May Summer of Pride 2020 by GoGuide Iowa

Digital GoGuideMagazine.Com L i f e | C u l t u r e | Vo i c e | S c e n e

Summer of Pride 2020

How best to honor June Pride month during the COVID-19 flu pandemic? Our guest columnist has a few suggestionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s page 13 Election Guide

Film

FREE

May 2020 Summer of Pride 5G Enhanced

Proudly covering the local LGBTQ+ communities, friends, and allies since 2016

A note from the publisher...Proudly covering the local LGBTQ+ communities, friends and allies since 2016

Welcome to our first “Summer of Pride” issue. When we began planning our pride series (May-September) we certainly never expected to be dealing with a pandemic. This crisis has caused an upheaval like anything not seen in more than a century.

If you’re night fighting COVID-19 you’re fighting to pay your bills. GoGuide Magazine wishes everyone well during these difficult times.

Pride events locally and around the world have been canceled or postponed in the face of this epidemic. The events may not physically happen, however, that doesn’t mean that our Pride is canceled. In fact, this only helps to build more Pride among us. Let’s support each other. Help others in need. Let’s show that our community is greater than COVID-19.

Finally, inside this issue is our “Guide to the June 2nd Primary.” It’s so important to vote and it’s every bit as important that no candidate is allowed to take our vote for granted. - Tim

“This is our time. It’s a time for our inner angels to emerge and become our best selves.” - Russ Klein, CEO; American Marketing Association

It’s a blast!

Keep up-to-date on the latest news, entertainment, and event announcements all summer long. Sign-up now for the area’s best e-mail newsletter. In fact, at GoGuide Magazine we call it our “e-mail Blast!”

Vol. 4; Issue 9 May 2020 Summer of Pride #1 GoGuideMagazine.com Facebook.com/ GoGuideMagazine Publisher & Executive Editor Tim Nedoba Operations Gregory Cameron Photography GoGuide Media

Columnists Erica Barz Matthew Brewbaker Julia Freeman Terri Schlichenmeyer Gregg Shapiro Erik Sosa

Graphics/Cover Design GoGuide Media

Website Development AIT, Inc. | GoGuide Media

Social Media & Special Events Reach Out Marketing Local & Online Sales: Reach Out Marketing timr@romllc.us (319) 800-3223 National Sales: Rivendell Media (212) 242-6863

Contact GoGuide Magazine at info@goguidemagazine.com or call (319) 800-3223 Our News; Our Way

Sign-up at GoGuideMagazine.com

Guide to the June 2nd primary; Insert

Summer of Pride; May 2020; Pages 13-17

Community

Voices

Stranded in Cancun; Page 8

By E r

ik So

Wor ld

Erik

’s

Table of Contents

Living with HIV and COVID-19 from IDPH; Page 10

Meet May Visionary Aaron Murphy; A column by Julia Freeman; Page 19

It’s a blast! Keep up-to-date on the latest news, entertainment, and event announcements all summer long. Sign-up now for the area’s best e-mail newsletter. In fact, at GoGuide Magazine we call it our “e-mail Blast!” Sign-up at GoGuideMagazine.com

The 2020 Census is Gayer Than Ever… But It Should be Gayer; Guest columnist Erica Barz; Page 20

Be well; Stay safe GoGuideMagazine.com

Local views of the pandemic - See more pic’s in SCENE; starting on page 26

Photo’s by Tim Nedoba

Digitial GoGuide Table of Contents

The Pride Issue Available June 1

GoGuide Culture pages 21-26 THE HALF OF IT Written and Directed by Alice Wu Released globally on Netflix on May 1, 2020

The whole story: an interview with The Half of It writer/director Alice Wu by Gregg Shapiro

GoGuide Scene pages 28-31 GoGuide SCENE - A look at how a pandemic affects a community. Our community. In pictures.

GoGuide Book Review

Thank you Iowa Heroes!

ik So

Wor ld

Erik

’s

Stranded in Cancun A column by Erik Sosa Digital GoGuide Magazine May 2020

Let me begin by saying that the term “unprecedented” is an eloquent way

By E r

of saying, FUCKED UP! And, unfortunately, we are living in a time in which we are bearing witness to some historic and un-Presidented events around the world. As much as I’d like to think of such occurrences as being coincidental, because it’s a more natural pill to swallow and explain away, the truth is much more causal and calculatedly straight forward than one cares to contemplate. Instead of exhausting myself in trying to read in-between the lies in life, I often find myself analyzing the phonics of rhetoric to further assist in the lifting of its veil. Truth is not an answer, but a lifestyle. That, and crack is whack! Gobbledygook much? Look, I am not trying to be that person, but it is quite apparent that this quarantine has begun to take hold of whatever is left of my sanity. Note to self, step away from the YouTubes. So, let me start with the transparency of my purposive foolishness. This all began a few days back during the onset of a panic attack at a local grocery store in Tulum, Mexico. Yes, this my current situation due to non-essential travel guidelines set in place by our dependable government. Well, that and the fact that the airlines have halted travel to and from Cancun until June. Anyway, because my family and I have been mostly removed from the situation at home, its tangible severity hadn’t fully resonated until I realized that I had haphazardly bypassed a huge line by nonchalantly walking in between the cashiers while on my phone. Had I stumbled into a loophole? Do I leave my stuff behind and get in line? Being in a WWJD mood is ethically taxing on the levels of oxygen to my brain. All of this drama, for what? Hair dye! Garner Nutrisse for myself and Parker?!!

Once back home, I decided to take my mind off things by jumping into the pool to play catch with Cole, when the second wave of sadness rushed over. A cathartic woe is me melancholic moment if you will. An “I never had a chance to do this with my dad” mentality opened my eyes to parenthood from his perspective. It’s not that my dad didn’t want to socialize with his children; it’s that he was too busy parenting and working to make our lives better. Sacrifices change one. Unfortunately, I was too young and naïve to understand the role of parenthood, and now it’s multilayered facets.

It has been through art, that I have been able to embrace my imperfection to better understand my past. I will never be that cookie-cutter idea of a perfect son, spouse, or parent. Yes, I am outspoken, but ironically my deepest pain and struggles often go unheard. Marriage should not be considered to be a failure if it makes you grow within. If anything, marriage, has allowed me to understand that maybe nothings are forever but an evolution of a better understanding of self and others. A stepping stone, if I may, of self-worth, love, and understanding the commonalities we as humans share.

Mark and I will forever be bonded in the knowledge that we were able to raise two individuals in an era when the ideals of gay men were changing. No matter what, Cole and Parker will forever carry the feeling and knowledge that they have two loving parents that often sacrificed their own needs for the betterment of the whole. So, although this pandemic does hinder our everyday lifestyle, its benefits bring us a breath of fresher air when spending with those we usually take for granted. So, yes, I will finish bleaching Parker’s hair and dye it purple. Yes, we will have fun, but know that I feel for you, my friends. My joie de vivre spirit is not squashed, but more so questioned. I must remember that illusion of the rabbit’s hole lies in its depth, but the trick is not to get sucked in too far. GG

SHARE FACTS ABOUT COVID-19 AND HIV FACT

For most people, the immediate risk of becoming seriously ill from the virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to be low.

Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk for more serious complications from COVID-19. As with other viral respiratory infections, the risk for people with HIV getting very sick is greatest in: • People with a low CD4 cell count • People not on HIV treatment (antiretroviral therapy or ART)

FACT

You can help stop COVID-19 by knowing the signs and symptoms.

• Fever • Cough • Shortness of breath Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

COUGH

FEVER FACT

FACT

There are simple things you can do to help keep yourself and others healthy.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash • Insure that you reﬁll and take all of your medications as prescribed

If you are sick with COVID-19 or think you might have COVID-19, care for yourself and help protect other people in your home and community.

