, it's
been insane.
You know, I give all glory toGod and you know, and the fact
that I put the work and the timeinto so being a part of MJ,
that was extremely crazy.
I went in for a call withworking for Amazon at the time.
(07:14):
Well, they, they saw me in anaudition dance and the funny
part is this you know, and ifanybody can take anything away
from this, if you're in thisindustry and you're going to an
audition, you know, don't, don'tregret not taking something
with you.
So, like, make sure, if youknow you need to dress shoes, or
(07:35):
if you need that shoes or youneed something else, half of the
battle is preparedness.
And so at the audition, I dance.
You've been hit by you.
You know we had to do it and ifI didn't watch the video
tutorial before that audition, Iwouldn't have been prepared.
So I'll get off of that, but,yes, be prepared.
So I had my jazz shoes and itwas great.
So after that, I joined thecompany and it was just a
(07:57):
surreal experience.
It was so nostalgic to me.
I started in middle school andmy middle school teacher, miss
Grady Smith, had us dance to theJackson 5.
And so that's literally one ofmy very first experiences in
dance.
And so to join the Broadwaycast of MJ the Musical was
(08:18):
surreal.
I was like I'm actually doing ashow where it's like I'm
working with one of the fiercestartists to ever walk this
planet and I get to go on stageand I get to live my childhood
dream.
I used to always say my momcould dance for Michael Jackson,
because that's I know, I got mydancing ability from her.
She was just an incredibledancer from the videos that I
(08:40):
saw back in the day.
And so I was, you know, joiningthat company.
I, I can't, I could neverreplace that experience.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
So I think every kid wanted to be Michael Jackson.
At some point I learned tomoonwalk.
I mean, I was like all into it.
Yeah for sure, I don't thinkI'm going to be doing this.
Speaker 4 (09:03):
Hey, come on, everybody can do it in their
living room and all we need is alittle ai now and you can work
it out I gotcha you also touredwith hamilton.
Speaker 3 (09:12):
I mean, you're like this pop culture devo.
What shows or roles would youlove to do next after you do
this 10 man stint?
Speaker 4 (09:20):
oh, that's.
That question has really beencoming up a lot and I believe a
lot and you know, I believe alot in manifestation and what
you say.
You know the law of attractionin the universe hears you.
Now, funny story I was reallykind of between two because I
(09:45):
had already booked somethingthat I really wanted to do and a
director I wanted to work with,but then Hamilton came at the
time that it did and I joinedthe company and it was an
incredible experience, anincredible story.
I still can't believe that I wasa member of the Angelica tour
of Hamilton, the music.
I mean.
You know I don't take itlightly.
A lot of people think like, ohmy God, you't take it lightly.
(10:06):
A lot of people think like, ohmy god, you always take it
lightly.
I take my work seriously, mycraft seriously, so I deserve to
be in any room that I'm in, butit's still surreal when you're
like yo, this is a phenomenon,this is a cultural awakening.
When Hamilton came around, thecharacters I'd love to play now,
(10:26):
definitely I'm not going toback down off of that.
I think I could play an awesomeHamilton.
I think Aaron Burr is in thestars there.
I would really love to play,although he talks a lot.
I love Lafayette Jefferson.
I think that that is the rolethat would kind of capture all
(10:48):
of the nuances of who I could bein those two particular
characters.
But we'll see what happens andI'm open.
Hmm, what else is on Broadwaythat I'd be interested in
playing?
There's a Simba out there.
I actually went in for what'shis name.
In Chicago I actually went infor Billy Flynn.
Well, I went in and then I gota packet for Billy Flynn.
(11:09):
I sent the whole packet in,heard nothing back.
We'll see.
It just would be amazing tohave a young, dark-skinned Billy
Flynn with locks up here stillgiving him class, giving him
sophistication and just a suavefinesse.
Speaker 3 (11:23):
I think I'd really enjoy doing Billyy flynn that
would be amazing because, youknow, usually usually billy
flynn just stands there anddoesn't move while everyone
dances around him so it'd becrazy because I think it'd
elevate me.
Speaker 4 (11:37):
You know I love movement, but people know that
everything is movement.
You know just how wecommunicate in our body language
, and so I'm loving this tin manand how he gets to.
You know just how wecommunicate in our body language
, and so I'm loving this Tin manand how he gets to.
You know, settle into his body,because he literally needs
people to up and move, and sowhat does it look like, from
going to being stiff and notable to move and then gaining
(11:59):
the mobility back again.
How do you tell that story ofactually coming alive?
So it's fun.
I'm having a good time.
Speaker 3 (12:07):
It sounds like a good time.
I mean, the Wiz is going to beplaying Hobby Center in April
29th through May 4th, so we'reall super excited about it.
I can't tell you how popular Ozis right now, between Wicked
and everything else, and nowthis.
Speaker 4 (12:22):
So ready to come to, so ready for Houston.
Speaker 3 (12:25):
It's going to be Ready.
Speaker 4 (12:27):
Yeah, and my birthday is on the 25th, and so I'm
literally coming in.
I'm hoping to throw openingnight birthday bash.
Hopefully we can make it work.
But I'm really excited yeah.
Speaker 3 (12:38):
So you're bringing the Taurus energy?
Is that what you're saying?
I'm bringing the.
Speaker 4 (12:40):
Taurus energy, but the thing about it is that it's
a Taurus, you know I love myAries feel, because I'm April,
you know, and I also like myVirgo moon, you know.
So I really have.
I'm about business, but Ireally enjoy having a good time
and really connecting withbeautiful people, knowing that
relationships are the source of,you know, our community and so
(13:03):
building relationships andactually, you know, showing each
other that we see you like I, Iadmonish and admire your work
and the things that you're doingto help support, you know, a
better community.
So, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 3 (13:17):
Well, thank you.
That's what it totally explainswhy you're a triple threat
right there.
All right, well, thank you somuch.
Speaker 1 (13:25):
Did you know that KPft is completely listener
funded.
There are no underwriters, soit's up to all of us to pay for
the freedom to say what you hearhere on queer voices and on
this station in general.
That means you participate inour programming just by
listening and also by pledgingyour support.
(13:47):
Please do that now by going tothe KPFT website and clicking on
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you do.
Thank you.
Speaker 7 (14:01):
Patricia Grayhall joined us a few years ago when
she was talking about her memoirMaking the Rounds.
The story of a woman whoentered the medical profession
at a time when it was stillfairly rare for women to become
physicians, and the story of herjourney through that and her
acceptance of herself as alesbian is beautifully written
(14:25):
in that book.
But this time Patricia joins usto talk about a novel A Place
for Us.
Patricia, welcome back to QueerVoices.
Speaker 2 (14:36):
Thank you, debra, I'm happy to be here.
Speaker 7 (14:39):
This book.
It is fiction, it is a novel,but I think you have woven some
autobiographical things into it,because how can you not?
Speaker 2 (14:52):
Exactly so.
All writers draw from their ownlives, and A Place for Us,
which is a novel, is inspired byLinda, my partner, and my
struggle to find a country wherewe could legally live together
before marriage equality.
So the novel blurs theboundaries between truth and
fiction to connect thecharacters' experience to
(15:13):
broader social and politicalthemes.
Speaker 7 (15:16):
And so the characters are not me and not Linda and
much of the story is fictional,but the initial meeting and the
immigration story closely tracksour real life experience.
(15:39):
So negative towards those of uswho identify as LGBT, for women
and certainly for immigrants,mostly if they're immigrants
whose skin color is darker, alot of people here have said oh,
I'm going to leave, I'm goingto go to another country.
(16:00):
And what I learned reallyquickly from reading your book
was it's not that easy.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
No, it definitely is not that easy, and you're right.
We live in interesting timesright now, you say
euphemistically.
Same-sex relationships haveonly been recognized for
immigration in the United Statesfor a decade, and currently
we're sliding backwards withregard to LGBTQ rights.
And it wouldn't surprise me todiscover that same-sex
(16:31):
applicants for US visas orimmigration status are given
greater scrutiny now and withmore roadblocks to obtaining
permanent residence status orcitizenship under the current
administration.
So at the end of my book I givesome resources for LGBTQ people
facing barriers to USimmigration.
(16:52):
But you asked about immigratingto other countries, and it
definitely is not that easyalthough it's a little bit
easier now to immigrate toCanada, which is where we ended
up when we first got together in2003.
And in 2002, in Canada,same-sex partners became
eligible to apply for familyclass sponsorship programs, were
(17:15):
able to immigrate as same-sexpartners, either under common
law or conjugial partner status,and the only problem with that
is that you had to have eitherlived together for a year or
show that you had close ties,that you supported each other
financially.
You had to get all theseletters from family and friends
(17:39):
and of course, that would bevery difficult for couples
coming from countries wheresame-sex relationships are
illegal and in which their livesmight be at stakes.
Even that is a little difficult.
Speaker 7 (17:52):
There's also requirements having to do with
your age.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
In Canada.
There's different categories ofways that you can immigrate.
One of the most common is as afederal skilled worker.
Ways that you can immigrate Oneof the most common is as a
federal skilled worker.
That's dependent on your age,language ability, your education
, your skills.
There are different categories.
For example, if Canada needsmore medical doctors which they
(18:17):
do they would have a categoryfor that.
Or more veterinarians, or moretradespeople, more electricians,
more farmers.
You can apply for the ExpressFederal Skilled Workers Program
under these different categories, but it's still hard and it
takes a long time and there's alot of documentation required.
(18:38):
It certainly helps if you canspeak English and French, but it
was worth it.
Both Linda and I became Canadiancitizens in 2016.
That was at the time Obama wasstill president and I had my
head in the sand.
I said to my partner why don'twe just stay in the US?
It's so much better now.
(18:58):
She said absolutely not.
Trump is going to be elected.
And I said, no way.
It's never going to happen.
But I followed her advice andwe did get our citizenship in
March of 2016.
Speaker 7 (19:10):
When the book opens, jo, who is an environmental
attorney based in Washington DC,and Lauren, who is from Britain
, meet in a pub while Jo isthere visiting, and I think she
went there for a year to studyor something.
Speaker 2 (19:31):
So Jo's an environmental attorney and she's
going to a conference.
And yeah, it was very short.
Actually she was only in Londonovernight.
During that overnight visit shewent to a pub where she met
Lauren, and Lauren, as it turnsout, was on her way to New York
the following day.
So they just had this verybrief experience.
It was actually Lauren's firstexperience with a woman and then
(19:54):
they go their separate ways.
Lauren goes to New York for herweek and a half visit, joe goes
off to Paris for her conference.
Then circumstances arise wherejoe cuts her planned vacation
short and goes back to london inhopes of seeing lauren again
during her remaining vacation,and lauren stays in new york
(20:16):
hoping to encounter joe when shereturns from her conference.
So the ships are passing in thenight and they miss each other
until the final day or two ofjoe's stay in london, when
finally lauren despondentlygives up and comes home and
there and there is joe waitingfor her.
(20:37):
So they have a little bit oftime together.
And then they have anadditional visit in the united
states.
That was was 1981, and at thattime the barriers to immigration
were far worse.
I mean there wasn't a Canadianoption.
There's no way Joe couldsponsor Lauren to come to the US
.
