Empty Closet, October 2012

The Empty Closet local, state and national news , newsmaker interviews , opinion, entertainment, columnists , event calendars , and health resource listings

number 461

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october 2012

Pride Agenda names Nathan Schaefer as new Executive Director Louis Bradbury and Marla Hassner, Co-Chairs of the Board of the Empire State Pride Agenda, on Sept. 15 announced that Nathan Schaefer has been named Executive Director of the organization by a unanimous vote of the board.

“I know the LGBT community across New York will join us in welcoming Nathan Schaefer as incoming Executive Director of the Pride Agenda,” said Pride Agenda Board Co-Chair Marla Hassner. “Nathan comes to us with significant policymaking, community advocacy and political action experience.

He is the right person to lead the Pride Agenda at this time, and we are confident he will

Samantha Vega with Jeanne Gainsburg and Scott Fearing at the Winfield Grill. Photo: Jeff Mills

Gay Alliance DinesOut on Oct. 23 Bronze:

Nathan Schaefer

Champion:

Friend:

help the LGBT community earn the full equality and recognition that we deserve.”

“Nathan clearly demonstrated to the Board both passion and compassion for the issues that are of the greatest importance to the LGBT community,” said Pride Agenda Board Co-Chair Louis Bradbury. “This is an exciting and critical time for the Pride Agenda, and we believe Nathan will infuse our efforts with energetic leadership and fresh ideas.”

“I am incredibly thrilled and humbled by this opportunity and I thank the Board for their vote of confidence,” Nathan Schaefer said. “We have an exciting opportunity right now in New York to continue the momentum toward equality. As Executive Director, I look forward to working with LGBT New Yorkers and our allies from across the state to build consensus and aggressively advocate for change.”

Schaefer most recently served as Director of Public Policy at the Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC), where he administered all advocacy, organizing and government relations aspects of the agency. In that role, Schaefer led the coalition that partnered with the Obama Administration to overturn the HIV travel and immigration ban, a significant win for the LGBT (Pride Agenda continues page 6)

On Tuesday, Oct. 23, local restaurants will be participating in the Third Annual Gay Alliance DinesOUT fundraiser.

Select restaurants have agreed to donate a portion of their sales on that day to the Gay Alliance in an expression of support for LGBT communities and the nearly 40 years of work by the Gay Alliance to “cultivate a healthy, inclusive environment where individuals of all sexual orientations and gender expressions are safe, thriving, and can enjoy full civil rights.”

The 2012 DinesOut celebrity spokes-queen is the wonder-

ful Samantha Vega.

Sam said, “I want to encourage our straight allies to come along when the Gay Alliance Dinesout. This event is a great way to show you care for your LGBT friends and family members. In fact, you should take them out to lunch or dinner on Oct. 23. Not only are you feeding them but you are supporting the broader community!”

Winfield Grill, shown above, is one of the participating restaurants. As of press time, the full list of participating restaurants is still being finalized, but

Organizations collaborate to produce trans health brochure The Gay Alliance, AIDS Care and the Wegman’s School of Pharmacy at St. John Fisher College have collaborated to produce an educational brochure on hormone therapy and other health issues specifically for the Trans community.

The brochure was created as part of pharmacy student Alexandra Danforth’s internship at the Gay Alliance.

“I wanted to create something that could supplement the medical care and advice that people should be receiving,” said Alex Danforth. “But I also wanted the brochure to provide basic information for Trans individuals, friends, families and allies on health care concerns, considerations and the basics of hormone therapies.”

“We are thrilled with the collaboration and the end product, it is a great addition to our educational outreach efforts.” stressed Scott Fearing, Program Director at the Gay Alliance.

“Danforth did an amazing job researching the issue, talking with community members and seeking professional advice.”

JoAnne Metzler of the Rochester Trans Group told The Empty Closet, “I remember when the prototype was first presented at one of our RTG meetings. It is quite gratifying to see that a number of our suggestions were used in the final product, which came out great! A big thank you to the Gay

Candidates to Watch Page 7

can be found at www.gayalliance.org/dineout.html.

“One of the goals of the Gay Alliance DinesOut event is to give local restaurants a chance to show their support for our community and our work”, said Scott Fearing, Program Manager at The Gay Alliance. “Last year I visited five of the participating restaurants the night of the event, and found that the diners and the servers were all having a great time. In fact, one place where I stopped had a two-hour wait list! So I suggest that people make their reservations early.” ■

Alliance for standing behind their stated commitment to support the Trans community in such a visible and important way.”

Pharmacy school students and professors distributed the brochures at several Rochester PRIDE Week events and they are now available from AIDS Care and The Gay Alliance. For more information or copies of the brochure, contact the Gay Alliance at info@gayalliance.org or (585) 244-8640. ■

Contents

Newsfronts................................... 4 Interview Louise Slaughter............ 7 Making the Scene......................10 Halloween History ....................14 Opinion .......................................13 Shoulders to Stand On ............21 Columnists ................................22 Community ................................25 Entertainment: ImageOUT ........27 Gay Alliance News.....................30 Rainbow SAGE Page.................31 Calendar.....................................34 Classifieds..................................34

Proud Publisher of New York State’s Oldest Lgbt Publication

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the empty closet • the gay alliance of the genesee valley • number 461 • october 2012

Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley

Perspectives From the Empty Closet Editor Susan Jordan

Get OUT and vote!

No excuses, please. We have the right to vote – a right Americans have died for and many people around the world still don’t have. Next month we have a chance to use that right.

“It was raining.” “I was too busy.” “My vote won’t count.”

Please! No excuses!

The people who hate us and want to destroy our families and deprive us of our civil rights will be voting.

However, an estimated 80 million people who would vote for President Obama won’t – because they can’t be bothered.

Or they think their vote won’t count. Or something.

Gay activist David Mixner wrote on his blog on Aug. 27, “Reflect on the results of last Friday’s CNN Poll to have all the proof you need to get busy now. When all voters were polled, President Obama defeats… Mitt by 52 percent to 43 percent. That is a nine point huge victory. However, when just those ‘likely to vote’ were polled, the election becomes a toss-up with 49 percent to 47 percent. Every… voter we get to the polls from our community is going to count.”

