CommUNITY Magazine (vol. 2 iss 7) Hispanic Heritage plus Back to School by Pride Center of the Capital Region

September 2014 Volume 2, Issue 7 CONTENTS FEATURES

Latina/o LGBT History Timeline pg. 6

Welcome Back to School! by James Shultis

Children at the Border: An Immigration Issue by Dixelia del Carmen Lopez pg. 7 /

Happy September! Welcome back to school! Can you believe it? The summer flew by, and now we’re speeding ahead with a ton of NEW things in store for our Center Youth program.

pg. 13

Why I Left Puerto Rico Paola J. Gonzalez pg. 8

NEWS AND UPDATES Meet Monique Lammare, Siena Americorps VISTA Fellow pg. 5 New Pride Center Youth Group and Programs for Families pg. 11 Congratulations 2014 Pride Center Scholarship Recipients pg. 15 Weekly Pride Center Events Calendar pg. 29

More news and updates online: www.capitalpridecenter.org

What’s it Like Being Latin@ and LGBTQ Identified? pg. 9

Are Your Serious?

How Common Questions Frame Views on Relationships by Faith Hoffman pg. 18

COLUMNS

Trans View Title IX Bring s Civil Rights to Transgender Students by Moonhawk River Stone pg. 14 Gay Man’s Musings Teacher’s Pet by Nyvek Moshier pg. 17 Ask Mark Your Tax Questions by Mark D. Witecki, CPA, CFP, CFE pg. 23 Ask the Lawyer Upcoming Primary for Judicial Delegates and Judicial Diversity by Geri Pomerantz pg. 24 Out in the Garden Sometimes More is Simply More by Judith Fetterly pg. 26 Here’s Guffman What’s New by Patrick White pg. 27 Discrimination in the Name of God Pisses Me Off by Larry Steffler pg. 28 Michael Cooks and You Can Too Apple Season by Michael Meade pg. 34 To Be a Blessing Throwing Caution out the Window by Rev. Gusti Linnea Newquist pg. 35

Community Calendars & Special Events pgs. 29-33

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

DIRECTOR’S NOTE

Happy Fall! The Pride Center is bustling with activity as we settle in to fall. Our youth program is busy with providing back to

C u rran Streett, Executive Di rector

school support to the many youth in the program, as well as conducting trainings in the schools and bringing up another group for the Center Youth Action Team. Center Families has a full calendar designed to support families and prospective parents with some help with great volunteers and a few of our favorite drag queens! Vintage Pride is interspersing education and fun activities in addition to the regular potlucks thanks to feedback and support from the Vintage Pride Advisory Committee and Trans Pride is presenting a great collaborative event with Holding Our

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

During the course of the day, I get a number of press release emails about a variety of LGBTQ happenings, appearances, book and movie releases, and news from around the country. I usually glance them over, see if there’s anything local or notable, and then delete them. But the other day, I received one that made me stop for a moment and think about someone I hadn’t thought about in a while. The press release I received was from the National AIDS Me-

morial Grove, out of San Francisco, to announce the naming of its youth scholarship program in honor of AIDS educator, activist and reality television pioneer Pedro Zamora, who had passed away from an AIDS-related illness 20 years ago. While I didn’t know Pedro personally, through the reality TV show The Real World, I and the world got to know Pedro and see this vibrant, courageous, compassionate, charismatic, open and loving gay HIV-positive Latino man live his life. In 1994, the year the show aired and also the same year he passed away, he was only 22 years old. In those early days of reality TV, it was such a brave thing for him to be so out but Pedro was a crusader and spared nothing to educate people about HIV and AIDS. For a generation of young people,

Own in a few weeks. Center Support will have greater capacity than ever before, with seven interns providing vital counseling services to our community and open enrollment starting up in November to get our community signed up for healthcare. There will be some fabulous opportunities to get involved if you aren’t already, and there really is something for everyone. Between the LGBT Networking Mixer in Saratoga, the Big Gay Cruise, the AIDS Walk and the Pride Center’s Gala, I hope to see you out and about!

Mic hael Weid r ic h myself included, we learned so much from this man as a role model and as an activist. That season of the Real World aired from June to November, during which time Pedro’s health declined rapidly. It was literally hours after the conclusion of the season aired that Pedro passed away, on November 11, 1994. MTV aired a lovely Tribute shortly thereafter and so many of us mourned his passing. We felt like we had lost a friend, who we only recently got to know but had laughed and cried with, celebrated and suffered with, and embraced and admired from afar. The example that Pedro set lives within me still today. And when I talk to colleagues who watched that show and learned his lessons, they say the same thing. There will never quite be

We want to hear from our Community! Letters to the Editor may be sent to Michael Weidrich at mweidrich@capitalpridecenter.org Letters must be 100 words or less and must include name, phone, email.

Meet Monique Lamarre, Siena AmeriCorps VISTA Fellow, Program Development Assistant Greetings community members! My name is Monique and I am the new Siena College AmeriCorps VISTA Fellow and Program Development Assistant for the Pride Center. AmeriCorps is corporation for national and community service. The AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) program allows college graduates to serve communities in need. I graduated Cum Laude in May of 2014 from the University at Albany where I received a Bachelor of Arts degree; I focused on Sociology, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Through the office of Academic Community Engagement, Siena College works with AmeriCorps VISTA Fellows to establish connections between Siena College and community partners of the Capital Region. As the Program Development Assistant for the Pride Center I

will be working to develop and support the Pride Center’s youth programs. My goal is to strengthen the Pride Center’s existing community connections (local schools, youth-serving organizations, and community members) and create new ones; and recruit volunteers! I am also committed to further developing the Pride Center’s connections to Siena College. I identify as a queer femme, and as someone knowledgeable about the struggles faced by LGBTQ youth, I

am honored to have the opportunity to support LGBTQ youth of the area over the next year. One fun fact about me: my wife and I got married at half-time at an Albany All Stars Roller Derby bout in 2013. I am excited to begin my year of service at the Pride Center! I look forward to meeting many of you throughout the year. Take care! Monique

courtesy of Tracey Buyce Photography

LATINA/O LGBT HISTORY BRIEF TIMELINE: 1955-2013 by

Letitia Gomez, Co-Editor, Queer Brown Voices, Release in 2015 letitiagomez@gmail.com

Es hora de rescatar la historia para construir el futuro. Ha llegado el momento que las lesbianas y homosexuales (It's time to rescue the history to build the future. The time has come for lesbians and gay Latinos to take their place at the table. Definitely would have won.) 1955 – Tony Segura, Cuban American, is a founder and leader of the Mattachine Society in New York - Daughters of Bilitis is founded in San Francisco by Del Lyon and Phyllis Martin along with three other lesbian couples that included a Filipina and a Chicana. 1961 - Jose Sarria, is a candidate for San Francisco Board of Supervisors. He was endorsed by the League for Civil Education. He did not win but got 5600 votes. 1970 - Silvia Rivera, of Puerto Rican and Venezuelan descent co-founded Street Transvestites for Gay Power (later Street Transvestites Action Revolutionaries (STAR) with Marsha Johnson, African American. Early 1970s - Gay Liberated Chicanos of Los Angeles. 1972 – COHLA, Comite Homosexual Latinoamericano founded in New York attempted to march in the city's annual Puerto Rican Day Parade in 1979. They were denied participation, but succeeded in bringing attention to gay lives and politics in the Puerto Rican and broader Latino community. Published a 63-page pamphlet in Spanish, AFUERA , highlighting the political dimension of coming out, Third World liberation, Marxist thought, and patriarchy.

1986 – Las Buenas Amigas is founded in New York City and at the International Lesbian and Gay People of Color Conference in Los Angeles, the Latina/o caucus discusses the need to network on a national level in order to better address the needs of local organizing efforts throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. 1987 - Mexico, Latin American and Caribbean lesbian feminists come together for their "Encuentros de Lesbianas Feministas de Latino américa y el Caribe" . These encuentros facilitated transnational dialogue and organizing to address the needs and challenges of lesbians throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. 1987 – Primer Encuentro, March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, Washington, D.C. Over 70 lesbian and gay Latina/o activists representing 13 states and 33 cities meet and decide to create a national network, National Latino/a Lesbian and Gay Activists (NLLGA).

1988 – NLLGA activists meet in Los Angeles and change their name to LLEGÓ, The National Latino/a Lesbian and Gay Organizat ion to be based in Washington, D.C. LLEGÓ later modified its name to National Latina/o Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Organization. It held regular international encuentros from the 1990s through 2004 during which time LLEGÓ was largely funded by multi-year grants for HIV/AIDs prevention from the federal Center for Disease Control. 1973-1981 –Alianza de Mujeres, Comunidad de Orgullo Gay, Mujer Integrada de Puerto Rico, Comite Latino de Lesbianas y Homosexuales 1988-1992 - San Francisco's Mujerío, organized in Massachusetts; Latinos por Derechos Humanos, Florida; Gay Alliance transnationally with glbtq activists in Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, of Latin Americans, Gay Latino Alliance, Latina Lesbian Alliance, Latin Venezuela, and elsewhere in Latin America. American Lesbians and Lesbianas Latina Americanas in California. 1975 - Gay and lesbian Chicanos and Latinos founded the Gay Latino Alliance (GALA) in the San Francisco Bay Area and San José regions. GALA combined political activism and socializing as it attempted to challenge the assumptions of gay and lesbian whites about Latinos and of Latina/o heterosexuals about lesbians and gay men in the city. Late 1970s – Jeanne Cordova, becomes President of Los Angeles Chapter of Daughters of Bilitis. She later creates the successful Community Yellow Pages. 1979 – Gay and lesbian Latinos announce their presence nationally at the historic 1979 March on Washington. Coalitions from Texas, California, and the East Coast--together with representatives from Latin America--convened days before the March at Howard University to participate in the Third World Gay Conference. 1981 – Gay Chicano Caucus founded in Houston; Gay Latinos Unidos (later renamed Gay and Lesbian Latinos Unidos) founded in Los Angeles. 1983 – Lesbianas Unidas forms as a subcommittee of GLU in Los Angeles. 1984 - Denver was home to Ambiente Latino and Las Mujeres Alegres. 1985 - Austin's ALLGO (Austin Latino/Latina Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual & Transgender Organization) is founded to work toward social change through progressive community organizing, promoting queer Latina and Latino culture, and encouraging artistic expression. Today, it is the longest running queer Latino organization in the U.S.

