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. We forum for ideas. Pride is just around the cor­ have record number of business The months ofJune and July NYC Pride last month, and had Submissions: (in Rochester) are when queer ner. There is so much going on sponsors. Their support helps to a prom given for her i.n May b'y that the Pride Guide has been For publication, submit news items, ads, people remember why we are the American Humalllst AssoCl­ underwrite all of these events. photos, letters, stories, poetry, ads, pho­ expanded to 12 pages. tographs or art by mail or in person to The proud and self-respecting. The Finally, we have worked ation, which featured Lance Bass This year we have so many Empty Closet office by the 15th of the month. LGBT community has plenty to closely with the Center of Dis­ Design services for non-camera ready ads and the cool band Green Day. new events and old events with be proud of, as we continue the ability Rights (CDR) to expand are available for a fee. (www.emptycloset@ You go girl! (Preferably far away new twists. We have added new gagv.us) worldwide struggle for civil and from Mississippi ...) access to our Pride Events. Chris human rights. We hear about family oriented activities, like Hilderbrant from CDR is a Gay Publication Information: 3. Pam Spaulding and all Pride Family Day at the Memo­ The Empty Closet is published 11 times a the accomplishments of certain Alliance Board Member and the LGBT bloggers who get the rial Art Gallery and our Pride year (December and January combined) by brave individuals, but shouldn't word OUT. Go to pamshouse­ has been extremely helpful in The Empty Closet Press for the Gay Alliance forget that we don't hear about Day at Seabreeze. The picnic working with the various Pride of the Genesee Valley, Inc. Approximately blend. com, towleroad.com, joe. will also have new family orient­ 5000 copies of each issue are distributed the daily courage of thousands my.god.com, etc., for breaking committees looking at issues of during the first week of the month, some by of ordinary gays. ed activities like a bounce house accessibility. There will be deaf mail in a plain sealed envelope. The pub­ news and commentary. Pam's lication of the name or photograph of any If we could afford to strike and a hole in one game for chil­ access to more events than last site includes "testimonials" from dren - and the dog show returns. person or organization in articles is not an solid gold medals for these folks, rightwing bigots, whose overt­ year, thanks to Robb Schmei­ indication of the sexual or affectlonal orien­ we would - but at least the EC The parade will be bigger gle. Both CDR and Rainbow tation of that person or the members of that ly homophobic and barely-dis­ with a record number of units. organization. For further information, please can offer acknowledgement and SAGE provided sponsorships to write to The Empty Closet, 875 E. Main St., guised racist comments on her To encourage floats we deliber­ thanks to our heroes. support this work. The ~arade Rochester NY. 14605, call (585) 244-9030 (Pam is African American) are or e-mail [email protected]. The "Empty Closet Pride ately reduced the price of partici­ Committee added a desIgnat­ so off-the-wall that they would pating for floats. The parade has The Empty Closet is the official publi­ Medals" for 2010 go to: be comical -- if hatred was a ed viewing area for handicap cation of the Gay Alliance of the Genesee 1. Lt. Dan Choi, trans­ many other new surprises. The viewing. The picnic will provide Valley, Inc., as stated in the bylaws of that laughing matter. Trans/gender­ Festival site is larger than last organization. Its purpose is to inform the gender Petty Officer Autumn handicap transportation from Rochester gay community about local and queer folk and friends: check out year and we have more food ven­ Sandeen and all the other ser­ genderfork.com. parking areas to a designated national gay-related news and events; to dors than last year. The festival provide a forum for ideas and creative work vicemembers who have risked gate for entry into the picnic 4. Let's add Rachel Mad­ will open one hour earlier, at 4 from the local gay community; to help pro­ abuse and prison time by dow to our list, for intelligence, grounds. mote leadership within the community, and demanding repeal of the "Don't p.m. Amber is our headliner and All registration forms for to be a part of a national network of lesbian humor and sanity. It's great to and gay publications that exchange ideas Ask Don't Tell" policy that Square Pegs will be performing volunteers and all ticket sales see a powerful woman in the at the festival and the picnic. We and seek to educate. excludes gays from military ser­ media who just happens to be an are online at www.gayalliance. Part of our purpose is to maintain a have added a service to escort middle position with respect to the entire vice; Anne Tischer of Equality­ org . • out lesbian - and who empha­ people back to their vehicles if community. We must be careful to present Rochester, who with five others sizes correct facts, fairness and all viewpoints in a way that takes into con­ handcuffed herself to the White needed after the festival. sideration the views of all - women, men, civility, in contrast to her Faux For the picnic we have added people of color, young and old, and those House fence on May 2 to protest RECYCLE FOR from various walks of life. News counterparts. a contest for the best decorated inaction on DADT, and Army 5. Finally, medals to all who PRIDE! The opinions of columnists, editorial writ­ picnic site. This is the 25th Anni­ ers and other contributing writers are their Reservist Joe Soel of Roches­ Look For The contributed to the Queer Col­ versary of the picnic. There will own and do not necessarily reflect the col­ ter, an Iraq vet, who showed White Cans At lective attitude of the Gay Alliance of the lege Tours for GAGV youth. be a prize for the best site. The self respect by requesting a dis­ Genesee Valley or The Empty Closet. The Thank you for your generos­ The Festival And Empty Closet shall not be liable for any loss charge, because he did not want main requirement is to incorpo­ Picnic. ity and caring - and see you at rate silver into your theme and or expense that results from the publication to continue condoning discrimi- Pride! • (whether correctly or incorrectly) or omis­ decorations. sion of an ad. In the event of non-payment, your account may be assigned to a collec­ tion agency or an attorney, and will be liable for the charges paid by us to such collection • agency or attorney . I ------. Letters to the editor: Pride in Yourself and Your Community I The opinions of columnists, editorial writers and other contributing writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the collective I Pride is a time when we are reminded how I attitude of the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Name Valley or The Empty Closet. We will print let­ many people care about the full equality and ters at the editor's discretion and on a space I Address I available basis. Only one letter by the same inclusion of LGBT people. For 10 days in July, writer in a six-month period is allowed. We will not print personal attacks on individuals, I City/State/Zip I all of Rochester seems queer, as rainbow flags nor will we be a forum for ongoing disputes between individuals. We reserve the right fly everywhere. But, the Gay Alliance, reminds Phone to edit for space and clarity. We will print I I anonymous letters if the name and phone number are provided to the Editor; confi­ you that we are "Here. Queer. All year." People E:mail dentiality will be respected. Submissions are I I due by the 15th of the month at: The Empty have needs all year; people come out and need Membership levels: Closet, 875 E. Main Street, Suite 500, Roch­ I resources, the victims of hate and bias incidents 0$30-99 Advocate 0 $100-999 Champion I ester, NY 14605; e-mail: emptycloset@gagv. o $1,000-4,999 Triangle Club 0 $5,000+ Stonewall us. Online edition of EC available at www. need support, and there are always people that gayalliance.org. I enefits include a subscription to the Empty Closet I need education on LGBT issues. This year, as B mailed to home or work, plus privileges at each I level. Phone: 585 244-8640 or mail to the Gay Alliance, I you celebrate Pride, take time to support the 875 E. Main St., Suite 500, Rochester, New York 14605 I work we do all year and become a member. Home Delivery of The Empty Closet is Free with your '@' . I annual membership in the Gay Alliance. I 7/10 Gav Alliance • ------• ~of the getlesee valley • 436 • GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • THE EMPTY CLOSET

(Dignity from page 1) harassment is a serious issue in school. A Expression Non-Discrimination Act, in 2005 GLSEN study showed that 57 per­ ~ .1 ~-11 nearly party line split (with Diaz cent of respondents said that students were lomm~ the Republicans in voting no), the har.assed based upon how they expressed m~luslOn of gender identity in the legis­ theIr gender and 52 percent said that stu­ lation approved this evening elicited no de.nts were harassed who were or were per­ comment at all during the floor debate. ceIved to be lesbian, gay or bisexual. In . "We ~hank the Legislature for pass­ both instances almost a quarter of respon­ mg the fIrst-ever state law that includes dents said this type of harassment hap­ LOCAL AND STATE protect~ons"bas~d on gender identity and pens often. As a result of feeling unsafe on express lOn, saId Ross Levi, executive school property, students are also pushed dire,~tor. of. th~ ~mpire State Pride Agen­ out of schools and into high-risk behav­ da. ThIS slglllflcant law will now protect iors. A 2007 GLSEN study showed that some of our community's most vulnerable 33 percent of LGBT students skipped members - transgender youth for whom school each month because they feared for uns.afe. schools can be the beginning of their safety on school grounds, as opposed a hfetIme of marginalization that can to only 4.5 percent of the general student include health issues and even homeless­ population. Data collected by the Mas­ ne~s... Y1e ~lso thank the lead sponsors of sachusetts Department of Public Health thIs leglslatlOn, Assemblymember Daniel showed that 40 percent of lesbian, gay and O'Donnell (D-Manhattan) and Senator bi~e~ual high school students attempted Tom Dua~e (D-Manhattan) for their per­ sUlClde as opposed to just 10 percent of severance m getting this bill passed." their non-gay peers. In a written statement, O'Donnell The Dignity bill was first introduced said, "Too many students are bullied in the Legislature in 2000 and has been based on real or perceived differences with p~ssed for nine years by the Assembly their classmates. Every student deserves wIth overwhelming bipartisan support. an environment free of harassment and This is the first time the Senate has passed discrimination, an environment that the bill. • allows every child to reach his or her full potential." Manhattan Democratic Senator Eric Schneiderman said, "It sends a strong (GENDA from page 1) message that every student in New York apparently said he would move the bill out State will be treated equally, and with of committee without recommendation the respect they deserve. And for the first withdrew his .agreement after a harangu~ tim~ in ~istory, protections based on gen­ by homophobIc Senator Ruben Diaz. The der Idenuty and expression will be includ­ to benefit the Al Sigl Center every year, a bill was voted down 12 to 11. Remembered laughter: ed in state law." tournament that was started by her father . "W~ether it's ethics reform or uphold­ Early in the afternoon on June 22 Mary Ann Gaglio ar:d others almost 40 years ago and has mg basIc human rights for all New York­ the bill was put on the calendar for raIsed over $2 million for the Center. con~ ers, Senate Republicans proved once again By JeffKost sideration by the Rules Committee the We were best friends during a period they lack the backbone to stand up for Mary Ann Gaglio, who passed away final step before floor debate. Less 'than o~ devastating death in the gay commu­ what they claim to believe in," said Senate suddenly last month, was a friend to so 10 hours later, the bill was approved over­ My fro~ AIDS. I think we got through it Democratic spokesman Austin Shafran. many in the Rochester community. She whelmingly. by workmg to make a difference in some The bill, which has passed the Assem­ will best be remembered for her huge . .The S.tate Senate vote marks a sig­ ~eart. She was always giving, always car­ way and by leaning on each other -- lots ?ly a .number of times, ~ould add "gender lllficant vIctory after years of fighting to of tears but also always plenty of laughter. I~enuty .a?d expression to those catego­ mg for others, always willing to help out, protec.t students from bullying and harass­ And it will be Mary Ann's laughter that I nes of CltlZens protected against employ­ always had creative ideas on how to do ment m schools. The Dignity bill creates will always remember. ment, housing, education and credit something. tools for school administrators, teachers, discrimination. For eight years (1990-1997), while I paren~s and students to address bullying The Empire State Pride Agenda was the Director of Development at AIDS Robin Wilt announces and bIas-related behavior of all kinds that Roche~ter, Mary Ann was not only my rele~s.ed an action alert: "Today the Senate race for 56th District interfere ~i~h st~dent safety and learning. JudlClary Committee took up the Gen­ best fnend, she was also one of the fin­ Key provIsIons mclude developing rules der Expression Non-Discrimination Act est volunteers we were blessed with. She State Senate seat to prevent and respond to discriminatory (GENDA) and failed to move it forward was a fundraiser's dream. Whenever we harassment and hate violence; establishing By Susan Jordan by a vote of 11-12. All the Republican needed a ~onation of food, sound equip­ te~che~, staf~ and administrative training Robin Wilt announced her candidacy ~enato~s on the Committee voted against m~nt, stagmg, space for an event or any­ gUldelmes; mcorporating discrimination for the 56th State Senate District on June It, as dId Senator Ruben Diaz as the lone thmg else, Mary Ann was the first person awareness into civility and character edu­ 16. She described herself as "an unlikely Democratic vote in dissent. Some senators I would call. She knew someone, or knew cation curricula; and required reporting of c.a~didate" and said that she is not a poli­ raised concerns about the use of bath­ someone who knew someone. She was the incidents of bias harassment to the State tlCl~n, but rather "a community activist, rooms and other gender-segregated facili­ consummate volunteer. Education Department. busmess owner and mother." As such, she ties, and a number of senators who voted We launched the first Walk and held In addition to sexual orientation said that she is "uniquely suited to repre­ against the bill expressed a willingness to six successful AIDS Walks that I couldn't and other categories such as race, color, have done without her. Literally. Her senting ordinary upstate new Yorkers." support it if this issue could be sufficiently Wilt, a progressive Democrat, feels she na~i~nal origin, ethnic group, religion, knowledge of logistics, permits, food han­ addressed. Committee Chair John Samp­ represents people's frustration with the re~lgl?US practice, weight, and disability, son promised to take these concerns back dling for hundreds of people, was amaz­ DIg~Ity ~ffers protections based on gen­ status quo in Albany and, even more, "the to the prime sponsor of the bill, Senator ing. And there were countless other events der Idenuty and expression. This marks hope to make New York better." Tom Duane, for discussion. where she lent her expertise. the first time that protections based on She promised "a vigorous race against "The bathroom issue is a concern that Mary Ann also contributed much time gender identity and expression would be a well-funded, entrenched politician," and is based on worry, not reality. Thirteen and energy to the Gay Alliance of the included in state law. although she acknowledged that it will other states and numerous jurisdictions Genesee Valley. She worked tirelessly on Over the last decade, the Pride Agenda be a struggle, she said, "I know through across New York State including Suffolk Gay Pride for "her boys" over many years. h~s been a le.ad advocacy group working my o~n ex~eri~n.ce that a small group of County, Westchester County, Buffalo, She helped host Dining for Dollars dinner ~Ith the LegIslature to pass Dignity and commltted mdlVlduals can indeed effect Rochester, A~b~ny and New York City p~rties to raise money for Helping People ~s .one of over 170 groups in the state that real change." have passed sImIlar measures without any with AIDS. She also took time out of her Jomed together to form the "Dignity For Wilt, a Brighton resident, told The of the mythical fears about bathrooms schedule to work the Golf Tournament All Students Coalition" to build broad­ (Wilt continues page 7) materializing. The same is true of scores b~se~ suppor~ ~or t~e bill. Groups in the of companies and employers, large and I?lglllty. CoahtlOn mclude leading educa­ small. But if the New York State Senate tion, chIld advocacy, civil rights, religious is truly interested in addressing the pub­ and labor organizations across New York lic policy issues around bathroom use State. ''As the founding co-facilitator of and not simply using it as a red herring, it the Dignity for All Students Coalition, better be prepared to answer the question the Pride Agenda is appreciative of the of which bathroom transgender people work of allies ranging from the ADL to should use. And asking them to stay home NYCLU, GLSEN, Log Cabin Republi­ or hold it is not an option," said Executive cans of NYS and NYSUT to get this bill Director Ross Levi. passed. The diversity of groups commit­ "This fight is not over," Levi contin­ ted to this effort reflects the broad base of ued. "The Pride Agenda and the LG BT support for the measure." community and our allies will contin­ . T~e impetus behind Dignity legisla­ ue ~o engage with senators to explain tion m the NYS Legislature and other the Importance of ending discrimination states and similar measures in New York against. transgender New Yorkers every localities has been the widespread acts of day until the end of session. Transgender bul~yi~g and violence taking place in the people can be fired from their jobs, kicked natlOns schools where bias is a contribut­ out of their homes and denied service in a ing factor. re,sta~rant simply because of who they are. According to a survey commissioned It s t~~e for New York to join the states, by the Gay, Lesbian Straight Education 10cahtIe.s and .co.mpanies that have already Network (GLSEN), 39 percent of New dealt wIth thIs Issue and protect the civil York students reported that bullying and (GENDA continues page 7) Robin Wilt announces her candidacy. Photo: Susan Jordan 4 A THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • NUMBER 436 • JULY 2010

to ensure that the agency's core housing Crucial to acceptance ofLGBT people programs are open to all, regardless of is the falling of ugly stereotypes, such as sexual orientation or gender identity. In the old canard that LGBT people are a addition to the notice published June 7, threat to children. The research journal, Newsfr{Dnts HUD intends to propose new regulations Pediatrics, in early June published a study that will clarify that the term "family" as by Gartrell, a professor of psychiatry at used to describe eligible beneficiaries of University of California, San Francisco HUD's programs include otherwise eli­ and Henry Bos, a behavioral scientist at NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL gible LGBT individuals and couples. The University of Amsterdam. The article dis­ Department's intent to propose new regu­ cussed the landmark study that has mea­ lations will clarify family status to ensure sured the long-term affects on children British send Iraqi pIe massacred. If these people are removed its core housing programs are available to who were raised by lesbian parents. many of them will also be murdered." all families, regardless of their sexual ori­ "We simply expected to find no differ­ refugees back to death Iraqi LGBT has cataloged 738 mur­ entation or gender identity. ence in psychological adjustment between The Iraqi LGBT Group on June 4 ders in the past five years. The Federal Housing Administration adolescents reared in lesbian families and expressed deep concern about reports The Group has backed the call by the (FHA) will also instruct its lending com­ the normative sample of age-matched that the British Home Office planned to IFIR for the British government to end munity that FHA-insured mortgage loans controls," says Gartrell. "I was surprised return 100 Iraqi refugees to Baghdad on what IFIR calls "this inhuman policy" of must be based on the credit-worthiness to find that on some measures we found June 9, despite a recent UK report saying refugee removals to Iraq. of borrowers and not on unrelated factors higher levels of (psychological) compe­ this was not safe. or characteristics such as sexual orienta­ tency and lower levels of behavioral prob­ "This group will certainly contain HUD: comply with anti­ tion or gender identity. Finally, HUD will lems. It wasn't something I anticipated." deeply closeted gay people and they will commission the first-ever national study be at extreme risk of torture and murder discrimination laws of discrimination against members of the Canada's federal LG BT community in the rental and sale in Baghdad," said Group leader Ali Hili. For the first time in its history, the of housing. The Department is current­ Transgender Rights Bill Iraqi LGBT Group says that the Iraqi U.S. Department of Housing and Urban ly seeking online public comment from government provides no security for gays Development (HUD) will require grant advances in House interested parties on how it might design - in fact the opposite, as its members have applicants seeking HUD funding to com­ this new study. A private member's bill seeking reported the involvement of both police ply with state and local anti-discrim­ In addition, HUD will provide human-rights protection for transgender and Interior Ministry forces in handing ination laws that protect lesbian, gay, and transsexual Canadians !assed sec­ over gay people to militias, with either enhanced customer services for members bi-sexual, and transgender (LG BT) indi­ ond reading in the House 0 Commons their tortured bodies being subsequently viduals. of the public who bring fair housing com­ plaints to the Department's attention on on June 8. discovered or the victims simply disap­ On June 7, HUD published a notice The third time might be the charm pearing. detailing the general requirements that the basis of LGBT status. Specifically, in places where state or local laws already for Bill Siksay, the NDP MP for Burna­ The group has just released new tes­ will apply to all of the Department's com­ by-Douglas, who has tabled similar bills timony about Iraqi government complic­ petitively awarded grant programs for Fis­ prohibit LGBT-related housing discrimi­ nation, intake staff in HUD's Office of twice before, none of which have made it ity on YouTube; see http://www.youtube. cal Year 2010. this far in the legislative process. com/watch?v=6Ts3PedvPrs "We're using every avenue to shut the Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity will ensure these complaints are directed to "This is a big, historic step," Siksay Said Hili, "The Western media is not door against discrimination," said HUD told The Straight in a phone interview reporting the level of violence continuing Secretary Shaun Donovan. "Today, we the appropriate state and local anti-dis­ crimination offices. from Ottawa. "It's an indication that there in Baghdad. Bombings and assassinations take an important step to insist that those is interest and support for this." continue to happen almost daily -- this is who seek federal funding must demon­ HUD intake staff also will be trained to identify any allegations over which Bill C-389 seeks to amend the Cana­ why the United Nations said it is unsafe strate that they are meeting local and state dian Human Rights Act and Criminal to remove refugees to that city. The lack civil rights laws that prohibit discrimina­ HUD has existing authority under the Fair Housing Act, such as HIV/AIDS­ Code to add gender identity and gender of reporting means that the Home Office tion based on sexual orientation or gender expression as prohibited grounds for dis­ think they can get away with this inhu­ identity." related discrimination, that may be con­ sidered grounds for enforcement action crimination. Siksay, the NDP's critic for man action." Traditionally, HUD requires all appli­ gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Amnesty International said in April cants for competitive grant funding to based on the law's current protections (i.e., against disability discrimination). issues, said there wasn't any "outright" that there was evidence that members of comply with all applicable federal fair opposition to the bill, which was sup­ the security forces and other authorities housing and civil rights requirements ported by Liberal, NDP, and Bloc Quebe­ were encouraging the targeting of people including those expressed in Fair Hous­ Study suggests lesbians' cois MPs. suspected to be gay. ing Act; Title VI of the Civil Rights Act kids are better adjusted Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Con­ The report added that killers of gay of 1964; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation servative government says the trans rights men could find protection under the law, Act of 1973; and Title II of the Ameri­ A recent study indicates that children act is "redundant and that trans people are which offers lenient sentences for those cans with Disabilities Act. Now HUD of lesbian mothers are better adjusted and already protected under the grounds of sex committing crimes with an "honorable will further stipulate that applicants and have fewer behavioral problems. and disability in the Canadian Human motive". their sub-recipients must comply with The USA National Longitudinal Les­ Rights Act." They also complain that the "We condemn the proposed removals state or local laws proscribing housing dis­ bian Family Study (NLLFS) has been fol­ bill doesn't define gender identity and by the British government and the Iraqi crimination based on sexual orientation or lowing lesbian mothers and their children, gender expression. The bill now moves to government's complicity. Many of these gender identity. It is estimated there are who were conceived by donor insemina­ the House of Commons Standing Com­ people are opponents of the regime and if approximately 20 states and the District tion (DI) during the lesbian baby boom mittee on Justice and Human Rights for returned will end up being killed." of Columbia that have laws prohibiting of the 1980s. "detailed consideration." It has been reported by the Interna­ discrimination based on sexual orienta­ Initiated by Nanette Gartrell, MD, -Joe.My.God.com tional Federation of Iraqi Refugees (IFIR) tion discrimination. In addition, 12 states the NLLFS examines the social, psycho­ that the 100 refugees have been screened and the District of Columbia prohibit dis­ logical, and emotional development of by UK Border Agency "ambassadors" pre­ crimination based on gender identity. the children as well as the dynamics of President Obama orders tending to be Iraqi embassy representa­ HUD's General Section will not con­ alternative families and children ofLGBT benefits for federal tives at a detention centre. Refugees have sider an applicant's submission if they fail parents. This is the longest-running and reported being threatened by those "inter­ to meet minimum thresholds which will largest prospective investigation of lesbian employees' partners viewing" them. now include being able to demonstrate moms and their children in the United President Obama extended benefits to "We are very familiar with such that they have not been charged with a States. This study is intended to generate same-sex partners of federal employees on threats," said Ali. "I and other members systemic violation of state or local law pro­ information for specialists in healthcare, June 2. of our group in exile have faced this, as scribing discrimination in housing based family services, sociology, feminist stud­ The White House released a state­ have our family members. Many of our on sexual orientation or gender identity. ies, education, ethics, gay marriage, and ment: "Last year, I issued a Presidential members have been murdered in Iraq and Last October, HUD Secretary Shaun public policy on matters pertaining to Memorandum that instructed the Office we have had safe houses invaded and peo- Donovan announced a series of measures LG BT families. of Personnel Management and the Secre-

