The Empty Closet F ollow us on Facebook at Empty Closet News Follow us at www.twitter.com/EmptyClosetNews LOCAL, STATE AND NATIONAL NEWS, NEWSMAKER INTERVIEWS, OPINION, ENTERTAINMENT, COLUMNISTS, EVENT CALENDARS, COMICS, AND HEALTH RESOURCES NUMBER 474 A PUBLICATION OF THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY DEC-JAN 2014 staff and membership work on G ay Alliance a vision and a strategy for the future. He said, “My personal receives grants perspective is the world has been from LGBT Giving changing so much over the last Circle, Skalny few years, and the Gay Alliance has been providing the same ser- Charitable Trust vices for many years. They are By Susan Jordan still important, but we need to In its second year of grant think of new ways of program- making, the LGBT Giving Cir- ming and innovating to support cle awarded $18,000 in grants our constituents. from its LGBT Fund for Greater “I’ll be working very closely Rochester to 11 nonprofit orga- with Scott. He’ll help me under- nizations, more than doubling stand what he sees as the future. the amount and number award- I will work also with the staff, ed last year. who have a long history with Giving Circle members, David Zona the agency. It’s a collaborative guests and grantees attended a exercise.” celebration on Nov. 18 at Roch- M eet the new Gay Vice President Jessica Mura- ester Contemporary Art Center, Alliance Board tore will also play an active role. where the grants were formally Scott Fearing accepts the grant for the Gay Alliance from Catherine David noted, “Jessica’s strength announced. Lewis, chair of the LGBT Giving Circle grants committee, at RoCo President, David is in governance – in the sense “Members were extremely on Nov. 18. Photo: Susan Jordan. More photos on p. 11. Zona of governing the agency and pleased to be able to boost our making sure we are compliant ability to help make a difference Bread and Water Theater: to ley’s Safe Zone Program for 10 By Susan Jordan with the regulations we need to in the quality of life for many purchase lighting equipment for people in Livingston County, David Zona, 37, is a director be aware of, and making sure we across the Rochester region,” LGBT and Rainbow Theater who would then train others at MVP Healthcare. He became have policies that enable us to do says Angela Bonazinga, co-chair Festival productions ($1,100); and implement practices in their president of the Gay Alliance what we have to do.” of the Giving Circle. “Our goal Center for Dispute Settlement: workplace, organization or com- Board at the annual meeting on He concluded, “It takes a vil- this year was to increase our to support training on topics munity ($1,900); Gay Alliance Nov. 20. lage, and it’s going to be very philanthropic impact and our involving the LGBT community of the Genesee Valley: to create a The meeting took place at important for me to have the visibility in the community, for 60 volunteer mediators in business plan to help the LGBT St. Mary’s Church. The Alliance support and input of those we while awarding grants to a broad Monroe County and five other community and allies not sim- plans to hold a donor event this serve, and who are part of the mix of social service and arts counties ($1,500); Chances and ply survive, but thrive ($2,000); winter, at which time awards agency. It’s not a one-man show. organizations.” Changes of Livingston Coun- School of the Holy Childhood: will be made, including the Vin- We need to understand the com- The 11 organizations receiv- ty’s Coalition of Sexual Health: an organization that is inclusive nie and Vicki Cups. munity so we can make the ing grants that were approved to support training in the Gay of the LGBT community, this David has been on the board (Zona continues page 3) by the Circle membership, were Alliance of the Genesee Val- (G rants continues page 3) for two years and became trea- surer about a year and a half ago. He said, “A year ago I took on the co-chair role and now here I am!” E lection sees In what some called “one and support the new Mayor and Why did he want to take of the strangest local election continue working to make our on the responsibilities of being many national wins years ever,” a rogue pro-Rich- City great.” board president? David said, “I for gay rights; no ards campaign sprang up after Matt Haag re-elected to look at my experience growing surprises in local his primary loss, but it was too Rochester City Council up as a gay man, and realize how little, too late. And the cam- When election returns tum- lucky I was growing up, and how races paign did not benefit from the bled in around 9:40 p.m. on well-received my coming out was support of its candidate. Rich- Nov. 5, it was