1991 – Entre Hermanos comes into being in Seattle to address the need for social, educational, and health support services in their community. 1993 – LLANY, Latinas and Latinos de Ambiente is founded in New York City, focuses on the social and cultural needs of glbtq Latina/o Americans in the city and the tri-state area. 1994 – June 24-28, 25th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York City. LLEGO organizes a LGBT Latino/a contingent. Anniversary program lists 60 Latina/o LGBT organizations in the U.S. and Puerto Rico in existence at that time. 1995 - Chicago, 10 Latinas form a support group, Amigas Latinas, for lesbian, bisexual, and questioning women that still exists today. Also in Chicago, for over a decade ALMA (the Association of Latino Men for Action) provided educational support and social services to queer Latinos. 2000 - Jose Gutierrez founded the Latino GLBT History Project in Washington, D.C. 2004 – LLEGO closes when financial and administrative difficulties cannot be overcome. In 2004 – a group of over 80 people came together in Seattle (during what was scheduled to be LLEGÓ's Encuentro) to strategize about next steps following the closing of LLEGÓ, which led to the founding of Unid@s . 2007 – Unid@s, National Latino/a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Human Rights Organization meets in Washington, D.C. to lay groundwork for a new Latin@ LGBT organization. 2013 – Union=Fuerza Instituto Latino, January 24th, over 100 LGBTQ Latinas/os meet in Atlanta, Georgia in first ever day long Latino/a Institute at Task Force’ Creating Change Conference.

Available on the Latino GLBT History website at www.latinoglbthistory.org/lgbtq-latino-timeline Prepared for Union=Fuerza, Instituto Latino, Creating Change Conference, Atlanta, GA January 24, 2013

Reprinted with Permission

CHILDREN AT THE BORDER: AN IMMIGRATION ISSUE or “DESPLAZADOS DE LA GUERRA DE LAS DROGAS? (DISPLACED REFUGEES OF THE DRUG WAR) by

As immigrants leave their countries under their own volition, refugees are forced to do so due to being in imminent danger. As approximately 60,000 children have been apprehended at the Mexican border in the last 9 months, many will be surprised to learn that in 2005 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) apprehended over 100,000 children. One cannot imagine that any parent would willingly separate from their own children, sending them to face the unknown alone, without an immense amount of heart-felt fear and desperation. Yet, it is easy to displace anger and fear. Easy to detach ourselves from the humanity that binds us through an “us vs. them” phenomenon that so clearly has dominated the fabrics of our society in various realms (i.e., sexism, ageism, racism, discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender etc.). From the pages of the United States Commission of Refugee and Immigrants (USCRI.org) here is my attempt to bridge that gap between ‘us vs. them’ and perhaps tap into your humanity via the provision of the voices of the children themselves: “It was not safe on any street, I had to stay inside forever or runaway” Natalia, age 16, El Salvador “I am looking for a place where I won’t be afraid” Jose, age 10, Nicaragua “Reporting the gang to the police is more dangerous than being robbed” Karen, age 15, Honduras “I never met my father, he was murdered before I was born” Luna, age 8, El Salvador I challenge us to widen our vision and examine our collective roles as ‘Americans’ in this unfortunate outcome. As Juan Orlando Hernández (President of Honduras), noted on June 2014 at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in

Dixelia del Carmen López

Washington, DC “… sadly this is a security problem provoked by drug trafficking from the drugs consumed by the United States, and this has had an impact on the situation involving the displacement [of Hondurans].” OUCH!! Let’s re-read that quote and let it sink in. Even though the U.S. accounts for 5% of the world’s population, approximately two-thirds of illegal drugs (66%) are consumed in America. According to the National Center on Addiction & Substance Abuse at Columbia University, over 80% of those incarcerated in adult & juvenile penal institutions were there directly or indirectly as a result of the disease of addiction. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, drug addiction in the United States comes with a very high price tag. Not only are we contributing to the atrocities in our own homes, and that of neighboring countries [via the provision of drug demand] but we spend approximately $600 billion dollars annually in costs related to crime, lost work productivity and healthcare. The fact that 20 of the most violent regions in the world are in our backyard, Latin America, is not a coincidence. Honduras, where a good percentage of the children come from, is the leading country in the world with the highest homicide rate; with El Salvador not being far behind. Yet we are not here to point fingers or place blame but rather to re-examine our roles, and perceptions, take responsibility and see how we can work together to move forward. For the children, at home and abroad, are indeed our [collective] future! And let’s be clear of this truth, these children are not coming to commit crimes, hang out at our malls, take our jobs etc. they are coming because they are in imminent danger, it’s a refugee crisis we are talking about.

They are coming because of any of the following reasons [or all of them] :

THREATS MURDER VIOLENCE STARVATION GANG WARS CORRUPTION KIDNAPPING SEXUAL ABUSE ABANDONMENT DRUG TRAFFICKING DOMESTIC ABUSE POVERTY

(USCRI.org)

Let’s not forget that we were ALL once CHILDREN, and most importantly that we continue to be, ALL HUMAN. As UNICEF reminds us of the approaching 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in November 2014, [a set of international principles that recognizes the special vulnerability of children and acknowledges the rights and protection of children worldwide]; we recognize the declining infant mortality rates to rising school enrollment in many countries. But this historic milestone (which by the way the United States has yet to sign even though it is consistent with the principles in the Bill of Rights) should also serve as a reminder that we still have a long way to go. As too many children are continuously left behind and are still not enjoying their full rights! Let’s all reflect and be reminded at home, and abroad….

Dixelia Del Carmen López is a DominicanAmerican and practicing Bilingual-School Psychologist with a passion for learning and Children’s rights. An Alumni of Siena College (HEOP) and S.U.N.Y. at Albany, Ms. Lopez is currently completing her PhD in International Psychology. She’s a global citizen who values culture, nature, and the arts.

“THERE COULD BE NO KEENER REVELATION OF A SOCIETY’S SOUL THAN THE WAY IN WHICH IT TREATS ITS CHILDREN”--NELSON MANDELA

As most of people know, I was born and raised in Puerto Rico. I’ve been living in the Capital Region since moving from Puerto Rico in 2004 to pursue a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute after finishing my master’s degree at the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez Campus. In 1998 I also lived in Edison, NJ while interning with the U.S. EPA Region 2, and in Philadelphia, PA (20002001) while working for the EPA Region 3. What I loved about Philadelphia was the fact that I began discovering trans support groups. While attending college in Puerto Rico in 2002, I began seeing a school psychologist (this after overcoming my fear of stigma associated with seeing a counselor). I talked to her, and told her about my cross dressing (something I started doing at a young age, something I kept a secret even from my close friends in college). It was not until 2007, when I was able to come out and transition. I did not come out earlier because I was afraid of disappointing my family (I used to be close to them, I am still am to an extent), and of losing everything I had, mostly because I was living in a culture and environment where religious beliefs, machismo, and homophobia/transphobia where rampant. Puerto Rico has a very religious culture. Catholicism is one of the most dominant religions, followed by other forms of Christianity. This is due to the fact that Puerto Rico was a territory of Spain before going to the hands of United States of America in the Spanish- American War. I grew up in a Catholic family. Me and my sister both attended Catholic school, and we both graduated from a Christian Evangelical High School (Colegio Evangelico Capitan Correa, I graduated in 1993) I had to hide who I was due to all the negative comments about GLBT people during church sermons, also because if I presented myself with clothes not of my assigned gender at school I could have been expelled, something my dad would have probably punished me for. I was afraid my parents would reject me (although this fear has turned out not to be valid as I just had the chance of visiting, and I found out my parents loved me). For me to be able to transition meant I had to find a way get to overcome my own religious guilt, which resulted in my questioning my own religious beliefs when I

O C I R O T R E U P T ez F E L l I Y a H z W by aola J. Gon

went to college. Eventually I came out as an atheist in 2007 after reading Karen Armstrong’s book A History of God. This actually helped me to overcome the religious guilt I was dealing with and that was preventing me from moving forward with my gender/sex transition.

I was living in a culture and environment where religious beliefs, machismo, and homophobia/transphobia where rampant. In Puerto Rico and in the Latino culture, the main reason gender roles are clearly divided is because of machismo. Machismo is defined as a strong sense of masculine pride. Machismo is the reason, in my opinion, for the homophobia and transphobia in Puerto Rican culture. Growing up my father was tough. He would call my attention if I was playing with dolls with my female cousins and/ or my sister, and he would also criticize things I would do to make me behave and be like other boys. When I was in college some of my friends were very machista and because I was not like them, I ended up being harassed and asked if I was gay for not acting the same way they did. I hated showing how macho I could be. Although one of the reasons I got into wrestling was because I wanted to show how macho and tough I could be. Yet, my dad seemed to stray away from the norm a bit. If my mom was sick he would cook for me and my sister, he would also help my mom with sweeping, and cleaning the house. It seemed to me that my dad put the macho vest on when he was dealing with his family (most of his brothers never went to college and used to work in construction), and while at home he was more balanced.

