CommUNITY Magazine (vol 3 iss 1) Celebrating 45 Years as the Community's Center by Pride Center of the Capital Region

JOIN US AS WE KICK OFF OUR 45TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATING OUR HISTORY AS THE OLDEST CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER & QUEER COMMUNITY CENTER

FEATURES Celebrate 45 Years as the Community’s Center with a look back at some of the formative years:

A Brief Timeline of the Pride Center’s Founding pg. 5 A Few From the Archives pg. 7 CommUNITY is Part of Our History pg. 8 Stand Out Memories from the Staff pg. 9 Love Que(e)ry by Acey Mercer Some roses are red, Some violets shades of blue, Love Que(e)ry is answered with you loving you

pg. 15

LEARNING IN THE STREETS: HOW #BLACKLIVESMATTER CAN TEACH US ABOUT QUEER SOLIDARITY BY ANGELICA CLARK This region has many spaces, places and communities energized to fight against police brutality, mass incarceration, and the criminalization of Blackness pg. 20 Inside Legendary: An interview with photographer Gerad Gaskin A chat about the artist’s book Legendary: Inside the House Ballroom Scene pg. 22

Remembering the Forgotten w. Artist Rachel Briedster

The Romaine Brooks Gallery photographer shares her inspirations and a new show pg. 34

February 2015 Volume 3, Issue 1 CONTENTS

COLUMNS The Fashionable and the Frivolous Holding Hearts in Pretty Fashion by Alan Bennet Ilagan pg. 10 Gay Man’s Musings Looking for a Virgin in a Whore House by Nyvek Moshier pg. 13 To Be a Blessing Singing Connects and Uplifts the Spirt by Tom Bubnack pg. 17 Ask the Lawyer

Geri Pomerantz pg. 18

Trans View All That Glitters Is Not Gold by Moonhawk Riverstone pg. 26 Here’s Guffman This is the Golden Age by Patrick White pg. 28 Ask Mark Your Tax Questions by Mark D. Witecki pg. 36 Money Matters Can Your Conscience Pay Off? by Thomas Walling pg. 37 Michael Cooks and You Can Too Dinner for a Cold Winter Night by Michael Meade pg. 38

NEWS,UPDATES & INFORMATION Director’s Note pg. 6 From the Editor’s Desk pg. 6 Quick Clips pg. 10 Working to Bridge the Gap - POC & the ACA pg. 12 AIDSCouncilofNortheasternNewYorkHasaNewName pg.24

A Report Back from January’s Call to Action pg.25 The Weekly Events Calendar Special Events Calendar Affiliates Calendar CommUNITY Calendar Advertisers Index

pg. 29 pg. 31 pg. 32 pg. 33 pg. 35

A brief timeline of the Pride Center’s founding...

S u mm er

19 7 0

Tri Cities Gay Liberation Front forms meeting at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany

g: in il e v n U y a G The h c r a m e d i w e t A sta l of on the Capito Albany

Gay s e i t i C i r T e h T the e m a c e b n o i t Libera District Gay Capital ity Council Commun

19 7 2 - 1 97 3

19 73 The Councilgbautys the buildin venue 332 HudsonanAy. in Alb It is still it’s home today

ay G s e i t i C The Terrai tion Frontt is Lib tes to wha om relocae second roy’s now tBh en and Jerr of

in a g a s e v t mo nt of the n o r F e Th e baseme to th building on enue v A n o s d 332 Hu 5

and community members over the years- we simply would not be where we are today without the countless people who have been involved. It is with great pride that I report some of our accomplishments from 2014, our most successful year yet!

DIRECTOR’S NOTE This month marks the 45th anniversary of the Pride Center, and the beginning of a great year! We have a lot to celebrate as we mark this milestone as the oldest continuously operating LGBTQ community center in the country. We have grown from a grassroots and all volunteer organization to a multi service agency serving 10 counties and tens of thousands of people each year. Our history has been marked by the incredible commitment and dedication of so many board members, volunteers, staff

Last week, WMHT premiered their documentary “Out in Albany” showcasing the LGBTQ community in the Capital Region over the past nearly 50 years. The highlight of the documentary was the presence of the Pride Center at the epicenter of the community for 45 years. Filmmaker Julie Casper Roth did a tremendous job of condensing to much history into one hour of television. But at every point in history, there was the Pride Center, known for its first 40 years as the Capital District Gay & Lesbian Community Council. While I’ve been present for the past decade of local LGBTQ history, I have heard so many stories from the decades prior. Stories of Joe Norton. Stories of the other founders and torch bearers that have carried the Center through time. Stories of schisms and divides, and making peace and coming

~ Our Board of Directors convened an Inclusiveness Committee to fulfill an organizational commitment to sustaining an inclusive, welcoming community characterized by dignity and sensitivity, representing the cultural, ethnic and racial diversity of our region. ~ Our Youth Program has grown so much that now, in addition to building future leaders and making change in schools, we support youth with groups in Albany, Schenectady, Hudson and Saratoga. In 2015, we will extend the support even further to a more target focus on youth at risk of homelessness. ~ Our Senior Program, Vintage Pride, has more in-

back together. Stories of bars that have come and gone and the great times that were had. A question that has come up a lot lately is “What makes Albany/ the Capital Region so special?”. Why is it that Albany is the home of the longest, continually operating LGBTQ Center in the country? Is it our proximity to New York City and access to people who were present at Stonewall? Is it the combination of higher education/ university and being the Capital of New York? Is it the volume of people who were socially and politically active living within a close proximity? There is no clear reason other than serendipity or destiny or simply magic. Of course over the years, so much life-changing history has occurred, people have come and gone, countless lives have been touched, and

volvement than ever before and has great leadership from within the program leading its direction. ~ Our Center Families Program has grown with incredible success! This past fall we connected over 30 families with 70 youth! ~ Our Training and Education Services expanded, working with over 1,500 people and 60 different agencies and schools, ensuring that our community has the support they need from local service providers. ~ Our cornerstone events were record breaking! We celebrated Capital PRIDE with over 35,000 people and our Annual Gala welcomed 550 people – that’s 250 more than last year! As the community’s center, we are proud to offer programs for people of all ages in our community, and hope to see you in the coming year! Curran Streett, Executive Director the Center has been there through it all. If the walls of 332 Hudson Avenue could talk, oh the stories it could tell! As we kick off this year long celebration, I invite everyone to share THEIR stories with the community. What affect has the Center had on your life? What does the Center mean to you? Because while we’re celebrating the Center, we’re also celebrating YOU! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Capital Region!

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK by

Michael Wei dri c h

A Few from the Archives...

ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TIME TO THRIVE! Thrive is back at the Pride Center

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans*, Queer, Questioning, Asexual & Allied (LGBTQA) young adults 18-24 are invited to join THRIVE, a ten-week mental health and wellness group that gives you space to talk about life, coping & adulthood.

Meeting Dates: Thursdays 6-7:30pm February 12-April 16 *Must join by February 12th* After the 12th, you can join by appointment only, until February 29th. FREE SNACKS PROVIDED Location: 332 Hudson Avenue Albany, NY 12210 Limited space Pre-registration encouraged

CommUNITY is part of our History

The Pride C enterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Magazine

has been in publication for

over 40 years I t i s one o f th e oldest LGBTQ publications in New York State! CommUNITY Covers from the Mid-Eighties

In celebration of the Pride Center of the Capital Region’s 45th Anniversary staff members look back and share the moment in our history that stands out most to them....

I haven’t had my most meaningful moment ...yet…. Pilar Arthur-Snead Marketing and Development Manager

Acting as an Advisor Counselor at [the Pride Center’s Summer Camp] Youth In Power. What a wonderful way to spend a weekend – surrounded by amazingly strong, resourceful and intelligent young people. Perhaps the future isn’t looking so glum after all. I remember my first Capital Oliver Peters PRIDE parade and festival. It Outreach Coordinator was raining, A lot. I wasn’t part of any particular group so I lined up with the Pride Agenda because I was friends with Ross Levi, who was the Director of Public Policy & Governmental Affairs at that time before he went on to be the Executive Director of the organization. And with as much pride and warmth as we could generate, we marched through the rain down Same-sex marriage got passed in Lark Street and into Washington New York State on my birthday Park. I think Nora Yates, who was in 2011. After meeting up with also at the Pride Agenda at that a group of friends, we marched time, led our group and led that chanting. I don’t think we could down to the state building, have chanted any louder to singing songs, as we waited for keep the rain away. Despite the the vote to be announced. It was! What a magical birthday! weather, it was an amazing time and it made me feel like I was a James Shultis part of this community. Youth Program Coordinator Michael Weidrich Deputy Director

Show Your Pride Online

QUICK CLIPS

THE FASHIONABLE AND THE FRIVOLOUS by ALAN BENNET ILAGAN

“He had thrown himself into it with a creative passion, adding to it all the time, Are you looking for love or a virgin in a whore house? decking (The gay man’s struggle to meet a mate continues on it out with pg. 13) every bright feather that drifted his way. No amount of fire or freshness can challenge what a man will store up in his ghostly heart.” ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald If we are brave and willing, we can stand together and bring about the world we usually only imagine (How #blacklivesmatter can teach us about solidarity on pgs. 20-21)

“The ball scene is about creativity, innovation and performance” - Gerard H. Gaskin (Go inside the scene on pg. 22)

Every year at this time, I was able to indulge in my secret love for all things pink and red and purple. It was the single moment when such non-boyish tastes were expected and admired, and I took the chance and made the most of it. This was Valentine’s Day, and our grade school class was tasked with crafting a receptacle for Valentine’s Day cards from other classmates. We were encouraged to use lace doilies, multitudes of hearts, and an unhealthy proliferation of glitter. In other words, it was a gay boy’s fantasy. We were given the most rudimentary of basics: a brown paper bag, the kind I would graduate to after a few more years of clicking open my metal ‘E.T. The Extra Terrestrial’ lunch-box. On this canvass we were given free rein to decorate as we liked. Some kept it simple, some went overboard, and some were just plain sad. I’d like to think I was somewhere inbetween.

By making the container as pretty as I could, I hoped to gain the prettiest and most heartfelt Valentines. We were, by instruction, supposed to deposit a card for everyone else in the class, but invariably people neglected to do so. Kids can be diabolically cruel that way. (Please note that I always gave a card to everyone, though it pained me in some instances to FIND SOMETHING TO DO do so.) The difference in our various bags IN OUR COMMUNITY (Expanded calendars begin on pg. 29) had more to do with those who were so well-liked as to merit an extra card or two from a few favorite admirers. (And also, to some of our shame, the ones who were STAY IN TOUCH! EMAIL USso unforgivably mean to everyone else – mweidrich@capitalpridecenter.org (be sure to include your name and a phone #) I’m talking to you Crystal – really

did find karma to be a bit of a Valentine cupid killjoy.) T h e r e were those kids who always had a full bag of Valentine cards. Taped to the edge of the desks, their bags swung perilously, heavy with their carriage, signs of their recipient’s popularity and esteem. I was not self-aware enough then to see that mine was actually one of the heavier ones. I did not feel popular. I did not feel beloved. For all the prettiness I put into my bag, it would never be full – not the kind of full I needed. Not the kind of full I wanted. Not the kind that would fill my heart too. While my bag may not have been full, it was certainly pretty – and that kind of pretty should count for something.

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.

Share your

commitment

Let us help you create the perfect wedding rings to show the world your special commitment! JOIN US ON

1675 Western Ave | Albany, NY 12203 | 518.464.9636 | www.druesanders.com

STARRING EMMY NOMINATED CHOREOGRAPHERS ©

TRAVIS WALL NICK LAZZARINI TEDDY FORANCE & KYLE ROBINSON from So You Think You Can Dance and All The Right Moves

SHAPING SOUND IS AN ELECTRIFYING MASHUP OF DANCE STYLES AND MUSICAL GENRES BROUGHT FULLY TO LIFE ON STAGE BY A DYNAMIC COMPANY OF CONTEMPORARY DANCERS!

