TThhee RRaaiinnbbooww TTiiYearmm 1, Vol. 2 •e eFeb., 15-28ss 2007 www.therainbowtimesmass.com Your LGBT News Connection in Western Massachusetts TRT Queer Justice’s Atty. Jennifer Dexter dis- The Women’s Fund Gala Event: ‘For cusses adoption issues faced by same-sex cou- ples and how to cope the Love of Women,’ nothing better with the law, asked from By: NICOLE LASHOMB TRT readers. Send her said Suzanne Slater, Co- your questions! TRT Editor-in-Chief president of the Board of See Page 5 NORTHAMPTON—On the Women’s Fund of February 10, 2007, the Western Massachusetts. LGBT Homelessness: Women’s Fund of Western “We are going to announce Part II of III in Western Massachusetts kicked off that we would’ve given Massachusetts. its 10th annual gala cele- Greenfield’s DIAL/SELF away $1 million by then.” Teen Services offer hope bration at the Hotel According to the to the homelessness epi- Northampton in down- Women’s Fund, the organ- demic of LGBT youth in town Northampton, Mass. ization raises money to the region. This year’s gala, For the build long-term financial See Page 3 Love of Women, was filled resources for women and with women, celebrating girls, build women’s pro- TRT’s LGBT Health women, their contributions grams through grant-mak- Doctor Renee Lang talks to society, and their contri- ing and technical assis- about taking care of your bution to each other. tance, promote heart, even after “November 1st marks Carolyn Schreiner, from Cape Cod, enjoys the wonderful Valentine’s, literally and food served at the Women’s Fund Gala, For the Love of seriously. Follow her tips the 10th year Anniversary Women, celebrated at the Hotel Northampton. Photo: TRT for heart health. of the gala celebration,” See Gala Youth Page 6 See Page 4 HRC Corporate Meeting promotes transgender civil rights Equality Index: The By: LINDSAY HURTEAU MTPC hopes to revitalize tion,” said Laura Langley, lic accommodations and companies with the TRT Reporter a Western Mass. chapter MTPC legislative commit- public education. worst scores and the Northampton, MA—On group. tee member. “We know that the com- ones that follow them. It Saturday, Feb. 10, a com- “Saturday’s meeting was According to Langley, munity is ready, we is worth it to take a look munity meeting was held at these scores and believe that the common- judge by yourself! in Northampton to discuss “... There’s hatred right on Main Street, wealth is ready—and See Page 5 transgender civil rights. there are people losing jobs on Main Street, we’re excited to clarify The meeting was run by not to mention the surrounding towns.” that state law protects the Boston based —Susan Geary everyone, including trans- TRT Just Tech’s Jason Mass.Transgender held to educate LGBT the legislation will clarify gender people,” said Turcotte on the browser Political Coalition wars. Is Internet Explorer people and allies about the existing law and make Langley, who also chairs better than Firefox, Safari (MTPC), a group of vol- context of the legislation, clear that discrimination the Committee on and what about others? unteers who maintain to give tools to help in lob- against transgender people Transgender Inclusion for Find out what Turcotte chapters in Worcester, bying to state reps, and to is impermissible in the Massachusetts Lesbian has to say about this hot Boston and the North educate friends, family Massachusetts. The legis- and Gay Bar Association, topic! See Page 8 Shore, and who have members and others in the lation will prohibit dis- MLGBA. helped to pass non-dis- community about the crimination in employ- • Springfield Tax Glitch Page 8 crimination ordinances in importance of the legisla- ment, housing, credit, pub- See Trans Page 3 • Hartford Club: NO to Shirley Q. Page 6 Boston and Northampton. Street Sense: Do you think same-sex marriage will be overturned in Massachusetts and why? “It is difficult to predict, “"No, it won't be overturned “I think if there was more of an Massachusetts is a very liberal because the state legislature will imminent threat, more people state, especially on social go to any lengths to prevent a would be going out and protest- issues. However, there is a binding ballot question—which is ing against it. I also think that a Puritan influence, and the probably the right thing to do in lot of straight people think it is churches have a strong pres- this case. When it comes to ridiculous that it [the law] is being ence in this state. But I hope gay issues of civil rights, democracy questioned because of the high marriage stays as it is.” shouldn't always come first.” gay population in Mass. I don't