Year 3, Vol. 10 • Nov. 5 - Dec. 2, 2009 www.therainbowtimes.com The FREE! RainbowYour LGBTQ News in MA, RI, North T Centralimes CT & Southern VT P ho to : National G a r y L a p o o Equality n March p.20 Karen Williams performs at P h o t o : C o u r One Big t e s y o f H G L H Event C p.18 Queer as Folk’s P ho to : S a b i V a r g a Sharon Gless a t w w w . v a stars in r g a i m a g e s . c o JbDubs m Hannah Free p.5 Gay Hip Hop Artist Photo: Hal Baim tells all ... Boston Pride calls for Anniversary theme p.9 p.B-16 News from the Ocean State Rhode Island pp.15-17 2 • Nov. 5-Dec. 2, 2009 • The Rainbow Times • www.therainbowtimesnews.com Is Obama doing enough? The Controversial Couch By: Gricel M. Ocasio/TRT Publisher level. It becomes a sovereign mess for our ac- Lie back and Listen. Then get up and do something our other states, aside from countants and a reminder of our second-class By: Suan Ambrose*/TRT Columnist Massachusetts, have legalized status in this country. I know of many friends they were left bundles of cash; same-sex marriage and now the and family members who suffer from anxiety weden: a far-away land of then there’s not such a rush to Fcommonwealth is suing the federal during this time. But, the reminder that I am snow and ice, fair-skinned, remarry, is there? government to provide federal benefits not an equal is something that I live with ev- blue-eyed beauties and … a But I digress. Svillage of 25,000 hot lesbians? Too good to be Let’s look at more of the story translated to the same-sex married couples in all eryday, especially once you have such rights five states: Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, at the state level. It is discrimination when true? I wish I had known that before I booked from Shanghaiist.com: my trip with Scandinavian Airlines. If men transgress into the forbidden city, pinions Massachusetts, New Hampshire and others who have also entered into matrimony Vermont. But, the Obama administra- agreements in these five states have more It all started a few weeks ago when the Xinhua they will be beaten half to death. The citi- zens of Chako Paul are mostly engaged in the O tion is not biting. than 1,074 civil rights that the rest of us, the news agency in China reported the existence Why can’t same-sex couples who are legal- second-class citizens of this country, do not of a city in the northern woods of Sweden forest industry; because of such many of the ly married in these five states, like any other have. At least the state government of these where women were living together to satisfy women wear thick belts full of woodworking heterosexual married couple, be afforded the five states is reaping the benefits that same- their sexual desires. And, um, no, it’s really not equipment. I hear an ad for Strap-On Tools in there same rights at the federal level? According sex marriage has brought in these times filled Northampton! somewhere. to a recent AP story, the lawsuit states that with financial hardship. We are good for some This much-sought city, Chako Paul, was Some go into nearby cities to work and re- “the 16,000 same-sex couples who have things, but not others. If Uncle Sam did the supposedly founded in 1820 by a rich widow turn to Chako Paul by night. Chako Paul’s married since the state allowed it in 2004 are math, and educated the naïve Republican and and is guarded by two blonde guards that will tourism industry is increasingly prosperous, being unfairly denied federal benefits given conservative Democrat base, they would un- strike down men that try to enter this delicious with hotels and restaurants everywhere that to heterosexual couples.” When income tax derstand that by doing the right thing (by its place of lesbian love. This does sound remi- cater specifically to women around the world. time comes, we do cannot claim our spouses citizens) could also improve the economy. niscent of my time at the Michigan Women’s Now if that isn’t something to go to Sweden in the federal returns, as we do at the state See Opinion on page 18 Music Festival, but just two blonde guards? for! What a great concept! ABBA hasn’t been Please. heard from for so long it’s possible the Swedes However, the widow concept gives some came up with this idea on their own to lure the credibility to the tale because we know lots Chinese and others to their shores! Now if only of widows who