CommUNITY Magazine (vol. 2 iss 8) Volunteers plus The Pride Center Gala by Pride Center of the Capital Region

October 2014 Volume 2, Issue 8 CONTENTS FEATURES

The Gay Games Just Got a Little More Trans*

Trans* Athlete Stephan Elizander Przyblowicz discusses his experiences at the 2014 Gay Games in Cleveland.

pg. 6

2014 Pride Center Awards

Join us in honoring the individuals and businesses working to create a more welcoming Capital Region for the lesbain, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

pg. 9-12 on the cover, (l-r) 2014 award winners Mona Golub (Price Chopper), Kathryn Zox, Ulysses de Armas, Jerry Jennings, Bryan Lavigne, Scott Levine, Eric Snyder, Barbara Smith, David Rozen

What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do by Liz Condrey pg. 8

NEWS AND UPDATES

The Pride Center Welcomes Counseling Intern Sarah Henry pg. 5 The Pride Center Welcomes Counseling Intern Katie Marra pg. 5 Coming Out of the Locker Room: A Brief History of the Gay Games pg. 6 Weekly Pride Center Programs and Events Calendar pg. 29

Camp Re-cap pg. 20

More news and updates online: www.capitalpridecenter.org

COLUMNS

Gay Man’s Musings What I Have Learned As An Advocate... Nyvek Moshier pg. 15 Discrimination in the Name of God Pisses Me Off by Larry Steffler pg. 16 Trans View Transgender People and Economic Security by Kylar Broadus pg. 18 Ask the Lawyer Marriage Equality Update by Geri Pomerantz pg. 23 Money Matters A Place in the Sun by Thomas Walling pg. 24 Ask Mark Your Tax Questions by Mark D. Witecki pg. 25 Out in the Garden En Plein Air by Judith Fetterly pg. 27 To Be a Blessing Evangelical Christian Aims to Repair the Breach by Kathy Baldock pg. 28 Here’s Guffman What I Do by Patrick White pg. 34 The Fashionable and the Frivolous Fashion On Screen by Alan Bennet Ilagan Michael Cooks and You Can Too Great Pumpkin by Michael Meade pg. 37 by

ity Commun & vent a i Spec l Edars Calen 3 pgs. 29-3

Director’s Note by Curran Streett | From the Editor’s Desk by Michael Weidrich pg. 4 capitalpridecenter.org

DIRECTOR’S NOTE

When I first came out (to myself), I turned first to books for information and assurance. It was in this early exploration that I found feminist writings, queer theory and the beginning of an understanding of my community. Without a cultural context of what it meant to be an LGBT person, without a handbook or education on what my identity meant, I found books that helped my evolving definition. One of those books was This Bridge Called My Back. I am extremely honored and humbled to be preparing the Pride

C u rran Street t

Center and our community to award one of the contributors of this book, Barbara Smith [recipient of ] the Harvey Milk Award. Truly a giant among us, her contributions to the LGBT, feminist and black feminist movement are remarkable not to mention her achievements in local politics. Joining Barbara on the award stage this year will be Albany’s longstanding former Mayor Jerry Jennings who in addition to his accomplishments was a great champion for our LGBT community. LGBT Youth champion and longtime supporter Kathryn Zox will receive our Nancy Burton Straight but not Narrow Award and will share the stage with a youth in our program, Eric Snyder receiving the Volunteer of the Year Award. Speaking of youth, David Rozen will receive the Paul Postiglione Youth Service Award in recognition of all he does for LGBT young people both at the Center and in his other volunteer capacities. Our

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

The other day we were discussing the AIDSwalk and I was asked “Why do we keep walking?” I started to recount tales of the early 90’s and the state of the LGBTQ community after it had been disseminated by AIDS epidemic in the 80’s. I talked about seeing the AIDS Quilt on the Mall in DC in ’93 and marching on the White House and seeing ACT UP demonstrate. I remembered people that I had met and been mentored by in the community that had died of AIDS. And I thought about the number of people I know today that are living with HIV. All of these things motivate me to keep participating in the AIDSwalk, year after year, for

nearly 20 years now.

During the discussion, I pulled back and tried to contextualize the AIDS crisis within the greater LGBTQ movement history. The two are so intertwined and some could say that the AIDS crisis both propelled the LGBTQ movement forward while simultaneously knocking it back two steps for every step forward. The Pride Center is one of the oldest continually operating centers in the country, but how many centers closed in the 80’s because everyone who was affiliated with it had died. I wonder where would the LGBTQ movement be today if there had never been an AIDS crisis, if the nearly half million people that have died of AIDS in the United States between 1981 and 2002 had lived full lives, if all that potential had been realized. A great question that was asked was “What can we impress upon our youth about our history?” I had to think for a mo-

Business of the Year Award goes to Price Chopper for all they do to support our community and going above and beyond in challenging their partners to be LGBT inclusive. Bryan Lavigne is being honored for his thousands of hours of work at the Pride Center supporting the fundraising and stability of the organization. Longtime Pride Center board member Ulysses de Armas is receiving the Libby Post Council Leadership Award for his years of service, and one of his fellow Pride planning leaders Scott Levine will receive the well deserved accolade Community Service Award. It is with certainty that I say, without these awardees, our community would not be what it is. I know they have helped shape me, and have improved countless lives. I couldn’t be more excited about sharing the evening and celebration with you, and hope to see you on the 24th!

Mic hael Weid r ic h

ment about a good response. I wanted to express a sentiment that I know generations of parents have often said, “You kids don’t know how easy you have it”. The phrase “the burden of history” kept ringing through my head. Every successive generation that has been a part of the LGBTQ movement has carried the torch and fought/sacrificed/marched/demonstrated/ died to make the world a better place for the next generation. From the first riot at Stonewall, to the AIDS epidemic, to gays in the military, to marriage equality, to gender expression non-discrimination, and so on. The youth of today will always know a world where they can marry whoever they want regardless of gender, will hopefully never lose a loved one to AIDS, can serve in the military openly, and face less to no discrimination in their daily lives. And the history of those struggles shouldn’t be their burden. They will find their causes to fight for that they believe in and carry the torch of our movement forward into tomorrow.

The Pride Center Welcomes Counseling Intern Sarah Henry! Hi Folks! I am so excited to have such an enriching and diverse experience within the Center Support program!! As a Counseling Intern working within the Center Support program, I see individuals, couples and families for low-cost psychotherapy under the clinical supervision of Arlene Istar Lev, LCSW-R. I also assist with programmatic tasks at the Pride Center. This experience is especially important to me as I learn more about the community and the ever increasing resources available. I hope to apply the invaluable knowledge I gain to assist and advocate for veterans and service members within the LBGT community. I am a graduate of Marist College, where I earned a bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in

Criminal Justice and a minor in Jewish studies. The slow process of available civil service tests and a federal hiring freeze left me without a position in the field of law enforcement upon graduation. I took a position within a local not for profit child welfare organization because working a retail customer service position was not going to help me pay back my student loans! I had no previous experience within the field of social work and soon found myself overwhelmed in a multiplicity of systems of care, of which I had zero experience navigating. But I learned to navigate the systems, many of which are broken, and advocated fiercely for my clients. I found my voice in advocacy. Nearly eight years later, and working for the same organization, my fiery passion for advocacy still burns brightly. This cor-

relates directly with my decision to pursue a Master of Social Work degree in order to more effectively serve current and future clients in whatever system I may land. When I am not up to my earlobes in my professional work, class or school work, I love to cook and use it as a way to show how much I care for and appreciate those around me. My specialty is Italian fare and southern comfort food, but I continue to expand my menu. I am a dedicated fan of The Walking Dead, I love to hike with my dog and read anything that is not a textbook.

The Pride Center Welcomes Counseling Intern Katie Marra! Hello Everyone, My name is Katie Marra and I am a student at Sage Graduate School in Albany. I am pursuing my masters in counseling and community psychology with a certification in forensic mental health. I am interning at the Pride Center of the Capital Region as well as Choices Counseling Center where I provide low-cost psychotherapy for individuals, couples, and families. I hold a bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, where I was a dual major in criminal justice and psychology. Being a dual major I completed four internships within my field providing me with experience with a variety of populations and communities. I have completed internships in settings such as: Fishkill Correctional Facility, Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department, New York State Troopers, and Dutchess County Family Court. I have a very strong

interest in the mental health services that are provided to people who are involved within the criminal justice system. My interest in psychology began in high school where I was awarded the Timothy Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Clair memorial scholarship in honor of Timothy with whom I attended school. Currently, I work at Saint Anne Institute as a direct care worker with juvenile girls ranging in age from 13-18. I utilize education, therapy, and social techniques in hopes to improve their emotional, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. I enjoy working with youth in this age group and recently had the opportunity to partake in the Pride Center Youth Leadership Camp. This provided me the opportunity to attend a variety of workshops which explored topics such as: nature survival, historical events and figures in the LGBTQ community, and self-care. This allowed

the youth to express themselves in a safe and open environment and truly was an enlightening experience. I am trained in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention through Saint Anne Institute which provides me with the skills to identify and de-escalate a crisis while keeping myself and the youth safe. I also am certified in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training through Sage Colleges as well as being a mandate reporter. When I am not at internship or working I enjoy playing soccer, watching football, dancing, and going to the gym. I have played soccer since I was five years old and was introduced through my cousin and uncle. It is very much a family sport and now he is teaching my god son how to play. I have taken a variety of dance classes but my favorite is tap and I love how the sound of my feet matches the beat of the music.

October 18 10:30 - 11:30am Albany Public Library Main Branch 161 Washington Avenue, Albany FREE! contact Rosy at rgalvan@capitalpridecenter.org for more information

COMING OUT OF THE LOCKER ROOM: A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE GAY GAMES by

Lyndon Cudlitz, Training & Education Coordinator

In eighth grade, as rumors of my bisexuality began to spread around the school, I started waiting until others were done in the locker room before I changed for lacrosse practice. Being late to the field meant I was played less. Internalizing the bi-phobic messages around me, I didn’t see myself as being as worthy of athletic opportunity as the other students. I stopped trying. Many LGBTQ people of all ages have stories of struggling to be accepted on sports teams, not being allowed to compete in gendered divisions that matched their identities, or giving up sports all together to avoid bullying and discrimination. In an effort to provide more equitable opportunities for LGBTQ athletes to compete and as a “vehicle of change,” former Olympian Dr. Tom Waddell first conceived of the Gay Olympics in 1980. By 1982 the first Gay Games were being held in San Francisco at Kezar Stadium. The original name was the Gay Olympics, but just three weeks before the event the organizers were sued by the International Olympic Committee over

rights to the name. The lawsuit, San Francisco Arts & Athletics, Inc. v. United States Olympic Committee, was the subject of the 2009 documentary Claiming the Title: Gay Olympics on Trial. According to the website for this year’s Gay Games IV (www.gg9cle.com), Waddell wrote, “We need to discover more about the process of our sexual liberation and apply it meaningfuIIy to other forms of liberation. The Gay Games are not separatist, they are not exclusive, they are not oriented to victory, and they are not for commercial gain. They are, however, intended to bring a global community together in friendship, to experience participation, to elevate consciousness and self-esteem, and to achieve a form of cultural and intellectual synergy.... We are involved in the process of altering opinions whose foundations lie in ignorance. We have the opportunity to take the initiative on critical issues that affect the quality of life and we can serve in a way that makes all people the beneficiary.” Today the Gay Games are the world’s largest event for LGBTQ athletes. Held every four years, the Games have

bounced across the globe, with destinations including Vancouver, Amsterdam, Sydney, and Cologne. The Games provide a full week of cultural events and over 35 sport competitions, from basketball to bodybuilding. At the Gay Games IV in Cleveland this August, I was moved to tears while watching seven pairs of men dance the waltz during one of the dance competitions. It was such an honor to witness this rare sight, with an entire room in full support. When I showed up for my own two-day competition, it felt more like a room of people in solidarity with one another than it did a room of competitors. Certainly, I came to compete. But it was the sense of community that made the experience worth the trip from Albany. Congratulations to my fellow competitor, the Men’s Advanced Bouldering bronze medalist, who shares his Gay Games experience on page 7. The Pride Center congratulates all of the Capital Rgion athletes who competed in Cleveland this summer in Rock Climbing, Soccer, Ice Hockey, Triathlon, and more!

