CommUNITY Magazine May 2013

JUNE 4 – 9 FOR MORE INFORMATION • PROCTORS.ORG • 518.346.6204 2

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Message

from the

President

By Ken Mortensen, President Board

Pride Season is with us again! The year rolls around very quickly. This is the biggest Event for the Pride Center. Countless hours are spent in preparation for the Pride Events. I want to thank our Pride and Steering Committees for all of their hard work. It is through their efforts that the several weeks of Pride are possible.

I joined the Pride Board 9 years ago. It has been a very enriching personal experience for me. I came out late at age 35. When I was in High School in the early 1970’s, being Gay was not an option. I had been picked on and bullied as a young teenager. To escape this, I joined the various sports teams

Did you know that only 5% of LGBT people give to LGBT causes? What do you think of that number? Does it surprise you? Does it reflect you?

May 9th marks the first annual Give OUT Day – the National Day of LGBT Giving. As we have been preparing for Give OUT Day, I have had many conversations with people in our community who are in utter disbelief at the low rate of financial contributions made by our community for our community. Many of these conversations were with active Pride Center supporters, and they were surprised to hear that it is not ingrained in the fabric of our community. We are a community that has come together for years - when the AIDS epidemic ravaged our community in the 80s we fought hard to get the life saving services we needed, when homes and schools are not safe environments for our youth we identify and provide shelter, when senior services are not welcoming we care for our elders like they are our parents. We have created chosen families, supporting each other when our biological families are nowhere to be found.

When this question was posed to the Horizon Foundation, a social justice philanthropic organization exploring this issue, many of the focus group participants consistently overestimated how much their peers, and they themselves, give to LGBT causes. Here are a few things Horizon encourages our community to consider: 1) LGBT organizations like the Pride Center face enormous challenges like ongoing infrastructure development, limited access to foundation funding, constant pressing needs, and opponents with much much deeper pockets 2) By making conscious decisions about how much to contribute to the LGBT community, donors can ensure that their values are reflected in their giving.

Directors

as “manager”. Here I was part of the team, but did not have to actively play the sport.

I honestly did not enjoy the hours spent after school working for the various teams, however it saved me from being bullied and picked on. This was my way of coping. The world was a different place.

That is one of the reasons why I joined the Board of the Pride Center. No student should have to feel unsafe and bullied at their school.

The Pride Center is making a difference in the lives of many people. Our Outreach Programs are making a difference. I am happy to do what I can to make our community a better place for everyone.

Director’s Note - Double Your Impact on Our Community So why, then, are we as a community not more quick to give back, to support causes that help secure a good educational experience for the youth in our community, a luxury most of us did not have? Why don’t we prioritize funding to ensure people in our own community have the most basic rights afforded to them - protections in housing and employment, as transgender people currently lack?

of

by Curran Streett, Executive Director

around! And I am thrilled to announce that a current Pride Center supporter has offered to match every donation we receive on May 9th, so by donating to the Pride Center on Give OUT Day, you will be DOUBLING your support of your community.

I give to the Pride Center because I believe in the power of community, and in the value of a community center for our community. I believe LGBT youth have a more promising future when they see their own community thriving, and investing in them. I believe this because I was a direct beneficiary of the Pride Center’s youth program, and can attest firsthand the experience was transformative.

Please join me in making a contribution to the Pride Center on May 9th, and invest in our community!

YOU CAN HELP SUPPORT YOUR PRIDE CENTER

BY MAKING A DONATION ON NATIONAL GIVE OUT DAY, MAY 9th !

JUST SCAN THE QR CODE BELOW!

On May 9th, LGBT people have an historic opportunity to show the world what a loyal community we are. Let’s join forces with others across the country and help cultivate the strong financial foundation that is vital to both meeting the short term needs of the community and securing the long-term health of organizations like the Pride Center that play a vital role in our community. By donating to the Pride Center on Give OUT Day, you will be helping us turn the 5% trend

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On May 9th we invite you to be part of history and participate in the 1st National Give OUT Day.

Give OUT Day is a new national initiative that will engage hundreds of organizations and mobilize thousands of people on a single day across the country to give in support of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender & queer community. It is a chance for members of the LGBTQ community and our many allies to stand up and show our support for our community together on one day.

It is a chance to make history, we hope you’ll join us!

YOU CAN HELP SUPPORT YOUR PRIDE CENTER

BY DONATING TODAY! JUST SCAN THE QR CODE BELOW!

SCAN THE QR CODE OR VISIT THE WEB ADDRESS BELOW TO SCHEDULE YOUR DONATION FOR THE PRIDE CENTER OF THE CAPITAL REGION ! http://giveout.razoo.com/story/Pride‐Center‐Of‐The‐Capital‐Region 6

Pride Planning Committee

in the

Spotlight

By Nicole Phelix, Pride Center MSW Intern; Introduction

by

Steven Minchin, Administrative Coordinator

Photos by jrMac Photography (Left to right - Steven, Rose Galvan, Rob Hill, Ed Davis , Scott Levine, Corey Polesel)

It’s been my pleasure to plan my first pride with an amazing group of people. I’ve particularly enjoyed the work I’ve so far gotten to do with the Pride Steering Committee. Twice a month we meet and have done so for nearly five months now, and there has not been a single time, in all those meetings, that I haven’t walked away impressed, assured, excited and with a huge smile one my face. Not only are Rob, Rosy, Scott, Ed, and Corey knowledgeable and dedicated- they’re a lot of fun.

Hopefully you’ll enjoy opportunity to get to know them a little better as much as I have over the past few months. ~Steven Rosy Galvan is a Co-Chair for the 2013 Pride Planning Committee. Rosy grew up in the Lower East Side of Manhattan and attended Columbia University for her undergraduate studies in Sociology and Human Rights. She then continued her education at SUNY Albany School of Social Welfare to receive her Master’s degree in Social Work. After living in Mexico for three years, Rosy moved back and dove into the work she loves, focusing on social justice and racial equality. Rosy enjoys playing the trumpet and engaging in what she calls “supplementing her education with education” about her Dominican and Afro-Latina cultures. Her social justice work through the AIDS Council brought her into contact with the Pride Center of the Capital Region, and sparked her interest to become a part of Capital Pride 2012. She loved it so much that she wanted to be a part of the Pride Planning Committee for 2013!

Rosy has an abundance of great things to say about her experience as a volunteer here at the Pride Center! She describes her experience as “incredible” and enjoys “being able to be part of a community group that empowers [her] as well.” She finds the other volunteers and members of the community to have enthusiasm that is “motivating and nourishing.” When asked what she would say to somebody considering volunteering with the Pride Center, Rosy said: “If you’re thinking about it, then it means you should definitely explore it. It’s difficult to be LGBTQ, so why do it alone? Help contribute to the safe space that we have—go for it!”

The other Co-Chair on the 2013 Pride Planning Committee is Rob Hill. Rob was born and raised in Paines, Ohio and was involved in martial arts and theater. Rob expressed that he was unaware of any “out” LGBT folks in this area outside of Cleveland while growing up here. He spent his undergraduate career at Skidmore College studying Theater and English.

Rob is currently continuing his education at SUNY Albany, seeking a Master’s degree in Administration and Policy Studies. Rob first came into contact with the Pride Center of the Capital Region during his undergraduate years, and began to volunteer some of his time with events and mailings. His main focus as a volunteer, however, is the Pride Planning Committee which he has now been a part of for four years!

In regard to his experience volunteering with the Pride Center, Rob’s words were nothing but positive! Rob expresses his experience in a similar manner to Rosy’s. He considers the Pride Center the hub of the “exceptionally welcoming and kind LGBT community of the Capital Region.” He shared that getting to know other volunteers has been a significant part of his last three and a half years! Rob strongly encourages other community members to get involved with the Pride Center in one way or another. He expresses that it is a great way to give back to the community: “Even if you only have a few hours or part of a day, or if you’re crunched for time, donate a few dollars. The organization benefits from every little bit in a profound way. The people are great and it’s always fun!”

Ed Davis, another member of the 2013 Pride Planning Committee, is working on the parade components. Ed grew up in Albany as the eldest of three children. Along with celebrating Pride this June, he will also be celebrating 43 years of marriage with his wife! Ed is retired after spending 23 years working for transportation for the school district. He now spends some of his time (still working!) with computers and signmaking. He enjoys traveling, which is often to support the Avon Breast Cancer Walks. Ed first began volunteering here about six years ago, after being introduced to the Pride Center through their daughter. Ed and his wife volunteered as staffers for the Rainbow Café as well as First Friday and other events, and they also have won Volunteer of the Year Award in the past! Now, Ed focuses much of his volunteer time and energy on the Capital Pride Parade!

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Pride Planning Committee

in the

Spotlight

Ed states that the Pride Center of the Capital Region is a re, and they also have won Volunteer of the Year Award in the past! Now, Ed focuses much of his volunteer time and energy on the Capital Pride Parade!

Ed states that the Pride Center of the Capital Region is a rewarding organization to belong to. He expresses that his experience has been very worthwhile, and that he has made many valuable friendships since becoming involved with the Pride Center. In speaking of the agency, Ed says it “does great work, strives for great goals, and achieves the goals it sets out for in one way or another.” Ed believes “if more people supported the Pride Center, more people would know about it, and it would thrive even more than it does now.” When discussing what he would say to somebody considering volunteering for the Pride Center, he acknowledged that it can sometimes be difficult for individuals to get over any inhibitions they may have, but exclaimed, “try it—you’ll like it!”

Scott Levine is the 2013 Pride Planning Committee member in charge of bringing all of the entertainment into Pride. He was born in New Haven, Connecticut but has lived in the Capital District for most of his life. Scott is a manager at Waterworks Pub in Albany, and has worked there for ten years. He is very enthusiastic about this work as he really enjoys being involved with the community and its agencies for numerous causes, and this position allows for him to do so. He enjoys having fun, raising money, and raising awareness for these causes! This is Scott’s seventh year organizing the entertainment for Capital Pride, and he has been thrilled to see all of the fantastic ways in which the festival has grown!

Volunteering for Pride is very enjoyable, as Scott describes it.

He states “it is a lot of work, but a lot of fun and you get a lot out of it!” Scott speaks highly of the other volunteers he has worked with and says they always laugh as much as they work!

Scott recognizes that while volunteering during Capital Pride is extremely helpful and important, the Pride Center thrives off of its volunteers the rest of the year, as well. He explains, “It’s a great way to get a feeling of satisfaction from helping the community.” Scott encourages anyone considering volunteering to do so in order to bring their personal knowledge and experiences into the services!

Handling all of the work related to the festival portion of Pride is 2013 Pride Planning Committee member Corey Polesel.

Corey was born in Italy and has lived in Albany since his 20’s.

Corey is very involved with karate and is a Brown Belt! He enjoys hiking, camping, and most other outdoor activities.

Corey was first introduced to the Pride Center when a friend wanted to volunteer for the Pride Parade and Festival about six years ago. After joining in on the Pride festivities that year,

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Corey was hooked! Since then, he has volunteered for the Pride Center in several ways, including delivering Community, and helping with building clean-up projects. He explained that this volunteer work brought him in touch with the community in general; something he is grateful for.

Just as the other members featured in this article have experienced, Corey has found volunteer work here at the Pride Center to be very gratifying. He says it has provided him a sense of belonging and he enjoys being able to give back to the community by being involved. When asked what he would say to someone considering volunteering their time with the Pride Center, he responded: “Definitely do it! We need volunteers, volunteers help make the Pride Center run. It will give you a sense of accomplishment.” Speaking of volunteering for Capital Pride specifically, Corey promotes it as an opportunity to see Pride from a different angle, and having the chance to participate in a new way and make it even better. To conclude, Corey expressed how important the Pride Center is to help keep the community united and prosperous.

