FREE | August 2019 | Vol. 3; Issue 9 | Campus Edition
GoGuide Magazine Life + Culture + Scene
Meet Mayor Pete Buttigieg pages: 16-18 Proudly covering the LGBTQ community, friends, and allies since 2016
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features
On the Cover Mayor Pete Buttigieg speaks July 14 at State Senator Zach Whals’ birthday party fundraiser
table of contents LIFE
Visionaries P-4 FilmScene P-8 News Briefs P-10 One Iowa Open Letter P-11
Visionaries-Meet Sid Karasek Sid is the chief organizer of the inaugural Marion Pride in Action; Page 4
Film Scene prepars to open a new venue in the Chauncey Building this fall; Page 8
Historic Summer of Pride recap; Pages 12-15
GoGuide goes Funding U=U one-on-on with in Iowa; Pete Buttigieg; Page 19 Pages 16-18
GoGuide interviews musician Becca Mancari; Pages 24-25, 27
Iowa City | Cedar Rapids | Des Moines
Historic Summer of Pride P-12 GoGuide Election Guide: The 2020 Iowa Caucuses P-16 GoGuide Election Guide: 2020 General Election Meet State Auditor Rob Sand P-20 Open Letter from Abby Finkenauer P-21 Meet the LGBT+ Advocates for Public Health Equity UI Student Group P-23
CULTURE Q-Music P-24
Inside Corridor Theater P-26 Book Review P-29
SCENE
California Dreaming P-30 Visit East Village P-31
GoGuide Magazine & GoGuideMagazine.com are published by GoGuide Media. Contact us at info@goguidemagazine.com Advertising infomation is available at www.ROMLLC.us.
FALL 2019 EVENTS
FREE AND OUTDOORS
Storm Large
Storm Large – FREE & OUTDOORS September 6
Van Jones, – FREE (Tickets required)
September 10 *Tickets available August 1
Audra McDonald September 14
Urban Bush Women, Hair & Other Stories September 21
Los Angeles Guitar Quartet September 25
RENT
October 4–5
Chick Corea, Trilogy October 11
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center October 13
Culinary Arts Experience: Pullman Diner/St. Burch Tavern
October 16 *Tickets on sale September 16
Sankai Juku, Utsushi October 22
SITI Company, The Bacchae October 26
Club Hancher: Tomeka Reid Quartet November 2
Culinary Arts Experience: Trumpet Blossom
November 20 *Tickets on sale October 21
CONTRA-TIEMPO & Las Cafeteras joyUS, justUS November 21
Brunch with Santa
December 7 *Tickets on sale November 4
BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet A Cajun Christmas December 7
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis Big Band Holidays December 14
TICKETS ON SALE NOW Order online hancher.uiowa.edu Call (319) 335-1160 or 800-HANCHER Accessibility Services (319) 335-1158
$10
STUDENT TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR MOST SHOWS
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa sponsored events.If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Hancher in advance at (319) 335-1158.
Visionaries Visionaries: A new GoGuide series by Julia Freeman Meet Sid Karasek the first of many Iowa Visionaries Editor’s note: This series will introduce our readers to visionaries paving the way across generations for past, present, and future topics of interest. The intention will be to create a collection of community members doing amazing things and introduce them, along with portions of their stories and roles, to people beyond their immediate communities. Each has a unique perspective and purpose that resonate with LGBTQ persons and humanity alike. Sid is the chief organizer of the inaugural Marion Pride in Action, a grassroots event that was hosted by the Marion Public Library. It was an event that she, along with her friends Shelby and Issa, developed because they believed that such a unifying event needed to happen and was long overdue in the city. The event quickly grew from a uniquely youth-centered gathering as directed in initial advertising and marketing to an all-inclusive, all generations feature including a resource fair and drag storytime. Karasek, elated to learn many came out as LGBTQ to family, including but not limited to parents, because of their attendance
at the event. “It helped change hearts and minds, which was the intention all along, and it helped other people too beyond the intended audience.” She relied upon open-mindedness, communication, and active participation to promote participation and interest in the event. Similar to another event she is helping to promote on August 10 at Prairie Park Fishery in Cedar Rapids known as the “I AM…Walk for You.” Marion Pride in Action helped to unify the community, including the vast media and publicity interest, surrounding the event was surprising to Sid. “Small towns are where Pride events need to happen.” Karasek, a young visionary, has a wide scope on the element and necessity of connection amongst LGBTQ allies and community members alike in handing the controversy surrounding the event from ‘haters.’ The ultimate goal was achieved in helping people know that Feature continued on page 8.
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Cedar Rapids PrideFest at NewBo City Market Photo by Treyner W from Strey Photography
Vol. 3; Issue 9 August 2019 GoGuideMagazine.com Facebook.com/GoGuideMagazine/ Publisher, executive editor Tim Nedoba
Cedar Rapids-Linn County Editor Julia Freeman
Iowa City-Johnson County/Des Moines-Central Iowa/Political/Features editor Tim Nedoba Theater Editor Matthew Brewbaker
Music Editor/Operations Gregory Cameron
Photo Journalist Treyner W from Strey Photography Columnist Erik Sosa
Graphics GoGuide Media
Website Development AIT, Inc./GoGuide Media
Contributors Barry Joy (aka asianmapleleaf) Gregg Shapiro Lena Thompson Terri Schlichenmeyer
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Meet Sid Karasek continued from page 4. it’s OK to be who they are and have pride in themselves. Asked about her viewpoint on GayStraight Alliances, she spoke to their importance in helping students think about things while living their lives and be more inclusive. She can attest to GSAs helping to diversify youth perspectives and the excitement, there is room for additional support and acceptance in all schools, according to KarShe also spoke to the work that Liz Bennett, the keynote speaker from the event, has done around state laws; although schools do need to do what they say they will do, care, and protect LGBTQ members from violence and follow the law. Regarding schools that do not yet have GSAs, she states that many students are upset because their peers do not have as open minds as schools that do have such GSAs in place. “I AM…Walk for You.” The event takes place August 10 at Prairie Park Fishery in Cedar Rapids. Visit https://iamwalk.com/ to learn more.