• Call ahead before visiting your doctor • Avoid public transportation • Stay home and away from others • Establish a plan for remote clinical care • Try to establish a telemedicine link through your HIV care provider’s online portal • If telemedicine is not available to you, make sure you can communicate with your provider by phone or text

SHORTNESS OF BREATH

• Stay home as much as possible

cdc.gov/COVID-19 CS 315446-A 03/16/2020

Living with HIV and COVID-19 Iowa Department of Public Health has you covered Special to Digital GoGuide Magazine by Holly Hanson; MA, CPM | Ryan White Part B Program Manager | Bureau of HIV, STD, and Hepatitis | Division of Behavioral Health| Iowa Department of Public Health May 2020

We are very proud of the work that we do to help this population get the best support and care to achieve excellent health outcomes as well as to end the HIV epidemic.

Each U.S. state and territory receives funding from the federal government to administer a medication assistance program, usually known as an AIDS Drug Assistance Program, and funding for support services such as case management, transportation assistance, food bank, housing assistance, etc. These two programs are collectively known as the Ryan White Part B Program. I have been managing Iowa’s Part B program since May of 2001.

I grew up in central Iowa in the 70’s and 80’s and went to undergraduate school at the University of Iowa where I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work. I then moved to Denver, CO where I was a travel agent for a short period of time before beginning my Master’s of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology Counselor Education at the University of Colorado at Denver. I was working as a graduate assistant in the Counseling Center on campus in 1999 when on April 20 the Columbine High School shooting occurred. My supervisor at the time left the Counseling Center to lead the agency created to help the Columbine community heal and recruited me as a staff member. I spent the next two years working at this agency - Columbine Connections. The staff learned about the effects of childhood trauma on the likelihood of developing post-traumatic stress as a result of the shooting as well as many modalities of healing and building resilience. It was with this lens that I came to work at the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) in 2001 after the grant funding ended for Columbine Connections.

The Ryan White Part B Client Services program contracts with twelve agencies across the state to provide the variety of services mentioned above, and more. Our philosophy is to deliver high quality, client-centered, support services to the greatest number of Iowans living with HIV as possible. We ensure that the level of service is equal to need, but that the system is nimble enough to adjust as needs increase or decrease. When compared nationally, our clients have some of the best health outcomes in the country. Ibelieve this is achieved due to a variety of factors: 1) A strong workforce with longevity, support, and capacity building opportunities; 2) A focus on retention in both medical and supportive care; 3) A strong quality management focus with data driven programming; and 4) Inclusion of all key stakeholders, community members, and Iowans living with HIV in planning of services and other approaches to ending the HIV epidemic.

The Ryan White Part B program increased statewide messaging about five years ago with three main objectives: 1) Reduce HIV related stigma across Iowa 2)

Encourage testing to find those living with HIV who don’t know it (about 14% of Iowans living with HIV); and 3) Encourage those living with HIV to stay in consistent medical and supportive care. We’ve done this through print advertising in both newspapers and special publications like yours, digital media, and radio advertising.

When it became clear that COVID-19 was coming to Iowa, the Ryan White Part B team acted swiftly. Both the ADAP and the Client Services programs pivoted to be able to maintain services for Iowans living with HIV without interruption. IDPH staff, as well as most of our contractors across Iowa, began delivering services from their homes. When developing our Continuity of Operations Plan for this specific situation, the Ryan White Part B team anticipated probable needs, including fear of what COVID-19 would mean for a person living with HIV. To address this concern, we worked with our marketing contractor to develop both our April and May messaging for the GoGuide. It is our hope that this message will help assuage fears of Iowans living with HIV as well as provide science based information that pertains to them specifically. Other things that the Ryan White Part B program is doing to address specific issues for the folks we serve is to provide emergency funding for food, housing needs, and other utilities. We are also working with our Ryan White Part C partners who provide direct medical care to ramp up Telehealth technology, Personal Protective Equipment, and personal health kits to include hand sanitizer, thermometers, and face masks.

The Iowa Ryan White teams are constantly monitoring how Iowans living with HIV, as well as those that serve them directly, are doing. As front-line staff and clients adjust to what may be a “new normal” we are creating new and innovative supports to help us all maintain mental, emotional and physical health. We are in it for the long haul to end this HIV epidemic!

Learn more about about IDPH Bureau of HIV, STD, and Hepatitis

Mission Statement Protecting and improving the health of Iowans at risk of or living with HIV, sexually transmitted diseases, and/or viral hepatitis. Vision Statement Healthy Iowans living in healthy communities.

The Bureau of HIV, STD, and Hepatitis works to reduce the impact of communicable diseases in Iowa and to eliminate the morbidity associated with these diseases. Prevention and care services target chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, HIV/AIDS, and hepatitis A, B, and C. Programs within the bureau guide community-based prevention planning, monitor current infectious disease trends, prevent transmission of infectious diseases, provide hepatitis A and B immunizations for adults, provide early detection and treatment for infected persons, and ensure access to health care persons in Iowa. Staff from the Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD), HIV/AIDS, and Adult Viral Hepatitis Prevention Programs partner with local public health departments, private health care agencies, disease prevention specialists, and community-based organizations to interrupt the disease transmission process and provide access to testing, treatment, immunizations, and prevention programs. For more inforamtion visit https://idph.iowa.gov/hivstdhep.

ICDD Incentivize Gift Card Program to Support Local Businesses Gets Big Boost Iowa City Downtown District’s Support Local Businesses with Gift Card Incentive Program Doubles Budget

Special to Digital GoGuide Magazine By Iowa City Downtown District May 2020

Iowa City - During this time of uncertainty and unprecedented circumstances, the Iowa City Downtown District (ICDD) is encouraging everyone that is able to continue supporting local businesses, arts institutions, and service organizations. On March 16th, the ICDD started a campaign to incentivize spending to help mitigate the impacts on businesses during the global COVID-19 pandemic. On April 3rd, MidWestOne Bank joined as a campaign partner and doubled the total campaign budget. The Support Downtown Businesses gift card incentive campaign offers customers that spend $100 at any Iowa City Downtown District business a $25 thank you gift card or $150 thank you gift card for spending $500. Since March 16th, the Iowa City Downtown District has given over $6,000 in thank you incentive gift cards. Participants have the option of donating their incentive gift card to the Shelter House to be used for families in need. Currently, $1,000 has been donated back to Shelter House as a part of the campaign.

The addition of MidWestOne Bank as a partner to the campaign will allow the program to run for a longer period of time and help expand incentivized spending. “The campaign is going great! We have had dozens of emails and comments from customers and businesses on how important it is to the community. Since we have our own gift card program downtown, it is a double win for our businesses, customers can purchase from the shops and restaurants and then they are able to use their thank you gift cards once at those very locations later,” said Director of Creative Service, Betsy Potter. “With the generous partnership of MidWestOne Bank, we have now had the opportunity to double our budget, which means the campaign can continue for many more weeks.” “MidWestOne Bank is proud to partner with the Iowa City Downtown District to provide support for downtown businesses during this uncertain time,” said Community Engagement Officer, Jenny Olson. “We’re looking forward to the time when we can get back to the busy and active downtown we know and love. We will get through this together.”

Beginning, April 3rd, the Support Downtown Businesses campaign will be increasing the incentive for spending at downtown arts venues every Friday for the next 5 weeks. To help provide a bigger boost to the non-profit art institutions of Riverside Theatre, The Englert Theatre, FilmScene, and Public Space One, the incentive each Friday for spending will be a $35 thank you gift card for every $100 spent and a $170 gift card for $500 spent at any of those institutions. Further information and the form to submit proof of receipts can be found at this link: https://forms.gle/Lm5UnwHTpKCjj2PU8

Recognizing Pride month despite the historic COVID-19 pandemic

May “Summer of Pride” freatured article

Special to Digital GoGuide Magazine By Cathy Renna; Principal, Target Cue; specializing in Public Relations and Crisis Communications, LGBTQ Issues and Media May 2020

Editors note: this article first appeared in a Rivendell Media Newsletter. Learn more about Rivendell Media visit https://rivendellmedia.com.

