2 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com September 4 - October 1, 2014 TRT reaffirms its primary endorsements; Coakley, Healey, Kerrigan, Goldberg ... By: TRT Editorial Team friend’s wedding,” Coakley added, referring Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund, a pri - manager,” she said earlier this year at Cam - hat’s at stake in the up - to the Legislature’s 2008 repeal of an archaic vate non-profit organization that provides bridge meet-and-greet forum coming elections for the 1913 law that banned non-resident same-sex programmatic support services to the fami - (http://tiny.cc/trt_healey ). S Massachusetts LGBTQ couples from marrying if the marriages were lies of military service personnel who have “I want to bring that energy and passion to W died in service since September 11, 2001. this [race],” said Healey. “That message is not legal in their home state. N community? Nothing less than build - ing upon the impressive achieve - Not only is LGBTQ advocacy personal for All of these experiences would serve Ker - resonating,” along with “my message of fair - O ments of Deval Patrick, the state’s Coakley, but it is also professional. Gearing rigan well as lieutenant governor. ness and equality and being an advocate and I most pro-gay governor and the rain - up to challenge DOMA, for example, she What’s more, Kerrigan has an interesting understanding that this [office] is the peo - listened to staff attorneys who spoke about idea to remake the office of lieutenant gov - ple’s law firm.”

N bow legacy of progressive Massachu - ernor into an ombudsman for residents, busi - “I want to be the people’s point guard,” I setts, the first state in the nation to hardships they experienced on a range of is - allow gay and lesbian couples to sues from tax filing to immigration. Conse - ness leaders, and local officials so that it she added. P marry. quently, hers is a social justice commitment would serve as a scissors in cutting through Sure enough, in her inaugural bid for pub - that combines the personal and professional. the bureaucratic red tape of state govern - lic office, Healey holds impressive creden - O Accordingly, for the corner office On a host of other issues beyond marriage ment. tials, which include having served from on Beacon Hill, The Rainbow Times To mark the 10th anniversary of marriage 2007 to 2013 in the attorney general’s office endorses Martha Coakley for governor equality—transgender protections, anti-bul - lying strategies, safe housing and access to equality, Kerrigan said that he and his part - first as the chief of the Civil Rights Division because she is in a unique position to pro - ner Jacob Watts of three years, “are excited,” and then as chief of the Public Protection & mote and defend Massachusetts’ LGBTQ healthcare, LGBTQ youth homelessness and elders policies, among others—Coakley has adding, “This hard-won recognition that all Advocacy Bureau, which oversees a range people. of us are entitled to the same rights, privi - of operations including civil rights, health - “As governor, I will make it a priority to been a champion for LGBTQ rights. Her plan is worth a read, available at leges, and obligations—and celebrations— care, antitrust, environmental protection, protect the progress we have made, as well is so important, on both the personal and consumer protection, and insurance and fi - as push forward until everyone in [the state] http://tinyurl.com/trt-coakley . If that is not convincing enough, check out community levels, and it has made Massa - nancial services. is free from discrimination and harassment,” chusetts a 21st-century pioneer and a beacon That she is one of openly gay is one thing. Coakley stated in a recently released five- Elyse Cherry’s op-ed “The Governor’s Race —Martha Coakley Walks the Walk!” of progress.” That she led the charge in the U.S. District page plan entitled, “Standing with the For lieutenant governor, it’s Kerrigan . Court in the Commonwealth landmark chal - LGBTQ Community of Massachusetts.” [http://wp.me/p22M41-2WX ] To keep Massachusetts LGBTQ momen - Another TRT endorsement is Maura lenge to the Defense of Marriage Act is yet Hers is a collaborative approach, as expan - Healey for attorney general . A first-time another. Healey’s were the winning argu - sive as it matches a formidable track record tum moving forward, the choice is clear: It’s Coakley. candidate, she is truly impressive as she is ments of the nation’s first lawsuit striking of advocating an LGBTQ-friendly agenda. out and about campaigning, enabling voters Don’t forget: it was Attorney General Coak - For lieutenant governor , The Rainbow See Endorsements on Page 23 Times endorses Steve Kerrigan , a former in the Commonwealth to get to know her. ley who took on the odious Defense of Mar - Healey, it seems, enjoys the effort, and vot - riage Act (DOMA) because the law was Lancaster town selectman, who also served as co-chair of the 2013 Presidential Inaugu - ers are responding to her energy and com - fundamentally unfair to more than 16,000 mitment. The Rainbow Times same-sex couples and families across the ral Committee, as well as chief executive of - “People know I am really committed to The Freshest LGBT Newspaper Commonwealth. ficer of the 2012 Democratic National this stuff. I have experience as a lawyer and in New England—Boston Based Convention. In addition, Kerrigan was an As Coakley put it during the LGBT guber - TheRainbowTimesMass.com natorial forum: “As the first and only attor - aide to the late U.S. Senator Edward ney general to challenge DOMA, I was Kennedy and was chief of staff for a former Letters to the Editor [email protected] proud to do that,” she said. Massachusetts attorney general, Tom Reilly. Dear Editor, [email protected] Currently, Kerrigan is president of the “I was proud to officiate at my best [Re: Op-ed: Israel’s Record on LGBT Phone: 617.444.9618 / 413.282.8881 Should Be Celebrated, Not Vilified] You Fax: 928.437.9618 are unaware of an LGBT Pride celebra - Dancing with atheism as a person of faith tion in Gaza because the Gaza Strip is ab - Publisher Ad & Layout Design solutely decimated by bombs and missiles Gricel M. Ocasio Prizm Designs By: Paul P. Jesep*/ TRT Columnist Editor-In-Chief from Israel. That snide remark goes to Webmaster t may surprise I’ve been to hell Nicole Lashom b show your absolute lack of human com - Jarred Johnson some readers of passion for the Palestinian people. Please Assistant Editor many times. I try not Columnists/Guest* Ithis column, but I tell me how could one could celebrate Lauren Walleser Lorelei Erisis struggle with faith. LGBT Pride when one doesn’t even have There are days I’m a going there but am National/Local Sales Deja N. Greenlaw access to basic human needs like clean Rivendell Media Paul P. Jesep Christian and others water and shelter? Chris Gilmore Wilfred Labiosa when I lean toward drawn to it like bugs —Marco Gomez , Online Liz Johnson Keegan O’Brien* deist, or “c”hristian- atheist—a person be - to fire. Zap . Lead Photographer Affiliations Dear Editor National Lesbian & lieving in the Alex Mancini loving Creator in subtle, easily overlooked [TRT Primary Endorsements: Governor, Gay Journalists As - principles of Jesus, daily encounters. This Southern gent, like AG, Treasurer, Lt. Gov.] So glad you Reporters sociation without a belief in Christ’s divinity, an after - Chuck Colbert QSyndicate another good friend in Kentucky, is a God - folks endorsed Deb Goldberg. While I am Christine Nicco life or higher authority. spell-Christian. I’m referring to the musical a straight guy I believe everyone should Keen News Service Intellect gets in the way. It’s always been Lauren Walleser with happy Jesus. It’s not my theology, but have civil rights. Tks again for endorsing Clara Lefton *Guest Writer a problem in love, faith and career. I over- I’m somewhat envious of those who have it. the one qualified person for that race. think. Sometimes you need to let things be. “Isn’t life amazing?” conjures different —Billy Bell, Online The Rainbow Times is published monthly by The Rain - My opera buddy and his longtime partner things from my jaded perspective like injus - bow Times, LLC. TRT is affiliated with the National have honored and humbled me by asking tice, lack of fairness, and superstition Dear Editor, Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, NLGJA , Na - that I officiate at their October wedding. He tional Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, cloaked in religious righteousness to justify [Re: Transgender Discrimination in Pub - NGLCC , The Connecticut Alliance for Business Op - is a committed, weekly attending Episco - abuse. I reflect on whether things actually lic Accommodations: The New Report & palian who at times keeps some of my jad - portunity, CABO , and QSyndicate. The articles written happen for a reason. Is there a reason for How you can Help] This confirms to me by the writers, columnists, and correspondents solely edness in-check. We sojourn to experiences AIDs, cancer, homelessness? Bad things that gender discrimination is world wide. express their opinion, and do not represent the endorse - at the Metropolitan Opera (The Met) several happen to good people and bad people get I have received threat of being beaten and ment or opinion of The Rainbow Times, LLC or its own - times each season, which I find a cathartic away with bad things. Why? No theologian, ers. Send letters to the editor with your name, address murdered. I gave had deliberate miss gen - and phone number to: The Rainbow Times (address imperative. Sometimes I read while he philosopher or great-thinker has ever come dering at church and in the doctors sur - drives us to Manhattan, a scriptural reflec - shown above), or e-mail any comment/s to the editor up with anything I find plausible. gery waiting room where I my was at: [email protected]. All submissions tion. By the way, it is not easy finding a per - I’ve never been angry with the Giver of referred to by my male name and sir. I had will be edited according to space constraints. The Rain - son who will happily sit through a 5 plus Life. Faith is about being engaged, asking gone there to have my surgery verified to bow Times, LLC reserves the right not to print any or hour Wagner music drama. Try suggesting questions (sometimes unanswerable), and legally changing my name. The doctor all content, or advertisements for any reason at all. TRT that to someone for date night. is not responsible for advertising content. To receive leaving comfort zones. Faith is finding the fumbled around with the paper work then The Rainbow Times at your home via regular mail, or My opera friend is a wonderful, sensitive, face of God (defined gender neutral) in per - refused to do anything. At department compassionate guy who joyfully will ask through electronic delivery, please visit its website. The sons we don’t like, who may hate, are stores I have been called sir despite the whole content and graphics (photos, etc.) are the sole rhetorically during our drives, “Isn’t life fact that I was wearing a skirt. ,,, property of The Rainbow Times, LLC and they cannot amazing?” He sees the mystical work of a See Atheism on page 15 —Stephanie Mann, Online be reproduced at all without TRT’s written consent. September 4 - October 1, 2014 TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 3 Local musical parodies Westboro Baptist Church, aims to fight hate with laughter By: Lauren Walleser/ TRT Assistant Editor every major news source is to please their BOSTON, Mass.—With songs like PHOTO: PABLO ROJAS advertisers by gaining as wide a viewership “Raise Up Your Sign,” “Get Gay for as possible. This is done by reporting ‘facts’ T God” and “The Truth of Love,” the in emotionally potent snippets that fit snug - new musical comedy “God Hates gly between commercial ‘breaks.’ Fear plays H Musicals” parodies the Westboro as much a hand in the nightly news as it does