If I presented myself with clothes not of my assigned gender at school I could have been expelled. In Puerto Rico, there was and there still is also a lot of transphobia and ignorance when it comes to transgender people. Speaking about the subject is taboo, and will even end in arguments. Gay/Trans-

vestite characters on TV were, and in some cases, are still used as a joke and even punch lines [Guille, Lalo Camacho, Las Mariposas (a comic duo), Cuca Gomez are just a few examples], and because of lack of internet there were not good role models for me that I could identify with at the time. The only person I remember was Samantha Love who came to media attention in the early 90’s, and for me, was the first transsexual person that I saw and that I quickly identified with. In college I got introduced to Anime, Japanese animation and Ranma ½. These shows dealt with gender in a way I had not seen before, and it provided a bit of identification with what I wanted to do. Yet as surprising as it is, Puerto Rico passed a bill last year that was signed into law to prevent GLBT people (yes transgender people included) from discrimination in employment. It is not a very strong law, but at least it’s something. And at least it also includes protections for transgender people. Yet, I will not count that bill as a huge victory because when this bill was passed there was a lot of opposition from Church leaders. The fact is, I do not think it will completely eradicate some of the views of some people towards GLBT people. While my original reason to move here was to gain more education, I also ended moving for other personal reasons which included living in a place far away from the judgment of overtly religious people, and family so as to be able to transition. I also was looking for a better economic future and a place where I could live in peace. I knew there was support in Albany for trans people before I left Puerto Rico in 2004. I just needed time to adjust and find the inner strength to take the steps that I needed to make in order to get to where I wanted to be. Looking back I do not regret it. And although I may be living alone and far from family, it is a small price to pay for the benefits I reap. At least over time I have been able to make friends who I feel are mi nueva familia. Paola Gonzalez is a local actress/juggler/ trans activist/fight choreographer who works in manufacturing, has a pet rat named Tybalt...and sleeps during the day.

asked:

WHAT IT'S LIKE BEING LATIN@ AND LGBTQ IDENTIFIED? “Being Latina and married to a woman forced me to be extremely confident and self- aware. People stare, pass judgment, and doubt me until they realize my confidence and love for others draws great people into my circle creating a tremendous force they too want to be a part of.”

Kisha Santiago “Widely acceptable cultural notions of women to women closeness, affection and friendship contrasted with familial-Catholic restrictions of guilt, boxing in the authentic revelation of self, exploding like a jack-o-lantern to Miami in an angry defense of "pajaro." "Si hablas haci de ellos, tambien hablas de mi. Soy Bisexual!"

Dixelia del Carmen López (aka Ojelis)

"Being Latina and gay, two significant parts of my identity of which neither I chose. However; if given the choice, I would choose both over and over again."

Michelle Martinez “I’ve always been considered a weirdo in my community. Wearing stripes with polka dots in the hood didn’t exactly earn me any street cred. Coming out as Queer to my Dominican family was weirder than they could handle. Fragments of colonialism plays out in our daily lives, repressing our sexual identities and kinks (in our hair and otherwise). But, I must be true to myself. Love of self is contagious and cannot be denied.”

Rosy Galván

Share your answer on Facebook /CapitalPrideCenter1

WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL!

James Shultis, Youth Program Coordinator

Happy September! Welcome back to school! Can you believe it? The summer flew by, and now we’re speeding ahead with a ton of NEW things in store for our Center Youth program. This year, we are excited to be offering FOUR youth groups for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, queer, questioning, and allied youth (ages 18 and under), a mental health and wellness group for young people (ages 18-24), FREE trainings and educational programs for K-12 schools, plus a ton of fun social and advocacy events throughout the year to keep folks busy! One of the main goals of our Center Youth program is to engage with schools throughout the ten counties we serve, to support and empower teachers, faculty, administrators, but especially students in creating safer schools for everyone. During the 2013-2014 school year, our Center Youth program worked within the 200 school districts we serve in our 11 county radius, to provide direct support for over 50 middle schools and high schools, from gay-straight alliances, diversity clubs, faculty meetings, and student councils to provide training on how to support LGBTQ youth in their schools. We’ve already been gearing up to touch base with schools to check-in with them about their efforts! We’ll be including a “Safe Schools” evaluation to see how the work schools have been doing (in regards to the Dignity for All Students Act, along with other laws) have been helpful in supporting all students. Last year in September alone, we met with at least one GSA from each of the 11 counties we serve. This year, we’re hoping to double that number and visit schools we haven’t yet been to, especially in rural communities that don’t have many or any, LGBTQ-related resources for youth to access. Besides school visits, we’ve also been hard at work recruiting LGBTQ and ally youth leaders for our Center Youth Action Team, which is designed to encourage youth leadership, contradict myths and stereotypes of LGBTQ youth, and create positive representations of

the LGBTQ and allied community. The Center Youth Action Team conducts trainings for schools, organizations, and community groups throughout the Capital Region and provides youth with a variety of ways to engage in leadership and advocacy opportunities. Last year, we had 15 phenomenal team members, and we’re hoping to have another terrific group of folks this year! They’re going to be a great bunch of very diverse young people with a lot of stories to tell! So while I have your attention, here are some important dates to put on your calendar if you haven’t already… FALL 2014 DATES National Bullying Prevention Month: October GSA Network Event: Friday, October 17th, 4:30-6PM @ Pride Center National Coming Out Day: October 11th Ally Week: October 13th-19th Trans Day of Remembrance: November 20th World AIDS Day: December 1st WINTER/SPRING 2015 DATES No Name-Calling Week: January 19th—23rd Black History Month & Teen Dating Violence Month: February LGBTQ Health Month, Disability Awareness Month & Women’s History Month: March National Day of Silence: Friday, April 17th (The Breaking the Silence event is at The Egg, Albany)

Equality & Justice Day: Date TBA! Harvey Milk Day: Friday, May 22nd Alternative Prom: Date TBA! It’s in June! Capital Pride Parade & Festival (AND Youth March): Saturday, June 13th @ Washington Park, Albany

Here’s a list of our regular Center Youth program happenings:

ages 18 and under throughout the Capital Region. Through education, support, activities and guidance, this program provides a safe & empowering space to ALL youth. We have three different locations they meet including ALBANY, every Friday from 7-8:30pm @ Pride Center (332 Hudson Avenue); SCHENECTADY, every Thursday from 6-7:30pm @ Proctors Theater, Underground Space (432 State Street); SARATOGA, every other Tuesday from 4:306pm @ the Saratoga Arts Center (320 Broadway, Saratoga Springs); and our newest group, HUDSON, the 3rd Tuesday of every month from 6-7:30pm @ the Hudson Opera House (327 Warren Street, Hudson)! THRIVE Group A therapist-led, mental health and wellness group for LGBTQ young adults ages 16-24, This group will focus on social interaction and progressive health. Meets for 10 week cycles on Thursdays. Please be in touch with Lauren Ford, our LGBT Health Specialist for more info lford@capitalpridecenter.org Family & Friends Support Group For parents, friends & allies of LGBTQ people to connect with one another. Meetings are every 2nd Tuesday of the month @ the First Unitarian Society of Schenectady at 7pm. Please contact Julia Helfman at 518-372-9911. Be sure to check out the rest of what’s happening with our Center Youth program by visiting us on our website, friending our Center Youth program on Facebook (PrideCenterYouth) or contacting me, the Pride Center’s Youth Program Coordinator at 462.6138 or jshultis@capitalpridecenter.org Have a happy and healthy school year, and if you’re able, get involved with our Center Youth program, it’s a blast!

LGBTQA Youth Groups These drop-in peer groups are designed for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, queer, questioning & ally (LGBTQA) youth

James Shultis

T R AN S V I E W #12 5 ©

Mo o nhawk Riv er St one

How that plays out is like so:

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 Brings Civil Rights to Transgender Students Federal Legislation takes a step forward to protect LGBT students To quote The Assistant Secretary for the United States Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, Catherine E. Lhamon on April 29, 2014, “Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded education programs and activities. All public and private elementary, and secondary schools, school districts, colleges and universities receiving any federal financial assistance....must comply with Title IX.” Title IX specifically protects all transgender students from sexual violence and all LGBT students are a protected class under the category of sex. This is not new, but a reiteration and clarification of a long standing position. What does this mean for school districts? For educators? What does this mean for transgender students? Or their advocates? As I alluded to in my August column, there are big comprehensive changes on the horizon, moving far beyond New York State’s Dignity for All Students Act that prohibits the bullying of LGBT students, the first statewide statue to protect transgender individuals. Regardless of whether or not we have a statewide transgender civil rights law, we now have full civil rights protections for transgender students, statewide--at least while they are in school. Once they leave the school grounds, in many localities that is no longer the case. So this federal change in policy has further made a hodge podge of transgender protections in the state. You can be safe and protected in school, but not on the walk home from school! But what this new policy does do is change the entire landscape for gender non conforming students and transgender identified students. Now is the time for the State Department of Education to issue specific guidelines for all school districts that bring them into full compliance with the new federal regulations issued in April 2014. I am

not aware of any such movement on the part of NYS Department of Education, but it would be in everyone’s best interests for them to take notice and take leadership here, rather than have each school district come up with their own interpretation of these new protections for transgender students. One compelling reason for the NYS Dept. of Education to do this would be that after dozens and dozens of school based transitions for K-12 the biggest obstacle to a student’s safe, successful transition remains the personal belief systems of key decision makers such as building principals, social workers, teachers and other administrators including district superintendents. Bringing one’s personal belief system into a secular, public setting has always been an issue with work in the public sector, be it education, or politics. I’ve heard such things as “I don’t believe in transgender” or the old red herring argument “that bathrooms are for genitals and not for people, meaning that if a person’s body has certain genitalia they need to use the restroom of the genitalia and not their gender presentation”. Or some administrators and principals have outright refused to be educated-which certainly surprises me as they are supposed to be setting an example to students about education. Leaving this up to school districts invites the fox of personal belief into the hen house of transgender civil rights, not something to be tolerated or fought on a district by district basis. These sorts of issues are happening right here in the Capital District.

So what really is covered by this new interpretation of Title IX? First off to deny civil rights to transgender students is a form of sexual violence and forbidden by law.

That’s the good news.