WHEN YOU NEED A JUDGMENT FREE SPACE TO DISCUSS YOUR CONCERNS- WE’RE HERE TO LISTEN.

Center Support Counseling SUPPORT FOR HEALING & GROWTH We offer LGBTQA friendly counseling that is low cost, and no one turned away due to finances. With flexible hours, we are committed to strengths based, person-centered care. REACH OUT TODAY.

TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT: CALL: 518.462.6138 EMAIL: CASEMANAGEMENT@CAPITALPRIDECENTER.ORG Image Credit: Atlantablackstar.com

THE GAY GAMES JUST GOT A LITTLE MORE TRANS a conversation with trans* athlete Stephan Elizander Przybylowicz

How did you get into rock climbing? It mostly started when my sister, brother-in-law, and I got a 20-visit Groupon pass to the new bouldering gym in Tucson, Arizona. It made us keep with it, even though we sucked at first. As I started seeing progress and exceeding my goals, I got hooked on the feeling of pushing the limits of what I think my body and mind can do. What challenges have you experienced as a trans* climber? Climbing is surprisingly gendered in ways that it really doesn’t have to be. Different climbing routes of all difficulty levels favor folks of different body types, so theoretically (and often in practice), female-assigned folks can climb just as well as male-assigned folks. However, competitions often set different problems for male and female climbers or have different difficulty levels for each gender category. There’s of course the “Which restroom do I use?” issue in most gyms. Also, as a transmasculine-spectrum climber who has had top surgery, I’ve had inner debate as to when/if I can be topless while climbing and still uphold feminist ideals. What inspired you to participate in the Gay Games? This is one of the first years that rock climbing has been included in the Gay Games, so I wanted to go climb! I had heard about it through Philly Phlash (Philadelphia’s queer climbing group) and had planned to go to Homoclimbtastic (an LGBTQ climbing convention at the New River Gorge), so I enjoy the atmosphere of climbing with other queer folks. I got a lot of folks asking me why queer-specific athletic groups/ events need to happen. I find that personally it’s more comfortable because being queer is a central part of my identity and it’s one less thing to explain to other queer folks. In a broader sense, whenever a college or pro athlete “comes out,” it’s still a big deal in the media. The fact that society still thinks

this is news, is proof that inequalities and stereotypes about LGBTQ athletes still exist in the sporting world. What about your decision to compete was most challenging? First of all, the cost was an initial barrier. I was fortunate enough to receive a scholarship to cover my registration, transportation, and housing costs, which made it possible for me to participate. The other challenge was that the competition broke up the divisions by gender, and I had to decide which gender category to compete in. As a transmasculine-spectrum person not currently on hormones, I really could’ve gone either way. I ended up deciding to compete as male this time around since I thought it would be more challenging since there are usually more male than female competitors. How would you describe the registration process for you? The registration process was a bit frustrating since it was difficult to decide both what my “legal” gender was (since I have different identification documents that say different things) and then which gender I wanted to compete as. I ran into a little bit of an issue with scholarship housing since one of the hosts specified “female-only.” So I had to explain my gender a bit to the housing coordinator to make sure everyone was comfortable. I ended up staying with another host who was very sweet and accommodating, but unfamiliar with transgender stuff, so I did a lot of educating during my stay. What was your impression of the presence of trans* community at this year’s Gay Games? There were a few folks around that I read as possibly trans*, but I spent most of the Games feeling very alone as a trans* person. I accidentally mixed up my schedule and missed the trans* pride event that occurred Sunday night, so that made me sad. The event wasn’t

very well advertised either (it was only listed once on the website and not on any of the other paper schedules), so I’m not sure how many folks showed up. Trans* stuff always seems like kind of an afterthought at a lot of these primarily-LGB-events. What was the most positive experience for you at the Games? The most affirming thing to happen was meeting another trans* athlete during the rock climbing competition. It was comforting to know I wasn’t the only one. What would you like to cisgender athletes to know? I would like cisgender folks to not make assumptions about people’s gender identities and not make judgments about people’s athletic abilities based on their assumed gender. How could LGBTQ sports groups or events be more trans-affirming? [By] Using non-gendered language; Not dividing things like housing, bathrooms, and divisions based on gender; Respecting chosen names and pronouns... What would you say to other trans* people interested in future Gay Games events? I would encourage trans* folks to participate in the Gay Games. The more of us that participate and encourage change, the more inclusive the Games will theoretically become. What is your hope for the future of the Gay Games? I hope that rock climbing (and other sports) do away with gendered divisions for future Games, and I hope to meet more trans* athletes! Stephan is a genderqueer trans* boi living in an egalitarian income-sharing community in rural Virginia and enjoys weaving hammocks, climbing rocks, eating potato products, and challenging gender norms.

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Join us in honoring the individuals and businesses working to create a more welcoming Capital Region for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014

HILTON ALBANY

Purchase Tickets at www.capitalpridecenter.org or call the Pride Center (518) 462-6138

P R I D E

C E N T E R

to an individual or organization that has demonstrated outstanding community service within the LGBT commuThe Pride Center of the Capital Region’s mission is to promote nity.

SCOTT LEVINE

pride

ENGAGING community

The Award: EMPOWERING livesGiven

O C T O B E R 2 4

BUILDING

2 0 1 4

the well being of all gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and Scott has a long history of volqueer identified people and those affected by discrimination unteering his time and services to the LGBTQ community in the based on gender identity and expression.

P R I D E

C E N T E R

Capital Region. The manager of Waterworks Pub, Scott is community minded and is significantly involved with Capital Pride and Black and Latino Pride The Pride Center of the Capital Region’s mission is toyears. promote for Some of his many contributions the well being of all gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and .toward Capital Pride Tickets are $95, $75 for students/seniors (amount over $45 isinclude tax deductible) his longtime membership queer identified people and those affected by discrimination Purchase tickets online at www.capitalpridecenter.org/purchase-tickets/ on the Pride Planning Committee or by callingbased the Pride 518.462.6138. All tickets be instrumental held andwill the role he plays on Center genderatidentity and expression. securing major sponsorship at the door; tickets are available for guests with limited in resources. deals &lives performers for the Pride BUILDING pride ENGAGING community EMPOWERING Kindly RSVP by Friday, October 17 at 5 p.m.Festival.

COMMUNITY BUILDING pride SERVICE AWARD

ENGAGING community

Albany’s own EMPOWERING lives

“This award is very humbling mostly because there are so many people behind the efforts I put into Capital Pride.”

P R I D E

C E N T E R

The Pride Center of the Capital Region’s mission is to promote The Award: The Volunteer of the Award is given to an individual the well being gay, lesbian, (amount bisexual, and Tickets are $95, $75of forall students/seniors overtransgender $45 iswho tax deductible) . has demonstrated outstanding service as a Pride Center volPurchase tickets online at www.capitalpridecenter.org/purchase-tickets/ queer identified people and those affected by discrimination unteer the past year. or by callingbased the Pride 518.462.6138. All tickets will beinheld on Center genderatidentity and expression.

ERIC SNYDER

P R I D E

C E N T E R

at the door; tickets are available for guests with limited resources.

a longtime member of the Center Youth Action Kindly RSVP by Friday, October 17 at 5 p.m. VOLUNTEER Team. An Eagle Scout, Eric made OF the decision to become involved The Pride Center of the Capital Region’s mission is promote activism and spearintoLGBTQ THE headed a service project to benYEAR the well being gay, lesbian, (amount bisexual, Tickets are $95, $75of forall students/seniors overtransgender $45 isefit tax deductible) . theand cause. In the span of a AWARD Purchase few months, he rallied his fellow tickets online at www.capitalpridecenter.org/purchase-tickets/ queer identified people and those affected by discrimination Eagle Scout or by callingbased the Pride 518.462.6138. All tickets will be held troupe members to on Center genderatidentity and expression. renovate the Pride at the door; tickets are available for guests with limited completely resources. Center’s garden level. At the 2013 BUILDING pride ENGAGING community EMPOWERING lives Pride Center Gala Eric shared his Kindly RSVP by Friday, October 17 at 5 p.m. experiences as an LGBTQ youth and his story which was reported bytoThe Advocate, the widely read The Pride Center of the Capital Region’s mission is promote national LGBTQ news website. BUILDING

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Eric has been EMPOWERING lives

"The Pride Center is very supportive of people who are willing to go against the status quo or convention to stand up for what they believe in."

Honorary Co-chairs Rudy Grant and David Siders

the well being gay, lesbian, (amount bisexual, and . Tickets are $95, $75of forall students/seniors overtransgender $45 is tax deductible) Purchase tickets online at www.capitalpridecenter.org/purchase-tickets/ queer identified people and those affected by discrimination The Award: Given to a business or by callingbased the Pride Center 518.462.6138. All tickets held on genderatidentity and expression. for will itsbe outstanding support of the at the door; tickets are available for guests with limited LGBT resources. PRICE Community. Live Auction to benefit Pride Center programs

Honorary Co-chairs 7:30 P.M. Rudy Grant and David Siders Dinner and Awards Ceremony in the Governor Ballroom

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Phil and Subrina Dhammi inBayly the Governor Ballroom

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(pictured & quoted, Mona Golub)

Purchase tickets online at www.capitalpridecenter.org/purchase-tickets/ queer identified people and those affected by discrimination or by callingbased the Pride Center 518.462.6138. All tickets will be held on genderatidentity and expression. at the door; tickets are available for guests with limited resources. The Award: Given to an individual BUILDING pride ENGAGING community EMPOWERING lives in government who has demonKindly RSVP by Friday, October 17 at 5 p.m. JERRY strated outstanding support of the JENNINGS LGBTQ community.

P R I D E

C E N T E R

The Pride Center of the Capital Region’s mission is to promote During his time serving as a teacher the well being gay, lesbian, (amount bisexual, and . in the Albany Tickets are $95, $75of forall students/seniors overtransgender $45and is tax administrator deductible) PETER Purchase City School District, a member tickets online at www.capitalpridecenter.org/purchase-tickets/ queer identified people and those affected by discrimination DRAGO of the or by callingbased the Pride 518.462.6138. All tickets will City be heldof Albany’s Common on Center genderatidentity and expression. Council and as Mayor of the City LEADERSHIP

O C T O B E R 2 4

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at the door; tickets are available for guests with limited resources. of Albany, Jerry Jennings has been pride ENGAGING community EMPOWERING lives a constant supporter of the LGBTQ Kindly RSVP by Friday, October 17 at 5 p.m. community. In his role as Mayor, he was a forceful and longtime adfor marriage equality and The Pride Center of the Capital Region’s missionvocate is to promote was among the first mayors in the the well being of all gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender nation toand perform a same sex cereTickets are $95, $75 for students/seniors (amount over $45mony is tax deductible). (and possibly the first in New queer identified people and those affected by discrimination Purchase tickets online at www.capitalpridecenter.org/purchase-tickets/ York State). His support and city coor by callingbased the Pride Center 518.462.6138. All tickets will be heldwas crucial in making sponsorship on genderatidentity and expression. at the door; tickets are available for guests with limited resources. the annual Capital Pride the largest Pride Celebration in Upstate New BUILDING pride ENGAGING community EMPOWERING lives York. Kindly RSVP by Friday, October 17 at 5 p.m. BUILDING

Honorary Co-chairs Rudy Grant and David Siders

IN GOVERNMENT AWARD

“I’m proud to have been a spokesperson for the LGBT community, as well as everyone. It’s our city. All of our city.”

