Toni Braxton's
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Vol. 16 • May 6, 2010 - May 19, 2010 The www.therainbowtimesnews.com FREE! he T NDRANI I LINKO & RYour LGBTQainbow News in MA, RI, North Central Times CT & Southern VT K Your LGBTQ News in MA, RI, North Central CT & Southern VT Rainbow Times PHOTO: MARKUS The Toni Braxton’s strong Pulse p10 RYour LGBTQainbow News in MA, RI, North Central Times CT & Southern VT The PHOTO: BILL BERGGREN RYour LGBTQainbow News in MA, RI, North Central Times CT & Southern VT NOHO PRIDE SUCCESS! Photos And Story p20 PHOTO: BILL BERGGREN IMpeRIAL COURT OF RI Crowns New Monarchs p15 RODUCTIONS P USIC M URE P PHOTO: DJ PAULO Brings The Bang To Epic Saturdays At HOB Boston pB14 • May 6, 010 - May 19, 010 • The Rainbow Times • www.therainbowtimesnews.com United in Pride: A collaborative community effort By: Gricel M. Ocasio/TRT Publisher celebrate that we continue to work towards the The Controversial Couch ride is a time to share the com- rights of other members of the LGBT commu- Lie back and listen. Then get up and do something! pany of our community. This nity. I am proud of last week’s Anti-Bullying By: Suzan Ambrose*/TRT Columnist they were asked “very intrusive, Pcommunity comes in many fla- Bill that was sent to Governor Patrick’s office an you imagine a test that de- sexual questions,” including what vors, colors, and with much diversity. (and hopefully he has signed by now), which fined how gay you were? Or their sexual interests and prefer- But, Pride is not the only time when the House passed by a vote of 159-0 and the how butch? ences were. Exactly what were Senate by a vote of 38-0. I am grateful that I no C we should cherish the company of our Like a scale from one to ten, with they asked? “Do you listen to Judy other members of our community and longer live in the south, where same-sex adop- the different shades of gay, like hues in a Ben- Garland when stringing the Christmas tree allies. That should happen each and tion is still illegal in many states and where gay jamin Moore paint store. “Oh, just a bit more lights? Do you only do it doggie style? Have every day. By taking time to talk to marriage and equality are denied. pink in it, then you’ll be just the right tint of gay, you watched La Cage aux Folles more than 5 someone you do not know, or inquir- I want to thank everyone who supported the darlin’!” times?” I mean, what would be the best way ing about other people’s lives, we show events that took place this past weekend (NoHo Imagine, a (Very Tepid) gay #1 could be, to prove you’re gay? OK, I know the answer that we care, that we are not ignorant, Pride, the Dyke March, and the many dances say, “Only had thoughts of experimenting in to that. But was that the defining criteria, one and that we are willing to be open to and after parties), which showed a united com- Publisher high school,” while an (Extraordinary) gay may ask? We’re not talking a Hollywood couch the things that we are not that familiar munity that continues to strive for a sense of be- #10 might be “300+ notches over the bedpost” here. with. All communities deal with dif- longing and union. We loved Pride and we hope or “Chainsaws and Toro snow blowers in the It’s an unfortunate truth that bisexuals are ferences, and we are not any different. that you enjoy this issue with our Pride cover- shed.” (No stereotyping here ... really.) discriminated against in our community, but to We are only different to those who age and photos on page 0. Let’s get together Congratulations! You’re a real gay now! actually do a litmus test for a softball league? refuse to educate themselves about hu- for the rest of the Pride Marches in Connecticut, As ironic as it may seem, it may shock you “Sorry, you’re not pink enough. NEXT!” manity and how diverse of a term that Boston, Worcester, Vermont and Rhode Island. to hear that three softball players have a law- What’s worse is that I listened to a Boston ra- is. Understanding ourselves, who we Happy Pride Season! suit against the North American Gay Amateur dio talk-show host snickering about this story on are, and others shows our Pride. Like Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA) after they were the air last week. And, although his comments someone who wrote an article for a Gricel M. Ocasio deemed “not gay enough” during the Gay Soft- were petty and yucky about gay men, I couldn’t while back said in her closing review Publisher ball World Series, after which their league dis- help but think someone gave him plenty of