G Baptist Church (WBC), a Kansas- in a typical Fred Phelps sermon.” I based congregation widely described Bryan Daley stars as David Phelps, grand -

L as a hate group and monitored as son of WBC founder Fred Phelps, who be - such by the Anti-Defamation League gins to question the church’s teachings as he E and Southern Poverty Law Center, comes to terms with his sexuality. who are perhaps most known for “I think the most unexpected discovery I M their picketing and protests of sol - made throughout working with the script I diers’ funerals as well as their anti- and on the show is that I really do feel bad

L gay beliefs and slogans. for these church members,” Daley said. “I Joe Creedon, director and book remember the first time I spoke with Joe

E writer of the musical, said he wrote about my role and my character’s question - the show in response to the WBC’s ing of the church’s practices and he men - H intent to protest the funerals of the tioned that the church was the only thing

T victims of the Boston Marathon these people knew. Leaving the church bombing. means losing everyone they’ve ever known “After I heard of their intentions I or loved, their only source of income, and N

I became angry, which is obviously what they call home. The thought kind of the reaction they fish for,” said Cree - left a pit in my stomach and made me realize don. “Then I had the idea for the show, and why these people born into the church don’t I wasn’t angry anymore because I was just pick up and leave the day they turn 18. laughing.” I’d say the goal of the show is to educate as Creedon explained that with satire, the much as it is to entertain.” goal is to take the power away from certain While the show itself is strongly gay- ideas by making them look ridiculous, thus (From left to right) Dennis Hurley, Nick Stevens, Lynn Wilcott, Chris Boyajian, and Emily themed, Daley shared that the cast and crew lessening the impact they have in society. Laverdiere star in “God Hates Musicals.” was also comprised of LGBTQ community The show’s satirizing of “bigotry, biblical time,” Creedon said. “Much of the success part in creating and spreading fear. members and Allies. literalism and manipulative journalism” aim of comedians like Jon Stewart and Stephen “The Westboro Baptist Church thrives off “It’s been a collaborative experience where to do just that. Colbert are a testament to this theory.” fear—fear of hell, fear of divine retribution, we all have the same goal in mind: Don’t “Art and theater shape social attitudes in a The musical weaves its parody of the fear of outsiders—but so does contemporary hate them, laugh at them,” said Daley. “And number of ways. Comedy is particularly ef - WBC with an equally featured critique of mainstream reporting with its focus on sen - get as many people as possible to do the ... fective at dispelling fear because it’s impos - the media, which Creedon said also plays its sationalism,” he said. “The goal of nearly sible to laugh and be afraid at the same See God Hates Musicals on Page 21 4 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com September 4 - October 1, 2014 September 4 - October 1, 2014 TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 5 6 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com September 4 - October 1, 2014 September 4 - October 1, 2014 TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 7 8 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com September 4 - October 1, 2014 Campus Pride releases 2014 Top 50 List of LGBT-friendly Colleges & Universities By: Lauren Walleser*/ TRT Assistant Editor mit ourselves to the campuses not on the BOSTON, Mass.—In mid-August, Campus list—in rural areas, Pride announced the annual Campus Pride Southern states and other types of cam - 2014 Top 50 LGBT-Friendly Colleges & puses like two year colleges, Historically Universities, highlighting the positive efforts Black Colleges & Universities and religious- to improve safety and academic life for affiliated campuses—where pioneering LGBT students as well as the top institutions LGBT work to create a safe learning envi - leading the way. This year’s list included ronment is still a real struggle,” Windmeyer three Massachusetts institutions: Amherst said. College, Harvard University, and University According to Campus Pride, a college had of Massachusetts, Amherst. to achieve 5 stars overall in order to be in the “More than ever colleges today want to be Top 50 this year as well as have the highest viewed as LGBT-friendly and a welcoming percentages across the eight LGBT-friendly place for all students. LGBT students and benchmarks for policy, program and prac - their safety impacts the recruitment efforts tice. The listing this year includes colleges of the entire campus,” said Shane Wind - with student populations from 1,600 to over meyer, executive director of Campus Pride 50,000, public and private schools alike. and the creator of the Campus Pride Index. Each college listed on the Top 50 has a pro - “Upper-level administrators are now under - file page with more details about the campus standing how LGBT-friendliness is key to ratings online. The Top 50 list is in alpha - future institutional success. This Top 50 list notable improvements to LGBT academic dition, the number of campuses located in betical order, as follows:Amherst College, is proof.” life, so we decided to honor 50 campuses the South increased this year, as did the Augsburg College, Brown Univ., Central This is the first year Campus Pride has re - with our national distinction,” said Wind - number of religiously-affiliated campuses Washington Univ., Connecticut College, leased a list of the fifty “Best of the Best.” meyer. “Today the Campus Pride Index has and Minority Serving Institutions. Cornell Univ., Dartmouth College, Emory In years past, over 425 campuses featured online and for According to Windmeyer, “there is a lot to University, Harvard Univ., Indiana Univer - Campus Pride has only featured a “Top 25 the first time ever we have 56 campuses who be learned” from the Top 50 campuses on sity, Ithaca College, Macalester College, List.” The listing is based on the final re - achieved the highest 5 stars overall rating, this listing. Northern Arizona Univ., Oberlin College, sponses to the the largest number to date.” Many of these campuses are specifically Oregon State Univ., Pomona College, Port - Campus Pride Index, a national bench - Unlike the Princeton Review LGBT rank - addressing recruitment and academic reten - land State University, Princeton University, marking tool which self-assesses LGBT- ings, the Campus Pride Index is based in re - tion efforts for LGBT students as well as Rutgers University, San Diego State Univer - friendly policies, search on policy, program and practice and concerns for transgender student safety. The sity, Southern Illinois Univ. Carbondale, programs and practices. The tool is free of is conducted “for and by” LGBT experts in Top 50 also geographically mirrors more Southern Oregon Univ., Stanford Univ., charge and can be found online at the field of higher education. Annually cam - progressive areas of the country where there Syracuse Univ., The Ohio State Univ., The www.CampusPrideIndex.org. puses update and use the Campus Pride has been a history of LGBT support and ad - Pennsylvania State Univ., Tulane Univ., “For six years in a row, Campus Pride has benchmarking tool to improve LGBT life on vocacy. Univ. of California, Berkeley, Univ. of Cal - seen an increase in the number of campuses campus. For the third year in a row, over 80 “While this Top 50 list demonstrates the ifornia, Los Angeles, Univ. of California, coming out as LGBT-friendly and making percent of participating colleges improved positive progress to support LGBT students their ratings from the previous year. In ad - within higher education, we must also com - See Campus Pride on Page 23 September 4 - October 1, 2014 TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 9 10 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com September 4 - October 1, 2014 September 4 - October 1, 2014 TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 11 Cracking the glass ceiling: Why Maura Healey continues to be our choice for AG By: TRT Editorial Team to public office “because they change Amer - manager,” she said earlier this year at Cam - With the Tuesday, Sept.9, primary election ica’s politics,” The Gay & Lesbian Victory bridge meet-and-greet forum fast approaching, The Rainbow Times reiter - Fund, in its endorsement, noted Healey’s (http://tiny.cc/trt_healey ). ates its initial June 7 endorsement of Maura work in combatting bullying statewide in “I want to bring that energy and passion to Healey for attorney general. In re-stating our schools and her work in prosecuting anti- this [race],” said Healey. “That message is support for her, let us provide additional rea - LGBT hate crimes, including her work with resonating,” along with “my message of fair - sons why the LGBT community should turn law enforcement on best practices. ness and equality and being an advocate and out in