Transgender students are accorded the privacy of their situation--and protected by HIPPA and inappropriate re-disclosure of a student’s transgender status once transitioned is not OK. Students are to have access to school facilities--bathrooms, locker rooms based upon the student’ gender identity. That means the student uses the single seat restroom or the nurse’s bathroom, only if they request it. Students uncomfortable sharing a restroom with the transgender student use the single seat or the nurse’s restroom. Secondarily, this is a call for more gender neutral bathrooms. Students, of course, must be treated with dignity and respect, made to feel safe and that their learning environment is supportive to them. That means, safe from all forms of bullying, harassment, and sexual assault. Included in this is forcing gender stereotypes on someone or asking intrusive questions about a students body or anatomy or harassment for being too “masculine” or too “feminine”. Schools must make sure the student’s preferred name and pronoun are properly placed in all the student’s records, even if this is not the student’s legal name. Sweeping change is upon us, by the stroke of a pen, or more accurately, the click of mouse. Implementation, as we all know, quite another thing and will take, likely, quite a bit of time, and require training and education of those who will have to implement these new policies. That’s why leadership from the NYS Dept. of Education could be so effective in making schools safer for transgender and gender non conforming students much more quickly. Here’s to a brighter educational future for all LGB, especially T, students. Anyone out there listening? 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

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2014 PRIDE CENTER YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS! by James Shultis, Youth Program Coordinator

Above: (from left to right): AJ Rio-Glick, Anna Brewer and Troy O’Neill, Taylor Keith

The Pride Center proudly awarded five LGBTQ and allied young people from the Capital Region with the 2014 Pride Center Youth Scholarship, for their academic achievement and courageous leadership in their schools and in the community. The awards were given out at the 2014 Youth Scholarship Reception & Fundraiser, at the lovely home of Tom and Lisa Evans, overlooking the Hudson River on Thursday, July 10th. This year’s recipients are: AJ Rio-Glick, Bard College at Simon’s Rock. AJ has been an active participant at the Pride Center for over 4 years and a Center Youth Action Team (CYAT) member. AJ is currently an early–admission freshman at Bard College at Simon’s Rock majoring in Creative Writing. Anna Brewer, The Doane Stuart School. Anna has shown her strength and commitment to LGBTQ rights by

founding her school’s GSA as well as serving on the board for two LGBTQ inclusive organizations. Anna will be attending Brandeis University this fall.

We wish our 2014 Pride Center Youth Scholarship recipients the best of luck in their college endeavors and send warm wishes to all of the 2014 high school graduates throughout the Capital Region. Taylor Keith, Albany Leadership Charter High School for Girls. Taylor has been an energetic participant in many of the Pride Center’s programs over the years, including the CYAT. She also served as the President of her school’s GSA. Taylor will be attending SUNY Geneseo majoring in Biology to become a Forensic Anthropologist or Paleontologist.

Troy O’Neill, Tech Valley High School. Troy has been a passionate advocate for LGBTQ equality and awareness for most of his high school career. Troy will be attending The New School’s Eugene Lang College double majoring in Philosophy and Literary Studies. Again, the Pride Center would like to thank everyone who was able to attend our 2014 Youth Scholarship Reception & Fundraiser; those who made donations, and helped make the scholarship a reality for years to come. We would also like to extend our sincerest gratitude to Tom and Lisa Evans, who hosted the event. Our 2015 goal is even higher than before, so we need YOUR HELP to reach our goal! Go online at www.capitalpridecenter.org today, or call the Pride Center at 518-462-6138 to make a donation, and ensure the young leaders of the LGBTQA and allied community have access to education.

Watch Pride Center Executive Director, Curran Street, announce the new David, Gladys and Candace Groudine Pride Center Youth Scholarship at the 2014 Pride Center Scholarship Reception: www.youtube.com/user/CapitalPrideCenter

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GAY MAN’S MUSINGS

Nyvek Moshier

Looking back I realize that virtually all of the authors she recommended that I look into were, or are believed to have As I look back at my middle and high school years, I see that many been, gay, lesbian or bisexual.

Teacher’s Pet…

of my teachers went out of their way to help me remain strong.

As I prepare to return to college this coming semester, I cannot help but think of how different things are from when I dreaded returning to school each year in my youth. I was raised in a small town/county, where the general mantra went “Gay isn’t the way, if it ain’t white it ain’t right and if it isn’t Christian crucify it”. Preparing for each new school year required more than just purchasing binders, pens, pencils and highlighters. The months leading up to the beginning of classes involved a great deal of practice as I attempted to hide the softness of my voice and the natural gestures I made with my hands. Of course, looking back at videos and pictures from that time, I now realize that I was never as successful at hiding as I thought I was. I felt so very much alone and came close to dropping out on many occasions. But as alone as I felt then, I now realize that I had amazing teachers guiding me the whole time. As I look back at my middle and high school years, I see that many of my teachers went out of their way to help me remain strong. At the time this perplexed me, I was by no means a model student. My grades were rarely above a C and I did all I could to make it clear to the school that I could not wait to be out of there. Yet, despite my best efforts to push them away, I remember so many of my teachers being so kind to me. It is now that I realize that those teachers deflected my attempts to repel them because they knew what I thought I was so skillfully hiding.

The first memory I have of a member of the school faculty addressing my “secret” involves a school counselor who I have since lost touch with and wish I could thank for all her help. I remember sitting in her office as she asked me what I thought I would do with my life once school was over. I slouched in my chair and said I would likely just get married (to a nice girl), have kids and likely live on a farm. Her response is something I now see as an attempt on her part to prepare me for the man she knew I would become. She simply proceeded to say “No, I do

not see that at all. I think you will crave the lifestyle of the city. You’re special in a way you don’t realize yet”. At the time I thought she was only saying what her job mandated her to say. It was her job to keep us motivated and cheerful after all. This interaction is the one that remains freshest in my mind, but there were others over my time spent with her. Leaving middle school meant leaving my counselor behind, but there would be others who would make similar statements during my high school years.

In high school my Art teacher, English teacher and Resource room teacher would all hint at something I knew but did not want to admit to myself. In high school my Art teacher, English teacher and Resource room teacher would all follow my middle school counselor’s lead and hint at something I knew but did not want to admit to myself. I remember my Art teacher telling me once that “Kids like you often do better once they are out of school and in an environment that is more open and accepting”. My resource teacher once told me that I was not like the other boys, but that that was ok. Now I know that many of you are probably thinking that I am reading too much into these interactions. Teachers say these things to every student. Perhaps you had to be there. But the strongest support for my belief that these amazing women were guiding me the whole time can be found in my English teacher, Ms. M. She was one of the sweetest hearts I had ever encountered in my life and nurtured within me a passion for reading. Again, you are saying “But that was her job”. You are right; her job was to encourage all of her students to develop an appreciation for literature, but there is something you may find intriguing.

Now by this time you may be asking “What is the point of you telling us this?” “Is there a point you are trying to get at?” To be honest I am revealing this to you as a way to acknowledge that, even during what I felt were my darkest years, I was in some ways blessed all along. These teachers could not come out and state their belief in who I would become, not in small town America, but they did their best to help me remain strong in the face of bigotry. And perhaps after reading this and looking back on your own high school years, if they were like mine, you may come to realize you too were blessed. Sometimes people are forced by circumstance to offer support in subtle ways. If this is not the case, and you faced bigotry even from teachers, I want to let you know how much I respect your strength and courage to make it through such an ordeal while relying solely on your own internal strength. You are one of my heroes. If you did not experience any form of bigotry in school for being LGBT, I want to let you know how thankful I am that you were blessed in such a way. In closing I just want to suggest that we all use this time of year to reflect on how our high school years influenced the people we have become, even if looking back is painful. Especially if looking back is painful, because here you still stand. You are a survivor and should be proud of that. And not to mention, for those of you with teens, it may help you appreciate your child more and their personal struggle to discover who they are during this most chaotic period in their young life. This time of year is the perfect time to look back and wipe the chalkboard clean. Place your sorrows and regrets in permanent detention and embrace the A+ person that you are.

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.

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Dear Mark Witecki, I bought a computer for my business a couple of years ago. I moved around my office in my home and in doing so, the computer dropped off the desk and no longer works. Can I deduct an loss? Very Truly Yours, Computer No Work Dear Computer No Work, If you have fully depreciated the computer, then there is no additional loss. If your computer is partially depreciated, then you can deduct the undepreciated portion as a loss and show the loss on Federal Form 4797. ================================

Dear Mr. Witecki, I own a two family home, all rented in Albany. I just had a new roof put on the dump and also had the outside painted. I also had the locks changed on the first floor and had the floors sanded. How do I treat these items for tax purposes? Signed Landlord

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Mark Witecki, I am a contractor and I want to hire a couple of part time employees. Can I treat them as subcontractors? Signed here as Hopeful Dear Hopeful, Unless the individuals actually have their own business, they need to be treated as employees, and you needs to have workers compensation and New York State Disability Insurance on them. You should also hire a payroll service to calculate and file quarterly payroll tax returns. ================================

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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 and contacted at 346-4000.

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A SK T HE L A WYER

G eri P o mer ant z

Upcoming Primary for Judicial Delegates and Judicial Diversity

The views expressed in this column are solely those of Ms. Pomerantz and do not reflect the opinion of the Pride Center.