Their love was thwarted at thattime.
Speaker 7 (20:59):
They both continue their lives.
Speaker 2 (21:02):
Joe ends up in San Francisco Bay Area, lauren ends
up in Paris and with otherpartners 22 years later, both
women are trapped in unhappyrelationships, but they still
are haunted by the memory oftheir lost love.
Lost love.
(21:25):
And then, when Laurenunexpectedly arrives at Joe's
San Francisco doorstep with herFrench partner, joe, and
Lauren's chemistry erupts witheven greater intensity than
before.
Finally, when they go on avacation to Yosemite, they
surrender to a passion that hasonly grown stronger with time.
But they have to navigate thewreckage of their current lives
(21:46):
and relationships and facepainful truths they've avoided
for decades.
And of course, then they havetheir most daunting challenge
yet, in a world that refuses torecognize them as a couple.
How can they possibly build alife together when no country
will grant them sanctuary as acouple?
Speaker 7 (22:04):
And if you're going to do something like that, then
by golly do it on a camping trip, yeah.
Speaker 2 (22:12):
That whole episode is .
There's a very explosive scenethat happens on that trip, which
is one of the more dynamicscenes in the book.
Speaker 7 (22:22):
In what ways does this mirror your own life?
Were you and your partner?
Did you meet young and thenreconnect later?
Speaker 2 (22:30):
Part one of the book, which is the meeting in London
in the subsequent several weeks.
All of that mirrors ourexperience very closely the
immigration part it tracks ourexperience almost exactly.
Dramatic scenes and other partsof the book are there basically
for me to explore other issuesthat are relevant to LGBTQ life.
(22:56):
I have them struggling withex-partner abuse and things like
honesty and commitment and oldpatterns and things Things that
I think are relevant to queerpeople today.
So that part I think I made upjust to make it have more
relevance to queer lives, Iguess.
Speaker 7 (23:16):
Yeah, so explores issues within relationships and
how we navigate or negotiatewith one another, sometimes
facing painful realities, evenif we're not necessarily happy.
We hate to give up.
It feels like you've lostsomehow if you give up on
(23:37):
something, even though it may infact, be toxic.
I thought that was reallyinteresting.
I found the whole idea of beingin that situation and then how
you would go about making thedecisions, and I was like, oh my
gosh, they found a way to betogether.
There is a place for us.
(23:58):
So you found a beautiful housein British Columbia, found a
beautiful house in BritishColumbia.
You both had professions thatallowed you to be there and then
, of course, now you're retired.
In your experience as a writerand exploring lesbian themes,
(24:19):
you had your own life to use andthe experiences in your first
book, making the Rounds.
Then, in A Place for Us, youhave a wider range of characters
.
Speaker 2 (24:32):
There's a larger ensemble of In my first novel,
making the Rounds.
Of course it was based on reallife so I couldn't really
deviate from that.
It's essentially acoming-of-age memoir, when I was
thrashing around trying tofigure out what I wanted in a
love relationship and reallyduring a specific era that had
(24:54):
its own challenges, and tryingto integrate that with a really
demanding career.
It had a larger ensemble ofcharacters because it covered a
greater period of time anddifferent themes.
Just a lot of the book wasabout determination and
resilience to overcome barrierafter barrier.
It wasn't a romance exactly,even though there was plenty of
(25:17):
romance in it, but it didn'tfollow the structure of romance
novel with a happy ending,whereas A Place for Us does.
In fact, in real life we didhave a happy ending and we did
end up in Canada.
We did buy a house.
I had readers after they readMaking the Rounds.
They wanted to know.
So what happened?
(25:37):
So what happened after that?
I just didn't think.
I had another memoir in me,greta Kammermeyer, who you may
know, who wrote Serving inSilence.
She said you know, you have towrite a sequel to this, to
Making the Rounds.
And I said no, I'm not, I justcan't.
But I could write autofictionwhich allowed me to maintain
(26:01):
some privacy but at the sametime draw on the rich trove of
experiences I've had in my 75years of life.
Let me just say that theadvantage of being 75 is that
I've lived a lot, made manymistakes, learned from them and
(26:23):
I have a rich trove ofexperiences to draw on.
So autofiction is great, bothfor this novel Place for Us.
And then I just finished athriller which also features Joe
the environmental attorney, andthat's also based on a real
life experience of a physiciancolleague who was arrested for
bank robbery.
Speaker 7 (26:36):
Well, now that's intriguing.
Patricia Grayhall, in hersecond career from physician to
writer, author of now, two books.
Am I wrong in thinking this,that you and Linda wrote a book
together?
Speaker 2 (26:53):
We did.
When I was writing Making theRounds I was sitting there, my
computer, with my back to her,writing about my old girlfriends
and understandably she didn'tlike that.
So I suggested, in self-defense, that we write a book together.
She had never written a bookbefore, but we had a great time
because we'd sit there, you know, at happy hour, we'd talk about
(27:16):
the plot and each go back andwrite a little bit and we'd come
back and talk about it againand integrate it and we ended up
with a novel called GoldenYears and Silver Linings that
features two 60-something womenwho met early on in their 20s
but didn't work out.
(27:37):
One married, had several kids,and then they meet much, much
later on the golf course in PalmSprings and sparks fly again.
But life is very complicatedwith their adult children and
it's a romance, so it has ahappy ending.
So what was interesting aboutthat?
Whereas Making the Rounds and APlace for Us is with a
(27:59):
publisher, now distributed bySimon Schuster, so it has a wide
distribution, this littleromance novel that we wrote
together I self-published withno publicity, and it basically
has continued to rock on.
I mean, every day when I lookat my Amazon author page, I see
that people are reading it,which surprises me.