The Capital Pride Parade and Festival are continuously growing year after year. In 2012, over 17,000 people participants attended these events and we are delighted to expect even more participants this year! Planning for such large and multifaceted events is not an easy task, and we are extremely appreciative of the devotion our Pride Planning Committee has put into making Capital Pride 2013 the best yet! If you see them around, be sure to thank Rosy, Rob, Ed, Scott, and Corey for all of their hard work and dedication they are putting into Capital Pride 2013!!

For more info on Capital Pride 2013, please visit our website at www.capitalpridecenter.org/capital-pride.

For more information on how to become a Pride Center volunteer, please visit our website at www.capitalpridecenter.org/ getinvolved.cfm.

Pride Memories It was less than two weeks after my gender confirmation surgery and I had been recuperating at my parents’ house in Glens Falls, but there was no way I was going to miss Pride! I hadn’t seen my friends for almost three weeks, so when I told them I was determined to come down with my folks they threw me a celebratory brunch. We all ate, caught up, watched the parade, then (slowly) made our way to the park. I was hobbled, tired, and in pain, but I smiled all day long. – Drew Cordes

My favorite Pride memory is my first NYC Pride March, 1977. My Mentors in my coming out process, Rev Tom Allison, later President of the Council, & his now late Partner, John Cross, took me on the Center’s chartered bus to the NYC Pride March. I was stunned. Gay/Lesbian people of every shape, size, ilk, age, ethnicity, religion, one could ever imagine. I could not believe my eyes! Catholic Gays, Jewish Gays, Hindu Gays, Parents & Friends of Gays, Pets of Gays, Gay Pets!!! Organizations for Gays of every interest imaginable--Gays interested in Square Dancing, Gays into “SM,” Gay Teachers, Gay Bankers, even Gay Greek Orthodox, Orthodox Jews & Hindus! I truly thought I’d died and gone to heaven! I had no idea... Over the ensuing years, I’ve watched it grow if they’re now limiting the March’s size, starting it further down 5th Avenue. The diversity, however, is greater and greater as is the size of each contingent. We ARE everywhere!!! -PK Miller

From by

the

Editor’s Desk

Michael Weidrich, CommUNITY Editor

Welcome to the first of our two special PRIDE issues!

PRIDE is such a huge celebration throughout the Capital Region that one issue could not contain it all. This month, we get to meet the people that have been diligently planning this year’s PRIDE Celebration. Since December, they have been meeting almost every week to produce the best PRIDE ever! We also get a sneak peak at In Our Own Voices’ Black & Latino Pride. The Pride Center is also thrilled to introduce our fabulous new Program Director, Lyndon Cudlitz, with a very insightful and heart touching interview.

Last month’s CommUNITY kicked off our year-long celebration of the 30th anniversary of our Youth Program.

PRIDE 2013 continues the celebration with the announcement of our headlining musician- 80’a Pop Princess Debbie Gibson, who will be giving us an ‘Electric Youth’ performance of a lifetime! Make sure to look for our special Capital PRIDE Guide with all the details of the 12 days of PRIDE 2013, coming out May 15th.

Have a great May and as always, I welcome your feedback and reflections! mweidrich@cpaitalpridecenter.org

I had just turned eighteen when my father agreed to let me hop a bus to see my long-distance boyfriend. However, he and I were really meeting up at Pride two hours away. I felt an incredible sense of liberation – not only for planning this on my own, but for being involved with an event where my boyfriend and I felt safer and connected to a larger community. – Lyndon Cudlitz

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Sayin’ It Loud! Black & Latino Gay Pride Realness

By Gabby Santos, Director of LGBT Health Services, In Our Own Voices In Our Own Voices (IOOV) and our community partners are screenings that are critical to their physical, mental, cultural, about bring back the excitement and authenticity of a very im- spiritual and economic wellbeing.” portant cultural event, Say It Loud! Black & Latino Gay Pride.

Though the amount of work required to put on a quality event This year we have two new events leading up to the Celebra- is more labor-intensive than a brainstorm session in a room full tion and Afterparty. A community forum on building alliance of a thousand visionaries, our planning committee members across LGBT groups, Racism Under the Rainbow, will kick off have delivered over and over again, week after week, making four days of pride realness. Day two will bring the Ball scene the countdown to revealing 2013Black & Latino Gay Pride to a whole ‘nother level by featuring Mother La’Mia House of even more exciting. Affirmations like those of Desiree Farley, White- Revlon and the School Daze Teen Ball, Rising Kings IOOV Administrative Assistant, offer validation and encourand Queens and The Wiz Ball. The Teen Ball will give youth agement to all planning committee members, ““As a veteran a safe space to participate by offering age-appropriate cate- of BLGP, I have learned; dreams can come true… through gories. Both balls welcome showstoppers from diverse tal- hard work, determination and sweat! Believe in yourself!” ents. Next in sequence will be our Annual Sober Dance where Our hard work has led to realized dreams, all while bringing the theme will build on the previous day, “There’s No Place us together even closer, forging stronger relationships, fosterLike H.O.M.E, Honoring Our Many Experiences.” The last ing a sense of belonging and promoting common values and day will bring a hype-worthy Celebration and Afterparty with shared experiences. Now that’s real. a special appearance and performance from Ru Paul’s Drag Race, Season 4 Ms. LATRICE ROYALE. Friends, on behalf of IOOV and the rest of our LGBT POC family, we welcome you to experience the realness of Say It Yes, Say It Loud! Black & Latino Gay Pride has grown into Loud! Black & Latino Gay Pride. In the words of Sober Dance one lively event drawing hundreds of people to celebrate the committee leader, Kym Dorsey, “Come and experience somecontributions and talents of LGBT POC communities. If you thing new. Something fresh. Something that will pull all of the are fortunate enough to find yourself in conversation with Tan- LGBT POC from the rainbow enabling all of us to shine.” dra LaGrone, Executive Director of IOOV, she will tell you in great detail how this community effort began back in 2006 For a schedule of Say It Loud! Black & Latino Gay Pride, go with only a handful of organizers and only 150 dollars. Yet, to www.blackandlatinogaypride.com with very few resources, the first Say It Loud! Black & Latino Gay Pride generated nearly 200 LGBT POC along with their families, friends and allies. That first outcome was enough to fuel ongoing efforts that have now galvanized over 6,700 Black & Latino Gay Pride planning partners and attendees over the last seven years.

With over 5,000 Black and Latino LGBT people living in the seven counties of the Capital District, some of whom we have yet to reach, we continue to build on the early community engagement efforts of our Executive Director and other IOOV pioneers. Say It Loud! Black and Latino Gay Pride remains an LGBT POC community-led initiative. The realness of it all lies in the community organizing efforts that empower marginalized people to assume leadership and take action. We are intentional about providing opportunities for LGBT POC to have meaningful input into decisions made about a gay pride event that impacts their communities. When asked about what excites her most about this year’s Black & Latino gay Pride, La’Mia Aiken, Ball committee leader, humbly responded, “I am excited to finally be in a place where I am able to be a part of something and give back to my community.”

Aside from eliminating isolation and building leadership capacity, our community engagement efforts propel a host of related issues, such as health & wellness. Phil Burse, IOOV Director of Anti-Violence, has helped coordinate this year’s Black & Latino Gay Pride Health & Wellness Expo. Phil finds it rewarding that, “the Health & Wellness Expo. provides the LGBT POC community with access to resources and health

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76 Central Ave. Albany

www.waterworkspub.com

The Fashionable

The Wisdom

of

and the

RuPaul

“Always dress your best when you feel your worst.” ~ RuPaul The quote came across my FaceBook feed on a night that I was feeling decidedly less-stellar than usual. Decked out in wrinkled cutoff sweat pants, a ratty hole-dotted T-shirt, an old pair of dirty glasses perched upon my nose, and a mat of disheveled, errant hair poking every which way from my head , I felt far less than divine when RuPaul’s words scrolled across the screen. It was one of those ‘Physician, heal thyself’ moments of clarity when all that I’ve preached and criticized was looking back at me from the mirror. I took a quick shower, found a decent shirt and tie, and instantly felt just a little bit better.

Tom Ford once told a story of how he dealt with feeling down. He would get dressed up to the nines, in a tuxedo or other such Tom Fordish outfit, and immediately his spirits would lift. It is quite difficult to feel so bad when you look so good (though if you’re

(518) 465-9079

Frivolous: and

Tom Ford

By Alan Bennett Ilagan

Tom Ford that’s probably a lot easier to do). For the rest of us though, it holds true as well, and the fact that even Tom Ford has days when he needs a little pick-me-up should be inspiration enough.

There is something that happens when we get dressed up – even if we hate it – that turns us into something else. We feel better when we’re wearing a favorite piece of clothing, when we’re donning a new jacket, or carrying a new bag for the first time. It adds just the slightest spring to our step, and the power of this should never be underestimated.

The age-old adage to dress for the job that you wish to have holds true. It’s about aspiration as much as it’s about inspiration. So much of life consists simply of showing up, but there is just as much importance to showing off. If you don’t care to make the effort for yourself, no one else will either. It’s hard enough to make one’s way in the world. Every little thing that gives you an edge helps,

and if that means putting on a tie or a pair of high heels to feel a little better about yourself, it might be just enough to turn the day around. It’s one thing when RuPaul says it, but it becomes practically constitutional when Tom Ford agrees.

Alan Bennett Ilagan is a freelance writer and amateur photographer who resides in upstate New York with his husband Andy.

He created the website www.ALANILAGAN. com, which contains a repository of his work, as well as a daily blog; the website recently celebrated its tenth anniversary online. He was the manager of the Romaine Brooks Gallery from 2008 to 2012. His writing has appeared in Instinct, xy magazine, Capitalmen, Q Northeast, the Windy City Times, and the Boston Phoenix. Notable artistic collaborations have been created with the likes of Steven Underhill, Paul Richmond, Dennis Dean, and Michael Breyette.

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Introducing New Pride Center Program Director - Lyndon Cudlitz Youth Services Program Coordinator for an LGBT organization on Long Island.

Lyndon is continuing extensive Linguistics coursework at the University of Southern Maine, with a concentration in American Sign Language Interpreting.

In March, the Pride Center of the Capital Region was thrilled to welcome Lyndon Cudlitz as the new Program Director.

Lyndon brings particular passions for sexuality education, transgender communities, rural organizing, and connecting LGBTQA communities with social justice issues. He has been involved with LGBT education and activism since his teen years when he began teaching workshops across the Northeast on positive sexuality, gender identity, storytelling, anti-racism, and more. Raised by a queer youth organization in Portland, Maine that valued youth leadership, Lyndon was later hired to coordinate its HIV Prevention Program, Youth Speakers’ Bureau, and annual Health Summit. During the summers, he traveled to St. Louis to staff and later Co-Direct the week-long Anytown Youth Leadership Institute of the National Conference for Community & Justice. With inspiration from this anti-oppression work in St. Louis and from working with queer youth in Maine, he founded CampOUT in 2009. Lyndon now continues as the Director of this annual Maine-based social justice leadership retreat for queer and allied youth.

Additionally, he spent ten years as an on-call firefighter/EMT and has experience organizing in the areas of reproductive justice, domestic violence, and in the Deaf community. For three years Lyndon managed the Maine Rock Gym and was the lead climbing instructor for its youth programs. Prior to relocating to the Capital Region, he served as the

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How did you get involved in LGBTQ work?