Photo by Bill Adams
Iowa City’s FilmScene ready to add new venue A GoGuide Q&A with FilmScene managers & directors When do you expect the new theater in Chauncey Tower open? ANDREW SHERBURNE: FilmScene anticipates a fall grand opening, however, the date is not yet set. Once we get closer to the opening, we will announce an official time and date. In the meantime are still showing films at your old/current location? ANDREW: Yes, and FilmScene intends to keep our Iowa City Ped Mall location open into the future. It is a space the community has fallen in love with, and we think it’s a substantial presence for the arts on downtown Iowa City. What has been the biggest challenge in planning the move? ANDREW: Building a new facility is a wide-ranging project, with decisions ranging from screen size and projector models down to popcorn poppers and carpet choices. It’s a lot of fun, but there are a lot of details. We’re doing it all while trying not to miss a beat with our current operation.
Continued on page 22
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One Iowa Announces Acting Director One Iowa Announces Acting Director Jenny Smith, One Iowa Board Chair, announced that Courtney Reyes would serve as the interim executive director effective immediately. Courtney Reyes will take over the reins from Daniel Hoffman-Zimmerman. Hoffman-Zimmerman announced that he was leaving One Iowa to take the position of CEO at Proteus, Inc. “One Iowa’s board of directors is working closely with Courtney, Daniel, and other staff to ensure a smooth transition while we seek to hire a leader to fill this role on a permanent basis. All scheduled One Iowa events and programs will continue as planned.” Stated Smith Jenny Smith
A search is underway for the next permanent executive director. Contact One Iowa or visit OneIowa.org for more information.
An area Welcoming Church:
St Andrew Presbyterian Church; 140 Gathering Place Lane, Iowa City
In an email response from Daniel de Beer Interim Senior Pastor at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church to GoGuide
Magazine, “St Andrew Presbyterian Church is indeed an open and welcoming church. Our policy of inclusion states The congregation of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church affirms the worth and dignity of all people. We are all created in God’s image, and in Christ, we are the children of God. Just as Jesus welcomed everyone into his fellowship, even those who traditionally had been marginalized, we welcome all people to our congregation regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental ability, income, or political beliefs. All are welcome to worship, serve, and participate fully in the life and ministry of St. Andrew; and all who profess faith in Jesus Christ are welcome to become members of St. Andrew with eligibility for its leadership and offices.”
“In the spirit of this statement, we at St. Andrew are committed to providing a safe place for all to explore Christian faith through prayerful and considered study of scripture and church history and to deepen our relationships with one another and with Jesus Christ. We acknowledge there is a diversity of personal conviction about matters that involve sexuality and Christian marriage. Living out our Christian calling, we welcome the presence, gifts, and companionship of all on the journey of faith. We at St. Andrew embrace our diversity in all its forms and celebrate our unity as the body of Christ. [http://saintandrew-ic.org/about/inclusionwedding-policy]”
GoGuide unedited at GoGuideMagazine.com
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An Open letter from One Iowa On behalf of the One Iowa board of directors and staff, we wanted to share the news that Daniel Hoffman-Zinnel, who has served as our executive director since January 2017, has announced his resignation to pursue another career opportunity. His last day with the organization is August 7.
During Daniel’s time with One Iowa, the organization has grown its staff and broadened its reach across the state. Since 2017, One Iowa has expanded its programming in areas such as workplace culture, developing future LGBTQ leaders and improving access to quality healthcare for LGBTQ Iowans among other work. Additionally, the organization’s annual revenue has nearly tripled in the past two and a half years. We are grateful for Daniel’s vision, creativity and leadership. We know he will continue to be a vocal advocate for and supporter of our work, and we wish him the best in his new endeavor. Courtney Reyes, One Iowa’s current director of development, has agreed to serve as the organization’s interim executive director. She will serve in this role until a candidate is selected to fill this position on a permanent basis. Not only has Courtney played a key role in the expansion of One Iowa’s fundraising efforts, but she is also familiar with the day-to-day operations of the organization and has demonstrated management experience. For these reasons and many others, Courtney is the ideal choice as our interim executive director. One Iowa’s board of directors is working closely with Courtney, Daniel, and other staff to ensure a smooth transition while we seek to hire a leader to fill this role on a permanent basis. All scheduled One Iowa events and programs will continue as planned, including the Eastern Iowa LGBTQ Workplace Culture Summit on October 22. We have also launched the search for our next permanent executive director, and we will update you on that effort once we have made a hiring decision. The job posting is available for review here: https://oneiowa.org/employment-opportunities. Please don’t hesitate to contact One Iowa if you have questions or concerns about this effort. Thank you for all you do for LGBTQ Iowans. -One Iowa board of directors and staff
Historic Summ Reflections on the Stonewall Riots: 50 years later by Julia Freeman
Several LGBTQ leaders where asked about the significance of Stonewall in their
