Vol. 30 • March 3, 2011 - April 6, 2011 • www.therainbowtimesnews.com FREE! The RThe Freshestainbow Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender T Newspaperimes in New England DR. KEN Mayer, Named latest recipient of Fenway Health’s Gerry E. Studds Award PHOTO: COURTESY FENWAY HEALTH PHOTO: COURTESY FENWAY p10 Radical Spirituality unfolds at recent Noho staging of THE LESBIAN PHOTO: COURTESY CAROLYN GAGE PHOTO: COURTESY CAROLYN TENT revival Reichen p6 CONNECTICUT’s Lehmkuhl TRUE COLORS XVIII Ex-Air Force Captain CONFERENCE and reality TV star of PHOTO: GLENN KOETZNER Empowering LGBTQ Youth Logo’s A-List New York p19 p16 SPECIAL REPORT: Anti LGBT Groups in New England p3 TRT HerOES: Polly Bixby & DOMA: What does turnaround mean for same-sex couples? p14 Karen Grzesik p22 BOSTON PRIDE: Vigil held to raise awareness of David Kato’s murder p8 PHOTO: DEREK GOODWIN NORTHAMPTON’s TDOR Remembers LGBT suicide vicitms as well p7 PHOTO: CHUCK COLBERT FENWAY HEALTH At the forefront in global battle against AIDS/HIV pandemic p19 PHOTO: STEVEN SMITH BOSTON Gay MEN’s CHORUS Spreading “Joy” this Holiday Season p12 • March 3, 011 - April 6, 011 • The Rainbow Times • www.therainbowtimesnews.com Promises made are not so empty after all Voices of Young People: Shaping of our By: Nicole Lashomb*/TRT Editor-in-Chief ing about the legalities surrounding it, regardless ongoing struggle for GLBTQ liberation e’ve all heard it. President of where we live –when we can live completely Obama is not living up to his free. But, politics is a game after all. If Obama By: Jason Lydon/TRT Columnist organization in Wpromises he made to the LGBT had waived his rainbow flag mighty and high on must say that the past few weeks have made Dorchester that “de- community. I beg to differ. Not only has Capitol Hill, my guess is we wouldn’t even have it very difficult to focus on any one thing. velops and strength- this President’s administration done achieved what we have today. IThere are revolutions happening globally in ens the power of more for the LGBT community than any We have to be realistic with how expedient ways we have not seen in generations. The up- youth to work to- other President’s in the history of this na- our rights are able to be attained. I am not happy rising in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and the growing wards building a INIONS tion, he is unwavering in his support of it, with how treacherous the road is either. It should campaigns in Jordan, Syria, Algeria, and else- just society.” These where are all part of a people’s movement to young people are P regardless of how “vocal” he is. not be that way. However, like with the failed Since his inception, President Obama economy, which was doomed long before Presi- draw great inspiration from. Right here in the fighting for jobs be- O has repealed the discriminatory ban on United States people are occupying the State cause it gives them dent Obama ever took office, the President does a deep sense of gays to serve openly in the military (DADT), he not have a magic wand to make it all go away; he House in Wisconsin, demanding their rights as Jason Lydon has extended hospital visitation rights to same- human beings be respected. This is an unprec- independence, put- doesn’t even hold that type of power without the ting money in their pocket that they can make sex couples regardless of their marital status, cooperation from Congress and other members edented moment and as LGBTQ folks we are in the thick of it as well. We are in all of this choices about. It gives them workplace experi- he has granted federal employment benefits to of government. same-sex coupled government employees and because we are part of all of these communities, ence that they can take with them for the rest of Before casting stones and pointing fingers at globally, nationally, and locally. their lives. One young person explained to me most recently, has declared Section 3 of the De- our “friend” in the White House, we have to re- fense of Marriage Act unconstitutional as it de- On February 4th I had the opportunity to that having a job gives him a great opportunity member that we are indeed breaking through the take part in a Massachusetts struggle for justice. to better himself. These are the things young scribes marriage as only between one man and chains that have entrapped our community for one woman – not a bad track record for someone Young people in the Commonwealth are orga- people are striving for. Ruby Reyes, Co-Ex- sworn