MARK SIWIEC ~ RfAL E TATE

585.764.8187 Using dog-friendly methods to promote [email protected] a better relationship Diane J. Gardner, CPDT between you and Certified Pet Dog Trainer your dog. JULY 2010 • NUMBER 436 • GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • THE EMPTY CLOSET A 5 tary of State to extend certain available necessary to extend benefits to same-sex even if the President manages to sign a ners to get married, in a vote which met benefits they had identified to gay & les­ domestic partners of federal employees defense authorization bill with crippled with no political resistance. bian federal employees and their families that are currently available to opposite sex DADT repeal: The Althingi parliament voted 49 to under their respective jurisdictions. spouses, wherever permitted by law. The "Even with the updated Penta­ zero to change the wording of marriage ''Among those benefits were long-term benefits that will be extended were iden­ gon Instructions, the language does not legislation to include matrimony between care insurance and expanded sick leave tified by agencies in reports supplied to change the fact that statements, acts, or "man and man, woman and woman," for civil service employees and medical OPM. OPM, along with the Department same-sex marriage, are still grounds for in addition to unions between men and care abroad, eligibility for employment at of Justice, analyzed the agency reports, discharge under DADT, including: women. posts, cost-of-living adjustments abroad and recommended to the President that * A service member can still be fired if Iceland, a socially tolerant island and medical evacuation for domestic part­ all of the benefits the agencies identified outed by his or her parents; nation of about 320,000 people, became ners of foreign service members. In that could and should be extended to same sex * A service member can still be fired the first country to elect an openly gay same Memorandum, I called upon the domestic partners of federal employees. for revealing his or her sexual orientation head of state in 2009 when Social Dem­ federal agencies to undertake a compre­ The benefits to be extended include, while making a statement to the police ocrat Johanna Sigurdardottir became hensive review and to identify any addi­ among others, access to day care for the that would prevent or help solve a crime; prime minister after being nominated by tional benefits that could be extended to children of employees' domestic part­ * A service member's middle school her party. the same-sex domestic partners of Federal ners, travel and relocation allowances, and teacher can still out the service member "The attitude in Iceland is fairly prag­ employees under existing law. access to employee assistance programs. 10 years after he came out to her in social matic," said Gunnar Helgi Kristinsson, a "That process has now concluded, and The President has also directed that studies class; political scientist at the University of Ice­ I am proud to announce that earlier today, when agencies extend new benefits in the * A service member can still be dis­ land. "It (gay marriage) has not been a big I signed a Memorandum that requires future, they are to provide coverage to charged if he reports that someone has issue in national politics -- it's not been Executive agencies to take immediate same-sex domestic partners equivalent to threatened to kill him for being gay; controversial." action to extend to the same-sex domes­ that offered to opposite sex spouse , to the * A service member can still be fired tic partners of Federal employees a num­ extent permitted by law. for hugging someone of the same sex; Justice Dept.: domestic ber of meaningful benefits, from family "This is another major step forward * A service member can still be fired assistance services to hardship transfers for gay and lesbian federal employees. But for getting married; and violence law applies to to relocation expenses. It also requires it's also a good business practice -- this * A service member can still be fired same sex couples agencies that extend any new benefits to will help us retain valuable employees and for saying she would like to return from employees' opposite-sex spouses to make better compete with other employers for Iraq to care for her dying girlfriend. The Department of Justice on June those benefits available on equal terms to top talent," said Director Berry. "Presi­ "What's even more disturbing is that 9 issued a legal opinion that clarifies employees' same-sex domestic partners to dent Obama has stated clearly that this is the 'humane' revisions to DADT by Sec­ that criminal provisions of the Violence the extent permitted by law. an issue of equality. But just as important, retary of Defense Robert Gates have not Against Women Act cover crimes against "While this Memorandum is an youth today, LGBT or not, see these ben­ stopped the witch hunts." victims of same-sex domestic violence. important step on the path to equality, my efits as a litmus test for determining high The memorandum, which was pro­ Administration continues to be prevented quality employers." Gay men still barred duced by the Office of Legal Counsel, provides that criminal provisions related by existing Federal law from providing OPM has issued guidance to imple­ from giving blood same-sex domestic partners with the full ment the President's Memorandum. The to domestic violence, stalking and pro­ range of benefits enjoyed by heterosex­ guidance identifies additional benefits The Department of Health and tection order violations apply to conduct ual married couples. That is why, today, that agencies reported could be extend­ Human Services' Advisory Committee on when the offender and victim are the I renew my call for swift passage of an ed to cover same-sex domestic partners. Blood Safety and Availability has voted same sex. important piece of legislation pending in These include gym and credit union against recommending a change to the "Today's memorandum by the Depart­ both Houses of Congress-the Domestic memberships, access to career and other current policy barring for life any man ment of Justice is one step forward in Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act. counseling and assistance services, access who has had sex with another man since ensuring that LGBT people are protected This legislation, championed by Senators to government medical facilities, and 1977 from giving blood, citing insuffi­ by our federal domestic violence laws," Joe Lieberman and Susan Collins and lodging allowances. cient scientific data to sUPRort a change. said Human Rights Campaign President Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, would Agencies will be reporting to OPM The Committee did acknowledge, Joe Solmonese. "Some of our families, like extend to the same-sex domestic partners on an annual basis on their progress in however, that the current policy is imper­ all Americans, experience domestic vio­ of Federal employees the full range of ben­ providing these benefits, and OPM will fect and recommended additional research lence and those impacted by such violence efits currently enjoyed by Federal employ­ submit annual reports to the President. to support a policy that would allow low­ should enjoy equal protections, and equal ees' opposite-sex spouses. I look forward Changes in agency regulations, policies, risk gay and bisexual men to donate. The dignity, when they seek assistance from to signing it into law." or contracts may be necessary to imple­ Committee's recommendations will now law enforcement. We thank the Depart­ Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin ment the extension of certain benefits. be considered by the Assistant Secretary ment of Justice for releasing this impor­ said, "I am encouraged to see President While the Presidential Memorandum for Health. tant interpretation." Obama take yet another step toward full directs agencies to provide benefits to fed­ "We are disappointed that after its According to a 2010 report by the equality for LGBT Americans. Yesterday's eral employees' same sex domestic part­ meeting, the Advisory Committee chose National Center for Victims of Crime and the National Coalition of Anti-Vio­ memorandum requiring executive agen­ ners to the extent permitted by law, there to preserve a policy that turns away healthy cies to extend to the same-sex domestic are a number of important employment gay and bisexual donors, one we continue lence Programs, intimate partner violence partners of federal employees a number of benefits that cannot be extended without to believe is not scientifically justified," occurs in the relationships of LGBT peo­ meaningful benefits will make a real dif­ legislative changes such as those being said Human Rights Campaign President ple at about the same rate as in heterosex­ ference in people's lives. proposed in the Domestic Partnership Joe Solmonese. "However, the Commit­ ual relationships. In these situations, it is "I was also pleased to see the President Benefits and Obligations Act, which is tee recognized that the current policy is important that LGBT victims are afford­ call yet again for swift passage of my legis­ supported by the President. These include inadequate and the Department of Health ed the same protections from violence as all other Americans. lation, the Domestic Partners Benefits and health insurance benefits under the Fed­ and Human Services must immediately Obligations Act of 2009; and am heart­ eral Employee Health Benefits Program, commit its resources to research that will ened by Speaker Pelosi's commitment to as well as retirement benefits. allow our nation to adopt a fair and safe Malawi man dumps advance that legislation in the House. It blood donation policy." is high time we extend to the same-sex The policy is especially unfair since husband for woman domestic partners of federal employees all Don't open the HIV is prevalent among heterosexuals, From joemygod.com on June 9: "We of the benefits currently enjoyed by the champagne yet on DADT who undergo no such ban. can't know what horrible pressure or opposite-sex spouses of federal employ- threats have been placed on Steven Mon­ ees. " Pam Spaulding of pamshouseblend. Iceland: marriage jeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga to have U.S. Office of Personnel Management com posted on June 9, "With all of the equality is no big deal the situation come to this latest develop­ (OPM) Director John Berry praised the early, misguided celebration out there ment. From the Malawi-based newspaper issuance of the Presidential Memorandum regarding the legislative progress so far, Iceland, the only country in the world The Nation:" which directs Federal agencies to begin the following sobering facts remain and to have an openly gay head of state, passed "In a dramatic twist to the tale of immediately to implement the changes were expressed by the Pentagon today -- a law on June 11 allowing same-sex part- (NewsFronts continues page 8)

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L-R: Civil Rights Front members Denise Herrera, Marian Mull, Tom Middleton, Tracy, Chelsea Miller, Sean.

"In some ways, that's a generational meetings and see who they are for them­ thing," Miller said. "I think that there are selves. so many young allies who are just com­ "Come to a meeting, check it out, see pletely flabbergasted that gross inequali­ what we do, and find out for yourself if ties still exist." you want to help out," said Herrera. ''And Civil Rights Front ism entitled "Out of the Closet and into Herrera agreed. ''As an ally, if people if you do, well, get involved!" the Streets" and organized a Harvey Milk "What the hell else are you doing?" By Laura McSpadden are being treated as second-class citizens, Day of Action on May 21. Not bad for a I will be there to help," she said. "It is Kelsey asked. "Instead of paying lip ser­ You have seen them on the streets. You group that is just now coming up on its important for me to put my energy there, vice to equality, jump in and get active!" have read about their actions right here first birthday! for me to stand up and say that this is CRF meets at 7 p.m. every Tuesday on the pages of The Empty Closet. You've What makes CRF different from other wrong, this oppression of others." at Equal Grounds Coffee House, 750 wanted to know more about them, but LGBT groups and organizations? Interestingly, it is their newness to South Ave. in the South Wedge. For more didn't know who to ask. "What makes Civil Rights Front activism that has made them so effective. information, visit http://civilrightsfront. I am, of course, talking about the unique is the way it serves as an open "Everything we've done so far, it's been for wordpress.com/ or email them at roches­ Rochester Civil Rights Front (CRF), forum for ideas," said Denise Herrera. the first time," said Melissa Kelsey. "There [email protected] . • Rochester's newest and youngest grass­ "We are interested in fighting for all is a lot of energy, a lot of fresh ideas and roots activist group with a focus on LGBT human rights, and ask other groups to new perspectives." equality. I attended one of their meet­ join with us and collaborate with these "We will not be stifled," Herrera ings in June, and then stayed afterwards efforts. We also have a focus on getting asserted. ''And because this group is still PRIDE AT WORK in order to talk to some of the members out there and working in the community." so new, and because we are all so different, ROCHESTER FINGER LAKES about CRF. "We are explicitly political and explic­ it's all so raw, and we just stay open and AFL-CIO CRF had its first meeting on July 21, itly grassroots," Miller said. "We are not allow ourselves to learn from each other." Our families need a place at the 2009. Their main focuses the first few affiliated with any political party. We are "It's really important that we're learn­ negotiation table ... months were pushing for marriage equal­ here to work towards full equality in all ing to do this, because the movement ity in New York and getting together a matters governed by civil law. We're about needs as many leaders in it as humanly group of people from Rochester to go to getting out there and actually doing the possible," Miller said. "We all need to the National Equality March in October. work to bring about change." become part of this movement, we all During those first months, they circu­ Although CRF does focus on LG BT need to take responsibility. lated a marriage equality petition, held a equality, it does not have an exclusively "This movement needs to be radical, "Get Buckwild for the Buses" fundraiser, LGBT membership. "One of the things and it also needs to maintain connections and hosted the Big Gay Wedding, which that is really important to me about CRF with others in order to really move for­ served not only as forum for visibility and is the people who are members," said CRF ward," she continued. "In order for real activism, but also helped to raise more member Sean. "Many of the members change to happen, we need to stay on the funds for the trip to the National Equal­ are not gay, but they are extremely active cutting edge." JOIN Pride at Work ity March. allies. It's great to see that sort of backing. "This is one of the great things about Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & "None of us had done anything like "I think that if you asked most people our open membership," said Marian Mull. Transgender Labor that before," said CRF member Chelsea on the street, especially younger people, "The question of what is too radical can Miller. ''And yet, our efforts enabled us to they'd say they have no problems with gay shift from week to week based on who's Join us on Facebook or take two buses of people to the March." people, which is great," Sean continued. here to take part in the discussion." Contact Bess Watts Since the Equality March, CRF has "But it's really powerful to see allies really When they were asked if they had any bess1Nhat@grnail_corn continued to work towards marriage getting out there and doing work towards closing words, several members extended 585-426-0862 equality, led a local conference on activ- full equality." an invitation for people to come to their

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this political environment, it is very, very ing up in each color of the rainbow danc­ LGBT older people. FROM PAGE ONE hard to trust what anyone says they are ing on balcony overhanging the falls. This Earlier this year, Health and Human (GENDA continued from page 3) going to do when things come down to was our first scare and delight! Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and the vote." "Mother Nature was our other scare the Administration on Aging awarded rights of all its citizens." Paul Schindler wrote in Gay City over the years; we tried to predict how SAGE and 10 partner organizations from Dr. Jillian Weiss posted on The Bile­ News, "The other option available under many times it would rain that third week­ around the country a historic grant to rico Project on June 8, "I listened in on a Senate rules would have been to wait until end in July. The worst, as many may establish the National Resource Center live webcast, and it was orchestrated very the end of this week, when bills can be recall, was Highland Park. Where can on LGBT Aging. Significantly, the cen­ poorly. The first two speakers raised the brought directly to the Rules Commit­ thousands run to, with lightning bolts ter opens during National Lesbian, Gay, issues of bathrooms and teachers. The tee, without consideration by a substan­ striking and the sound equipment going Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. supporters didn't really seem to know tive policy committee. The 12 Democrats under water? The best memories included "We are living in an unprecedented their lines ... Senator Savino responded in among Rules' 21 members have all pub­ working with such an awesome team over time, especially for caregivers, health­ defense of the bill. She wasn't really clear licly announced their support for the bill. the years, with three amazing people that care facilities and communities that serve or definitive about the objections to the It seemingly was a safer bet. were there from the beginning: Jeff Kai­ LGBT older adults," said Michael Adams, bill. She said some good things, like the ''Asked why he opted not to attend the ser, Mary Ann Gaglio, and Frank Van­ executive director of SAGE, the world's fact that other jurisdictions have enacted Judiciary meeting to speak up on behalf deusen," Tim continued. largest and oldest organization dedicated such bills without bathroom or school of his bill, Duane explained that sponsors "Jeff and Mary Ann were primarily to improving the lives of LGBT older problems. However, her rhetorical skills who are not committee members typi­ our creative team, Gerry, Frank and I were adults. "Our country is witnessing the were no match for the outspoken objec­ cally only attend meetings when they have the organizers and the ones that made first generation in history to live and age tors. Empire State Pride Agenda has a very forced consideration of the bill against sure things were done. And we couldn't more openly as LGBT people-going into clearly written fact sheet on the issue. She the opposition of the chair. Since (Demo­ have done it all those years without the the closet to access vital services isn't an should have taken some time to get the cratic Conference leader John) Sampson support of Business Forum members and option." facts down." brought the bill to his committee of his other board members, including Carrie The National Resource Center on Senator Tom Duane of Manhattan, own volition, Duane said he was confi­ Vernon, Sean Van Hatten, Michael Hardy LGBT Aging will provide tools and openly gay co-sponsor of GENDA, attrib­ dent that his colleagues there could shoul­ and others that we are happy to see car­ resources to assist communities across the uted the defeat partly to a difference of der the duty. rying on the torch! Living where we do country in their efforts to provide ser­ opinions on legislative strategy. "It is "However, a blog posting by Housing in Texas, we can't tell you how much we vices and support for older LG BT adults. now yet again confirmed that the Senate Works, which had staff in the room dur­ miss living in the city that has people like It will also aid LGBT people in planning is a cesspool of homophobia and trans­ ing the meeting, reported that Sampson Mayor Duffy. who as a police chief always for their own long-term needs. In the fall, phobia. .. The advocates wanted to go 'publicly expressed concern' over Duane's gave us more than we ever asked for and the Resource Center will launch a web through a committee ... I believe that we absence. For his part, Duane said, 'I was continued as the Mayor. The Fire Chief as site that will begin providing vital infor­ should have brought GENDA through in the building and was given no indi­ well as the rest of the city police officers mation to these audiences to ensure that Rules and brought it right to the floor so cation there was a problem' during the and officials made it easy for us to build LGBT older adults are supported in all as to deny the right-wing fringe the abil­ GENDA discussion." a Pride event from a couple hundred to parts of the country. ity to organize against GENDA with their The Anti Violence Project of NYC more than 10K. SAGE is the world's oldest and larg­ lies and distortions." stated, "GENDA would have outlawed "Each year we worked on making our est organizations dedicated to improving By "advocates," Duane seemed to be discrimination based on gender identity Pride Events special. The Stage Show was the lives of LGBT olders adults. Since blaming the Empire State Pride Agenda. or expression in New York State. Given a major part of the Pride Festival with its inception, SAGE has pioneered pro­ Pride Agenda Executive Director Ross the rampant discrimination against trans­ Aggy Dune our hostess and DJ Hector. grams and services for seniors in the Levi told The Empty Closet, "Nobody gender and gender non-conforming peo­ Another cold day in July - who will for­ LGBT community, provided technical asked the Pride Agenda whether there ple in New York, AVP believes this bill is get Aggy Dune coming in on a horse as assistance and training to expand oppor­ should have been a Judiciary Committee critical to protecting the rights of trans­ Cher, or the year before when she made tunities for LGBT older people across the vote or not." gender people when seeking employment, her entrance on top of Village Gate's roof. country, and provided a national voice He said that the LGBT community housing, credit and using public accom­ "The special moments I remember on LGBT aging issues. In 2005 SAGE must pressure legislators of both parties to modations. AVP is extremely disappoint­ usually include someone going above and became the first official LGBT delegate at take our issues seriously. ed in our elected officials who not only beyond, risking life and limb. Including a White House Conference on Aging, and Levi told Gay City News, "The job lacked the courage to forward this bill Jeff Kaiser climbing up in the structure is now the first organization to represent ahead of us is to do the work to see if the for a full Senate vote, but also refused to above Manhattan Square Park to hang LGBT issues on the Leadership Coun­ votes are going to be there for whatever take this opportunity to begin to change flags, so every person would get a sense cil on Aging. SAGE celebrated its 30th votes are going to happen," he said. "In transphobic attitudes that are at the root of Pride and Community. We all did it Anniversary in 2008 and is continuing to of anti-transgender hate violence." • to create thousands of special moments advocate with, and on behalf of, LGBT for each person that came. From the pro­ elders. For more information, visit www. testors that come from far away, to our sageusa.com. friends from across the world, and our (Marshals from page 1) city!" Hate violence hits our vision on creating a Parade that went The two added, ''As has been said to a free Pride Festival, and a week long before, 'Make a Difference,' volunteer. Queens youth shelter Pride Celebration," Tim said. Do something positive and make a dif­ "We were all members of the Business On June 10, the Ali Forney Center's ference. We recently lost our friend and a newly opened shelter for homeless LGBT Forum and felt that this group of people role model, Mary Ann Gaglio, who loved (primarily small businesses) would have youth in Astoria, Queens was defaced life! Step outside your comfort zone, take with anti-gay graffiti. Lake Avenue the resources to partner with the GAGV a risk, give, and get involved. Appreciate to make an event that Rochester would be At 6 a.m. that morning, two of the where you live and what you have. residents of the shelter discovered the proud of. Gerry and I had volunteered for "People here in Dallas always ask us Baptist Church the parade in 1994 when the GAGV was slurs, which included "We don't want gay if it was a difficult move for us. We usu­ people here" written on the exterior of the organizing it and it was the first year that ally start off by telling them we don't miss BASSically TREBLEmakers (aka Flow­ shelter, and "Gay Shelter" written on the A WELCOMING the weather, but what we do miss is our site's door. er City Pride) marched in its first Pride family, neighbors, and community! Have Parade. We organized the parade and were "I am infuriated that someone would & AFFIRM ING Pride in your community and your Fam­ target our kids in this cowardly way," on the Business Forum Board until we ily. We do!" • CONGREGATION moved to Dallas, Texas. said Carl Siciliano, Executive Director of "There are so many special memories the Ali Forney Center, the nation's larg­ over the years and it always comes back est organization serving homeless LGBT Invites You! to the people in Rochester. The Festival's LOCAL AND STATE youth. "The young people who come to first year at High Falls, something that we us for help and shelter have already expe­ didn't plan was the Marcella Girls show- (Wilt from page 3) rienced terrible hardship, and I will not 10:00 AM: stand for them to be further abused." Sunday morning Empty Closet that she strongly supports The Ali Forney Center (AFC) is work­ marriage equality. She said, "I am in an ing with the New York City Anti-Vio­ worship service interracial marriage, and 40 years ago, the THIRD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH lence Project, with City Council Speaker 11:30 AM: same arguments were being made against Christine Quinn, and with local Council­ marriage for all as are being lodged today. member Peter Vallone on devising strate­ Class on Igbt A community of faith where So I know this is a civil rights issue." gies to protect its residents from further LGBT persons are welcomed as liberation theology The Republican incumbent, Senator attacks. AFC has also reached out to the full partners in ministry Joseph Robach, has consistently voted local police precinct and the NYPD Hate Childcare & against LGBT families and the right of Crimes Task Force who are now conduct­ same sex couples to marry legally. Sunday School for SUNDAY WORSHIP ing an investigation into the incident. children are available. 8:30am Third Church chapel "The New York City Anti-Violence East Avenue at Arnold Park SAGE launches national Project was shocked to learn about this 9:30am Incarnate Word sanctuary resource center in NYC violent act directed at the youth and staff Lake Avenue East Avenue at Goodman of the Ali Forney Center and we will do On June 14, Services & Advocacy everything we can to provide support to Baptist Church is located LGBT SUPPORT GROUP for GLBT Elders (SAGE) celebrated the AFC and the communities affected by just off Lake Avenue near 7:30pm First &. Third Mondays launch of the National Resource Center the violence," said Sharon Stapel, Execu­ at New Life Presbyterian Church on LG BT Aging in its Manhattan offices. tive Director of AVP, in response to this the stop light at 145 Lake 243 Roseda le (at Monroe) The Resource Center is the first of its news. "We stand with AFC in denouncing Avenue. kind and will provide training on LGBT this act of bias and hate. At AVP, we know issues to mainstream service providers for these acts of hate violence are intended hitd ~erian C h urch aging and on aging concerns to lesbian, For more information phone See'Jcjng Ihe Ughl to scare and intimidate the LGBT com­ 4 Me igs Street (at E.ast Avenue) 585.271.6513 gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) munities and the youth and staff at the 585- 458-5765 agencies nationwide. It will also offer www.thirdpresbyte rian.org shelter. We say to the perpetrator of this critically important educational tools to heinous violence: we will not be scared, 8 A THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • NUMBER 436 • JULY 2010