Live Auction to benefit Pride Center programs

the Governor P R Iin D E C Ballroom E N T E R Honorary Co-chairs 7:30 P.M. Rudy Grant and David Siders Dinner and Awards Ceremony

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the Governor P R Phil IinBayly D Eand Subrina C Ballroom E Dhammi N T E R

at the door; tickets are available for guests with limited resources. ciation, David has been involved

BUILDING

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EMPOWERING with thelives Pride

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Honorary Co-chairs 7:30 P.M. Rudy Grant and David Siders Masters Ceremonies, Dinner and Of Awards Ceremony

and he has since become one of its most dedicated supporters. In The Pride Center of the Capital Region’s missionhis is to promote work with the Hugh O’Brien Youth seminar, David is able to the well being of all gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and Tickets are $95, $75 for students/seniors (amount over $45work is tax deductible) . with members of the local Purchase tickets online at www.capitalpridecenter.org/purchase-tickets/ queer identified people and those affected by discrimination LGBTQ community and act as a mentor, or by callingbased the Pride 518.462.6138. All tickets will beDavid held has a strong comon Center genderatidentity and expression. mitment at the door; tickets are available for guests with limited resources. to enriching the lives of LGBTQ youth BUILDING pride ENGAGING community EMPOWERING lives and acts as a Pride Center ambassador everywhere Kindly RSVP by Friday, October 17 at 5 p.m. he goes by being out & proud and showing that a young gay man need to hide who he is to The Pride Center of the Capital Region’s missiondoes is tonot promote succeed.

6:30 P.M. 40 LODGE STREET Cocktail Reception the Gallery ALBANY NY in 12207

PAUL POSTIGLIONE YOUTH SERVICES AWARD

6:30 P.M. Cocktail Reception in the Gallery

DAVID ROZEN

Given to an individual The Pride Center of the Capital Region’s missionThe is toAward: promote who has worked to improve the the well being gay, lesbian, (amount bisexual, and . youth. LGBTQ Tickets are $95, $75of forall students/seniors overtransgender $45lives is tax of deductible) Purchase tickets online at www.capitalpridecenter.org/purchase-tickets/ queer identified people and those affected by discrimination A graduate of Albany Law School or by callingbased the Pride 518.462.6138. All tickets will be held on Center genderatidentity and expression. and member of the NYS Bar Asso-

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“I think it’s great more youth are coming and seeing what services are offered and I can’t wait to see the future and help it grow.”

Phil and Subrina Dhammi inBayly the Governor Ballroom

Masters Of Ceremonies, Dinner and Awards Ceremony FRIDAY OCTOBER 24, 2014 6:30 P.M. 40 LODGE STREET Cocktail Reception the Gallery ALBANY NY in 12207 Honorary 7:30 Co-chairs P.M. Rudy Grant and David Siders

the well being gay, lesbian, (amount bisexual, and . Tickets are $95, $75of forall students/seniors overtransgender $45 is tax deductible) Purchase tickets online at www.capitalpridecenter.org/purchase-tickets/ queer identified people and those affected by discrimination The Award: Given to a straight or by callingbased the Pride Center 518.462.6138. All tickets will beof held KATHRYN member the community whom on genderatidentity and expression. at the door; tickets are available for guests with limited resources. ZOX demonstrates outstanding lead-

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Phil and Subrina Dhammi inBayly the Governor Ballroom

ership and support of the LGBT

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community. Kindly RSVP by Friday, October 17 at 5 p.m.

6:30 P.M. 40 LODGE STREET Cocktail Reception the Gallery ALBANY NY in 12207 Honorary 7:30 Co-chairs P.M. Rudy Grant and David Siders

NANCY As a supportive parent and a vocal ally, Kathryn is exemplary of BURTON what it means to be straight but STRAIGHT Tickets are $95, $75 for students/seniors (amount over $45not is taxnarrow. deductible)Kathryn’s . experiences BUT Purchase tickets online at www.capitalpridecenter.org/purchase-tickets/ as the proud parent of a gay son havewill been a source of empoweror by calling the Pride Center at 518.462.6138. All tickets be held NOT ment and have enabled her to beat the door; tickets are available for guests with limited resources. NARROW come an expert in her advocacy. AWARD As a nationally recognized radio

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Phil and Subrina Dhammi inBayly the Governor Ballroom

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Kindly RSVP by Friday, October 17 at 5 p.m. host in charge of producing The

6:30 P.M. 40 LODGE STREET ALBANY NY in 12207 Cocktail Reception the Gallery Honorary 7:30 Co-chairs P.M. Rudy Grant and David Siders

“Diversity inspires me. I think it’s the major thing in this country that makes us strong.”

Kathryn Zox Show on VoiceAmerica/World Talk Radio and The Social Worker with a Microphone on WCDV 90.9 FM, she is able to share her articulate and informed views on LGBTQ issues with large audiences.

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Phil and Subrina Dhammi inBayly the Governor Ballroom

Masters Of Ceremonies, Dinner and Awards Ceremony FRIDAY OCTOBER 24, 2014 Honorary 7:30 Co-chairs P.M. Rudy Grant and David Siders

C E N T E R

ENGAGING community

The Award: EMPOWERING lives Given

to an individual

Kindly RSVP by Friday, October 17 at 5 p.m. or organization that has demon-

strated outstanding community service within the LGBT commuThe Pride Center of the Capital Region’s mission isnity. to promote

O C T O B E R 2 4

2 0 1 4

BRYAN LAVIGNE

pride

P R I D E

BUILDING

the well being gay, lesbian, (amount bisexual, and . Tickets are $95, $75of forall students/seniors overtransgender $45 is Bryan tax deductible) has devoted his heart and Purchase tickets online at www.capitalpridecenter.org/purchase-tickets/ queer identified people and those affected by discrimination soul to the Center’s Development the Pride 518.462.6138. All tickets will be held for years. Not only Committee COMMUNITY or by callingbased on Center genderatidentity and expression. did Bryan serve as the commitat the door; tickets are available for guests with limited resources.

C E N T E R

BUILDING

pride

P R I D E

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tee chair, but EMPOWERING lives

he has also been a

Kindly RSVP by Friday, October 17 at 5 p.m. trusted advisor on Pride Center

Honorary Co-chairs Rudy Grant and David Siders

CENTER AWARD

fundraising and development campaigns. He has helped create a The Pride Center of the Capital Region’s mission isstrong to promote foundation upon which the Center will be able to meet future the well being of all gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and Tickets are $95, $75 for students/seniors (amount over $45 is organizational tax deductible). development chalqueer identified people and those affected by discrimination Purchase tickets online at www.capitalpridecenter.org/purchase-tickets/ lenges in stride. Throughout all or by callingbased the Pride 518.462.6138. All tickets be held hiswillaccomplishments, Bryan has on Center genderatidentity and expression. maintained a humble attitude and at the door; tickets are available for guests with limited resources. never sought BUILDING pride ENGAGING community EMPOWERING lives personal recognition Kindly RSVP by Friday, October 17 at 5 p.m. for all he has helped achieve.

“I think its important to remember that the Pride Center is about community and community needs change over time.”

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the Governor P R Iin D E C Ballroom E N T E R Honorary Co-chairs 7:30 P.M. Rudy Grant and David Siders Dinner and Awards Ceremony

The Pride Center of the Capital Region’s mission is The to promote Award: Given to a former Pride Center board member who the well being gay, lesbian, (amount bisexual, and Tickets are $95, $75of forall students/seniors overtransgender $45 is tax deductible) . defined leadership. ULYSESS Purchase tickets online at www.capitalpridecenter.org/purchase-tickets/ queer identified people and those affected by discrimination de ARMAS or by calling the Pride Center at 518.462.6138. All tickets will be held based on gender identity and expression.

6:30 P.M. Cocktail Reception in the Gallery

Live Auction to benefit Pride Center programs

the Governor P R Phil IinBayly D Eand Subrina C Ballroom E Dhammi N T E R

at the door; tickets are available for guests with limited resources. Ulysses was a member of the

pride

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Pride EMPOWERING

Center Board of Directors lives

Kindly RSVP by Friday, October 17 at 5 p.m. for six years where his hard work,

Honorary Co-chairs 7:30 P.M. Rudy Grant and David Siders Masters Ceremonies, Dinner and Of Awards Ceremony

BUILDING

insights and cheerful demeanor LIBBY POST just a small part of his contriCOUNCIL The Pride Center of the Capital Region’s mission is were to promote butions during his tenure. AddiLEADERSHIP tionally, Ulysses has been a major the well being of all gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and Tickets are $95, $75 for students/seniors (amount over $45 is tax deductible) . the years, a facilitator donor over AWARD Purchase tickets online at www.capitalpridecenter.org/purchase-tickets/ queer identified people and those affected by discrimination of the Pride Center Men’s Support or by callingbased the Pride 518.462.6138. All tickets will be held Group, a longstanding weekly on Center genderatidentity and expression.

6:30 P.M. 40 LODGE STREET Cocktail Reception the Gallery ALBANY NY in 12207

HILTON ALBANY Live Auction to benefit Pride Center programs

host and commentator on WRPI’s at the door; tickets are available for guests with limited resources.

Phil and Subrina Dhammi inBayly the Governor Ballroom

HomoRadio, ENGAGING community EMPOWERING lives the chair of the Pride “The more you getpride involved the more you’ll see Committee and the chair of tje Kindly RSVP by Friday, October 17 at 5 p.m. Pride Center Youth Scholarship what the Pride Center has to offer.” Committee for three years.

Masters Of Ceremonies, Dinner and Awards Ceremony FRIDAY OCTOBER 24, 2014

BUILDING

6:30 P.M. 40 LODGE STREET Cocktail Reception the Gallery ALBANY NY in 12207 Honorary 7:30 Co-chairs P.M. Rudy Grant and David Siders

The Pride Center of the Capital Region’s mission is to promote the well being gay, lesbian, (amount bisexual, and . Tickets are $95, $75of forall students/seniors overtransgender $45 is tax deductible) Purchase tickets online at www.capitalpridecenter.org/purchase-tickets/ queer identified people and those affected by discrimination The or by callingbased the Pride Center 518.462.6138. All tickets will Award: be held The highest award givon genderatidentity and expression. en, given to a person in the commu-

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at the door; tickets are available for guests with limited resources. nity whose work emulates the ideals of Harvey Milk. Kindly RSVP by Friday, October 17 at 5 p.m. SMITH Barbara is an activist, author and scholar who has helped to open up the national conversation about sexuality, gender, race and class. Tickets are $95, $75 for students/seniors (amount over $45 is tax deductible) . HARVEY She has been a political activist Purchase tickets online at www.capitalpridecenter.org/purchase-tickets/ in multiple movements since the MILK or by calling the Pride Center at 518.462.6138. All tickets will beand heldhas impacted the LGBTQ 1960s community by guaranteeing that at the door; tickets are available for guests with limited resources. AWARD marginalized members’ voices are Kindly RSVP by Friday, October 17 at 5 p.m. heard. Barbara had the honor of being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. A resident of Albany since 1984, Barbara got involved in the Arbor Hill neighborhood because of a concern for the public safety of the entire community and is also a Professor at University of Albany’s School of Social Welfare.