The word “unprecedented” is being used a

“June is National Gay Pride month and that is not going to change. When 9/11 happened, I was working at glaad and vivWhether we “Celebrate Together” idly remember wondering in the aftermath when our work would be relevant again. It was, almost immedior “Celebrate Alone Together” it will ately. Whether telling the stories of LGBT heroes like Father Mykal Judge and Mark Bingham or exposing the happen. Individual Gay Pride parades challenges of same-sex partners who lost a loved one may be delayed or cancelled but we and had no legal recognition as family, our work was will still be celebrating as a Comclearly relevant. munity in many ways- even virtualI did not hesitate this time when the COVID-19 panly - and LGBTQ media outlets will be demic loomed. I knew there would be immeasurable ramifications for LGBTQ organizations and issues, from essential in getting out all those mesthe obvious to the more subtle. sages and uniting the Community. No The truth is we are disproportionately impacted by matter if you are self isolating or just COVID-19, as was made clear early on by the National LGBT Cancer Network. Especially in LGBTQ media but getting out in June LGBTQ consumers also mainstream media, the open letter signed by well will be looking to their own media over 100 national and local organizations outlined how outlets to give us the news concernCOVID-19 may pose an increased risk to the LGBTQ+ population and laid out specific steps to minimize any ing who, what, when and maybe even disparity. It was an educational eye-opener for all of us. if things are going on in their local So many who fought in the trenches of the early years of the AIDS pandemic gave voice to what was similar market.” market .” lot. And it should be.

– and what was not – to better inform the coverage of COVID-19 as it dominated the media.

And it was critical to help the media understand that many of our organizations need to continue not simply despite of, but because of the pandemic. From the Ali Forney Center working their best to provide for homeless LGBTQ youth to SAGE revamping their SAGE Connect program to be there for elders in isolation to a shift in focus and resources by the National LGBTQ Task Force’s high stakes “Queer the Census” campaign, we all pivoted and came up with creative solutions to continue to serve, advocate and give voice to the LGBTQ community. On the positive side, take Pride, for example. June is a month where LGBTQ people and issues dominate our time, resources and often the news cycle. Having worked with many Pride organizations and last year on

WorldPride/Stonewall50, I immediately started thinking not only about the impact of what could happen in this surreal, frightening and isolating world we all now find ourselves. And I was not alone. Interpride (a client), along with all the other major regional Pride organizations in the U.S., Europe and Asia, announced a virtual Global Pride 2020. Now in the planning stages, many of the hundreds of now postponed or cancelled Prides will participate, in a demonstration of the extraordinary resilience of our community and recognition that Pride, at its core, is about showing every member of the LGBTQ community that they are not alone. We may well be isolated this year, but we definitely not alone. Practically speaking, this can also be done in a climate where many traditional partners and sponsors are in no position to support our organizations as much as usual. We can engage them in creative ways for this online, virtual Pride. WorldPride, indeed.

I take great comfort in knowing that I am part of a community that has fought through another pandemic where government response lagged and brave individuals and groups confronted the status quo, from the White House to the pharmaceutical industry. We have a lot to teach the rest of the world and whether it is through advocacy, modeling community via social media or education through earned media, we should all be mindful that the LGBTQ community and the issues we care about are not only relevant, but integral, in this new paradigm we find ourselves navigating. GG About the Author: Cathy Renna is a veteran in the communications industry, and currently serves as the Principal of Target Cue. Since her time at GLAAD in the 1990’s and early aughts, Cathy has executed her particular expertise in crisis and strategic communications, playing a central role in shaping nearly all major issues affecting the LGBTQ community, from the beating death of Matthew Shepard in 1998 to the fight for marriage equality and the repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”. She most recently worked with the team that coordinated historic coverage for WorldPride/Stonewall 50, working with NYC Pride. After leaving her position at GLAAD as National News Media Director, Cathy joined Fenton Communications, where she served as its New York office Media Director from 2004 to 2006. She went on to found Renna Communications and co-found Target Cue that same year. In her over 25 years of media relations and activism experience, Cathy has garnered placements in every major online and broadcast outlet in the country, including The New York Times, USA Today, The Associated Press, and the Washington Post. She is a sought after spokesperson for LGBTQ issues, and has appeared on the O’Reilly Factor, CNN, MSNBC, and Good Morning America.

Iowa City Pride forced to make “tough decisions” in face COVID-19 pandemic By Tim Nedoba Digital GoGuide

May 2020

Iowa City - Due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, Iowa City Pride has decided to postpone its 50th-anniversary Parade until 2021. Anthony Sivanthaphanith, president of Iowa City Pride Committee, stated April 15th, “the board has formulated an alternative plan to hold an event in the fall while exploring the possibility of digital programing options for June…we want to have some celebration for our community.” On April 20, the Iowa City Pride Committee released a complete press release clarifying plans, “the tough decision was made to cancel all summer Pride events. However, Iowa City Pride is still considering marching in the University of Iowa’s 2020 Homecoming Parade.” The UI’s Homecoming Parade is currently scheduled for October 19. GoGuide Magazine independently reached out to Sivanthaphanith but was directed back to the legacy media reports in the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Sivanthaphanith had no additional update for GoGuide Magazine. GG

Iowa City Pride press release: IOWA CITY, IA— The Iowa City Pride Board of Directors made the tough decision to cancel the 2020 Pride parade and festival. The events were originally scheduled for Friday June 19 and Saturday, June 20, but will not take place as planned.

Photo by Tim Nedoba

The uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified in recent weeks, and the organization has concluded that the risk to public health of a large-scale gathering such as Pride preclude this year’s production of the annual event. The 2020 celebration was to be the 50-year celebration of a group of LGBTQI+ students marching in the University of Iowa Homecoming parade which paved the way for Iowa City Pride. While 2020 Pride is canceled, there are still plans to participate in the fall homecoming parade and participate in the virtual pride that many cities are organizing for June 27 of this year, and perhaps some smaller events along the way. This decision was ultimately very difficult and disappointing for many of us to make, especially knowing

that so many of our community members need to hope of things returning to normal and Pride festivities could be a large part of healing from this trying time. Pride president, Anthony Sivanthaphanith stated, “I know what Pride means for Iowa City and to the LGBTQ+ community around Iowa and the world. Our decision did not come lightly. Many conversations with city officials, other large events and healthcare professionals led to our decision. We know this comes with many disappointments, cancelled plans and one less thing to look forward to. It breaks my heart and the board’s heart as well.

Many small businesses are working indefinitely to recover and the future and safety of large-scale events for the rest of this year still uncertain, it is in the best interest of the community and our organization to throw our official 50th pride celebration in 2021. Sivanthaphanith said, “Ultimately, the safety of all our communities is the most important. Pride is more than ‘June’, it is something we can celebrate every day. The board looks forward to planning more events soon and some creative ways, virtually, to celebrate like joining other Pride organization for “Virtual Global Pride” June 27th.” All current sponsors and registered vendors for Pride 2020 will rollover to next year’s pride celebration automatically unless they contact Iowa City Pride with questions. GG

Capital City Pride Postpones Pride Week and Pride Fest to July 2020 Postponement Aims to Slow the Spread of COVID-19 Des Moines, IA – Capital City Pride today announces its Pride Week and 42nd Annual Pride Fest celebration will be postponed until July 17-19, 2020. “The health and safety of our greater community is our top priority,” said Dan Jansen, President of Capital City Pride. “We must do our part to flatten the curve and slow the spread of COVID-19. We are monitoring this situation closely and hopeful that this postponement will allow us to celebrate together when it is safe to do so.”

Capital City Pride is working closely with the city of Des Moines and following the guidance of the CDC, WHO and local health authorities. The proposed Pride Week calendar is as follows: Pride Week: July 12 - 19

For a fully revised calendar of events and updated information pertaining to Pride Week and Pride Fest, visit www. capitalcitypride.org, or the Capital City Pride Facebook page.