This editorial is not an endorsement. Obama’s environmental and foreign policies turn many progressives off. At best they see him as the lesser of two PAC-funded evils. But blogger Pam Spaulding of pamshouseblend.com, an African Ameri-

From the Interim Executive Director Anne Wakeman

can lesbian, disagrees: “I’ll take a party that is willing to put in its platform that I should not be fired for being LGBT and that I have the right to marry over a party that thinks women are incubators and rape receptacles and LGBTs… aren’t even given a shred of dignity.”

It’s simply a fact that few LGBTs want to be ruled by the Tea Party agenda for the next four to eight years; to have them appoint Supreme Court justices, end reproductive choice, make Medicare a voucher program, cut food stamps, increase tax cuts for the wealthy, continue trashing the environment, overthrow marriage equality, witch-hunt gay activists, declare homosexuality a crime…. And we’ll have to get over the idea that Romney’s 47 percent of Americans are “entitled” to food, education, housing or healthcare.

Did you see the conservatives throwing peanuts at the black camerawoman at the Republican convention and calling her an animal? They may not be the official face of the GOP, but they are the real face of the Tea Party. Who will win control of the Republican Party?

Civil rights legend John Lewis said at the Democratic Convention, “My dear friends, our vote is precious, almost sacred. It is the most powerful, nonviolent tool we have to create a more perfect union. Not too long ago, people stood in unmovable lines. They had to pass a so-called literacy test, pay a poll tax… Today it is unbelievable that there are Republican officials still trying to stop some people from voting. They are changing the rules, cutting polling hours and imposing requirements intended to suppress the vote. … I’ve lived this before. Too many people struggled, suffered and died to make it possible for every American to exercise their right to vote.”

So please get to the polls on Nov. 6!

Because your vote DOES count. ■

Many things

As October begins, the Gay Alliance is gearing up for its annual Dines Out community event. It’s a wonderful opportunity to test out a new restaurant or visit an old favorite. Dining out with friends, family and neighbors makes for a fantastic community event. Each of the restaurants involved in Dines Out donates a percentage of their food sales for the day to the Gay Alliance and we hope that you’ll make a commitment to join us on Tuesday, Oct. 23.

My interim commitment to the Gay Alliance has come to a close and it’s a bittersweet time.

I am looking forward to a new position with significantly less evening and weekend work, which as a single parent is necessary and feels sweet. Yet I think back on the years worked at the Gay Alliance and the incredible people I’ve worked with and the bitter part of this transition comes through.

I remember the morning of May 12, 2008 -- getting that call that Mom had a massive heart attack and was gone.

Christopher Hinesley, the Executive Director, supportively peeked in with “Who can I call for you”?

Working with Joanne Giuffrida, who knew that there was lots of running back and forth with my 84-year-old Dad and made life easier. Coming back from a Court appearance dur-

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The Empty Closet • Youth Program • Rochester Pride Education Program & Speakers Bureau Library and Archives Gay Alliance Resource Directory Shoulders to Stand On • Rainbow SAGE • SafeZone The Gay Alliance plays a central role in advocating for the fair and equal treatment of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. www.GayAlliance.org

Bittersweet

ing all the years of custody nonsense and just trying to talk with Sue Cowell about a state voucher that needed to be signed and literally I couldn’t breathe. Sue kindly asked if I had my inhaler and my response was “I don’t have asthma, it’s just stress.”

And earlier this year, when Dad passed away, the staff, the Board and friends from the Gay Alliance came in to the viewing and the remembrance of that support still touches my heart. Those that I’ve worked with the longest, Scott Fearing, Susan Jordan, Kelly Clark and Jeanne Gainsburg, and the level of respect I have for them is beyond description. Their willingness to go the extra mile, put in the long hours and stay positive as they know what the Agency is and can grow to be. I remain amazed and grateful for their dedication. So yes, the bitter comes through when I think of all the employees and volunteers over the years that were passionate about their work and supportive towards me.

Yet I leave with the knowledge that the Staff, Board and Joanne Giuffrida (on her return visit as the Agency’s Business Manager) will continue to serve the Community.

And, because it is my job, I’ll ask one more time for all of you reading this to commit to the Gay Alliance with your words, time and yes, your wallets.

The difference monthly donations make, whether that be $25 or $50 or $10 per month, or if you’re in a higher income bracket, adding a zero to one of those numbers, creates the means for sustainability with the Gay Alliance.

And know all of you will be missed as well. ■

Membership levels: ❏ $30-99 Advocate ❏ $100-999 Champion ❏ $1,000-4,999 Triangle Club ❏ $5,000+ Stonewall ❏ Enclosed is my check in the amount of _________ (check #______) Please charge my credit card in the amount of: __________ To: ❏ American Express, ❏ Discover, ❏ MasterCard, ❏ Visa Credit card # _____________________________ Exp. Date: _______ ❏ I would be proud to have my donation publicly acknowledged. ❏ Please provide me Rainbow SAGE Program (age 50+) News Benefits include: a subscription to The Empty Closet mailed to home or work, plus privileges at each level. Phone: 585 244-8640 or mail to: Gay Alliance, 875 E. Main Street, Suite 500, Rochester, New York 14605. Home delivery of the Empty Closet is free with your annual membership in the Gay Alliance.

10/12

for Many people

The Empty Closet is published by the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley 875 E. Main Street, Suite 500 Rochester, New York 14605 © 2012, All rights reserved.

