2 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com June 5, 2014 - July 9, 2014 The Rainbow Times announces primary endorse - There’s No Pride in Israeli Apartheid: LGBTQ Pride celebrations participate in pinkwashing ments for governor, attorney general, treasurer, more By: Keegan O’Brien*/ TRT Guest Columnist sively Jewish state. It’s a society where By: TRT Editorial Team proud to do that,” she said. Palestinians live as second class citizens sys -

L very year in

“I was proud to officiate at my best E hat’s at stake in the up - K June, the tematically subjected to racist discrimina - S friend’s wedding,” Coakley added, referring I coming elections for the E tion, and as prisoners subjected to utterly

S LGBTQ W

E to the Legislature’s 2008 repeal of an archaic inhumane and brutal conditions in the occu - Massachusetts LGBTQ L community comes to -

W U N community? Nothing less than build - 1913 law that banned non-resident same-sex A gether to celebrate pied territories of the West Bank and Gaza— P

couples from marrying if the marriages were : commonly referred to as the world’s “largest ing upon the impressive achieve - O Pride month; and T O ments of Deval Patrick, the state’s not legal in their home state. O every year you’re open air prison” because of the current I H most pro-gay governor and the rain - Not only is LGBTQ advocacy personal for P guaranteed to see ad - blockade being imposed by Israel. Coakley, but it is also professional. Gearing Israel’s boosters seem to have realized that N bow legacy of progressive Massachu - vertisements market -

I setts, the first state in the nation to up to challenge DOMA, for example, she ing Israel as a hot, building an apartheid wall and bulldozing allow gay and lesbian couples to listened to staff attorneys who spoke about must visit gay tourist homes in the West Bank, or enacting a P marry. hardships they experienced on a range of is - destination. From Tel blockade that collectively punishes and

O Accordingly, for the corner office sues from tax filing to immigration. Conse - Aviv’s supposed cultural acceptance of starves the entire population of Gaza from on Beacon Hill, The Rainbow Times quently, hers is a social justice commitment LGBTQ people to Israel’s ability to offer accessing its most basic necessities, aren’t endorses Martha Coakley for governor that combines the personal and professional. endless partying and hot, chiseled men, it’s the best marketing schemes when it comes because she is in a unique position to pro - On a host of other issues beyond marriage a gaycation not to be missed. to promoting itself as a bastion of progress. mote and defend Massachusetts’ LGBTQ equality—transgender protections, anti-bul - But, this PR blitz neglects to mention a Instead of focusing on its shameful abuse of people. lying strategies, safe housing and access to fundamental truth: Israel is an apartheid human rights and violation of international “As governor, I will make it a priority to healthcare, LGBTQ youth homelessness and state. law, Israel has made a concerted effort to protect the progress we have made, as well elders policies, among others—Coakley has For starters, Israel, like all societies in the market its image as an LGBTQ-accepting, as push forward until everyone in [the state] been a champion for LGBTQ rights. Her world, is rife with homophobia and trans - tolerant society in a sea of Arab reaction. is free from discrimination and harassment,” plan is worth a read, available at phobia. It has a highly organized, well fi - While it’s true that some LGBTQ people Coakley stated in a recently released five- http://tinyurl.com/trt-coakley . nanced and politically influential Jewish have been able to create cultural enclaves in page plan entitled, “Standing with the If that is not convincing enough, check out right wing that advocates for socially reac - select urban centers in Israel, these market - LGBTQ Community of Massachusetts.” Elyse Cherry’s op-ed “The Governor’s Race tionary, anti-LGBTQ, misogynistic policies. ing efforts serve another purpose: Hers is a collaborative approach, as expan - — Martha Coakley Walks the Walk!” It is far from a queer paradise. See Pinkwashing on Page 15 sive as it matches a formidable track record [http://wp.me/p22M41-2WX ] More importantly, Israel is a colonial set - of advocating an LGBTQ-friendly agenda. To keep Massachusetts LGBTQ momen - tler society based on racial apartheid. It’s a Don’t forget: it was Attorney General Coak - tum moving forward, the choice is clear: It’s country whose establishment in 1948 was ley who took on the odious Defense of Mar - Coakley. based upon the violent expulsion and ethnic The Rainbow Times riage Act (DOMA) because the law was For lieutenant governor , The Rainbow cleansing of the indigenous Arab population The Freshest LGBT Newspaper fundamentally unfair to more than 16,000 Times endorses Steve Kerrigan , a former to clear the way for the creation of an exclu - in New England—Boston Based same-sex couples and families across the Lancaster town selectman, who also served TheRainbowTimesMass.com Commonwealth. as co-chair of the 2013 Presidential Inaugu - As Coakley put it during the LGBT guber - ral Committee, as well as chief executive Letters to the Editor [email protected] natorial forum: “As the first and only attor - Dear Editor, [email protected] ney general to challenge DOMA, I was See Endorsements on Page 23 [Re: HRC Delivers Letter to Vatican Due Phone: 617.444.9618 / 413.282.8881 to ...] HRC and Chad Griffin are ridicu - Fax: 928.437.9618 lous. At the same time they are sending Faith, Family and God – Religious Freedom out this publicity stunt, they are in the Publisher Ad & Layout Design midst of their own $2M campaign to push Gricel M. Ocasio Prizm Designs By: Paul P. Jesep*/ TRT Columnist Editor-In-Chief If you’re a person of the religious exemption laden ENDA of Webmaster s a priest, it is Nicole Lashom b 2013 through John Boehner’s House of Jarred Johnson my First faith , the next time you Assistant Editor Representatives that will allow all “reli - Columnists/Guest* AAmendment giously affiliated” employers to legally Lauren Walleser Lorelei Erisis right (freedom of reli - hear someone complain discriminate against not just against gion), or so I thought, National/Local Sales Deja N. Greenlaw teachers but any employee. Rivendell Media Paul P. Jesep to marry two loving that their religious free - —Cathy Kristofferson , Online Chris Gilmore Wilfred Labiosa individuals who hap - dom is under threat be - Liz Johnson John Verlinden pen to be of the same- Dear Editor Keegan O’Brien* gender, seeking the Lead Photographer cause of marriage [Re: HRC Delivers Letter to Vatican Due Affiliations Creator’s sacramental Alex Mancini to...] The Pope best not throw those Bish - National Lesbian & blessing. This is inde - equality, ask them if ops and Archbishops under the bus for not Reporters Gay Journalists As - pendent of civil and economic rights ac - Chuck Colbert sociation wanting to bring scandal into our schools. Christine Nicco corded under secular law. their religious rights are We are seeing a soft infiltration of the ho - QSyndicate Hence, every time I hear religious repre - Lauren Walleser Keen News Service more important than mosexual ideology into our parrish ele - *Guest Writer sentatives, often Catholics and Baptists, op - mentary and secondary schools. posed to marriage equality, contending that yours. —Kathleen Wimmer, Online The Rainbow Times is published monthly by The Rain - their religious freedom is threatened, I’m bow Times, LLC. TRT is affiliated with the National union and then, if a couple wanted their baffled. How? Has a Catholic priest, for ex - Dear Editor, Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, NLGJA , Na - ample, been fined or jailed for refusing to union solemnized as a marriage, find a pas - tional Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, tor, rabbi, mullah or other clergy person to [Gay Eagle Scout, Fired Gay Scout NGLCC , The Connecticut Alliance for Business Op - celebrate one? Name one state where it has Leader, Deliver 125K Petition Signatures occurred. do it. Because marriage is interchanged portunity, CABO , and QSyndicate. The articles written Urging Amazon to Suspend Donations to by the writers, columnists, and correspondents solely More important than my religious free - today as secular and religious, there are express their opinion, and do not represent the endorse - clergy who want the right and honor to cel - Boy Scouts] The hypocrites at the dom, what about LGBTQ persons of faith Southern Poverty Law Center have ment or opinion of The Rainbow Times, LLC or its own - ebrate same-gender marriages but can’t, ers. Send letters to the editor with your name, address who want their union blessed by clergy? known about the BSA’s blatant anti-gay even if done solely in a religious capacity. and phone number to: The Rainbow Times (address What about Unitarians, Episcopalians, or discrimination since 2000 but never said United Church of Christ LGBTQ members, In April, the United Church of Christ shown above), or e-mail any comment/s to the editor a single word about it until 2012, and that at: [email protected]. All submissions among others, whose denominations support (UCC) (www.ucc.org), with a long, rich his - was practically an apology for the BSA. will be edited according to space constraints. The Rain - marriage equality, but whose clergy are re - tory of social justice ranging from opposi - bow Times, LLC reserves the right not to print any or tion to slavery, to supporting the ordination stricted from conducting the ceremony? In 2012, SPLC co-founder Joe Levin all content, or advertisements for any reason at all. TRT Unfortunately, marriage has become con - of women, and being one of the earliest sup - is not responsible for advertising content. To receive porters of marriage equality, filed a lawsuit wrote that back in 2000 the SPLC stopped The Rainbow Times at your home via regular mail, or voluted as a civil and religious right. If op - donating to the United Way because of its ponents to marriage equality had better in federal court challenging legal restrictions through electronic delivery, please visit its website. The support of the BSA, but Joe never got whole content and graphics (photos, etc.) are the sole understood the issue, then everyone, gay or regarding their religious freedom to marry property of The Rainbow Times, LLC and they cannot straight, would come together in a civil See Religious Freedom on page 22 See More Letters on Page 23 be reproduced at all without TRT’s written consent. June 5, 2014 - July 9, 2014 TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 3 Boston Pride 2014 invites you to “Be Yourself, Change the World” during Pride By: Lauren Walleser/ TRT Assistant Editor BOSTON, Mass.—Boston Pride, the largest of New England’s annual T Pride celebrations and one of the largest in the United States, will be H held from June 6 through June 15 in

G various events throughout Boston, I including the 44th annual Boston

L Pride Parade, the second longest run - ning LGBTQ parade next to New E York City’s. President of Boston Pride Sylvain M Bruni said the weeklong series of I events mark “a very important mo -

L ment in the life of our community, where everyone is welcome, is free

E to be who they are, to express them - selves for who they are, in a safe H space. Visibility and acceptance are

T the keywords for this amazing com - munity celebration.” Bruni shared that this year’s theme, N

I “Be Yourself, Change the World,” also reflects a bit of his personal his - tory. “Although I won’t claim I’m changing the world, maybe I'm helping out a bit!” Bruni PHOTO: MARILYN HUMPHRIES said. “I’m originally from France and came to the U.S. in 2003. Since then I’ve been a Boston Pride Parade in 2013. member of Boston Pride and I’ve tried to do my part and contribute to the community, by that (e.g., our annual human rights event), the Pride movement by the city of Boston, Additionally, Boston City Councilors, the being myself: a proud, gay, engineer. As an and it’s also a return to basics. ‘Be yourself’ but it marks the kickoff of the Pride Week Boston delegation of elected state and fed - organization, the theme crystallizes where is what Pride is fundamentally about!” celebration!” said Bruni. “We are very proud eral officials and other notable figures will our community is right now and the feed - The events kick off Friday, June 6 at noon that Mayor Walsh will be hosting his first attend the flag raising, which will also rec - back we’ve received from the community with the annual raising of the rainbow flag rainbow flag raising. It’s a great testament ognize the 45th anniversary of the Stonewall since we announced the theme has con - at City Hall. to his very strong support of the LGBT com - Rebellion, an uprising at a bar in New York firmed this. We are positioning Boston on “[The Flag Raising] symbolizes not only munity. We are very thankful to him to have the global scale and our community supports the official recognition and acceptance of us on the Plaza for this event.” See Boston Pride on Page15 4 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com June 5, 2014 - July 9, 2014 Op-Ed: Steve Grossman’s record speaks for itself; I publicly support him By: Erica Kay-Webster*/ Special to TRT tinue to shape the fight for LGBTQ social Relative to Equal Access’ favorably out of sat down and fully reviewed where each ecently I was disappointed justice, including the battle for marriage committee and bring it to a vote.” candidate stands on all issues, I have de - equality and transgen - “The 17 other cided to come out and publicly support and