(Hate continued from page 7) an intimate relationship with another the passport will reflect the new gen­ NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL we will not be intimidated. We will not man. Even after I escaped the country, der. The guidelines include details about tolerate the targeting of LGBT youth." the police have tried to track me down what information the certification must (Newsfronts continued from page 5) Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn at my parents' home, and I know if include. also responded to the incident stating, I had to return, my life would be in Malawi's convicted but pardoned gay It is also possible to obtain a limited­ "The act of hate demonstrated outside danger." lovebirds, the man, Steven Monjeza, has validity passport if the physician's state­ the Ali Forney Center in the Astoria is The Uzbek Criminal Code makes dumped his homosexual 'wife' Tiwonge ment shows the applicant is in the process unacceptable. I was angered and deeply "homosexual conduct" a crime pun­ Chimbalanga to marry a Blantyre-based of gender transition. No additional medi­ disturbed when I heard someone would ishable by up to three years in prison. woman. Twenty-four-year old Dorothy cal records are required. Sexual reassign­ go to such great lengths to vandalize a The U.S. State Department has also Gulo on Monday confessed her love for ment surgery is no longer a prerequisite building that acts as a safe space for our reported that prisoners face a high-risk Monjeza whom she described as 'a real for passport issuance. youth. The Ali Forney center serves hun­ of torture and abuse; human rights man capable of doing to women what A Consular Report of Birth Abroad dreds of LGBT youth every year and will organizations confirm that gay men other men ably do in bed.' She was explic­ can also be amended with the new gender. continue to serve those in need. Anyone are especially vulnerable. it about the issue and said she had noth­ As with all passport applicants, pass­ who vandalizes a space for runaway and "Our client's situation highlights ing to hide. 'I have tried him on two port issuing officers at embassies and homeless youth in the middle of the night the severe risks that gay people face occasions and he proved to me he can consulates abroad and domestic passport is a coward. Our community will contin­ throughout Uzbekistan," said Erin live with a woman. I was impressed with agencies and centers will only ask appro­ ue to work to combat hate crimes in our Meyer '11, a student who worked on him when my curiosity got the better of priate questions to obtain information city and ensure spaces like the Ali Forney the case. "The police trap gay men, me and here I am. My only worry is what necessary to determine citizenship and Center stay safe." extort them, and send them to prison Chimbalanga would do if he found out,' identity. The Astoria shelter which opened last if they do not pay thousands of dollars said Gulo, who does nothing for a living. The new policy and procedures are October, is located in a church building in bribes. Our client had already been "She said they have been living based on standards and recommendations rented to the Ali Forney Center at low threatened with arrest and extorted together for some days after their meet­ of the World Professional Association for cost by the Episcopal Diocese of Long and knew that prison would be next, ing in Mbayani where she was living with Transgender Health (WPATH), recog­ Island, which spent $200K over the past if he did not escape." her parents. Gulo said Monjeza compli­ nized by the American Medical Associa­ year renovating the space in order to offer The client was referred to the mented her on her looks. Said Gulo: 'I tion as the authority in this field. shelter to homeless LGBT Youth. Sexuality and Gender Law Clinic did not immediately realise it was Mon­ Transgender Legal Defense said, Bishop Lawrence C. Provenzano of by Immigration Equality, a national jeza because I knew his story. I only "Happy LGBT Pride Month! We are very the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island organization focused on immigration recognised him after a while. Right now, pleased to tell you that the U.S. Depart­ also spoke out in support of the victims rights for GLBT individuals that pro­ I am looking forward to a future togeth­ ment of State today introduced new policy of this horrendous act, stating, "This is vided important assistance in the case. er. I don't care what people say, because guidelines on changing the sex marker on many are talking. I am yet to tell my passports .... an affront to the people served by St. "In Uzbekistan, the police treat parents about us.' An excited Monjeza "Transgender Americans face extreme Andrew's shelter and to our ministry. the 'homosexual conduct' law as a free said he no longer wanted to be associated danger when traveling abroad in the many We are committed to working with other pass that lets them abuse gay people with what he called 'gay trash' as he had countries that are hostile to them. Many community leaders to find out who is both physically and politically," said found real love in Gulo." also experience harassment when entering behind this hateful action." Donna Azoulay '10, who also helped Steven Monjeza now says the entire and leaving this country. Adoption of this The majority of the clients of the Ali prepare the asylum application. "Asy­ relationship with Tiwonge was a lie: "We safety-focused policy is a giant step for­ Forney Center were rejected by their fami­ lum will allow our client to remain in were pardoned but I know the law can ward in protecting transgender Americans lies for being gay. The Ali Forney Center the United States and begin to rebuild bounce back on us if we are not careful. and in fulfilling the State Department's and other LGBT youth providers held a his life without fear that the police stand ready to take him away." Although I claimed that I still love Tiwo, commitment to protect all Americans rally to protect homeless LGBT youth on I did not mean it. I have never had sex when they travel, work or live overseas. June 14 at Union Square. Since January, four students from the Sexuality and Gender Law Clin­ with him as was revealed in court. That "Under the new policy, it is also pos­ For more information on the rally, is why the medical examination failed sible to obtain a temporary passport in the visit: http://www.aliforneycenter.org/ ic -Azoulay '10, Larra Morris '11, Meyer '11, and Jennifer Simcovitch '11 to establish any anal penetration. I was appropriate sex if a physician's statement events.html#RallyToProtect or the Face­ coerced into the whole thing." - prepared the asylum application. shows that an applicant is in the process book event page: http://www.facebook. of gender transition." The students spent many months con­ Monjeza says that while he has been com/event.php?eid=123436341010705. offered asylum in many nations, he The Human Rights Campaign also ducting interviews, drafting affida­ doesn't want to move "to be used by gay praised the State Department for the new vits, researching country conditions, men." He also claims that a white man policy. Columbia Law Clinic and preparing the client for his inter­ in a jeep came to try to convince him to "To day's policy change will allow view with the asylum office. wins asylum for Uzbek return to Tiwonge. He has threatened to many more transgender Americans to "We are thrilled to have been able gay refugee in danger "expose" any gay people that approach obtain an important identity document to help this young man obtain safety him in the future. that accurately reflects their true identity Columbia Law School's Sexual­ in the U.S." Morris said. "No one "Clearly," joemygod.com says, "he and to travel with less fear of discrimina­ ity and Gender Law Clinic has won should have to live in fear or hide due has been properly coached to follow the tion and harassment," said HRC Presi­ asylum for a gay man who feared per­ to his sexual orientation." party line spawned by American evangel­ dent Joe Solmonese. "We thank the State secution because of his sexual orienta­ Columbia Law School's Sexuality icals that white Westerners are bringing Department for taking this important tion if forced to return to his native & Gender Law Clinic addresses cut­ homosexuality to Africa." step and congratulate the many organi­ Uzbekistan. ting edge issues in sexuality and gen­ zations that have pushed for this historic The grant, issued by the U.S. der law through litigation, legislation, change in policy." Department of Homeland Security, public policy analysis and other forms State Dept. adopts new comes at a time when gay people of advocacy. Under the guidance of policy on gender change D.C. names street after in Uzbekistan face serious threats, Professor Suzanne Goldberg, clinic stu­ in passports both from police and the surround­ dents have worked on a wide range of pioneer gay activist Dr. ing community, and, ironically, when projects, from constitutional litigation The U.S. Department of State has all Uzbek people face ethnic cleans­ to legislative advocacy to immigration announced new policy guidelines regard­ Frank Kameny ing. Thousands of Uzbek people have cases, to serve both individual and ing gender change in passports and Con­ On June 11, leaders in Washington, been killed by Kyrgyz men and around organizational clients in cases involv­ sular Reports of Birth Abroad that will D.C. made history by naming a promi­ 400,000 have fled their homes since ing issues of sexuality and gender law. provide improved rights for transgender nent downtown street on behalf of one ethnic violence broke out in mid-June. For more information, please visit: citizens. of America's most revered, living gay "In Uzbekistan, I lived with ter­ http://www.law.columbia.edu/focu­ Beginning June 10, when a passport pioneers and organizers, Dr. Franklin ror every day," said the man, who sareasl clinicslsexuality. To contact applicant presents a certification from Kameny. remains anonymous out of fear of Goldberg: call (212) 854- 0411 or an attending medical physician that the At the dedication of Frank Kameny continued persecution. "I was arrested email [email protected]­ applicant has undergone appropriate Way, Dr. Kameny was embraced by his and abused by the police for having bia.edu . • clinical treatment for gender transition, friend, Honorable John Berry, Director

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film you ever saw; the first gay party you tized copies of the EC, from Jan. 1971 to digitized version to the public, along with went to; how GLBT youth were treated April 2010, for the University of Roches­ ongoing digitization of future issues, and in your high school; attending your first ter, the Gay Alliance and Cornell Univer­ the legalities inherent in such an agree­ Gay Pride Parade; the first time you expe­ sity were picked up from HOV Services, ment. rienced discrimination as an ally or a gay the vendor who did the conversion. The The Gay Alliance and the University person; the first time you felt uncom­ entire process began mid-March and was of Rochester celebrated this accomplish­ fortable as an ally or LGBT person; your completed by June 1. ment at the Gay Alliance Annual Meet­ first gay date; your first gay relationship; Shoulders To Stand On will now have ing on June 30. (Details in the August attending your first Gay Pride Picnic; on one CD the record of all the shoulders Empty Closet). attending your first drag show? that have brought the Rochester LGBT Shoulders to Stand On is proud to Shoulders to Stand On OUR MOV­ Community into the 21st century. The have been a part of this endeavor, and is ING HISTORY will have an interview University of Rochester and the Gay Alli­ proud of all of those who contributed to studio on wheels. We invite you to sign ance will spend the next several months making this happen. See you at Pride to up to share your gay memories and expe­ working out an agreement for offering the CELEBRATE! • riences. Interview times will be set up at six minute intervals. We welcome you to bring any memorabilia and/or written records of past events, groups, and activi­ ties. OUR MOVING HISTORY will help you to remember and share . • WHAT'S YOUR STORY? Shoulders To Stand On: OUR MOVING HISTORY History Corner: PRIDE AROUND THE WORLD Coming to Rochester Gay Pride 2010: OUR MOVING HISTORY, brought to July 1-4: Madrid Gay Pride 2010: the you by Shoulders to Stand On. 2010 parade on Saturday, 3 July, is by far the marks the 21st year of the Gay Pride largest gay parade in Spain (where same parade, the 25th Silver Anniversary of sex marriage is legal) and one of the big­ the Gay Pride Picnic, and the 36th anni­ gest parades throughout Europe, with versary year of the Gay Alliance of the thousands of international visitors. Called Genesee Valley. Shoulders to Stand On Madrid Orgullo (abbreviated: Mado; OUR MOVING HISTORY invites gay, orgullo is the Spanish word for pride). straight, young and old to cheer our July 2-4: CSD Kaln - Cologne Gay accomplishments at the Pride Parade, and Pride 2010: parade on Sunday, street fes­ share your gay memories and experiences tival from Friday till Sunday in the Old at the Gay Pride Picnic. Town of Cologne. The Gay Games take Come share your stories with Do you remember: the first gay person place there later in the month. you met; coming out to yourself, family, "Our Moving History" friends; attending your first Gay Pride July 3: London Gay Pride 2010: Pride event; when in the past year you have been weeks from 19 June till 3 July, parade on What is it like to be gay in Rochester? proud to be gay, an ally or friend; the first Saturday, 3 July. Gay Dance you attended; the first gay Rome Gay Pride 2010: has been What was your first Pride experience? announced to start with "a thousand kisses". Vienna Gay Pride 2010: with the What had the most impact on your life? Rainbow Parade on Saturday at 14:00 from Stadtpark via Schwedenplatz, Ring­ turm, Rathausplatz and Parliament to Schwarzenbergplatz, where the free open­ Loo k for the "Our Movin g History" van at air closing event will take place. July 9-12: Barcelona Sitges Gay Pride: this year's Prid e Picni c and have your the first gay pride ever in Sitges. With sporting, cultural and party events and a stori es reco rd ed for Rochester's Gay Pride Village at the promenade every day from 17:00. LGBT documentary project. July 9-18: Warsaw EuroPride 2010: with the international parade on Satur­ Sponso red by day, 17 July, and Pride Park from 16 till Christina Smith 18 July. Licensed Massage Therapist July 11-18: Prince Edward Island Pride R edeem this c o u pon 2010 (Canada). for 20% off July 17-18: Munich Gay Pride 2010: your next mlfssag e rmmoUT 30 years Christopher Street Day (CSD) 5 8 5. 4 64. 89 5 7 Miinchen. July 17: Vienna Life Ball 2010: annual glamorous and very excentric ball and the biggest charity event in Europe to fight

11~111 -.~, 0-.a .~, 1"~" HIV and AIDS. This year in July, in ~ ··.A\\\··· ~ the night before the XVIII International AIDS Conference starts in Vienna. You Ii July 22-28: Finland Tampere Pride 2010 Queer Culture Event 2010 °0~ July 24-31: Belfast Pride Festival, Ire­ land's largest lesbian, gay and bisexual fes­ tival and ranks in the top 10 largest pride parades in the United Kingdom! July 26 - August 1: Stockholm Pride. Stockholm Pride is an oasis for the LGBT Robert Daniels community. • 585-467-6456 EC digitization, Guaranteed microfilming are Clock Cleaning finished; will be and Repair available to public By Evelyn Bailey On Thursday, June 11, the microfilm copies for the Gay Alliance, and the digi- [email protected] 14 A THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • NUMBER 436 • JULY 2010

Remembering Rochester SECOND IN A SERIES ON ROCHESTER HISTORICAL SITES IN THE LGBT AND WOMEN'S COMMUNITIES

In search of Jim's, end of the police raids and the beginning Rochester's legendary of HIY. It really slowed down in the early '80s when HIV was identified." pre-1975 gay bar Whitey LeBlanc, early GAGV presi­ By Susan Jordan dent: "The first Jim's was on Court St. Jim's, located at 123 North St. (origi­ where the Bausch & Lomb atrium is nally on Court St.) was one of the pre- today. It used to be a row of stores includ­ 1975 gay bars in Rochester, along with ing Speedy's Cleaners. Jim Van Allen Fernand's (later the Bachelor Forum), opened this small bar, which was the first Dick's 43, Friars and others. But Jim's was Rochester gay-owned bar. He allowed us the first local gay-owned bar and seems to distribute The Empty Closet - unlike to be the bar most often cited by veterans Martha at Dick's 43. reminiscing about the early days. "I don't remember a bar called Mar­ Jim's ads first appear in the 1973 tha's, but the Rathskellar was downstairs Empty Closets, advertising a Hallow­ at the Cadillac Hotel. The owner was the een party. The bar was a gay community late Jesse Vullo, who also had a bar on institution in the days when police raided Main St. near where the Y is today: the gay bars every weekend, and gay men and Red Carpet. He later opened his third and lesbians had nowhere else to gather. The best bar - Friars on Monroe. police raids ended in Rochester in 1973, "I was in the new Jim's on North St. thanks to then-Chief Gordon Urlacher. one night and Larry Fine from the Gay Jim's is legendary in our commu­ Liberation Front at U.R. was there hand­ nity's lore. One rumor has it that Tim ing out fliers about GLF's Sunday night Mains, when Empty Closet editor in the meetings. So that's how I got involved. mid-1970s, worked from an iron cage in I attended a GLF meeting and was very the basement of Jim's. Tim corrects the impressed by the people and the level of rumor: conversation. The GLF soon became the Tim O. Mains, first openly gay Gay Alliance and we had our first office elected official in NYS: "The cage wasn't in back of a burned out drug store on at Jim's; that was at a space we leased Brown St. It's now a vacant lot. on University just east of Culver (truly "Jim had a fire at the Court St. bar, bizarre). probably in late '71. Then he opened the "But we did work in the basement of new place on North St. and we all started Jim's and in the second floor above Friar's going there. There were three sections: on Monroe Ave. Billy Giancursio did a the bar, a room with tables and pool print in 1976 of me, himself, and Pam "Disco," 1976, by Bill Giancursio. (Shows Tim Mains, Giancursio and Pam Bar­ rale dancing at Jim's after a night of working on The Empty Closet.) tables, and a back room where dancing Barrale dancing at Jim's after a night of took place. work on the EC." (That print is repro­ "My biggest memory of Jim's is the duced here). night we were raided. This was probably Joe Baker, EC editor in early '70s: because there was a paranoid atmosphere "Jim Van Allen bought the business in 1972. I was standing in the doorway of "The first (Court St.) building was torn there due to the police harassment. Every­ and renamed it Jim's Local Tavern circa the dance room and looked out the bay down long ago. The original owner was one was always looking over their shoul­ 1968. If I remember correctly he didn't window in the front of the building. I saw Martha Veltree; she was murdered in the ders and afraid of undercover surveillance immediately declare that it was now a a line of uniformed police officers - must in the bar, as well as raids. There weren't a early '90s at another bar she owned in gay bar, but quietly started to cater to have been eight or 10 - going by the win­ lot of women at Jim's. As a woman, I went the South Wedge. Martha ruled the bar his friends and other gay guys through dow and coming in the front door. to the Riverview (beloved women's bar run with an iron fist. If you got banned, you word of mouth and as it grew in popular­ "The DJ booth was nearby and I went by "Lou" in a building which still stands in ity, the straight folks finally took the hint were banned for life! For a while, Martha and banged on the window and said, 'The a cul de sac near the expressway entrance at and stopped going in. Soon it was a very would refuse to let people leaflet or pass cops are here!' He immediately stopped St. Paul and South Ave.) and to the 212, popular spot. This of course predated the out free Empty Closets in the bar. the music. The cops came in and started which I think was on Maple St. Forum, the Red Carpet, the Pub and oth­ "Her bar was Dick's 43, then it was clearing out the bar. One pointed at me "The 212 was a funny place. It was a ers. I don't think it was Dick's 43. re-named after Jim Van Allen bought it in and said, 'Stop him - don't let him leave!' neighborhood bar and there were always a "I met my first 'boyfriend' there. (I the early '70s. He moved it to the Wash­ I kept asking, 'Why am I being held?' ington Park area downtown, on Court St. lot of straight guys at the bar in front, but didn't start coming out until the fall of because everyone else was leaving. Dick's was on Stone St .... Jim's eventually on weekends, lesbians took over the back 1964 at the late age of 22.) His name was ''A plainclothesman said I had obstruct­ moved to 123 North St. in the mid-'70s, room. It was very interesting - the straight Carl 'Clutch' Clancy and he was part of a ed justice by warning the DJ - but then one block north of the Liberty Pole. guys didn't seem to mind, and they had group that hung out together and includ­ they let me go. I saw them talking to Jim "Cops would come by Dick's 43 and to know who the women were. It was the ed the bartender, 'Corky' Courtwright, a and learned later that they had given him Martha would blow a police whistle so butch-femme days and everybody was screaming drag queen named Bob Kin­ a citation, not for gay dancing, but for low everybody would know to quit dancing. obviously one or the other. ney, known all around town as 'The lighting and other minor liquor license The cops didn't want to see people danc­ "I learned years later from some police Duchess,' Don Fidinger, a hairdresser at violations. They didn't get him on danc­ ing (and it could lead to arrests). Old tim­ officers when I was doing a presentation Forman's in Midtown and several other ers recall that Martha would make sure that the police were afraid of the 212 very colorful characters whose names now ing because I had warned the D]. ''After that I went to the next GLF the cops went away 'happy' .... because of the butch dykes. Once cops escape me. I believe they had all sort of "One story about Martha: she used to came in because they were looking for a migrated to Jim's from Dick's 43 (Mar­ meeting and we organized a secret dance­ host an annual picnic, but finally she quit burglar who had just committed a crime tha's) then on Stone St. where the ramp in at the Top of the Plaza. Seven boy-girl after someone ejaculated into the maca­ in the neighborhood, and the butches garage is now." couples went there on a Saturday night roni salad. Some years later, Whitey LeB­ thought it was a raid. They started throw­ Gary Sweet, owner of the Avenue and danced and bought drinks. Then, at a lanc took over the picnic idea and started ing bottles at the police car. The police Pub (see article, page A 18): "I used to tend pre-arranged signal, we switched partners, doing it for the Gay Alliance. just went away without making arrests bar for tips at Jim's on Court St. in 1971; it so girls were dancing with girls and boys "There were other well known gay and told others what had happened, and was next door to Speedy's Laundry. I went with boys. bars here in the early years: Friars on from then on the cops were afraid of the to high school with Jim Van Allen. "The straight people there didn't seem Monroe Ave., where the straight sports 212!" "Jim's was a small place and always to get very excited about this. Some bar Woody's is now; Fernand's, which RJ Alcala, who named The Empty packed, morning, noon and night. I don't patrons had started dancing the hora and became the Bachelor Forum and was Closet: "I left town in October 1972, and think it was originally Dick's 43. Jim's they invited us to join their circle. So there originally located on E. Main where the Jim's had just opened but it wasn't the hot moved to North St. around 1972; that was some acceptance there. Jim Foley, the railroad is now; a woman's bar on Allen place to go yet. The major gay bar then was a much larger space. That building owner, didn't throw us out. But we were St.; the Blue Fox, at what is now an was Martha's, owned by Martha Veltree, still exists. The Roman Baths was upstairs expecting the police to arrive. In fact they expressway entrance near Brown St., and and it was quite small. Jim's was bigger over Jim's. It still is, only now it's the Spa may have been there earlier, but left; we Tom Hackett had the Roman Baths on and more open. and Body Club, and a police station has arrived much later than we had planned. North St." "Martha's was where the Hotel Cadil­ replaced Jim's. "The bartender told someone that Brian Doran, GAGV Development lac coffee shop is now. That was the big "Dick's 43 was on Stone St. and was they had heard that something was going Director: "I came out at Jim's in the gay place to go from 1967-1972." big around 1965. That was the 'cruisy' to happen. On the way out, we saw some '80s. One night a friend of mine said, 'I Russ Shaner, co-owner of Outland­ area .... Martha Veltree's son-in-law was a police coming in. Bob Osborn, GLF lead­ think I'm bisexual,' and I immediately ish: "I assume that you know that Jim's detective and he used to inform her when er, was very radical and he had brought said, 'Oh, I think I am too!' So we went was originally on Court Street. It faced the police were coming - not the time, some leaflets to hand out - we had decid­ right to Jim's and danced for hours. It was what is now Geva Theatre across Wash­ but the day. ed not to do that, but just do what other Thanksgiving night and I was home from ington Square Park. It sat in the block "I opened the Avenue Pub on Monroe patrons were doing, dance and have a college on break. It was just perfect. It was between Clinton and Stone where the in 1975. Roy Lawrence (founder of the drink and leave. the moment when - 'Ohhh ... I get it!' Bausch & Lomb Winter Garden is now. Rochester Rams) used to tend bar for me, "So Foley may have gotten mad and "It was scary too. It was the first time The neighboring businesses were a dry and then had his own bar, the OK Corral called police because of that, I would I had ever been to a gay bar!" cleaning plant and a used bookstore. It on Charlotte St. guess. But by the time they arrived we Karen Hagberg, feminist activist: "I had been a little 'neighborhood' straight "Back then people were just partying were walking out the door. It didn't make didn't go to Jim's much in the early '70s bar for many years ... and partying. It was the era between the the news, but it made us feel better!" • JULY 2010 • NUMBER 436 • GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • THE EMPTY CLOSET A 15