lives. In return was a fantastic outpouring of perspectives that ranged from those that lived the experience to those still learning about the prolificness of the events on American history. Please enjoy the reflection and hopes for the future outlined by each person. “I was eight during the Stonewall rebellion, a trans kid terrified of doing anything that might suggest I was not the boy everyone thought I was. I do not remember hearing about them, but if I had, I would not have identified with the courageous queens and queers who stood up to the police. I did not identify with anyone when growing up, and I certainly would not have seen myself with people who dared to be themselves, break the rules, and stand up to authority. It was not until decades later, when I was finally living my trans identity and learning about trans history, that I realized that without Stonewall, I might never have felt safe enough to make the transition from living as a man to living as a woman. Thanks to Marcia P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and others who put their bodies on the line, by the time I transitioned, trans people had organized, fought for and won legal protections and social recognition that kept me from being fired, thrown out of my apartment, beaten up or arrested for using public restrooms. I was lucky, of course. I work and live in New York and Massachusetts, among the safest states for trans people, and I came out years before the current backlash against trans rights. However, the heroes of Stonewall kicked open the door, and we, their political and spiritual children, are not about to let that door be locked again,” commented Joy Ladin, the first openly transgender employee of an Orthodox Jewish institution (Yeshiva University). “When it comes to starting a movement, it often takes a force to break the holds that are hindering the motion. The riots at Stonewall were the tipping point for that movement. Some movements begin in a courtroom, some at the podium, others in academia, and others as a direct response to overt oppression. How long can a population of people endure abuse, disrespect, and violence before getting to the breaking point? Look at the treatment of the LGBTQ community leading up to the riot. For these folks, it rose up or risk death in many cases. It was a rebellion of survival. Now, much of the movement takes place in courtrooms or on the floors of our state legislatures. I am proud to be the elected voice that many in the LGBTQ community need right now on these issues. We have come a long way over the last fifty years,” explained Brianna Titone, Colorado’s first openly transgender state legislator. There is certainly more than meets the senses when discussing the real significance and impact of Stonewall. However, a consensus is that the fight is far from over, but it was a positive influence on the fight for equity and equality for LGBTQIA+ persons. Editors Note - the full article can be read at GoGuideMagazine.com
mmer of Pride GoGuide Magazine’s 2019 Honor Roll
2019 Inaugural Pride Honorees The first annual Honor Roll from GoGu-
ide Magazine. Each year at Pride, the magazine will select an organization, person(s), event, or other notable happenings that have had a positive effect on the LGBTQ communities in Iowa.
announced in the May/June Pride issue of GoGuide Magazine. The full bios available at GoGuideMagazine.com. It seemed worth repeating in print.
Large Crowds Attend Area Pride Events in 2019 Iowa City Pride Committee estimated this year’s attendance at Iowa City 10,000 to 12,000 people attended this summer’s Pride events. Those in attendance were treated to multiple entertainment opportunities highlighted by the annual parade. Next summer Iowa City Pride will celebrate the 50th anniversary of their Pride Parade. The oldest parade in Iowa.
The 2019 Honorees
President Bruce Harreld & the University of Iowa Jack Stapleton, MD; Professor,
Division of Infectious Diseases; Depts. of Internal Medicine & Microbiology and Immunology; Director, Levitt Center for Viral Pathogenesis; Founder of UIHC HIV/AIDS Clinic
VARNUM V. BRIEN; Iowa State Supreme
Marriage Equality in Iowa
Nicole L. Nisly, MD; Founder
LGBTQ Clinic at the University of Hospitals and Clinics. Editors note: These honorees were first
Cedar Rapids PrideFest estimated their crowd at 8.500. The event was held at NewBo City Market. “CRPrideFest’s goal is to create an environment that builds community. It’s such an amazing experience to see so many people from around the area come together for the purpose of celebrating and raising awareness of LGBTQ community and issues. We thank everyone for helping make CRPrideFest possible,” stated CRPrideFest President to GoGuide Magazine in a text message.
Historic Summ All Photo’s by Treyner W from Strey Photography Iowa City Pride
Marion Pride in Action
mmer of Pride Pride Night at the Ballpark
Hosted by CR PrideFest & Cedar Rapids Kernels Friday, July 5, 2019
Cedar Rapids PrideFest at Newbo City Market
GoGuide The 202 GoGuide goes one-on-one with ‘Mayor Pete’ Maybe the most unlikely Presdential candidate now finds himself among the top tier of a very crowded Democratic field Are you all in to win the Iowa Caucuses? Can you win Iowa? Absolutely. I’m looking forward to visiting with Iowans from all across the state –– including cities, rural areas, and counties that are not necessarily known for being very Democratic. I think that’s really important. That’s why I was recently up in Cresco, a county that Obama won by 20 points in 2012, and then Trump won by 20 points in 2016. My introduction to the state was as a volunteer in 2008 knocking on doors for Barack Obama in Decatur, Union, Ringgold counties. I know there are a lot of communities across this state that are Obama-Trump swing counties, and I think that’s a big part of where we need to succeed. We need more voices from places that have often been neglected or felt left out of the political conversation. And there are so many communities in Iowa, whether it’s an industrial city similar to my hometown of South Bend, or rural communities where people grow up getting this message like I did growing up that success had to mean getting out. This president spoke to communities like that, but in a very destructive way, basically saying that the only way things could get any better for us is to turn back the clock. But that is a promise you can’t keep, because there is no going back.