S and saddened to read an op-ed piece submitted to der rights.” states with trans - endorse Steve Grossman for the next Gov -

C R “I will serve as an un - gender nondiscrim - ernor of The Commonwealth of Massachu - The Rainbow Times from Gunner Having sat down I Scott (see page 10 of this issue ), the wavering advocate for ination laws offer setts. citizens who identify as protections for pub - As an elder Transgender woman, T former Executive Director of the and fully reviewed I Massachusetts Transgender Politi - transgender to receive lic accommoda - Stonewall Veteran, community and civil the rights they deserve. tions, and rights activist and leader, independent jour - L cal Coalition . I have no problem where each candi - with Gunner’s endorsement of These are questions of Massachusetts nalist, and member of The Women’s Media O Martha Coakley for Governor. After human rights, fairness, date stands on all should be no differ - Center in Washington DC, I am endorsing all, Martha Coakley, just as all of and decency. To begin, ent. I was deeply Steve Grossman for Governor because he is P our other Democratic candidates, is I will stand up to mis - issues, I have de - disappointed that a man of unquestionable integrity and honor highly qualified and she has a spot - leading, offensive rhet - the public accom - who has all the necessary experience and less record of her support for LGBT Civil oric from the far right modations provi - qualifications, and because he is a man of Rights in the Commonwealth. What I found that seeks to replace cided to come out sion, a provision his word who will lead us forward into a fu - extremely disturbing and insulting about tolerance with division. that I strongly and ture that includes True and Complete Equal Gunner’s op-ed letter was Gunner’s need to That’s why I am proud and publicly support publicly supported Human Rights for all people who live in denigrate Steve Grossman’s record regard - to have been the only throughout the Massachusetts. ing Transgender Civil Rights. Gunner left candidate to have pub - and endorse Steve process, was not in - out all the facts regarding Steve’s exemplary licly called out Charlie cluded in the trans - *Erica is the creator of the Foundation for and flawless record of Transgender support, Baker at the recent Grossman for the gender rights International Justice, which has as its motto, leading the reader to believe that Steve LGBTQ forum at the legislation previ - “Human Rights Advocacy Through Com - Grossman does not support the Transgender Boston Public Library next Governor of the ously passed. We passionate Action.” Currently the founda - community. I cannot understand why any - for having demeaned must be a Common - tion’s main initiative is the creation of one with Gunner’s education and intelli - the transgender com - Commonwealth of wealth that leads, Promise Place School for homeless LGBT gence would stoop to such a low level attack munity by calling a key not follows.” youth. Erica plans to continue working for against one of the strongest Transgender and civil rights law ‘the Massachusetts . This is going to be equal rights through the passage of a true LGBT Allies that we have ever had in the bathroom bill.’ ” a very difficult elec - Equal Human Rights Act and an Equal Commonwealth of Massachusetts. “I will work with my tion for all Democ - Human Rights Amendment to the U.S. Con - Below, Steve Grossman explains in his colleagues in the Legis - rats, because we stitution. Erica is Vice President of PFLAG own words how he has supported and will lature, many of whom I have relationships have so many highly qualified Democratic of Cape Cod and a member of the PFLAG continue to support the transgender commu - with that date back many years, to seek sup - candidates. For me personally, it has come Speaker’s Bureau. She is the International nity as governor. port for expanding protections in places of down to choosing a candidate who I feel will Spokesperson for the LGBT Compassion “Long before I was an elected official, I public accommodations, and urge the Joint be the strongest leader on all issues for The Games and a Community Organizer for supported the fundamental values that con - Committee on the Judiciary to move ‘An Act Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Having Compassion Games International. June 5, 2014 - July 9, 2014 TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 5 Op-Ed: The Governor’s Race; let’s see who walks the walk & who talks the talk By: Elyse Cherry*/ Special to TRT panded legal protections and equal access determined leadership. for transgender individuals. She was also the Massachusetts voters recognize and re - I he National N I first to follow the lead of the Governor in spect courage—and they respect a candidate C Football But in this, the first N

A League made banning anti-transgender discrimination in whose positions are guided by a strong in - M T X history earlier this her office, and she continues to fight to en - ternal lodestone—a reliable moral compass E gubernatorial election L sure access to places of public accommoda - that distinguishes right from wrong—rather A month when Jeff / T

R Fisher, the coach of the tion. Coakley also won strong court than by a set of talking points developed T

: in a post-marriage judgments against perpetrators of anti-gay after putting a finger in the wind.

O St. Louis Rams, T

O drafted Michael Sam, and racially motivated hate crimes. That’s why in the last election cycle H P the first openly gay world , Martha Coak - Martha Coakley’s courage and her un - Martha Coakley received more votes than professional football shakeable commitment to justice and equal - any other candidate for state wide office. player. ley’s leadership ex - ity is not limited to her work on LGBTQ That’s also why she is the clear leader in What was striking about Fisher’s inter - issues. The letter she wrote last week threat - every independent poll in this election cycle. views was that he spoke and acted from the tends well beyond ening to sue the Federal Housing Finance And that’s why MassEquality, the leading heart. He believed that Michael Sam could Agency if Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac advocacy group on LGBTQ issues, made help his team win, but his core values also marriage . She is the continued to ignore their obligations to work the right decision when it unanimously en - made him proud to help knock down another with Massachusetts homeowners in foreclo - dorsed Martha Coakley as our candidate for discriminatory barrier. "I'm honored to be a sure, her staunch advocacy supporting the governor. At the ten-year anniversary of part of it," Fisher told interviewers. only candidate with a need for buffer zones to protect women ac - marriage equality in Massachusetts, our Jeff Fisher opened the door; other NFL cessing reproductive health services, and her world has changed—for the better—because coaches will now step through. detailed, specific pro - widely acknowledged and unsurpassed lead - we all worked hard to change it. The Martha Coakley is the Jeff Fisher of Mas - ership among Attorneys General across the LGBTQ community can take pride in the sachusetts. As Attorney General, Coakley— gram on LGBTQ is - country in the fight to hold large financial fact that, as a result of our long years of or - with the herculean efforts of Maura Healey institutions accountable for their misdeeds ganizing and our strong community ... (also endorsed by Mass Equality in her race sues —access to are just a few of the issues on which Massa - to succeed Coakley as Attorney General) chusetts residents benefit from Coakley’s See Coakley on Page 6 and Mary Bonauto (GLAD)—challenged health care, school the federal government’s Defense of Mar - riage Act (DOMA)—and won. The First Circuit Court of the United States struck safety, bullying pre - down DOMA because they agreed that with Martha Coakley that the law unfairly denied vention , homeless more than 16,000 same-sex families in Mas - sachusetts the rights and benefits they had services. earned and that were rightfully theirs. Coak - ley’s leadership inspired the U.S. Depart - vention, homeless services. The list goes ment of Justice to back away from DOMA. on. And when the U.S. Supreme Court struck Coakley chaired the Massachusetts’ Com - down DOMA's ban on federal marriage mission on Bullying Prevention and, in part - recognition last year, it echoed many of nership with MassEquality, the Coakley’s original arguments. Anti-Defamation League, and others suc - But in this, the first gubernatorial election cessfully sponsored legislation that requires in a post-marriage world, Martha Coakley’s schools to update anti-bullying plans to in - leadership extends well beyond marriage. clude protections for especially vulnerable She is the only candidate with a detailed, populations, including LGBTQ youth. specific program on LGBTQ issues—access She is the only gubernatorial candidate to to health care, school safety, bullying pre - have testified in person in support of ex - 6 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com June 5, 2014 - July 9, 2014 ESME Women’s Block Party pays tribute to long-time DJ Linda Lowell By: Lauren Walleser/ TRT Assistant Editor DJ Linda Lowell—otherwise known as Trancegirl—spun at the annual ESME Women’s Block Party, part of Boston Pride, for 17 years before passing away unexpect - edly June 10, 2013. According to producer and promoter Harry Collings, this year’s Block Party will be dedicated to her. “She had amazing energy from the mo - ment she was on spinning her vinyl,” Collings said. “She really related well and interacted with the crowd through her music, and you could see that she would just build it and built it, and no one was ever dis - appointed.” Collings, who produces the ESME Women’s Block Party along with Lesbian - NightLife, said he could not remember the event without her. According to her autobiography, Lowell began DJing when her roommate’s boyfriend would leave his equipment at their apartment, and she would stay up all of the LGBTQ community. night practicing. Eventually, she spun for “She was a part of it and she considered it the Boston Super Skaters at the Hatch Me - a family,” she said. morial Shell on the Esplanade, and went on DJ Andrea Stamas will spin at this year’s to have many jobs at nightclubs throughout event, and will be dedicating the party to the Boston area, including Nicely Nicely’s, Lowell along with Collings. Bobby’s, Buddies, Indigo, Somewhere, “DJ Linda Lowell and the Esme Women’s Quest, Greystones, Gertrude’s, Xposures, Block Party were completely synonymous Zon, Divas, Wet Bar, Venus, and Friend’s to me for many years. You just didn’t have Landing in Haverhill. Her mixes played on one without the other, and you came to ex - local radio stations, and she even won a pect that same great energy each time you Boston competition to attend the DMC mix attended,” said DJ Stamas. “Professionally contest in San Diego, where she introduced speaking, she has served as an inspiration the audience to House music for the first for me in the way she managed to captivate time. She also DJed for San Diego Pride. the crowd with her music and keep the party “Music is a universal language, one we all at a frenzied, fabulous level throughout!” understand,” Lowell wrote. “I spend 40 According to DJ Stamas, she will do her hours a week finding the best music around “humbled best to step into those shoes and the globe.” entertain this crowd of ladies (and a few Carrie Lynch, Lowell’s partner of 19 gents) in the same way she did all those years, said Lowell was an exceptional per - years.” son who was hard working and very dedi - “You could tell just how much Linda cated. loved her job and I want people to feel that “She was very intelligent and knew so from me, too,” said DJ Stamas. “I hope I not much about everything,” said Lynch. “She only make her proud, but earn that same was one in a million and my soul mate.” love and support from her fans. We are also In addition to DJing, Lowell was also a encouraging everyone to wear something gardener, skier and birdwatcher, as well as ROSE colored as that was Linda’s favorite a golfer and president of the Ladies League color!” in Chelmsford. She was also a town meeting And then, there are other ways of honor - representative, belonged to the Lowell ing Lowell. Sportsmen’s Club, and worked for Spotlight “I suppose people can honor Linda just by Risk Services as a chief quality officer. thinking about her on Pride day,” said “When Bobby’s closed, Harry Collings Lynch. “I believe she’ll be looking down asked her to DJ the ESME Block Party,” and smiling.” Lynch said. “She prepared months in ad - The ESME Women’s Block Party will be vance and when Harry would call her to held Saturday, June 14 from 2 to 7 p.m. in catch up about the upcoming Pride, the but - the alley at 1 Boylston Place in Boston. For terflies would start. more information, visit www.lesbian - Lynch said that Lowell loved being a part nightlife.com . Coakley From Page 5 institutions, many of our Democratic can - riage equality in Massachusetts, served as didates for Governor now support LGBTQ director of the Gay and Lesbian Advo - issues. To continue to make history and cates and Defenders, and is currently a to advance equality, we need more elected board member of LPAC, a political action officials—more candidates—who walk the committee created to support candidates walk in addition to talking the talk. That is who champion issues impacting lesbians crucial for building the world we want—a and their families. Earlier this year she world in which justice and equality for all received the Susan M. Love award from is a given, not a goal. Fenway Health, and she was named one *Elyse Cherry chaired MassEquality of Twenty-one Women for the Twenty-first during its successful campaign for mar - Century by Women’s enews. June 5, 2014 - July 9, 2014 TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 7 8 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com June 5, 2014 - July 9, 2014 Smith students protest admissions’ policies for transgender women, leaders react By: Lauren Walleser/ TRT Assistant Editor “Smith Admissions has always women who may apply to Smith this spring been concerned that someone might and summer will encounter a barrier to entry NORTHAMPTON, Mass.—Smith College assert they’re a woman for the in the form of having to present gender cre - students recently held a protest on campus wrong reasons—this eliminates that dentials from others that cisgender women in response to admissions policies they say risk as it would be hard to imagine do not have to supply. It is the rare case, in - are exclusionary towards transgender two trusted adults being ‘in’ on deed, when an adult—much less a youth— women, and many local activists agree. such a scheme. Although we know who is trans has all of their identity “After several talks with administrators, that not every single trans girl will documents consistently ‘F’ or ‘M’ across the they still have not accepted our central de - board. It takes decades to achieve that, and mand of a gender supplement compromise PHOTOS: JENNY PERRIN years of time, effort, and money to achieve so that Office of Admission materials do not that! In many cases, it is outright impossi - have to have all female gender markers,” ble. There are several states that will not said Sarah Fraas, organizer of the protest change the gender marker on a birth certifi - with Smith Q&A (Queers and Allies), a stu - cate or even amend it to the correct gender.” dent-run consensus-based organization ded - Bet Power Alwin, ex - Genny Beemyn, director of the Stonewall icated to justice for trans women, starting ecutive director of the Center at the University of Massachusetts with the Smith community. “They have, Sexual Minorities Edu - Amherst, shared their take on the situation however, made a couple great changes—Of - cational Foundation, as it stands now. fice of Disability and Office of Financial Aid Inc. and curator of the “Smith officials are not doing enough to materials no longer have to have all female Sexual Minorities enable trans female students to be able to at - gender markers.” Archives, also attended tend the college,” Beemyn said. “There is no Students and activists are still fighting for the protest. reason that all of a student’s documents have other admissions documents, including tran - “Admissions at Smith to indicate that they are female. I have spo - scripts, letters of recommendation, the Com - College is blocking ken to leaders in the Department of Educa - mon App., a guidance counselor Both photos: Students and activists protest admissions policies at Smith Col - lege against transgender students. Leaders throughout the state react. entry to trans women tion about this, and it is not an issue for them recommendation, and mid-year academic undergraduate students if MTF [male to female] students attend a reports, to not have to include female gender have two adults willing to affirm her iden - and that is blatant discrimination in educa - women’s college. Smith could enable a markers. Smith Q&A suggests that the Of - tity, it’s certainly a start.” tion,” said Power Alwin. “Smith cannot MTF student to include a statement with fice of Admission change their policy to “Less than half of trans high school stu - claim to be a college for all ‘Women of the their application confirming their female allow a supplement, so that if admissions dents are able to change documents like World’ if they exclude trans women, who are gender identity. This would not be too oner - materials have a “male” gender marker, their transcripts, and that is readily accessi - women. It is very frustrating because student ous on their Admissions people, but be a Smith can request “two letters of support ble information,” Fraas said. “In practice, and community activists like myself have tremendous benefit to trans women.” from health providers, school administra - Smith’s policy excludes most women with - been working to improve this situation for Mason Dunn, executive director of the tors, teachers, guidance counselors, social out a supportive school and family, which in over a year and yet another school year has Massachusetts Transgender Political Coali - workers, advisors, clergy, family, employers, reality is most trans women, and perhaps the come to a close. It won’t be until fall semes - tion, also commented on the issue. etc.” trans women who need to come to Smith the ter when student activists will work on this A flyer composed by the group states most.” problem some more. In the meantime, trans See Smith College on Page 10 June 5, 2014 - July 9, 2014 TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 9 10 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com June 5, 2014 - July 9, 2014 Smith College from page 8 asked us questions, ultimately asking ‘Why “By relying on administrative, state, and can’t Smith just change this?’” Op-Ed: Where were you Steve … in 2010? Elli Palmer, co-chair of Smith Q&A last By: Gunner Scott, B.A.* hile I ap - federal documents to affirm gender identity, Smith College is silencing the voices of year and current member, said she believes