Editor-in-Chief: Susan Jordan Staff Reporter: Ove Overmyer Graphic Design: Jim Anderson Advertising policy: The Empty Closet does not print advertisements that contain nude drawings or photographs, nor does it print advertising that states that the person pictured in the ad is for sale, or that you will “get” that particular person if you patronize the establishment advertised. Advertisements that are explicitly racist, sexist, ageist, ableist or homophobic will be refused; advertisements from organizations that are sexist, racist, ageist, ableist or anti-gay will also be refused. All political advertisements must contain information about who placed them and a method of contact. Additionally, The Empty Closet does not print negative or “attack” advertisements, whether they relate to a product or politics and no matter in whose interest the ad is being produced. A negative advertisement is defined as one that focuses upon a rival product, or in the political area, a rival election candidate or party, in order to point out supposed flaws and to persuade the public not to buy it (or vote for him or her). The Empty Closet maintains, within legal boundaries, neutrality regarding products, political candidates and parties. However, “attack” ads that fail to provide undisputable evidence that the information in the ad is true do not further in any way the objectives and policies of the Gay Alliance or The Empty Closet, including the primary tenet that The Empty Closet’s purpose is to inform the Rochester gay community and to provide an impartial forum for ideas.

Submissions: For publication, submit news items, ads, photos, letters, stories, poetry, ads, photographs or art by mail or in person to The Empty Closet office by the 15th of the month.

Design services for non-camera ready ads are available for a fee. (www.emptycloset@ gagv.us) Publication Information: The Empty Closet is published 11 times a year (December and January combined) by The Empty Closet Press for the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley, Inc. Approximately 5000 copies of each issue are distributed during the first week of the month, some by mail in a plain sealed envelope. The publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization in articles is not an indication of the sexual or affectional orientation of that person or the members of that organization. For further information, please write to The Empty Closet, 875 E. Main St., Rochester NY. 14605, call (585) 244-9030 or e-mail emptycloset@gagv.us.

The Empty Closet is the official publication of the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley, Inc., as stated in the bylaws of that organization. Its purpose is to inform the Rochester gay community about local and national gay-related news and events; to provide a forum for ideas and creative work from the local gay community; to help promote leadership within the community, and to be a part of a national network of lesbian and gay publications that exchange ideas and seek to educate.

Part of our purpose is to maintain a middle position with respect to the entire community. We must be careful to present all viewpoints in a way that takes into consideration the views of all – women, men, people of color, young and old, and those from various walks of life.

The opinions of columnists, editorial writers and other contributing writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the collective attitude of the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley or The Empty Closet. The Empty Closet shall not be liable for any loss or expense that results from the publication (whether correctly or incorrectly) or omission of an ad. In the event of non-payment, your account may be assigned to a collection agency or an attorney, and will be liable for the charges paid by us to such collection agency or attorney.

Letters to the editor: The opinions of columnists, editorial writers and other contributing writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the collective attitude of the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley or The Empty Closet. We will print letters at the editor’s discretion and on a space available basis. Only one letter by the same writer in a six-month period is allowed. We will not print personal attacks on individuals, nor will we be a forum for ongoing disputes between individuals. We reserve the right to edit for space and clarity. We will print anonymous letters if the name and phone number are provided to the Editor; confidentiality will be respected. Submissions are due by the 15th of the month at: The Empty Closet, 875 E. Main Street, Suite 500, Rochester, NY 14605; e-mail: emptycloset@gagv.us.

The online edition of EC is available at www. gayalliance.org.

october 2012 • number 461 • gay alliance of the genesee valley • the empty closet

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NewsFronts Local and State Michaelson has written extensively about the intersections of religion, sexuality and law. A practicing Buddhist as well as a long-time student and teacher of Kabbalah, Michaelson lived in Jerusalem and completed a fivemonth silent meditation retreat.

Bronson visits Bryant & Stratton for briefing

Jay Michaelson

Save the date: “God vs. Gay” author to speak at JCC on Nov. 8 Save the date: author Jay Michaelson will speak on Thursday, Nov. 8, at the JCC Auditorium, at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $8/$11.

Jay Michaelson is a writer, scholar and activist whose work addresses the intersections of religion, sexuality, spirituality and law. He is the author of four books and more than 200 articles, essays, and works of fiction. His work on behalf of sexual minorities in religious communities has been featured in the New York Times, CNN and NPR, as well as several anthologies. Jay has held teaching positions at Boston University Law School, City College of New York and Yale University.

He holds a J.D. from Yale Law School, an M.A. in Religious Studies from Hebrew University, an M.F.A. in writing from Sarah Lawrence College, and a B.A. magna cum laude from Columbia, and is completing his Ph.D. at Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He has been a scholar-in-residence at dozens of universities, synagogues and other institutions.

He is the Associate Editor of Religion Dispatches, a Contributing Editor to the Forward newspaper, and Founding Editor of Zeek magazine.

In 2009, Jay was included on the “Forward 50 list of the 50 most influential American Jews who are leading the American Jewish community into the 21st century,” and in June 2010, he won the New York Society for Professional Journalists “Deadline Club” award for opinion writing.

His newest book is God vs. Gay? The Religious Case for Equality, from Beacon Press.

Does the Bible prohibit homosexuality? According to this scholar and activist, it doesn’t. God vs. Gay, his wellresearched treatise, mixes academic analysis and memoir as it explains that the vast majority of Judeo-Christian religious traditions support the full equality and dignity of LBGT people.

The founder of Nehirim, the largest national provider of community programming for LGBT Jews, their partners and allies,

NYS Assemblyman Harry Bronson visited Bryant & Stratton College on the Henrietta campus during summer recess.

While there, he had the opportunity to meet the college leadership, interact with students, and become acquainted with the multiple career-training efforts now taking place at the campus.

Bryant & Stratton Director of N.Y.S. Campuses Jeff Tredo hosted several area lawmakers this summer for legislative briefings designed to enhance the efforts of the state legislature and the college to generate careertraining skills throughout the Western New York Region.

During this legislative briefing, Assemblyman Bronson spoke about career training and job placement in the Rochester area. The career preparation programs at Bryant and Stratton College are having an impact on the workforce of the Upstate New York region.

UR seeks same sex couples for online relationship study The University of Rochester Relationships Lab is seeking couples willing to participate in an online study about sex and relationships, with personalized feedback.

If you are either dating, partnered, or married, and 18 or older, the University of Rochester Relationships Lab invites you and your partner to participate in an online survey regarding the sexual activities that couples enjoy.

