Year 4, Vol. 12 • December 1, 2011 - January 4, 2012 • www.therainbowtimesnews.com FREE! The PHOTO: DALE STINE RThe Freshestainbow Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender T Newspaperimes in New England A VERY PHOTO: MEENO GAGA HOLIDAY p5 TRANSGENDER EQUAL RIGHTS BILL PASSES IN MASS PHOTO: CHUCK COLBERT p3 NORTHAMPTON’s pride & JOY REOPENS The p9 YEAR in PHOTO: RICHARD VADEN withQUEER D Alexander The Best of 2011: TRT’s Coverage & Year in Review p7 p13 Boston Pride Hosts 2nd Annual Holiday to Benefit Youth Pride p6 Check out “Mikey Rox’s Ultimate Guide to Gay Gift Giving” p18 & 20 2 • December 1, 2011 - January 4, 2012 • The Rainbow Times • www.therainbowtimesnews.com Pinkwashing in Israel distracts attention from Yes, Rick, the “family” is the larger human-rights violations, a call to action By: Jason Lydon/TRT Columnist with social justice. bedrock of our society he month of November was “Out in Israel Given this excellent By: Nicole Lashomb*/TRT Editor-in-Chief by politicians and other pseudo-leaders like Month,” as organized by the Consulate history, we are dis- s the 2012 Presidential election Santorum for decades. I equate this rhetoric General of Israel, Israel Campus Round mayed by your part- to be used in the same convoluted way that T nears, the Republican candi- Table, Jewish Community Relations Council, the nership with ‘Out Adates have become more and the term “Christian” has been tarnished too. Boston LGBT Film Festival, among others. Indi- in Israel’ and the more preposterous and pervasive in Families come in all forms and true Christians viduals riding the MBTA throughout the Greater corresponding film their personal views about Americans, or any other religious group for that matter Boston Area were bombarded with ads celebrat- selection, ‘Mom & INION our collective society and neo-conser- should not spread hate and discrimination. ing Israel’s inclusiveness of LGBT people. In Dad: I Have Some- vative views. In what I believe to be a I agree with Santorum, the family is the bed- an OP-ED last month, Sarah Schulman explains thing to Tell You.’ P desperate attempt at gaining wide sup- rock of our society and our country will fall the history of what is called “pinkwashing,” the Through this part- Jason Lydon port around the country from their his- unless we protect the institution of marriage- branding of Israel as a safe-haven for LGBTQ nership, you make O torically social conservative base, the -ALL marriages and ALL families. folks while simultaneously directing attention use of your authority to lend positive publicity potential presidential candidates have focused However, let’s set aside moral corruptness away to the heinous human rights abuses Israel to a government whose human rights violations on hot buttons issues once again such as gay and the “right” for leaders to actively discrimi- is perpetrating against the indigenous people of have attracted worldwide censure. Moreover, you marriage and the institu- nate against the LGBT Palestine. She directs readers’ attention to the form a partnership with ‘Out in Israel’ in spite of tion of “family.” community. Does he even work of Jasbir Puar who names the propensity of an international cultural boycott of Israel -- led by Regardless of unfounded I agree with Santorum, realize the success and LGBTQ support for militaristic nationalism, such Palestinian artists and allies -- to protest the brutal claims, a 2011 Gallup poll the family is the economic growth that has as celebrating the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and illegal occupation.” The letter continued, in- discovered that a major- taken place in the states with no analysis of the empire building led by the forming the leadership of the film festival about ity of Americans support bedrock of our society that have allowed gay U.S. military, “homonationalism.” It is ideologies the reality of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian same-sex marriage. Nearly marriage? Or is he battling like these that those of us with privileged racial, land and the ways they are using our communi- every political classifica- and our country will fall his internal demons so class, gender and citizenship identities need to ties to legitimize their continued colonization. tion saw a rise in the per- much that he can only fo- be cautious of adopting while we think we are The letter was signed by nearly 100 individuals centage of their affiliated unless we protect the cus on the anti-gay move- achieving rights or “equality.” and yet the Boston LGBT Film Festival contin- members who favor mar- institution of marriage-- ment, regardless of how In response to the pinkwashing agenda in Bos- ued to use its name as a sponsor of the Consulate riage equality--Democrats, much it would