Jackson Free Press

JACKSON — For Cody Cox, owner of Jackson record label Elegant Trainwreck, it began with a feeling of helplessness and just a little bit of amazement.

Like most Mississippians, he was keeping an eye on the legislative session and on the controversial House Bill 1523, which would effectively allow government employees to deny services to members of the LGBT community based on moral convictions.

"It covers so much, and while it wasn't directly discriminatory, it was vague enough to allow discrimination," Cox says. "That was the biggest thing. That was kind of the meringue on the pie, the icing on the cake, where it was like, 'Here's all this other B.S., and on top of that, here's this wide-sweeping, vague, terrible piece of legislation.'"

As the bill gained national attention, more and more musicians, filmmakers and artists began to boycott Mississippi in protest of HB 1523. Even other state governments banned employees from traveling to Mississippi for official business.

"All these things were happening, and then you started thinking, 'Yeah, that sucks. Why would you want to come here when the State has made it obvious with the legislation that they don't want you to be here,'" Cox says. "... But we were like, 'Yeah, but there are a lot of people here who do want that,' and the best way to say, 'F*ck you for this,' is to not leave. If you're going to be the thorn in their side, don't go somewhere else where you're not a thorn in their side. The only way to affect that kind of change is to be (here)."

After Cox and girlfriend, Molly West, attended a rally against HB 1523 for his birthday, April 4, the day before Gov. Phil Bryant signed the bill, they talked about what they could do to help those who were also fighting against it and meet other like-minded people in Jackson and beyond.

West brought up Phillip "DJ Young Venom" Rollins, owner of midtown-based comic and record shop Offbeat. His store has long been a safe space for local musicians and artists, many of whom are either members or allies of the LGBT community, to hang out without fear of discrimination. With the torrent of recent discriminatory legislation, though, Rollins had been posting on social media, questioning whether the State of Mississippi wanted him here.

Cox and West wanted to encourage Rollins' celebratory attitude toward diversity in Jackson, publicize that the capital city welcomes all people and also provide funds, supplies and supporters to local groups that work toward equality, tolerance and progress. This culminated in "Come On, Phil the Love!", which takes place Thursday, May 26, at Offbeat.

The event will feature performances from several musicians and bands who have been vocal in their opposition to HB 1523, including New Orleans pop duo Rareluth, local hip-hop artists Antwone Perkins and Lyrik, Jackson singer-songwriter Victoria Fortenberry, who performs as Standard Issues, and Jackson rock trio Cynical Twins.

Cynical Twins bassist Sherry Cothren says she and her band mates, drummer Joe Partridge and guitarist Jeff Lewis, were all active in the 1980s punk-rock scene and have never shied away from protesting injustices. The band members jumped at the chance to perform for "Come On, Phil the Love!" and have their voices heard, she says.

"It has never been easy being gay in Mississippi," Cothren says. "Discrimination has always been a thorn in my side and in the side of my friends. Speaking out is where the power is, and we all have our unique way of doing so. Being involved is crucial. ... Events such as 'Come On, Phil the Love!' give us all a chance to come together and be the love, be the balm for such a troubled state."

During the process of booking music for the event, there was also an unexpected result—one that has continued to develop. Cox reached out to Oxford snyth-pop group And the Echo about performing, only to find out that the band already had a show planned for May 26. But instead of an outright "no," members Winn McElroy and Morgan Pennington asked him to hold on. They had an idea.

Cox says: "Winn called a week later and said, 'I have some great news if you're cool with this. With the show we're doing at The Lyric in Oxford, we're going to do our own version of what you're doing.'"

Now, there will be two "Come On, Phil the Love!" events happening on the same night across the state. Cox says there are currently plans for a third event set in Hattiesburg in the coming months, and he hopes to hold a slew of others in the fall, although different groups would organize each event.

"It was just awesome to see it kind of branch all these ways and for people to say, 'Yeah, we're pissed about it, too, and we want to do the same thing. What can we do?' or for people to say, 'We set up our own. Can we do it under your moniker?'" he says. "... It's going to take form in many ways, and I'd like for it to become a thing because we've got a couple more years dealing with the powers that be, but the idea is to start now and get more people interested into voting."

In addition to providing music and a chance for Jacksonians to socialize with others who support equality, "Come On, Phil the Love!" will raise funds for three nonprofit organizations: Unity Mississippi, which coordinates Mississippi Pride events; Let's Build Change in Mississippi, an organization that promotes equality, community-engagement and political education; and Inspire Jackson, a youth leadership initiative that engages high-school students in community arts projects.

Chef Tom Ramsey will serve gumbo for attendees, and there will also be limited-edition T-shirts for sale featuring designs from artists Ian Hanson and Hannah Lipking, as well as Elegant Trainwreck and Homework Town merchandise. Proceeds from all sales will be split between the three nonprofits, each of which will have tables with representatives to provide more information and accept financial or supplies donations.

With the current political environment, Cox says there is always the temptation to be cynical or apathetic about Mississippi's plight, but he hopes "Come On, Phil the Love!" will be an uplifting contrast to the "banging your head against a wall" feeling that comes with standing against unfair legislation and leadership.

"It's super easy to make a bunch of signs with devil horns on Phil Bryant, 'F*ck Phil' and all that kind of stuff," he says. "Do I feel that way? Of course I feel that way. But instead of doing that, I'd rather this be a thing, where it's like, 'No. This is a party. This is a celebration of all this diverse culture that's here, and (we want to) showcase that.'"

"Come On, Phil the Love!" is from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Thursday, May 26, at Offbeat (151 Wesley Ave.). Admission is $5. Donate to Mississippi Pride, Let's Build Change in Mississippi and Inspire Jackson. Those who donate before the show can attend without also paying the admission price. For more information, find the event on Facebook.