R plaud You cannot re-write there is “a pretty evident disparity between E trans applicants,” said Dunn. “All people

N Steve

Z the understandings of most students and the

T W should have the right to define their gender E Grossman for his administration of Smith when it comes to O history by calling him identity for themselves, rather than rely on K support of marriage, trans women.” N often unachievable or discriminatory

N which happened 10

E “From the conversations I have had it

L out now on his trans - processes imposed by schools and govern -

G years ago now,

/ seems clear to me that the administration

T ment bodies.”

R where were you simply does not understand the complexity T

Additionally, Carly Burton, deputy direc - : Steve when Charlie phobia . Your voice

O of this issue,” said Palmer. “They seem to

T tor of MassEquality, shared her perspective.

O Baker, as well as see trans women as just another ‘special

H “My personal take is that the admissions

P most of the Republi - was silent on chal - office needs to make these changes quickly case’ rather than a group of women who face can legislators, were extreme oppression and who should have the using the same mean spirited language about so that the next class of Smith students is lenging the hurtful truly as diverse as it could be,” Burton said. extra support of women’s spaces. Quite sim - transgender youth, adults and families in ply there is a divide that exists between the 2010 and 2011? You cannot re-write history The issue was spurred last spring after myths and stereotypes Smith College rejected the application of way Smith students see the world and imag - by calling him out now on his transphobia. Calliope Mora Wong, stating “undergradu - ine the Smith community and the way the Your voice was silent on challenging the about equal rights ate applicants to Smith must be female at the administration sees the world and envisions hurtful myths and stereotypes about equal time of admission.” While Wong identifies the Smith community. So long as the admin - rights and equal access for transgender peo - and equal access for as a woman, her Free Application for Fed - istration does not have to change the policy, ple in public accommodations back then. eral Student Aid (FAFSA) listed her gender I believe they won’t because they simply Where is your voice and your record today marker as male, prompting the college’s de - don’t seem to see how problematic it is. So on supporting and actively advocating for transgender people in cision to return her application. for student activists there are only a few op - An Act Relative to Equal Access in Hospi - Students protested outside the Smith ad - tions available to us with that understand - tals, Public Transportation, Nursing Homes, public accommoda - missions office Thursday, April 24 from ing—we can try to teach the administration Supermarkets, Retail Establishments, and all 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. why what they’re doing is wrong, which re - other places open to the public (House Bill tions back then. The rally was a peaceful celebration of quires a desire to learn and change which we 1589/Senate Bill 643)? unity and sisterhood, as we chanted ‘It’s have not seen from them, or we can effec - How about your record on same-sex do - The LGBTQ community is so much more been too long! Trans women belong!’” said tively force them by showing them it is their mestic violence funding? What about than marriage and just the gay and lesbian Fraas. “We handed out over 300 flyers ex - only option to avoid protests, bad press, LGBTQ youth dealing with homelessness part of the community. plaining the cause to students, prospective etcetera. Hopefully we can change the pol - and respectful treatment in foster care? What There is a clear choice for Governor and students and their families, passersby, fac - icy with a combination of these two meth - about our LGBTQ elders, where is your who is there for the LGBTQ community on ulty and staff.” ods, but the future is still unclear and I see record on that? How about discrimination every issue, Martha Coakley. Fraas shared that several members of the no change in the policy in the near future.” against LGBTQ workers? What about equal When I met her in 2000, Martha was the faculty were in attendance. The event fea - Smith student Raven Fowlkes-Witten said access to and respectful treatment in health - tured acoustic guitars, chants and picketing that Q&A meetings will resume again in the care? What about violence and hate crimes To read the rest of this story visit: outside. NYC-based musician, activist and fall, but that people can get involved now by against LGBTQ youth and adults? http://tiny.cc/4eysgx trans woman Joanna Blackhart spoke about sending a picture holding a sign that ex - her experiences and read a statement from plains “why you understand that trans Wong, and the group also read a solidarity women belong at Smith and why it matters statement sent to them by the Trans Youth to you” to http://tiny.cc/uxzsgx . Fowlkes- Equality Foundation. Witten also suggested calling or e-mailing “You could hear us from every vantage Smith’s Office of Admission to share your point on campus,” said Fraas. “We marched thoughts. into the library, the campus center, and col - “As a women’s college, Smith should be lege hall to make our presence known in admitting all women—not just the women other spaces on campus as well. People they label as ‘real’ or ‘legitimate,’” said Julia spontaneously stopped and were given a Marciano, another Smith student. “Smith sign to hold and joined the crowd. We sat-in College has a longstanding tradition as a col - at the Admissions office, and also walked lege for iron women, a place where femi - through the very busy office chanting and nism is an integral part of the liberal arts. By holding our signs every hour. The rally cer - disenfranchising trans women—as well as tainly sent a strong message that the inclu - women of color and queer people, on a sion of trans women at Smith has popular whole other note—the college contradicts it - support in the student body.” self. I believe that there needs to be a transi - The Office of Admissions did not offi - tion from white ‘pearl and cashmere’ cially respond to the protest. Fraas said she feminism, which is trans exclusionary and e-mailed the Dean of Admission to ask her violent in nature, to good intersectional fem - to come outside and make a statement, inism that includes all women, not just those which she also declined, saying that the ad - who were given that title at birth. As a fem - missions practices were on the website and inist, it makes sense to me to fight for this that media could contact College Relations issue. I love Smith enough that I want every if they had questions. woman to have the chance to go here.” After the event, Karen Kristof, senior as - Marciano said Smith Q&A is on hiatus for sociate director of admission for Smith, said the summer, but is currently planning for the she “could not answer questions about the fall, including working on establishing pri - student demands and referred any questions vately funded scholarships for trans women about policy to the college website,” accord - who wish to attend women’s colleges. ing to MassLive. “But she said as far as the “After the rally and the tremendous atten - admission office was concerned, ‘it was tion it’s received, it is my hope that we can business as usual.’” re-establish a working relationship with the Fraas, however, shared a different perspec - administration and pass the gender supple - tive. ment compromise,” said Fraas. “There’s “I do know that we caused quite a stir: nothing stopping Smith from doing so, and parking had to be re-routed, tour groups it would open up access to Smith a lot, were snuck out the back door, and guides changing women’s lives in the process.” were apparently told not to answer any ques - Smith College did not return this reporter’s tions about the protest,” she said. “However, inquiries. many prospective students and their families For more information, visit the Facebook came up to us and asked for a flyer and page for Smith Q&A at http://tiny.cc/x5xigx . June 5, 2014 - July 9, 2014 TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 11 12 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com June 5, 2014 - July 9, 2014 Photographing marriage equality: BCAE hosts “Sip the Rainbow” By: Chuck Colbert/ TRT Reporter yond in defense of the state Supreme Judicial lies are created equal,” reads one placard, T R

E Court’s (SJC) 2003 Goodridge decision, a with another adding, “No discrimination in

BOSTON, Mass.—For some time now, the B L landmark ruling that ushered same-sex mar - the Constitution.” Boston Center for Adult Education (BCEA) O C

has found a way to celebrate its relationship K riage into the Commonwealth and nation. Symonds took that photo March 11, 2004, C

U The other exhibit, “Marriage Equality/10th outside the State House during a Constitu -

with the local LGBT community. Three H C

Anniversary Portraits,” features the work of tional Convention where lawmakers debated years ago the non-profit organization spot - : O lighted 40 years of LGBT Pride. Last year, T Joel Benjamin. His pictures are of the con - measures that would have banned same-sex O