Phil and Subrina Dhammi inBayly the Governor Ballroom

Masters Of Ceremonies, Dinner and Awards Ceremony FRIDAY OCTOBER 24, 2014

BARBARA

6:30 P.M. 40 LODGE STREET Cocktail Reception the Gallery ALBANY NY in 12207 Honorary 7:30 Co-chairs P.M. Rudy Grant and David Siders

HILTON ALBANY Live Auction to benefit Pride Center programs

Phil and Subrina Dhammi inBayly the Governor Ballroom

Masters Of Ceremonies, Dinner and Awards Ceremony FRIDAY OCTOBER 24, 2014 6:30 P.M. 40 LODGE STREET ALBANY NY in 12207 Cocktail Reception the Gallery Honorary 7:30 Co-chairs P.M. Rudy Grant and David Siders

“When one gets recognized, your recognizing the community and family around them that has helped see their dream fulfilled.”

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Phil and Subrina Dhammi inBayly the Governor Ballroom

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GAY MAN’S MUSINGS

Nyvek Moshier

What I Have Learned As An Advocate... I sit here this evening lost in very deep thought. The past two and a half years have truly been life altering ones. I often feel like I no longer really know the person I was before then. I was wild, with little direction, a lot of anger and a mouth that took no issue with offending those who stood on the opposite side of any issues I held dear to my heart.

friends have also shared their painful stories with me over the years as well. All this has resulted in creating an individual consumed by a cause. Well, I am keeping my heart in the cause, but taking a moment to step back.

My younger self was so busy marching with his signs that Now while I am still quite passionate he didn’t give and often headstrong, I have learned how beneficial it can be to learn to show credit to those restraint and respect when voicing my in the community opinion. My club days have become a that made a real thing of the past and I look to the future difference by just living with a great deal of faith and optimism. their day to day lives. One future event that has been on my mind most as of late has been my wedding to my love Jonathan. For as long as I can remember I have dreamed of “MY DREAM WEDDING”. I wanted BIG and ELABORATE. Not going to lie, I wanted to make others jealous as well. Having once felt I would never have this opportunity, I wanted to make a statement to the world that said FU, and that I am allowed to have everything the heterosexuals can have and even more.

Now while I still believe that we in the LGBTQ community deserve everything the heterosexual population enjoys, it has become less important for me to use my wedding as a way to make a social/ political statement. For those of you that know me, you can agree that for some years now I have been passionately driven by politics and social reform. I still consider these subjects to be of great importance, but I have come to realize that having an identity separate from them is also important. I have marched on Washington D.C. and held signs protesting in NYC and outside the capitol in Albany, NY. I have stood face to face with bigots and even once experienced an attempt on my life. So many close

While there is a time and place for statements, I have come to realize that “OUR” wedding is not one of them. While the thought of an elaborate wedding is still enticing, it is not nearly as important as the commitment a wedding represents. I am marrying Jonathan, not a cake, a dinner or a venue. What’s surprising is how long it’s taken me to see this. Once consumed by dreams of wedding grandeur, I now only care that on that day Jon and I commit to each other forever. Of course I also want us surrounded by friends and family, but any desire to use the wedding to show off or make a political/social statement is gone. I just want to marry the man I love and start our lives together. I want to start thinking of kicking off our careers, one day buying a home and starting a family in a few years.

The me of years past would consider me of today a traitor to the cause. I once believed that everything I did should be for the community. I believed that my very life should be lived with advancing the community in mind. My very identity came to revolve around the fact I was a gay man. I realize that what that kid

lacked was real hope. He was so angry and focused on the mission because he feared it would never become a reality. For him, any member of the community that did not live each day for the cause was a traitor who only helped the straight world keep us oppressed by remaining weak and invisible. He never wanted to see that there was more than one way to be strong and more than one way to make a statement/difference. My younger self was so busy marching with his signs that he didn’t give credit to those in the community that made a real difference by just living their day to day lives. For the truth is, a large part of the change we have experienced over the years is thanks to those in the community who, while being out, lead those “simple” and “quiet” lives. They went to work, fell in love and raised families all without once holding a sign. What they were doing was allowing the straight world to see us as people just like them. I deeply regret that, in my youth, I never gave these members of the community the credit they deserved. I couldn’t see that what I should have been fighting for was not to have a “GAY” wedding, but a wedding. To not have a “GAY” life, but a life free from judgment. So here I am. I am still a proud gay man, but that by no means even begins to define who I am. For I am a student, an artist, a friend, a family member and a soon to be husband as well. This has been one hell of a journey and I have no regrets. To have even one would take away something special, for even the bad experiences made me who I am today. Now I must end this ramble and head to bed. I have my future in the next room waiting to cuddle. Thank you for your time and please continue to make this world an amazing place by simply being yourself and living your day to day life. For it is by living our lives for us that we make the ultimate statement of pride. Nyvek is a local college student who has been volunteering with the Pride Center since 2008. It was Nyvek’s passion for weddings that first got him involved in the fight for marriage equality and the community as a whole.

DISCRIMINATION IN THE NAME OF GOD PISSES ME OFF by

“Jesus will keep us guessing”, is what Fr. Adam Egan blurted out to me when I asked him and the Bishop of the Albany Episcopal Diocese the question: If Jesus was alive today would he treat LGBT people like they do? His inane remark earned him a visit from me during a Sunday service at his church in Delmar. I really wanted to keep Fr. Egan guessing, so I sat quietly in the first pew. Fr. Adam glanced my way, saw me, than turned his head and refused to look at me for the first half of the service. He had no choice but to look when I stood up as he walked to the pulpit for his sermon and asked him loudly why he discriminated against gay people when his church forbids it. I heard loud gasps and oh my gods behind me. I got pissed (again) when Fr. Adam was very dismissive, told me now was not a good time and tried to shut me down. I have to candidly admit that my being pissed turned into an “unseemly” release of long simmering anger. I pivoted around towards the congregation, shouting out the actual truth about how the AED treated people in our community. The ushers ran up from the back of the church. I told them that if they touched me I would call the cops. They all smirked as one of the ushers told me the cops had already been called. I answered great! I can’t wait to tell the press how and why I got arrested! That statement made them gulp. The braver members of the congregation started to come up to me with looks of concern on their faces, repeatedly telling me that they loved me and asking me why, why was I doing this to them? That got me going again. You say you love me but yet you devalue my life, my love, my partner’s ordination and my full inclusion in your church. Haven’t you people been listening to me? That’s why I’m doing this. That’s why!!! The nearby church members started to chant pray for

Larry Steffler

him, pray for him as they surrounded me holding hands. I looked around into their eyes and saw only unquestioning blind faith. I started to get nervous as the word cult popped into my head. The sound of the chant pray for him, pray for him, filled the church as I broke out of the circle and made my way slowly down the center aisle. I made eye contact with as many parishioners that allowed it and asked them directly are you homophobic as I left the church. I got into my car, took a few deep calming breaths, turned on the radio to classical and pulled out of the parking lot. I was less than a block from the church when a Bethlehem police car pulled up behind me and another pulled in front of me effectively keeping me from moving. A cop came up from behind me to my window. I lowered the window and politely asked the cop if he was going to arrest me? The cop looked a little perplexed. I think the church had reported to 911 that a crazed maniac had just terrorized the service and here I was calm, polite, and with classical music playing in the background. He told me that I could actually go to jail if the church decided to press charges because in New York there is a law against disturbing a worship service. I told him I knew that was a possibility when I had decided to visit the church and then I recited the statute number and the possible penalties. The second cop went to talk to the pastor in the church, while the other ran my info. I came up clean and the cop relaxed a bit. He asked me why I did what I did. I told him about being gay and the issues I had with AED and Bishop Love. After a few minutes the other cop came back and informed me that the church was not going to press charges against me, but I was banned from St. Stephens forever.

The news of my visit to St. Stephens got around the Episcopal grapevine quickly. Two days later I got a scolding, threatening email from the Bishop of Vermont. I was not surprised then or am I now that I have never heard a single word back from Bishop Love or Father Egan! I found out recently that Bishop Love sent an email to every one of his parishes with a picture of me and directions on how to “deal with me” if I showed up at their doorstep. Go figure, instead of getting on a wanted poster, I got on an unwanted poster for my criminal behavior! In his email, Bishop Love described me as a deeply disturbed individual. Yes I am deeply disturbed. Deeply disturbed over how this man treats me and my LGBT brothers and sisters. Bishop Love repeatedly told me during our meeting that he had an open door policy. If a person wants to meet with him all they have to do is call his secretary to arrange the meeting. (I wonder if that door is now chained and padlocked when it comes to me.) Apathy never changes anything. I believe the man needs to hear from us to let him know that what he does in the name of God pisses us off and we will not put up with it. The local office is at 68 Swan St. Albany and the phone # is (518) 465-4737. If any of you have any opinions, good or bad, about what I’m doing or any suggestions on how I, we, can facilitate positive change in the AED, feel free to email me at stefflerlarry@gmail.com I plan on continuing my efforts to let people in the Capital Region know that a local spiritual leader discriminates against us even though his national church forbids it.

stefflerlarry@gmail.com

If you love someone, act on it.

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ARE YOU READY? November 15th is the firstday ofopenenrollment on theNew York State of HealthMarketplace.

Beat the rush and pre-apply with us. When the 15th comes around a click of a button will be all you’ll need to complete your application! For questions, requests or to schedule a FREE appointment, please contact the Pride Center at 518-462-6138 or healthcare@capitalpridecenter.org

T R A N S V I E W #12 6 ©

Kylar Broadus

Transgender People and Economic Security A look at the impact of economic politics and the transgender community

Let me introduce to you, Kylar Broadus, a dear friend and colleague who is this month’s guest columnist for Trans View. Kylar is senior policy counsel and the director of the Transgender Civil Rights Project at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. He is director of the Trans People of Color Coalition and the first Trans American to testify before the United States Senate on behalf of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. He is a law professor, attorney, long standing trans activist and public speaker. - Moonhawk Riverstone

I’m honored to be writing this column and sharing my views with you and want to thank my dear friend Hawk Stone for allowing me this opportunity. I am Kylar William Broadus a black American of transgender experience born in the middle of Missouri in a small town called Fayette to two wonderful hardworking parents William (Bill) and Fannie. My parents taught me to work hard, be honest, to treat others with respect, and to be kind to others among many other things. I happen to be a lawyer, professor and activist. I point this out not only to give you my background but to give the perspective that transgender people in this country come from many backgrounds and experiences but that most of all are just people trying to live. We are many hues and shades, immigrants and non-immigrants, citizens and non-citizens. But most of all, we are all human beings.

Yet, there is an additional burden to our struggle because we are transgender--and other people don’t see us as human beings--that create barriers to employment, housing, education and many other opportunities that people take for granted. We have started to make some social, policy and legislative progress in the past few years. I can say that I never thought I would see the progress that we’ve made in my life time. Yet, there is still so much more that is needed.