When I was sixteen I started attending Outright, a queer youth organization in Portland, Maine, and started my school’s GSA shortly thereafter. The following year I suffered a serious car accident in which I lost my girlfriend and sustained a broken neck. I coped by pursuing up every leadership opportunity at Outright that I could get my hands on. During such a traumatic time, I stayed alive by thinking, “I can’t kill myself because I’m speaking in a school on Monday. I can’t kill myself because I have HIV Peer Educators’ meeting on Thursday.” Almost two years after graduating high school and serving as a youth Board member, I was offered the Education & Outreach Coordinator position with the organization. I tell youth now that I don’t believe things happen for a reason; I believe it’s what we make of our difficult situation that shapes us into who we are. I continue to do this work because I want my community to have access to programs that can support them in that resilience.

Why have you taken a non-traditional path to education?

I believe strongly in the value of experiential education. Between having a brain injury from the aforementioned car accident and coming from a working class background, college didn’t feel accessible to me in the same way it looked for peers. So I started taking college classes part-time in a way that was affordable for me and was at a pace that my brain injury could handle, while having enough time to develop my skills through volunteer opportunities. It also allowed me to continue as a paid-on-call firefighter/EMT for ten years. After two years of school and preparing myself to pursue a teaching degree, I realized that education doesn’t have to happen solely in classrooms: if I didn’t learn best in an academic setting, why did I want to teach in one? I left school for a while, focused on my career in social justice education,

and soaked up the world around me.

When I returned to take American Sign Language and Deaf Studies courses, it was not with the goal of obtaining a degree, but rather with the purpose of becoming a more accessible person in my personal and professional life. My path has shown me that obtaining marketable skills, building knowledge, and fostering personal qualities can come from our real world experiences, be that by choice or circumstance.

What’s the best experience you have had with an LGBTQ youth?

You want just one!? There was a thirteenyear-old I met when they started attending programs where I worked in Maine.

They became involved in the same leadership programs that I credit with saving my life when I had been a youth participant. Years later, that youth went on to organize incredible projects in their community. Since I founded CampOUT in Maine in 2009, that young person has continued to play an important role in the growth of the camp. I trust them to contribute their creative ideas, give constructive feedback, and keep me in check. After nearly ten years of working with this individual, the best experience has been witnessing them age out of the program last summer and honoring them by creating a youth scholarship in their name.

What made you choose to come work at the Pride Center?

I want to be working with an organization that, as it continues to grow, doesn’t lose touch with its grassroots beginnings. The Pride Center has such a rich history of supporting the LGBTQ communities of the Capital Region, and I’m honored to be a part of it. As a staff person, I truly enjoy being a member of a cohesive team in which we support each other’s work and in which no person is “too good” for a task. After growing up in Maine, I’m also looking forward to exploring Albany and all that the area has to offer! (continued on page 13)

Lyndon Cudlitz (continued) What do you hope to bring to the Pride Center?

When researching the Pride Center, I was struck by the breadth of program offerings. I’m excited to bring my rich history of program development to that mix. I believe strongly in connecting LGBTQ communities with multi-issue social justice education and organizing, and it’s a personal commitment of mine to intentionally weave that into everything I do.

I am also excited to be drawing from my experiences organizing in rural LGBTQ communities and as a sexuality educator.

When did you come out as Trans and what was that process like?

The summer before senior year of high school I went to a queer youth confer-

GENDA:

ence in San Francisco where I attended a workshop on trans* identities. During that workshop I scratched a note in my journal, “RECLAIM YOUR GENDER.” I wrote it down thinking I needed to understand what it means to be woman – that being a woman wasn’t something that could just be handed to me, but that I needed to claim it for myself. The more I thought about it, the more I realized I didn’t feel like a woman… nor a man... but rather something else our society didn’t have a name for. I believe that there are many ways to be women and men, but that just didn’t seem to fit for me. So during my senior year, I came out as Trans and, more specifically, as Genderqueer (I also loosely use the word boy for myself). As a transperson who

a bellwether battle for trans* inclusion

-

If you could combine an animal and an element to represent yourself, what would they be?

I’m a flaming chameleon.

By Drew Cordes

take a look and then earnestly tell me all the movement’s eggs should go into the basket of wealthy, white, gay couples.

Justice and empowerment for trans* people unfortunately is among these causes non celebre, but lately it’s gaining more attention and vocal proponents. Particularly after the recent debacle perpetrated at Washington D.C.’s marriage equality rally, in which the Human Rights Campaign confronted trans* participants and undocumented queers and told them to tone down their presence.

With the mainstream LGBT movement having been focused for so long on marriage equality, we’re starting to see some pushback drawing attention to other aspects of our struggle for justice - employment; housing; access to medical care; abuse and marginalization via our education, judicial, law enforcement, and prison systems; homelessness; verbal and physical abuse of youth ... unfortunately the list goes on. The LGBT fight thus far has focused on marriage equality largely because of our institutionally biased systems of power - i.e. the concerns of our white, economically comfortable, less-threatening, male members become the primary concerns of the entire LGBTQI movement. I’m not saying marriage equality shouldn’t be a concern -- there are many crucial rights that accompany it -- but have you seen the homeless/abuse/suicide/depression statistics on LGBTQI youth? Go

has chosen to not medically transition, there are challenges that come with not being read by most people as the gender I identify with and feel within me. Add on top of that my Femme identity, and people often have a difficult time understanding why, if my preferred pronouns are he/him, I express my gender in a “feminine” way. As I tell the students I present to: Gender is like a buffet – we get to embody and choose the parts that resonate best with us, whatever the combination. And isn’t that just part of what makes us each so beautifully unique?

New York was and is a bellwether battleground for LGBT equality, as well as a representation of these own internal conflicts. The marriage equality victory in 2011 was huge, both nationally and even internationally. The national tide turned after our victory here in Albany. However, we cannot again fall prey to the same institutional biases outlined above.

Since we trans* folks were excluded from the SONDA in 2002, we’ve been advocating for GENDA, which would extend non-discrimination protections to trans* people. Since its inception, GENDA has always stalled in the state Senate.

Now, GENDA is not perfect (no legislation is) -- there’s much debate on whether non-discrimination and hate-crime laws actually help or hurt minorities.

Personally, I lean toward the latter camp, along with radical queer activists like Dean Spade and Ryan Conrad. (Trun-

cated reasoning for this can be found here: http://bit.ly/VQSKVr.) However, ethics is messy and compromise is often required, so while I am conflicted, I am actively advocating for GENDA -- this year more than ever; because Cuomo and certain senators are less likely to stick their necks out for GENDA while doing the delicate dance of campaigning, posturing, and PR in 2014, and who knows who’ll be in charge after that.

This is the year to pass GENDA, and the window of opportunity is closing. It is not a controversial bill. A Global Strategy Group poll of 600 New York voters found 78 percent supported its passage.

Support is strong across the state and across party lines. Sixteen other states include gender identity in their nondiscrimination laws (Minnesota since 1993). Unsurprisingly, the sky has yet to fall.

Gain some intellectual artillery to support GENDA at http://bit.ly/soiYFg, then contact your state senator. Spread the word. Make NOISE. Your trans* brothers and sisters need your help. It will not end the struggle for trans* social justice, but at the very least we need legal trans* equality in New York NOW. Albany resident Drew Cordes identifies as queer, trans, and genderqueer, and is a part of the trans* social justice group Transgender Advocates of the Capital Region. Reprinted with permission of The Bilerico Project: www.bilerico.com.

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RPI Pride: The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute LGBTQ Mentoring Network Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is proud to support the LGBTQ community and over the last several years has fostered a supportive environment through a variety of initiatives.

One such program is our LGBTQ Mentoring Network, which pairs faculty, staff, and graduate students with mentees (graduate and undergraduate students) in formal mentoring relationships. Started in 2009, the

LGBTQ Mentoring Network has served several members of the community with diverse identities and backgrounds.

Mentors and mentees meet regularly. Each mentoring relationship is unique, depending on the reasons a student has for seeking out a mentor. Some mentees are just coming out and learning about the LGBTQ commu-

Support Ladyfest Upstate!

Ladyfest Upstate is a community based music and arts festival that presents the work of women, trans, and gender nonconforming (GNC) artists. Ladyfest festivals originated over ten years ago out of the feminist punk riot grrrl movement in Olympia, Washington. Since then the festivals have popped up all over the world, with autonomous collectives organizing and shaping them as they choose. This will be the first Ladyfest that has ever happened in the Capital Region. It will take place in Albany and Troy, NY from May 3-5, 2013. Kicking off with a 1st Friday art show at First Unitarian Church; day two is an amazing concert and epic dance party at The Linda, and the last day closes out with a youth stage and acoustic performances at

nity; others look to a mentor for advice and inspiration. In addition to one-on-one meetings, the LGBTQ Mentoring Network holds a monthly coffee hour for all mentors and mentees to come together in a relaxed, social atmosphere.

For more information, contact Tara Schuster at schust@rpi.edu.

By Sean Desiree

the Troy Arts Center. It will also feature educational workshops and informational skill shares May 4 and 5 at the Women’s Building and Social Justice Center starting at noon.

The purpose of the festival is to give local artists and educators of Capital Region and New York State an opportunity to showcase their work to the community. We believe that providing a venue for trans, women, and GNC artists counters the obstacles and discrimination that they/we often face and gives a chance for communities to engage, share resources and develop relationships.

Ladyfest Upstate just launched an Indiegogo campaign to help bring in last minute funds to support the production of the festival. For

each contribution there is an equally exciting ladyfest themed prize that contributors will receive; the larger the amount the bigger the prize. For example with a $25 contribution you will get an official Ladyfest letter pressed poster and a $50 contribution will get you a beautifully hand silk-screened tshirt with the official Ladyfest logo designed by local artist Alisa Sikelianos-Carter. Please support us if you can. The goal is to have it become an annual event in our community with the profits going towards local not-forprofits. For more information visit www. ladyfestupstate.com or www.facebook.com/ ladyfestupstate.

These Presbyterian Churches Welcome You Where you can find a place ~ come as you are!

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Albany First Presbyterian 362 State Street (at Willett) www.firstpresalbany.org Sunday Worship 8:30 am & 10:45 am

Hudson Falls First Presbyterian Church 5 River Street www.hudsonfallspresbychurch.org Sunday Worship 10:00 am

Scotia Trinity Presbyterian Church 185 Swaggertown Rd. www.scotiatrinity.org Sunday Worship 10:00 am

Albany West End Presbyterian 585 Central Avenue westendpc@nycap.rr.com Sunday Worship 11:00 am

Lansingburgh (Troy) Cornerstone Community Church 570 3rd Avenue www.cornerstoneccl.org Sunday Worship 10:30 am

Spencertown St. Peter’s Presbyterian Church 5219 County Route 7 spencertown.wix.com /stpeterspresbyterianchurch Sunday Worship 10:00 am

Albany Westminster Presbyterian 262 State Street / 85 Chestnut Street www.WPCalbany.org Sunday Worship 10:00 am

Putnam Station Putnam United Presbyterian Church 365 County Route 2, PO Box 8 518-547-8378 Sunday Worship 10:00 am

Stillwater Stillwater United Church 747 Hudson Avenue www.stillwaterunitedchurch.org Sunday Worship 9:15 & 10:30 am

Colonie Roessleville Presbyterian Church Elmhurst and Central Avenue 518-459-2816 Sunday Worship 9:30 am

Rensselaerville The Presbyterian Church of Rensselaerville Main Street at Methodist Hill Road 518-797-9303 (June 24 - Sept 2) Sunday Worship 11:00 am (Summer only)

Troy First United 1915 Fifth Avenue (downtown) www.unitedprestroy.org Sunday Worship 10:00 am

Glens Falls First Presbyterian Church 400 Glen Street www.fpcgf.org Sunday Worship 10:00 am

Saratoga Springs Presbyterian-New England Congregational 24 Circular Street www.pnecc.org Sunday Worship 10:45 am

West Charlton West Charlton United Presbyterian 1331 Sacandaga Road www.westcharltonUPC.org Sunday Worship 10:30 am

Guilderland Hamilton Union Presbyterian Church 2291 Western Avenue www.HamiltonUnionPresbyterianChurch.org Sunday Worship 8:30 am & 10:00 am

Schenectady Union Presbyterian Church 1068 Park Avenue www.unionpres.org Sunday Worship 10:30 am

More information at www.presrainbow.org

Nominations now being accepted!

