Than-Life... the Gay Interview
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Year 4, Vol. 7 • July 7, 2011 - August 3, 2011 • www.therainbowtimesnews.com FREE! The Larger- The Freshestainbow Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Newspaperimes in New England R T than-life... PHOTO: DEREK GOODWIN NORTHAMPTon’s TDOR ENTURY FOX ENTURY Remembers LGBT suicide vicitms as well p7 C PHOTO: 20TH Gaga HUGH JACKMAN: NIGHT Can’t help loving K ICK The Gay N musical theater p11 PHOTO: PHOTO: CHUCK COLBERT Interview FENWAY HEALTH At the forefront in p4 global battle against AIDS/HIV pandemic p19 PHOTO: WILLIAM BAKER SANDRA BERNHARD: Multi-talented star coming to Bull Run restaurant p13 PHOTO: STEVEN SMITH BOSTON GAy men’s chorus Spreading “Joy” this Holiday Season p12 PHOTO: GLENN KOETZNER BOSTON GOV. DEVAL PATRICK Lends support to Boston Pride 2011 p14 PRIDE ANTI-GAY: Springfield Gay Man beaten by teenagers p17 RHODE ISLAND: House Speaker Fox subject of YouTube parody p17 PHOTOS BOSTON: Fenway Health on inclusive HHS LGBT data collection p10 INSIDE! • July 7, 011 - August 3, 011 • The Rainbow Times • www.therainbowtimesnews.com The primary culprit of homophobia, Amen Larger analysis of all forms of oppression By: Nicole Lashomb/TRT Editor-in-Chief to whatever religious group we so desire without needed to secure lasting, authentic justice any of you may know by now having to face persecution as a result of it. Religious that a Springfield gay man was freedom means that one group cannot force their By: Jason Lydon/TRT Columnist couples the state- Mbrutally beaten by a group of beliefs on another group or individual who may round the country, and likely around the sanctioned right of nine teenagers on June 8th in downtown have conflicting beliefs with the majority. However, world, liberal and progressive people are marriage. I was at Springfield. Ironically, this occurred steps should “religious freedom” allow fundamentalist Acelebrating the passage of same-sex/gay the annual meet- ing of the Unitarian INION away from City Hall in Barrows Park. The faith leaders to disseminate hate messages from the marriage in New York. The timing during the group of teens ranged from ages 1-19. pulpit and inadvertently persecute others? Is that re- Pride Festivities elated organizers and fueled Universalist Asso- P Only one person’s identity was revealed, ally freedom of religion or is it simply the freedom the overwhelming joy that many experienced. A ciation of Congre- Shay Andre Edwards, who was just 19 to hate and use religion as a refuge to justify it? parade that once started as a militant response gation’s General O year old. The other assailants were juve- We all come from various religious back- against the violence of the state embodied state Assembly in Char- niles and as such their identity was protected. grounds—some believe in Christianity, Islam, recognition and assimilation. For many LGBTQ lotte, North Caro- It jolted me back into the reality about how far, Buddhism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Shinto, folks and straight allies this is a great success, a lina, when CNN Jason Lydon even in liberal Massachusetts, we still have to go Confucianism, Jainism, etc., to name a few. Like moment to pat ourselves on the back and prepare announced the to educate others about the LGBT community in you, I have my own faith. But, whatever belief to take the fight for “equality” to another state news. Our General Assembly delegates passed an effort to attain tolerance and acceptance. Until system you have, I am fairly certain that the basic and to the national level. a responsive resolution celebrating the passage parents, preachers, mentors, advisors stop preach- principles of those faiths were based on love and After Proposition 8 passed in California Dean of marriage, however, they also included a rec- ing anti-gay and homophobic remarks, until the peace, not man-made rules, which have allowed Spade and Craig Willse released a statement in ognition that there is far more work to be done. veil of ignorance is shed, violence against our the “righteous ones” to persecute and spew ha- response. Along with a critique of the marriage I do not believe that the successes of marriage community, such as that committed by Edwards tred toward anything and anyone that does not movement they also wrote about how we could are moving us in a liberating direction but I am and his young followers, will continue to rise. fall into their categorically characterized norm. better use our queer/trans resources and skills. impressed that the Unitarian Universalists un- Unfortunately, religion and conservatism are They wrote, “Expanding marriage to include a derstand that marriage is not the litmus test of