prefer the company of each The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later things that come up in relationship, other instead of another old crust that tells By J.M. Sorrell/ TRT Reporter hard in less than a months’ time to make this See Couch on Page 12 n October 12, 1998, Matthew Shepard happen, and after expenses, all monies raised them what to do with their lives. Especially if died from wounds inflicted by two went to the “No On 1” campaign to preserve men who tortured and murdered him same-sex marriage rights in Maine. Oon the outskirts of Laramie, Wyoming. Short- Several things struck me. First, the produc- The Rainbow Times ly after his death, the Tectonic Theater Project tion was free of charge and open to the pub- Letters to the Editor 351 Pleasant Street, #322 created The Laramie Project from interviews lic. Those who could donated to cover costs. Northampton, MA 01060 with townspeople. It was made into a film for Secondly, the assortment of heroes on stage Dear Editor, www.therainbowtimesnews.com HBO. reminded me of how fortunate I am to live in I loved the coverage the Rainbow Times [email protected] Ten years later, the group returned to Lara- this city. is having. I liked the “Couch” story by Su- [email protected] mie to talk to people about what occurred or The reading was a bit long/drawn out at zan Ambrose. But, when it comes to Elton [email protected] changed in Laramie since Shepard’s death. times, and the characters from academia pon- John, I just think he’s too old to have kids! MA: 413.204.8959 & 518.391.2617 The Epilogue was performed on October 12, tificated a bit much, and yet as a whole, the Great points she made though. Boston & RI: 617.438.4364 2009 in over 130 towns and cities around the reading was magnificent. I was especially -Jackie M., Northampton, MA Fax: 617.987.0059 world including Northampton, Massachusetts. moved when Publisher Columnists Chris Rohmann and Meg Gage produced Stan Rosenberg read the part of the (Repub- Dear Editor, Gricel M. Ocasio Suzan Ambrose and directed the staged reading at the Acad- lican) governor of Wyoming. As it turned out, The “Hatred in Medford” story was Paul P. Jesep emy of Music. The eighteen performers for the proposed DOMA (Defense of Marriage Editor-In-Chief Deja N. Greenlaw right on! I know because I live in Jamaica NIcole Lashomb the production included local actors, politi- Act) in Wyoming failed by a vote of 35-25, Plains and there’s so much discrimina- Tetty Gorfine cians, and activists. At least 600 people were with a large percentage of Republican politi- J.M. Sorrell tion here toward the LGBT community. It Sales Manager Lorelei Erisis in attendance. Countless volunteers worked cians weighing in about fairness and respect. Bill Berggren really astonishes me to find this kind of Jason Lydon See Laramie Project on page 12 bigotry in Massachusetts. I moved here Distribution Mgr. because of same-sex marriage and have Sales Associates SJ Seymour found that, like the article says, “espe- Liz Johnson Chris Gilmore cially in New England” we have to keep Reporters Lisa A. Eramo C’mon Out - Just Ask! Advice column our eyes open. That church in Medford is Ad Design anti-gay and those people spread hatred Tynan Power By: Tetty Gorfine/TRT Columnist As I think about your question, Bob Boudreau constantly. What kind of “Christians” are Joe Siegel Hey Tetty: the issue that comes to mind is they? But, keep it up, your work is truly Webmaster I'm 36 and I've just met this re- about awareness and how much great TRT! Jarred Johnson ally amazing guy. The only thing a couple values it. When consid- -Jonathan S., Jamaica Plains is that he's 58. I'm really attracted ering any difference or issue that The Rainbow Times is published monthly by The Rain- to him and I think he's great. He emerges in relationship, for me the bow Times, LLC. TRT is affiliated with AP/Newsfinder, Dear Editor, thinks he's too old for me but I question is, what, if any, does this QSyndicate, & the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of I love the Ask a Transwoman column, don't. What do you think about age difference mean to each per- Commerce. The articles written by the writers, colum- but I also get so confused by all of the nists, and correspondents express their opinion, and do relationships where there is a big son? There may be little attached terminology used.