Year 3, Vol. 8 • Sept. 3-30, 2009 The www.therainbowtimesnews.com FREE!

Boston’s Latin Vision by Rhode Island’s Voices: ainbow imes Wilfred labiosa Marriage T p. p. R 22 3 Your LGBTQ News in MA, RI, North Central CT & Southern VT BARTON & Provincetown p. B-19 Photographer: Felix Drobek

Sandra Bernhard NEW! NightTimez Hottest Summer songs p. 15 p. B-1 p. B-2 Photo by Aaron Fallon, Interscope Records 2 • Sept. 3-30, 2009 • The Rainbow Times • www.therainbowtimesnews.com Opinions The Controversial Couch Fight with us for our rights Lie back and listen. Then get up and do something can religion then be used to hate, discrimi- By: Nicole Lashomb/TRT Editor-in-Chief By: Suzan Ambrose*/TRT Columnist curve here? nate, abuse, mistreat, and even murder others ringing the Message Home, that is aving kids is bad for the Quite astonishingly, the world's just because God created them/us different- exactly what PFLAG is doing with planet's health (not to population has nearly doubled in my Bits Seventh Annual Guide to work- ly? Over $2 million is going to fight same- Hmention your figure, your lifetime. In 1969 there were only 3.6 ing with Elected Leaders to Move Equality sex marriage, should this money not be used sanity and your wallet.) At least some people billion people. Today there’s 6.8 billion. And, it's estimated there will be 9.1 billion of us by Forward. There is no stronger voice than for something that is really a worthy cause think so. It appears the best way to reduce 2050. Talk about tight. At least we know the that of our family and friends in this move- (hunger, homelessness, poverty, etc.)? your carbon footprint, if you are so inclined, However, to speak for LGBT people you is not to reproduce at all. But does that matter gay boys won't be complaining. ment to attain and maintain equality. Maine With so many gay people getting married, is being targeted by “religious” groups to know effectively, I urge you to pick up a at all to those who feel they must thrust their copy of this PFLAG Guide. In it you will DNA into the next generation? children appear to be part of the modern day stop same-sex couples from marrying. We equation of what makes a queer family. It find valuable information about how to Children: most people think it's the most cannot let this happen. We cannot observe used to just be us, our pets and all the nieces advocate using the right tools and tech- natural thing in the world to want to repro- another Prop. 8 disaster take over the lives duce. But, there are many of us in the LGBT and nephews we could handle for a few hours; and rights of Maine LGBT same-sex cou- niques. Visit www.pflag.org to read and print that was enough. But now, if one chooses to the Guide. world that would argue there's nothing natu- ples! ral about it! be child free, the world, and even our own While in this topic, The Human Rights I urge you: parents, friends,siblings, sons, You'd think this wouldn't be a concern for community, can look upon our 'freedom from daughters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc., Campaign, HRC, has also compiled an most LGBT folks. Let's face it: you have to go child-raising' sisters as bitter, selfish and cold. to speak up, to stand for civil rights for all “LGBT community resource” called “Out in out of your way, when you're gay, to get Can I help it if I love my white shag carpets members of the LGBT community. I ask you Scripture” whose purpose is to “provide con- prego; mistakes don't just "happen." But, with and glass tables with elegant sculptures more than Fisher Price toys? Is it morally bankrupt particularly to join us in the fight for our versations on Bible passages from more than modern technology and in vitro fertilization, to enjoy the idea of only being responsible to Maine same-sex marriage community so that 100 scholars and pastors representing 11 many gays and have chosen to bear denominations.” These are tools that you the fruit of their loins instead of just the Fruit one's self and one's desires? What's wrong we can count on you, our straight allies, to with loving play and enjoying life, without help us keep equality. Let’s show the rest of need to fight the “religious” Right. You can of der Looms. read this complete collection online at One of Hollywood's most well-known ever having reproduced a carbon copy of the country that New England stands for the one's self? Not one thing! www.hrc.org/Scripture. I urge you, please actresses, Carmen Diaz, recently told UK's rights of ALL of the people of in this region, Cosmopolitan Magazine that the choice to not As Adrianne Trust says in her book "I Hate as it should be in the entire country. arm yourself, for the fight is not over, not Other People's Kids," Jesus loved the little even close and we need your help! Best, have children is "one of the most selfless Division was not something that Jesus things a woman, or man, can do for the plan- children but he never had to dine with them; advocated for, according to the Bible. How Nicole Lashomb et." (One U.S. person = 20 tons of C02 per he chose the lepers. Amen, sister. year). Hello! Did someone just say gay peo- See Couch on Page 14 ple, and other non-breeders, are ahead of the C’mon Out – Just Ask! Advice column The Rainbow Times By: Tetty Gorfine* overstated. 351 Pleasant St., #322 If there is a way that parents, Letters to the Editor Hi Tetty, You seem to know quite a bit about Northampton, MA 01060 teachers and health care pro- Dear Editor, issues so I have a question. Recently fessionals can identify trans- I wanted to extend a special thank you www.therainbowtimesnews.com [email protected] I heard that some people are giving children hor- sexual children, imagine the to all at the TRT (& all the sponsors too!). mones to transition. How could that be? Kids are It has only been recently in my life (at 52) [email protected] positive benefits possible when [email protected] into fantasy play so much, how could any respon- this child has the opportunity to that I've been able to "come out" (so to speak) slowly, bit by bit. Your publication MA: 413.204.8959 • NY: 518.391.2617 sible parent do this? Thank you for your time. grow into who she/he really is, Priscilla TETTY GORFINE has been a wonderful portal of thought, Boston & RI: 617.438.4364 instead of something that will education, and entertainment. Being a Fax: 617-987-0059 Hi Priscilla: only bring deeper trauma. A life that is headed "hetero-cross dresser" I thought, put me Let me give you some perspective so this can towards catastrophe can instead head towards in some sort of painfully unique category. Publisher Deja N. Greenlaw make more sense to you. Giving children/preteens wholeness. But NOT SO, it turns out Lorelei's recent Gricel M. Ocasio Tetty Gorfine It is true we must be very careful not to go this piece (Ask A Transwoman) was a great Editor-In-Chief J.M. Sorrell hormones has been controversial both for social Lorelei Erisis and medical reasons. There are understandable route if there is a question about a child's gender. romp through the "garden of variations," Nicole Lashomb which just goes to show that we're all in Sales Manager Sales Associate: arguments and questions such as yours, given that At the same time we have become sophisticated Liz Johnson as health care professionals in our ability to identi- this beautiful, often times trying, "mix" Bill Berggren children are so changeable and affected by many (...hijk..lmnop) together. I want to Chris Gilmore fy these children. While we should not make this Distribution Mgr. outside influences. There are medical concerns thank you too for DeJa, & all of the good Suzan Seymour Reporter: too, since administering hormones to children decision lightly, trained and experienced profes- hearts and sharp minds you have collect- Tynan Power sionals know enough about transsexual children's Columnists: before puberty prevents many bodily changes ed. And, thank you for publishing my per- Suzan Ambrose Webmaster: associated with puberty and these changes may experience to make an informed decision. sonal ad, for free, for so long! Peace to all Paul P. Jesep Jarred Johnson be important for the overall health of that person. You question is a good one. Mainstream society near & far. Let's keep talking, reading, needs to gain access to a lot more information con- and thinking, with cool minds & warm The Rainbow Times is published monthly by The Understand Priscilla, that before puberty trans- Rainbow Times, LLC. TRT is affiliated with sexual children usually have already suffered trau- cerning transgender/transsexual people so they hearts. AP/Newsfinder, QSyndicate, & the National Gay ma in being so different than their peers and being are met in this world with more understanding and —Jennifer "DJ," Northampton, MA & Chamber of Commerce. The articles support. I hope this clarifies things a bit for you. written by the writers, columnists, and correspon- "found out" by their families. By the time puberty Dear Editor, Best, Tetty dents express their opinion, and do not represent the hits many trans children have already been very Boston? Love it! Can’t wait to see the endorsement or opinion of The Rainbow Times, LLC deeply injured. When puberty comes along a child new section. or its owners. To write letters to the editor, please experiences bodily changes that put that person at Hello there, I am hoping you can help me and —Eric P., Hartford, CT send your letters, with your name, address and phone much deeper odds with themselves as they watch my partner with his parents. We've been a couple Dear Editor, number to: The Rainbow Times (address shown for more than a year now and they refuse to invite above), or e-mail any comment/s to the editor at: edi- their bodies develop in ways they experience as The “Queerness of Michael Jackson” [email protected]. All submissions shocking and horrifying (I am not exaggerating). me to any of their family events. They say that if I was right on. Great for Irene Monroe! will be edited according to space constraints. The These changes set them even further apart from go, they won't. So my partner doesn't know what —Janet R.., Easthampton, MA Rainbow Times, LLC reserves the right not to print the world around them. This is the trauma for to do. He is close to his family but they just don't any or all content, or advertisements for any reason accept our relationship. What can we do? Dear Editor, at all. TRT is not responsible for advertising content. transsexual people; not being transsexual per se, The March on Washington article was To receive The Rainbow Times at your home via reg- but how it affects them in relation to a world that Distraught, Tim very informational. I love your magazine! ular mail, or through electronic delivery, please visit does not validate or accept them. Additionally, Dear Tim: —Joseph T., Greenfield, MA our website. The whole content and graphics (pho- trans teenagers experience the world as becoming Yes, you are in a painful and difficult position tos, etc.) are the sole property of The Rainbow Times, LLC and they cannot be reproduced at all without more hostile towards them. This reality cannot be here. See C’mon Out on Page 23 TRT’s consent. www.therainbowtimesnews.com • The Rainbow Times • Sept. 3-30, 2009 • 3 Lesbian Voices from Providence Opinions Gay marriage: A lesson in life, civil rights, and love By: Lisa A. Eramo* how could I forget the banquet-style buffet, enough to say them twice. I know people who man, a woman, and "till death do us part"— ast weekend, my partner and I decid- beautiful flowing gowns, stuffed bouquets, have said these words and who don't mean and thankfully no mention of race. ed to take a drive to Newport, Rhode wedding bells, 4-layer cake, live orchestra-- them at all. And I also know people who have On November 4, 2008, the definition of LIsland. Aside from the beautiful you get the idea. never said them--not because they don't want marriage was once again challenged and rede- scenery and opportunity to take in the fresh To the government, the word marriage has a to, but because they are literally forbidden to. fined. The difference is that instead of widen- more serious meaning: joint tax returns, hos- ing that definition as the courts did in 1967 to air, we were on a mission to do some shop- A lesson in civil rights pital visitation rights, inheritance rights. In extend basic civil rights to all human beings ping…engagement style. Same-sex marriage Let's take a step back and understand why the eyes of Americans (and all over the regardless of race, this time around, it did just is something that we talk and dream about fre- this might be. According to the Merriam- world), the word carries weight and meaning, the opposite. As the first African American quently despite the fact that the state in which Webster Dictionary, the word marriage refers and that is why the battle over whether gays won what will probably be the most historic we live remains the only one in New England to the state of being united in a contractual and lesbians can use it has ensued. presidential race in my lifetime, an amend- that has yet to allow it. and consensual relationship recognized by ment was simultaneously passed in California We've still got some work to do it seems. A lesson in life law. The Universal Declaration of Human that limited marriage to one man and one According to a May 2009 study conducted by Although marriage was not the first word I Rights (written in 1948)--the first global woman, essentially shutting out and discrimi- Brown University, 31% of Rhode Islanders ever spoke, it was something I came to know expression of rights to which all human nating against those of us who are in same-sex oppose same-sex marriage. The poll included at a young age when I was paraded down the beings are inherently entitled--specifies that relationships and who want the same rights as 593 registered voters statewide, reports the aisle in a lacy pink dress as the flower girl at marriage is not limited by race, nationality, or everyone else. Associated Press. my aunt and uncle's wedding. Although I religions. Some argue that the vote in California was On the political front, there are two bills on don't remember it specifically, I'm sure that I If I had researched the word marriage prior "democracy at work"—that the people voted the table-one to legalize same-sex marriage was poked, prodded, and squeezed for having to 1967, (when the Supreme Court declared and spoke clearly on the issue. Not true. If the and the other to prohibit it. It's enough to looked so adorable. race-based restrictions on marriage illegal), I "people" had voted in 1967, surely the major- make my head-and heart-spin in confusion. Since then, I have known countless people would have heard something about it being ity vote would have been against interracial who have gotten married and said the words between members of the same race. Difficult A vocabulary lesson marriages. Public opinion at that time had not "I do" in front of relatives and friends who to believe, I know. This is because it took the And yet my mind keeps going back to that crossed over to the rational side yet. Does that