2013 Annual Awards The Pride Center is seeking nominations for the 2013 Annual Awards to be given out at the Awards Gala on October 18, 2013. Do you know someone in the Capital Region who does outstanding work for the LGBT community? If so, please re‐ view the award categories and submit your nomination today!

The nomination deadline is May 3, 2013.

To nominate an individual, business or organization, download the Nomination Form from www.capitalpridecenter.org and return it to the Pride Center Board of Directors, 332 Hudson, Albany, New York 12210 by fax to (518) 462‐2101 or e‐mail; cstreett@capitalpridecenter.org

Awards will be selected at the discretion of the Pride Center Board of Directors. The Pride Center reserves the right to limit the number of awards and may not give awards in every cate‐ gory. Final selections will be made by the Pride Center Board of Directors.

***SAVE THE DATE *** ***ANNUAL AWARDS GALA 2013*** FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013

We’re Proud to Support These Business as They Support the LGBT Community Ronnie Mangione / Merrill Lynch Latimer/Stroud, LLP Interim HealthCare Tri‐City Rentals Grappa '72 Ristorante Crisafulli Bros. Plumbing & Heating Contractors, Inc. Buenau's Opticians Skylands Services, INC Joseph Roche Joseph Dalton / Prudential Manor Homes Journey United Church of Christ Security Plumbing & Heating Supply Connections Psychotherapy Customericity, LLC James W. Leone, State Farm Agent Geri Pomerantz, Esq The Point Restaurant Athos Restaurant Mark D. Witecki, CPA CFP CFE Steve Cook / State Farm Insurance Thomas J. Walling/Tower Square Securities, Inc. Consumer Optical Bombers Schenectady For More Information or To Join Visit: www.capitalpridecenter.org/resources/business-alliance/

15

The Pride Center Presents

a

Special Screening

of

Southern Comfort

The 3rd Sunday of every month is MOVIE NIGHT at the Pride Center of the Capital Region in our Rainbow Café – a fun, casual space to enjoy a film and meet new folks.

So far this year we have had the pleasure of showing Milk, Paris is Burning, Philadelphia, Saving Face and in May will be showing the moving documentary Southern Comfort. We hope you’ll join us on Sunday, May 19th from 6:30-9pm for free popcorn, a great film and the chance to with 2 Tickets to a featured event at Proctors!

Kate Davis’ digitally shot documentary chronicles the last year in the life of Robert Eads, a transman dying of terminal ovarian cancer in the backwoods of rural Georgia.

Broken up into seasons, the feature introduces viewers to a community of trans people (many of whom have received poor medical care), including Maxwell, Robert’s best friend and sparring partner, and Lola Cola, a transwoman who has become Robert’s life partner after a lengthy friendship. Often regarded as the patriarch of this small but tight

clan, Robert finds that his cancer is accelerating; his loved ones all lend support, including his son, his parents, and his beloved granddaughter. When Robert can no longer care for himself, Lola decides to care for him full-time. The two prepare for the annual Southern Comfort conference, a yearly event created for trans individuals, where Robert and Lola have been selected to lead a panel, all while Robert’s health is in jeopardy. Robert’s final wish is granted when he is able to attend the event, joined by his nearest and dearest friends and Lola, his devoted lover.

Join us on Sunday, May 19th from 6:309pm for a free showing of Southern Comfort. Soda and snacks will be available for purchase, popcorn will be offered for free to attendees. This film is not rated. Youth under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian while visiting the Pride Center’s Rainbow Café, located on the 1st floor of our building at 332 Hudson Avenue in Albany.

Poppy is featured in the Romaine Brooks Gallery for May David Rustin is the artist known as Poppy, He is a life long resident of the capital district. David’s style of art is a combination of paper and acrylic, joint compound and acrylic or found objects. He uses color to make a bold statement in some pieces and others to show movement. His last show was in Boiceville, NY at the Boiceville Flower shop and Gallery.

He feels that the most important part of his art is that it makes you feel something. If you

Small Bouquet

of

like it, love it, hate it. It does its job as long as you walk away with an emotion.

Poppy will be showing his works at the Brooks Romaine Gallery at 332 Hudson Avenue Pride Center in Albany in the month of May. See more from Poppy Here: https:// w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / # ! / p a g e s / P o p py/210768139047954

Spring Haiku - By Tess Lecuyer

Haiku for Spring Equinox 2012

Haiku for a Questionable Spring

Ying, Yang, night and day, Crossover, cafe au lait!

Black and white cookie!

The question of clouds.

The question of slanted light.

Robin answers “Worms!”

Haiku for Rebirth Seeds stir in damp dirt.

Hard and cold they were buried.

In three days they rise.

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Tess Lecuyer: Albany poet for over 20 years.

First did readings at the old QE2 Poetry Open Mic. Read at lots and lots and lots of open mics.

Published in lots of lit mags in the US and a few in the UK. One in Texas. Is most recently published in the new Albany Poetry Magazine, Up The River.

Last name pronounced “Le-Kwee” unless you are feeling sassy and want to risk the classic French pronunciation, in which case, good luck with that.

My Big Gay Ears - Broadway Stars Shine

in

Hudson

by

radio and television. Besides his work in advertising, Tannen is also a successful writer and director. Among his many projects, he’s collaborated with Tommy Tune and wrote a best-selling memoir about his friendship with Lucille Ball (“I Loved Lucy”).

The Great White Way now extends into the Hudson Valley, and that’s thanks to Lee Tannen and Tom Wells. They’re the producers of the wildly successful cabaret series that’s been taking place in the town of Hudson for about a year now.

Helsinki on Broadway, as it’s known, happens about twice a month on Sundays at Club Helsinki. Liz Callaway, Alan Cumming, and John Pizzarelli & Jessica Molaskey are some of the artists who appeared during the fall.

The series has been a dream come true for Tannen.

“I have a lot of ‘pinch me’ moments, being able to bring these people here and introduce them,” says Tannen. “It’s the best thing I’ve ever done and the hardest work as well. I thought it would be an avocation, but it’s become a full time thing.”

Yet programming and producing on the scale of Helsinki on Broadway is new for them.

Their foray into being impresarios began about two years ago when they took a second home on property owned by friends near Saugerties. During a subsequent dinner party at Club Helsinki, they got to talking with the club’s manager and owners. Next came a casual remark that one thing missing from the club’s otherwise wide ranging rooster were artists devoted to the great America songbook.

“After I shot my mouth off that we could do this, they said prove it,” recalls Tannen. “So I started making what I call mercy calls.”

Tannen and Wells, both in their early 60s, have spent their lives in show business.

They met 33 years ago while working at an advertising agency that specialized in marketing Broadway shows through

Joseph Dalton Equally pleasing to Tannen is that the performers who trek up the Hudson have enjoyed the experience.

“What the artists get back, along with a reasonable fee, is the joyful experience and the terrific food and the good dressing rooms,” says Tannen. He notes that Helsinki -- a former industrial space with modern updates and chic style -- is as well appointed backstage as it is in the front dining room and theater. Audiences can have supper before or after the show or for a lesser cover charge linger around the bar area, where sight lines are still good.

“The folks who run Helsinki are over the moon,” adds Tannen. “It’s a Sunday night in a town that’s in a resurgence. I get letters from town folks and politicians thanking us.”

Many of the bigger names at Helsinki on Broadway play to a sold-out house, so mark your calendar now for these upcoming shows: Judy Kuhn on Mary 26; Faith Prince on June 9 (that’s also the night of the Tony Awards, which will be broadcasts in the club on large screens); Christine Ebersole on July 29, and Terri White on August 18. Watch for more spring and summer dates to be added at www.HeslsinkiOnBroadway.com.

Joseph Dalton writes about the arts in the Times Union and sells houses across the Capital Region. Find out more about all his endeavors at: www.JosephDalton.net.

Tannen and Wells may have extensive contact but they still needed to rely on friends, and friends of friends to reach enough quality artists to fill a schedule.

But as is obvious to the scores of returning audience members, they’ve had no trouble putting together an impressive schedule.

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SINGLE, ARTSY LADY SEEKS SINGLE ARTSY GUY. If you love painting, decorating, baking and

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Canterbury ANIMAL HOSPITAL www.canterburyvet.com Like us on Facebook

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A safe & welcoming space for LGBTQA youth ages 13 - 19

Alternative PrOM 2013 FRIDAY, June 7th, 2013

7-11PM

@ UALBANY UPTOWN CAMPUS CAMPUS CENTER BALLROOM Hosted by the Pride Center Alternative prom admission: $15 cash at door $12 ONLINE -OR- AT DOOR with a non-perishable food item to benefit the Albany Damien Center For updates visit: www.is.gd/aprom2013

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#aprom2013

THE RAINBOW CAFE PRESENTS:

*FREE*

MOVIE NIGHT

Southern Comfort

Grand Jury Prize Sundance Film Festival

Winner First Prize Special Audience Award Seattle International Film Festival Berlin Film Festival

6:30-9pm Sunday, May 19th 2013 Rainbow Café—332 Hudson Avenue

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United Hearts Ceremonies

_______________________________________________________________

Joyfully Co-Creating and Officiating LGBT Weddings in NY since 2011

Saturday

June 8th 9am – 1pm at Siena College

t o r egist er visit

mohawkhumane.org

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Traditional & Holistic Psychotherapies for Healing & Growth Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Relationship & Parenting Issues Healing Trauma & Abuse Depression & Anxiety Relationship Violence Addictions & Recovery Living With HIV & Illness Body Image & Eating Disorders Homestudies & Adoption Services

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Our faith is over 2000 years old.

Our thinking is not.

Worship Every Sunday 10:00 a.m.

“Comma Club for Kids” 9:00 a.m.

Children’s Program during Worship

Journey United Church of Christ NEW LOCATION: 27 Hannay Lane (off 9W) (Cyprus Shrine)

Glenmont, NY 12077

(Behind Milestone; near Johnny B’s) No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you’re welcome here.

God is Still Speaking.

518‐729‐7127

www.journeyucc.com find us on Facebook

Seeking to be a Multicultural, Multiracial, Accessible to All, Open and Affirming, Peace and Justice Congregation that welcomes all regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation.

23

Out

in

The Garden: Invasives

and

Alternatives

by

Judith Fetterley

ish white blooms in spring and the red berries in fall and winter. But of course those berries are the problem. Birds eat them, then expel the seeds in new locations, up come the little seedlings long before anything else can get started, and soon you have a forest of barberries and nothing else..

People have always wanted plants from elsewhere; it is in our nature to crave the exotic. In 1470 B.C. the Egyptian queen Hatshepsut fell in love with trees (Boswellia sacra, Commiphora myrrha) from Somalia and ordered them brought to her, their roots protectively balled in baskets. We know of this event, and its importance, because the journey is recorded on the walls of a temple in Thebes. After encountering Hatshepsut I felt better about my Japanese Stewartia and my Chinese Heptacodium. Still a word of warning is in order. Some exotics, introduced for their ornamental value and their appeal to the Hatshepsut in us, have become nasty invasives. They have escaped the confines of our gardens and set up shop in the native landscape, sometimes with devastating ecological consequences. With no natural checks and balances, they reproduce exponentially, crowding out native plants and thus the insects, birds, and animals that depend on those plants for food and shelter.