H temporary faces of 20 pioneering gay and marriage. Bears, a subset of the gay and bisexual male P community, was the center’s focus. Given its lesbian couples who married in 2004 and She went on to say, “I feel overjoyed and ten-year anniversary, this year’s event was a thereby made history. overwhelmed with the people who had the shoe-in—celebrating a decade of same-sex The most recent addition of Pennsylvania vision and were able to say, ‘We’re going to marriage. brings the number of states issuing marriage do this.’” Held in May at the BCAE, located in the licenses to same-sex couples to 19, plus the Altogether, “It’s about love, about the city’s Bay Village neighborhood, the third District of Columbia. strength of love that just pulls you through,” annual “Sip the Rainbow: Preview Party & Humphries, who at the time spent count - said Symonds. Community Celebration,” a cocktail recep - less hours with cameras and photographic One exhibition attendee, Connie Cervone, tion, served as the opening kickoff for a pho - accouterment in arm, said she felt “a lot a lay Catholic who worked with the Reli - tography exhibition commemorating lighter,” adding, “I don’t have to look at the gious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry marriage equality. Dozens of people mixed photos so much because” the images “are (RCFM), said she was gratified to find so and mingled, enjoying colorful, signature imprinted in my mind.” much backing now for marriage equality, “so Susie Symonds addressing attendees at the Sip the For her part, Symonds said preparing for many people in the country so supportive of mixed drinks while they viewed an extraor - Rainbow cocktail reception. dinary exhibit of photography that captured the exhibit was “surreal, but I really valued what should have always been.” an historic moment in Massachusetts history. solutely feel the sentiments from the photo - the opportunity to go back through my files. “It’s amazing to see how right won out,” In welcoming attendees to the opening, graphs that are present. Here ten years later, I feel very different about some of this right she said. “It’s beautiful to see the family pho - Susan Brown, BCAE’s executive director, many of you in this room made [history]. now. Ten years ago, when we were steeled tographs.” said her organization views hosting such a Look how many more states were added to for battle, there was the armor that we wore. At the same time, other photographs “take photography exhibition as part of the non- the fold.” Now I’ve let my guard down and let in my you back to the State House,” Cervone ex - profit’s mission. “What better way to bring This year’s photo exhibition, which runs vulnerability. What I have been most moved plained. “To think how hard we had to fight.” people together to celebrate gay marriage,” through June, contains the works of three by is the abject hatred that is in some of the Charles Martel, another lay Catholic asso - she explained. local LGBT community photographers. pictures.” ciated with RCFM, said, “The photo exhibit “[The photographers’] work profoundly One exhibit, “The Hard-Won Fight: Amer - One of her photos of same-sex marriage reflected that the decision by the SJC was documents the struggles that went on with ica’s First Legal Same-Sex Marriages,” fea - detractors’ signage outside the State House about real lives, giving something to so many the ruling that allowed marriages in Massa - tures the photography of Marilyn Humphries captures the vitriol. “God hates sin,” reads without taking away anything from others. It chusetts, but from that point you can see the and Susan Symonds. This collection of pho - one placard. Another says, “Homo sex is chronicles the many hours of conversation, story through to the absolute euphoria of the tos documents the dramatic and intense fight sin.” Still, in the same photo, other signs first marriages,” said Brown. “You can ab - on Beacon Hill (from 2003 to 2007) and be - speak to different points of view. “All fami - See Marriage Equality on Page 22 June 5, 2014 - July 9, 2014 TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 13 14 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com June 5, 2014 - July 9, 2014 It’s A Great Big World : Duo to headline at Boston Pride Festival By: Christine Nicco/TRT Reporter PHOTO: JOSEPH LLANES t’s A Great Big World , and indeed it is. In late 2013, a duo composed of Ian IAxel and Chad Vaccarino, known as A Great big World , were about it make it—big after forming just the year before. When fan Christina Aguilera came knocking on their door to mentor them, it was just the big break they never dreamed imaginable. Vaccarino and Axel's connection began when they met at NYU practice rooms while still in college. Combing their harmonic tal - ent, they released a six-song EP funded by Kickstarter. It spawned the viral sensation "Everyone Is Gay", and "This Is the New Year", which ended up being performed by the cast on Fox's Glee . Soon after, Black Magnetic/Epic Records offered them a deal. Subsequently, the group's single "Say Something" was released and it elicited a colossal response. After playing during a pivotal segment of Fox's So You Think You Can Dance , this little song began its journey to becoming a big platinum-selling hit. One heart that felt it especially hard belonged to none other than Christina Aguilera. Just one week after receiving an email from Aguilera herself, the unstoppable duo was “in Los Angeles recording it with her,” Axel said. "Everything just started happening after that," Vaccarino continued. "Soon, it was like we'd lived a whole lifetime in just a few The Voice, and that version took off to #1 on applause. They closed out the year bringing ever, their journey formally begins with the months." iTunes. The same phenomena occurred after the audience at The Victoria's Secret Fashion 2014 release of Is There Anybody Out A Great Big World (AGBW) went on to a heartfelt performance at The American Show to its feet followed up by sold out New There? perform the song with Aguilera on NBC's Music Awards , which generated worldwide Year's Eve gigs supporting Maroon 5. How - See A Great Big World on page 16 June 5, 2014 - July 9, 2014 TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 15 Boston Pride from page 3 rights and equality in Southeast Asia, and for their support, and together, we know welcome to attend. the panel will discuss ways in which local we’re making a difference for acceptance.” The 44th annual Pride Parade will be held City which many consider to have sparked supporters can help support activism over - The Boston Gay Men’s Chorus (BGMC) Saturday, June 14, making its way through the modern LGBTQ rights movement in the seas. The panel will explore the paradox that will hold several concerts throughout Pride Boston to City Hall Plaza, where the Pride U.S. India, the world’s greatest democracy, is week titled “Can’t Stop the Beat,” featuring Festival will be held all day. This year’s Pride Day @ Faneuil Hall will be held moving forward, but archaic laws like Sec - one of this year’s special guests, television Grand Marshals for the Pride Parade are Saturday, June 7, followed by the annual tion 377 diminish the global perception in a and recording artist Alex Newell, who is Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and LGBT Senior Pride Tea Dance Sunday, June human rights issue.” perhaps best known for playing Wade The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. 8. Latin@ Prid e will be celebrated at several “Unique” Adams on Glee , and is originally “We will be saying thank you to Governor “The dance is a celebration of our senior events throughout the week, including Latin from the North Shore. Patrick, who has had unwavering support for community,” said Martha Plaza, Boston Night at Rumors June 11, Latin Invitation at “My partner Bill and I were talking about our community since he started his first Pride parade committee chair. “Boston Pride Machine Night Club June 13, and Paparazzi this year being the tenth anniversary of campaign!” said Linda De Marco, Boston supports this event every year, highlighting Gay Latino Night, Boston Pride’s Latino same-sex marriage here in Massachusetts Pride’s vice president. “I love that he is our our commitment to celebrate with those who Night, June 14. Bruni said that Boston Pride and about how much has changed in those Grand Marshal and I sure hope he knows have endured so much so that our generation wanted to give the Latino LGBT community ten years,” said BGMC Music Director how much we appreciate all he has done for and those to come can indeed be themselves, the best place to showcase their Pride during Rueben Reynolds. “It seems like we hear all of us.” free and open.” Pride Week, and that the organization is still every couple of days of another favorable According to Bruni, Patrick was selected The Human Rights and Education in the planning stages of additional Latin@ decision in a state I thought would never as Grand Marshal by Boston Pride’s board Forum will take place Monday, June 9 at Pride events later in the year. allow same-sex marriage! It seems to me of directors, while The Sisters of Perpetual Fenway Health Center, and will discuss For the second year in a row, Pride Night that we have reached a critical mass where Indulgence were named as Grand Marshal global issues surrounding LGBT rights, par - at Fenway Park will be held at the Red Sox it is only a matter of time until same-sex and the late John Mitzel was named Hon - ticularly focused on Southeast Asia. game Thursday, June 12. marriage is an option in every state. Some - orary Marshal through an online community “The panel will discuss and analyze “In 2013, Boston Pride made history with how the title Can’t Stop the Marriage vote. LGBT issues from legal, political, business, its partnership with the Red Sox in organiz - popped into my mind. It only took a few sec - “The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence have health and cultural perspectives,” Bruni said. ing a Pride Night at Fenway Park, the first onds to morph into Can’t Stop the Beat! This had a significant impact as a charitable or - “Recently, the Supreme Court of India re- official LGBT event organized by an MLB concert will be a joyous thank you to every - ganization in the LGBT community with criminalized homosexuality by enacting team,” said Bruni. “This was huge and one who has helped get us to where we are their activism for LGBT and human rights,” Section 377, which is having a profound im - showed the commitment of the Red Sox and today!” said Bruni. “With their work, both Marshals pact on the LGBT community in that part of of the sports community in general, to be ac - Another event held during Pride week, but have embodied the Pride’s mission of inclu - the world. There are a significant number of cepting and supportive of our greater com - which is not actually part of Boston Pride, sion and diversity, and we are grateful to Southeast Asians living in the Boston area munity. We are very proud of the Red Sox is the Boston Dyke March , which according have them as part of our celebration. The who are working on advocating for LGBT to its organizers began as a “supplement” to Honorary Marshal designation is always Pride in 1995. given to an LGBT advocate who has passed Pinkwashing from page 2 “At the time, lesbians/dykes/bisexual away. John Mitzel was a Boston gay icon, to detract attention away from other, not so ence—Palestinians included—need to be women wanted to call attention to the male- owning one of the country’s first LGBT pretty facts about Israeli society, while de - central to our movement. centered and increasingly commercialized bookstores, Boston’s Calamus Bookstore. monizing those it colonizes in order to jus - The U.S. funds Israel to the tune of $3 nature of Pride,” said Jo Triglio, long time He also wrote several books, including fic - tify its crimes against them. billion a year, making it the largest recipi - Boston Dyke March organizing committee tion, poetry and nonfiction. Mitzel was an Activists like to call this blatant exploita - ent of U.S. foreign aid. As people in the member. “As such, the Boston Dyke March active participant in shaping the City’s queer tion of LGBTQ rights for colonial purposes States, not only do we have a particular re - was part of a larger national Dyke March cultural identity and helped organize the first “pinkwashing.” sponsibility to speak out against Israel’s movement. The first Dyke March in the U. Gay Pride March in Boston. He passed away Nothing illustrates the highly selective crimes, but if we are organized and effec - S. took place in DC in 1993, with marches on October 4, 2013.” and hypocritical nature of Israel’s supposed tive enough we also hold the potential in San Francisco and NYC soon to follow. The Pride Festival will include entertain - “progressive” character more clearly than power to bring them to a crippling halt by Most of these large urban marches are inde - ment from many performers, including the experiences of LGBTQ Palestinians cutting off U.S. funding. Thankfully, there pendent of the respective Pride marches in Mary Lambert , who wrote and sang the themselves. There is no special pink door is already a growing movement on cam - their cities. The Boston Dyke March is one same-sex rights anthem “Same Love” with for LGBTQ Palestinians to cross through puses and in communities pushing for this; of the oldest and third largest in the nation— hip-hop duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis The Apartheid Wall or get them around the it’s called Boycott, Divestment and Sanc - only San Francisco and NYC marches are and recently released the single “She Keeps daily humiliation of check points through - tions. The BDS movement has three simple bigger!” Me Warm.” out the West Bank. Identifying as LGBTQ demands: 1) an end to the occupation and While Triglio said they have a great rela - “Her musical success gives great visibility does not allow Palestinians a free trip back the dismantling of The Apartheid Wall, 2) tionship with the Boston Pride team and are to our community, and the message of ac - to their homeland in historic Palestine (that equal rights for all Palestinians within Is - grateful for all their efforts on their behalf, ceptance she sings throughout her music is only applies to Jews), and being LGBTQ rael, and 3) the right to return for all Pales - the Dyke March remains a separate event very much in tune—no pun intended!—with most certainly does not grant protection to tinian refugees. and is “completely grassroots, non-commer - our values,” Bruni said. Palestinians when the Israeli Defense Force As queer people, we have a political and cial, all-inclusive, politically oriented, and Other artists who will be featured include decides to rain down missiles on their moral obligation to speak out and not allow volunteer-run,” with a commitment to “cel - singer-and-songwriter duo A Great Big homes, schools and hospitals in Gaza. our collective identity, our history, and our ebrating an inclusive and socially just com - World ; singer, producer and DJ JD Samson Being queer or Jewish or both does not struggle against oppression to be used in munity.” All of Boston Dyke March’s (MEN, Le Tigre), Alex Newell , and singer come with a pass to carry out systematic the service of colonialism and occupation. funding comes from local fundraising, with Jeanie Tracy . oppression, violence and dispossession If you haven’t already, educate yourself community partners like Dyke Night Pro - The festivities will also include several an - against another group of people. Israel’s about the Palestinian struggle, and join the ductions hosting and sponsoring fundraising nual dance parties and block parties partial and uneven acceptance of (some) global BDS movement. benefits. This year’s march will be held Fri - throughout the area. For a full list of events, LGBTQ people does not justify its horrific There’s no pride in pinkwashing aparthe day, June 13, beginning at Boston Com - including dates, times and locations, visit and obscene treatment of all Palestinians— For more information about Israeli mon’s Parkman Bandstand. Anyone is www.bostonpride.org . queer and straight. apartheid and the occupation, check out We celebrate Pride every year in June to www.itisapartheid.org and www.endtheoc - commemorate the Stonewall Rebellion of cupation.org . For more information about 1969 and the modern LGBTQ movement the BDS movement and how to get in - to which it gave birth. What most people volved, check out www.bdsmovement.net . probably don’t know is that Stonewall took *Keegan O’Brien has been an LGBTQ ac - place in an era of radicalism, a time period tivist since high school. A Boston native, he when movements actively saw themselves is a former youth steering committee mem - in solidarity with liberation struggles tak - ber of BAGLY, was an activist with Join the ing place across the world against all sys - Impact-MA, a student organizer for the Na - tems of oppression, empire and occupation. tional Equality March in 2009, and is a The gay liberation movement of the 60s graduate of the University of Massachu - and 70s was no different. setts Boston in American Studies. He is in - Gay liberationists understood that sex - vovled in a range of social and economic ual and gender freedom were impossible justice and anti-war issues, is a member of without confronting and dismantling the the International Socialist Organization. interlocking systems of exploitation and He has written extensively on LGBTQ so - oppression that grind down and suffocate cial justice issues, his writings have ap - all of us—LGBTQ and straight. This peared in The Rainbow Times, meant then, as it does today, that solidarity TheNation.com, The New Civil Rights Move - and a willingness to confront all forms of ment, and SocialistWorker.org. He can be oppression that queer people experi - contacted at [email protected] . 16 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com June 5, 2014 - July 9, 2014 A Great Big World from page 14 lifting, unlike Say Something . In this exclusive interview with The Q. Describe the moment you realized that Rain bow Times, Axel and Vaccarino open you were really making it. up about their quick rise to fame and journey A. We were performing at Clive Davis's leg - from here on forward. endary pre-Grammy party in LA, alongside TRT: When you were first contacted by Macklemore, Lorde, Imagine Dragons, Christina Aguilera who wanted to work Miley Cyrus, Pharrell, and pretty much every with you, what were you doing at that influential artist imaginable. It was so sur - exact moment? Where you together when real. you received the news? Q. Complete this sentence: A Great Big AGBW: We were together (we're always to - World is … gether) watching Shark Tank and eating A. Fun, love, and hope bottled up, shaken to - lunch. Our manager called us and we could gether, and then exploding all over. tell in the tone of her voice that she was about Q. What is the most important current to say something unimaginable. After she event going on that is most important to told us, we were panicking and yelling and you? Why? laughing. We knew our lives were about to A. LGBTQ rights and equality. We love who change forever. we love. Q. What was it like to work with Christina They closed out the year bringing the audi - Aguilera in the studio and performing ence at The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show with her on The Voice? to its feet followed up by sold out New Year's A. We were intimidated at first. We had to Eve gigs supporting Maroon 5. However, build the confidence to feel like we deserved their journey formally begins with the 2014 to be there, working alongside of her. She release of Is There Anybody Out There? was so sweet and respectful, and very pro - In addition to touring, the AGBW is in the fessional. We've gotten to spend time with middle of writing a Broadway musical and a her outside of working, which are probably host of new songs. our favorite experiences with Christina. One "We're all a part of something bigger," said night, she invited us over her house to play Axel. Vaccarino continues, "There is no sep - paintball. It was super fun. aration between people. We're all an integral Q. What do you consider your biggest part of one great big world.” highlight of your career to date? AGBW will be headlining the main stage at A. Probably when Say Something went to #1 Boston Pride on June 14 at City Hall Plaza. on Billboard. [It was] a complete dream For more information about the duo, visit come true. We went from a band that not AGreatBigWorld.com . Information about many people knew about, to a band that mil - their upcoming performance can be found in lions of people around the world were con - the Boston Pride Guide, produced by Boston necting to. Pride’s Official media partner, The Rainbow Q. What do people not know about you Times or visit www.TheRainbowTimes - and that would surprise them? Mass.com to view it online. Learn more A. Most of our music is actually fun and up - about Boston Pride week at www.Boston - Pride.org and in the pages of this magazine.