full force for Healey. MassEquality’s executive director Kara understanding that this [office] is the peo - No question that this is a close race—the Coredini called Healey “a visionary cham - ple’s law firm.” one to watch, as a recent WGBH “Greater pion for the entire LGBT community,” “I want to be the people’s point guard,” Boston” debate/forum, featuring Healey and adding, “Our Commonwealth needs Maura she added. her opponent suggests as our next chief law enforcement officer, Sure enough, in her inaugural bid for pub - (http://goo.gl/H8U1N5 ). Clearly, the two improving lives and making history.” lic office, Healey holds impressive creden - candidates offer different views on the role “She’s the real deal,” said Coredini. tials, which include having served from of the attorney general. Longtime LGBT community leader Elyse 2007 to 2013 in the attorney general’s office LGBT voters could well provide her with Cherry of Newton also enthusiastically first as the chief of the Civil Rights Division a victory margin. voiced support for Healey. and then as chief of the Public Protection & Keep in mind that The Rainbow Times is “The fact that Maura is positioned to be - Advocacy Bureau, which oversees a range not alone in its backing of Healey, who has Maura Healey for MA Attorney General come the country’s first openly-gay attorney of operations including civil rights, health - picked up other key endorsements, including general—the state’s chief law enforcement care, antitrust, environmental protection, important organizational ones, namely HRC also noted, “Healey devised the officer—is a wonderful comment on the consumer protection, and insurance and fi - MassEquality, The Gay & Lesbian Victory strategy, built the case and argued the first progress we’ve made as a community,” said nancial services. Fund, Human Rights Campaign (HRC), successful challenge to the Defense of Mar - Cherry. “But, more importantly, voters are That she is one of openly gay is one thing. EMILY’s List, Feminist Majority, and riage Act, won a national settlement with recognizing that Maura’s leadership on That she led the charge in the U.S. District LPAC—The Lesbian Super PAC, a political Apple to make its devices more accessible LGBT and other civil rights issues is a big Court in the Commonwealth landmark chal - action committee dedicated to the goal of for people with disabilities, and led a first- part of why she’s the right choice. The lenge to the Defense of Marriage Act is yet “influencing elections by giving lesbians a in-the-nation program to keep victims of LGBT community is behind her because of another. Healey’s were the winning argu - meaningful seat at the political table,” ac - predatory lenders in their homes. She would her work and her vision, not just her identity. ments of the nation’s first lawsuit striking cording to its mission. be the first openly gay Attorney General in It’s an exciting time.” down DOMA. In its endorsement, HRC notes, “With the nation and has made the fight for equal - A first-time candidate, Healey is truly im - Before taking on DOMA, at the local law DOMA’s defeat, Maura helped secure a vic - ity a hallmark of her campaign. She cur - pressive as she is out and about campaign - firm of Hale and Dorr (now WilmerHale), tory that made all Americans more equal. rently holds a narrow lead in public polls.” ing, enabling voters in the Commonwealth she was a key player in a legal challenge, al - Across the country, Attorneys General make HRC rarely endorses in state primaries, es - to get to know her. Healey, it seems, enjoys beit unsuccessful, to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t decisions every day about bullying, hate pecially in down-ballot races, “but for the effort, and voters are responding to her Tell,” a federal law and policy which banned crimes, and discrimination in employment Maura, it was important to speak out,” the energy and commitment. openly gay military service. Congress has and housing. As Attorney General, Maura organization stated. “People know I am really committed to will make the case that equality works.” With a mission of electing LGBT leaders this stuff. I have experience as a lawyer and See Healey on page 23 12 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com September 4 - October 1, 2014 September 4 - October 1, 2014 TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 13 Hispanic Heritage Month: Sept.15-Oct. 15; Mes de Herencia Hispana As the largest and fastest growing ethnic panic older adults re - More than two- Catholics hear is that merely being gay is minority group in the U.S. , addressing port both that they To reach & help the thirds of Hispanics sinful. This results in condemnation of HIV in the Latino community takes on in - suffer from (68%) identify LGBT Latinas/os in communities creased importance in efforts to address the (http://tiny.cc/qmyglx ) Hispanic community , themselves as (http://tiny.cc/fuyglx) of faith and has led epidemic across the country. multiple layers of dis - Roman Catholics , some to remain closeted when involved in crimination and that mainstream leaders according to a 2007 religious activities. Latinos in the United States continue to be they cannot count on survey by the Pew impacted by HIV/AIDS, having higher rates their communities and must be involved Hispanic Center and Debido a que la lucha Hispana LGBT of both new HIV infections and people liv - those who should be Pew Forum on Reli - (jóvenes y adultos de la tercera edad ) con - ing with HIV ( http://tiny.cc/35xglx ) disease closest to them for and know of Lati - gion & Public Life. tinúa, hay organizaciones como el “Human than their white counterparts. A number of support is particularly The Catholic Rights Campaign” que proporciona El challenges contribute to the epidemic in troubling and worthy nos’ struggles, not Church's position Proyecto Nacional Para Salir del Clóset Latino communities, including poverty, in - of substantial atten - on homosexuality (Coming Out of the Closet ). Dicha Guía se jection drug use, stigma and discrimination, tion. Social isolation just use them as a is based on a dis - puede encontrar en http://tiny.cc/v2yglx . limited access to health care, and language is a phenomenon that tinction between or cultural barriers in health care settings. affects many older token of an organi - being lesbian or people, and it’s espe - zation’s visibility . gay and acting on of The Many Latino LGBT Seniors “report feel - cially pronounced it, accepting the for - % Rainbow T ing excluded and isolated from their various when elders fear mer while at the S Times’ A communities—whether it is their families, stigma, bias and discrimination even from same time considering the latter to be wrong E L ReadeRs aRe T their Hispanic community, or their LGBT their few sources of support and engage - and sinful. Often, however, that distinction A PeoPle of ColoR community. The fact that many LGBT His - ment. becomes blurred and the message that many 2SOU2 RCE: CMI, INC.(SUMMER 2014) Hispanic leaders: In their own words — Líderes hispanos en sus propias palabras La lucha LGBTQ en la comunidad stream LGBT organizations are mostly fo - Our struggle is multi-fold. We not only “latina se fortalece por sus enlaces con cusing on mainstream LGBT struggles.” “struggle to get representation as otras organizaciones latinas a través de —Gricel M. Ocasio , Publisher, The Rainbow Queer People, but we also struggle to los Estados Unidos y Latinoamérica.” Times have our voices heard because we are of —Natalia E. Muñoz , Activist, Business Latin descent. As people of color, our an - Owner The Latin@ LGBT movement has many cestry is seen before our sexual identity. “similarities but different immediate Our traditional ways make family and cul - “The struggles may be similar in that needs from the mainstream LGBT move - tural acceptance difficult to achieve as “both communities are members of ment. As a Latin@ LGBT community, we well. Furthermore, our people are cur - marginalized groups. However, have prioritized comprehensive immigra - rently fighting the immigration battle. sands of years of naivety still place the Latino/Hispanic LGBT people historically tion reform, marriage equality, and rec - Mistrust and fear of the government can Latino/Hispanic LGBT community at still face many added extra ’isms related onciling our LGBT identities with our cause hesitation for Queer Latinos when higher risk for murders, suicides, bully - to race, language and ethnicity that the families and faith, while the mainstream deciding if they will fight for their rights ing, discrimination, and more. Transgen - mainstream LGBT community does have movement’s only priority is marriage as queers.” der women of color, for instance, are to deal with each day. Furthermore, the equality.” —Jorge Cestou , Chair of Unid@s: —Patricia Arevalo , former Latin@ Pride being murdered at higher rates than their family adhesion, the cultural stigma and The National Latino/a LGBT Human Rights Co-Chair mainstream counterparts. And still, main - religious demands brought on by thou - Org.