Take, for instance, the Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii). Until you have seen a forest floor covered with thousands of baby barberries, you cannot realize the full meaning of “nasty invasive.”

Once you have seen this sight, you may not wish to plant a barberry in your garden. Removing my barberry makes me sad because, despite its thorns, I love this plant. I love its funky, twisty shape; I love the texture of its bark and the lime-yellow color of the stems when cut; I love the delicate pink-

24

So what can you do? In a sense it is simple. If the plant you desire turns out to be a nasty invasive, choose an alternative.

First figure out what it is about the plant you want that attracts you. Are you buying it for its foliage, its flowers, its bark or berries, its winter interest or its use as a hedge? Then choose a substitute with similar features. You may not be able to find a perfect match but a bit of compromise to save the planet is worth it. For example, you can get brighter redder berries from the native winterberry (Ilex verticillata) than from any barberry I know. You can get a funky twisty shape plus dangling catkins from the Harry Lauder Walkingstick (Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’). You can get delicate spring bloom and gorgeous fall foliage from the Abelia grandiflora. Horticulturists, those people obsessed with plants, turn out to be really helpful here. They have complied lists of invasives and their alternatives. For example, there is Colston Burrell’s Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants.

You can also call the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Voorheesville (765-3500) or you can visit a reputable nursery, one that has committed to neither carrying nor selling invasives, for suggestions as well. Note that not all exotics are invasive. Yes, Hatshepsut, you can have an exotic alternative to an invasive exotic and you can keep your hydrangeas and your lilacs and your boxwood. But don’t rely even on a reputable nursery to tell you what plants are and are not invasive for our area. Call the Cornell Cooperative Extension or check out the Cornell Cooperative website to determine if what you want is something you should not have.

One final word of caution. Many plants now considered invasive have become so because they were tough, serviceable, and easy to care for, and thus very popular. While most people want crimson foliage and profuse flowers, peeling cinnamon-colored bark and bright red berries, funky shapes and fascinating textures, they also want gardens that do not require much maintenance. In choosing your alternative, try to find one that will survive the conditions you give it. Just so you know, queen Hatshepsut’s exotics did not make it.

Judith Fetterley lives and gardens in Glenmont, New York. She also runs Perennial Wisdom, a garden design business for new and existing gardens. She can be reached at fetterleyj@gmail.com.

The Gabyboomer Diaries Where Do I Go from Here? BLESS THE BEASTS AND CHILDREN . . .

By Dr. Raymond H. Werking, Jr.

This month’s column of The Gabyboomer Diaries presents the twenty-ninth installment of my 1985 young adult novel, Where Do I Go from Here? As the narrative resumes, Brian has disappeared after finding himself on the receiving end of a horrible act of retribution in which the infamous Wild Child has distributed copies of Brian’s private journal to every student in the school.

June 12 Having freed himself of his daily obligations, Mr. Cassidy approached Martha and me. “Where’s Brian?” he asked urgently.

A frantic search of the building revealed nothing. The president of Albany Hall must have taken advantage of the ruckus to disappear into the shadows. The thought of sitting through seven class periods after all that happened was more than I could bear. Miraculously, my father appeared on the scene. (Word of what happened must have reached the high school next door.)

Dad presented a disgruntled Mr. Pomeroy with a note releasing me from school for the rest of the day.

Mr. Cassidy and I traveled everywhere in that hot sports car of his looking for Brian, but we met with no success. “How in the world did Shufelt get his hands on Brian’s journal?” Mr. Cassidy questioned. “He’s always so careful to keep it hidden.”

“I don’t know, Mr. Cassidy . . .” I started to explain, but a piercing realization brought tears to my eyes. THE STOLEN WALLET! I keep my locker combination on a tiny slip of paper in a hidden compartment behind the change purse. My father came

up with the idea three years ago when I started junior high. I was afraid then that I’d forget the three numbers and miss the school bus. The habit stuck. The paper hadn’t seen the light of day since the first week of school.

The whole ugly story began to unfold in my mind. Wanda Flanagan stole my wallet while sitting next to me at the track meet.

She was a plant. Wild Child couldn’t have known what was in my wallet. He must have been fishing for something -- anything to discredit our student council officers. And I handed it to him on a silver platter. If only Brian didn’t share my locker! Why, God, does Evans have to follow Devlin in alphabetical order?

June 13 The world ended at 9:07. As I write these words, my whole body is filled with a terrifying numbness. It’s as if some villainous dentist injected Novocain into my brain.

This is the final entry of my journal. If I don’t write about what happened soon, I’ll explode.

I awoke this morning with a terrible migraine headache. The last time I had one this bad was when my dog Pixie died.

After what happened yesterday, it’s no wonder I got sick. My father, Mr. Cassidy, and I spent the night searching for Brian.

Our efforts went unrewarded. (I never knew there were so many places to hide in Southport.) My mother called me for school around 6 AM. When I told her how lousy I felt, she brought me two Excedrin capsules and a cup of hot tea. This seems to be the only remedy for my headaches.

According to the doctor, the remedy has something to do with the combination of aspirin and caffeine. Anyway, I stayed in bed an extra 45 minutes with a cold cloth over my eyes, and the headache started to lift. Although I felt relieved of the pain, all the caffeine left me jittery and nervous.

Mom wanted me to stay home, but I insisted on going to school. I sure as hell wasn’t going to get any news about Brian lying around in bed all day.

It was too late to catch the bus, so I rode my bike to school. Unable to shake an uncomfortable dizzy feeling, I pedaled

slowly and inhaled lots of fresh, morning air. So what if I arrived late? A note from mom explaining my tardiness was tucked securely in my pocket, just in case I needed it. As the school came into view, I knew something was wrong. Fire engines and ambulances were parked everywhere.

The entire student body was assembled on the front lawn, complete with faculty to supervise. Someone obviously pulled the fire alarm and alerted mutual aid, but why?

Any number of possibilities came to mind: A REAL FIRE, FALSE ALARM, BOMB THREAT, OVERHEATED KILN IN THE ART ROOM. Take your pick!

While trying to figure out what was happening, I caught sight of Martha at the forefront of the crowd. She was sobbing uncontrollably. Mr. Cassidy stood beside her with his head in his hands. Before I was able to reach either of them, two members of the rescue squad emerged from the building carrying a body on a stretcher. The lifeless form was entirely covered with a sheet. The jagged pieces of a terrible puzzle fell suddenly into place.

COMING UP NEXT: The terrifying conclusion of Where Do I Go from Here?

Dr. Raymond H. Werking, Jr. is a lifelong educator and published novelist who is in the midst of writing his new tell-all autobiography, “Unapologetically Alive.” He has a doctoral degree in English from the State University of New York at Albany.

The Pride Center presented Dr. Werking with their Community Service Award in 2009. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Capital Region Chapter of GLSEN, the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network. He also volunteers as Executive Producer of HomoRadio which is now in its twenty-second year of service to our community. Don’t miss this award-winning LGBT news and public affairs program’s live broadcasts every Sunday from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm on WRPI 91.5 FM, on www.wrpi.org, or via iTunes. Ray would love to hear your comments, questions, and feedback at DrRayWerking@yahoo. com.

25

Trans View #112 “Here Kitty, Kitty........Nice Bunny!”--Not

By Moonhawk River Stone © 2013 it’s called these days) develops. But the hard science behind the various mental illnesses noted in the DSM still varies greatly from diagnosis to diagnosis and is at the whim of the prevailing psychiatric paradigms (psychodynamic, behaviorism, etc.). Many such as myself view this process as incredibly flawed, and not scientifically based, but much more of a political process based in power driven dominance over what is culturally normative or for the more jaded of us, more likely to increase the profit margin of big pharma.

Interesting month, May is. If you have about $1500.00 spare cash, you can go to the National Transgender Health Summit 2013 which this year looks very much like a two day mini WPATH convention (World Professional Association for Transgender Health). NTHS is Friday and Saturday, May 17-18, 2013 in Oakland, CA. It overlaps by one day, the 18th, with the American Psychiatric Association’s Annual Meeting taking place across the bay in San Francisco from May 18-22, 2013. I guess after the Summit is over folks can stay a day or two and go protest the publication of the new DSM-5! Handy!

So let’s start at the beginning for the uninitiated. The American Psychiatric Association is the professional association in America for psychiatrists. Not all psychiatrists belong to the APA as it is called.

It is the largest psychiatric association in the world with approximated 36,000 members, the overwhelming majority of them American. The APA owns and controls the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatric Disorders (known as the DSM). That means they appoint the various positions within the organization like committee members and work groups, those folks who decide what the content of the DSM will be. This content does change over time as new scientific knowledge about behavioral health (as

26

In the West, what constitutes mental illness is often steeped in what is acceptable culturally, though many illnesses have a proven biological basis. For instance, what will happen to the mental illness of using marijuana as it is used more frequently as a medical remedy or it is legalized? (A new poll this released this morning, 4/5, in the Times Union indicated more than 50% of people support the legalization of pot. Sleep disorders are mental illnesses, etc., etc.

Perhaps one of the most notable reversals in the DSM happened 40 years ago when homosexuality was removed from the DSM. This removal was not the neat pretty process often now told in stories of that time. We must remember, too, as it bears direct influence onto this conversation, that when homosexuality was removed from the DSM, transsexuality (as it was called then) and Gender Identity Disorder were inserted. The commonality here is that gender nonconformity is still a mental illness and not an expression of the normative variance of biologically and culturally driven human diversity.

Lots of folks have lots of objections to what will be new, changed, included and excluded in the new DSM-5 (yes, they’ve dropped the whole Roman Numeral thingee for just plain numbers).

There’s a veritable cacophony of some not so polite discussion going on about it. Transgender folks are not the only group in an uproar. People who are affected by autism--either as providers, family members or autistic people themselves are one example of a group who has had their diagnostics rearranged in ways they do not hold to be accurate or effective. And the APA in their typical style is conducting a lot of the finalization of the document in secrecy. So it’s wait until mid May to find out.

We must remember, too, that this is a diagnostic manual, and not a treatment manual. That’s very important. At some point in this process to DSM-5 there were rumblings about beginning to insert treatment protocols or recommendations into the manual, and there was a rumor going around that GID was part of that consideration. That would have been a disaster for many reasons too numerous for this column.

Coming to the current problem. What’s happening with regard to Gender Identity Disorder (GID) in DSM-5?? By now most readers who are in human services or are health care providers have heard something...

If I had $100.00 for every person who has come up to me, gleefully pronouncing, “Aren’t you glad!? They’ve taken GID out of the DSM! Finally!!” , the mortgage on my home would have been paid off...

Nothing could be farther from the truth...

So, to help you understand, here’s a bit of a story: 1. Take one kitty, “Here, kitty, kitty, here pretty kitty: “Meow! Meow!”

2. Take the cute, cuddly kitty and wrestle her or him into an even cuter bunny suit, complete with floppy bunny ears and a cute cotton tail!: “Meow! hiss...hiss...

Trans View #112 continued The moral of the story is that no matter how you dress it up, it’s still GID! Nothing substantive has changed. Really. I know many colleagues would disagree with that assessment, and say the changes are substantive, but I disagree. It’s still a cat, no matter how much it might look like a bunny.

So here’s what changed and not changed...(credit here: Kelley Winters, http://gidreform.wordpress.com). #1: Winters: Problem to be treated is not so much about gender identities that differ from birth sex, but…The distress with current sex characteristics or assigned gender role as focus of the problem to be treated. Stone’s comment: We’ve moved a bit away from delusion to distress, but…still same paradigm-you’re still crazy to be distressed about your sex/ gender. #2: Winter: The APA’s sexual and gender disorders workgroup stated desire to “move gender diagnoses” away from the sexual dysfunctions and paraphillas group. We still don’t know where the new GD will be housed in DSM-5, but suspect it might be moved.