were beaming brightly while reaching inside several hundreds of years to ever important word: Marriage. This one sin- make it right to continue to prohibit interracial their pockets for a clean tissue to wipe the realize there was nothing wrong or immoral gle word evokes so much joy. It implies devo- marriages? If the Supreme Court hadn't taken tears streaming down their faces. I know about interracial marriages. Scary, huh? tion. It stirs emotions. When spoken, the word the reigns in 1967, Obama's parents would causes us to envision a bride, a groom, and a young girls who dream about saying these Fast forward to 2008. If you ask the major- bright and shiny diamond ring. Oh yeah, and words when they are older. I know people ity of Americans today to define marriage, who have loved, lost, and who are lucky you'll most likely hear something about a See Eramo on Page 20 4 • Sept. 3-30, 2009 • The Rainbow Times • www.therainbowtimesnews.com In ‘The Name of God’ Faith, Family, and God: Religious Beliefs By Paul P. Jesep* The Barna survey provides invaluable data A smaller spiritual divide among Americans Churches that minister solely to the needs of “Things are not what they seem." It's an to LGBT activists and organizations trying to doesn't surprise me. In addition, I've come to community members. expression often heard. Hence, when the change social attitudes among those who feel the conclusion that there are no atheists (those The Barna survey may further encourage a Barna Group (Barna.org), a marketing threatened by civil and human rights for the without a belief in a higher power) whether positive shift in attitudes by religious commu- research firm that studies religious beliefs community. The survey becomes especially gay or straight. In my experiences, all persons nities. Open and affirming churches, temples, from an evangelical perspective, released a useful due to its source. If a perceived liberal, have some level of belief or spirituality. and other places of worship are on the rise. If survey showing that members of the LGBT humanist, or LGBT advocacy group had Someone spiritual need not belong to any par- you've never been to one and have a curiosity and searching community have a strong spiri- released such data it would be discounted and ticular denomination or subscribe to a reli- then I urge you to attend at least once. The tual life it raised eyebrows among Christian dismissed by social conservatives. The sur- gion. Unitarians, most Episcopalians, United conservatives. vey, however, was conducted by an organiza- Many interchange faith with organized reli- Church of Christ parishes, tion widely used and respected among gion. Religion is human made which can Churches, and some Jewish congregations are Christian conservatives. make it fertile ground for prejudice and igno- very welcoming to members of the LGBT and After his company released the data, rance. By interchanging faith and religion searching community. founder George Barna said that "people who many miss an opportunity to connect with If you find yourself still interested though portray gay adults as godless, hedonistic, something bigger than themselves whether unsatisfied by the mass, service, or sermon Christian bashers are not working with the the cosmos, oneness with the earth, or the you attended then try another the following facts." He added that "a substantial majority Divine. Faith and spirituality do not equal week. These worship communities not only of gays cite their faith as a central facet of religion. accept you completely as you are, but if you their life . . . The data indicate that millions of Nor does it surprise me that members of the have committed yourself to another you'll gay people are interested in faith." LGBT and searching community see faith as find that as a family you will be spiritually According to Barna, "homosexuals" "tend a private, personal matter rather than some- and emotionally blessed and supported. to consider faith to be individual and private thing shared. After all, corporate religion has * Paul is a practicing attorney in Albany, rather than communal ... Although there are been emotionally abusive to the community priest and prelate in the Eastern Orthodox clearly some substantial differences in reli- for centuries. Church, and author of "Crucifying Jesus and gious beliefs and practices of the straight and Religion, however, is changing. There are Secularizing America - the Republic of Faith gay populations, there may be less of a spiri- now "open and affirming" places of worship without Wisdom." He may be reached at tual gap between straights and gays than for LGBT and searching members and their [email protected]. many Americans would assume." families. There also are the Metropolitan www.therainbowtimesnews.com • The Rainbow Times • Sept. 3-30, 2009 • 5 6 • Sept. 3-30, 2009 • The Rainbow Times • www.therainbowtimesnews.com Trans Opinions & More Transactivism: Like “Milk’s” message come out, be true to who you are! By: Deja Nicole Greenlaw/TRT Columnist uncles, your sisters, world! I reach out to all of my Trans brothers and few columns ago I wrote about your grandparents, Yes, the upcoming New England Trans sisters to seriously think about this issue. going stealth versus coming out vis- your co-workers, your United Pride will certainly make a big state- Deep in your soul you know that it's not going Aibly to the world. This column will neighbors, your ment, but what will make an even bigger to get any better until we all do this. Please solely focus on coming out visibly. friends! We are very statement is when each one of us comes out consider this and do it for the Transpeople When I first joined the Springfield real and we are very and that is out for everyone to see us! We will who will follow in your footsteps. We will Transgender support group, UniTy, the much a part of your be seen every single day working, shopping, pave the way for them just as others have Executive Director, Keri Stebbins, said to me lives! No more will we dining, exercising, praying and doing every- paved the way for us at Stonewall in New "Deja, before you came into the group we had be afraid to say who we thing that everyone else does. Yes, we are York City and the Compton Riots in San a counsel to the governor come and speak to are. We are proud of here and we are part of this great big world Francisco. Do it for these brave Trans men who we are! People along with everyone else. By being out and and women who suffered and even lost their our group. He told us 'The trouble with you DEJA NICOLE GREENLAW people is that no one knows you are here. You will finally know this visible we will ultimately gain acceptance as lives. Do it so that they won't have suffered people have to come out of your closets. You and realize this. part of society. and died in vain. Do it for all those need to get out there and take public trans- When other people see us and recognize us Yes, there will be risks in coming out. Many Transpeople who have died and we remember portation, be out and visible because no one as Transpeople we will begin to have visibili- of us have lost our spouses. Some of us have them every year in our yearly November 20th knows who you are or what your struggles ty in this world. They will see the Transperson lost some family members and some friends. Transgender Day of Remembrance. Do it for are!'" He was right! who waits on them in a business establish- Some even lose their jobs; even more so, oth- our Trans brothers and sisters who aren't even Just like Harvey Milk cried to his Gay peers ment, the Transperson who buys products ers have even lost their lives. Unquestionably, born yet, so that they will not have to endure "Come out, come out wherever you are!" I am from them, the Transperson who services these are all very tragic consequences but, it's what we had to in our lives. And most of all now crying this out to my Trans brothers and them as police, firefighters, doctors, lawyers, not going to get any better unless we make a do it for yourselves! Do it and be true to who sisters. You see, if we all come out then the accountants, engineers, etc. We will become a stand to come out and let people know who you are. You are who you are and there is non-Trans people will see just how many of visible force in society and with people deal- we are! If we stay in our little stealth closets nothing wrong with you! Stand up with your us there are and how we really are a part of ing with us again and again; they will get used we will keep ourselves from being known and brothers and sisters and be counted! This is society. We are your brothers, your sisters, to us and eventually accept us. We will be vis- accepted in the world. There must come a your life and the lives of your brothers and your fathers, your mothers, your aunts, your ible to their world, and their world is also our time to make a stand! sisters! Ask a TransWoman: Get an answer to all of your trans questions Hi Lorelei, Do you not think that the Trans der individuals face in establishing ourselves in Genderqueer folks fresh new weirdness is bound to have the side- gender-fluid notion hurts the Lesbian and Gay the current patriarchal, hetero-normative socie- push that even further effect of making the simpler issues like same- community in terms of advancing to attain ty. Yes, I know I used that word last time, but and often don't identi- sex marriage seem quaint and kind of tame by more rights? I mean, after all people are only get used to it, you're going to hear it a lot. Say fy as either of the comparison. starting to understand that same-sex marriage it with me now: "Hetero-normative". It's basi- binary options. Welcome to America Columbus, your world is ok, but now to throw all of this information cally what you are promoting, which is really Sometimes they do as is now round. at people, don't you think it'll just confuse them kind of ironic for a proud homosexual man both, or oftentimes as Hi Lorelei, I want to know your opinion and hurt all of us in the process? Gary "the when you think about it. another gender option about the "pregnant man." Here I was totally proud" Gay man, Easthampton, MA We are taught in this society from very early entirely!!! It's about confused trying to explain to my son that men on that lots of things can change, but one thing being comfortable could not have babies, that this was not a man Okay Proud Gay Gary, I'm breathing. I'm that absolutely cannot, does not change is gen- with who you are. in reality, "she is really a he-wanna-be" son. remaining calm. Your question is certainly not der. Boys are boys and girls are girls and that's Isn't this fun?!?!! The more I got into it, the more confused he new to me or all that uncommon in the Gay and that. Even the idea that sometimes boys like What I'm trying to was. I think that transgender people who have Lesbian Community. other boys and girls like other girls doesn't Lorelei Erisis illustrate is that the not undergone the operation should be called It's predicated however by a notion that many threaten that idea. The gender binary remains more we play with TRANS man, or TRANS woman, but not just of us find slightly offensive, which is that it is sacrosanct. gender and the more we try to understand it the "pregnant man!" There is not such a thing, and totally reasonable for Lesbian and Gay folks to Trans folks, even the fairly straightforward more the simple gender-binary that we were that is simply wrong to feed such information to focus our struggle on attaining things like "M to F" or "F to M" threaten that sacred gen- taught to love and obey opens up like a spring- people. Christa "Angry" Lesbian, same-sex marriage rights while pushing aside der binary though. Our very existence implies time flower revealing layer upon layer of beau- Northampton, MA the everyday survival stuff that many of us are Wow. I can almost hear Archie Bunker ask- still fighting for like protections against ing this question. Personally, I would love to employment and housing discrimination and In our own state of , where have seen that episode of "All In The Family." against hate crimes. You know the formula. A new couple moves in Heck, in most parts of this country you can same-sex marriage is a reality, transpeople next door, kind old Edith invites them to din- still kill a transperson and expect to get away ner, Archie asks really embarrassing questions, with simple manslaughter and a couple of years can still be fired from their job simply and it turns out that the husband is a pregnant in prison. I'm simplifying a big issue, but sadly because of their gender identity. transgender man, Meathead tries to defend the I'm not really stretching any truths here. In our couple only to have his own masculinity own state of Massachusetts, where same-sex brought into question and Gloria is still trying marriage is a reality, transpeople can still be that there may be other options. Your kinder- tiful new gender options. to save the children in Africa. It all comes to a fired from their job simply because of their garten teacher might have been wrong, or at the Yes it can be confusing. Yes it adds to the climax with Archie getting all red-faced and gender identity. It's sad to say, but all too often very least misrepresenting the situation. overall complexity of the educational outreach flustered, proclaiming to the gathered family transgender rights are simply pushed aside The more gender-fluid among us threaten the LGBT community needs to do in order to and dinner guests, "she is really a he-wanna- when it appears that they might interfere with that idea even more! make the public understand who we are and be"!!! Then Sammy Davis Jr. shows up to other more mainstream LGBT issues. Now, for myself, I fall pretty solidly into the why we deserve the same basic rights as every- explain everything. Hilarity ensues. But, allow me to more directly address your simpler "M to F" camp as far as my self-identi- one else. But, it's a box that has already been Seriously though, I suspect the one having question. I did after all ask for it and I'm going fication goes. I spent many years trying to live opened. We cannot expect our more gender- difficulty with understanding this issue here is to assume that you meant no insult. as a man and now I'm a woman. Simple and fluid siblings, all the grrrls and the bois, and you and not your son. It's been my experience I know from hard experience that the idea of straight forward kinda, but not for everyone. others to go back in the closet any more than that children are often more easily capable of gender-fluidity is tough on people. Not just Many people on the transgender spectrum find we would expect you to stop being proud of understanding new and strange ideas than mainstream folks, but even, left-wing, ultra- it more fitting to alter their gender presentation being Gay, Gary!! We are stronger as a group adults are. Everything is still new for them so liberal, alternative lifestyle type people are and identification so as to be more fluid. Cross than we are as factions. It would serve us all they have fewer locked down ideas about how often