TThhee RRaaiinnbbooww TTiimYearm 1, Vol. 4 •e eMarch 15-31ss 2007 www.therainbowtimesmass.com Your LGBT News Connection in Western Mass., parts of Connecticut and Vermont TRT Queer Justice’s Atty. Jennifer Dexter dis- First U.S. military member wounded in cusses DUI effects on a divorced couple and how Iraq war “comes out,” speaks for HRC it can affect children’s custody rights. WASHINGTON—Late service and received a in February, the first U.S. medical discharge from military personnel wound- the military. See Page 5 ed in the Iraq war, retired Alva publicly Marine Staff Sgt. Eric announced, for the first Alva, came out as a gay time, that he is gay on 3 Needles: One prick can change your life. Don’t man. The Human Rights February 28 during a miss seeing this great film Campaign announced that Capitol Hill press confer- about the HIV epidemic, Alva will serve as a ence to reintroduce the from acclaimed director national spokesperson in Military Readiness Thom Fitzgerald. an effort to repeal the U.S. Enhancement Act, legisla- See Page 8 military’s discriminatory tion to repeal the ban “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” against openly gay and policy. lesbian Americans serving TRT’s LGBT Health On March 21, 2003, in the military. Doctor Renee Lang talks Alva was in charge of 11 “When Eric Alva lost his about mood and substance Marines in a supply unit in leg in Iraq, it didn’t matter -abuse disorders ... their causes and consequences Iraq when he stepped on a whether he was gay or on users and why. landmine, losing his right straight, only that he was a leg. Alva spent months of courageous American See Page 4 rehabilitation at Walter serving his country,” said Reed Army Hospital Human Rights Campaign Don’t miss any shows, where he was visited by President Joe Solmonese. any LGBT events, or TRT President Bush, First Lady “Eric’s voice represents even meetings of your favorite groups. Laura Bush and former the sacrifice of thousands Submit your free listings Calendar Defense Secretary Donald of gay and lesbian service Retired Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Alva, came out as a gay man and is now to be published online Out & About! Rumsfeld. He was award- an advocate and HRC spokesperson working to repeal the ban and in print. ed a Purple Heart for his against openly gay and lesbians serving in the military. Photo: HRC See Page 10 See Don’t Ask Page 3 A celebration of her life: A farewell to Victoria White A computer that fits in founder of eclecTechs, a and Barkley, accompanied Lowry read excerpts the palm of your hand!? BY: LINDSAY WILSON technical support compa- friends as they reminisced from an email that Victoria TRT’s Just Tech Column TRT Reporter this time focuses on the ny, and Dog Hampton a about Victoria. had written that described amazingly Small Flipstart On March 10, the friends dog daycare service. She Nancy Lowry said her the delight Victoria found mini computer. It weighs and family of Victoria passed away on March 2, friendship with Victoria in everyday moments. less than 2 pounds! Alger White filled the after battling metastatic grew through their dogs. “Happiness can be lying See Page 6 Grace Episcopal Church in breast cancer. “People date the time they in bed and listening to a Amherst for a celebration Two of Victoria’s have known Victoria by dog mutter ... hearing an Holyoke’s LGBTQ Youth Alliance News Page 10 of her life. A Northampton beloved dogs, Cisco, Dog the dogs they have Health Disparities in the LGBT community Page 15 resident, Victoria was the Hampton’s “spokesdog” known,” she said. See Victoria Page 3 Street Sense: Should Stanton (FL City Manager) be fired due to his sex-change operation decision? “That’s changing the stream “There shouldn’t be any discrim- “I don’t think personally that they halfway down isn’t it? They hired ination at all. They should be free should have thrown him out of a guy and now he wants to be a to change their sex. Maybe it office, but since it’s an elected woman? So I don’t agree with depends on his [Stanton’s] job position, if they choose to that. You know, they hired a per- though. Like does his gender impeach him for whatever rea- son. It would be similar if some- have anything to do with why he son, that’s their [the communi- one became an alcoholic on the had that job? Is he a profession- ty’s] choice.” job.” al wrestler? … Because he’d be fired if that were the case.” Mike Jablonski, Hadley Jack Reynolds, Northampton Jesse Lashway, Northampton 2 • March 15-31, 2007 • The Rainbow Times • www.therainbowtimesmass.com Editorials Love, rights and ... the