WWW.SHAPINGSOUNDCO.COM

FEB 12, 2015 • 8pm proctors.org • Box Office 518.346.6204 GROUP DISCOUNTS 518.382.3884 x139

GAY MAN’S MUSINGS by NYVEK MOSHIER

Looking For a Virgin in a

Whore House I have read a lot of articles lately where gay men endlessly whine about how there are no good men in the community and how gay men only seem to desire hook ups. While some of these articles do point to legitimate issues in our community, many of them just serve as metaphorical tongues composed to help jaded hearts lick their wounds and avoid taking responsibility in regards to why they have trouble finding love. Is there a large focus on looks, sex and youth in the gay community? Yes, but this has more to do with us being men than being gay. Take a moment and think about how many straight men focus on those exact same three things. Seriously, Hugh Hefner has built an empire from it. Our culture has encouraged men to own their sexuality while women are encouraged to suppress it. You know, men need to “sow their wild oats” before settling down after all. There is a heterosexual saying that comes to mind “Every woman wants one man to satisfy her every need, while every man wants every woman to satisfy his one.” So in a culture that encourages male promiscuity, is there seriously any real mystery as to why gay men may have a harder time finding love? In the straight world women are raised to be the anchor that keeps the carnal desires of men under control, although I have met women who could give even the biggest player a run for his money. Perhaps these gay men should write articles criticizing the male gender as a whole instead of attacking their own and reinforcing the stereotypes that have aided in the oppression of our community. Now I have also noticed some similarities among all these bitter and cynical articles. All these men seem to be complaining about not being able to find love at the bar, on Grindr or on sites like Adam4Adam. Well color me pink and call me sooie, you mean bars and hook up sites/apps are not the best place to find love? WOW, I never would have guessed that true love would have trouble blossoming in an environment meant for casual encounters; this realization astounds me. Yes, I am being a sarcastic A$$. As I stated in the title of this article, one does not look for a virgin in a whore house. It’s

simply not logical to think that you are going to find true fairytale love in a club. Once these men who wine endlessly face this reality, they may actually find that which they seek. in a culture that encourages male promiscuity, is there seriously any real mystery as to why gay men may have a harder time finding love?

I know you may now be asking “But where else am I supposed to look?” I know right? Where are you supposed to look? It’s not like there are any options other than the club. I mean it’s not like there are any gay men’s choirs, sports teams, social groups, political groups or general activity groups. Oh wait, there are. Yes, I am being a bit condescending here. As a gay man who has fought hard to show the world that our community is just as deserving of love, compassion and respect; it pisses me off when our own reinforce the fears that society has regarding us. These men get turned down at the clubs or on apps and then cry because they feel they were rejected for shallow reasons. Well, YOU WERE IN A CLUB, so yes you likely were shot down for shallow reasons. This is the nature of the club and hook up scene after all. Guess what, this also happens to straight people in bars; I know I just blew your mind with that little pearl of wisdom. How about taking some responsibility and actually putting some effort into your search for love? How about seeking love out in an environment that is not sexually charged to begin with? I know, these ideas are likely completely blowing your mind. Again, I know I am being quite forward. But again, ONE DOES NOT LOOK FOR A VIRGIN IN A WHORE HOUSE. To risk being perceived as even more of a jerk, I have to ask these men; who told you love would be easy? Whoever told you love was easy set you up for a cruel crash course in reality. Love is messy, frustrating and complicated. If true love was easy to capture, everyone would be in the perfect relationship and there

would not be one single adult on this planet. But love wasn’t meant to be easy, that’s what makes it special and worth fighting for. You would think that, as a community who has had to fight continuously for the very recognition of our love, we would be more aware of this than anyone. I get it; I experienced some really hard relationships and rejection in my life as well. I have also been the one doing the rejecting at times. But this is life and it’s a journey, not a destination. We must also keep in mind that love is not something that can be forced, it finds you when it is ready and not when you command it to. Now I write this from the perspective of a gay man who has been lucky enough to find true love. My Fiancé and I will be marrying in June of 2015. But please do not assume that I do not remember the frustration that accompanied being single. I went through a period where I actually didn’t want love and thought it was something that didn’t even exist, and therefore all those who sought it out were fools. While I am frustrated by the gay men who write these bitter articles, I do not hate them. I truly feel for them and I wish them the strength to carry on and not give up on love. Many of these men likely have good hearts; they just need to be more mindful of where they attempt to make meaningful and lasting connections. So to these men I say, please do not allow some shallow fool in a club or on an app to take away your faith in the existence of love. Love will find you, most likely when you stop trying to find it; especially when you stop trying to find it in environments that do not encourage it. And please remember, and I know I am beating a dead horse here, one does not look for a virgin in a whore house. Now go find your man, Tiger. 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.

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

www.emmanuelalbany.net (518)465-5161 First Church in Albany 110 North Pearl Street, Albany, NY www.firstchurchinalbany.org (518)463-4449

Congregation Agudat Achim (Conservative) 2117 Union Street, Schenectady, NY www.agudatachim.org (518) 393-9211

First Congregational Church of Albany UCC & NACCC 405 Quail Street, Albany, NY www.firstcongregationalalbany.org (518)482-4580

Congregation B’nai Shalom (Reform) 420 Whitehall Road, Albany, NY www.bnaishalom.albany.ny.us (518) 482-5283

First Lutheran Church 181 Western Avenue, Albany, NY www.FirstLutheranAlbany.org (518)463-1326

Congregation Berith Sholom (Reform) 167 Third Street, Troy, NY www.berithsholom.org(518)272-8872

First Presbyterian Church 362 State Street, Albany, NY www.firstpresalbany.org (518)449-7332

Congregation Beth Emeth (Reform) 100 Academy Road, Albany, NY www.bethemethalbany.org (518)436-9761

First Reformed Church 8 North Church Street, Schenectady, NY www.1streformed.com

Congregation Gates of Heaven (Reform) 842 Ashmore Avenue, Schenectady, NY www.cgoh.org (518)374-8173

First Unitarian Society of Schenectady 1221 Wendell Avenue, Schenectady, NY www.fussonline.org (518)374-4446

Congregation Ohav Shalom (Conservative) 113 New Krumkill Road, Albany, NY www.ohavshalom.org

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

Congregation Temple Sinai (Reform) 509 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY www.templesinai-saratogasprings.org (518) 584-8730

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

Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church 943 Palmer Avenue, Schenectady, NY www.easternparkway.weebly.com (518)374-4306

First United Methodist Church, East Greenbush http://www.fumceg.org/

St. George’s Episcopal Church 30 North Ferry St., Schenectady www.stgeorgesschenectady.org Emmanuel Baptist Church 275 State Street, Albany, NY

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

Presbyterian New England Congregational Church, Saratoga http://pnecchurch.org/ Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 501 Albany Shaker Road, Loudonville, NY www.goodshepherdchurchloudonville.org (518)458-1562 Holy Trinity National Catholic Church 405 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY www.NCCofA.org/holytrin.html (518)434-8861 Journey United Church of Christ 500 Kenwood Blvd, Delmar , NY www.journeyucc.com Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church 175 Fifth Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY www.saratogaspringsumc.org (518)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)453-3603 Woodstock Jewish Congregation (Reconstructionist) 1682 Glasco Turnpike, Woodstock, NY www.wjcshul.org (845)246-1671

Proud To Be Open! Affirming! Welcoming! Joyous!

Traditional & Holistic Psychotherapies Traditional & Holistic Psychotherapies Traditional & Holistic Psychotherapies for Healing & Growth for Healing & Growth for Healing & Growth

Love Que(e)ry

Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Relationship & Parenting Issues Healing Trauma & Abuse Depression & Anxiety

Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Acey Mercer Relationship & Parenting Issues

Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Relationship & Parenting Issues Healing Trauma & Abuse

Healing Trauma & Abuse

Traditional & T Holistic raditional Psychotherapies & Holistic Psychotherapies Traditional &THolistic raditional Psychotherapies & THolistic raditional Psychotherapies &Depression Holistic Psychotherapies & Anxiety Depression & Anxiety tales of cupid’s arrow, hearts and kisses own worst critic and to believe that our for Healing & for Growth Healing & Growth for Healing & for Growth Healing & for Growth Healing & Growth Relationship Violence Relationship Violence

Chocolates and roses have become Violencesymbols the staple, theRelationship stereotypical plastered everywhere make it almost value is dependent on the views and Addictions Recovery Addictions & Recovery &Orientation Recovery of adoration on the 14th of February. impossible Sexual not toAddictions have the idea ofOrientation love likes of Orientation others. In &&truth, any emptiness Sexual & Sexual Gender Orientation Identity & Gender Identity Orientation & Sexual Gender Identity Sexual & Gender Identity Gender Identity Living With HIV & Illness Living With HIV & Illness mixed Livingmonth With HIV & Illness Relationship & Parenting Relationship Issues & Parenting Issues Relationship & Parenting Relationship Issues &we Parenting Relationship Issues & Parenting Issues Valentine’s Day easily provokes in mind during the of February. feel must first be filled with comhoices hoices hoices Healing & Trauma Abuse Healing Trauma Abuse & Abuse C &Trauma Abuse Healing & Abuse Healing& Trauma Body Image & Eatingin Disorders Bodyself-reflection. Image & Eating Disorders BodyHealing Image &Trauma Eating Disorders reactionsC and For some Feelings ofC loneliness easily heighten passion and self-love order to really Depression & Anxiety Depression & Anxiety Depression & Anxiety Depression & Anxiety Depression & Anxiety people, the day is full of magical with the buzz of romance around every know our worth. We all possess Homestudies & Adoption Services the caHomestudies & Adoption Services roHomestudies & Adoption Services Relationship Violence Relationship Violence Relationship Violence Relationship Violence Relationship Violence & Recovery Addictions & Recovery Addictions & Recovery Addictions & Recovery Addictions & Recovery mance. For others it is far from sweets corner. Individuals may Addictions feel discourpacity to fully embrace ourselves with Living With HIV & Illness Living HIVWith & Illness Living With HIV they & Illness Living HIV &With Illness Living HIV and flowers and can be a day of resent- aged and hopeless, worrying mayWith love, acceptance and& Illness healing growth. Body Image & Eating Body Disorders Image & Image Eating & Disorders Body Image & Eating Body Disorders Image & Eating Body Disorders Eating Disorders ment, one that breeds disappointment never find true love. So, this month, while inServices the midst of Homestudies & Adoption Homestudies Services & Services Adoption Services Homestudies & Adoption Services & Adoption Homestudies & Adoption Counseling Counseling & Consulting Counseling Consulting & Consulting &Homestudies and sadness. Some view the holiday as cupid’s archery, sugary sentiments and 518-438-2222 518-438-2222 518-438-2222 having transformed in modern society pollen filled perennials, please know Traditional & Holistic Psychotherapies hoices hoices hoices hoices hoices Fax 438-7777 Fax 438-7777 Fax 438-7777 Counseling Consulting Counseling Counseling Consulting Counseling Consulting Counseling Consulting & & Consulting &the & & Healingof & Growth to become merely guilt-motivated and For for those us in that your value does not decrease based 518-438-2222 518-438-2222 518-438-2222 518-438-2222 518-438-2222 523 Western Avenue, Suite 2A (second floor) Albany, NY 12203 523 Western Avenue, Suite 2A (second floor) · Albany, NY 12203 523 Western Avenue, Suite 2A (second floor) · Albany, NY 12203 commercialized. LGBTQ community , Fax 438-7777 on Fax someone’s inability · to see your Fax 438-7777 438-7777 Fax 438-7777 Fax 438-7777 info@choicesconsulting.com · www.choicesconsulting.com info@choicesconsulting.com · www.choicesconsulting.com info@choicesconsulting.com · www.choicesconsulting.com partnered or single, worth. If in fact Valentine’s Day is all For those of us in the LGBTQ comsexual or nonsexual, about consumerism – buy into this – munity, partnered or single, sexual or the que(e)ry remains you are worthy of love! nonsexual, the que(e)ry remains the the same 3.75 “ x 5” 3.75 “ x 5” 3.75 “ x 5” same - who will love me? Too often we who will love me? find ourselves asking this question and & Choices 518-438-2222 So here’s my theory contemplating how others will love us Fax 438-7777 Traditional & Holistic Psychotherapies Traditional Traditional & Traditional Holistic & Holistic Psych & Ho Some roses are red, for Healing & Growth and measure our value. It is as if there For many, self-doubt can arise and Some violets shades of blue, is the expectation of a universal recipe quickly lead to road blocks, blindfor Healing for Healing for & Grow Heali & Love Que(e)ry for worthiness of love – a pinch of this, ers that tunnel vision to negative selfIs answered with you loving you. a dash of that and voilá, we are sure to critiques and build barriers to loving Sexual Orientation Sexual Orientation Sexual & Gender Orienta &Ide Ge be somebody’s sweetheart! So, is it the connections. Fantasies of love being a same formula for all of us – no matter cure-all for loneliness, sadness and deRelationship Relationship & Parenting Relationship & Paren Issu if we are savory, bitter, or tart? Food for pression then perpetuate. The reality is Healing Trauma Healing&Trauma Healing Abuse & Traditional Traditional & Traditional Holistic & Holistic Psych & Ho hoices thought. never being alone & or always being C Sexual Orientation &that Gender Identity Depression Depression & Anxiety Depres &A Acey Mercer, MSW is 518-438-2222 in a relationship Faxdoesn’t 438-7777 ward off lonelifor Healing for Healing for & Grow Heali & a Psychotherapist at Relationship Relationship Violence Relatio Vio Gay and lesbian couples who never ness. Loneliness Relationship & Parenting Issues is a part of every huChoices Counseling & Addictions Addictions & Recovery Addicti & Re thought their love would be legitimized, man experience and is not reserved for Consulting and the Senior hoices Trauma & Abuse SexualLiving Orientation Orientation Sexual & Gender Orienta &Ide Ge can now celebrate – out –Healing having their single people, introverts or people with Consultant ofSexual theWith TrainC Living HIV With & Living Illness HIV W & ing Institute forRelationship Gender, relationship politely acknowledged at mental health issues. Relationship & Parenting Relationship & Paren Issu Body Image Body & Image Eating Body & Disorde Image Eating Depression & Anxiety Relationships, Identity, various venues and restaurants. How Healing Trauma Healing &Trauma Healing Homestudies Homestudies & Adoption Homestudies &Abuse Adopt Serv& and Sexuality (TIGRIS) nice to enjoy V-Day specials openly At some point we all question our selfRelationship Violence in Albany. If you or someDepression Depression & Anxiety Depres &A as lovers and not silently as assumed worth and what we have to offer partone you know is in need Addictions & Recovery Relationship Relationship Violence Relatio Vio to be friends or roommates. This can ners. Perhaps even more stressful is the of counseling or support, be glorious. For those who are single, concern over what, if Traditional anything, others& Holistic Addictions Addictions & Recovery Addicti & Re Psychotherapies please contact Acey atCounseling Counseling Cou Living With HIV & see Illness & Consult & or whose relationships are struggling, will in us. It is all too easy to be our acey@choicesconsulting.com. Living With Living HIV With & Living Illness HIV W & 518-438-2222 518-438-22 518 Growth Traditionalfor & Healing Holistic& Psychotherapies T raditional & Holistic Psychotherapies T raditional & Holistic Psychotherapies T raditional & Holistic Psychotherapies for Healing & Growth for Healing & Growth for Healing & Growth Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity

Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity

Relationship & Parenting Issues

Healing Trauma & Abuse

ditional & Holistic Ps C C C for Healing & Gr Relationship & Parenting Issues Healing Trauma & Abuse

Depression & Anxiety

Relationship Violence

Addictions & Recover y

Living With HIV & Illness

Body Image & Eating Disorders

Homestudies & Adoption Ser vices

& Consulting 518-438-2222 Fa x

438-7777

5”

Counseling & Consulting 518-438-2222

& Consulting 518-438-2222 Counseling

Fa x

438-7777

523 Western Avenue, Suite 2A (second floor) · Albany, NY 12203 523 Western Avenue, Suite 2A (second floor) · Albany, NY 12203 i n fo @ c h o i ce s co n s u l t i n g. co m · w w w. c h o i ce s co n s u l t i n g. co m i n fo @ c h o i ce s co n s u l t i n g. co m · w w w. c h o i ce s co n s u l t i n g. co m

523 Western Avenue, Suite 2A (second floor) · Albany, NY 12203 i n fo @ c h o i ce s co n s u l t i n g. co m · w w w. c h o i ce s co n s u l t i n g. co m

Relationship Violence

Homestudies & Adoption Ser vices

Counseling

3.75 “

Depression & Anxiety

Relationship Violence

3.75 “

5”

hoices

5”

hoices

CCC CC

Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Relationship & Parenting Issues

523 Western Avenue, Suite 523 2A Western (second floor) Avenue, ·12203 Albany, Suite 2A NY(second 12203 floor) · Albany, NY 12203 NY 12203 523 Western Avenue, Suite 2A Western (second Avenue, floor) · Albany, Suite 523 2A Western NY (second Avenue, floor) · Albany, Suite 2A NY (second 12203 floor) · Albany, Healing Trauma & 523 Abuse info@choicesconsulting.com info@choicesconsulting.com · www.choicesconsulting.com · www.choicesconsulting.com info@choicesconsulting.com info@choicesconsulting.com · www.choicesconsulting.com info@choicesconsulting.com · www.choicesconsulting.com · www.choicesconsulting.com Depression & Anxiety Relationship Violence

Addictions & Recovery

Living With HIV & Illness

3.75 “ x 5”

Body Image & Eating Disorders

3.75 “ x 5”

Homestudies & Adoption Services

Counseling

3.75 “ x 5”

Consulting

aditional & Holistic P Sexual Orientation & Gende for Healing & G Relationship & Parenting CCC 523 Western Avenue, Suite 2A (second floor) · Albany, NY 12203 info@choicesconsulting.com · www.choicesconsulting.com

Traditional & Holistic Psychotherapies for Healing & Growth Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Relationship & Parenting Issues

3.75 “ x 5”

Healing Trauma & Abuse Depression & Anxiety

Relationship Violence

Addictions & Recovery

Living With HIV & Illness

Body Image & Eating Disorders

Homestudies & Adoption Services

Counseling

T raditional & Holistic Psychotherapie for Healing & Growth

Consulting

Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Relationship & Parenting Issues Healing Trauma & Abuse Depression & Anxiety

523 Western Avenue, Suite 2A (second floor) · Albany, NY 12203 info@choicesconsulting.com · www.choicesconsulting.com

Relationship Violence

Addictions & Recover y

Living With HIV & Illness

Body Image & Eating Disorders

Homestudies & Adoption Ser vices

Counseling & Consulting 518-438-2222

3.75 “ x 5”

Fa x

438-7777

523 Western Avenue, Suite 2A (second floor) · Albany, NY 12203 i n fo @ c h o i ce s co n s u l t i n g. co m · w w w. c h o i ce s co n s u l t i n g. co m

3.75 “

5”

hoices hoices ho

Body Image & Eating Disorders

Body Image Body & Image Eating Body & Disorde Image Eating Fax 438-7777 Fax 438-77 Fax

Healing TraumaC& Ab hoices hoices ho C C hoices C SexualDepression Orientation&&Anxie Gend

Homestudies & Adoption Services& Holistic Psychotherapies & Holistic Psychotherapies for Healing & Growth Traditional & Holistic Psychotherapies TraditionalTraditional & Holistic Psychotherapies Traditional 523 Western 523 Avenue, Western Suite 523 Avenue, Western 2A (second Suite Avenue, 2A floor) (second Suite · Alb info@choicesconsulting.com info@choicesconsulting.com info@choicesconsulting. · www.choicesco · www Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity for Healing & Growth for Healing & Growth for Healing & Growth for Healing & Growth

Homestudies Homestudies & Adoption Homestudies & Adopt Serv

Relationship & Parenting Issues Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Counseling Counseling Cou & Consult & Healing Trauma & Abuse& Gender Identity Sexual Orientation Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Relationship & Parenting Issues 518-438-2222 518-438-22 518 3.75 “ x 5” 3.75 “ x 5” 3.75 “ x 5” Sexual Counseling Orientation && Gender Identity Relationship & Parenting Issues Relationship & Parenting Issues Relationship & Parenting Issues Depression & Anxiety Consulting Fax 438-77 Fax Healing Trauma & Abuse Healing Trauma & Abuse Fax 438-7777 Healing Trauma Relationship & Abuse Healing Trauma & Abuse & Parenting Issues Relationship Violence 518-438-2222 Depression & Anxiety Depression & Anxiety Depression & Anxiety Depression & Anxiety 523 Western 523 Avenue, Western Suite 523 Avenue, Western 2A (second Suite Avenue, 2A floor) (second Suite · Alb Healing Trauma & Abuse Addictions & Recovery info@choicesconsulting.com info@choicesconsulting.com info@choicesconsulting. · www.choicesco · www Relationship Violence Relationship Violence Relationship Violence Fax 438-7777 Relationship Violence Depression & Anxiety Living With HIV & Illness Addictions & Recovery

Addictions & Recovery

Addictions 523 Living Western Suite 2A (second floor) · Albany,Living NY 12203 LivingDisorders With HIV & Illness WithAvenue, HIV & Illness With HIV & Illness Body Image&& Recovery Eating Relationship Violence info@choicesconsulting.com · www.choicesconsulting.com Body Image & Eating Disorders Body Image & Eating Disorders Body Image & Eating Disorders Living With HIV & Illness 3.75 “ x 5” Services 3.75 “ x 5” 3.75 “ x 5” Homestudies & Adoption Addictions & Recovery

Relationship & Parentin Relationship Violen hoices C C Choices

Homestudies & Adoption Services

Living With HIV & Illness

Homestudies & Adoption Services

Body Image & Eating Disorders

Body Image & Eating Disorders & Holistic hoices hoices hoices Traditional & Holistic Psychotherapies Traditional & Holistic Psychotherapies Traditional Psychotherapies 15 Counseling & Consulting Counseling & Consulting Counseling & Consulting Counseling Consulting Homestudies & Adoption Services & for Healing & Growth for Healing & Growth for Healing & Growth 3.75 “ x 5” 518-438-2222 518-438-2222 518-438-2222 518-438-2222 Fax 438-7777 Fax 438-7777 Fax 438-7777 Homestudies & Adoption Services

“My business is my life.”

Your Assets MAY be Protected But is your family?

We know it’s not something you want to think about. But no one expects the unexpected. The greatest gift you can give your loved ones is the assurance they are protected. That’s why at RBC Wealth Management we have knowledgeable financial advisors that can help address your unique concerns. You can create your own path forward. We can help.

Get more out of both. The Living Balance Sheet® can help you find

DaviD Connors

hidden value in your balance sheet. Learn how to protect and grow your business and

Financial Advisor 455 Patroon Creek Blvd, Suite 200 Albany, NY 12206 (518) 432-1457 | (866) 615-2479 david.connors@rbc.com

make the most of untapped potential. This revolutionary financial model lets you see the big picture of your finances – both business and personal – all in one place. Helping you to adjust your strategies for optimal impact across the board, while allowing you to maximize your opportunities and the value of your business. It’s worth it. Visit veronica_mangione@wagroupllc.com, or call VERONICA MANGIONE at 518-867-3210 for more information on The Living Balance Sheet ®.

There’s Wealth in Our Approach.

™

14-AY-177_3x5 bw Ad.indd 1

Wealth Advisory Group LLC is an agency of:

The Living Balance Sheet ® and the Living Balance Sheet ® Logo are registered service marks of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), New York, NY. The graphics and text used herein are the exclusive property of Guardian and protected under U.S. and International copyright laws. © Copyright 2005 – 2013, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. Registered Representative of Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS) , . Securities products and services are offered through PAS. Financial Representative, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, NY (Guardian). PAS is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Guardian. This firm is not an affiliate or subsidiary of PAS or Guardian. |PAS is a member FINRA, SIPC|

VERONICA MANGIONE, Financial Representative • Wealth Advisory Group LLC • 255 WASHINGTON AVE EXT, SUITE 108 • ALBANY, NY 12205 •

Pub5941 GEAR 2013-0972

11/13/14 8:21 AM

 Design Build  Renovations  Additions  Green Services  Decks  Porches  Carpentry

“Providing All Your Residential,

Historic & Commercial Construction Needs!” P.O. Box 504 Delmar, NY 12054

Phone: Fax:

admin@skylandsservices.com www.skylandsservices.com

518.488.0506 518.439.1222

T O

B E

B L E S S I N G

Singing Connects and Uplifts the Spirit by “Do, Re, Mi, the first three notes just happen to be,”, as we hear from Mary Poppins. With the art of singing, the singer begins with the notes of the scale and proceeds in various sequential patterns to produce musical sound. The ability of the human voice and body to create such sound is a marvel to behold. Is there any relationship between the art of singing and one’s spirit, or spiritual self? How might they be connected? The word spirit derives from the Latin “spiritus,” which comes from the Greek “pneuma,” which derives from the Hebrew word “ruach.” All refer fundamentally to the concept of the breath. To manifest spirit means to activate breath and energy. From its core, spirit connects to one’s values, beliefs, and actions. These cohere into a set of practices that transcend the limits of the human ego, and connect one’s own energetic being to a higher, transcendent source. The art of singing is a major physical and spiritual activity. To produce a proper vocal tone, the singer engages the breath in the lungs and the structure of the bones and muscles. Within the grounded and stable container of the body, the singer senses energy originating from the pelvic floor and emanating up the spine through various energy centers to the throat. Eastern spiritual practices call this energy “prana” or “chi,” or life force. The singer also summons the mental energies of intention, focus, and concentration. How do I experience these concepts? When I practice Kripalu yoga, the

Tom Bubnack

class opens and closes with a chant on the sound of “OM.” In Sanskrit, yoga means “union,” or “yolk.” OM is a Sanskrit mantra representing the primal sound of consciousness and the universe. When intoned, OM reverberates throughout my being to unite body, mind, and spirit through intention (sankalpa), postures (asana), breathing (pranayama), and meditation (dharana). I connect my spirit with the collective spirits of other class members, the teacher, and the consciousness of the universe. Foundational to the practice is an awareness of breath. The practice of yogic breathing informs and supports my efforts to create musical sound.