While there are many problems that we face in our community I do think that employment is a major issue. I know that gaining employment protections is only the beginning and then the work begins for education and implementation. According to the report Injustice at Every Turn, there are a some 90 percent of transgender workers who have experience with some type of harassment or discrimination. This, combined with structural and persistent systemic racism, as the same report further points out, is especially devastating to transgender people. In 32 states there are no protections based on gender identity and there is no federal law that protects based on gender identity. I do want to highlight the Executive Order 13672 that President Obama signed into law on July 21, 2014 which reaches one million LGBT workers. This is the single largest expansion of LGBT workplace protections in the country we have had and is historic. This adds gender identity and sexual orientation to existing Executive Order 11246 which has been used by prior presidents to require federal contractors who do over $10,000 in business in one year with the federal government from discriminating. It also added gender identity and sexual orientation to Executive Order 11478 which covers federal government procurement to prevent discrimination in the procurement process. There was a lot of pressure on the administration to include a narrow exemption on the Executive Order but the administration held the course and included gender identity and sexual orientation with all other protected classes, as it should be. We have been working for decades on the Employment Discrimination Act (ENDA) to finally have gender iden-

tity included in the act. In a historic vote, the United States Senate did vote in favor of ENDA in Fall 2013. However, since then, due to the broad religious exemption currently in ENDA the LGBT community has taken a step back from the current version of ENDA in the 113th Congress. The Hobby Lobby decision by the United States Supreme Court on its surface was about allowing closely held corporations the right to deny woman contraceptives. Yet, this decision heralded to the LGBT community a sound of caution in moving forward with any legislation with broad religious exemptions causing many organizations to pull support for this version of ENDA. It is widely felt that the Hobby Lobby decision will be used as an instrument of discrimination for LGBT people. There are only a few months left of the legislative session for Congress so we will see how things play out. The Macy v. Holder decision was monumental to transgender people in 2012. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ruled that the 1964 Civil Rights Act (Title VII) was extremely impactful and held that gender based discrimination was illegal. While the EEOC didn’t rule on the merits of the case they stated Title VII’s ban on sex discrimination prohibits discrimination on the basis of both biological sex and gender and that “’gender’” encompasses not only a person’s biological sex but also the cultural and social aspects associated with masculinity and femininity.” Thus, discrimination against a person because that person is transgender is discrimination based on sex. Courts typically will rely on interpretations by the EEOC in making their rulings. Therefore, this decision was very a much needed and a big win for transgender people. The struggle for transgender people is real and present and ongoing even though we see some of us on television and on the cover of magazines. The need for protections is real and very necessary. We are all human beings and just want to live our lives.

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A S K T HE LAW YER

G er i Pomer ant z

Marriage Equality Update

Writing for a monthly publication about legal issues which are quickly evolving is somewhat difficult. In these exciting times, the status of marriage equality in our country is one of those issues. By the time this issue of Community hits the streets, the Supreme Court of the United States may have decided to review another marriage equality case.

legitimate interest inlinking children with intact families formed by biological parents, to justify the ban on same sex marriage. He further found that the state has a legitimate interest in ensuring that social change occurs by social consensus through the democratic process (i.e. legislative process). Robichaeaux v. Caldwell, (USDC, ED Louisiana 9/3/14).

Since the Supreme Court’s Windsor decision in 2013 (requiring the federal government to recognizes same sex marriages lawfully performed and therefore striking down DOMA section 3), there have been numerous court cases challenging state level bans on same sex marriage. All of the federal court decisions since Windsor have struck down bans on same sex marriage, or the refusal to recognize marriages lawfully performed elsewhere, as unconstitutional, except one case.

Since the Supreme Court’s Windsor decision there have been numerous court cases challenging state level bans on same sex marriage.

Most recently, on September 4th, the Seventh Circuit affirmed the decision of the district court , which invalidated the Indiana and Wisconsin prohibitions on same sex marriage. Baskin v. Bogin, (USCA, 7th circuit, 9/4/13). As of today (September 5, 2014) there are three favorable United States Court of Appeals decisions on the issue of marriage equality. At the trial level, approximately 13 district court judges have found state marriage bans to be unconstitutional. However, on September 3rd, an 80 year old while male New Orleans trial judge appointed by Ronald Reagan, became the only federal judge since the Windsor decision to find that the state has a legitimate interest in banning same sex marriage, and refusing to recognize marriages lawfully performed elsewhere. Judge Martin Feldman, in applying the lowest standard of judicial scrutiny, found that Louisiana has a

When similar claims were presented in Baskin, above, the Seventh Circuit held that such claims can’t be taken seriously and are therefore necessarily irrational. Moreover, because the rights of individuals are trampled on by the democratic process, we have an entire body of constitutional law, cases decided by judges. The Baskin case, written by Judge Posner, reads like a constitutional law textbook, outlining the different levels of judicial scrutiny, and finding that same sex marriage bans fall under even the lowest level of review. However, there is no effective date for the favorable decision in this case. It is possible that the State will seek to postpone marriages while it pursues review by the US Supreme Court. Both the state of Virginia and the same sex couples who challenged the bans on marriage (decided favorably by the Fourth Circuit US court of appeals), have asked the US Supreme Court to decide the issue. Those petitions for review could be decided as early as September 29, 2014. If the Court grants review, there could be a decision by the end of the term.

LAW OFFICE OF GERI POMERANTZ, ESQ. Proudly serving the LGBT community and our friends

Practice focused on family and matrimonial law

In the Kitchen v. Herbert case (a favorable case from the 10th Circuit), the State of Utah filed a petition for US Supreme Court review. The same sex couples joined in that request on September 4th. The Robichaeux case is likely headed to the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. The appeal from the favorable Texas case is already pending there. If the Fifth Circuit affirms Robichaeux, creating a conflict amongst the federal appellate courts, it makes it more likely that the US Supreme Court will take a case. Same sex married couples will not have their marriages recognized nationwide unless and until the Supreme Court rules favorably on the issue. The patchwork quilt of marriage equality still exists. But it sure is a lot bigger.

The legal rights of LGBTQ families are an everchanging landscape, to be addressed monthly in this column. The material in this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to give legal advice, and should not substitute for the independent advice of counsel. The views expressed in this column are solely those of Ms. Pomerantz and do not reflect the opinion of the Pride Center. Geri Pomerantz is an attorney in the capital district with a practice focused on family and matrimonial law, specifically including LGBTQ issues. Geri conducts continuing legal education training for other lawyers on issues of importance to the LGBTQ community. Amongst other things, Geri is a member of the Collaborative Divorce Association of the Capital District. Geri can be reached at pomerantzlaw@albany.twcbc.com

694 Columbia Turnpike East Greenbush, NY 12061 Tel: 518-479-3713 http://pomerantzlaw.org/

MONEY MATTERS

Thomas J. Walling CFP® efits and do not have workplace antidiscrimination laws in place. Many times, this will breed a bad culture for GLBT acceptance. There really are cultural differences in the South.

A Place In The Sun Tom looks at the importance of planning your family’s finances with consideration of retirement and the disparities in recognition of marriage equality across the country

Winter is coming. Are you hoping to move to a state that has warm weather, lower taxes, and a lower cost of living? Beware residency in many of these states as they do not recognize same sex marriage nor have anti-discrimination laws to protect us. Many of these so called “red states” offer the answer to a warm, single floor, affordable life.

anti same-sex marriage law unconstitutional, each have long appeals processes ahead of them until the laws change.

Let us not take for granted the rights Marriage Equality provides us. All New England States, the West Coast (except Alaska) as well as most of the Mid Atlantic states recognize our marriages. This is a big step that took years of negotiating and is acting as a cultural catalyst for social acceptance and change. We are lucky to be in the Northeast.

Federally, our marriages are recognized. This means no matter where we live, if married in a Marriage equality state, Social Security and the IRS see our marriages equally. Federal Estate tax treatment for a surviving spouse is the same. The United States respects us.

Nineteen states and the District of Columbia recognize Marriage Equality as of the writing of this column. There are few days when news of another state’s prohibition of same sex marriage is deemed discriminatory by one State Supreme Court or another. In fact, according to HRC.org, of the 31 states prohibiting it, 30 have cases in the courts to nullify these laws. We have only lost one, in Louisiana. Other than the US Supreme Court mandating Marriage Equality in all states, each state has a long road to travel. According to the Huffington Post, even when a state’s Supreme Court finds the

States curiously seem to still have a choice as to respect and tolerate us or not.

States curiously seem to still have a choice as to respect and tolerate us or not. Most have decided not. The process to change these laws is quite cumbersome and for most minimally requires 60-70% of the State Legislature’s approval, and then a statewide election. Some financial pointers for you married folks if you are considering a move to an unenlightened state come in the form of documents and advice now somewhat outdated in New York. These include finding an advisor who understands the terrain of a certain GLBT related financial, insurance, and estate planning laws. Most states do not mandate Domestic Partner ben-

Things do need to be weighed out to protect your family unit. Legal Documents i.e.; Wills, Durable Powers of Attorney, Health Care Proxies as well as possible trust work and titling strategies are some options. Some states require probate within their state if any property is owned there, and these laws are not necessarily in our favor. In other words, consult with a GLBT knowledgeable attorney and/or financial advisor where you are planning to move. Ensure things are in place to protect you and your family. So, with that in mind, for all you looking south for a place to move that has Marriage Equality, a lower cost of living and lower taxes than NY, do not bother to bring the surfboard. It is not Florida, North Carolina, nor South Carolina. The only state in the southern Continental US that offers all these things is New Mexico. Thomas J. Walling CFP® is an Investment Advisor Representative of and offers securities and investment advice through Cetera Advisor Networks, LLC. (Member FINRA/SIPC) and a Registered Investment Advisor. Branch office:235 Lark St. #43 Albany, NY 12210. He is also past presenter at the Pride Center on financial affairs affecting the LGBT 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 Brothers’ Keepers Foundation. Tom can be reached at 518.878.1294 or Thomas.walling@ceteranetworks.com

Thomas J. Walling, CFP®

INVESTMENT ADVISER REPRESENTATIVE

NY Insurance License #LA910069 235 Lark St., Suite 43 Albany, NY 12210 Direct: 518.878.1294 thomas.walling@ceteranetworks.com Cetera Advisor Networks, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC

Your Point of Entry for Information, Referral and Assistance to Long Term Care Services Montgomery County Office for Aging, Inc. & Montgomery County Department of Social Services

1-888-460-9624 518-843-2300 518-853-5088

ASK MARK YOUR TAX QUESTIONS Welcome to the DEAR MARK column where you can ask a tax question. Of course some questions might warrant answers that cannot be answered to due to the limited space in this column or warrant more facts due to specific circumstances of the taxpayer.

Dear Mark, I own one third of a two family house that is rented out to students. All these years I have been filing a tax return showing one third of the income and expenses and one third of what is called depreciation. Someone told me that because I have partners I should be filing a partnership tax return and that I am going to get penalized. Is this true? Signed, Am I a Partner Dear Am I a Partner, Simple co-ownership of property does not all by itself require a partnership return, but the active conduct of a business does. The IRS has held that merely owning part of a two family house does not in and of itself constitute a trade or business. However, if property ownership encompasses more than or even just a two family or three or four family, one has to look at the services provided and the scope of the activity. That is determined on the facts and circumstances of each case. ============================= Mark Witecki, I have filed my own taxes for the last three years but feel guilty because I had a side job and did not include that income or the expenses associated with it. Lately, I feel that when I drive home someone is watching me , following me and it is making me nervous. I do construction on the side and the last time I worked at it, there was a car parked across the street and I felt someone was watching me. I am nervous. Can I correct the past tax returns? I live in NY State. Very Nervous. Dear Very Nervous, The answer is yes. The returns can be amended. Also be aware that if any of your work was repair work and not a capital improvement, it is subject to sales tax. It is also necessary to register with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance with regard to the sales tax. You don’t say if you had any employees. If you do, there are Federal and New York State payroll withholding and unemployment insurance and New York State worker compensation issues as well. Please contact me for an appointment. =============================

========================== Mr. Witecki, I drive a truck for a living. I have gotten a couple of speeding tickets the last couple of years and some parking tickets. I heard that I can’t deduct them. Why the heck not? VTY, Ticked off Dear Ticked off, Fines and penalties are not generally deductible as a matter of public policy. The best way to avoid those issues is not to speed and only park where and when it is allowed. ========================== Mark D Witecki CPA, I bought a business last year. All of a sudden this past week I got a letter from the bulk sales tax department and that I owed large amount of money. How can this be? I asked my accountant and she told me she does not deal with sales tax. Now what do I do? Kindly, Sales Tax Victim Dear Sales Tax Victim, When a business is sold there are forms to file with the Bulk sales tax unit if certain types of items change hands. That should have been addressed at the closing. The is-

Mark D. Witecki sues can be complicated. I would suggest you contact me to set up a consultation to address the matter. ========================== Dear Mark W, I am a drag queen and this year I bought a pair of 700 dollar pumps bright red! I perform on stage and make good money. I have a day job, but make a good deal of money doing drag. The question is can I deduct the pumps? Signed sealed and delivered but not yours or anyone elses, ME! Dear ME!, Expenses are deductible if they are considered ordinary and necessary and connected with a trade or business. It sounds like you are conducting a business based on the fact that you say you are making money. All facts and circumstances are taken into account to determine if you are conducting a trade or business. If you use the pumps in your show, they will most likely be an allowed deduction. If you just bought them for personal use, then the answer would be no. Incidental personal use would not preclude the deduction. The pumps can be depreciated, using a Section 179 election or any other allowed method.