uncomfortable with it. It comes to the dressers, for instance, generally identify as one well to remember that. things should be. very heart of the problem that we as transgen- gender, but prefer to present as another gender. If it makes you feel any better though, all this See TransWoman on Page 8 www.therainbowtimesnews.com • The Rainbow Times • Sept. 3-30, 2009 • 7 Q- Boston Events 7th Annual Harbor to the Bay AIDS Ride kicks off Organizers expect more than 300 Riders on Sep. 12th from Boston to Provincetown BOSTON, MA—Harbor to the Bay (H2B) the leading AIDS Ride in Massachusetts 2009 RIDE DAY AGENDA announced recently that they have already raised nearly $25,000, well on their way to beat 5:45 am - Opening Ceremony begins in last year's record total of $417,000. Ride Copley organizers hope to sign up 350 riders this year 6:00 am - Fast Riders depart with a goal to raise $500,000. As an incentive 6:15 am - All riders have departed Copley to signing up early, the ride is giving a 2009 limited edition Harbor to the Bay t-shirt to the 9 am - Riders prep at Sagamore first 250 riders and 100 crew members who 9:30 am - Ride Out Speech at Sagamore register this year. One rider who is already 9:45 am - Fast Riders depart signed up again this year is WCVB's David 10:00 am - All riders have departed Brown, who is planning to ride the full route in Sagamore addition to emceeing the opening and closing Cape Inn open to receive riders: 1 pm to 6:45 ceremonies. pm Harbor to the Bay is a one-day bike ride from Boston to Provincetown organized and run 7:00 pm - Riders Depart Boatslip (may be solely by volunteers. In addition to its goal to slightly later) donate 100 percent of all pledges to its benefi- 7:20 pm - Riders enter Boat Slip ciaries, H2B's mission is to improve communi- 7:30 pm - Closing Ceremony opens ty awareness of HIV/AIDS care and services, and to support those organizations that advance the quality and accessibility of HIV and AIDS dedicated crewmembers to staff pit stops, care and research. encourage riders and help with fund-raising. "H2B aims to lead a world-class event with Launched in 2003, Harbor to the Bay (H2B) personalized attention and community spirit" has raised over $1,400,000 for four local said Jim Morgrage, President and Director of HIV/AIDS organizations; Fenway Community Harbor to the Bay. "Our donors, participants, Health, AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod, and volunteers are excited to support an organ- Community Research Initiative (CRI,) and ization that has donated over $1.4 million to AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts beneficiaries that exhibit the responsibility, (AAC.) With 100 percent of all rider-received accessibility, and tenacity needed to have a pledges going directly to these beneficiaries, major impact in the fight against HIV/AIDS. and as an all-volunteer effort, H2B's enthusi- We celebrate that we are sustained by, and ulti- asm and grass-roots focus has resonated with mately benefit, the people with whom we work local supporters and community members. and live" Harbor to the Bay was created and inspired Riders have a choice of three distances to by the legacy of Michael A.Tye, who champi- choose from that day. They can complete the oned the idea of an AIDS Ride where 100 per- full 125 miles from Boston to Provincetown, cent of the donations are used to benefit the opt to ride 68 miles from Boston to the families and friends living with HIV and Sagamore Bridge or take a 57-mile ride from AIDS. the Sagamore Bridge to Provincetown. Non- For more information on the ride, go to riders can support the ride by registering to be www.harbortothebay.org. New England Trans United Pride March Northampton, MA—Members of the trans- critical gender-rights bills making their way gender, transsexual, and gender-variant commu- through state legislatures, speak out against an nities and their allies from Massachusetts, increase in hate crimes based on gender identi- Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode ty/expression, and celebrate our humanity, Island, Maine, and eastern have diversity, and strength." announced plans to hold a New England Trans Thousands of transgender people and support- United (NETU) Pride March and Rally this fall. ers from throughout New England are expected The event, with its theme "Live Out Loud," will to attend the event, which is free and open to the take place in Northampton, Massachusetts on public. The march will include a wide spectrum October 3, 2009. of transgender, gender rights, LGBT, and social The rally will assemble at 11:00 a.m. at justice organizations, while the rally will feature Lampron Park. Marchers will step off at noon a mix of political speakers, musicians, and cul- and proceed down Main Street for a rally at 1:00 tural performers. p.m. at the Armory Street parking lot. "We hope to bring together all segments of the "This is the second New England-wide march transgender umbrella for political, social, and and rally for transgender civil rights, Last year's economic power. Issues including transgender event in Northampton drew more than 1,000 health care, medical insurance, removing gender participants and educated the public about the identity disorder as a psychiatric diagnosis, lives and experiences of transgender people. This year, there is a continuing need to rally for See NETU on Page 20 8 • Sept. 3-30, 2009 • The Rainbow Times • www.therainbowtimesnews.com More Trans News & Creep of the Week Winner UMass to Offer Protections to Creep of the Week: Nassau County School Board By: D’Anne Witkowski* lar clubs not just gay ones." And the school Transgender People n many places across the country, Gay- board was all, "Well, then no extracurricular Straight Alliances are old news. I don't groups get to meet. I hope the gays are Amherst, MA—The University of University of New Hampshire, the University mean "old news" as in "not needed," I happy." Massachusetts, Amherst has added "gender of Vermont, and the state colleges in I mean "old news" in that they hardly raise an Of course, no one was happy with this. In identity and expression" to its nondiscrimina- Massachusetts. eyebrow anymore. March a U.S. District Judge issued a prelimi- tion policy, providing legal protection for According to Dr. Janiczek Beemyn, this Sometimes being a creep can also make you nary injunction saying that the school had to transgender and gender-variant students, staff, change is important because UMass Amherst a loser. Or so Florida's Nassau County School let the GSA meet. On Aug. 14 U.S. district and faculty. In May, the town of Amherst has a significant number of transgender and Board learned after their attempt to keep a judge Henry Lee Adams issued a permanent made a similar change to its human rights law. gender-diverse students, and many of these Gay-Straight Alliance out of their Yulee High injunction saying that the school couldn't dis- The University of Massachusetts Stonewall students are not always open about being School failed. criminate against the club and couldn't put the Center led the effort to modify the policies of transgender or having a transgender past, if When students at the school first tried to smack down on people involved in the law- both the town and the university. "It is criti- they can avoid it, because of concerns about start a GSA they were told no. One of the rea- suit. cal to have 'gender identity and expression' in harassment and discrimination. sons they were given was that it was not OK "We started a Gay-Straight Alliance these policies, because transgender people "While UMass and Western Massachusetts to use the word "gay" in the organization's because we wanted a safe space where all stu- across the United States report high rates of are relatively trans-friendly, acts of discrimi- title. Why? Because having a group called the dents can talk about harassment and discrimi- harassment and discrimination. Until now, nation do happen here, as they do in most Gay-Straight Alliance violated the school's nation that LGBT students face," said plaintiff transgender people at UMass and in Amherst places," said Dr. Janiczek Beemyn. sacred abstinence-only education curriculum. Hannah Page. "We're grateful that the court had no protection when instances of discrimi- "Transgender-inclusive nondiscrimination Because, you know, a GSA is a group of stu- recognized that the GSA should be allowed to nation occur," said Dr. Genny Janiczek policies send a clear message that such acts dents who get together to have sex with each meet and be treated like any other club." Beemyn, the director of the Stonewall Center will not be tolerated." other on school property. "This is a victory for our clients, for the and a transgender person herself. "The change Although UMass Amherst is not one of the Actually, that's not what a GSA is. Yulee High GSA and indeed for gay and to the university's policy also sends an impor- first colleges and universities in the country or According to the Gay, Lesbian and Straight straight kids all across America," said Robert tant signal to transgender people - that we are even in New England to add "gender identi- Education Network, "Gay-Straight Alliances Rosenwald, ACLU of Florida LGBT welcomed and supported on campus," she ty/expression" to its nondiscrimination policy, are student clubs that work to improve school Advocacy Project Director and lead counsel adds. Dr. Janiczek Beemyn explained that it is the climate for all students, regardless of sexual for the students. "Time and time again, we've According to the Transgender Law and first of the Five Colleges to do so. orientation or gender identity/expression." seen discrimination and intolerance struck Policy Institute, the University of "It is also only the second school in the Basically, it's a bunch of kids who want to down by the courts in these cases, and for Massachusetts, Amherst becomes the 280th Pioneer Valley to do so on its own, after stamp out homophobia, anti-gay harassment every school that wishes to cross the line, college or university to change its nondis- Holyoke Community College. (Western New and discrimination in their schools. Some of we'll be here to defend the students." crimination policy to include "gender identi- England College and Westfield State College the kids are gay, others aren't, but all of them And what did the school board have to ty/expression." Other New England schools gained transgender-inclusive nondiscrimina- have been witness to or touched by anti-gay show for its hissy fit? A lot of bad press and with transgender-inclusive nondiscrimination tion policies when all of the state colleges bias and want to do something to combat it. about $40 grand in legal fees to dish out. policies include Holyoke Community adopted a transgender-supportive policy)" Sounds pretty devious, eh? Well, to the Discrimination is expensive, in more ways College, the University of Maine, the added Dr. Janiczek Beemyn. Nassau County School Board it did. They than one. Transwoman from Page 6 discussion some, Thomas Beatie. He has a rejected requests to form a GSA repeatedly at * D'Anne Witkowski has been gay for pay name, he is a person. It's easy to forget that both the high school and middle schools. since 2003. She's a freelance writer and poet It never bothers me when I'm out in the In February, the students sued and the (believe it!). When she's not taking on the creeps world and catch a child staring at me. They are simple fact in the midst of all the media hoopla. Yes, he is a transgender man. And, I don't American Civil Liberties Union stepped in of the world she reviews rock and roll shows in usually genuinely curious and simply want to and was all, "Uh, you have to let the students Detroit with her twin sister and teaches writing understand what this new thing is. Once their think any of the articles I've seen were at all misleading about that. According to my form a GSA because of the federal Equal at the University of Michigan. questions are answered, they simply go back Access Act, which protects all extra-curricu- about their lives. Totally content that this giant research, he has had what we call “top surgery” person is simply a new type of woman they and had been taking testosterone as well, but have not previously encountered. Often, they stopped for some time before he and his wife the man he knew himself to be. However, he Besides that simple matter of respect, who could care less, which is probably the most attempted to inseminate him. still had female parts inside so that he was able would you propose determines this? Some frank and total acceptance any of us could ask He had not had bottom surgery, which is not physically to get pregnant and to bear a child. government agency or appointed board? What for. especially uncommon among transmen due to It was a natural childbirth even! He was appar- level of surgery would you require? Thomas As for there being no such thing as a preg- the fact that the operation to create male geni- ently in labor for some forty hours! Beatie had about as much surgery as many nant man, you should probably brace yourself talia, called a phalloplasty, is unfortunately That's it. Done. That's how you can have a legally male transgender men have had. I for the future my Angry Lesbian friend. The much more difficult and often less successful pregnant man. You might have to explain about haven't had any. How would you define me? theoretical science already exists for allowing than the operation used to create female geni- transgender people if you haven't already. It It's a slippery enough slope as it is. It's not a cisgender man to carry a child to term. It's talia in transwomen. would also help to have a conversation about out of the question that something like what only a matter of time before someone actually Beatie had also refrained from having a hys- the differences between Sex and Gender. But you suggest could happen. You may not have tries it. One artist already staged an elaborate terectomy. All of which meant that while he you might want to do that anyway. We are heard, but airlines are now being required to prank to pretend that he actually had. Go ahead lives as a man and physically resembles a man becoming more visible every day. inquire as to the legal gender of all passengers and check out malepregnancy.com, it even had well enough to legally remove his shirt in pub- Finally, I cannot finish this column without when they purchase their ticket. A require- me fooled for a few minutes. lic, he still retained the necessary equipment to addressing the statement that pre-operative ment, which is bound to lead to all kinds of Also, and this is something my own Father bear a perfectly healthy child. According to transgender people should be referred to as humiliations and additional tribulations for told me about when I was a child myself; male the reports that I read, his wife, who was no Trans Man or Trans Woman. I take issue with transgender people. pregnancy is not unknown in nature. longer able to bear a child herself, actually that statement personally. I myself am pre- For space reasons, I'll have to get into that in Seahorses, which also often pair-bond for life began to lactate while he was pregnant and so operative. I have been taking hormones for a a later column though. That's all for now by the way, implant the female's eggs in a spe- was able to nurse the child once their daughter couple of years now and am physically and folks, thanks for reading and keep those ques- cial pouch in the male where they are insemi- was born. emotionally quite changed, but until I can tions coming! We've got a lot to learn about nated and gestate until the male gives birth to Beatie considers himself the Dad and his afford to consider expensive medical proce- each other but your faithful Trans- hundreds, sometimes thousands of baby Wife as the child's Mom. It is fairly heteronor- dures, I shall retain my former, ah, equipment. Answerwoman is up to the task and excited to Seahorses. As a matter of fact, they can give mative actually. (See, I told you you'd be see- And while I often do refer to myself as a do it!!! birth in the morning and get pregnant again by ing that word a lot!) In short, there's nothing so transwoman it is because I am proud of my Slainte! wildly complicated about this at all. experience as a transgender person. It's some- that afternoon!!! Presumably, after a romantic * To comment on Lorelei Erisis’ colum Ask I'll sum up so you can repeat to your son. thing that is a vital part of who I am as a per- candlelit dinner and an episode of The a Transwoman, or ask her a question, please Thomas Beattie was born as a woman. He had son. NOT because I do not consider myself Simpsons. email to: loreleierisis@therainbowtimes- surgery and took hormones to make himself every bit a woman. Getting back to the specific topic at hand. mass.com.