Partnerships The Gay Alliance appreciates the continuing partnership of businesses within our community who support our mission and vision. Platinum: MorganStanley Smith Barney Gold: Met life Silver: Excenus+' lesbians in New York State." NIXON PEA BOOYt1r State representatives Like Buf­ The outdoor rally in Albany on May 9. Photo: Ove Overmyer. More photos on page 18. falo area Assembly member Sam Hoyt followed Bronson on stage, -f THE JW:HBLDR as well as Manhattan Sen. Tom ftOCHUUII.FORUM lltW tRC Marriage Equality and GENDA get equal billing Duane and Lieutenant Gover­ .-ew ..A..Ulli.LIItlletil nor Bob Duffy; former mayor of at Equality and Justice Day; marriage bill's Rochester. TOMPKINrS future in Senate is still unclear "Marriage equality is a basic issue of civ.il rights," Duffy told By Ove Overmyer Closet press time, it was unclear a cheering crowd. "Nobody in Bronze: Albany, N.Y. - On May 9, when or if Governor Cuomo chis scare should ever question nearly 1,200 LGBT advocates would introduce the bill in rhe or underestimate Governor Cuo­ and allies gathered in the Empire Republican-dominated Senate. mo's commitment to marriage equality. The vernorhas made Kodak State Plaza Convention Center He has scared char he will �? underneath the state house in not do so unless there are enough marriage equality one of his top le Albany for what Rochester area voces to pass the legislation. three zislacive issues chis/ear." 0ut�t.W. Assembly member Harry Bron­ On May 9, activists from Dutfy acknowledge the son called "a historic day." every corner of the state, from difficulties that a marriage bill Assembly member Danny Buffalo to Montauk Pc. on Long Harry Bronson. would face in the Senate, but O'Donnell has introduced the Island, traveled to the state capi­ voiced optimism. "You have marriage equality bill in rhe tal in order to lobby legislators all the Equality and Justice Day Cuomo's full support, you have < Assembly, where it has passed for LGBT issues like transgen­ activity. "I was so impressed with my full support," he said. "We _..Bausch&lomb have a little fight ahead, but ,......_._..,. three times before. At Empty der righrs, health services, and, all the speakers -- especially Bob of course marriage equality. Duffy." The event was sponsored by the Hilaire, a member of the Empire State Pride Agenda. GAGV Youth Group, also told Empty Closet Buffalo Pride is set When the Pride Agenda orga­ The that he came to nized the first rally for gay righrs Albany to tell lawmakers that he for June 4, 5 in 1991, marchers were taunted, personally wants to marry his part­ Buffalo's Gay Pride celebra­ chased and verbally assaulted. ner, who he referredto as a fiancee. tion will take place on June 4 What a far cry from the May 9 "I came to get my rights. I and June 5; Pride-related events rally, where the organizers seam­ wane ro marry the person I love," will take place all month. lessly transitioned activists from he said. Alex Hilaire with Jess Cohen. Events will include a ay one venue to the next, all the Morning session filled with g there's something special about cruise (the Big Gay Boat Ride), while keeping them informed welcoming speeches Harry Bronson, who was the this year." a Dyke March (on June at 5 and well fed. Trying to predict 4 The last speaker of the morn­ p.m.), the Allen Street Festival the needs of the attendees, ESPA first elected official to address ing session was Sen. Tom Duane, on June 4 from 5 p.m. until offered workshops, box lunch­ the crowd in the convention cen­ gmans who will be a Senate sponsor 10 p.m. -- it follows the Dyke es, coffee, beverages, snacks, ter, got right to the point. He Champion: March -- and the Pride Parade sign langua�e interpreters and said, "You can almost feel the of the bill. He told attendees and Festival on Sunday, June a "Childrens Activity Cemer," winds of victory in the air as chat the LGBT community was which highlighted toys and an more and more people under­ betrayed by the legislature before 5, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. (www. and we should not rake anything W N YPrideCenter.org) offstage curtained area for tors. stand oux families and support The Dyke March begins One organizer told The Empty full civil righrs of gay and lesbian for granted. He added, "We are at the parking lot of Belmont Closet, "We've come along way, couples. Your support of and on the right side of history, and we will not be stopped." CORNING Housing Resources, 1195 Main baby." advocacy for our civil rights are Rally rouses attendees Q St., and will proceed down