But we can move forward. My message is one of generational change, and I plan to make my case to Iowans all across the state for why I believe I am the best candidate for that. It may seem like a ridiculous question, but are you going to seek the LGBTQ vote actively? Often the LGBTQ vote is taken for granted or is not actively sought after by major party candidates. I’m going to seek every American’s vote, and that certainly includes the LGBTQ community. You know, I began my career at a time when you could either be out or you could have a career in politics, but you couldn’t have both. But thanks to the grace of a single vote on the Supreme Court, last year, I had the freedom to marry my husband, Chasten, while serving as the Mayor of South Bend, Indiana. Things are changing very quickly, but we have got a long way to go. Getting marriage equality did not end the struggle for equality in general for the LGBTQ community. You look at
ide Election Guide: 020 Iowa Caucuses the fact that a lot of parts of the country lack basic protections, including parts of Indiana where I live, where you could be fired for who you are. We see a lot of attacks coming out of this White House on transgender Americans. We’ve got to end the war on trans Americans. We need an Equality Act. I think it’s pretty shocking that the Equality Act that sailed through the House of Representatives is being held up by the GOP-led Senate and President. That’s why we need a federal Equality Act that would protect people from being fired just because of who you are or because of who you love. You talk about a new vision for America. In what ways does that vision include the LGBTQ community? Right now, people of color, women, LGBTQ Americans, immigrants and others, feel like they are under attack from this administration. And we need to find ways to stand up for each other and to reach across the different boundaries of identity that we have in order to stand up for the basic idea of freedom and equality. This is a moment where anybody who could be marked out as different is in some way vulnerable, because of the way this administration works. The struggle for equality for the LGBTQ community,
on everything from workplace discrimination to trans service members’ dignity, does not compete with the other struggles of Americans. It reinforces these struggles, and it obligates us all to do everything we can to lift one another up in the struggle. We have to stand with each other, no matter what. Harvey Milk used to talk about the “us-es”—not just gays, but the black community, seniors, the disabled. Anyone who’s been marginalized, or preyed upon, or counted out. And the only way we’ll move forward is if all of us “us-es” rise together to meet this moment. To make our “us-es” into a bigger us without pretending that we’re all the same, without needing to be all the same in order to put it all on the line for one another. The struggle for freedom and fairness and a better life reaches far beyond our LGBTQ experience. But our experience arms us with empathy and it fills us with the energy to get this done. Healthcare is on the minds of all Americans. How is your healthcare proposal better or different than other candidates? We need to move to universal health care. I don’t understand how we are expected to accept America as the only developed country that lacks this. And, universal health care is popular. Now we can talk about how quickly and how Interview continued on next page.
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norm; growing up in an age when climate is going to impact our life possibilities and choices; somebody who belongs to the generation that could be the first in history to be worse off than our parents if nothing is done to change our economy. Our party needs to demonstrate that it can speak to every part of the country, including a hometown like mine from the industrial midwest whose story is living proof that there is no such thing as an honest politics built around the word ‘again’. That’s why I’m running for president.
ambitiously we can implement this. I don’t believe we can just flip the switch overnight and expect single-payer to work smoothly. Think about how hard it was just to get the Affordable Care Act, which is a comparatively conservative thing to do now. What I would do is push for what I call a “Medicare for all who want it” approach. Basically, take a flavor of Medicare and put it on the exchanges. And then let people opt-in, I expect that More campaign information can be found it will be better and more competitive at https://peteforamerica.com/. than the corporate options, and therefore more people will buy into it. Over time, Photo Credit: it’s a smoother glide path to a Medicare ‘Mayor Pete’ mingles with the for all environment, which I think is the crowd in Cedar Rapids on June 5, 2019. most attractive destination. Photo by Julia Freeman Tell us in a paragraph or two why you want to be President and why this is the time for you? I’m running for president because I believe we are living at a moment of such seriousness and such opportunity that we’ve got to do something completely different. What happens in the next three or four years will decide how America functions for the next thirty or forty. I think more than anything we need to stand on our values. Values like freedom, security, and democracy. And we must insist that these values do not belong to one political party. So in that spirit, we’re organizing a different kind of campaign, and because this moment calls for a different message, and a different messenger, which I am. I’m a middle class mayor from the industrial midwest, from a new generation, at a moment when America needs a new generation of leadership to step forward. Somebody who can speak to how growing up with school shootings as the
GoGuide Election Guide:
2020 Presidential Caucus Guide is available in it’s entirity online at GoGuideMagzine.com.
Election updates
Available on our Facebook page at Facebook. com/GoGuideMagazine
Iowa Department of Public Health and the CDC team up to help end HIV in Iowa Part one of a two-part series
GoGuide Magazine recently had the
opportunity to speak with the person in Iowa responsible for managing and leading the campaign to help end the spread of HIV. His name is Cody Shafer. He has an extensive list of responsibilities, including preventions services coordinator, the Ryan White Part B program, and HIV programing initiates. NuCara Pharmacy is contracted by the Iowa Department of Public Health with the mission to lead this program. The ads can be seen almost everywhere. They run in at least three publications in Iowa City alone. The goal is to reach the entire sexually active demographic in our state. HIV affects everyone. It was surprising to learn that there is no state funding for this program. It is all federally funded. “The current funding market is not a negative one under the current administration,” according to Cody Shafer. In fact, “the 48 counties most susceptible to high HIV transmission rates and will receive additional funding under the current administrations initiative to end HIV.” The state of Iowa does not have a top 48 high risk county. However, our current funding levels will not be cut. GoGuide goes one-on-one with Cody Shafer Where does the funding come from for this program? “Specifically, “The IDPH receives funding for HIV prevention activities (including PrEP) through the PS18-1802 funding opportunity awarded by the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These federal funds are used to support HIV prevention and surveillance activities in the state of Iowa. This award is what directs and supports PrEP related activities.” How is success measured? The success of our PrEP activities is measured in a variety of ways. First, we look at standard metrics like clickthrough rates, conversions, web site views, etc. However, overall we are also looking at PrEP uptake in Iowa and measuring this mostly by monitoring pharmacy fill data (when available) to estimate the total number of Iowan’s who are utilizing PrEP for HIV prevention over time. Has the program been successful? We do believe that our PrEP activities have been successful. We started the program in January of 2017, since that time, we have provided PrEP navigation services to an estimated 900 individuals. This does not necessarily mean that all 900 obtained a prescription - but that this many individuals contacted us for navigation support including linkage to a known PrEP provider.
