Dallas Voice (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 20, No. 2, Ed. 1 Friday, May 9, 2003 Page: 32 of 68
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i/I 1 I hen teenagers questioning their sexuali- tener and get assistance in discovering who they are. We also Described as being blessed with on "all-American charm
* * ■ It f ty call the Trevor Line, it may be the first have access to an extensive data bank, so we can give them and straightforward honesty," Butler has enjoyed a successful
if If time they actually hear a non-judgmen- information on locating supportive resources in their area. Of career in the theater, in films and on television. He's probably
jH W tol voice," actor Don Butler emphosizes course, they are encouraged to call back anytime they feel best known for his six-year stint as the heterosexual Bob
as he talks about "the invaluable contri; the need. This free service operates around the clock, 365 "Bulldog" Briscoe on the television series, Frasier.
bution" of Tbe Trevor Project's hotline. Butler is coming to days a year." "Certainly I've met with homophobia as an openly gay
Dallas to perform his widely acclaimed play, The Only Thing Butler's The Only Thing Worse You Could Have Told Me actor," Butler admits. "Homosexuality still remains a negative
Worse You Could Have Told Me. The show, along with a silent has become a classic in gay theater. He premiered the one- issue for some people. But I think a gay must stand up to
auction, benefits The Trevor Project, a nonprofit -endeavor man show in an off-Broodway production in 1993. Its inlen- abuse, then to live and to act in such a way that others will
aimed to promote tolerance and to provide support for gay tionolly awkward title carries a bundle of implications just as embrace him first of all os a person, no matter what his sex-
youth. the script does. A mixture of memory and invention, the show uality happens to be. People must learn to accept the whole
The Trevor Project was inspired by the must-see film includes 14 sketches that portray a variety of gay characters package and forget about typing others."
Trevor, the 1994 Academy Award-winning short about a 13- ranging from a flamboyant opera queen to a bigoted ACT-UP In planning his Dallas appearance, Butler was pleased to
year-old Diana Ross fanatic who struggles with sexuality activist. learn about the Wall Whitman Community School and the
issues and attempts suicide while lip-synching "Endless Love." Inal 993 review, Variety noted that even though "there sixth annual GAYla Prom, set for Saturday on the campus of
The funny and uplifting film doses with young Trevor bounc- are many themes at work, including gay pride and social dis- Southern Methodist University,
ing around to "I'm Coming Out." - crimination, the politics of the gay movement, the rejection of . "This is really a wonderful event," Butler says, "giving
In 1998, the Trevor hotline was launched to assist young gay children by their parents and ultimately the nature of those kids a safe place to gather and to be themselves." He
people facing sexual identity crises that could lead to suicide, love, Butler wisely lets these themes bubble up naturally . and his partner of many years, Richard Waterhouse, will
A long-time supporter of the Trevor Project, Butler serves as rather than addressing them directly. What's important here serve as masters of ceremonies at the Prom,
a volunteer counselor in Los Angeles. is the portroyal of real characters as'they face life's trials So Dan Butler will be spreading a lot of thot "all-
statistics have shown that these troubled teens are three including, but not limited to, their sexuality." American charm" around Dallas this weekend. ▼
times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual "Although I had come out long before the play was pro- GAYla prom, May 10 at 8p.m., Southern Methodist
peers,” Butler explains. "Sometimes the callers have run duced, I found performing it a freeing experience," Butler University's Hughes Trigg Ballroom, 3140 Dyer. Prom is open
away jrom home after being rejected by their parents. recalls."And I enjoyed returning to the material for the first to anyone ages 18-22. SI5 at door only. 214-660-4500,
Sometimes they have been thrown out on the streets once time in a benefit performance almost seven years after the The Only Thing Worse You Could Have Told Me at the
they admit their sexual orientation. Others are simply strug- New York production closed. I see the play as an examination Contemporary Theater of Dallas, 5001 Sears. May 11 at 5:30
gling with their undefined feelings. Those are the kinds of of what being goy means. I guess I was an unofficial messen- p.m. followed by reception and silent auction at 1 p.m.
kids we talk to. On the hotline, they find a compassionate lis- ger for gays by writing and acting in the play." Second performance at 8 p.m. S75. 214-351-5427.
Frasier's Dan Butler
attends annual
GAYla prom, offers
teens hope as
suicide-prevention
volunteer
By Robert Ross
’ Contributing Writer
I
32
MAY 9, 2003
DALLAS VOICE
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Vercher, Dennis. Dallas Voice (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 20, No. 2, Ed. 1 Friday, May 9, 2003, newspaper, May 9, 2003; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth616342/m1/32/?rotate=270: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.