For updates on COVID-19 and guidance on how to avoid contracting and spreading the virus, visit the Center for Disease Control(CDC), World Health Organization(WHO), and/or the Iowa Department of Public Health. These websites are updated regularly. Editors note - This information was obtained from the Capital City Pride web page. For updates visit https://www. capitalcitypride.org/ GG

CRPride cancels all 2020 Pride events due to COVID-19 CEDAR RAPIDS, IA — Today, the CRPride Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to cancel all of this year’s Pride events including PrideFest scheduled for Saturday, July 11, 2020. Uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic has continued to intensify over the past two months. The board has agreed that the risk to public health of a large public gathering preclude this year’s annual PrideFest event. As our event was later than other Pride celebrations, we remained hopeful that we could come together and celebrate as a community as we have in years past. “This was not an easy decision for the board to make and is one made with deep regret,” says Jennifer Tibbetts, President. “We explored every possible scenario to still hold this year’s celebration but in the end, everyone’s health and safety must come first.”

Even though our celebration is canceled, we still have a lot to be prideful for. We hope each of you will find your way to show your Pride this year. CRPride is working to provide virtual events throughout the month of June. We also encourage participating in global Pride Day being held in June. Please check our website at www.crpridefest.com, Facebook and Twitter @CRPrideFest for information as it becomes available. 2020 Virtual Pride Events: The CRPride Board is working hard to finalize our virtual community pride activities. Information will be available as soon as possible and will be shared on this page, as well as on Facebook and Twitter. GG

It takes a Hawkeyes community Iowa Artisans Gallery offers helping hands

Displayed are just some of the 400 masks sewed and given away.

Iowa City - Iowa Artisans Gallery, along with several other local businesses are doing their part to help out during the historic COVID-19 pandemic. Even though our small businesses are hurting, they’re here to help out despite the expenses and added stress.

Finding a mask isn’t easy. I can attest to that fact. I saw a post on Facebook from the Iowa Artisans Gallery was making masks to give away. I reached out right away, and about two days later, a Hawkeyes themed mask appeared in the mailbox.

“My blury selfie with new my mask”

“I have made about 400 masks to give out to whoever asks, but I am only one person and not sure if I put the word out too far if I could keep up,” said Iowa Artisans Gallery. All 400 masks are gone. Thank you, Iowa Artisans Gallery.

ABOUT IOWA ARTISANS GALLERY

IThe Iowa Artisans Gallery is an Iowa City fixture for over 33 years. They specialize in featuring Midwestern artists.

The gallery is a full-service retail business, offering phone and web orders, layaway, specialty wraps, and special orders. Our gifts and home décor pieces are unique, personal, and American made. Gift boxing is always free, and your purchases accrue towards our Artisans Club Program. We offer special exhibitions, classes and participate in community art-based events such as Gallery Walk and other Iowa City Downtown District events.

Iowa Artisans Gallery was founded in 1984 by twelve artists. Five founders continued to serve as owners until May 2017, when the gallery transitioned to new ownership. Visit the gallery online at https://iowaartisansgallery.com. GG

Guide to the Iowa Primary | Insert | Digital GoGuide | May 2020

The Road to Iowaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s June 2nd Democratic Primary

Broken Record

At the risk of “sounding like a broken record,” GoGuide encourages everyone to vote in the upcoming June 2 primary. Elections matter. Primary elections matter. This is our opportunity to stand up and be counted. It’s become so easy to vote these days. It’s easy to register, and early voting has already started. Vote by mail is available. All the information you need to get registered and to vote is available in our Election Guide. COVID-19 exposure can be avoided by voting by mail.

YOU SOUND LIKE A . . .

Our third Election Guide in four years is once again a success. Our goal at GoGuide is to make sure that candidates no longer take the LGBGQ+ for granted. Progress is made with each edition of the Guide. The Guide to the Iowa Caucuses was a massive success with several candidates participating in our forum.

Two candidates did choose to participate in our Election Guide Forum. Brad Kunkel, candidate for Johnson County Sheriff and Christina Bohannan candidate for Iowa House District 85. You’re encouraged to read their responses. Both candidates represent strong positions and make a solid case earning our votes.

The primary June 2 is one of the most critical primaries in Iowa in a long time. For example, here in Johnson County and the entire 2nd district, candidates will be chosen to fill the seat currently held by Congressman Dave Loebsack (D). Congressman Loebsack is serving his seventh term in the United States House of Representatives. He represents Iowa’s Second Congressional District, which encompasses much of Eastern and Southern Iowa. He is retiring at the end of this term.

Photo of Congressman Loebsackfrom from website

GoGuide reached out to all the candidates running for this open seat to offer the opportunity to be interviewed and to be part of our voting guide. None of the candidates responded to our request.

The same goes for the Democratic candidates seeking the opportunity to run against freshman Senator Joni Ernst (R). Again, this is another race in which the opportunity for candidates to speak directly to the LGBTQ+ community is lost.

Johnson County is also seeking a new sheriff. Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek, also a Democrat, announced last year he wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t run for a fifth term after serving for 16 years. During his time, Sheriff Pulkrabek fought for two bond referendums to build a new jail. Both polls received more than 50% of the vote, but both failed to meet the necessary 60% support for passage.

All is not lost. There are still three weeks until the June 2 primary. Each can contact the candidates and ask them the tough questions in person or through social media. The days of taking the LGBTQ+ vote for granted are over. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time for each candidate to put in writing with the media that they support the LGBTQ+ communities of Iowa and will work on those issues most important to the community. GG

GoGuide Magazine .com

Photo of Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek from website

Iowa Press hosted by PBS will be airing a U.S. Senate Democratic Primary Debate May 18, 8-9 pm.

Stream the Iowa Press debate for the U.S. Senate Democratic Primary on iowapbs.org, YouTube, or right here on Facebook. Candidates Michael T. Franken (D - Sioux City), Kimberly Graham (D - Indianola), Theresa Greenfield (D - Des Moines), and Eddie Mauro (D - Des Moines) will answer questions and discuss their platforms, concerns, and plans for Iowa and the nation.

Streaming live on www.iowapbs.org

Everything you need to know about the June 2 primary May 2020

Due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic, election officials encourage all Iowa voters to avoid crowds and

vote by mail. The Iowa Secretary of State is planning to mail every registered voter in the state a request form for the June 2 primary. Almost everything you need to do in advance can be done online. If access to the internet is a problem call or visit your county auditors office.

REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/absenteeballotapp.pdf You must return your completed form to your county auditor https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/auditors/auditorslist. html by May 22. Right now you can only request a ballot for the primary. You can request a ballot for the general starting on July 6. TRACK YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/absenteeballotstatus/absentee/search You can see when your request was processed, when your ballot was mailed to you, and when the auditor received your ballot. REGISTER TO VOTE ONLINE https://mymvd.iowadot.gov/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2fVoterRegistration or DOWNLOAD A REGISTRATION FORM https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/voteapp.pdf

You must return your completed registration form to your county auditor https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/auditors/ auditorslist.htmlby May 22. Not sure if you are registered? You can double check! https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterreg/regtovote/search. aspx

You can also register on election day, however you will need to prove who you are and where you live. Learn more about what you need to bring to same day register here https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterinformation/edr.html

Voters are now required to show a valid form of ID at the polls in order to vote. What is a valid form of ID? • Iowa Voter Identification Card* • Iowa Driver’s License • Iowa Non-Operator ID • U.S. Military ID or Veteran ID • U.S. Passport • Tribal ID Card/Document *If you register to vote in advance of the election and do not have a valid driver’s license or non-operator’s ID issued by the Iowa Department of Transportation, you will be issued an Iowa Voter ID Card for free, automatically, in the mail. You will need to bring this with you to the polls.

Office of the Secretary of State

https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterinformation/voterIDfaq.htm.l GG

Secretary Pate launches statewide poll worker recruitment for June primary DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate announces a new statewide initiative to recruit poll workers for the June 2 primary. Normally, Iowa poll workers tend to come from age groups that are more vulnerable to COVID-19. This June, Secretary Pate asks younger Iowans to step up and serve.