EXPIRES 10/01/14. LIMIT ONE PER PARTY. 14 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com September 4 - October 1, 2014 LGBTs push to expand Civil Rights Act Z By: Chuck Colbert/ TRT Reporter Bottom: Franita Tolson, Z E E D law professor at Florida D

BOSTON, Mass.—Earlier this summer N N A State University. A N marked the 50th anniversary of the Civil N R R: Equality Pledge Net - R E Rights Act of 1964, which President Lyndon E F F

work Campaign Man - D B. Johnson signed into law July 2 of that D D ager Todd Fernandez D O year. The landmark legislation banned dis - O T T

: crimination based on race, color, religion, : O O T sex, or national origin. The law also ended T O O H racial segregation in public places and H P banned employment discrimination. P “The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is respon - sible for eradicating much of the discrimi - nation that minorities have faced in almost PHOTO: FSU COLLEGE OF LAW every walk of life including employment, A lawyer and human rights activist, Fer - public education, and public accommoda - nandez, formerly of Boston, is based in New tions like restaurants and theaters,” among York City. He also serves as executive direc - others, said Franita Tolson, a law professor tor and board chairman of LGBTequali - at Florida State University (FSU).“Its 50th tynow.org (whose online website can be anniversary invites us to revisit not only its found at: http://tiny.cc/ehhdlx), a recently success, but also the continued need for the formed group to facilitate the pledge net - act to ensure that the most vulnerable mem - work. bers of society continue to have access to the A more powerful goal American dream.” During a recent interview, Fernandez, who Tolson is the Betty T. Ferguson Professor served in the administration of former Mas - of Voting Rights at FSU’s law school. Her sachusetts Governor Bill Weld, spoke about research, writing and teaching focus on elec - the organizing efforts behind the campaign tion law, constitutional law and employment and the necessity of securing comprehensive discrimination. She is a 2005 graduate of the civil rights protections for LGBT people on University of Chicago Law School where Capitol Hill. she was a member of the University of “The whole point of coming up with a Chicago Law Review and won the Thomas much more powerful goal,” he said, is to ad - Mulroy Prize for Oral Advocacy in the Hin - dress the lack of progress in the U.S. Con - ton Moot Court Competition. gress to enact legislation “even as simple as That protections based on sexual orienta - ENDA when 90 percent of Americans think tion and gender identity are not included in we have” employment non-discrimination. the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is not lost on “It is a sign of [the LGBT community’s] Tolson, nor is the omission lost on a group strategic and political weakness” that ENDA of LGBT activists and faith leaders, who has failed to pass, Fernandez, explained, marked the 50th anniversary with a candlelit “and so the hope is that with the pledge of event at the Martin Luther King, Jr., Memo - support from 245 groups, we come up with rial, located in Washington, D.C. in late a principled goal that gives us equality” at June. the same time “we speak to our own people In fact, the LGBT Civil Rights Vigil, as or - with a voice of dignity that will inspire peo - ganizers of the event dubbed it, served as the ple to take action and build the mass move - official launch of a nationwide initiative for ment.” what a coalition of grassroots activists are Fernandez is well aware of the obstacles naming a “new campaign for full LGBT to full LGBT equality. While ENDA passed equality.” the U.S. Senate November 7, 2013, by a 64- The theme of the candlelit vigil was “Add 32 vote, marking the first time that legisla - 4 Words,” which is a call for adding the lan - tive body approved federal civil rights guage of “sexual orientation” and “gender legislation banning anti-LGBT employment identity” to the federal legislation. Already, bias, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) the effort has garnered support from more has said repeatedly that he would not bring than 245 organizations in 44 states, includ - ENDA to a vote, claiming the legislation is ing any number of statewide LGBT equality unnecessary and would lead to frivolous lit - groups and individuals. igation. In addition, a growing number of The overarching goal for the organizing national and statewide LGBT organizations effort is to get the LGBT caucus in Congress are coming out against the proposed ENDA, to file a bill that would add orientation and saying that while it bans workplace discrim - identity protections to existing civil rights ination on the basis of sexual orientation and laws,all at once. gender identity, the federal law also would The all-in-one approach differs from the allow religious organizations to discriminate Human Rights Campaign’s push for the Em - against LGBT people even in non-minister - ployment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), ial or pastoral capacities. which would only offer protections in em - Currently, 21 states, the District of Colum - ployment and not more broadly to include bia, and Puerto Rico have laws barring public accommodations and facilities, credit, workplace discrimination based on sexual education, federally funded programs or ac - orientation, with 17 states and the District tivities, marriage equality, and employment also barring discrimination based on gender in the armed forces, among others. identity. “Seeking full equality is not just a legisla - A corrective to legislative resistance, Fer - tive agenda, but is the antidote to the vast nandez said, “is building a movement in the harm LGBT Americans endure under dis - states relying on grassroots activists. What crimination, which causes children to com - we are trying to do is instill in them a sense mit suicide, and keeps 53 percent of LGBT of entitlement to full LGBT equality.” workers in the closet, living in daily fear,” For her part, Tolson sees the wisdom of a said Todd Fernandez, campaign manager for state-by-state approach, much along the ... The Equality Pledge Network, which is spearheading the campaign effort. See Civil Rights Act on page 23 September 4 - October 1, 2014 TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 15 ALL PHOTOS: LINDSAY FOSTER PHOTOGRAPHY Angels in America: Part 2 - Perestroika at The Umbrella Community Arts Center and a Partnership with Fenway Health The Umbrella Community Arts Center in Fenway Health. In addition, Angel Sponsors Concord Massachusetts will bring Angels in begin at the $100 level with 10% of all spon - America: Part 2 – Perestroika to its stage sorship funds raised going to Fenway from October 3–18. The production follows Health. Sponsors who donate before Sep - The Umbrella’s staging of Angels in Amer - tember 25 will be acknowledged in the ica: Part 1 – Millennium Approaches, which show’s Playbill with the option to honor a closed the 2013-2014 season and received loved one. nine DASH Award nominations, including “It has been great working with Fenway Best Lead Actor in a Play and Best Produc - Health to develop a program that is mean - tion of a Play. ingful on multiple levels,” says Claudia Bard In connection with its productions of An - Veitch, Director of Development at The Um - gels in America Parts 1 and 2, The Umbrella brella. “You can support the good work of has formed a special partnership with Fen - Fenway Health, enable The Umbrella to way Health ( www.fenwayhealth.org ), a continue producing quality shows, and Boston-based organization whose mission is honor a special person all in one gift.” Fen - “to enhance the wellbeing of the lesbian, way Health also recognizes the role of the gay, bisexual and transgender community play itself in increasing awareness of HIV BJ Barone and Frank Nelson welcoming home their newborn son Milo. and all people in their neighborhoods and and AIDS. “Fenway Health is pleased to beyond through access to the highest quality partner with The Umbrella on parts 1 and 2 health care, education, research and advo - of Angels in America, ” says Timothy Har - TRT Exclusive: Gay Baby Boom; Two cacy.” As part of the partnership, $1 of every wood, Vice President of Development at ticket sold to performances of Angels in Fenway Health. Dads in love & in love with their son America: Perestroika will be donated to See Angels on page 20 By: Scott Kearnan/ www.GayswithKids.com Their story had gone viral, giving millions of It was the baby photo seen round the world. viewers a glimpse of raw, honest emotion that On June 27, Toronto dads BJ Barone and is not often shown by mass media: two dads Frank Nelson welcomed their baby son Milo in love, and in love with their son. into the world. It was a magical moment they “It’s incredible that just sharing who we are shared with an intimate few: surro - as a family has resonated with so many gate mom Kathy, of course, people,” said BJ to and birth photographer GayswithKids.com, a website Lindsay Foster. for gay fathers. Milo’s birth But it was a few days coincided with World Pride later, when Foster re - 2014 in Toronto. Pride’s ceived permission theme, poignantly from the dads to up - enough, was “Rise Up:” load some of the pho - a call for LGBT visibil - tos to her Facebook ity. account, when the real “That it coincided sharing began. Foster’s with World Pride is a post spread like wildfire special factor,” says BJ. across the social media “We’re standing up for website: nearly 10K shares ourselves and saying, ‘This of her original update alone, is normal.’” He recalls a spe - plus countless reposts branching cial note that he and Frank shared off from that. It was picked up by with viewers on Foster’s Facebook: BuzzFeed, which offered the headline “These “This picture represents everything Pride is Photos of Two Dads Meeting Their New about. Love has no color nor gender nor sex - Baby Will Make You Cry Happy Tears.” ual preference. Love is unconditional.” (About 1.9 million views so far.) Twitter was And they’ve certainly been feeling the love flooded with the images of Frank and BJ, from strangers in cyber-space who have taken their faces overcome with emotion as they it upon themselves to comment on the embraced each other and Milo. Local news Read the rest of this story at: stations came calling to interview the dads. http://tiny.cc/gaybies Atheism from page 2 dental holiness because I have faith in hu - manity’s goodness. In Dostoevsky’s novel different, or challenge our thinking. I have “The Brothers Karamazov,” a character says wondered about a supreme being since a kid he doesn’t like individuals, but believes in going to church asking about the meaning of humankind. life, or lack thereof. Ultimately, this might be why I pray. I Dante wrote “Hell is an endless conversa - want to believe in us. In doing so, it seems tion with one’s self.” I’ve been to hell many logical to have faith in the Creator who times. I try not going there but am drawn to made us part of the mystical, unfolding cos - it like bugs to fire. Zap. mos. Some things are best left and accepted So why do I believe? I’m not sure. It’s not as a great, beautiful and divine mystery. because I fear death or an afterlife. I am *Paul is an attorney, seminary trained without a belief in hell or Satan, hence, I’m priest and founder of CorporateChap - woRCesTeR PRide 2014 not afraid of eternal punishment. If there is laincy.biz, a firm committed to the spiritual nothing after this life, then I’ll never know wellness of professionals. He also is author it. Any good works I may do are not with an of “Lost Sense of Self & the Ethics Crisis: ““JJuusstt aass ii aamm”” -- sseepptt.. 66 expectation I’ll be rewarded. I do them for Learn to Live and Work Ethically” the sake of it. (http://tiny.cc/z6oukx ). Perhaps I choose to believe in transcen - www.worcesterpride.org 16 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com September 4 - October 1, 2014 Comic Book Capers storm Cape Cod for annual Provincetown Carnival

By: Clara Lefton/ TRT Reporter PHOTO: MARILYN LOBER COLUCCI sound for Caroline Rhea’s stand-up comedy PROVINCETOWN, Mass.—The 36th an - act. Meanwhile, local inns and hotels expect nual Carnival in Provincetown, Mass. was a sellout crowd for the family-friendly Car - held in Cape Cod August 16-22, 2014, at - nival. Among tourists, celebrity sightings tracting over 90,000 people for the week - over the years have included local summer long LGBT community celebration. This residents like film director John Waters and year’s theme, “Comic Book Capers,” was author Michael Cunningham. Aside from chosen and brought to life through a variety comedian Rhea, this year’s event attracted of costumes, dancers and Grand Marshall six-time Emmy Award winner Bruce Vi - Caroline Rhea. Past themes have included lanch, who participated in drag as his alter “Around the Word in 7 Days,” “Under the ego Sabrina while in a pedicab with come - Big Top” and “Wild West.” dian Khris Francis during the parade, among “I thought it was outstanding. The crowd other events. was very mixed and friendly, and the con - “It pulls you right through the heart of the cept of the comic superheroes was great,” town. When you start you’re in the narrow - said Provincetown resident Shawn Nightin - ing Commercial Street and people are there gale, who has attended Carnival for the past on their camp chairs barbecuing and wav - 30 years. “Everybody really stepped up to ing,” explained Vilanch, a former Carnival the plate.” Grand Marshall. “Then you get into the Themes weren’t always a part of the Car - heart of town and the crowds are thick with nival tradition, nor were the floats, banners people in costumes and plastered frat boys. or costumes. The celebration was once Then you’re in the west end and it’s more shunned by the locals, a Cape Cod-based residents and people who have houses. So it artist community, but has blossomed into a starts and ends very civilized and the middle major attraction every year. A large part of of town it’s crazy.” the transformation was due to the creation The Town Crier participating in the beginning of the Carnival parade in Provincetown. Every year at the end of the parade the fol - lowing year’s theme is announced. The se - of the Provincetown Business Guild (PBG) be gay in any major city, and that [Province - Mardi Gras and a Halloween parade. Even which supports local LGBT tourism. lection is made via a process of voting and town] is losing its ‘gayness.’” people who aren’t in the parade get dressed suggestions the PBG collects, a process “Historically we’re at the end of land here. Despite potential fear of eroding tourists up and are walking through the streets,” said This was actually the first artist colony es - which PBG Board Director Steve Katsurinis down the line, the festival has become a Nagorski. “People spend weeks and months described as, “engaging people and sparking tablished in the United States. It started with multi-day themed extravaganza including a planning [their costumes] and the floats.” artists and writers in a beautiful and pictur - creativity, so when you’re choosing a theme Costume Ball, Richie Rich Vendor Fair and Floats and sponsors are generally com - it gives people the ability to create their own esque place that lends itself to creativity and a parade that attracts over 80 entries annu - posed of local businesses that use the events diversity, that meshed into an LGBT mecca identity and sense of fun.” ally. Among all the events, Nagorski de - as a great way to bolster their store’s success To learn more about Provincetown and and the PBG pushed that forward,” said scribed the parade as the most spectacular and the town’s economy. Provincetown’s PBG Board Vice President Cathy Nagorski. next year’s event, which will be “Candy sight. MoonMaxx Productions, for example, pro - Land” themed, visit www.ptown.org . “Although with politics progressing, people “It’s just on such a huge scale. I describe vided dancers for floats and both lights and have been saying that now you can sort of the parade as a cross between a Pride parade,

