Section A New York State's Oldest LGBT Publication

Lobby lawmakers for your rights in NewsBriefs Albany on April 28 LOCAL & STATE NEWS Tuesday, April 28 is the Pride Agenda's annual Albany Lobby Rainbow Seniors day, Equality & Justice Day. panel is April 19 Chappius Haag This year is going to be excep­ Democrats tional, with over 1,400 people Rochester Rainbow from all over NYS expected to Seniors of Western NY hosts Chappius, Haag its sixth Intergenerational turn out for this historic lobby­ Panel with LGBTIQ speak­ join long list of City ing effort. ers of various ages on Sun­ Council hopefuls With a pro-LGBT majori­ day, April 19, 4-5:30 p.m., at ty in the NYS Assembly and First Universalist Church at By Ove Overmyer a pro-LGBT Senate Majority Clinton Ave. and Court St., In a formal written statement Leader and Governor, the Pride downtown Rochester, across from the Washington Square delivered to friends and family Agenda is working around the Park. on Feb. 16, David D. Chappius clock to build the grassroots The event is free, open to announced his intention to seek support needed to pass a Mar­ the public and will be fol­ an At-Large seat on Rochester riage Equality bill, the Gender lowed by refreshments. City Council for the term begin­ Expression N on-Discrimination The panel will consist of ning in January of 2010. Act and the Dignity for All Stu­ around eight LGBTIQ peo­ ple who will talk about their Matthew Haag, a long time dents Act. lives. This year an 80-year­ political and community activist Locally, four buses have been old gay man will be part of who works for the University of reserved to transport Rochestar­ the discussion. Rochester as the Senior Direc­ ians to Albany to lobby their GOV. PATERSON VISITS ROCHESTER: On March 11, hundreds tor of Major Gifts and Regional elected officials. The registra­ of people filled the Rochester Riverside Convention Center Youth to rally on Programs, has also unofficially tion period runs through April for a town hall style meeting hosted by Gov. David Paterson and moderated by News10 NBC's Janet Lomax. At the meet­ Day of Silence tossed his hat in the ring for an 10; however, it is best to regis­ ing, Gov. Paterson reaffirmed his support for marriage equal­ At-Large seat on Rochester City ter early to guarantee that you ity legislation, drawing loud applause from the diverse crowd. The National Day of Council. An official announce­ will have a reserved seat on a Above: Gov. Paterson greets Anita Cameron, Systems Advo­ Silence is Friday, April 17. A rally to "break the ment is expected soon. Rochester bus. You can register cate for the Center For Disability Rights. Photo: Ove Overmyer silence" will be hosted by the As many as 11 City of Roch­ on line at www.prideagenda.org Gay Alliance Youth Program ester Democrats have expressed and the form can printed out and held in the Apollo Room interest in running for a four-year and mailed to the Pride Agenda's at the Auditorium Center at City Council term. There are five NYC office. Sandra Arena convicted of 875 East Main St. seats up this year, with at least To obtain a scholarship you The rally will begin at 4 four known incumbents plan­ must print out the form and note manslaughter in Coleman death; p.m., followed by a youth ning a possible return to local that you are in need of a schol­ dance until 8 p.m. Refresh­ sentencing is set for April 15 ments, entertainment, and government. arship. The requested donation free depression screening (in One City Council member, of $40 covers round-trip trans­ By Ove Overmyer years in prison. The high profile murder trial Chad Coleman's moth­ collaboration with U.R.) for John Lightfoot, has not made portation, breakfast on the bus, all LGBTQ youth and allies er, Latricia (Pat) Swift-Win­ his re-election plans public as of lunch in Albany and a snack on of a Penfield woman began in ages 13-23 will be available. press time. In court on March 11, the trip home. For individuals atypical fashion on March 9. bush, appeared to be affected Comic Sabrina Matthews Lightfoot admitted violating pro­ who have their own transporta­ Sandra Arena chose a bench as the verdict was announced and dancer Thomas Warfield trial, rather than face a jury. on March 18; she seemed faint will perform. bation for his third drunk driving tion, the cost is $15. Questions The rally has hosted over conviction. His future as an elect­ can be directed to Todd Plank at Arena, 48, who was described in as she left court and was given the blogosphere as "Cougar Bar­ first aid by deputies. She later 200 youth from approximate­ ed official is unclear and he will 585-271-2420; e-mail: tplank@ ly 30 schools in the area to bie," put her destiny in the hands told media that she will forgive (Democrats continues page 7) prideagenda.org . • fight homophobic bullying. of Monroe County Court Judge Arena, should Arena apologize. For more informa- Frank P. Geraci. Arena's attorney, Joseph S. tion, please contact Jes­ On March 18, the judge Damelio, had argued that Arena sica Cohen, Youth Program Tax Day protest California Court acquitted Arena of second-degree had just been traumatized by Director, at 585-244-8640 murder but found her guilty of being assaulted outside a south- ext. 13 or JessicaC@gayal­ to make point at appears reluctant to liance.org. Jefferson Rd. PO overturn Prop 8 second-degree manslaughter in (Arena continues page 7) the death of Chad Coleman. By Susan Jordan By Susan Jordan She was also convicted of third­ The annual Tax Day protest On March 5, when the Cali­ degree assault, a misdemeanor, will take place at the main post fornia Supreme Court heard argu­ for injuries suffered by the four office on Jefferson Rd. in Henriet,­ ments in the attempt to overturn women who were also hit. ta on April 15, from 4:30-6 p.m. Prop 8, gay rights attorneys were Both charges are felonies with Organizer Bess Watts said, unhappy with the court's reaction, different levels of culpability. "This will be the third year we according to Maura Dolan of the The murder charge alleged that have done this locally. It is my Los Angeles Times. Arena caused Coleman's death understanding that there will be The lawyers had hoped the while acting with a depraved a statewide effort on Tax Day." same court majority that over­ indifference to human life. The The protest will make the turned the state's previous mar­ manslaughter charge alleges she point that same sex couples are riage ban would conclude that caused his death while acting not allowed to file tax returns as Proposition 8 was an impermis­ recklessly. couples, and that federal tax law sible constitutional revision. Arena is in custody and is does not recognize the validity However, ChiefJustice Ronald scheduled for sentencing on even of those marriages which M. George and Justice Joyce L. April 15. She faces a penalty of (Tax Day continues page 7) (California continues page 7) probation or up to five to 15

The Gay Alliance appreciates the continuing F1 FINAI>ICL!\L AACHIliCTS ,"0::" partnership of businesses within our community Kodak 14: Merrilll.ynr:h Inside Section A who support our mission and vision. Interview: Lance Neve ...... 6 lace I Bausch & Lomb CORN] IG Gold Eastman Kodak Company' Mass Mutual Financial Group' WoI U MtUltYlCU Opinion: Religion and Republicanism ..' , N IXON P AIIODY llF are losing ground ...... 9 Merrill Lynch; Nixon Peabody, LLP ... _,...... ~THE ---""" Making The Scene ...... 18 MONROEPWJ Silver Ace Mailing Services; Bausch & Lomb Inc.; IiiiiiiiI Corning Incorporated; Harter Secrest & Emory LLP; ~ v I TT FOR~Ii&CAL Section B Heveron & Heveron CPAs; ITT Corporation; Monroe Plan for Entertainment: Erotic Nights at Medical Care; Sage Advisors of Sage Rutty; St. John Fisher ~~ Equal=Grounds ...... 1 College; Tim Tompkins Enterprises; Xerox Capital Services . Columnists ...... 5 Kyle's B&B ...... 8 Bronze Canandaigua National Bank; Edgerton Florist; ~ = igua Youth Page ...... 10 Empire State College; GALAXE Pride at Work; Open Arms ~ Bank&Trust EMPJIUSTATE. GAGV News: AVP ...... 11 Metropolitan Community Church; Third Presbyterian Church; COLLEGE Groups ...... 13 EDGElHON ILORAL co Wegmans Food Markets; The Woolbright Group Calendar, Classifieds ...... 14 Ongoing Calendar ...... 15 Pride Thomson Reuters gmans w&i bright i; . ~ vtHlM!>cNitEUTEII'S GmJp ' . . 2 A THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • NUMBER 422 • APRIL 2009

The Empty Closet is published by the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley 875 E, Main Street, Suite 500 Rochester, New York 14605 FROM THE FROM THE © 2009, All rights reserved, Editor-in-Chief: Susan Jordan Empty Closet Editor Executive Director Staff Reporter: Ove Overmyer SUSAN JORDAN SUE COWELL Graphic Design: Jim Anderson Ad Sales: had the slightest desire for oppo­ years, our need to exist has not. Alicia Kibitlewski, 241-0091 site sex partners are at one end The Gay Alliance is the place National Advertising Representative: Rivendell Media: 212-242-6863 of the scale, and those who have where the entire community never had any desire for people turns for support, information, Advertising policy: of the same gender are at the referrals, training and assis­ The Empty Closet does not print adver­ other end - where would most tance with domestic violence, tisements that contain nude drawings or photographs, nor does it print advertis­ of the hits fall? Right in the Bi harassment and hate crimes. ing that states that the person pictured Center. Although our locations have in the ad is for sale, or that you will "get" This would mean that A), changed, we have maintained that particular person if you patronize Team Queer "has the numbers"; the same phone number for the establishment advertised, Adver­ tisements that are explicitly racist, sex­ B), human sexuality is more more than 30 years. The very ist, ageist, ableist or homophobic will be complex than we realize and C), first AIDS Hotline was estab­ refused; advertisements from organiza­ the conservative claim that strict lished at the Gay Alliance in tions that are sexist, racist, ageist, able­ heterosexuality is the norm is the early 1980s, through our ist or anti-gay will also be refused, simply wrong. peer counseling program. Submissions: If science eventually comes Yes, this is a challenging For publication, submit news items, to this conclusion, the implica­ time for non-profit organiza­ ads, photos, letters, stories, poetry, Bisexuality: the tions for the right's politics of Activists for change: tions and the Gay Alliance ads, photographs or art by mail or in person to The Empty Closet office by homophobia would be stagger­ is no exception. The differ­ invisible identity commit now! the 15th of the month, Design services ing. For one thing, Haggard ence is that as a staff, a board for non-camera ready ads are available Anti-gay evangelical preacher and those like him would not My first two weeks as the and a community, we will not for a fee, ([email protected]) Ted Haggard, who, as Reverend be able to claim that they are Executive Director of the Gay retreat from our mission! Now Irene Monroe says, "is in love Alliance have strengthened Publication Information: really heterosexual because they is everyone's time to re-com­ The Empty Closet is published 11 times with heterosexual privilege and have sexual desire for the oppo­ my resolve about the continu­ mit and make choices that will a year (December and January com­ homosexual sex," has admitted site gender -- which supposedly ing creation of change for our determine our future! Funding bined) by The Empty Closet Press for having at least two sexual rela­ rules out their equally strong (or community. is every non-profit and edu­ the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Val­ tionships with men. stronger) desire for those of the We are fortunate to have cational organization's biggest ley, Inc, Approximately 5000 copies of each issue are distributed during the He says that therapists have same gender. a rich history of social and challenge. first week of the month, some by mail told him he is "heterosexual with The right could not demon­ political activism in our region. Please commit the time to in a plain sealed envelope, The pub­ homosexual complications" or ize three-quarters of the human When I moved to Rochester travel with us to Albany to lication of the name or photograph of "attachments" (sort of like a vac­ race in order to gain the Bigot in 1977, activism was the first help us advocate for our future! any person or organization in articles uum cleaner?). Apparently no face of the Gay Alliance I wit­ is not an indication of the sexual or Vote. Most voters, including the Equality and Justice Day will affectional orientation of that person or one has broken the news to him bigots, would be bi themselves! nessed. be held Tuesday, April 28 in the members of that organization, For about bisexuality. Eventually people would come I arrived for a job interview Albany. If you are not able to further information, please write to The Talk about the elephant in to terms with their repressed at the University of Rochester. join us, please send a donation, Empty Closet, 875 E, Main S1., Roch­ the room that everyone pretends feelings, whether they acted on I turned on the local televi­ so we can provide the funds for ester NY. 14605, call (585) 244-9030 or e-mail [email protected]. not to notice - bisexuality is them or not. Despite the con­ sion news. The Gay Alliance those who can attend, but may The Empty Closet is the official more like a Megalosaurus. servative terror of challenges to was staging a protest at City not have the money to register. publication of the Gay Alliance of the Although bisexuals are near­ heterosexism and straight-male Hall over federal CETA fund­ Details are on page A 1 of this Genesee Valley, Inc" as stated in the ly invisible in our culture, there supremacy -- the sky wouldn't ing for the Gay Alliance. The Issue. bylaws of that organization, Its purpose is a real possibility that most "Community Chest" did not is to inform the Rochester gay com­ fall. In fact a less uptight, biased You can visit our web site at munity about local and national gay­ human beings are born bisexu­ society would become less neu­ want their community dona­ www.gayalliance.org for infor­ related news and events; to provide a al and capable of attraction to rotic and discriminatory, and as tions to be adversely affected by mation on all of our programs. forum for ideas and creative work from either sex. This is socialized out a consequence, families (of all inclusion of the Gay Alliance. PRIDE 2009 planning activi­ the local gay community; to help pro­ of us as soon as we can com­ kinds) would be more secure. Bill Johnson, then Executive ties have begun and there is mote leadership within the community, and to be a part of a national network prehend the inane theory that Scientific proof that most Director of the Urban League, information posted now for of lesbian and gay publications that humanity consists of two teams: humans are bi would also chal­ stepped forward to administer the picnic. Further details on exchange ideas and seek to educate, the Hets (good and "normal"­ lenge bi-phobia among lesbians the program with full inclusion the parade and festival will be Part of our purpose is to maintain the majority) and the Queers and gay men. Putdowns like of our needs. The Gay Alliance available on line in the near a middle position with respect to the (bad and "abnormal" - a small "bisexuals are sitting on the received funding through the future. The parade and festi­ entire community, We must be care­ ful to present all viewpoints in a way minority). fence," or "bisexuals don't exist," Comprehensive Employment val will be held Saturday, July that takes into consideration the views But what if "normal" = bisex­ sadly still heard in queer circles, Training Act for our first paid 18 and the picnic will be Sun­ of all - women, men, people of color, ual? What if people who are would be as obsolete as the ste­ position. day, July 19. We are celebrat­ young and old, and those from various exclusively heterosexual and peo­ reotype that being gay is "evil". Every day we make choices ing the 40th anniversary of walks of life, The opinions of columnists, edi­ ple who are exclusively homosex­ Bisexuality, no longer invisi­ on how to use our time, energy Stonewall. torial writers and other contributing ual are both minorities and the ble, would become the new stan­ and resources. The Gay Alli­ Commit your time today to writers are their own and do not nec­ majority (say 70 to 80 percent of dard for normality and Haggard ance has a rich 35-year his­ help us make this a celebration essarily reflect the collective attitude of the human race) is bi? could finally get rid of those tory in this region. Although worthy of such a milestone! To the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Val­ Take the Kinsey scale, for clumsy vacuum cleaner attach­ our community visibility has be a success we will need more ley or The Empty Closet, The Empty Closet shall not be liable for any loss or instance. If those who have never ments . • waned and waxed over the volunteers than ever. • expense that results from the publica­ tion (whether correctly or incorrectly) III II or omission of an ad, In the event of • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • non-payment, your account may be assigned to a collection agency or Suggested donations: 04/09 an attorney, and will be liable for the o $25-99 Advocate: charges paid by us to such collection • • agency or attorney, Receive The Empty Closet by mail at home or work! • o $100-999 Champion: • Letters to the editor Change The opinions of columnists, editorial It's not just a slogan. Annual reception; early bird discount to events writers and other contributing writers are • • their own and do not necessarily reflect o $1,000-4,999 Triangle Club: the collective attitude of the Gay Alliance Name Lapel Pin; priority seating at events; major donor events of the Genesee Valley or The Empty • • Closet, We will print letters at the edi­ Address o $5,000+ Stonewall Society: tor's discretion and on a space available • Stonewall Society Breakfast; private annual • basis, Only one letter by the same writer in a six-month period is allowed, We will City State Zip meeting; display name at events 111 11 1 111 111 not print personal attacks on individuals, • 111 11 1 11111 1 • nor will we be a forum for ongoing dis­ Phone Bring Change! 111 11 1 111 111 putes between individuals, We reserve 1111 11 11 111 1 the right to edit for space and clarity, • Thank you, • 111 111 1111 11 We will print anonymous letters if the E-mail 111 111 1111 11 name and phone number are pro­ • 111 111 111 111 • vided to the Editor; confidentiality will 111 111 1111 11 111 111 1111 11 be respected, Submissions are due by 0 I have named the Gay Alliance in my will. 1111 1 111 11 Imll the 15th of the month at: The Empty • 1111 11 111 11 1 111 111 • Closet, 875 E, Main Street, Suite 500, ~1111111 11'" 0 I am interested in charitable gift annuities. Gay Alliance "'III 111 111 111 111 111 111 Rochester, NY 14605; e-mail: empty­ ~:\ ' 111 111 1111 11 1111 11 1111 1 • of the Genesee Valley • closet@gagv,us, Online edition of EC 0 I would like to volunteer. 111 111 1111 11 111 111 111 111 • • available at www,gayalliance,org, II • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • II APRIL 2009 • NUMBER 422 • GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • THE EMPTY CLOSET A 3

adulthood. With a newfound strength, I set out to bring my story to the world, starting with Baltimore." Jackson also said he had launched his own publishing company focusing on HIV educational books and materials "to make this disease real, be a positive LOCAL AND STATE role model, and say to others, 'This has affected me, but I have not let it beat me.' It took me three years to admit to myself Pride Agenda applauds in the workplace. It is also valuable for I was HIV-positive, and when I did it was both GLBT undergraduates and gradu­ like coming out of the closet again. It was appointment of two ate students. so liberating." lesbian judges As Associate Director, Undergraduate Charles Tyson, Jackson's son, describes Career Services, Kelley School of Busi­ his father as a pioneer in love, thought, and Empire State Pride Agenda Execu­ ness, Indiana University Bloomington, spirit. "My father inspired me to live as a tive Director Alan van Capelle issued a Mark Brostoff has worked with under­ change agent, whether that change was to statement on March 6 applauding Gov­ graduate and graduate students seeking manifest in my own self-concept or in my Ron Gonzalez ernor David Paterson's appointment of assistance with coming-out, workplace service to humanity. I admired Shelton, St. Martin de Porres Church in Buffalo two open lesbians as Appellate Court and life/balance issues. not only for his valuable contributions to and a journal of memories has been put justices. Mark has been recognized nation­ "Governor David Paterson has once HIV/AIDS advocacy and literature, but together by his family and friends. ally for his work, including the John for his steadiness to remain faithful and A memorial fund has been estab­ again demonstrated his extraordinary Deere Advancing Diversity Award and truthful to his mission in life." lished in his honor. Contributions should commitment to equal representation and the National Association of Colleges and For more information on his work and be made payable to AIDS Network, 40 made history in New York by appoint­ Employers (NACE) Excellence Award for to order The Second Chapter: Acceptance Gates Circle, Buffalo 14209. ing two openly lesbian Justices to Appel­ the Advancement of the Profession. late level courts," van Capelle said. "It is and/or The Dawn of a New Day, please He earned his Master's Degree in visit www.sheltonjackson.com or email important that the judiciary reflect the Health Administration from Washing­ [email protected]. Sen. Schumer finally rich diversity of New York State so that ton University in St. Louis and a Bach­ announces support for the judiciary can more fully understand elors degree from Alfred University, and the lives of the people involved in the holds an adjunct lecturer position with Ron Gonzalez lost in marriage equality in NYS cases they hear. This is the highest-level the IU School of Public and Environ­ February plane crash Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) on judicial appointment that any member ment Affairs. Mark is a decorated retired of the LGBT community has held in the Ronald Gonzalez, a native of New March 23 announced his support for naval officer and was first male co-host York City, relocated to Buffalo in 1999 marriage equality for same sex couples history of our state. of BloomingOUT, the only Indiana news "We thank Gov. Paterson for his con­ where he worked at AIDS Community and for the repeal of the Defense of Mar­ and public affairs radio show dedicated tinuous support for LGBT people all Services of Western New York. riage Act (DOMA). to the issues and events of the gay com­ He served three terms as vice presi­ The announcement followed a meet­ across New York State. We also congrat­ munity. ulate two immensely qualified Justices dent of the Ryan White care network ing in Manhattan, initiated by Sena­ - Rosalyn Richter and Elizabeth Garry of Western NY, Inc., and was co-chair tor Schumer, with a group of New York - on their appointment to the Appel- of the Minority Concerns Committee, LGBT elected officials and leaders of the late Division, First and Third Depart­ as well as serving on the board of The city's largest LGBT organizations, includ­ ments, respectively. They are trailblazers MOCHA Project. ing Empire State Pride Agenda Executive and have earned a permanent place in the In 2003, Ron traveled throughout the Director Alan Van Capelle. story of our community." state serving migrant and seasonal farm "I want to thank Sen. Schumer for workers and the Latino community, as his support of marriage equality and the Technical Assistance Specialist with the repeal of the so-called Defense of Mar­ Tawa Pano hosts church HIV Prevention Network of the Health riage Act," said Van Capelle. "Like a conference April 13·19 and Safety Programs at Rural Opportuni­ majority of New Yorkers, Sen. Schumer ties, Inc. in Rochester. recognizes that only marriage equality Unity Fellowship Church's National He was the first executive director of provides same sex couples the status, pro­ Midyear Meeting, April 13-19, will be Alianza Latina, Inc., a community-based tections and rights afforded to all other hosted by Rochester's Tawa Pano UFC, organization addressing the HIV epidem­ Americans. We look forward to work­ at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. UFC founder ic in Buffalo's urban communities. ing with him to win marriage equality Archbishop Carl Bean will attend. In 2006 Ron returned to NYC to com­ in New York State and around the coun­ Sessions on strategic development and plete graduate studies in Public Adminis­ try." national events planning and national tration, with a grant from the National Van Capelle said that during the adult and youth summits are among the Urban Fellows Program. Most recently he meeting, Schumer pledged his support events planned. was director of School-Based Youth Ser­ to repeal DOMA and, in the interim, to A revival service will take place on vices at New Brunswick Tomorrow, New work to provide federal recognition and April 18, 7-9 p.m., run by youth and Brunswick, N.]. portability of benefits to legally married young adults. Youth will also enjoy the Shelton Jackson He was a member of the NYS HIV same-sex couples. "Kickin' It NY Style" gathering, from 9 Prevention Planning Group, serving as Sen. Schumer is Vice Chair of the p.m. to midnight on the 18th. Shelton Jackson passes; chair of the Racial/Ethnic Committee, U.S. Senate's Democratic Conference and Highlights also will include a Medi­ and was elected Community Co-Chair­ the highest-ranking member of the Sen­ tational Chapel reserved for quiet medi­ was HIV activist, author person in 2007 and e-elected in 2008. ate to endorse marriage equality. tation, and "Old School New School," a Activist, motivational speaker and Ron himself expressed his passion and Among other topics discussed at the musical journey from the '60s to today, author Shelton Samad Jackson passed commitment when he said, "My vision is meeting were continued HIV and Ryan hosted by KeKe Valasquez Lord, Miss away after his long battle with HIV/AIDS to help recruit and grow the next genera­ White Care Act funding, appointment Gay Rochester, on April 18, 9 p.m. to in early May in Newark, NJ. He was 3l. tion of leaders for the development and of openly LGBT people to the federal midnight. The conference will close with Jackson was nationally known for his advancement of healthy urban communi­ bench, special issues facing LGBT youth a worship service on Sunday, April 19, at speaking appearances with Hope's Voice ties throughout the state of New York." and seniors, the U.S. Census (which is 10 a.m. International, a non-profit movement of Ron's precious and valuable life was declining to include legally married same For more information, call Tawa Pano HIV-positive youth speakers who travel lost in the February plane crash in Clar­ sex couples) and passage of a trans-inclu­ at 585-568-8391 or e-mail tawapanoufc. across the country to promote education ence Center, outside Buffalo. A celebra­ sive Employment Nondiscrimination Act org. and awareness. tion of his life was held on Feb. 26 at (ENDA) and hate crimes legislation . • Todd Murray, executive director, said, Workplace issues are on "I learned much from Shelton. He was a the agenda at Nazareth man that deeply committed to those he loved and his life. (He) was so determined Mark]. Brostoff will present a work­ to show the world that it is not what our shop, "Becoming Visible in the Work­ challenges are, it is how we respond that place: Changing Times for Gays and shows who we are." Lesbians," at Nazareth College on April According to Jackson's biography on l. the Hope's Voice website, he met and fell Attendees will review issues faced by in love with his first partner in New York GLBT people in the workplace; review City in June 1996. Two years into their issues and questions faced by gay students relationship, his partner tested positive on coming out at work and during the for HIY. Three months later he too tested Using dog-friendly methods to promote job search; identify valuable resources to HIV-positive. Four years later the partner a better relationship assist gay students in evaluating compa­ died in his arms after he was removed between you and Premier Dog nies in regards to issues of nondiscrimina­ him from the life support machines that your dog. tion and employee groups; discover how were keeping him alive. Training to address concerns of gay students at In May 2005, Jackson released his the career counselor level when the coun­ first book, The Second Chapter: Accept­ A Good Reason for Good Dogs selor is not gay, and learn how to counsel ance. "It was the physical representation GLBT students making the transition of my life in a form that I hoped others from school to work. could learn from. It was also a symbol of Offering private training This seminar is designed for career my being able to complete a long-term and group classes services professionals, as a starting point goal," said Jackson. "It was six years in the 585,764,8187 Serving the Greater Rochester Area in considering issues faced by GLBT stu­ making, and I had finally finished it. It Email-PremierPetsOrochaster.rr.com I dents during the job-search process and also represented my metamorphosis into 4 A THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • NUMBER 422 • APRIL 2009