The art of singing is a major

physical and spiritual activity When I participate in choral singing, I am joined with other chorus members in creating group energy and breath. We bring our individual intentions, focus, and concentration together. We learn to breathe diaphragmatically, as well as various vocal techniques. We engage in the sometimes painstaking work of creating a focused, blended, and unified group sound. We learn to establish a relationship with the energy and presence of our director to create a bond of energy and communication that transmits to our listeners. At times when my energy is low, inspiration is fleeting, or fearful or sad thoughts intrude, I recall some of the classic hymns such as “I Sing the Mighty Power of God.” Or I bask in the waves of a cappella choral music from the Renaissance, the Anglican and Orthodox

choral repertoires, or Gregorian chant. Or listen to my Kripalu CDs or to kirtan chants from Krishna Das. They help to enlighten my darkness and restore my connection to source and spirit. Some of my best teachers in the art of singing are dance callers in contra, folk, and English country dancing, with groups such as the Lavender Country and Folk Dancers. By their teaching a group of dancers how to fit the steps of the dance to the rhythm of the tune, these callers have helped me to internalize the fundamental awareness that rhythm underlies all vocal challenges regarding intonation and melodic line. Singing is good for one’s health, according to John Arterton, founder of the The Flirtations and director of The Outer Cape Chorale. “Blood pressure and heart rates go down, and energy and immunity levels go up. Stress levels decrease. There’s the sense of accomplishment that comes from confronting challenges, and sense of inner joy at the possibility that our singing will move someone, comfort someone, inspire someone or heal someone in our audience. Singing is a wonderful social experience. Friendships are formed. Walls are broken down. Fears conquered. Hearts opened.” My experience from voice classes and decades of choral singing affirms these health and social benefits. I concur with Arterton’s conclusion that “singing is indeed a spiritual practice.” Tom Bubnack (pictured above, 1st row, 2nd from left) is a baritone with the Albany Gay Men’s Chorus, a longtime choral singer, a student of yoga, and a spiritual practitioner.

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.

ASK THE LAWYER by Geri Pomerantz In addition to the birth of the Pride Center of the Capital District, 1970 marked important milestones for the LGBT community, including some of these. To commemorate the one year anniversary of the Stonewall riots, the first gay pride march was held in NYC, and elsewhere. Coming Out was an important political act, perhaps reflective of the feminist mantra “the personal is political.” The group Lavender Menace formed in response to Betty Friedan’s usage of the term “lesbian menace” to describe what she perceived as the threat lesbians presented to the women’s movement. The Austrian parliament was one of the first to decriminalize consensual “homosexual acts” between consenting adults. However sodomy laws existed in most states, with the notable exception of Illinois. And Carl Wittman wrote “A Gay Manifesto”, published by the Red Butterfly Cell of the Gay Liberation Front. Looking at some other events in this year: The Beatles broke up in 1970 and Diana Ross and the Supremes had their farewell concert. Computer floppy discs were introduced. We saw the first episode of “All My Children”. “Patton” was the Best Picture of the Year, while “All in the Family” was the Outstanding TV Comedy and “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” was the album of the year. The Aswan Dam was completed. Both Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin died. California was the first state to have no fault divorce. The average income per year in the US was $9,400.00 , a gallon of gas was 36 cents and a regular stamp was 6 cents. A cyclone in Bangladesh killed over 500,000 people in 1970. It was also the year that the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty went into effect. Nixon was president in 1970, and both houses of Congress had Democrat majorities. Notwithstanding Nixon’s campaign promise to bring peace, American forces invaded Cambodia. US Soldiers killed and raped approximately 500 unarmed civilians in the My Lai (or Son My) massacre, an atrocity that was initially concealed by high ranking army officers, and which resulted in the conviction of only one officer. Back in the US, the National Guard opened fire on student antiwar protestors, killing 4 and Henry Marrow Jr, a black man in Oxford

NC, was beaten and shot by white men, who were acquitted by an all-white jury of his murder, spurring boycotts of white businesses. Ruben Salazar, a Chicano journalist, was killed by a white sheriff ’s deputy while he was covering an antiwar protest. Although his death was ruled a homicide by the coroner, the deputy was never prosecuted. When the editors of CommUNITY asked me to focus on significant LGBT case law in 1970 for this article, I suspected there might be some significant albeit unfavorable case law. But there really isn’t much to report. As Arnie Kantrowitz, wrote in Long Road to Freedom, published in 1994 by The Advocate magazine, “In 1970 we got organized and began to argue over our goals. Nineteen seventy-one was the year we grew loud enough to be heard, and like us or not, America could no longer deny that we were there.”

1970

marked important milestones for the LGBT community The most significant LGBT case law event in 1970 was the application by two men, Jack Baker and James McConnell, for a marriage license in Hennepin County Minnesota. That application was denied by the Clerk, and the men filed a law suit. It was not until 1971 however that the Minnesota Supreme Court decided Baker v. Nelson, holding that that there is no constitutional protection of a fundamental right for a same sex couple to marry. It is in this decision that we see the argument that marriage can only be between a man and a woman, and is designed to promote procreation. The state court distinguished Loving v. Virginia (the 1967 US Supreme Court Case holding that the right to marry is a fundamental right that must be free from unjustified government interference and struck down an anti-miscegenation law) because that case involved racial classifications as opposed to fundamental differences in sex. This is the decision that was summarily upheld in a one sentence decision by the US Supreme Court in 1972. It is this 1972 US Supreme Court case that is primarily relied upon by the antimarriage equality lobby in their litigation efforts. Although the importance of Baker was dismissed during oral argument in Hollingsworth in 2013, the Supreme Court decision in Windsor v. US does not reject the 1972 case. Since Windsor, the majority of federal cases, which have issued

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

Practice focused on family and matrimonial law

favorable decisions on marriage equality, have rejected the precedential value of Baker. However, those unfavorable federal cases, including one federal court of appeals case, have relied upon Baker to uphold gay marriage bans. With approximately 70% of the US population now living in marriage equality states at the time of writing this article, it remains to be seen what the Supreme Court will finally say about Baker v. Nelson. Notably, between 1972, when it decided Baker, and 1986, when it upheld a Georgia law criminalizing consensual sodomy in Bowers v. Hardwick, the US Supreme Court did not issue any major case regarding LGBT rights specifically. There were, of course, a number of cases in the intervening years recognizing constitutional rights to privacy in other important areas to the LGBT community, such as reproductive rights in Roe v. Wade. Bowers was reversed in 2003 in Lawrence v. Texas, in which the US Supreme Court recognized a constitutional right to privacy in sex between consenting adults. It was not until later in the 70s that the major gay rights law offices, such as Lambda, GLAAD and NCLR came into existence. In closing, happy anniversary to the Pride Center, and thank you for your efforts over the past 45 years in furtherance of the rights of LGBTQ people.

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/

Residential • Commercial Land & Development Landlord / Tenant Representation

Brian Brosen & Reginald Monroe Licensed Associate Real EstateBrokers

Interim Healthcare… Providing Companions, Aides and Nurses in the Home 2 to 24 Hours a Day So You or a Loved One Can Stay in Your Home.

Call today (518) 452-3655 52 3655 www.interimhealthcare.com

Are you searching for a Financial Advisor? Are you searching for a Financial Advisor? Are you unhappy with your current advisor? Are your accounts receiving the service they deserve? Are you struggling to manage your portfolio on your own? Has your portfolio lived up to your expectations?

Experience the Wells Fargo Advisors difference. If you are Are you for unhappy with Advisor your current advisor? looking a Financial who stands apart from the crowd, Are your the service come andaccounts see what receiving makes us different. Wethey offerdeserve? comprehensive Are you struggling manage your portfolio on your own? investment advice, ato broad range of investment choices, and Has your portfolio up to your expectations? dedicated personal lived service.

74034-v5 A1585

Experience the Wells Fargo Advisors difference. If you are looking for a Financial Advisor who stands apart from the crowd, come and see what makes us different. We offer comprehensive investment advice, a broad of investment choices, Meleco, DiNallo, Kelleher Wealthrange Management Group of Wells Fargoand Advisors dedicated personal service. CW Kelleher Vice President - Investment Officer 30 S Pearl St P-2 Albany, NY 12207 Direct: (518) 455-7461 Meleco, DiNallo, Kelleher Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors cw.kelleher@wellsfargoadvisors.com www.melecodinallokelleher.wfadv.com CW Kelleher Vice President - Investment Officer 30 S Pearl St P-2 Investment and12207 Insurance Products: u NOT FDIC Insured u NO Bank Guarantee u MAY Lose Value Albany, NY Wells Fargo(518) Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Direct: 455-7461 Wells Fargo & Company. cw.kelleher@wellsfargoadvisors.com © 2013 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. All rights reserved. www.melecodinallokelleher.wfadv.com 0214-03393

Investment and Insurance Products: u NOT FDIC Insured u NO Bank Guarantee u MAY Lose Value Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. © 2013 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. All rights reserved.

74034-v5 A1585

94171_4

Caring Caregivers Needed!

LEARNING IN THE STREETS: HOW #BlackLivesMatter

Every February, we take time to remember Black History: children do projects in school, adults watch a PBS documentary or two, Black elders tell stories over dinner and nods between Black folks on the sidewalk increase in frequency. It always feels like a missed opportunity to me. We hear a recycling of the same whitewashed and respectability-ridden versions of Black history. I want us to tell stories that move us to act for social transformation. As one of our local artists, Amani Olugbala, says, “My heroes killed cowboys.” Sometimes literally, but I really mean my heroes killed “cowboy” politics. My heroes stood up to the politics that allows police to occupy Communities of Color, the violence of the socially-enforced gender binary, and the dehumanization of Blackness. They have names like Marsha P. Johnson, Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Barbara Smith. Queer Black women offer models for leadership through their organizing that we in the Queer community should work to learn about and learn from. Anybody who is paying attention noticed there was something different about the #BlackLivesMatter movement that began with resistance in Ferguson, MO on August 9, 2014 following the murder of 18 year old Michael “Mike Mike” Brown by a local police officer. Yet, the imagery was eerily famil-

iar: the use of dogs against protesters, cops looking like soldiers in full combat gear, the overwhelmingly white authorities in a majority Black town, and the rage on the faces of young people seeking freedom. Those images harken back to the streets of Birmingham, AL during the Civil Rights Movement, Chicago today, New York City during Stonewall because they are images of resistance by the most marginalized people leading with demands for social transformation, queer Women of Color leading in all of those movements, including Ferguson.

Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, but they are two Black trans* women who should be taught in every Black History course because we have a lot to learn about from those organizing for survival. It’s important to remember that marginalized communities have a unique ability to imagine themselves creating a new paradigm because the current system simply doesn’t work for us. We do not need to deeply invest in white

Folks taking to the streets in Ferguson, MO may seem distant, but for many in the Black community, the urgency to resist and demand better conditions and systems feels very personal and local. It should feel just as personal and local for Queer communities because Trans* Women of ColAnybody who is paying or are targeted by state violence, in the forms of police brutality, state-backed attention noticed there killings, overincarceration, lack of employment opportunities, issues was something different about the with adequate housing access, lack of broad access to necessary healthcare, #B lack L ives M atter and the violent policing of the gender movement binary that occurs on a daily basis. When we talk about the history of Black Liberation and Queer Liberation, we might not always think of Marsha “Pay It No Mind” Johnson and

supremacy, in cisheteropatriarchy, in imperialism as folks in queer communities. We must be attentive to our

by 20

ANGELICA CLARK

CAN TEACH US ABOUT QUEER SOLIDARITY

privilege as folks who may be benefit ing from white supremacy and imperialism and transmisogyny when we make our movements and stand in solidarity with movements. Accountability in this movement of love is critical. When we behave, as

work to reject. Our power as a community has always been in our willingness to see liberation and democracy as a collaborative project that requires every member of our community to have the resources necessary to participate. It’s not just about who can get married. It’s about who is being killed simply for existing. It’s about who has access to healthcare. It’s about who is worried about their next meal or where they will sleep. It’s about who society thinks it can “re-educate” out of existence. It’s about opening ourselves up to the truth and demanding power and the right to life for our people. It’s about allowing ourselves to be guided by young people and frontline communities.