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L 10. Blue is the Warmest Color 10. Free Fall September 4 - October 1, 2014 TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 17 Frontman Brendon Urie takes on Westboro, talks ‘gay’ past and lapsed Mormonism By: Chris Azzopardi/ Special to TRT

A. No… R was about the doc - greater than it just being on one bearded E

Panic! at the Disco frontman Brendon Q. Does that kind of N trine. After a while I man in the clouds who maybe created every - H hate galvanize you Z realized if I’m going thing. I think it’s cheapening the experience.

Urie is on the Westboro Baptist Church’s R I K

to fight harder for shit list—who isn’t?—and he couldn’t be . to believe in a god, I I’ve done countless trips—psychedelic R happier about it. gay rights? don’t want him to trips—and that has opened up my mind, and X E

Laughing off the recent protest that took A. It shows me a L hate people that I I don’t think I know that much. And the A

:

place during a Kansas City stop on the world that I am O love. I don’t want more I experience, the less that I know that T band’s “Gospel Tour,” Urie, who revealed in blind to all the time. O him to hate his chil - I know. H our interview late last year that he’s a Living in L.A., P dren. If he’s saying I just realize I am so ignorant to what’s pos - “straight dabbler,” high fives me as I greet everybody’s open to that black people sibly out there, so I don’t want to limit my - him. Backstage, hours before the trio relays everything, which is can’t have the priest - self to believing in one singular God. I’d like a message of love and unity to a Detroit awesome, so I’m hood till 1978, that to think that it’s greater than that, that there crowd, I mention the tweet the troll-y kind of living in a doesn’t make sense to is some mystery out there that I haven’t “church” sent out, condemning both of us paradise of open- me; if being gay is an solved yet, and maybe never will. But I love for our “fag sins.” mindedness all the evil thing, that pursuing that. That’s what “spiritual” is to “We f#@king did it!” he says, elated that time. You go out on doesn’t make sense to me. Just being spiritual makes me feel deep, his outspokenness regarding LGBT issues— the road and visit me. All of these and I just love the way it warms me up. and his own sexuality—has reached far different cities and things didn’t add up. Q. How do you feel people responded to enough to get a rise out of the WBC. “What - you see that that’s If that’s the club that your “coming out”? ever gets them pissed off, I love.” not how it is every - I have to be in to feel A. I don’t think that mine necessarily was a Just wait till they read what he has to say where; there are exclusive and impor - coming out because I never had a problem about having the hots for Ryan Gosling. smaller, concen - tant, I don’t wanna be (admitting it) if anyone would ask, but no - Q. How did you hear that Westboro was trated groups of peo - a part of it. So that body ever asked me if I had ever made out going to picket your Kansas City show? ple who love to hate. was really it. It just with a guy. To me, it doesn’t really matter A. We saw a couple (of tweets). For a couple It makes me wanna didn’t coincide with who you love or what you do with your per - of weeks before the Kansas City show they fight harder for the the things that I be - sonal life, but it made me happy to see that were threatening us. I mean, they’ve come things I believe in. lieved in, and it was reflected in people’s comments and reac - to shows before but have never been that Q. Last time we as simple as that. tions to it—that most people who are smart present. chatted, you opened I still consider myself and wise and open-minded can realize that, Q. Not that present? Only 13 people up about same-sex spiritual, and it’s a yeah, that doesn’t matter. showed up outside your Kansas City show. experiences you weird thing too. I Q. Sinéad O’Connor recently told me in re - You mean to tell me there were less than had early in your know for a lot of peo - gards to her sexuality, “It’s not about what that at other protests? life. Did those expe - ple God is a great an - gets my d!ck hard.” A. Yeah. Seriously—there were like five riences have any - Panic! at the Disco frontman Brendon Urie; swer to a lot of things, A. That’s great. Well, it’s not about what people or something. thing to do with why the band is currently on tour. and that’s totally fair. gets my pu$$y wet… (Laughs). Q. You haven’t made a statement regarding you left the church? To me, I believe it’s Read the rest of this story at: this protest… A. That was definitely part of it. Most of it bigger than that. To me, the universe is http://wp.me/p22M41-37d 18 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com September 4 - October 1, 2014 Transitioning & your family: Dealing with resistance and lack of acceptance By: Deja Nicole Greenlaw*/ TRT Columnist You just may find yourself on the outside be welcomed into the homes of our children, truth is that too many of us do not have our hen looking in when it comes to family. You may our brothers, our sisters, and our parents. family anymore. you not get invites to family occasions such as This is good news, but even this may not be At one of my trans support group meetings S Wdecide graduations, family picnics, marriages, and so wonderful. In these cases, you might have I asked a burning question to a guest to transition, it can even funerals. Sometimes a family member to tone down your true gender and instead speaker, a therapist well-versed in trans is -

W be a wonderful dies and no one even tells you. You’re out of go for a more androgynous mode of presen - sues. I asked her what we could do to get thing. Up to that

E family members to accept us and love us. point you may She told me there is nothing you can do. She

N have felt you’ve Sometimes there may even be someone said all you can really do is wait and hope been living untrue that someday they just might change their to yourself, and now all those painful S who is okay with you in family gatherings, minds. It hurt to hear her answer. years of being in the closet are finally Why does this happen? Why can’t people

N over and done. Everything is full just accept and love you and share your joy speed ahead. There’s no looking but they don’t want to be seen anywhere with you in finally finding your true self? I A back, not even a second thought. You wish that unsupportive family members

R are finally on track. Can anything in public with you . could somehow step inside our shoes and rain on your parade? feel our pain. Maybe then they will under - T The truth is, sometimes there are the picture. All of the family-centered holi - tation, which can be very uncomfortable. It’s stand. people who do not want you to transition. days such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and as if you are there but you are not really Sometimes because we have little or no They want you to remain as you were. They Easter will no longer be part of your life be - there. Many times the pronouns used are support from our family it may be a good are not interested in you finally being who cause they do not want the new you. your old pronouns. A family member might thing to join an online support group. Many you are, and they don’t care about your per - This doesn’t happen to everyone who tran - confide in you that this is the way they like of us are in the same situation and it may be sonal growth. They want you to be who they sitions, but it still does happen to too many you, not the other way. Sometimes there helpful to ask questions and share thoughts want you to be. of us. Sometimes, it happens when we are may even be someone who is okay with you on this matter. If you would like to join an Many times it’s family members who op - still children, not even young adults. Family in family gatherings, but they don’t want to online support group, check out UniTy of pose transitioning, and this predicament can throws you out of your home, and you head be seen anywhere in public with you. It’'s a the Pioneer Valley on Facebook put a strain on family relationships. If you’re for the city and live on the streets. When kind of acceptance, but not a real, true, (http://tiny.cc/4kg7kx ) or their Yahoo group married, your spouse may want out of the you’re older and this happens, you may also across the board acceptance. (http://tiny.cc/xng7kx ); TRUE TRANS relationship. They want who they thought end up on the streets. However, chances are To not have this support is devastating. I FRIENDS ( http://tiny.cc/6og7kx ); or Gender they married, not you. If you have children, you may have somewhere to call “home,” remember my mom once told me when I Mosaic ( http://tiny.cc/frg7kx ). they may not want to lose their mommy or but it will never be the same as your former was young that it’s important to have family. *Deja Nicole Greenlaw is a local daddy. They do not want you. If you have a home. Being shut out from family can be - She said that when the world gets tough and transwoman who has three grown children sibling, they may want their brother or sister, come very lonely. no one seems to care about you, you still and works at 3M. She can be contacted at not you. Sometimes even your own parents There are some of us who are lucky have your family. That sounds wonderful, [email protected]. will not accept the new you. enough to stay married and lucky enough to mom, and I appreciate the sentiment, but the Standing on your own so we can stand with you: Being your own best advocate By: Lorelei Erisis*/ TRT Columnist What I think it would be more accurate to person from awfulness and ignorance, if I awful someone was to you today or to hope usually like say is, “We get better.” We get better at deal - could shield them from the slings and ar - a magic lawyer will sweep down to bring ing with all the crap that gets tossed our way. rows, physically put myself between them legal wrath upon the heads of those who dis -

N to focus on

the positive We get better at ignoring the jerks when we and the bigots, I would in a heartbeat. I’d do criminate against us. We need to make the N A

A I

aspects of being can and standing up to them when it be - it for any one of you, because I love you. first steps ourselves. First of all, stand tall

H E

E trans in this col - comes necessary. We learn that it’s not us, Sadly, I’m just one person. A very big, (even if you’re short). People have no right

M

M it’s them (just like our mothers always told very loud person, but one person nonethe - to discriminate against you. Even in areas

D umn. I’m happi - I

V us.) We find simple joys. We fall in love. We less. where there are no laws, there is still right A est when I’m

O

D

: celebrating our sometimes even find success! Thankfully, there are a number of very and wrong, and I declare here and now, in O T For trans people, we find ourselves. We good organizations that exist to help case there was any question, that discrimi -

O lives and experi - H W P ences, but there is get to be just who we are, slings and arrows LGBTQ people and trans people specifi - nation against trans people is wrong (tell no denying that a lot of the trans ex - be damned, and for lots of us, that makes it cally, filled with highly dedicated people ‘em Lorelei said so!). S perience can be difficult. We face If we let them get away with it, they will.