(no hyphens). The pregnant man. Or, to personalize this look more masculine so that he could live as www.therainbowtimesnews.com • The Rainbow Times • Sept. 3-30, 2009 • 9 Boston News names first purchased Sen. Ted Kennedy remembered residence for homeless LGBT youth in Senator Edward Kennedy: A Record of Leadership on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, honor of “Golden Girl’s” Bea Arthur Transgender and HIV Issues New York, NY—The Ali Forney Center WASHINGTON—The Human Rights (AFC), the nation's largest organization dedi- Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights cated to homeless LGBT youth, will formally organization, released the following docu- announce it's plan to name a residence for ment on Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s (D- LGBT youth in honor of Bea Arthur at her MA) historic leadership on issues of impor- memorial service on September 14th at the tance to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans- Majestic Theater in . The Ali gender community. Forney Center is working with a group of Senator Kennedy was been a champion for Bea's close friends and colleagues to plan the civil rights since his first term in the United memorial service. States Senate in 1962. Over the years, Ted "Bea Arthur was tremendously kind and Kennedy supported legislation that promoted generous to the Ali Forney Center" says Carl equal rights and fought closed-minded and Siciliano, AFC Founder and Executive discriminatory measures. Senator Kennedy Director. "The caring and concern that Bea was an unwavering supporter of the LGBT expressed for our kids meant the world to us, community, leading the charge on important U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., whose champi- and we are thrilled to be able to give honor to legislation like the Employment Non- oning of gay causes was unrivaled in Congress, her memory in this way". Discrimination Act and the Matthew Shepard died Aug. 25 of brain cancer. He was 77. In November of 2005, Bea flew to New Hate Crimes Prevention Act and forcefully Photo by: Rex Wockner circa 1979 in Iowa. BEA ARTHUR & CARL SICILIANO York City from her home in Los Angeles in opposed discriminatory proposals, including days of the AIDS epidemic, to our current Credit: Linda Lenzi/BrodwayWorld.com order to give a special benefit performance of the Defense of Marriage Act and the Federal struggle for marriage equality he has been our her one-woman show. The performance only had two sites, and could only shelter 12 Marriage Amendment. Senator Kennedy protector, our leader, our friend. He has been raised over $40,000 for the Ali Forney Center. kids." says Siciliano. "We were struggling to received a perfect 100% on all of HRC’s con- the core of the unfinished quest for civil rights gressional scorecards (101st Congress-110th In an interview for Next Magazine Bea respond to an epidemic of homelessness that in this country and there is now a very painful Congress). explained her decision to offer her support was not very well understood, even in the void. Our hearts go out to the Kennedy fam- Recently, the Human Rights Campaign ily." "I'm very, very involved in charities involving LGBT community. Bea's support and advoca- issued the following statement on the passing youth and the plight of foster children. But cy really helped raise awareness in our com- In 2008, Senator Kennedy delivered an of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA). impassioned speech to the Board of the these kids at the Ali Forney Center are literal- munity. Bea Arthur played a crucial part in “The nation has lost its greatest champion Human Rights Campaign regarding his sup- ly dumped by their families because of the our efforts to expand our capacity to respond and strongest voice for justice, fairness, and port for LGBT issues. To view the speech: fact that they are lesbian, gay, or transgender to the hundreds of LGBT youths who come to compassion," said Human Rights Campaign www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tIgRe_XMvQ. - this organization really is saving lives." Bea us for help. She feels very much like a patron President Joe Solmonese. "The loss to our To read about all of Senator Keneddy’s sup- continued to offer her support, both as a donor saint!" community is immeasurable. There was no portive measures and stance that he took on and as an advocate. In one of her very last The Ali Forney Center is the nation's largest greater hero for advocates of LGBT equality many human rights issues, please visit: interviews, published in the New York Blade organization dedicated to homeless LGBT than Senator Ted Kennedy. From the early www.hrc.org/13439.htm in May 2008, Bea spoke with pride of having youth. AFC currently provides eight residen- done the benefit for AFC, and indicated that tial sites offering emergency shelter and she would do anything to help gay kids dis- longer-term housing, and additionally pro- owned by their parents. vides two drop-in centers which offer medical The Ali Forney Center currently offers eight care, mental health treatment, HIV preven- residential sites in New York City to provide tion, testing and treatment, housing and bene- shelter and housing to homeless LGBT youth, fit assistance, and job training and placement all of which it rents. AFC has recently services. The mission of the Ali Forney received generous financial support from the Center is to help homeless LGBT youth be Oak Foundation to support a plan to purchase safe and become independent as they move HELP WANTED: $$$$ housing sites. The Ali Forney Center is com- from adolescence to adulthood. Ali Forney mitted to naming its first purchased site the was a queer youth who was murdered on the Deliver The Rainbow Times to Bea Arthur Residence for LGBT Youth. streets in 1997, when there was no safe shel- "Before Bea became involved with us, we ter for LGBT youth in NYC. the Providence, RI! Must have: • Disposition to work 1x month • Valid MA/RI Driver’s Licence • Car Insurance & a reliable Car • Deliver paper on the exact date • Be courteous • Good communication skills The Pony Express E-Blast

• Upcoming News Subscribe to The Rainbow Times today! Only $50/year. • Updated Calendar of Events For more information, • Hot Hollywood Happenings TheRainbowTimesNews.com please call: • Sign up at: 518-391-2617 Advertise here! The best rate in New England, guaranteed. TRT is an Equal Opportunity Employer, EOE. TheRainbowTimesMass.com 10 • Sept. 3-30, 2009 • The Rainbow Times • www.therainbowtimesnews.com LGBT Events & Honors Notes for Life Benefit concert Boston & P-Town (partial) Calendar Notes for Life brings together the most event, Samirah Evans and her Handsome BOSTON http://www.boatslipresort.com incredible talent from up-and-down the Devils will bring the house down. In New Sept. 3-6; OUT Weekend; Thursday night out, The Sept. 4, 5 & 6; The Thirsty Burlington Show in The Eastern seaboard to create an unbelievable Orleans, a city known worldwide for its Glamorous Life at Estate with local icon DJ Rich LaDue Cabaret Room @ The Crown & Anchor; 10:30pm; 247 night to remember. music, Samirah was one of its most popular spinning the very best in Hip Hop and Top 40's Dance Commercial St; (happening most nights at 10:30pm). First up, Broadway diva Kate Pazakis will jazz & blues vocalists. She has toured Europe, music; doors at 10pm, Free before 11PM and $10 after, Thirsty presents her solo show featuring the very best floor you with pipes that are not to be Asia, and North and South America as a head- 1 Boylston Place, Boston, MA. Friday night the party in celebrity impersonations and rapid fire comic deliv- believed. Kate Pazakis's Off-Broadway cred- liner, and shared stages with a multitude of returns to Lansdowne Street with superstar Manny ery. Thirsty also hosts HUMP DAY Karaoke in the Wave its include A Broadway Diva Christmas, legendary artists from B.B. King and James Lehman. Doors at 10pm, $15 for 21+, 15 Lansdowne Bar every Wednesday night at 9:00pm; FMI: www.only- Newsical & her MAC nominated show The Brown, to New Orleans own Queen of Soul, Street, Boston, MA. Saturday night features the return atthecrown.com Sexless Years. She has performed at over one Irma Thomas. With a recent move to of DJ/Producer Roland Belmares to Epic Saturdays. hundred readings & charity benefits including Vermont, Samirah has been delighting audi- Doors at 10pm, $15, 21+, 279 Tremont Street, Boston, Sept. 5; 10:30am-11:45am; Planet of the Gays!; Art House 214 Commercial St.; An original Musical with The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas for the ences all over New England with her distinct MA. OUT WEEKEND ends Sunday night with a Brazilian Born DJ Ranny. Doors at 10pm, 21+, Free countless Song Parodies, side-splitting Comedy, fabu- Actors Fund & has appeared on NBC's brand of soulful electric jazz rhythms...pure lous Drag Queens, GO-GO Boys, Twinks, Bears, & "Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting," at magic. For more info on Samirah, go to before 11pm and $15 after, 279 Tremont Street, Boston, MA. Leather Queens, Luscious Lesbians visiting from near- Carnegie Hall in Jerry Springer, the Opera & www.samirahevans.com. by "Planet Home Depot" - and not a friggin' APE in aboard Rosie O'Donnell's R Family Cruises. Proceeds from Notes for Life will be split Sept. 11; 6:15pm; Boston Gay Men's Chorus: Totally sight! www.myspace.com/planetofthegays She recently released her debut album between the AIDS Project of Southern 80s; Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park, Atlantic "Unzipped.” Her film credits include playing VT(www.aidsprojectsouthernvermont.org/) Ave, Boston MA. Sept. 5; 4:00pm; 23rd Annual Gala Auction for AIDS herself in The Big Gay Musical. Each Friday, and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation Support Group of Cape Cod; Fishermen's Wharf, Sept. 13; Boston Gay Men's Chorus Auditions ; 3-6pm; Provincetown; The live auction begins at 5:30; Original Kate co-hosts "Mostly Sondheim" with (www.sfaf.org). These funds will help provide Arlington Street Church, 351 Boylston St, Boston MA. Xanadu's Marty Thomas and musical director vital services and programs designed to fine artworks, antiques, fine jewelry, and vacation trips FMI: [email protected] or call the office at 617-542- available to the highest bidder. Paddle price $25 Brian J. Nash. For more information on Kate, improve the quality of life for people living SING to schedule an appointment. includes hors d'oeuvres & Cash Bar. FMI: visit www.katepazakis.com. with HIV/AIDS and to reduce the number of Sept. 24; Latin Pride National Awards; 7:30pm; Comedy www.asgcc.org Next up, indie-folk-rock heroes new infections that occur each year. Connection Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont Street, Sept. 5, 19 & 26; Underwear Party; 10:30pm-1:00am; will show you what breathtaking harmonies HIV/AIDS have not gone away...the time Boston, MA. FMI: 800-745-3000. are all about. When Winterpills (www.winter- for us to help is now. Please join us for a truly The Club Purgatory at The Gifford House Inn. Boxers or pills.com) released their debut album in the special evening where we come together for a Sept. 25; Comedy Connection Presents: Kevin Hart; briefs!!! Strip down to your shorts and dance to the lat- fall of 2005. Critics met the album with single cause and create notes for life. Tickets 10:00pm; Comedy Connection Wilbur Theatre, 246 est music with DJ Dave. Pricing for 2009 ~ BUD AND descriptions like "heavy with moments of are currently available for purchase at Tremont Street, Boston, MA. BUD LITE $3.00. FMI: www.giffordhouse.com sheer beauty," "exquisite vocals, deeply mov- www.notesforlife.net or in the lobby of the Oct. 2 & 3; Dance Showcase 2009; 8pm; Boston Sept. 12; Harbor to the Bay AIDS Bike Ride; 5:00am; ing, heartrending," and "as textured as the Latchis Hotel (50 Main Street, Brattleboro, University Dance Theater: 915 Commonwealth Avenue, Copley Square, Boston to Provincetown, MA. 100% best indie rock around." Fans put the album in VT, 05301). Tickets are $40 for the first eight Boston, MA 02215. FMI: 617-358-2500. goes to charity. FMI or to register: http://www.harbor- the Top 100 on iTunes and .com and rows and $25 for general admission. For more Oct. 2; Paula Poundstone; 7:30pm; Comedy tothebay.org. made Winterpills a most requested band on information, contact: Ken Schneck, ksch- Connection Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont Street, Sept. 12; Annual Swim for Life; 8am-3pm; Boatslip radio stations across the country. Closing the [email protected] (no hyphen) Boston, MA. FMI: 617-248-9700. Resort; FMI: http://www.swim4life.org P-TOWN Sept. 16; Wine Lovers Wednesdays, Shipwreck Sept. 4; 10:30am-11:45am; "ShowGirls" Provincetown, Lounge; 5:00pm-11:59pm; 10 Carver Street; Join us MA The Documentary; Art House 214 Commercial St.; Wednesday Evenings as we feature a special wine by Tickets: $12; "ShowGirls" Provincetown, MA is a feature the glass, in addition to our 8 great selections at only documentary about a small town talent show with a $8. Also enjoy our premium wines by the glass includ- strong dose of vaudeville where an eclectic mix of ing selections from Cakebread Vinyards. locals, drag queens and the occasional tourist passing FMI: www.ptownlounge.com through vie for the $500.00 prize and their chance at Sept. 18; Illusions in The Cabaret Room @ The Crown fame on stage. This popular show takes place Monday & Anchor; 7:30pm; 247 Commercial St A true glamour evenings over the summer. FMI: drag show featuring Billie Jean, Tish DeWilliams, www.ptownarthouse.com/Late-Night/Every-Friday- Felicity Lane & Shady Pines. High Style & High Camp! Late-Night FMI: www.onlyatthecrown.com Sept. 4, 5 & 6; 4-7pm; Tea Dance @ the Boatslip; (hap- pening most evenings from 4-7pm); Boatslip Resort; MORE CALENDAR EVENTS CAN BE FOUND AT: Music and mayhem on the waterfront. Not to be missed! www.therainbowtimesmass/calendar.html