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2·Spirit Celebration brings gay Native Americans together By Kelly Baumgartner, Cofounder ofthe Rochester Two Spirit Society On April 16, between 75-100 2-Spir­ it people (Native American, American Indian, and First Nations LGBT and/or other gendered individuals) gathered in the Osage Hills State Park, outside Tulsa, Oklahoma, for the 2010 Tulsa/Osage Hills 2-Spirit Gathering. This is an annual event hosted and funded by the Tulsa 2 Spirits Society, 2 Spirit Society of Denver, and the 2-Spirit Marcus Strong and author Kelly Council of Wichita. We gather in Tulsa Baumgartner, co-founders of the from all over the country for four days of Rochester Two Spirit Society, at the celebration and sharing, laughing, eating, Tulsa gathering. dancing, support and ceremony. I was one of those individuals lucky enough to be in attendance for my third year. in different Nations, and healthy relation­ Each year, a highlight is seeing who has ships, as well as learning skills like basket traveled the farthest to attend. This year weaving, beading, drumming and many we were happy to welcome into our fam­ other skills our attendees have come willing ily the winner, from Winnipeg, Canada. to share. Others take part in a sacred sweat. Other people came from California, the On Saturday evening we have my per­ Pacific Northwest, Montana, Colorado, sonal favorite event, the pow wow. Many Kansas, Texas, North Carolina, Alabama, people bring their full regalia or ceremo­ Oklahoma, Florida, Ohio, New Mexico, nial clothing to dance in the pow wow. For and many locations in N.Y. many, this is a rare chance when they feel No doubt, I've missed many and my comfortable enough to wear the regalia apologies to them all, but in my own of a gender other than the one they were defense, there were a lot of us! The Nations assigned at birth, or the one their families represented were just as varied, including expect to see them dressed as. This is a Osage, Cherokee, Lakota, Navajo, Creek, huge deal to so many of us. Every year I Choctaw, Mohawk, Cree, both Jicarillo have heard someone say "It feels so good to and Mescalero Apache, Blackfoot, Crow, be in the right regalia for me, I don't feel Lenape, Chickasaw and Lumbee, just to comfortable at home dressed in the regalia name a few. Many people come with their they expect me to wear," or "This is the partners and families, as this is a clean and first year I have been brave enough to wear sober, "all family welcome" event. the regalia I want at home and it is because The park is located north of Tulsa on of the strength I built from the support of the Osage Reservation in a picturesque the people here." setting surrounded by rolling hills of trees There is so much to share about the and prairie. On that first evening, many time we spend at these 2 Spirit gatherings, folks are still arriving at camp, and are that I just can't do it justice here. What I always weary from travel. As we gather can say is that each year at the Tulsa gath­ together for that first meal, we ask for the ering I hear stories shared of how the gath­ Creator's blessing of the food we eat, the ering saved their lives, literally. people who prepared and provided it, and One young man had come to the end the Gathering and weekend as a whole. of the energy he had to live his life. He After the meal, we prepare for one of decided that if he didn't find what he the highlights of the weekend, the "No needed at the gathering in Tulsa, he would Talent Show." Here we are treated to tal­ kill himself when he got home. That was ent ranging from drag to singing and the­ last year. Those who knew the story were ater. One contestant went as far as to sing overcome with gratitude for the gift of the opera a cappella, and was amazing. Some continued life of this individual, and the of the treats we expect every year are the gift of the time he shares with us. performances by Landa Lakes and the San Many elders share that they spent most Francisco Native American drag troupe of their lives hating themselves because their known as the Brush Arbor Gurlz (BAGz). people had lost the traditional acceptance and For those who follow RuPaul's Drag Race, cultural role of the 2 Spirit individual. This Landa Lakes appeared on episode 7. left them without a place in their community, During the "No Talent Show," contes­ which is a difficult thing for a Native indi­ tants for the year's Miss/Mr. Osage Hills vidual, often leading them down the road of and Miss/Mr. Tulsa Two-Spirit positions substance abuse or worse. When they found audition. Each year we pick one individual the 2 Spirit community, they found love, for each position, to represent us at Native acceptance and a place to learn those tradi­ gatherings across the country. This year tional roles lost to many of us. the winners were Mr. T wohumps and Ms. As I was leaving the park, ready to Josey; the latter was provider of the previ­ jump back into the fray of my life, I had ously mentioned opera. to stop and let a wild turkey cross the road Many of us used this first night to rest in front of me. I realized then that Creator up and prepare for the fun-filled weekend was reminding me to slow down and take ahead, others stayed up until almost sun­ that feeling of peace that resides inside me rise and then prepared for the day with a every time I leave this gathering, into the sacred Sunrise Ceremony. The majority of world and my life. the folks attending stay in one of a dozen I leave with the feeling of having a place bunkhouses that sleep up to 12, while in the world where I am traditionally valued some of us are lucky enough to be able to by my Native family for the unique gifts reserve one of the private cabins. The State Creator bestowed upon me. I leave reener­ Park staff is happy to see us roll in every gized and ready again to live proudly as an year and many of us have formed long out 2 Spirit Native individual. I also leave running friendships with the staff. with a sadness, knowing that I will not see On Saturday we enjoy a traditional many of the national 2 Spirit family ever meal. People prepare their favorite tradi­ again, as many struggle with cancer and tional recipes to share with the group. We other illnesses. I say a prayer to the Creator enjoy many familiar staples like fry bread, that we all are blessed with improved health which is not really traditional, and corn, and full lives ... until next time. beans and squash, commonly known by I am happy to say that I won't have to many as the Three Sisters, as well as dish­ wait until next April at Tulsa to see my es that are very regional and may not be 2 Spirit family again. The Northeast 2 familiar. We enjoy bison or elk stew along Spirit Society is having its First Annual with different versions of corn soup, turkey, Gathering Oct., 15-18 on Long Island, breads and grape dumplings for dessert. and many will be joining us. For more During the day on both Saturday and information about the gathering in Octo­ Sunday we have the opportunity to learn ber or the Rochester 2 Spirit Society, I can from each other during presentations on be reached at the Gay Alliance 585-244- 2 Spirit history, traditional 2 Spirit roles 8640 x 17. • JULY 2010 • NUMBER 436 • GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • THE EMPTY CLOSET A 17

space. Gay networking sites like Man­ to your physical safety. hunt and Adam4Adam and smart phone There HAVE been reports applications such as Grindr have created a (including here in Rochester) of new cruising venue for men. These online people being robbed, physical­ venues can, however, be dangerous in ly attacked, or even killed by their own way, and using them can also strangers they hook up with. result in death or injury for the unwary. Cruising parks have also often You still have no idea who you are hook­ been the sites of gay bashing ing up with. incidents. Our role is certainly not to judge how, According to an April 29 or even where, any person in our commu­ press release from the GAGV, By Paul Lauricella nity chooses to hook up. It is important to The National Coalition of Anti­ The Showtime television series "Unit­ realize, however, that similar threats can Violence Programs (NCAVP) ed States of Tara" recently featured an exist for anyone engaged in the cruising has recently tracked an increase episode where Marshall, Tara's gay teen­ game -- whether online or in the parks in pick-up violence targeting age son, was introduced to the world of and other public places. So let's talk brief­ LGBTQpeople. park cruising. ly about the risks one should consider: It is very important to be Upon entering the park, Marshall runs First of all, any time you're having aware of your surroundings. into Ted, a gay family friend, servicing sex with a casual partner, whether in the Whenever possible make sure another man. Ted spots Marshall and parks, the bathhouse or the bedroom, you someone you trust knows where immediately takes him home. may be putting yourself at risk for HIV you are or that you have a way "Wouldn't you rather fall in love, and/or other STDs. It is important to pro­ to contact help if necessary. Do Marshall?" asks Ted, "Wouldn't you rath­ tect yourself and your partners. This can your best not to put yourself in er be sixteen and in love? I marched in take many forms -- talking to potential unsafe environments or situa­ Washington and shopped on Christopher partners about their STD and/or testing tions. Street so you'd have the choice to do that, history, using safer sex practices like using Finally, sex in parks or other Paul Lauricella instead of going to that public places is park and getting off and against the law! Specifical- altogether. If you can't/won't do that, servicing strangers." "Younger queer culture has largely moved ly it's illegal to have your however, certainly be on your guard ... Many young gay genitals exposed and/or to and maybe even consider not actually men today may, in fact, past the days of cruising parks and many in be engaged in a sex act in HAVING sex in the park (i.e. it isn't ille- agree with Ted's charac­ our community may view this behavior as an public. If you are having sex gal to meet a guy in the park, chat him up ter. Younger queer culture unhealthy and unnecessary relic of times in the parks, you CAN be and take him home with you). has largely moved past the arrested! Ultimately, whether or not you choose days of cruising parks and gone by, when stigma, shame and secrecy Note: Frequently arrests to play in the parks or anywhere else, many in our community about queer identity forced men into occur when there are under- incI u d ing online pic k ups, is YOUR deci- may view this behavior as cover cops in the park -- sion... but you should understand both an unhealthy and unnec- clandestine connections." specifically looking for men sides of the issue, know the risks, and do essary relic of times gone engaging in unlawful and/ or lewd behavior. everything you can to keep yourself safe by when stigma, shame and secrecy about queer identity forced condoms and not exchanging body flu­ These arrests can have serious implica- and healthy! men into clandestine connections. ids (i.e. blood or semen) with partners, or tions in your life, including attention in Paul Lauricella, a recent SUNY Brock- This is not to say, however, that it making the decision to only engage in less the media, criminal charges, legal sanc- port graduate, is a summer intern with the doesn't happen any more -- in Rochester risky forms of sex (i.e. oral vs. anal sex). tions and other outcomes that can seri- LGBT Health Program at AIDS Care and and many other places across the coun­ Protection is about a lot more than ously impact your professional and social can be reached at (585)210-4174 or by try, parks are still a place where gay men just condoms and STDs, though. When­ life -- outcomes that one might suggest email at [email protected] More meet for a roll in the hay - or bushes or ever you're having casual or anonymous far outweigh the momentary thrill and/or great articles and information on LGBT bathroom stalls. With the advent of social sex, there may be things you don't know release of a quick public sexual encounter. health & community can be found online at media, the geography of cruising has also about the specific partner(s) with whom The best advice here is probably to AIDS Care's LGBT Health website www. shifted for many men and entered cyber- you find yourself. This can lead to threats avoid using the parks as a sexual venue everybodysgood. com . •

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Avenue Pub celebrates 35 years

A very happy Avenue Pub owner Gary Sweet is flanked by his daughter Tanya The Avenue Pub celebrated its 35th anniversary on June 6. All photos by Ove Knope and son Michael Sweet. Overmyer

By Ove Overmyer gone by. Sweet made sure that Closet, "This was a straight biker suburbs'; all the gay bars were "Twenty years ago I sat in the everyone who walked through bar when I bought it in 1975; downtown. Then Friar's and parking lot of the Avenue Pub his door that day received a the bikers tried to force me out Rosie's opened on Monroe and scared to death of what waited thank you and a colorful Hawai­ of business... I was told I'd it made it the 'gay strip'. We for me behind the door. I'm so ian lei. never make it on Monroe Ave­ could walk from bar to bar. glad I found the courage to come Gary Sweet told The Empty nue because that was 'in the Those days were fun. inside -- I found my family." "The Avenue Pub really took Those were the words scrib­ off around 1977. Lines would bled on a congratulations card be outside waiting to get in. I attached to the centerpiece bou­ call the Pub 'the gay Cheers.' quet of flowers that adorned the Everybody knows your name. makeshift buffet table at the You can guess who will be sit­ Avenue Pub on a recent Satur­ ting on which barstools at cock­ day afternoon. The author of the tail time. Gays and straights note was Gus Hall, a neighbor­ come in together." hood resident, one-time employ­ Gus Hall says the Avenue ee and regular patron of the Pub was the first bar he ever Monroe Avenue establishment. set foot in. "I met my first love On June 6, bar owner Gary here and my best friend. Today Sweet, his children Tanya Knope we are saying cheers to 35 years and Michael Sweet, friends and of fun, laughter, tears and hang- family came together to cele­ overs. " Rochester resident, former brate the pub's 35th anniversary. Helen Alongi, who has also employee and Avenue Pub The bar originally opened the worked at the pub on and off patron Gus Hall. same year the summer block­ for the past 15 years, was chat­ buster movie "Jaws" was scar­ ting it up at the end of the bar ing people to death and popular with her sister Rosalie Zambito stood motionless at the center music fans were fixated on Bruce and friend Thomas Smalls. of the bar, jamming her swizzle Springsteen's third album, "Born Alongi says the Avenue stick up and down in her drink. To Run." Pub is "such a unique place. She lifted her chin and said The Sweets and their It's basically been here since without a prompt, "You know, employees hosted a customer the beginning of time, and it's it's really amazing this bar has appreciation day with free bever­ the diversity of the crowd that been around for as long as it ages, buffet and a Hawaiian luau keeps me coming back. On any has. I have seen businesses come themed party. By six o'clock, the given day, you can find people and go here in Rochester, and place was packed with well-wish­ Twenty-five year veteran, Carolyn Zook, pours a cold one. from any walk of life." this place keeps chugging along. ers reminiscing about the years A woman named Jackie That is really rare." •

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Linked By Love: LGBT families are visible at the mall As part of Harvey Milk Action Day, May 22, 32 LGBT people and allies walked hand in hand with their loved ones through Market Place Mall in Henrietta. Messaged t-shirts highlighted that same sex couples are "Linked by Love" to their families, friends and the larger community and urged support for Marriage Equality. More visibility walks are being planned by EqualityRoc. Photos: Bess Watts

Melissa Ferrick headlined the Buffalo Pride kick off party on June 4.

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Amber: Definitely in control By Susan Jordan Amber, the gor­ geous singer/songwrit­ er who was born in the Netherlands and raised partly in Ger­ many, will headline the Rochester Pride Festi­ val 2010 on July 17. Empty Closet: It is great that you own your music and label. Do you handle the business side as well as Prop 8 Protesters rally outside the Utah State Senate build­ the creative side? Why ing in Salt Lake City. Photo Credit: David Daniels (Red Flag Releasing) don't more artists do as you have? ImageOut screens "8: The Mormon Amber: I have con­ trol in every aspect of Proposition" at the Cinema on July 15 my career. I make all As part of Pride Week, ImageOut will screen the documentary "8: final decisions. But The Mormon Proposition" on July 15 at the Cinema Theatre, 957 S. I also finance every­ Clinton Ave., at 7 p.m. Admission is $7 in advance and $8 at the door. thing... so I SHOULD "8: The Mormon Proposition" is an indictment of the Mormon have absolute control. Church's historic involvement in the promotion and passage of Cali­ The reason why many fornia's Proposition 8 anti-gay marriage referendum and the Mormon artists do not take Church's secretive, decades-long campaign against gay rights. charge is because they The film takes place in California and Utah as Mormons, follow­ simply do not acquire ing their prophet's call to action, wage spiritual warfare fought with knowledge and know money and misinformation against gay Americans and their fight for how... I watched over marriage equality rights. Directed by Emmy award winning journalist everybody's shoulder Reed Cowan and narrated by Dustin Lance Black (Academy Award and learned ... I always winning screenwriter for Milk), "8: The Mormon Proposition" was an knew that I would official selection of the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. want to take as much The Seattle International Film Festival wrote, "When California charge as I could. You have to EC: Do you see your work A: Probably my Grannies ... voters narrowly approved Proposition 8, the constitutional amend­ know your way around and set as political? Would you describe EC: What's next for your ment banning gay marriage, people from across the country ques­ your priorities straight and that yourself in any sense as a gay career and what challenges does tioned how this could have happened. While the public was aware takes courage and taking risks ... righ ts activist? the future hold? that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was a huge sup­ and along the way you stumble A: Musicians can be the neu­ A: I will eventually work on porter of the measure, '8: The Mormon Proposition' reveals how the and fall and have to know how tral politicians of this world and a new single -- I just moved back Mormon Church spent decades orchestrating a political movement to to get back up ... you gotta love create a place for a beautiful to Europe and am slowly get­ stop gay rights. Mormon leaders rallied their congregations to contrib­ what you do and have persever­ moment, where people of dif­ ting my stuff together ... looking ute huge sums of money, influence, and personal time to sway pub­ ance. ferent cultures and backgrounds back, I have released something lic opinion and policy, much of this through secret memos and cover EC: Your website says that you can get together and enjoy and every year... some four full length organizations." • love Donna Summer and Bar­ share the same music without albums, one remixed album, one bra Streisand. Are there any other any fears or prejudice -- we can unreleased mix album and prob­ singers who have inspired you? make people aware of issues in ably around almost 20 singles, I A: Barbra was the one vocally other ways. believe ... I need a little break and for me... especially in her early As a person and artist, I con­ family time at this point ... plus Golf for Pride July days. Whitney used to have that sider Love between two human I will be touring in America in 11 at Brockport "one of a kind" voice too, that beings -- no matter what gender June/July 2010. would touch you as a vocalist ... -- the best and most precious The challenge that I see in The Pride Open Golf Tour­ beauty and strength and that thing there is ... we have so much this industry is the reckless file nament will take place July 11 gorgeous sounding tone com­ hatred in this world, which sharing... it does not give the art­ at Brockport Country Club. Tee bined with great execution ... should be tended to... all these ists the budgets they need to give time is 1 p.m. But there is lots of great anti gay rallies are just wasted their fans what they want ... and The tournament, hosted by diverse music out there that I time and evil energy, where so I hope that we can conquer that IGBO Bowling Tournament really enjoy and it ranges from much more important, serious issue and get people to under­ Committee, is a benefit for Classical to Rock really... as long matters could be taken care of. stand the seriousness of it all. • AIDS Care and Gay Alliance as it has that quality that makes People are born with differ­ Youth Program; $90 includes it special and moves me ... ent genes and attractions... it is For more on Amber and to hear golf and cart, four beverages on EC: Who or what inspires as simple as that to me. her music, go to: the course, lunch, appetizer bar, you as a writer? EC: Who (living or dead) www.myspace.com/ambersings www.facebook.com/ambersings dinner and prizes. A: Real life, experience and would you invite to an ideal din­ For more information, go to www.youtube.com/amberphoria z wishful thinking ... ner party? enw www.prideopen.org. To register: 0:: w [email protected] . • C «z ::;) J: !:;;: ::;: ImageArt meets; Band" are proud to be among muccc.org. Information IS o the sponsors of Pride Week available at 585-234-1254. ...o Pride art opens J: 2010. The production will "The Boys in the Band," a. The next meeting of the close Rochester's Pride Month which opened in 1968, was ImageArt Planning Committee events. the first truly honest portrayal is Sunday, July 11, from 12-1:30 Pandora goes "The Boys In The Band," by of the lives of gay men. At a Public at the p.m. at the ImageOut office, 250 Mart Crowley, features Stephen time when gay characters were N. Goodman St. For more infor­ Market on July 9 Cena, Jason Juliano, Paul J ohn­ seldom seen in media except mation please contact ImageArt stone, Andrew Theede, Rich as crude stereotypes, this play In a special Pride event, Pan­ at [email protected] Forster, Willie McCray, Dustin presenred a view of gay exis­ dora and Friends "Go Public -­ Beth Bloom has been Hilton, Seijn and Chip Brown. tence that was comparatively Full Tilt!" on July 9. appointed the new gallery direc­ Directed by Michael H. Arve, true-to-life. The show runs 5-10 p.m. at tor at The Gallery @ Equal the play will be performed July In tune with Pride 2010's Rochester Public Market. Cover: Grounds. Her e-mail address 22, 23 and 24 and Aug. 5,6, 7 theme of "Living History," $3 for 21 and over, $10 under for there is gallery@equalgrounds. "Boys in the Band" at 8 p.m., and Aug. 8 at 2 p.m., "The Boys in the Band" offers a admission at the Market. com. at MuCCC, 142 Atlantic Ave., glimpse of gay male history over Everybody at the Market The first show Bloom is opens July 21 with with a special benefit perfor­ 40 years ago, pre-Stonewall and street dance will also get free curating will open July 2 at 6-9 benefit for GAGV mance for the Gay Alliance on pre-HIY. It is a reminder that comp admission to the after p.m. at Equal Grounds, 750 July 21. stereotypes, bigotry and internal­ party at Tilt, says Tilt owner South Ave. The show is titled John W. Borek Presenrs and Tickets are $10-$20. For ized homophobia are still issues Bill Levy. "PRIDE: Rochester 2010." • the cast of "The Boys in the reservations online, go to www. even in 21st century America . • 2 B THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • NUMBER 436 • JULY 2010

went in that direction. And, yes, that took drive, discipline, and persistence. LM: What was the biggest surprise you encountered in the writing of the book? KB: When I got feedback from a member of my writing group who point­ ed out that my children were the third generation to be adopted in some fash­ ion. I'd been writing about all three Blood Strangers trum. I'm a Type A, Virgo with generations but had never made the con­ By Laura McSpadden strong obsessive tendencies! I had some nection. There are several such coinci­ Blood Strangers by Katherine A. Bric­ fun in the book musing over what I was dences and connections in the book, but cetti; Memoir. Paperback: 302 pages; Hey­ searching for - past lives or connections I won't spoil it for the readers. day Books (2010) ISBN-10: 1597141305; in my current life. Of course, it ended up LM: What do you think it is about being the latter. ISBN-13: 978-1597141307 memoirs that makes them so engaging to LM: In chapter 12, you write, "Maybe Blood Strangers does what I had previ­ both authors and readers alike? I'm a straight woman who has simply ously thought impossible of a memoir. It KB: First, probably whatever makes lived for 20 years with the person she tells a story that is simultaneously heart­ People magazine and the tabloids so pop­ loved the most. I still sometimes feel as if ular. Second, when they're well-written, wrenching and heart-warming, profound I've never been a legitimate member of the and yet focused on the day-to-day reali­ there's an appreciation for the literary LG BT Club but that I've been pretending value, and finally, when a memoir illumi­ ties of life, and grounded in the LGBT to be someone I'm not, my internal voice experience while remaining thoroughly nates in some way the experiences of life, chanting imposter, imposter." Do you it's so gratifying. I thinK we read mem­ accessible to all people, regardless of their think that there is a call for the LGBT sexual orientation. oirs to feel connected to other humans community to become more acceptant of and to better understand our own lives. In fact, Blood Strangers is so unguard­ the diversity within its ranks? What do edly real that I didn't want to let it go: as Maybe we write them for the same rea­ you think would help bring about this sons. soon as I finished the last page, I turned change? right back to the first page and started LM: What keeps you going when it KB: I think there's a call for society in gets difficult: e.g., when the words don't again. general to be more accepting of diversity, In this memoir, Kathy Briccetti tells seem to come together, or if/when the be it sexual orientation, race, religion, cul­ pragmatics of life make sitting down about the unfolding of her understand­ ture, socioeconomic or whatever. Maybe ing of family with a tenderness that is to write a challenge? Why do you keep when gays and lesbians (and everyone on writing? palpable. Her family has a three-genera­ Blood Strangers: from Heyday Books the sexual orientation spectrum) don't tions long context of adoption and absent KB: I'm unhappy when I'm not writ­ have to fight so hard for basic rights and ing regularly, and when I take breaks fathers, which could all too easily have moments that never turn out quite the acceptance it won't matter, this idea will between projects I'm unsettled and developed into a story replete with bitter­ way we imagine. be moot. ness and drama. However, it is instead a grumpy. But it does happen that life This is a memoir that succeeds in find­ LM: What would you most like to gets in the way sometimes and I lose tale of connection, reunion and discovery. ing the universal humanity within one say to LGBT couples who are considering The story of Kathy's life winds through my momentum. Right now, I'm trying person's individual experiences. It is for whether or not to have children? to write a novel and feeling discouraged Kentucky, New Jersey, Florida, Indiana anyone who has ever grappled with the KB: It's the absolute best and most because it's not as easy as it looks, and and California. Throughout her life's nature of families and the complexities of challenging undertaking in life. Don't I'm still not sure what I'm doing. When path, she experiences the love, rejection, human relationships . • make the decision lightly. I get off the writing track, for whatever and poignancy of her relationships with LM: Do you feel like there was a reso­ reason, it usually means I need to take her father and her adoptive stepfather, the nance between your drive to embark upon a break and I need to read, read, read. fears and triumphs of coming out during An interview with author your decade-long search for your relatives Literature fills me back up, teaches me, adulthood, and the simple joys of raising Kathy Briccetti through Cyrus' bloodline and your drive and inspires me. I am a true believer in a family with her partner. By Laura McSpadden to write this book? bibliotherapy. Any of these could have all too eas­ (As I ask this, I am thinking particu­ Laura McSpadden: LM: I am very interested in your ily become the sole focus of this book: Blood Strangers larly about what you write in chapter 32: grapples so intimately with the complex­ upcoming book about Asperger's Syn­ absent fathers and lesbian parents are hip, "My search was over. Speaking with and drome. Could you share something about marketable topics that would have likely ity of what it means to be part of a fam­ meeting those new relatives on both sides ily. After all of your forays into genealogy, the premise/angle of this work? found a sizable audience on their own. satisfied my urge for knowledge and con­ KB: The working title is A Bus­ But this book is richer than that, deeper your experiences with "traditional, step­ nection. I'd been <'1JIl a dual quest: to find parent and second-parent" adoptions, and woman's Holiday, taken from the term than that. strangers and to have them accept me.") "busman's holiday." It's a memoir - in The heart of this book is in the inter­ motherhood, how would you define fam­ KB: Oh, ily? a nontradi­ play between past and present. When yes. I'm one tional form Kathy discovers that her biological father Kathy Briccetti: That's a hard ques­ of those tion to answer. I think the definition of about was adopted, she begins a decade-long people who working family is wider than that found in dic­ search for his mother and any other sur­ are driven, I think the definition of family as a school tionaries and law books. Maybe "fam­ viving blood relatives. This path of dis­ period. I is wider than that found in psycholo­ ily" is simply this: people who are related covery takes her across state lines, into don't usual­ gist with to you by blood, adoption, or proximity. dictionaries and law books. greater connection with her father, and ly quit what children on even (gasp!) into the Family History Cen­ Of course, proximity can mean so many I've begun, the autism ter of a Mormon Temple: but more than things, can't it? whether it's spectrum that, it brings her to a point of greater inti­ LM: Throughout your memoir, I a three-day and raising macy and peace with the present. sensed a certain tension between mys­ walk to raise a son with Briccetti's writing style throughout ticism and pragmatism/organization in money for breast cancer research, or a Asperger's. The manuscript was a finalist exemplifies the perfect balance of sim­ your life. Is this accurate? How does this lO-year search for missing family, or writ­ (top seven out of over 600 manuscripts) plicity and artistry. Her tone always fits affect your writing? ing a book that takes much of a decade. in the recent New Rivers Press MVP exactly what each moment needs to bring KB: In my early thirties, I was inter­ Actually I started writing Blood Strangers Contest. It's extremely timely with all it to life, whether it is the description of ested in past lives and parallel universes, while I was searching for my biological the recent interest in Asperger's and the her commitment ceremony to her part­ what my partner and I called "woo-woo" father's birth mother, sending 500-word research into the causes of autism. You ner, the astute (and, at times, hilarious) phenomena, but I'm way over on the installments to a writing partner. Eventu­ can find an excerpt on my website: www. comments of her sons, or the longed-for pragmatic and organized side of the spec- ally I realized I was writing a book and kathybriccetti.com . •