We’ll see....#3: What Is NOT Different with the Gender Dysphoria Diagnosis GD Diagnosis is it still contradicts social & medical transition; still describes transition as a symptomatic of mental illness!; Normal biologically based human variance is still disordered! #4: The language for the children’s diagnosis remains steeped in heterosexism and gender stereotypes; gender nonconfor-

mity, gender variance is still heavily pathologized. Children who have transitioned socially are still mis-gendered in the diagnostic language and dimensional assessment questions, (i.e. John who in now Jane is still male and he, though named Jane who understands herself to be she...).#5: And the BIG Problem Still Remaining: NO EXIT from the diagnosis; once diagnosed, even if happily transitioned and getting on with life--one is still disordered! The only exit clause from GD is gender conversion reparative therapies! (which we all know are a form of abuse). #6: Stone’s perspective: Still same paradigm of GID being based in schizophrenia; still based in bad science; the chairs of the sexual and gender disorders workgroup are Dr. Kenneth Zucker & Dr. Ray Blanchard, both are heavy proponents of gender conversion and reparative therapies.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see what’s wrong here. I will mention that more moderate people were invited onto the committee, but it is clear they had very limited impact on the overall outcome. Finally, #7: Transvestic Disorder (DSM-5) formerly Transvestic Fetishism is housed in the sexual paraphillas and applies to gender variant individuals who enjoy cross dressing for social pleasure (and sometimes sexual pleasure).

In Kelley Winters words: “it is punitive & scientifically capricious--designed to punish nonconformity assigned to birth

roles, it should be removed immediately!”

On a final note from the current DSMIV-TR, comes a commentary from my colleague Sue Langer, LICSW, “If one admits to sickness then one is granted access to one’s own body.…in the APA’s own definition of a mental disorder, a disorder can be associated with an “important loss of freedom” (p. xxxi). On the contrary, this is the only psychiatric diagnosis in which being deemed mentally ill gains the individual rights.” This is still true in DSM-5.

So get out your placards and rev up your voices, there’s still work to be done...but it’ll take another generation until DSM-6 comes around to finally get this right,and by then the world will have moved on, leaving GID (aka GD) in crumbling in the corroding dust of old paradigms.

Meanwhile, it sure to be an interesting May 2013! Until next time...”here, kitty, kitty!”...T Rev. Moonhawk River Stone of RiverStone Consulting is an Interfaith Minister, transgender activist, writer, educator, consultant, keynote speaker and psychotherapist in private practice for over 25 years experience and with extensive expertise in all aspects of transgender policy and heatlh.

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Michael Cooks

and

You Can Too

By Michael Mead

holiday, celebrated on the second Sunday in May. As the celebration became more elaborate across the country, White Mountain Cake, topped with a few red roses, was called “Roses in Snow” Cake and became the traditional Mother’s Day offering. It’s a beautiful and delicious cake, surprisingly easy to make, and it’s a tradition worth reviving.

As we discussed last month, the filled and frosted layer cake can claim to be an original American dessert. Introduced around the time of the Civil War, it was made possible by improvements in baking technology such as the introduction of commercial baking powders and the development of coal- and gas-fueled ovens that could maintain consistent, evenly-spaced temperatures. Suddenly, average cooks could achieve light, fluffy cakes at home, pile them high with frosting and decorate them lavishly. For the last half of the nineteenth century, no dinner party or church supper was complete without an impressive, towering layer cake, usually served on a china or glass pedestal.

The most fashionable variations were Devil’s Food Cake (dark chocolate cake and frosting), Burnt Sugar Cake (caramel cake and frosting) and Lady Baltimore Cake (yellow cake with white frosting and a rich fruitand-nut filling), but these were all eclipsed in popularity in the Gay ‘Nineties by White Mountain Cake, a multi-layered cake with lemon filling and coconut frosting. Since White Mountain Cake required lots of eggs, lemons and flaked coconut, all of which were expensive ingredients at the time, it became a symbol of prosperity and good taste.

Which leads us to Mother’s Day. Mother’s Day had been celebrated in England as “Mothering Sunday” since the Middle Ages and included in its rites a special “Mothering Cake”. But the holiday really didn’t catch on in this country until the end of the Victorian era, when motherhood and sentimental family values were idealized.

From the 1870s onward, many communities and churches held ceremonies honoring mothers at the local level throughout the month of May. This started a movement that culminated in 1914, when President Woodrow Wilson made Mother’s Day an official

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So, if you have a mother, if you are a mother or if you just play one in a drag show, Happy Mother’s Day! “Roses in Snow” Cake (Cake Layers) 3 cups cake flour 1 & 3/4 cups sugar 4 & 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 2/3 cups shortening 1 & 1/4 cup milk 2 teaspoons vanilla 5 egg whites, unbeaten Sift cake flour, sugar, baking powder and salt into large bowl. Add shortening, 3/4 cup milk and vanilla. Beat with mixer for two minutes. Add remaining 1/2 cup milk and egg whites, then beat for an additional two minutes. Pour into greased and floured 9 inch round pans and bake for 30 – 35 minutes in a 350 degree oven or until a toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean.

Cool and remove from pans, then split each layer lengthwise into two thin layers (a long serrated knife works well). If necessary, trim the layers to make them uniform.

Note: This recipe calls for cake flour. Cake flour has a finer, silkier texture than regular all-purpose flour. Do not try substituting all-purpose flour in a recipe that specifically calls for cake flour. I did it once when I was young and stupid and the cake came out very coarse and crumbly.

Lemon filling •3/4 cup sugar 3 tablespoons cornstarch 1/4 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup water 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest 1/3 cup lemon juice (fresh or bottled) Combine sugar, cornstarch and salt in medium saucepan. Gradually add water and

heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly. Make sure you keep stirring or it will scorch on the bottom and the filling will be full of little brown flecks you can’t get rid of. Boil for one minute, then remove from heat and stir in butter and lemon zest. Gradually stir in lemon juice. Cool thoroughly, stirring occasionally.

Note: The zest is the grated surface peel of the lemon. You can buy a little gadget called a citrus zester to scrape it off the surface of the lemon, or you can rub the lemon against a small cheese or nutmeg grater. Be careful to use only the yellow part of the peel and not the bitter white part underneath.

Frosting 1/2 cup sugar 2 tablespoons water 1/4 cup light corn syrup 2 egg whites 1 bag or can flaked coconut (for garnish) Combine sugar, water and corn syrup in small saucepan. Cover and bring to a rolling boil over medium heat. Remove cover and cook until it reaches 242 degrees, or until the syrup forms a thin 6” to 8” thread when you dip a spoon into it.

While syrup is cooking, beat the eggs whites in a small bowl with a mixer until they’re stiff enough to hold a point. Pour the hot syrup very slowly in a thin stream into the egg whites, beating until they’re completely blended and the frosting holds a stiff peak.

Assemble the four cake layers on a cake plate with Lemon Filling between each layer.

Spread filling almost to the outer edge of the layer to keep it from squishing out. Cover the cake with Boiled White Frosting. Frost the sides first, building up an edge around the top of the cake. Then frost the top, swirling the frosting to the built-up edge. Bringing the frosting up high on the sides will create a nicely-shaped cake with no sloping edges.

Cover the sides and top generously with flaked coconut. Decorate the top of the cake with two or three fresh red roses.

Michael Meade was trained at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, worked at Jack’s Oyster House in Albany and is currently sous-chef for Thunder Mountain Curry in Troy. Send questions or comments to Mmeade1215@aol.com

Money Matters - Troublemakers

By Thomas J. Walling CFP®

marriage in California, mandate California to allow same sex marriage, or put forth a broader judgment regarding whether the Constitution requires states to have Marriage Equality in place.

What is at stake for the second Supreme Court question are the 1000+ rights conferred to federally married persons that do not apply to same sex married individuals.

These include transfer of wealth at death, Social Security, tax benefits, and retirement account benefits to name a few big headings.

In the last week of March, the Federal Supreme Court heard two cases heavily impacting the progress of Marriage Equality. These cases were the California case of Hollingsworth v. Perry, No. 12-144 and a challenge from right here in NY, United States v. Windsor, No. 12-307. In a best case scenario for Marriage Equality, it is my hope that these cases see quick, fair, and decisive closure in favor of same sex marriage. If that has been the case, hooray! However, it is also my opinion that the decisions will still be forthcoming at the time this column is released.

It always seems to be California and NY. In California, there was a proposition to overturn the state’s Supreme Court decision and ban Marriage Equality that passed with a 52% narrow victory. The courts will hear if the laws put forth by the state’s Supreme Court are allowed to be struck down by referendum and popular vote. This vote has the potential to either leave the ban on same sex

In New York, we have accepted marriages from other jurisdictions since the days of Governor Patterson. Two NY women were married in Canada in 2009. When one of the women died, the surviving spouse got a Federal Estate Tax bill of approx. $360,000.

In the case of a different sex marriage, these taxes could be bypassed. The fairness of this is the basis for the second case on the docket.

Regarding same sex marriages, one spouse will usually make more money than the other. This affects the amount of Social Security benefits to which each is entitled. Believe it or not, Social Security has its own definition of marriage being one man/one woman.

If one spouse dies in a federally and Social Security recognized relationship, the higher amount of their social security checks will continue to support the survivor. We do not have that right now. That has to wait until the Supreme Court concludes that we are equally deserving. We are affected much more by the second Supreme Court case than the first here in NY and the northeast. We are respected by our state through Marriage Equality.

Other places…not so much. Most states have laws prohibiting same sex marriage equality.

Isn’t that strange? Are we really that scary?

As I have stated time and time again, I feel as though all of this is a bit insulting. As most people figure out that GLBT is not a choice, any differences become obvious discrimination. It seems a long shot at this point, but if the court imposes Marriage Equality throughout the country, many questions emerge. Will there need to be a rule that allows religions to discriminate against us on a federal level as here in NY on the state level? Will the Red States secede? Will the Red States turn Blue? Will the Blue States turn Red? Only time will tell as we adapt to the maelstrom that is American legal and political system. Look at all the trouble we are causing. Good for us! Those queens from The Stonewall Riots deserve nothing less.

Thomas J. Walling CFP® is a Registered Representative and an Investment Advisor Representative of, and offer securities and investment advisory services through, Tower Square Securities, Inc. (TSS), (Member FINRA & SIPC) and a Registered Investment Adviser. Branch address: 235 Lark St., Suite #43, Albany, NY 12210. He is also a past presenter at the Capital Pride Center on financial affairs affecting the GLBT community as well as for SAGE of NYC. Tom is past presidents of the board of directors of The Albany Damien Center, Inc as well as Our Brother’s Keeper Foundation. He can be reached at his office at 518.878.1294 orThomas.Walling@tssimail.com

PRIDE 5K Saturday June 8, 2013 Join us for the 5th Annual “Run for Pride” 5K and Rainbow Fun Run during Capital Pride 2013!

Show your Pride while supporting the Pride Center of the Capital Region!!

Sponsored by Walgreens and the City of Albany, as part of Capital Pride 2013.

