Year 2, Vol. 26 • Sept. 4 - Oct. 1, 2008 The www.therainbowtimesnews.com FREE! Lesbian Notions: Will the The Controversial RainbowTimes “real”women stand up? Couch: God hates fags Your LGBT News in Western MA, the Capital District of NY, Northern CT, & Southern VT p. 24 p. 2 IS OBAMA READY? MCCAIN VS. OBAMA P. 20 STREET SENSE: HILLARY IN OBAMA’S CABINET? P. 26 ‘ANOTHER GAY SEQUEL: GAYS GONE WILD’ P. 6 TRANS SEXUALITY P. 15 ‘BROOKE KNOWS BEST’ GLENN’S TELL ALL Q&A P. 12 MARCH IN ALBANY: SUPPORT MARRIAGE EQUALITY P. 14 AP Photo/Jae C. Hong 2 • Sept. 4 - Oct. 1, 2008 • The Rainbow Times • www.therainbowtimesnews.com Opinions Dad’s story: In loving memory The Controversial Couch Lie back and listen. Then get up and do something By: Nicole Lashomb*/TRT Editor-in-Chief effect of his terminal illness left us all feeling place to live gay-ppily ever after, so defeated. By: Suzan Ambrose*/TRT Columnist [This issue of The Rainbow Times is dedicat- sod off!” Once he lost his brave battle, I began to ed to the memory of Joseph E. Lashomb, my God hates fags. Fred Phelps and his ‘church,’ made ponder that perhaps we indeed had witnessed father, who recently lost his courageous battle At least that’s what the Pastor up of his many, many, many sons and several miracles, such as the miracle of his to cancer, but whose spirit continues to guide Fred Phelps and his wacky cult-like followers daughters, grandchildren and a few trucks, life with an undying spirit and immeasurable and inspire my life.] from the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas continues to protest at soldier’s funerals, love for us all. No matter how difficult the ife is too short; at times it is expected will tell you. This ‘man of God’ is best known regardless of the anguish it causes those in road became, he did not grumble. No matter and sometimes, unexpected. Regardless for his sickening protests at veteran’s funerals mourning. These people hold up signs with L how much pain he was in, he absorbed it with of the nature or anticipation of the inevitable, since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the messages of hate and loathing, yelling angry, grace. No matter how tired he was, he wanted the death of a loved one, the anguish that it sodomy laws. This makes the United States to stay awake, for it was more important for despicable words at the family members. causes is not something one can ever truly gay-friendly and accepting, according to him talk and share with others than to rest his What a loving, spiritual kind of guy; only try- prepare for or embrace when that final Phelps. ailed body. ing to get more people to see just how much moment comes. Recently, I found myself in Huh. I wish someone had mentioned this to Throughout the past several years, before God hates … well, almost everyone, accord- that very predicament. me and my parental units way back when. It his cancer diagnosis, my father evolved into ing to Phelps’ website. But most especially: My father, whom I adored, lost his coura- could have saved me years of therapy if I just an enlightened man who understood complex the gay community. That’s me and you and a geous, noble and valiant battle to perhaps one could have told them: “Hey! America is the concepts at a profound level. One day in his dog named Boo. of the cruelest culprits of all—cancer. When living room we discussed my sexuality and If none of this makes sense to you, you he was diagnosed as having Stage 4 lung can- my marriage to the woman I adore. To be aren’t the only one failing to see the logic in cer this past January, realistically, I knew the truthful, I didn’t know much about his experi- Letters to the Editor that argument. The good news is, most people odds and what he was up against in this fight. ences with the gay community, other than don’t agree with hate mongering. Even if Although he insistently stated that he would Dear Editor, myself. He began describing friendships that Loved The Rainbow Times’ coverage of some folks aren’t completely gay accepting in “beat” this incurable and devastating disease, he had had with members of the gay commu- Uncensored! Nice job! our world, they have the sense to know that I knew it would take a miracle for him to con- nity, members that he had worked with and Howard N. Schenectady, NY what this pastor is saying is pretty far from