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one line called He-brew. Down-home Dine and sleep in New WE ARB NOW IN OUR NEW OmCB!!!!! York's Orange County cooking and the owner wants it done from scratch. By Merle Exit Passed up the starters, although I Come check out our new modern office, offering patients the might have gone for the Wherehouse benefits of digital x-rays, intraoral cameras, and flat screen tv.s Having written about three "hot Wings -- one pound of plump chicken spots" in New York's Orange County, I wings, steamed to keep them tender, then in a relaxing and enjoyable environment thought you might be interested in where fried golden brown. The soup of the day to dine as well as where to rest your mind was Broccoli Florentine. Loads of BBQ and feet. items to choose from, but I was most curi­ I had dinner at the Canterbury Brook ous about their Kobe Beef Burgers. The Inn located in Cornwell. Hans Baurmann Yokozuna is a half pound burger with is the chef/owner, with a Swiss style about hand cut fries, sauteed onions, mush­ the menu. Started off with the Melange rooms, cheese and bacon. Rather than Nicoise: fresh mozzarella, roasted pep­ eating the cut fries (which looked more pers, shrimp, artichokes, smoked salmon like soggy potato chips) I opted for sweet and shellfish. Appetizer? It was a whole potato fries and not the frozen kind. Yes, entree's worth of delicious edibles. they make their own. Entree of Crisp Roasted Long Island We went to Torches Restaurant for Duckling a L'Orange. Half a duck, and dinner. It's one of the many restaurants not a little one, either. Had to have the located on the Waterfront area of New­ Creme Brulee for dessert. Odd that the burgh. Began with a Fleur du Cap Char­ whole thing was warm. I'm used to the donnay from South Africa. I had a Caesar 2257 South Clinton Avenue basic part of it being cold and the top Salad followed by Strip And Shore: Char­ Westfall Park Medical Center sugar, crunchy... so I didn't really love this broiled NY Strip, grilled jumbo shrimp, Rochester, NY 14618' one. www.thecanterburybrookinn.com cheddar smashed baked potatoes and veg­ Esther and I checked into the Crom­ gies. Great dressing on the Caesar Salad. well Manor Inn, located in Cornwall. Steak served just as I requested and every­ Didn't meet Jack the owner, but did meet thing else was delicious. Locally made ice (58'5)473-1550 Pamela Rini, who was running the place. cream for dessert. I stayed on the first floor in the room "Our menu is produced using local called The Wellington. The inn has a liv­ Hudson Valley Products. Our chicken is New Patients Welcome ing room area with a fireplace, television supplied by Murray's Farm. Our dairy and piano. I tinkled. Breakfast room is products are supplied by Hudson Val­ Bvening & Saturday appts. available adorable and gives a view of the gardens. ley Fresh. Our Ice Cream is supplied by In case you don't bring your own comput­ Jane's. Our cheese is supplied by Old Check us out on the web at www.drrandydds.com er, there is a room with a few to log onto Chatham Sheepherding Company and for internet use. Hawthorne Valley Farm. Our tortillas Call for an appointment today!! Breakfast: Parfait of fresh fruit with are supplied by Maizteca Foods." www. Devonshire cream, followed by French torchesonthehudson.com toast with a bourbon sauce and banana The old Bear Mountain Inn is under­ slices. Pamela believes in starting off with going lots of changes. I will return when a dessert so that you have room for it. it's somewhat completed, supposedly in Website for Cromwell Manor Inn is www. a few months. I did stay at the Overlook cromwellmanor.com. Lodge, which is part of their property. There's Newburgh at the Waterfront Bear Mountain Inn has gone "Green" HUTHER-DOYLE and "downtown". It looks as if the down­ and with that I was able to wake up the town area around Liberty Street is a bit next morning and not have that stuffy depressed. ''All The Food That's Fit To nose that I normally get from air condi­ HELPING YOU PUT THE PIECES BACK Eat" is the insignia of a restaurant called tioners. Especially ones that have old fil­ The Wherehouse (845-561-7240). ters. Fresh air via the lake is pumped in. TOGETHER Front room is very "bar-ish" with un­ www.visitbearmountain.com fancy tables. I understand that this place For further information on Orange has about 100 different beers including County, visit www.orangetourism.org

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A parfait for breakfast at Cromwell Manor Inn. L 2 10· NUMBER 436 • GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • THE EMPTY CLOSET

Three years later, on the 24th of Sep­ were translucent cream flowers scattered tember 2004, on a balcony overlooking over blue-green. Instantly we knew. It was Lake Ontario, we repeated our vows. Our OUR blessing cup. beloveds encircled us. Their love, not a So on 30 July 2010, to celebrate our Columnis s New York State license, confirmed our civil rights at last, we will wrap four hands The opinions of columnists, editorial writers and other. commi tment. around one goblet. The deep purple liq­ Some things old. Some things new. uid will be two blended into one. Cran­ contributing writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect Nine years after our first exchange of berry juice from Cape Cod. Concord the collective attitude of the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley vows, my 66-year-old hands will s~o.oth grape juice from our horne. At long last, or The Empty Closet. the wrinkles of the worn paper. ThiS time two lesbians legally blended into one lov- I will look deeply into dd's heart and ing family. . . . Growing Up a better connection with my only sibling repeat those 2001 vows to her, my legal- MeredithElizabethRelillger@fronuer- because, by the time I was an adult, I to-be spouse. . net.net DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL knew I wanted her to know more of who At our first wedding, our famdy-of­ By Eric Bellmann I was. origin sisters stood at our sides. For our A Few Bricks third wedding, our We are FAM! -UH! I had a buddy a So now with R., it's "Yes, honey, tell "HAPPILY EVER AFTER?" long time ago, very me, how are you, what is happening -LEE! sisters will stand beside us. One cool guy, who told next?" The pitfall is to turn it all into facts sister wi," run. her finger a~o.un~ the ed&~ By David Hull me how he dealt and time lines, that's a mistake. I have to of Faith s muslCally tuned smgmg bowl' . As a young gay with people he remember to ask him to tell me how he The sound will travel miles, spreading our man of the '60s wanted to be both feels and about his fears, more of the stuff good news. and '70s, I grew friendly with and inside, the stuff that is messy and scary. Then Faith will speak of love, love up with many high keep at a certain Not so easy. I think they call it intimacy. that is fundamentally valid. Two sisters quality role models distance. Never, he E-mail: ELBCAD@ RIT.EDU will read poems about respect and life's of motherhood - said, ask them how they are. They'll tell journeys. Carol Brady, June Next, our vows. I will listen to dd's you. , Cleaning My Closet Cleaver, Mrs. Par­ He didn't want to know, that s the vows, finding new meanings to her words tridge, Mrs. Cun­ kind of guy he was and, of course, he NON-LEGAL NO MORE from 2001. Then, willingly and joyfully, ningham on Happy Days and Olivia with legalization a signature away, I will didn't prove to be the kind of friend one By Meredith Walton. And now with reruns I can watch could rely on, not a guy for the long haul. vow to my beloved ... them all live happily ever after. Elizabeth Reiniger "Dear dd, today, with new friends to His greeting was, "G 00 d to see you. " So, with all that quality programming, Lesbians watch bear witness, we return to a sacred place Friendly enough, succinct, and no open­ television. This why is it that when my sister and brother­ ing whatsoever. At th~ time, because. I inside our hearts that sings our love. A in-law leave me in charge of their four does not startle me. place where no words can say the feel­ was enthralled with him, I thought his The Nielsen tele­ kids for any length of time, I become a ings; a place where all words do know the approach was just so clever. Snotty kid vision ratings cor­ cross between Samantha's mother Endora that I was, that's the style I adopted. feelings. on Bewitched and Granny Clampett on poration does not "I promise to be the best I can be ... for And you know what? If the door ain't know that lesbians the Beverly HiLLbiLLies? you, to you, with you ... so that, toget~e~, open, no one comes in. watch television. I love my nieces and nephews; I really we build our family; we nurture our spm­ A few days ago, shortly after I was This alarms me. Mr. Nielsen has not do. My oldest niece is fourteen and the tuality; we shape our horne life; we sup­ recovering from my second colonoscopy, admitted that two lesbian "heads" might triplets are nine. When my sister's family port our unique-ness-es. and you don't want me to go on about watch Their TV in Their Horne. This van pulls in the drivewa~ and I ca~l ?ut: "And each day... we will work together that, I happened to bump into R., an old annoys me. "The zoo mobile is here! I mean It m a and apart, to respect, to honor, to cherish churn, a straight guy I don't see too often I had agreed to record our viewing loving way. Honestly, I do. each other. And to love in all ways our but whom I've known for a long time. "It's habits. In gratitude, they paid me a dollar. And back when they were preschool­ selves and our us. Always." After our tears, cancerl" he sobbed. I knew he'd found a My first task was to report the statistics of ers, I used to always think my sister was we will exchange rings. swelling on his neck, most likely n?thing the people at my address. Straight away I too strict with the kids; time out, punish­ But first, a memory. The year, 2009. but still he'd had the sense to call hiS doc­ hit The Wall Of Heterosexual Assump­ ments, extra chores! But once I started Our friends Cyndi and Mary were legally tor. Now he knew. tions. babysitting for them on a regular .basis, I married on Cape Cod. They exch ange~ I had asked him how he was. I want­ The Nielsen TV Viewing Diary has didn't think that way anymore. With four vows and rings at the edge of the kOl ed to know how he was. Seven years ago two labeled categories for household of them - I'm outnumbered, I'm overpow­ pond. I was the ring bearer. Unfortunately when I hit an emotional bottom, the heads. The first classification is Male ered and I've got to be strong. I was also the ring tosser. aftermath of having been worked over Head of Household. The second is labeled Now, my husband Bernie is not strong. I had placed the first ring on the by a very manipulative man, of whom I Female Head of Household. He's the popular uncle who solves every­ opened pages of the wedding ceremony would hear not one unkind word spoken, The instant I discovered their unaware­ thing with a trip to the ice cre.am sh~p. I-:Ie book that Faith held. Then, apparently, but who left me in a heap, discarded, R. ness, I was obliged to symbolically Wear lets them listen to their radIO staUon 111 was there for me. Sat and listened to me a I twitched, thus launching the other ring the car. He lets them stay up an extra 15 My Weddin Gown. Taking my pen into toward the waters. Instantly I remembered sob. Listened to me whine. R. did not my homosexbual hand, I added a notation minutes after bedtime. He lets them have that the koi, those fancy gulping goldfish, twiddle his thumbs or stare at the ceiling, in the margin: "There are two equal heads an extra slice of pizza. He listens to them. were actually yucky carp. With horror I he listened. He asked me how I was. Now of this household." He really is Carol Brady and June Cleaver it's my turn to step up. recalled that carp eat anything. Anything? and Mrs. Cunningham. Quickly I breached their multiple­ Did that include wedding bands? Three of While there isn't much I can do, I can choice blockade. I confiscated their Other That leaves me to fill the only remain­ us dropped to our knees. Searching and be present and that is something,. per­ Comments space. Wedding Gown and I ing role ... Uncle Evil; the Darth Vader of praying. Faith found it. . . haps the only thing. It feels awful simply felt compelled to offer a lesson. relatives. I have to insist they eat the vege­ Returning to 2010 ... a sister wtll place realizing I can't fix anything, c~n't make "Dear Ms Nielsen, This is the 21st tables. I tell them to turn down that noise both well-worn gold bands on the wed­ things move faster and the advlCe I have century... and about time for your 'head they call music. I make sure lights are out ding book. Together, dd and I will.say: seems so meager. "Live in the moment. of household' categories to reflect other on the minute at bedtime. And who has "With this ring, I give you my promise ... You took control, give yourself credit for realities. Remove the assumption of het­ time to listen - I'm too busy snappi?g out from this day forward you shall not walk that. You can try to manage your attitude, erosexual households. orders. "Stop hitting each other! PlCk up alone. My heart will be your shelter, ~y be positive." ''As a Lesbian I am most anxious to your underwear! Finish your homework! arms will be your horne. For the third I know he wants to beat the hell out see my truth reflected in all places. It's Stop putting lipstick on the cat!" It's. no time I put this ring on your finger, a bit of me muttering platitudes, and if that your turn." wonder my nephews gave me the illck­ of gold to remind you of n:y deep .love would only help I'd let him pound away. So far they have neither acquiesced nor name of Old Yeller, since it seems all I do for you. With joy I place thiS gold CIrcle One of the reasons I love R., connect with recalled their dollar. is yell. on your finger, dear spousewomyn, sweet him, is because over these many years Guess I can use that dollar to pay for A perfect example is a recent Tues~ay I've come to understand that he and I are partner, mine. With this ring, I give you evening when Bernie and I were staymg our next wedding. Our third wedding. my heart." prone to hysterics. We are worriers, sisters To each other. There was nothing wrong with the kids. Bernie was making a won­ At the end of the ceremony, we will after a fashion. We play it forward. Never with our first two. They were quite lovely derful lasagna dinner with a tossed salad wrap our hands around our new goblet. the wisest option. and loving. But this year we are going for and toasty, cheesy garlic bread. Mean­ A lovely pottery goblet that serendipity In my down time, my time alone, I still loving and finally legal. . while, I helped one of the triplets with reflect on all the situations I have been recently help us find. homework (I still hate math class!), then On a Monday in July 2010, we wtll Last month, we were on a play day. A in, the so called friendships that carne buy a marriage license in a state that hon­ collected the other two from play practice surprise present from dd. She had hired a and went, where I was guarded, aloof Or ors equality. On a Friday in July 2010, (they're doing Charlie and the Chocolate nanny for our five, furry Beating Hearts worse, passed judgment, gave attitude. in Dennis, Massachusetts, by a secluded Factory this year) and picked up my older so that we could go out and about without Out of some misguided need for self pro­ lake, Faith Lavender will perform our niece from tennis practice and got every­ a curfew. We followed back roads wherev­ tection, I didn't let people get close to me. marriage ceremony. We are not exactly one horne in time to be fed. Then, when I needed support, whatever er they wandered. Eventually we reac~ed During dinner, while I was insisting renewing our vows. More like upgrading. Ithaca's College Mall. Through the thIrd the crisis, I was damn close to alone. We actually have our original vows. As they all needed to finish their salad before store window we saw pottery. "On the It's worse when I think about primary I re-viewed my nine-year-old words, I was they devoured any more garlic bread, ~he right," said 1. "On the left," said she. "In relationships. My mother, God rest her deciding which parts to use this time. Or, children mentioned that they had all fm­ the back" said we. In we went. Zoomed to soul, never cared a hoot about what was I wondered, maybe I should just hold the ished their homework, so they would get the shelves. Only mugs. aoing on with me. It was all about what paper, look into dd's deep black eyes, and one hour of TV time before bed. I headed toward the door. She headed ~ould people think of her. I. gave her lots murmur "Ditto." As we were finishing dessert (Uncle to the clerk. "Do you have any pottery to deal with. She loved me m some fun­ Anyway, I held the aged paper to study Bernie had bought Nutty Buddy ice goblets?" Why, I wondered, would she ask damental way but the kid across from her my handwriting. It took me back to the cream for everyone, as usual), I mentioned that? Didn't we just look? Fortunately the at breakfast just freaked her out. She was woods on a hill in a park. The fourth of to the triplets that they had less than 45 ashamed of me. She did not want to know words stayed in my big mo~th. . . minutes to brush their teeth, pick out May 2001. Our first wedding. Our wi~­ "We have just one left, gatly replied anything. nesses: LC Dog and Sparky Dog. A pn­ their clothes for school the next day and I suspect what she imagined seemed the clerk." He moved a small sign that had put on their pajamas if they still wanted vate ceremony. A bonding of our hearts. blocked our view. "It's a blessing cup," he too awful and that wasn't far from the Our commitment needed no government one full hour of TV time before bed. It explained. The blue-white glaze was like truth. The distance between us remained permit. seemed so simple. the case our entire lives. I was able to forge frost patterns on a windowpane. Inside My older niece, who has a later bed- 6 B THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • NUMBER 436 • JULY 2010

