by lisa lipsey ~
1969 was a banner year in American LGBTQ history, from coast to coast: from New York’s Stonewall Riot to the founding of the Los Angeles LGBT Center. That was 50 years ago, which was four years before homosexuality was removed from the American Index of Mental Disorders. To celebrate such significant milestones, the Los Angeles LGBT Center invites you to join them this September for their Hearts of Gold Concert and Gold Anniversary Vanguard Celebration.
To date, the roster of entertainment at Hearts of Gold include: Sia, Rufus Wainwright, Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Kathy Griffin, Nico Santos, Tig Notaro, Ty Herndon and Bruce Vilanch. “This will be a show unlike any other, telling the story of the Center and the LGBTQ movement with pride, passion and humor,” said Center CEO Lorri L. Jean. “Our 50th anniversary is a historic milestone in the movement for equality and justice. Join us for this singular night of storytelling, music and entertainment that promises to be a joyous and powerful celebration of our past achievements and future vision.”
Tomlin and Fonda, friends and co-stars on Netflix’s Grace and Frankie, have teamed up in support of the Center and agreed to chat with The Rage Monthly. Both were gracious and sincere… and perhaps not so different from their characters, formal Grace (Fonda) and artsy Frankie (Tomlin).
What inspires you to give back to the Los Angeles LGBT Center?
Tomlin: This is the premier LGBT Center in the universe. They are driven to expand and be a place of healing and wellness. They have 12-step programs, a computer lab, two theatres and a new housing program, and CEO Lorri L. Jean is just great.
Fonda: I would do anything to help the Los Angeles LGBT Center; they are saving lives. They offer housing, healing and solace, mental health services. I don’t know what the LGBTQ community would do without them. I was honored when Lily asked me to be a part of it.
You are passionate activists, what keeps you going?
Tomlin: Just because we are alive. This is a serious, terrible time and we need to heal the planet… everything means so much. I’ve always been an activist, a performer, even back when I was in college, we were fighting for Cuba’s equality and fair pay in Cuba. I was off and running in the big city, watching foreign movies. Before that, I can remember as a small-town southern kid, I did ballet and tap and used to put on shows on the back porch.
Fonda: I personally have the experience of witnessing people profoundly change to becoming more “woke.” That’s what helps me remain hopeful. When you are building a movement or being an activist, you have to stay hopeful… pessimism keeps you on the side of anti-change.
What is your greatest fear or hope for the future? What do you see as the biggest challenge?
Tomlin: The environment, getting rid of Trump and human rights. It is hard to know where to put your energy.
Fonda: First we have to deal with the overriding existential issue that is climate change. You can forget everything else, categorically. Some may say I won’t live long enough to see the catastrophe that will be human civilization, but I have grandchildren and I want them to have a safe haven. Jay Inslee, a candidate who just dropped out of the race, said, “I might seem like a one-issue candidate, but climate affects everything, health, economy, everything.” There will be no money for anything else, we will be spending it all on recovering from climate issues.
What advice can you give to women and girls about confidence?
Tomlin: I don’t like to push anybody; they will come forward when they are ready for it. I call and encourage people to get involved with issues. But they should come wholly confident and happy in themselves.
Fonda: It took a long time for me to gain confidence and I hope that most girls, including my granddaughters, will gain confidence sooner than I did. It’s hard being young, so if you feel badly, out of control, suicidal or depressed, it’s not unusual. It’s always been a difficult time going from youth to young adulthood, so you shouldn’t feel strange or unusual. If you are feeling like you have a mental health issue seek help immediately—reach out—contact me through my blog. Number two, who you hang out with matters. Hang out with people that bring you up, not those who bring you down. And number three, understand that “No” is a complete sentence, especially for girls.
Fonda had to leave at this point, lucky for us Tomlin was available to continue:
On meeting Jane Fonda: “Jane and I first met on the set of 9 to 5, I was a huge fan and I had loved her in Klute. She was so good in that role, so moving.”
On trying to keep the peace with her Republican family members: “I have relatives in southern Kentucky who have a set way of thinking and I accept them on their own terms. They admire me, admire my talent, but it doesn’t change their thinking. It is a daunting challenge to overcome. My generation of cousins are a little more enlightened. You can persuade them. When we come to visit, my brother who is also gay and Jane [Wagner] and I, they remember, ‘No Fox News.’”
On book recommendations: “Lately, my literature picks have been things like The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump: 37 Psychiatrists and Mental Health Experts Assess a President, second edition. Trump is deranged and we need to indict him.”
On technology and dating: “I’d hate to be dating today with all the dating apps. Young people say this is the loneliest generation, with their noses in electronics. I wouldn’t know what it’s like, Jane (Wagner) and I have been together 48 years.”
On building a career: “What’s most important is to live a productive, good life, not what progress you can make in your career. If you focus only on career, you won’t have time for anything else.”
Tomlin and Fonda will appear at the Hearts of Gold Concert Saturday, September 21 inside L.A.’s Greek Theatre at 2700 Vermont Avenue. For tickets and more information, call 323.993.7400 or go to lalgbtcenter.org/gala