As students return to school, voters turn to the polls for the primary elections on September 9th. The Third Judicial District of NY State Supreme Court could have its first openly lesbian judge, and the only woman judge on the trial bench, if Judge Margaret (Peggy) Walsh receives her parties’ nomination in September and is elected in the general election. New York’s Supreme Court is the major trial court for the state. The third district covers Albany, Rensselaer, and Columbia, Greene, Ulster, Sullivan and Schoharie counties. Judges are elected district wide to 14 year terms. All of the 13 trial judges in the third district appear to be straight white men. A woman has not been elected in the district since 2006, and before that in 2001. (Both of these women sit on the appellate court and therefore are not included as trial judges in their districts.) There does not appear to be one judge of color in the district. We do not have one judge who identifies as LGBTQA here. Supreme Court justices have a great impact on people’s lives. They decide important cases including the right to marry, divorce, name changes, discrimination claims, domestic violence cases, foreclosure actions, and cases dealing with the fundamental relationship between the government and its citizens such as voting rights. Very few states come close to approximating equal representation of women, people of color, or LGBTQ people in judgeships in proportion to our representation in the general population. But the lack of diversity in the third judicial district is appalling. While many straight white male judges have applied the rule of law to further the civil rights of LGBTQ people and other minorities, when we consider that diversity of legal opinion may reflect diversity of experience, LGBTQ

people must be concerned about the lack of judicial diversity. The report, Women in Federal and State-Level Judgeships, concluded that, “Women’s unique experiences as women are believed to inform their interpretation and shape the lens with which they make decision as judges especially in cases where women’s experiences are central.” Similar conclusions can be reached with respect to racial and sexual orientation minorities. US Supreme Court Judge Sotomayor pointed out in a 2001 speech (wrongly and widely criticized by her detractors during her confirmation hearing), “I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn’t lived that life.” She further noted that US Supreme Court rulings against racial and sexual minorities were historically made by uniformly white and male judges. In another speech, Judge Sotomayor commented that “personal experiences affect the facts that judges choose to see.” The manner in which Supreme Court judges are elected in our state gives significant control to party bosses, and has resulted in a critical lack of judicial diversity in our district. The major political parties select their Supreme Court judge candidates at district wide judicial conventions in September by a vote of delegates. In the third district, there is usually a “gentleman’s” agreement between the county Democratic Party chairmen as to which county the candidate will come from, and deference is given to that county’s chairman. The convention is held the week after the primary election. There is no primary for Supreme Court candidates. There is however a primary for the delegates. However, primary voters do not usually have a choice of delegates. Typically, the delegates are selected by the party leaders. Then, the candidate who gets the delegates’

support at the convention appears on the November ballot on that party’s line. This system, which favors the candidate endorsed by the party leadership, and leaves voters with little choice in elections, was upheld against constitutional challenge by the US Supreme Court in 2007. This year, Family Court Judge Peggy Walsh was passed over by the Albany County Democratic Party Chairman (Matthew Clyne) for the party’s endorsement for an open Supreme Court Seat. Judge Walsh was elected to Albany County Family Court in 2004, after winning the first successful primary campaign for family court in Albany County’s history against the party leader’s then straight white male candidate. She also serves as an Acting Supreme Court Justice. She serves on several committee’s and commissions, including New York State Permanent Judicial Commission on Justice for Children, the New York State Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics, and is the Lead Judge in Albany County for the New York State Child Welfare Court Improvement Project. (See Judge Walsh’s profile at nycourts. gov) Notwithstanding Judge Walsh’s judicial experience, and the diversity she would bring to the bench, Mr. Clyne chose his ally, Justin Corcoran, for the position. Mr. Corcoran, a medical malpractice defense attorney, appears to be a straight white male, with no judicial experience. He is an Albany County legislator, who lists his membership in the Ancient Order of Hibernians amongst his community activities, along with the Whitehall Neighborhood Association and the Albany County Bar Association. (See Mr. Corcoran’s profile on albanycounty.com) The party boss’ efforts notwithstanding, for the very first time some registered democrats within the Third Judicial District will have a voice in the process of electing a Supreme Court Judge. Registered democrats in the 108th, 109th and 110th Assembly Districts (respectively, the districts of Assembly members John McDonald, Patricia Fahey, and Phil Steck) will have a choice of judicial delegates to elect in the primary on September 9th. As of this writing, there should be two slates of delegates in each of these districts on the primary ballot.

One slate of delegates was selected by the party chair, and one slate of delegates are pledged to nominate Judge Walsh at the convention. In order to appear on the primary ballot, the delegates circulated petitions signed by at least 500 registered democrats. Although Judge Walsh’s delegates submitted well in excess of 500 signatures, the Democratic Party Chairman, who is also the Co-chairman of the Albany County Board of Elections, invalidated the delegate’s petitions in the 109th and 110th assembly districts. (He has no authority over the 108th Assembly district petitions, because it spans two counties) Mr. Clyne’s determination was vacated, and the petitions were reinstated by a Supreme Court decision issued on August 5, 2014, restoring a semblance of democracy to the process. Those registered democrats who reside within the Third Judicial District outside of the 108th, 109th and 110th Assembly Districts will not have a choice of delegates on our primary ballots. If we wish to be heard with respect to who is nominated as our candidate, our only recourse is to contact the delegates directly.

“A judicial election system presents the opportunity, indeed the civic obligation, for voters and the community as a whole to become engaged in the legal process. Judicial elections, if fair and open, could be an essential forum for society to discuss and define the attributes of judicial excellence and to find ways to discern those qualities in the candidates.”

(Justice Kennedy concurring in NYSBOE v. Lopez Torres). Primary Day is Tuesday September 9th. If you are not already registered to vote in the democratic primary, by the time you read this article it will be too late to do so. (The deadline for registering for a primary is August 15th). The deadline for registering to vote in the

general election is October 10th. For more information about voting in Albany County, see http:// www.albanycounty. com/government/ departments/ boardofelections. aspx and in Rensselaer county http://w w w. rensco.com/ boe_polllocations. asp. For general information about voting http://www. elections.ny.gov/ There are several other important primary races. The legal rights of LGBTQ families are an ever-changing 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. Reach Geri at pomerantzlaw@ albany.bc.com

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OUT IN THE GARDEN

Judith Fetterley

Sometimes More Is Simply More

Judith reflects on and revels in “Summer’s Full” Yesterday I came home to find iris bulbs on my doorstep with a note that read, “Last spring you mentioned wanting these if I had some extra. Here they are. Love, Karen”. I remembered the iris, I remembered wanting them, but I had forgotten spring; its frenzy of work and desire seemed to have happened ages ago. Karen’s remembering, and her gift, touched me deeply. Last week I sent out a request for help from my fellow Master Gardeners. I want to put together a brochure to advertise our Memorial Gardens at the Voorheesville Cooperative Extension and I need information from those who tend the gardens. Some of these gardeners I know but many are strangers to me. All but one person has responded and all have said they would help. Ben has been over to look at my horsetail infestation and recommend a treatment; Peter has checked out my lawn; Mary has offered to help me weed; Sarah says she has a peony for me in the fall; and Sharon will help me thin the boxwoods. In these and so many other ways I am reminded of the generosity of gardeners – their willingness to share plants, to share knowledge, to help one another with the work. It is an excess unfamiliar to a former academic. Emily Dickinson begins a poem, written, I believe, to her beloved Sue, first

her “special” friend, then her sister-inlaw, and thus a poem of lesbian love, with the lines: “There came a day at summer’s full/Entirely for me.” Each year as August enters my life, I think of these lines, for to me August is indeed summer’s full. Not too many Augusts ago an old friend came to visit with her teenage daughter. Looking out the kitchen window at the garden, the daughter said, “There’s a lot of love out there.” She was sweetly noticing my work in making the garden, but I think she was also marking the generosity of nature in responding with such love to my love.

Everywhere I look there is excess and I love it and I say, Yes, indeed, sometimes more is simply more. The sheer wealth of plant material that greets me every morning when I step out to say good morning to the garden astonishes me. The Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’ which I planted in the entryway garden has leaves the size of an elephant’s ear. The Silphium that I heeled in along the street is over 6’ tall. In the spring it was a throw away, a “where can I put this, I can’t leave it here but I have no place for it, ok down by the compost heap it goes” plant. Now it is

a stunner, stopping the foot traffic and even some cars with its commanding and demanding presence. The lowmaintenance garden that, contrary to intention, I worked on in April, May, June and July has finally come into its own; the Joe Pyeweed (Eupatorium) and the Rudbeckia nitida have spread and spread and spread some more, and are getting close to the grasses; the potentillas have overcome transplant shock and are flourishing, and even the evergreens are showing signs of health. Phlox ‘David,’ Echinacea ‘White Swan,’ and Filipendula ulmaria are pushing each other about in the white garden. The angelica has claimed some space by shooting up above this crowd; its purple flowers, furled or open, accent the sea of white and echo the smokebush which masses at the border of the garden. Orange and maroon daylilies run riot in the side perennial garden. Red hibiscus flowers the size of plates poke out over huge and beetle-savaged leaves. Out the dining room window I see the delicate peach day lily bouncing about and to the side a field of anthemis large enough to satisfy even Monet’s need for yellow. Everywhere I look there is excess and I love it and I say, Yes, indeed, sometimes more is simply more.