Poll workers are a crucial component of Iowa’s elections. They check-in voters, make sure they have the correct ballot, answer questions, and help ensure elections run smoothly in each precinct. Polling locations will be open in all 99 counties on June 2. However, many counties are consolidating precincts due to fewer poll workers being available because of the pandemic. “ This is a call to action for patriotic Iowans. Your state and country need you on June 2,” Secretary Pate said. “We need younger, healthy Iowans to help staff our polling locations to ensure a clean, smooth election process. Also, these are paid positions. You can put a little extra money in your pocket.” The Secretary of State’s Office is providing masks, hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, social distancing markers and other materials to every precinct to protect voters and poll workers from the risk of spreading COVID-19. For more information and to sign up to become a poll worker, visit Pollworker.Iowa.gov. GG

Meet Brad Kunkel candidate for Johnson County Sheriff Digital GoGuide May 2020 By Tim Nedoba

Johnson County - Brad grew-up in nearby West Branch attended West Branch Community Schools and graduated with the class of 1997. Brad served as a volunteer firefighter and EMT-B with the West Branch Fire Department and later with the North Liberty Fire Department. In 2009 Brad decided to go back to school and enrolled at the University of Iowa, the same year he began his first term as a member of the Solon City Council. Brad graduated in 2012 with a B.A. in Political Science and a Minor in Religious Studies.

Photo courtesy Brad Kunkel for Sheriff

Kunkel has been a full time deputy sheriff with the Johnson County Sheriff’s office since 2001 upon graduation from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy and I was a reserve deputy prior to his full time appointment. During his years at the Sheriff’s Office he’s worked in the jail and on patrol. In 2013 he was promoted to Sergeant; not only did he serve as a shift supervisor he was also the Liaison to the Sheriff’s Office Reserve Unit. In 2017 he was promoted to Detective and in 2019 he was named the Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer. Kunkel has an Associate’s Degree from Kirkwood in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement; He also earnded a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and a Minor in Religious Studies from the University of Iowa.

GoGuide goes one-on-one with Brad Kunkel GoGuide:Are you actively seeking the LGBTQ+ vote? Brad Kunkel: I’m seeking the vote from people across Johnson County and I would be honored to have the support of the LGBTQ+ community. After I announced my campaign last year the first parade I participated in was the 2019 Iowa City Parade and it was a blast. LGBTQ+ rights are human rights and as Sheriff I will ensure that our staff treats everyone with respect and dignity. GG: We’re all familiar with the recent problems in Muscatine County. I know there are no absolutes, but how would work to ensure a similar situation would not arise under your administration? BK: Hate has no place in law enforcement and I support how Johnson County has handled this situation. To ensure this does not happen under my administration I would start by making my values and and expectations clear to the Sheriff’s Office staff; this includes my belief that bigotry is unacceptable and inclusivity is embraced. Editors note - On April 10, the Iowa Capital Dispatch reported that Muscatine County Jail Administrator Dean Naylor, a captain with the sheriff’s department, had published online a lengthy treatise in which he called Muslims “pawns of the devil” and describes “the gay lifestyle” as an abomination. Naylor was reportedly placed on administrative “My name is Brad Kunkel and I’m 40 years old. I’m a West Branch native but have lived in Johnson County for about 21 years. My wife Julie and I leave. live in rural Solon with our three sons. I’m an active member of the Johnson County community and am passionate about service, victim advocacy, service, cooperation and integrity.” - Brad Kunkel (Continued on next page)

GG: Does the Johnson County Sheriff’s office have any outreach programs or diversity programming designed specifically for dealing with the LGTBQ community or dealing with people living with HIV/AIDS? BK: Deputies participate in diversity and implicit bias training that includes information about the LGBTQ+ community but I don’t recall anything specifically for people living with HIV/AIDS. Johnson County is great about making implicit bias training and diversity available to all employees. GG: If elected in November, what would be your top priorities? BK: I’m running because I’ve dedicated my life to public service and law enforcement in Johnson County. This is my home and I’m excited about the opportunity to lead the Sheriff’s Office while continuing to build connections between law enforcement and the community. My top priorities are implementing a comprehensive domestic violence protocol, collaborating to form a computer forensics and cyber crime task force, and support our Jail Alternatives program and Crisis Intervention Training. I also look forward to being a strong partner with the GuideLink Center to continue connecting people with services instead of incarceration. Editors note – GuideLink is the now under construction Center in Johnson County, also known as, the Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center (BHUCC). BHUCCO is described as a sobering and crisis stabilization center meant to serve as an alternative to the emergency room or jail for those in the community dealing with mental health or substance abuse issues.

GG: Please offer anything else you feel is essential for our readers to know when they vote in the Democratic Primary June 2? BK: Local elections are important, especially when choosing a Sheriff because this is the only direct connection between the voting public and a law enforcement leader. I’m confident that my record of service to the Sheriff’s Office, to the non-profit community, and as a previously elected official will serve the county well as the next Johnson County Sheriff. GG For more information visit https://www.kunkelforsheriff.com.

Local Endorsements for Johnson County Sheriff “I will be voting for Brad Kunkel. He is tested, a leader, has County Sheriff experience and is a strong Democrat. He supports jail alternatives and crisis intervention training initiatives. Brad has always been supportive of Robin and myself and attended our 30 wedding anniversary and gave us custom coasters. I would consider him LGBTQ friendly, but frankly it has never come up.” Janelle Rettig, Johnson County Supervisor “Johnson County Democrats: I hope you will join me in voting for Brad Kunkel to be our next Sheriff in the upcoming June primary. Brad is a great candidate and will be an excellent Sheriff.” Iowa State Senator Zach Wahls

Follow the election through November at www.GoGuideMagazine.com

Meet Christina Bohannan candidate for Iowa House District 85 Digital GoGuide By Tim Nedoba May 2020

Iowa City - Christina Bohannan(D) is campaigning to unseat a two-decade incumbent Vicki Lensing(D) in Iowa House District 85. This is the first challenge Lensing has faced since she first joined the Iowa House in 2001. GoGuide has reached out to Lensing campaign, however, at press time there has been no response. The primary winner would be heavily favored to win the November election. According to Iowa City Press-Citizen, there are 47,133 registered active Democrats in the district, which is more than three times the number of Republicans (16,173).

The first in her family to go to college, she worked her way through school as an engineer with the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection. She graduated with honors with a degree in Christina Bohannan(D) Environmental Engineering. She then went on to law school at the University of Florida, where she graduated first in her class and was Editor-in-Chief of the law review.

Twenty years ago, Christina moved to Iowa City to become a law professor at the University of Iowa. She teaches and writes in several areas of law, including Constitutional Law, Torts, and Intellectual Property. She enjoys teaching the vital role of law and constitutional democracy in a just and vibrant society. While at the University of Iowa, Christina has served as Faculty Senate President, where she drafted and championed a university-wide policy that gave hundreds of non-tenure track faculty greater job security, a path to promotion, and grievance rights. She has also led initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, faculty development, and free speech. Christina is the proud mom of City High Senior Mira Bohannan Kumar, an enthusiastic yellow lab named Honey, and a stubborn (but sweet) little spaniel named Ginger. She has been involved in several community organizations, including groups that advocate for gun violence prevention, womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s empowerment, and social justice.

GoGuide goes one-on-one with Christina Bohannan GG: Describe House District 85 for our readers. CB: Iowa House District 85 covers roughly the northern half of Iowa City. With a few exceptions, it runs from Burlington Street/Muscatine Avenue north up to around I-80, and from Manville Heights east across the University, downtown, and eastside areas, ending at Scott Township. GG: What most essential issues for your constituents? CB: In talking to hundreds of constituents across the district, the paramount concern right now is a coronavirus and its effect on both people and the economy. It is also clear that people are worried about education, healthcare, worker rights (minimum wage, collective bargaining, wage theft), the environment and climate change, and gun safety.