This region has many spaces, places and communities energized to fight against police brutality, mass incarWhen we behave, as ceration and the criminalization of a community, as if we Blackness. Capital Area Against Mass Incarceration has grown a lot since are not in crisis, we August 9, 2014 as more folks have felt desert the most welcome in the movement to respect and honor Black life. We are a group marginalized among that does public actions, legislative us advocacy, and community organizing through cultural and political work. If a community, as if we are not in cri- you’re an artist, or interested in policy, sis, we desert the most marginalized or someone who has an interest and among us. Honestly, we should chal- passion for ending the prison system, lenge whether we can call ourselves or all three, please join us! We strive to that when we don’t regularly defend create space that is welcoming to forthose that the state and society at large merly incarcerated folks, queer folks,

and folks of all nationalities. We meet every second Tuesday of the month at 7 PM at the Social Justice Center, which is 33 Central Ave. in Albany. The African American Cultural Center has held regular events and discussions to help us understand how our region can fit into this movement. The Social Justice Center always welcomes folks who want to hold cultural events, political meetings and skill shares in our space. If you want to bring your talents or interests to the space, be in touch! Queer people should continue to lead in those spaces, as well as recruit each other to grow our presence because we have so much to contribute. If we are brave and willing, we can stand together and bring about the world we usually only imagine. Angelica Clarke is a queer Black Feminist, participatory socialist, community organizer, trainer, cat lover, co-founder of Capital Area Against Mass Incarceration and Executive Director of the Social Justice Center in Albany, NY who goes by she/ her/they. She is 25 and lives in Troy, NY.

Gerard H. Gaskin is a native of Trinidad and Tobago. He is a freelance photographer based in the Syracuse, NY area. His book Legendary: Inside the House Ballroom Scene was published in 2013 by Duke University Press. The book is the culmination of a 20 year long photographic project and Gaskin’s documentation inside the House and Ballroom scene in New York City. The Pride Center had the opportunity to interview and catch up with Gerard as he continues to promote his book in 2015. Can you tell us a little bit about your book, “Legendary”? I won the Center for Documentary Studies (at Duke University)/Honickman First Book Prize in 2012 and when you win the prize, Duke University Press gives you a book contract. Legendary: Inside the House Ballroom Scene came out in November of 2013 with Duke University Press. I think the first thing I would say about my book is that I have photographed the House Ballroom Scene for the past 20 years. I first found out about the scene from a ground breaking documentary film by Jenny Livingston called Paris is Burning that came out in 1991. Wanting to photograph this community, around the early 1990’s, I would hang out in the 42nd Street area of Manhattan in New York City. I would hang out in this one place called Show World, a place where both cisgender* women and transgender women strip for you in these little booths. The place had three floors and upstairs was where the cis women were, while the basement housed trans women. One day I went downstairs and met Danielle Revlon who was the mother of the House of Revlon. This is how the

book project began as Danielle invited me to a ball. I hope that you know that the Ballroom Scene is made up of many houses and each house is like a group that goes to the Balls and competes under one name. Each house has a mother and a father. *Cisgender describes someone whose gender identity generally aligns with what society expects based on their sex assigned at birth; Not transgender What was your inspiration for this project? Wow, that’s a great question. My inspiration came from me seeing people transitioning from male to female and thinking about why someone would do that. I asked myself what were their bodies and minds telling them [in order to make] that transition. I first only photographed male-to-female transgender people in portraits, but then after meeting Danielle, I started attending balls regularly. Over time, I really felt deeply connected to the community. For here was this amazing community founded on an idea of creating a safe space where Black and Latino LGBT and queer people can come and compete for prizes, money, and trophies. Balls were experimenting with the idea of what it means to be queer and Black and Latino in the United States. That’s how I got inspired and that’s why I started documenting the community. What role do you think the ball scene plays in the LGBTQ community? The ball scene is about creativity, innovation and performance. In some ways, it illustrated what Judith Butler calls “gender as performative.” We see how gender can be changed and is not natural or static. So, balls are important outlets are creativity and experimentation. This may be why a lot of designers, makeup artists, and dancers who are from the LGBTQ community come to the balls to compete and work on their skills. It’s the prefect space to see the great designers and vogue dancers. What are your thoughts on how the ball scene is (or can be) weaved into the fabric of Black and Latino History? The Ballroom scene is part of the overall Black and Latino History because it [runs] concurrent to the civil rights movement. It needs to be told along with

Inside Legendary: An interview with photographer Gerard H. Gaskin

mainstream history. In the middle 1960’s Crystal Labeija competed in the white drag balls and felt discriminated against. She was never able to win in such a white space and it was then the [Black and Latino] Ballroom scene started. They started the House of Labeija because it was the Spanish word for beautiful. Balls started around the same time as the Stonewall riots in the West Village in New York City. So, balls occurred at the same time and contributed to and drew energy from civil rights and gay rights struggles. Where can folks find more information about you and you work? Visit http://www.gerardgaskin.com Legendary: Inside the House Ballroom Scene Gerard H. Gaskin, Introduction by Deborah Willis, With an essay by Frank Roberts ISBN 978-0-8223-5582-3, $45.00 cloth trade 120 pages, 92 photos Duke University Press in association with CDS Books of the Center for Documentary Studies, November 2013 Duke University Press: www.dukeupress.edu/Legendary/ Amazon Smile: http://smile.amazon.com (Register at Amazon Smile to support the Pride Center, search for the book title through Amazon Smile)

WORKING TO BRIDGE THE GAP POC HEALTH & THE ACA January has already come and gone and that means that the New York State of Health Marketplace’s Open Enrollment Period is coming to an end. There is still time to apply but, the February 15th deadline for coverage that begins in 2015 is near. We here at the Pride Center have been fielding calls, answering questions and assisting community members with the sometimes seemingly daunting application process. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) made forward leaps in increasing the availability of comprehensive coverage for many LGBT Americans. The ACA prohibits insurance companies from dropping members if they become sick or to deny anyone coverage because they have a pre-existing condition. And, with an emphasis on preventative care and wellness, health insurance plans offered through the marketplace must provide related services at no charge to members.

For more information about the Pride Center of the Capital Regions’ He a lt hc are Enrollment services please contact us by phone at 518 462 6138 or via email at healthcare@ capitalpridecenter.org

1 We the People

Why Congress and U.S.

States

Must

Pass Comprehensive LGBT Nondiscrimination

Protections

- By Sarah McBride, Laura

Durso,

A 2014 Center for American Progress report states that in 2013, 1 in 3 LGBT people with incomes less than 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) – that’s $45,960 for a household of 1- were uninsured. In 2014, it’s 1 in 4. That marks a decrease in the number of uninsured from 34% to 26%.1 Although the overall number of uninsured LGBT identified individuals has decreased since the rollout of the ACA, there still exists a divide separating success from failure within our community.

Hannah

Hussey,

Sharita

Gruberg,

At a disproportionately higher risk of homophobia, cultural stigma, racial discrimination, physical violence and unemployment; LGBT People of Color are also more likely to have less access to integral mental and physical health services than their white counterparts.2

State -

Looking to Black History Month and beyond, we must ask ourselves - how can we further our work to increase and support access to the services that will better the health and wellbeing of our LGBT POC community members and foster a greater understanding of what equity can attain.

and Human Services

and Bishop Gene Robinson – Center for American Progress - December 2014

2 LGBT Health and Human

Services

Needs in New York pared

Report Preby

Somjen

Frazer for the Empire State Pride Agenda foundation and the New York State Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender

Health

Network - 2009

AIDS COUNCIL of NORTHEASTERN NEW YORK HAS A NEW NAME After three decades of helping our community navigate one of the deadliest diseases known to the human race, the AIDS Council of Northeastern New York kicked of the year with a new name. On January 1st the AIDS Council of Northeastern New York changed its name to the Alliance for Positive Health. This was not a decision that was entered into lightly; Board members, staff, community members, and clients were all equally involved in this yearlong process. Although the organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission remains the same, this new name better reflects the expanded services that the organization delivers today and helps to keep its vision of inspiring healthy lives and caring communities in focus. The name Alliance for Positive Health encompasses all the unique services and benefits the agency provides throughout its 15-county community in Northeastern New York. HIV/AIDS will continue to be at the core of the services offered, but by

changing its name, the agency can build a larger umbrella that provides services based on the needs of the community. The Alliance for Positive Health has helped clients to address issues around substance abuse, self-esteem, and decision-making while also helping them access resources that promote making healthier choices. The organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new direction is due in large part to the medical advances that have transformed AIDS into a manageable disease and have allowed HIV positive persons to live longer, healthier lives. In fact, statistics show that more people are living with HIV/AIDS today than at any time in the epidemicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history. As a result, HIV positive persons have developed other chronic illnesses that they need help managing, which is why the agency has expanded its services time and time again in direct response to the needs of clients. Today the organization serves individuals at risk or suffering from HIV/AIDS, as well

as economically stressed individuals facing diabetes, heart disease, obesity, asthma, substance use disorders and serious mental illness. In addition, the Alliance for Positive Health has extended its services to include HIV negative individuals who may have unmet health needs. In addition to expanded care management services, the agency continues to screen for and help prevent conditions including HIV/AIDS, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia and hepatitis C, and when needed link positive results to care; make the transition smoother for those reentering the community from incarceration; help the LGBT community advocate for their health care; and enroll those who were previously uninsured in health insurance. There is so much hope with what is happening with HIV/AIDS. The organization is turning the corner into something new, as well as continuing to serve and help those who have been underserved, and those who have been living on the margins. By changing its name to the Alliance for Positive Health, the organization hopes to welcome more people in need of its services and remind supporters of the positive impact their generosity has on the lives of others. To find out more information about the services of the organization please visit our new website: allianceforpositivehealth. org or call 518.434.4686.

Have you put yourself at risk?

Need PrEP or HIV testing? Albany Medical Center offers free assesment for PrEP and free HIV testing. www.amc.edu/HIV

Call 518.262.6923 for more information.

A Report Back from January’s CALL TO ACTION by

James Shultis

You may have heard the sad news early in January about a young transgender teen, Leelah Alcorn, who committed suicide after years of not receiving the support she needed at home and in school. In her suicide note was a call to action, urging her death to move people to advocate for change, and transgender rights. In her memory, and in support of transgender and gender non-conforming youth in our communities, the Pride Center organized a Community Rally/Vigil, March, and Youth Speak Out on January 9th. At that event over 100 people braved the cold to come out in support of trans and gender nonconforming young people. The event would not have been possible without the generosity of the First Presbyterian Church, the Social Justice Center, and so many other organizations and individuals who are here today. Our partners include In Our Own Voices, the Alliance for Positive Health (formerly the AIDS Council), the Albany Damien Center, the Empire State Pride Agenda, and the Albany Police Department (who helped marchers cross the streets safely to get to the Youth Speak Out). Because not everyone was able to attend, we wanted to share with commUNITY, the opening remarks spoken by James Shultis, the Pride Center’s Youth Program Coordinator. Sharing these, it is the Pride Center’s hope that more people will come together in the future, continuing the dialogue, and helping to prevent more lives being lost. “I want to acknowledge that we must also

recognize all of the other trans individuals, particularly trans people of color who don’t get the same spotlight. As a trans person, I want to help end violence against trans people, AND we need to name the racism embedded in the making of trans legacies. The following is short excerpt from the blog “Black Girl Dangerous” that I encourage everyone to read, and I believe speaks to the lives that are so often left out of the media response. These lives should not only be mentioned, but spoken loudly at CALLS OF ACTION like this one.

Within the LGBTQ community, trans people of color face disproportionately high murder and violence rates compared to our white counterparts. Media coverage of injustices against trans people is racially fragmented. While everyone is quick to circulate petitions online in Leelah’s name and be distinguished as allies for the trans community, why do they continue to turn a blind eye to the lives and deaths of trans women of color? These are the names that testify to the twisted disfiguration of trans legacies by our deeplyinstilled racist belief that white lives somehow matter more. These are the names that indicate how our response (or lack thereof) is contingent on race. These are the names that are erased from the trans narrative: Islan. Alejandra. Tiffany. Jennifer. Gizzy. Zoraida. Kandy. Yaz’min. Where is our heartbreak? Where is our frustration, our rage, our tears? Where is the sudden outpour of support and advocacy, where are the protests, where is our justice?