am- of a trans film: “Nature prides itself in *Gricel M. Ocasio is the co-founder, co-own- banded. The plaintiffs claim NAGAAA (now munition to rant about. diversity, why can’t we?” er and Publisher of The Rainbow Times. She is that’s a mouthful) violated Washington state His biggest question was: Why is there a gay At Pride, we can proudly celebrate a graduate of Temple University and has been law during the 008 Gay World Series Softball (specific) men’s softball league? How could that we live in Masachusetts and that From the the From in the journalism and publishing field for almost in Seattle by enforcing their own rule that each you tell, he wanted know. It wasn’t as if hetero we have the rights and freedom to 20 years. You can reach her at: publisher@ team in the tournament must have no more than teams asked their teammates if they were all marry, a commodity that the majority of gay therainbowtimesnews.com. two heterosexual players on the roster. straight, he said. What was gay softball exactly, people around the country do not have. We can Ok, let me just process this out loud: not gay a different kind of game? He asked these with enough? Yes, that’s right. The three men, who grotesque innuendo to “pitching” and “catch- consider themselves bisexual, were called on ing.” Of course, he was looking to provoke lis- Rampant homophobia and transphobia: the carpet about their sexuality and interrogat- teners to call in, but his questioning kept shoving Queer immigrants beware profiling law! ed. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, See Test on page 8 By: Jason Lydon/TRT Opinion Writer those queer and n Friday, April 8 the Gover- transgender im- Letters to the Editor nor of Arizona signed into law migrants who The Rainbow Times one of the most racist pieces come to the Dear Rainbow Times, 351 Pleasant St., #322 O Northampton, MA 01060 of legislation to be passed in decades. United States I was excited to see your publication at This law makes racial profiling legal thinking they the Worcester Public Library and even more www.therainbowtimesmass.com and mandated. If someone is even can find a safer excited to bring it home to read. I really en- [email protected] suspected of being an undocumented environment joyed reading a recent copy of The Rainbow [email protected] immigrant the police are allowed to that will not Times—it’s well written, informative, and [email protected] demand copies of their papers vali- c r i m i n a l i z e entertaining. Congratulations on a success- Phone: 413.282.8881, dating their right to be in the state. their identity. Jason Lydon ful publication! 617.444.9618 or 617.438.4364 Outrage and organizing are the only But, laws like I’m happy that The Rainbow Times has Fax: 206.203.0436 Opinion appropriate response to the passage of the one in Arizona and the rampant homophobia found its way to Worcester—Worcester this law. and transphobia of our culture creates violent needs a publication such as The Rainbow Publisher Columnists Why should queers care about this legisla- experiences for many of those seeking sanctu- Times. Keep up the great work. I commend Gricel M. Ocasio Suzan Ambrose tion? Firstly, there are queer immigrants. This ary in the United States. you on your efforts. Editor-In-Chief Paul P. Jesep law will hurt our community because we are im- Secondly, as the signs at many immigrant ral- Sincerely, Nicole Lashomb Deja N. Greenlaw migrants and immigrants are us. We also know lies express clearly, “We didn’t cross the bor- —G. Rich, Worcester, MA Sales Manager Tetty Gorfine J.M. Sorrell that queer and transgender individuals who are der, the border crossed us!” Just as queer people Bill Berggren Lorelei Erisis targeted by the Immigration and Customs En- are regularly left out of history and our struggles Dear Editor, Distribution Manager forcement, ICE, are regularly sexually assaulted go without understanding, the same is true for What a great feature on you and the pub- Reporters SJ Seymour Lisa A. Eramo and violated while in ICE detention. There are lisher in the Northampton Pride Guide. The Sales Associates See Profiling on page 3 writer did a wonderful job at capturing your Tynan Power Liz Johnson Joel Siegel personalities and the article answered many Chris Gilmore of the questions I myself have wondered Elizabeth Gormley about, and the picture was great too. It was Webmaster Lead Designer C’mon Out – Just Ask! Advice Column Jarred Johnson Jim Curran By: Tetty Gorfine*/TRT Columnist Hello BCT: nice to be able to put faces to the names.