Tchen will guide the Council wisely as its N.J. marriage bill may be members address these important issues." The White House Council on Women delayed in 2009 and Girls will ensure that agencies across Recently there has been speculation News s the federal government, not just a few that New Jersey may be the next state to offices, take into account the particular approve legal marriage for gay men and needs and concerns of women and girls. lesbians. NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL The Council will begin its work by asking However, New Jersey Assembly mem­ each agency to analyze their current status ber Reed Gusciora (D-Princeton), a spon­ and ensure that they are focused internal­ sor of the bill, told the New York Blade ly and externally on women. in February that while there is expressed pioneers, as well as a web site with pho­ Burundi rejects law In particular, the Council will work support for a New Jersey marriage equal­ imposing prison terms tos, history, memorial listing and updates to enhance, support and coordinate the ity bill, "the votes aren't there." --www.angelfire.com/on2/glf2000. efforts of existing programs for women Gusciora attributed the possible delay The Senate of the African nation of Among those involved in the current and girls. The Council will also work as to the fact that the entire ssembly is up Burundi has rejected a bill which would effort to expand the network of GLF a resource for each agency and the White for election in the fall, and legislators fear "alumni" are Nikos Diaman of Cali­ hav imposed a three month prison sen­ House so that there is a comprehensive losing votes. A Zogby poll in January tence for engaging in homosexual sex, the fornia, Martha Shelley of Oregon, Bob approach to the federal government's poli­ showed, however, that N.]. voters sup­ Bland of Arizona, Tommi Avicolli Mecca BBC reported. cy on women and girls. The priorities will port marriage equality by 50.1 to 42.3 of California, Perry Brass of New York, The bill was approved last year by the be carried out by working closely with the percent. lower house of the legislature. Mark Segal of Pennsylvania, Allen Young President's Cabinet Secretaries and rel­ A state commission report recently However, Burundi law still punishes of Massachusetts and Roberto Camp of evant agency offices that focus on women ruled that civil unions (legalized in N.]. sodomy under a law banning "immoral Mexico. and families. in 2006) are not an adequate substitute acts," and Islamic law may be enforced Organizers are interested in hearing During its first year, the Council will for legal marriage, and urged the state regardless of national law. from members not already in touch. The also focus on the following areas: legislature to move forward with marriage pioneering activists, or friends who have Homosexual conduct is illegal in 75 Improving women's economic security equality. information about such individuals, are countries, mostly in Africa and the Mid­ by ensuring that each of the agencies is At the Human Rights Campaign asked to provide names, GLF chapter loca­ dle East. Punishments in some countries working to directly improve the economic fundraiser on Feb. 7, N.]. Governor Jon tion, and all contact information, includ­ include execution. status of women. Corzine expressed strong support for mar­ ing phone, e-mail and mail address. -Gay City News Working with each agency to ensure riage rights and said he would happily Information about deceased members that the administration evaluates and sign such a bill when it came to his desk. is also wanted. The organizers can be develops policies that establish a balance He did not, however, get specific about Gay Liberation pioneers contacted bye-mail or USPS as follows: between work and family. timelines. Nikos Diaman, 2950 Van Ness Avenue # seek "lost" colleagues Working hand-in-hand with the Vice Steven Goldstein, chairperson of Gar­ 4, San Francisco, CA 94109-1036; nadia­ President, the Justice Department's Office den State Equality, disagreed with Reed for reunion in June [email protected]. of Violence Against Women and other Gusciora. He told the Blade that there is Former members of the Gay Libera­ government officials to find new ways to a "strong" chance that marriage equality tion Front (GLF), the organization that Obama creates White prevent violence against women, at home will pass this year, in part because of the launched the modern gay rights move­ House Council on and abroad. economic crisis. ment in the wake of the June 1969 Finally, the critical work of the Coun­ Goldstein noted that same sex mar­ Stonewall Rebellion in New York City, Women and Girls cil will be to help build healthy families riage in the state would add an estimated are seeking information about "lost" col­ On March 11, President Obama signed and improve women's health care. $248 million to state economy over the leagues as they plan reunions in June to an Executive Order creating the White The White House Council on Women next three years. mark the 40th anniversary of Stonewall. House Council on Women and Girls. and Girls will meet regularly, and will - Trenton Straube and Chris Johnson, The reunions, including possible con­ The mission of the Council will be to serve as a forum for all involved agencies The New York Blade tingents in Gay Pride parades in New York provide a coordinated federal response to to focus on women. and San Francisco, are being planned to the challenges confronted by women and Initial members of the Council include Gays welcome exit of include former gay, lesbian, bisexual and girls and to ensure that all Cabinet and The Secretary of State, The Secretary of transgendered members of GLF chapters Cabinet-level agencies consider how their the Treasury, The Secretary of Defense, hate-monger Dobson throughout the nation and the world. policies and programs impact women and The Attorney General, The Secretary of Truth Wins Out (TWO) expressed Approximately 100 people are already families. Interior, The Secretary of Agriculture, its hope on March 2 that James Dobson's connected to the planning group, while The Council will be chaired by Val­ The Secretary of Commerce, The Secre­ resignation as chairman of Focus on the among those "lost" or otherwise unreach­ erie Jarrett, Assistant to the President and tary of Labor, The Secretary of Health Family would eventually lead the anti-gay able are the following: Senior Advisor, and will include as mem­ and Human Services, The Secretary of organization in a new direction. Mike Boyle, John Brault/Murphy, bers cabinet-level federal agencies. The Housing and Urban Development, The Dobson has created an entire industry Kathy Braun, Tom Buckingham, David Executive Director of the Council will be Secretary of Transportation, The Secre­ that distorts the lives of gay and lesbian Elbaz, Mark Ericson, Jesse Fallon, Bob Tina Tchen, Deputy Assistant to the Pres­ tary of Energy, The Secretary of Educa­ people for political gain, says TWO. Fauss, Richard Farrell, Marta Ferro, Steve ident and Director of the Office of Public tion, The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, "James Dobson's legacy of lies has Gavin, Donna Gottshalk, Paul Guzzardo, Liaison at the White House. The Secretary of Homeland Security, The caused significant pain for gay and lesbi­ Gerald Hansen, Craig Hoke, March Hoff­ "The purpose of this Council is to United States Ambassador to the United an people and their families," said Wayne man, Jim Jordan, Bill Katzenberg, Larry ensure that American women and girls Nations, The United States Trade Rep­ Besen, executive director of Truth Wins Kehoe, Roger Kornhaber, Bernard Lewis, are treated fairly in all matters of pub­ resentative, The Director of the Office of Out. "We hope his departure will eventu­ Pat Maxwell, Stephanie Meyers, Nova, lic policy," said President Obama. "My Management and Budget, The Admin­ ally signal a shift in tone and end Focus Jack Openhym, Barbara Payne, Roberta Administration has already made impor­ istrator of the Environmental Protection on the Family's destructive attacks against Rheume, Ana Sanchez, Roni Schnitzer, tant progress toward that goal. I am proud Agency, The Administrator of the Small gay and lesbian Americans." Charles Shoe, Lin Stephen, Ruben Toro, that the first bill I signed into law was the Business Administration, The Director of The Associated Press reports that Dob­ Kay Van Deurs, Tom White, Ann Wil­ Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act. the Office of Personnel Management, The son, 72, will still be a powerful presence. son, Barry, Dore, Marty from Queens and But I want to be clear that issues like equal Chair of the Council of Economic Advi­ He will continue to host his daily radio Liban from Paris. pay, family leave, child care and others are sors, The Director of the National Eco­ show, which reaches 1.5 million listeners The current reconnection among not just women's issues, they are family nomic Council and The Director of the in the United States. A Focus on the Fam­ GLFers started in the fall of 2007, when issues and economic issues. Our progress Domestic Policy Council. ily spokesman also said he will "continue an obituary about New York activist and in these areas is an important measure of In addition to the initial list of mem­ to speak out as he always has -- a private GLF member Bob Kohler was circulated whether we are truly fulfilling the prom­ bers, the President may designate addi­ citizen and not a representative of the via the Internet. GLFer Nikos Diaman ise of our democracy for all our people. I tional heads of other Executive Branch organization he founded." already maintained a list with some of the am confident that Valerie Jarrett and Tina departments, agencies, and offices. "It is time for Focus on the Family to

We offer a wide range of ~)MCC. confidential services to help you f"..J OPEN ARMS take control of your health: METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH • GYN Check-ups

Join US on the journey • HIV/STD Testing in a vibrant community of faith. • Counseling

740 Marshall Road, Call 1-866-600-6886 to make Rochester, New York 14624 an appointment or for more Website: www.frontier.net/~oamcc information. Or visit www.pprsr.org E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 585-271-8478 Most insurances accepted. Financial assistance may be available. APRIL 2009 • NUMBER 422 • GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • THE EMPTY CLOSET A 5 abandon the politics of polarization and "Barack Obama's election has inflamed lies and Friends of Lesbians and Gays ''As President Obama has so often choose moderate leaders who are not fix­ racist extremists who see it as another sign (PFLAG) reported on March 9 that it has reminded us, change doesn't come from ated on culture wars," said Besen. "This that their country is under siege by non­ received at least 75 inquiries about start­ Washington, it comes to Washington," would also be a good time for the orga­ whites," said Mark Potok, editor of the ing new chapters in communities across Huckaby said. "That change in our cul­ nization to consider abandoning its failed Intelligence Report, a quarterly investi­ the country since Election Day 2008. ture, our communities and our country 'ex-gay' ministry, Love Won Out." gative journal that monitors the radical The significant spike in requests about begins with local PFLAG chapters, and In Nov. 2008, Truth Wins Out pro­ right. "The idea of a black man in the founding chapters follows passage of anti­ our national office is working hard to tested Dobson's selection into the Radio White House, combined with the deepen­ equality ballot initiatives in California, make sure that everyone who wants to Hall of Fame. In the past two years, ing economic crisis and continuing high Arkansas, Florida and the premiere of the bring PFLAG to their community has the TWO has found eight researchers in three levels of Latino immigration, has given films Milk and Prayers for Bobby, which resources and support to do so." countries who say that Dobson has dis­ white supremacists a real platform on portrayed the true story of Mary Griffith, For a complete list of PFLAG chap­ torted their work. Videos and letters that which to recruit." a PFLAG mother's journey from reject­ ters, visit the organization online at www. these scientists sent to Dobson can be Several white supremacists have been ing her gay son to becoming an advocate pflag.org. viewed at www.Respectmyresearch.org. arrested while allegedly plotting to kill for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and -/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ Dobson's rhetoric is so divisive that Obama and following the election he trans gender people. The organization, rightwing former House Majority Leader received more threats than any previous which already boasts nearly 500 chapters Attitudes change on Dick Armey (R-TX) said, "Dobson and president-elect. Scores of racially charged and affiliates across the country, is work­ his gang of thugs are real nasty bullies." incidents -- beatings, effigy burnings, ing with local allies who have expressed medical marijuana Focus on the Family co-founder Gil Alex­ racist graffiti, threats and intimidation interest in bringing PFLAG to their com­ As the 10th anniversary of the Insti­ ander Moegerle said, "I believe Dobson­ -- were reported across the country after munities. tute of Medicine's historic report recog­ style politics have been inept, simplistic, the election. "If there is a silver lining to the set-back nizing marijuana's value as a medicine exclusionary, divisive and alarmingly sec­ Extremists are also exploiting the eco­ our families experienced on Election Day, approaches, medical marijuana patients tarian ... James Dobson's political style has nomic crisis, spreading propaganda that it is that our allies in communities across and advocates see policy finally beginning been one of relentlessly demonizing his blames minorities and immigrants for the country have started to mobilize at the to match scientific reality. adversaries." the subprime mortgage meltdown. Tough local level and work for change," said J ody In late February, U.S. Attorney Gen­ Dobson told The Daily Oklahoman economic times historically provide fer­ M. Huckaby, PFLAG's executive director. eral Eric Holder confirmed that President on Oct. 23, 2004 that, "Homosexuals are tile ground for extremist movements. (See "From coast to coast, families have been Obama's campaign promise to end Drug not monogamous. They want to destroy http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelre­ inspired to organize because of issues like Enforcement Administration attacks on the institution of marriage. It will destroy port/article.jsp?aid=1 0 11) Proposition 8, and empowered by the state medical marijuana laws "is now marriage. It will destroy the Earth." Dob­ As this issue of the Intelligence Report example of heroes and heroines like Har­ American policy." In November, Michi­ son also told The Daily Oklahoman that points out, minority-bashing propaganda vey Milk and Mary Griffith. New PFLAG gan voters passed a medical marijuana law Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) is "a God's can spread rapidly through the media, chapters are forming in critically impor­ by the largest margin ever racked up by people hater. I don't know ifhe hates God, even when it has no basis in fact. The tant districts and existing PFLAG chap­ such an initiative, and medical marijuana but he hates God's people." issue examines the widespread media ters in many communities are reporting bills are moving steadily forward in legis­ Truth W'tns Out is a non-profit orga­ reporting of a false claim that undocu­ an increase in their membership. Today, latures across the country, including Min­ nization that defends gay, lesbian, bisexual mented immigrants held five million bad our families, allies and loved ones are nesota, Illinois and New Jersey. and transgender people against anti-gay mis­ mortgages and were, therefore, responsible organizing and pressing for change as they After California voters passed the information campaigns. TWO also counters for the subprime mortgage crisis - not the never have before." nation's first effective medical marijua­ the "ex-gay" industry and educates America banks and Wall Street. PFLAG says it has received inqui­ na law in November 1996, the Clin­ about gay life. The hate groups listed in this issue ries about starting new chapters in states ton administration asked the Institute © 2008 Truth Wins OUT include neo-Nazis, white nationalists, neo­ such as Mississippi, Alabama, Ohio, Flor­ of Medicine to review existing research Confederates, racist skinheads, Klansmen ida, California, Utah, Texas and Idaho, and report on potential medical uses of Hate groups grow 54 and black separatists. Other groups target among others. In Texas, a half-dozen peo­ marijuana. The report, "Marijuana and percent since 2000 gays or immigrants, and some specialize ple have expressed an interest in organiz­ Medicine: Assessing the Science Base," in producing racist music or propaganda ing a local PFLAG presence and at least while cautiously and carefully written, According to the Southern Poverty denying the Holocaust. four inquiries have come from California, clearly acknowledged marijuana's thera­ Law Center (SPLC), the number of hate where many community leaders are work­ peutic value for some seriously ill patients, groups operating in the United States con­ ing to rally allies in the wake of Proposi­ stating, "Nausea, appetite loss, pain, and tinued to rise in 2008 and has grown by New Mexico senate tion 8's passage. The national office has anxiety are all afflictions of wasting and 54 percent since 2000, an increase fueled defeats partnership bill also heard from organizers in Tennessee, all can be mitigated by marijuana." last year by immigration fears, a failing Missouri, South Dakota, New York and The report acknowledged the draw­ The New Mexico state senate has economy and the successful campaign of New Jersey. backs of smoking and urged creation rejected a bill creating domestic partner­ Barack Obama, according to the "Year In Indiana, local allies have organized of a "rapid-onset, non-smoked cannabi­ ships, which, opponents said, was "mar­ in Hate" issue of the SPLC's Intelligence a new PFLAG chapter in Terre Haute. noid delivery system," but added, "In the riage in disguise." Report released March 2. Writing in the Terre Haute Star-Tribune, meantime, there are patients with debili­ Supporters of the bill re-wrote it at (See the report at http://www.splcen­ columnist Stephanie Salter praised the tating symptoms for whom smoked mari­ the last minute to remove anything that ter.org/intel/intelreport/intrep.j sp ?iid =48.) new chapter, noting that, "the organiza­ juana might provide relief." resembled references to marriage, but The SPLC identified 926 hate groups tion is based on personal relationships Studies published since 1999 have 10 Democrats joined the Republicans to active in 2008, up more than four per­ -- familial, collegial, among friends. It is verified that marijuana vaporizers provide defeat the measure, 25-17. cent from the 888 groups in 2007 and always the personal level at which the most just the sort of rapid, non-smoked delivery far above the 602 groups documented in Governor Bill Richardson, who has effective consciousness raising occurs." the 10M suggested. 2000. A list and interactive, state-by-state supported the bill for several years, said, Chapter organizers told Salter they were Until recently, federal officials ignored map of these groups can be viewed at "I'm disappointed by the Senate's actions inspired to bring PFLAG to Terre Haute the findings, prompting co-author Dr. http://www.splcenter.org/intellmap/hate. in defeating what is fundamentally an after viewing Prayers for Bobby, the film John Benson to tell The New York Times issue of civil rights and equality." jsp. based on the story of Griffith, and seeing in 2006 that the government "loves to As in recent years, hate groups were The bill would have allowed gay and the change in their own families. ignore our report .... They would rather it animated by fears of Latino immigration. lesbian couples to register as domestic "When I saw that change in my moth­ never happened." This rise in hate groups has coincided partners, and receive the same legal rights er, I thought, 'This is important,'" David "For 10 long years the federal govern­ with a 40 percent growth in hate crimes and protections as heterosexual couples. Turner told the paper. "I've been out for ment waged a war against science, and against Latinos between 2003 and 2007, -Washington Blade 11 or 12 years, but I was not necessarily against the sick and suffering, but the according to FBI statistics. that active. What was I doing?" Obama administration has clearly sig­ Two new factors were introduced to PFLAG growth on Huckaby says the new chapters under­ naled that this insane war on patients is the volatile hate movement in 2008: the upswing since election score the fact that, even today, PFLAG is going to end," said Rob Kampia, executive faltering economy and the Obama cam­ a critical part of communities across the director of the Marijuana Policy Project in paign. The national office of Parents, Fami- country. (NewsFronts continue on page 8)

MARK SIWIEC SOFIA'S ~ CUSTOM CARPENTRY REAL ESTATE

• BUILT-INS • KITCHENS • BATHS • THE ART OF DESIGNING AND BUILDING A PROJECT IS IN ITS ABILITY TO ENDURE

• GRANITE • STEEL • GLASS • WOOD •

ERIC FRANZ KRUG 585-703-0001 PORTFOLIO AVAILABLE 6 A THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • NUMBER 422 • APRIL 2009

nothing to fear from the police or legal cerport reacted? system; they can be turned to. LN: No, I will not go back to the EC: How did you feel about Par­ Snuggery. That was a rare thing (for us sons' statement that you "deserved to be in a bar). We went there because w at you got"? a friend's mother was beaten up by her LN: Throughout the whole court­ boyfriend and this was meant to be a room you could hear a gasp. chance for her to get out of the house and Before he spoke, I had a chance to to give her a good time. We don't go to talk and I said, "I'd like the court to a lot of bars. know that I am showing sympathy in I'd say 90 percent of people in Spen­ this case. I've found a way to forgive him, cerport (my home town) were very sup­ knowing he's somebody's son." The rea­ portive and the other 10 percent just son I did this was to say, "You did this didn't talk about it. Perfect strangers because I am who I am - but because I came up to me and shook my hand and am who I am, I can forgive you." told me, "I am so sorry". An elderly The judge said, "You're a bigger man woman told me that she is praying for than most who walk into this courtroom. me. I was shocked at the way people I respect you for being as forgiving as stood up for me - with open arms. you are - but you don't have to feel that EC: How has the Gay Alliance been way." helpful to you? What would you say That's when I sat down and Jesse to people who have experienced hate stood up and said, ''I'm sorry I beat attacks or harassment? Lance as bad as I did but he deserved LN: The Gay Alliance was there what he got." for me right from the beginning. They It was a total slap in the face. I helped to hand out fliers at the post thought, you just said in front of me that office in Spencerport. Then Ozzie and I 11 you don't care - you almost killed me went to Albany for a gay rights rally and we met Scott and a lot of people from the ~ and I deserved it? Because I'm gay? Gay Alliance, and they let us know "you ii I have never been that angry and 5 never felt that much hate. don't have to go through this alone and ..______.. 6: When I woke up in the hospital after you don't have to keep quiet." Lance Neve the attack, Ozzie and I talked (as I went I would tell people to call the Gay in and out of consciousness) and I told Alliance immediately. They can expect By Susan Jordan attack and the trial. Ozzie, "I have to forgive him, because if open arms and to really know that they Lance Neve was viciously beaten in Empty Closet: How are you doing I don't it will be on my shoulders." are not alone. The Gay Alliance will let you know who to contact and how to a bar in Spencerport in March 2008 by and do you have any continuing physi­ After Jesse said that, the six or seven contact them. For me, it was a smile and a man who made anti-gay statements. cal problems? How has this changed officers present surrounded Jesse and a hug - it was very warming to know that On Dec. 23, his attacker, Jesse Parsons, your life? handcuffed him immediately. Ozzie and there's somebody behind you. pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five Lance Neve: No physical problems. I were taken into a back room immedi­ Ove (Overmyer, EC staff reporter and a half years in prison on a second­ I'm 100 percent back to normal. It's all ately. The night before I had gotten an degree assault charge. more emotional than physical. who interviewed Lance after the attack) e-mail from Jesse's girlfriend's mom, say­ was wonderful. We loved Ove! Every­ Parsons would have received a year I have a really good support team, ing "What goes around comes around" and a half less if he had not made an including Ozzie (Maldonado, his part­ body was just wonderful to us. and what a bad person I am. There was EC: Anything you'd like to add? extraordinary statement to the judge on ner) and family members. It's made us a third-party order of protection for me; Nov. 20. He said, "I didn't mean to hurt all grow so much closer. That's also what LN: I'd pretty much say that if they were aware that I might still be in you are a victim, let it be known as I love about the Gay Alliance - Scott Lance as bad as I did, but he deserved danger. loud as you can, because there's a what he got." (Fearing) and all of them. I always knew EC: Have you been back to the point where you go from victim to Judge Keenan immediately called a they were there. Snuggery (the bar where the attack survivor - and there are people there halt to the proceedings, while police offi­ Before this, I had honestly never in occurred)? How have people in Spen- to help you do that . • cers re-arrested Parsons and handcuffed my life had somebody have an issue that him. Neve had received a threatening I was gay. I lived in this perfect little e-mail the night before from the mother world. When that happened, it shattered of Parsons' girlfriend, so officers whisked everything that I thought my world was. Neve away to another room, in case Par­ I had this perfect picture where people sons or his supporters planned to attack were always nice to me. That's what hurts Elaine Elkins, M.S. him again. me the most - it's changed my view of In addition to serving time, Parsons the world. I never thought something Psychotherapist will pay Neve's medical expenses of over violent would happen to me. I've never 244... 4837 $24,000. Neve experienced fractures to surrounded myself with negative people. his face and skull and blood on the EC: What was the trial like for Individual & Relationship Counseling brain. you? Lance will speak about his experienc­ LN: The whole trial process was es after the Annual Crime Victims Walk, wonderful. The DA (Perry Duckles) was Anxiety & Depression on May 2 at the Crime Victims Memori­ amazing. I'd always heard horror stories Loneliness & Separation al in Highland Park. The walk begins at about dealing with the system, but they 9:30 a.m. at the Crime Victims Resource treated me and Ozzie wonderful. The Conflict Resolution Center, 244 S. Plymouth Ave., and will Ogden Police Department, DA Duckles Communication Skills go to the Memorial in Highland Park. and his assistant - everyone was amaz­ The Gay Alliance urges all members of ing. Sexual Abuse Recovery the LGBT community to come out and The DA made the whole process very support Lance and the others who will clear to us; he was very detailed and on Drug & Alcohol Abuse be speaking. top of it. It was sad that we had to go on Grief & Loss The Empty Closet recently spoke with as long as we had to, trying someone who Lance about his condition now and his was clearly guilty. feelings about the double ordeals of the People need to know that they have

• Plumbing • Heating Turner • Cooling Established 1977. www.TurnerPlumbingHeating.net en ...... = III: furnace & Boi'er ... -....== Clean & Check & Install en...... en - ... :...... == ...= 241-1884 en $15. Off a Furnace Clean & Check Cannot be combined with any other offer. Expires 4/30109 APRIL 2009 • NUMBER 422 • GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • THE EMPTY CLOSET A 7

kind of tripped and fell over," Sablowski early that morning, she went to her vehicle resume in a career that has taken him from FROM PAGE ONE said, adding that Arena's car stopped once with Dalesandro and Bowers. An alterca­ rural Pennsylvania and Baltimore, Md. to she hit the crowd. Sablowski also said that tion ensued once a group of up to 10 peo­ Rochester. In an interview with The Empty (Arena from page 1) Arena then tried to put her car in reverse ple surrounded Arena's vehicle and she was Closet, Haag said he is running because but it did not move. "I saw the tires spin­ punched about three times in the head. of his "life experiences"-- he is confident east Rochester bar and drove into the ning." "Someone threw a punch at Toni he can make a valuable contribution to crowd to help friend Toni Dalesandro, Amanda Kerr, 28, testified that she saw (Dalesandro) that knocked her glasses off improving the quality of life for all who who was being attacked by the same man the Buick strike the women and thought onto my car," Arena said. She added that call Rochester home. Haag lives in the who had just punched Arena in the face. Coleman had avoided being hit. "I did not then the man who punched Dalesandro Park Ave. neighborhood with his partner, Arena hoped that the combatants would know how he managed to make it under­ dragged her by the hair a few feet away Bill Schaefer. scatter when they saw the car approach. neath the car," she said under oath. from the vehicle. That is when she started Eleven city Democratic legislative dis­ "It didn't go that way," Damelio said. Kerr was one of several witnesses to her vehicle and turned left toward where tricts will meet this spring to officially "But that doesn't make it murder and that take the stand. Katharine Rinallo, 22, Dalesandro was being attacked by several endorse city council candidates. According doesn't make it manslaughter." Damelio testified that she was trying to break up people, Arena said. to the Monroe County Board of Elections, argued that the prosecution failed to prove a fight between Dalesandro and a man in "It all happened so quickly," Arena said. no registered Republican candidates had its allegation that Arena committed murder the parking lot in front of Nasty D's when She testified that she does not remember filed any documents in regard to the 2009 while acting with depraved indifference. she and Dalesandro fell to the ground. feeling her vehicle come into contact with city council election as of March 16. According to a prosecution witness, the Rinallo said she was on her stomach when people. Haag and Chappius both say if they are incident was centered on an apparent love she saw headlights coming toward her. In her closing remarks, Assistant Dis­ not in the top five nominated candidates triangle that began at least a month ear­ "I put my hands over my head," she trict Attorney Julie Finocchio said Arena after the MCDC process, as of this date lier. That was the testimony of Dominique said, adding that the vehicle's tires ran over was still seething with rage during the inci­ they still plan on petitioning in June so Sablowski, 19, who was called to the stand her back and legs. dent's aftermath. their names appear on the primary ballot early on March 11. Several witnesses said they saw the Karen Anne Bills, a neighbor of the in September. • Sablowski testified that she attacked vehicle Arena was driving attempt to go in bar, put an ax through the windshield of Arena in the parking lot outside the bar reverse, after she struck some individuals, Arena's car in an attempt to get her to stop moments before Arena drove her Buick trying to back up her car, which was hung but her tires were spinning and the vehicle (Tax Day from page 1) into the crowd, killing Chad Coleman, 22, up off the ground on Coleman's body. She did not move. are legal, such as those which were per­ of Greece, and hurting four others. Sablow­ Kerr, who said she had known Cole­ told Arena not to move. Arena could be formed in Massachusetts or Canada. ski said she was upset that Arena had been heard on the 911 audiotape shouting, "I got man for about four years before his death, In past years, the numerous people flirtatious with another woman, Emily testified that after Arena's vehicle stopped, (expletive) hit! Don't tell me!" Bowers. Sablowski said she had dated Bow­ "That is enraged," Finocchio said. going to the P.O. to mail their returns on she went underneath the car to talk to April 15 have usually waved or honked ers for about two years; by August, the rela­ Coleman. Kerr said Coleman was respon­ "That is anger. That's not fear." tionship had ended, she said. -Includes reporting by Joseph Granville their car horns in support. Very few have sive when she first spoke to him. displayed hostility. • Before being struck and killed by Arena, "He said 'Amanda, help me,'" Kerr Baker . Chad Coleman bent down to help some recalled. "I kind of stroked his head and women who were on the ground in the told him he was going to be OK and that parking lot after the altercation, accord­ Bar neighbor was help was (coming)." (California from page 1) ing to a friend of his who witnessed the She said that about a minute later, Arena case witness incident. Kennard, who had been part of the majority, police and firefighters arrived. Coleman seemed unconvinced by the pro-gay lawyers' Opening statements begin; prosecu­ was pronounced dead a short time later. Karen Anne Bills lives next to Nasty D's bar and across the street arguments. Without their votes, Proposition tion and defense clash Defendant had "slurred speech" and from the bar's parking lot. Karen 8 is almost certain to survive, Dolan said. Both the prosecution and the defense "bloodshot eyes" needs a cane to walk. On Aug. 13, The other two justices who ruled in in the trial of Sandra Arena agreed that According to a police officer on the 2008, the night of the incident, she favor of marriage rights in 2008 -- Carlos R. she drove her 1999 Buick into the crowd of scene, Arena appeared to have slurred heard unusual sounds coming from Moreno and Kathryn Mickle Werdegar -­ people. But on Tuesday, March 10, the two speech, bloodshot eyes and a flushed com­ the parking lot. seemed more open to the revision challenge. sides disagreed on how the incident itself plexion. In addition, two Monroe County She picked up her cell phone, but However, their votes alone are not enough to should be classified. medical examiners said her blood alcohol could not find her cane quickly, so overturn Prop 8. In her opening statements during the level was 0.08, a limit defined as a crime to she grabbed her grandfather's long­ Kate Kendall, executive director of the first day of Arena's murder trial, Monroe operate a vehicle in New York State. handled axe to use as a cane. She National Center for Lesbian Rights, which County District Attorney Julie Finocchio Andrew Taylor, a Rochester police offi­ told The Empty Closet that she stood represented some of the plaintiffs, acknowl­ said Arena acted with depraved indifference cer who gave Arena several sobriety tests, in front of Sandra Arena's car, which edged that the court had not reacted posi­ to human life, warranting a conviction of said when he came onto the scene, he saw was still on Chad Coleman's body, tively to the arguments against Prop 8. second-degree murder in connection with four people lying on the ground screaming yelling for her to stop and turn off The court did seem willing to uphold the Aug. 13 incident. in pain and one person underneath a vehi­ the ignition. When that didn't work, the marriages of an estimated 18,000 same­ Arena allegedly drove into the crowd cle. He said Arena had had a margarita at she used the axe to smash though the sex couples who wed before Prop 8 was about 1:45 a.m. at Alexander St. and Salena's Mexican Restaurant on Goodman driver's side front window. Her voice approved by voters on Nov. 5. Even Justice Broadway after an altercation with another St., along with another drink and water at is heard on the 911 audiotape played Marvin Baxter, the court's most conservative woman that began in Nasty D's Bar & another pub on Alexander St. before the at the trial, telling Arena not to leave member, observed that the couples got mar­ Grill, 140 Alexander St. She was accused incident. Taylor said she struggled to walk the car. ried after receiving the right by "the highest of killing Coleman when her car drove in a straight line during the sobriety test. court of the state." over him and injuring Emily Bowers, 22; Karen Anne said that for weeks Karen Mahoney, a Monroe County and months after the incident, visi­ "How can we deny the validity of those Katharine Rinallo, 21; Toni Dalesandro, medical examiner forensic toxicologist, said tors young and old, gay and straight, marriages?" Baxter asked. 21 and Amy Gifford, 21. Arena initially she received Arena's blood sample, taken at He did not explain how he justified told police that she "didn't intend to hurt came by the site to remember Chad 3:20 a.m. that night at Strong Memorial Coleman, leaving flowers, teddy bears upholding these marriages and yet denying anyone" and was "trying to escape a fight" Hospital and performed two tests with her valid marriages to all other gay couples. when she drove into the crowd. and candles. blood alcohol level testing 0.087 the first -joseph Granville Baker The court's ruling must be issued by June Defense attorney Damelio called the time and 0.080 the second, both at or over 3. The Court will announce that it is ready to incident "an accident" that was "not meant the legal limit. make the decision the day before it is issued. to happen." Damelio said Arena acted with Trial enters second week Activists in San Diego are calling for a Nation­ negligence but argued that it was not a At the beginning of the second week of al Day of Decision to react to the ruling. depraved action. testimony, the doctor who did the autopsy (Democrats from page 1) Vigils were held by gay rights advocates The prosecution alleged that Arena had at the medical examiner's office described be sentenced again sometime in June. in 12 cities nationwide on March 4. the chance to leave the parking lot when Coleman's injuries suffered that night in Bill Pritchard, who served in city gov­ -Some information from Maura Dolan, the fight expanded and moved away from August 2008. Some of Coleman's family ernment for nearly 18 years, announced on The Los Angeles Times; Washington Blade; her, but made a 180-degree turn and hit left the courtroom visibly upset when the Feb. 9 his plans to step down as vice presi­ Andy Humm, Gay City News . the five people, including her friends Dale­ testimony started. dent at the end of the year; he will not run sandro and Bowers. "I don't know how, at any point, one for re-election. Democratic incumbents During the first day of the trial, several can find someone innocent of all the hor­ Gladys Santiago, Dana Miller and Car­ first-responders testified. Two witnesses­ rible things that happened that day," said olee Conklin are all seeking re-election. a Rochester police officer and an Emergen­ Coleman's Aunt Latanya Morse, as she According to Sean Hart, communications cy Medical Technician - described how spoke outside the courtroom to several director for the Monroe County Demo­ Coleman's body was trapped underneath news outlets covering the story. Morse said cratic Committee (MCDC), all of the the Buick that struck him. she expected a guilty verdict. returning incumbents will be endorsed by EMT Roy McLymond said he was one When Arena took the stand, she testi­ MCDC, leaving the possibility of one or of two people who helped pull Coleman fied that she was trying to break up a fight two new seats open. from underneath the car by his legs after when she drove toward the skirmish. "I According to Chappius' website, his firefighters had lifted the vehicle. Cole­ wanted them to separate, to get off Toni resume shows a background in managing a man was face down while pinned under (Dalesandro)," said the defendant. small business, as well as a strong commit­ the car and was then turned face up by While Arena said repeatedly during her ment to community service. Chappius has McLymond so he could check his pulse, testimony that she did not intend to hurt been the chair of the Neighbors Building which he could not find. Coleman was or kill anyone with her vehicle, Monroe Neighborhoods, Sector 6 since 2006 and pronounced dead at the scene. County ADA Finocchio said Arena could is the president of the Swillburg Neigh­ Robert Daniels Evidence technician Officer Mark have made other choices that night. borhood Association. He says these skills, 585-467-6456 Walker said he took various photos of the "It shows that she was aware of the along with his desire to create a positive scene and of Coleman's body. He testified risks that she took," Finocchio said about change for our city, make him a strong can­ Guaranteed that two abrasions on Coleman's buttocks Arena's testimony. didate for Rochester City Council. Clock Cleaning were "consistent with being dragged by a However, defense attorney Damelio Chappius works as an office manager motor-vehicle." said Arena made her choice because she for Crosby-Brownlie, Inc. and lives in the and Repair Dominique Sablowski said her alterca­ did not want to "abandon her friends" who Swillburg neighborhood with his partner, tion with Arena was before Arena got in were being hurt. Matt Perdue. her vehicle. "I saw her hit Amy... she (Amy) Arena said that when she left the bar Matthew Haag has built an impressive 8 A THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • NUMBER 422 • APRIL 2009