GG: a woman has held this district for many years. Obviously, this trend will continue. How important is it that more women are elected to office? CB: I think it is crucial to elect women to office, and I want to be clear that I include in that any person identifying as a woman. Women are collaborative and empathetic. They are pragmatic and want to get things done. We also need women in office to serve as role models and mentors for the next generation of women. I have been active in 50-50 by 2020, an advocacy group helping to get women elected in Iowa. It is a great resource in this effort. GG: Fundraising ability has become an issue in this campaign. What is your take on this issue? CB: I wish money were not such a big factor in politics, but so long as it is, we have to work hard at it. Iowa City is the bluest part of the state, and it has more resources than many other districts. A representative from Iowa City has a huge responsibility to raise money to help elect Democratic candidates in other districts. It is the only way Democrats can take back the House and restore any balance in our legislature. I have talked to many people who are frustrated that we have not been raising enough money in the district. I have been successful in raising money, even though as a primary challenger I have had no support from the party. If elected, I am confident that I would be a very strong fundraiser, and I would be fully committed to that effort. GG: This session began with an unusual amount of anti-LGBTQ+ issues being proposed by the majority party. Fortunately, these proposals did not make it out of committee, but the sentiment remains. What is your take on this development? Should the LGBTQ+ community be concerned? CB: Yes, we all should be concerned about anti-LGBTQ sentiment and legislative proposals. At the University of Iowa, I have worked hard on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion for the LGBTQ community as well as other marginalized communities. Although we should celebrate the victories of the past couple of decades, we must continue to resist ongoing prejudice. My concern about equity for vulnerable populations is one of the reasons I think it is so important to flip seats and take back the House. GG: What do you see as the most critical items for the upcoming session of the Iowa legislature? CB: Honestly, there are so many. Even before coronavirus hit, the legislature had been disinvesting in education and healthcare. It had struck down Johnson Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s minimum wage and eviscerated collective bargaining rights. It had failed to protect the environment or take action on climate change. All of these continue to be challenges. In addition, in the upcoming session, the legislature is scheduled to take up a proposed state constitutional amendment that the NRA says creates an â&#x20AC;&#x153;iron wallâ&#x20AC;? around gun rights. But the driving factor for the upcoming session will likely be the coronavirus and its health and economic effects. It has already damaged the state budget, which will limit the resources available for other priorities. At the same time, the virus will continue to be a presence in our lives, and we will need to continue to provide resources to keep people safe while trying to keep the economy afloat. These are daunting challenges, and we need strong leadership now more than ever. GG: Elections have consequences. What can the LGBTQ+ community do to organize and elect more LGBTQ+ candidates and LGBTQ+ friendly candidates? CB: This type of candidate interview is a great start, and it is good to see that your questions are tailored to this particular race. I would also increase your leverage by looking for allies who might have similar concerns about the treatment of marginalized groups generally. Finally, get involved with grassroots groups who are actively working to flip seats to blue. They need your help and would welcome you with open arms! GG Visit https://www.bohannanforiowa.com/ for more information.

Iowa House District 85

Voting ends June 2nd. Elections matter. Primary elections matter. Follow along at GoGuideMagazine.com

Community

Voices

Local Visionaries

an ongoing series by Julia Freeman

Meet our newest Visionary: Aaron Murphy

“Queer Eye” protégé An ongoing series by Julia Freeman for Digital GoGuide May 2020

“You can be whoever you want,” is the central message of Aaron Murphy to others. The ‘star of the show’ for much of Theatre Cedar Rapids productions has a real passion for the arts and mentoring other young professionals. Murphy, who is the principal decorator of Aaron Murphy Interiors, grew up in Vinton, graduated from Luther College, and has tried on many identities throughout his lifetime. He is this month’s visionary as an individual that has found Corridor success and comfort in crafting his element.

Growing up, he was inspired by the Queer Eye for the Straight Guy stars. “To see gay men that were at the top of their field and doing what they love was so important. I could finally begin to see myself reflected back,” which opened up a world of possibilities for the then high school and college students.

He also emphasizes the importance of setbacks as they ‘teach you so much.’ Murphy said willingness to let it go after uncovering that a music future was not right for him during his college years has helped him create the visions of his achievements in business and in theatre. “Being self-promoting isn’t a bad thing, and it helps to build your network,” admits the self-described extroverted introvert. A central focus on connecting with a central core tribe of a network has proven effective for Murphy throughout his accomplishments on and off the stage and in and out of business. His ‘don’t do it alone’ philosophy has helped aid Cedar Rapids to improve due to his being apart of it. By living in the Twin Cities, the visionary witnessed how powerful money is in life. This was a step beyond ‘staying open for possibilities’ realization, which was the central lesson learned of Cedar Rapids initially. Murphy learned from his time in New York City that it takes stockholders and influence of a support system to create a successful reputation. But that it also requires determination and hard work to make that happen in actuality, including behind the scenes. In his decorating business, for example, he works for himself with the support of a back office assistant. Now he gets to harness his fascination with design by filling people’s homes with furniture, including the model homes for Skogman Realty. His initial design connections came from not being shy and meeting people that knew people via networking that helped get him knocking on doors.

Although he is self-motivated and likes working for himself so he can reflect the diverse community around him, Murphy is also his own worst critic. However, he has discovered a work-life balance that provides him comfort while being accountable to himself and his clients. Murphy also encourages prospective performance artists to come to audition and show up for classes. He is prideful in helping to promote the arts, vision, and value of theatre for youth. His goals continue to be to take life moment by moment while maintaining wedded bliss to his husband. GG

Community

Voices

The 2020 Census is Gayer Than Ever… But It Should be Gayer

Special to Digital GoGuide by Erica Barz May 2020

2020 is the first year I’ve had the opportunity to fill out the census. It’s something my fiancée and I waited to do until the first weeks of social distancing had passed, saving it for a moment when we both needed a mood boost. We were excited to take this step together. The first time we’d tell the federal government that we were a team, we took on the rest of our lives as one family unit.

After we completed the census survey online (which took less than ten minutes), I joked on Facebook that I “didn’t realize I’d get to tell the federal government how gay I am on the census.” Granted, this ended up being primarily due to a technicality: only same-sex couples that live together and/or are married got to answer a question that came remotely close to sharing our lived reality.

While that may be progress, the current administration soundly rejected efforts to add questions that would allow LGBTQ people to provide accurate information about their sexual orientation and gender identity. Even so, counting same-sex married couples and couples who live together will still provide us with new information about the number of same-sex couples with children, where same-sex couples live, and the race and ethnicity of people in same-sex couples. This new data will be invaluable in helping organizations that serve the LGBTQ community make a stronger case when applying to foundations, corporations, and the government itself for funding to do their essential work. Because LGBTQ people aren’t meaningfully counted in the census, LGBTQ organizations have had to develop their own studies to learn critical information about the communities they serve. These studies sap limited resources from these organizations and can be viewed as illegitimate since they don’t come from a “neutral” source like the census (the census is absolutely not neutral either, and that’s a can of worms that could be an article on its own).

Despite the census’s shortcomings, it’s still critically important for LGBTQ people to fill out the survey. Census data is used to disburse funds for programs like Medicaid, public housing, and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), all of which LGBTQ people are more likely to use than non-LGBTQ people. It is also used to redraw districts for federal elections and determine how many House representatives each state should have. LGBTQ people also exist within all the populations that have historically been undercounted and underserved by the census like people of color, disabled people, and poor people. LGBTQ people who are part of these groups increase the political power of those groups by filling out the census. All marginalized communities strengthen the case for a more comprehensive count in 2030. So please, fill out the census this year, then Google “Queer the Census” to find out what you can do to fight for the queer census of tomorrow. GG

THE HALF OF IT

Written and Directed by Alice Wu Released globally on Netflix on May 1, 2020.

Director’s Note by Alice Wu Interview with director Alice Wu by Gregg Shapiro May 2020 Director’s Note The first time I had my heart broken after coming out as lesbian was not by a girl, but by a guy. A straight white guy from the heartland, no less. If you had picked this guy out of a crowd and said “That boy will be your best friend,” I wouldn’t have believed you. But sometimes you meet someone and for whatever reasons… your “weird” works together. He helped me accept myself as gay at a time when neither of us knew any gays - and the two of us bumbled through the odd terrain of “trying to get a girl.” He succeeded, to our great joy (at least one of us would not die alone!) …and then, disaster. His new girlfriend was wary of us, despite knowing I was gay. And slowly, ineffably, the delicate calculus of our connection eroded. I recall one rainy night, the two of us crying in a car, me blurting, “I don’t get it. If anything were going to happen with us, wouldn’t it already have happened?” And he said, “She’s not worried we’ll sleep together. She’s threatened by our intimacy.” I always remembered that.