To thank the couples that participate, the Lab offers to send participants feedback on their responses. This feedback will consist of two indices: similarity and accuracy.

The first will describe how similar you and your partner are in your preferences, and the second describes how accurately you know each other’s preferences. These scores won’t include any of either partner’s individual responses; rather, the two scores provided will be based on calculations that combine both responses regarding the list of sexual activities.

Additionally, as points of comparison, the Lab will also provide a range that describes the average scores for other couples who have participated in the study so far.

More information on the study, the feedback, and confidentiality issues can be found at the link below. If you participate, please complete it in private, without consulting your

Bess Watts selected as VP of Organizing. Bess Watts (third from left) stands with (from l to r): former co-president Stan Kiino, Pride At Work Executive Director Peggy Shorey and Pride At Work Associate Director Darren Phelps. She was named a national officer on Sept. 15 at the delegates convention. Photo by Ove Overmyer.

partner or anyone else as you answer the questions. The study takes most people about 20 minutes to complete. At the end of the survey individuals will be given a link to send to their partners. https://www.surveymk.com/ s/6M66QNT?c=gv

Local Eagle Scout protests national BSA anti-gay policy On Aug. 21, local historian and Eagle Scout Joel Helfrich spoke out against the Boy Scouts of America’s anti-gay policies. He explained that he has returned his Eagle Scout badge in protest against the national BSA organization’s refusal to accept openly gay scouts and leaders.

To find out more about the more than 100 Eagle Scouts who have returned their badges in protest of the BSA policies, visit: http://eaglebadges.tumblr.com/.

An excerpt from Helfrich’s statement follows: In April 1991, I earned the rank of Eagle Scout. I became one of the two to five percent of Boy Scouts to achieve this rank.

It was the ultimate achievement in scouting and I imagined it would open doors for me, ensure my entrance into the Naval Academy, and pave a path to future successes. …

Yet more than one decade since I learned about the BSA’s anti-gay policy… I am more than ashamed that I did not take action sooner. Indeed, for the last two decades, I thought: “once an Eagle Scout, always an Eagle Scout.” No more.

I choose to return my Eagle Scout rank and renounce my affiliation with the Boy Scouts. … I have always felt uncomfortable with the organization’s militaristic beginnings, as well as the bastardization of Indian cultures through both the BSA and its Order of the Arrow program of which I was a part. To this day, scouts are still taught about “Indian lore” (“playing Indian,” as historian Philip Deloria put it) and recite meaningless so-called Indian phrases during camping trips.

Now I sever all ties to the BSA. …My actions also respond to the court order last month that the BSA release nearly 20,000 pages of the organization’s “perversion files,” confidential records documenting suspected and confirmed cases of sexual abuse and violence within the group, as well as what the BSA did about those cases.... The bot-

Pride At Work delegates rally after speech

by American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten on Sept. 15, in Cleveland, Ohio. Seated l to r: Jonathan Edwards and Jeane Kennedy. Standing l to r: Tom Privitere, Ove Overmyer, Anne Tischer and T. Judith Johnson.

Photo by Bess Watts.

tom line: a simple Google search provides all of the information a person needs to determine that there is more to fear from heterosexual scouts and troop leaders than any gay or lesbian leader or troop.

A number of noted biographers of Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Boy Scouts, have shown a large amount of evidence that suggests that Powell was gay or bisexual — at the least a repressed homosexual.

That history works to complicate the BSA’s claims regarding its founding and policies.

My actions are an effort to stand in solidarity with Jennifer Tyrrell, the lesbian mom from Ohio who was removed from her position as “den leader” of her seven-year-old son’s Cub Scout pack after the BSA learned she is gay. I support the initiative and courage of James Dale, the assistant Scoutmaster from New Jersey whose 2000 case against the BSA made it all the way to the Supreme Court… where the justices narrowly decided against his efforts to be readmitted to his position and therefore reversed a decision of the New Jersey Supreme Court. For the countless other people who have been expelled or banned from participating in the Boy Scouts, I take this stand.

Recently, retired journalist Naka Nathaniel returned his Eagle Scout badge and other scouting materials. Wrote Nathaniel, “I would rather my son be gay than be an Eagle Scout.”… It is my hope that more troop leaders, Eagle Scouts and BSA administrators will continue to come forward and work to change what is clearly a repressive policy.

On June 10, 2012, James Turley, a BSA board member and CEO of Ernst & Young, called on another BSA board member, AT&T chairman and chief executive Randall Stephenson…, to join him in an effort to change the BSA policy.… But perhaps the question that everyone should be asking, as stated

in a recent Chicago Tribune article by a mother of a Boy Scout, is “If the Army can change, why not the Boy Scouts?”

AIDS Care welcomes Dr. Harvey Makadon Harvey J. Makadon, M.D., director of the National LGBT Health Education Center at The Fenway Institute, and clinical professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, visited Rochester and spent time at AIDS Care on Sept. 17 and 18.

Dr. Makadon is the lead editor of The Fenway Guide to LGBT Health, published by the American College of Physicians in 2007. In addition to writing numerous articles and chapters on LGBT health, he was on the LGBT Health committee of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences in the US which published The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People: Building a Foundation for Better Understanding (March 31, 2011). He is currently the LGBT Advisor in Harvard Medical School’s Office for Recruitment and Multicultural Affairs. Dr. Makadon has received the Community Service Award and the Harold Amos Diversity Award at Harvard Medical School for his work.

Dr. Makadon presented a (State/Local continues page 6)

Save the Date!

RED BALL Feb. 9 Gay Alliance 2012 Red Ball Community Valentines Dance “The Ruby Masqueerade” Saturday February 9 7-11pm Celebrating Community, Love and Friendship!

(See the DecemberJanuary Empty Closet for more info)

Thank You Donors

Thank you for your continuing support!

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the empty closet • the gay alliance of the genesee valley • number 461 • october 2012

NewsFronts national and international Study: DADT repeal had no negative impact The first academic study of the effects of repealing “don’t ask, don’t tell” (DADT) has found that the new policy of open service has had no overall negative impact on military readiness, unit cohesion, recruitment, retention or morale, according to The Huffington Post.