Capital Pride 2013 is produced by the Pride Center of the Capital Region www.capitalpridecenter.org

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PARIS FOR THE FIRST TIME ADVENTURE IN PARIS

OCT. 3-10, 2013 Price includes:

(Space is Limited to 20 people)

Round-trip air: New York to Paris 4 Star Latin Quarter Hotel Breakfast included 3 Day Métro Pass – 5 Zones Sunday Lunch Seine River Cruise Walking tour of the Marais District, Paris’ Gay District  Plenty of Free time to explore  Le Nuit Blanche (White Night) – all night arts and cultural celebration!  Optional Tour – Paris Catacombs and Père Lachaise Cemetery      

$2,750/pp dbl occupancy – standard room $2,875/pp dbl occupancy – superior room (Single Supplement: add $800/$900)

Call John Frederick for Info: 518.426.3922 paristravelguide@yahoo.com or Like us on Facebook: Paris for the First Time

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LAW OFFICE OF ANNE REYNOLDS COPPS Casey Copps DiPaola, Associate Kate Siobhan Howard, Associate

126 State Street, 6th Flr. Albany, New York 12207 518.436.4170

arcopps@nycap.rr.com kdipaola@nycap.rr.com katesiobhanhoward@nycap.rr.com

www.arcopps.net

Adoption Business Formation Education Law Employment Law Estate Planning Family Law Matrimonial Law Medicaid Planning Name Changes Real Estate

Here’s Guffman: TANYS Anyone?

By Patrick White

- To promote high standards of theatre practice through education and example; - To encourage exchanges of information and knowledge through people-to-people and theatre-to-theatre exchanges.”

I’ve seen in a cast bio, ”TANYS award.” What is that?

In my quest to celebrate champions of Capital Region theater I turn the spotlight this month on Joan Fuess. She has directed dozens of productions and been involved in every facet of production with Circle Theatre Players in their home at Sand Lake Center for the Arts but I’m particularly interested in her roles reaching out to the community at large. I’ve seen her in the audience many times outside of her building but specifically I’m talking about her role in TANYS (The Theatre Association of New York State) where she is a roving adjudicator. “ TANYS serves non professional community theater, university and college theatre departments, secondary school drama departments and children’s theater, and those involved in NYS .

- To foster the contribution of theatre to the lives of the citizens of New York State;

“It means that a company has asked to be adjudicated. The adjudicator then reads the play and does research. They adjudicate a particular show and give feedback to the company, most often the director, cast and crew. The adjudicator can then give Merit Awards based on certain criteria, (Outstanding meaning rarely witnessed on the community theater level, Excellence means passing the norm, Meritorious Achievement acknowledges something worthy of special recognition.)

Confetti Stage’s production of “The Lesson” featuring Neil Jones, Vivian Hwang & Lucy Breyer competed.

What does this mean?

“This means that Confetti’s production was adjudicated here on the home front, recommended and chosen to participate at the NYS Festival where it won in the short category (less than one hour in length) and will represent NYS at the ESTA (Eastern States Theater Association made up of NYS, PA, NJ, MD, DEL representatives). The winner there (this

year NYS hosts the festival in Rome, NY in April) moves on to the AACT (American Association of Community Theater Festival in Michigan in June.”

What are the areas for TANYS’ growth potential?

“My biggest goal for the past five years is to have the state festival held here in the Capital Region. We are moving back to Auburn for two years and now taking applications for 2015.

Any group that is interested (in membership) should check the TANYS website (TANYS.org) for details. We have an incredible network here and there would be much interest. I am hoping to complete soon an Excel directory of all the theaters in the Capital Region. With that, TANYS can expand its promotion in this Area.

We need to continue to enlighten companies that adjudication is an educational process. It is an opportunity for an outside observer to comment on what worked in the production, what did not work and how to correct the problem.

I cannot believe the number of community theaters that have popped up in the past few years.”

Patrick White is a Capital Region actor who will be performing in ‘A Soldier’s Play’ April 5th thru 14th with The Classic Theatre Guild at Proctors.

Capital Pride Parade and Festival Sunday June 9 12pm-5pm Featuring Headliner 80’s Pop Princess DEBBIE GIBSON

www.CapitalPrideCenter.org/capital-pride www.Facebook.com/518CapitalPride

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To Be A Blessing: Invitation The press is rich with the news that religions that claim to love are in fact filled with hateful words, particularly to the LGBTQ community. In this climate, we tend to wonder where we can go for support and community to fill the spiritual voids of our life. I am happy that there are more places opening up than ever before.

As a fairly new pastor to the Albany area and an out and proud gay man, I am very pleased to see so many open churches and synagogues available in the capital region.

I arrived in September to pastor the First Congregational Church of Albany as a newly transferred minister of the United Church of Christ. I had come from Kingston, where I served as pastor of the Old Dutch Church and a minister in the Reformed Church in America.

After much soul searching and closet sitting, I decided to make the move to the UCC, where I could be out and be free to be me. It wasn’t that I kept a big secret, since I was one of the founding board members of Room for All and had brought Old Dutch to become Open and Affirming, but for myself, I had finally found a denomination that fully embraced everyone, including people desiring marriage equal-

with

Open Doors

By The Rev. Kenneth Walsh

ity and ordination, regardless of sexual orientation, among many other diversities.

I was very open with the congregation at First Congregational Church and they were happy to welcome me, as they do everyone who comes to be a part of our ministry. Now, we are exploring ways to make this generous welcome known and shared throughout the area. We are a safe environment to grow and experience the love of God in so many ways, where there is a diversity of opinion and theology, as well as personality, with a tradition that goes back to the Pilgrims.

The church was founded in Albany in 1850 and has had a history of social change, going back the fight against slavery and the rights of women. Now we desire to be at the forefront of the fight for equality and be a light in dark places. One of the founders of the Congregationalist movement was John Robinson, who said, “There is more light to be had from God’s Word,” and we aim to declare that loudly as we seek to serve the LGBTQ community.

While I personally invite you to give our church a try, far more, please know that I want to be of any help in the community that I can be. Twenty years ago, I was able

Engagement Announcement:

Kevin M. Moshier of Canajoharie, NY and Jonathan A. Hammer of Richfield Springs, NY are thrilled to announce their engagement. The happy couple became engaged on Monday, March 18th 2013.

Mr. Moshier, also known as Nyvek by close friends, is currently a student at Schenectady County Community College where he is earning an Associates degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management. Kevin’s ultimate goal is to become a Wedding Planner.

Mr. Hammer graduated from Sage of Albany in May 2012 with a Bachelors in Illustration. Since graduating, Jonathan has had his work featured at Zaria & Bella’s on Jay Street in Schenectady NY and at the Romaine Brooks Gallery located on the third floor of the Pride Center of the Capital Region on Hudson Ave. in Albany NY. Jonathan is currently a free lance graphic designer who is working with Schenectady Pride to advertise numerous events leading up to, and including, the Schenectady Pride Festival on June 22nd of this year.

An October 2014 wedding is planned. The couple currently reside in Schenectady, NY.

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to start a ministry to people living with HIV and AIDS in southwest Florida that went beyond that community to influence great change in that region. Today, I am thankful to be here in Albany, where God is moving to open the doors and embrace everyone and to be pastor of a church which is not afraid to marry all couples, straight or gay and proclaim in word and action that God and we, God’s followers welcome everyone. The doors are wide open…come, enjoy and be filled!

The Rev. Kenneth Walsh is the pastor of the First Congregational Church on Quail Street in Albany, a minister in the United Church of Christ. He is also a musician, composer, the father of six children and grandfather of five. He and his partner live in Hyde Park.

This article is one of a series provided by Advocates for Welcoming Congregations, a Capital Region group that encourages the welcoming of LGBT persons into the full life and leadership of communities of faith. The group also works to make visible for members of the LGBT community opportunities for practicing their faith traditions. Save Sunday, June 2 for the Interfaith Pride Celebration!

Welcoming Congregations

Join Us In Exploring Your Spiritual Side At One Of The Welcoming Congregations Below: Community Congregational Church (UCC) 221 Columbia Tpke, Rensselaer, NY www.clintonheightsucc.org Community Reformed Church of Colonie 701 Sand Creek Road, Colonie, NY www.coloniereformed.org (518)869-5589 Congregation Agudat Achim (Conservative) 2117 Union Street, Schenectady, NY www.agudatachim.org (518) 393-9211 Congregation B’nai Shalom (Reform) 420 Whitehall Road, Albany, NY www.bnaishalom.albany.ny.us (518) 482-5283 Congregation Berith Shalom (Reform) 167 Third Street, Troy, NY www.berithshalom.com (518)272-8872 Congregation Beth Emeth (Reform) 100 Academy Road, Albany, NY www.bethemethalbany.org (518)436-9761 Congregation Gates of Heaven (Reform) 842 Ashmore Avenue, Schenectady, NY www.cgoh.org (518)374-8173 Congregation Ohav Shalom (Conservative) 113 New Krumkill Road, Albany, NY www.ohavshalom.org Congregation Temple Sinai (Reform) 509 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY www.templesinai-saratogasprings.org (518) 584-8730 Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church 943 Palmer Avenue, Schenectady, NY www.easternparkway.weebly.com (518)374-4306 St George’s Episcopal Church 30 North Ferry St., Schenectady www.stgeorgesschenectady.org

Emmanuel Baptist Church 275 State Street, Albany, NY www.emmanuelalbany.net (518)465-5161 First Church in Albany 110 North Pearl Street, Albany, NY www.firstchurchinalbany.org (518)463-4449 First Congregational Church of Albany UCC & NACCC 405 Quail Street, Albany, NY www.firstcongregationalalbany.org / (518)482-4580 First Lutheran Church 181 Western Avenue, Albany, NY www.FirstLutheranAlbany.org (518)463-1326 First Presbyterian Church 362 State Street, Albany, NY www.firstpresalbany.org (518)449-7332 First Reformed Church 8 North Church Street, Schenectady, NY www.1streformed.com First Unitarian Society of Schenectady 1221 Wendell Avenue, Schenectady, NY www.fussonline.org (518)374-4446

Friends Meeting (Quaker) 727 Madison Avenue, Albany, NY (518) 436-8812 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 501 Albany Shaker Road, Loudonville, NY www.goodshepherdchurchloudonville.org (518)458-1562 Holy Trinity National Catholic Church 405 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY www.NCCofA.org/holytrin.html (518)434-8861 Journey United Church of Christ 500 Kenwood Blvd, Delmar , NY www.journeyucc.com Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church 175 Fifth Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY www.saratogaspringsumc.org / (518)5843720 St. Andrews Episcopal Church Main at Madison Avenue, Albany, NY www.standrewsalbany.org / (518)489-4747 St. John’s Lutheran Church 160 Central Avenue, Albany, NY www.stjohnsalbany.org (518)465-7545

First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany 405 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY www.albanyuu.org (518)463-7135

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga 624 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY www.saratoga-uu.org (518)584-1555

First United Methodist Church 603 State Street, Schenectady, NY www.gbgm-umc.org/schenectady (518)374-4403

Unity Church in Albany 21 King Avenue, Albany, NY www.unitychurchinalbany.org (518)4533603

First United Presbyterian Church 1915 Fifth Avenue, Troy, NY www.unitedprestroy.org (518)272-2771

Woodstock Jewish Congregation (Reconstructionist) 1682 Glasco Turnpike, Woodstock, NY www.wjcshul.org (845)246-1671

Proud To Be Open! Affirming!

Welcoming! Joyous!

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May 2013

Pride Center featured events Tuesday, May 7th: LGBT Professionals Networking Mixer at Hokkaido Asian Bistro, 6 – 8 pm. 820 Central Avenue, Albany. Networking, appetizers & cash bar. $5 suggested donation. Presented by the Pride Center Business Alliance.

Thursday, May 9th National Give OUT Day! Support the Pride Center by participating in this national initiative. Join people on a single day across the country to support the LGBTQ community.

Let’s make history! Visit: http://giveout.razoo.com/story/pride-center-of-the-capital-region Thursday, May 16th: A Night of Laughs, A Benefit for the Pride Center & In Our Own Voices, 5pm doors, 6:30pm show time, Comedy Works, 500 Northern Blvd, Albany. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 day of event. RSVP ASAP online at joketix.com/pride or by phone 1.877.joketix

Capital Pride 2013 is from May 29-June 10. Check website for full calendar!