authorize same-sex marriages. His deci­ states Jorge Valencia, Executive Director bians and gays from serving openly in the NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL sion brought same-sex marriage to nation­ & CEO of Point Foundation. "Point is U.S. Armed Forces. al attention. This Conversation will be fortunate to have a wonderful friendship "On behalf of the Human Rights (Prop 8 continued from page 5) facilitated by Marcus Mabry, Enterprise with Jeffrey in order to team and create Campaign, I thank Congresswoman Washington, D.C. "With medical mari­ Editor, Business Day, The New York Times this scholarship." Tauscher for her continued leadership on juana bills advancing nationwide, it's clear and the former Senior Editor of Newsweek "JFC's involvement with the Point issues of LGBT equality and, in particu­ a new day has dawned." International. Foundation stemmed directly from the lar, her sponsorship of the Military Readi­ Studies published since the 10M 5th Annual National Interfaith Ser­ senseless murder of Lawrence. The Law­ ness Enhancement Act," said Human report was released have confirmed that vice rence King/Jeffrey Fashion Cares Point Rights Campaign President Joe Solmo­ medical marijuana can safely relieve neu­ The Rev. Susan Russell, national presi­ Scholarship was set up to ensure that nese. "Nearly 12,500 qualified individu­ ropathic pain, a particularly hard to treat dent of Integrity, will deliver the sermon this young man's memory and the crime als have been discharged from the military type of pain that afflicts millions with and be joined by representatives of major would not be forgotten," states Dan Roth­ because they were lesbian or gay, without HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, diabetes faiths for a spiritual celebration at historic mann, co-chair of JFC events. regard to the skills and expertise they pos­ and other illnesses. Other studies have Christ Church Philadelphia, the sanctu­ Co-chair Todd Sears added, "We hope sess. It's unthinkable that a policy that shown that use of medical marijuana to ary where George Washington, Benjamin that this scholarship raises awareness of prizes bigotry over the security of our relieve nausea and other drug side effects Franklin and Betsy Ross worshipped. the daily discrimination faced by our nation should remain the law of the land. is associated with better adherence to life­ National Equality Rally at Indepen­ LGBT youths in our nation's schools." We look forward to working with Con­ saving treatment regimens for HIV/AIDS dence Hall A Point Scholarship covers tuition, gress, President Obama and his Adminis­ and hepatitis C. The National Park Service (NPS) books, supplies, room and board, trans­ tration to repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't TelL'" With more than 26,000 members and has issued a First Amendment permit to portation and living expenses, and is set Approximately 80 percent of Ameri­ 100,000 e-mail subscribers nationwide, Equality Forum for the National Equal­ up with the individual college to meet the cans believe that "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest ity Rally at Independence Hall on Sun­ needs of the Point Scholar. should be repealed. Additionally, former marijuana policy reform organization in day afternoon, May 3, at Independence All Point Scholars agree to maintain Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff the United States. MPP believes that the National Historical Park. a high level of academic performance General John Shalikashvili and more than best way to minimize the harm associated Gay Pioneers Frank Kameny and Lilli and give back to the LGBT community 100 high ranking Generals and Admirals with marijuana is to regulate marijuana Vincenz will lead grassroots activists, orga­ through the completion of an individual have said the policy is harming America's in a manner similar to alcohol. For more nizations and straight allies in the March community service project. Each Point national security and needs to be repealed. information, please visit http://Marijua­ for Equality on Independence Mall from Scholar makes a personal investment in Former Secretary of State General Colin naPolicy.org. the National Constitution Center to Inde­ their own future by either working while Powell has also said that it is time for the -Bruce Merkin, Marijuana Policy Proj- pendence Hall. studying or acquiring debt to help finance policy to be reviewed. ect Regional, state and national organiza­ their education. "This discriminatory law has been tions, people of color, progressive religious However, Point Scholars receive far in place for over 15 years and will not Philly to host march, institutions, high school and college GSAs more than financial support. Point strives be repealed overnight. Repeal of Don't rally for equality in May and straight ally organizations are invited to equip Point Scholars with skills to Ask, Don't Tell requires a partnership to be co-organizers without cost or legal ensure a lifetime of exceptional leader­ with the Administration. We look for­ Philadelphia's Equality Forum will obligation. ship. They are also in contact with a sup­ ward to working with the Administration host a march and rally for equality on Organization representatives will carry port network of professionals willing to be in achieving repeal, an effort that must May 3. their organization's name on pole-mount­ personally involved in their wellbeing and include a strategy for building support in Three maj or programs were announced ed placards. Movement leaders will carry future success, a chosen family of caring the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill," con­ for the National Equality Rally at Inde­ Equality messages. Activists and straight individuals who understand. tinued Solmonese. pendence Hall, following the March for allies will be offered American and rain­ About Point Foundation The policy has been a miserable fail­ Equality on Independence Mall. bow flags and encouraged to carry Equal­ Point Foundation (Point) is the nation's ure, accomplishing the opposite of what its champions promised, HRC said. It In the National Constitution Center's ity signs. After completion of the March largest scholarship-granting organization has resulted in skyrocketing discharg­ Kirby Auditorium, where then-Senator for Equality, activists, demonstrators and for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender es, invaded service members' privacy, Barack Obama gave his speech on race, straight allies will assemble on Indepen­ (LG BT) students of merit. Point provides deprived the U.S. of valuable Arabic trans­ there will be a Conversation with Volker dence Mall for a high-impact one-hour financial support, leadership training, lators, harmed unit cohesion by breaking Beck, a member of Germany's Bundestag Rally. mentoring and hope to LGBT individu­ apart fighting teams, undermined trust (parliament) and a leader of the Euro­ For information about the National als who are marginalized because of their between soldiers and embarrassed the pean GLBT community, and a Conver­ Equality Rally at Independence Hall and sexual orientation, gender identity or gen­ military, widening the "civil-military gap" sation with San Francisco Mayor Gavin how to participate, visit www.nation­ der expression. Point provides its scholars and hampering recruitment efforts by Newsom. alequalityrally.org. For information about with the financial ability to attend the alienating Americans who view the mili­ After the National Equality Rally, Equality Forum, visit www.equalityfo­ nation's foremost higher educational insti­ tary as out of touch . • there will be a National Interfaith Service rum.com. tutions and its donors and mentors with at historic Christ Church with a sermon the rare satisfaction of directly investing by Rev. Susan Russell, national president Point scholarship to their resources and time in future genera­ Missing person of Integrity. honor Lawrence King tions of leaders. Conversation with Volker Beck For more information about Point Bronislawa "Bernice" Ferenc, 85, and Volker Beck is the leading European Point Foundation (Point), the nation's Foundation, please visit www.pointfoun­ her white 1995 Oldsmobile Delta 88 have GLBT activist and since 1994 has been largest scholarship-granting organization dation.org. Point Foundation is a 501 (c) been missing since Feb. 12. a member of Germany's parliament, the for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (3) organization. Mrs. Ferenc was shopping at Weg­ Bundestag. Beck is the father of the Ger­ (LGBT) students of merit, announced mans at 2200 East Ridge Rd. and left -/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ there at 9:40 a.m. on 02-12-09. She is not man Registered Partnership Act. In 2007, on March 3 that they will partner with believed to have returned back to her home he was attacked at Moscow's Gay Pride Jeffrey Fashion Cares OFC) to create a Rep. Tauscher seeks to after shopping. Investigators also have rea­ Parade. This Conversation will be facili­ scholarship in the memory of Lawrence son to believe Mrs. Ferenc was alone and tated by John R. Taylor, Managing Part­ King, the Oxnard, California 15-year-old replace "Don't Ask Don't operating her car, a 1995 Olds Delta 88, ner of Wellspring Advisors, and an expert gay male murdered in February 2008 in a Tell" military policy 4dsd, color white bearing NYS Registra­ on international GLBT civil rights and hate crime. tion APK-6566, on Hudson Ave. at Norton human rights violations. The four-year Lawrence King/Jef­ The Military Readiness Enhancement St. at 10:52 a.m. (02-12-09). Conversation with SF Mayor Gavin frey Fashion Cares Point Scholarship will Act (MREA) was introduced in the U.S. The family of Ms. Ferenc has increased Newsom be awarded to a Point Scholar in the House of Representatives on March 2. the initial reward for information leading San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom 2009/2010 academic year. The bill, sponsored by Congresswoman to her discovery to $10,000. garnered worldwide attention in 2004 "It is an honor to create a scholarship Ellen Tauscher (D-CA), would replace Anyone who may have spotted Ms. Fer­ enc or her vehicle is asked to call 911, the when he authorized granting marriage in the name of a young man who, from the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law Irondequoit Police at (585) 336-6013 or licenses to same-sex couples - making what I've read, showed so much promise with one of non-discrimination. CrimeStoppers at (585) 423-9300 . • San Francisco the first city in the U.S. to and was a light for many around him," "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" prohibits les-

Susan SanFilippo, C.S.W. .... 234-3561 \'t~ Pet Adoption Counseling & Psychotherapy ~~ Network - IWhy can', lift befair? Center for Rescued Pets - If I change, 1l,ill "!Y partner? -What ifftct does Hry past have on 1m? Come visit our many - rnat can J do about Hry future? rescued pets in Individual and couples therapy (sliding fee scale) need of loving homes! 500 Helendale Road, Suite 155, Rochester N .Y. 14609 4261 Culver Rd Sat& Sun Anthony G. Sandonato, CPA, J.D. 12 - 4 pm Accounting and Tax Services Menlel- ebBeriBa" Christina Smith Bring a copy of this ad Licensed Massage Therapist & receive a FREE kitty I am a licensed CPA with over 11 years experience. I provide accounting and tax services to businesses, Redeem thi. coupon playhouse - while individuals, non-profit organizations, estates and for 20% oN supplies last! trusts. QuickBooks consulting. your next massage Free initial consultation. 585-732-5792 PetAdoption Network.org 585 . 464.8957 585-338-91 75 APRIL 2009 • NUMBER 422 • GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • THE EMPTY CLOSET A 9

token person of color up in front of the tifying as Christians has dropped to 76 briefly claim they have "prayed away the TV to obscure the all-white, all reac­ percent of the population, down from gay." But, for every temporary convert tionary, all backward and there-is-no 86 percent in 1990. Fifteen percent of (it rarely, if ever, lasts a lifetime) they global-warming rube reality." Americans no say they have no reli­ turn off thousands of gay people to all ;:[he Republicans Schaefer is referring gion at all. religious belief. How does Focus on the to have lately come out of the woodwork It may be that socially conservative Family justify this as a "win"? in Utah, where State Sen. Chris But­ churches and their anti-gay pastors are Even as the Religious Right rapidly tars called GLBT advocates "the m an­ directly responsible for much of the ero­ contracts, conservatives are foolishly est buggers". A right wing organization, sion of Christianity. Sure, their mega­ demanding that Republicans veer fur­ America Forever, placed full-page ads churches may be growing. But, for every ther right. Come to think of it, Rush in the Salt Lake dailies comparing gay new person they attract, they likely turn Limbaugh may be the perfect leader for By Wayne Besen men and lesbians to "druggies" and off ten others to all religion with their a party intent on alienating the major­ In pandering to the fanatical and "hookers." vituperative sermons. ity, while talking endlessly and aim­ the fearful, both religion and Repub­ Of course, Utah Republicans might Focus on the Family's "ex-gay" road lessly to itself. licanism may have compromised their know about these things. A new study show, Love Won Out, is a perfect exam­ © 2008 Wayne Besen. All rights future. reveals that the conservative state leads ple of how the radicals are ruining the reserved. First, the Republican Party seems the nation with 5.47 Internet pornogra­ image of Christianity. The conference Anything But Straight I www. in an awfully big rush to implode with phy subscribers per thousand. may lure a few self-loathing dupes who waynebesen.com • Rush Limbaugh as its mercurial mouth­ Similar to the Republican Party, reli­ piece. The GOP's other savior, Michael gious organizations have catered to the Steele, is just a big mouth who seems crazies for far too long. The "ex-gay" more suited to Limbaugh's talk show organization, Exodus International, is gig than chairman of the Party. The a perfect example. It travels the world GOP's first African American leader, to proclaim its "love" for homosexuals. Steele promised a "hip hop makeover" Yet, a Board member, Don Schmierer, that would attract even "one armed spoke at a Ugandan conference that midgets." It is Steele, however, who is pledged to "wipe out" gay practices. the incredibly shrinking chairman, with Schmierer joined Holocaust revisionist his promised "Big Tent" turning into a Scott Lively to urge Uganda to continue circus act. its persecution of gay people, including This carnival of "conservatives" has life prison sentences for the "crime" of led the once-mighty Republican Party homosexuality. to 0.]. Simpson-like popularity lev­ In early March, the Vatican defend­ els. An NBC/Wall Street Journal poll ed the excommunication of a nine-year in late March put Republican approval old Brazilian girl's mother and doctors, at just 26 percent, compared to Barack who helped abort the pregnant child's Obama's 68 percent. twins. The procedure was recommend­ The state of the modern GOP was ed because delivering these babies might best captured on CNN's D.L. Hughley have killed the 80-pound girl. The local Show, when the host interviewed Frank Archbishop, Jose Cardosa Sobrinho, jus­ Schaeffer. A former member of the Reli­ tified this despicable decision by saying, gious Right and author of "Crazy For "God's law is above any human law." God," Schaeffer said the GOP had cre­ Such transparently vindictive ver­ ated a "hard-assed neo fascist kind of sions of "love" are why Christianity direction in America." has lost followers in Europe and is now He went on to say, "The Republi­ draining them in the United States. A can base is now made up of religious new survey by researchers at Trinity and neoconservative ideologues and the College in Hartford, Conn. documents uneducated white underclass with a that the percentage of Americans iden-

YOUR BODY MASSAGE

www.yourbodymassage.com - \ James R. Yost, L.M.T. More reasons to shop at Wine Sense '\ 60 & 90 Minute Thera peutic • Boutique atmosphere Massage Sessions • Limited Production wines at reasonable prices by Appointment, • Spirits, ports, dessert wines phone 202-8754 • Free wine and cheese tastings or visit us online Friday evenings ) • Learn while you shop Now Offering • 200/0 off all mixed cases Hot Stone Massage • Open Sundays 12-5 749 Park Avenue Now Accepting 585.271.0590 VISA and Master Card. www.wedefinewine.com 10 A THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY. NUMBER 422 • APRIL 2009

a e ace fresh sliced -aim tomatoes fresh mozzarella, cucumber basil fresh t~rnalo be II olive oU

Gnocchl in'nUine olognese sa. h,omemade Gen v . grilled aspara- gnocchi in an gus and shrimp authentic basnpesto Bolognese sauce sauce

New~ r ,resh Catch tri Lobster al• of he day

izza Ve de

rice- rVlng... Expr s Lun D-nn 7 WEC NeATE PI a C II to Re~lIer APRIL 2009 • NUMBER 422 • GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • THE EMPTY CLOSET A 11

TheTieThat Binds. As domestic partners, legal ly you are treated as strangers. However, Inancia.lly there are ways to tie your lives together.

We understand the issues affecting domestic partners. Our customized service and sensible solutions can help bind you lives together. We can hel!p you plan

and protect wha matters most- your ~nvestrnentsf your etirement and you future.

1_ ~ FINANCIAL ARCHITECTS I W I ~ _ , I Ie ull I W'-N"N. fl n anc:ia la rch "tee tsu psta te .com

600 Chilton Square Rochest~~ Nevv York 14604 585.399.8324

OIMMLk ~~ ,~rSIK T I ~m56:lO. (JV- WIll>.,.... tjIj II:! h-.e ~ ~ 12 A THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY. NUMBER 422 • APRIL 2009

Board had heard about gay students' prob­ greater sense of belonging to their school lems. A similar presentation was made by community, and students from a school students and members of the gay com­ with a safe school policy that included munity in December 2002. In response, protections based on sexual orientation the School Board formed a 14-member and/or gender identity/expression heard Task Force on Gay, Lesbian, and Trans­ fewer homophobic remarks, experienced Shoulders To Stand On: On Oct. 8, 2008, GLSE releaseR the gender Bias, representing the board, the lower levels of victimization related to most comprehensive report ever on the Rochester Teachers Association, the Gay their sexual orientation, were more likely GLSEN and GSAs experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and Alliance, and others. School Board mem­ to report that staff intervened when hear­ By Evelyn Bailey transgender (LGBT) students, the 2007 ber Jim Bowers chaired the group, which ing homophobic remarks and were more It is not only individuals who have National School Climate Survey. The issued its report in June 2004. likely to report incidents of harassment provided us with Shoulders To Stand survey of 6,209 middle and high school The report was a thin one, giving and assault to school staff On, it is also organizations, agencies and students found that nearly nine out of a brief summary of anecdotal evidence Currently, GLSEN has registered more groups. This month Shoulders To Stand 10 LGBT students (86.2 percent) expe­ rather than extensive documentation of than 4,000 GSAs, has approximately 40 On will look at GLSEN Rochester and rienced harassment at school in the past harassment. "Incidents reported to the full time staff, a governing board of 20 Gay Straight Alliances (GSAs) in the year, three-fifths (60.8 percent) felt unsafe task force from 2003-04," says the report, members and two advisory committees at Rochester area. at school because of their sexual orien­ "suggest that many RCSD teachers, staff, the national level. Students in schools with GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight tation and about a third (32.7 percent) and administrators remain uncomfortable a Gay-Straight Alliance reported hearing Education Network, is the leading nation­ skipped a day of school in the past month with and uncertain how to address LGBT fewer homophobic remarks, experienced less al education organization focused on because of feeling unsafe students' issues." harassment and assault because of their sex­ ensuring safe schools for all students. In Rochester at the Nov. 25, 2005 The task force recommended the dis­ ual orientation and gender expression, were Established nationally in 1995, GLSEN Rochester City School Board Meeting, a trict include a statement in employee more likely to report incidents of harassment envisions a world in which every child tall African-American student from Edi­ handbooks saying that the Rochester and assault to school staff, were less likely to learns to respect and accept all people, son Tech, stood to address the board. In school district is a "Bias Free Environ­ feel unsafe because of their sexual orienta­ regardless of sexual orientation or gender sharp contrast to the delighted students ment"; immediately implement top-down, tion or gender expression, were less likely to identity/expression. who had preceded him, a serious Gaylord district-wide sensitivity training for all miss school because of safety concerns and Founded as a local group in 1990, the Miller-Lowe looked down at his notes and school personnel and provide domestic reported a greater sense of belonging to their Gay and Lesbian Independent School began to describe what a day in school is partner benefits for district employees by school community. Here in the Rochester Teachers Network (GLSTN) began as a like for him as a gay student. 2006. area, there are GSAs at Brighton HS, Rush­ volunteer group of70 gay and lesbian edu­ "Things are so bad, I can't get an edu­ The board accepted all three rec­ Henrietta HS, East High, Marshall, Char­ cators. At that time, there were two Gay­ cation," he said. "Every day, someone is ommendations, and, despite the report's lotte, School of the Arts, and in Pittsford Straight Alliances (GSAs) in the nation, harassing me and calling me names." One brevity, Bowers says the task force was and Webster, to name a few. only one state with policy in place to pro­ of his teachers, he said, jokingly calls him "extremely productive, given where we GLSEN Rochester and the Gay­ tect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgen­ "Gay-lord." started." straight alliances in the Rochester area der (LGBT) students, and a general lack Marshall High student Joshua Arpon Rochester sensitivity trainings continue to work toward creating a safe of awareness of the needs of LGBT stu­ was next. "I feel homophobia has reached In November 2005, Keith Powell, a environment for our future Shoulders To dents. LGBT youth did not have a voice an all-time high," he said. "Teachers stand Kodak executive and chair of the Roch­ Stand On, our YOUTH. Shoulders To in the education community or in the there and do nothing when someone calls ester chapter of the Gay, Lesbian and Stand On is proud of the accomplish­ LGBT movement. There were few, if any, you a faggot. Discriminating on the basis Straight Education Network, lead the sen­ ments and contributions you have made resources available for teachers to discuss of sexual orientation shouldn't be tolerat­ sitivity training at Rochester's Marshall in providing a safer and more supportive LGBT issues. ed, just as racial discrimination shouldn't and Charlotte High Schools. environment for our LG BT students in In 1995 GLSTN became a national be tolerated." GLSEN has a guide and videos that the Rochester region. We invite you, our organization and hired its first full time Miller-Lowe and Arpon are not alone. walk teachers and school administrators youth, to share your stories of struggle and staff person, GLSTN founder and Execu­ Verbal abuse and harassment over sexual through the questions that come up dur­ success at www.shoulderstostandon.org. tive Director Kevin Jennings. In 1997, orientation are common in both city and ing sensitivity training sessions: "How We also invite you to participate in your GLSTN staged its first national confer­ suburban schools. do I handle parent objections to the for­ school's GSA or become involved in start­ ence in Salt Lake City, Utah to respond ''I'm afraid sometimes to go into the mation of a student club that addresses ing a GSA. Together we can advance the to the legislature's move to ban all student bathroom," says Josh Winslow, another stu­ gay issues?" ''A same-sex couple wants to quality of our lives and that of our youth, groups in an effort to prevent the forma­ dent at Marshall. "They (other boys) will say attend a school dance. What is the proper the future Shoulders To Stand On. tion of GSAs in the state. It was also this things like I'm going to try to rape them, or course of action?" "I have students wear­ year that GLSTN changed its name to the they'll turn around and put their butts up ing both pro-gay and anti-gay messages April History Corner Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Net­ against the wall if I walk in. One day, they on T-shirts. I'm getting complaints on all work, or GLSEN, in order to attract new threw baby powder all over me. They said if sides. What am I supposed to do?" April! members to the struggle for safe schools I wanted to be a girl, I might as well smell ''A lot of teachers have been deal­ 1970 - The Advocate estimates that for all students, regardless of sexual orien­ like one. I don't want to be a girl." ing with it (harassment) for a long time there are approximately 6,817,000 gays tation or gender identity/ expression. "One kid asked me what I was carry­ on their own," says Powell. "They didn't and lesbians living in the United States. GSA ing and if that was my purse," says Rush­ know there are specific techniques that 1985 - The first classes are held at the Gay-straight alliances are student Henrietta High School student Joe Giro. can be used." Harvey Milk School for gay, lesbian and organizations, found primarily in North "I told him, yes, what about it." Powell instructed teachers to do three bisexual youth, a New York city-funded American high schools and universities, "The constant teasing can really get things: when they see harassment or bul­ institution. "Harvey Milk" is the first gay that are intended to provide a safe and you down," says Giro. lying, intervene and stop it, point out the high school in America. supportive environment for lesbian, gay, Miller-Lowe and Arpon were among behavior, and remind the offending stu­ April 7 bisexual, and transgender youth and their more than a dozen students and faculty dent about the school's policy. 1966 - The first "Gay Community straight allies (LGBTA). The first GSA members at the Rochester School Board During this school year, GLSEN Center" is opened in the United States. It was started in Concord, Mass. by Kevin meeting, trying to convince the board to Rochester will continue the sensitivity is located in San Francisco. Jennings, who also happens to be a native act more aggressively about discrimina­ training begun in 2005. Already the April 8 of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The tion against LGBT students. They also majority of RCSD administrators have 1974 - The American Psychiatric Asso­ first public school gay-straight alliance urged the board to be more supportive of undergone training. The goal is to have ciation removes its "sickness" definition of was started at Newton South High School Gay-Straight Alliance clubs, organizations all school personnel trained by the end homosexuality. (Newton Centre, Mass.) by teacher Rob­ of both gay and straight high-school stu­ of this school year. According to follow April 11 ert Parlin. dents that discuss issues of diversity and up statistics, the presence of support­ 1956 - Michael Callen is born. Sing­ Rochester GLSEN discrimination and try to provide support ive staff contributes to a range of posi­ er, songwriter, AIDS activist and author, The history of and the struggle to for LGBT students. tive indicators including fewer reports of Michael is recognized as a co-inventor create a safe environment for our young Miller-Lowe and Arpon's presentation missing school, greater academic achieve­ of safe(r) sex; a co-founder of the People people here in Rochester continues. was not the first time the Rochester School ment, higher educational aspirations and a With AIDS self-empowerment movement.