The Half of It didn’t start as a movie about teens. I set out to write about 20-something best friends, a lesbian and a straight guy, trying to understand love, while not fully understanding their own connection. And then I hit a wall: I couldn’t find an ending (not in 100 pages) that felt both satisfying and earned. Them’s the breaks when you try to write from life — and you haven’t the faintest idea how to make life work the way you want it to. I didn’t know how to keep that love then, and I certainly don’t know now. So. I threw up my hands and thought, “I should just set this thing in high school.” Because only in high school is everything heightened, every feeling the first and therefore only time you will feel this feeling, and frankly, when it comes to love, don’t we all regress to being teenagers? As often happens in my work, at a certain point, my characters took over; a whole Cyrano component slipped in, and the film became something else entirely.

So here I am, staring down the barrel of mid-life, having just made a movie about teenagers. Now that it’s done, I can see a few things more clearly. For one: I used to think there was only one way to love. That A plus B minus C equals Love. Now that I’m older, I see there are more. So many more ways to love than I had ever imagined. For another: endings are tricky because we expect answers. Fifteen years ago, with my first film Saving Face, I got one recurring question: “Is this ending… too happy?” At the time, as much as I saw the truth in it for my characters, I confessed to not knowing if that happy ending could be expected in real life; but as a queer woman, I wanted — needed — to see it in order to believe it could happen for me. Now with The Half of It, I’m regularly pep-

pered with 1 questions over whether certain characters end up together in an ever-pointed crescendo toward “But is the ending happy?” (Ha!) My honest answer is that the point of the film isn’t about who ends up with whom. It’s about three people who collide in a moment-in-time before going their separate ways, each now holding the piece of themselves that allows them to become the person they are meant to be. The end of the film is each of their beginnings. And for my characters, I can think of no happier ending.

Which brings me back to the friend who started me down this path. I wrote The Half of It as a way to work through the heartbreak of losing that friendship. In retrospect, I might have been solving for the wrong equation. I’ve always harbored a deep pang over what I could have done differently to keep that friendship, to stave off the heartbreak — but perhaps that was never the point. Heartbreak or not, that friendship helped me become the person I am. Those late nights spent strategizing how to win at love were never about “winning” or “love.” They were about two ding-dongs who cared enough to fully see and accept each other. It is the thing I love most about Ellie and Paul, about Ellie and Aster. And in hindsight, about my friend and me. So on that note: The Half of It. And the hope that some of your endings become beginnings. - Alice Wu May 1, 2020

The whole story: an interview with The Half of It writer/ director Alice Wu By Gregg Shapiro for Digital GoGuide May 2020 In 2004, a few years after Ang Lee’s The Wedding Banquet and a few years before Awkwafina’s The Farewell, lesbian filmmaker Alice Wu’s acclaimed indie film debut Saving Face introduced audiences to one of our first out queer Asian female characters, Wil (played by Michelle Krusiec). The movie closely examined Wil’s relationship with her very traditional mother played by award-winning actress Joan Chen (The Last Emperor, Twin Peaks). A hit on the festival and art house circuits, Saving Face was also a wonderful introduction to a promising filmmaker.

As Wu elucidates in the following interview, much happened between the release of Saving Face and her second movie, The Half of It. A queer 21st century take on Cyrano de Bergerac, The Half of It, debuting on Netflix on May 1, 2020, takes viewers to high school where extremely bright student Ellie (Leah Lewis), who makes bank writing term papers for her classmates, is enlisted to write love letters from Paul (Daniel Diemer) to Aster (Alexxis Lemire). The problem is that Ellie is also in love. To say more would give away an essential plot point, but it’s well worth watching the movie to see how it unfolds. Alice Wu was gracious enough to answer a few questions about her life and movies in advance of the movie’s Netflix premiere.

Gregg Shapiro: I had the pleasure of interviewing you, as well as Joan Chen, about your first movie, Saving Face. When you look back on the experience of making that movie, how do you remember it? Alice Wu: It’s funny, people often say that only in hindsight do they recognize a particular experience being as special as it was. But with Saving Face, I knew the entire time we were shooting that this was something rare -- even as indie film shoots go (which are always a minor miracle in themselves!). I mean, I had a cast of almost entirely Chinese and Chinese-American actors shooting in New York City, most of the cast speaking Mandarin amongst ourselves, there was chrysanthemum tea at craft service, and a largely non-Chinese crew who was very reverential to the whole experience. There were a lot of “unusual bedfellows.” For example, most of the cast were Chinese actors who could have been my aunts/uncles/grandparents, servicing a film with a gay storyline -- and doing so willingly. Everyone just seemed so happy to be there. No one felt like they were there for the paycheck. For me, as a first-time filmmaker, and a lesbian reconciling my various worlds, it was at once viscerally bizarre and incredibly affirming. I gained a

whole level of self-acceptance as an Asian-American gay woman after that shoot. GS: You probably don’t need to be reminded of this, but 16 years passed between your movies Saving Face and The Half of It. What were you doing during that time? AW: Yeah, it took me a while, eh [laughs]? I guess I play the longest of long games! After Saving Face, I did some work for hire writing for studios. Then ten years ago, my mother had a serious health issue, and I dropped everything and moved back to San Francisco to be with her. At the time, I truly believed I’d left the industry; I stopped writing entirely. For fun, I did long-form improv, but I assumed my filmmaking days were over. Then three years ago, I got pulled back into the industry by a studio exec friend who hired me to write something; a script on assignment. That went well enough that they asked if I’d work on something else. But I had started thinking about the fact that I’d never written anything for myself to direct since Saving Face, everything had been a work-for-hire. So, I turned my attention to The Half of It, a story I’d had kicking around in my brain for nearly a decade. GS: The movie world has changed considerably since Saving Face. For example, The Half of It is having its premiere on the popular streaming service Netflix. What does such a change means to you as a filmmaker? AW: You know, when I first sent out The Half of It, Hollywood hadn’t “discovered” diversity in such a big way yet. I assumed it would be like Saving Face and take years to get made. But within a few months, surprisingly, I had a few financing possibilities. One was Netflix, the other two would have meant specialty theatrical. I’m old school; my first film was shot on 35mm. So, I very much leaned toward theatrical. Plus, at that time, the general consensus was that having a theatrical release was always more cachet for a filmmaker. But the thing is, I wrote a film that I secretly hoped would find in-roads in more conservative communities -- it’s why I set it in a small rural town. And while I go to the theater religiously, that’s not the case for most people anymore. So, if my goal is to affect the cultural conversation, the best game in town was Netflix.

But since I made that decision, the world has shifted again. So many filmmakers I admire have since released incredible films on Netflix (Roma). And I will say: Netflix has been an incredible creative partner. I found them wonderfully supportive. And the kicker is: they actually surprised me a few months ago with theatrical release plans! With the coronavirus situation shutting down all theaters, that is obviously no longer in the works, but honestly, I was just so thrilled that they were willing to back a film without name-cast or a big-name director.

GS: What can you tell the readers about the inspiration for your new movie The Half of It? AW: I’ve spent most of my adolescent and adult life reading, watching, making, thinking about stories related to romantic love. As a society, we exalt romantic love as somehow a more important love than all other loves. Find your other half -- and your life will be complete! And romantic love is great. But I’ve had non-romantic relationships in my life that have formed me just as strongly if not more. In particular, I’m thinking of one of my best friends from when I was first coming out to myself as gay, a straight boy. Which, at the time, felt confusing. Like a soul mate but you have no desire to have sex with each other. What is that relationship that isn’t sexual, yet feels as intense as that of any lover, especially between two people that conventional society would assume leaned romantic? So, the original inspiration for The Half of It arose out of that emotional kernel. And perhaps because I’m older now, I also see how the quest for perfect love is doomed. There is no “perfect other half.” But I do think the quest, the desire to reach for someone, even if it is doomed -- especially if it is doomed -- can set you on the path to learning about yourself and becoming the person you need to be. GS: How much, if any, of Alice is in Ellie? AW: Hmm. I’m fairly private, but let’s just say that every single one of my friends, whether watching Saving Face or The Half of It has said: Oh my god, your actor is doing “you” [laughs].