TOP 10 BEST SELLER VIDEOS 1. Orange Is the New Black: 1. Test

0 m 2. Hot Guys with Guns

Season 1 o

1

c

0

2. Vic + Flo Saw a Bear . 3. Five Dances o

P

1 e 3. Bumblef**k, USA

d 4. Getting Go: The Go Doc i

O

P 4. Reaching for the Moon V Project

T e

f l 5. Kissing Jessica Stein Blu-ray O

o 5. Eastsiders: The Movie

N

T

6. Breaking Through W

6. I Am Divine :

A

Y 7. Blue is the Warmest Color y

I

s 7. Free Fall

A

8. Concussion e t

B

r 8. Stranger By the Lake

G u

S 9. Margarita o 9. Pit Stop

E

10. Lost Girl: Season 3 C

L 10.The Birdcage Blu-ray June 5, 2014 - July 9, 2014 TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 17 18 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com June 5, 2014 - July 9, 2014 Gallup Poll: Opinion on Same-sex relations up By: Lisa Keen/ Keen News Service support for same-sex relationships and fam - Public opinion on same-sex relations has ilies is not just confined to a sense of moral improved more dramatically than it has on acceptability, but also translates into increas - any other controversial issue with strong ing support for formal legal equality,” said moral sensibilities, according to data re - Gates. leased May 30 by the Gallup Poll organiza - In the May 30 poll, “gay and lesbian rela - tion. tions” was one of 19 “moral issues” on When asked to indicate, “Do you believe which respondents were asked to weigh in. that, in general, the following are morally Its acceptability level (58 percent) matched acceptable?” 58 percent said yes on “gay that of buying and wearing fur, having a and lesbian relations.” That’s up from 18 baby outside of marriage, and (at 57 percent) points, from 40 percent in 2001, when the medical testing on animals. question was first asked. (And 40 percent in The issue that has seen the greatest im - 2001 wasn’t the lowest year for the issue. In provement in public acceptability, after “gay 2002, moral acceptability of “gay and les - and lesbian relations,” is having a baby out - bian relations” was at 38.) side of marriage. It rose 16 points between “The sharp rise in the share of the public 2001 and 2014. Sex between an unmarried viewing [gay and lesbian relations] as man and woman rose 13 points in accept - morally acceptable is unmatched by any of ability. the other items on the Gallup survey,” said Of the 19 issues, birth control had the Patrick Egan, a New York University profes - highest acceptability rating (90 percent), fol - sor of politics who specializes in public lowed by divorce (69 percent), and sex be - opinion and LGBT demographics. “This re - tween an unmarried man and woman (66 flects broader positive movements in Amer - percent). ican public opinion on gay rights and gay Married men and women having an affair people than we've been seeing over the past ranked the lowest of 19 categories at seven two decades.” percent, followed by cloning humans (13 Williams Institute Scholar Gary Gates percent) and polygamy (14 percent). notes that the Gallup findings on moral ac - Public acceptability went down on only ceptability are consistent with the Gallup four issues: medical testing on animals findings last week that 63 percent of Amer - (eight percent), the death penalty and wear - icans support allowing same-sex couples to ing fur (two percent), and gambling (one adopt children and with the recent Gallup percent). poll finding 55 percent support allowing Opinion about abortion went unchanged same-sex couples to marry. between 2001 and 2014, with 42 percent of “The findings across these three polling the public saying it was acceptable. questions suggest that Americans’ growing See Same-Sex on page 22 June 5, 2014 - July 9, 2014 TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 19 En junio: ¿Por qué y para qué celebramos el Orgullo LGBT? Por: Wilfred W. Labiosa*/ Columnista de TRT pasado Mayo PHOTO: WILFRED LABIOSA confrontar los de “familia”—hay una variedad de activi - 17, el día inter - prejuicios de dades. Hay un sentir de activismo social y

S Orgullo, ¿por qué S

E y para qué? Estas nacional en cada día durante comunitario que surge de la comunidad H N

C preguntas no sólo contra de la ho - el resto del año. LGBT para la comunidad en general. Se I R

E comunidad O me las hago fre - mofobia y el Esta es una de siente el cariño LGBT y la LGBT.

: O I cuentemente pero mes de Junio, las razones pri - La de Boston es una de mis favoritas, ya que T O mes de Orgullo mordiales que fue mi primera actividad de Orgullo LGBT y H hago hincapié du - S P rante el mes de LGBT. debemos hacer la que organicé por tantos años—¡siempre I Mayo y Junio ya Debemos de estas celebra - será mi preferida!