Wednesday May 29th: CAPITAL PRIDE 2013: Racism Under the Rainbow: Building Alliances, 6-8pm, at First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany, 405 Washington Ave. The Pride Center and In Our Own Voices will host an open community forum to discuss racism within the LGBT community in the Capital Region. This event is open to all!

Thursday May 30th: CAPITAL PRIDE 2013: Kick-off BBQ, 5:30-8 pm at the Pride Center.

Food, friends & fun at the annual opening event of Capital Pride Week. Suggested donation of $5 at the door. Kick off Pride & attend!

Friday, May 31st: CAPITAL PRIDE 2013: GOT PRIDE, LGBTQA Youth Dance, 7—11 pm, Get out your dancing shoes & come to our Youth Dance! For youth ages 13-18. Snacks & drinks provided!

Pride Center Calendar May 2013 Wednesday, May 1st: Pride Center Board Meeting, 6 pm. Open to the public. 3rd Floor.

Friday, May 3rd: 1st Friday at the Romaine Brooks Gallery, 5-9 pm. Come to the Romaine Brooks Gallery, the Pride Center’s very own art gallery!

Wednesday, May 8th: “Live from the Living Room” Poetry Open Mic Night, 7-9 pm.

Thursdays, May 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th: Alternative Prom Planning Committee Meeting, 4:30-5:30 pm. We’re celebrating our 16th anniversary of A-Prom & our 30th of our Center Youth programming! Help us plan A-Prom for LGBTQA youth ages 13-19! If you’re an active member, you get in A-PROM for free! Must be 19 or younger to participate.

Thursday, May 9th & 23rd: Capital Pride Planning Committee Meeting, 6 – 7:30 pm.

Join us to be a part of planning 2013 Capital Pride! Meets on the 2nd & 4th Thursdays.

Wednesday, May 15th: LGBT Book Club, 7-9 pm. Meets in Rainbow Café. All are welcome! The book this month is Maurice by E.M. Forster Sunday, May 19th: Movie Night, 6:30-9 pm. Screening of “Saving Face” in Rainbow Café!

Sunday, May 19th: Vintage Pride Potluck, 1-3 pm. Bring a dish to share and enjoy drinks and dessert provided by the Pride Center. A casual social opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people 55 and older at the First Presbyterian Church, 362 State Street. Free!

Sunday, May 26th: Supper Sunday in the Rainbow Café, 5—8 pm. Come and enjoy a delicious meal provided by one of our stellar volunteers. Happens every last Sunday of the month.

Tuesday, May 28th: College Night in Rainbow Café, 6—9 pm. Join your fellow local LGBTQ students for a night of socializing and networking! Free. Refreshments provided.

All events take place at the Pride Center (332 Hudson Avenue, Albany) unless otherwise noted. Questions call (518) 462-6138

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May 2013

Pride Center ongoing events Sundays

Wednesdays

Rainbow Café Drop in, 6—9 pm

LGBT Sex & Love Addicts Anonymous Garden level meeting room, 6:30 pm

Bisexual Potluck Brunch Every 1st & 3rd Sunday of the month 1st Floor, 11 am—1 pm Supper Sunday Meets every last Sunday of the month 1st Floor, 5 pm—8 pm

Open Mic Night 2nd Wednesday of the month, 1st Floor, 7 pm LGBT Book Club 3rd Wednesday of the month, 1st Floor, 7 pm

LGBT Alcoholics Anonymous Garden level meeting room, 7—8:30 pm

Thursdays

Mondays

Thrive LGBT Youth Group - Ages 16—24 3rd Floor, 6—7:30 pm

Men's Peer Support Group 1st Floor, 7—8:30 pm Gay Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Garden level meeting room, 7:30—8:30 pm Free Confidential HIV Testing 1st & 3rd Monday, 4—7 pm Tuesdays Women's Peer Support Group Garden level meeting room, 7—8:30 pm Trans Pride Meet and Greet 1st Tuesday of the Month 1st Floor, 7—9 pm Trans Pride Discussion Group 3rd Tuesday of the month 1st Floor, 7—9 pm Capital Region Support Group for Family and Friends of LGBT People 2nd Tuesday of the month, 7 pm 1221 Wendell Avenue, Schenectady For more info, call Julia Helfman 372-9911

Rainbow Café Drop in, 6—9 pm

Rainbow Nights Schenectady LGBTQA Youth Peer Support Group - Ages 13—18 1st & 3rd Thursday of the month, 6—7:30 pm Proctors Theater, Underground Space, 432 State Street, Schenectady

LGBT Narcotics Anonymous Garden level meeting room, 7:30—8:30 pm Friday Free Confidential HIV Testing 2nd & 4th Friday, 4—7 pm 1stFriday @ Romaine Brooks Gallery 1st Friday of every Month 3rd Floor, 5—9 pm LGBTQA Youth Peer Support Group Ages 13 – 18 1st Floor, 7—8:30 pm

Saturdays LGBT Alcoholics Anonymous Garden level meeting room, 7—8:30 pm

All events take place at the Pride Center of the Capital Region (332 Hudson Avenue) unless otherwise noted.

Pride Center Administrative Office Hours Monday—Friday 10AM-5PM Saturday—Closed Sunday—Closed To reach someone at the Pride Center during office hours, please call (518) 462-6138

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May 2013

Pride Center Affiliate Events Wednesday, May 1st: Saratoga Pride Men's Group 6 pm, meets at Circus Café, 382 Broadway, Saratoga. Meets the 1st Wednesday of each month.

Sunday, May 12th: Hudson Pride Men's Discussion Group 2-3:30 pm, 603 Warren Street - 2nd Floor, Hudson. Meets the 2nd Sunday of every month.

Thursday, May 16th: Saratoga Pride Lesbian Breakfast meets at Country Café on High Rock at 7:30 am, 165 High Rock Ave, latecomers welcome. Meets the 3rd Thursday of each month.

Saturday, May 18th: Hudson Pride Woman's Discussion Group 2-3:30 pm, 603 Warren Street - 2nd Floor, Hudson. Meets the 3rd Saturday of every month.

Sunday, May 26th: Hudson Pride Youth Discussion Group 1-2:30 pm, 603 Warren Street - 2nd Floor, Hudson. Meets last Sunday of every month for LGBTQ & allied folks ages 13-20.

Community Events

Wednesdays, May 1st & 15th: In Our Own Voices’ Out The Closet I Am Support Group (Ages 21-30), 6-8 pm. For more info visit www.facebook.com/outtheclosetiam Thursdays, May 2nd & 23rd: In Our Own Voices’ Black and Latino Gay Pride 2013 Planning Meeting, 6-7:30 pm. For more info, visit the website at www.blackandlatinogaypride.com Thursday, May 16th In Our Own Voices’ Women Who Love Women Social Gathering (Ages 31 and Up), 6:30-9:30 pm at Waterworks Pub, 76 Central Avenue, Albany. This event is for women ages 31 and up who want to engage with other women and build community. Topics and activities are tailored to the needs of the group.

Wednesdays, May 8th & 22nd: In Our Own Voices’ TransCare, 6-7:30 pm. TransCare is a social group for transgender POC to share their voices about their community issues.

Tuesday, May 21st: In Our Own Voices’ Youth Development Network Meeting, 12-1:30 pm. The Youth Development Network is a coalition of individuals and organizations dedicated to empowering LGBT POC Youth in the Capital Region. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP. Located at Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood, 855 Central Avenue.

Saturday, April 20th: In Our Own Voices’ Calypso Sundown Fundraiser, 11pm-1am at Oh Bar, 304 Lark Street, Albany. Help us celebrate, Calypso style, as IOOV raises funds to support its services.

Wednesday, May 29th: Healthcare Kits & HIV testing, 4-6 pm at the Social Justice Center, 33 Central Avenue, Albany. Free personal hygiene and safer sex kits for LGBT individuals and families in need.

Free confidential HIV testing available, provided by the Michael Bright Drop-In Center.

Wednesday, May 29th: Kick-off Karaoke, 8 pm-1 am at OH Bar, 304 Lark Street, Albany.

Voted “Best Karaoke” by Metroland. A-Man Productions featuring Juan gets you going after BBQ! Friday, May 31st: In Our Own Voices’ Sober Dance, 9pm-2am at First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany. Come to this alcohol- and drug-free dance party featuring live DJ spinning hip-hop, Latin, soul and R&B. Food provided.

Friday, May 31st: Orange Party, 10pm—2am at ROCKS, 77 Central Avenue, Albany. Break out your orange clothes for Albany’s only Circuit Party! $10 cover. For info visit: www.rocks77.com Friday, May 31st: The Great Gatsby GLSEN Formal Affaire, 5-7 pm at 74 State Street, Albany. Support GLSEN & their 15th anniversary! Cash bar & refreshments. Visit:- www.glsen.org/nycr *All In Our Own Voices events take place at 245 Lark Street, Albany unless noted.

Have an event for CommUNITY? If you would like to have your events posted in the CommUNITY newsletter, please visit our website at www.capitalpridecenter.org and click on the events tab and select calendar of events. From there you can submit your own event. Or email jshultis@capitalpridecenter.org.

Events must be submitted for approval by the 5th of the month.

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Walgreens Run for Pride 5K Run and Rainbow FunRun

Saturday June 8, 2013 Join us for the 5th Annual “Run for Pride” 5K and Rainbow Fun Run during Capital Pride 2013!

Show your Pride while supporting the Pride Center of the Capital Region!!

Sponsored by Walgreens and the City of Albany, as part of Capital Pride 2013.

Capital Pride 2013 is produced by the Pride Center of the Capital Region

Race Information:

Saturday June 8, 2013

8am Registration, 9am 5K Race (3.1 miles), 10:00am Rainbow Fun Run 1K (.6 miles) Start and Finish site: Washington Park Lakehouse, Albany Course Description: Within Washington Park Awards: Top 3 Male and Female Overall, Top 3 in each age group, and Top Team!

The “Best Use of Rainbow” Award for Fun Run participants, along with other prizes Awards Ceremony: following the Rainbow Fun Run at the Lakehouse

Registration Information: PLEASE COMPLETE ONE REGISTRATION PER PERSON BY MAY 27, 2013 The registration is available at Active.com (Fees Apply) or complete the information below and mail to the Pride Center at the address at the bottom of the form. REGISTRATION DUE MONDAY MAY 27 2013 AT 5PM

Name: ________________________________________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________ City/Zip _____________________ Telephone: __________________________ Email: ___________________________________________ Age on race day: _______ Sex: _______ Team Name: ________________________________________ T-shirt Size: All pre-registered participants by May 27, 2013, will receive a t-shirt: S M L XL XXL

___

Registration Fee: (non-refundable) DUE MONDAY MAY 27 AT 5PM ___ $15 ___ $20 day of race ___ Check enclosed: please make payable to: Pride Center of the Capital Region M/C-Visa Card Number ______________________________________ Expiration: __________ Signature _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Signature

WAIVER AND RELEASE STATEMENT: Please read and sign In consideration of this entry, being accepted, I hereby for myself, heirs, executers and administrators waive and release any claims that I may have against the Capital District Gay & Lesbian Community Council or any of the sponsors involved in the Run for Pride and Rainbow Fun Run. I certify that I am physically able to participate in this event.

Signature: ______________________________________________________________ Date: __________________________ Signature of Parent/Guardian (if under 18)______________________________________________________________________

Please send completed and signed form to: Pride Center of the Capital Region 332 Hudson Ave Albany, NY 12210 Questions? Call the Pride Center at 518.462.6138 / Fax: 518.462.2101

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NON-PROFIT US POSTAGE

P AID PERMIT #798 332 Hudson Avenue Albany, NY 12210

ALBANY, NY