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

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H e r e ’s G u f f man

Pat rick Whit e

What’s New If anything’s local - it’s theater. Fall may bring back to school anxieties and pressures but it also brings the bounteous pleasures of the new theatrical season. Although our region is ridiculously lucky to be so close to what could be the finest summer theatrical producers in the world, who did not disappoint this summer with stellar productions of “The Babylon Line,” “The Mystery of Irma Vep,” “Breaking the Code,” “Living on Love” and “A Number” in the Berkshires and beyond, it’s always best to root for the home team because if anything’s local, it’s theatre. If you want to advocate for change and growth in the society around you, the best place to do it is in a local theatre where the artists reflecting your values and desires live and breathe among you. What could be more exciting than to walk into a darkened theatre and be taken to a place you’ve never dreamt of yet it resonates to your very core? The champion of new play production this season has to be Curtain Call Theatre on Old Loudon Road in Latham who are presenting for the first time in the area new works by A.R. Gurney, Nicky Silver, Kim Rosenstock, Christopher Durang and Joe DiPietro. I asked Carol Max, CCT’s Artistic Director what goes into her shaping of a season. “I choose a season that I hope will appeal to a broad range of patrons. I try to make sure there is something for everyone. My philosophy is very simple I subscribe to the fact that Baskin and Robbins works because they have 31 favors. I like doing regional premieres because most of the audience has not seen them, it’s like going

the movies, how many people want to see the same old movies they have seen in the past. We go to the movies today because it’s a new story and with so many playwrights out there, there are lots of stories to choose from. The only trouble in finding new shows is getting the rights. Scripts are easily accessible but often you have to wait years to secure the rights to produce them. “I take a risk with most of the plays because they are not well known, but 90% of the time it pays off, thanks to our patrons. The biggest change in theatre is not the theatre per say [sic], it’s been the tough economy the last 10 years. If you keep your prices affordable and your quality high you can ride out the hard times. We have a small theatre here and we’re trying to give a big impact.” Gurney’s “Family Furniture” opens their season running 9/12 thru 10/11. Capital Repertory Theatre has the acclaimed Broadway hit “Other Desert Cities” by Jon Robin Baitz for its first run in the Capital region from 9/26 thru 10/19. And how’s this for new? The world premiere of Sherry Kramer’s “How Water Behaves” will ring in the New Year at Capital Rep running 1/16 thru 2/8. “How Water Behaves” is a product of Capital Rep and Proctors Next Act New Play Festival which runs this year 11/1-11/3 at both venues. This past season saw the very good “The God Game” on Capital Rep’s main stage after being developed thru the festival. Confetti Stage presents their 10th year of new one acts 10/3-10/12. Hubbard

Hall in Cambridge, NY for the first time has a Winter Carnival of New Work 1/152/1. Local Actors Guild of Saratoga will also have their first New Play Festival on 12/14. Other notable new productions to the Capital Region are Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer Prize Finalist “Man From Nebraska” 8/29-9/14 at ACT, OOPS is premiering a new musical by Gail Sparlin called “Pokegama Hotel” at Quest Schenectady 9/19-9/28, “Newsies” 10/11-10/17 and “Kinky Boots” 6/16-6/21 at Proctors, “Becky’s New Car” by Stephen Dietz at SCP 5/8-5/17, the 2012 Pulitzer Prize winner “Water By The Spoonful” by Quiara Alegria Hudes will be presented by Confetti Stage 4/24-5/3, Troy Civic Theatre is presenting the recent NYC underground hit “Murder Ballad” in January, Ghent Playhouse has the rarely seen musical “Triumph of Love” in March and Theatre Institute at Sage has a new telling of the Anne Frank story “And Then They Came For Me” running 2/25 thru 3/8. Here’s to the new season before us! As Tennessee Williams said “Make voyages! Attempt them…there’s nothing else.”

Patrick White is a Capital Region actor who is performing in “Man From Nebraska” at Albany Civic Theatre thru September 14th and will be in the World Premiere musical “Pokegama Hotel” by Gail Sparlin presented by Our Own Productions at Quest Schenectady 9/19 thru 9/28.

CELEBRATE LOCAL THEATER

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DISCRIMINATION IN THE NAME OF GOD PISSES ME OFF by

I ended my last article by showing readers the email that I sent to twelve Albany Episcopal Diocese (AED) ministers. In the email I asked them one simple question: How do you reconcile preaching love and compassion yet still go along with Bishop Loves and the Albany Episcopal Diocese’s polices of discrimination and bigotry against LGBT people? I was very surprised, saddened, disheartened and finally pissed off (again) when I did not get even one direct response! The ministers did not have the pastoral integrity to speak their truth to me. But of course they had no problem complaining to their Bishop about my email, especially the line that stated if I didn’t hear back from them I would show up at their doorstep. Father Hartt, pastor of St. Peter’s in downtown Albany, sent my email to Bishop Love demanding that something be done about me. As it happened, Bishop Love was at a conference with my partner Keith’s bishop. The Bishop of Vermont was told by Bishop Love that Keith had to be told to keep me in line! If you’re reading this, you know how well that went over with me! Within two days I was on the phone with Bishop Ely explaining why I was doing what I was doing. Bishop Ely was stuck in the middle of an awkward situation. His diocese is welcoming and inclusive just the opposite of the AED. He sensed I was serious about my plans and offered to set up a meeting with me and Bishop Love. (I don’t think the bishops wanted me to end up on anyone’s doorstep.) My gut clenched, but I agreed to a meeting. I also reassured Bishop that I wouldn’t do anything “unseemly” during this meeting. I then again wrote to the twelve ministers informing them that I had a meeting set up with the bishop and asked them again to respond to my question and again not one response. Amazingly, I did behave at my two and a half hour meeting with the repeated help of the Serenity Prayer.

Larry Steffler

When I walked into the meeting room there was another man there. He was introduced as Father Adam Egan from St. Stephens Church in Delmar. The bishop did not have the fortitude to meet with me by himself. Fr. Adam proudly stated that he had gay parishioners. I asked him how these gay parishioners dealt with being excluded from full membership in his church. His answer- they placed worshiping Jesus above all else.

I saw a sad man closed off from his own emotions and feelings. The man then sat against the wall nodding his head like a bobble headed doll to everything the bishop said during our meeting. Have you ever dealt with a person whose words did not match what you saw in their eyes and did not match what you saw in their body language? That was my experience with Bishop Love. Here are some “highlights” of my time with the bishop: He began by saying that he was glad to have this opportunity to minister to me. I said whoa! I’m not here to be ministered to by you, I’m here to ask you questions. He went on to say rather vehemently that he was not a bigot and didn’t like being called one by me. He told me in various ways over the course of the meeting that he loves gay people like he loves all people, but not their lifestyle, but not as clergy in his church, but not as married couples. I thought to myself, if someone tells you they love you, yet there is so many “buts” attached, is it really love or just empty words? He handed me passages from the Book of Common Prayer that stated that marriage was between a man and a women. Did he really believe that a couple of passages from a book were supposed to change what I believe and what I planned to do? I asked him what he thought of the fact that four of his churches requested DEPO (Delegated

Episcopal Pastoral Oversight). (This means getting spiritual direction from another bishop because church member’s consciences would not allow them go along with Bishop Love’s policies.) He answered that he was a good guy for letting them do it without a lot of fuss! I don’t believe that he even thought that his polices were a problem! Those four churches were wrong, not him. When I ask him if people were born gay, he equated being gay to being alcoholic!! He told me that if anyone was born with a predisposition to either, that the person should not act on the predisposition. We wouldn’t want an alcoholic to drink themselves to death. What! When I asked if the majority of the American Episcopal Dioceses were wrong for being welcoming and inclusive, he couldn’t or wouldn’t answer. He did remark though that he knew what it felt like to be a minority because most of the other bishops in the House of Bishops shunned him! Maybe just maybe because of his rigid outdated beliefs? The last question I asked Bishop Love was, if Jesus was alive today do you think he would treat LGBT folks like you do? There was a long awkward silence before Fr. Adam laughed and blurted out that Jesus will keep us guessing. After that remark I knew I had to show up on this guy’s doorstep in Delmar and I did three weeks later. Here is an excerpt from the email I sent to Bishop Love after our meeting, “I saw a sad man who is closed off from his own emotions and feelings and even a major part of his church, a condescending man who did not have the courage to meet with me alone. In the more than two hours I spent with you, I did not see any real feeling or emotion in your eyes. You have the eyes of a religious zealot. Zealot- noun- “A person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their religious, political or other ideals.”

stefflerlarry@gmail.com

SUNDAYS Every Sun.

LGBTQ Alcoholics Anonymous* in the Garden Level 7-8:30pm am Bisexual Potluck Brunch* 11pm 1 in the Rainbow Cafe Sun.

of themonth

am Bisexual Potluck Brunch* 11pm 1 in the Rainbow Cafe Vintage Pride Potluck Lunch 1-3pm

First Presbyterian Church Sun. 362 State St., Albany themonth

Sun.

of themonth

Movie Night on the 1st Floor Supper Sunday on the 1st Floor

6:30pm

2 rd 3

Weds.

Every Sunday Night 6-9PM

MONDAYS Every Mon.

Free & Confidentail HIV Testing on the 3rd Floor

(ages 18-24)

6-7:30 on the 1st Floor (Sept. 4 - Nov 6 ) Schenectady Rainbow Nights Youth Group (ages 13-18)

4:30-6

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

of themonth

First Unitarian Society of Schenectady Tues. themonth 1221 Wendel Ave, Schenctady more info: Julia Helfman 518-372-911

7-9pm

2 th 4

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

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

RAINBOW CAFE IS OPEN

Every Friday Night

7pm

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

Tues.

of themonth

Special Artist Reception and Opening

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

Fri.

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

Every Fri.

of themonth

Trans* Pride Discussion Group on the 1st Floor

7pm

Proctor’s Theater, Underground Space 432 State St., Schenectady

of themonth

Saratoga Youth Group (ages 13-18) Saratoga Springs Library - Glatsby Room 49 Henry St, Saratoga Springs

Fri.

Every Other Tues.

Tues.

7pm

Albany Youth Group (ages 13-18) in the Garden Level 7-8:30pm

Every Mon.

TUESDAYS

1 nd 2 3rd

LGBTQ Book Club on the 1st Floor

FRIDAYS

4-7pm

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

7pm

Thrive LGBTQ Youth Group

Mon.

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

THURSDAYS

Men’s Peer Support Group on the 1st pm Floor 7-8:30 Free & Confidentail HIV Testing Mon. 4-7pm of themonth on the 3rd Floor

of themonth

6-7pm social hour 7-8pm discussion

of themonth

- pm

RAINBOW CAFE IS OPEN

1 3rd

Women’s Group on the 1st Floor

of themonth

Thurs.of themonth

WEDNESDAYS

Every

WEEKLY EVENTS

6-9PM

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

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

Walk with us! Please join the Pride Center at the

18th Annual Capital Region AIDSWalk. Walk with us to help promote and support HIV/ AIDS Awareness in our community.