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* By wolfevideo.com * By wolfevideo.com www.therainbowtimesnews.com • The Rainbow Times • Sept. 3-30, 2009 • 11 Queer Events Out! For Reel Film Series kicks Off 2nd Season with New England premiere & evening of entertainment Out! For Reel, Northampton's popular breaking feature that takes the classic lesbian LGBT film series kicks off its second season romantic comedy and flips it on its ear with with a full evening of entertainment on stylistic storytelling, quick wit and perfect Saturday, September 12. Headlining the event casting. Lola (Ashleigh Sumner), a photogra- is the New England premiere of the new les- pher who is newly in love but scared to com- bian romantic comedy, And Then Came Lola. mit, bounces like a pinball through San The film will be shown at 7:30 p.m. at the Francisco trying to make the delivery on time Academy of Music Theatre in Northampton, to her gorgeous lover Casey (Jill Bennet) MA. while dodging a panoply of setbacks: missed After the film, there will be a catered party trains, lost keys, and large chasing dogs. with music and dancing to celebrate Out! For Structured in a dream sequence, fate gives Reel's first anniversary, across the street at the Lola three chances to relive the day and try to Northampton Center for the Arts ballroom. deliver both the designs and her commitment The party begins at 9:30 p.m., immediately to Casey. The steamy love scenes and laugh- following the film. out-loud couple's sessions steal the Out! For Reel events have proven wildly show. popular, drawing more than 4,200 attendees A review by NBC's affiliate in Philadelphia from greater New England and selling out the commented And Then Came Lola was "pulled Academy of Music multiple times last year. off in a fresh, sharp manner ... Highly recom- "With hundreds of LGBT folks and allies mended…." together under one roof, Out! For Reel events The film trailer can be viewed at are so much more than a movie - they are a www.OutForReel.org. celebration of our community," said Jaime Tickets prices are $12.50 in advance, Michaels, Out! For Reel producer and $14.50 at the door, and $10 for students with founder. ID. Included in the ticket price is a new "During an Out! For Reel event, you can Academy of Music facility fee of $1. Tickets feel the energy vibrating in the theater from to the After Party tickets are $7.50 for filmgo- the joy and excitement of being together," ers and $11 for non-filmgoers. Because pre- added Char Gentes, an O!FR volunteer. vious shows have sold out, advance tickets "Other than Pride Day, there are no other are strongly recommended. Tickets may be LGBT events this big—it's inspiring to expe- purchased at Pride & Joy, Northampton; rience." Food For Thought Books, Amherst; World Mayor Clare Higgins will help to kick off Eye Bookshop, Greenfield; The Odyssey this year's Premiere event with a welcome to Bookshop, South Hadley; or online at the audience who travel from all over New www.OutForReel.org. England. "Out! For Reel is a wonderful new The Out! For Reel Film Series Out! For contribution to Valley's cultural offerings and Reel screens the best in first run, award-win- a nice boost to Northampton's tourism mar- ning lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ket," said Higgins. Before the film, Out! For films from around the world on a monthly Reel will present a surprise opening act by a basis during a 10-month season, beginning talented local singer with comedic back-up each year in September. singers. "These folks brought the house down at their most recent performance," states Northampton, Boston, P-Town, Michaels. The Film Providence, Hartford, Springfield, Directed by Megan Siler and Ellen Seidler, Greenfield ... more! And Then Came Lola (2009) is a ground- Calendar of Events ONLINE! 12 • Sept. 3-30, 2009 • The Rainbow Times • www.therainbowtimesnews.com www.therainbowtimesnews.com • The Rainbow Times • Sept. 3-30, 2009 • 13 Queer-Wood Deep Inside Hollywood: Dan Savage, Portman, Excalibur, and Jay Leno By: Romeo San Vicente* already hit the bricks to shoot a segment in an Portman & Kunis get old-folks home, where she taught a roomful busy in Black Swan of seniors how to use Twitter. Feldman, along There's a certain formula with Mikey Day and D.L. Hughley, will to famous actresses shoot- appear regularly on the nightly show, finding ing lesbian scenes in the funny out in the world while Jay does his Hollywood movie—some thing in the studio. Will NBC's gamble pay tee-hee coy kisses, the off? Will the show rocket Feldman into a new curtains billow, one lady moans and rolls her fame bracket? Check it out weeknights at 10 eyes to the ceiling, and then the camera dis- p.m. Eastern/Pacific and decide for yourself. creetly pulls away. Writer-director Darren Aronofsky (The Wrestler) is promising the * Romeo San Vicente has resorted to watching ht y ou Features Focus by: Photo exact opposite for his upcoming feature film Gimme Sugar for his recommended weekly Black Swan, which will feature Natalie allowance of lesbians on TV. He can be Portman and Mila Kunis having what several reached care of this publication or at sources have described as hungry, aggressive, [email protected]. Ecstasy-induced sex. (That's how it's described in the script—co-written by Aronofsky and Mark Heyman, based on an original screenplay by John McLaughlin.) CALENDAR OF EVENTS? The film tells the story of a literal gaggle of Updated daily! ballerinas in a New York City dance company, NATALIE PORTMAN duking it out for the lead role in Swan Lake. Check out our LGBTQ events online. • Personals Will it be about lesbians or about hetero yourself. Anyway, the columnist may take his side such then-newcomers as Liam Neeson, • LGBT Events in your area women performing sexually for straight men? bluntly funny advice-dispensing to the air- Patrick Stewart and Gabriel Byrne. Singer's • And more Who knows. But this is Hollywood we're talk- waves, if the Savage Love pilot he shot for approach to the material is said to be more ing about here. So keep your hopes in check HBO in August scores points with the net- epic, along the lines of 2004's King Arthur, when Black Swan grand jeté’s its way into work. And if the cable channel that gave us which starred Clive Owen. No word yet as to TheRainbowTimesNews.com theaters in 2010. Real Sex and Taxicab Confessions can't han- when Excalibur might start shooting— dle Dan Savage talking about dildos and Singer's known to tie himself to projects like A "Savage Love" sex column you don't have cross-dressing, who can? OK, yes, Showtime Logan's Run or The Mayor of Castro Street to read maybe. that never quite make their way out of devel- Gay sex advice columnist Dan Savage has opment hell - but keep watching the interwebs CT Neighborhood been educating, titillating and infuriating Bryan Singer pulls Excalibur from the for updates. Organizations readers for years with his syndicated column Stone AIDS Testing: www.guardinhealth.org "Savage Love," which gives frank answers to Not a month passes without openly gay X- The Jay Leno Show taps Feldman questions about everything from coming out Gay Father’s Group: (203) 938-2881Hartford Men and Valkyrie director Bryan Singer get- Filling five hours of primetime TV a week is Community Center: (860) 724-5542CT Freedom to to S&M to non-monogamy to getting those ting talked up as maybe/maybe-not attached too much for one man to handle, so it's no sur- Marry Coalition: (203) 791-9553Love Makes a tricky stains out of your bedsheets. He's polit- to a hot new project. One Singer assignment prise that Jay Leno is calling out for backup Family: www.lmf-ct.org (860) 525-7777Married ically frank as well, calling out enemies to the that looks like it might actually happen is a when The Jay Leno Show debuts Sept. 14 on Lesbian Support Group: [email protected] (203) gay community like former Pennsylvania remake of 1981's Excalibur, John Boorman's NBC. The one-time Tonight Show host has 430-9227 Married Men’s Bisexual Support Group of Hartford: Republican senator Rick Santorum, who once gritty and mystical take on the King Arthur lined up several comedians who will con- compared gay sex to "man-on-dog" action— (860)264-5605Metropolitan Community Church of tale. That film featured a notable cast that tribute taped bits to the show, and one of them New Haven: (203) 397-2312New Haven Gay & Savage coined the phrase "santorum," which included Helen Mirren and Nigel Terry along- is lesbian stand-up comic Liz Feldman, who's Lesbian Center: www.nhglcc.org; (203) 387-2252 refers to … well, Google it and find out for PFLAG Danburry: www.pflag.org; (203) 797- 4743Connecticut ’s Kids: (203) 256-8414 Senior Lesbians Happily at Play (SLAPHAPS): Kathy (203) 929-8113 True Colors CT: www.ourtruecolors.org; (888) 565- 5551National Runaway Switchboard: (773) 880-9860Connecticut Women's Education and Legal Fund (CWEALF): 135 Broad Street, Hartford, CT 06105 - 860.247.6090 Info. and Referral program: (800) 479-2949 or Greater Hartford 524-0601 - Statewide women's rights organization working to end discrimination and hate crimes; provides free legal information and referral to the LGBT community. XX Club (Twenty Club): Rev. Cannon Jones - 45 Church Street Hartford , CT 06141-0387 - (860)646- 8651 - Povides knowledgeable info., and ongoing peer support to transsexuals. 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month, 2 -5 p.m. connecticuT View (cTView): A Transgender social and support club, for the TV, TG, TS, CD, both male and female. Monthly meeting in New Haven as well as e-membership, and more. A no dues club, with all the frills; www.transgender.org/ctv/ 14 • Sept. 3-30, 2009 • The Rainbow Times • www.therainbowtimesnews.com Queertations Change Has Finally Come to Black Gay Dallas DALLAS, TX—Change has now come. The to national and local LGBT organizations and Queertations: Say what?! DFW Pride Movement is a new organization institutions that will have booths with informa- By: Rex Wockner that exists to create a sense of unity and social tion and resources, a holistic wellness fair, "Look, I think it's (Don't Ask, Don't Tell) ridiculous. Can you believe they spent - support within the African American LGBT entertainment, a movie screening and activities community. The organization was founded on that promote family and community amongst - whatever they spent -- $150,000 to get rid of a valued Arabic speaker recent- December 19, 2008, by Dallas' youngest and Black LGBT and affirming individuals in ly? And, you know, the thing that changed me forever on Don't Ask, Don't Tell was brightest African American LGBT community Dallas/Fort Worth. This year's host hotel is the when I learned that 130 gay service people were allowed to serve and risk their advocate, Mr. Venton Jones, along with a group beautiful Westin City Center Dallas Hotel locat- lives in the first Gulf War, and all their commanders knew they were gay; they let of Dallas' three most daring trendsetters. ed in the Arts District of Downtown Dallas. them go out there and risk their lives because they needed them, and then as soon The DFW Pride Movement aka "The Rooms can now be reserved for only $89.00 per Movement" aka Dallas Black Pride, is the only night. as the first Gulf War was over, they kicked them out. That's all I needed to know, 501(c)3 African American LGBT non-profit Over the years, the Dallas Black Pride as that's all anybody needs to know, to know that this policy should be changed." organization in North Texas recognized by the undergone several name changes. Just as vari- —Bill Clinton speaking at the Netroots Nation conference Aug. 13 in International Federation of Black Prides. ous companies have made changes to adjust to Pittsburgh. Community leaders feel that there is no time the demands of society and to stay ahead of the better than the present for our Black LGBT curve; so must we. The name DFW Pride "Though this page will back same-sex marriage no matter what the year, we hope community to come together and address issues Movement makes Dallas Black Pride more the Courage Campaign will rethink its timing. Gay-rights activists must recognize that are directly impacting the entire communi- marketable to various demographics around the that their lackluster campaign did little to sway the public, especially considering ty. The Dallas African American LGBT com- world and it readily states that the African munity now has a pride organization that is American LGBT community welcomes the the misleading ads by gay-marriage opponents. So far, the Courage Campaign has truly a non-profit tax exempt entity. partnership of all ethnicities. Just like the col- not articulated a sophisticated strategy for changing this. Without other gay- The DFW Pride Movement will provide year ors of the rainbow, we are all beautiful. rights groups by its side, its low chances are further weakened." long activities that address their mission. These The DFW Pride Movement's board is made —The Los Angeles Times editorial page weighs in Aug. 17 on the battle activities include but aren't limited to a commu- up of noted and proven individuals who don't between gay rights groups over when to attempt to repeal Proposition 8—in nity business luncheon, happy hour/networking believe that pride starts and ends in the first 2010 (the Courage Campaign's plan) or 2012 (Equality California's plan). events, cultural events that merge our cultural weekend in October, but black pride is some- and ethnic identity as Black LGBT people, as thing that they display every day of their lives. "Any closeted gay person who votes against the interests of gay people and is well as community forums and roundtable dis- The DFW Pride Movement is the new Dallas outed because of it is getting what they deserve. My only concern is that some- cussions around policy issues, and will serve as Black Pride of the 21st century!" times the sensational aspect of outing somebody gets us to lose sight of just what the community advocate for the Black LGBT If you are interesting in find out more about community in Dallas/Fort Worth. the DFW Pride Movement, please do not hesi- it is that was so bad about them. And they get drummed out of office and are Their private activities have been building up tate to contact them at replaced by somebody who is just as bad." to "The Movement" aka Dallas Black Pride [email protected] or visit the —Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese to U.S. News & World Festival 2009. "The Movement," will play host website at www.dfwpridemovement.org. Report, Aug. 7.