(28:22):
Happily surprises me.
I've gotten feedback from olderreaders who said thank God, you
know you wrote a romancefeaturing older lesbians.
Speaker 7 (28:32):
I have often thought that in some of the novels that
I've read, it's everything fromteenagers to early 20s, and it's
like wait a minute.
There's life after that and,thank goodness, people do find
love in later years.
Patricia Grayhall, thank youfor sharing your stories with us
.
They are available wherever onewould find books.
(28:55):
I look forward to the next one,that thriller books.
Speaker 2 (29:02):
I look forward to the next one, that thriller.
I will probably give you achance to read it very soon
because it's almost finished.
Speaker 7 (29:05):
Thanks for being with us on Queer Voices.
Speaker 1 (29:08):
This is KPFT 90.1 FM Houston, 89.5 FM Galveston, 91.9
FM Huntsville, and worldwide onthe internet at kpftorg.
Speaker 6 (29:24):
Hi, I'm Cleve Jones and you are forming and
participating in the LGBTQ pluscommunity as you listen to this
program.
This is Queer Voices.
Speaker 3 (29:34):
Today we're going to do a little bit different,
because we're going to talkabout a show that I think
everybody's watching.
It's called Mid-Century Modern.
It's a show that premiered onHulu last Friday and, lee, if
you want to tell us what's theshow's premise, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 5 (29:49):
So, exactly as you said, everybody's talking about
it.
We're going to add our voice toit.
So the show's premise is aboutthree gay best friends of a
certain age, jerry Arthur andthe improbably named Bunny
Schneiderman.
After an unexpected death, theymove into a Palm Springs house
Living with a wealthiestfriend's mother, sybil, played
by Linda Lavin.
They navigate their goldenyears as a chosen family,
(30:11):
supporting each other throughlife's challenges.
Speaker 3 (30:14):
And it stars obviously Nathan Lane, Matt
Bomer, Linda Lavin and NathanLee Graham, kind of all together
.
Linda got a little bit of aheavier billing than Nathan
because he's a little bit lesswell-known.
Yeah, it kind of marked LindaLavin's last TV role, which is
really sad.
Did you watch her on Alice?
Speaker 5 (30:32):
Yeah, yeah.
So I saw her on Alice andthat's kind of where the world
or we were introduced to her andher talents.
So, yeah, I was so sad to seethat she passed and she did such
a great job in this series sofar.
Speaker 3 (30:45):
Yeah, yeah, We've only watched about half of it,
so don't expect us to knoweverything, but she passed away
after only completing sevenepisodes and there are ten of
them out there.
But after her death they didsome re-editing and things like
that so that her scenes from afourth episode would instead be
used in an eighth, and they kindof made it so that it works as
(31:05):
a season one arc and so we'rekind of booking it Like you
mentioned.
It starts with a funeral forone of their friends and then
probably going to end with onefor Sybil, the mother character.
So kind of sad.
The whole show was created byMatt Muchnick and David Kohan,
who you would know as thecreators of, basically, Will and
Grace, and the executiveproducer and the guy that really
(31:26):
kind of made all of this happenis Ryan Murphy.
Last Friday, March 28th.
So the first season.
Speaker 5 (31:31):
like you said, 10 episodes were released
simultaneously.
It's reminiscent of the GoldenGirls in Hot in Cleveland, so
highlighting the humor, themesof friendships and romance
without age limits.
Speaker 3 (31:52):
Yeah, and the Golden Girls was interesting because
when it debuted they had neverhad a show about women of a
certain age.
And when we say of a certainage, the Golden Girls were
supposed to be in their 50s whenthey started, which I find
really crazy.
We went back and watched theoriginal pilot and the second
episode of Golden Girls to get afeel for it again, because this
(32:14):
feels like Golden Girls and itkind of is in a way, isn't it it
?
Speaker 5 (32:20):
is.
Yeah.
So you know, you're exactlyright.
Just to kind of get a sense ofit, because that's what
everybody was comparing it to,we wanted to do an actual
comparison.
What does you know?
What does the two of them looklike and how are they similar
and how are they different?
So yeah, the premise of theshow in the first episode is
pretty much exactly the same.
It in the first episode ispretty much exactly the same.
It's, you know, they're allmoving into the one house and
(32:41):
there's a fear of loss becauseof some event that takes place
during that that they might notactually be able to stay, and
then, of course, in the end theydo so very, very similar that
way.
But you're right, the age ofthe actresses in Golden Girls
you know.
Even now, when I watch it, theyseem much older than in their
50s.
Speaker 3 (32:59):
Do you think it's just the styling of them?
Do you think if they gave thembetter hair or something like
that, I don't know they wouldlook younger?
Speaker 5 (33:07):
I think they did it on purpose.
They tried to make them lookolder, seem older, to kind of
get that whole.
You know, after the large partof your life has passed now
these are your twilight years.
So I think they did that onpurpose.
Speaker 3 (33:22):
I was a little bit taken aback by having Matt Bomer
in there as somebody that wouldbe considered a golden girl in
the gay world.
I mean, matt's like a littlebit younger than me.
I mean actually I don't know, Idon't want to say how many
years.
Speaker 5 (33:39):
I don't think the characters line up exactly the
way that they did in GoldenGirls.
I think they have kind of thesame thing.
So if I were to match him toone, it would obviously be Rose
Nyland, because the pretty kindof ditzy one.
That's where I would line it up.
But the age is certainlydifferent.
He's playing a younger person.
That's still very much a partof his fun years or adventurous
(34:01):
years.
Speaker 3 (34:02):
Well, they indicate in the show that there's a
backstory for him, that he's aMormon, an ex-Mormon, and he was
supposedly savagely outed bysomething and even has a
daughter which they bring up inthe show and things like that.