Mark D. Witecki Certified Public Accountant Certified Financial Planner™ Certified Fraud Examiner Tax Preparation 3701 State Street Schenectady, NY 12304 (518) 463-4000 fax: (518) 346-5196 Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. owns the Certified Marks CFP (c). Certified Financial Planner ™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S. which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP’s initial and ongoing certification requirements

==================== Answers that apply to specific taxpayers may not necessary apply to others. Changes in tax law and rules may affect answers given at any point. You can write Mark at Mark Witecki CPA CFP(R) CFE, 3701 State St, Schenectady, NY 12304. Mark D. Witecki specializes in small businesses and professional individuals. Mr. Witecki has a B. S. in Accounting from S. U. N. Y. Albany and an M. S. in Accounting from Syracuse University. Mark D. Witecki is a Certified Public Accountant, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ practitioner, Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified College Planning Specialist and is admitted to practice before the United States Tax Court. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP® , CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements. Mark’s office is located at 3701 State Street, Schenectady, New York ====================

2014 Members

AIDS Council of Northeastern New York Albany.com Aras Performance Group, Inc Buenau's Opticians Capital District YMCA Canterbury Animal Hospital Central Avenue BID Charles F. Lucas Confectionery / The Grocery Classy Body Art Corey Jamison Consulting, LLC. Connections Psychotherapy Deb Best Practices Deja Vu Experience and Creative Design, Ltd. Geri Pomerantz, Esq Homo Radio / WRPI Janet Stein / Arbonne International Jay Zhang Photography Joseph Roche Journey United Church of Christ L&P Media Mazzone Hospitality / Aperitivo Bistro Mexican Radio Schenectady Montgomery County Office for Aging Northeast Acura Rain Modern Chinese Ronnie Mangione / Wealth Advisory Group RBC Wealth Management Security Plumbing & Heating Supply Skylands Services, INC Spectrum 8 Theatre Sunrise Management and Consulting Taste Tri City Rentals Wells Fargo

THE AREAS BIGGEST LGBTQA NETWORKING EVENT COMES TO taste Weds. October 8TH JOIN US FOR THE OCTOBER LGBTQ AND STRAIGHT-ALLIED PROFESSIONALS NETWORKING EVENT! This month's event comes to the beautiful penthouse suite of Taste in downtown Albany.

Join us for great food, good company and a gorgeous view of the Albany skyline while making and building business connections.

Wednesday, October 8th | 6-8pm Taste, 45 Beaver St, Albany 12207 | $10 suggested donation The October Networking Event is proudly sponsored by C.W. Kelleher at Wells Fargo Advisors Support the Pride Center Business Alliance or become a member: www.capitalpridecenter.org/resources/business-alliance

out

This summer my brother, who has a home in Door County, Wisconsin, hosted a painter. The painter was part of a week long Plein Air Festival, sponsored by the local art school and promoted as the largest event of its kind in the Midwest. I asked my brother if the hosting was onerous. “We hardly saw him,” my brother replied. “He was out of the house by 6:30 in the morning in order to get a good spot to paint, and he came home late.” The significance of a “good spot” was brought home to me this August when my brother and I and Sara visited Olana, home of the painter Frederick Church, and encountered participants in a plein air workshop. They were all clustered in the same spot on the lawn. When you stand in this spot, you can see not only the bend in the Hudson river but the way in which the lake that Church created echoes the bend in the river, making this view one of his greatest works of art. The spot was crowded with painters painting and tourists vying for photo ops, and as we pressed forward we could not help but see some of the paintings. Later, on our way to dinner, Sara remarked that in one of the paintings she had seen it was obvious the clouds and light belonged to an earlier moment in the day. This got me thinking about time and the built in frustration of painting en plein air when you are trying to catch a moment that is gone before you can set brush to canvas. Monet was obsessed with this challenge, recognizing, as he put it, that “each minute an ever-changing light transforms the atmosphere and the beauty of things.” As a gardener I am obsessed with trying to hold still against

the

garden

En Plein Air

Judith Fetterley

of time and work the beauty of a moment’s light playing upon white phlox.

Think of time not as the enemy of landscape but as the agent.

Shortly after my brother’s visit, Sara and I and visited Mass MoCA. There we encountered the work of Teresita Fernandez, “As Above So Below.” “Describing a universe in balance,” we read in the brochure, “Fernandez extends this idea to the landscape” which she treats as a “series of interconnected events – day turning into night, lunar phases, solar eclipses, meteor showers.” Aha, I thought, here is the answer to the plein air problem. Think of time not as the enemy of landscape but as the agent. For me, then, the landscape would become the entire sweep of season, from that first spade into April dirt to that last pitchfork of November mulch, and I would find relief from the stress of trying to hold onto as separate experiences the billions of moments the season contains. Time, it is all we have, and now I have so much less of it. I think not simply of the fewer years ahead, but how each day has shortened. Fifteen minutes used to be a

major block of time – a paper graded, three phone calls made, macaroni and cheese assembled. Now it is just a deep breath. I can no longer write or design or read seriously at night, after dinner, and during the day I need more down time. The fall semester used to stretch before me, full of possibilities and projects. Now I avoid the fall calendar, I resist making plans, because I know I cannot possibly fit into the time available all that I want to do – visit the children, visit my brother and Sara’s sister-in-law, make our “traditional” trip to New York City for the opera, take Sara to Pendle Hill, manage the gardens of my customers and my own. I am, of course, madness incarnate, on a collision course with time, where my own garden is concerned. I keep expanding the garden and my dreams for it even as I contract. And treating the landscape as an event á la Fernandez just makes the season seem shorter and my time here less. There is no answer to the problem posed by plein air. All I can do is keep weeding and looking until I can’t. Judith Fetterley lives and gardens in Glenmont, New York. She also runs Perennial Wisdom, a garden design business for new and existing gardens. Reach Judith at fetterleyj@gmail.com

VINTAGE PRIDE presents

AN AFTERNOON AT THE HYDE Discover the fantastic art our region has to offer at this world class museum ! RIDE SHARES AVAILABLE please meet at the Price Chopper parking lot (40 Delaware Ave, Albany) by 11:30am Must reserve ride by 10/15/14. Call Rosy at (518) 462-6138 for reservations.

Saturday, October 25

1:00pm 27

TO BE A BLESSING

Kathy Baldock

Evangelical Christian Aims to Repair the Breach 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.

In 2001, I didn’t have any gay or lesbian friends that I knew of. Though I could be supportive of fair treatment and possibly civil unions for samesex couples, I believed marriage was reserved by God for a man and a woman. I’m one of those nice people; I’m not mean spirited. I wouldn’t intentionally harm another person, but my beliefs were the truth because they were based on verses directly from the Bible. I had a death grip on the viewpoint that “you can’t be a practicing gay person and a Christian.” I never considered examining these “long established truths.” That would have been akin to questioning God Himself. Besides, I had no reason to invest study time in the issue—I wasn’t gay, my kids weren’t gay, and none of my friends were gay. I existed in a cocoon. My beliefs were reinforced by my insular social groups, which were an outgrowth of my church life and homeschooling circles. My life, my family, my friends, and my thinking were entrenched in conservative evangelicalism. Then my pretty picture started crumbling. My husband of 20 years no longer wanted to be married. To process my sorrow in healthy ways and to keep my mind and body productive, I took up daily hiking in the nearby mountains. I frequently ran into the same woman on the trails on the weekends. One day when I had finished my solo hike, I had extra time, so I asked her, “Do you mind if I turn around and walk with you for a while? I’ve seen you lots of times and I don’t even know your name. I’m Kathy.” “Sure,” she said. “I’m Netto.” That encounter with my now best friend, Native American, agnostic, and lesbian Netto, changed my theology.

In 2010, I started Canyonwalker Connections with the mission: “Loosen the chains of injustice, untie the cords of the yoke, set the oppressed free and break every yoke. Then you will be called Repairers of the Breach.” (Isaiah 58: 6-12) I walk in the expanse between distant factions: the straight community and the LGBT community, and conservative Christians and gay and transgender Christians. From my positions on the Advisory Board of the Gay Christian Network and the Board of The Reformation Project, and vast interactions in the LGBT and Christian community through speaking , writing, and the “Str8apology” action, I have been blessed with a front row seat on the historical shifts. From the vantage point of seeing good in each community, for a long time I had wondered, “How did we arrive at this point of extreme division? Good and kind people dwell on opposite sides of the canyon, convinced their side has the truth. Christians can read the same Bible verses related to same-sex behavior and understand them completely differently. How can this be?” We each evaluate events, people, and even Bible verses through personal filters fashioned by our life experiences, interactions, education, and even the way in which we think and process knowledge. Add to this a spiritual layer, unique to each of us, shaped by our theology, the biblical teachings we’ve been exposed to, and our personal relationship with and views of God. It’s no surprise therefore that we can arrive at diverse assumptions and conclusions in the intersection of faith and sexual orientation and gender identity. I have just finished an intense three-year research project and published an over 400 page book, Walking the Bridgeless Canyon. It examines the lenses through which people have come to view the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. One-by-one, each chapter explores the historical, cultural,

psychological, medical, political, and religious filters that collectively constitute personal, social, and religious views of a minority group in America. I looked at how each layer was formed, its overall impact, and interconnectedness with other layers. Ultimately, the goal of this holistic approach is to create a clearer path to untangling the passages of Scripture referring to same-sex behavior. If you have ever wondered how the gay and transgender community came to be the target of cultural and religious derision, please come hear me speak at UAlbany’s Page Hall on Tuesday, October 21 at 7 p.m. You’ll likely have a broad and informed answer by the end of the evening. Kathy Baldock is straight Evangelical Christian advocate for LGBTQ rights. She lives in Reno, Nevada. She can be reached at Kathy@canyonwalkerconnections.com.

Advocates for Welcoming Congregations and the

UAlbany Center for Women in Government and Civil Society invite you to hear

Kathy Baldock

Evangelical Christian and founder of Canyonwalker Connections and author of the new book Walking the Bridgeless Canyon: Repairing the Breach between the Church and the LGBT Community Tuesday, October 21, 7 p.m. Levitt Room, Page Hall UAlbany Downtown Campus (Western Avenue and Robin Street – free parking in Thurlow lot on Western)

SUNDAYS

Every LGBTQ Alcoholics Anonymous* in the Garden Level 7-8:30 Sun.