Date: Saturday, September 27, 2014

Time: Walk begins @ 12 noon Location: Washington Park in Albany For more information and to get involved, please contact Jonathan Richardson at jrichardson@capitalpridecenter.org or (518) 462 - 6138

Lgbtq f.i.t.s. (Fun in the sun!) Basketball Tournament & Fundraiser! >Teams of 3! - two 6-min. halfâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s!> $5 per person, includes t-shirt & entry Featuring

dJ Tyemula

Sat. 9/6 1pm @ Washington park courts * must rsvp by 8/18 for t-shirt size*

Special Events

Thursday 9/4 LGBTQA Professionals Networking Event

Saturday 9/ 6 L.G.B.T.Q Fun In The Sun [F.I.T.S] Basketball Tournament & Fundraiser! All right sports fans - here’s another great community event the Pride Center of the Capital Region is bringing us this summer. The Pride Center of the Capital Region and MoneyBagg Dynasty present The L.G.B.T.Q Fun In The Sun [F.I.T.S] Tournament & Fundraiser!

Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014 Mingle on the Avenue 30 Lake Ave, Saratoga Springs. 6-8 pm $10 suggested donation

Come hangout with us at the Washington Park basketball courts in Albany, NY. There will be a main basketball tournament [ Ages 14+ to play], affordable snacks & drinks for sale, side games for folks not participating in the basketball game and face painting for kids!

The fastest growing LGBTQA monthly event comes to Mingle on the Avenue in gorgeous Saratoga Springs! Join us on their rooftop terrace (weather permitting) for an evening of great food and networking. Come meet up with friends, distribute your business cards and make important business contacts.

Thursday 9/4 THRIVE

It’s Time to THRIVE! THRIVE Group is THE group at the Pride Center of the Capital Region for LGBTQA young adults ages 18-24. THRIVE provides a fun, casual space to talk about life, coping, and adulthood. THRIVE is FREE and offered for 10 weeks from September 4th through November 13th. All interested members must join by October 2nd. Pre-registration is not required but is strongly suggested due to a strict member limit of 15. Call 518.462.6138 or email programs@capitalpridecenter.org for more info! Every Thursday, beginning Sept. 4, 2014 Pride Center of the Capital Region 332 Hudson Ave., Albany 6-7:30 pm FREE!

Friday 9/5 Back to School Youth BBQ!

This is a great opportunity to hang out with friends, meet new ones, enjoy food, good music, and be in a space where you can just be yourself! For LGBTQ and allied youth ages 13-18! Plus the event is FREE! If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with James Shultis at jshultis@capitalpridecenter.org or (518) 462-6138.

Great Music Provided by the Livest L.G.B.T.(Q) DJ *DJ TyeMula* ! Teams of 3. Two 6 minute half ’s. MUST RSVP by August 18th with t-shirt size! Cash prize for the winning team!! This is an event you don’t want to miss. For more information and to RSVP, contact Rosy Galvan at rgalvan@capitalpridecenter. org, (518) 462-6138. Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014 Washington Park Basketball Courts, Albany 1-4 pm $5 per person (includes t-shirt & game entry)

Tuesday 9/16 Center Families presentsBuilding our Families: Orientation to Foster Parenting Presented by the Albany County Dept. for Children, Youth & Families. Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014 Center for Development of Human Services 3 Marcus Blvd., Albany. 5:30 -7 pm FREE!

Sunday 9/21 Vintage Pride Potluck

Join us for our monthly potluck. Pierro Law will be presenting on laws related to older adults such as living wills, estate planning and taking care of aging parents. Vintage Pride is for LGBTQ adults ages 55+. Bring a dish to share, drinks and desserts provided by the Pride Center.

Friday, Sept. 5, 2014 Pride Center of the Capital Region, 332 Hudson Ave., Albany 6-8:30 pm FREE!

Sunday, Sept. 21,2014 First Presbyterian Church, 362 State St., Albany 1 -3 pm FREE!

CAPITAL REGION

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Senator Neil Breslin

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Candidate Madelyn Thorne

er Ja t ctione and au Meteorologis ey e e c m n E ’s la T e Y D N W & Bill by Peg ic s u M

And other elected officials and special guests… When: Thursday, Sept 4, 20 14@ 6:30 p.m. Where: Schenectady City Hall (front steps) Reception to follow: Mexican Radio, 325 State St. / Schdy Suggested Donation: $20 pp (Reception Only) *Cash Bar available with light snacks Facebook @ SalonDemocrats/events Join Statewide & Community Leaders as they come together and call for transgender non discrimination in every corner of the state !

• Live auction of work by featured artists • Silent auction of artwork and handcrafted items by national, regional and local artists • Wine pull and more

Tickets available for purchase online at mohawkhumane.org For more information please call 518-434-8128 x 206

“SIR YES SIR!” ��

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Private, do you know the signs? Our S.O.S intel uncovers the often hidden signs of syphilis. Be armed, stay safe.

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THE ALBANY GAY MEN’S CHORUS ��

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Community Events Friday, September 5th The Big Gay Cruise Boarding at 11:30pm: Singing, dancing, music & fun everywhere! Cash bar, Hors D’oeuvres, hot 50/50 raffle bois. Proceeds benefit the Pride Center and AIDS Walk 2014! The Big Gay Cruise on the Captain JP boarding at 11:30 pm sharp at State & Front St, Troy | $30 in advance, $40 at the gate. For more information: www.AmanKaraoke.com or call (518) 270-1901.

The 1st & 3rd Thursday of each month beginning September 4th

IOOV Men’s Group, 6-7:30pm:

In Our Own Voices is excited to announce a Support Group for Male Victims of Domestic Violence and/or Sexual Assault. Light refreshments will be served.

Thirsty Thursdays 8:30-9:30pm $10:

Hip Hop classes with Dancer/Choreographer/Performer Jermaine Wright! Learning basic Hip Hop techniques, original choreography, and some of the hottest trending line dances. Come experience other styles like Jazz, Modern, Funk, Dance Hall, African, Vogue and J-Sette. All levels welcome.

Albany Dance and Fitness, 1197 Central Avenue, Albany. Saturday, September 20th IOOV Gayly Bowl:

If you have any questions related to the support group please contact Phil at (518) 432-4188.

In observation of National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, In Our Own Voices presents the Gayly Bowl! Food, Fun and Fitness for the Entire Family! Six Mile Water Works Park (136 Fuller Road, Albany) 1-4PM. To register your team and for more information contact Gabby Santos. (518) 432-4188 or gsantos@inourownvoices.org. 34

M I CH A EL C OOKS AND YOU CAN TOO

Mic hael Meade

Apple Season Apples are a late summer staple and family favorite. Chef Mead has 2 great ways to bring this wholesome treat to your table this September. Now the long, hot summer tenderloins and place the rack in the is ending and we’re heading into au- pan. Generously season the tendertumn, one of the most beautiful times loins with salt and pepper. In a small of year in our part of the world; the bowl, whisk together the apple jelly “season of mists and mellow fruitful- and the Dijon mustard. Brush the tenness” as Miss Jean Brodie called it. It’s derloins on all sides with the mixture and place the tenderloins on the rack. time to pick apples. Roast approximately 30 – 35 minutes, September marks the peak of apple until a thermometer inserted into the season in upstate New York. Our or- thickest part of the tenderloin regchards, markets and roadside stands isters 145 to 150 degrees F. The meat are bursting with dozens of varieties should be a pale pink at the center. of ripe, juicy fruit. They’re fun to eat Transfer the and great to cook with, so enjoy them tenderloins to a cutting board, cover loosely with aluminium foil and let while they last! rest for ten minutes.

Pork Tenderloin with Apple and Onion Compote 2 pork tenderloins, each 1 to 1 & ¼ pounds, trimmed Kosher salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to taste 2 Tbs. apple jelly 2 Tbs. Dijon mustard

Compote 2 Tbs. butter 1 large yellow onion, quartered and thinly sliced ¼ tsp. kosher salt 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and cut into ¼ inch cubes 1/2 cup raisins 2 Tbs. apple jelly 1 tsp. fresh ginger, peeled and grated 2 – 4 drops Tabasco sauce, to taste Dash of freshly-ground black pepper ½ cup Riesling or other soft white wine

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a roasting pan with aluminium foil. Oil a rack large enough to hold the

Meanwhile, make the compote: In a sauté pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion and salt and sauté until the onion is lightly golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the apples, raisins, apple jelly, ginger, mustard, hotpepper sauce and white pepper and stir to combine. Add the wine and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the apples are soft, about 10 minutes. If the mixture is too thin, uncover and continue to cook for a few minutes until it has reduced and thickened. Transfer the compote to a serving bowl and serve warm or at room temperature. To serve, cut the tenderloins on the diagonal into slices 1/2 inch thick and season with salt. Spoon the compote onto warmed individual plates and arrange the pork slices on top.

Upside-Down Apple Tart 1 cup cold butter, cut into small pieces 2 cups all-purpose flour Pinch of salt 1 & ¾ cups sugar, divided ½ cup ice-cold water 1 3-pound bag of Granny Smith apples, peeled and quartered ½ cup butter, cut into small pieces

Freeze 1 cup cut-up butter 30 minutes. Pulse cold butter, flour, salt, and 1/4 cup sugar in a food processor 7 to 8 times or until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 1/2 cup ice-cold water, 1 Tbsp. at a time, and pulse just until mixture comes together and a dough forms. Turn dough out onto a piece of plastic wrap, and shape into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap, and chill 2 to 24 hours. Gently stir together apples, 1/2 cup butter, and remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar in a large bowl. Place apple mixture in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet. (Skillet will be very full.) Cook over medium-low heat 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes or until liquid is reduced, thickened, and turns golden, stirring only once every 15 minutes. (Depending on your stovetop, you might need to lower the temperature if mixture begins to scorch on the bottom). Preheat oven to 425°. Unwrap dough, and turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll dough to a 12-inch circle; place over warm apple mixture, tucking edges into sides of skillet. Bake at 425° for 25 minutes or until crust is golden brown and flaky. Let cool 10 minutes. Run a knife around edge of skillet; invert tart onto a cutting board or serving plate.