Established 1995 BREAK~ST - LUNCH - DINNER - CATERING HOMEMADE PIZZA

DINE IN - ~KE OUT - DELIVERY 1891 Ridge Road , Webster, NY (Next to the Union Hill Fire H ouse) PHONE: (585) 265-4443 f7\X: (585) 265-4270 [email protected] APRIL 2009 • NUMBER 422 • GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • THE EMPTY CLOSET A 13

Member of Flirtations singing group. the Picnic before and the day of - make April 14 pre-picnic phone calls, write articles, con­ TH 1968 - The Boys in the Band opens in tact groups, set up, tear down, ticket sales, 24 ANNUAL New York. wrist banding, trash collection, putting 1985 - The first Gay Erotic Film up the fence, and security. Everyone who ROCHESTER Awards is held in Los Angeles. volunteers will have fun, meet new people PRIDE PICNIC April 23 and get a ticket to the Picnic. Thanks to 1990 - The Hate Crimes Statistic Act those who have volunteered in the past. SUNDAY, JULY 19, 1 - 7 PM is signed into law by President George We welcome your help again. Bush. It is the first U.S. bill to use the If your organization or group would TICKET PRICES: phrase "sexual orientation." like to have a table at the Picnic to adver­ April 24 tise events, products or services, or to just $15 GATE, 1993 - MCC Reverend Troy Perry spread the word about what you do, please $10 ADVANCE joins 1,500 lesbian and gay couples in contact the GAGV at 244-9155 x 22 to a mass marriage at the IRS building in be a vendor or email us at picnic@gagv. $5 STUDENTS WITH 10 Washington, D.C. us, or go to GAGV website, www.gayal­ April 25 liance.org. BURGERS, 1979 - Jury selection begins in the Looking forward to seeing you at trial of Dan White for the murder of S.P. the Gay Pride Picnic in the warm sum­ CHICKEN, Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor mer sun! Harvey Milk. RIBS & WRAPS 1993 - The third March on Washing­ Plan now for Dining Out ton has an estimated attendance of more VOLUNTEERS than one million people. with Friends Month: host NEEDED April 28 your own event in Sept. 1977 - Florida Governor Reuben Askew asks Miami voters to rescind a By Evelyn Bailey 4TH ANNUAL recently passed gay rights ordinance, say­ The month of September will be Din­ ing, "I would not want a known homo­ ing Out With Friends Month. During DOG SHOW sexual teaching my children". this month there will be many" dinners" 1981 - Marilyn Barnett files a pali­ held by a variety of groups and individu­ VOLUNTEER/ mony suit against tennis icon Billie Jean als. King. At the time, King denies that she The purpose of Dining Out With REGISTER is a lesbian, although she acknowledges Friends Month is twofold: to enjoy the ON LINE the affair. wonderful experience of sharing a meal April 30 with friends, and to financially support 1997 - Ellen DeGeneres' character the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley PHONE: Ellen Morgan comes out on her television and its programs. 244-8640 x22 show during "The Puppy Episode." An The Gay Alliance of the Genesee Val­ estimated 42 million view the show. ley is dedicated to cultivating a healthy, OR E-MAIL: inclusive environment where individu­ [email protected] Picnic Food Menu for als of all sexual orientations and gender expressions are safe, thriving, and enjoy 2009 Gay Pride Picnic full civil rights. Sunday, July 19, 2009 is THE day to Our community of friends includes look forward to great Picnic Food! our gay brothers and sisters, and also our Genesee Valley Park, with warm sun, non-gay allies, of which there are many. green grass and birds singing, will be the September is a month to celebrate our background for Rochester Caterers, J C friendships, and the many ways in which Barbecue and Abbott's to provide hot we support and help each other to be who dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers, chick­ we are, to be free, and to be equal. en, ribs, pulled pork, fried pickles, salt Be the first in your circle of friends to potatoes, corn on the cob, ice cream and commit to hosting a "dinner" during the more to picnic goers at this year's Gay month of September. We are asking for a Pride Picnic. Check it out at GAGV web­ $40 suggested donation from your dinner site, www.gayalliance.org. guests. Hosts will receive a free ticket to The Gay Pride Picnic is a major fund­ the Gala Reception. The time, cost and raising event for the Gay Alliance. Pro­ energy of hosting a dinner is in itself a ceeds from the Picnic support the Youth, large donation. The Dining Out With Education/Outreach, AVP and Commu­ Friends Committee and the Gay Alliance nity Safety Programs of the GAGY, and are grateful to you, our host volunteers. The Empty Closet. The proceeds also cover Regardless of when during the month the cost of the Picnic. You may purchase of September you have your" dinner" with your tickets on line or at Outlandish, friends, each person will receive a ticket Equal Ground or the Parkleigh. to the Gala Dessert Reception at the City Ticket Prices for the 2009 Gay Pride Hall Atrium on Sept. 26. Planning for QUAL TV INSTALLATION &SERVICE Picnic: students with ID: $5; Advance: the evening has already begun. We are $10; Gate Price: $15. looking for new ideas. Volunteers will be Volunteers still needed welcomed with open arms. Volunteer and In order for the Picnic to run smoothly meet new people, and have some fun. For we need approximately 90 volunteers will­ hosting information or to volunteer con­ ing to make a commitment of a minimum tact us at 244-8640 ext. 26 or e-mail us at It's Hard To SLOP ATrane of two hours between the hours of 7:30 [email protected]. a.m. and 8 p.m. on the day of the Picnic. Don't delay -- be a host or volunteer. The tasks to be done cover all aspects of Contact us now! • FURNACE CLEAN &CHECK Over 20 Years Experience ------.., Personal attention &timely professional service at a reasonable 00 price -- fees determined by :$10 OFF' - Full Service Tax Preparation complexity of your return. ANY CLEAN &CHECK I including all states with an "ASL interpreting availab le " , and income tax With this coupon, one per customer. "free tax organizer sent with tax Feldman Heating &Cooling • 288-2050 - Planning for the lowest legal appointment" tax J - Corporation , Partnership & Mr. Jean G. Thibodeau, CPA Trust Returns • HUM IDIFIERS ' AIR CLEANERS -I RS &/ or State Audit (585) 586-6160 • WATER HEATERS • FURNACES • AIR CONDITIONERS representation www.jeanthibodeaucpa.com • BOI LERS • STEAM • DUCT CLEANING • FIREPLACES - Year round availability for tax 481 Pen brooke Drive- Ste # 2 planning Penn-Fair Office Park (Bldg 481) 24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE 288-2050 Penfield, NY 14526 (Near intersection of routes 250 & 441) 1776 E. MAIN S1. ROCHESTER www.feldmanhtg.com FOR OVER 95 YEARS, THE FELDMAN FAMILY HAS BEEN PROVIDING QUALITY, ENERGY SAVING HEATING AND COOLING 14 A THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • NUMBER 422 • APRIL 2009

Free Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and HIV Testing

1350 University Avenue Monday & Thursday 5 - 8 p.m. 442·2220

416 Central Avenue (near Tilt) Monday - Friday 1 - 4 p.m. 454-5556

Free Syphilis Testing Monday's 5·8 p.m. (University Ave)

Geri Stanton Counseling Services NYS Licensed Mental Health Counselor Sign Language Skilled Jennifer L. Gravitz, Esq. Quality legal semces provided with Individual • Couple • Group old fashioned care in the privacy of your home or office

BuyingfSelling Real Estate Parmersbip and Estate Pluning Willsud Estate Seulement HIV/AIDS Pluning Consumer Bankruptcy Uncontested Divorce Name Changes Misdemeanor Offenses TralrlC Violations DWl

3349 Monroe Ave. Suite 344 Rochester, NY 14618 (585) 244-8295

Russow Consulting

TARA RUSSOW, Ph.D. CUNICAL PSYCHOLOGIST

120 Allens Creek Road Rochester, NY 14618 Now Open In Perinton! (585) 442-4447 Come Orient Yourselft Aja Noodle Co. www.RussowConsulting.com has brought their un ique urban contemporary asian cuisine to Perinton! COUNSELING SERVICES aja nOOdle cO. ENERGY THERAPIES 42 PERINTON HILLS SHOPPING CENTER MAXINE McDONALD DINE IN OR TAKE OUT. CALL 377-7000 LCSW- R, CASAC aja noodle co. is also located at: 2602 Elmwoqd Ave. at the 12 corners in Brighton. Just look for the Red Awnings! (585) 330-8891 WWW.MAXlNEM D ONALD. OM ONTART ::>, NY & 16 N. G DMAN ST., R C HESTRR, 'NY 14607 APRIL 2009 • NUMBER 422 • GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • THE EMPTY CLOSET A 15

OUTlandish Videos & gifts Wbere it's IN to be OUT

• Gift Items • Magazines • Greeting Cards • Novelties • Pride Items • T-Shirts -BappyEas I think Lace-Up Your Bunny Slippers & Hop On DownTo he's gay! OUTlandish And Check Out Our FABULOUS 4 Mainstream Movie Section Featuring ... .II" sa.e • The Best GLBT New Releases ... tI' ,... S H • TV Series (Dante's Cove, The L Word, and more!) ... AP 40~ Off • Films From Past Image Out Fihn Festivals .. . a9le ti,.,1! • Classic Comedies, Dramas, and Musicals .. . ck A" .,... sto Become an OUTlandish Rental customer All Mainstream Rentals Only $1.00 Per Day!!!

• • •• ~ •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 0 •••••••••••• 0 •••• Outlandish Videos & Gifts & Leather. 274 North Goodman Street, in the Village Gate Hours: Monday - Saturday, 11 AM - 9 PM and Sundays, Noon - 5 PM • After-hours Video/DVD Drop is Available Phone: 585.760.8383 • [email protected]

Mark Roos, LMT BODY KNEAD Massage Therapy

M n !Hl i!:C 'l'heruJ)Y

» Refresh 247 PARK AVENUE ROCHESTER, NEW YORK 14607 585.244.0613 EXT. 5 » Revitalize z• INDIVIDUAL AND COUPLES THERAPY » Relax ~ . MULTICULTURAUDIVERSITY CONSULTATIONS ~ !::! . LGBTQI CONCERNS You'll feel better in minutes... .J ~ . HIV/AIDS AND CHRONIC ILLNESS GUARANTEED! w ~ • TRAUMA AND RELATIONSHIP VIOLENCE

~ • GRIEF AND BEREAVEMENT

~w • RECOVERY ISSUES ~ . DEPRESSION/ANXIETY/SELF-CONCEPT Call (585) 729·9908. Mention this ati to receive $20 off your initu,lJ hOllr sessioll!

SANDYRELLA Sunday Worship CLEANING SERVICES 8:30 and 10:45 am Summer 10:00 am Make your home or office sparkle like a castle. Fully insured. Call for a free estimate today. • Child ca re available • Accessible Sandy Jacques • Looped for the hearing impaired (585) 787·2081 • Cell: (585) 752·4604 • Sunday and weekday [email protected] education for all ages

Seeking the Light

;Veterinary Hospital Where LGBT persons are welcomed as full partners in ministry Andy Fleming, DVM Aida Aponte-Lann, DVM • LGBT Support Group, 1st and 3rd Mondays at 7:30 pm 1311 Marsh Road 4 Meigs Street at East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607 Pittsford, NY 14534 (585) 271-6513 www.thirdpresbyterian.org/morelight (585) 248-9590 16 A THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY. NUMBER 422 • APRIL 2009

FENWICK CONTRACTING

Design· Drywall· Decks· Carpentry· Additions· Painting. Repairs to fu ll replacement. Call 288-0032 for estimates.

Property Management· Renta ls · All Areas

of Rochester· 1J 2 & 3 bedroom apartments. Call 279-0936 for availability.

Howe & Bassett Professional Plumbers Since 1885 271-4040

APROPOS Financial Planning

[email protected] Ka Conhead, CFp® ~ advice for the www.aproposfp.com Y Y LGBT community from Phone: (585) 533-1950 Fee-only one of your own! APRIL 2009 • NUMBER 422 • GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • THE EMPTY CLOSET A 17 rs Randlj G. Raetz, DDS The Little is a home for General Dentistry for the entire community our community. Sometimes they may including bleaching and cosmetics independent, foreign be larger independent releases, such as films in Rochester Slumdog Millionaire or Milk, but many times they are the smaller releases, like WE ARB NOW IN OUR NEW OmCB!!!!! To The Editor, the award winning Frozen River and I would like to respond to Eric Bell­ Man on Wire, or niche films such as mann's article titled "Growing Up: You Chris & Don: A Love Story and The Visi­ Come check out our new modern office, offering patients the Gays Did That" and his statement that tor. Of the 88 films which we showed benefits of digital x-rays, intraoral cameras, and flat screen tv.s The Little Theatre "ignores" certain during 2008, over 75 percent were true in a relaxing and enjoyable environment films. The Little IS Rochester's home independent and foreign films. Others for independent and foreign films. have teetered that blurry line that Hol­ Unfortunately not all films are avail­ lywood has created as to what is indie or able to us for a number of reasons. commercial, but they have always been There are many worthy films released what our supporters refer to as "Little each year (there were over 573 titles movies". At the recent Film Indepen­ released in 2008), some of which we dent's Film Spirit Awards, which honor have attempted to bring to The Little, the best in independent film, 100 per­ but they are simply not made available cent of the award winning films and for a theatrical run in our area. Films performances had been shown at The may receive a one-week run in major Little in the past year. markets, like New York and Los Ange­ As a not-for-profit cultural arts orga­ les, as a way to create buzz around the nization which will be celebrating its film. The film distributors then decide 80th anniversary this year, The Little how many markets they will release the has always stayed true to our mission of film in. supporting the independent visions and 2257 South Clinton Avenue Unfortunately Rochester is consid­ voices of artists, be it through our reg­ ered a secondary market based on our ular film programming or as the home Westfall Park Medical Center population size, so some of the smaller for Rochester's premier film festivals. Rochester, NY 14618' films do not reach us. The Little is con­ Rest assured, Mr. Bellmann, that we sidered a theatrical venue, so if a film will continue to bring the best in inde­ is not designated for theatrical release, pendent and foreign films to our com­ (58'5)473-1550 then we do not have the opportunity munity for many years to come. to show it, regardless of how interested Sincerely, we may be. It is wonderful that The Bob Russell Dryden Theatre is able to bring some of Executive Director New Patients Welcome these films into Rochester for one-time The Little Theatre Bvening & Saturday appts. available screenings. But we are two distinct­ ly different venues, so it's comparing Eric Bellmann replies: Nonetheless, the Check us out on the web at www.drrandydds.com apples to oranges. point remains that if one loves movies, one In programming for the theatre, I should be aware of what the Dryden shows. Call for an appointment today!! always strive to bring a balance of films And, ofno small consequence, the parking is which I believe will be of interest to convenient and ample.

Just over 1 hour from Rochester in Western New York State! Jones Pond is a Members-Only, Adult Male (21+), Clothing Optional, Gay Campground on 117 acres! Large RV and Tent Sites, Cabins ~ Guest House. OJ/dancing every weekend, hiking, swimming and social events out the wazoo. Call or visit our web site for directions and the event schedule. See ya there!

585-567-8100 JonesPond.com

ne, (}O'VI!/t; 01 LI FE While three brothers are off fighting World War II, the women they left behind al l move in with the men's mother. A rough and tumble female photographer from Life Magazine decides that this is worthy of a feature, but just what is the whole story? April 24 - 26 and April 30- May 2 Thursday through Saturday Even ings at 7:30 pm Sunday Matinee at 2 pm $12 General; $1 0 Seniors; $8 Students (585) 395-ARTS

~ The College at ~ BROCKPORT Tower Fine Arts Center Mainstage STATE UNIVERSITY OF £w YORK 180 Holley Street School 0/ Arts & Performance D EPARl'MEl' l' OF THEATRE 18 A THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • NUMBER 422 • APRIL 2009

HEALTHY LIVING: Brian Quinn, certified personal trainer, and Tom Somerville, artist and yoga instructor, during LGBT Health Week. Photo: Garnetta Ely

GOOD LUCK, KRAIG: Friends and family gathered together at Eros Restaurant and Bar in the East End on Feb. 19 for a bon voyage party for Kraig Pannell. Pannell, who was the program director at MOCHA, has accepted a position with the NYS Health Department's AIDS Institute and is moving to the Albany area. We'll miss you, Kraig! L-R: Dominick Rodriguez, Kraig Pannell Jason Gilman, Allegra Anka and Erik Libey at the LGBT Health and Dudley Duberry. Photo: Ove Overmyer Fair March 15 at the Clarion Riverside Hotel. Photo: Garnetta Ely

Charles Tyson & Judith Bauman at the Health Fair. Photo: Garnetta Ely

DINING AND HELPING: CornelllLR students Bess Watts (left) and John Tarasuk (right) share a laugh at Equal=Grounds Coffee and Gifte Shoppe on South Ave. on March 11. Watts and Tara­ suk joined classmates in supporting ARI's fundraising efforts at the Dine Out Help Out 2009 event. Photo by Ove Overmyer ARI hosts Dine Out these are challenging times for lot of traffic in for desserts later YES ON K8: Harry Bronson, Tom Ferrarese, Kate Clinton and most businesses - and especial­ on," he said. Jo Meleca-Voigt at Clinton's March 15 performance in Roch­ Help Out event ly tough for the nonprofits. For the first time, Dine Out ester, which benefitted LGBT FOGG. Photo: Garnetta Ely By Ove Overmyer "I've seen a decrease in spon­ Help Out 2009 extended its On March 11, select res­ sors and funders for our different reach beyond food and beverage taurants and cafes across the events," said Doran. He added, establishments. With a mention, region donated part of their food "Corporations may be giving the Geva Theatre donated $10 from and beverage proceeds to AIDS same or giving a tad bit less than every ticket sold for that night's Rochester Inc. (ARI) as part of what they've given in the past. performance of Sweeney Todd. the nonprofit's Dine Out Help This year we dipped with the With over 25 years of car­ Out 2009. economy. A lot of restaurants ing, AIDS Rochester, Inc. leads Now in its fourth year, the had closed and were unable to a compassionate community­ event has grown from 14 res­ participate this year." wide effort within the eight taurant venues in 2006 to 36 in Doran travelled to several county Finger Lakes region that 2008. This year, only 20 estab­ venues during the dinner hour provides a continuum of pro­ lishments participated. In this and reported that most restau­ grams and services, including recession, nonprofit organizations rants were busy. "It was really education, prevention, advocacy have seen cuts in state and federal heartwarming to see," he said. and support services for people aid, making fundraisers like this At Equal=Grounds Cof­ infected with and affected by event even more important. fee House and Gifte Shoppe at HIV/AIDS. According to Brian Doran, 750 South Ave., manager Randy AIDS Rochester reach­ an AIDS Rochester spokes­ Torgerson reported a brisk busi­ es 20,000 people every year ST. PATRICK'S DAY: NO QUEERS NEED APPLY. Eric Bellmann at person, last year's event pulled ness on March 11, also the same through its efforts. Approxi­ Manhattan's St. Patrick's Day protest; Irish gays were once again in $14,016, plus an additional night Governor David Pater­ mately 3,500 people are now liv­ denied permission to march openly in the Parade - although they $10,000 in corporate and pri­ son was in town. "It was pretty ing with HIV and AIDS in the do so in Dublin. Photo: Eric Bellmann vate donations. He reported that steady all night, and we had a Rochester area . • APRIL 2009 • NUMBER 422 • GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • THE EMPTY CLOSET A 19

FAIR SHARE TAl REFORM ow

FAIR SHARE TAX REFORM: Scenes at the March 5 rally at the Liberty Pole. Photos: billijo wolf

Rochester rally on March 5 challenges Paterson on tax reform Around 400 local residents represent­ On March 27, after months of oppos­ New York State United Teachers, Alliance colleges, hospitals and nursing homes, aid ing a diverse coalition of community orga­ ing tax increases for the wealthiest, Gov. for Quality Education, Working Families to local communities across New York, nizations rallied at the Liberty Pole on Paterson and state lawmakers were said to Party, Bethesda Child Development Cen­ and a broad range of social services. March 5 under the banner of Fair Share be near an agreement to raise those taxes. ter, Rochester Labor Council, Rochester The flat rate imposed by former Gover­ Tax Reform, to call on the Governor and Participating organizations on March Surround Care, and many more. nor Pataki created a situation where some­ state legislators to support raising personal 5 included the Gay Alliance, the Catholic The rally was just one of several being one earning $40 million a year pays the income taxes on New York's wealthiest Family Center, Greater Rochester Com­ held around the state to protest the bud­ same rate as someone earning $40,000. residents, as a better way of closing the munity of Churches, Center for Disability get proposal announced by Governor Pat­ Speakers at the rally called for a fair and state's huge budget shortfall than the deep Rights, Grace United Methodist Church, erson in December, which includes $9 reasonable proportionate increase. cuts to healthcare, education, and other Pride at Work, Metro Council for Teen billion in devastating cuts to essential Details of the Fair Share Tax Reform vital services that have been proposed in Potential, CONEA, Metro Justice, New institutions and programs working fami­ Campaign can be found at www.fairshar­ Governor Paterson's budget. York Students for a Responsible Budget, lies depend on - including schools and ereform.com . •

Tom Privitere at the Fair Share rally at the Liberty Pole. Photo: Ove Overmyer

6th Annual Inter-generational Panel presented by Rainbow Seniors

April 19, 2009, Sunday 4-5:30PM. Location: 1st Universalist Church Downtown, Clinton A V9. & Court St. Parking in the adjacent lot on Court St. next to the church Admission is FREE. Donations are warmly welcomed.

Anne Tischer plays a 21st century Marie Antoinette at the Fair Share Tax Reform rally on March 5. Photo: Ove Overmyer 20 A THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • NUMBER 422 • APRIL 2009

985 E MAIN STBBB.'.r ftOCHBST~ ~4QC5 WWW.RBTL ORG SectionB Arts, Entertainment & Community

Multi-use theatre Bread & Water space opens in Theatre's Rainbow Neighborhood of Festival: Here the Arts comes the sun With Renaissance Square's Bread and Water Theatre's original plans for two small­ theme for the 2009 Rainbow er theatres a distant memory, Theatre Festival is based on the Doug Rice, founding director color yellow, which represents of ARTWalk in Rochester's the sun in the rainbow Pride Neighborhood of the Arts, is flag designed by Gilbert Baker. providing new hope to local Artistic Director ]. R. Tee­ organizations looking for per­ ter interprets the theme of sun forming space. in many ways in this year's "After 10 successful years three productions: The Lambda of running ARTWalk, I felt Project: Let the Light Shine On, I needed a new project," says Claudia Allen's Raincheck and Rice. ''At the same time, the Jonathan Tolins' The Last Sun­ church at 142 Atlantic Ave. - day in June. which had been for sale for The festival once again three years with several failed opens with The Lambda Project: deals - was still empty. Buying Let the Light Shine On, a series it for this purpose seemed like a of monologues by ]. R. Teeter, 'heaven-sent' solution to every­ based on the life experiences of one's problems." people from all over the world, The name that Rice came up of every sexual orientation and with - MuCCC (pronounced persuasion. "muck") - may not sound like Mr. Teeter has been com­ a dream come true, but what piling stories, via a series of it stands for certainly is: Multi­ online interviews, from peo­ Use Community Cultural Cen­ ple in the LBGTQ community ter. since 2003. This year's install­ At the March 7 tryouts for Erotic Nights, which ends its season at Equal=Grounds on April 18. Top cen­ MuCCC will provide com­ ment is part of an ever-growing ter: Diane Conway. Photos: billijo wolf munity groups with a turn-key, tapestry of work, based around handicapped-accessible per­ this year's theme of the sun. forming space with the flex­ (April 3, 4, 25 at 8 p.m.; April Erotic Nights closes season on April 18 at Equal=Grounds ibility (due to a moveable stage) 5 at 2 p.m.). By billijo wolf in one venue. Equal=Grounds Look for some of this new to seat audiences up to 175. In The Last Sunday in June, CSWA's Erotic Nights ends Coffee House has been the home talent to join headliners Jimmie The 4,000-square-foot space sun is given a more literal its second season with The to Erotic Nights since its incep­ Highsmith Jr. (jazz recording will include a lobby, concessions meaning, as the events of the Encore Show, April 18, at 9 tion in 2007. artist), Nissi (of Black August), area, lounge, balcony, offices, play transpire during the sum­ p.m. at Equal=Grounds Coffee An audition for new talent Wendy Foster, Grace Flores, seating (recycled pews), updated mer. The play tests the con­ House, 750 South Ave. was held at Equal=Grounds on Windz, J enna Rossi, Eddie restrooms, a dressing room and cepts and stereotypes of the CSWA, Culture Starts With March 7, with Deborah-Maisha, Swayze, Jes Gonzalez, Treedanc­ its own parking lot (across the "gay play" as a group of friends Art, is the passion of writer Diane Jessica Cohen, Santhel Thwait­ er and many more on April 18. street), as well as built-in light­ meet in a Greenwich Village Conway, bringing to Rochester es, Baby D, Michael Davey and Be prepared for upbeat jazz, ing and sound systems. apartment for the pride parade local and national talent in poet­ Alex. Judges were Lu Highsmith, enticing visuals and sizzling stan­ "Being turn-key is 'key' to on the last Sunday in June. The ry and spoken word, dance, visu­ Wendy Foster, Grace Flores and zas to tantalize your senses . • making this work for small­ play attempts to re-define gay al art and performance and music Diane Conway. er arts groups," explains Rice, relationships through a series of who is also a sound designer. unanswered questions. ''Another important aspect is Can gay culture exist in that groups will have the 'lux­ the suburbs away from bars a system, in this case a fam­ What's springing based on the immortal 1939 ury' of actually rehearsing in and parades? Can a partnership ily member around which the film, arrives at the Auditorium their performance space." exist without sex? What defines other characters unite and grav­ up in April/May: Theatre. The show is 7:30 p.m. MuCCC opened March 14, a marriage? The play primar­ itate. Raincheck above all else Rent, Fagan Dance, on May 26 through 28; 8 p.m. with a rare production of Edge, ily explores this through the is a love story. It explores the May 29; 2 p.m. May 30 and writer Paul Alexander's criti­ largely platonic relationships of capacity to love within family, more 1 and 6:30 p.m. May 31.Call cally-acclaimed Off-Broadway Tom and Michael, a couple in a friendship, and romance. (Springing continues page 2) show about poet Sylvia Plath, by slump about to move from the Gwen and Thelma are The coming of spring to the Rochester's Method Machine. village to the suburbs and James women living in the same Rochester area will be accom­ The fledgling company, already and Susan, a gay man and a small town they grew up in. panied this year by an unusual known for its ground-breaking straight woman who decide to The women were close friends series of opera, Broadway musi­ Hot men model to cal, ballet and modern dance work, has been performing in opt out of their former failed in high school, yet a series of benefit Pride 2009 venues ranging from nightclubs relationships through a legal events including Thelma's four performances. to hair salons. marriage to each other. The recent divorces have created a The Broadway musical A Pride 2009 Tea Dance "We are exhilarated to be playwright, Jonathan Tolins, is divide between the two. When "Rent", with gay content (and Party, featuring hot male mod­ a part of this project and look best known for his writing for Gwen's job as a nurse leads her written by a gay man, the late els in a swimwear and underwear forward to future collabora­ Queer As Folk, a cable televi­ to the home of Thelma's elderly Jonathan Larson) will be at the fashion show, will take place at tions at MuCCC," says Meth­ sion series that explored simi­ grandmother Pansy and great­ Auditorium Theatre from April Muthers, 40 S. Union St., on od Machine Artistic Director lar themes. (Performance dates: aunt Flora, the two are reunited 21 to 26. Sunday, April 19, from 4-10 p.m. David Henderson. April 17, 18 at 8 p.m.; April 19 not just in their love for the age­ In May, travel over the Admission will be $10 in Renovating the 120-year-old at 2 p.m.). ing sisters, but for each other rainbow with Dorothy (May advance (available at Muthers) building, which first housed the In Rain check, sun is inter­ as well. Thelma overcomes her 26-31), when "The Wizard of and $15 at the door. Proceeds will East Rochester Baptist Mission, preted as a central force within (Rainbow continues page 2) Oz", a "musical celebration" benefit Rochester Pride 2009 . • involves replacing the roof, insu­ lating the building and gutting the interior, along with remov­ ing the sunken, l,OOO-gallon, ';~.a.., ~~ ~:;~~~ whole-body baptistry. Rice is keeping the unique, cottage­ ~' ~. & • • ~--j: style stained-glass windows (reflected in the venue's logo) as well as maintaining the archi­ ~~ ~ if~ i ~'~ 1 tectural integrity of the rare Mission-style church, both L~~' ~ inside and out. ;-,..., '\} .r Rice's plans include creating ~~J .- .... _ . ~", lr~ I ." f- ~ " T&.-1· :. i ~' . . '. " a non-profit organization to run 1. _ \ ~ .-~ ,," r,Jj'" .,-' ~ - ' e ' " .. • ' I , ;;~~ '::I!i! • .,.- II,' r- " ~ " ." .., • I! ., ." •• ,. 'J, "'I : J.I . the theatre, as well as partnering I, - with nearby Starry Nites Cafe to provide concessions. Please visit www.muccc.org for more ~"" . ' information . • ~estaurant Review, Page 4 2 B THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • NUMBER 422 • APRIL 2009

