Year 2, Vol. 20 • March 6 - April 2, 2008 The www.therainbowtimesnews.com F R E E ! Bob Mould hits the road after NY lesbian couple can ainbow imes two-year hiatus divorce T p. R p. 12 17 Your LGBT News in Western MA, the Capital District of NY, Northern CT, & Southern VT 12 Janet J. exclusive! P. 13 WGBY: GAY SCREENING at ACADEMY of MUSIC P. 3 CIVIL UNIONS MAKE SECOND- CLASS STATUS P. 8 10 NEIGHBORHOODS with a GAY VIBE P. 14 TRUE COLORS CELEBRATES 15TH ANNIVERSARY P. 17 TRANSCAMPUS SERIES UNDERWAY AT LOCAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE P. 6 Photo by: Chuando & Frey 2 • March 6 - April 2, 2008 • The Rainbow Times • www.therainbowtimesnews.com Opinions Thanks to all, especially to my father The Controversial Couch Lie back and listen. Then get up and do something By: Nicole C. Lashomb/TRT Editor-in-Chief just taking baby steps. You have given us your By: Suzan Ambrose*/TRT Columnist shirt off in public in America? s we have become better known in input and have helped us grow. Without you, ’ve been watching the televi- For years women have been fight- the Capital District of NY, we have The Rainbow Times would not be where it is sion show, The Biggest Loser, ing for equality. But when it comes to made some great friends and allies. today. We are eternally grateful to you, and A and I’ve found myself saying what I’ve feeling secure in the right to bare our Not only has the NY expansion been a great we always want you to know that! I been thinking for years—“Do I have to see breasts, we’ve got a long way to go, baby! one, but we are also receiving more requests There are also family members (outside of those man boobs?!” Let’s be clear – I’m not advocating for for The Rainbow Times at more places in my wonderful wife) who have been crucial in Indeed. If you were to block the face of the women to be naked—upper-torso—bare Western Massachusetts, more venues in our success—in my success. In this case, I am contestant weighing in, you’d be hard-pressed when they’re at church (oh Jesus!) or shop- Southern Vermont (like Manchester and referring to my father: Mr. Joe Lashomb (and to know if they were male, if breast size were ping,(apples anyone?) or work—just like you Bennington, we are already in Brattleboro). his dear and loving wife Kathy, whose love your only guide. The men on this show do not wouldn’t expect a man to be either. Respect We want to thank Justin Adkins for his inter- for him is palpable to even a stranger). know shame; otherwise, many would feel for others perspectives instead of just brazen est in The Rainbow Times and for wanting to Through the years I have learned that pride, obligated to keep their shirts on. boldness should be expected in our brave new be a part of it. love, acceptance and care emanate in many Shame has become us, societaly, especially world of the future. We continue to receive photos and videos, different forms—in ways that we expect and if you’re a woman. But mowing your lawn or sunbathing in for the Anniversary Contest and will be nam- in ways that are unpredictable. This month, I Here’s the thing: I’m a complete advocate your backyard or even taking your shirt off ing some winners in the upcoming editions of want to especially thank my dad for his love of a woman’s right to remove her shirt— when it’s 100 degrees out, shouldn’t be a TRT. However, you still have time to submit and support and for always sticking by my crime. In fact, it should be as natural as, well, more photos and videos. We will review them, side, for sacrificing so much when I was girl, and print them, if they are chosen by our pan- and for giving me the courage and strength to And it seems perfectly OK for men to show their nipples out in public— elist of judges. be the best that I could be. Regardless of the I don’t want to go any further without road I’ve traveled or the miles between us, I what’s that all about? So, explain to me, is it nipples that can’t be shown, or free- thanking you, our loyal readers. You have always hear my father’s wise words echoing falling breasts that we have a problem with? And it can’t be only about the size made a difference, for you have cared. You in my mind—“You can do anything if you set have told us that we were needed, as we were your mind to it.” Thanks Dad. of the breast, because, as we are aware in our increasingly obesity-risen times, Read TRT’s Own