Senate passes Dignity for All Students, 58 to 3 By Susan Jordan The New York State Sen­ ate passed the Dignity for All Students Act in an overwhelm­ ingly bipartisan vote of 58-3 on June 22. This vote follows the passage of DASA earlier this year by the Assembly. It now moves to Gov­ ernor Paterson, who is likely to sign the bill into law. The anti-bullying measure provides protections based on a number of categories, including sexual orientation and gender z identity. « 0:: The late evening vote -­ o C approval came just after 10 p.m. z «a: -- was 58-3, with all three no III votes coming from Republicans. g Bronx Democrat Ruben Diaz, o 1IIiiII_~.il: Sr., anti-gay Pentecostal minis­ ter, who has opposed gay rights in every way for decades, voted AIDS Walk raises over $50,000 aye this time. DASA represents the first The 19th annual AIDS Walk fast and lunch for participants, AIDS, as well as those who are time that the Senate has approved raised more than $50,000 to as well as incentives based on at risk. We'd like to thank all any legislation making reference benefit people living with or at the dollar amount raised. Prizes the individuals and organiza­ to gender identity. Yet, just two risk for HIV/AIDS in the Roch­ were also awarded to the top tions who supported this event!" weeks after the Senate Judiciary ester and Finger Lakes region, fundraisers in individual, team, AIDS Care thanked partici­ Committee rejected the Gender through the work of AIDS Care. and Paws for the Cause (a spe­ pants, volunteers, the planning (bignity continues page 3) AIDS Rochester organized cial category in which dog lovers committee, and major sponsors the AIDS Walk for 18 years, and collect donations and walk the of the 2010 AIDS Walk, includ­ Senate Judiciary this was the first time the walk route with their dogs) categories. ing Platinum Sponsor Thomson was held by AIDS Care, the "HIV/AIDS is still a major Reuters, The Bonadio Group, Committee rejects new organization formed by the challenge in our community, Buckingham Properties, Fron­ GENDA, 12 to 11 January 2010 merger of AIDS which is a fact many people for­ tier Communications, Harter Susan Jordan Rochester and AIDS Commu­ get due to all the recent advanc­ Secrest and Emery LLP, Nixon By A hearing was held on June 8 nity Health Center. es in care," said Jay Rudman, Peabody LLP, Stephens Media ened by transgender bathroom Nearly 250 people partici­ President and CEO of AIDS Group and Wegmans. before the NYS Senate Judiciary use and that this fear and bias Committee on GENDA, the bill pated this year. The Walk took Care. ''As a result, AIDS Care For more information about are more important than anti­ place at Genesee Valley Park on is committed to holding events AIDS Care and its upcom­ to give transgender New York­ discrimination protections for ers basic civil rights. The debate, June 5, and was chaired by Mon­ like the AIDS Walk to raise ing events, visit www.acRoch­ all New Yorkers. however, was about bathrooms roe Community College Presi­ awareness about this disease and ester.org, call 585-545-7200, or Then Senator Andrew J. rather than civil rights. dent Dr. Anne Kress. The event raise money to help those who email development@acRoches­ Lanza of Staten Island, a Repub­ featured entertainment, break- are infected or affected by HIVI ter.org . • GENDA supporters, includ­ lican who, along with Senator ing Senator Diane J. Savino George Maziarz of Niagara, had (D-23rd District), were not able (GENDA continues page 3) to divert the discussion from conservatives' claim that cis-gen­ Mason, Rhoads will ored and Some dered heterosexuals are threat- be Grand Marshals proud that Pride Inside for Pride 2010 the Alli- highlights Section A ance had stand out Newsfronts ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,4 By Susan Jordan thought so for both Interview: Civil Rights Front """,6 Gerry Mason and Tim much of us men. Jim's Bar """""""""""""""",14 Rhoads, who were organizers to ask us to "In 1993 Two Spirit gathering """"""" 16 for Rochester Prides from 1995 be Grand David Opinion: Cruise Control """" 17 to 2008 under the auspices of M~~ K~ Making The Scene""""""""" 18 the now-disbanded Business for this (Kodak), Section B Forum, have been named Grand year's Liv- David Entertainment: Amber """""",,1 Columnists ",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,15 Marshals for Pride 2010. Tim ing His- Frishkorn GAGV News: Fagbug """"""" 12 was also a founder of Bassically tory Pride Gerry Mason and Tim Rhoads and myself Groups """""""""""""""""" 115 Treblemakers band, now Flower Celebration. We are also proud (Xerox) and Gerry Mason (Car- Calendar """""""""""""""",14 City Pride Band. of the Alliance and the Roches- rols Corporation) attended the Classifieds """"""""""""""" 14 Gerry and Tim, who moved ter community for continuing Out & Equal Summit and dur- Ongoing Calendar """""""",115 to Texas in 2009, told The Empty and building on what we worked ing a dinner in Detroit we shared Pride Guide supplement Closet, "We were both hon- on for more than 15 years." (Marshals continues page 3) cd - Bausdu;Lomb Ir-R ANAH(lI.L AAOO£OS Partnerships Ko Excellus ,--.