So kind of interesting.
But yes, you're right, he isobviously Rose Nyland, because,
oh my gosh, they make him soditzy.
And I thought what wasinteresting is that Nathan
(34:23):
Lane's character, bunnySchneiderman, is Blanche.
I mean, he's the one that'slike sexually kind of aggressive
and active and he's the onethat's going on all the sites
and all the dates.
And it's kind of a littlesurprise because I would have
expected Matt to kind of havethat kind of sex, starved kind
of guy or whatever.
And then would you agree thatArt feels like Dorothy?
(34:46):
I mean, is that where we'relanding on these?
Speaker 5 (34:48):
Yeah, yeah, I guess.
So Very conservative, verymethodical and has a great taste
in clothing.
That's his history.
So yeah, I would totally agreewith that.
Speaker 3 (35:01):
Well, they make a really interesting trio, of
course and of course addingLinda Lavin to the mix is just a
genius stroke, but they do havesome paths together.
I think Bomer and Nathan Laneboth worked with Ryan Murphy
before Bomer did American HorrorStory and Nathan Lane worked
with Ryan Murphy on Monsters orthe Menendez Brothers series,
(35:22):
and I think that they were allfriends of Ryan Murphy.
I was not familiar with NathanLee Graham who plays Arthur.
I mean, he was a side villainin Zoolander and he's been on
stage quite a bit.
I think he was in one of theoriginal casts of Priscilla on
Broadway.
He seems to be morestage-oriented than he is TV and
film.
I haven't really seen him a bit.
I think he was in one of theoriginal cast of Priscilla on
Broadway.
(35:42):
He seems to be morestage-oriented than he is TV and
film.
I haven't really seen him a lot.
Speaker 5 (35:44):
I was less familiar with him, I don't remember
seeing him very frequently, buthis cast, his character, is
perfect for this role.
He seems to be perfect for it.
He's delivering it really well.
Speaker 3 (35:56):
Yeah, that's true, but it is, I don't know.
Do you feel like that when youcontrast Golden Girls with
mid-century modern?
What is your take on that?
Speaker 5 (36:06):
Yeah, so I think it's a fresh take on the Golden
Girls' success and formula fortoday's audience.
So, yeah, I think it's verymuch needed.
Welcome I've enjoyed all theepisodes.
It took me a minute to get usedto seeing Matt Bomer out of his
more serious roles and onethat's more campy and certainly
over the top gay.
(36:27):
But yeah, no, it worked.
Speaker 3 (36:29):
Well, he even said in a bunch of interviews that he
had done so many heavy roleshere lately between boys in the
band, fellow travelers, thingslike that, that he wanted to
kind of explore his kind ofsilly, goofy side, I guess.
Speaker 5 (36:43):
It took me a couple of episodes to get used to
seeing him and his delivery thatway, but, like I said, it works
.
He's doing a great job.
Speaker 3 (36:51):
Well, when you look at this contrast with Golden
Girls I mean I think GoldenGirls felt this feels like a
reboot of it, almost so italready is diminished by not
being quite as smart as theGolden Girls I feel like yeah,
yeah, and Susan Harris was justa genius and they packed in joke
after joke after joke in thatshow and they just never let up.
(37:12):
And I feel like MidsommarDreamwater maybe doesn't have
that intensity of just one-linerafter one-liner after one-liner
and the things.
And it is taking me some timeto get used to their characters
because they feel like they'recreated with a very broad stroke
.
It's very much a traditionalsitcom.
They even have a laugh track,which I found really weird.
I haven't heard one of those inyears, have you?
Speaker 5 (37:35):
No, no, I haven't.
Yeah, very much so.
To set the stage for a stagedelivery of the show, yeah,
absolutely.
Speaker 3 (37:45):
Well, they used to be recorded in front of live
studio audiences and then theysupplemented them with laugh
tracks and things like that too,if they didn't get the reaction
they wanted.
I think so.
It's weird to hear that againand I don't know if this younger
generation gays of a certainage younger will actually get
what the reference is with thatlaugh track and stuff.
It does seem designed to beimmediately nostalgia.
(38:06):
I mean, do you think that it'sgoing to register with younger
people but of course, goldenGirls kind of did, I guess.
Speaker 5 (38:12):
Yeah, yeah, I think it will.
I mean, I think it's so much apart of that particular genre
within the entertainmentindustry that, yeah, I think
it'd be accepted well and wehave to address one of the
elephants in the room is thateverybody's calling it the gay
golden girls.
Speaker 3 (38:26):
But I've seen nathan lane say on several interviews
and I agree entirely you do nothave to make a gay golden girls,
because there already is a gayshow and it was the golden girls
.
Yeah, they really were kind ofgay in a lot of the topics.
They chose A lot of theallegories of just having three
single women living together.
(38:48):
I mean they were doing that andthe spoiler alert is that their
staff writers were pretty muchall gay guys.
I mean, they really made themtheir voices kind of.
Speaker 5 (39:00):
Yeah, and I can't tell you how many times we go to
a costume event where there isno theme that there is a group
of guys that come in there asthe Golden Girls.
So we've seen it over and overon TV and now in our personal
life as well.
Speaker 3 (39:12):
Well, how do you feel about the fact that now we're
both in the age range where wecould be Golden girls or
mid-century modern people?
Speaker 5 (39:25):
I hate to say it, but I think I'm actually older than
what Sophia was supposed to bein the original.
Speaker 3 (39:30):
Oh, I don't think so.
I think that Sophia wassupposed to be Dorothy's mom,
right?