Editors note: Part two will look into the specific programs and take a closer look at all the initiatives included in this program.
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GoGuide Election Guide: 2020 General Election
I Meet Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand (D) An interview by Julia Freeman Do you feel good about what you’ve accomplished since being elected? I feel great. We’ve put together our Public Innovations and Efficiencies (PIE) checklist that makes efficiency recommendations a part of our regular work. We’ve stuck to our promise to bring more professional diversity into the office by hiring some law enforcement professionals to join on investigations. We’ve also begun Medicaid audits, which I promised during the campaign. Those were our significant 3 issues during the campaign. Do you plan to seek the LGBTQ vote in subsequent election cycles? Of course. LGBTQ people care about many of the same issues as all Iowans, and shouldn’t be treated as one-dimensional. I am delivering on my promises, and I think that speaks to the LGBTQ community and will help me earn their votes in the future. Why should the LGBTQ community support you as State Auditor? Along with being a strong ally of LGBTQ rights and organizations in my personal life, I’m doing the job the way Iowans want the job to be done. Being aggressive and being the taxpayer’s watchdog is something that I think earns me the LGBTQ community’s support. What is your standpoint on businesses not serving LGBTQ people due to religious purposes? It’s bad for business, civil rights, and
our country when companies chose to exclude LGBTQ people. We’ve also seen other states lose business due to discrimination, which hurts budgets. An important issue for the LGBTQ community is fair audits of all businesses. How is your auditing plan better than those in the past? We report on misspending of public monies, but we also say entities that are being good stewards of taxpayer dollars. We work hard to be diligent, fair, professional, and thorough in every audit engagement. However, it should be noted that we audit only public entities, not businesses. Another important issue is transparency? I do Transparency Tuesdays at 4:45 pm on my “Rob Sand” Facebook Page where people can hear about the activities I’ve done over the course of the week. I have also done 35+ interviews since taking office and am extremely accessible to the public on social media. Is there anything else you would like to add?It’s going to be a great time, I’ll keep all the speakers to their timeslots, and I’ll make sure it’s a great time enjoyed by all. If you see me, there don’t be afraid to ask for a photo or to chat. Editors Note: Rob Sand was sworn into office on January 2, 2019. Visit https:// robsand.com campaign site for more information.
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An Open letter from Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) I’ll never forget being a page on the floor of the Iowa House when they outlawed discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. I looked around and saw tears in the eyes of advocates and legislators who had dedicated themselves to making sure our Iowa values were reflected in law.
As a member of Congress, I’ve been proud to continue that fight for equality. I cosponsored a resolution denouncing the ban on transgender servicemembers. Instead of telling these brave Americans that they can’t serve our country, we need to honor and support our veterans, active-duty members, and their families. I was also proud to cosponsor of the Equality Act, which passed the House of Representatives in May. This bill amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other existing laws to ensure that LGBTQ Americans are afforded the same protections against discrimination as other Americans. The Equality Act would prevent discrimination in public accommodations, housing, education, employment, and access to credit. Too many Americans are denied a home or a job or an education because of who they are and who they love. As a member of the Congressional Equality Caucus, I will continue to be a voice for equality and fairness. From the editor: According to Congresswoman Finkenauer’s website biographical information, she was raised in Sherrill, IA a small town in rural Dubuque County. A graduate of Drake University, she was elected to the Iowa State House of Representatives, at the age of 25. In November 2018, Congresswoman Finkenauer was elected to the United States House of Representatives. In Congress, she serves on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee where she sits on the Highways and Transit Subcommittee and Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee. She also sits on the Small Business Committee, where she chairs the Rural Development, Agriculture, Trade, and Entrepreneurship Subcommittee.
GoGuide Magazine wants to hear from you. Send your letters to info@GoGuideMagazine.com.
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FilmScene continued from page 8 Do you need anything from the community before the move? Can people donate to FilmsScene, etc.? How can someone get involved and support FilmScene? JOE TIEFENTHALER: Support from the community is vital for our expansion efforts for FilmScene to continue operating sustainably—and our joint fundraising effort with The Englert Theatre has even more in store for our spaces, our organizations, and our community. Our vision can be found at strengthengrowevolve.org, and we encourage anyone interested in hearing more to be in touch! Are there opportunities for students interested in cinema at FilmScene like internships, etc.? ANDREW: Students have been a part of our cinema since day one thanks to our long-standing partnership with the University of Iowa’s Bijou Film Board. Students interested in helping program, marketing and discuss film are invited to become a part of Bijou and help us showcase cinema on campus.
What can students and community members expect from FilmScene this fall? JOE: The community can expect FilmScene to deliver all the same great programming they’ve come to expect and more of it. Additional screens will allow us to expand our film selection to larger and smaller films, add more showtimes, and expand our curated series. We’re also planning a grand opening celebration, which should be a lot of fun. We can’t reveal the details yet, but we’ll be making some noise closer to our opening date. Are there plans to continue the LGBTQ film series? JOE: Expanding our number of screens will not only allow us to further establish programs like the LGBTQ film series partnership with IC Pride, but it will also allow us to offer better dates and times, more showings, and more integrated into our calendars. We’re excited at the opportunity to continue working with our community to build new series, more programs, and further respond to opportunities and needs. Visit FilmScene at http://www.icfilmscene.org/ for more information.