V que se celebra nue - celebrar nue - ciones y de cel - Debemos de seguir pidiendo que durante stro Orgullo a través del mundo en - stro orgullo ya ebrar nuestro las celebraciones locales incluyan debates, tero. ¿Por qué y para qué hay que que muchos de Orgullo para paneles científicos, y manifestaciones para N nosotros con - que otros/as educar a las personas de la comunidad de I celebrar nuestro orgullo Latino y LGBT? No hay una respuesta abso - frontamos di - conozcan de nuestra comunidad LGBT y aliados. Debe - T luta. Hay algunos/as en la comunidad ariamente otros Latinos mos de dejar tanta fiesta y ponernos serios ya

A Latina y LGBT que argumentan que prejuicios. LGBT y no se que sólo a través de la educación en nuestra sí es obvio y necesario celebrar nue - Todos los días sientan aisla - sociedad podremos llegar a una sociedad con L stro Orgullo ya que no hemos logrado hay personas Orgullo Gay en Cuba dos/as. ¡Estas equidad e igualdad. una igualdad y equidad absoluta. que sufren de estos prejuicios los cuales le ll - celebraciones ayudan! Como siempre he Hay mucho por hacer ya que el matrimonio Estas celebraciones de Orgullo no sólo son evan a deprimirse y hasta el suicidio. Hay ais - dicho a mis compañeros/as activistas y orga - legal entre personas del mismo sexo no es lo fiestas y paradas. ¡También son manifesta - lamiento, depresión, estrés, y tantos otros nizadores de tales eventos, si ayudamos único que debemos abogar. Debemos en - ciones para demandar igualdad! Cada vez hay sentimientos que afectan a las personas aunque sea a una persona, entonces todo es volvernos en la batalla por una inmigración más estados y cortes estableciendo legal - LGBT a través de nuestra nación. Durante válido. Todos nos debemos de sentir iguales. justa, por viviendas para todos, por planes de mente que somos iguales—rindiéndonos Junio hay celebraciones en todas partes de No nos sentimos iguales pues siguen los salud para todos, igualdad para nuestros/as igualdad en las leyes. Ahora más que nunca nuestra nación y el mundo. Los medios de co - crímenes de odio y la desigualdad—hay que hermano/as transgénero/as, etcétera. hay estados y ciudades dando apoyo e igual - municación pasan información al respecto y continuar educando. Debemos de usar estas Durante este mes, tomen un momento entre dad a nuestros/as hermanos/as transgéneros. educan a la comunidad en general sobre la di - celebraciones y manifestaciones para seguir las fiestas para educar a ese vecino que no ¿Por qué hay personas todavía en el 2014 que versidad sexual y comunidad LGBT. Las per - la lucha y nuestro reclamo por la igualdad. conoce de la comunidad LGBT. Eduquen no entienden y dicen que estamos recla - sonas de la comunidad LGBT pueden He tenido la oportunidad de asistir a difer - aunque sea a una persona a la semana sobre mando derechos diferentes? Creo que es por aprender de recursos y “herramientas” entes celebraciones de Orgullo LGBT alrede - la importancia de la igualdad. A las personas la falta de educación y de comprensión. Por disponibles en la sociedad. También podemos dor de muchos estados en Estados Unidos, que se sienten solo/as sepan que hay otros/as esta razón es importante conmemorar el ya usar estas “herramientas” aprendidas para Latino América, Europa y el Caribe. ¡Mis fa - como ustedes y que todos estamos o venimos voritas todavía lo son la celebración de Cabo de espacios similares— ¡busca ayuda y llama Rojo en Puerto Rico, la de la Habana y Santa porque no estas tarde! ¡Le deseo a todos Pregúntale a Lambda Legal: Programa Ryan White, seguro médico Clara en Cuba y la de Boston (por supuesto)! igualdad, paz, amor y orgullo! ¡Vamos a cel - Por: Scott Schoettes/ Director Proyecto de VIH mentó que necesitaba dejar de aceptar todos Hay varias razones pero la primordial es el ebrar y a educar durante este mes (y a través P: Soy una persona con los pagos de terceros para disminuir el riesgo tamaño y los recursos que hay para la comu - de todo el año)! VIH que vive en Ken - de fraude, a pesar de que las directrices fed - nidad LGBT en estos lugares. En la de Puerto *Escrito por Wilfred Labiosa, PhDc, ac - tucky y recibo ayuda erales habían señalado que las aseguradoras Rico y Cuba hay un sentir de comunidad tivista y trabajador social. Se puede conectar para pagar mi seguro de debían seguir aceptando los fondos de Ryan donde todos se conocen y se crea un espacio con él a través de Facebook. salud a través del pro - White. grama Ryan White. Me Lambda Legal intervino y envió una carta enteré de que había que instaba a BCBS a no cambiar su política. To Cook Is to Love: A Foodie’s Journal; A new problemas para que las Después presentó una demanda contra BCBS compañías de seguros y otras dos aseguradoras en Louisiana ante el food destination in town, check it out! aceptaran dichos pagos Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos By: John Verlinden*/ Special to TRT raised animal products offered at much better de parte de Ryan White. ¿Voy a tener proble - de los EE.UU. Cuando esta demanda no tuvo I went to check prices than at Whole Foods. Market Basket, R ! mas similares aquí en Kentucky? resultados, Lambda Legal presentó una de - E however, still gets my vote for best overall

W out the new Weg -

R: El Programa Ryan White sobre el manda federal contra las tres compañías de O value in this region. P mans Supermarket

O VIH/SIDA es un programa federal diseñado seguros a nombre del Sr. East y la población L My only disappointment on this initial visit E in Chestnut Hill. H

con VIH y de bajos ingresos en el estado de T para ayudar a las personas con VIH y de bajos C The first and most was that, at this particular Wegmans at least, A

Louisiana. R ingresos a pagar por sus primas de seguro they currently carry only very common fresh

: lasting impression S Días después, el Tribunal de Distrito de los O tropical produce. There were plenty of ba - médico. Este programa es muy importante y T for me was just how O a veces absolutamente vital ya que ayuda a EE.UU. emitió una orden de emergencia que H nanas, mangos, avocados, and pineapples, of U big the store is—it miles de personas en todo el país a obtener la requería a las aseguradoras a continuar acep - P is a super duper su - course, but when I visited, they only had a cobertura que necesitan para pagar el tando los pagos de Ryan White. Luego, las G permarket. It fea - few very weary-looking plantains, and no pa - tratamiento médico relacionado al VIH. Y, aseguradoras dijeron que aceptarían los pagos tures huge produce, paya, yuca or boniato. como resultado de la labor realizada por hasta el final del año. Con esta catástrofe evi - I’ll go back, and I encourage you to do the

O fresh meat, dairy, bakery and seafood Lambda Legal y otros, aún se les requiere a tada en Louisiana, el gobierno federal poste - departments, a grocery section as big same. Wegmans offers a good shopping ex - riormente emitió una regulación que requiere perience and we can certainly use a new com - las aseguradoras privadas de todo el país que H as a warehouse, an enormous deli acepten estos pagos de Ryan White. que las aseguradoras en todo el país con - counter, dozens of house-prepared petitor. Its presence will cause others in the En enero de este año, John East, un resi - tinúen aceptando los pagos. C food stations, and lots more. It’s so marketplace to step up their game to improve dente de Nueva Orleans, se enteró de que El aceptar pagos del Programa Ryan White big, in fact, that even though I was value and customer service, and it will help Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) de Louisiana sobre el VIH/SIDA ya no debería ser un prob - U there for over an hour, I was only able hold food prices down. ya no tenía la intención de aceptar los fondos lema en ninguna parte de los EE.UU. Afor - to make one quick drive by through *To share your thoughts about your fa - federales que habían ayudado a pagar su se - tunadamente, la Ley de Cuidado de Salud a M the aisles on this first “get acquainted” vorite food store, ask a question, or suggest guro de salud. El Sr. East había estado asegu - Bajo Precio (Affordable Care Act), con sus ¡ visit. a topic for a future article, contact me at rado por BCBS desde 1985 y él mismo había fuertes protecciones contra la discriminación As I expected, the store displays were beau - [email protected] or visit www.mu - estado pagando las crecientes primas hasta y la eliminación de exclusiones debido a tifully arranged and the staff I encountered chogusto.com and join our Latin food forum. que perdió su trabajo en el 2009. Afortunada - condiciones preexistentes, no permite que las were friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. I Until next time – ¡Mucho Gusto!, ¡Muchas mente, se había inscrito en el programa Ryan compañías aseguradoras excluyan a personas was, however, pleasantly surprised by the Gracias! y ¡Buen Provecho! White. con VIH ya sea a través de medios directos o prices. Given its neighborhood location and Pero en enero, cuando BCBS indicó que indirectos, como por ejemplo el llamado the upscale look and feel of the store, I braced iba dejar de aceptar pagos de cualquier ter - riesgo de fraude. myself for sticker shock, but instead found ¡Busca la Guía de cero, John tuvo miedo repentinamente de Si tienes alguna pregunta o sientes que has that prices for the everyday items I purchase dejar de recibir sus medicamentos para el sido discriminado por tu identidad de género, most frequently were very competitive with Boston Pride 2014 Ofi - VIH y otros tratamientos médicos impor - orientación sexual, o estatus de VIH comuní - prices at Stop and Shop and Shaws. Wegmans cialmente hecha por tantes. La amenaza de que BCBS eliminara cate con nuestra Línea de Ayuda al 1-866- own brand products were particularly good su nombre de las listas de asegurados fue bas - 542-8336, o visita nuestra página web: values, and, I was delighted to find a large se - The Rainbow Times! tante alarmante para el Sr. East. BCBS argu - www.lambdalegal.org/ayuda . lection of organic produce and humanely 20 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com June 5, 2014 - July 9, 2014 The Center for Sexual Pleasure provides venue for community to share “Sticky Stories” By: Lauren Walleser/ TRT Assistant Editor The organization was founded CSPH opened its doors in ters, coming out, sexual debuts, awkward The Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health by Megan Andelloux, who ac - 2010, growing from a small of - locker room incidents, menstruation disas - (CSPH) is a sexuality training and education cording to Manduley, wanted to fice to a much larger organization ters, furtive first kisses, sexual awakenings, organization that works to reduce sexual “create a physical space where today, with volunteers, interns or what you thought sex was before you shame, fight misinformation, and advance people could go to find accurate and staff helping to run the show. knew what sex was.” the sexuality field through educational ini - information about sexuality top - Based in Pawtucket, Rhode Is - “Participants shared diary entries about tiatives, community events, and professional ics and feel safe doing so, with - land, the center contains a library junior high crushes, stories of first porn development. out pressure or judgment.” and community space, which shopping experiences, Catholic college sex - “Put simply, we work to educate people “The beginning was rocky Manduley said resembles “a mini ual adventures, and life growing up on the and spark dialogue, especially around topics due to zoning laws and push - sex-museum with a 1950s home nudist ranch,” said Kayla Wingert, former that may be very difficult, in service of cre - back from some people who flair.” The space features educa - intern and current event and outreach coor - ating a more sexually intelligent society and oppose the center’s mission, The Center for Sexual tional materials, adult toys, dinator for CSPH. promoting sexual health and wellness,” said but that only catalyzed the Pleasure and Health books, and the largest handmade Attendees also had the opportunity to Aida Manduley, training and development community to show great sup - (CSPH) is a sexuality train - vulva doorframe in America. browse a raffle table, anonymously share manager with the CSPH. port and have a broader discus - ing and education organi - CSPH offers events, a place to tidbits of their stories by texting in answers sion about zation that works to reduce read, personal consultations, and to questions, and participate in contests and what an or - sexual shame, fight misin - more. games. ganization formation, and advance In May, CSPH held one of its “The Center’s hope is that Sticky Stories like this the sexuality field through events, “Sticky Stories,” a night created the space for members of our com - could be and educational initiatives, of community members coming munity to come together to laugh and share our rights to community events, and together to share their experi - stories that are normally deemed too taboo, comprehen - professional development. ences. According to its descrip - embarrassing or shameful to speak of,” said sive sexuality informa - tion, it was designed “to create a space for Wingert. “For participants, this experience tion,” said Manduley. community members to come together to may have been a cathartic one, allowing share funny them to finally tell stories they had other - stories, es - wise buried or kept to themselves for lack of pecially a safe space to share. For audience mem - from child - bers, we hope that stories resonated with hood or them and possibly even encouraged them to adoles - start sharing some of their own experiences.” cence, Due to the positive feedback CSPH re - about wet ceived about the event, Wingert says they dreams, plan to make it an annual event. strange “We wanted people to share honest stories, crushes, laugh, and learn, while also making them embarrass - ing love let - See “Sticky Stories” on page 21 June 5, 2014 - July 9, 2014 TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 21 Say it Loud, I’m Trans and I’m proud! On Pride season and self-acceptance By: Deja Nicole Greenlaw*/ TRT Columnist I’ve heard that some trans folks feel unsafe cided to try out a new chant that I had bor - shirt. t’s June again at prides. I’ve also heard the exact opposite rowed and modified from an old James I am a firm believer in being out and and it’s Pride many times, how people say that they feel Brown song: “Say it loud! I’m trans and I’m proud. I could have been Harvey Milk’s S Iseason. After safe at prides and how they wish that every proud!” I chanted it and was listening to daughter. I love Prides and pride marches. living painfully in day could be like this. Safety in life outside hear if other folks were chanting with me. They are a great time to be out with no wor -