If Dorothy's in her mid-50s,then Sophia's probably in her
80s, around my age.
Well, she's north of you, let'sput it that way.
So another major question Ifyou were a golden girl from the
original sitcom series, wouldyou be Blanche, dorothy Rose or
(39:51):
Sophia?
Which one would you think thatthey would cast you?
As Me it would definitely beSophia.
Speaker 5 (39:57):
Sophia, why?
First of all, I meet?
Why, yes, well, first of all Imeet the age requirement.
Secondly, I can think of allthese things but I just can't
think of the words that go withthem.
So I stumble in coming up withthe right words and I know who
the actor is, but I can't tellyou what their name is by
telling you all the shows theywere in.
So there's those Swiss cheesekind of gaps in my knowledge.
(40:19):
So, yeah, it would totally beSophia.
Speaker 3 (40:20):
I would say the only thing that reminds me of Sophia
with you is the bluntness ofSophia.
It's kind of established in thepilot that she had a stroke and
she doesn't think before shespeaks.
So she speaks the truth a lotand you definitely do have a
bluntness about you, but I don'tthink that you're the
stereotypical age range for that.
But I think that my horror as Iage is that I always thought,
(40:45):
oh yeah, sure, I'm going to bethe Dorothy, I'm going to be the
Bea Arthur one, but I thinkthat I'm actually probably more
the Rose.
I think I'm way too shiny,happy with people and things
like that, and I think I'm alittle bit more blonde, if you
want to say it, things like that, and I think I'm a little bit
more blonde, if you want to sayit, than you.
Sometimes, I don't know, I feellike I'm gravitating towards
(41:05):
that Rose thing, which isinteresting because it was a
Betty White character, obviously, and I never thought of myself
as that.
Speaker 5 (41:13):
I can kind of see that you do have a wealth of
knowledge.
So if I need to know somethingor if we're going to play
Tribble to Pursuit, I'm going tobe on your team.
However, yeah, I do see thatagain, the gaps there sometimes.
Speaker 3 (41:26):
Well, of course we're beating the dead horse that is
the Golden Girls.
I mean, how can you not talkabout them when you look at this
show, because my gosh, it's soclose?
Yes, I mean, it really truly is, and I I think in the media
they're really arguing about whois who you know.
Obviously, but I, I gave you mytake.
I I think that definitely thematt bomer character is more of
(41:48):
the rose and nathan lane is moreof the blanche and arthur is
more of the dorothy andobviously that leaves linda
lavin, sybil, to be sofia.
So if you were in this show,who do you think you?
Speaker 5 (42:00):
would be.
I would be Nathan Lee, nathanLane.
No, nathan Lee.
Speaker 3 (42:04):
Oh, nathan Lee, yeah, graham, oh, nathan Lee, graham,
duh, yeah, I was like pushingyou into Nathan Lane, so you
would be Nathan Lee For sure.
That's kind of strange, becauseI think I would be too.
Speaker 5 (42:15):
I don't know, I don't know, I would.
I don't know, I don't know, Iwould.
I don't know.
You'd be kind of a combinationof Matt Bomer and Nathan Lane.
Speaker 3 (42:22):
Okay, Uncomfortable truths on Prairie Rainbow Review
.
Okay, Well, hopefully Mid-CityModern gets picked up.
I mean, I hope.
Would you like to see a seasontwo?
Speaker 5 (42:37):
Yeah, yeah, I do.
You know, all the actors are sogood at what they do and the
choices they made for castingthem was so good.
Nathan Lane is just one of myall-time favorites.
You know, one of my all-timefavorite shows is the Birdcage,
which, of course, he was one ofthe leads, and his take on that
role just made the movie for me.
So, yeah, I would definitelylike to see him on stage again,
(42:59):
and I would like to see MattBomer kind of explore this even
more, and then, of course,getting to know Nathan Lee
Graham I would like to see thatas well.
I just hate that they lostLinda Lavin.
She added so much to this.
I don't know how they wouldever compensate for that.
Speaker 3 (43:16):
That is such a huge loss, even just in the world in
general.
She was such a part of popculture, history and all of that
.
I grew up watching Alice.
It was one of my favoritethings.
I still hear that crazy themesong in my head about the new
girl in town and all that.
I really hate that she's notgoing to be around to go to the
second season.
But I wonder, will they try toreplace her some way somehow?
(43:39):
Like have an estranged auntcome live with them, because you
almost need an older lady inthe house.
Speaker 5 (43:44):
Yeah, yeah, I mean it would be interesting if they
tried to do that, and then whowould they pick?
Speaker 3 (43:49):
Yeah, that would be the other question.
Maybe we can get like JenniferCoolidge or something now that
she's not on White Lotus.
Speaker 5 (43:56):
I'm not sure she'd want to play an old lady, but Ah
.
Speaker 3 (44:02):
If Matt Boomer's in there.
Well, and before we wrapeverything up, we have to
mention somebody who just passedaway.
Speaker 5 (44:09):
Yeah, a little sidestep.
Richard Chamberlain, you know,I tell you what, as growing up
as a young gay guy in a worldthat thought I was all alone, he
was one of those actors thatgave me hope.
He was one of those actors thatgave me hope.
He was such a nice-lookingyoung man and his roles that he
played were so iconic.
Is that Thornbirds?
Speaker 3 (44:27):
Yeah, Was he in Thornbirds?
Speaker 5 (44:29):
Yeah, I think he was.
Speaker 3 (44:31):
He certainly was.
Speaker 5 (44:33):
Yeah, he was one of my mother's favorite actors as
well, and later in life, when hecame out, mom said she knew
that Richard Chamberlain was gayall the time and I thought,
well, maybe he should haveshared that with me.
