Page 24 - Adelante Magazine March 2021

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By: Joe Castel
Photos by: YLVA EREVALL PHOTOGRAPHY
Website: Ylva Photo | Instagram: Ylva Erevall | Flixel Page: Ylva Flixel

DRAW WITH ME:

JLO’s Non-Binary Nephew in
Award-winning Short Documentary

I never thought of JLO as a gay icon different. Think back to Cherʼs
or someone who stood up for LGBTQ reaction to Chasityʼs transition, the
rights. Then again, I don't follow her iconic diva was hardly excited for her
on Twitter. To her credit, sheʼs the son. Same with Caitlyn Jennerʼs
classic talented triple threat: singer, transition, it was a process all played
Brendon Scholl
dancer, actress – an entertainer to be out on reality TV.
reckoned with, and clearly has the
Hollywood “It” factor that has endured This documentary, thankfully, is more
decades. Still, when it comes to a teaching tool about the process of
rainbow flag waving, sheʼs no Lady self-identification than it is about
Gaga or even Cher. But she does acceptance. JLOʼs sister, Brendonʼs
acknowledge her Latina heritage, mother, Leslie Ann Lopez, breaks
and her humble Puerto Rico Bronx down sexuality and identity as
upbringing (Say what you want about “Talking about your identity as a
Lopez, she gets her political licks in person - sexual preference has to do
from time to time - case in point, with who you go to bed with, and your
breaking out in Spanish at Bidenʼs identity is who you go to bed as.”
inauguration - a clear slap in the face
to Trump and his White Supremacist At first, Brendonʼs mother has a
followers). difficult time with the pronouns, They,
Them, Theirs. People kept thinking Lynda & Brendon
Regarding her family, she has been she was discussing both her sons,
very open and supportive of her instead of just Brendon when she
nephew, Brendon Scholl, who spoke of “Them.” However, the
identifies as trans non-binary. Itʼs hardest person to win over is JLOs
clear when she opens up Brendonʼs mother, Guadalupe Rodriquez.
documentary, Draw with Me, that Brendon explains that grandmother
sheʼs on the verge of tears, and I Lopez offered Brendon $10,000 if
donʼt think theyʼre crocodile tears, as they go back to being a girl. “It
she speaks candidly about her doesnʼt work that way,” Brendon
nephewʼs inspirational journey. replies.
Letʼs just cut to the chase. The crux Although JLO, is not in the film, her
of the story is the familyʼs intellectual sister, Lynda, who is a journalist, is
and emotional shift around Brendonʼs the one who tactfully interviews
transition whoʼs in high school when Brendon throughout the
the story begins. Like many trans documentary, asking questions about
coming out to their families there is her nephewʼs life. It takes a suicide
always a moment of denial, attempt by Brendon for the family to
pushback, fear, anger, wake up and take Brendon seriously
frustration/shame and finally about the name and identity change.
acceptance. Brendonʼs family is no Suicide is the second leading cause Director Constantine Venetopoulos
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