the quer it. We all prayed for that miracle but as other friendships he had developed through Christianity Jesus is known for preaching. we stood in solidarity with him, the spiraling the years. Dear Editor, See Dad on Page 13 Why are some people so filled with hate for Rue McClanahan’s latest move is great. I the gay community? What is it that needs to couldn’t get enough of the Golden Girls then be heard, or fulfilled, within them? C’mon Out – Just Ask! Advice column and love it more now that she’s continuing to By: Tetty Gorfine* time, a person’s love for work with the gay community. Rue rocks and See Couch on Page 10 I have a daughter 16 from a marriage to my hus- their parent wins out and it was so sad to lose Estelle Getty. band. My husband and I are divorced and I came that significant person will Natally E., Williamstown, MA out 3 years ago. Six months ago I fell in love with a accept and come to terms The Rainbow Times woman. I haven't told my daughter yet. We have with who they are. Dear Editor, 351 Pleasant St., #322 been very close and not telling her is putting a strain Tell you daughter that you Who is Jackie or Jack Kennedy. We love his Northampton, MA 01060 columns here in Hartford! He sounds sexy and on me now. I know I must tell her but I'm afraid of her have been feeling strain in www.therainbowtimesnews.com hopefully he’s a guy ’cause I’m dying to meet reaction. Do you have any advice for me? your relationship because [email protected] him! Care to let him know about me? Worried, Jess TETTY GORFINE you’ve had to keep some- [email protected] Michael G., Hartford, CT thing important from her. Tell her that you are Phones: MA: 413-204-8959 • NY: 518-391-2617 Hi Jess: telling her this because honesty and being Fax: 866-310-8512 Good for you that you recognize the strains close to her is so important to you. Tell her Dear Editor, that are put on a relationship when one person that she has been and will always be special to The Aug., 2008 edition story from Rev. Irene Publisher Deja N. Greenlaw can not be fully themselves. Often it takes you. Monroe was a hit! Of course men are afraid of Gricel M. Ocasio Tetty Gorfine the “F” word. She’s right, it happens in the courage to tell the truth. Now years into the Reach out to your friends Jess and get sup- Editor-In-Chief LGBT community, in the straight community Sales Associate: LGBTQ movements we know that keeping port. The more support and encouragement Nicole Lashomb SJ Seymour secret one’s sexual orientation or gender iden- we have in these types of situations the and everywhere we go. Women are always treated like second class citizens. No wonder Distribution Reporter: tity is very detrimental. It causes much pain. stronger we feel. Ben Peterson Lindsay Wilson Relationships that harbor secrets also fair The best to you and your daughter Jess. why our butch lesbians are going for sex oper- poorly. Keeping authentic parts of oneself Tetty ations. They want the male privilege that we Columnists: Webmaster: Jarred Johnson hidden will deaden a relationship quickly. don’t have in this “fair” society. I’d like to Jack/ie Kennedy This is equally true in all forms of relation- Dr. Tetty: have Jackie Kennedy or Suzan Ambrose write Suzan Ambrose Paul P. Jesep ships from parent/child, to life partners, to I am a 22 year old gay man and I want to find a about it. In the meantime, kudos to Rev. Irene! boyfriend. When I meet other guys they either ignore Tamara J., Northampton, MA close friends and to children. The Rainbow Times is published by The Rainbow The good news Jess is, that coming out usu- me or come on to me. I want to just get to know them Dear Editor, Times, LLC. The articles written by the writers, ally benefits all involved. As a psychothera- and find one special one. I see my friends go out and columnists, and correspondents express their opin- pist for many years I find it extremely rare find someone for casual sex but I don't want to. Do Suzan Ambrose’s August column about the ion, and do not represent the endorsement or opinion that the loved one will ultimately reject. you think I am a weirdo for wanting to wait to find my “pussy cats” was awesome. I don’t think that of The Rainbow Times, LLC or its owners. To write Sometimes family members need time to special one? Should I be like my friends? we should choose pets or kids.