But yeah, so he's certainly animportant person in my personal
history, so his loss wasdefinitely impactful.
Speaker 3 (44:51):
And he was a vet.
He served in the army.
Speaker 5 (44:53):
Yeah, wow, I didn't know.
Speaker 3 (44:54):
That's crazy.
He was a sergeant in post-warKorean War, so Richard
Chamberlain definitely going tobe missed, definitely somebody
who was very private, was veryguarded.
He wasn't really out and it'sfunny that your mother would say
that, because it sounds like hereally wasn't outed until 1989,
is what they were saying andhow she knew it or how she
didn't necessarily have to betold.
Speaker 5 (45:15):
She just really had some clarity around that.
Speaker 3 (45:17):
I guess she just really had some clarity around
that I guess I always thinkthat's interesting when you have
people that say that they knewBefore.
It became kind of like a popculture moment of that, and
there's always people.
I mean, I don't want to throwout any of my speculations, but
there's always people I look atand go oh, something's up there.
(45:39):
Another funny one was when RosieO'Donnell came out, my mother
said well, who didn't know?
That was painfully obvious.
Yeah, it was funny.
That was a moment, well, anyway.
Well, here's to mid-centurymodern.
I can't believe.
I can't say that, since welived in a mid-century modern
house for several years in thefirelands.
Yes, oh, my gosh.
But I hope it does really well.
I hope that everybody kind ofgets wrapped up in it.
(46:01):
It's certainly light, it'sfluffy.
It's probably what we needright now.
It's just a sitcom.
It's not anything even moreelaborate than that.
I mean, I don't even think theytried to make it.
Speaker 5 (46:10):
No, no, it's one of those shows that you can.
Like I said, you won't have todo a lot of thinking behind it,
it's just pure entertainment.
30 minutes.
Speaker 3 (46:23):
So that's what we're watching.
Speaker 5 (46:24):
I guess right now.
Speaker 3 (46:25):
Anyway, have a great rest of your week.
Speaker 8 (46:27):
Yes, I'm Joe Bainline .
Speaker 9 (46:32):
And I'm Sarah.
Speaker 8 (46:33):
Monkagil With News Wrap, a summary of some of the
news in or affecting LGBTQcommunities around the world for
the week ending May 17, 2025.
A non-binary Brazilian canidentify as gender-neutral on
their official governmentdocuments, thanks to a historic
decision by the Superior Courtof Justice.
The unnamed applicant, assignedfemale at birth, had initially
(46:56):
requested a male gender markeron their birth certificate after
gender-affirming treatment.
They later had second thoughtsand appealed to the court to
change to gender-neutral.
The ruling of the five-judgepanel was unanimous.
Judge Nancy Andrihi spoke forthem all, using female pronouns
for the gender-neutral applicant.
Andrihi wrote this human beingmust be requirement that
(47:31):
transgender people undergosurgery or hormone therapy
before changing their legalgender in 2018.
They can simply go to agovernment registry office
without providing supportingmedical or legal documents.
In this new ruling, the judgesof South America's largest
country have allowed thedesignation of gender neutral on
a person's government documentsfor the first time.
Speaker 9 (47:55):
Political parties are banned from participating in
the UK's largest LGBTQ pridecelebrations this year.
The organisers of Pride inLondon, birmingham Pride,
brighton Pride and ManchesterPride cite the lack of
sufficient support fortransgender people by the ruling
.
Labour Party, the ConservativeParty and the Lib Dems, the
(48:15):
Greens, are also apparentlydeemed not to be doing enough in
the wake of last month'sSupreme Court ruling that
excludes transgender women fromthe legal definition of woman in
the Equality Act.
A joint statement from thePride organizers said attack.
Our resolve has never beenstronger.
(48:38):
We will not allow progress tobe undone.
We will not stand by as thedignity, safety and humanity of
our trans siblings are debated,delayed or denied.
Some sources say that politicalparties will also be excluded
by pride organizers in Belfastand Southampton, current Labour
Prime Minister, sir Keir Starmer, former Conservative leader
(49:01):
Boris Johnson, lib Dem leaderSir Ed Davey and Green Party
co-leader Carla Denner have allmarched in Pride parades.
Queer Party activists lament theban and call for further
dialogue and dignified access toNational Health Service,
(49:23):
gender-affirming care and areformed, accessible gender
recognition certificate processto allow legal gender changes.
They also demand sustainablefunding for trans-led services
and support organizations acrossthe country.
As they said in their jointstatement.
This is the minimum.
Anything less is not allyship,it's abandonment To those in
power.
(49:43):
When you demonstrate truesolidarity and tangible
commitment to trans rights, wewill stand with you.
Until then, we will continue tospeak truth to power and fight
for a future where every transperson can live safely, freely
and proudly.
Speaker 8 (50:00):
Mass discharges of transgender service members from
the US Armed Forces areunderway.
The Pentagon's May 14th ordercomes after the Supreme Court
lifted the temporary injunctionsthat were blocking the process.
On May 6th, no transgenderperson will be allowed to enlist
while the constitutionality ofthe ban continues to be
(50:20):
litigated in lower courts.
Troops with diagnosis, historyor symptoms consistent with
gender dysphoria who refuse toself-identify and do not
voluntarily resign will beweeded out by screening medical
records.
According to an unnamed seniorDefense Department official
speaking to Stars and Stripes,Active duty service members have
(50:43):
until June 6 to quit.
Military departments mustsubmit compliance reports by
June 15.
The Pentagon's memo alsoconfirms that the Defense
Department has reinstated itsban on gender-affirming health
care for active duty transtroops.
Trans troops who self-identifyby the applicable deadline will
get honorable discharges andbegin the separation process
(51:06):
within 30 days.