Serves 4 to 6. 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 . Send questions or comments to Mmeade1215@aol.com

TO BE A BLESSING

Rev. Gusti Linnea Newquist

Throwing Caution out the Window This article is one of a series provided by Advocates for Welcoming Congregations, a Capital Region group that encourages the welcoming of LGBT persons into the full life and leadership of communities of faith. The group also works to make visible for members of the LGBT community opportunities for practicing their faith traditions.

In my first year of ordained ministry, a bisexual woman and a postop transgender man asked me to officiate their legal marriage ‘between a man and a woman.’ I was honored to accept their invitation. But they called it a ‘covenanting service,’ instead of a marriage, for three reasons: to highlight the sincerity of their commitment in a nation where half of all marriages end in divorce; to challenge the inequitable gender norms associated with traditional marriage; and to protect me as their pastor if a question should be raised in the church hierarchy about my role as officiant. I was both humbled and heartbroken by what I learned in preparing for their covenant. Humbled by the ‘normalcy’ of their questions and concerns about creating a life together. Heartbroken by the fallout from their families as they moved forward with their plans. Humbled by the reconciliation that occurred with their families, as they bore witness to the love of God through their union. Heartbroken that my lack of emotional resources to withstand a church trial led me to request a justice of the peace officiate the legal part of their marriage. Then I served a congregation with a worshipping community that was half LGBT. Marriage equality became a pastoral issue that required an almost daily response. How could I serve only half of my congregation?

I couldn’t! Caution flew out the window, as child after child from same-gender parent families came forward for baptism. They were now my children. Caution flew out the window, as couple after couple traveled to other states to get legally married, and then wanted a ‘church wedding’ back home. They were now my responsibility to counsel in Christian covenant-making. Caution flew out the window when the ‘Stand for Love’ statement asked Presbyterian pastors and congregations to affirm their willingness to perform same-gender marriages even against church policy. This was now my clear calling. Caution flew out the window when one of my best friends from college (the first man to come out to me as gay) asked if I would officiate his legal wedding in Boston. This was now my chance to redeem the fear of my first wedding. Around the same time, I found myself in a Skype interview with the Pastor Nominating Committee of First United Presbyterian Church in Troy. As a committed welcoming congregation, they were also discussing whether or not to sign on to the ‘Stand for Love’ statement. I shared with them that I had already done so, and by the time I came to interview in person, they had too. There was no question in any of our minds that this was now the only

thing we could do with integrity. Members of First United also assisted in drafting an overture to our Presbyterian national assembly that will change the gendered language about marriage in our church constitution. By a shocking (even to us) 3 – 1 margin, this overture passed! While this particular amendment still needs to be ratified by our regional governing bodies, the assembly also passed immediate relief of conscience for pastors in states where marriage equality is legal. And so, as the number of those states continues to increase almost exponentially, we have basically achieved marriage equality in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). No more caution. No more fear. No more fight. Even as we celebrate this victory, however, we know the LGBT welcoming journey is really just getting started. Our next step is to welcome the openly transgender Alex McNeill, Executive Director of More Light Presbyterians (our main LGBT organization), to preach and lead a workshop on transgender issues during the weekend of October 18-19. Stay tuned for more information about this exciting new thrust of our welcoming ministry! And join us for what will undoubtedly be a fantastic weekend.

Gusti is a poet, a preacher, a teacher, and a lover of souls. She has served the national Presbyterian church in ministry with college students and as a church pastor in Tucson and San Antonio. She loves hiking, yoga, her beloved yellow lab, and a hot cup of tea on a cold rainy day.

Welcoming Congregations

Join Us In Exploring Your Spiritual Side At One Of The Welcoming Congregations Below: Community Congregational Church (UCC) 221 Columbia Tpke, Rensselaer, NY www.clintonheightsucc.org Community Reformed Church of Colonie 701 Sand Creek Road, Colonie, NY www.coloniereformed.org (518)869-5589 Congregation Agudat Achim (Conservative) 2117 Union Street, Schenectady, NY www.agudatachim.org (518) 393-9211 Congregation B’nai Shalom (Reform) 420 Whitehall Road, Albany, NY www.bnaishalom.albany.ny.us (518) 482-5283 Congregation Berith Sholom (Reform) 167 Third Street, Troy, NY www.berithsholom.org(518)272-8872 Congregation Beth Emeth (Reform) 100 Academy Road, Albany, NY www.bethemethalbany.org (518)4369761 Congregation Gates of Heaven (Reform) 842 Ashmore Avenue, Schenectady, NY www.cgoh.org (518)374-8173 Congregation Ohav Shalom (Conservative) 113 New Krumkill Road, Albany, NY www.ohavshalom.org Congregation Temple Sinai (Reform) 509 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY www.templesinai-saratogasprings.org (518) 584-8730 Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church 943 Palmer Avenue, Schenectady, NY www.easternparkway.weebly.com (518)374-4306 St George’s Episcopal Church 30 North Ferry St., Schenectady www.stgeorgesschenectady.org

Emmanuel Baptist Church 275 State Street, Albany, NY www.emmanuelalbany.net (518)465-5161 First Church in Albany 110 North Pearl Street, Albany, NY www.firstchurchinalbany.org (518)463-4449 First Congregational Church of Albany UCC & NACCC 405 Quail Street, Albany, NY www.firstcongregationalalbany.org / (518)482-4580 First Lutheran Church 181 Western Avenue, Albany, NY www.FirstLutheranAlbany.org (518)463-1326 First Presbyterian Church 362 State Street, Albany, NY www.firstpresalbany.org (518)449-7332 First Reformed Church 8 North Church Street, Schenectady, NY www.1streformed.com First Unitarian Society of Schenectady 1221 Wendell Avenue, Schenectady, NY www.fussonline.org (518)374-4446 First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany 405 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY www.albanyuu.org (518)463-7135 First United Methodist Church 603 State Street, Schenectady, NY www.gbgm-umc.org/schenectady (518)374-4403 First United Methodist Church, East Greenbush http://www.fumceg.org/ First United Presbyterian Church 1915 Fifth Avenue, Troy, NY www.unitedprestroy.org (518)272-2771 Friends Meeting (Quaker) 727 Madison Avenue, Albany, NY (518) 436-8812

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 501 Albany Shaker Road, Loudonville, NY www.goodshepherdchurchloudonville. org (518)458-1562 Holy Trinity National Catholic Church 405 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY www.NCCofA.org/holytrin.html (518)434-8861 Journey United Church of Christ 500 Kenwood Blvd, Delmar , NY www.journeyucc.com Presbyterian New England Congregational Church, Saratoga http://pnecchurch.org/ Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church 175 Fifth Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY www.saratogaspringsumc.org / (518)584-3720 Saint Aelred’s Priory and Retreat House (National Catholic) 670 Bunker Hill Road Northville, NY Tel. 518-863-8086 or 518-434-8861 staelredpriory@aol.com St. Andrews Episcopal Church Main at Madison Avenue, Albany, NY www.standrewsalbany.org / (518)489-4747 St. John’s Lutheran Church 160 Central Avenue, Albany, NY www.stjohnsalbany.org (518)465-7545 Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga 624 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY www.saratoga-uu.org (518)584-1555 Unity Church in Albany 21 King Avenue, Albany, NY www.unitychurchinalbany.org (518)4533603 Woodstock Jewish Congregation (Reconstructionist) 1682 Glasco Turnpike, Woodstock, NY www.wjcshul.org (845)246-1671

Proud To Be Open! Affirming! Welcoming! Joyous!

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A Pride Center of the Capital Region affiliate

AIDS Council of Northeaster New York / Project Hope.....32 Albany.com.....27 Albany Gay Men’s Chorus....32 Big Gay Cruise...2 Buenau’s Opticians.....22 Canterbury Animal Hospital.....16 Capital Region LGBT Rally for The New York State Senate.....32 Choices Counseling & Consulting.....18 Connections Psychotherapy.....35 Corey Jamison Consulting...35 Customericty.....26 Joseph Dalton/ Prudential Manor Homes.....25 Delmar Family Medicine.....25 Drue Sanders Custom Jewelers.....19 The Great Escape - Out in the Park.....20 HomoRadio.....25 Jay Zhang Photography.....27 Journey United Church of Christ.....18 JrMac Massage Therapy.....19 Law Office of Geri Pomerantz.....19 Mohawk Hudson Humane Society- Art Saves Animals.....32 Ronnie Mangione, Financial Advisor.....16 Northeast Acura.....19 Presbyterian Rainbow.....21 Queer Engineer.....37 RBC Wealth Management.....22 Joseph Roche, Accounting.....28 Saratoga Pride.....37 Security Plumbing and Heating Supply....26 Skylands Services.....16 Sutton Law Firm.....23 The State Room.....22 Tri City Rentals.....40 Welcoming Congregations.....38 Thomas J. Walling, CFP® / Cetera Advisor Networks.....25 Mark Witecki CPA......23

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

In Saratoga!

Congratulations to the 2014 Award Recipients: Eric Snyder, Volunteer of the Year Award Scott Levine, Community Service Award Price Chopper, Business of the Year Award Jerry Jennings, Peter Drago Leadership in Government Award David Rozen, Paul Postiglione Youth Services Award Kathryn Zox, Nancy Burton Straight But Not Narrow Award Bryan LaVigne, Community Center Award Ulysses de Armas, Libby Post Council Leadership Award Barbara Smith, Harvey Milk Award The Pride Center Gala |Friday, October 24, 2014 |Hilton Albany Join the Honorary Committee & Purchase Tickets at www.capitalpridecenter.org or call the Pride Center (518) 462-6138

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

Be with us! Tri City Rentals is a proud supporter of the LGBT community Visit one of our 24 Fine Capital District Apartment Communities

We want to thank the for choosing us as this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business of the year!

www.TriCityRentals.com

518.862.6600