"His name was Harvey Milk and he was here to recruit us—all of us—to join a movement and change a nation. For much of his early life, he had silenced himself. In the prime of his life, he was silenced by the act of another. But in the brief time in which he spoke—and ran and led—his voice stirred the aspirations of mil- lions of people. He would become, after several attempts, one of the first openly gay Americans elected to public office. And his message of hope—hope unashamed, hope unafraid—could not ever be silenced. It was Harvey who said it best: 'You gotta give 'em hope.'" —President Barack Obama awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to the late gay activist Harvey Milk, Aug. 12. "I'm running on the gay marriage, no religion, legalization and taxation of marijua- na platform. I don't have a chance (at becoming mayor of New Orleans). I don't have a chance. ... That's my answer. I don't have a chance. That's not what I do best." —Actor Brad Pitt on TV's Today show, Aug. 13. www.therainbowtimesnews.com • The Rainbow Times • Sept. 3-30, 2009 • 15 Queer Entertainment Big-mouthed comedian Sandra Bernhard has tackled a lot in her 30-year career; now it's time for global domination By Chris Azzopardi* The last time I saw you live, when you closed with a song, I recall a sea of sur- andra Bernhard, who's been targeting prised faces. Are a lot of people shocked celebrity culture and politics with a that you're a trained singer? Sbiting snap for over 30 years, always I think less and less. I've been doing it now for puts it all out there. We mean that in every so long. I was on the Lilith Fair Tour. I've got- which way - remember the nude 1992 ten to collaborate with a lot of people, like Playboy pictorial? Now she has a different Sheryl Crow. People who don't know my platform to do so: Twitter, where she rants on work so completely, they always say, "Oh, I drug companies, plugs her new world-music didn't know you could sing." They're happy to LP—Whatever It Takes, out Aug. 25—and hear it. I always get good feedback. talks booze with gal pal and fellow queer I remember watching you perform with actress, Sarah Paulson. The Dixie Chicks' Natalie Maines in a When the comic pacesetter's not tirelessly YouTube clip. Tweeting, she's performing "Without You I'm She's another great friend, and I think she has Nothing" shows during a 20th anniversary one of the greatest voices in the world. She's revival and pitching a New York-set project the kind of person that opens her mouth, and she co-wrote with Rip Torn's daughter. it's there. She's a big talent. From her New York pad, Bernhard chatted I can see why you'd get along. about her world music album, Twitter freaks (Laughs) Yeah. Well, obviously, she's another and her "weird" life. very, very outspoken and ballsy person. CA: I just started following you on Twitter So how about that Mariah Carey—I know —and now I feel bad. that you and her are BFFs (laughs). SB: I made you feel bad? I happen to love her. Yeah, because you're a more diligent tweet- Really? You're always raggin' on her. er than me (laughs). Oh, sure. You can't deny Mariah's talent. She's It's summertime—I've got a little more time eccentric, and anytime someone is really will- on my hands than usual. Even when I'm busy, ing to put them self out there, for me, it's an I run to the computer during the day and try to opportunity to find an ironic, funny way of remind people of little things and ideas. It's a talking about them. But there's nothing about nice creative outlet, but don't let it make you Mariah that I find offensive; I just think she's feel bad (laughs). crazy and funny and interesting. Do you ever get any weirdos sending you Check out her "Obsessed" video, where messages? she's an Eminem lookalike. I've gotten maybe a handful of negative off- Oh, Mariah. She's a trip. I know Eminem the-wall responses, but I have to say, all in all, gives her a hard time. We Michiganders don't considering how out there I am, everybody's pull any punches. been very cool. If it gets too weird, I'll just What's different about doing "Without jump off. You I'm Nothing" now versus two decades The new album is very liberating. I felt like ago? I took a trip around the world without hav- The Internet and the kind of exposure you get ing to get on a plane. now as opposed to the '80s, it's so different. That's kind of the point of all of my work, but The whole world is different. The material musically, this album kind of captures that that's from the original show still holds up without saying it so didactically. It's just there because it's so personal, but the things I talk in the music and the beats and the rhythms about around it obviously are more contem- SANDRA BERNHARD and the lyrics. I'm really excited about it. porary. And when you see the difference Why did you decide to make a foray into days. Chrissie's like hardcore. She's a no-non- I haven't been to the major parts of Africa and between what I talk about then and now, I world music? sense, no-B.S. kind of person. I really haven't been that far east, either. I've don't know - the world has just moved very It wasn't really my idea. Ted Mason, the pro- BOLD Just like you then? got a lot of traveling to do. I put my imagina- quickly, and continues to kind of surprise me ducer and co-writer, approached me. He Yeah. Well, she makes me look like a light- tion to good work, but certainly I know a lot at different turns. wanted to do an album like this, and he was weight, to be honest with you (laughs). of people from various experiences who have It surprises everyone. looking for somebody who had my kind of You mention shopping in Kazakhstan on been around, and what I don't know, they fill It's a lot to take in, and I don't think it's easy outlook on the world and my kind of view, "We're on Our Way" - do they have good me in on. for everybody to do. I think that's why so and he said, "Would you be into doing this?" deals there? A lot of people who think world music many people are freaked out. It's just a weird And I said, "Yeah, of course." We started col- (Laughs) It's just about stopping along the think Yanni. time. laborating. He's a very creative person, obvi- way and experiencing all the different cul- (Laughs) That's really kind of the Dairy Sure is. It was a pleasure talking to you. ously, and he has access to all these people, all tures. I'm sure they do. I actually haven't been Queen of world music. I think world music Great talking to you, Chris. Keep twittering! these world musicians. I mean, off the top of to Kazakhstan. I can imagine they probably has influenced everybody—hip-hop and rap (Laughs) my head, it's not the first kind of music I'm have a few good bargains. and all of the R&B artists, there's a lot of that I'll try to keep up with you (laughs). attracted to, but I feel like we kind of blurred Assuming you've been all over the place, in there. Without African and world music, Just don't wear yourself out. the lines. It's not so heavily African or Latin, which locations inspired you for this there wouldn't be the American kind of but it has a lot of those influences. album? soul/R&B sound. Now it's everywhere. Tell me what it was like working with Actually, I haven't been in as many places as Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders on "All I'd like to. The most exotic place I think I've Around." been to is Morocco, which I've been to three We're very good friends, but she happened to times. It's my favorite super-exotic locale, but be in town and we were in the studio those TheRainbowTimesNews.com 16 • Sept. 3-30, 2009 • The Rainbow Times • www.therainbowtimesnews.com Gay Socials Northampton: Gay Men’s Social Hour, socializing healthy By: Nicole C. Lashomb, TRT’s Editor-in-Chief year old, the Social Hour has had great suc- specifically toward gay men, and Allan coupled, married. Since its launching last September, the cess, with over 120 gay men attending each Arniboldi, who worked at the Men's Resource "We pull in everyone and they all seem to Northampton Gay Men's Social Hour has pro- gathering and coming from a regional area Center, based in Amherst, Mass. enjoy the few hours a month we all connect," vided gay men an opportunity to meet and which includes attendance from Vt., N.H. "Without these men, the Northampton Gay said Fountain. socialize in a healthy environment, according Conn. and Western Mass. Men's Social Hour would have never had Although no known love connections have to its founder. "We ended up having over one hundred such a successful start," said Fountain. been made to date from the jamboree, "After living ten years in Northampton, guys show up for the first Social hour," According to Fountain, the Social Hour is Fountain remains optimistic. from my early thirties to my early forties, I Fountain said. "Ever since then, we average held at the Coolidge Park Café in the Hotel "Interestingly, I have yet to hear of any 'love realized there weren't any healthy environ- [between] 120-150 guys to our monthly Northampton, which provides cheese and connections,'" said Fountain. "[That is] not to ments to meet men my age," said Douglas Social-men in their 30s, 40s, 50s and some in crackers, a cash bar, and cocktail waiters-the say there hasn't been any. I do know that Fountain, Founder, Northampton Gay Men's their 60s and 70s." favorite being Jake. many men have met new friends. I am one of Social Hour, Northampton, Mass. "I have Inspired by the Hartford Happy Hour, a "The atmosphere is great!" said Fountain. them. I have met some wonderful men attend- never been a club person and thought there similar function based in Hartford Conn., "Steve Campbell, Hotel Northampton's ing the Socials. No love connection for me as had to be other men out there that felt the Fountain sought advice from its producer, Restaurant manger, sees to it that we are well of yet, but I am a 'hopeful romantic,'" he said. same way. Over the years, I heard middle- Dave Cash, to help execute the Northampton- taken care of. At any given monthly event, The Northampton Gay Men's Social Hour aged men like myself wishing there was a bet- based gathering. Other integral gay men you can find our steady faithful guys and meets on or about the third Friday of each ter venue to meet others like ourselves-with- involved in promoting the monthly meeting always new faces as well. I am grateful to all month at the Hotel Northampton in the out loud music, low light and people a little include former owner of Pride & Joy, Mark the men who attend to keep this event going. Coolidge Park Cafe from 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. too intoxicated for a healthy conversation." Carmien, Ken Molnar, proprietor of mono- Men who attend the monthly gatherings are For more information, please visit According to Fountain, although just one ho.com, an online events website catered from diverse backgrounds and may be single, www.monoho.com for updates. Save the Date! Oct. 3, 2009 HRC Completes "Out In Scripture" Collection WASHINGTON—The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, New England Trans United Pride! bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights TRT organization, announced today the release of the complete “Out In Scripture” collection. For the past three years, week-by-week, the HRC Religion & Faith program provided con- versations on Bible passages from more than 100 scholars and pastors representing 11 denominations. These conversations are now available in a complete collection online at www.hrc.org/Scripture. “This unique collection showcases the extraordinary momentum we’re seeing by peo- ple of faith committed to LGBT equality,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “Through this resource we are helping to assure that no one will again have to choose between who they are and what they believe.” “Over the years my spiritual life and preach- ing has been transformed by ‘Out In Scripture,’” said Harry Knox, Director of HRC’s Religion and Faith Program. “This is one of our signature projects. As editor Sidney Fowler said, ‘The Bible is not about beating To reserve a spot on one of the you up, but lifting us all up. It includes the buses leaving from Amherst and seeds of liberation and justice.’ Be prepared to Northampton for the National be transformed as well.” Equality March, visit equalityw- The collection includes 175 conversations that span Bible readings organized according mass.blogspot.com or call 617- to the Revised Common Lectionary. The lec- 851-5354. tionary is used by numerous Christian denom- inations to guide worship and preaching. The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organi- zation working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize TheRainbowTimesMass.Com ... bookmark us! a nation that achieves fun- More articles, hot stories that did not make the print edi- damental fairness and equality for all. tion, and constant daily Breaking news & LGBT videos. www.therainbowtimesnews.com • The Rainbow Times • Sept. 3-30, 2009 • 17 Same-sex Politics Political IQ: Children suffer when the Religious Right wins By: Diane Silver ly anymore. still consider to be my brother-in-law that tak- until my son became a legal adult that I real- or any mother, the Tony is the biological child of my late life ing me away from Tony would mean that he ized how frightened I had been. I never knew day her child turns partner, who died of breast cancer more than would lose both parents and not just one, with whether the people who believe I'm an abom- F18 is a milestone, a decade ago. As co-parent - particularly as the death of his birth mother. ination would find a way to legally remove but for a lesbian mom that co-parent in the very red state of Kansas - I Even though this good man had seen me my son from the only family he had ever particular birthday can be was a legal nonentity. with Tony for years and knew how close we known. Diane Silver overwhelming. I was there when he was born. I held out my were, it never occurred to him to think of me This is just a taste of what it is like to be a The day my son turned 18 hands for his first step. I heard his first words. as Tony's parent. To his credit, my brother-in- lesbian or gay parent in the United States was routine, as birthdays go. I went to work. I I sat up all night with him when he had his law saw the truth in his friend's statement and today. With the 2008 passage of the adoption made jokes about how I couldn't possibly be first cold. I went to every single parent- supported the adoption. ban in Arkansas and the Religious right's con- old enough for him to be 18. A high school teacher conference. I paid for his doctor Think about how close that was. What if my tinuing agitation for other bans, our families senior, Tony played trumpet in the marching checkups and school fees, and I kept him in partner's brother couldn't see the wisdom of face repeated attacks. band, and his friends surprised him that night shoes. I held him when his birth mother died his friend's words? What if he had talked to a If an adoption ban had been in effect when with an impromptu concert on our front lawn. when he was just 7. I love him more than I different friend? my partner died, it would have been impossi- They stayed for cake and ice cream and then ever knew you could love any soul. Despite My son and I are blessed. Despite one ble for me to adopt Tony. What a tragedy that jammed in my living room. all that, without the intervention of a court, I tragedy, our family avoided another. We would have been. It was a good day, but it was also odd. As wouldn't have had the legal right to be in the stayed together when so many other families much as I enjoyed it, I felt strange. It wasn't same room with him, let alone to be his par- have been forced apart. In the 1990s, 12-year- * Diane Silver is a former newspaper that I felt bad; I felt relieved, but I couldn't ent. old Cassie was taken from her mother, Mary reporter and magazine editor, whose work figure out why. Tony had always been We were lucky, though. Ward, in Florida and given to her father - a has appeared in The Progressive, Salon.com, healthy. He got good grades. He was a nor- I was able to legally adopt him, largely convicted murderer. In 2006 and 2007, the Ms, and other national publications. She can mal, rowdy teen. I couldn't figure out why I because my partner's family supported me. I children of Keri Jones of Utah and B.F. in be reached care of this publication or at was so incredibly relieved that he had turned might not have succeeded if they hadn't. Kentucky lost the right to even visit their co- [email protected]. 