As Stars and Stripes reports,They'll also get financial
benefits based on rank, time inservice and whether they left
service voluntarily orinvoluntarily.
The anonymous Pentagon officialexplained to the military
publication that an enlistedmember at the fifth pay grade
with 10 years of service wouldreceive approximately $101,000
(51:29):
if they voluntarily separate.
They'd get less than $51,000 ifthey are forced out.
An officer at the third paygrade, with seven years of
service, would receive about$125,000 if they voluntarily
separate.
They'd only get about $62,000for an involuntary separation.
Those voluntarily separatingcan also access some regular
(51:52):
pre-separation services,including employment assistance,
financial counseling andcommunity reintegration services
.
They would also be eligible fortemporary health care coverage.
Trans people in the reserveshave until July 7th to
voluntarily resign or faceforced expulsion and the loss of
separation benefits.
(52:13):
Stars and Stripes says thatthere are about 4,200 service
members who have been diagnosedwith gender dysphoria, although
the precise number oftransgender service members is
not really known.
Speaker 9 (52:28):
Tennessee's transgender teachers and
students can now be dead-namedand have their preferred
pronouns ignored by schoolofficials with no recourse.
The new law specificallyprohibits public schools and
school districts from creatingpolicies that penalize those who
decline to use pronouns thatare inconsistent with a person's
(52:49):
biological sex or to use aperson's preferred name without
a legal name change.
It also allows lawsuits to befiled against school officials
who disregard the newlegislation to be filed against
school officials who disregardthe new legislation.
Violators will be opened tocivil liability that could lead
to injunctions and monetarycompensation.
The schools would also payattorney's fees.
(53:09):
Republican Governor Bill Leesigned the law that sailed
through both houses of theRepublican-controlled state
legislature.
Democratic State RepresentativeJustin Pearson was among several
in his party to condemn thelegislation, calling it the
Bullying LGBTQ Students Act.
(53:29):
Pearson is no stranger tostrident arguments.
After his famed temporaryremoval from the legislature for
opposing gun violence, he toldNBC TV affiliate WBIR.
With all of the problems thatwe have as a state, whether that
be dealing with poverty, thelack of health care, access, the
rights of women to choose whatthey do with their bodies we're
(53:52):
getting legislation afterlegislation that furthers
discrimination, othering andseparation.
It's despicable and ridiculousthat this is how we are using
our time and energy, and itisn't helping anybody.
Speaker 8 (54:05):
Finally, florida's ban on drag shows was struck
down by the 11th US CircuitCourt of Appeals on May 13th.
The 2-1 majority found that thelaw's vague language, allegedly
meant to protect children fromsalacious entertainment,
violates free speech guaranteesof the US Constitution.
Governor Ron DeSantis signedthe law when he was running for
(54:27):
president in 2023.
It threatened fines, loss ofoperating licenses and criminal
penalties against a venue orperformer for exposing a child
to lewd performances, even withparental consent.
Child to lewd performances,even with parental consent.
Drag shows were notspecifically mentioned.
Instead, it prohibited minorsfrom attending an adult live
(54:47):
performance that depicts orsimulates nudity, sexual conduct
, sexual excitement or specificsexual activities, including the
lewd exposure of prosthetic orimitation genitals or breasts.
There's nothing like that inthe kind of family-friendly drag
brunches that are wildlypopular at the queer-friendly
(55:10):
restaurant chain.
Hamburger Mary's.
The Orlando location filed suitagainst the ban.
The state appealed to the 11thCircuit after a lower court
issued a preliminary injunctionblocking its enforcement.
Writing for the majority, judgeRobin S Rosenbaum said by
providing only vague guidance asto which performances it
(55:31):
prohibits, the law wields ashotgun.
When the First Amendment allowsa scalpel at most, the case now
returns to the District Federalcourt, where a bench trial can
be scheduled.
Hamburger Mary's has sinceclosed its Orlando location,
while the owners have continuedto sponsor drag event community
fundraisers.
They plan to open a newrestaurant in Kissimmee.
(55:53):
Their victory statement said inpart this bill has nothing to
do with children and everythingto do with the continued
oppression of the LGBTQ pluscommunity.
Anytime our legislators want todemonize a group, they say they
are coming for your children,in this case creating a false
narrative that drag queens aregrooming and recruiting your
children, with no factual basisor history to back up these
(56:16):
accusations at all.
Speaker 9 (56:31):
That's.
Speaker 8 (56:32):
News Wrap global queer news with attitude for the
week ending May 17th 2025.
Accusations at all and broughtto you by you.
Speaker 9 (56:38):
Thank you.
Help keep us in gears aroundthe world at thiswayoutorg,
where you can also read the textof this newscast and much more.
For this Way Out, I'm SarahMontague.
Stay healthy.
Speaker 8 (56:49):
And I'm Joe Bainline, stay safe.
Speaker 1 (56:59):
This has been Queer Voices, heard on KPFT Houston
and as a podcast available fromseveral podcasting sources.
Check our webpageQueerVoicesorg for more
information.
Queer Voices executive produceris Brian Levinka, deborah
Moncrief-Bell is co-producer,brett Cullum and David Mendoza
(57:24):
Drusman are contributors.
The News Wrap segment is partof another podcast called this
Way Out, which is produced inLos Angeles.
Speaker 6 (57:33):
Some of the material in this program has been edited
to improve clarity and runtime.
This program does not endorseany political views or animal
species.
Views, opinions andendorsements are those of the
participants and theorganizations they represent.
In case of death, pleasediscontinue use and discard
remaining products.
Speaker 1 (57:46):
For Queer Voices.
I'm Glenn Holt, Thank you.
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