Islan. Alejandra. Tiffany. Jennifer. Gizzy. Zoraida. Kandy. Yaz’min. These are just a few of the names of trans women of color who were murdered in the past year and a half. These are the names that will never be pushed off the tips of our tongues when we discuss trans legacies, because they were never there in the first place. These are the names that will never be entitled to a place in our construction of mainstream LGBTQ history. These are the names that are stepped on, bleached, stowed away, stolen from, names that will never have a place on headlines or in mission statements, names that will never make it beyond a biased and fabricated police report. These are the names that do not elicit the same fire, the same drive for justice, the same magnitude of compassion, the same measure of grief. Islan. Alejandra. Tiffany. Jennifer. Gizzy. Zoraida. Kandy. Yaz’min. Leelah. These are the names that cannot be forgotten.

This is just a beginning. It is my hope, the Pride Center’s hope, that we can continue this dialogue with all of you, to make sure that the number of people that are here tonight are the same folks that show up to #blacklivesmatter rallies, to other LGBTQ rallies, to so many other things that touch the people in our communities.” James Shultis is the Youth Program Coorinator at the Pride Center of the Capital Region. You can reach him at jshultis@ capitalpridecenter.org

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

TR A NS* V IEW

ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD by Moonhawk RiverStone

a few of the Most Obvious Problems

Not all medically necessary interventions may be covered such as breast reconstruction surgery or facial reconstruction surgery; The document seems to spend a lot of time detailing what to do if your medically necessary treatment is rejected by the insurance company--no a sign that insurance companies will “get it” about trans health care; You must have a diagnosis of Gender Dysphoria to receive treatment, this diagnosis will follow you as part of your medical history until death-there is no exit criteria for when one’s gender dysphoria is resolved; GD is a controversial diagnosis and most clinicians treating transgender people believe it is based in old, bad science and are loath to support the continuation of such outdated diagnosis; the state’s use of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 is admirable, but misplaced as transgenderism is increasingly seen as a congenital condition and not a psychiatric condition; furthermore, transgender people reject the idea that transgenderism is a mental illness; The policies appear not to have been grounded in the WPATH standards of care, v. 7, pub. 9/2011 as many of their requirements appear to be based in versions 5 or 6, again they are based in old outdated science; The Medicaid regulation specifically excludes anyone under 21 from care, not only a direct violation of the WPATH, SOC but not in keeping with current treatment protocols that dictate treatment of children be on a case by case basis. Puberty suppression is life saving treatment as is early hormone treatment and/or genital reconstruction surgery for a tiny subset of the youth transgender population. To deny these treatments is causing grave harm to transgender youth.

At the close of 2014, the transgender community took delivery on some pretty impressive policy changes - a nice note to end the year. First on December 8, 2014, the New York City Council passed a bill codifying into law a birth certificate change policy that was pro transgender. All transgender people whether adults or children can now change their birth certificate to align with their gender as they understand it without having to undergo hormone therapy or genital reconstruction surgery--those providers who can help facilitate this change include all levels of mental health providers. Unlike the upstate New York policy regulation that just allows adults to change their birth certificates and ONLY allows for medical doctors to provide the documentation, the NYC law is in keeping with the current state of transgenderism care. The New York State Department of Health has a lot of growing up and moving into the 21st Century on trans issues to do! It is hoped that they move quickly before parents of transgender children start filing lawsuits. The second set of changes to happen were with regard to health insurance. The Affordable Care Act promises transgender health care in its language that no one is to be discriminated against with regard to health care. The Governor in a letter issued by the Department of Finance sent to all private health insurers stated that transgender people should have health insurance coverage for medically necessary care. Coinciding with that a day or so later, the prohibitions in state Medicaid were eliminated along similar lines to the health insurance regulation. However, the Medicaid changes have a required 45 day comment period, likely having closed or drawing to a close as this column is published in early February 2015. Both of these policies afford transgender people some basic starter coverage, but both are filled with problems and drawbacks, mainly grounded in what is clearly a lack of knowledge and/or understanding of the state of the art in transgenderism care. It is clear that Department of Health and

Department of Finance officials never spoke with transgender care experts, or if they did, they ignored what was likely said to them. The first big problem about these changes is that many companies mostly huge companies like hospitals, Fortune 500 companies, religious nonprofits, etc. cover their employees under Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) or what are called self-insured plans. Self-insured means the company is the financial backer (not an insurance company) for the health plan, essentially the company is acting as a health insurer. The average employee would not know this unless they asked, and it can be deceiving because of how the plans are administered. ERISA plans are not overseen or governed by any state or federal entity, so they can do just about anything in their coverage for employees. A company with a self insured plan will typically not reinvent the wheel and go out to private insurance companies and hire the insurance company to manage their self-insured plan. The plan will typically be one of the plans the insurance company offers through its own insurance avenues. Since there is no governing body to demand that self-insured plans cover transgender health, it is almost always left out. The only exception to that is certain companies who want to get a 100% score with the Health Equality Index (HEI) at the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). While there is not any data on how many companies are self-insured or how many transgender people work for them, we can surmise that it is a significant amount of people, given the large population of New York State and its corporate structure. Recently, the interpretation of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act by both the Dept. of Labor and Dept. of Justice at the federal level to protect transgender people under the category of sex holds the most promise for transgender people under selfinsured plans to get transition related health coverage. However, it will take a lawsuit to fully check that out.

It is clear that Department of Health & Department of Finance officials never spoke with transgender care experts, or if they did, they ignored what was likely said to them. To detail the problems with the new health insurance and Medicaid coverage would take several Trans View columns. I have outlined a few of the most obvious ones in the sidebar. So, thanks, but....There’s still an enormous amount of education work to be done with state health care officials to quickly modify these policies to be in alignment with what is actually happening in the field and to include all transgender people. Meanwhile, if you are transgender and will be seeking transition related health services and seeking new employment be aware that if you choose a company with a self-insured plan you’re very likely stuck and out of luck for coverage. Hold out if you can for an employer who offers private health coverage, then you’re covered. Until next time...T

Rev. Moonhawk River Stone of Riverstone Consulting is an Interfaith Minister, transgender activist, writer, educator, consultant, keynote speaker and psychotherapist in private practice for over 25 years with experience and extensive expertise in all aspects of transgender policy and health.

2015

LGBTQA Professionals Networking Event Join us for the next Lesbain, Gay, B i s e x u a l , Trans*, Queer and Allied Professionals’ Networking Event TUESDAY MARCH 3, 2015 6-8PM PECK’S ARCADE 217 Broadway Troy $10 Suggested Donation

1883

PECK'S ARCADE

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 Interim Healthcare 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 Tri City Rentals Wells Fargo

- JOIN TODAY! - www.capitalpridecenter.org/resources/business-alliance

HERE’S GUFFMAN by PATRICK WHITE

THIS IS THE GOLDEN AGE While it is primarily the goal of this column to highlight and celebrate local theatre in all its splendor in the Capital Region, it would be very foolish to not throw a little light on New York City every now and then. It is, after all the theatre capital of the world and is currently in the midst of a golden age unprecedented in its depth and breadth and it’s only 2 and a half hours away. When I think of the golden age of American theatre I’m talking about New York in the ‘50s. I did summer stock with a gentleman named Arthur “Bucky” Walsh who had a brief career in New York before moving to Westerly, RI to raise a family where I met him. Bucky told me stories about doing the live radio show of “I Remember Mama and catching a cab west changing into his costume in the backseat for that evening’s performance of “Stalag 17” and having borscht with Brando at Café Edison. It all sounded positively romantic and enchanted…especially to someone slogging thru New York in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Yes, “Streetcar” and “Salesman” opened in the ‘40s but that decade had a worldwide conflagration which overshadowed everything else. The ‘50s did have new plays by Arthur Miller and Tennessee Williams such as “The Crucible,” “A View From the Bridge,” “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof ” and “Sweet Bird of Youth.” New plays that expanded our conception of who we are and the world around us like “Tea and Sympathy,” “The Diary of Anne Frank,” “A Raisin in the Sun” and “Member of the Wedding” all premiered on Broadway. A short list of ‘50’s musicals could easily be mistaken for a comprehensive list of the greatest musicals ever written“Guys and Dolls,” “My Fair Lady,”

“Gypsy,” “Carousel,” “The Music Man,” “West Side Story”… The ‘50’s also brought the landmark production of William’s “Summer and Smoke” at the original Circle-in-the-Square inaugurating off-Broadway theatre. A common complaint about Broadway is that it is inhospitable to new plays BUT this year there is 2013’s Pulitzer Winner “Disgraced” by Ayad Akhtar, Hugh Jackman in Jez Butterworth’s “The River,” Olivier award winning Nick Payne’s “Constellations” starring Jake Gyllenhaal and the hysterical “Hand to God” by Robert Askins featuring a filthy talking hand puppet. Joe Mantello will also be transferring from Chicago’s Steppenwolf his production of Lisa D’Amour’s “Airline Highway” to Manhattan Theatre Club’s Samuel Friedman Theatre. Revivals of David Hare’s “Skylight” and Wendy Wasserstein’s “Heidi Chronicles” are also anticipated. All 40 Broadway houses are booked months in advance and usually with a waiting list. So tight is the occupancy that “It’s Only a Play” is spending $800,000 to extend its hit run and move next door because their current theatre is spoken for by Peter Morgan’s “The Audience” starring Helen Mirren. Other highlights of this theatrical plenty are that the less desirable three theatres east of Broadway (The Cort, Lyceum & Belasco) are continuously booked and just as Michael Cera in “This Is Our Youth” closes at The Cort, HBO’s Larry David’s highly anticipated “Fish in the Dark” moves in. Another promising sign is the Winter Garden’s return to hosting drama with a visit by the Royal Shakespeare Company presenting Mike Poulton’s adaptation of Hillary Mantel’s Booker Prize winning “Wolf Hall.”

To some Broadway is only about the musical and that’s looking awfully healthy as well. New musicals have been fashioned from the films “Honeymoon in Vegas,” “Finding Neverland,” “Dr. Zhivago” and “An American in Paris.” There are Broadway revivals of “The King & I” and “On the Twentieth Century” with honest to goodness Broadway stars in Kelli O’Hara and Kristen Chenoweth respectively. There are new musicals “It Shoulda Been You” about a wedding gone wrong and “Something Rotten!” about two bumblers in Shakespeare’s day who happen upon a new art form-the musical! There’s also a transfer form off-Broadway’s Public Theatre of Lisa Kron’s “Fun Home” about growing up gay in the family funeral parlor. What’s most convincing about the argument that this is the golden age in New York is that it isn’t merely confined to Broadway. Off-Broadway has new plays by Lin-Manuel Miranda, David Ives, Doug Wright, Rajiv Joseph, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Robert Askins, Melissa James Gibson, Bruce Norris, Neil LaBute, Athol Fugard, Andy Sandberg, Jesse Eisenberg & Halley Feiffer. And New York is more than one borough: Brian Dennehey and Nathan Lane star in O’Neill’s masterwork “The Iceman Cometh” at BAM while John Tiffany helms an adaptation of “Let the Right One In” at St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn.

Patrick is an actor, director and teacher who is playing Vladimir in Confetti Stage’s production of “Waiting For Godot” 2/27-3/8. His adult acting classes are continuing until 5/2 and enquiries can be directed to white.patrick1963@gmail.com

THE PRIDE CENTER IS SEEKING SUBMISSIONS FOR LGBTQA YOUTH ART SHOW Sign-up Deadline: Fri., February 20th Drop-off Dates: Fri., February 27th to Tues., March 3rd. One piece per artist. For more info: (518) 462-6138 jshultis@capitalpridecenter.org

Special Events

Thursday 2/5 45th Anniversary Kickoff Reception Follow the Yellow Brick Road!

The Pride Center and 45th anniversary co-chairs Gloria DeSole, Norman Rea, and University at Albany President Robert Jones are pleased to invite you to celebrate 45 years as the community’s center. Join us as we kick off our 45th anniversary celebrating our history as the oldest continuously operating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community center. Lite Fare, Cash Bar Tickets online: www.capitalpridecenter.org Thursday, February 5 The Linda - WAMC Performing Arts Center 339 Central Ave., Albany 6-8 pm $45 Suggested / $80 Honorary Committee (no one turned will be away)

Friday 2/20 Frostbite Ball

Bring your friends, dancing shoes and singing voice! Free snacks too! We’re stoked to be bring you another year of fun with our FROSTBITE BALL: LGBTQA+ Youth Dance Party & Karaoke Showdown! The FROSTBITE BALL is for LGBTQA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, asexual, and allied) youth ages 18 and under! Free, Confidential HIV testing and Pride Center Staff on hand to answer all your questions ...about anything, really. THIS IS A SAFE, INCLUSIVE SPACE Friday, February 20 eba Center for Dance & Fitness 351 Hudson Ave., Albany 7 - 10 pm $5

LOOKING AHEAD :

Friday 2/6 Opening Reception: Remembering the Forgotten Join artist Rachel Briedster for a special 1st Friday reception in celebration of the opening of her show, Remembering the Forgotten in the Romaine Brooks Gallery. Friday, February 2 Romaine Brooks Gallery 332 Hudson Ave, Albany 5-9 pm Free!