Co-authors of the study, whose publication coincides with the anniversary of DADT repeal, include professors at the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Marine Corps War College.

According to Dr. Aaron Belkin, the lead author of the study, “The U.S. Military has set an international standard with the smooth transition to openly gay service.” In 2009, more than 1,000 retired generals and admirals signed a statement predicting that DADT repeal would “break the All-Volunteer Force.” Belkin is director of the Palm Center, the research institute that published today’s study.

While the media have reported impressionistic observations about the impact of DADT repeal, this study is the first scholarly analysis of the topic. To determine whether repeal has compromised the military, the study’s co-authors pursued multiple research methodologies including in-depth interviews, on-site field observations of military units, and survey analysis. They made extensive efforts to identify evidence that repeal has harmed the armed forces, including soliciting the views of 553 retired generals and admirals who predicted that repeal would undermine the military, of all known expert and activist opponents of repeal, and of major anti-repeal organizations.

Notable findings of the new study include: (1) Only two service members, both chaplains, were identified as having left the military as a result of DADT repeal; (2) A Pentagon spokesperson told the study’s co-authors that she was not aware of a single episode of violence associated with repeal; (3) Pentagon data show that recruitment and retention remained robust after repeal; (4) Survey data revealed that service-wide, the troops reported the same level of morale after repeal as they did prior to repeal; (5) Survey data revealed that service-wide, the troops reported the same level of readiness after repeal as they did prior to repeal.

Contrary to expectations, the coauthors found evidence that repeal has improved trust among the troops, and has enabled service members to resolve problems in ways that were not possible

while DADT remained law. For example, one soldier told them that in the initial period after repeal, he continued to hear derogatory language by some in his unit.

Yet when he spoke with them about leadership and professionalism, their conduct improved. “They don’t agree,” he said, “but they were willing to be professional.”

The soldier added that frank discussions are now less risky because of repeal, that honesty helped disabuse his colleagues of preconceived notions about gay people, and that ultimately, problems were “completely resolved.”

Leslie Feinberg

Trans activist Feinberg re-charged in Minnesota Leslie Feinberg has been recharged by the Hennepin (Minn.) County prosecutor for hir solidarity action in support of CeCe McDonald on June 4, the date of McDonald’s sentencing.

Feinberg’s charge, which is classified as a “gross misdemeanor,” carries with it a possible one-year prison term plus a $1,000 fine.

The case of CeCe McDonald in Minneapolis roused support and solidarity from lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer activists and supporters around the country. This young, African-American, transgender woman was the victim of a violent, racist, anti-gay, anti-trans attack in June 2011. She and her friends were set upon by three bigots as they walked past a bar. One of her attackers smashed a bar glass into McDonald’s face, puncturing her cheek and salivary gland.

A melee followed in which McDonald was the only person arrested. She was charged with two counts of second-degree murder and eventually accepted a plea deal that allowed her to avoid possibly

decades in prison for a crime she says she did not commit. For defending herself against a violent attack, McDonald was given a prison term of 41 months.

Feinberg is an award-winning author, transgender warrior and trailblazer in the LGBTQ liberation movement. Ze is also a revolutionary Marxist and a managing editor of Workers World newspaper. Despite being in poor health, Feinberg traveled to Minnesota to visit McDonald in jail prior to her sentencing, and again for McDonald’s June 4 sentencing. A large “noise” protest took place outside the county jail that night to let McDonald — and her state captors — know she was not alone.

Feinberg was arrested and jailed for three nights without bond for hir participation in the actions outside the jail. Mass pressure on the county attorney resulted in Feinberg’s release and the dropping of felony charges.

McDonald’s case and unjust incarceration were raised at Pride events in June around the U.S. and in several other countries. “Free CeCe McDonald!” has become a rallying cry for many in the struggle for LGBTQ liberation, against racism, and for the right to self-defense against violence fueled by hateful bigotry.

On Aug. 30, Feinberg announced the recharging on hir Facebook group page.

“I hope to see friends and other activists in court,” Feinberg wrote. “As defendant, I welcome parents and other caregivers bringing children of all ages, including infants and toddlers. I’ll bring crayons and drawing paper. Please wear purple/ buttons/t-shirts in solidarity with CeCe McDonald! I’ll be wearing the free CeCe t-shirt designed by artist/activist Ricardo Levins Morales.

“I’ve made a sign in support of CeCe to take with me to court. If you make and post your own sign in support of CeCe McDonald and/or have already posted one online, send me a copy of the photo/ credit/location via social media and I’ll do my best to include your solidarity in the multimedia dedication to CeCe.” Feinberg appeared in court on Sept.

13, at the Hennepin County District Court, 401 S. Fourth St., in Minneapolis.

(See https://www.facebook.com/notes/ leslie-feinberg/leslie-feinberg-re-chargedfor-solidarity-action-for-cece-mcdonald/10151141939389784 for Feinberg’s complete statements.)

Berkeley makes Sept. 23 Bisexual Pride Day The city council of Berkeley, Calif. has designated Sept. 23 as Bisexual Pride Day, becoming the first city to make such a proclamation.

Councilman Kriss Worthington introduced the resolution, telling his colleagues that it was important for the city to support an occasion “conceived as a response to the prejudice and marginalization of the bisexual persons by some in both the straight and greater LGBT communities.”

“Increasing bisexual visibility is a way of saying, yes, they do exist, and they

deserve our support and acceptance,” Worthington said.

Some bisexuals nevertheless say they feel overlooked or misunderstood, frequently finding themselves portrayed in popular culture as the punch lines of jokes or pathological. And while bisexuals are part of the acronym that makes up the LGBT rainbow, some activists protest that gays are some of their harshest critics.

“They think we have ‘straight privilege,’ and we hide in that,” Martin Rawlings-Fein, a director of the Bay Area Bisexual Network, told the Chronicle.

“We get pushed to the side in the LGBT community and told we don’t exist, that we’re actually gay or lesbian and just not totally ‘out.’”