W the closet for of pride, however, is another thing. If you The only other person I heard was Lorelei ries about dealing with judgment and hate, years, I can now

E plus you get to meet old friends and catch enjoy days of cele - up with them. More importantly, they show

N bration of finally The only other person I heard was Lorelei Eri - visibility to the public to help obtain our coming to terms civil rights and show everyone that we are a with and being proud of who I am, no S sis, who writes the other trans column for The part of this big world, just as they are. Most more hiding my true self. To march importantly, they are wonderful outlets to N and proclaim “I’m trans and I’m Rainbow Times (Thank you, Lorelei!). ... the feel good about yourself. proud!” and feel wonderful about it Before I went to Prides, I did not feel good A after being repressed for years is truly only voices I heard were mine and Lorelei’s . about myself at all. I felt ashamed, guilty,

R a grand feeling. I’ve lived in my confused, and overall just very bad about closet for five decades and am ec - who I was. I didn’t love myself. What could T static about finally living true to my live in lower socio-economic environments, Erisis, who writes the other trans column for I do? A big part of my answer was found in life. for example, it can be downright dangerous, The Rainbow Times (Thank you, Lorelei!). going to Prides and Pride marches, through If you note the attendance at Pride festi - and triple that if you live in an area with re - There may have been others who joined in which I could finally release my demons and vals, parades and marches, one can see that ligious extremists, especially the ones who on the chant, but the only voices I heard be free to be myself. I have now totally ac - many other people feel the same way. think that it should be okay to kill an LGBT were mine and Lorelei’s. Why weren’t more cepted that I am female and that I am trans, There’s lots of us and our numbers are grow - person. I can understand where living on the trans people chanting these words loudly? and I now love who I am. It’s a wonderful ing every year. Still, not everybody feels like downlow or living in the closet may be a After all, it was a pride march, wasn’t it? accomplishment to get to the point where we do. Why doesn’t everybody want to wise choice in that case, but this is all the Maybe some trans folk really aren’t proud you love yourself. That is where I found my march and celebrate? I’ve always felt that more reason for that same person to come to of who they are? peace. I hope that everyone will find theirs. there was a disconnect between trans people Pride and march in a parade. Just for that I believe that in order to have pride in and Prides. Yes, there are trans folk such as one day, being who they are and being proud yourself, you have to accept and love your - *Deja Nicole Greenlaw is a local myself who love to celebrate who we are, could do wonders for them. self. It’s a tough road being trans, and deal - transwoman who has three grown children but I find that many trans folk avoid the cel - At Northampton Pride, I was marching ing with it takes a lot of work. I know. I’ve and works at 3M. She can be contacted at ebrations. with my trans support group, UniTy. I de - been there, done that, and bought the tee [email protected] . Ask a Transwoman: A moment of definite choice: Knowing when it’s time to transition By: Lorelei Erisis*/ TRT Columnist I also decided that if I was going to make funny voice, he would stop me and tell me the guidance of my director (Thanks Dave!) ne of the most this change, I should fully commit to “being to “play yourself.” No matter what the char - and “play myself.” I needed to listen and frequent ques - a man!” For the first and only time in my acter in the scene was, he wanted me to play make a strong choice, and that choice was tions I, or any life, I did the “big purge,” getting rid of all it as me. He would stop scenes in the middle the best thing I ever did: the choice to be N O

A trans person, gets asked my girl clothes and paraphernalia. I arrived to correct me. In my memory this went on myself.

H E

E is, “When did you know in Los Angeles with the mission of being a for a very long time. I have often told people That was my moment. That was when I M

you were a ______?” My man, really making a go at being successful a year, though it was likely much less. The knew.

D I

V own answer is that I’ve in this gender I had never felt really com - significance, however, looms so large in my I would be delighted to hear yours.

A

D

: always known. For as far fortable in. memory that it expands time to fit the enor - Slainte! O

T back as I have memory, I As soon as I was able, I also resumed my mity of it, because as I was trying to do this, *Lorelei Erisis is an actor, activist, adventurer

O H

P have known I was a girl. studies at The Second City. I restarted with I realized I could not be myself in these and pageant queen. Send your questions That’s not really the a fresh ensemble in the Conservatory Pro - characters. The “myself” I was being in my about trans issues, gender and sexuality to her most interesting question to me, or even the at [email protected] . most relevant. I might as well turn that ques - tion around on the askers. No, the more in - The “myself” I was being in my life , in the teresting question(s) to me is, “When did “Sticky Stories” from page 20 you know you had to do something about think about hard-hitting and important your gender? When did you know not just world, was a character in itself , this big, outra - sexuality issues, such as coming out and that you should transition, or wanted to tran - double-standards in the bedroom,” said sition, but that it was time to begin your tran - geous character called “Mac.” Manduley. “As an organization dedicated sition?” to reducing sexual shame and increasing I think many trans people who have begun frank discussions about sexuality, we felt their gender transition share a similar mo - gram at The Second City Los Angeles. To life, in the world, was a character in itself, that it was important to provide a space ment, a moment of definite choice. Not the be frank, I did have some modicum of suc - this big, outrageous character called “Mac.” where people could reflect on their lives choice be a different gender, because there cess, but I could never quite make my career How could I have any success in the char - and share their stories with others, partic - is no choice there. I have always been a work. I could never quite make my choices acters I was playing onstage or the endeav - ularly when those stories dealt with topics woman. Rather, the choice is to stop pre - completely successful or really get any - ors I was pursuing offstage if I could not that invoked shame, discomfort, or just a tending to be a gender we are not. where that I wanted to be as an actor. even commit to the most basic fact about my lil’ facepalm. There is immense power in Here’s my moment. It was during this time that I first encoun - life, which was that I was a woman. storytelling, and we wanted to combine I had been in Chicago for some years, tered the person I still consider to be one of The realization took my breath away, be - that with the topic of sexuality to allow where I had been studying improv at the fa - my mentors, David Razowsky. He was the cause as any actor knows, success in a role people to learn from each other instead of mous Second City. I had moved through all Artistic Director of Second City LA at the depends upon commitment to that role, and just learning ‘from an organization’ or ‘a the levels of the Second City Training Cen - time, as well as a teacher and director there. I could never quite fully commit to the most set of professionals.’ ter and successfully auditioned for the more I was lucky enough to have him as my Level basic role I was playing: a man. Other events throughout the year in - advanced Conservatory Program. One teacher in The Conservatory, where he I knew that if was to have any success in clude Smut Night, a performance event In the midst of this, I had a crisis brought made a big impression on me, and later as a the world, if I ever wanted my characters to with a focus on all things smutty, sexy, on by the painful end of an intense romantic coach and director immediately after I grad - work onstage, if I wanted to be any good at and erotic; Sex Trivia Night, which hap - relationship following hard on the heels of uated The Conservatory program and began all at the thing I loved most (which was act - pens every fourth Thursday of the month a failed marriage. Though not wholly to performing regularly with the long form ing), I was going to have to transition to be at The Salon in Providence; and Queer blame, my gender issues had contributed to group “ForPlay.” the woman I was, out in the world as myself. Porn Night, an opportunity to view and the demise of both. While in this pain, I had Now, I like to play big characters with I could feel the man I had been dying, discuss a selection of erotic films by and the opportunity to move to Los Angeles funny voices, but for a very long time while crumbling and falling apart. I was terrified for the queer community. dropped into my lap, and took the opportu - Dave was my coach, whenever I was on to transition, sure it would destroy my ca - For more information and ticket prices nity. stage and I started to do a big character or a reer, but I had to do it anyway. I had to take for future events, visit www.thecsph.org . 22 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com June 5, 2014 - July 9, 2014 Marriage Equality from page 12 “I think it’s great to be here with your der people are accepted much more really in discussion, and effort to make equality the neighbors, families, and friends to celebrate Hawaii than LGBs.” law of Massachusetts. Ten years later we rec - ten years,” said Ed Balmelli. “It’s awesome.” Gozemba and her wife, Karen Kahn, are ognize that so much good has come from “It brings back a lot of memories,” said authors of the 2007 book, Courting Equality: this, building up society in many positive Michael Hogan, his spouse. “Looking at A Documentary History of America’s First ways, including the impact it has had on gay some of the pictures, I am now remembering Legal Same-Sex Marriages . The book fea - youth.” some of the things that we were doing then, tures Humphries’ photography. The BCAE opening reception also drew that at the time were such a blur on that day.” For her part, Rabbi Devon Lerner, who ten plaintiff couples to the photography exhibi - Maureen Brodoff, another Goodridge years ago served as RCFM’s executive direc - tion. plaintiff, said, “The photos are wonderful, in - tor, said what struck her most from the pho - tographs “was the smiles on the faces” of Same-Sex from page 18 The BCAE is located at 122 Arlington St. in marriage supporters, but also equality detrac - preting the item as an invitation to render tors’ angry faces from the demonstrations on Gallup has been conducting its “Values moral judgment on gayness writ large,” he Boston. and Beliefs Poll” every May since 2001. spiring, beautiful—all those people, all those Beacon Hill to various churches. said. “All that anger and energy and how it took This year’s poll was conducted by tele - The biggest one-year leap in improve - events. So much has changed since then for phone on a random sample of 1,028 adults the better.” so many people, so many difficult parts of ment came in May 2003, when 44 percent our community to make this happen,” she in all 50 states plus the District of Colum - of the public said “gay and lesbian rela - “The photos really bring back the memo - bia. The margin of error is plus-or-minus ries,” added her wife, Ellen Wade. “The pho - said. “I am so grateful.” tions” were morally acceptable, up six per - BCAE’s opening reception also drew rep - four percentage points. The sample is centage points from the low of 38 percent. tos capture the excitement and what was weighted to match national demographics. happening.” resentatives of the Boston house of the Sis - The second biggest leap came in May ters of Perpetual Indulgence, a troupe of nuns In the first four years of doing the survey, 2013, when it showed a five percent jump Another opening reception attendee was Gallup asked people about the moral ac - Arline Isaacson, who a decade ago led in drag, which is also a non-profit charitable over the previous year. (The 2013 survey organization of and for the LGBT commu - ceptability of “homosexual behavior.” In was completed two days before President LGBT lobbying efforts on Beacon Hill. those years, the response ran between 38 “It’s great to be here to see these incredible nity. On hand were Sister Rosetta Stone, Obama gave his nationally broadcast inter - Lida Christ, and Gloria LeLuia. and 44 percent. For three years (2006- view to ABC’s Robin Roberts, expressing photographs from a time that was so emo - 2008), it asked about “homosexual rela - tional and powerful and so intense, so his - The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are his support for same-sex couples being able one of the Grand Marshals for this year’s tions.” The response ran from 44 to 48 to marry.) toric,” Isaacson said. “Going from photo to percent. photo is like a flashback. Some of them are Boston Pride parade, along with Massachu - May 2013 was the high point in accept - setts Gov. Deval Patrick and Honorary Mar - Beginning in 2009, Gallup asked about ance. Polling this year showed a one-per - pure joy. Some are painful because it was “gay and lesbian relations.” The improve - painful, but we came out of it all in such a shal, the late John Mitzel. centage point decrease, to 58 percent. This Boston Mayor Martin J. “Marty” Walsh ment between 2008 (48 percent) and 2009 year’s poll was conducted May 8 to 11, just positive, wonderful way.” (49 percent) was only one percentage Just back from spending winter in Hawaii, also sent his LGBT community liaison to the as an Arkansas judge declared that state’s Sip the Rainbow event. For her part, Jul - point. ban on same-sex couples marrying to be Pat Gozemba said that she was delighted to Egan noted that the term “gay and lesbian be home in Massachusetts “where equality lieanne Doherty presented a mayoral Certi - unconstitutional and national media atten - fication of Recognition that noted BCAE’s relations” is “definitely a vague” one. So tion riveted to openly gay National Football has been recognized for so long.” Not so in some respondents might interpret it as sex - the Aloha State, she explained, “Where we photo exhibit as a “unique opportunity for re - League draftee Michael Sam sharing a kiss flection and celebration by all citizens” of ual relations and some might interpret it as and hug with his boyfriend. had to fight to get civil unions, had to strug - same-sex relationships. © 2014 Keen News Service. All rights re - gle again to get marriage equality, had to Boston and beyond. “My sense is that respondents are inter - served. struggle with the right wing.” The photography exhibits will be up until “Although Hawaii is generally very liberal June 30 and are available for viewing when and accepting,” Gozemba added, “they really the BCAE, located at 122 Arlington Street in took a long time to come around to accept Boston, is open. Check the center’s website, the LGBT community. Ironically, transgen - www.bcae.org , for more details. The exhibits are free to the public. HAVE A SAFE & HAPPY PRIDE 2014! See you at Boston, Rhode Island & North Shore Pride -xoxo TRT