Many blessings in your new home, we love you Alexander! Always and forever, Mom and Dad, Stacey and William
A New GoGuide Series
Highlighting campus organizations Getting
involved in campus activities is one way you can make a difference at your college or university
Meet the LGBT+ Advocates for Public Health Equity
By Lena Thompson
The LGBT+ Advocates for Public Health
Equity (LGBT+ Advocates) is open to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and allied individuals enrolled in or affiliated with the University of Iowa. We are dedicated to helping make the University of Iowa an accessible and inclusive space for all people and promote scholarly inquiry on related public health issues. Our mission is to serve as a bridge between the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT+), and straight communities by creating a safe space at the University of Iowa for students, faculty, and staff; advocating for and informing greater inclusion of LGBT+ health issues in the academic programming of CPH; and contributing to broader community level discussions on LGBT+ issues. We also aim to support those engaging in LGBT+ health research and practice at the University of Iowa. Since our founding by students at the College of Public Health (CPH) in 2016, the LGBT+ Advocates have stayed busy, participating in and hosting events that we feel contribute to public health equity and inclusivity. The group meets weekly at CPH to plan participation in events, discuss relevant LGBT+ health topics, and have fun. We have hosted several events, including an LGBT Health Summit, an annual Coming Out Day Photo Booth, and a “Love Letters to Strangers” letter-writing session. This past winter, we had a booth at the Sexual Health Information Fair held right before Mirage, an annual drag show hosted at the Iowa Memorial Union. At the booth, we helped
distribute the “LGBTQ Health in Iowa: Results from a State-wide Survey” report based on data collected on LGBTQ Iowans through a collaborative effort among the College of Public Health, Des Moines University, One Iowa, and the Iowa Cancer Consortium. This upcoming year, we are looking forward to working on two new projects. The first is an effort to collect basic information about research conducted on campus with LGBT+ populations. By creating an LGBT+ research directory, we hope to connect University of Iowa students with faculty who can provide mentorship and/or research opportunities. Second, we plan to support the new Eastern Iowa branch of One Iowa in planning its first Eastern Iowa LGBTQ Health & Wellness Conference. After attending the One Iowa Annual LGBTQ Health & Wellness Conference in Des Moines last February, we are looking forward to helping to bring LGBTQ health specialists and topics right here to Iowa City. Whether you would like to join the LGBT+ Advocates Executive Council, participate as a member, or just come by and say hello at one of our booths, the LGBT+ Advocates welcome you to campus and would love to meet you! Search LGBT Advocates for Public Health Equity on https://uiowa.campuslabs.com/ engage/ for additional information. Editors note: This article has been edited for space. Please visit GoGuideMagazine. com for the complete article.
Good as gold: an interview with singer/songwriter Becca Mancari An interview by Gregg Shapiro
Nashville-based queer singer/songwriter Becca Mancari is an artist you must hear and one whose name you should remember.
Her 2017 debut album Good Woman,
which received high praise from music journalist Ann Powers, landed at number 19 on Rolling Stone’s “40 Best Country and Americana Albums of 2017” list, as well as Brooklyn Vegan’s assemblage of “Five Overlooked Albums of 2017”. In addition to her acclaimed solo work, Mancari has also performed as onethird of the trio Bermuda Triangle with Brittany Howard and Jesse Lafser. With a new album completed (and being shopped around to labels), Mancari is embarking on a multi-city concert tour. Gregg Shapiro: Becca, at what age did you first pick up a guitar? Becca Mancari: I was 12 when I first started learning how to play guitar. I’ve Becca Mancari will be performing at The Mill in Iowa City on September 27
been playing it kind of poorly ever since [laughs]. GS: Did you have lessons, or are you selftaught? BM: I’m self-taught. At that age, I had a lot Photo by Zachary Gray of friends who were in bands, so I had some great mostly guy friends who said, “I’ll show you how to play that,” or “This is that power chord.” Still, today, I have friends that teach me along the way. GS: Do you play any other instruments? BM: I’m learning how to play keys now because of the new music and the necessity. It’s really fun — just some simple keys. GS: Who do you consider your top five musical influences? BM: When I first moved to Nashville, it was very much songwriters. Bob Dylan. Neil Young for so many reasons,
including that we were born on the same day and I feel very connected to him. November 12! There is something about him that feels simplistic in a way and rhythmic, and that’s where I find myself as a songwriter, too. There are a lot of simple, repetitive feelings, and I think he does that as well. When I first moved here, I met Gillian Welch. Talk about meeting one of your heroes! At a local taco shop that I worked at in Nashville! That blew me away. Some modern stuff, too. I’ve listened to a lot of Big Thief; I think Adrianne Lenker is one of the greatest songwriters that we have now. She’s just incredible and kind of a poet, more than anything. Radiohead, too, because I think they’re the best band out there. GS: I’m glad that you mentioned moving to Nashville. Was the twang in your sound always there, or did it become more pronounced when you relocated to Nashville? BM: It definitely became pronounced here. I didn’t grow up listening to country music. When I first moved to Nashville, I didn’t know who Dwight Yoakam was [laughs]. I’d never listened to George Strait. I’d never listened to ‘90s country, for sure, which by the way is so much fun if you’re in the right setting. Nashville has taught me a lot about the beauty of that. The songwriter aspect that got under my skin when I first moved here was Gillian Welch and the people who were in the old country. But then everything changed because I came back to tell my story the way that I grew up speaking it. I grew up in the northeast with no country music. My new record doesn’t even have a hint of country. GS: In recent years, queer women have become increasingly visible in modern country, with artists such as yourself, Brandi Carlile, H.C. McEn-
Photo by Zachary Gray
tire, and Lucy Dacus, leading the way. What does it mean to you to be one of those musical pioneers? BM: I love Lucy. It’s interesting that you brought her up. She’s so young. She’s so from another generation. I joke with (musician) Jillian Baker. She’s a good friend of mine, and I used to give her a hard time. I’d be like, “You kids! You don’t even know what it was like to be gay in the early 2000s!” If I’m honest, it’s pretty emotional for me. GS: You said that you have new music forthcoming and that it’s different from what we’ve heard before from you. BM: To me, I feel like it’s the closest to the truth of who I am now as an adult. It’s the most personal I’ve been on a record. I feel like I was able to write and open my life up to an audience that I
Interview with Becca Mancari continued on page 27
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GoGuide
By Matthew Brewbaker
masks, Anna wrestles with the place of art and artists during times of war, and if her art is sanitizing the tragedy and effects of this conflict. We are so proud and pleased to be facilitating this new work. This production has a great cast featuring Jessica Wilson in the role of Anna. Check out Dreamwell’s Facebook page and website for more info on this workshop production.