evident early on by my family and friends. That’s By Ove Overmyer Staff Reporter, Empty Closet ards backed Warren shortly that all five incumbents would not the general rule, obviously; after his Primary Election loss easily retain their seats on City a lot of people don’t have that National Outlook: The Gay and did not actively campaign Council. Those who were hop- kind of acceptance. In addition & Lesbian Victory Fund cel- even though he appeared on the ing for some local political the- to generally believing in what we ebrated success across the coun- Working Families Party and the atre in this election cycle were do, I wanted to pay it forward.” try as dozens of openly lesbian, Independence Party line on the disappointed. On this election David sees his volunteer work gay, and bisexual candidates November 5 ballot. eve, there was absolutely no on the board as very much a won election to public offices. In a statement released to drama about who was going collaborative effort, as board, “We’re extremely proud of the media after the General to win. all our candidates,” said Chuck Election, Mayor Richards said, Matt Haag, the only open- Wolfe, president and CEO of Matt Haag “I want to congratulate Lovely ly gay elected official in city G AY ALLIANCE the Victory Fund. “The victo- Warren on her victory tonight. government, placed third in ries across the country and at all discrimination, because, he We have already begun work the race with 17.63 percent of PARTNERSHIPS levels of government underscore said, there is no evidense that on the transition and I have the vote (19,528) to retain his the power of people fighting for anti-gay discrimination exists. instructed senior staff and I’m second four-year term on City T he Gay Alliance fairness, progress, and LGBT (See Newsfronts) asking all City employees to Council. Loretta Scott was the appreciates the continuing equality.” Lovely Warren wins May- do whatever it takes to ensure a top vote getter at 19.9 percent partnership of businesses In the 2013 election cycle, or’s race: historic victory smooth and cooperative transi- (22,416); Jackie Ortiz placed within our community the Victory Fund endorsed 85 With a decisive win on Elec- tion process. The job of mayor second with 17.63 percent of the who support candidates, a record number for our mission and vision. tion Day, Democratic Mayor- goes far beyond a single individ- vote; Dana Miller was fourth at an odd-numbered election year. Elect Lovely Warren will be ual. It’s now time for the entire 17.17 percent (19,342) and Car- P latinum Level As of Nov. 7, 54 of these can- sworn in as the next Rochester community to come together (E lection continues page 3) didates were projected to win Mayor in January 2014. their respective elections, with Warren, 36, who is cur- three candidates advancing to rently City Council president, run-off elections later this year. will be the first woman to lead Two additional races remained the city and second African Contents uncalled. Editorials ...................................... 2 American. She’s also one of the Local/State News ....................... 3 In the top news: an open- youngest people to ever win the National/International News..... 4 ly gay man, Ed Murray, was office -- a historic victory on Interview: Bill Valenti, Bruce Smail .. 7 elected mayor of Seattle, while multiple fronts. Health: Home Care .....................15 homophobic Tea Partier Ken According to unofficial Businesses in the Community ..17 Cuccinelli was defeated in Vir- results from the Monroe Coun- Shoulders To Stand On ...........21 ginia’s gubernatorial race by ty Board of Elections, War- Columnists ...............................22 Community ...............................25 pro-gay Terry McAuliffe, who ren took home 55 percent of Entertainment: Grinch ..............27 immediately announced anti- the vote (18,117) to incumbent Gay Alliance: Safe Zone ............30 discrimination protections for Mayor Tom Richards’ 40 per- M ercedes Sulay Calendar ....................................34 LGBT state employees. Outgo- cent (12,957). Green Party can- Classifieds .................................34 is Miss Gay frier ing Virginia Gov. Bob McDon- didate Alex White earned about Comics ............................... 34, 35 R ochester 2014 ill nell had refused to renew an 5 percent. This was a result : Proud Publisher of New York executive order that protected expected by most local political P age 10 State’s Oldest LGBT Newspaper LGBT state employees from observers. photo J 2 the empty closet • the gay alliance of the genesee valley • number 474 • dec-jan 2014 G AY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY Gay Alliance Board of Trustees W.