(Rainbow from page 1) CD Review: the opportunity to learn more about Francisco Board of Supervisors and fears surrounding her own sexuality and Harvey Milk's lasting influence on our became one of the nation's first openly takes the rain check on the relationship DARN IT, BABY, THAT'S movement and our community. gay elected officials before his assassina­ with Gwen se's been missing. (Perfor­ LOVE, BY CLAY "The success of Milk has tremendous tion in 1977. mance dates: April 24, 26 and May 1-2 at impact in creating awareness, under­ During the highly competitive 8 p.m.; April 26 and May 3 at 2 p.m.). CALLAWAY standing and acceptance during a time awards season, Milk received multiple Founded in 2000, Bread & Water By John Stevens when our community continues to face nominations and honors, including the Theatre is committed to making the This is a concept CD of pop, cabaret opposition in our pursuit of equal­ Stanley Kramer Award from the Pro­ arts accessible and affordable to a broad­ and Broadway standards that will make ity," added Giuliano. "The images of ducers Guild of America, which recog­ based audience and acting as a positive you want to take your man to the couch our community that these and other nizes work that dramatically illuminates agent of change in its community. Under and snuggle. LGBT inclusive films bring to audi­ provocative social issues. The film was the artistic direction of].R. Teeter, BWT Clay Callaway's music is a relaxing, ences around the country help people chosen as one of the top 10 films of the develops theatre that speaks to our liv­ loving type of sound, the perfect gift for embrace the LGBT community with year by the American Film Institute and ing, evolving, and dramatically chang­ any gay man to give to his partner. The understanding and acceptance." the National Board of Review Award. ing world through new and rare works number one song is one of my favorites, According to Harris Interactive's It was selected as "Best Picture" by the of drama, and aspires to be a major force "Can't Help Loving That Man of Mine", recent Pulse of Equality survey commis­ New York Film Critics Circle, and was in American theatre, providing audi­ and a lot of guys should see their super­ sioned by GLAAD, nearly 20 percent awarded Best Acting Ensemble at the ences with challenging contemporary man in the song "My Superman", which of Americans say their feelings toward Critics Choice Awards. drama and innovative community out­ has been in regular rotation on Sirius Q gay and lesbian people have become In addition to the Oscar and Spir­ reach programs. 109 satellite radio. There is a little coun­ more favorable over the past five years. it Award, writer Dustin Lance Black The Rainbow Theater Festival will try style in "You Ain't Woman Enough Respondents whose views have become received the Writers Guild Award for be presented at 243 Rosedale St. (New to Take My Man". more favorable cited seeing gay or les­ Best Original Screenplay and was hon­ Life Presbyterian Church) beginning Callaway says, "I wanted this album bian characters in movies (29 percent) ored at the Writers Guild Awards with April 3 and running through May 3. to give a man to man perspective on as a contributing factor. the 2009 Paul Selvin Award, which rec­ Specific performance dates are listed some of these songs, many of them writ­ In openly gay writer Dustin Lance ognizes written work that embodies the above. Single tickets range from $6-$12 ten by men but made famous by female Black's moving acceptance speech, he spirit of constitutional rights and civil and may be purchased in person at the singers." called for LGBT equality: "If Harvey liberties. Bread & Water Theatre box office or I feel that many gay men will enjoy had not been taken from us 30 years For his role as Harvey Milk, Sean through BreadandWaterTheatre.org. this CD. It was produced by Callaway ago, I think he'd want me to say to all Penn received the Screen Actors Guild For more information, call (585) 271- and composer/arranger Andy Belling in of the gay and lesbian kids out there Award, Critics Choice Award, Los Ange­ 5523 . • 2007 in Los Angeles. It is available for tonight, who have been told that they les Film Critics Association Award, and download or purchase at http://CDBa­ are 'less than' by their churches or by New York Film Critics Circle Award. by.com/cd/ClayCallaway or on iTunes. the government or by their families, that Josh Brolin was also honored for his act­ (Springing from page 1) Information on Clay Callaway can be you are beautiful, wonderful creatures ing work in Milk, playing Harvey Milk's 585-232-1900 or visit www.ticketmas­ found at www.ClayCallaway.com. of value and that no matter what anyone troubled killer Dan White. ter.com. tells you, God does love you and that Opera fans will enjoy the magnifi­ Milk brings home very soon, I promise you, you will have Coming To DVD - GLBT cent comic opera "Le Nozze di Figaro" equal rights, federally, across this great by Mozart on April 2-4 at 7:30 and on Oscars for Penn, Black nation of ours." Style! April 5 at 2 p.m., an Eastman Opera "You commie, homo-loving sons of Transcripts of the speeches by Black Compiled By Robby Morris Theatre production at the Eastman The­ guns," Sean Penn said to the audience and Penn are online at glaadBLOG: Coming soon to a video store near atre, 26 Gibbs St. Tickets $10-$20; call as he accepted his Oscar for Best Actor http://glaadblog.org/2009/02/22/ you ... 585-454-2100 or visit www.esm.roches­ for his role as Harvey Milk. "I did not d ustin-Iance-b lacks-moving-accep­ Doubt - available on April 7 ... ter/edu/concerts. expect this and... I know how hard I tance-speech and http://glaadblog. John Patrick Shanley adapts his own Ballet fans will not be neglected make it to appreciate me." org/2009/02/23/sean-penn-wins-the­ play about a concerned nun who suspects either, as Nazareth College Arts Cen­ He added, referring to anti-gay pro­ big-prize. that a high-ranking priest has been sex­ ter presents the Russian National Ballet testors near LA's Kodak Theatre, "For Milk depicts the life of Harvey Milk, ually abusing one of his students. Star­ Theatre production of "Swan Lake" at, those who saw the signs of hatred as our an outspoken advocate for LGBT equal­ ring Academy Award nominees Meryl at 8 p.m. on April 4 at Pittsford Suther­ cars drove in tonight, I think it is a good ity who successfully ran for the San Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy land High School, 55 Sutherland St. in time for those who voted for the ban Pittsford. Tickets are $60; 585-389-2170 against gay marriage to sit and reflect or www.naz.edu/artcenter. and anticipate their great shame and In May, Garth Fagan Dance will per­ the shame in their grandchildren's eyes form with the Greece Athena Show Choir if they continue that way. We've got to at 2 and 8 p.m. on May 2 at the Greece have equal rights for everyone." Performing Arts Center at Greece Ath­ Milk was nominated in eight cat­ ena High School, 800 Long Pond Rd. in egories and received the Oscar for Best Greece. Tickets are $40 or $35; 585-454- Original Screenplay for writer Dustin 3260 or www.garthfagandance.org. Lance Black, and Performance By An Fagan Dance returns on May 28 Actor In A Leading Role, to Sean Penn for "Two on Two: Renaissance Men." for his role as Harvey Milk. Garth Fagan and actor/director Stephen "GLAAD applauds those who have McKinley Henderson will look at the brought the important story of Milk Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and its to so many millions of people, and influence on playwright August Wilson congratulates Dustin Lance Black and and artist Romare Bearden. 7:30 p.m., Sean Penn for their well-deserved Oscar Geva Theatre Center, 75 Woodbury wins," said Neil G. Giuliano, President Blvd. $45; $35 seniors, $20 students; of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against 585-454-3260 or www.garthfagandance. Defamation (GLAAD). "They are to be DJ Chuck Argento org. (In addition, "Fences" by August commended for telling a story that has Wilson will run May 19 through June 19 the power to inform future generations 585-317-6477 at Geva Theatre Center.) about the history of our community Enjoy the spring. But watch out for and our struggles for equality. Through 585-529-5544 flying monkeys over East Main St. and Sean Penn's own connection with the cjargento1 @yahoo.com the Neighborhood of the Arts ... • character, he was able to give audiences

Martha M. Howden, CSw, CASAC

496 White Spruce Blvd. Rochester, N ew York Phone: 585 272-1760 Fax: 585 272-8986 Most Insurances Accepted

Anxiety • Depression Alcohol • Stress • Grief Relationship • Family Plan Rectification Work Holotropic Breathwork • Specializing in work with individuals and families in the Coming Out process APRIL 2009 • NUMBER 422 • GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • THE EMPTY CLOSET B 3

Adams, and Viola Davis. sodomy laws is traced through their evo­ Carroll. "Putting an end to negative core principle that should be deeply val­ Finding Me - available April 21 ... lution and the consequences for the men recruiting is critical not only to protect ued and vigorously pursued," said Dr. From first-time Haitian-American and women who were impacted by their LGBT players and coaches, but also to Pat Griffin. "NCLR, the NCAA and filmmaker Roger Omeus, Jr. comes this creation and enforcement. It makes a attract and retain the best, most quali­ The Women's Sports Foundation have inspiring tale of a young gay black man's complex subject approachable for a gen­ fied coaches. As long as any athlete or worked to create a 'level playing field' journey of self-discovery, affirmation eral audience. This is the perfect mar­ coach can be harmed by being tagged where people are judged on the merits and love. riage of scholarship and readability. with the lesbian or gay label, the goal for their talent, capacity for hard work, Mulligans - available April 21. .. The Stonewall honor books in lit­ of achieving true equality in sports will and contributions to sport rather than A father's lust for his son's best friend erature are "The Conversion" by Joseph remain out of reach." on personal characteristics - such as is the subject of this witty independent Olshan (St. Martin's Press); "A Perfect In the first NCLR Sports Project sexual orientation." feature written by and starring Charlie Waiter: A Novel" by Alain Claude Sulz­ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender In 2001, NCLR made history by David (Dante's Cove and A Four Letter er (Bloomsbury) and "The Sealed Let­ Think Tank, convened by NCLR and becoming the first LGBT nation­ Word). ter" by Emma Donoghue (Harcourt). co-sponsored by the National Collegiate al organization to tackle the rampant What's Up Scarlet? - available April The Stonewall honor books in non­ Athletic homophobia and transphobia in sports 28 ... fiction are ''Assisted Loving: True Tales Association (NCAA) in October, with the launch of the Sports Project. A matchmaker deals with her family of Double Dating with My Dad" by Bob 2006, top sports leaders from across Since the Project's inception, NCLR and friends relentless efforts to fix her Morris (Harper); "Sex Variant Woman: the country, including NCAA leaders, has worked to eliminate discrimina­ up with the perfect man, until on a gor­ The Life of Jeannette Howard Fos­ athletic directors, coaches and athletes, tion based on sexual orientation and geous day, fate boils to the surface when ter" by Joanne Ellen; Passet (Da Capo attorneys, conference commlSSlOn­ gender identity in sports through advo­ a beautiful homeless actress rear ends Press); "Sweet Tea: Black Gay Men of ers, college presidents, researchers, and cacy, outreach, and litigation. Under her car in this lesbian romantic screw­ the South" by E. Patrick Johnson (Uni­ executives of national coaching orga­ the leadership of former NAIA women's ball comedy. versity of North Carolina Press) and nizations, came together to discuss the basketball championship coach and ath­ *Release dates are subject to change! "Swish: My Quest to Become the Gayest impact of negative recruiting based on letic director Helen Carroll, NCLR has Person Ever" by Joel Derfner (Broadway actual or perceived sexual orientation. provided assistance to hundreds of high Books). The strategic discussion at the Think school, university, and professional ath­ Library Association The American Library Association Tank ultimately resulted in this publica­ letes, coaches, and sport personnel. The announces 2009 Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Trans­ tion: The Positive Approach. It defines Sports Project works on all levels of ath­ gendered Round Table promotes and the problem, outlines practical steps for letic competition, from the NCAA to Stonewall Book Awards defends access to information by or reducing and eliminating this harmful the NFL, to ensure that LGBT athletes The first and most enduring award about gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans­ practice, and includes a forward-look­ can compete and participate openly and for GLBT books is the Stonewall Book gendered people and provides biblio­ ing model policy to eliminate negative equally. Awards, sponsored by the American graphic service to librarians, libraries, recruiting based on both sexual orienta­ The Positive Approach is available in Library Association's Gay, Lesbian, and library users. It was founded in tion, and gender identity and expression. PDF format online at: http://www.ncl­ Bisexual, and Transgendered Round 1970 and currently has over 900 mem­ "Equal opportunity in sport is a rights.org/sports . • Table. bers. This year's awards will be present­ First awarded in 1971 and initiated ed during the ALA Annual Conference by famed activist Barbara Gittings as in Chicago, July 9-15. Felicia R. Reed, LMSW a grassroots acknowledgment honoring hallmark works in GLBT publishing, NCLR challenges Psychotherapist the Stonewall Book Awards became an Adult, Adolescent, Couples Therapy official American Library Association homophobia in sports award in 1986. On March 10, the National Center The history of the Book Awards has for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) announced mirrored the growth of the GLBT pub­ the publication of "The Positive lishing industry. Although in the first Approach: Recognizing, Challenging, By Appointment Only years of the award the committee had and Eliminating Negative Recruiting only a handful of books from which Based on Actual or Perceived Sexual (585) 415-8260 to choose, by 1995 they had to select Orientation," authored by Helen Car­ serenity331970@yahoo winners from a list of over 800 eligible roll, NCLR Sports Project Director, and titles. Dr. Pat Griffin, director of It Takes a The 2009 Barbara Gittings Litera­ Team! Education Campaign for Les­ ture Award winner is "Light Fell" by bian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Evan Fallenberg, published by Soho Issues in Sport, an initiative of the Press. Set in the context of Profes­ Women's Sports Foundation. sor Joseph Licht's 50th birthday party, The publication provides a com­ HUTHER-DOYLE this debut novel sensitively expresses prehensive analysis of negative recruit­ and portrays the dilemma of an Israeli ing based on actual or perceived sexual gay man who 20 years before left his orientation, and recommends practices HELPING YOU PUT THE PIECES BACK wife and five young sons for the love and policies to eliminate it. Negative of another man. Now, Joseph is trying recruiting refers to the practice of play­ TOGETHER to reconcile this life changing decision ing on homophobic stereotypes to deter with his responsibility to his family, recruits from attending rival athletic his spirituality, and his God. With rich programs by alleging or implying that a characterization and eloquent writing, rival coach or team members are lesbian, Fallenberg explores the inner lives of a gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT). family and the universal applicability of Because sexual orientation is irrelevant the social and religious issues they face. to coaching, leadership, or athletic abili­ The 2009 Israel Fishman Non-Fic­ ties, the actual or perceived sexual orien­ tion Award winner is "Dishonorable tation of any coach or player should not Passions: Sodomy Laws in America be part of the recruiting process. 1861-2003" by William N. Eskridge Jr., "As a former NCAA Athletic Direc­ published by Viking. This landmark tor and a National Championship bas­ volume explores a historically underrep­ ketball coach, I know firsthand the resented area of GLBT legal and social importance of addressing discrimina­ scholarship. The destructive impact of tion in college athletics," said Helen

NOW OFFERING SPECIALIZED CHEMICAL Joe Russo, Psy.D., CGP DEPENDENCY TREATMENT TO Licensed Psychologist \. \0 THE GAY - LESBIAN - BISEXUAL Certified Group Psychotherapist COMMUNITY 25 Canterbury Road, Suite 308 Q oc~e .rt.~e Rochester, New York 14607 P' c~a~· Phone: (585) 506-6096 • SAFE AND CARING ENVIRONMENT E-mail: [email protected] T Weekly Bi/Gay T Addiction T Depression TTrauma Men's Therapy EXCLUSIVE GLB TREATMENT GROUP T Anxiety T Grief/Loss T Relationships Group SENSITIVE TO GLB ISSUES Certified Professional Pet Grooming Pick-up & Drop-off Service Available (585) 271-2530 GLB EXPERIENCED CLINICIAN (585)-325-5100

360 East Avenue James Del Favero Rochester, New York 14604 45 Pavilion Street THE Barker's Barber Rochester, NY 14620 4 B THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • NUMBER 422 • APRIL 2009

Kirsch and marscapone. www.auberge­ lakeviewinn.com On to Saint-Benoit-du-Lac for a tour of the monastery. One long wall is filled Travel with information about the history, the Dining Eastern Townships Of rules, how to become a monk (vs. how Restaurant Review: to be Monk) and the products that they Quebec make. I bought some cheese curds. You GOOD LUCK WHERE POUTINE IS many have the opportunity to sit in on By Paul Hoffman ROUTINE a chanting session. www.st-benoit-du­ Good Luck opened in the former lac. com space of Fabrics and Findings on Ander­ By Merle Exit N ext: an old fashioned English Tea­ son Avenue near The Village Gate on A question about Quebec cuisine was time at Uplands Cultural and Heritage August (the eighth month) 8, 2008. posed to a "Who Wants To Be A Mil­ Centre, to take in local history with cul­ The word for "eight" in Chinese is con­ lionaire" contestant, regarding a staple tural and artistic traditions. They exhibit sidered lucky, as it sounds like the word called "poutine," as to what the brown the works of local and regional artists, that means "prosper". All those eights gravy and cheese curds were placed on. offer workshops, activities and concerts, would indeed be considered a lucky sign Despite calling a friend and "double and display a collection of antiques. by many. "Good Luck" became the name dipping," he passed up the idea that it Loved the little sandwiches and sweet of the restaurant when the owners got was over French Fries. Bye, bye, con­ things. For $12 High Tea, you get tea, that advice from associates, while putting testant. Perhaps he should have popped quiche, spinach turnover, two scones, together their business plan. FOOD " SHARE over the Vermont border into the Eastern strawberry jam, Devonshire style cream, Good Luck is owned by Mike Cala­ Townships. cucumber sandwich, two pastries and brese, owner of Java's; Chuck Ceranko­ When it comes to the province of chocolate. www.uplands.ca sky, general manager of Java's and Chef Quebec, most tourists find themselves We are on to Sherbrooke to first learn Dan Martello, who heads up the kitchen. GOOD LUCK in the larger cities of Montreal and Que­ about Old Sherbrooke from "Senator The original concept was to feature the 5pm - 2am bec City, ignoring the offerings of the Howard", who not only spews the his­ bar and to limit the menu to simple pub "outskirted" areas, such as the Eastern tory, but also gives us a tour of Parc du fare, including cheeses, charcuterie items Wednesday through Saturday Townships located east of Montreal and Domaine Howard. September is the time and other simple food. When the con­ 50 Anderson Avenue near the u.s. border. Follow a Townships for guided tours of the pavilions and cept for Good Luck came together, the Rochester, New York 14607 Tour Trail, beginning with Auberge and late October sports floral exhibits in the menu grew, as did the square footage the (585) 340-6161 Spa West Broome, in Lac-Brome. greenhouses. Check out a rarely bloom­ restaurant would ultimately occupy. www.restaurantgoodluck.com Lac-Brome is located between Sutton, ing plant, the Queen-of the-Night, that The concept of this restaurant seems Knowlton and Bromont, which is close exudes fragrance more heady than jas­ very "New York City", but the amount range chicken pot pie with root veg­ to the Vermont border. The Auberge mine. As for large town of Sherbrooke, of space would make most New York etables and fresh herbs ($18). When I rests in a valley with a "country" set­ there is a great deal to take in, especially restaurant operators green with envy. A think of chicken pot pie, I think com­ ting. Cozy rooms are a draw for me, as the murals. large and very popular bar is next to the fort food and have definite expectations. well as having a 19th century farmhouse The 12-acre Lake Massawippi takes bustling open kitchen. The bar is great I thought this one lacked "personality". restaurant with savory food and regional me to Auberge Ripplecove, a true get­ for people watching. We've already seen We requested salt to bring up the flavor, wines. Duck confit was my entree choice awayfromitall. Totally modernized, but several local celebrities there. but found the chicken was still too deli­ and would not be the last of the duck with an old fashioned coziness. Having The dining room is partitioned from cate. It needed the intensity that a good choices. Being in Quebec, I had a maple a spa just adds to the amenities. It's not the bar area by large windows. The space reduction could supply. The phyllo crust syrup dressing on my salad. The spa was uncommon to have the auberge room rate was a factory before it was a fabric store, was likewise unassertive. A standard pas­ full service with an indoor pool of salts, include dinner and breakfast. My three so it is cavernous, with tall ceilings, brick try crust would have been my choice. rather than chlorine. www.awb.ca course dinner: trout, salmon and sturgeon walls, wood floors, banks of windows, The sign on the bricks outside the Stanbridge was the next destination, with a seaweed salad; beef tenderloin with beams and pillars. As the crowd grows, front entrance of the restaurant, no big­ where we visited the Musee Missisquoi, corn and fingerling potatoes; Township's so does the noise level, to the point that ger than a large file card, says "Good three 19th century buildings housing the Maple Creme Brulee. www.ripplecove. the background music can't be heard. Luck*Kitchen*Wine*Spirits". Wine and history of the pioneers and featuring over com Some sound absorbing materials would spirits here are given a lot of attention, 12,000 historic objects. The main build­ A surprise visit was to Ulverton Wool­ be a welcome addition to lower the roar so a review of the place needs to observe ing is the Cornell Mill abutting the old en Mill, which seemed so out of the way. of this crowd. that. The wines tend to be moderately Bill's Barn. A few blocks down is Hodges Here lies the first textile industry in Can­ Chef Martello graduated from the priced and carefully selected. What's General Store. Contents of these build­ ada. I got see exactly how wool is made Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) unusual is that at least 40 wines are ings would do well in an antiques store. and was able to buy both products made in Manhattan and has worked at the available by the glass, including seven It's off to the town of Knowlton, best on and off the premises. There is a great Genesee Valley Club, Max at Eastman sparkling wines. A specialized wine pres­ not viewed after 5 p.m. on a Monday. hiking trail, sheep to feed or pet and lunch Place, 2 Vine and the New York Wine ervation system is utilized to maintain Historic town, for sure, with many shops, to boot. Not gourmet but quite delicious. and Culinary Center in Canandaigua. the bubbles in the sparkling wines and a theatre and another museum, The Well known for a Sunday Brunch. www. His menu is imaginative and his talent to ensure that open bottles of wine don't Brome County Historical Society, with moulin.ca and knowledge of his craft readily appar­ spoil through oxidation. five buildings, one that includes a World Departing the area, I stopped at a fast ent. At the top of the menu is the phrase Eleven classic cocktails with top shelf War II Fokker DVII Plane. food joint as famous for their poutine as "Food to Share". Some of the items are liquors ($7) are listed, as are seven origi­ J oie de Lavende, a lavender farm, is a Wendy's for their burgers. Although typical entree size, but many are smaller nal cocktails ($8). We especially enjoyed located in walking distance of down­ poutine is commonly topped with fresh portions. The meal is not choreographed the Gilded Rickey, from the originals town. Worth the walk -- you get to roam cheese curds and gravy, various places in the usual sense of appetizer, salad then list, made with Hendrick's Gin, Meyer a bit of the fields and pick your own bou­ may add on anything from smoked meats entree, etc., but the food is served tapas lemon, kava kava syrup and tonic. It was quet, or buy various lavender products. If with mustard to caviar and an Italian ver­ style. Dishes are presented in the order delicious and not too sweet. sion of a tomato sauce, vs. a chicken or you're lucky, the ducks will emerge from that they are ready. This style of food The spirits menu is quite large. We the lake and allow you to feed them. veal gravy. preparation lends itself to ordering sev­ responded to a specials card, attached These are not the same ducks that the The gay scene? Sherbrooke: Complexe eral dishes for everyone to sample. to the menu, and ordered the "Rum waiter will serve you. 13-17, sauna and disco, 819-569-5580 and We think of the concept of Food to Flight"($15). It consisted of four tast­ L'Otre Zone bar, 819-565-5333. Accom­ Speaking of which, I had lunch at Le Share as interactive dining. Several of my ing sized portions of sipping rums from modations: Aux duex-peres B & B and La Relais in Auberge Knowlton, the longest friends and I enjoy discussing the meal as Guatemala, Martinique, Venezuela and Maison de Ville in Magog; Les Nauges continuously operating hotel in the East­ it's occurring, especially when the experi­ Anguilla. Most people think of rum as a Fous and Le Joyau Ancestral in Cook­ ern Townships. Since the restaurant and ence is as positive as it usually is here. mixer only, but we're learning that there shire. Both Ripplecove and sister resort the area are known for serving Lac Brome We've been coming to Good Luck for are some very nice rums that are meant Hovey Manor are recommended. ducks, I thought 1'd have the breast in an several months and have seen the second, to stand on their own, like fine single For further information on the Eastern orange sauce. A dish of various cold local third and fourth editions of the menu. malt scotch or cognac. Rum is produced Townships, go to www.easterntownships. delicacies is offered and not to be passed Menu changes are based upon seasonal from molasses or sugar cane juice. Dif­ org. You can also listen to an archived up. www.aubergeknowlton.ca. availability of items, as well as how well ferences in rums are related to the raw interview from 9/18/2008 on Whirl With If you just can't get enough duck, they are received by diners. materials used, the skill of the producer, Merle at www.blogtalkradio.com . • there's always Canards Lac Brome Ducks The good luck burger ($17) is cooked how it was aged, in what type barrel and in Knowlton or the annual Duck Festival to your specifications. It's one pound of for how long. The star of this mini-tast­ held at Coldbrook Park. quality ground beef on a large roll, cut ing and a revelation to us was the Ron Time for a wine tasting at Vignoble into quarters and served with a ketchup/ Zacapa Solera from Guatemala, "aged 23 de L'Orpailleur in Dunham. Aside from aioli sauce, with a large order of salted years at 7500 feet above sea level"! some regular wines, I got a taste of Vin shoe string fries, a side portion of lettuce Chef Martello indicated that the de glace, a very fruity Ice Wine. Just out­ "slaw" and several pieces of McAdam crowd has continued to be very diverse. side the tasting room, I snuck a small Cheddar. It takes the concept of a burger One diner recently brought his mother bunch of grapes from a hanging vine. and fries to a whole new level. for a 90th birthday party celebration. Pretty good if you peel it and spit out the The chickpea and eggplant fritters Many customers have come to Good seeds. www.orpailleur.ca with coriander tomato sauce ($10) are Luck for dinner prior to or after the the­ Back to Knowlton to check in at delicate patties, warm, crisp and tender ater. It is a short drive to most of the Auberge Lakeview Inn, which despite with a pleasant spiciness and heat. The downtown theaters. The restaurant is the name did not have a view of any m:1che with smoked trout, fingerling open until 2 a.m. and some of the food lake. Gas lamps and raised tin ceilings potatoes and horseradish dressing ($14) items are available on a late night menu. lend atmosphere to rooms with various is an outstanding dish, with the com­ It's wonderful to see more people in antiques. Another award winning din­ plex smokiness of the trout intertwined this neighborhood and great to see that ing delight, also noted for their duck ... with creamy cool slices of fingerlings, all Good Luck has become so popular. It and so I had duck con fit, after the spicy punctuated by the pungent sharpness of appears they have achieved a winning corn and crab chowder. Great dessert the horseradish dressing. combination. I wish them continued of pear poached in wine and cherries in We were disappointed by the free "Good Luck" . • APRIL 2009 • NUMBER 422 • GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • THE EMPTY CLOSET B 5