Local Theater is heating up in August Not that many years ago, there was
very little theatre going on over the summer but thankfully that has changed recently. Although Riverside Theatre’s summer programming is over for the year, plenty of other groups are providing both indoor and outdoor theatre during August. Theatre Cedar Rapids will be putting on its’ Underground Play Festival August 8th through 18th featuring Rob Merrits’ Aurora, which is his follow up/ sequel to The Summerland Project. The Underground Play Festival will also feature 12 other short plays by various local playwrights. I am also pleased to say that I will be among the cast of one of the shows, The Genesis Project by Erica Jo Lloyd and directed by Grant Freeman. This years’ Underground Play Festival has the theme, “Out There” and focuses on science and technology.
Also, during mid-August, Dreamwell Theatre will be assisting local playwright Collin Mattox in presenting his new play Visages. Visages follows the work of Anna Coleman Ladd, a sculptor who moved to Paris during World War I to create masks for veterans with facial injuries. While crafting these
For a bit of levity in the hot days of August, I would also recommend Run of the Mill Theatre’s production of The Underpants by Carl Sternheim and adapted by Steve Martin. Directed by Rich LeMay, this funny play features a very talented cast of Iowa City area actors such as Nate Sullivan, Jos Sasson, and Logan Natvig . This classic farce is set in Germany in 1910, and has been adapted by comic legend, Steve Martin. Run of the Mill performs at The Mill restaurant in Iowa City and will run Fri-Sun Aug 23-25. Lastly, Dreamwell is happy to announce its next season! Look for more information about dates for the shows on Dreamwell’s Facebook page and website. It’s going to be an exciting season of theater! In the coming months I will also talk about some great stuff planned for Riverside Theatre and Hancher (including shows from the SITI theatre and a fantastic Japanese dance group), so stay tuned. This column has been edited for space. Read the full column at GoGuideMagazine.com.
Becca Mancari interview continued from page 25 didn’t have before. The first time around, nobody knew who I was. This time around, I do have fans and people who care about what’s going on. I let them into my world. Maybe, selfishly, I had some things that I had to get out of my body to move on. It’s a lot about my old faith, my parents, my coming out, forgiveness, some dark stuff, trying to figure out how to be in the same relationship for a long time — the human experience. I wanted to dive into it and tell my truth. The guy who produced it is named Zac Farro. He’s the drummer for Paramore. Editors note: This interview has been editied for space. The full interview can be read at GoGuideMagazine.com
LGBTQ Book Burning ORANGE CITY, Iowa (AP) — A magistrate has refused to dismiss a criminal mischief charge against an Iowa religious activist accused of burning four LGBTQ children’s books that he checked out of a library. Prosecutors say 63-year-old Paul Dorr posted a video on Facebook in October in which he denounced the Orange City library for having the books and threw them into a burning barrel. He argued in his motion for dismissal that he was singled out for prosecution because of the message he was sending. Sioux County District Court records show that Magistrate Lisa Mazurek said in her ruling issued Monday that Dorr didn’t prove his assertions and that the only message being sent to him is “that he cannot burn books that do not belong to him.” His trial is set for Aug. 6. GoGuide Magazine will take a look at the best and worst places to work in our semi-annual Workplace Equality issue. If you work for a company that goes out of its way to include LGBTQ diversity in the workplace, please let us know. Email info@GoGuideMagazine.com. If you’re a job seeker, you won’t want to miss this issue!