Bisexual Potluck Brunch* 11amin the Rainbow Cafe 1pm G.O.O.D. Sundays Open Mic 6-9pm in the Rainbow Cafe

of themonth

Sun.

of themonth

Last

Sun.

of themonth

Bisexual Potluck Brunch* 11amin the Rainbow Cafe 1pm Vintage Pride Potluck Lunch pm First Presbyterian Church 362 State St., Albany

1-3

Supper Sunday on the 1st Floor

MONDAYS Gay Men’s Alcoholic’s Anonymous* in the Garden Level 7-8:30pm

Mon.

of themonth

Mon.

of themonth

Free & Confidentail HIV Testing on the 3rd Floor Free & Confidentail HIV Testing on the 3rd Floor

4-7pm

Every Other Tues.

(ages 18 & under) Saratoga Springs Library 49 Henry St, Saratoga Springs

Tues.

Schenectady LGBTQA Youth Group (ages 18 & under)

Proctor’s Theater, Underground Space 432 State St., Schenectady 6-7:30pm

LGBTQ Narcotics Anonymous*7:30in the Garden Level 8:30pm

Tues.

Hudson Opera House 327 Warren St., Hudson

Albany LGBTQA Youth Group (ages 18 & under)

in the Garden Level

7-8:30pm

Special Artist Reception and Opening

(1st Fri. the month - see capitalpridecenter.org/programs-services/center-arts for details)

2 4th

of themonth

in the Romaine Brooks Gallery (1st Floor) 5-9pm Free & Confidentail HIV Testing on the 3rd Floor Game Night in the Rainbow Cafe Free & Confidentail HIV Testing on the 3rd Floor

4-7pm 6-9pm 4-7pm

Every Friday Night

7pm

Hudson LGBTQA Youth Group (ages 18 & under)

6-7:30pm

RAINBOW CAFE IS OPEN

Capital Region Support Group for Family & Friends of LGBTQ People*

First Unitarian Society of Schenectady Tues. 1221 Wendel Ave, Schenectady themonth more info: Julia Helfman 518-372-9911

of themonth

(Sept. 4 - Nov 6 )

Every Fri.

Fri.

of themonth

(ages 18-24)

on the th1st Floor th

of themonth

Trans* Pride Discussion Group on the 1st Floor 7-9pm

7pm

LGBTQ Book Club on the 1st Floor

Thrive LGBTQ Youth Group

Fri.

4:306pm

7pm

THURSDAYS

Saratoga LGBTQA Youth Group

Live from the Livingroom Poetry Open Mic* in the Garden Level

FRIDAYS

4-7pm

TUESDAYS

1 nd 2 rd 3

Weds.

of themonth

Men’s Peer Support Group on the 1st Floor 7-8:30pm

1 rd 3 st

Women’s Group 6-7pm social hour on the 1st Floor 7-8pm discussion

Weds.

Every Sunday Night

Every Mon.

2 rd 3

of themonth

- pm

RAINBOW CAFE IS OPEN 6-9

WEDNESDAYS

Thurs.of themonth

Sun.

EVENTS

Every

WEEKLY pm

4:306pm

Trans* Pride Meet & Greet 7-9pm on the 1st Floor

6-9PM

Except where noted all events take place at The Pride Center 332 Hudson Ave, Albany, NY 12210 The Garden Level can be accessed from the street through the door beneath the front steps

*indicates an outside group that meets at the Pride Center calendar online: www.capitalpridecenter.org/events/calendar.cfm

Special Events

Friday 10/17 Gay Straight Alliance Network Meeting

Friday 10/3 Opening Reception: The Color of Agape

The Romaine Brooks Gallery celebrates the opening of Donald Charles’ show The Color of Agape. The Rainbow Cafe will be open to welcome you during Albany’s 1st Friday as we gather to share an evening with Donald as he presents the first view of his paintings in The Color of Agape. The show will be up through the month of October. The Romaine Brooks is open to the public, along with the Rainbow Cafe every Friday and Sunday from 6-9pm.

Bring your GSA or just yourself and come together for a networking and skill building event for GSA facultyand student leaders throughout the Capital Region. FREE event for students & faculty! Dinner included! RSVP to Youth Program Coordinator, James Shultis by Friday, October 10th at 462-6138 or jshultis@ capitalpridecenter.org.

Friday, Oct. 3, 2014 Romaine Brooks Gallery 332 Hudson Ave. 5-9 pm Free

Friday, Oct. 17 The Pride Center 332 Hudson Ave, Albany 4:30 - 6:30 FREE! Thursday 10/23 Exlusive preview of “Pride” Friday 10/3 Spectrum 8 Theatres will be hosting an exclusive The Naked i: Insides Out preview of the new movie “Pride” on Thursday OctoThe Naked I Insides Out is a brand new play from 20% Theater Company in Minneapolis that explores queer and trans* experi- ber 23rd at 7 pm. ences through brand new monologues, short scenes, and spoken “Pride” is the story of U.K. gay activists work to help word poems. Performance and post-show discussion with the miners during their lengthy strike of the National artists. Warning: Adult Language/Content Union of Mineworkers in the summer of 1984. $15 in advance, $20 at the door. No one turned away! Tickets are $12 per person and a portion of the Please consider paying extra if you can to cover the cost of folks proceeds will benefit the Pride Center of the Capital Region. who aren’t able to cover the full amount. Thanks!! For more information call the Pride Center at 518.462.6138 or Advance tickets can be purchased at email hoo@holdingourownonline.org. www.spectrum8.com or at the theatre box office. Friday, Oct. 3 Thursday, Oct. 23, 2014 St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church Spectrum 8 Theatre 10 N Main Ave 290 Delaware Ave. Albany, NY 12203 7 pm 7:30 pm $12 - a portion donated to the Pride Center $15-$20 No One Turned Away

LOOKING FORWARD TRANS*lating Documentation Workshop

Join us for an interactive workshop regarding the process of legal name changes and gender marker updates. This workshop is FREE and open to the public.

Transgender* Day of Remembrance November 20, Details TBA Free

Tuesday, Nov. 11, The Pride Center, 6pm, Free

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THE ALBANY GAY MEN’S CHORUS ��

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Community Events Welcome to the refocused TACR. If you are trans or if you are a friend/ally, we want to see you. We are now a social group/organization that will work to promote trans equality and non-discrimination while also bringing people together. We hope to give our region a broader understanding of the trans community. We will be meeting on the third Thursday of each month typically at the Women’s Building at 7pm. We will also be meeting at members’ homes and at various places in the area as well. In addition to the social aspect we are hoping to organize Monthly Meetings on the 3rd Thursdayadvocacy events and those who are interested will break up into smaller groups when necessary to tackle these tasks. Our three goals are to create self-affirming social gatherings, to educate a wider cis audience about transgender people, and to advocate for equal rights. When we feel good about ourselves, others will feel good with us, and we will advocate more positively.

Free STI Testing : Free and confidential Syphilis and STI testing Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays 9:30am4:00pm at the AIDS Council of NENY 927 Broadway office in Albany. Walk-ins welcome, or call Shane at 518.434.4686 ex. 2323 to make an appointment.

Every Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 9:30-4pm

The 1st & 3rd Thursday of each month

IOOV Men’s Group, 6-7:30pm: In Our Own Voices is excited to announce a Support Group for Male Victims of Domestic Violence and/or Sexual Assault. Light refreshments will be served. If you have any questions related to the support group please contact Phil at (518) 432-4188.

Tuesdays 9:30-11:30am Thursdays 3:30pm-4:30pm

Free Health Goals Counseling

Free health goals counseling available through the BeCLEAR Program. Stop in to our offices at 927 Broadway on Tuesdays 9:30am to 11:30am or Thursdays 3:30pm to 4:30pm to speak with a CLEAR Counselor for more information or call /text Alyssa at 518.542.9346 33

H e r e ’s G u ffman

Pat rick Whit e

What I Do It’s been a tough month. Sometimes when I’m down because I’ve blown an audition, failed to realize a playwright’s creation or simply want to scream and never stop at the callous indifference to theatre on the part of an infinitely vast segment of the population I occasionally have to ask myself why do you still do it? Why do you still perform, read plays, go see a show every day you possibly can? (One thing I know how to do is make a list.) It’s fun. Nothing makes me laugh harder than the theatre. The brilliant ensemble in Richard Greenberg’s “The Babylon Line” at Powerhouse had me enthralled because they made me laugh. My face was already strained from smiling so broadly at the first scene of Douglas Sill’s maestro antics threatening to upstage his diva wife Renee Fleming in “Living on Love” at Williamstown Theatre Festival (WTF) this summer when the two butlers came on to scene change and as they cleared the breakfast dishes …broke out into an operatic duet timed to their actions. Hilarious. It’s social. As Fraulein Sally Bowles asked in “Cabaret”: What good is sitting alone in your room? It’s the best place to meet friends and if you go to the theatre as much as Chris and I you’re constantly bumping into people you know, watching former cast mates onstage and chatting up those sitting next to you watching your circle grow wider and wider and wider. It’s informative. This summer I’ve been all over the globe and across centuries. I saw the fall of Romania’s Ceausescu in “Mad Forest” at WTF and Ajax conquer Penthesilea in “Love in the Wars” at Bard. The first question at the latter’s

talkback was how many people have seen a von Kleist play? Even among this well heeled crowd there was only one German gentleman who had seen “The Prince of Homburg.”Most commonly I saw myself. I was in the stumbled inchoate longings of Michael Cera’s Warren in Steppenwolf ’s “This Is Our Youth” on Broadway. I was also in the impenetrable flesh and compulsive selfdestruction of Timothy Carter’s Charlie in “The Whale” at Adirondack Theater Festival. It’s important. It matters deeply to the creators whether I show up. I personally would really rather think that I matter to the creators of my entertainment. I’d much rather be the last person snapping up a ticket to a sold out show or especially be one of only a dozen or so in the audience than be another $15 added to the $20 million weekend of whatever superhero spandex and ‘splosion opus playing at your multiplex. From the stage the audience can be seen, heard and appreciated. That’s what curtain calls are for. Don’t we all want to matter? It’s invigorating. It’s where I feel most alive. Nothing excites me more than a morning rehearsal, catching a matinee and an evening performance. I feel like I’m still in school at the most exciting, adventurous and promising time of my life. Who wouldn’t pay to feel that way? It’s life. I’m very interested in politics, social issues, history and read The Times, biographies and watch MSNBC but mostly because of theatre. It’s where I make sense of the world. It’s where I find my place in it. I understand the Depression, literature, myself and others because I played Tom in “The Glass

Menagerie.” It’s me. I used to do a monologue that has run thru my head ever since. It was recommended 30 years ago by a very wise cousin who was an agent, it was Zappy, the young tennis player in Lanford Wilson’s “Angels Fall”: “I hit that first ball and I said ‘This is me. This is what I do. What I do is tennis’ and once you know, then there’s no way out. You’ve been showed something. Even if it’s just tennis, you can’t turn around and say you wasn’t shown that… On the way home anybody would have asked me what I did, right there I’d have said ‘I play tennis.’ Didn’t know love from lob didn’t matter. That’s what I am.’ ‘Cause once you know what you are, the rest is just work.” I’ve been shown something and I’ve shown others what matters to me and what I believe in. The disappointments, failures and challenges are really just the price of admission that everybody pays to play the game. In much the same way that I learned from a recent production that doubt is not the opposite of faith but an element of it, so too is failure an element of success. So, really the question is not why do you do it but why are you so lucky to have been shown such a passion that has sustained you in all ways for so many years and how can you show someone else? Back to work.

Patrick is a Capital Region actor who will be performing in Stephen Henel’s “Fifth Step, Fourth Wall” as part of ConfettiFest X, a festival of new plays.