N more slings and arrows in our lives If they misgender you, correct them. If they than many people do in a lifetime, in - mistreat you, let them know it is not accept - A cluding discrimination, ignorance, vi - Quite frankly, the kids who used to tease able. Be proud. Be strong, even if you don’t

R olence, depression, fear, bigotry and feel like it at all. hatred. We often suffer financially me on the school bus couldn’t hold a can - Folks often tell me how brave I am, but T I’ve got a secret to tell you. Much of the and socially simply for who we are, and that’s all on top of painful surger - time, I’m just as scared as you are. Often,

A dle to some of the bullies I’ve met as an ies, expensive, difficult to obtain hor - I’m just faking it, acting (I’m a really good mones, second puberties, odd fashion actor).

K choices and catching up on gender- adult , and it’s more than bullies. Bravery is not being unafraid. Only fools related skills and mores learned by are unafraid. Bravery, true bravery, is doing S everyone else during childhood. it anyway.

A Therefore, sometimes it can be all worthwhile. I often tell people that for all doing amazing work. Unfortunately, our or - I’m not saying you should try to be me. hard for me to toe the mainstream the genuine hardship and daily discrimina - ganizations are far too often short-staffed, The world would implode under the weight LGBT line and tell everyone, “It gets better,” tion that can go along with being trans, I’ve underfunded and overstretched, and often of so much ego if there was more than one because that’s not necessarily true. never been happier in my life. run mainly by volunteers on a shoestring me! Instead, be yourself. You yourself are Experience has taught me that people do With all that out on the table, I come to my budget. wonderful, amazing and powerful, so be not necessarily get nicer as we get older. The main point. Being trans is awesome, but There’s a concept in Christianity you’ve proud, hold your head up high and speak up bullies do not always go away. Sometimes, being trans in the world can sometimes be probably heard before: “God helps those for yourself, even though it’s scary. Be your they even get jobs as cops or politicians, very, very hard. I hear from a lot of folks who help themselves.” I’m not much of a own best advocate. If you can do that, I bankers and bosses. Quite frankly, the kids who are desperate for guidance and who Christian (Hail Eris!), but the idea this rep - promise, there’s a bunch of us who will be who used to tease me on the school bus don’t know what to do about the bigots. resents is sound. God aside, I have found standing there right behind you. Slainte! couldn’t hold a candle to some of the bullies They are afraid to leave their houses for the that people and organizations are much *Lorelei Erisis is an actor, activist, adven - I’ve met as an adult, and it’s more than bul - hurdles they must face, and here’s the hard more likely to help, and able to help most turer and pageant queen. Send your ques - lies. There’s bills, mounting debt, broken thing I always have to tell them: you are effectively, when we help ourselves, and tions about trans issues, gender and families, traffic, war, wild weather, Fox your own best advocate. when we start by being our own advocates. sexuality to her via TRT or at her email at: News, and a heck of a lot of a$$holes. Gods know, if I could protect every trans It’s not enough just to tell Facebook how [email protected] . September 4 - October 1, 2014 TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 19 Desde Puerto Rico: ¡Trabajemos para obtener prosperidad para nuestra Patria! Por: Wilfred W. Labiosa*/ Columnista de TRT mejorar los currículos en las universidades y Closet” de Cecilia que lleva más de 10 años y que nuestra gente se eduque de lo que está escuelas. ¿Qué pasa con la educación de en el aire en la estación mas escuchada de pasando a su alrededor y que esto los/as mo -

S a hace par

S nuestra gente? todo el Caribe y Puerto Rico. tive en hacer algo al respecto. A todos los vi - E de meses H N En P.R. ya hace un tiempo que se cobran Hay que reconocer que nuestra cultura ajeros, vengan a mi isla preciosa y gasten sus C

I que me

R Y impuestos, desde un litro de leche a ropa, Puertorriqueña y nuestro país es rico en col - dólares ya que ayudará a nuestra economía E O

mudé a Puerto Rico. : O I desde arroz hasta estacionamiento, desde una ores, sabores, sonidos, cultura, historia y en (al largo plazo). Estoy emocionado por un

T Aunque no lo crean,

O camisa a un cuadro, y ¿las cosas han cambi - su gente. Las playas de Vieques, los colores mejor futuro para todos/as y por que la gente H me mudé a Puerto S P ado? ¡No! ¡Qué barbaridad! Este dinero ahora del Yunque, la historia en el Viejo San Juan, LGBT pueda obtener los mismos derechos

I Rico por una situación delicada está cubriendo los gastos de los políticos y las el arte en Mayagüez, la arquitectura de que todos/as. Tengo fé en que los ambulantes

V de salud en mi fa - deudas dejadas por los que se fueron. Los Ponce, los sabores de Guayanilla y Salinas, podrán obtener viviendas, que los drogadictos milia pero mi corazón sigue en Boston salarios no suben para la gente pero sí para los sonidos de nuestra música y fauna, y las recibirán el cuidado necesario con dignidad los políticos. Los salarios no suben pero riquezas en la diversidad de nuestra gente son y respecto, y que la gente de PR se educará

N ya que viví en Boston más de la mitad

I de mi vida. Muchos/as ya lo saben y ahora la gente tiene que pagar una tasa con - incomparables. Deseo que mis compatriotas más y vivirá en más armonía. otros/as no lo sabían. Voy a seguir es - tributiva más alta en todo y las utilidades ayuden a su prójimo—que nuestra comu - T Vea Puerto Rico en la página 20 cribiendo esta columna ya que voy a como la luz y el agua siguen subiendo. nidad no sea tan homofóbica, tan machista— A Boston con mucha frecuencia. Para En el ámbito LGBT, hay mucho trabajo que se está haciendo con poca ayuda económica. L los Boricuas (y los que nos apoyan) ¡esta columna es para ti! La demanda para reconocer el matrimonio Regreso a mi patria, Puerto Rico, a vivir de - igualitario en el caso de Rius Vs. Conde sigue spués de casi 25 años en el estado de Massa - en pie y en tribunales. Al igual que el trabajo chusetts. Vivo acá y siento diferentes deseos para que se reconozcan los casos de violencia y emociones cada día. Trato de no leer los domestica entre parejas gays y lesbianas. periódicos todos los días ya que las mismas También el Centro Comunitario LGBTT de noticias se ven todos los días. En el periódico Puerto Rico hace grupos de apoyo, pruebas y se lee, que no hay agua, que tal persona fall - tanto más sin mucha ayuda económica. Por eció a balazos, y que tal deportista o artista supuesto que hay clubes y sitios para bailar hizo esto u lo otro. De verdad no hay substan - gays y lesbianas pero además de estos sitios cia en los periódicos, sólo hay una o dos hay muchas organizaciones y grupos comu - columnas que valen la pena leer de vez en nitarios que han hecho de Puerto Rico un país cuando. Cada día es “más de lo mismo”: abierto a la comunidad LGBT. Como había política, asesinatos, economía, “chismes”, y mencionado en columnas pasadas, cuando anuncios vendiendo de todo (de cierto hay vas a centros comerciales ves a parejas de más anuncios que noticias en los periódicos hombres o mujeres agarrados de manos, hoy día). No existen noticias que puedan ed - abrazados, y viviendo vidas “normales”. La ucar a nuestro pueblo con relación a temas gente está hablando más abiertamente del que nos afectan a todos/as. Por supuesto que tema y se ve en la televisión y se escucha en toda noticia puede ser un momento educativo la radio. Hay segmentos como “Saliendo del pero yo digo que debería haber temas históri - cos, sugerencias de cómo mejorar la economía, de salud, teatro, artes plásticas, es - piritualidad, etc. El periódico publica una vez a la semana estos temas pero, ¿qué pasa el resto de la semana? Sí, es más de lo mismo. La prensa debería de incluir mas reseñas de temas educativos y no tantas fotografías macabras. Regresé a hacer alcance comunitario. Hay organizaciones que van todos los días por las calles (éstas son organizaciones privadas sin fines de lucro) dando de comer, ayudando y manejando las necesidades de ambulantes, y proveyendo cuidado médico. Fui y vi como el problema de las drogas esa incrementando y afectando a toda nuestra comunidad. Conocí a un abogado que ahora vive en las calles, jóvenes menos de 20 años de edad prostituyéndose, familias vagabundas, y mu - chos “hospitalillos”. La obra de estas organi - zaciones se debe aplaudir y reconocer más en los medios noticiosos. Tengo que mencionar que también la prensa en los E.U. debería de hacer algo al respecto y educar a nuestras co - munidades de organizaciones que hacen este trabajo localmente. Organizaciones como La Perla del Gran Precio, Iniciativa Comunitaria, La Posita de Jesús, y otras más hacen un tra - bajo que se debe reconocer en PR. La política en PR se debería reconocer como un deporte olímpico. La gente habla de este “deporte” todos los días. Creo que se habla más que de peleas de boxeo; la gente habla de sus filosofías políticas, de sus can - didatos, del futuro político de PR, y demás. Además, se habla de los políticos malgas - tando dinero sin enfocarse en las necesidades de nuestro pueblo. Hay que hacer tanto por la educación de nuestro futuro, los niños/as de nuestro país; para continuar bajando el alto índice de criminalidad y desempleo; y para 20 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com September 4 - October 1, 2014 Y L L E N N O D