LOOKING AHEAD :

Join us for the MARCH Lesbain, Gay, Bisexual, Trans*, Queer and Allied Professionals’ Networking Event. TUESDAY MARCH 3, 2015 6-8PM PECK’S ARCADE 217 Broadway, Troy $10 Suggested Donation 1883

PECK'S ARCADE

GET EVENT UPDATES: 31

Affiliate Events

The Albany Gay Men’s Chorus rehearses on Tuesday evenings from 6:45 to 9:00pm at the First Lutheran Church. For more information: Website: www.albanygmc. org, E-mail: albanygmc@yahoo.com, Voice-mail: (518) 459-7563 or join us on Facebook at: Albany Gay Men’s Chorus - AGMC. We have just begun rehearsals for our June concerts. Please join us.

Pride Center Legacy Society WHAT IS YOUR LEGACY, YOUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE?

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

Planning

for the future can be difficult. But planning for ourselves and our families is vitally important. By preparing now, you can make sure your wishes are honored by people you love and trust. AND WITH A LITTLE PLANNING TODAY, YOU CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS TOMORROW.

Consider leaving a gift to the Pride Want to know more? CALL (518) 462 – 6138 for information.

Center through your Will, Trust, or other Estate Plan.

AUDITIONS / CALL FOR ENTRIES Open Auditions for All Performers 2/06: Be a part of the show at this year’s Say It Loud: Black & LAtino Gay Pride! Open auditions and coaching for all types of acts, all are welcome! Conact Gabby for more information, questions. 6pm In Our Own Voices 245 Lark St., Albany (518) 432-4188 FUN & GAMES / ETCETERA Gay Skate Tuesdays: An open skate for the LGBTQ Community! $9.50 w. Skate Rental / $6.50 w. your own skates. For more info contact David at DB40@AOL.com or (518) 573-3962 - 7-9:30pm Rollarama Skating Center 2710 Hamburg St., Schenectady KARAOKE Mondays: Waterworks - 10pm - 2am, No Cover 76 Central Ave, Albany Thursdays: Oh Bar - 10pm - 1am, 21+, No Cover 304 Lark St., Albany Fridays: Waterworks Pub - 10pm 18+ (w. cover) 76 Central Ave, Albany Rocks - 9pm-12am, 77 Central Ave, Albany Saturdays: Circus Cafe - 10pm - 2am, 21+ 392 Broadway, Saratoga OPEN MIC / LITERARY Wednesday, 2/9: Live from the Livingroom open mic w. featured poet - 7pm The Pride Center, Garden Level 332 Hudson Ave, Albany Thursday 2/5 & 2/19: Open Minded Mic & Talent Showcase (for all performers)8-10pm Rocks 77 Central Ave., Albany (518) 472-3588

Calendar

Thursday of each month from 6-7:30pm Out of the Closet I am (Women’s support group): 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month from 6:30pm-8pm Voices of Unity (Trans*women support group): 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month from 6pm-7:30pm Groups listed above meet at In Our Own Voices 245 Lark St., Albany (518) 432-4188 Trans Partners Group: provides support for people to discuss and explore their relationships with trans-identified or gender non-conforming individuals. Open to people currently in partnerships with trans-people or people exploring their gender identities. Monthly on Tuesdays at 5pm. Contact Faith Hoffman at faith@choicesconsulting.com for more information. Choices Counseling and Consulting 523 Western Ave. Suite 2A Albany, NY 12203-1617 (518)438-2222 SPECIAL EVENTS Happy Queer Year! 2/05: Having trouble keeping up with your New Year’s Resolution? Need a little extra motivation? BeCLEAR is offering a free night of food, fun, and giveaways to help recharge your goals by working one-on-one with our expert. Please RSVP by calling Shane at 518-434-4686 x 2323 as space is limited. - 5:30pm Alliance for Posttive Health 927 Broadway, Albany (518) 434-4686 Soul Food Lunch 2/07: In celebration of National Black HIV Awareness Day enjoy a free lunch and free HIV Testing - 11am- 4 pm In Our Own Voices 245 Lark St., Albany (518) 432-4188 State of HIV in Black America :The intersection of health, education & community in the fight to end AIDs 2/06: Free - 8:30-11:30am Campus South Center 20 Warren St., Albany

Bowling for Paws 2015 2/15: $30-$200 for tickets or to donate visit: www.albanydamiencenter.org/ bowling-for-paws.html or call The Albany Damien Center at 449-7119 ext. 112 - 11am – 3pm Playdium Bowl 363 Ontario St., Albany SPORTS Albany Bomber’s Hockey 2/21: vs. Lucky B’s. - 7:00pm Knickerbacker Ice Arena 191 103rd St., Troy 2/28 : vs Nite Owls - 7:00pm Knickerbacker Ice Arena 191 103rd St., Troy Albany Empire Soccer Club 2/02: Albany Empire Firestar -played at Latham 3 - 9:45pm 2/04: Albany Empire Ratchet -played at Latham 3 - 9:50pm 2/04: Albany Empire Ironhide -played at Latham 3 - 10:45pm 2/05: Albany Empire Cliffjumper -played at Latham 2 - 9:50pm 2/09: Albany Empire Firestar - played at - played at Latham 1- 7:20 PM 2/12: Albany Empire Ratchet -played at Latham 3 - 8:10pm 2/12: Albany Empire Cliffjumper -played at Latham 4 - 9:05 PM 2/12: Albany Empire Ironhide -played at Latham 4 - 10pm 2/17: Albany Empire Firestar -played at Latham 4 - 8:15pm 2/18: Albany Empire Ironhide - played at Latham 2 - 9:10pm 2/19: Albany Empire Cliffjumper played at Latham 4 - 8:40pm Games are played at the Latham Dome 4 Jacqueline Ave., Latham, NY 12110 for the lates follow: www.facebook.com/ AlbanyEmpireSoccerClub

gs pot.com r

wrpi.org

TRIVIA Tuesdays: Rocks -8-10pm 77 Central Ave, Albany Wednesdays: Oh Bar - 9pm-12am 304 Lark St., Albany

22 s

year s

the

voic

SOCIAL / SUPPORT GROUPS Men’s Empowerment Group: 1st & 3rd To have your event listed email the details to info@capitalpridecenter.org by the 15th of the month BEFORE the event. See more events at www.capitalpridecenter.org/upcoming-events/

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

y ve ng as to the serve voice as to the serve voice as the voice Proudly continuing to the serve as the voice uing lycontinuing continuing Proudly to serve continuing as to the serve voice Proudly as to the serve voice continuing as voice to serve as voice Proudly continuing to the serve as the voice Proudly continuing to serve as the voice fter munity GBT 22 community years… after 22 years… after 22 years… of the LGBT community after 22 years… mmunity LGBT of the community after LGBT 22 community years… after of 22 the years… after LGBT 22 community years… after 22 years… Proudly continuing Proudly continuing Proudly to serve continuing as to the serve voice as to the serve voice as the voice of the LGBT community after 22 years… of the LGBT community after 22 years… 33 ofPM the LGBT of the community LGBT of the community after LGBT22 community years… after 22 years… after 22 years… unday M Live – every 2every PM 10AM Sunday – 2 –continuing 22 PM Proudly Proudly continuing Proudly toPM serve continuing to the serve voice toPM the serve voice the voice Live every Sunday 10AM –as 2 PM Sunday Live 10AM Sunday Live – every 210AM PM 10AM Sunday – PM 10AM Live – every 2 Sunday 10AM – as 2 Live every Sunday 10AM –as 2 PM

k WRPI FM us “OUT”: or 91.5 wrpi.org FM WRPI or“OUT”: 91.5 wrpi.org FM or wrpi.org Live every Sunday 10AM 2Check PM us “OUT”: WRPI 91.5 FM or wrpi.org ck ”: WRPI us “OUT”: Check 91.5 WRPI FM us or 91.5 wrpi.org FM WRPI or Check 91.5 wrpi.org FM us– “OUT”: or wrpi.org WRPI 91.5 FM or wrpi.org Check us “OUT”: WRPI 91.5 FM wrpi.org of the LGBT of the community LGBT of the community after LGBT 22 community years… after 22 years… after 22 Live every Sunday Live every 10AM Sunday Live – or every 2 PM 10AM Sunday – 2 PM 10AM – 2 PMyears… • 276.6248 io.blogspot.com homoradio.blogspot.com • homoradio.blogspot.com continuing Proudly continuing Proudly towrpi.org serve continuing as to the serve voice as to the serve voice as the voice Check us Proudly “OUT”: WRPI 91.5 FM or

REMEMBERING THE FORGOTTEN WITH ARTIST RACHEL BRIEDSTER Who and/or what inspires you artistically? I am inspired primarily by nature. I am fascinated by the strength and diversity that exists without any human assistance or interaction. For example, I have a rock collection. People ask me why. I wish I had a profound answer, but the truth is, because I am in awe of how beautiful they are. There is a seemingly neverending supply of colors, shapes, sizes, textures- and all of them are created completely naturally without human intervention. Humans do some really incredible things, but nature is just awe inspiring. How does your personal life influence your work, if at all? My personal life influences my work in several ways. I enjoy being outside- I’m a hiker, climber, kayaker, general outdoors person. Being outdoors all the time gives me exposure to so many places that I like to photograph. I also like to explore areas that others may think are too difficult to access. In part I do this because I want to just live life as fully as I can, but in part because I truly think that’s where you find the beauty. I feel like some of the strongest passions or abilities to love come from the ability to withstand and survive tragedy, and so too, some of the most beautiful scenes come from complete darkness or destruction. What, if any, are the themes that run through your work? Do you find yourself returning to certain motifs ore ideas, and why? I think there are a few core ideas or motifs that permeate my work. The first is the strength of nature. For example, some of the institutions I’ve been in have been built with the minds, funds, and labor of literally hundreds of people. Incredible amounts of effort and resources went into creating these massive structures. When we leave them behind, and stop leaving a human imprint on the space, nature slowly, quietly just works her way back in. Less than 10 years later, tree branches break through windows, moss creeps across floors, vines infiltrate foundations and walls, climbing up and covering entire structures.

Eventually, it will be almost as if those structures never existed at all. Will they have changed the environment? Yes, but ultimately, nature is stronger and more purposeful and I think there I find a certain sense of relief in that. The other theme that I tend to find in my work is photographing different objects in dark spaceschairs in particular. Light coming through windows into otherwise unlit spaces. I enjoy seeing the space that was touched by so many, but never seen in this light. I enjoy wondering who sat in those chairs? What were their dreams? What was their story? Where are they now? These places have myriad untold stories just waiting to be discovered. It’s amazing. What do you think the purpose of art is in the world? What is the purpose of your own art? I think we live in a pretty harsh world. There is a lot of sadness, hurt, anger, tragedy- harsh stuff. I think the purpose of art is to help us find beauty. Sometimes it’s a brightly colored painting of a daisy in a sunlit field, but sometimes it’s in places that on first glance just appear painful- or even ugly. In general I think of grief as devastating, dark, awful- but by default, it’s also then incredible. The fact that we have the capacity to feel those emotions is a profoundly beautiful thing. So art has the opportunity to help us see beauty- both in conventional and unconventional spaces. And I think that celebrating beauty is an increasingly important part of the human existence. I hope that my work helps people to see a beauty that’s often overlooked. What are the proudest accomplishments, artistic and otherwise? Honestly, my proudest accomplishment would probably just be how much I have grown and changed as a person- not a specific event. I am willing to engage in a lot of self-examination and exploration, and critical conversations with people who have divergent thoughts and experiences from my own. As a result I think I am always changing, growing and remaining open to new experienceseven the really hard ones. While that may not sound all that significant, for

me, my commitment to pushing past fear and discomfort and embracing my truth is pretty paramount and has only come through a lot of hard work. What is the medium of your artwork, and why do you work in that medium? Well, I paint, I make jewelry, I do mixed media, but currently I’m focusing mostly on photography. I love to create things. I love to find ways to speak to people without using words. In particular I love when I can create something that speaks specifically to a person’s interest or passion. What is the title and theme of your show, and how did it originate, develop and execute it? The title of the show is Remembering the Forgotten. It is a collection of images from abandoned spaces across New York State including factories, resorts, institutions, and more. I suppose it has been a long time in the making. When I started photographing abandoned spaces I never anticipated that I would be showing my work to the public. I took photos of things that spoke to me, resonated with me, or were beautiful to me. Over time I’ve collected hundreds of images that represent different aspects of spaces that have been forgotten by humanity. Whether it’s for a sense of history, the telling of a story, or just for the aesthetics, this show contains images that I think are important for us to remember. Beyond that, I hope that the images inspire people to think, to question and to critically examine the ways that humans’ actions affect the environment and others around us, and remember those feelings when taking action in their daily lives.