Religious Freedom from page 2 pressing irrational fears about the threats to same-gender couples. their religious freedom, has done little to re - The UCC is challenging North Carolina’s port on the UCC’s lawsuit. It’s big news both ban on same-gender marriage for the legal arguments being made and the (http://tiny.cc/9zobgx ) because it “violates faith driven social justice it seeks. the church’s constitutional guarantee to free - If you’re a person of faith, the next time dom of religion.” The state ban, according you hear someone complain that their reli - to the UCC, makes it “a crime for its clergy gious freedom is under threat because of to officiate a marriage between two people marriage equality, ask them if their religious of the same sex.” rights are more important than yours. Ask Under North Carolina law, Rev. Nancy El - them to identify how their liberty is compro - lett Allison, who wishes to marry two female mised. Consider posting a comment online parishioners, would be criminally liable for or writing a letter to the editor when some - officiating at a non-licensed wedding of two one complains about their religious liberty women, “even one for purely religious pur - being violated. Tell them about your reli - poses.” gious rights. According to Rev. Allison, “Lisa and If clergy can celebrate the sacrament and Kathi have demonstrated their deep and same-gender couples can receive it while abiding commitment to one another and to those opposed to marriage equality can re - the congregation for more than a decade.” fuse to participate, aren’t everyone’s rights Donald Clark, the UCC’s general counsel, respected? said North Carolina’s marriage laws violate *Paul is an attorney, seminary trained the First Amendment’s guarantee to free ex - priest and founder of CorporateChap - ercise of religion “because they subject our laincy.biz, a firm committed to the spiritual ministers to criminal sanctions for perform - wellness of professionals. He is also author ing religious ceremonies.” of “Lost Sense of Self & the Ethics Crisis: Not surprisingly, the media, which over - Learn to Live and Work Ethically.” whelmingly interviews people of faith ex - (http://tiny.cc/27obgx ) June 5, 2014 - July 9, 2014 TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 23 Endorsements from page 2 of operations including among other groups. urday, June 14, in Worcester: All five Dem - officer of the 2012 Democratic National civil rights, healthcare, From an early ocratic gubernatorial candidates voice un - Convention. In addition, Kerrigan was an antitrust, environmen - age—her family busi - equivocal support for LGBT equality and aide to the late U.S. Senator Edward tal protection, con - ness was Stop and social justice, including Wellesley Select - Kennedy and was chief of staff for a former sumer protection, and Shop—Goldberg man Joseph Avellone ; state Treasurer Massachusetts attorney general, Tom Reilly. insurance and financial learned that “business Steven Grossman ; Attorney General Currently, Kerrigan is president of the services. acumen and progres - Martha Coakley ; former federal Homeland Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund, a pri - That she is one of sive values are not Security official and one-time Globe colum - vate non-profit organization that provides openly gay is one mutually exclusive.” nist Juliette Kayyem ; and former Medicare programmatic support services to the fami - thing. That she led the “Every single thing and Medicaid administrator Donald lies of military service personnel who have charge in the U.S. Dis - I have done is a per - Berwick . died in service since September 11, 2001. trict Court in the Com - fect fit in this very di - Equally supportive are venture capitalist All of these experiences would serve Ker - monwealth landmark verse, complicated Jeffrey McCormick and Evan Falchuk , rigan well as lieutenant governor. challenge to the De - and important area of United Independent Party founder. (See What’s more, Kerrigan has an interesting fense of Marriage Act is yet another. state government,” Goldberg told http://tiny.cc/trt_gub_forum for reporting on idea to remake the office of lieutenant gov - Healey’s were the winning arguments of the MassLive.com, referring to the office of the forum.) ernor into an ombudsman for residents, busi - nation’s first lawsuit striking down DOMA. treasurer, which oversees the Lottery Com - That is to say, all of these candidates ness leaders, and local officials so that it Before taking on DOMA, at the local law mission, Unclaimed Property Division, the would advocate for full transgender rights, would serve as a scissors in cutting through firm of Hale and Dorr (now WilmerHale), state Retirement Board, and the Alcoholic needs of LGBTQ youth and elders, compre - the bureaucratic red tape of state govern - she was a key player in a legal challenge, al - Beverage Commission. In addition to Lot - hensive sex education in public schools, in - ment. beit unsuccessful, to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t tery Commission chair, the treasurer also creased funding for HIV/AIDS, and efforts To mark the 10th anniversary of marriage Tell,” a federal law and policy which banned serves as chair of the state Building Author - to combat domestic violence. equality, Kerrigan said that he and his part - openly gay military service. Congress has ity and the nearly $60 billion Pension Re - Entering the stage on the far right is ner Jacob Watts of three years, “are excited,” since repealed the discriminatory law. serves Investment Management Board. Springfield-based evangelical pastor Scott adding, “This hard-won recognition that all Regarding the DOMA challenge, “I look For state treasurer, it’s Goldberg . Lively , perhaps best known for his local and of us are entitled to the same rights, privi - at this as Massachusetts and the Attorney Keeping these endorsements—Coakley, global anti-gay activism in Russia and leges, and obligations—and celebrations— General’s office ensuring that people’s rights Kerrigan, Healey, and Goldberg—in mind, Uganda. He is as over the top in anti-LGBT is so important, on both the personal and are protected, ensuring and standing up for what else is at stake for the Massachusetts animus and vitriol as his candidacy blem - community levels, and it has made Massa - equal rights and non-discrimination,” she LGBTQ community? ishes Massachusetts liberalism. On one chusetts a 21st-century pioneer and a beacon told the website MassLive.com. “To me, that Make no mistake: There is a world-view level, Lively’s candidacy is laughable, but of progress.” case epitomizes the power of the attorney of a difference between the Bay State polit - his calling out LGBT people for conversion For lieutenant governor, it’s Kerrigan . general’s office and the positive role [that of - ical parties. Even in 2014, the GOP party therapy is no laughing matter. Another TRT endorsement is Maura fice] can play in representing the state and platform includes a troublesome harrumph - Just as Lively’s anti-gay activism and can - Healey for attorney general . A first-time standing up for its people and their rights.” ing of traditional marriage and a so-called didacy are shameful, so pro-gay advocacy candidate, she is truly impressive as she is For Attorney General, it’s Healey . pro-life mantra. Would that pro-life meant and momentum are at play on a field of out and about campaigning, enabling voters The Rainbow Times also endorses Deb full respect for the lives, loves, and families dreams with Massachusetts Democratic can - in the Commonwealth to get to know her. Goldberg for treasurer , a former Brook - of LGBTQ people. didates—and the party—in full embrace Healey, it seems, enjoys the effort, and vot - line selectwoman and one-time candidate Equally bothersome, GOP frontrunner for LGBT equality. Better yet, two of our ers are responding to her energy and com - for lieutenant governor. governor Charlie Baker has not yet come own— Maura Healey and Steve Kerri - mitment. In fact, during the 2006 race for lieutenant full circle on transgender equality even as he gan —are running as openly gay candidates “People know I am really committed to governor, she had strong backing from is supportive of a gay brother who is married for attorney general and lieutenant governor, this stuff. I have experience as a lawyer and LGBT people. And yet, her support for to a man. A gay brother is apparently okay, respectively. manager,” she said earlier this year at Cam - LGBTQ rights goes back to Goldberg’s but adding public accommodations to exist - If nominated and elected, their wins would bridge meet-and-greet forum tenure as selectwoman when, before mar - ing transgender protections is not. It appears be historic gains for the LGBTQ commu - (http://tiny.cc/trt_healey ). riage equality, she advocated for extension to be much easier—and politically expedi - nity, the Commonwealth, and beyond. “I want to bring that energy and passion to of healthcare benefits for domestic partners ent—to throw social conservatives a For decades now, our community has done this [race],” said Healey. “That message is of Brookline town employees. boogeyman bone under the not so subtle the work necessary to bend the rainbow arc resonating,” along with “my message of fair - “I was dumbfounded,” she said recently, guise of the “bathroom bill” moniker, which of justice from tolerance to acceptance to ness and equality and being an advocate and “when initially the issue was framed as fi - Baker has yet to disavow. citizenship. In Massachusetts, this is what understanding that this [office] is the peo - nancial consideration.” Let there also be no doubt as Massachu - equality looks like. ple’s law firm.” “For me, LGBTQ rights has always been setts Democrats meet in convention on Sat - “I want to be the people’s point guard,” a civil-rights issue,” said Goldberg. “Unless she added. there is equality, there is a problem.” Letters to the Editor from page 2 and most importantly, often affluent. It’s Sure enough, in her inaugural bid for pub - President of an adoption agency, Adop - nothing more than a ham-fisted fundrais - tions with Love, she is active in a variety of around to telling people about this act of ing ploy. lic office, Healey holds impressive creden - protest. Not a word about the Boy Scouts tials, which include having served from various non-profit organizations, putting her So why have Joe Levin and the SPLC law and MBA degrees to work on business for more than a decade. Can you imagine given the BSA a free pass for all of these 2007 to 2013 in the attorney general’s office the impact the “hate group” label would first as the chief of the Civil Rights Division strategy, management and audits. Goldberg years? It’s simple. Many of the SPLC’s also has worked with Planned Parenthood have had on the BSA all those years ago? mostly elderly donors were Scouts, or the and then as chief of the Public Protection & The SPLC STILL hasn’t branded the Advocacy Bureau, which oversees a range and Combined Jewish Philanthropies, parents/grandparents of Scouts, and linking BSA a “hate group.” In fact, Joe Levin the almighty donor with a “hate group” is wrote: bad for business. “Of course, the Boy Scouts of America “Fighting hate” is all well and good, until doesn’t intend to encourage bigotry. But it cuts into the bottom line. Vaya con such policies can have that affect.” So, dinero, Joe. when the BSA announces that ALL gay —Richard Keefe, Online men “Lack the moral values” to be Scouts and Scout Leaders, it’s merely “encourag - ing bigotry,” and completely unintention - ally at that?? [Check this site:] PIck uP a cOPy Of: http://wp.me/pCLYZ-js The SPLC didn’t even designate its first 1. The NEW ENGLAND “anti-LGBT hate group” until 2011, some 40 years after Joe Levin opened the center PRIDE MAP & for business. Apparently, there just wasn’t OSTON RIDE enough anti-LGBT discrimination around 2. The B P to warrant the SPLC’s attention for all of GUIDE those decades. The only reason the SPLC added anti-LGBT groups to its list in 2011 aVaILaBLE aT aLL BP EVEnTS & in the first place is because someone in marketing targeted the LGBT community aT aLL TRT DELIVERy LOca - as mostly younger, mostly Progressive, TIOnS In nEw EngLanD 24 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com June 5, 2014 - July 9, 2014