(Columnists continued from page lj) a light shone from underneath. handsome, muscular pool boy named ofJune 27-29, 1969 in Greenwich Village, time, asked if I would watch Jeopardy "Hello?" I called, knocking on the Santiago. Heck, I don't even have a pool! New York City, started on the backs of with her so we could have a little friendly door. Three screams came from inside the But if nothing else, "happily ever after" working-class African-American and Lati­ competition in answering the questions. bathroom. doesn't seem such a bad thing to be stuck no queers who patronized that bar. Those Of course, I agreed and she and I quickly I opened the door to find all three with. brown and black LG BTQ people are not loaded the dish washer together. triplets crowded into the bathroom, none You can contact David at David­ only absent from the photos of that night, While we watched the beginning of of them wearing their pajamas. My niece [email protected] but they are also bleached from its writ­ Jeopardy, I could hear from the bedrooms was brushing her teeth at the sink while ten history. assorted shouts, hoots and whines. Now, one nephew sat on the toilet and the other Faith Matters Because of the bleaching of the Stone­ unless someone had a pet howler monkey stood next to the tub. wall Riots, the beginning of the LGBTQ in their bedroom, I could tell that no one "What the hell is going on in here?" I A PRIDE EVENT TO NOT BE movement post-Stonewall is an appropria­ was getting their pajamas on or their teeth demanded. PROUD OF tion of a black, brown, trans and queer "00000, Uncle David," said my neph­ liberation narrative. And it is the deliber­ brushed. By Rev. Irene As soon as the first commercial start­ ew who was seated. "You just said a bad ate visible absence of these African Amer­ word in front of us." Monroe ican, Latino and Asian/Pacific Islander ed, I headed for the bedrooms to see what Pride parades was going on. I took a deep breath, hop­ "Yeah," I said. ''And now I see you sit­ (API) LGBTQpeopie that makes it hard­ ting on the toilet, which is a visual I could will be taking place er, if not near impossible, for LG BTQ ing to connect with my inner Carol Brady. all over the country One of the triplets, another niece, live the rest of my life without. Now, what communities to build trusted coalitions is going on?" this month. As we with white LG BTQ communities. met me in the hallway with hands on her all rev up for this hips, shaking her head as the angry shouts ''I'm brushing my teeth," replied my Views on Pride are mixed. And not niece with a mouthful of foam. year's festivities, so, just along lines of race, class and gender echoed from the boys' room. too, the fault lines "Want to know what Mom would do ''I'm going poop," said my nephew identity. For many, Pride represents a who was sitting. of race, gender bone of contention. Once many thought about this?" she asked me. identity and class will emerge. In addition "No," I replied. "But I would like to ''I'm teaching them how to do a magic the celebration was too political and had trick to make a quarter disappear," said to Gay Pride events, there will be a seg­ lost its vision of what it means for people know why you haven't brushed your teeth ment of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans­ yet." She quickly disappeared into her the other nephew, waving his hands magi­ to just have a good time. But others now cally in front of his face as he dropped a gender and queer (LGBTQ) population think of it as a weekend bacchanalia of bedroom. attending Black Gay Pride and Latino "What's going on in here?" I asked as I quarter to the floor. "Except it's not work­ drugs, alcohol and unprotected sex, des­ ing so good." Gay Pride events. ecrating the memorial of the Stonewall stomped into the boys' room. One neph­ Pride is about the varied expressions ew was on his bed crying. The other was At that point, Carol Brady, June Riots and the chance to make a political Cleaver, Mrs. Partridge, Mrs. Cunning­ of the life, gifts and talents of the entire statement. sitting in the corner attempting to hide (LGBTQ) community. But the divisions behind his dresser. "Neither one of you ham and Olivia Walton all locked arms Pride need not be viewed as either a and marched away. Uncle Evil was in the in our community during Pride also show political statement or a senseless non-stop has your pajamas on!" us something troubling and broken with­ "He hid in the closet," said the one house! Say hello to Old Yeller. orgy. Such an either/or approach artificial­ I began snapping orders like a mad­ in ourselves. So, as we hit the streets all ly divides the integral connection between who was crying. ''And when I came in month going to various celebrations, let's the bedroom he jumped out and scared man. "You - pick out a shirt and pants political action and celebratory acts in our for school tomorrow. You - floss, like you query who's missing from these Pride fes­ fight for our civil rights. me. I hate being scared. So I hit him in tivities and why? the head." mean it! You - put your pajamas on!" At its core, Pride events are an invita­ For example, Black Pride dances to a "Dude," said my other nephew from "Could I close the door while I get tion for community. undressed," asked my nephew getting different beat. They should highlight the multicul­ the corner. "I didn't know. I thought you Sunday gospel brunches, Saturday liked being scared." ready to put on his pajamas. "I don't want tural aspect of joy and celebration that you to see me naked." night poetry slams, Friday evening fash­ symbolizes not only our uniqueness as "Dude," replied the crying nephew ion shows, bid whist tournaments, house sarcastically. "I didn't know. I thought "I just saw you sitting on the toilet individuals and communities, but also parties, the smells of soul food, Caribbean you liked being hit." with your pants around your ankles," I affirms our varied expressions of LG BTQ growled. "There really isn't any magic left. cuisines, and the beautiful display of Afri­ life in America. I knew I should have stopped for a can art and clothing are just a few of the moment and considered how June Cleav­ Now get busy!" But as long as LGBTQ communities Eventually, they did get their hour cultural markers that make Black Pride and cultures of color continue to be absent er would have handled the situation, but distinctly different. instead I shouted: "Dudes! Get your paja­ of TV time and then shuffled off to bed each June, Pride month is an event to not right on time. Cultural acceptance was just one of a be proud of. mas on now!" I don't think June Cleaver few things LGBTQ of African descent did ever called anybody Dude, not even Ward "Can you tell us a quick bedtime story?" my nephews asked as I turned on not experience from larger Pride events. Cleaver. As a predominantly white event, many Conundrums I turned around to find my niece their night light. "Okay," I answered. "Once upon a African American LG BTQ revelers also MAINSTREAM MEDIA IS standing in her bedroom doorway, smil­ experienced social exclusion and politi­ ing. "Have you brushed your teeth yet?" time there was a cranky queen who just DISTORTING THE TRUTH: wanted to live in a palace with a cook and cal invisibility. And after decades of Pride I asked. events where many LGBTQ people of THERE IS NO ANTI­ "No," she said, holding out her hands a housekeeper and a handsome, muscular African decent tried to be included and to me. "But I took all the different hand pool boy named Santiago. But that didn't INCUMBENCY FEVER happen." weren't, Black Gay Pride was born. creams in my bedroom and mixed them And with the larger LGBTQ com­ By Ove Overmyer together and now my hands smell like "That's because you fell in love and married Uncle Bernie," said one nephew, munity being the fastest disenfranchised The Washing­ soda pop. Want to smell?" group since Stonewall to touch the fringes ton media works in "The only thing I want to smell," I smiling. ''And now you live in a house of mainstream society, communities of mysterious ways. A said through gritted teeth, "is your minty with all the cats he rescued." "That's right," I said. ''And my sis­ color -- straight and gay -- have not come group of editors sit fresh breath after you've brushed your around a table and ter had lots of freaky babies that love to close. The growing distance between teeth." they try to come hang out in the bathroom together." I these communities is shown by how, for I then returned to watching Jeopardy up with a theme stepped into the hallway and turned out an example, a health issue like HIV/AIDS with my older niece. However, on the next that was once an entire LGBTQ com­ or narrative for the commercial, I mentioned, "It's awfully their light. "Hey," said the other nephew. "You munity problem is now predominantly a election year. If quiet in the bedrooms, isn't it?" they can link broad-based sweeping sto­ forgot the best part." black and Latino one. My older niece nodded. "Yeah. And Another example is the white LGBTQ ries from edition to edition, they think Mom usually gets the most worried when "What part is that?" I asked. "You know," he said. "They all lived ghettos that have developed and thrived readers might continue to buy their soapy things around here are too quiet." safely in neighborhoods throughout the stories, regardless of whether they have I hurried back to the bedrooms, but happily ever after, like we are." So I guess I never will be Carol Brady country. But with the income and capital any bearing on the truth or reality. both rooms were empty and dark. Where What they want is continuity, drama or Olivia Walton or any of those other disparity between black and white com­ were the kids? I wandered down the hall and intrigue -- just like any Harlequin loveable TV mothers. I'll never have a munities, most LG BTQ people of African and found the bathroom door closed, but descent live in their black homophobic novel. But politics is anything but pre­ neighborhoods. And with homophobia dictable and neat. It is chaos. Editors what it is in the black community, we can­ also seem preoccupied by what every­ not carve out a black queer ghetto within body else is writing, and have forgotten ROCHESTER Mondays and Wednesdays 6 pm our existing neighborhoods and realisti­ how critical primary source information Saturdays 9 am - Coffee After cally expect to be safe. is to a story. The themes and focus of Black Pride Back in February, CNN released a Meet at George Eastman House events are different from the larger Pride poll that suggested only a third of U.S. Parking Lot at 900 East Ave events. Black Pride focuses on issues not voters think that most members of Con­ solely pertaining to the LGBTQ popu­ gress deserve to be re-elected this year. FRONTRUNNERS All Fitness Levels Welcome lation, but rather on social, economic That's the lowest number ever recorded FRONTWALKERS www.rochesterfrontrunners.org and health issues impacting the entire for that question in a CNN survey, so I black community. For example, where can understand where they were coming the primary focus and themes in white from before we started having primaries Prides have been on marriage equality, around the nation. LGBTQ people of African descent Pride In any event, right-wing bloggers and events have had to focus also on HIV/ some very influential media types have AIDS, unemployment, gang violence and been trying to lump together, contextu­ Veterinary Hospital LG BTQ youth homelessness, to name a alize and explain what's going on in the ~--. few. political arena this crazy election cycle. Andy Fleming, DVM But many LGBTQ people of African We readers are wired to accept explana­ Aida Aponte-Lann, DVM decent, and Latinos, argue that the gulf tions, not just raw data. between whites and themselves is also Here's the thing, though. When the 1311 Marsh Road about how the dominant queer commu­ raw data, when the actual news totally Pittsford, NY 14534 nity rewrote and continues to control the contradicts the story of what's really (585) 248-9590 history of Stonewall. The Stonewall Riot going on in America, do the reporters 10 • NUMBER 436 • GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • THE EMPTY CLOSET have a responsibility to tell it like it is? Beyond the Binary One would think so. But alas, that's not what's happening at some of the largest AN OPPOSING VIEWPOINT media houses in the country. ON OAOT When the media is more interested in explaining their own stories that fit their By Laura business agenda than actually reporting McSpadden the facts, you get headlines from ABC Throughout the last month, I News that went something like this after have been think­ a May 4 primary: "Unharnessed Anger: Incumbents Win in North Carolina ing quite a bit Ohio and Indiana." Huh? ' about Don't Ask, However, there are a few people out Don't Tell. there in the news business that see what's So much so really happening. Rachel Maddow from that, although I 35 Year Landmark MSNBC is one such journalist. She have a great resistance to writing about has been poking holes in her news col­ this topic, it soon became apparent to leagues' stories, and we love her for it. me that it is something I simply have in the (jay Community I'm glad some progressives are starting to attempt. to understand that there really isn't an . .1 have had a steadily increasing sus­ anti-incumbency wave going on after all. plClOn that my perspective on DADT, You would think that editors and which is fiercely ambivalent, is not one !Ham 1four ~ fJ)ay oftfie west media moguls would slow down this that is welcome in the current discourse '1talf-yriced weer drinks, drafts sweeping narrative train that keeps get­ within contemporary queer communi­ ting disproven by the facts. As of today, I ties. And I think it's a little scary when & $4 Carr drinks 4-8ym am politely asking them, Can we stop all all people of an oppressed community this foolishness now before you lose any feel pressure to all hold the same opin­ of shred of credibility that you have left? ion about an issue. tJ(ltJhttY fJJrint StJec!afs every The New York Times, Gannett News­ My ambivalence is rooted in the ten­ papers, Fox Media, the Associated Press, sion between my deep desire that LGBT nltJht of the west! to name a few, really want to be able to ~eople not be denied the opportunity to hold on to this narrative that the coun­ lIve an ?pe? and authentic way and my Come check them out! try "is angry" and the Tea-Partiers are deep re)ectlOn of the militaristic focus shifting the voter dial right of center on of present-day America (and, indeed, of !£wry is the political continuum. But the truth America throughout most of its past). Weinesday steai 2fltJht is, all the incumbents are winning their I'm going to go out on a limb and say t~at I don't really care about being equal 6-10ym ~rimaries. That's the story. Some Repub­ lIcans may become more conservative to with those who buy into the dominant appease the Tea Partiers, but the truth is paradigm, because I think that human­ julY 4 Oyen at 2ym none of them are losing at the ballot box. ity's highest potential is above and Case in point. In the June 9 edi­ beyond the current status quo. I don't ~ed, White & t](ue 1)rink Syecia(s want to be equal with heteronormative tion of the New York Times, it reads "A nti-Incumbent Rage Bypasses Arkan-' culture: I think queers can achieve so §ri(( oyen 4-9ym sas." Here's another one from Reuters much more than that, can offer a blue­ "Ar k ansas Democrat Blanche Lincoln' print for how to rise above. Come show offyour P1t1!D!E at Survives Anti-incumbent Wave." I guess And so I ask in earnest: will a repeal the wave effect depends on which incum­ of DADT help to develop the founda­ ne~WnuePub bent fits the story. Unfortunately, they tion for this blueprint, or not? had to contradict themselves in their I recently posted a note on my Facebook profile that largely centered very own headline. 3uhj 1.0 around the lyrics of Alix Olson's spo­ And check out this Washington Post ken-word piece, "Dear Mr. President". headline, "Antipathy toward elected offi­ t]rinB in your Sea6reeze ticket cials and the establishment, a dispirited My note begged some of these ques­ andBet a free drink public is demanding change." So that's tions. One of my friends, a man who is the big story, right? Public demands currently in the Army and who I have change. It's as if they decided this is been close to for over 12 years (despite I 11 going to be an anti-incumbency year our very different politics) replied, "If !lufy whether voters like it or not, no matter you're not willing to fight and die for Wt(( oyen folTowtnB P(aB ~aisinB this country, then move to Canada." ~hat. We have to sell newspapers, damn It! Well, the anti-incumbency theme is He has since removed me from his 1fayyy 1four starts at 3ym just plain wrong. It ain't happenin'. ~riends list, and sent me a message say­ Here are some facts. In New Jer­ mg that he can no longer consider me sey, 13 incumbents on the ballot, all of his friend in any way. julY 12- ~'8arita ~ I am saddened by the continuing ~hem won. In California, a whopping 52 ~arBaritas, 1)aiquirts & Pina Co(atas $4.50 mcumbents were on the ballot and each call for dissenting voices to just pack and everyone of them winners. In Vir­ up and leave. I feel like my perspectives §ri[( oyen 5-9ym ginia, with 11 incumbents on the ballot, and beliefs have something to offer the all 11 incumbents won. In Iowa, seven ~ountry in. a healing way, and that stay­ incumbents on the ballot -- they all won mg here mstead of going somewhere 3~17 as well. In Arkansas, three incumbents that would be more comfortable for me on the ballot, all three incumbents won. politically is, in turn, going to offer me Pre- Parade Syecia( - $1.00 off ~(( 1)rinks In South Dakota, two incumbents who some powerful opportunities for further ran, both were winners. In Maine, there growth. Oyen at 21m were two incumbents, both winners. And then there's the whole "What is America?" question. The America I love In Montana and North Dakota, one !JuCy 18 incumbent each, not one of them caught most is the most wild and natural, the the mythical anti-incumbent fever. In America that most resembles what this po((owinB iFride Picnic fact, if you look at this whole campaign land was before Europeans and their season, all of the races, all together, who descendants changed it so profoundly. 1fayyy 1four extended tie 10ym among the incumbents has been thrown And I know the land here means an immense amount to my fiance/fiancee out? Well, there aren't that many. $2.00 There were a few guys who switched and all other Native Americans. !1Uf west Pritfe shot SJedaf parties and they lost and there were two Should those among us who love guys with corruption scandals who lost. the land itself and who would sacrifice According to my sources, Bob Inglis nearly anything for its revival leave, if !J~24 of South Carolina is the only incum­ they reject the political system that was Christrriiu in !JuLY bent who got voted down in a primary artificially grafted here and that contin­ ues to threaten indigenous communities wi~hout a corruption scandal or a party WhitePa~ sWItch or a weird activists-only vote at a around the world? convention to explain it. Alternatively, should those among 1)rink Syecia(s & §reat Prizes Bob Inglis is the one piece of data us who are saddened and appalled by supporting the whole national narra­ the trends of militaristic, capitalist soci­ 9ym-2am tive of the anti-incumbency wave. And ety on the earth, the environment and really, for what it's worth, he didn't even indigenous societies feel pressured to call for the "right" to be part of an arena SERVING ROCHESTER'S '~,.JC nSf A ~,.t7I "An'" Sf .. Sf A "Im", .. D C SERVING ROCHESTER'S los~ yet. He's in a runoff. So the big, natlOnal, everybody-agrees anti-incum­ of violence to which they are fundamen­ bency wave story is a good story? Gimme tally opposed? 522 'Monroe ~venue a break. Wake up and smell the coffee. This may seem like a very odd topic ~or me to focus on in a column regard­ 585-244-4960 mg trans and genderqueer issues. After all, to quote a piece from the Washing- 8 B THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • NUMBER 436 • JULY 2010 ton Post by discharged service member our LGB friends and family members David Hall, "Repeal of DADT doesn't to more comfortably put themselves at address transgendered issues. The cur­ risk for the government that denies our rent law only deals with lesbian, gay, or existence. They say bisexual service members. Transgender The lack of federal protections people are currently prohibited from for queer and trans people regarding serving by Department of Defense Reg­ employment and medical treatment is a hair loss doesn't matter... ulations, not a law passed by Congress." disgusting shame. But, from another perspective, isn't Why would a group of people who What do you think? that just an example of why DADT can't even be sure they will receive would be especially likely to bother me? emergency medical care in America be In June, GENDA was defeated in the willing to risk their lives for the coun­ New York Senate, while the U.S. House try? When straight, cisgendered vets and Senate committee voted to repeal return and are all too often denied good DADT. medical treatment (as a home health In other words: the act that would care worker, I've seen the effects of this protect me and other trans people from with heart-wrenching proximity), why employment, housing and medical dis­ would queer and trans people expect crimination was rejected. any post-service care? Concurrently, another piece of leg­ Okay, so DADT is closer than ever islation is getting close to being passed: to being repealed. Please forgive me for one that fails altogether to acknowl­ not rejoicing . • edge the existence and rights of trans people, but that would allow many of

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dent? A: I was at Sage Col­ lege for Art Education. I finished one year of the two year and now three years later is celebrating Make Lemonade! program the release of Fagbug the movie, which I was in. I AN INTERVIEW WITH will premier here in Rochester during dropped ERIN DAVIES ABOUT HER Pride week. Erin and Fagbug will also out to make ADVENTURES WITH FAGBUG be the guests of the Gay Alliance Anti­ the film and Violence Project in the Pride Parade. I became a By Kelly Clark recently spoke with Erin about her three professional The morning of April 18, 2007 started year adventure. speaker as a like any other for then-grad student Erin Q: Is there one memory from your trip way to pay Davies. As she prepared to go to work on that really stands out for you? for it. the campus of Sage College in Albany, she A: Meeting Elke Kennedy. Elke's son The didn't know that a random act of hatred Sean was killed outside a bar in Greenville, film cost over look and I fundraised all note wall for young people or anyone to was about to change the course of not S.c. for being gay. Someone punched him the money from speaking engagements, leave notes. The notes will continue to be only her day, but her life. in the face for accidentally brushing up merchandise, corporate sponsorships, documented on the website: Fagbug.com. Erin left the house to find her VW against him, he fell back so far he hit his donations, etc. It took 19 months of my Meet Erin Davies and Fagbug at the Beetle defaced with the words "u r gay" head on the concrete and it separated his full time and two other people's full time following Rochester Pride events: and "fag," spray painted in red across the brain from his brain stem. working on the film. It would've been Fagbug the Movie - Wednesday, July charcoal gray car. Her first reaction was Before I left for my trip, I received one of those things had I not prioritized 14, 6:30 p.m., The Little Theater. to think it was a joke, but as she realized tons of emails from all around the coun­ it. It would be 10 years later and I would Pride Parade & Festival - Saturday, that she had a rainbow sticker on the car try, people sharing their stories of what be looking back -- man, I wish I had fin­ July 17, 3 p.m. along Park Ave. and S. it slowly sank in that this was a crime of happened to them or their vehicles. The ished that film! Goodman St. hate. common theme was that they didn't doc­ While I was in graduate school, I sub­ Pride Picnic - Sunday, July 18, 1-7 At that point Erin did what most of ument it and they erased what had hap­ mitted a video called "Child of God" to p.m. Genesee Valley Park . • us would do - she called the police and pened. I thought on my trip it would be Al Gore's TV station, Current TV, that then her insurance company. There was neat to tell these erased stories through got selected to air on his station and I not much law enforcement could do about my journey of not erasing what had hap­ also was beginning to edit a documentary an anonymous crime but take a report. pened. I shot in Baltimore, Md., called "Living Erin's insurance company considered the Little did I know that what was going Proof". I filmed "Living Proof" in 2003 car "drivable" and told her it would take on in America on a daily basis was much Youth and still have not finished it. about a week for an adjuster to come out worse than spray painting, name calling, Q: Fagbug looks a lot different today and assess the damage. or damaging a vehicle. I learned what than it did when this first happened. You What Erin decided to do next may not The Gay Alliance of happened to Sean at the very first stop had the car wrapped in a big rainbow. have been your first choice - she decid­ the Genesee Valley I planned on my trip. Elke and I were What prompted you to do this? ed to drive the car anyway! She went in meant to meet for some reason. Once A: Rainbow Fagbug sticker was put offers Youth Services to work and parked the car on campus homophobia had directly impacted our together right from the start. I sold them for Rochester area as usual. Erin soon received a call from lives, we both set out to do something as a way to fund the trip. I originally LGBTQ and allied campus security. She explained what was about it and embarked on parallel lives planned to drive the car for six months, going on and their response was to ask her youth ages 13-25. facing similar obstacles, criticisms, and but as I started approaching the one year move the car. By day two of driving the difficulties. Once I left her house, she mark, I was ready for a change. Check out what's newly defaced car, Erin and her friends contacted me every day for the remainder I had taken something negative and happening at: experienced a revelation of sorts. The car of my trip. She and her husband drove turned it into a positive but the car didn't and Erin's story could be used to teach 1,000 miles to come to see the film open­ • www.gayalliance.org reflect that. It was still negative. It was people about homophobia and hate crimes ing in Albany and we have remained close a downer. I didn't have any issues with • or contact JessC@ - and Fagbug was born. friends ever since. the car on my trip, but afterward I had gagv.us Erin would eventually take a 58-day Q: What graduate program were you the windows broken out and some other tour through the U.S. and Canada with enrolled in at Sage? Did you eventually issues. To turn the car into the sticker Youth Center the car that year, speaking at schools and graduate? What had you been planning to sounded like a bold idea and a great way Happenings events. She filmed the entire adventure do with your life (career) before this inci- to mark the one-year point. Before, people would see the car and it was alarming, but • Drop-in: Monday and they didn't know the story behind it. Now Wednesday 2-6pm BAT'E CRIME RELATIONSHIP VIOLENCE it is positive and drives people to the web­ • Support Groups PICK-UP CRIME site so that they can learn the story. I get • Sunday 2pm-4pm moms that write to me saying that their ages 13-23 ABUSE kids saw it and how great it was. Q: What's next for you and Fagbug? • Sunday A: Well, I just bought a building in 4:30pm-6pm ages CRIME Syracuse. The building was a $1 property 18-25 I got through a company called Home Headquarters which revitalizes areas in • Special Interest the city of Syracuse. I did a 24-page pro­ Programming posal to get the property. I am taking out • Transgender Youth a loan to rehab the building and got the building with the understanding I would • Arts and Crafts have renovations done in 18 months. • Movies I've been filming the process of acquir­ • Writing ing the building and plan to film every­ CRIME thing until the grand opening. The next • Special Events new documentary I'm working on is • Youth Dances called "Fagbrew". The property I got is • Day of Silence POL,ICE HARASSMEN'T going to be called the Fagbug Museum • Big Gay Prom & Brewery. The next phase of the Fagbug • Pool Table RELAT10NSH P project is Fagbrew. Just like the Fagbug stands out on a highway or parking lot, • LGBTQ Youth Library VIOL,ENCE P'ICK-UP CRIME ARSON HA.TE Fagbrew will stand out at every bar or on • Internet Access CRIME RELATIONS P VIOLENCE every shelf it's on. Just like the car evokes a dialogue wherever it is, the Fagbrew beer Adult Volunteers SEXUAL .ASSAULT USE line will do the same. Needed Fun, friendly, BURGLARY D1 SCRIMI ATION 13l:AS H I woke up one morning and thought safe adults are needed to myself I should create a gay beer. I told RELATIONSHIP VrOLENCEl PICK- to volunteer their time this idea at a showing of my film at Wash­ and talents, providing UP CRIME SEXUAL ASSAULT ARSON HATE burn University in Kansas and someone in the front row said one of the beers positive role models, CRIME POLICE T US LP HARASSMENT should be called "HomosexuALE." maybe sharing a talent It's going to be America's very first gay or skill. beer. The car will be on the outside of the 585-244-8640 x17 property. People can freely take pictures of Contact Scott Fearing, the car or themselves with the car. There Outreach Coordinator Or will be a wall of notes in the museum. for an application: I've documented all the notes people have [email protected] INew confldent.la. online report.fo!rml at left on the car over the past three years. So far I've received 73 notes. By the time 585-244-8640, ext. 14 www.,gayalliance.org the museum opens, I will most likely have over 100. There will be a note box on the JULY 2010 • NUMBER 436 • GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY. THE EMPTY CLOSET B 11 Program Notes