GoGuide File Photo. Becca Mancari performs at Big Grove Brewery in Iowa City during Mission Creek Festival 2019
Workplace Equality Issue September 1, 2019
Prairie Lights Iowa City’s iconic, independent bookstore since 1978
15 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City, Iowa 52240 319-337-2681 prairielights.com BOOKSTORE
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Book Review Sponsored by Prairie Lights Book Store & Cafe www.PrairieLights.com 15 S. Dubuque Street, Iowa City “Rainbow Warrior: My Life in Color” by Gilbert Baker It was “A pure act of rebellion...” Review by Terri Schlichenmeyer The Bookworm Sez
There are holes in one end to fasten to a pole or rope, but it’s other-
wise just a piece of cloth. People have died for it and, as in the new book “Rainbow Warrior” by Gilbert Baker, that flag could be the fabric of a revolution. Even as a small child, Gilbert Baker knew that he was gay. He grew up in Kansas, a child who loved to draw, create, wear fancy dresses, and dream of being an artist. Alas, art wasn’t a career in his parents’ eyes. He lied about his gayness and enlisted in the Army. He quickly realized that he was in for years of abuse (at best) or Vietnam (at worst). He “lived in terror” before filing as a conscientious objector; the Army instead listed him as a medic and sent him to San Francisco. It was the perfect accidental gift. While that first flag was a big hit, Baker writes that the symbol didn’t take off quite as much as he’d hoped. Still, it was present in every “street activists” event he was part of, at every parade, and protest. “One pair of scissors” and a mile of fabric could “change the whole dynamic,” he wrote later. It was “a pure act of rebellion…” “Rainbow Warrior” was compiled from several manuscripts that the late author Gilbert Baker left after his death in 2017. Readers may notice a bit of pretentiousness, a lot of snarky fighting, endless drugs, and getting naked in Baker’s narrative, which is likewise forgivable because much of it takes place post-Stonewall, post-Summer-of-Love, pre-AIDS. And thus is the appeal here. Baker was one of the more ferociously involved protesters, by his own account, and his anecdotes are priceless. He gives readers an excellent first-person look at early efforts for gay rights, and eye-opening, sometimes jaw-dropping, behind-the-scenes peeks at life as a young gay man during an uprising. It’s a lively, outrageous look at the outrage, in an account that seems not to have held one thing back. That makes “Rainbow Warrior” readable and entertaining and, despite its overly-ornate verbosity, a good look at revolution cut from a different cloth.
c.2019, Chicago Review Press
$26.99 256 pages
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travel
Travels with Asianmapleleaf It’s a California Dream Trip
There is a reason California is such a popular vacation destination, and not just because of
Hollywood. From beautiful beaches to stunning national parks, and fantastic wineries, California has a lot to offer! Here are only a few diverse California experiences that will make your next California trip a dream vacation. Wine in Napa Valley or Sonoma – Napa Valley and Sonoma are two popular wine destinations – Napa valley being more upscale, but both equally amazing. Napa Valley has 390 wineries! You can avoid the large crowds by going in May, September, and October. Sonoma Valley has more than 450 wineries. Muir Woods National Forest – Located north of San Francisco, the Muir Woods National Monument is known for its towering old-growth redwood trees. The giant sequoias, which are the tallest living things on our planet, make the perfect scenery for stunning pictures. The average age of the coastal redwoods at Muir Woods is between 600 and 800 years, with the oldest being over 1200 years old! Golden Gate Bridge – Visiting the Golden Gate Bridge always makes for an amazing experience no matter how many time you have seen it in the past. You can view it from a one-hour boat tour, which has a bonus as you can see the sea lions where the cruise boats dock. You can also rent a bike and ride across the bridge, or you can view it from various vantage points throughout the city. The Hilton San Francisco is the perfect place to enjoy a few cocktails and admire the magnificent view. Castro District – The Castro District is one of the most famous gay neighborhoods in the world, and it’s the perfect place to go shopping, dining, and to have a few drinks. Two of their famous LGBT clubs are BadLands and Moby Dick. BadLands has been in the area for over twenty years, and locals highly recommend it. Moby Dick offers a lot to do - They have pinball machines, pool, and more! Santa Monica Pier – Open year-round, the Santa Monica Pier is the place to go for good food, and a range of activities going from visiting the Aquarium to concerts and more. One of their popular events is Twilight at the Pier, which is perfect for music lovers. The best way to get to the Santa Monica Pier? Drive down the coast along the ocean and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
This article was submitted by Barry Joy (aka asianmapleleaf), an ambassador of all things travel – he was born and raised in Toronto and currently lives in New York City. Follow his adventures on asianmapleleaf. com or Instagram @asianmapleleaf.
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Visiting the East Village in Des Moines Special to GoGuide Magazine Why does the East Village in Des Moines hold such a special connection with the local LGBTQ community? East Village holds such a special connection with the local LGBTQIA community for a couple reasons. One is the neighborhood has always been a place for “the different.” The first people in our neighborhood were some of the first immigrants so settle in Des Moines, with the official Historic East Village formed after people were dissatisfied with our representation on a local level in Downtown Des Moines governance. We’re also home to the Blazing Saddle, a gay bar in the heart of the East Village, and one of the first businesses to open in the Historic East Village as we know it. They’ve been around for over 40 years, and are the anchor of Capitol City Pride, which is also held every year here in the Village. What makes the East Village exciting? The East Village is so exciting due to the diversity our neighborhood holds, the growth we’ve experienced over the past few years, and the number of events and activities held around the neighborhood every day. We’re a neighborhood that is not only home to diverse residents and shops, but to the types of people that frequent our neighborhood. We have thousands of residents, we’re the workplace for thousands of more people, and home to hundreds of shops, restaurants, and bars. We like to think of ourselves as our own “small-town Iowa,” but with the coolest version of everything you’d find in a small town. What are some of the events of special focus this fall in East Village? This Fall, the East Village has two main events. The first is our East Village BASH, a neighborhood block party and fundraiser, tentatively planned for September 12th at Peace Tree Brewery. More info will be available soon on this event via our Facebook page. The second event is our Holiday Promenade, one of the biggest events annual in Des Moines, which will be held November 22nd. Each year thousands of people from around the metro come down to the Village to eat, drink, shop, tour the window displays, and ring in the holiday season in style.
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U=U UNDETECTABLE MEANS UNTRANSMITTABLE People living with HIV who take their medications as prescribed and have a low amount of virus in their blood are considered undetectable and have effectively no risk of transmitting HIV to their sexual partners. Source: https://www.cdc. gov/hiv/risk/art/index.html
#UequalsU
TALK TO YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER ABOUT U=U.