18. I didn't know how close Tony came to being parents. Today, Kathryn Kutil and Cheryl Nothing made sense until I had a "eureka" torn away until my late partner's brother told Hess of West Virginia are fighting to keep moment in the shower the next morning. Tony me he considered taking my son after his sis- custody of the baby they fostered when no The Rainbow Times had reached the age of adulthood. No one had ter died. He consulted a psychologist friend. one else wanted a child born to a drug addict. the legal right to rip him away from his fami- That psychologist - bless him - told the man I Despite our family's good fortune, it wasn't You saw it here 1st! 18 • Sept. 3-30, 2009 • The Rainbow Times • www.therainbowtimesnews.com www.therainbowtimesnews.com • The Rainbow Times • Sept. 3-30, 2009 • 19 Keeping It Real Sherry Wolf at UMass’ Bowker Auditorium By: Gary Lapon tage point of an unapologetic anti-Stalinist bankruptcy of march on socialist. Most of what had been written from looking to the Washington Sherry Wolf will be speaking on September the left usually conflated Soviet-style repres- Democratic Party that isn't con- 17, at 7 p.m., at Bowker Auditorium, sive dictatorships with socialism and either as the means to trolled, shaped Stockbridge Hall at the University of apologized for those horrific regimes or win liberation. In or funded by Massachusetts, Amherst. The event is free denied the liberatory core of socialism and the addition, I found the major and open to the public. Visit rich history of left-wing social movements that some theoret- groups that are Haymarketbooks.org for more information. and activists in the fights for LGBT civil ical developments beholden to Here, she speaks with Gary Lapon. rights and sexual liberation. in the academy both the corpo- GL: YOU'RE GOING to be speaking in I wanted to not only establish the genuine such as queer the- rations and Amherst September 17th to promote your record, but also take on a number of crucial ory are incapable Democratic new book, Sexuality and Socialism: questions. For example, I explain the material of either explain- Party-which History, Politics and Theory of LGBT and ideological roots of LGBT oppression in ing our oppression have run our Liberation. Why did you write the book, the nuclear family, and explore the fascinating or challenging it movement into and what role do you hope it to play in way in which industrialization and even wars effectively. a cul-de-sac for today's political context? SHERRY WOLF created the conditions for people to develop I'm thrilled to see the last 20 SW: WHILE THERE are some brilliant his- Picture by: Haymarket Books 2006 subcultures, come out and fight back. I the current explo- years. torical works that have been written in the last unpack what lies behind the turn from a sion of LGBT activism and hope that newer The sheer fact Parade in New York City. 20 years, there wasn't a full-length accounting movement to a market niche and the utter and veteran activists will use my book as a that young radi- By: Bryan Smith. of LGBT history and politics from the van- touchstone for understanding our history and calized activists Couch from Page 2 plotting a course for fundamental change. and even folks like myself-a 40-something It's inevitable that whether one makes a heterosexual, and more and more gays and lesbians. (Hmmm ... maybe that explains the YOU ARE on the Steering Committee for revolutionary socialist-can play central roles conscious choice not to reproduce or one's the National Equality March in in organizing every aspect of the march says a up tick in LGBT Prides all across the government begins to limit how many chil- Washington, DC, on Oct. 11. What drew lot about the leftward direction politics is dren one can have (as we see happening in world!) you to the march, and how do you see it fit- moving in among ordinary people in this China), it's coming down the highway of the Gay could become the new green. I can ting into the movement for LGBT libera- country. not-too-distant future. almost see the bumper stickers now: "Help tion? I didn't write Sexuality and Socialism as an Our planet can only sustain so many of us. Save the Planet! Go Gay!" or "Toot if You WHEN HARVEY Milk's protégé, Cleve exercise in mental play, but a call to action The UK's Optimum Population Trust esti- Don't Want to Reproduce!" Jones, put out the call a few months ago for and debate for a new generation of rebels. mates the world's sustainable population is 5 One thing's for sure, we need to slow down the march, I was over the moon. Finally we Who knew you guys would be taking to the could build on the momentum of the grass- streets by the time the book hit the shelves?! billion in our current and projected overpop- on how many humans live on our big beauti- ful Earth at any one time. And since only 15- roots mobilizations taking off around the ulation is "rapidly destabilizing our climate country and have a genuine LGBT civil rights and destroying the natural world on which 30% of gay people actually have had chil- we depend for future life." dren, I'd say we're well on our way of becom- In recent years, we've seen more evidence ing a shining example to the world. Finally, of sterility and that it's getting harder for an opportunity for others to see what we've women to conceive. Perhaps that's part of the always known in our hearts: what—nd natural order of things, as Nature intends, who—we are, is a precious gift to and it's Science that's destabilizing the bal- humankind. ance of just how many of us should be on the * Suzan Ambrose is often seen buying deli- planet. cate objects for her penthouse and hanging If that's the case, more of us should have out at the fairgrounds with her nephews problems reproducing in the future. Or per- when she's not writing diligently for The haps Nature will give us less folks that are Rainbow Times. 20 • Sept. 3-30, 2009 • The Rainbow Times • www.therainbowtimesnews.com HIV/AIDS Awareness AFWM launches student advisory board to bring HIV/AIDS awareness By: Nicole Lashomb/TRT Editor-in-Chief becomes infected. order to keep themselves, and possibly their dollars have been provided to those in need of Springfield, MA—The Aids Foundation of "These students know the need of educa- peers, safe," said Berrouard, 19, support. Western Massachusetts (AFWM) has tion," said Mark Zatyrka, leader, Student Longmeadow, Mass. "We had one individual who did not have launched a new initiative to generate student Advisory Board and Co-Chair, Aids Walk, In addition to educating their peers about many days of his life left," said Zatyrka. "This participation in their annual Aids Walk and to AFWM. "We have to spread the education to HIV/AIDS, the student group will also solicit individual did not have enough money to pur- bring awareness about HIV/AIDS, transmis- end the virus. That is why these students are community participation in the Aids Walk by chase a bed. He was spending his few remain- sion facts, and how to eradicate unsafe behav- developing a program to bring back to their visiting local parks and basketball courts to ing days here on earth, sleeping on the floor. iors, according to one of the groups' leader. schools and their peers so that they have the hand out educational literature and encourage We at the AIDS Foundation believe that "This is the first year that our Student everyone deserves to live and die in dignity. Advisory Board has been in existence," said We were able to get this man a bed so that he Sue Maki, leader, Student Advisory Board “... Going into it, we had hoped that we could be good role could rest in comfort while battling this virus and Co-chair, Aids Walk, AFWM. "The group … unfortunately a battle he could not win." consists of students from middle schools models for these kids … it turns out that they have been the This year, the 2009 Aids Walk takes place through college. Our original intent for the role models for us." on September 12 at Forest Park in group was to recruit more students for our Springfield, Mass. One hundred percent of all walk and also to educate those students on money raised by walkers goes back into the how to eliminate risky behaviors, make the facts they need to think positive and stay neg- others to participate. community through the Foundations' individ- best choices possible and reduce the stigma ative." "On walk day, their duties will include set ual grant program. It also helps develop its related to HIV/AIDS. The educational com- "We believe that these kids will make a up, running the games for the younger kids, education agenda. For more information ponent has really taken over and we are work- huge difference in educating others to make perhaps even manning an education table for about the Student Advisory group or the Aids ing on developing a peer education program good decisions regarding their health," Maki their peers," said Maki. Walk, please call the foundation's office at to send these students out into their schools added. The AIDS Foundation of Western Mass. 413-301-0955, email info@aidsfoundation- and communities to teach others what they Lauren Berrouard, a local Bay Path College assists individuals and families living with wm.org or visit www.aidsfoundationwm.org. have learned. Students today get very little student and student leader of the group, joined HIV/AIDS in Hampshire and Hampden coun- "These students inspire me every time I sit education about the transmittal of the the Aids Foundation in their mission because ties. According to Zatyrka, the support that down with them," said Zatyrka. "They all HIV/AIDS virus in a traditional school set- of her passion for non-profit work and her the Foundation has provided pays for medical genuinely care and want to make a difference. ting." desire to help those in need. expenses, living expenses, emergency needs, It's very moving to see these kids in action. According to Maki, AIDS is 100 percent "Other youth community members should appliances, and items as simple as a bed in Going into it, we had hoped that we could be preventable. However, in the United States, join the Student Advisory Board so they can order to avoid the alternative reality of sleep- good role models for these kids … it turns out every nine and a half minutes, someone become educated in the topic of HIV/AIDS in ing on the floor. Over half and million grant that they have been the role models for us."

Eramo from Page 3 right to take that away from us. Unless gays will come to its senses and realize that this is it will evoke the same meaning for me as it have never been able to marry in the country and lesbians are allowed to use the word a civil rights issue and nothing more. does for everyone else: Love. that their son ended up leading. marriage to describe their commitment, it's Regardless, I know that when I walk down The lesson? Don't leave matters of civil not equal. A civil union is not a marriage. A the aisle with my partner one day, I will say * Eramo is a freelance writer and editor liv- rights up to the public opinion and majority commitment ceremony is not a marriage. the words "I do." I will choose this pronoun ing in Cranston, RI. Visit her blog (Same Sex vote. Gay marriage is not marriage. Marriage is and verb that have been available to me in in the City) at http://samesexinthecity- Civil rights. These two words are supposed marriage. Plain and simple. the language that I have spoken for 30 years- lisa.blogspot.com/. Reach her via email at to be extended to us all. Black, white, gay, -the words that have been spoken so many [email protected]. straight, male, female--it doesn't matter. A lesson in love times before by couples young and old in the Marriage is our right--and nobody has the I have no idea when the rest of the country country in which I was born and raised. And

NETU from Page 7 rate is $100.00 for full table, and $55.00 for half bullying in schools, discrimination in the a table. For profit rate is $200.00 for full table workplace, and more will all be addressed, and and $110.00 for half table. even your group." The rates go up 10 percent on Sept 20, 2009. This is where you come in. Please help us, and Please contact Vickie Boisseau at 508-335-1719 yourself by renting a table at this momentous to reserve your table, and help us end trans dis- event. We only have 30 tables to rent. Nonprofit crimination, and to celebrate our uniqueness.

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TRT www.PrizmDesigns.com • 413.364.1264 www.therainbowtimesnews.com • The Rainbow Times • Sept. 3-30, 2009 • 21 Queer Boston & NoH0 AIDS Action Committee moving headquarters from downtown to Jamaica Plain Miss Trans Northampton Space wil allow for improved client support & more community support Boston, MA—AIDS Action Committee of other service providers and government agen- Pageant set to debut Massachusetts (AAC) announced today that it cies that serve our clients and encourage them Transgender Women Vie for Crown; Miss Bay State 2009 among Judges will be moving from its Downtown Crossing to make their services available onsite." Northampton, MA—On September 5 at 7:00 our community. location to a new, larger facility in Jamaica Randal Rucker, Chief Executive Officer of p.m. at the Northampton Center for the Arts, the It shows that we Plain near Jackson Square. The agency will neighboring Family Service of Greater Boston first-ever Miss Trans Northampton Pageant will can appreciate move to a renovated building at 75 Amory said, "We welcome AIDS Action to the com- sizzle onto the Pioneer Valley's cultural scene. the beauty of Street. The MALE Center, AAC's community munity. Their work is critical to advancing Produced by Christa Hilfers and planned as an everyone, and it center for gay and bisexual men, will continue leading-edge education and prevention strate- annual event, the competition will introduce and empowers us to operate at 571 Columbus Avenue in the gies to combat HIV and AIDS. We've seen recognize talented transsexual women living in all. And South End. AIDS Action staff and volunteers firsthand the impact of HIV and AIDS on the the area. besides, it's will continue their outreach and prevention families we serve. Their move to the Jackson "Having this pageant will be an exciting, fun going to be a efforts throughout Greater Boston. AAC Square community will help facilitate compli- experience for transsexual women," said Hilfers. hoot!" expects to move sometime between late fall mentary services for all community residents." "For years, trans people have been knocked Among the and early winter of this year. The agency's new headquarters will be locat- down by most of society. It's time we trans judges is AAC conducted an extensive search for ed near a number of organizations with which women get up, brush the dirt off and show the CHRISTA HILFERS Kimmy facilities that could reduce agency costs while AAC has strong alliances, including world we are everyday people whose only issue Supernaw, Miss better serving their clients and constituents. Community Servings, Dimock Community was being born into the wrong body. Regardless Bay State 2009. Supernaw, a senior at Westfield The new Jackson Square location was chosen Health Center, Family Service of Greater of who wins the title, every trans person is beau- State College said, "I'm excited to show my sup- because it gives the agency the opportunity to Boston, Martha Eliot Health Center, the tiful! It's time the world knows it." port for the gay/lesbian/transgender community. build a more client-focused space. In addition Multicutural AIDS Coalition (MAC) and the Competing in four categories—glamour, I think it's an amazing opportunity for trans to being convenient for the agency's staff and Whittier Street Health Center. AAC hopes this poise, evening gown, and talent—eight contest- women to feel beautiful and share their stories clients, it will allow AAC to expand its support location will provide new and different kinds ants each hope to win the title "Miss Trans and identities with others." Also on the judges' and outreach efforts while serving the commu- of opportunities for partnerships with these and Northampton 2009" along with a cash prize and panel are Jane Savage, owner of Ultra Gal; Bet nity-at-large. AAC provides direct services to other area groups. an on-stage appearance at the New England Power and Aydin Brannon, transgender more than 2,500 clients, and its prevention and "I am thrilled to welcome the AIDS Action Trans United Pride March & Rally. The winner activists; Vickie Boisseau, intersex activist; and education programs reach more than 30,000 Committee to 75 Amory Street in Jamaica will represent the city of Northampton as she Susan Cummings Maroni, arts and culture people directly each year. Plain," said Boston City Councilor John M. fulfills her responsibilities in the coming year at writer for The Beat magazine. "We are very excited about our new loca- Tobin, Jr. "AIDS Action is a well-respected fundraising functions for the transgender com- Proceeds from the pageant will benefit the tion," said Rebecca Haag, President and CEO organization that has been providing resources, munity. New England Trans United Pride March & of AAC. "As we approach 30 years of assistance and education to the community for Residents from across Massachusetts, contest- Rally (www.newenglandtransunited.org), HIV/AIDS, the needs of our clients and the more than 25 years. They will also be a valu- ants include Danica Marie Ali of Springfield, scheduled for October 3 in Northampton. agency have changed. Our new facility is being able asset to the development of the neighbor- Samantha Cornell of Worcester, Lorelei Erisis of Tickets are on sale at Ultra Gal, Food for designed from the ground up to meet those hood." Northampton, Amy George of Harwich Port, Thought Books, and Pride and Joy Bookstore; needs, with a more client-centered approach AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, Lily Rin of Newton, Leslie-Ann Rios of may be purchased online at www.mis- which will include a more spacious waiting Inc., (AAC), New England's first and largest Monson, Jessica Thepsenabong of Quincy, and stransnorthampton.tk; and will be available at area with computer terminals, more private AIDS service organization, is dedicated to Tammy Twotone of Ludlow. the door. meeting rooms, and a large amount of new stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS by prevent- "Unlike other pageants, this is not a celebra- The pageant has already attracted regional