Educational Programs Speak Out Between Jan. 1 and June 15, 2010, the Gay Alliance provided 73 presentations on LGBT issues to nearly 2,200 people in the Rochester area! From high school health classes to corporate presentations and SafeZone trainings, our staff and trained volun­ teers have been working to make Rochester a better place for LGBT people to live and work. If you are interested in scheduling a training for your workplace, school, or church group, you can complete a Request for Educational Services on our website or contact Jeanne Gainsburg, Coordinator of OutReach, at 585-244-8640 or JeanneG@GayAI­ liance.org. Facebook passes 1,000 Maybe late night summer solstice festivities played a role, but, in the early morning hours of June 21, the Gay Alliance Facebook page received its 1,000th fan. "This is an important milestone," replied Executive Director Sue Cowell, "as an agency we are using Facebook to keep people connected to our work and to the Rochester LG BT community. PROM-inent: Gay Alliance staff, boad members and volunteers chaperoned the In recent months the staff have been working to integrate Facebook into our communica­ Big Gay Prom on May 7. Photo: Allegra Anka tion plans and it seems to be working. Our Facebook ratings have increased dramatically in recent weeks, allowing us to remain a pretty consistent 4 out of 5 stars for "Post Qual­ ity" with more people commenting and interacting with us via Facebook each week." Webinar offers tips for Youth Notes The Youth Program and the Anti-Violence/Community Safety Program each have a fostering, adoption by By Jess Cohen Facebook page of their own to keep people who are interested in the activities of those LGBT parents Congratulations to the GAGV Youth programs up to date on their activities. program participants in the Class of 20 1O! The New York State child welfare sys­ The Gay Alliance is proud of the many LGBTQ Family Conference coming to Rochester tem is in constant need of foster!adoptive students who have made positive contri­ On April 8-10, 2011, Rochester will be home to a statewide LGBTQ conference spon­ families for the approximately 23,000 butions in both the youth program and sored by the Lesbian and Gay Family Building Project. The Project is headquartered in children in its care. More than ever, mem­ the community. Thank you for all your Binghamton and exists to help LG BTQ people reach their goals of building and sustain­ bers of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans­ hard work! We look forward to seeing ing healthy families. gender, queer (LGBTQ) communities are your future success in higher education "The 2011 Pride and Joy Families Weekend Conference is somewhat of a departure taking their places as temporary or per­ and the workforce! from our past conferences," explained Claudia Stallman, Project Director. "This time manent parents to some of these children/ Thank you to everyone who contrib­ around we are looking to include not just LGBTQparented families, but all families youth. uted to the Big Gay Garage Sale on Sat­ with one or more LGBTQ members. After all, we all live in families." In a webinar sponsored by the Les­ urday, June 19! The donations we received ''Another change-up at the Rochester conference is the addition of a pre-conference bian and Gay Family Building Project, were much appreciated. The profit that we Professional Training Day. On Friday, April 8, we are creating a number of opportuni­ Consultant Fred Elia will acquaint par­ made will assist in social and leadership ties for area educators and health and human service providers to learn about LGBTQ ticipants with the publici private agency programming, such as Youth Pride and Issues.. " process to becoming a foster!adoptive par­ Queer College Tours. Both events are cosponsored by the Gay Alliance, AIDS Care, Rainbow SAGE and ent and how best to navigate that process. Speaking of Queer College Tours, the Visit Rochester. For more information or to join the local host committee, please contact The webinar is Monday, July 19, 12-1 Youth are headed to Alfred University on Karen Goulet at [email protected]. p.m. Host is Claudia Stallman. June 29. Look for pictures and reviews of The webinar will explore the parenting the college in the August edition of the possibilities of fostering and/or adopting, EC! and help participants identify LGBTQ Also, a big welcome to the seven new welcoming agencies. Participants will youth who came to GAGV programming A Professional Training Day leave with an understanding of the crite­ in May! ria for selection and the steps of the certi­ Finally, Youth Pride is HERE! Join us fication process. for the Youth Pride Pageant on July 12 at Fred Elia is a child welfare trainer! Tilt Nightclub when we crown the 2010 consultant with over 30 years professional Youth Pride Drag King and Queen. A v experience, concentrating in the recruit­ youth dance will accompany the pageant, ment, training and support of foster! with tunes by DJ Chuck Argento. adoptive parents. He is also president of And look for us at the Pride Festival ''A Thousand Moms," a statewide com­ and Pride Picnic, as we sell water, tempo­ munity organization project in support rary tattoos and bracelets to benefit the April 8, 2011 In Rochester, NY of LGBT/Q youth in New York's foster! Youth Program. Hope to see you all at the adoptive system. Parade, as well! Give us a holler and wave Fred grew up in foster care with a as we march on by in style . • younger brother in Schenectady. He began working with the child welfare communi­ ty in NYS to recruit LGBT foster!adoptive Pride Picnic improves Tuesday July 13 parents about 20 years ago. Ten years ago handicap accessibility he organized the founding of the NYC The 2010 Pride Picnic will be more Pride Week Movie night. "Tru Love". LGBT Foster Care Coalition to bring accessible for the handicapped. The park­ together the LGBT community with the 7 pm. Downtown United Presbyterian ing area by the Roundhouse will be open child welfare community in order to bet­ to all those with Handicapped tags. ter serve children/youth in the foster carel Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh St. Benefiting When this parking area is full, the adoption system. He now shares his foster overflow will be directed across the Canal family homestead (including The Foster GAGV Youth Group. to Hawthorne Shelter where an accessible Care Garden -- a welcoming space for all (wheelchair, walker, cane, etc.) shuttle ser­ connected to the Child Welfare System) vice will be provided to the picnic grounds with his partner, Dave. by Canalside Shelter. The Project is dedicated to helping All others with physical limitations LGBTQ people in upstate New York not having a Handicapped tag will be achieve their goals of building and sus­ directed to Hawthorne Shelter, where taining healthy families. Pride and Joy, its transportation to the Picnic Grounds by network ofLGBTQled families, provides Canalside Shelter will be provided. The support, educational programs and a sense shuttle will make a continuous loop every A CATHOLIC COMMUNITY WHERE ALL ARE WELCOME of community to the adults and children 15-25 minutes. 121 N. Fitzhugh Street • Rochester, New York 14614 • Phone: 325-1180 in these families. Visit at www.PrideAnd­ From Canalside, the Roundhouse and J oyFamilies.org . • Liturgies: Thursday: 7:00 pm, Saturday: 5:00 pm all other pavilions, information vendors, Sunday: 7:30am and merchandise vendors will be acces­ 9: 30 am (at Hochstein, 50 Plymouth Avenue) sible by walkways or hard leveled surfaces.

The Gay Alliance 875 E. Main St., Suite 500 Rochester, NY 14605 • Hours Mon.-Fri., 9am-5pm • Phone: (585) 244-8640 • Fax: (585) 244-8246 • Website: www.gayalliance.org Empty Closet Phone: (585) 244-9030 • Empty Closet Fax: (585) 244-8246 • Empty Closet Advertising: (585) 244-9030 • Empty Closet E-mail: [email protected] Board President Tom Ferrarese • Executive Director Sue Cowell • Administrative Assistant Laura McSpadden • Program Director Scott Fearing Empty Closet Editor Susan Jordan • Graphics Jim Anderson • Community Safety Kelly Clark • Development Brian Doran Victim Advocate Kelly Baumgartner Youth Services Coordinator Jessica Cohen • CampusOut Assistant Mariam Mull • Outreach Coordinator Jeanne Gainsburg • AmeriCorps Member Sean Soper Youth Group: Youth Center, 1st Floor - Ages 13-23 Sundays 2-4pm; Ages 18-25 Sundays 4:30-6pm • http://youth.gayalliance.org for after school schedule and special events. The Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley is a non-profit agency, dedicated to cultivating a healthy, inclusive environment where lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-gender (LGBT) people are safe, thriving and enjoying equal rights. We are a coalition of individuals and groups working to empower LGBT people, to affirm their identities, and to create an atmosphere where the diversity of our community can thrive both collectively and separately. We educate and advocate for civil rights for all and for the eradication of homophobia. 12 B THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • NUMBER 436 • JULY 2010 Resources Strong Memorial Hospital management, free cconfidential testing (Ora­ Monroe County Women's Health AIDS provides a complete range of HIV medical care, Quick Rapid Testing), NYS Dep't. of Health offers Partnership Free testing for HIV exposure including access to experimental treatment pro­ free on-site confidential and anonymous testing, 111 Westfall Rd" Rochester NY 14692; is available from New York State Department of tocols, and HIV testing, Also provides individual (585)325-5100, M-F 8 am-9 pm, www.huther­ (585)274-6978, Comprehensive breast cancer Health: call Rochester Area Regional Hotline at and group psychotherapy, Training of health care doyle,com, screening services for uninsured and underin­ (585) 423-8081, or 1-800-962-5063 for pay professionals also available, Infectious Disease Geneva Community Health sured women, phones or calls outside Rochester, Deaf or hear­ Clinic, (585) 275-0526, Department of Psychia­ 601 W. Washington St., Geneva, Provides HIV Elizabeth Wende Breast Clinic ing impaired people should call (585)423-8120 try, (585) 275-3379, AIDS Training Project, (585) testing, HIV specialty and primary care for resi­ 170 Sawgrass Drive, 442-8432, Dr. Wende (TOO,) New Rapid HIV Testing now available­ 275-5693, dents of Ontario and surrounding counties, Logan-Young and an all-woman staff provide test results in 30-40 minutes! Statewide informa­ Planned Parenthood of Rochester and Mon,-Thurs, 9 am-5 pm; Fridays 9 am-noon, mammograms, tion can be obtained by calling 1-800-541-AIDS, Genesee Valley 315-781-8448, SHARE: Self Help for Women with Breast Other organizations which provide AIDS-related offers testing and information (585) 546 2595, or Ovarian Cancer services are as follows: Rural HIV testing FAMILY NYS Hotline: 1-866-53SHARE or 1-866-537- AIDS Care anonymous and confidential, in Alleghany, Liv­ Rochester Gay Moms' Group 4273, AIDS Care, the leading provider of HIV/AIDS ser­ ingston, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Support group for lesbian mommies and wan­ AIDS Rochester Women's Health Outreach vices in Rochester and the Finger Lakes, was Wayne or Yates Counties, call 1-800-962-5063, nabe mommies in Rochester and surrounding 259 Monroe Ave, ARI has services for HIV formed by the January 2010 merger of AIDS areas, Subscribe: RochesterGayMoms-sub­ Action Front Center positive women and others in the lesbian com­ Community Health Center and AIDS Rochester, scribe@yahoogroups,com, munity, 442-2220, On-site services include: HIV testing and limited (Action for a Better Community,) Provides HIV STD screenings, Primary and HIV Specialty Medi­ prevention education and case management ser­ Pride &Joy Families AIDS Care cal Care, Pharmacy, Behavioral Wellness, Case vices, Training and technical assistance to service In Rochester, contact Karen Goulet, kgoulet@ 259 Monroe Ave, 244-9000; TTY (585)461- Management, Prevention and Education, Clinical providers, Resource library open to public, All PrideandJoyFamilies,org or 244-8640 x 40, 9202, HIV and Primary care medical services Trials, Dental Screenings, Hepatitis CCo-Infection services free and confidential. Multicultural and for HIV positive women, their negative partners Clinic, Housing Services, Laboratory, Nutrition bilingual staff, Jearald Noble, program manager, lesbian &Gay Family Building Project and family members, OB/GYN, HIV pre-test and Services, Peer Interaction, Smoking Cessation, 33 Chestnut St., second floor, Hours 8:30-5 pm, Claudia E. Stallman, Project Director, Ferre post-test counseling, Confidential or free HIV Substance Use and Addiction Counseling, Sup­ Monday-Friday, 262-4330; fax 262-4572. Free Institute, Inc, 124 Front St., Binghampton, NY testing, anonymous HIV testing on walk-in basis, Tues­ 13905, Phone: (607) 724-4308; Fax: (607) port Groups, Transportation Services, Treatment Alternatives for Battered Women Adherence Counseling, and Women's Health days, Wednesdays 1-4 pm, provided through 724-8290; E-mail: [email protected]: NYSDOH, Thursdays 1-4 pm at Aenon Baptist Web: www.PrideAndJoyFamilies.org 232-7353; TTY 232-1741. Shelter (women Care, AIDS Care is also a leader in providing ser­ only), counseling, Lesbians, gay men welcome, vices and education to members of the LGBT Church, 175 Genesee St. Families Joined by Love community, Contact Information: Website: www. Anthony L. Jordan Health Center Books and resources for LGBT families, GAGV Anti Violence Project acRochester,org, Main Office: 259 Monroe Ave" Prevention &Primary Care Program www.familiesjoinedebylove,org, 585-244-8640 ext 17. For women and men, Rochester, NY 14607; Main Phone: 585-545- Provides Medical Case Management, Mental Parents, Families and Friends of Victim Resource Center of Wayne County 7200 - Health Services After Hours: 585-258- Health, Primary Care, HIV Counceling and Testing lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Newark NY. Hotline 800-456-1172; office 3363; Case Management After Hours (Lifeline): using the Orasure Rapid Test, Education presen­ PFLAG's threefold mission: supporting par­ (315)331-1171; fax (315)331-1189, 585-275-5151; Fax: 585-244-6456, Finger tations, and access to other Jordan services, Pre­ ents and family members in coming out pro­ Lakes Office: 605 W. Washington St., Geneva, Mary Magdalene House vention & Primary Care is a walk-in program; no cess; educating the community; advocating Women's outreach center for HIV positive NY 14456,315-781-6303, Southern Tier Office: appointments necessary, Office hours: Mon,- Fri., on behalf of LGBT family members, Regular 122 Liberty St. POBox 624, Bath, NY 14810 women and women at risk, 291 Lyell Ave, 8:30am- 5 pm: extended hours on Monday until meetings: first Tuesday 7-9 pm, St. Thomas Open Mon-Fri. 6:30-9:30 pm 458-5728, 607-776-9166, The Health Outreach Project: 416 8 pm, (585) 423-2879; fax (585) 423-2876, Episcopal Church, comer Winton and Highland; Central Ave" Rochester, NY 14605; 585-454-5556, Website: www.jordanhealth,org, For more infor­ third Sunday, 2-4 pm, Nopper Room, fifth floor, Planned Parenthood of the Rochester/Syr­ Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley mation, call Program Director Patrick M, Trevor, Auditorium Center, 875 E, Main St. PFLAG@ acuse Region 114 University Ave" Rochester, NY 14605; provides referrals to physicians and service agen­ (585) 423-2879, gagv,us; 585-244-8640 x27, Toll-free Helpline: 1-866-600-6886, Planned cies, (585) 244-8640; www.gayalliance,org, CDC National S1D and AIDS Hotline Parenthood has led the way in providing high Victory Alliance 1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) 24 hours LGBT HEALTH quality, affordable reproductive health care University of Rochester Medical Center, One of a day, TTY service: 1-888-232-6348, E-mail For a list of LGBT-friendly and competent health since 1916, Our experienced and compassion­ several research sites worldwide that comprise address: cdcinfo@cdc,gov, and human service providers in the Rochester ate medical staff will listen to your concerns and the HIV Vaccine Trials Network, Rochester site Fair Housing Enforcement Project of and Finger Lakes area, visit the resource direc­ answer your questions in a warm, welcoming conducts research vaccine studies sponsored by Monroe County tory page(s) at www.everybodysgood.com. These atmosphere, All our services are confidential. National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the attempt 585-325-2500; 1-800-669-9777. Deals with pages are compiled and managed by AIDS Care, We accept most insurances; including Medic­ to discover a vaccine that may one day prevent housing discrimination on basis of race, orienta­ If you are a provider, or know of one, who would aid, You may even qualify for low- to no-cost HIV infection or AIDS, Imagine aworld without tion, HIV status, etc, like to be included, contact them through the family planning services, When you make your AIDS, learn how you can help create it. 585-756- website or contact Erik Libey directly at (585) appointment, be sure to ask about our sliding Public Interest Law Office of Rochester 210-4192, 2329; www.vaccineunit.org, 80 St. Paul St., Suite 701. Free legal services to scale fees, No one is turned away for lack of ability to pay, Center for Health and Behavioral Training of HIV positive persons, families, Spanish bilingual Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley Monroe County advocates available, All civil cases except divorce; See www.gayalliance,org Resource Directory POLITICAL: 853 Main St., Rochester 14611. Collaboration no criminal cases, Ask to speak to someone in under" Health" for GAGV referrals to physicians National Organization for Women of Monroe County Health Department and U,R, PILOR, 454-4060, and service agencies, (Greater Rochester NOW) Provides year-round training in prevention and Evergreen Health Services, Buffalo PO Box 93196; (585)234-7019, E-mail: management of STDs, HIV, TB and related issues, Primary care, HIV and family care, HIV testing and WOMEN info@rochestemow,org Web page: http:// such as domestic violence and case manage­ counseling, (716) 847-0328 www,rochesternow,org, ment. (585)753-5382 v/tty, HEALTH: Westside Health Services Highland Hospital Breast Imaging Center CULTURAL: Planned Parenthood of the Rochester/ Brown Square Health Center, 175 Lyell Ave, (254- 500 Red Creek Drive, Rochester 14623; 585- Syracuse Region Rochester Women's Community Chorus 6480); Woodward health Center, 480 Genesee 487-3300, Specializing in breast health, diag­ 234-4441, (See Ongoing calendar), 114 University Ave" Rochester, NY 14605; Toll­ St. (436-3040), HIVIAIDS services, support, more, nostic breast imaging and treatment and free Helpline: 1-866-600-6886, Offers confiden­ mammography outreach and education, tial HIV testing and information, When you make McCree McCuller Wellness Center at Unity ONLINE: your appointment, be sure to ask about our slid­ Health's Connection Clinic Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester WOWcny: ing scale fees, No one is turned away for lack of (585) 368-3200, 89 Genesee St., Bishop Kear­ 840 University Ave,; 585-473-8177; www.bccr, e-mail: [email protected] ability to pay, ney Bldg" 3rd floor, Full range of servcies, regard­ org; email: info@bccr,org, Breast Cancer Coali­ Rochester NY Lesbians; less of ability to pay, Caring, confidential and tion provides support services that include Brown groups ,aol ,com/rochstrlesbians Rochester Area Task Force on AIDS convenient. Bag Fridays: an informal discussion group that A collection of agencies providing a multiplicity of meets weekly from 12:00-1 :30; Breast Cancer GENERAL: resources and services to the upstate New York Catholic Charities AIDS Services A multicultural and bi-lingual staff providing ser­ 101 and 201: programs designed to help those Women's Resource Center community, Their offices are located through the coping with a recent breast cancer diagnosis and YWCA, 175 N, Clinton Ave, 546-7740, Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency, which also vices to a diversity of people infected and affected with HIVlntensive home-based case management those coping with an advanced breast cancer Color Outside the line Crew provides medical literature and newspaper clip­ diagnosis; Sister Sak: a program that addresses pings, as well as demographic and statistical data for all ages; a clinical crisis manager; a child/ Contact Jackie Williams, 482-4945, adolescent case worker; transitional case man­ the issues facing young women with breast can­ for use in developing health care services, (585) cer; and the Advanced Breast Cancer Support 461-3520, agement for children and family members going through bereavement; recreational and support Group to support women living with metastatic Check our monthly and ongoing Calendars MOCHA Center of Rochester groups for children and teens, and camping expe­ breast cancer, The Breast Cancer Coalition also and the Gay Groups section for more groups Our mission is to improve health and wellness in riences including Camp SOAR, We coordinate provides information about breast cancer, a lend­ and events, For more information, call the communities of color through intervention and HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for People with ing library, and a monthly educational program, GAGV at 244-8640 or see www,gayalliance, service, with emphasis on LGBTQ programming, AIDS) short term emergency assistance with rent! All BCCR programs and support services are free, org, And send us your information! Youth drop-in center, HIV testing, peer education, mortgage/utility payments and limited subsidized support groups, computer lab, referral services housing, 1945 E, Ridge Rd" Suite 24, Rochester and more, Stop by 107 Liberty Pole Way (corner NY 14622, (585) 339-9800, of Pleasant) or call (585)420-1400, Huther Doyle Monroe County Health Department 360 East Ave" Rochester 14604, Offers drug, at 855 W. Main St., offers testing and counseling alcohol prevention, education, treatment. Risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, Reduction Plus Team offers servcies to HIV posi­ (585)753-5481, tive and those at risk through substance use, Programs include outreach, transitional case JULY 2010 • NUMBER 436 • GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • THE EMPTY CLOSET B 13

Closet or in our emails to JUG members. ers, hots, sausages and all the fixin's right Our Sept. 14 gathering returns to outside the door and as usual the friendly AIDS Care for an end of summer pot­ (and HOT) Forum bartenders will be luck dinner. These are popular events and serving ice cold brews and the best cock­ Groups guests are always welcome. tails in town. Several JUG members attended the Planning for our 35th anniversary Memorial Service for Charley Frederico camping run is now in high gear. The on June 4 at St. Michael's Church. Char­ event will be held over the Aug. 27-29 Find the friends and fun you need in your neighborhood ley was one of the founding members of weekend and attendance is limited. Run of the LGBT community. our original group Atlantic Five 0 and applications are available at the Forum served as our contact person. He will be or online at our website. If you'd like to DIGNITY-INTEGRITY great addition to our club! Congratula­ sadly missed. attend or learn more about the run, please tions to the graduates! For more information about the group, check out the details at the Rams Run D-I Rochester continues to meet week­ The summer is here, and we will contact Ron at 223-2629 or email rmat­ link on our website. ly at St. Luke's and St. Simon's church, 17 be dancing with other clubs. The Lilac ter [email protected]. The Rochester Rams M.e. is Roches­ S. Fitzhugh St. corner of Broad St. We Squares meet each Monday at Open Arms ter New York's foremost gay motorcycle have the following services and activities Metropolitan Community Church locat­ RAINBOW SAGE & leather club as well as being one of the for the month of July. Please note that all ed on 740 Marshall Rd. in Rochester oldest clubs of its type in the country. services start at 5 p.m. 14624 at 7 p.m. We are currently learning By Tony Perri All who are interested in the leather club First Sunday: Episcopal Mass, with some unique expressions common to the Summer is here and this is Pride scene are invited to check us out. Our music. gayllesbian clubs throughout the country. month. We hope everyone will join us in general meeting is open to the public and Second Sunday: Roman Catholic Lit­ We are a lively and friendly group our SAGE pride events. The parade on we meet the Wednesday before bar night urgy of the Word, with music. made up of singles, couples, men, and July 17 will have a SAGE contingent and at 7:30 p.m. Meetings are held at our Third Sunday: Episcopal Mass in the women, young and young at heart; when a float. We expect to take first prize this home bar, the Bachelor Forum, 670 Uni­ Chapel; no music this week. we aren't learning new calls, we are telling year. Anyone interested in helping to do versity Ave. Our next general meetings Fourth Sunday: Evening Prayer, fol­ stories, jokes, and lively anecdotes. We the float, give me a call at 703-9078 or at will be held on July 14 Aug. 18 and Sept. lowed by a Potluck Supper. usually learn a couple of new calls each [email protected]. 15. For more info, visit our website: www. The theme for the July Potluck is night, and if we make mistakes, our caller Also, we hope you all join us for our rochesterrams.com. an Ice Cream Social. We'll have the ice will review the calls for us. We are a very Potluck at the Pride picnic on July 18. cream and all the fixings ... you just need easygoing group, and missteps happen. This year we have free picnic tickets for SECOND THURSDAYS to bring your appetite! There will someone there to guide you to those who need them. Give Nan a call. A In other news, we had our Annual where you need to be. The night is for fun good time should be had by all! Second Thursdays Social and Business GaragelBarn Sale on the first weekend in and having a good time. Our transition is complete. We are Networking Party, sponsored by Finger June. We were rained out of the last day, For more information, call Matt 520- now an affiliate of the GAGY. Our new Lakes Out & Equal, gathers at the Wood­ and since more donations are promised, 5358, or e-mail [email protected]. office is at the GAGY, 875 E. Main St., cliff Hotel and Spa, 199 Woodcliff Drive, we'll probably have another sale in July or Hope to see you soon. Rochester, NY 14605. We will contin­ Fairport, on July 8 from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 August. It is held just west of the village of ue to have the same phone number for p.m. Lima, so watch for signs and stop in to see the time being. Come and see us there. Join us for casual conversation and us. Look for us at the Pride Festival and ROCHESTER GLBTQI Hopefully in the near future we will have appetizers (no dues or cover); 50/50 Raffle the Pride Picnic. MOTORCYCLE GROUP a PAID part-time staff member devoted for PRIDE. For more information, visit Keep your calendar open, too, and solely to Rainbow SAGE. I thank you all www.outandequal.org/ny-finger-lakes. plan to help us celebrate 35 years of ser­ Riding season is here! Yippee! Our for your support in this transition and the group is made up of newbies, people who vice to the GLBT community in Septem­ dedicated work of our Task Force mem­ EMPIRE BEARS ber. More details will follow in the August put on a lot of mileage, and long time bik­ bers. I think you all will be very pleased and September Empty Closet. ers. We are all joined, apart from the obvi­ with the work that Rainbow SAGE will The Empire Bears were picnicking in ous, by our sport, and helping each other. continue to do and the exciting things Durand Eastman Park in June, hoping to A real nice group of people! that affiliation with GAGV brings. run into the bear, but he was in Pittsford EQUALITY ROC For more information, look at our With this transition come some bitter­ on the canal path. Oh well, we had a good Join with other marriage equali­ Yahoo group profile: RochesterGLBTQ sweet feelings for me. I will no longer be time and lots to eat, anyway. ty activists at Rochester Pride. Equality Ibikers. You can also call Bob at 467- President of Rainbow SAGE. It has been We also went to see the "Calimari ROC & Marriage Equality New York 6456, or e-mail bmdaniels@frontiernet. my pleasure and I appreciate all the confi­ Sisters" at Downstairs Cabaret cook and (MENY) will be marching together in the net. Let's ride with pride! dence that was placed in me after Marilyn argue, and the RGMC brought the house Rochester Pride Parade. Mitchell moved to California. I pledge down with a great show with "USS Meta­ Contact Todd Plank at 278-4190 or JUST US GUYS to continue working to see that Rainbow phor". Anne Tischer at 426-0862 if you would SAGE continues to be a strong force in In July, the Bears are looking forward like to march with us and to order our Being blessed with a perfect summer our community, and a better life for our to our regular Wednesday night 6 o'clock very special Linked-by-Love T-shirt. evening for our June 8 gathering, it was elder community. suppers at the Wintonaire. We're going We will also have a table at the Pride timely to make plans for the remainder of Have a happy safe summer and a joy­ camping at the Pond, Hillside, and Onei­ Picnic, where we will be pre-registering the summer. ful PRIDE! da. We're planning an evening of mini people for local participation in MENY's Our group is fortunate to have Rich golf. Saturday night the third will find us Schroedel, owner of Outlandish, as our Seventh Annual Wedding March (on ROCHESTER RAMS M.C. at the Forum, where BEARS always go on Sept. 26). Ron Zacchi, Executive Director secretaryftreasurer. Since Outlandish is the first Saturday of every month. of MENY, will be at the Pride Picnic to one of the Pride 2010 sponsors, instead Join the Rams at the Bachelor Forum We also plan to meet and greet every­ meet and greet folks and share updates on of a regular July meeting we encourage and wind down the Rochester's Pride one at the Gay Picnic, and hope you'll our continued struggle to pass marriage members to attend and support Rochester Parade and Festival day on Saturday, July stop by our table. The Bears traditionally equality legislation in NYS. Pride 2010 events and activities beginning 17 in style. do not have a July meeting, and potlucks For more information, visit www. on July 10 and continuing through July It's sure to be a hot night and the per­ will return in September, so have a great meny.us. 21. If you see Rich give him a high five fect place to hook up with old friends summer, and keep filling those picnic for his support. For complete informa­ and perhaps some new ones. The street baskets and looking for BEARS in the tion about Pride 2010 visit wwwGayAl­ meat guys will be cooking up great burg- woods. WOOF! GAY SQUARE DANCE liance.org. GROUP - THE LILAC On Aug. 10 we will be meeting in Fairport at Packett's Landing to board the SQUARES Colonial Belle for a sightseeing cruise of On June 14 we held graduation of the the Erie Canal. Boarding time is 6 p.m. class that started in September. What a Watch for details in the August Empty