rest of it BY: J.M. THE JP* trality” is perhaps the most Another “star” in office? TRT Columnist dangerous and insidious form of complicity. BY: NICOLE LASHOMB the bill that would have intention of stepping into ccording to TRT Editor-in-Chief allowed for gay marriage the 2008 presidential race. Webster’s Ninth Clearly, this is the case in to be legal in California. However, the differences New Collegiate today’s world-- in regards am sure that I am not A Instead of supporting that between this “district Dictionary, an ally is “one to economic oppression the only person who bill, he vowed to stand by attorney” and the “termi- that is associated with and disparity, civil rights was shocked when I domestic partnerships. It is nator” are marked. another as a helper.” The for all people regardless of Republican Arnold amazing how this one Thompson is pro-life verb form is “to connect or sexual orientation or gen- Schwarzenegger was issue is used as a pivotal and wants the federal form a relation between.” J.M. the JP der identity, and the elected as the 38th political tool that will courts to overturn Roe vs. Historically, allies from Commons in England to exploitation of entire Governor of California. influence people’s minds Wade. Obviously, he also privilege have worked to demand for the end of the countries. After all, what could “the single handedly. It certain- opposes gay marriage and influence the social con- slave trade (enacted 60 Allies may be movers terminator” possibly know ly influenced mine. After gun control. sciousness of their peers years before slavery was and shakers or they may about politics? all, if one does not support Thompson supports the and to end injustice in var- abolished in the United be the everyday neighbor, Since he has been in basic human rights, what war in Iraq and supports ious forms. States). The script, direc- the shopkeeper, and the office, Schwarzenegger does that say about that Bush’s decision to send There have been a few tion and acting are superb. colleague. They are heroes has proved to be quite particular person? Why is more troops there. In addi- deeply moving films in The story is very real and and yet they do not feel competent in particular “We the people ...” only tion, he has expressed that recent months, and most heartbreaking, and there is heroic. They are far more political arenas such as fis- for a particular group of he would pardon Libby’s of them do not come from humor in the pathos. I concerned with how to cal policies, healthcare for people? conviction of perjury and the American film indus- could say much about it love than with fearing the children and generating an Hollywood icon Arnold obstruction of justice. try. Go and see Children of here, but I will stick to the repercussions of rocking active plan for a greener Schwarzenegger and his Could this possibly be Men, Babel, Volver, and point regarding allies. the boat. environment. These types * J.M. Sorrell is a Justice of political policies cannot another Bush in the mak- Pan’s Labyrinth. But the The timeless theme of of improvements, I would the Peace. She believes that begin to compare to the ing, only this time another must see movie is the film demonstrates that argue, are important to people have the potential for most imminent threat of Republican who exploits Amazing Grace. an ally in a position of most of us. However, cer- profound change and growth, the “star powers.” Fred his stardom to gain admit- Amazing Grace tells the power has a moral respon- that we require helpers, and tainly all of us remember Thompson, 64, known for tance into the White story of William sibility to act on what s/he that we must insist on justice when Governor his character on Law and House and continue the Wilberforce, the first knows to be atrocities of in all forms as consciously Schwarzenegger vetoed Order has announced his division of this country? member in the House of injustice. So-called “neu- and consistently as possible. Transition: The hardest thing you’ll ever do www.therainbowtimesmass.com BY: JANE HAMEL the puritan ethics of the mal.” It didn’t work for me, Actualized news, polls, free chat, personals, TRT Columnist 50’s and who just happened either.For those transgen- video news, everyday ... all LGBTQ! ransition, is it the to be a little girl in a little dered whose lives then hit path for all trans- boy’s body. So I adapted the wall like a speeding Tgendered people? (this is a questionable train and they find that they The Rainbow Times Is it the “trans-mission” for “choice” and probably cannot live another minute 13 Old South St.