Pride Special
Filmmaker, writer, podcast host & producer pays tribute to beloved grandpa
Grandpa told me he was sure he was gay when- moving into his dorm room freshman year of college there was a boy “with the prettiest eyes”

LOS ANGELES – In a series of tweets on Sunday, June 5, a Los Angeles-based independent filmmaker, writer, podcast host & producer paid homage to his beloved grandpa that has captured hearts everywhere in what could be fairly termed a ‘Pride’ special.
Here, in his own words, is Sama’an Ashrawi presenting his loving journey of discovery about the life and times of his Grandpa Dave.
My Grandpa Dave told me he was sure he was gay when he was moving into his dorm room freshman year of college and there was a boy “with the prettiest eyes;” after Grandpa passed, I learned from my mother who that boy was. pic.twitter.com/DTYw6sKFmZ
— Sama’an Ashrawi (@SamaanAshrawi) June 5, 2022
His name was John Kander. After college, John, along with his partner Fred Ebb, would go on to compose two of the greatest Broadway musicals of all-time. pic.twitter.com/tHQEpLnxBu
— Sama’an Ashrawi (@SamaanAshrawi) June 5, 2022
One was called ‘Chicago,’ and the other was ‘Cabaret.’ pic.twitter.com/X9Cs1CqeNq
— Sama’an Ashrawi (@SamaanAshrawi) June 5, 2022
John wrote the music and Fred wrote the lyrics. pic.twitter.com/rAjZLw8rBZ
— Sama’an Ashrawi (@SamaanAshrawi) June 5, 2022
They also wrote the theme song for a 1977 Scorsese film called ‘New York, New York;’ originally sung by Liza Minnelli, Frank Sinatra would immortalize it a few years later. pic.twitter.com/GnLld4dKnp
— Sama’an Ashrawi (@SamaanAshrawi) June 5, 2022
I always thought that was so cool, that grandpa and this guy Kander were in love, but during the pandemic I noticed something on a bookcase.
— Sama’an Ashrawi (@SamaanAshrawi) June 5, 2022
It was a bookcase I walked by a dozen times a day, maybe more. Why had I never noticed this 7” vinyl poking out of one of the shelves? I pulled it out. It was a custom pressing and written in pencil was: “Our Boy,” the year, “1951,” and the composer’s name: “John Kander.” pic.twitter.com/LYRsFAb49M
— Sama’an Ashrawi (@SamaanAshrawi) June 5, 2022
My mom told me it was a song John had written for Grandpa 🥹
— Sama’an Ashrawi (@SamaanAshrawi) June 5, 2022
I put the record on and listened… some very moody piano solos, it sounded theatrical. I needed to know more.
I went online, was John even still alive?
To my amazement, the answer was yes! 94 years old.
I already knew I wouldn’t be able to find an email for John so I got in touch with a relative of his and a few days later I had an email from the man himself.
— Sama’an Ashrawi (@SamaanAshrawi) June 5, 2022
He told me the record we have isn’t just a song, it’s a whole entire one-act musical called ‘Our Boy’ that he wrote at the age of 22; and not only that, he wanted my grandfather to be the lead 🥹🥹 It was a play about a boxer grappling with the existential feelings of defeat. pic.twitter.com/IWrCBuqNU7
— Sama’an Ashrawi (@SamaanAshrawi) June 5, 2022
Then John sent me some photos of my grandfather that we’d never seen before. There was my grandpa, Dave Fisher, in his shiny boxing shorts, looking young and curious and serious all at once. How incredible 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/mmicQ7sOGB
— Sama’an Ashrawi (@SamaanAshrawi) June 5, 2022
In New York just recently, my family (minus one sister) went to meet up with John, now 95, in person. My mother hadn’t seen him since she was a child. pic.twitter.com/Jw32uPOlur
— Sama’an Ashrawi (@SamaanAshrawi) June 5, 2022
Over lunch (and an Arnold Palmer) John opened up about their relationship. “We were honest with each other,” John told us. “Not in terms of not lying, but honest about who we were and who we were becoming. [Your grandfather] was a great gift to me.”
— Sama’an Ashrawi (@SamaanAshrawi) June 5, 2022
The End! (for now 🔮) pic.twitter.com/coD8F0WMVS
here's a better link for folks wanting to hear this story, the music, and more detail.
— Sama’an Ashrawi (@SamaanAshrawi) June 6, 2022
thank you, @elis_audio !https://t.co/NR4bMBDHGi
Pride Special
Long Beach Pride parade & festival July 8th-10th
The theme is ‘Many voices-one spirit, marking three decades of the annual third largest Pride in California celebrating the LGBTQ+ community

LONG BEACH – This weekend marks the in-person return of Long Beach Pride after the coronavirus pandemic had halted previous celebrations. The celebration’s theme this year is “Many voices-one spirit,” marking three decades that the annual three-day festival, parade and teen pride- the third largest Pride festival and parade in California, celebrates the LGBTQ+ community.
This year, in addition to the stages and musical entertainment, organizers will be creating multiple activations and attractions encompassing the diversity and interests of Long Beach’s LGBTQ+ community.
Elsa Martinez, the president of the Board of Long Beach Pride was a guest on KTLA’s Morning News Thursday to discuss the upcoming weekend festival which kicks off Friday.
For more information visit https://longbeachpride.com/
Pride Special
Hundreds attend 4th annual South LA Pride celebration
Hosted by Los Angeles City Councilmembers Marqueece Harris-Dawson & Herb Wesson, this year’s family-friendly celebration was a “Pride Picnic”

LOS ANGELES – Hundreds attended the 4th annual South LA Pride celebration on Jul. 1 at Norman O. Houston Park in Baldwin Hills. Hosted by Los Angeles City Councilmembers Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Herb Wesson, this year’s family-friendly celebration was a “Pride Picnic” meant to bring together South LA’s LGBTQ community and their allies for a culturally relevant pride celebration.

(Photo Credit: Koi Sojer/ Snap’N U Photos)
In addition to Harris-Dawson and Wesson, this year saw the most Black elected officials ever at a pride celebration in Los Angeles including Congresswoman Karen Bass, Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Senator Sydney Kamlager, and more.

(Photo credit Raymond Kwan)
Journalist and advocate Jasmyne Cannick chaired the planning committee which included a host of community organizations.

(Photo credit Raymond Kwan)
The 2022 South LA Pride Community Picnic was sponsored in part by Community Coalition, Providence, FOX, AEG, and the LA Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department.

(Photo credit Raymond Kwan)
For more information, please visit southlapride.com.
Pride Special
EN VIDEO: Marchas del orgullo LGBTQ+ en Colombia
Se realizaron celebraciones en Bogotá, Medellín y Pereira

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