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Alexander St. Follows flag raising. Cash val site at Goodman and College Sts. by Michael H. Arve, at MuCCC, 142 bar, great music including all-woman Pride Festival. 4-10 pm. Immediately Atlantic Ave. $10. Tickets at Outland­ band Bad Penny. following the Parade, in the backyard of ish, Equal=Grounds, GAGV or online at ImageArt planning meeting. Noon- the Gay Alliance, behind the Auditorium www.gayalliance.org. 1:30 pm, ImageOut office, 250 N. Good­ Theater on College Ave. (between Prince SATURDAY 24 man St. [email protected] and Goodman). Food and drink (soft Native American Dance and Music MONDAY 12 and adult beverages) vendors. Headliner: Festival. Ganondagan State Historic Site, AMBER. Also showcasing the Square Pride Youth Dance, Pageant. Ages Victor. Also July 25. Noon-6 pm. Native Pegs, Syracuse band. Miss Gay Rochester FRIDAY 2 13-23 only. 5 pm-9 pm at Tilt. $5 dancers, musicians, crafts, workshops, 2010 Poison Waters and Kasha Davis will Pride: Rochester 2010 art show, includes pizza and soda. DJ Chuck Argen­ food; family drum jam, more. Adults $10; perform; two of Rochester's hottest DJs curated by Beth Bloom. Opening 6-9 pm, to. Drug and alcohol free event. Info: Jess, seniors/students/Native Americans with Equal=Grounds, 750 South Ave. 244-8640 ext 13. will spin dance music. tribal ID, $7; children 4-12, $3. Rent by Jonathan Larson. Summer­ SUNDAY 4 TUESDAY 13 stage at JCC, 641-2000 ext 235; www. SUNDAY 25 Dignity Integrity Episcopal Mass, Pride Week Movie night. "Tru Love". jcccenterstage.org. Through July 25. Dignity Integrity Evening Prayer, with music, 5 pm. St. Luke's and St. 7 pm. Downtown United Presbyterian followed by a Potluck Supper Ice Cream Simon's Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St. Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh St. SUNDAY 18 Social. 5 pm. St. Luke's and St. Simon's Dignity Integrity Episcopal Mass Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St. THURSDAY 8 WEDNESDAY 14 in the Chapel; no music this week. 5 pm. Second Thursday Networking "Fagbug". Documentary by Erin St. Luke's and St. Simon's Church, 17 S. MONDAY 26 Social at Woodcliff Hotel and Spa; party Davies about her vandalized VW and its Fitzhugh St. Eyes Wide Open (Einaym Pkuhot) at poolside, 5:30-7:30 pm. fingerlakes@ incredible cross-country journey. Theatre Pride Picnic, Noon-7 pm, Genesee 9 pm, Little Theatre. Director: Haim outandequal.org. One, The Little, 6:30 pm. $6. Talkback Valley Park. Food and merchandise ven­ Tabakman, France/GermanylIsrael, 2009, FRIDAY 9 after the screening. Sponsored by the Gay dors, hole in one golf tournament, face 91 min., Hebrew/Yiddish with subtitles. Pride: Pandora & Friends "Go Pub­ Alliance Anti Violence Project. painting, bounce house, antique cars, An Israeli man must come to terms with lic - Full Tilt." 5-10 pm, Rochester Pub­ Interfaith Service. 7 pm, First Uni­ volleyball, dog show, coffee "clutch" and his feelings for a man. JCC Jewish Film lic Market. $3 21 and over; $10 under. tarian Church, Information: Rev. Jim dancing; raffle for a Lottery basket; Picnic Festival. Ticket purchasers get free admission to Mulcahy, 585-733-4841. Site decorating contest with prize. Tickets SATURDAY 31 after party at Tilt. THURSDAY 15 $10 in advance, $15 at the gate, $5 stu­ Rochester Transgender Group meet­ SATURDAY 10 Empty Closet deadline for August dents with LD. ing. Guest speaker Kelly Clark, Gay Alli­ Pride Day at Seabreeze. Amusement issue. 244-9030; [email protected]. Storycorps Rochester. 10 pm Sun­ ance Community Safety Director. 2:30-5 Park located on lake near end of Culver ImageOut screening of "8: The days through Aug. 1. WXXI AM 1370/ pm, Auditorium Center, 875 E. Main St., Road/590 north. Discounted tickets avail­ Mormon Proposition." Cinema Theatre, FM HD91.5-2. Includes stories from Gay Alliance Youth Center (Prince St. able at Gay Alliance, 585-244-8640 ext. Goodman and Clinton, 7 pm, $10. LG BT community. wing, first floor. • 16. Gates open 11 am. FRIDAY 16 WEDNESDAY 21 The Broken Couch Comedy Improv Pride Weekend Kickoff at the The Boys in the Band. John W. Pride Show. 140 Alex Bar & Grill, (for­ Strathallan Hotel. The entire first floor of Borek presents 1968 classic play directed merly Nasty D's), $10. the classic Strathallan has been reserved. SUNDAY 11 No entry fee! Cash bar, food, prizes, DJ Dignity Integrity Roman Catholic Chuck Argento. Liturgy of the Word, with music. 5 pm. SATURDAY 17 Joe Russo, Psy.D., CGP St. Luke's and St. Simon's Church, 17 S. Pride Family Day at the Museum Licensed Psychologist Fitzhugh St. and Art Gallery, University Ave. Regis­ Certified Group Psychotherapist Pride Open Golf Tournament. ter children at the Pride table for art class 25 Canterbury Road, Suite 308 Brockport Country Club. Tee time 1 (taught in one of the MAG classrooms Rochester, New York 14607 pm. Hosted by IGBO Bowling Tourna­ Phone: (585) 506-6096 • by a professional artist). Three different E-mail: [email protected] ment Committee. Benefit for AIDS Care times offered. Visit museum collection T Weekly Bi/Gay and Gay Alliance Youth Program. $90 or take guided tour; walk on the grounds T Addiction T Depression T Trauma Men's Therapy includes golf and cart, four beverages (encounter the bubble man, a face painter T Anxiety T Grief/Loss T Relationships Group on course, lunch, appetizer bar, dinner, or story teller). RSVP to (585) 244-8640 prizes. www.prideopen.org. To register: ext. 16. [email protected]. Pride Parade. "Living History". ". .• a Roman Catholic City Hall Flag Raising. Atrium at Bands, floats, Faeries and butterflies, fire ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH pari.sh in dO'WlltO"W1I City Hall, 3 pm. Formal announcement R ochester Ibtll is engine, motorcycle riders, politicians, 15 St. Mary's Place we/lomill/: of events of the week. Presentation of faith communities, youth contingent, Phone: 585 232-7140 tClIlI?" Pride Parade Grand Marshals. much more. Step off 3 pm from corner of E -mail: [email protected] Tea Dance at Boulder Coffee, 100 Park Ave. and Brunswick, head for Festi- Web: www.stmarysrochester.org

MASS TIMES Sat: 4pm - Sun: 9 & llam Weekdays: 12:10pm e assifie s Norma A. Polizzi, Esq. Classified ads are $5 for the first 30 words; each additional 10 words is another $1. Attorney and Counsellor at Law We do not bill for classifieds, so please send or bring ad and payment to: The Empty 2117 Buffalo Road, #112 Closet, 875 E. Main Street, Suite 500, Rochester, NY 14605. Paying by check: checks Rochester, New York 14624 must be made out to Gay Alliance or GAGV. The deadline is the 15th of the month, for the following month's issue. We cannot accept ads over the phone. Pay when you place E-mail: [email protected] your ad. We will accept only ads accompanied by name and phone number. Neither Phone: 585-426-8866 • Fax: 585-426-4528 will be published, but we must be able to confirm placement. The Empty Closet is not responsible for financial loss or physical injury that may result from any contact with an Wills • Powers of Attorney • Health Care Proxies • Real Estate advertiser. Advertisers must use their own box number, voice mail, e-mail or personal address/phone number.

ANNOUNCEMENTS SERVICES Tell Your Story. Photojournalism Rochester's Best Man to Man student seeks to document a same-sex Rubdown. Unwind with this degreed, couple's experience of adopting or rais­ employed, fit, friendly, healthy, Italian ing a child. Contact Matt Burkhartt: GWM. Middle aged, 5'8", 16 5Ibs., 32" [email protected]; 585-727-3191. waist, nonsmoker, d & d free, HIV nega­ Scholarship funds available. The tive. My 10 plus years experience guar­ Jennifer L. Gravitz, Esq. Rainbow Amateur Radio Association, antees your relaxation and satisfaction. serving the GLBT community of ham Hotel visit, incall in my home or outcall Quality legal services provided with radio operators since 1995, seeks a young in your residence. Reasonable rates. Dis­ individual who can qualify to receive cretion appreciated and practiced. Don't old fashioned care in the privacy of your home or office some college scholarship money, prob­ delay, call me today at 585-773-2410(cell) ably $1,000. Must be high school student, or 585-235-6688(home) or e-mail me at: Buying/Selling Real Estate PartneNhip and E tate Planning male or female, who intends to head to [email protected]. Wills and £Stale Settlement HIV/AID Planning college after graduation, and is either a Martin Ippolito, Master Electrician. Consumer Bankruptcy Uncontested Divorce ham radio operator currently, or enrolled Electrical work, telephone jacks, cable TV, Name Changes Mi deDleanor Offenses in a class to obtain his or her license. The burglar alarm systems, paddle fans. 585- Tnffie Violalions DWI club currently has 160 members world­ 266-6337. wide and continues to grow. For infor­ FOR SALE 3349 Monroe Ave. Suite 344 Rochester, NY 14618 mation, check out our web site: www. Malibu outdoor lights. 50-foot string rara.org; to apply, contact PO Box 18541, of four. Brand new, never unboxed. $79 (585) 244-8295 Rochester, NY 14618-0541. value for $65. 585-385-7931. JULY 2010 • NUMBER 436 • GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • THE EMPTY CLOSET B 15 Ongoing Calendar MONDAY Transgender Group FRIDAY Lilac Rainbow Alliance for the Deaf (LRAD) Third Wednesdays. 6:30-9pm. 140 Alex Bar & 2nd Saturdays, 6-9pm. [email protected] LGBT Support Group Gay Men's AA meeting Grill 140 Alexander St. second floor meeting room New Life Presbyterian Church, 243 Rosedale. Fridays, 7:30-8:30pm, Closed meeting. Emmanuel SUNDAY First, 3rd Mondays, 7:30-9:30 pm. Carol, Gay Alliance Board of Directors Baptist Church, 815 Park Ave. Parents Families & Friends of Lesbians and 482-3832. Meets Third Wednesdays, 6pm, GLBTQI Motorcycle Group Gays (PFLAG) 875 E. Main St. 244-8640 Second Fridays, 5:30pm, Various locations. Lilac Squares Gay Square Dance Group Third Sundays, 2-4pm. Nopper Room, Gay Mondays, 7pm, Open Arms MCC, New Freedom New Happiness RochesterGLBTI [email protected]; 478-1565; [email protected]. Alliance, fifth floor, 875 E. Main St. PFLAG@ 740 Marshall Rd. 520-5358; AA Gay meeting, 7pm, Unitarian Church, 220 gayalliance.org. [email protected]. Winton Rd. Men and women. Open. SATURDAY GAGV Library & Archives, David Bohnett Free syphilis testing Support Group for Parents Who Rochester Rams Bar Night Cyber Center AIDS Care, 259 Monroe Ave., 5-8pm. 442-2220. Have Lost Children Third Saturdays, 8pm-2am, Bachelor Forum, 670 Every Sunday. 6-8pm. First floor, 875 E. Main St. Rochester Historical Bowling Society First, 3rd Wednesdays, llam-12:30pm, University Ave. 271-6930 244-8640. 7:15pm, Mondays. Clover Lanes, Third Presbyterian Church, 4 Meigs St. Genesee Region Home Care. Free. 325-1880 Empire Bears Bar Night Tawa Pano Unity Fellowship Church 2750 Monroe Ave. (Group is full.) First Saturdays. Bachelor Forum, Sundays, Warn, Auditorium Center, 875 E. Main COAP HIV Positive Gay Men Support group 470 University Ave. www.empirebears.org. St., Prince St. wing. 568-8391 Come Out and Play. Business meeting last Every Monday, 5pm, AIDS Care, Frontrunners/Frontwalkers Dignity-Integrity Wednesday. Equal Grounds Coffee Shop, 750 259 Monroe Ave. 9am, George Eastman House parking lot.www. 5pm, St. Luke'sISt. Simon Cyrene Church, 17 S. South Ave. 7pm, John S., 261-7263. Fitzhugh St. Every Sunday, 234-5092 GAGVYouth Drop-In Hours rochesterfrontrunners.org. Empire Bears Mondays, Wednesdays, 2-6pm, GAGV Youth Empire Bears Poduck Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church First Wednesdays, 7:45pm, GAGV Community Center, 875 E. Main St. Prince St. entrance, first 2nd Saturdays, GAGV Youth Center, 875 E. 740 Marshall Rd., Chili, 1O:30am. 271-8478 Center, 875 E. Main St., fifth floor. info@ floor. 244-8640, ext 13. Main, first floor, Prince St. entrance. 6:30pm empirebears.org Gay Men's Alcoholics Anonymous gree~; 7pm dinner. Bring dish to pass. www. Frontrunners/Frontwalkers St. Luke'sISt. Simon Cyrene Church, Rochester Rams General Meeting emplrebears.org. Mondays, 6pm, George Eastman House parking 17 S. Fitzhugh St. 8:30pm, 232-6720, Weekly. 2nd Wednesdays, 7:30pm, Bachelor Forum, 670 lot. www.rochesterfrontrunners.org. Cross Dresser Support Group Closed meeting University Ave. www.rochesterrams.com First Saturdays, 6-9pm, call for location: Steps Beyond Stems Crack Support Group GAGVYouth Group Multicom-4 Coffee Talk 251-2132; [email protected] Mondays, 7-8pm, 289 Monroe Ave. Ages 13-23. Every Sunday, 2-4pm, GAGVYouth 7pm, Spin Cafe, 739 ParkAv. Social for former Transgender Group Center, 875 E. Main St. or satellite location. For GAGV Library & Archives, David Bohnett Multicom-4 BBS members; other GLBT cyber Last Saturdays, 2:30-5pm, Gay Alliance weekly location check Youth Calendar, www. Cyber Center geeks welcome, every fourth Wednesday, 8pm Communiry Room, 875 E. Main St., first floor gayalliance.org or e-mail [email protected]. Every Monday. 6-8pm. First floor, 875 E. Main St. (next to Youth Center). 244-8640. Brothers Keeper Rainbow SAGE Support group for men over 30. Third Guys Night Out First Sundays: Euchre Club, 3-6pm. Third TUESDAY Wednesdays, 5:30-7:30pm, MOCHA Center, 107 Third Saturdays. Social group for transguys. Ipm, Sundays, Potluck at First Universalist Church, 150 Liberry Pole Way. 420-1400 JustUs Guys Equal=Grounds, 750 South Ave. tguysnightout@ S. Clinton Ave., 4pm. Gay men of all ages. Second Tuesdays, GAGVYouth Drop-In Hours gmail.com. Men's Cooking Group 6:30pm, AIDS Care, 259 Monroe Ave. 223-2629 Mondays, Wednesdays, 3-7pm, GAGVYouth Saturday Night Special Gay AA Third or fourth Sundays, 355-7664. Center, 875 E. Main St. Prince St. entrance, first 7pm, Unitarian Church, 220 Winton Rd. S. Men Civil Rights Front floor. 244-8640 ext 13. Every Tuesday, 7pm, Equal=Grounds, 750 South and women. Open meeting. Ave. http://www.civilrightsfront.wordpress.com Frontrunners/Frontwalkers 6pm, Eastman House parking lot. Two Spirit Group www.rochesterfrontrunners.org. Second Tuesdays, 7:30pm, Equal=Grounds, 750 South Ave. GAGV Library & Archives, David Bohnett AA Meetings in Rochester Cyber Center Every week there are four regularly scheduled PFLAG program meeting Every Wednesday. 6-8pm. First floor, 875 E. GLBTI AA meetings in Rochester. First Tuesdays. 7-9pm meeting. Main St. 244-8640. St. Thomas Church, Winton & Highland. CampusOut CofIee Night THURSDAY Wednesdays First Tuesdays, 7-lOpm, Equal=Grounds, 750 Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns New Freedom/New Happiness Group South Ave. 6:30pm, first Thursday. Ralph, 271-7649 7 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church, 220 S. Winton Rd. Bus riders: Take the last #18 University bus to 12 Corners. Use the stop just past the top of the hill MOCHA Youth Drop-In Queer Radical Reading Group Tues.-Fri., 1-9pm, MOCHA Center, 107 Liberty First and third Thursdays, 7pm, Equal=Grounds, at Hillside Ave. and before Highland Ave. Or take the #1 Park Ave. to the corner Pole Way, 420-1400; 244-8640 750 South Ave. of East and Winton, then walk five minutes south (uphill) on Winton. This is an open discussion meeting. All issues - as they relate to our alcoholism/addiction MOCHA Hepatitis Clinic Pride at Work and recovery - are fair game. Free Hepatitis A & B vaccinations, third Tuesdays, First Thursdays, 5:30pm. 167 Flanders St. off 5:30-7pm, 107 Liberty Pole Way, 420-1400 Thurston Rd. 426-0862. Fridays Rainbow SAGE Yoga GLOB&L Gay Men's 6-7pm Open Arms MCC, 125 Norris Drive, (Gays and Lesbians of Bausch & Lomb). 7:30 p.m. Immanuel Baptist Church, 815 Park Ave. Meets every third Thursday in Area 67 conference 442-6369. • Closed meeting, restricted to alcoholics and addicts room at the Optic Center. Voice mail: 338-8977 Pride 2010 committee meeting • Men's meeting Third Tuesdays. GAGV Community Room, Rochester Gay Men's Chorus • Handicapped accessible 1st floor, 875 E. Main St. 6:30-8pm. Everyone Downtown United Presbyterian Church, 121 N. This is a round-robin discussion meeting. If you are shy about meeting people or Fitzhugh St. 6:30-9pm, 423-0650 welcome to plan Pride 2010 Guly 11-18). speaking up in a group, you will find this meeting particularly warm and inviting 244-8640. Free confidential walk-in HIV testing because everyone gets their turn to speak (or pass). As a result, this meeting Women's Community Chorus Every Thursday night, 5-8pm, AIDS Care, 259 often runs long, so plan on more than the usual hour. Rehearsals each Tuesday, 6:30-9pm, Downtown Monroe Ave. 442-2220 United Pres. Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh Street. Partner Bereavement Group Saturdays 234-4441, www.therwcc.org First and third Thursdays, 5:30-7pm. Open drop­ Saturday Night Special Free HIVTesting in session; professionally led. Freewill donation to 7 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church, 220 S. Winton Rd. Bus riders: The #18 Every Tuesday, 9am-7pm. AIDS Care, 259 hospice requested. Lifetime Care, 3111 Winton University Ave. bus does not go by the church on weekend evenings. Take the Monroe Ave. Road, 214-1414 #1 Park Ave. bus to the corner of East and Winton, then walk five minutes south MOCHAlGAGVYouth Trans Group (uphill) on Winton. WEDNESDAY First Thursdays, 5-7pm, GAGV Youth Center, • Open meeting, all are welcome, "straight-friendly" Charlie's Group 875 E. Main St., first floor (Prince St. entrance). • Mixed men and women Third Wednesdays. Monthly peer-facilitated 244-8640 ext 13. • Handicapped accessible, take the elevator to the basement suppport group for married men who have sex AQA Meeting begins with a speaker, followed by open discussion. with men. Confidential, free. 6:30pm. For info: Support group for transgender people of color. Scott, 244-8640 x 20; [email protected]. Third Thursdays, 5:30-7pm, MOCHA, 107 Sundays Country Line Dancing/Two Stepping Liberty Pole Way. 420-1400. Rochester Gay Men 8 p.m. at St. Luke/St. Simon's Episcopal Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St. Bus riders Every Wednesday, Muthers, 40 S. Union, 7pm, Second Thursdays use the Fitzhugh St. stop on Main St. at the County Office Building and walk Lessons followed by dancing until 1Opm, Social and business networking, 5:30-7:30pm. Beginners to advanced. Changing venues. E-mail fingerlakes@ south one block. D.R. Pride Network outandequal.org • Closed meeting, restricted to alcoholics and addicts • Men's meeting 7:30pm, Gamble Room in Rush Rhees Library. Gay & Lesbian Cancer Support Group [email protected] • NOT handicapped accessible Second Thursdays, 6-7:30pm, Gilda's Clubhouse, Meeting begins with a speaker, followed by open discussion. 255 Alexander St. RSVP: 423-9700; info@ gildasclubrochester.org 16 B THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • NUMBER 436 • JULY 2010