him. Today I lift one of the heavy Water­ hat (which, 48 years later, Leslie has dis­ ford crystal ashtrays, now re-purposed as played on her bedroom wall). a water tray for plants. I remove the pot Next to Mommy, little-sister me with its dead Spathaphylum and remem­ stood in my tangerine coat, red shoes, Golumnists ber fondly my long dead friend. and jaunty straw bonnet. My chin rest­ The opinions of columnists, editorial writers and other contributing writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the collective attitude of the Gay Alliance During the energy crisis of the seven­ ed on my chest, eyes lifted shyly toward of the Genesee Valley or The Empty Closet. ties, we shared gas costs by using his car. the camera, my closed-lip smile conceal­ I dropped him off at his city office and ing the gap created by two missing front Growing Up drove to my suburban school. We shopped teeth. be damned. I can get into this part. I'm at Beansy's for corduroy trousers, turtle­ The three Horning girls were posing WAKE UP CALL in New York. Lots of movies, plays, res­ necks, and sweaters. That basic black, with the bold-orange, Atlantic gas pump By Eric Bellmann taurants. Lots of diversions. navy, and brown collection became our holding its White Flash gasoline. All It begins innoc­ The out patient procedure is a snap. matching uniforms during the winter through the war, Daddy had worked for uously, of course. Adult Child Number One takes mommy of government-mandated thermostat set­ Atlantic Refinery, training station man­ A spot inside the to the doctor, Adult Child Number Two tings many degrees below bearable. And agers, opening new stations, and finally bra. Is it make­ brings her home only two hours later. No every weekday, both our husbands away settling down with his own station. This up, a spatter from pain. I have screamed, "Get the prescrip­ at work, Bobby cooked delicious dinners picture-day, Daddy had issued a sum­ cooking or eating? tion anyway, nurses notoriously under for the two of us. Bobby was the best boy mons to dress up and walk down to his Nothing worth a medicate, they are co dependent beasts". friend I have ever had. gas station because he was documenting second thought, I am not the calmest person in her cor­ Now, many years later, as I clean this his tenth year as proprietor. well, maybe a half ner. When I talk with her on the phone, crystal, my mind calls up the image of But behind the satisfaction of being thought more. anxious for the report, she is cooking Bobby holding a cigarette between his a successful businessman lay the story Then a few weeks later, another spot, soup for weekend guests. I would take fingers, wrist bent, hand flopped, hip of the guilt he felt because he was not this time less easy to dismiss. And so it to my bed for three days minimum with jutted... the Bobby Pose that evoked a fighting soldier. His enlistment physi­ begins. The phone calls, the appoint­ dozens of doughnuts, but that's just a his days on stage with the Jewel Box cal had revealed diabetes, making him ments, the tests. small town queen for you. Review. Thus posed, Bobby delivered ineligible for battle, labeled 4F. To him it However, there is the matter of wait­ When one admits there is a prob­ monologues, his rapier wit honed to per­ meant "for failure." lem, concerns multiply. One becomes ing for the biopsy. Back to stuffed feel­ fection. However, all through those WWII enmeshed in the details connected to res­ ings, forced cheer, resolution. While Bobby entertained his many years, he compensated for his wound­ olution. This office is closed on Fridays, Then I turn on the TV. All hell friends, his distracted hand waved its ed self-respect by always refusing the that office has a waiting list for appoint­ breaking loose in San Francisco. The case ever-present cigarette. Conveniently, one numerous bribes offered by those who ments. No, wait, we'll see you immedi­ is being made about the legality of Prop­ of his devoted listeners, monitoring the desired more gallons than their rationed ately. You have to call these people to osition 8. Very ugly, very vocal and it is, cigarette becoming a very long ash, would amount. And so, through the years, schedule one procedure, another office if nothing else, another wake up call. adeptly position a glistening Waterford although the metal sign over his station for a different procedure. Postscript. It is cancer. Stage zero. ashtray, just in the nick of time. door simply declared "L. Cecil Horning, Life becomes a Chinese menu of Who knew there was such a thing? It will Today, as I polish each facet of his Proprietor," for Daddy that sign affirmed appointments. Feelings crash into one mean a mastectomy, but no radiation, crystal, I can see Bobby, his lovely danc­ that his honor was whole. another. No big deal, just routine, then no chemo. So we tell ourselves this OK er's legs displayed by his teeny shorts, his And now, in my house, that sign sits news, we're relieved, encouraged even. deal of unknown size, therefore scary. brown hair swept to the side. Today I on my bookshelf with other bits and We've become we. We'll go through this Ah, yes, scary. The seemingly longer slide the shining crystal into the morn­ pieces of our lives, remnants that are waits for returned phone calls. And that as close together as we can. ing sunlight and I can see the sparkle in more than meet the eye. is when one must remind oneself to be Regarding Proposition 8, I am less Bobby's eyes. MeredithElizabethReiniger@Jrontier­ cool-headed, methodical. encouraged. I am old, I am a cynic, I Some of the scraps of my life, cap­ net. net An x-ray, a sonogram, an MRI, blood don't really think marriage is such a nifty tured by Daddy/Cecil's camera, abso­ tests. All in different offices, all with dif­ concept on any count. At times I miss lutely needed to be released from the In a Family Way the old days when gay life was zippy and ferent support personnel to talk with, confines of my red scrapbook. Now MY GAY LIFESTYLE schedule through. It takes on its own life very, very underground. I do sometimes framed, the photo on my desk recap­ and, for a while, the mechanics of it all marvel at what has improved for my tures a day with my quirky family. Such By Vince Sgambati distance one from the underlying fear: is minority during my long life. But in the a time, while vacationing on Silver Lake, Shopping for my it cancer? face of public loathing I am less content we four "girls" posed in swimsuits. How 12-year-old daugh­ Tests must be forwarded, faxed. to hold my tongue. Cecil/Daddy loved the posed style. He ter and my 97-year­ Sometimes that works, other times one I have signed on for equal rights. I preferred to photograph a statement, old mother, I walk is told the tests haven't arrived. Someone would like to see a cure in my lifetime. rather than capture a personality. This up to the cashier is on vacation, someone else is covering E-mail: ELBCAD@RITEDU vacation shot clearly illustrates Cecil's in Rite Aid with a for person A, B, or C. A quiet urgency weird sense of humor. The line-up: big package of Stayfree grows. Cleaning My Closet sister, mother, aunt, baby sister, and the pads in one hand One never hears the word cancer. INVISIBLE STORIES too-scary-to-use-at-night place. and a package of This is the exploratory, diagnostic phase, Leslie, 12, is wearing her shimmering Depends in my other hand. the preliminaries. There are, it turns out, By Meredith turquoise suit. In her arms she cradles our I'm tempted to purchase a box of odd cells. Maybe connected to the ducts Elizabeth Reiniger shiny black Cocker Spaniel puppy named condoms just to prove to the handsome near the nipple. Then a test comes back The grayed wad KoKo. Mommy/Betty and her youngest cashier that I'm still alive, but -- the botched, or not clear enough which is as of tape is half a cen­ sister stand together, their hands hidden economy being what it is -- there's no good as botched and when it has been tury old. In my tat­ behind them. Mommy's two-piece, skirt­ sense in wasting money. He stuffs the redone one learns there are two spots, tered scrapbook I ed bathing suit, draped on her scrawny pads and Depends into a plastic bag, and two locations, not good news. store that very wad body, reveals the lines of her ribs and the I shuffle out of the store. One kind of investigation is planned. of adhesive tape. I knobs of her shoulder bones. But her left There's no one to blame but myself; It is a surgery but that word isn't used. It's had used it on my leg, bent just so, mimics a fetching model this shopping is a consequence of my gay out patient, as if that were some kind of boyfriend's frater­ pose. Next in line, my always-single, sel­ lifestyle. If only I could go through one indicator that it's no big deal. But we've nity ring. I had carefully wrapped the dom-smiling Aunt Jane, who lived with of those ex-gay programs, then with a all been around the block long enough, tape around the shank of his going-steady us forever, stands, legs planted firmly, in little work and a lot of denial, I too could even the best girl friend (me, a gay man), symbol to make it stay on my proud fin­ her sensible black suit. live the straight lifestyle and have a "real who knows insurance companies would ger. Certainly that infatuation was the On the other end of the line is smil­ marriage." perform brain surgery on an out patient highlight of my ninth grade life. After ing Merry, my five-year-old self, with my Then, whenever my mother needs basis if they could. all, Mickey's hand was my first lover. forever-pooched belly, wearing a saggy Depends or hair dye or pantyhose, I The day comes. It nearly doesn't come. My large scrapbook, with its red bathing suit, and clutching Sparkle Plen­ could tell my wife to run to the store Tests which are essential are nowhere to fake-leather cover and black laces, bulg­ ty around her little doll waist. All four of while I press the TV remote. And when­ be found. Then they are found. It's as if es with autobiographical accumulations. us have mayonnaise skin that reflects the ever my daughter needs whatever she Rube Goldberg were managing health No scrap-booking course was needed, in summer sunlight. All four of the bathing may need, I could again yell into the care, but alas no one laughs. myoId days. I wasn't interested in fancy beauties, lined up by Daddy, stand next kitchen, from my Naugahyde recliner: But she, the patient with the tiny, tiny presentation. 0 h no, I was a dedicated to the too-scary-to-use-at-night place, "Honey... " spots of blood inside her bra, is optimis­ historian of Life-Altering Experiences. purposely posed by the gray-sided out­ But alas, while caring for my mother, tic. Optimistic! Her two children have I diligently glued in every single paper house. raising a child, cooking, cleaning, writ­ clenched jaws and aren't talking much. memento. I smooshed special carnation Another snapped scrap hangs on my ing and spreading the gay agenda, who Her friends are circling. Her best girl corsages between waxed paper before wall. One of Daddy's Kodak moments ... has time for recovery? And to ask Jack, friend jokes, "Ma has old tits!" and she pinning them to the dull brown pages. I "Three Girls And A Gas Pump." Leslie, my partner of 33 years, to do more than laughs, dares me to use the line with her glued in the bagged clump of mud from Betty, Meredith, and White Flash. he already does (which is a lot), so that I kids. Franklin High's field, collected after the Big sister Leslie was wearing lipstick can become straight ... well where's the One day it's nothing, the next day it's final football game of my cheerleading and wearing pumps. She was proudly motivation in it for him? Granted, he's something. That's the way life goes. career. wearing her store-bought outfit, a navy one of the most understanding men that Life gives up wake up calls. I lie in After many years of Life-Altering skirt with a checkered jacket, fashion­ I know, but ... bed watching "The Daily Show," gig­ Experiences, when my first and second ably closed at the neck with a bouquet of Most recently, my lifestyle cast me gling with delight over how John Stewart lesbians had vacated my heart and my linen flowers. into the most perverse of experiences. My skewers the morons active in the news home, I turned my empty house into a Mommy had spent the years during daughter came home from school and and I note one more hacking cough than three dimensional scrapbook. "Why do World War II attending Home Bureau said that she wanted to buy a bra. She's seems reasonable. Am I ignoring my own you keep all this crap?" Aunt Thelma classes, where she learned to keep busy been wearing sports bras for a couple of wake up call? quizzed. Because I like to keep the scraps by making money-saving things and by years, but -- pressure being what it is in And what to do? of my life and read their invisible stories. creating decorative items for the home. a girl's locker room -- she wanted "real Well, of course, plug into the moment, Like my three ashtrays. Bobby Cahill On this special picture-taking day, our bras." pack it with events and expressions of gave these lovely objects to me, literally Mommy wore the dusty blue suit that I searched online, measuring for bras, love, and hey, let's dance, or at least let's from his deathbed. All these many years she had learned to sew at Home Bureau. and prayed that my computer would not go out to dinner and eat well, recession they have connected me to stories about Perched on her head was her festive straw be confiscated, for fear that my perver- 6 B THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • NUMBER 422 • APRIL 2009 sion would be discovered. No matter mockery of Santa and now we have the It seems, in today's fast-paced­ ticket was later withdrawn). how often I measured, I couldn't break photograph of Santa, Mona, and a sack advanced-technology-eat-and-run world, A woman in California who had the code. Thirty-four H couldn't be full of bras as a constant reminder. we've become so inured to the bad things pulled her friend out of a crashed car right. Then I remembered that a local Later that evening, Mona and I talked in life that we forget there is kindness was sued by the "friend" for contribut­ JC Penny's second-floor housed a clan­ about all the amazing changes that she's all around. There are cities around the ing to the injuries. The Supreme Court destine lingerie department -- isolated going through, and we chuckled about country that are designated "random acts even ruled that the Good Samaritan law from less seductive apparel like overalls our shopping excursion. I reminded her of kindness" zones; websites abound set protects only those who provide medi­ and galoshes. that there are women in her life that she up by "netizens" that perpetuate kind­ cal attention. Basically, one can be sued As Mona and I rode the escalator, I can talk to (or shop with for bras) should ness; heck, there's even a book called for any injuries that are incurred by the felt my chest tighten. Fortunately, when she feel the need. I also reminded her that "Random Acts Of Kindness (365 Ways person when bringing them to safety, we reached the second floor, we were the there is nothing about her that makes To Make The World A Better Place)". but cannot be sued for harm in trying to only customers, and a kind saleswoman her dads uncomfortable, even if we're not When Hurricane Katrina left scores revive or provide aid to the victim. took pity and agreed to measure Mona. very good at figuring out bra sizes. of people homeless, thousands of peo­ Admittedly, it's ridiculous, to say the Of course, Mona had to tell the woman Being men raising a daughter has ple across the country opened up their least, but before anyone decides to keep about my errors in attempts at measur­ presented us with many wonderful chal­ homes for the displaced families. driving past the next car crash they see, ing. Next, Mona pointed out the bras she lenges, but so has being European Ameri­ In towns in Illinois and Des Moines, it's important to realize that it's asinine was interested in, Flirtitude. ''All the girls can parents raising an African American local Starbucks chains had generous cus­ to try and fault someone for acting in wear them," was her reasoning. child and the list goes on. Most impor­ tomers "paying it forward". One car pays good faith. The people who are quick to I noticed that some of them had tant, we work hard to remind Mona, for the order of the car behind them, the sue (most of the time for the most out­ padding on the bottom. Pushup bras! through our words and through our next car does the same thing and so on rageous things) are, in my opinion, the I protested! Even those of us caught in actions, that she can come to us with and so on. same people who go through life as ego­ the clutches of the gay lifestyle have our anything. Just another one of those flaws A man in Tampa pulled a police offi­ tistical fools thinking they are entitled to scruples. in our gay lifestyle. cer out of her smoking patrol car after it whatever they want at any cost. I for one Mona and I argued as I stood among was involved in an accident; seconds later would not even consider suing someone the Flirtitudes, squeezing bras to separate Random Reveries it exploded. who tried to pull me from a burning car the t-shirt styles from the pushups. Sud­ A man in California turned in to -- 1'd have to be out of my mind. denly I realized just how hopeless I was. ONE GOOD TURN police over $20,000 in checks and $4,000 We can use even more acts of kind­ Squeezing bras in a sea of silks and lace By PaulJohnstone in cash that he found in a store parking ness. Can you imagine what our city and satins did nothing for me. I may as Who says lot. Thankfully, police were able to track would look like if everybody performed well have been squeezing grapefruits at that mankind down the woman who lost the money; one act of kindness every day, no mat­ the local food co-op. Who was I kidding? has turned into a she had just lost her job. ter how small or large? Can you imagine Recovery programs could never help me. bunch of cynical, Stories like this, of people who put what a different place the world would After much squeezing and arguing, self-absorbed and themselves out there to help their neigh­ be? My hat is off to the everyday peo­ Mona and I left the store weighted down thoughtless souls? bors, are encouraging and offer hope that ple who give of themselves and perform those kind acts without even expecting with a sack full of bras. It was Christmas­ OK, I admit it, I maybe things will be OK. These stories recognition. time, and right outside Penny's sat Santa sometimes do. give us a glimpse into the strength of the Instead of being bogged down by the Claus. I could tell from his smirk that he However, just human spirit and inspire us to believe humdrum and sorrow we hear so much knew I had just done something naugh­ when I think that the world is going to that when the chips are down, the sun about, let's all go out today and do some­ ty. I tried to sneak past him, but Mona hell in a hand basket, I hear a story that will still shine. thing nice for someone. And then let's announced, "I want to have my picture perks me right up and makes me smile. It There is another side to this, however, smile for helping to make someone else's taken with Santa." never ceases to amaze me that among all and that is the selfish and thoughtless day a little more pleasant. I couldn't believe my ears. In vain, I of the stories of people losing their homes side of human nature. and livelihood, the continuing war, miss­ Have questions or comments? E-mail reminded her that she was 12 years old A bus driver in Colorado was struck me at [email protected]. and that she had just bought Flirtitude ing children, homicides, spousal abuse, by a speeding truck as he helped two bras. But she refused to see the logic of embezzlement and other unsavory acts, elderly women across the street. The my argument. I knew then that conser­ there are still stories of genuinely honest women, who had just gotten off his bus, Columnists Online vative evangelicals were right (as in cor­ and down-to-earth people who want to were safely pushed out of the way by the Read all the Empty Closet columnists rect). Queers should not parent! My gay make the world a better place by spread­ bus driver. To add insult to injury, the for April! Got to www.gayalliance.org and click on "Empty Closet News." lifestyle had led my daughter to make a ing niceness. driver was ticketed for jaywalking (the

qay1?pcliester. Com We liave over 800 profi[es! crliere is never a cliarge to create your profife, 6rowse otliers, or mak§ connections. APRIL 2009 • NUMBER 422 • GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • THE EMPTY CLOSET B 7

like to meet other like-minded individu­ We joined in with about 80 other peo­ Meetings are the first Thursday of the als and hang out and have some fun, ple at a St. Patrick's Day party and had month at 167 Flanders St. off Thurston. JOIN US! a blast; different caller, different people Contact Bess Watts at besswhat@gmail. For further information, please con­ to dance and talk with. Great! The Lilac com to join or to get our e-mail updates Groups tact Cathie or Sue at 585-554-4272 or Squares meets each Monday at the Open e-mail dining.with.dykes@frontiernet. Arms Metropolitan Community Church RAINBOW SENIORS: net or visit the DwD website: www.din­ located on 740 Marshall Rd; Rochester, BUTCH-FEMME ing-with-dykes.com and join the online New York 14624 at 7 p.m. We are cur­ CATCHING UP CONNECTION DwD Events Group! (See page 13) rently learning the Plus calls, and some By Saundra Ehman unique expressions common to the gay/ Sooo ... how many times in your life Join us for a great night out! The EMPIRE BEARS lesbian clubs throughout the country. have you been a "senior"? Had or have Rochester Butch-Femme Connection We are a lively and friendly group "seniority"? Hmmm... in high school, supper club will have two dinner night Well, the Empire Bears are trying to made up of singles, couples, men, and college, the workplace, etc., seniors get out events in April. get with it, planning events membears women, young and young at heart; when many perks in any stage of life, right? On Saturday, April 4, we will meet at and friends will enjoy. we aren't learning new calls, we are tell­ Being a senior is a good thing. Dentico's Italian Restaurant on Culver We've got our website, which is being ing stories, jokes, and lively anecdotes. Near the middle or further along the Rd. near Norton St. at 7 p.m. updated at www.empirebears.org. Now We usually learn a couple of new calls life continuum, being senior takes on a On Saturday, April 18, we will meet we have a blog at http:/empirebears.blog­ each night, and if we make mistakes, our different perspective, i.e., discounts at at Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse on Jef­ spot.com. Look us up, see what we're up caller will review the calls for us. We are a stores, on ticket prices, etc. However, ferson Rd. in Henrietta at 7 p.m. For to. Make a comment or suggestion. very easy-going group, and missteps hap­ it appears that to some people we've further information on the Connection, In March, the Bears held a Bearnight pen. There will someone there to guide become old, boring, and even useless. e-mail [email protected] at the Forum, a game day and potluck you to where you need to be. The night is Well, y'all, I'm here to tell you, that's or call Kerry/Max at 585-288-7208. at the GAGV, went to Buffalo for their for fun and having a good time. We also a myth! Yes, we have changes in our See you all there! Bearnight, went bowling, attended an go around to other groups to meet other bodies, but hey, we're still enjoying life RGMC concert, went to Short Track for people and show our pride! to its fullest - that's what RSWNY is DIGNITY-INTEGRITY pancakes and fresh maple syrup, went For more information, call Matt 520- all about. out to eat, took some long walks, cele­ 5358, or e-mail [email protected]. So listen up, you guys! Times have As pastoral minister and story-teller brated birthdays, showed up at the Rams Hope to see you soon. changed. We no longer hide in the back Gloria Ulterino often points out, it was a barnight and kept busy. rooms. We're out and about full speed woman who first witnessed Jesus' Resur­ Coming in April, a bunch of us will LIFETIME CARE GLBT ahead - pursuing fun, companionship rection: Mary Magdalene, Apostle to the be in Erie for Drenched Fur, a weekend and togetherness. We aren't "old," and Apostles. It's outrageous that the Vatican of fun that includes a night at the water BEREAVEMENT GROUP personally I'm still a kid at heart and can doesn't see her role in the gospel accounts park, barhopping, shopping, gambling, Our Bereavement Support Group still throw attitude at you. as enough justification for a woman's eating and playing. At home, our BEAR­ offers a safe setting for GLBT individuals We gather monthly on third Sundays ordination. night at the FORUM goes on the 4th, and allies to discuss the loss of a partner, for potlucks - awesome food, company It's no wonder that the dioceses that with a theme of Coming Out of Hiber­ family member, friend or loved one in a and programs with a broad spectrum now form the North American Anglican nation. The dress is sleepwear. Jammies group setting; something that isn't gener­ of diversity, touching on many areas of Church (that left the Episcopal Church and slippers, T-shirts and shorts, come ally available to GLBT people. interest. over the issue of the ordination of a out for some fun on a Saturday night. The group provides a safe and sup­ Another biggie is Euchre Club. If gay bishop and the blessing of same-sex Our monthly potluck is April 11. Try portive environment where people can you're not a member, there's a small fee to unions) are the same dioceses that have out a new recipe, and join the Bears at share feelings associated with a loss, play on the first Sunday of every month. had a problem with women's ordination. the GAGV Youth Center at 6:30 for sup­ relate personal experiences, listen to and In fact, euchre has been growing in pop­ Championing the cause is part of per. Sunday afternoon, the 19th, we've accept others' experiences and provide ularity to the point that we have had to DignityUSA's mission to the Roman got a couple of ideas for events. Check sympathetic understanding. It's co-facil­ seek a larger venue, starting in April. Catholic Church, while IntegrityUSA the web to see what was decided, and itated by two members of the GLBT And - drumroll here - ta da! We (its national office is right here in Roch­ what other events are in the works for community, Jerry Ann Keohane, LMSW are having a Euchre Tournament as a ester) diligently works to keep the Epis­ late April. (experienced in grief therapy) and Dave fundraiser on Sept. 13, 2-6 p.m. Stay copal Church a welcoming and affirming Camping season is just around the Minchella (who has experienced the loss tuned to our website and watch for flyers home for all the baptized. Totally inclu­ corner. Campgrounds start to open in of his partner). (Groups continue on page 13) sive of all those looking for a safe and April. The Bears have reserved a space We meet the first and third Thursday affirming Christian fellowship and place at Hillside for Bears 2 and 3. We will evenings from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Lifetime of worship, we are proud to affirm the also be at Jones Pond. We plan to be in Care, 3111 S. Winton Rd., Rochester; gifts and ministry of the women in our town for Gay Pride this summer, and are (585-214-1414). This month we will meet midst. working on ideas for the parade. Inter­ on April 3 and 17 at 5:30 p.m. It was on Easter Sunday of 1975 that ested in camping with us, or helping out D-I first met to witness the power of with events? Contact us at info@empire­ the Resurrection in the lives of LGBT bears.org. PRIDE AT WORK AFL-CIO people of faith. Since then, we've gath­ WE WANT TO RECRUIT ered every Sunday at 5 p.m. at St. Luke and St. Simon Cyrene Episcopal Church FLOWER CITY PRIDE YOU ... ("2-Saints"), 17 South Fitzhugh St. in BAND If you haven't seen the movie Milk, do downtown Rochester. A coffee hour fol­ IT'S TIME TO STRIKE UP it today and give us a call. Pride at Work Lake Avenue lows each of our worship services is about everything that Harvey Milk April 5 is Palm Sunday. We'll be cel­ THE BAND! espoused. Baptist Church ebrating with an Episcopal Eucharistic The Flower City Pride Band is getting We are out, getting noticed and insti­ with music; the Rev. Peter Peters presid­ ready to start the 2009 marching season! gating change. In March there were ing. Formerly BASSically TREBLEmakers, Pride at Work signs at both Fair Share A WELCOMING Sunday, April 12, is Easter. We'll be Flower City Pride has been Rochester's Tax Reform rallies and at the Scotts­ renewing our Baptismal Promises in our lesbian/gay band since 1993. ville rally for Wheatland-Chili school & AFFIRMING Roman Catholic Sunday Celebration In The band is open to all adult LGBT workers without a contract for 600 days. The Absence Of A Priest with music tai­ musicians and allies, of all skill levels. We We again advocated for domestic part­ CONG REGATION lored expressly for D-I; Gloria Ulterino welcome musicians on any traditional ner benefits for County employees at presiding. band instrument, flags, baton twirlers the Monroe County Legislature meet­ Invites You! On Sunday, April 19, we'll celebrate and volunteers. ing and on April 2 we will be honoring a quiet Episcopal Eucharistic in 2-Saints' The summer season will include Jim Bertolone, President of the Rochester lovely lower chapel; former national performances at AIDS Walk, Roches­ Labor Council, at our first "True Colors" 10:00 AM : Integrity president and current rector ter Pride and other community events. awards dinner. (See Calendar, page 14) Sunday morning of 2-Saints, the Rev. Michael Hopkins, During the summer we have primarily Looking forward, on April 15, 4:30 presiding. worship service marching and pep band performances, so - 6 p.m., Pride at Work is co-sponsoring On Sunday, April 26, we'll begin it is an easy time to join the band ... and the third annual Marriage Equality Tax with Prayers To Start The Week, fol­ 11:30 AM: join the fun! Day Demonstration at the Henrietta Post lowed by an ''April in Paris" Potluck fea­ Class on Igbt We plan to rehearse on Wednesday Office on Jefferson Rd. Join us, we'll turing French cuisine. evenings, beginning in April. have plenty of signs. liberation th eology For more information (and links to Flower City Pride is a member of the Tuesday, April 28 Pride at Work our national organizations), visit our Lesbian and Gay Band Association. As members will be headed to Albany for Childcare & website at www.di-rochester.org. You can such, our members are eligible to per­ Equality & Justice Day with 100 hand­ Sun day School for also call our recorded info-line at 585- form at LGBA events, as some did for the made signs to share. Register today and 234-5092. children are available. 2009 Obama Inauguration. The next big sit with us on the bus. event will be the LGBA Annual Confer­ But our biggest news is that our DINING WITH DYKES ence at Decafest in New Orleans. chapter is bringing National Pride at Lake Avenue (DwD) For more information, contact Judy Work trainers to Rochester on May 9 Ames at [email protected] to offer union certification training to Baptist Church is located Dining with Dykes is a fun social local labor officers, negotiators and stew­ just off Lake Avenue near group for queer identified women, their ards. The goal is to create awareness of friends and allies who support the queer GAY SQUARE DANCE GLBT worker concerns and teach the the stop light at 145 Lake community. Everyone from the GLBTQI GROUP - THE LILAC verbiage needed for equitable protections Avenue. Community is welcome to join us. SQUARES for GLBT employees in union contracts. During spring and summer months, It is a first for this area and we are getting we will be gathering on the fourth Hey! It's amazing how much fun we a great response from labor. For more information phone Wednesday of each month for a dinner had at one of the open dances here in the You can support these important out­ 585- 458-5765 social at various locations. If you would Rochester area! reach efforts by joining Pride at Work. 8 B THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • NUMBER 422 • APRIL 2009

Tawa Pano UFC and the Unity Fellowship Church Movement Invite you to join us April 18-19 For a weekend of festivities & worship featuring founder Archbishop Carl Bean

Saturday, April 18th - Youth Revival • 7 pm - 9 pm: Youth led revival • 9 pm: Old School-New School Party, Host Miss Gay Rochester 2009, Keke Valasquez-Lord Tickets are $10. • 9 pm - midnight: Kickin-It Western NY Style (Youth Keke Valasquez-Lord Party) - free Sunday, April 19th • 10am:Join us for a morning of spirit-filled worship. Experience the special blessing of hearing Archbishop Carl Bean bring the word. Archbishop Bean is listed as one of the 100 Leading Black Ministers in America. For information call: 585-568-8391 or e-mail [email protected] or go to http://tawapanoufc.org/

~/" C1J" at. . ~;d; ~,~ , ~ ~' ~ ~ u ' Ie,." 'I ~~- ~

Rejdential eVil and O_d ork peciali L SCI' ing rhc Ro che~rcr Communit for ovel 20 ear.

, e 011 'Wi blUI Shlr '8,"

• i n d Office: 654- 642 • Fully In ur d a : 224- 228 . free Quote LNWo d a. L m. That 70's Y ? YOUCA TKNOW ATA GL 'e! Be sure you know your HIV status and that of !loger !l?obach GomIn'unify Genier On/ariD JJeac:h your partner. GetTested. POOl) CALL 244-9000 for a free 20-minute H V test pI BE with immediate results. 501 (J ~

AIDS Community· Hl!alth Center DRUG AND ALCOHOL FREE ·'.', '.. .,',, :,' 87 N Clinton Ave. "'th Roor - R.ochc.~tc ... NY 14604 I~ 58S-2~.9000 ~ www~achcRochester.org PR/I AT DOOR 12 APRIL 2009 • NUMBER 422 • GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • THE EMPTY CLOSET B 9

Kyle's BEd & BREAkfAST by Greg Fox 60, L\\(E ... A HUMAN ANt> A :I'M SORRy. \.,.~S ~UST •.. WHA"TARE ,SSING, ,FABULOUS WHY, yau7 L-AST TiME ONE, AT THAN\< YOU, .•. :t DoN'T KNOW M U CI4 l: Ct1ECKED. · , "THAT! RlCHARD. A'50IUT TRAN6VE.5T ITES .

REALLY) 8RAD • • ~ HOW C ,OUIL-D 'YOU ASK suc~ A QUESTION?

THAT'd AN . THAT T 'ERM HAS ••• IN C>t\lIDLlAL.. DE.C ~ 6l0N . FALLeN OUT OF Oy. AND :t Tf-i A"- IiVERV TRAN FAV,OR 'N RECENT -rHOUGHT % GENDER.E!D PE.RSO 'teARS, AN "IWA'l . HAD .cHUTZPAH .. NEEDS TO, MAKE.