N A H G E M

: O T O H P Peyton Pugmire as Prior Walter in The Umbrella’s production of Angels in America: Part 1 – Millennium Approaches Angels from page 15 Stow Street, Concord, Massachusetts. Tick - ets are $20 for adults and $15 for students “With 700 new cases of HIV infection re - and seniors. A staged reading of Angels in ported in the Commonwealth of Massachu - America: Part 1 – Millennium Approaches setts each year, Angels remains a timely will also take place on September 12 and 13. reminder of the need for information, educa - To become an Angel sponsor or to purchase tion and compassion. We salute the Umbrella tickets, visit www.theumbrellaarts.org or call for taking on this important work.” 978.371.0820. Angels in America: Perestroika is the rarely performed conclusion to Tony Kushner’s About The Umbrella award-winning, epic drama about AIDS, ho - The Umbrella enriches lives and builds a mosexuality and religion. Set in 1980’s New vibrant community through the arts. We in - York, the play depicts the changing relation - spire creativity, learning, and personal ships of its central characters against the growth through education, performing and backdrop of the AIDS epidemic. “ Angels in visual arts, cultural events, and community America stands today as one of the most im - collaborations. Each year we engage, excite, portant pieces of American theatre. Even 20 and educate people of all ages – from tod - years later, it still holds relevance and has dlers to seniors – in the arts. Our performing even proven to be prophetic in many ways,” arts and events draw thousands to our 400- says Brian Boruta, Director of Performing seat theatre. We present approximately 10 ex - Arts at The Umbrella. “Because the play is hibitions per year including curated, juried, so challenging to produce, it is rarely seen, and non-juried exhibitions and works by and since the playwright states that each part local, regional, and national artists. Our stands on its own, part 2 is even rarer. It has popular Musketaquid Arts and Environment been nearly a decade since the last major program links discovery of art with passion Boston production, so it felt like the commu - for nature. Our community of 50 artists adds nity was ready to revisit Kushner’s words.” tremendous vitality and inspiration. For The Umbrella’s production of Angels in more information please visit us online at America: Perestroika is directed by Elliot www.emersonumbrella.org or call 978-371- Norton Award Winner Nancy Curran Willis 0820. Please like us on Facebook and follow and runs from October 3 through October 18 us on Twitter and Instagram. at The Umbrella Community Arts Center, 40

Puerto Rico de la página 19 eres de P.R., proponte en darte un viaje a P.R., Pronto se celebra un año más del des - y si no eres de P.R., ven a P.R. y ¡date la cubrimiento de PR y de la herencia Latina, vuelta! Tomen sus vacaciones en mi isla del así que propongo que aunque sea por un día encanto. A mi gente de PR (y a mi mismo que (o quizás más) ofrezcan una donación a al - vivo en PR) les deseo todo lo mejor y un fu - guna organización que ayude a nuestra comu - turo más prospero, con paz, igualdad, y esta - nidad Latina en nuestros países latinos o aquí bilidad social y económica. en tu patio. Movilízate e infórmate de grupos ------que están abogando y trabajando para la co - *Escrito por Wilfred W. Labiosa, para comen - munidad LGBT en PR, como El Centro Co - tarios o sugerencias de tópicos en un futuro munitario LGBTT de Puerto Rico, la comuníquense con él via correo electrónico Fundación de Derechos Humanos de P.R., y a: [email protected] . Wilfred Labiosa otras más. ¡Siente orgullo de quien eres! Si es trabajador social y líder comunitario. September 4 - October 1, 2014 TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 21