think it will be overturned.” Jim Croft & Claire Johnson- Edward Ryan Gina Gaetz Croft, South Hadley Greenfield Northampton Editorials2 • Feb. 15-28, 2007 • The Rainbow Times Letter to the Editor: Homeless article right on target Love, rights and the rest of it Congratulations on launching The referral on a wide range of services in By: J.M. SORRELL (AKA JM been waiting for—one- avoidance of relationship. Rainbow Times! It should meet some very Hampshire County. THE JP) TRT Columnist way expression with I’d like to thank you for real needs in our community. Sincerely, hen the pub- responses that are lapsed your concern and also let Your article on homeless LGBT youth is lisher asked if and, to a large degree, you know that unless you on target. Most shelters in our area do not Beverly J. Weeks WI wanted to be anonymous. Wow. As a can barter therapy sessions accept individuals under 18. There is one Beverly, a regular columnist for this writer, I can have such for tennis lessons, I will program in Franklin County which serves Thank you for your words and enthusi- regional LGBT publica- relationships with hun- not be your client. My youth ages 11-22: Dial/Self. Director asm for The Rainbow Times. We were tion, my response ran dreds of people who will health care coverage exists David Voegele encourages any young per- happy to receive very good feedback for somewhere along the lines laugh, critique and wonder (gratitude), but is extreme- son, including LGBT, to call the Dial/Self that story, and we are continuing our part II of incredulity and joy. As I how Gricel and Nicole ly limited for mental health TeenLine at 800-878-0698 and speak with with the addition of the same shelter that am known to do, my could have been so desper- services (capitalist pig Meredith Doster about services, which you mentioned in your letter. It is letters thoughts were verbally ate. insurance companies, include an overnight teen warming center from readers like yourself that make us feel expressed before I could After just two para- don’t they know I have during cold months. Located in that we are doing the right thing, right from stop, and I exclaimed, “Do graphs, I now have the anger issues?). Greenfield, Dial/Self serves young people the beginning. We are behind the concept you mean that I would attention of dozens of ther- By the way, my name is in Franklin and Hampshire Counties and of awareness, and will continue our quest have a legitimate forum for apists who are positing J.M. Sorrell. I am a lesbian the north Quabbin region. to provide our Western Massachusetts In addition, individuals may call First my big mouth and my theories about the origin of and a Justice of the Peace. community with the best news that affects Call for Help in Northampton at 413-582- opinions?” my self-deprecation and our region. 4237 or 800-339-7779 for information and —The Editor This is the dream I have what appears to be an See JP from Page 11 The Angry Inch: Gay/Straight ... Does it really apply to transsexuals? By: JANE HAMEL* mer “family man” who now-alienated wife, was labeled gay or straight is he gay? A trans-man TRT Columnist doesn’t see being trans as still there. which brings some loving a trans-woman … irst things, first! I “ooooh fabulous!” I try And the winner is? enlightenment to my dis- help! Maybe self-labeling am a pre-op trans- hard to keep up with the Bisexual? Crap! Another like of labels. When is the right answer. You are Fgender woman ever-growing list of labels, label! But, I didn’t feel you’re barred from the what you feel, but I would who has been transtition- which try to “box” up any- “Bi,”even though it fit my “club,” you start to hate rather see no labels at all, ing for several years. I am one different as soon as we attraction to both men and that club. Let’s get beyond and I’m still dateless. not an expert in transgen- escape from the closet. My women. What I feel is that my own prejudice, what * Jane Hamel teaches der issues, but I believe I favorite is still Metro-sex- I am not a well defined about a post-op trans- Bluegrass and Clawhammer know more about it than ual, which instantly sum- man or woman, therefore woman who loves women. banjo styles to beginners and advanced, old and young. She the average person. I plan mons the mental image of Jane Hamel how can labels applied to Is she a lesbian? And a to inform/educate/share a platypus. So, reaching men and women be used trans-man who loves men, has been playing and teach- this, throughout my life with people with this col- back to examine my own to define me? This one ing for more than thirty years.