-JoeMyGod.com

Common Assistance Application helps people living with HIV The Common Patient Assistance Program Application (CPAPA), announced

by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius at the International AIDS Conference in July, went into effect Sept. 12.

This single common application allows uninsured individuals living with HIV to use one application to apply for multiple assistance programs that together provide an entire course of antiretroviral therapy.

The application is a result of a public private partnership between HHS Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) and seven leading pharmaceutical companies and foundations, and their HIV patient assistance programs: Abbott Laboratories, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead Sciences Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Merck and ViiV Healthcare. In addition, the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors assisted in the development and implementation of the application.

“The last thing someone living with HIV wants to think about is filling out another form,” Secretary Sebelius said. “This application streamlines and simplifies the process, reduces barriers to medication access, and speeds access to lifesaving drugs.”

Patient Assistance Programs provide free or discounted medication to qualifying patients who cannot afford it themselves. These programs serve an estimated 30,000 or more patients a year across the country, and this initiative will aim to expand access to these programs.

The application is in response to suggestions by advocates and providers in the field to greatly simplify the process of applying to different programs. Prior to the development of the common application, individuals living with HIV or his/ her provider had to fill out multiple sets of paperwork because they were taking complicated, multi-drug regimens that many times involve multiple companies with varying application forms.

This initiative aligns with the goals of the President’s National HIV/AIDS

october 2012 • number 461 • gay alliance of the genesee valley • the empty closet Strategy by increasing access to lifesaving drugs for eligible patients, and by helping more patients receive effective treatment for HIV. The application can be found at http:// hab.hrsa.gov/patientassistance/index. html.

Petition urges Intel to end support of BSA More than 3,500 people have joined a popular new campaign on Change. org urging Intel Corporation, one of the Boy Scouts of America’s largest corporate donors, to stop funding the Boy Scouts until the organization removes its ban on gay youth and leaders.

Eagle Scout Zach Wahls, founder of Scouts for Equality, launched the campaign on Change.org after an American Independent report revealed that Intel gave nearly $700,000 to the Boy Scouts in 2010, despite the organization’s antigay policy. Intel Corporation has a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index and has an explicit policy of not donating to groups that discriminate.

“As an Eagle Scout representing an organization of 1,500 Eagles strong, I applaud Intel’s support for the Boy Scouts of America as a vital American institution critical in the development of our nation’s future leaders,” said Scouts for Equality founder Zach Wahls, who launched the campaign on Change.org. “But in July of this year, the Boy Scouts of America reaffirmed their discriminatory policy barring gay Scouts and leaders, thus forfeiting their eligibility for funds from fair-minded, socially-responsible corporations.

“Until the Boy Scouts of America removes this hurtful policy that is inconsistent with its own principles, they do not deserve the financial backing of companies that strive for workplace equality -- especially innovators like Intel,” added Wahls.

On his petition, Wahls points out that donating to the Boy Scouts is in direct conflict with Intel Foundation’s own funding criteria, which stipulates that Intel will not fund “organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, veteran or disability status.”

Intel’s own Director of Diversity, Rosalind Hudnell, has said, “Driving diversity isn’t rocket science. It’s harder. We are trying to do inside of our walls what society is still trying to do outside of our walls.”

Wahls, an Eagle Scout and son of two gay moms whose 2011 video in support of marriage equality became a viral sensation, launched Scouts for Equality after delivering nearly 300,000 petition signatures to the Boy Scouts of America on behalf of Jennifer Tyrrell, a lesbian mom and den leader from Ohio who was removed from her seven-year-old’s Cub Scout Pack for being gay. Together, Wahls and Tyrrell have led Change.org petition campaigns attracting more than 400,000 signatures in support of ending the Boy Scouts’ ban on gay Scouts and leaders.

Last month, President Obama, who serves as honorary president of the Boy Scouts of America, publicly opposed the Boy Scouts of America’s anti-gay policy, and joined presidential candidate Mitt Romney in supporting gay Americans participating in the Boy Scouts.

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), which initially broke the story of Jennifer Tyrrell’s removal from her son’s Cub Scout pack, joined Wahls and Scouts for Equality in urging corporations to pull funding from the Boy Scouts while their anti-gay policy remains intact.

“The Boy Scouts of America have helped so many youth over the years, yet the organization tells gay scouts that they are not welcome because of who they are and hurts children of gay parents by unfairly banning their parents from the organization,” said GLAAD President Herndon Graddick. “It’s only a matter of time before the BSA follows other national youth organizations like the Girl Scouts of the USA, 4-H Club and Boys & Girls Club by ending discrimination against gay people, but until then, the BSA’s financial sponsors should tell the BSA that they do not support their hurtful and unfair policy.”

Ginsburg says Supremes will look at DOMA soon On Sept. 19, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg told a group of Colorado students that DOMA will likely be considered by the Court in the next term.

Ginsburg spoke at the University of Colorado in Boulder. She was asked a student-submitted question about the equalprotection clause and whether the nation’s high court would consider it applying to sexual orientation.

Ginsburg said with a smile that she couldn’t answer the question. She said she could not talk about matters that would come to the court, and that the Defense of Marriage Act would probably be up soon.

“I think it’s most likely that we will have that issue before the court toward the end of the current term,” she said.

She did not mention the Prop 8 case.

-JoeMyGod.com

HRC: Chick-fil-A is not ending anti-gay donations The Human Rights Campaign is condemning Chick-fil-A for continuing to actively raise money for anti-LGBT organizations like the Marriage and Family Foundation, after having told Chicago alderman Joe Moreno that they would end the donations.

The Advocate is reporting that Chickfil-A President Dan Cathy tweeted a photo from an event raising funds for the anti-LGBT group on Sept. 18 – the very same day that news broke of the fast food chain’s apparent decision to no longer financially support groups that promote

discrimination.