PHOTO: CHRISTINE M. HURLEY

PHOTO: SAMANTHA LAINE

(Top left, clockwise) Autumn Gillette, Angelica Rosenthal, Chris Boyajian, Emily Laverdiere, Nick Winners of the Saint Harridan modeling contest at the Boston fashion show. Stevens, Dennis Hurley, Bryan Dunn, Floyd Richardson, Leah Carnow star in ”God Hates Musicals.” God Hates Musicals from page 3 and its content,” said Producer Pablo Rojas. Men’s styled clothing line for women and same. That’s how we’ll beat them.” “Zach obviously sees that the intent of the Bryan Dunn, the show’s composer, shared show isn’t just about poking fun at his fam - trans men “pops up” in Boston his own thoughts on the power of laughter ily, but to address concrete issues about faith to fight hate. and love through a humorous vehicle.” By: Lauren Walleser/ TRT Assistant Editor Productions, The List: Boston’s Queer Creedon shared that he replaced the dia - Agenda, dapperQ, For the Love of Bois, and “Laughter allows performers to take a sub - BOSTON, Mass.—California-based cloth - ject that may be divisive or difficult to find logue in his script with actual quotes from ing company Saint Harridan, who specialize Jack Tar 207 all sponsored the show. the WBC where possible, conducting re - “I believe every person has the right to ac - common ground on and force the audience in making men’s styled suits and dress shirts to see it from a different point of view. It search in order to give the musical parody for women and transgender men, recently cess clothes that fit their gender identity and “a ring of truth.” their body,” said Kristen Porter, founder of takes the negativity that may surround some spent some time in Boston, giving locals the ideas and forces an audience to laugh and “We’re hoping that the show gets pro - opportunity to try on and purchase fashion Dyke Night Productions and owner of The duced again. I would personally very much List: Boston’s Queer Agenda. “The fashion look at it with a positive frame of mind,” from their line at two pop-up shops around said Dunn. “Ultimately, whether they realize like to see it produced in Kansas where the town. show was a huge WBC is from,” said Creedon. “They do success with over it or not, they are all laughing at the same “Necessity is the “... the best part was thing and it starts to emerge that there are so about eight protests a day in Topeka, so I mother of invention,” 600 attendees. For think the Kansans would really respond to me personally, the many more things that we all have in com - said Mary Going, mon than what we disagree about. When the show.” founder and co-owner the care taken to en - best part was the “God Hates Musicals” ran at Boston Uni - care taken to ensure more audiences experience this, the more of Saint Harridan. “It comfortable they are to talk about it and pos - versity’s TheatreLab@855 August 13-24 started because I didn’t sure the diversity of the diversity of the and was produced by Rojas (Improv Asy - models in age, sibly make a change.” have anything to wear, The show’s lyricist Emily Laverdiere, who lum, Catalyst Comedy) and the Ministry of and for years that has the models in age , race/ethnicity, body Theater. Ministry of Theater is a general size and gender also played Judy Phelps in the show, agreed. been the case.” “Laughter is contagious, therefore making management and theater production com - Going found herself presentation—a true pany founded by Rojas that focuses on the race/ethnicity , body first in Boston!” it a force to be reckoned with,” Laverdiere in a predicament over said. “Musical theatre already puts things in theatrical works of small independent artists what to wear when it Going said the and companies and includes past produc - size and gender pres - local pop-up shops a very heightened reality for its characters, came time to marry her so a musical parody is the perfect way to tions such as “Stories Without Roofs: Tran - partner of 10 years in were also a hit. sitions” and “Roller Disco The Musical.” entation —a true first “Boston is thus far heighten the ridiculousness of the way the 2008. She’d sworn off WBC lives their everyday life in complete The production company owns and operates dresses, didn’t care for our most successful Catalyst Comedy in Fort Point Boston. Visit city in terms of rev - earnest.” anything in the in Boston !” According to a press release, the show re - www.godhatesmusicals.org, for more infor - women’s department, enue,” Going mation about the fundraising campaign or —Kristen Porter, founder of Dyke Night shared. “We’ve been ceived a surge of support including more and nothing in the than $8,500 raised through an IndieGoGo the show. men’s department fit. Productions and owner of The List: to New York, we’ve been to Seattle, and campaign to fully fund the Finally, she had a suit Boston’s Queer Agenda musical, support on Twitter custom-made, and the those cities are also very supportive of and Facebook, and even way it made her feel—even more than how follows and mentions by she looked—sparked the idea to start her us and cutting edge, but we’ve gotten better at it as we go along, so there’s an element of the WBC itself that in - company. cluded an offer to provide “It’s like I have reached adulthood when Boston and there’s an element of us [that contributed to the success].” signs for the show. Former I’m wearing a suit, like I am suddenly aware WBC member and grand - of my power, not power over people, but When asked about the fashion industry as a whole, Going said it still has a ways to go son of Fred Phelps, Zach power as a member of society,” Going said. Phelps-Roper, also offered “It’s so hard to describe, but it’s like I didn’t towards being inclusive. “I think the fashion world really values the public support on Twitter, even realize before that I was playing a communicated with the smaller role and now what I’m wearing binary,” she said. “The fashion world values femininity and masculinity, and they play production team, and said makes me feel the most authentic, the most he would make an effort to myself. I feel like I’m engaged in the world with it. There are many examples of women in men’s suits, famous photographs, or right see the show after reading from this place of power, from this place of the script and watching the self-worth, self-esteem, and self-respect.” now some of the fashion tends to look an - drogynous—quote unquote androgynous— launch of the IndieGoGo In addition to the two-weekend pop-up campaign, though initially shop held in early August, a fashion show at but there is no real question of the sex of the people in those clothes. The androgynous concerned with the por - Boston’s Machine NightClub featured con - trayal of his family. test winners modeling Saint Harridan’s Lyon Read the rest of this story at: “This of course says Suits and Parker Dress Shirts. Dyke Night http://wp.me/p22M41-37g quite a lot about the show 22 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com September 4 - October 1, 2014 September 4 - October 1, 2014 TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 23 Endorsements from page 2 For state treasurer, it’s Goldberg . Campus Pride from page 8 studies program,” said Beemyn. “These kind Keeping these endorsements— Coakley, of policies help create a supportive environ - down DOMA. Riverside, Univ. of California, Santa Bar - Before taking on DOMA, at the local law Kerrigan, Healey, and Goldberg —in ment and encourage even more LGBTQ stu - mind, what else is at stake for the Massachu - bara, Univ. of California, Santa Cruz, Univ. dents to attend UMass.” firm of Hale and Dorr (now WilmerHale), of Central Florida, Univ. of Chicago, Univ. she was a key player in a legal challenge, al - setts LGBTQ community? Eric Smith , a student staff person at the Make no mistake: There is a world-view of Illinois at Chicago, Univ. of Maryland, Stonewall Center, reflected on the impact the beit unsuccessful, to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t College Park, Univ. of Massachusetts, Tell,” a federal law and policy which banned of a difference between the Bay State polit - efforts UMass Amherst has taken to be ical parties. Even in 2014, the GOP party Amherst, Univ. of Michigan, Univ. of Min - LGBT-friendly and inclusive have made. openly gay military service. Congress has nesota - Duluth, Univ. of Minnesota - Twin since repealed the discriminatory law. platform includes a troublesome harrumph - “Coming from a small town where I didn’t ing of traditional marriage and a so-called Cities, Univ. of Oregon, Univ. of Pennsylva - have my identity as a queer person validated Regarding the DOMA challenge, “I look nia, Univ. of Rhode Island, Univ. of Southern at this as Massachusetts and the Attorney pro-life mantra. Would that pro-life meant to a place like UMass that is open and wel - full respect for the lives, loves, and families California, Univ. of Vermont, Univ. of Wash - coming towards queer students has made me General’s office ensuring that people’s rights ington. Univ. of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, are protected, ensuring and standing up for of LGBTQ people. feel more comfortable in my everyday life Equally bothersome, GOP frontrunner for Warren Wilson College, Washington State and more confident in myself and in under - equal rights and non-discrimination,” she Univ.,and the Washington Univ. in St. Louis. told the website www.MassLive.com . “To governor Charlie Baker has not yet come standing the world around me,” Smith said. full circle on transgender equality even as he Genny Beemyn , Ph.D., director of the Campus Pride is the leading national edu - me, that case epitomizes the power of the at - Stonewall Center at University of Massachu - torney general’s office and the positive role is supportive of a gay brother who is married cational organization for LGBTQ and ally to a man. A gay brother is apparently okay, setts, Amherst, said this is the fourth year the college students and campus groups building [that office] can play in representing the school has appeared on the list. state and standing up for its people and their but adding public accommodations to exist - future leaders and safer, more LGBTQ- ing transgender protections is not. It appears “Stonewall and other departments have friendly colleges and universities. The organ - rights.” been successful in implanting many For Attorney General, it’s Healey . to be much easier—and politically expedi - ization provides resources and services to ent—to throw social conservatives a LGBTQ-supportive policies, such as creating thousands of college students and nearly The Rainbow Times also endorses Deb gender-inclusive housing, covering transi - Goldberg for treasurer , a former Brookline boogeyman bone under the not so subtle 1400 campuses annually. guise of the “bathroom bill” moniker, which tioning expenses under student health insur - To learn more or find more information, selectwoman and one-time candidate for ance, enabling trans students to have their lieutenant governor. Baker has yet to disavow. visit www.CampusPride.org . Equally supportive are venture capitalist chosen name and their gender identity on *Excerpts of this report came from a Cam - In fact, during the 2006 race for lieutenant campus records, and developing an LGBTQ governor, she had strong backing from Jeffrey McCormick and Evan Falchuk , pus Pride press release. LGBT people. And yet, her support for United Independent Party founder. (See LGBTQ rights goes back to Goldberg’s http://tiny.cc/trt_gub_forum for reporting on Civil Rights Act from page 14 and a senior scholar for public policy and tenure as selectwoman when, before mar - the forum.) lines of marriage equality advocates, who sexual orientation law at the Williams Insti - riage equality, she advocated for extension That is to say, all of these candidates have brought same-sex marriage to 19 states tute of UCLA. of healthcare benefits for domestic partners would advocate for full transgender rights, and the District of Columbia. Meyer studies public health issues related of Brookline town employees. needs of LGBTQ youth and elders, compre - “Same-sex marriage has had success,” she to minority health, specifically research on “I was dumbfounded,” she said recently, hensive sex education in public schools, in - said over the telephone, because the effort stress and illness in minority populations, “when initially the issue was framed as fi - creased funding for HIV/AIDS, and efforts “was all about pushing the states to do such as LGBT people, including the relation - nancial consideration.” to combat domestic violence. more.” ship of minority status, minority identity, “For me, LGBTQ rights has always been Entering the stage on the far right is A state-by-state strategy for LGBT protec - prejudice and discrimination, and mental a civil-rights issue,” said Goldberg. “Unless Springfield-based evangelical pastor Scott tions “is a good idea,” Tolson added. “It’s the health outcomes in sexual minorities and the there is equality, there is a problem.” Lively , perhaps best known for his local and same blue-print that same-sex marriage ad - intersection of minority stressors related to President of an adoption agency, Adop - global anti-gay activism in Russia and vocates used.” sexual orientation, race/ethnicity and gender. tions with Love, she is active in a variety of Uganda. He is as over the top in anti-LGBT Given the current GOP control of the Myer has developed a model of “minority various non-profit organizations, putting her animus and vitriol as his candidacy blem - House, she said, securing comprehensive stress” which helps to describe the relation - law and MBA degrees to work on business ishes Massachusetts liberalism. On one protections—even ENDA’s passage—“is ship of social stressors and mental disorders strategy, management and audits. Goldberg level, Lively’s candidacy is laughable, but probably not going to happen.” and helps to explain LGBT health disparities. also has worked with Planned Parenthood his calling out LGBT people for conversion Meanwhile, for the remainder of 2014, Altogether, Fernandez said, the equality- and Combined Jewish Philanthropies, therapy is no laughing matter. Equality Pledge campaign goals include in - pledge campaign approach relies on two fun - among other groups. Just as Lively’s anti-gay activism and can - creasing support up to 500 organizations, es - damental principles: a human rights From an early age—her family business didacy are shameful, so pro-gay advocacy tablishing state leads in all 50 states, and imperative and a public health emergency. was Stop and Shop—Goldberg learned that and momentum are at play on a field of conducting an equality tracking system to “It is the primary duty of the government “business acumen and progressive values are dreams with Massachusetts Democratic can - document support among lawmakers. to protect” its citizens, he said, “from the not mutually exclusive.” didates—and the party—in full embrace Highlighting ‘minority stress’ impacts harms of discrimination. That’s what human “Every single thing I have done is a perfect LGBT equality. Better yet, two of our Another goal is undertaking a public rights and civil rights are all about.” fit in this very diverse, complicated and im - own— Maura Healey and Steve Kerri - awareness campaign to highlight societal dis - The LGBT community is indeed facing a portant area of state government,” Goldberg gan —are running as openly gay candidates crimination and its effect on “minority public health crisis, Fernandez added. told MassLive.com, referring to the office of for attorney general and lieutenant governor, stress,” which manifests as suicide and men - “What other minority group has [youth] treasurer, which oversees the Lottery Com - respectively. tal health disparities, including depression, suicide by its members just because of their mission, Unclaimed Property Division, the If nominated and elected, their wins would anxiety, low self-esteem, and family rejec - belonging to that group?” he asked. state Retirement Board, and the Alcoholic be historic gains for the LGBTQ commu - tion, among others. For more information on the campaign, Beverage Commission. In addition to Lot - nity, the Commonwealth, and beyond. The public awareness campaign draws visit http://tiny.cc/ehhdlx . tery Commission chair, the treasurer also For decades now, our community has done upon the work of Ilan H. Meyer, Ph.D., a Copyright ©2014 Chuck Colbert. All Rights serves as chair of the state Building Author - the work necessary to bend the rainbow arc psychiatric epidemiologist, author, professor, Reserved. ity and the nearly $60 billion Pension Re - of justice from tolerance to acceptance to serves Investment Management Board. citizenship. In Massachusetts, this is what equality looks like.

Healey from Page 11 ing the state and standing up for its people since repealed the discriminatory law. and their rights.” Regarding the DOMA challenge, “I look Get out and vote for Maura Healey for at - at this as Massachusetts and the Attorney torney general in the Democratic primary. General’s office ensuring that people’s Become a part of her historic run for attor - rights are protected, ensuring and standing ney general. up for equal rights and non-discrimina - For more information see www.maura - tion,” she told the website MassLive.com. healey.com . To read The Rainbow Times ’ “To me, that case epitomizes the power of Primary Endorsements (first ran in June, the attorney general’s office and the posi - 2014) visit: http://goo.gl/WUEjLS or read tive role [that office] can play in represent - them on page 2 of this issue.

We stand Corrected: In the article titled 'LGBT Aging Listening Sessions Give Voice to Con - cerns for Older Adults,’ (August 6, 2014), the executive director of MassEquality was listed as a member of the MA Commission on LGBT Aging. The deputy director of MassEquality sits on the Commission, not the executive director." 24 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com September 4 - October 1, 2014