benefit the ton a group of people came together to write let- General of Israel’s campaign. Liberals, Conservatives, ALL marriages and ALL nation? ters, distribute petitions, and organize attendance Another local organization, Gay and Lesbian Moderates, and Indepen- Last year, CBS news or pickets of particular events. The letter to the Advocates and Defenders (GLAD), partnered dents, with the exception families. reported that in states that Boston LGBT Film Festival began as such: “We with the “Out in Israel” campaign for a break- of Republicans. Their “ap- allow gay marriage such would like to thank you for your inspired contri- fast panel conversation. A letter was also sent to proval rating” was the exact same as last year, as Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire butions to the LGBT community and to Boston, GLAD, which will hopefully lead to a meeting only 28%. and Iowa, hundreds of jobs have been created more generally. Your past film selections evince between community members and GLAD lead- due to the nuptials and millions of dollars in- According to a report from the Huffington a commitment to diversity and a preoccupation See Pinkwashing on page 13 Post, potential Republican candidate Rick fused into state economies. Santorum stated: If gay marriage had not been overturned “We have to fight the battles in the states,” in California, gay couples were projected to Letters to the Editor The Rainbow Times he said at an Iowa Thanksgiving Family Fo- spend $684 million on flowers, cakes, hotels, The Freshest LGBT Newspaper rum “We cannot defer. We can’t say, ‘The photographers and other wedding services Dear Editor, in New England 10th Amendment, they can do what they over a three-year time period alone. This in- I’ve been a loyal reader of the Rainbow www.therainbowtimesnews.com want.’ This is too important for that. There’s formation can be verified by the Williams In- Times for almost 2 years and I commend a basic and central value. The family is the stitute at University of California, Los Ange- you for the work you do. I see that your team [email protected] bedrock of our society. Unless we protect it les School of Law. has diversity on its cover and throughout the [email protected] with the institution of marriage, our country So, considering all things Mr. Santorum, I’m paper. I have followed your trans coverage Phone: 413.282.8881, 617.444.9618 will fall.” not sure who exactly would support your and your LGB too. I think you appeal to or Fax: 888-442-2421 The concept of “family” has been polluted See Opinion on page 3 many of us, young and old, white and people of color, English and Spanish speaking and Publisher Columnists you try to put it all into one very good publi- Gricel M. Ocasio Lorelei Erisis Calling all LGBT business owners, cation. But, I have to mention that I’ve failed Editor-In-Chief Deja N. Greenlaw to see more bisexual coverage. By being Nicole Lashomb Paul P. Jesep here’s an opportunity for you your Facebook fan I’ve seen such coverage Assistant Editor Jason Lydon there, but not as much in the paper. I’d like Brianna Snyder Tynan Power The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of By: Jenn Tracz Grace*/CABO’s Executive Director to see more of it in the years to come. And, Sales Associates Jenn Tracz re you LGBT? Do Commerce is the certifying body for this pro- one last thing, I attend most of the events in Chris Gilmore John Verlinden you own a busi- gram and any local affiliate can assist you in be- Northampton and western Massachusetts. Liz Johnson Aness? Did you know coming certified. I am your resource in Connect- I must say that _I am disgusted by the gay Lead Photographer Reporters there is LGBT business cer- icut and there are resources in each other state men and their lack of support of our commu- Glenn Koetzner Chuck Colbert tification you can receive you may reside in. If you want to be pointed in nity_. As a trans man, I see how very nicely Webmaster Clara Lefton that provides you with ac- the right direction, please e-mail me, jtracz@ welcome I am in gay circles and when I Jarred Johnson Christine Nicco cess to corporations that thecabo.org. There are huge business opportuni- speak of other events, put out by our lesbian Tynan Power ties to be had through these initiatives, so please Lead Designer are looking to do business sisters, I see that gay men are mostly absent Colleen Lennon Casey Rocheteau with you? This concept is take advantage of them! from them. I don’t understand this behavior called “supplier diversity” CABO is able to provide services to its mem- and I resent it because I am a trans man, but The Rainbow Times is published monthly by ber in large part due to our corporate partner- and there are many certifi- Jenn Tracz Grace I’m also a feminist.