GS: Like Saving Face, The Half of It features a complicated relationship between a parent and a daughter. Please say something about why you have returned to that subject. AW: Does anyone have simple relationships with their parents? Is that a thing? I’m genuinely curious! That would be amazing [laughs]! I am blessed to have two wonderful parents who I have loved getting to know over the years. And yes, as young Chinese immigrants who had to struggle, they were in complicated situations that didn’t allow for a lot of self-actualization until later in their lives. I’m lucky that I’ve gotten to know them through that entire time, and that as hard as it was for them to accept me as gay, which certainly caused a lot of pain for all of us, over the years, we have come to our mutual acceptance of each other honestly. Given the way they were brought up, that is to

their credit. And because I am aware of how much they have sacrificed for me, I tend to want to pay tribute to their influence on me. Maybe it’s because I’m Chinese, but we don’t really tell each other “I love you.” (That’s reserved for lovers.) Instead we do it through action. My mom cooks for me. I make her and my dad films. Kind of an unequal trade, but no one tell her [laughs]!

GS: Ellie is very lucky to have a teacher such as Ms. Geselschap in her life. Did you have a teacher similar to her? AW: I did! Named Mrs. Geselschap [laughs]! It’s the only character in the movie whose name is from real life. She was my high school English teacher and she changed my life. She would do things like assign me to watch Harold and Maude. She was also the only person who believed I could write. I remember coming back to visit it her a few times when I was in college. At one point she asked me what I was goingto major in. I told her computer science. And she said, “Well that’s a shame. I always hoped you’d major in English.” For a Chinese immigrant kid, that was revelatory! GS: The Plato quote and the drawings related to Plato’s Symposium used in the movie made me think about “The Origin of Love” from Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Why do you think this theme about which Plato wrote has found a place in queer culture? AW: I originally chose the Symposium because of it being such an origin story for this notion of finding your “other half.” But in the animation, I also wanted to be careful to keep the “original whole human” non-binary gendered. It isn’t male or female. This isn’t about a male half searching for a female half, or even a female half searching for a female half. There is something about being able to keep that story from being purely heterosexist which is appealing and very queer. GS: A quote by Oscar Wilde, another great thinker, also appears onscreen during the movie. What do you think Wilde would think of The Half of It? AW: Oh god. He’d probably hate the clothes [laughs].

GS: The Half of It features a cast of young actors. What was the experience like for you to work with them? AW: I love those kids so much. I wanted to cast fresh faces so that we might have a chance at believing these kids exist. So, my poor casting directors probably had me read 500-600 people per role. I feel so strongly about the people we chose. In terms of the experience, I spent a lot of time with each of them talking about the physical and emotional lives of the characters. The time between a director and actor before you shoot is pretty sacred. It’s when your actors either decide to trust you, or they feel like they need to protect themselves and their work. I try really hard to earn that trust. One of the ways is to try to be like “a good parent.” Your job isn’t to be their friend; you shouldn’t be trying to make them “like” you. Your job is to create the conditions so they feel safe going to the deeper places. And once they realize that you will in fact rope them in if they go too far, it frees them to play and “go too far” because they know you are watching. And I was very lucky, because I had actors with the talent and willingness to go there. I truly believe, with Leah, Daniel, Alexxis and Wolfgang, that we are seeing four stars in the making. And as a middle-aged woman watching these young folks bloom, it’s hard not to feel lucky that I’m getting to be there in the early stages. In a way, it gives me a new sense of life. GS: Music plays a significant role in The Half of It, from the song that Ellie writes and performs about Aster to the inclusion of the Sharon Van Etten song “Seventeen”. Can you say something about the role of music in your life and why it was important for it to be a part of The Half of It? AW: If I could have one talent, I would write and perform songs. I pretty much listen to music every waking moment where it would be socially acceptable. I remember as a kid trying to record songs off the radio onto cassette tapes, and then listening to those tapes like they were religion. We were immigrants! We didn’t spend money buying music! Hmm. Maybe we were the precursor audience for Napster [laughs]. GG

Prairie Lights Iowa City’s iconic, independent bookstore since 1978

15 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City, Iowa 52240 319-337-2681 prairielights.com BOOKSTORE

CAFÉ

BOOKSTORE HOURS: Mon–Fri 1O am – 9 pm, Saturday 9 am – 9 pm, Sunday 1O am – 6 pm, CAFÉ: opens 9 am daily & closes w/bookstore.

GoGuide

Sponsored by Prairie Lights Book Store & Cafe www.PrairieLights.com 15 S. Dubuque Street, Iowa City

Good Boy: My Life in Seven Dogs, A Memoir” by Jennifer Finney Boylan Book review by Terri Schlichenmeyer for Digital GoGuide; The Bookworm Sez May 2020

Can you name them in chronological order?

The first one might be hard: you were small when you loved that dog. Later ones recall easier and, naturally, you remember the first pup that was all yours. Think: the names come one after another because there was always a dog and in “Good Boy: My Life in Seven Dogs” by Jennifer Finney Boylan, there was always love. Like any other history, your life can be separated into “B.C.” and “A.D.” That’s before canine and after dog or, as Boylan says, “My days have been numbered in dogs.”

For her, before James Boylan became Jennifer, there was a dalmatian named Playboy, a “troublesome hoodlum” and escape artist who seemed mostly to ignore Boylan. Playboy showed that it’s possible to love someone, despite their faults. On James’s eleventh birthday, Penny entered the family. She was also a dalmatian, and an overeater who grew sausage-like, drooly, and messy, but Boylan adored that chubby dog until childhood things were put aside, and Penny resignedly went with them. There was Matt the Mutt, an out-of-control mongrel who taught Boylan that “sometimes the happiest people are the ones that cause the most pain to everyone around them.” An “adorable brown fluff ball” named Brown showed that scars can be healed “if you know love.”

Alex was not Boylan’s dog at first, and he almost never was; the Gordon Setter’s heart had always belonged to Boylan’s best friend, Zero – although Alex was there when Boylan fell in love, and again when James Boylan revealed that he was transitioning to fully be Jenny. Then there was Lucy, who disliked everyone; and Ranger, the last “family” dog. “When I was young,” says Boylan, “I was haunted by the person I imagined I could never be.” The surprise was that the boy and the man she was “still live within my heart, along with every last dog that ever helped them on their way.” Not to quibble, but “Good Boy” is not just about a good boy.

It’s also about a couple of bad boys, a few good girls, a host of hilarious family stories, and author Jennifer Finney Boylan’s life, told without any dark corners of insincerity. So it’s not about a single “Good Boy.” S’okay, we’re good. You won’t even mind that you sometimes forget dogs are supposed to be the reason for this book but that they’re hijacked by Boylan’s most delightful memories, many of which are so evocative and universal, they feel as though they were pulled out of some kind of Late Baby Boomer Handbook. You might not even notice that dogs are just half this book, the other half being a funny, awkward hike toward insight, love, and love of.

This is the sort of book that you want to last just a few more pages. It’s trite to say that you’ll laugh, you’ll cry – but you will. It’s one to read with a furry baby lying on your feet. For right now, “Good Boy” is good to order. GG c.2020, Celadon Book | $26.99 USA | 272 pages

Author Jennifer Finney Boylan Photo credit DaHaar

GoGuide SCENE - A look at how a pandemic affects a community. Our Community.

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hope for more uplifting pictures in June. Be Well; Stay Safe!

Coming this sumer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Best Dealsâ&#x20AC;? from GoGuide Magazine. Advertise your business on the most innovative platform in the area for just 99 cents per week. Email tim@romllc.us to to be the first to reserve your space! GoGuideMagazine.com/Best-Deals