Arts & Entertainment
Trans actress Jen Richards reveals she lost role due to Louis C.K. scandal
the star was meant to voice a cartoon character on a TBS project


(Screenshot via YouTube.)
TV is losing a transgender character in the fallout of Louis C.K.’s sexual harassment scandal.
Transgender actress Jen Richards revealed she was meant to voice a transgender character on C.K.’s animated TBS series “The Cops.”
TBS suspended production on the series after C.K. admitted to masturbating in front of numerous women.
“Welp. I guess I can say this now: I was one of the stars of ‘The Cops’. There was going to be an animated trans character, voiced by a trans actress, on network television. The consequences of these actions go far,” Richards tweets.
Welp. I guess I can say this now: I was one of the stars of ‘The Cops’. There was going to be an animated trans character, voiced by a trans actress, on network television. The consequences of these actions go far. https://t.co/J8fEg5HuDY
— Jen Richards (@SmartAssJen) November 11, 2017
Richards continued on that she is disappointed that transgender representation on network TV has to suffer in the wake of C.K.’s actions.
“I know this isn’t about me, but I was really excited to voice a cartoon character. To have a badass, openly trans character on network t.v. would have been awesome,” Richards tweets.
Fuck. That announcement kinda took the “look at all these amazing women” wind out of my sails. I know this isn’t about me, but I was really excited to voice a cartoon character. To have a badass, openly trans character on network t.v. would have been awesome. Oh well.
— Jen Richards (@SmartAssJen) November 11, 2017
However, Richards notes she’s grateful women are speaking out about sexual misconduct.
“For the record, I will mourn my own lost opportunity for a moment, but I’ll continue to loudly celebrate a complete sea change in the gendered power dynamics of every corner of society. This is so much bigger than any one of us, and in the end will benefit everyone. I know that,” Richards tweets.
For the record, I will mourn my own lost opportunity for a moment, but I’ll continue to loudly celebrate a complete sea change in the gendered power dynamics of every corner of society. This is so much bigger than any one of us, and in the end will benefit everyone. I know that.
— Jen Richards (@SmartAssJen) November 11, 2017
Books
A boy-meets-boy, family-mess story with heat
New book offers a stunning, satisfying love story

‘When the Harvest Comes’
By Denne Michele Norris
c.2025, Random House
$28/304 pages
Happy is the bride the sun shines on.
Of all the clichés that exist about weddings, that’s the one that seems to make you smile the most. Just invoking good weather and bright sunshine feels like a cosmic blessing on the newlyweds and their future. It’s a happy omen for bride and groom or, as in the new book “When the Harvest Comes” by Denne Michele Norris, for groom and groom.

Davis Freeman never thought he could love or be loved like this.
He was wildly, wholeheartedly, mind-and-soul smitten with Everett Caldwell, and life was everything that Davis ever wanted. He was a successful symphony musician in New York. They had an apartment they enjoyed and friends they cherished. Now it was their wedding day, a day Davis had planned with the man he adored, the details almost down to the stitches in their attire. He’d even purchased a gorgeous wedding gown that he’d never risk wearing.
He knew that Everett’s family loved him a lot, but Davis didn’t dare tickle the fates with a white dress on their big day. Everett’s dad, just like Davis’s own father, had considerable reservations about his son marrying another man – although Everett’s father seemed to have come to terms with his son’s bisexuality. Davis’s father, whom Davis called the Reverend, never would. Years ago, father and son had a falling-out that destroyed any chance of peace between Davis and his dad; in fact, the door slammed shut to any reconciliation.
But Davis tried not to think about that. Not on his wedding day. Not, unbeknownst to him, as the Reverend was rushing toward the wedding venue, uninvited but not unrepentant. Not when there was an accident and the Reverend was killed, miles away and during the nuptials.
Davis didn’t know that, of course, as he was marrying the love of his life. Neither did Everett, who had familial problems of his own, including homophobic family members who tried (but failed) to pretend otherwise.
Happy is the groom the sun shines on. But when the storm comes, it can be impossible to remain sunny.
What can be said about “When the Harvest Comes?” It’s a romance with a bit of ghost-pepper-like heat that’s not there for the mere sake of titillation. It’s filled with drama, intrigue, hate, characters you want to just slap, and some in bad need of a hug.
In short, this book is quite stunning.
Author Denne Michele Norris offers a love story that’s everything you want in this genre, including partners you genuinely want to get to know, in situations that are real. This is done by putting readers inside the characters’ minds, letting Davis and Everett themselves explain why they acted as they did, mistakes and all. Don’t be surprised if you have to read the last few pages twice to best enjoy how things end. You won’t be sorry.
If you want a complicated, boy-meets-boy, family-mess kind of book with occasional heat, “When the Harvest Comes” is your book. Truly, this novel shines.
The Blade may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via this post.

The Victory Fund held its National Champagne Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton on Sunday, April 27. Speakers included Tim Gunn, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.), Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.).
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

















Music & Concerts
Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’
Out singer/songwriter to perform at Red Bear Brewing Co.

Singer Tom Goss will bring his “Bear Friends Furever Tour” to D.C. on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing Co.
Among the songs he will perform will be “Bear Soup,” the fourth installment in his beloved bear song anthology series. Following fan favorites like “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places,” and “Nerdy Bear,” this high-energy, bass-thumping banger celebrates body positivity, joyful indulgence, and the vibrant spirit of the bear subculture.
For more details, visit Tom Goss’s website.
-
Opinions3 days ago
TRAITOR: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has blood on his hands
-
The Vatican4 days ago
Potential Pope Francis successor views homosexuality as an ‘abomination’
-
Movies4 days ago
Jacob Elordi rides high in ‘On Swift Horses’
-
District of Columbia4 days ago
Welcome home: DC LGBTQ Center opens its doors to healing and hope