“Chick-fil-A can’t claim to be turning over a new leaf while simultaneously funneling thousands of dollars towards a group that does not acknowledge the dignity and respect of LGBT people,” said HRC Vice President of Communications Fred Sainz. “Chick-fil-A and the WinShape Foundation are at a turning point and face a fundamental question: will they continue actively using customer dollars to support groups that demonize LGBT people, or will they once and for all act like a responsible business and stop supporting discrimination?

“This issue is not – nor has it ever been about – whether a particular organization supports marriage equality. It is about the fact that Dan Cathy’s personal views are leading to corporate dollars being used to prop up groups that demonize and spread malicious falsehoods about LGBT people. Americans can agree upon the values that make our country great – fairness, respect, and dignity for all. There are a number of organizations that work to promote these types of values. Unfortunately, Chick-fil-A is continuing to support organizations that do not reflect mainstream American values.”

In addition to being out-of-step with most Americans, Chick-fil-A’s current anti-LGBT donations are simply bad for business – and this summer’s earlier controversy adversely impacted their brand.

According to According to YouGov’s BrandIndex, Chick-fil-A’s perception with consumers dropped from a 65– nearly 20 points above the national average for other fast food chains – to a 39 in the week after Dan Cathy’s proud and very public embrace of his company’s anti-LGBT practices. Learn more at www.hrc.org/ chickfila; See Opinion, p. 15.

President marks first anniversary of DADT repeal on Sept. 20 President Obama issued this statement on Sept. 20: “A year ago today, we upheld the fundamental American values of fairness and equality by finally and formally repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’

“Gay and lesbian Americans now no longer need to hide who they love in order to serve the country they love. It is a testament to the professionalism of our men and women in uniform that this change was implemented in an orderly manner, preserving unit cohesion, recruitment, retention and military effectiveness.

“As Commander in Chief, I’ve seen that our national security has been strengthened because we are no longer denied the skills and talents of those patriotic Americans who happen to be gay or lesbian. The ability of service members to be open and honest about their families and the people they love honors the integrity of the individuals who serve, strengthens the institutions they serve, and is one of the many reasons why our military remains the finest in the world.”

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MEUSA coalition supports marriage equality initiatives Marriage Equality USA (MEUSA) announces The Campaign for 20 Million More -- a coalition to win the freedom to marry and defeat anti-equality ballot initiatives in election 2012.

This campaign is an effort to build local coalitions to support the efforts of marriage equality activists in Washington, Maine, Minnesota and Maryland as they face their own state battles this fall, and to help educate the voters in those states regarding marriage equality.

“This fall, over 20 million Americans will be affected by decisions surrounding marriage equality. We can all recall the joy and excitement felt by millions last spring when New York passed statelevel marriage equality. Marriage Equality USA is taking a bold step to help spread that joy across the nation by launching The Campaign for 20 Million More,” said Brian Silva, MEUSA Executive Director.

“We are extending an open invitation to other pro-marriage equality organizations to join this campaign. Joining the campaign means that they will help to recruit their members and volunteers to support local phone banks and invite them to participate in canvassing weekends in some of those states.”

Full details of the campaign, as well as signing up organizations or volunteers, can be found at www.20millionmore.org.

MEUSA has also partnered with United for Marriage to help volunteers who want to attend additional weekends in all four states or volunteer for a week or longer on location helping those campaigns.

United for Marriage helps to provide housing and transportation as well -- or if you cannot attend you can host volunteers in those states or donate frequent flyer miles to send a volunteer. For more information go to www.unitedformarriage.org.

Gay activists found not guilty in NC sit-in Three pro-equality activists arrested during a May sit-in at an Asheville, NC marriage license office have been found not guilty.

The Citizen-Times reports that Craig White, Laura Blackley and Cindy Jordan were arrested during a protest that followed a state-wide vote approving Amendment One, a constitutional measure prohibiting same-sex marriage, and that their allies see the judge’s decision as more than just beating a trespassing charge.

“It was powerful to see a North Carolina court recognize the fundamental right of LGBT people to petition our government to change discriminatory laws that ban marriage between LGBT couples,” said Campaign for Southern Equality executive director Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara. “This is one more (Gay activists continue page 7)

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page one (Pride Agenda continued from page 1) community and immigration fairness.

He has also been leading an effort challenging Congress to overturn the outdated policy that prohibits men who have sex with men from contributing to the nation’s blood supply. Schaefer has also been published extensively on issues affecting the LGBT and HIV/AIDS communities.

In 2011, the Pride Agenda led the way when the state made history by granting all New Yorkers the freedom to marry. Schaefer will now lead the Pride Agenda as it pushes for passage of a comprehensive transgender rights bill and on issues affecting LGBT youth, students and seniors.

“As a member of the search committee, I was struck by and pleased with Nathan’s knowledge of the transgender community, and his understanding of the issues we face in New York,” said Rochester-based transgender community leader Pam Barres.

“I am confident of his dedication to work for all of the LGBT community and I look forward to a very bright future for the Pride Agenda under his leadership.”

“I have proudly watched Nathan grow and evolve during his nearly five year tenure as our Director of Public Policy,” said Dr. Marjorie Hill, CEO of Gay Men’s Health Crisis. “He is a strong leader, passionate health advocate and innovative thinker. While sad to see him go, I am just thrilled that he will lead the Pride Agenda.

GMHC’s loss will be New York State’s gain.”

Nathan’s first day at the Pride Agenda will be Oct. 15. ■

the empty closet • the gay alliance of the genesee valley • number 461 • october 2012

local and state (Makadon from page 3) lecture on disparities in LGBT healthcare and conducted open discussions with the AIDS Care senior management team, clinical staff and LGBT health committee prior to presenting another lecture at the University of Rochester Medical Center’s office of Diversity.

“We are delighted to welcome such a highly regarded clinician to Rochester to discuss the challenges that many LGBT individuals face in access to quality, affirming healthcare,” says Jay Rudman, president and chief executive officer at AIDS Care.

AIDS Care collaborated with the University of Rochester Medical Center, Regional Primary Care Network, Evergreen Health Services, and Community Health Care Association of New York State to make Dr. Makadon’s visit possible.