noted as being the two most significant factors Nicole Lashomb narrow band of same-sex couples only strength- GLBTQ justice. A larger analysis of racism, that contribute to homophobia. ens that system of marginalization and supports capitalism, imperialism, and all forms of oppres- *Nicole Lashomb is the Editor-in-Chief of The the idea that the state should pick which types of sion are essential if our queer/trans movements Recently, a close friend of mine and I were talking Rainbow Times, holds a Bachelor’s degree from about the freedom of religion and what that consti- families to reward and recognize and which to wish to have any real impact in securing authen- SUNY Potsdam, and an MBA from Marylhurst punish and endanger. We still demand a queer tic justice. tutional right actually means. To me, it means that it University. Send your Letters to the Editor to edi- is our individual choice, right and freedom to belong political agenda that centralizes the experiences I am saddened that people can rally so strongly [email protected]. of prisoners, poor people, immigrants, trans for marriage while the response to the displace- people, and people with disabilities. We reject ment of OPTIONZ, the Queer Women of Color Queeries: STD talk with new partner, child’s gender change a gay agenda that pours millions of dollars into and Friends Pride Week event, has hardly been campaigns for access to oppressive institutions recognized. Spectra wrote in Queer Women of By: Steven Petrow*/Special for TRT to talk about HIV status. for a few that stand to benefit.” Color Still Face Racism During Pride, Among It’s usually easier to do this before you find While this statement may have been written Other Things, “If you follow QWOC+ Boston, “Talking about HIV and other STDs yourself in the heat of the moment, where folks over a year ago, it rings very true in the after- See Oppression on page 5 with a new partner” sometimes get carried away by the throes of math of New York’s decision to grant same-sex Q: I’ve gotten pretty confused about when passion and take risks they might not otherwise. to talk with new partners or boyfriends “The talk” needn’t be involved or lengthy—al- about STDs and HIV status. Some of my though, admittedly, it can be hard to make this friends say that as long as you’re having Letters to the Editor The Rainbow Times particular topic romantic. Be truthful and direct, The Freshest LGBT Newspaper ADVICE safer sex, there’s no need to have “the saying, for instance: “I just want you to know To Joe Siegel (in response to his article in New England talk.” Others say—vehemently, I might that as far as I know, I’m [fill in the blank]. What regarding Rhode Island Pride events), add—that I must have that conversation. What about you?” Sometimes it’s easier if you volun- www.therainbowtimesnews.com do you think? By the way I’m HIV-positive. teer your health status first, as a way to open the Mr. Siegel, [email protected] A: All of us who are sexually active need to be door. If humor comes to you naturally, by all I enjoyed your article, however I did note [email protected] responsible for considering the risks of spreading means try that; but remember, you’re not giving Phone: 413.282.8881, 617.444.9618 STDs and for taking steps to protect our partners some omissions. While the traditional players a public health lecture. of Pride events were mentioned the corporate or Fax: 888-442-2421 and ourselves. Whether positive or negative (or, Since you mentioned that you’re HIV-positive, unknowing), we owe it to everyone involved to and healthcare folks were not mentioned. I Publisher Columnists let me give you some more advice to chew on. think it’s important to mention the support talk about our sexual health before having sex. Even if you’ve hinted at your seropositive status, Gricel M. Ocasio Lorelei Erisis I’ve long said that if you’re intimate enough to that Pride events have garnered over the years from “mainstream” sources. The contrast of Editor-In-Chief Deja N. Greenlaw have sex with someone, you’re intimate enough See Queeries on page 10 Nicole Lashomb the hate of 35 years ago to the level of accep- Paul P. Jesep tance we have today is remarkable. Assistant Editor Jason Lydon CABO Fundraiser to support Tornado Victims I organized my company’s participation in Natalia Muñoz Tynan Power this year’s event and we have participated for Sales Associates Jenn Tracz By: Jenn Tracz*/CABO’s Executive Director TheCABO.org for more Chris Gilmore the last seven years. This was also the third John Verlinden n Wednesday June 1st, Springfield Mass information. Let’s band year we fielded a walking contingent in the Liz Johnson and surrounding towns made national together and help rebuild Lead Photographer Reporters parade.