in just over years ago. decades, even if that means one link at a time. nizing together to pressure the Patrick Adminis- ecutive Director of The City School explained, I get it. I am just as eager as the next person who tration to take a stand in support of youth jobs. “Today young people are needed to help finan- is waiting for their day to wipe away the face of Nicole Lashomb These young people are pushing to restore and cially support their families yet young people bigotry from the nation, our nation. I am waiting *Nicole Lashomb is the Editor-in-Chief of replace funding to two youth jobs line items, the do not qualify for unemployment.” These youth for the day that my wife and I can travel through- The Rainbow Times, holds a Bachelor’s degree School to Career program and Summer Works need to bring home paychecks to help keep out the United States without the fear of being from SUNY Potsdam, and an MBA from Maryl- program. Well over a thousand youth, along the family budget going. The economy we are without our health care proxy and power of attor- hurst University. Send your Letters to the Edi- with their adult allies, converged on that State living in today forces many adults into unem- ney; when we can adopt a child without worry- tor to [email protected]. House to show that the $8 million in youth jobs ployment and underemployment, this reality money would be spent to save their lives. These requires a large response from our government, programs could produce ,700 jobs for young including the funding of youth jobs. Queeries: Spilling to Grandma & Web Hookups people, specifically young people who have less The push for youth jobs directly impacts By: Steven Petrow*/Special for TRT you’re reminding me of what dating and hook- access to other resources. GLBTQ young people. Thanks to the data avail- As I stood outside the State House I spoke able through the Youth Risk Behavior Survey “Desperately Seeking Sex Online” ups were like for me when I first started playing around. Before I give you any advice, let me with three youth and an adult staff person from See Voices on page 4 Q: I need a bit of advice on my sex just say two things. First off, it’s great that you The City School, a youth-led adult supported life. I’m 24 and my main goal at the mo- know what you’re looking for – in this case, ment is to have fun and sleep around. sex. Less risk of wasting other people’s time, I’m not bad looking but I’m no model. let alone your own. Second, if some guys aren’t Letters to the Editor The Rainbow Times Here’s the problem: Ever since I came turned on to you because you’re “sweet and in- 351 Pleasant St., #322 out eight years ago, I feel like an odd- Dear Editor, Northampton, MA 01060 ADVICE nocent,” believe me they are going to be many ball on the scene as I don’t know how to more who just love those qualities in you. I live in Nashua, NH for now and absolute- www.therainbowtimesnews.com approach guys with the intention of it leading To get to the nitty gritty, I think there are ly love reading The Rainvbow Times. I was to sex. My friends say I look very sweet and in- wondering if at some point you’d be adding [email protected] some other things you’re likely overlooking. [email protected] nocent and they think it can put guys off. I am Hooking up online is all about first impressions New Hampshire onto the list of states that on Gaydar and other sex websites that are only and that’s why you need to pay such close you cover. Keep up the good work! Phone: 413.282.8881, 617.444.9618 about hooking up, but I struggle about what to attention to your screen name, profile, and —Jean Crosby, Nashua, NH or Fax: 888-442-2421 write and most of the messages I send go unan- Dear Jean, photos that you post (and you must post pix). Publisher Columnists swered, or worse, I get a “no.” I’d really like When it comes to a screen name, be explicit: Thank you for your feedback. Currently to hear what you’ve got to say. TRT is available at several establishments Gricel M. Ocasio Lorelei Erisis A: Man, I really feel for you, especially since See Queeries on page 8 in NH. However, we are always willing to Editor-In-Chief Deja N. Greenlaw expand our routes. Please feel free to send us Nicole Lashomb Paul P. Jesep Using CABO as your everyday resource suggestions of where you’d like to see The Assistant Editor Jason Lydon Rainbow Times and we will do our best to Natalia Muñoz Tynan Power By: Jenn Tracz*/CABO’s Executive Director ber of Commerce’s website, make that happen.