YOU'RE AGAINST , FOR Me~ PERSONAL.LY. •. :I.'M I -rH E 5 1l,;lRGER'I) QU ITE CONTIE,NT W t Ttrl MY MORGAN'? , BODY "THE WAY rT ,S~ 'iE:S, · '1 WAS BORN SlOLOGlCALL'I MA'E.~+B~T X. CAN EXPREiS5 . MYSELF IN A WAY THAT TRAN6CEN1>8 GENDS·R. ,

I :IF fiE I.. L J KE THERE ~5 . NOT~lNG T~AT NSEDSTO BE ~FA PERSON FEELS THE)' CHANGE-r> WITH SURGERY. NEEP TWAT, THEN • ~ • BY AL~ MSANS) 'J: -SUPpORT THAT. BUT THAT ~6 ;ru6T ME. Website -www.kylecomics.c:om E-Mail- KylesB:[email protected] - 11 , 10 B THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY. NUMBER 422 • APRIL 2009

Psycho Held Youth Stats February '09 By Riley Williams, 18 New Intakes: ...... 17 Avg. Drop-in Attendance ...... 21.4 I'm Psycho Held inside February Activities Alliance ¥outh to confide in thee so you can see show to the world • Community Valentine's Dance the Darker side of you, • CampusOut conference • Writers workshop & open mic, hosted Silent Rain Inside the silent mind Psycho held in the soul of evil by Greg Gerard & Jes Gonzalez By Keith A Oliver Jr. now you see By Des'tine'Rae' Why are you so quiet? What's on so free yourself from As the silent rain pounded on the window seal, your mind? Those two questions I the Psychoheld chains I looked outside to see nohing, but a pitch of hear the most, I have yet to answer brake loose and see the gray. either of them. light of Day, Youth Sorrows of a depressing past starts to reveal on I'll admit that I am quiet in the her face, case of talking, but there is one thing sad and departed, Death and Program && surrounds her room, darkness of death. that is never quiet, the mind. Now the loss Psycho held forever in Tears start to roll down her face, noone knows, mind is a complex thing, we always the chains that bind thee Reports not because of the rain sliding down the win- use it but the question is what do we But you must free dow, use it for? yourself once more to but the darkness that has come over her. I spend my nights thinking about see the world around you, "Family" Movie Day in wishing the sun would come out, where I am. Those that know me will Psycho held within my sould that is trapped underneath the gray sky. most likely tell you that I am a funny tell me once you know. Youth Center It seems as if she's dying the longer, person. What most people don't know, So I'm Psychoheld within On Saturday, March 21, the Youth the shades of gray && black crosses her face. even those that know me, is that my my evil soul chained and Advisory Council of the Gay Alliance Black tears pouring down her face, humor is just a mask because I have bound to the Evil around hosted a Family Movie Day. The free as they hit her legs they seem to have faded problems that I am too insecure to me, event included a showing of a film, "Find­ away, address. ing Nemo," and a chance for LGBT iden­ not even they can bare to be with her. Insecurity is a funny thing, I always so you see now I'm bound by tified individuals and their families to Her face soaked with emotions, thought that people were avoiding me; the Darker side of you, spend time together. the only thing that can relate to her, I just never imagined that someone Psycho held in the soul of evil We had youth who attended with is the muddy puddle that sits on her window would actually say, "He scares all of now you see their GLBT parents, LGBT identified seal. us." That hurt because I was trying so free yourself from youth came with their supportive siblings The rain begings to calm, no more poundering, and have been trying to prove that I the Psycho held chains and parents. The afternoon was free and the sun still trapped, fighting its way through, am a nice guy, I just need a chance to brake loose and see the refreshments were available, with dona­ clouds turn from gray to white, starts to disap- prove that. light of Day, tions benefiting the youth program! pear, Most of all, the thing that has hurt Watch for more Family Movie Days in as if it's white dust. me the most is the one writing this. sad and departed, Death and the future . • I can see a dark aqua sky, && a round dark I'm single because of my own mis­ loss Psycho held forever in yellow [almost orange] takes, I always over plan what I am the chains that bind thee circle that mid-centers the sky. going to do or say what I am going But you must free Frisbee Tournament Her face becomes dry && now she can see the to say. I'm always thinking about how yourself once more to benefits Youth Program pastels bad my life seems to be to me, but I'm see the world around you, The second annual "What Are We of neon colors glooming from the walls, that not depressed nor am I suicidal. I have Thinking"(WART) Ultimate Frisbee surrounds her. thought about death, what person Psycho held within my soul tournament to benefit Youth Services at Darkness a figurement of imagination, hasn't thought about death. It doesn't tell me once you know. the Gay Alliance occurred on Feb. 2l. portraying her eyes that were seeping black ink. scare me, dying, what does scare me So I'm Psychoheld within Thirty-six people raised $400 to sup­ She ajar the window to feel the warm breeze, is that I haven't helped enough people my evil soul chained and port our youth programming efforts. night comes. and I missed my shot. Bound to the Evil around The Gay Alliance Youth Program She closes her eyes as she lays down, My reason for not being depressed me, expresses its heartfelt thanks to tour­ a distraction of a white light shines across her is that, yes my life may seem bad but nament organizers Scott Franklin and face, there are always two types of people, I'm Psycho held inside Tanya Beiswenger for this wonderful her eyes stay shut, she knows its the moon, those that are worse off than you and to confide in thee gift . • here to protect her night. those that are better than you. I ask so you see show to the world you now, why am I so quiet and what the Darker side of you. is on my mind? •

Fun, friendly, safe adults are needed to volunteer their ~ [ll@J ~ WlJ]) 0 719Ji1IIill time and talents, providing ~GlliID ITtImi1lli)0IDlB01~'LB1hlD positive role models, maybe OOD~ 0 ITl1IID~lillRIlliIfI []ill sharing a talent or skill. ~~o~~~ Contact Scott Fearing, Outreach Coordinator for llitJ:fBj] [W ITlO ~~ an application: [email protected] ~: I ~1~~~~~UU~AA~~t~ 585-244-8640 x14 ~GI:I1® APRIL 2009 • NUMBER 422 • GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • THE EMPTY CLOSET B 11

Lesbians and Gays at PFLAG@ GayAlliance.org or 585-244- 8640 ext.27. Gay Alliance News Justice Professionals The Gay Alliance hosts a In this case, our AVP has been Gay Alliance of the able to help the victim make monthly networking event for Genesee Yalley some progress in getting the professionals who work in any 875 E. Main Street, Suite 500 issue addressed at school. area of criminal justice. LGBT Rochester, New York 14605 identified lawyers, law enforce­ The second report is the con­ Office Hours tinuation of a case first reported ment, probation, parole, court Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm to the AVP last October. The employees, victim service pro­ viders, and other profession­ Phone: victim was harassed and threat­ (585) 244-8640 ened with physical harm by als are welcome to attend. For details on the next event, please Fax: neighbors. These incidents are (585) 244-8246 now under investigation by the contact Kelly Clark at KellyC@ police and the building owner. gayalliance.org. Website: "It is important for LGBT HVAD planning www.gayalliance.org community members to call EC Phone: and report incidents to us," underway (585) 244-9030 As the local community part­ stressed Anti-Violence Coordi­ ner of the HIV Vaccine Trials EC Fax: nator Kelly Baumgartner, "even (585) 244-8246 Unit at the University of Roch­ if no assistance is needed, or the "THE KELLYS": Kelly Clark and Kelly Baumgartner of the Commu­ ester, the Gay Alliance will host EC Advertising: incident is not LGBT related, nity Safety Program and Anti Violence Project at the LGBT Health the annual HIV Vaccine Aware­ (585) 244-9030 Fair on March 15. Photo: Garnetta Ely we need to track the types of ness Day event on Wednesday, EC E-mail: violence our community mem­ May 6. The day will start with [email protected] bers experience. I can't stress it learn more about the AVP, meet a morning press conference at Happy often enough: when in doubt, EC Online: the staff, and learn how you can Rochester City Hall, which will www.gayalliance.org call us." KellyB@gayalliance. Birthday be of help to this vital service. highlight the start of new trials (click on Empty Closet News) org; 585-244-8640 x17. AVP Also this year for the first at the University, and celebrate Board President time, the Gay Alliance has PFLAG Mom gets the long history of HIV Vaccine Tom Ferrarese By Kelly Clark joined The Rochester/Monroe research in Rochester. Follow­ Happy Executive Director County Coalition for Crime quick reply ing the press conference, a two Birthday Anti­ Sue Cowell Victims to collaborate in plan­ On the morning of March hour training will provide local Violence Project! This year we 20, OutReach Director Scott ning the annual Crime Victims medical and HIV/AIDS service Administrative celebrate five years of violence Assistant Walk. Consequently, LGBT vic­ Fearing had a morning meet­ providers with the latest infor­ education and prevention as John Stevens tims of crime will specifically be ing interrupted by Charlotte, a mation about the HIV Vaccine well as the provision of services remembered during this year's PFLAG mother who previously research that is occurring around Program Director and support for LGBT victims commemoration. Hate crime had only been in contact by the world, and the importance of Scott Fearing of violence. survivor Lance Neve of Spencer­ telephone and e-mail. the local efforts. Empty Closet Editor Through the Anti-Violence port will be one of two featured "My most recent electronic Susan Jordan Project (AVP) and new Commu­ victim speakers at the Walk to be interaction with her," explained Downtown nity Safety Program, the Gay Alli­ Graphic Design held Saturday, May 2. We hope Fearing, "was after she sent me Jim Anderson ance remains dedicated to reducing the following note:" Community Forum to see many of you there to sup­ On Wednesday April 29 at all forms of violence within and "Recently I attended the East Community Safety port Lance as he speaks publicly 6:45 p.m., the Gay Alliance, the against the LGBT community. Irondequoit School Board meet­ Kelly Clark for the first time about being a Campaign for Love & Forgive­ We work to insure that LGBT ing to ask them to add the words Program Assistant hate crime survivor. ness, WXXI, NCBI and the victims of violence receive appro­ 'Sexual Orientation' to their Kelly Baumgartner During the week, we will also Downtown Community Forum priate and sensitive services. 'Right to Fairness' Code in the launch our new Report Violence will host a free screening of Any­ Youth Services In 2008, we took over 50 District. I asked that any time Coordinator campaign. Central to the cam­ one and Everyone. The screening reports of violence from the policies stated 'Color, Creed,' etc Jessica Cohen paign is the launch of our new will be followed by a facilitated community, totally 68 victims. that they add the words 'Sexual online reporting form, designed discussion of issues raised in the CampusOut Assistant We provided support and many Orientation.' Also, I asked that Rebecca Newberry to make it even easier for com­ film, which presents the stories referrals to LGBT friendly ser­ they add the GSA-Gay Straight munity members to reach out to of parents with gay and lesbian Americorps Member vices including mental health Alliance to their list of school the AVP for help. We are proud children. Through communi­ Ceridwen Troy counseling and legal aid. This clubs. I brought with me two of the AVP and the work we do ty conversations, the Campaign Youth Group: past year, we also started a brochures that were mailed to on behalf of the community. We for Love and Forgiveness aims Youth Center, 1st Floor Survivors of Violence Support parents and pointed out that the believe the life of each and every to create a meaningful dialogue Ages: 13-23, Sundays 2-4 pm group exclusively for the LGBT GSA was not there. I stated that LGBT community member has that will bring about positive Ages 18-25, Sundays 4:30-6pm community. I wanted the words spelled out, http://youth .gayall iance.org value and that no one deserves to change. We invite you celebrate with not only the letters GSA -- but for after school schedule and be victimized. special events. us during National Crime Vic­ But to do our best work we the words, so that students and Online Resource tim's Rights Week, April 26-May need you - the community. For parents know what the acronym The Gay Alliance Directory of the Genesee Yalley 2. Join us on Thursday, April 30 more information about these stands for. for the first ever Anti-Violence The Gay Alliance Online is a non-profit agency, programs, or any aspect of the "As I spoke, my voice cracked dedicated to cultivating a Project Report to the Commu­ and I admit tears came when I Resource Directory (GAR D) AVP, or to report an act of vio­ has recently been updated and healthy, inclusive environment nity, 7-9 p.m. at the Youth Cen­ spoke of my daughter being where gay, lesbian, bisexual lence, please contact us at 585- expanded. If you are ever in ter. This is your opportunity to 244-8640, ext 17 or 19 . • bullied because she is gay. They and trans-gender (GLBT) said they would take my sug­ need of a resource, look to this people are safe, thriving and enjoying equal rights. We are a gestions under advisement and important directory first. From doctors and lawyers to counsel­ coalition of individuals and they would send me a letter groups working to empower Program Reports with their decision." On Feb. ors and support groups, it is all GLBT people, to affirm their 20, Charlotte got their reply. there, and if it is not, drop us identities, and to create an a note and we will try to find atmosphere where the diversity services to LGBT victims." Fearing continued, "In her of our community can thrive Book Reading hands she held her written a resource and add it to our On Sunday March 22, the Kelly met with the follow­ directory. both collectively and ing organizations to help them response from the school dis­ separately. We educate and Youth Program hosted a book trict, and her voice cracked, Check out the directory advocate for civil rights for all understand the services we pro­ reading and signing with Lynd­ and her eyes again filled with link on our home page: www. and for the eradication of vide: Domestic Violence Con­ homophobia. say D'Arcangelo, author of The tears as she said, 'I got the letter gayalliance.org, or e-mail us at sortium of Rochester/Monroe Trouble with Emily Dickinson, from them .... they are going to [email protected] . • County - Criminal Justice 2-4 p.m. at Equal Grounds. change their policies .... '" Committee; Monroe County The event was free and attracted There were hugs and tears Sheriff's Department Victims many members of the commu­ all around as we read the letter Gay Alliance Speaking Engagements Assistants; Rochester Police nity, the CampusOUT program from Cathy Anderson, District & Other Events as well as the Youth Program. Department Victims Assis­ Clerk, which includes the fol­ tants; Alternatives for Battered Community Safety lowing statements: "The 'Right MARCH (not listed in March EC) Women; Planned Parenthood to Fair Treatment' statement 3/16: Latinas Promoviendo Comunidad/Lambda Pi Chi Out and About Rape Crisis Service; MOCHA in the Eastridge HS Program Sorority "It is critical that local ser­ Center; Monroe County/City of of Studies will be updated to 3/21: Family Movie Day at Youth Center ("Finding Nemo") vice providers know about the Rochester Coalition for Crime reflect the current Policy lan­ 3/24: RIT OutSpoken services that we offer," said Victims. guage. We are also reviewing all 3/27: Western New York Crime Victims Coalition (Commu­ nity Safety) Kelly Clark, Community Safety district publications to be sure Anti -Violence APRIL Director. "We are rarely the first that any non-discrimination 4/1: Hobart & William Smith College call for someone who is the vic­ Project wording is consistent ... '" In the month of February, 4/1: SUNY Brockport Health Fair tim of a crime, so we need first Congratulations to Char­ 4/22: Rape Crisis Service of Planned Parenthood (Commu­ responders to understand the two incidents were reported to lotte for her wonderful advo­ nity Safety) type of follow-up support we can the AVP office. The first inci­ cacy for her daughter ... Contact 4/30: Hillside Children's Center offer. Further, we can help first dent was from a young man the Rochester Chapter of Par­ 4/30: Community Safety: GAGV Anti-Violence Project responders who may have ques­ who was harassed and threat­ ents, Families and Friends of Report to the Community at GAGV Youth Center. tions of providing professional ened by another boy at school. 12 B THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY. NUMBER 422 • APRIL 2009 Resources

Planned Parenthood of Rochester and Geneva Community Health Monroe County Women's Health AIDS DIRECTORY Genesee Valley 601 W. Washington St., Geneva, Provides HIV Partnership Free testing for HIV exposure offers testing and information (585) 546 2595, testing, HIV specialty and primary care for resi- 111 Westfall Rd" Rochester NY 14692; is available from New York State Department Rural HIV testing dents of Ontario and surrounding counties, (585)274-6978, Comprehensive breast can- of Health: call Rochester Area Regional Hotline anonymous and confidential, in Alleghany, Liv- Mon,-Thurs, 9 am-5 pm; Fridays 9 am-noon, cer screening services for uninsured and at (585) 423-8081, or 1-800-962-5063 for ingston, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, 315-781-8448, underinsured women, pay phones or calls outside Rochester, Deaf or Wayne or Yates Counties, call 1-800-962-5063, Elizabeth Wende Breast Clinic hearing impaired people should call (585)423- FAMILY 170 Sawgrass Drive, 442-8432, Dr. Wende 8120 (TOO,) New Rapid HIV Testing now avail- Action Front Center (Action for a Better Community,) Provides HIV Logan-Young and an all-woman staff provide able -test results in 30-40 minutes! Statewide RESOURCES mammograms, information can be obtained by calling 1-800- prevention education and case management services, Training and technical assistance to Rochester Gay Moms' Group SHARE: Self Help for Women with Breast 541-AIDS, Other organizations which provide Support group for lesbian mommies and AIDS-related services are as follows: service providers, Resource library open to or Ovarian Cancer public, All services free and confidential. Multi- wannabe mommies in Rochester and sur- NYS Hotline: 1-866-53SHARE or 1-866- AIDS Rochester, Inc. cultural and bilingual staff, Jearald Noble, pro- rounding areas, Subscribe: RochesterGay- 537-4273, 1350 University Ave" Rochester NY 14607. gram manager, 33 Chestnut St., second floor, Moms-subscribe@yahoogroups,com, Provide, support servicces for people with HIV / AIDS Rochester Women's Health Hours 8:30-5 pm, Monday-Friday, 262-4330; Gay Fathers Group Outreach AIDS and their families; presents educational fax 262-4572. Free anonymous HIV testing on Meets first and third Tuesday, 6:30-8:30pm, programs related to HIV/STDs to community 1350 University Ave, ARI has services for walk-in basis, Tuesdays, Wednesdays 1-4 pm, GAGV Community Center, 875 E. Main St. groups; offers free, confidential testing every HIV positive women and others in the lesbian provided through NYSDOH, Thursdays 1-4 pm community, 442-2220, Monday and Thursday, 5-8 pm (no apoint- at Aenon Baptist Church, 175 Genesee St. Lesbian &Gay Family Building Project ment necessary), Also testing on Outreach Van Claudia E. Stallman, Project Director, Ferre Community Health Network throughout city, Contact information: business Anthony L. Jordan Health Center Preven- Institute, Inc, 124 Front St., Binghampton, NY 87 N, Clinton Ave, 244-9000; TTY (585)461- line (585) 442-2220 V/TTY; www,aidsroches- tion &Primary Care Program 13905, Phone: (607) 724-4308; Fax: (607) 9202, HIV and Primary care medical services for ter,org,Rural counties served by ARI offices in Provides Medical Case Management, Mental 724-8290; E-mail: LesGayFamBldg@aol. HIV positive women, their negative partners and Geneva (1-800-422-0282) and Bath (1-800- Health, Primary Care, HIV Counceling and Test- com: Web: www,PrideAndJoyFamilies,org family members, OB/GYN, HIV pre-test and post- 954-2437), ing using the Orasure Rapid Test, Education test counseling, Confidential or free HIV testing, presentations, and access to other Jordan ser- Families Joined by Love Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley vices, Prevention & Primary Care is a walk-in Books and resources for LGBT families, Alternatives for Battered Women provides referrals to physicians and service program; no appointments necessary, Office www,familiesjoinedebylove,org, 232-7353; TTY 232-1741. Shelter (women agencies, (585) 244-8640; www.gayalliance,org hours: Mon,- Fri., 8:30am- 5 pm: extended only), counseling, Lesbians, gay men welcome, Center for Health and Behavioral Training hours on Monday until 8 pm, (585) 423-2879; GAY HEALTH GAGV Anti Violence Project of Monroe County fax (585) 423-2876, Website: www,jordan- Monroe Co. Dept. of Health sm Clinic 585-244-8640 ext 17. For women and men, 853 Main St., Rochester 14611. Collabora- health,org, For more information, call Program Phone: (585) 464-5928 tion of Monroe County Health Department and Director Patrick M, Trevor, (585) 423-2879, Victim Resource Center of Wayne County U,R, Provides year-round training in prevention Monroe Com. Coli. Student Health Services Newark NY. Hotline 800-456-1172; office CDC National STD and AIDS Hotline Phone: (585) 292-2018 (MCC Students only) (315)331-1171; fax (315)331-1189, and management of STDs, HIV, TB and related 1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) 24 hours issues, such as domestic violence and case a day, TTY service: 1-888-232-6348, E-mail Hobart &William Smith Health Services Mary Magdalene House management. (585)753-5382 v/tty, address: cdcinfo@cdc,gov, Phone: (315) 781-3600 Women's outreach center for HIV positive Planned Parenthood of the Rochester/ Rochester Colon &Rectal Surgeons women and women at risk, 291 Lyell Ave, Fair Housing Enforcement Project of Mon- Open Mon-Fri. 6:30-9:30 pm 458-5728, Syracuse Region roe County Phone: (585) 244-5670 114 University Ave" Rochester, NY 14605; Toll- 585-325-2500; 1-800-669-9777. Deals with Rochester Institute of Technology Student Planned Parenthood of the Rochester/ free Helpline: 1-866-600-6886, Offers confi- housing discrimination on basis of race, orien- Syracuse Region dential HIV testing and information, When you Health Services tation, HIV status, etc, Phone: (585) 475-2255 (RIT Students only) 114 University Ave" Rochester, NY 14605; Toll- make your appointment, be sure to ask about free Helpline: 1-866-600-6886, Planned Parent- our sliding scale fees, No one is turned away for Public Interest Law Office of Rochester Threshold Center for Alternative Youth hood has led the way in providing high quality, lack of ability to pay, (PILOR) Services affordable reproductive health care since 1916, 80 St. Paul St., Suite 701. Free legal services AIDS Community Health Center (achc) Provides confidential HIV, STD testing, general Our experienced and compassionate medical staff to HIV positive persons, families, Spanish bilin- heath care, Sliding fee scale; no one denied, will listen to your concerns and answer your ques- 87 N, Clinton Ave, (4th floor), Comprehensive HIV gual advocates available, All civil cases except care and primary medical care for HIV positive 145 Parsells Ave,: Mon.lWeds, and Fri. 9-5; tions in a warm, welcoming atmosphere, All our divorce; no criminal cases, Ask to speak to Tues.lThurs, 9-7; Sat. 10 am-2 pm, www, services are confidential. We accept most insur- individuals, their negative partners, and adult fam- someone in PILOR, 454-4060, ily members, ACHC provides nutritional evalu- ThresholdCenter,org; Phone: (585) 454-7530 ances; including Medicaid, You may even qualify ation, vision screenings, gynecological care, Evergreen Health Services, Buffalo (serving ages 12-25) for low- to no-cost family planning services, When medical case management/counseling, and sub- Primary care, HIV and family care, HIV testing Women Gynecology &Childbirth you make your appointment, be sure to ask about stance abuse counseling, The Center also offers and counseling, (716) 847-0328 Associates, P.C. our sliding scale fees, No one is turned away for lack of ability to pay, out-patient treatments and infusions onsite, liaison Westside Health Services Phone: (585) 244-3430 (Main Office) nurses to coordinate home-care needs, educa- Brown Square Health Center, 175 Lyell Ave, Gay Health list compiled by AIDS Rochester, POLITICAL: tional resources and support groups, an active (254-6480); Woodward health Center, 480 Patient Advisory Committee (PAC), access to clin- Inc, Further information on this list and related National Organization for Women Genesee St. (436-3040), HIV/AIDS services, gay health topics available at http://www,aid- (Greater Rochester NOW) ical trials, lab onsite, and referrals to psychother- support, more, apy and other specialized health services, (585) srochester,org/gayhealth PO Box 93196; (585)234-7019, E-mail: info@rochesternow,org Web page: http:// 244-9000, TTY (585) 461-9202, McCree McCuller Wellness Center at This list is under construction, If you are a www.rochesternow,org, Unity Health's Connection Clinic provider, or know of one who would like to be Rochester Area Task Force on AIDS (585) 368-3200, 89 Genesee St., Bishop (RATFA) included in this directory, please call Erik Libey CULTURAL: Kearney Bldg" 3rd floor, Full range of servcies, at 442-2220 for more information, is a collection of agencies providing a multi- regardless of ability to pay, Caring, confidential Rochester Women's Community Chorus plicity of resources and services to the upstate and convenient. 234-4441. (See Ongoing calendar), New York community, Their offices are located WOMEN'S through the Finger Lakes Health Systems Agen- Catholic Charities AIDS Services SPORTS: cy, which also provides medical literature and A multicultural and bi-lingual staff providing ser- RESOURCES Empire State Roar Women's Football newspaper clippings, as well as demographic vices to a diversity of people infected and affected www,theempirestateroar.com and statistical data for use in developing health with HIVlntensive home-based case management HEALTH: care services, (585) 461-3520, for all ages; a clinical crisis manager; a child/ Highland Hospital Breast Imaging Center adolescent case worker; transitional case man- 500 Red Creek Drive, Rochester 14623; ONLINE: Men of Color Health Awareness Project agement for children and family members going 585-487-3300, Specializing in breast health, RochesterDykes: (MOCHA) through bereavement; recreational and support diagnostic breast imaging and treatment and www.rdykes,com; HIV prevention focus for men who have sex with groups for children and teens, and camping expe- mammography outreach and education, e-mail sabrinabeach@yahoo,com men (MSM) in the minority community, Support riences including Camp SOAR, We coordinate groups, one on one peer education, safer sex Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester WOWcny: HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for People with 840 University Ave,; 585-473-8177; www, e-mail: [email protected] workshops, referral services, buddy testing, 107 AIDS) short term emergency assistance with rent/ Liberty Pole Way, 420-1400, bccr,org; email: info@bccr,org, Breast Can- Rochester NY Lesbians; mortgage/utility payments and limited subsidized cer Coalition provides support services that groups,aol,com/rochstrlesbians Monroe County Health Department housing, 1945 E, Ridge Rd" Suite 24, Rochester include Brown Bag Fridays: an informal discus- at 855 W. Main St., offers testing and counsel- NY 14622, (585) 339-9800, sion group that meets weekly from 12: 00-1: 30; GENERAL: ing for HIV and other sexually transmitted dis- Huther Doyle Breast Cancer 101 and 201: programs designed Women's Resource Center eases, (585)753-5481, 360 East Ave" Rochester 14604, Offers drug, to help those coping with a recent breast cancer YWCA, 175 N, Clinton Ave, 546-7740, Strong Memorial Hospital alcohol prevention, education, treatment. Risk diagnosis and those coping with an advanced Color Outside the Line Crew provides a complete range of HIV medical care, Reduction Plus Team offers servcies to HIV breast cancer diagnosis; Sister Sak: a program Contact Jackie Williams, 482-4945, including access to experimental treatment pro- positive and those at risk through substance that addresses the issues facing young women tocols, and HIV testing, Also provides individual use, Programs include outreach, transitional with breast cancer; and the Advanced Breast Check our monthly and ongoing Calendars and and group psychotherapy, Training of health care case management, free cconfidential testing Cancer Support Group to support women liv- the Gay Groups section for more woman-cen- professionals also available, Infectious Disease (OraQuick Rapid Testing), NYS Dep't. of Health ing with metastatic breast cancer, The Breast tered groups and events, and call the GaySource Clinic, (585) 275-0526, Department of Psy- offers free on-site confidential and anonymous Cancer Coalition also provides information about Infoline for referrals, at 244-8640 or see www, chiatry, (585) 275-3379, AIDS Training Project, testing, (585)325-5100, M-F 8 am-9 pm, breast cancer, a lending library, and a monthly gayalliance,org, And send us your information! (585) 275-5693, www,hutherdoyle,com, educational program, All BCCR programs and support services are free, APRIL 2009 • NUMBER 422 • GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • THE EMPTY CLOSET B 13