Sum­ Alex Hilaire, 20, a Recre­ so vital for our families' struggle. The demonstrators chanted, mer Sr. onto Elmwood Ave. and ation Counselor who moved We will remember this day in the � Bank&Trust '"What do we want? Marriage! • wind throu h Allentown. from Mississippi to Rochester future as the catalyst that started -� � � g (E&JDay "Comedy of Queers" by when he was 11, was ins pi red by marriage equality for gays and continues page 3) EMP1R£STA1'£ Shawn Northrup will be staged l:.tu.d-C:rnuud• COllEGE CuOcc I h>ll'<' & Girl lluu"· on June 4 at 8 p.m. at Rustbelt RGMC on the Books on Allen Street. [t is a gay take on Shakespeare's "Comedy Roof at One of Errors." Page 18 The Pride Parade on June 5 Lines up at 11 a.m. and steps off at 1 p.m., beginning on Elm­ wood at Lafayette and ending at Chippewa Sr. This )'ear marks a change in location for Buffalo's gay pride Friend: celebration, as the Pride Festi­ val is moving from Bidwell Park to the larger historic Erie Canal Harbor (at Canalside), which is along the waterfront -- a beau­ tiful spot for the celebration. 2 A THE EMPTY CLOSET • THE GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY • NUMBER 446 • JUNE 2011 GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLE Y The Empty Closet is published by the Gay Alliance of the GeneseeV alley Perspectives 875 E. Main Street, Su�e 500 Rochester, New York 14605 ©2011, All right s reserved. FROM THE FROM TH E Editor-In-Chief: SUsanJ ordan Staff Reporters: Ove Overmyer. laur Empty Closet Editor Executive Director McSpadden Graphic Design: Jim Anderson SUSAN JORDAN SUE COWELL Intern Photographer: Jim Wil<ins GENOA probably has no Advertising policy: her friends and friends of friends The Empty Closet does not print advertise· chance of corningto the floor for to kick off our first Ride for ments that contain nude drawings or pho­ debate and a vote this year. One tographs, nor does it print advertising that Pride in 2010. states that the person pictured in the ad is queer rights bill per year seems On September 11, 2010, for sale, or that you will •get•• that particular to be the limit. Nonetheless, we person if you patronize the establishment 18 riders set off along the Erie advertised. Advertisements that are explicitly need ro remember that there is Canal Towpath, rode 100 kilo­ racist, sexist, ageist, ableist or homophobic still a major gap in civil rights meters (about 62 miles), and will be refused; advertisements from organi­ protections within our state. zations that are sexist, racist, ageist, ableist raised over $4,500 for the Gay or anti·gay will also be refused. All politi­ That gap concerns - or Alliance! It was such a successful cal advertisements must contain Information should concern - all gay, les­ and fun day thar it was decid­ about who placed them and a method of contact. Additionally, TheEmpty Closet does bian and bisexual New Yorkers, ed that Ride For Pride should not print negativeor "attack" advertisements. not only the transgender com­ become an annual event. whether they relate to a product or polftics and no matter in whose interest the ad is munity. Why? Because the big­ This year the Ride For Pride being produced. A negative advertisement ots - whether "respectable" men wi II take place on Saturday, June is defined as one that focuses upon a rival in expensive offices or lunatic This year, riders have product, or i1 the polftical area, a rival elec­ 18. 38 tion candidate or party, in order to point out gay-bashers on the street - don't registered ro ride. With your supposed flaws and to persuade the pub· usually distinguish between the support we can raise even more lie not to buy it (or vote for him or her). The Empty Closet maintains, within legal bound­ Remember GENDA various idenrjties that lie behind RIDE FOR PRIDE needed funds ro support our aries, neutrality regarding products, political L, G, B, T or the other alphabet is June programs. candidates and parties. However, •attack" There is renewed hope for letrers.Such ftne distinctions are 2011 18! And don't miss Norma Hol­ ads that fail to provide undisputable evidence passing marriage equality in that the information in the ad is true do not beyond them. Ride For Pride 2010 came to land's Channel 13 interview further in any way the objectives and poli· New York this year - maybe If gender-variance means life one night while two friends with Ride for Pride organizers, cies of the GayAlliance or TheEmpty Closet, even this month. An April poll including the primary tenet that The Empty people are at risk for discrimi­ were hanging our.