Rainbow Cafe & Center Arts present

G.O.O.D. SUNDAYS OPEN MIC Dance, Music, Comedy, Poetry... October Theme: Who Are You? Exploring Gender Identity

The 1st Sunday of Every Month * 6-9pm * Rainbow Cafe 34

Rainbow Cafe at the Pride Center - 332 Hudson Ave, Albany

THE FASHIONABLE AND THE FRIVOLOUS by

A l an Bennet Ila ga n

Fashion and film have long enjoyed a mostly happy marriage. To celebrate that joyous union, here is a brief list of films in which fashion plays a main character. If you’re as interested in fashion as I am – or even if you’re just into great movies, these films are perfect for those chilly days when you want to feel inspired, but don’t want to go out and get dressed up to do so. The Devil Wears Prada – Based on a certain dragon lady of fashion who will remain nameless (and appear later on in the list), this film is a fluffy take on a newbie’s first few months at a fashion magazine. Starring Meryl Streep as the devil herself, it’s worth watching for her performance alone. Though the film sags whenever Ms. Streep exits the screen, there are enough fashion winks and nods to keep the viewer engaged (not to mention the epochal scene of that parade of coats and bags being thrown across her hapless assistant’s desk.) The Women – This black-and-white classic features a full-color fashion show that all but stops the action in the middle of the movie. High society ladies duke it out in the latest looks of the day, and even in black-and-white the styles of fashion designer Adrian leave a lasting impression. The epitome of glamour and glitter, the clothing has got to be good to stand up to the scenery-chewing of Joan Crawford and Norma Shearer. Watch for the sumptuous boudoir robe made entirely of feathers and be prepared to drool. Unzipped – This documentary of an Isaac Mizrahi runway show is a behind-the-scenes look at what really goes on in the world of a fashion designer. Some of it’s fabulous, some of it’s frivolous, and some of it is downright disheartening. There are eye-popping shots of his work on the runway, and some nifty 90’s supermodels strutting their stuff at the height of their power, but the highlight has to be a cameo by a still-sultry Eartha Kitt. Sex and the City – The movie version of the popular cable series went bigger in every way, starting with that wardrobe budget. The opening scene of wedding gowns is an organza orgasm (with a cameo by Andre Leon Talley) and the chosen Vivienne Westwood wedding dress sets the plot (such as it is) in motion. From the series that put such shoes as Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blahnik on the mainstream map, we would expect nothing less. The September Issue – Another documentary, this one of Anna Wintour and the creative team behind the fashion bible, ‘Vogue’, follows the weeks that go into making the biggest issue of the year. While Ms. Wintour exemplifies a curt professionalism, Grace Coddington provides the fiery-haired heart to balance the show.

Each of these movies pays homage and respect to the fashion world, while simultaneously acknowledging the wink behind the product. We are talking about clothes, and while it is a serious business, it can also be done with a healthy dose of humor. Balancing on that beautiful line is the real art of fashion.

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.

Proudly continuing to serve as the voice of the LGBT community after 22 years… Live every Sunday 10AM – 2 PM Check us “OUT”: WRPI 91.5 FM or wrpi.org 518.276.6248

•

homoradio.blogspot.com

EVENTS THINGS TO DO CONTESTS

Guide to the Capital Region DINING NIGHTLIFE DIRECTORY & MORE! Hear the dynamic

Alex McNeill

Openly transgender Presbyterian leader Educator & advocate for LGBTQ rights

First United Presbyterian Church 1915 Fifth Ave., Troy 12180 Sunday October 19th Service 10 AM Workshop & lunch 11:30 AM www.unitedprestroy.org

272-2771

Lifestyle Photography is... Your Everyday, Your Important Moments, Your Once In A Lifetimes, Your Loved Ones. Lifestyle Photography for a Lifetime of Moments

www.Facebook.com/ZhangPhotography www.JayZhangPhotography.com JZPhotographicServices@gmail.com

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 Sholom (Reform) 167 Third Street, Troy, NY www.berithsholom.org(518)272-8872 Congregation Beth Emeth (Reform) 100 Academy Road, Albany, NY www.bethemethalbany.org (518)4369761 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 First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany 405 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY www.albanyuu.org (518)463-7135 First United Methodist Church 603 State Street, Schenectady, NY www.gbgm-umc.org/schenectady (518)374-4403 First United Methodist Church, East Greenbush http://www.fumceg.org/ First United Presbyterian Church 1915 Fifth Avenue, Troy, NY www.unitedprestroy.org (518)272-2771 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 Presbyterian New England Congregational Church, Saratoga http://pnecchurch.org/ Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church 175 Fifth Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY www.saratogaspringsumc.org / (518)584-3720 Saint Aelred’s Priory and Retreat House (National Catholic) 670 Bunker Hill Road Northville, NY Tel. 518-863-8086 or 518-434-8861 staelredpriory@aol.com 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 Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga 624 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY www.saratoga-uu.org (518)584-1555 Unity Church in Albany 21 King Avenue, Albany, NY www.unitychurchinalbany.org (518)4533603 Woodstock Jewish Congregation (Reconstructionist) 1682 Glasco Turnpike, Woodstock, NY www.wjcshul.org (845)246-1671

Proud To Be Open! Affirming! Welcoming! Joyous!

M ICH A E L COOKS AND YOU CAN TOO

Great Pumpkin Autumn foods are my favorite foods – sweet, rich, comforting, full of spice and warmth. There is no time of year that I enjoy cooking more than in the fall, when the air turns cool and crisp and markets are full of late-season produce…apples, nuts, cranberries and, best of all, pumpkins. Culinary references to pumpkins date back many centuries. The word pumpkin comes from the Greek pepõn for a large melon. The English termed it pumpion or pompion. This term dates back to 1547, yet it did not make an appearance in print until 1647. The pumpkin was one of the many foods used by the Native Americans in the new world and was a welcome discovery by European settlers. They heartily embraced the sweet, multi-purpose fruit which became a traditional autumn and winter dish. The colonists used pumpkin baked, stewed and dried as a side dish and dessert, and even made pumpkin beer by fermenting it with hops and maple sugar. Pumpkins are popular at Halloween when they are carved into Jack o’ Lanterns. The practice was brought to the United States by Irish immigrants who originally carved turnips into Jack-o’-lanterns. In America, pumpkins were more plentiful and cheaper than turnips, and so came about the switch from turnips to pumpkins. This month, we have a recipe for light, tender pumpkin biscuits, a perfect accompaniment to an autumn dinner or great right out of the oven with coffee; crispy, spicy pumpkin fritters; and a homemade pumpkin butter that makes a terrific gift for the holidays.

Enjoy Coffee, Snacks & Great Company!

Mic hael M ead e

Pumpkin Biscuits

Pecan Pumpkin Butter

2 & ½ cups all-purpose flour ¼ cup packed dark brown sugar 1 Tbs. baking powder 1 tsp. baking soda ½ tsp. salt 1 Tbs. cinnamon 1 tsp. nutmeg 1 tsp. ginger ½ cup butter, cut into small pieces 2 cups canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)

½ cup chopped pecans Zest and juice of 1 lemon Zest of ½ orange 3 Tbs. orange juice ¼ cup dark brown sugar 15-ounce can pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) ½ tsp. cinnamon ½ tsp. nutmeg ¼ tsp. allspice 1/8 tsp. ground cloves ¼ tsp. ground ginger ¼ tsp. salt

In a large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the pumpkin and mix to form a soft dough. Add more flour if the dough is too sticky. On a lightly-floured surface, pat the dough out ½ inch thick. Cut out biscuits with a 2-inch round cutter. Transfer to a greased cookie sheet and bake at 400 Degrees F for 15 – 20 minutes. Serve warm. Yields 18 biscuits. Pumpkin Fritters 1 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) 1 egg, lightly beaten 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. curry powder 1 tsp. salt 4 cups vegetable oil (for frying)

Preheat oven to 350. Spread pecans on a baking sheet and roast for 7 minutes, until browned and fragrant. Run the pecans through the food processor until finely ground - they’ll start to take on a pasty consistency. In a 2-quart sauce pan over medium heat, combine the citrus zests and juices and dark brown sugar. Stir until warmed. Add pumpkin, nuts, and spices. Turn heat down to low, simmering for 20-30 minutes, until thickened and the color darkens. Stir and taste for seasoning and sweetness occasionally, adding additional spices as necessary. The pumpkin butter will keep 2-3 weeks in the fridge. Yields 2 cups.

In a medium bowl, combine pumpkin, egg, flour, baking powder. curry powder and salt. Blend until smooth. In a heavy pot, heat oil to 325 degrees F. Drop batter by the spoonful into hot oil and fry until golden brown (about 2 minutes). Remove with a slotted spoon and serve immediately. Yields 24 fritters.

Michael Meade graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, worked at Jack’s Oyster House in Albany and is currently sous-chef at Thunder Mountain Curry in Troy. Questions and

VINTAGE PRIDE presents

Every 1st & 3rd Wednesday

11:00 am to 1:00 pm

comments are welcome at Michaelmeade1215 @yahoo.com.

Parking on both sides of Hudson Ave.

Starts back up on Oct. 15th

C o z y Up at t h e P r i d e C e n t e r a Rainbow Cafe Program

Advertisers Index AIDS Council of Northeaster New York / Project Hope..... 32

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Place your ad in CommUNITY and expand your brand awareness while directly reaching the important LGBTQ market For more information contact Steven @ 518-462-6138 or sminchin@capitalpridecenter.org

FREE PARKING

IN THE BROADWAY GARAGE SPONSORED BY:

THE GOLD RUSH MONDAY, OCTOBER 6 • 3:30, 5:30 & 7:30 PM • GE THEATRE The complete 1925 version, completely restored! In search of gold in turn-of-the-century Alaska, Charlie Chaplin takes refuge with fellow prospector Mack Swain in an isolated, comically-imbalanced cabin. This masterpiece features more great Chaplin moments than any other: the dance of the rolls, the cabin tottering over the cliff, the giant chicken, etc. This version includes Chaplin’s own music and poetic narration, added for his 1942 reissue. Part of our Film 100 AFI Essentials Series. Not Rated. (88 min)

ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT MONDAY, OCTOBER 13 • 2:00, 4:45 & 7:30 PM • GE THEATRE In 1914, a group of German teenagers volunteer for action on the Western Front. Paul Baumer is a sensitive youth, but is persuaded to join up. Paul and his friends are trained under Himmelstoss, a kindly postmaster turned brutal corporal, then sent to the front lines for battle. Part of our Film 100 AFI Essentials Series. Not Rated. (136 min)

THE BIRTH OF A NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 27 • 3:00 & 7:00 PM • MAINSTAGE ★★★★ Almost a century after its release, The Birth of a Nation remains one of the most controversial “BLOODY HILARIOUS! films ever made. It is the epic story of two families, one northern and one southern, during ONE HELL OF A FUN NIGHT OUT” -The Toronto Star and the Civil War. Part of our Film 100 AFI Essentials Series. Not Rated. (192 min) “FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC!”-Ain’t It Cool after News “A GUT-BUSTING TREAT, BURSTING WITH CLEVERNESS, ENERGY!”-Fangoria Magazine

★★★★ “BLOODY HILARIOUS!

ONE HELL OF A FUN NIGHT OUT” -The Toronto Star “FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC!”-Ain’t It Cool News “A GUT-BUSTING TREAT, BURSTING WITH CLEVERNESS, ENERGY!”-Fangoria Magazine

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28 • 7:30 PM

TUESDAY, OCT 28 7:30 PM

QueerEngineer Get to know us & how you can support LGBTQ* students in science, technology, engineering, & mathematics. /QueerEngineer

@QueerEngineer

A Pride Center of the Capital Region affiliate