Trans Column on Page 4 some men have larger breasts than some women! Love, Rights … and the Luck and Love of the essentially, top freedom. So someone remind taking off your shirt when you’re hot. Just like me—why is it illegal for a woman to take her our brothers, fathers and sons do. Irish: A Special March Edition After all, in America, we’re guaranteed By: JM Sorrell*/TRT Columnist practices. Letters to the Editor equality under the law regardless of sex (that hen I traveled to Ireland in mid- LINC (Lesbians in Cork, would be the M or F kind, not the position one February, it was inexpensive and Ltd.) has its own center and Dear Editor, takes!) And yet we fall short on that one, off-season—or so I thought. activities focused on issues What an amazing cover story and it won the especially when it comes to top freedom. W Academy Award too! Thank you for the work First, Valentine’s Day was a 4-day event in for lesbian and bisexual Ask someone why women can’t take their women—health care, litera- that you do and keep it on! shirts of in public and you’re likely to hear Ireland; it must be the Irish warm-up to St. Joey T. , Amherst, MA cy, coming out, aging, etc. comments like: “Men can’t control them- Patrick’s Day. The usually modest, tastefully J.M. the JP private people embrace the love day. It may Every day in the Irish Dear Editor, selves. help that a saint is attached to it. The package Times and Independent (ala NY Times and I think that the lesbian story on FreeHeld, See Couch on Page 21 although touching, it was quite depressing. I deal was wonderful but the euro now costs NY Post) contained much commentary and coverage of the US national election. How think that The Rainbow Times should focus on $1.40. more happy stories. The Rainbow Times many of us here know who the president of The Irish Times gave prime coverage to the Becca T., Hadley, MA 351 Pleasant St., #322 issue of same-sex marriage, as a love-in was Ireland is? Answer: Mary McAleese. Northampton, MA 01060 scheduled at the capital in Dublin on Most notably, column after column pointed Dear Editor, Are you endorsing any candidates? I see that www.therainbowtimesnews.com Valentine’s Day. The government is poised to to the seriousness of the outcome on a global [email protected] level. A Times editorial called it, “Their you often have Hillary Clinton videos on your put into effect civil partnership rights at the website. Does that mean you endorse her? [email protected] Election, Our World.” Many journalists decry end of March, but LGBT activists are working Brian N., Hartford, CT Phone: 413-204-8959 • Fax: 866-310-8512 Obama as an inexperienced sort with empty hard for full rights nothing short of same-sex Dear Brian, NY: 518-391-2617 marriage. rhetoric and they hugely admire Hillary TRT has not officially endorsed any candidate Publisher Columnists: Activists point to Spain as an example of Clinton. at this time, but we do like Hillary Clinton! Gricel M. Ocasio Dr. Renee Lang how a primarily Catholic-practicing country They do not understand gender politics —The Editor Editor-In-Chief Jennifer Dexter since they are used to female leaders—both Suzan Ambrose can achieve this, and they follow American Dear Editor, Nicole Lashomb their own and throughout Europe. They see Writers: states on this and give much credit to A Trans Pride? I don’t think this is needed, or Distribution Clinton as the consummate world politician, Lindsay Wilson Massachusetts. necessary. Why is there always divisiveness in Ben Peterson There are both young radical groups and they see McCain as more of the same that we our struggles? Why do you support it? Should J.M. Sorrell Sales Associates: more conventional organizations working col- have now, and yet, they also wonder how we leave the “T” out then? Webmaster: SJ Seymour laboratively to move this issue forward. The much any new president can truly change our Candy C., Northampton, MA Jarred Johnson front page article in the Times featured a les- trail of ill will. They are frightened by our Dear Candy, bian couple with two children, who had met influence and hopeful we will cease doing We support our trans community and we sup- The Rainbow Times is published by The Rainbow Times, port the Trans Pride March & Rally. Trans LLC. The articles written by the writers, columnists, and with their Teachta Dala (similar to US Rep) to harm.