-..-- MetLife The Gay Alliance appreciates the continuing partnership of M~~[>Ijj.,! businesses within our community who support our mission and vision. lace I FOR~&CAi - . ,LU"i stl:¥JQU e .-- Gold Eastman Kodak Company; Excellus, Mass Mutual Financial Group; Merrill Lynch; MetLife, ~ITT CORNING Nixon Peabody, LLP --- Silver Ace Mailing Services; Bachelor Forum; Bausch & Lomb Inc,; Corning Incorporated; Harter Secrest & Emory LLP; Heveron & Heveron CPAs; ITT Corporation; Monroe Plan for Medical Care; Out and Equal New York Finger Lakes; Professional Tutoring Services; Sage Advisors of Sage Rutty; St. John Fisher College; St. Likes and St. Simon Cyrene; Tim Tompkins Enterprises; Xerox Capital Services Bronze 140 Alex Bar and Grill; Bread and Water Theatre; Canandaigua National Bank; Center for Disability Rights; Empire State College; Equal=Grounds; Galaxe Pride at Work; Image Out; Kittleberger Florist & Gifts; MUCCC; Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church; Outlandish; Park Avenue Association; Third Presbyterian Church; Wegmans Food Markets; The Woolbright Group Pride RIT GLBT Center; Rochester Victory Alliance; Thomson Reuters; Upstate Tattoo ----- THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • NU • AY ALLIANCE EE VALLEY The Empty Closet is published by the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley 875 E. Main Street, Suite 500 Rochester, New York 14605 © 2010, All rights reserved. Editor·in·Chief: Susan Jordan FROM THE FROM THE Staff Reporters: Ove Overmyer, Laura McSpadden Empty Closet Editor Executive Director Graphic Design: Jim Anderson Advertising policy: SUSAN JORDAN SUE COWELL The Empty Closet does not print advertise­ ments that contain nude drawings or pho­ nation and living a lie. We have more volunteers and tographs, nor does it print advertising that more time slots to fill than last states that the person pictured In the ad IS 2. Constance McMillen and for sale, or that you will "get" that particular all the other youth who have year. When all is totaled, we person if you patronize the establishment need to fill 300 lots. Thank­ advertised. Advertisements that are explicitly resisted homophobia in their racist, sexist, ageist, ableist or homophobic schools. Constance was treat­ fully, we had a great turn-out will be refused; advertisements from organi­ ed with unbelievable cruelty by for our volunteer recruitment zations that are sexist, racist, ageist, ableist meeting held June, 15. We are or anti-gay will also be refused. All politi­ her Mississippi school's admin­ cal advertisements must contain information istration, her fellow students and going GREEN this year and about who placed them and a method of their sick parents, who put on a have a company which will pro­ contact. Additionally, The Empty Closet does cess all returnable and recyclable not print negative or "attack" advertisements, secret prom, while telling Con­ whether they relate to a product or politics stance and her girlfriend (and bottles and cans. Look for the and no matter in whose interest the ad is white cans at the festival and being produced. A negative advertisement several disabled youth) that the is defined as one that focuses upon a rival prom was at another location. picnic. Please help us reduce the product, or in the political area, a rival elec­ amount of material going to the tion candidate or party, in order to point out Constance, however, unlike supposed flaws and to persuade the pub­ her loser classmates, got on land fill this year. lic not to buy it (or vote for him or her). The "Ellen" (who gave her $30,000 in We also have many more Empty Closet maintains, within legal bound­ organizations hosting events that aries, neutrality regarding products, political scholarship funds), attended the candidates and parties. However, "attack" GLAAD Awards with Wanda enhance our 10 days of activities. ads that fail to provide undisputable evidence Sykes, was guest of honor at a I want to thank the many orga­ that the information in the ad is true do not R-E-S-P-E-C-T WHAT IS NEW nizations that have been helping further in any way the objectives and poli­ fundraising concert in Wood­ cies of the Gay Alliance or The Empty Closet, Pride = self-respect. As in stock, attended a White House WITH PRIDE 2010 us raise funds for PRIDE. We including the primary tenet that The Empty "R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what have several theater events which Closet's purpose is to inform the Rochester reception for LGBT activists, By Sue Cowell gay community and to provide an impartial it means to me." starred as a grand marshal in will help us raise funds.