meeting space for job training, housing work- ing new infections and optimizing the health of tion of a single person's beauty, but of a whole and national attention. WFCR-FM radio recent- shops, peer groups, and community meetings. those already infected. More information is community," said entertainer and stand-up ly aired a segment about it and The National To ensure a more efficient and effective service available at www.aac.org and at AAC's blog at comedian Twotone. "This is but one aspect of Geographic Channel plans to film at the event. delivery system, we will offer our new space to blog.aac.org. The Laramie Project: Ten years later, epilogue to premiere in Boston, NY & CT New York, NY—The creators of the highly with Matthew's mother Judy Shepard and In tandem with the Premiere, an online of Tectonic Theater Project will be active par- acclaimed play The Laramie Project, which Mathew's murderer Aaron McKinney, who's interactive community will be launched ticipants in the online community, offering since 2000 has been one of the most per- serving two consecutive life sentences. The where participants can blog, upload video and participants feedback and encouragement. formed plays in America, will premiere a writers also conducted many follow-up inter- photos and share their stories about the play, Information about tickets to all other events compelling and groundbreaking epilogue to views Laramie residents from the original experiences in preparing and presenting the can be found on local links via the original piece. Entitled The Laramie piece, including, Romaine Patterson, Reggie Epilogue in their communities. The members www.laramieproject.org. Project: Ten Years Later, the play will be per- Fluty, Jedediah Shultz, Father Roger Schmidt, formed in New York at Lincoln Center, at Jonas Slonaker and others. Connecticut College, New London, Connecticut (TBA), and at Celebrity Series of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, among others. The writers of this play are Tectonic Theater Project members Moisés Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris, and Stephen Belber. The epilogue focuses on the long- term effects of the murder of Matthew Shepard on the town of Laramie. It explores how the town has changed and how the murder continues to reverberate in the community. The play also includes new interviews 22 • Sept. 3-30, 2009 • The Rainbow Times • www.therainbowtimesnews.com Visión Latina ¡Prosperidad para mi Patria, Puerto Rico! Por: Wilfred Labiosa* nidad. Conocí a un abogado que ahora vive en egreso de estar unas semanas en mi las calles, observé jóvenes menores de 20 años patria, Puerto Rico, con diferentes de edad prostituyéndose, familias vagabundas, Rdeseos y emociones. Fui para disfrutar y muchos "hospitalillos". La obra de estas y trabajar a mi isla pero salí educándome más organizaciones se debe aplaudir y reconocer de lo que esperaba. Estuve una semana visitan- más en los medios noticiosos. Tengo que men- do programas para personas ambulantes, para cionar que también la prensa en los E.U. drogadictos, y para personas viviendo con debería de hacer algo al respecto y educar a VIH/SIDA, más pude hacer alcance comuni- nuestras comunidades de organizaciones que tario en las áreas de La Perla y Río Piedras hacen este honroso trabajo localmente. Centro. Pude observar otro lado de mi PR. Organizaciones como La Perla del Gran Precio, Todos los días leía los periódicos y cada día La Posita de Jesus, y otras más hacen un traba- era más de lo mismo. Política, asesinatos, jo que se debe reconocer en PR. economía, "chismes," y anuncios vendiendo de La política en PR se debería reconocer como todo (de verdad que hay mas anuncios que noti- un deporte olímpico. La gente habla de este cias en los periódicos). No existen noticias que "deporte" todos los días. Creo que se habla puedan educar a nuestro pueblo en relación a más que de las peleas de boxeo; la gente habla temas que nos afectan a todo/as. Por supuesto de sus filosofías políticas, de sus candidatos, que toda noticia puede ser un momento educa- del futuro político de PR, y demás. Y los políti- tivo pero yo digo que debería haber temas cos malgastan el dinero sin enfocarse en las históricos, sugerencias de cómo mejorar la necesidades de nuestro pueblo. Tengo que economía, de salud, teatro, artes plásticas, mencionar que aunque el Gobernador Fortuño espiritualidad, etc. El periódico publica estos ha hecho un trabajo excelente en adoptar escue- Playa de Isla Verde, Puerto Rico. Beach of Isla Verde, Puerto Rico. To read this article in temas una vez a la semana, pero ¿qué pasa el las públicas para mejorar su apariencia exterior English go to: www.therainbowtimesnews.com/latinvision Foto por: Wilfred Labiosa resto de la semana? La prensa debería incluir e interior, ¿qué pasa con materiales educativos, ahora la gente tiene que pagar una tasa con- Pronto se celebra un año mas del descubrim- mas reseñas de temas educativos en vez de con los currículos, y con la educación de nues- tributiva más alta en todo. iento de PR y de la herencia Latina, así que pro- fotografías macabras. tra gente? Por lo menos tenemos que reconocer que pongo que aunque sea por un día (o quizás Algunos días pude hacer alcance comuni- Ahora en PR se cobra un impuesto, desde un nuestra cultura puertorriqueña y nuestro país es más) ofrezcan una donación a alguna organi- tario. Hay organizaciones que van todos los litro de leche a ropa, arroz hasta estacionamien- rico en colores, sabores, sonidos, cultura, histo- zación que ayude a nuestra comunidad Latina días por las calles (éstas son organizaciones pri- to, una camisa a un cuadro, y ¿las cosas han ria y en su gente. Las playas de Vieques, los en nuestros países o aquí en tu patio. vadas sin fines de lucro) dando de comer, ayu- cambiado? ¡No! ¡Qué barbaridad! Este dinero colores del Yunque, la historia en el Viejo San Movilízate e infórmate de grupos que están dando y manejando las necesidades de ambu- ahora está cubriendo los gastos de los políticos Juan, los sabores de Guayanilla y Salinas, los abogando y trabajando para la comunidad lantes, y ofreciendo cuidado médico. Fui y y las deudas que dejaron los que se fueron. Los sonidos de nuestra música y fauna, y las GLBT en PR, como PR para Tod@s, La observé como el problema de drogas está incre- salarios no aumentan para la gente, pero sí para riquezas en la diversidad de nuestra gente se Fundación de Derechos Humanos de PR, Taller mentando y afectando a toda nuestra comu- los políticos. Los salarios no aumentan pero observa por doquier. Deseo que mis compatri- Lésbico Creativo, y otros más. ¡Enorgullécete otas, allá y aquí, ayuden a su prójimo, que de quien eres! Si eres de PR, proponte en darte nuestra comunidad no sea tan homofóbica, tan un viaje a PR, y si no eres de PR, ¡viaja a PR y machista, y que nuestra gente se eduque de lo date la vuelta! Tomen sus vacaciones en mi isla que está pasando a su alrededor y que esto lo/as del encanto. A mi gente de PR (allá y acá) les motive a hacer algo al respecto. A todos los via- deseo todo lo mejor y un futuro más prospero, jeros, vayan a mi isla preciosa y gasten sus con paz, igualdad, y estabilidad social y dólares ya que ayudará a nuestra economía (a económica. largo plazo). Estoy emocionado por un mejor * Escrito en ambos idiomas por Wilfred W. futuro para todo/as y por que la gente GLBT Labiosa y editado por Gricel Martínez Ocasio. pueda obtener los mismo derechos que todo/as. Para comentarios o sugerencias de tópicos en un Tengo fe en que los ambulantes podrán obtener futuro comuníquense al [email protected] viviendas, que los drogadictos recibirán el Wilfred es el representante de esta región en la cuidado necesario con dignidad y respecto, y mesa directiva de la organización GLBT Nacional que la gente de PR se educará más y vivirán en llamada Unid@s. To read this article in English, armonía. go to: www.therainbowtimesnews.com/latinvision Finding You the RIGHT One, Not Just Anyone

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(413) 665-3218 • massmatch.com • [email protected] www.therainbowtimesnews.com • The Rainbow Times • Sept. 3-30, 2009 • 23 Queer Sports & QClassifieds The Outfield: ‘The OutField’ opens eyes By: Dan Woog* "After the conversation, I felt amazing. I player who pretended to act feminine, "There ast winter, "The can't wait to see what the future has in store for are no fags on this team." But, as Cory also OutField" pro- the program." knows, team environments are often rife with Lfiled a closeted Cory suggested I call Kranjc. The coach was jokes and putdowns. All-America college soc- eager to talk. "Guys say things," Kranjc noted. "Trying to cer player. "Mason" (a "Cory's such a great kid. He's responsible, stop that is like trying to stop drinking in col- pseudonym) described intelligent, he works hard every day," Kranjc lege. You're better off trying to educate people his love for the game - began. "He's a heck of a player - and young about it." If he hears anti-gay comments now, and the repressive envi- man." Kranjc said, he will respond: "Hey, don't say ronment that kept him from coming out to In his 10 years as head coach, Kranjc said he that. You have no idea who you might offend." teammates and coaches. never knew any gay players. Because Cory had Kranjc will also encourage athletes to attend What a difference six months makes. many female friends at Hastings - an NAIA lectures about GLBT subjects. "We're a liberal When the column appeared in February, school in Nebraska - Kranjc never suspected he arts school," he said. "It's important to expose Cory - that's his real name - was ready to come was gay. But after reading the "OutField" arti- everyone here to everything. They may not out to his best friend. He showed him the story. cle, he knew he had to call his former player. always agree, but they have to start thinking The friend thought it was great, and shared it "It was Cory," Kranjc explained. "He was a about different things. I know I've been opened with his friends. Soon, everyone knew that human being. For four years he gave his heart up to a different landscape, and it's great." "Mason" was Cory. All reacted positively. and soul to the program. I love him and his He also hopes to start a discussion on gay A month after graduation, the piece reached family. My kids love him too." CORY issues - perhaps with Cory by his side - at the Chris Kranjc, Cory's coach at Hastings Kranjc told Cory: "I wished you'd talked to national coaches' convention in January. College. He texted Cory, saying, "We need to me when you were here, so we could have was gay, and how they handled it," Kranjc said. Kranjc is eager for the season to start, so he talk. I'm here for you." dealt with things. But I understand why you "I feel badly Cory didn't feel he could have can influence a new team. But his effect on "I knew what it was about," Cory recalled. didn't." been who he was. I don't think it affected his Cory is already apparent - including one way "We chatted for a little while about soccer and Kranjc calls himself "as conservative as can play, but I want to hear as many stories as I can. he never intended. my new job. Finally we started talking about be. And I'm stubborn. But this was Cory. He "I need to understand how people look at the Recently, Kranjc read a story about another the article. He said he wished I came to him needed my support, and he needed to know I world," he added. "Cory's story has taught me gay soccer college player. He forwarded it to earlier. He said he would've been very support- accepted him. That was the most important so much. It's been a great learning experience. Cory. ive. thing. I slipped a couple of times when we It will help all of us move forward." The two men are now dating. "It was so nice to hear him say that. He also talked - and I told him to tell me when I did. As the college soccer season begins, Kranjc said he wants me to come back for the alumni But I felt we reconnected. It was an awesome will try to make sure his athletes know "they * Dan Woog is a journalist, educator, soccer game, and nothing will change. We talked for conversation." can talk to me at any time. Whatever they say coach, gay activist, and author of the "Jocks" an hour, and he ended by saying the article was Kranjc said the talk opened his eyes. He will be confidential, if they want. I've always series of books on gay male athletes. Visit his a slap in the face for him. But he said he need- decided to educate himself about gay issues. said that, but maybe I need to emphasize it Web site at www.danwoog.com. He can be ed to read it. He wants to do more research, and He began by calling other coaches. more." reached care of this publication or at learn from this. "I asked if they coached someone they knew He apologized to Cory for once saying to a [email protected].

C’mon Out from Page 2 come home. When this happens, it's surpris- ing how families begin to open and adjust. It is always terribly unfortunate when fami- Q Classifieds They'll be more work to do in repairing this ly members can not be open to their loved BiCurious situation, but this is the hardest first step. So EMPLOYMENT ones. SWBiF looking for friendship and possibly more in Often LGBT people think that if they rock my advice to you and your partner Tim, is to Desktop Publishing (Quark). Need to work 3 days per Springfield/Noho area. Very new to scene and testing the the boat too much, love and acceptance will call their bluff. Don't go to the family gather- waters. Great sense of humor and kind heart. College ings. See what happens. You'll most likely be month and meet tight deadlines. Deadline-oriented a be withheld. When family members exhibit must. Call to inquire: 413-204-8959; 518-391-2617. educated and intelligent. Contact Ashley at honour_hus- homophobia and try to exclude the LGBT surprised. Should they behave otherwise, [email protected] or call 413.883.0396. person's partner from the family, such as in contact me again. SPECIAL SITUATIONS Bi-Man looks for more: Hi looking for some hot times with your experience, it creates great upset. You Best of luck to you both! Tetty new people.you never know what fun things can happen. and your partner probably feel angry and hurt Trans woman looking for roommate situation. $300 or contact: 413-229-3799 or [email protected] that his family is so closed minded. Your C'mon Out! Submit your questions to under (inclusive, if possible). Looking to move around NEW: Bisexual looking for an open minded lover- tranny, BF, BM-Long term. Contact: [email protected] partner may also feel that if he stands up to Tetty Gorfine, Director of LifeCourse Oct. 1st Ideally cat-friendly environment. 860-668-5235 these attitudes, things will become worse and Counseling Center. Simply go to www.life- or [email protected]. NEW: Bisexual, looking for hot guys to have hot steamy course.net and click on "Ask Us A he may lose their love. fun with.Im very open minded and love sex.So give me a Question." All questions will be answered call and we can talk. 413-229-3799 or [email protected] As I have said before in this column, my on the bulletin board. One or two will be PERSONALS overwhelming experience with gay and les- Women 4 women printed next month here in The Rainbow Trans Looking to meet women in the Springfield/Northampton bian clients is that the vast majority of family Times. 29y/o full time transgendered woman living in upstate MA area for friendship and fun! Diva's, Oz, dinner/cof- members will not ultimately disown their NY. I am looking for a long term relationship with some- fee/drinks in NoHo or Springfield. Movies, the beach, you beloved. They may kick and scream, carry on one in the age range of 22-45. www.Debbie-Vine.4t.com name it let's get together and do it! Contact Kris at dol- in this way or that, but when an the gay or les- * Tetty also been a psychotherapist since 1980. She has worked extensively Email: [email protected] [email protected] bian person puts their foot down, believes in with LGBTQ individuals, couples and Men 4 Men Looking for other women for outdoor activities; biking, themselves and holds to their knowing that groups and has supervised both clinicians Hey, 18 yo looking for a man in Western MA, for roman- hiking, and cross country skiing. I like to cook, especially they deserve respect for who they are, family and therapists in training. Her vision and tic relationship... under 20 ONLY. Thanks. Contact: Josh coming up with healthy tasty recipes. Walks in the woods, members will begin to change. leadership spirited nearly all of at [email protected] sitting by a cozy fire, enjoying all life has to offer. Contact: Likely, your partner's family love him and LifeCourse Counseling Center's programs. [email protected]. I am open-minded, nice, intellgent, good looking in an they won't want to lose him either. Family Tetty has also been on numerous radio NEW: I am a 6'4 who love my high heel boot, would you talk shows and television programs. She old fashioned way, youthful and historical. Contact: members can be jerks about not wanting to Douglas at [email protected] like to walk with me? FMI: Liz at: [email protected] accept diversity, but when they're up against has presented at professional confer- the wall and see that if they do not become ences on topics pertinent to gay, lesbian, NEW: Ret. Gent, European, Educated, seeking intelli- bisexual and transgender individuals. gent male company. Contact Herbert at 518-623-4115. more flexible, their beloved might just not 24 • Sept. 3-30, 2009 • The Rainbow Times • www.therainbowtimesnews.com