(Groups continued from page 7) ing by the pooL ... either way you're our for further developments over the next guest. Ample space is available for tents few months. So hone your card skills or RVs. Check out the Rams website for and join us for fun and cash prizes. Our details. location will be fully accessible and have The Rochester Rams M.e. is Roches­ plenty of parking. ter New York's foremost gay motorcycle Moving on, we sponsor drug and alco­ and leather club as well as being one of hol-free dances twice a year. The atten­ the oldest clubs of its type in the country. dance has usually been over 100 peeps All who are interested in the leather club of all ages (18 and up). The basket raffles scene are invited to check us out. Our have sent folks home smiling and laugh­ general meeting is open to the public and ing, adding more pleasure to the evening. we meet the Wednesday before bar night Tickets will be available in advance at 7:30 p.m. for $8 at Equal=Grounds, Outlandish, Meetings are held at our home bar, or by calling our office at 585-325-1640, the Bachelor Forum, 670 University Ave. and admission is $12 at the door for all. Our next general meetings will be held I also need to mention our other on April 15, May 13 and June 17. For stuff here. Coffee & Conversation at more info, visit our website: www.roch­ Equal=Grounds, exercise classes, a walk­ esterrams.com. ing group, more to come - board games night, etc. TAWA PANO UFC Our members are active and busy. We participate in the larger commu­ IMAGINE THIS! nity in many ways. We are writers. Our By Rev. Dr. Sharon Jacobson Jeanne Gainsburg (on right) with Dining with Dykes members at their March 11 din­ Empty Closet articles are written by our Imagine this! Imagine going to your ner gathering. members. Member Meredith Reiniger house of worship and your spiritual lead­ has a monthly EC column. Members er tells you, "Wherever you identify ent. The food was quite good. The restau­ Chuck and Tony hosted an international Introducing a new feature: yourself sexually along God's rainbow of rant staff was lively and very respectful. exchange student and had a great inter­ sexuality, know that you are not in error. STEPPING OUT The conversation never lagged. view in the Ee. Homosexual, Lesbian, Bisexual, Hetero­ Cathie and Sue are marrying in Can­ There are among us cooks, garden­ DINING WITH DYKES sexual, Transgender ... you are not a mis­ ada in the end of March, and there was ers, poets, artists, ASL interpreters, house take. God made you the way you are and (FINALLY) a lot of excitement and discussion on this painters, social workers, computer geeks, God loves you just the way you are. So By Jeanne Gainsburg* topic. The goofy story of how Cathie and clerks -- all with years of experience and love yourself and know that you are very After two unsuccessful attempts to Sue first met, the menu for the wedding, tales to tell. special". Dine With Dykes, both foiled due to the careful planning involved in order to Uh-oh, a senior moment! Yikes! I've Imagine this! Imagine there was a the hideous winter weather in Rochester, avoid having anyone driving home drunk almost forgotten the Intergenerational place where you could go and worship on I finally managed to hook up with this (something Cathie and Sue take very Panel, now up for its sixth year (see Cal­ a regular basis; a place where each week new group on March 11, as part of Dine seriously) were all discussed, and before endar and page A 1). Always a wonderful you were reminded that God is love and Out 2009 for AIDS Rochester. the night was over, my friend and I had way to connect the generations, as the love is for everyone! The Lumberyard Grille in Canandaigua received an invitation to come to Canada "Shoulders to Stand On" is doing under Imagine this! Imagine there was a (106 Bemis St.) participates in this event and party with them at their wedding. the direction of Evelyn Bailey. So pay place where you could go and worship every year, and that is where the group Cathie's and Sue's warmth, welcom­ attention - RSWNY are your shoul­ and heal from spiritual and biblical abuse Dining With Dykes met last month. ing manners, big hearts and fun-filled ders, as you younger ones will be for the and the wounds of every day life; a place Cathie and Sue, who will be mar­ attitudes are a major selling point for this next generation. where you could be encouraged and ried by the time this article is published group. They are the kind of people who Last but not least, our members take transform your life. (wahoo!), established this fun social group could actually make me feel comfortable trips by train, boats, cars... So we go Imagine this! Imagine you had the in order to reach community members in attending their wedding, despite the fact places and do things, and believe it or opportunity to meet the person who smaller townships and to get out and that I have only just met them. They are not, we use iPods, cell phones, comput­ started a church for all of humanity. meet people from our own communi­ the kind of people who could probably ers, pin ball machines, and even ATMs Imagine that you had the opportunity to ties who live nearby. The group plans convince me, after a few glasses of wine, and Blackberries. hear this person preach a message of lib­ on holding meetings at varying locations to perform Karaoke in their living room. We are Rainbow Seniors of Western eration and vision. from Syracuse to Buffalo and will include They are the kind of people who will, I New York, exercising our "seniority" at Imagine this! Imagine you get to many of the smaller towns in between. believe, make anyone feel welcome and every level of life. Check out our website have this experience along with several Sometimes the gatherings will be din­ make any party fun. at www.rainbowseniorswny.org or call us hundred other people who have traveled ners at restaurants and sometimes they During the spring and summer at 585-325-1640. to Rochester from across the country to will be potlucks, poker and Karaoke at months, Dining With Dykes will meet meet, greet, socialize, study, and worship members' homes. on the fourth Wednesday of each month. ROCHESTER GLBTQI with each other. Imagine that you could The thing that really caught my atten­ The next meeting will be on Wednesday, MOTORCYCLE GROUP be a part of this phenomenal experience. tion, and made me want to visit with this April 29 at 6:30 p.m. at Mykonos Cafe, Stop dreaming, because this is a reality. group, was their policy of inclusion. 687 Moseley Road in Fairport. Please Hey, it's almost time to ride again! I'm This is the affirmation repeated at Unity The list of who is welcome to join this RSVP by April 24 so they can include looking forward to this year and riding. Fellowship Churches throughout the coun­ group includes gay, lesbian, dyke, queer, you in the reservation. We met at Nasty D's and Bob D. is try week after week after week. This is the bisexual, queer women of color, mtf, For more information on Dining putting out a survey to see when and core theology on which Archbishop Carl ftm, butch, femme, boi, stone, tom boys, With Dykes, contact Cathie or Sue at where our group goes out for our Break­ Bean built the Unity Fellowship Church transmen, transwomen, TG, TS, TV 585-554-4272 or dining_with_dykes@ out Run for this year. Call for more Movement. This is who Rochester will and any other queer identity in between, frontiernet.net or visit the website at: information. have an opportunity to experience on Sun­ as well as friends and allies who support http://www.frontiernet.net/~ dining.wi tho Our group is made up of newbies, peo­ day, April 19, as people from all over the the queer community. Zowie! It made me dykes/. There is also an article in this ple who put on a lot of mileage, and long country travel to Rochester to be a part wonder who would NOT be welcome. issue's Groups section, page 7. time bikers. We are all joined, apart from of Midyear 2009, where Rochester is the Rush Limbaugh? Ann Coulter? *Jeanne Gainsburg is a loud and proud the obvious, by our sport, and helping host city and Tawa Pano Unity Fellowship I drove down to Canandaigua with a feminist and LGBT ally. You can contact each other. A real nice group of people! Church is the host church. friend the night of March 11 and I received me at [email protected]. For more information, look at our Worship on Sunday, April 19 will be a big hug from both Sue and Cathie for Stepping OUT will be a column cover­ Yahoo group profile: RochesterGLBTQ­ the final experience in a weeklong gather­ my efforts. The night I attended Dining ing groups in the LGBT community; it will Ibikers. You can also call Bob at 467- ing of meetings for clergy that begin on With Dykes there were nine people pres- appear irregularly in this section . • 6456, or e-mail bmdaniels@frontiernet. Monday and culminate with social, edu­ net. Let's ride with pride! cational and spiritual opportunities for lay and community members to connect and ROCHESTER RAMS M.C. grow with each other. Amongst the fea­ tured events planned for this year are a day Spring is just around the corner and long institute for youth and young adults, LESBIAN bringing with it lots of exciting Roches­ ranging in age from 13-35; workshops, a ter Rams events. Join us for "Stuff Your youth led revival on Saturday evening (7 Basket Night" on April 18 from 9 p.m. to pm - 9 p.m.), Kickin' It Western New 2 a.m. at the Bachelor Forum. York Style, which is a free party for youth The Canadians invade Rochester for (13-17) on Saturday evening (9 p.m. - our annual Can-Am weekend held May midnight), and Old School- New School, 15 -18. There are many fun filled events a party on Saturday evening for adults Monday, April 6, 6:30-9pm over the weekend. Registration informa­ hosted by Miss Gay Rochester 2009, Miss tion is available on the Rams' website. Keke Valasquez-Lord (9 p.m. - midnight). Equal=Grounds Coffee Shop Can Am bar night will be held May 16 Tickets for Old School- New School are 750 South Avenue, Rochester at the Bachelor Forum from 9 p.m. to $10 and can be purchased at the door or 2 a.m. Join us for what is one of hottest online at http://tawapanoufc.org $10 • Free Desserts nights of the year. All events are open to the public and The Rams 34th Leather Weekend are being held at the Rochester Plaza run is all set for June 26 - 28. We have Hotel and Conference Center, 70 State a beautiful secluded run site about 35 St. For more information on any of these [esl)ian SpeeCi Dating I)enefits tl1e miles west of Rochester. One low fee events, contact Tawa Pano Unity Fellow­ includes all meals, drinks and events. ship Church at 568-8391, e-mail them Gay Alliance Anti-Violence Project Join the group for the Saturday motor­ at [email protected] or visit http:// cycle enduro run or spend the day hang- tawapanoufc.org . • 14 B THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • NUMBER 422 • APRIL 2009

Equal=Grounds, 750 South Ave., 6:30-9 B. Anthony Institute for Women & Gen­ di-rochester.org; recorded info-line at p.m. Info: Kelly Clark, 244-8640 ext 19. der Studies conference. Hawkins-Carlson 585-234-5092. SATURDAY 11 Room, UR. www.rochester.edu/college/ MOCHA Trendsetter 2009. Club WSTI Empire Bears potluck at GAGV Muthers, 40 S. Union St. Doors open April Miss Richfield 1981 benefit for 6 pm; pageant starts 7 pm. With KeKe Youth Center. 6:30 pm. Trying out new CNY Pride, Syracuse Cares. 8 pm, Palace recipes. www.empirebears.org. Valasquez Lord, Miss Gay Rochester. WEDNESDAY 1 Theatre, 2384 James St., Syracuse. $25 in Charles Tyson, 585-420-1400 ext 16; Drag race down East Ave. from Inner SUNDAY 12 advance, $30 at door. www.cnypride.org. visit www.myspace.com/yeahproject. Loop to Goodman St. 11 pm-midnight. Easter Sunday Dignity Integrity renewal of Bap­ SATURDAY 18 TUESDAY 28 Entrants must wear des™igner gown Butch Femme Connection Dinner tismal Promises in Roman Catholic Equality and Justice Day, Albany. (with label) and stiletto heels. Makeup Night Out. Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse Sunday Celebration in the absence of Empire State Pride Agenda annual lobby optional. Info at looflirpa.com. on Jefferson Road in Henrietta at 7 p.m. a priest with music; Gloria Ulterino pre­ day for marriage equality, transgender LGBT workplace issues workshop. [email protected]; 585-288-7208. siding. 5 p.m. at St. Luke and St. Simon rights, Dignity for All Students. For Nazareth College. Mark]. Brustoff 4 Erotic Night at Equal=Grounds, 750 Cyrene Episcopal Church ("2-Saints"), 17 Rochester info, contact Todd Plank, 271- pm, Otto Shults Community Center. South Ave. Featuring jazz by Jimmie South Fitzhugh St. www.di-rochester.org; 2420; [email protected]. Highsmith Jr., many performers. THURSDAY 2 recorded info-line at 585-234-5092. Pride at Work First Annual True Rams bar night. 9 pm-2 am, Bach­ WEDNESDAY 29 Colors Awards dinner. Featuring Phyl MONDAY 13 elor Forum, 670 University Ave. Dining with Dykes Dinner Social. Contestable; Susan John keynote speaker. Unity Fellowship Church National 6:30 pm, Mykonos Cafe, 687 Moseley Midyear Conference, hosted by Tawa SUNDAY 19 Rd., Fairport, 585-598-3550. Website: Award to Jim Bertolone, Genesee Valley Dignity Integrity quiet Episco­ Pano UFC at Rochester Crowne Plaza www.themykonoscafe.com. Contact: Labor Federation. $25/person, 5:30-8:30 pal Eucharistic in 2-Saints' lower cha­ Hotel. Through April 19. For informa­ Cathie or Sue. RSVP: dining.with. pm. Diplomat Banquet Center, Gates. pel; Rev. Michael Hopkins. 5 p.m. at St. tion, call 568-8391. [email protected] or 585-554-4272. Info at 426-0862. Luke and St. Simon Cyrene Episcopal Please RSVP by Friday, April 24. Rainbow Theatre Festival 2009, WEDNESDAY 15 Church ("2-Saints"), 17 South Fitzhugh Anyone & Everyone - free screen- presented by Bread & Water Theatre. Deadline for May Empty Closet. St. www.di-rochester.org; recorded info­ ing at Gay Alliance, co-hosted by GAGV Through May 3. Opening night: "The [email protected]; 585-244-9030. line at 585-234-5092. Lambda Project: Let the Light Shine Tax Day protest for marriage equal­ Rainbow Seniors Intergenerational Campaign for Love & Forgiveness, On". 8 pm, 243 Rosedale St. (New Life ity at Jefferson Rd. P.O., Henrietta. 4:30- Panel. Theme: History. 4-5:30 pm, First WXXI, National Coalition Building Insti­ Presbyterian Church). See page B 1. 6 pm. [email protected]. Universalist Church, Clinton Ave. down­ tute and Downtown Community Forum. SATURDAY 4 Rochester Rams general meeting. town at Court St. Free. Refreshments. For time, etc. call 244-8640 ext 20 or 19. Butch Femme Connection Dinner 7:30 pm, Bachelor Forum, 670 University Pride 2009 Tea Dance Party. Swim­ THURSDAY 30 Night Out. Dentico's Italian Restaurant Ave. www.rochesterrams.com. wear/underwear fashion show benefit, Beltain, May Eve, Walpurgisnacht. on Culver Road near Norton St., 7 p.m. THURSDAY 16 Muthers, 40 S. Union St. 4-10 pm. $10 Ancient celebration of spring, sexuality [email protected] or call Kerryl 2009 North East Lesbian, Gay in advance (available at Muthers), $15 at and the return of life to the world. Max at 585-288-7208. Bisexual and Transgender Conference, door. To benefit Pride 2009. GAGV Anti-Violence Project Empire Bears bar night. Sleepwear "Facets of Oppression," Albany. Through FRIDAY 24 Report to the Community. GAGV (and caution) recommended as Bears April 19 at the University At Albany. Pride and Joy Families Confer­ Youth Center, 875 E. Main St., first come out of hibernation. 9 pm. Bachelor Information, registration at www.NELG­ ence. Through April 26, Radisson Hotel­ floor. 7-9 pm. Forum, 670 University Ave. BTC.com; 518-442-5853. Utica Center, Utica. Hosted by Lesbian MAY - SATURDAY 2 SUNDAY 5 FRIDAY 17 and Gay Family Building Project, Fam­ Annual Crime Victims Walk. Starts Palm Sunday Day of Silence rally. For LGBT ily Equality Council, COLAGE (Chil­ 9:30 am at the Crime Victims Resource Dignity Integrity Episcopal youth, allies ages 13-23. Rally to break dren of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere). Center at 244 S. Plymouth Ave., goes to Eucharistic with music; the Rev. Peter silence at 4 pm. Youth Dance follows Details at www.PrideandJoyFamilies.org. the Crime Victims Memorial at High­ Peters presiding. 5 p.m. at St. Luke and until 8 pm. With Sabrina Matthews, SUNDAY 26 land Park. Lance Neve will be one of two St. Simon Cyrene Episcopal Church Thomas Warfield. Refreshments. Apollo Crime Victims Rights Week speakers on experience as LGBT hate ("2-Saints"), 17 South Fitzhugh St. www. Room, Auditorium Center, 875 E. Main Dignity Integrity Prayers To Start crime survivors. di-rochester.org; recorded info-line at St. Jess Cohen, 244-8640 ext 13. The Week, followed by an ''April in That 70s Show Dance. Hosted by 585-234-5092. "Importance of offering LGBT Paris" potluck. 5 p.m. at St. Luke and Rainbow Seniors, 5:30-10 pm, Robach MONDAY 6 Studies Courses at UR." Paper by B.]. St. Simon Cyrene Episcopal Church Community Center, Ontario Beach Park. Lesbian Speed Dating. Douglass, read from 2-3:30 pm. Susan ("2-Saints"), 17 South Fitzhugh St. www. $12 at door.

Resume to AIDS Rochester, 1350 Univer­ Melt away with a very soothing, sity Ave., 14607. EOE. relaxing and therapeutic massage by a SERVICES Licensed Massage Therapist. If you have stress, tension, aches or pains, then I am Rochester's best body rub. To all the person you want to see. Convenient, Classifteas you men who have not yet let my skilled, central locations or out calls too. Call Classified ads are $5 for the first 30 words; each additional 10 words is another $1. strong hands work their magic on you, John, at 585-314-0197. We do not bill for classifieds, so please send or bring ad and payment to: The call me! I'm a fit, friendly, healthy Italian Martin Ippolito, master electrician. Empty Closet, 875 E. Main Street, Suite 500, Rochester, NY 14605. Paying by check: GM. My 10 years-plus experience ensures Electrical work, phone jacks, cable TV, checks must be made out to Gay Alliance or GAGV. The deadline is the 15th of the your relaxation and satisfaction. Hotel burglar alarm systems, paddle fans. Call month, for the following month's issue. We cannot accept ads over the phone. Pay out calls or central location in calls. Rea­ when you place your ad. We will accept only ads accompanied by name and phone sonable rates, discretion assured. Don't 585-266-6337. Hirsute in need of stress-reliev­ number. Neither will be published, but we must be able to confirm placement. The delay, call me today at 585-235-6688 husky men ing body rub by talented masculine hands. Call Empty Closet is not responsible for financial loss or physical injury that may result (h) or 585-773-2410 (c) or e-mail me at 442-9677 or [email protected]. from any contact with an advertiser. Advertisers must use their own box number, [email protected]. voice mail or personal address/phone number. Add some color to your world. Pro­ PERSONALS ANNOUNCEMENTS DXpeditions. Web site: www.rara.org. Infor­ fessional interior painting, faux finishes SGWM, 51, looking for guys for mation: 954-502-6969 or PO Box 18541, and decorative painting. Free estimates friends and more. I have a variety of inter­ Volunteers needed: reporters, pho­ and color consulting. Call Tom at Colors ests. I'm sincere, down to earth, quiet. I tographers for The Empty Closet. Call Rochester NY 14618-0541. Flower City Ballet looking for male and Colors, 585-705-0899, or e-mail at hope to hear from you soon. I'm at PO 244-9030 or send inquiries, samples [email protected]. Box 20081, Rochester NY 14602-0081. of work to [email protected]. We dancers. Juniors between 12-15, Seniors also need reviewers (music, theatre, art, between 16-20. One does not need expe­ dance, books, etc.) rience or musicality, just the desire to Research on female couples. Please learn one of the finest arts in the world. participate in a University of Rhode The only requirement is that one be Island (URI) ONLINE dissertation sur­ committed and dependable. Scholarships vey to better understand relationship available for those that are accepted. One requirement is that you take a minimum dynamics of female couples. Must be over A CATHOLIC COMMUNITY WHERE ALL ARE WELCOME 18, in a relationship with another woman of three classes per week to make the for at least past six months. Participants company and performances. Check out 121 N. Fitzhugh Street • Rochester, New York 14614 • Phone: 325-1180 entered into a drawing via e-mail to our web site at www.flowercityballet.com Liturgies: Thursday: 7: 00 pm, Saturday: 5: 00 pm win one of 25 monetary rewards total­ or e-mail [email protected] or Sunday: 7:30am ing $600! Information to be used to call 325-2114 or 309-4272. 9 :30 am (at Hochstein, 50 Plymouth Avenue) better understand how women relate in HELP WANTED romantic relationships, define, view and Administrative assistant - Post high experience closeness. Participation com­ school business degree and a minimum of pletely voluntary, confidential, anony­ one year related experience. Requires a min­ LGBT Survivors of Violence Support Group mous. Approved by the URI IRB. Survey imum of intermediate level computer skills LGBT survivors (18 years or older) of domestic violence, sexual is accessible at: https:llwww.surveymon­ including but not limited to experience and assault, pick-up or stranger assault, - or any type of violence - key.com/s.aspx?sm= UFljHZ2zpImhM4j utilization of MS Word, Excel, Outlook have a new resource for healing. kRag4oA_3d_3d and Databases. Experience with executive Meets Tuesday nights from 7:15 to 8:30pm in the Rainbow Amateur Radio Association. support preferred. Autonomy, accuracy and Gay Alliance Nopper Room, Auditorium Center, 5th Floor Serving the GLBT ham radio community strong organizational skills required. Span­ 875 E. Main St., Rochester, NY 14605 • 585-244-8640, x 17 or 19 since 1995 with now over 160 members ish speaking preferred. Requires travel daily worldwide. Privacy respected. Four active between two local offices. $21,237. Full Sponsored. by the Gay Alliance and MOCHA weekly HF nets, newsletter, chat room, job description at www.aidsrochester.org. APRIL 2009 • NUMBER 422 • GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • THE EMPTY CLOSET B 15

Catholic Gay & Lesbian Family Ministry Transmen Social Group Third Thursday, 7-9pm, School of Good Third Saturdays. For time, place e-mail Shepherd Church, 3288 E. Henrietta Rd. Sean at [email protected]. Ongoing Calendar 392-2862. Saturday Night Special Gay AA AQA 7pm, Unitarian Church, 220 Winton Rd. Support group for transgender people of S. Men and women. Open meeting. MONDAY New Freedom New Happiness color. Third Thursdays, 5:30-7pm, Lilac Rainbow Alliance for the Deaf MOCHA, 107 Liberty Pole Way. 420-1400. LGBT Support Group AA Gay meeting, 7pm, Unitarian Church, (LRAD) Second Saturdays, 6-9pm. Third Presbyterian Church, corner of Meigs, 220 Winton Rd. Men and women. Open. "Second Thursdays" [email protected] East Av. First, 3rd Mon., 7:30-9pm, 338-3466 Support Group for Parents Who Social and business networking, 5:30-8 pm, Two89 (289 Alexander St.) No cover, dues. SUNDAY Gay Square Dance Group Have Lost Children Mondays, 7pm, Open Arms MCC, First, 3rd Wednesdays, 11 am-12:3Opm, Parents Families & Friends of Lesbians 740 Marshall Rd. 520-5358; Third Presbyterian Church, 4 Meigs St. FRIDAY and Gays (PFLAG) [email protected]. Genesee Region Horne Care. Free. 325-1880 Gay Men's AA meeting Third Sundays, 2-4 pm. Nopper Room, COAP Fridays, 7:30-8:30pm, Closed meeting. Gay Alliance, fifth floor, 875 E. Main St. Rochester Historical Bowling Society Emmanuel Baptist Church, 815 Park Ave. [email protected]. 7: 15pm, Mondays. Clover Lanes, Corne Out and Play. Business meeting last 2750 Monroe Ave. (Group is full.) Wednesday. Equal Grounds Coffee Shop, Bear and Leather Dance Night Tawa Pano Unity Fellowship Church 750 South Ave. 7pm, John S., 261-7263. Second Fridays, lOpm-2am. Nasty D's, Sundays, lOam, 758 South Ave. 617-4279 HIV Positive Gay Men Support group 140 Alexander St. Every Monday, 5pm, AIDS Rochester, Empire Bears Dignity-Integrity GLBTQI Motorcycle Group 1350 University Ave. 442-2220, ext. 3051 First Wednesdays, 7:45pm, GAGV 5pm, St. Luke's/St. Simon Cyrene Church, Community Center, 875 E. Main St., fifth Second Fridays, 5:30 pm, Various 17 S. Fitzhugh St. Every Sunday, 234-5092 Green Party (political) floor. [email protected] locations.RochesterGLBTI Qbikers@ 2nd Mondays, 7-9pm, GAGV Community yahoo.com; 478-1565; bmdaniels@ Open Arms Metropolitan Community Center, 875 E. Main St., 5th fl. 234-6470 Rochester Rams General Meeting frontiemet.net. Church 2nd Wednesdays, 7:30 pm, Bachelor Forum, 740 Marshall Rd., Chili, 1O:30am. 271-8478 GAGVYouth Drop-In Hours 670 University Ave. www.rochesterrams.com SATURDAY Mondays, Wednesdays, 2-6pm, GAGV Gay Men's Alcoholics Anonymous Youth Center, 875 E. Main St. Prince St. Transgender Group Rochester Rams Bar Night St. Luke's/St. Simon Cyrene Church, entrance, first floor. 244-8640, ext 13. Third Wednesdays, 6:30-9pm, Downtown Third Saturdays, 8pm-2am, Bachelor 17 S. Fitzhugh St. 8:30pm, 232-6720, United Pres. Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh St. Forum, 670 University Ave. 271-6930 Weekly. Closed meeting Frontrunners/Frontwalkers Multicom-4 Coffee Talk Empire Bears Bar Night GAGVYouth Group Mondays, 6pm, George Eastman House First Saturdays. Bachelor Forum, parking lot. www.rochesterfrontrunners.org. 7pm, Spin Cafe, 739 Park Av. Social for Ages 13-23. Every Sunday, 2-4pm, GAGV former Multicom-4 BBS members; other 470 University Ave. www.empirebears.org. Youth Center, 875 E. Main St. 244-8640 Steps Beyond Stems CrackSupport GLBT cyber geeks welcome, every fourth Frontrunners/Frontwalkers Sacred Spaces Meditation Group Wednesday, 8pm 9 am, George Eastman House parking lot. Mondays, 7-8pm, 289 Monroe Ave. Second Sundays, 7pm, MOCHA Project, GAGV library & Archives www.rochesterfrontrunners.org. 107 Liberty Pole Way, 420-1400 TUESDAY 8pm Wednesdays, 5th floor, Auditorium Empire Bears Potluck Rainbow Seniors Center, 875 E. Main St. 244-8640 2nd Saturdays, GAGV Youth Center, 875 First Sundays: Euchre Club, 3-6pm. Third Atlantic Five 0 E. Main, first floor, Prince St. entrance. Gay men 50 and over. Second Tuesdays, Brothers Keeper Sundays, Potluck at First Universalist Support group for men over 30. Third 6:30pm greet; 7pm dinner. Bring dish to Church, 150 S. Clinton Ave., 4pm. 7pm, GAGV Youth Center, 875 E. Main pass. www.empirebears.org. St., first floor, Prince St. entrance. 249-4922. Wednesdays, 5:30-7:30pm, MOCHA Men's Cooking Group Project, 107 Liberty Pole Way. 420-1400 Cross Dresser Support Group Third or fourth Sundays, 355-7664 .• Two Spirit Group First Saturdays, 6-9pm, call for location: Second Tuesdays, 7:30 pm, Equal=Grounds, GAGVYouth Drop In Hours 251-2132; [email protected] 750 South Ave. Mondays, Wednesdays, 3-7 pm, GAGV Youth Center, 875 E. Main St. Prince St. Transgender Group PFLAG potluck entrance, first floor. 244-8640 ext 13. Last Saturdays, 2-5pm, Downtown United First Tuesdays. 6: dinner; 6:30: meeting. St. Presbyterian Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh. Thomas Church, Winton & Highland. Stonewall Democrats of the Genesee Valley Meets 4th Wednesdays, 7:30pm, GAGV LGBTQ Body Image Group Community Center, 875 E. Main St., 5th Second, fourth Tuesdays. GAGV Nopper floor, Nopper Room. Room, 5th floor, 875 E. Main St. Free. 244- AA Meetings in Rochester 8640 ext 13. Frontrunners/Frontwalkers 6pm, Eastman House parking lot. Every week there are four regularly scheduled CampusOut Coffee Night www.rochesterfrontrunners.org. GLBTI AA meetings in Rochester. First Tuesdays, 7-10 pm, Equal=Grounds, 750 South Ave. THURSDAY Wednesdays Gay Fathers' Support Group Presbyterians fur Lesbian and Gay Concerns New Freedom/New Happiness Group First and third Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30pm, 6:30pm, first Thursday. Ralph, 271-7649 7 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church, 220 S. Winton Rd. Bus riders: Take the GAGV Youth Center, 875 E. Main St., first last #18 University bus to 12 Corners. Use the stop just past the top of the hill floor. 426-9695. Queer Radical Reading Group First and third Thursdays, 7 pm, at Hillside Ave. and before Highland Ave. Or take the #1 Park Ave. to the corner MOCHA Youth Drop-In Equal=Grounds, 750 South Ave. of East and Winton, then walk five minutes south (uphill) on Winton. This is an Tues.-Fri., 1-9pm, MOCHA Project, 107 open discussion meeting. All issues - as they relate to our alcoholism/addiction Liberty Pole Way, 420-1400; 244-8640 Community Business Forum Gay and Lesbian Professionals' social group. and recovery - are fair game. MOCHA Hepatitis Clinic Second Thursdays, 5:30-7pm, 234-8706 Free Hepatitis A & B vaccinations, third Fridays Tuesdays, 5:30-7pm, 107 Liberty Pole Way, Pride at Work Gay Men's 420-1400 First Thursdays, 5:30pm. 167 Flanders St. 7:30 p.m. Emmanuel Baptist Church, 815 Park Ave. off Thurston Rd. 426-0862. • Closed meeting, restricted to alcoholics and addicts Rainbow Seniors Yoga • Men's meeting 6-7pm Open Arms MCC, 125 Norris GLOB&L Drive, 442-6369. (Gays and Lesbians of Bausch & Lomb). • Handicapped accessible Meets every third Thursday in Area 67 This is a round-robin discussion meeting. If you are shy about meeting people or Women's Community Chorus conference room at the Optic Center. speaking up in a group, you will find this meeting particularly warm and inviting Rehearsals each Tuesday, 6:30-9pm, Voice mail: 338-8977 because everyone gets their turn to speak (or pass). As a result, this meeting Downtown United Pres. Church, 121 N. often runs long, so plan on more than the usual hour. Fitzhugh St. 234-4441, www.therwcc.org Rochester Gay Men's Chorus Downtown United Presbyterian Church, LGBT Survivors ofViolence 121 N. Fitzhugh St. 6:30-9pm, 423-0650 Saturdays Every Tuesday, 7:15-8:30 pm, GAGY's Saturday Night Special Nopper Room, fifth floor, 875 E. Main St. Free confidential walk-in HIV testing 7 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church, 220 S. Winton Rd. Bus riders: The #18 244-8640 ext 17 or 19. Every Thursday night, 5-8pm, AIDS University Ave. bus does not go by the church on weekend evenings. Take the Rochester, 1350 University Ave. 442-2220 IMPACT Team #1 Park Ave. bus to the corner of East and Winton, then walk five minutes south Second Tuesdays, Downtown Presbyterian Partner Bereavement Group (uphill) on Winton. Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh St. 6:30 pm. First and third Thursdays, 5:30-7pm. Open • Open meeting, all are welcome, "straight-friendly" Call Todd Plank, 271-2420. drop-in session; professionally led. Freewill • Mixed men and women donation to hospice requested. Lifetime • Handicapped accessible, take the elevator to the basement WEDNESDAY Care, 3111 Winton Road, 214-1414 Meeting begins with a speaker, followed by open discussion. Tawa Pano Church Bible Study MOCHAlGAGVYouth Trans Group Bible study 7:15pm. 758 South Ave. First Thursdays, 5-7pm, GAGV Youth Sundays Center, 875 E. Main St., first floor (Prince Rochester Gay Men Country Line Dancing/Two Stepping St. entrance). 244-8640 ext 13. 8 p.m. at St. Luke/St. Simon's Episcopal Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St. Bus riders Every Wednesday, Muthers, 40 S. Union, use the Fitzhugh St. stop on Main St. at the County Office Building and walk 7pm, Lessons followed by dancing until U. of Rochester Pride Network south one block. lOpm, Beginners to advanced. Every Thursday, 9pm, Morey 502 on River • Closed meeting, restricted to alcoholics and addicts Campus of u.R. www.sa.rochester.edu/pn. Gay Alliance Board of Directors • Men's meeting Meeting Green Party (political) Movie Night • NOT handicapped accessible Third Wednesdays, 7pm, Second Thursdays, 7-9pm, GAGV Nopper Meeting begins with a speaker, followed by open discussion. 875 E. Main St., fifth floor. 244-8640 Room, 875 E. Main St., fifth floor. 234-6470. 16 B THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY. NUMBER 422 • APRIL 2009

•

DC for

with Sp cia' Gue f DJ and Fa hionhow featuring

4·10 pm U er I SoutfI Union S