Remembering the Forgotten: Photographs by Rachel Briedster will open at the Romaine Brooks Gallery with a special reception on Feb. 6th and will be on view through Mar. 1st

agmc

is an affiliate of

AGMC

AGMC is looking for new members Albany Gay Men’s Chorus

Rehearsals are Tuesdays 6:45 - 9:00 pm at the First Lutheran Church of Albany. For more Information Website: www.albanygmc.org E-mail: albanygmc@yahoo.com Voice-mail: 518-459-7563 Join us on facebook... Albany Gay Men’s Chorus - agmc

EVENTS THINGS TO DO CONTESTS

Advertisers Index Albany.com.....35 Albany Gay Men’s Chorus....35 Albany Medical Center.....24 Buenau’s Opticians.....32 Canterbury Animal Hospital.....16 Choices Counseling & Consulting.....15 Corey Jamison Consulting.....14 Drue Sanders Custom Jewelers.....11 HomoRadio.....33 Interim Healthcare.....19 Jay Zhang Photography.....25 Law Office of Geri Pomerantz....18 R’Eisen Shine Farm.....26 Joseph Roche, Accountant.....26 Ronnie Mangione, Financial Advisor.....16 Lesbian and Gay Families Building Project.....11 Montgomery County Office for the Aging.....37 Northeast Acura.....19 Proctors.....12 Qfest.....39 Queer Engineer.....32 RBC Wealth Management.....16 Realty USA - The Capital Team.....19 RiverStone Consulting.....14 Saratoga Pride.....32 Security Plumbing and Heating Supply.....35 Skylands Services.....16 Spectrum 8 Theatre..... 30 The State Room.....11 Times Union Center.....30 Tri City Rentals.....40 Welcoming Congregations.....14 Wells Fargo Advisors.....19 Thomas J. Walling, CFP® / Cetera Advisor Networks.....37 Mark Witecki CPA, CFP......36

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

Guide to the Capital Region DINING NIGHTLIFE DIRECTORY & MORE!

ASK MARK YO U R TA X Q U ESTI O N S

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 Witecki, I own a small business and recently bought some customized software. I got charged sales tax on that software. Now I am hearing from some people that I should not have paid sales tax on it. What’s the right answer? Signed, Not Sure Dear Not Sure, The taxability of software depends in part whether the software is off the shelf software or purely customized software, whether the software is off the shelf software with only a bit of customizing or purely customized software. Check your invoice to see if the charges are separated for the customization. Since this is a complex area, I would suggest setting up an appointment to view the invoice and discuss the level of customization to see if any of the sales tax can be refunded or abated. =============================

Hello, I am a professional clown. I am sick and tired of people making fun of me. =============================

They don’t take me seriously. I finish my act with a serious song but people just laugh. I travel all around the state and I would feel better if I made more money. I spend more on expenses than I take in most years, but last year I did pretty good. I just feel exhausted with all the travel I do. I really feel that I can make more money and it’s starting to pay off. I would like to set up a pension plan with any profits I am making. What would you suggest?

letter. Since your preparer will not return your calls, please contact me to set up an appointment and I will be happy to assist you with the issue. =============================

Readers,

Be aware of the new requirements this year if you own rental property or have a business in regards to the repair/capitalization rules and the new rules on materials and supplies and the filing of form 3115.

Not Clowning Around Anymore and Nobody’s Doormat Dear Not, I assume that the first part of your letter was written in a comedic state of mind. As to the pension, it depends on the level of profit and also any participation in any other plans. There are many types and some with limits on profits. The best bet is to contact me for an appointment as this issue needs to be discussed in detail. =============================

Mr. Witecki, I just received a letter from the Internal Revenue Service that I failed to report a sale of stock. I remember giving that info to my tax preparer and now I call her and she does not answer the phone. What to do? Sign me, Frustrated. Dear Frustrated, I assume there is a deadline on that =============================

============================= 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 =============================

=============================

Mark D. Witecki

Certified Public Accountant Certified Financial Planner™ Certified Fraud Examiner Tax Preparation 3701 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12304 (518) 346-4000 f: (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

MONEY MATTERS by

Thomas

Walling

Can Your Conscience Pay Off? Things have changed. Investing with your conscience was usually not associated with increased return on your money. Traditionally, Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) was associated with the exclusion of “sin stocks” such as tobacco, alcohol, gambling, and/or weapon involved companies, etc. In contrast, a new trend is surfacing utilizing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) rating. Instead of excluding companies, ESG is used to rate inherent risk due to certain factors. ESG says that these factors should be seen as a risk screener. It does not exclude stocks, so diversification is improved compared to the SRI. Risk is defined in Financial Services as probability of loss. Environmental factors include sustainability and environmental impact. Social issues include human rights issues, women’s issues, as well as workplace equality. Governance Issues include corporate transparency, management and executive issues, and accounting. All companies have risk factors. An informed investor will take all of these into consideration before making an investment. Think about it. A lumber company is just knocking down trees. Another company is rotating areas of trees and planting new saplings for future use. The second company is more sustainable. Environmental impact is associated with many variables including: greenhouse gas emission,

pollutants, and anything else that harms our planet. Doesn’t it make sense to take these factors into consideration as they truly are risks? Environmental risks could very negatively affect the bottom line of your quarterly statement. Polluters may have to pay for dredging or fines associated with their noncompliance. The less sustainable lumber company may just run out of trees as rainforests and wilderness areas are preserved. Social issues may not seem so important to a company’s bottom line, but take into account that the majority of growth is usually fueled by innovation. Innovation requires talent. Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple has recently come out as gay. One would wonder if he would have taken a job with a company that did not offer Domestic Partner benefits in the pre-Marriage Equality days. Benefits are used to entice valuable employees to stay as well as attract new talent. Overseas companies that have unregulated labor or have unsafe work conditions also run the risk of loss of goodwill, political changes, and lawsuits. Transparency is paramount in making investment decisions. Companies that have nothing to hide, usually hide nothing. It is difficult to make an informed decision without getting information as accurately as possible. If compensation does not match the job done, investors can see this as Executive indulgence. Board diversity would seem important in getting differing cultural and demographic viewpoints, allowing for more input before making a decision. These are but some of the Governance factors. So, let’s look at the bottom line. How does incorporating these factors into

your investment strategy affect the growth of your money? According to Commomfund.org’s Whitepaper from September of 2013, “findings for an 18 year period showed that high sustainability firms dramatically outperformed the low sustainability ones in both stock market and accounting measures…in the long term.” The same report showed that SRI (or exclusionary investing) did not significantly affect return. Among others, the ISS (Institutional Shareholder Services) reports on companies’ corporate governance scores broken down into categories. So, the research is available. In conclusion, it does seem possible to achieve your financial goals while incorporating your values. In the case of ESG screening, you may even lower your long term risk. There are many ways to incorporate these factors into your investment strategy. Speak with a financial professional to get information and determine what is right for you and your conscience. 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 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

MICHAEL COOKS AND YOU CAN TOO by MICHAEL MEADE

Dinner for a Cold Winter Night February is the month when we can see the light at the end of the tunnel; December and January are behind us and if we can just hang on a little longer, Spring is on the horizon. But we still have a few cold, dark snowy evenings ahead of us and it’s time to hunker down and warm ourselves up with some real comfort food. Here’s a recipe to help with that: pork chops slowly cooked in apple cider and white wine. It’s a hearty, flavorful dish, perfect for a winter night with friends gathered around your table. Serve it with mashed potatoes or small boiled red potatoes, a brightly-colored vegetable and a loaf of crusty bread. Then, follow it up with Chocolate Bread Pudding, a meltingly-rich twist on a classic comfort food dessert. See, Winter’s not so bad after all!

Transfer to a plate. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons oil to the pan and return it to medium-high heat. Add the pork chops and sear until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Turn and brown on the second side, 3-4 minutes. Transfer to the plate holding the onion. Place the pan over medium heat and pour in the cider and vinegar. Stir to scrape up any browned bits on the pan bottom. Return the pork and onion to the pan and arrange the apple wedges on top of the pork. Pour in the broth, cover and simmer until the chops are opaque throughout, about 10 minutes, reducing the heat if the liquid begins to boil. Transfer the chops, apple wedges and onion to a platter. Pour the milk into the pan, raise the heat to high, and boil until the liquid is reduced by onethird, about 5 minutes. Pour the sauce over the chops and serve. Serves 4.

Cider-Braised Pork Chops with Apples 1 tsp. dried oregano 1/2 tsp. five-spice powder 1/2 tsp. paprika Salt and freshly ground pepper 4 boneless center-cut pork loin chops, about 1 to 2 lb. total 4 tsp. canola oil 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced 1/2 cup apple cider ½ cup dry white wine 2 Tbs. red wine vinegar 1 Fuji apple, peeled, halved, cored and cut into 8 wedges 1 cup chicken broth 1/4 cup evaporated milk

In a small bowl, stir together the oregano, five-spice powder, paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Coat the pork chop evenly on both sides with the spice mixture. Set the meat on a plate and let stand for 10 minutes. In a large, deep frying pan, warm 2 teaspoons of the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and saute until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.

to a simmer over medium-high heat. Remove from the heat, cover and let stand for 30 minutes. Return the saucepan to medium-high heat and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat and whisk in the 5 oz. finely chopped chocolate until smooth. In a heatproof bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs and salt until blended. Form a kitchen towel into a ring and place the bowl on top to prevent it from moving. Gradually pour the hot chocolate mixture into the egg mixture, whisking constantly. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve set over a large bowl. Add the croissants and stir to combine. Let stand for 20 minutes, occasionally pressing the croissants into the custard. Stir 3 oz. of the coarsely chopped chocolate into the croissant mixture and transfer to the prepared dish. Sprinkle the remaining 2 oz. chopped chocolate on top. Bake until a knife inserted near the center of the pudding comes out almost clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. Accompany each serving with a dollop of whipped cream. Serves 8.

Chocolate Bread Pudding 2 cups milk 1 1/4 cups heavy cream 1 vanilla bean 5 oz. bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped 1/2 cup sugar 5 eggs Pinch of salt 5 day-old croissants, cut into 1-inch pieces 5 oz. bittersweet chocolate, cut into 1/2-inch pieces Lightly sweetened whipped cream for garnish

Preheat an oven to 325°F. Lightly butter a 2-quart round or oval casserole. Pour the milk and cream into a heavy saucepan. Place the vanilla bean on a work surface. Using a small, sharp knife, cut the bean in half lengthwise. Using the knife tip, scrape the seeds from the bean, then add the seeds and bean halves to the milk mixture. Bring

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 comments are welcome at Michaelmeade1215@yahoo.com.

QFEST 2015 FEBRUARY 21- 22

QFEST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY KINKY BOOTS OUR 5TH ANNUAL CAPITAL REGION’S LGBT FILM FESTIVAL FEATURING

FREE SCREENINGS OF:

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21 WATERMELON WOMAN • 1PM THE RETURN • 2:45PM THE CRYING GAME • 4PM KINKY BOOTS • 7PM

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22 LOVE IS STRANGE • 1PM REACHING THE MOON • 3PM THE 87TH ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS PARTY • 6PM FREE ADMISSION TO QFEST IS SPONSORED BY:

JUNE 16-21

432 STATE STREET • SCHENECTADY • NY • BOX OFFICE • 518.346.6204 • PROCTORS.ORG 39

NON-PROFIT US POSTAGE

P AID PERMIT #798 ALBANY, NY

332 Hudson Avenue Albany, NY 12210

Distinguished Living...Successful Living...Gay Living Tri City Rentals is a Proud Supporter of the LGBT Community

Visit one of our 24 Fine Capital District Apartment Communities

www.TriCityRentals.com

518.862.6600