Grisanti wins primary despite vicious anti gay attacks by the Right New York state Sen. Mark Grisanti, one of the four Republicans who tipped marriage equality into the win column, has won his GOP primary despite ferocious opposition from the anti-gay hate group NOM, who earlier this year pledged $2 million to unseat every one of those four GOP state Senators.

Senator Mark J. Grisanti, a Buffalo Republican who had also supported samesex marriage, comfortably fended off a challenge from Kevin T. Stocker, a Republican lawyer who accused Mr. Grisanti of breaking his word when he did so. But Mr. Grisanti’s troubles are not over. He represents a district that is heavily Democratic, and Democrats see him as vulnerable in November: he attracted unflattering atten-

tion this year when he took part in a bar brawl in an American Indian casino in Niagara Falls.

“For people that know me, I stand by my beliefs and my convictions,” Mr. Grisanti told his supporters, adding, “There are so many issues that we have done in this year. And unfortunately, you know, my opponent focused on a few. But the people spoke.” The fate of the Senate Republicans is being closely watched nationally, because New York was the first state in which same-sex marriage became legal with the support of a Republicancontrolled legislative chamber.

Gay-rights advocates say they believe they will need support from Republican legislators in other states to legalize samesex marriage, and they have been concerned that if the New York senators were defeated, Republicans elsewhere would be more reluctant to take the electoral risk of voting to allow gay men and lesbians to wed.

In September Grisanti was attacked by an anti-gay group with a flyer that was described as the “ugliest anti-gay mailer of the 2012 election.”

Sadly for NOM, Sen. Stephen Saland’s victory was announced Sept. 25. Sen. Roy McDonald was losing by only a hundred votes at press time.

Day trip explores Iroquois influence on women’s rights A day trip to explore the extraordinary impact of the role of women in traditional Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) culture on Matilda Joslyn Gage — 19th century visionary for women’s rights — is now open for reservations.

On Saturday, Oct. 20, Friends of Ganondagan hosts a day-long bus trip to the historic Gage Home in Fayetteville, NY to provide the opportunity to learn first-hand about this unusual link. (This trip was postponed from

earlier in the summer.)

A progressive leader for women’s rights and human liberation, Gage was inspired by the political power, responsibility, and social status of women in the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, which helped convince her and her contemporaries that women’s subordination was neither natural nor ordained by God. The Haudenosaunee Room at the Gage Home is a testament to the strength of that inspiration.

The all-inclusive Friends of Ganondagan-sponsored bus trip is $75, and follows this schedule: 9:30 a.m., bus leaves from lower parking lot at Ganondagan State Historic Site (1441 State Rte. 444 in Victor), arrives at Gage Home in Fayetteville by approximately 11:15 a.m.

From 11:30 am-1 pm, private tour beginning in Haudenosaunee Room; 1-3 p.m., custom-prepared* High Tea/Lunch at Gage Home, with opportunity to converse with docents. (*Gluten-free meals can be requested with advanced notice by Oct. 6); 3 p.m., bus leaves Gage Home, returning to Ganondagan by 5 p.m.

Pre-registration is required by Oct. 6, with a minimum number of registrants (20) necessary. Visit www.ganondagan. org/programs/SistersInSpirit.html or call 585-742-1690 for complete information and registration form. Anyone interested in this trip without the transportation component may register for a rate of $50 and meet at the Gage Home by 11:30 a.m.

Matilda Joslyn Gage — with Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony — wrote the arguments, inspired the passions, and organized the political action of the 19th century women’s suffrage movement in the U.S. In 1893, she was adopted into the Wolf Clan of the Mohawk Nation and given the name “Ka-ron-ien-ha-wi,” or “Sky Carrier.”

Considered for full voting rights in her adopted nation, she was arrested in her own nation for voting in a local school board election the same year. ■

october 2012 • number 461 • gay alliance of the genesee valley • the empty closet

national and international (Gay activists from page 5) step in our effort to achieve full equality under the law.”

Five other people booked after during the sit-in were set to appear in court Sept. 13.

Read more: http://www.towleroad.com/2012/09/3-protesters-notguilty-after-asheville-marriage-action. html#ixzz26McR36GI

Candidates to Watch

Groups raise funds to help LGBT Dreamers More than $75,000 has been raised by LGBT organizations and movement leaders to help young LGBT undocumented immigrants pay for work permit applications made possible through President Obama’s new “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals” (DACA) program.

The President’s program, which took effect on Aug. 15, allows young people who were brought to the country as children to apply for relief from deportation and for two-year renewable work permits.

It is the result of several years of increasingly powerful and courageous advocacy led by young undocumented people, who are known as “Dreamers” because of their active support of the federal “DREAM Act.” Currently stalled in Congress, the law would put Dreamers on the path to permanent U.S. residency and eventual citizenship. A significant number of Dreamer leaders are LGBT and have been instrumental in making coming out as undocumented one of the DREAM Act movement’s most effective organizing tactics.

Under current law, Dreamers cannot obtain lawful employment, making the DACA application fees of nearly $470 largely out of reach. The National Center for Lesbian Rights and the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center rallied other LGBT organizations across the country to contribute to the “LGBT Dreamers Fund” to help young LGBT undocumented immigrants pay these fees. Launched with a challenge grant from the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, 46 national and local LGBT organizations and individual leaders have contributed so far to the fund, which has been established at the Liberty Hill Foundation. Applicants can apply for the fund at www.LibertyHill.org/LGBTDreamersFund.

Fund organizers are still accepting contributions from organizations and individuals, hoping to reach $100,000 so they can help provide assistance to more than 200 LGBT Dreamers who qualify for the DACA program. Contributions can be made online at www.LibertyHill. org/LGBTDreamersContribute.

“I am extremely grateful for the outpouring of support from so many people in our community, who believe in us and are giving us an opportunity to achieve goals that seemed completely impossible for most of our lives,” said 28-year-old Jorge Gutierrez, a leader in the national Dream movement who is gay and also the project coordinator of the Queer Undocumented Immigrant Project, a project of United We Dream. “Coming out as gay helped me come out as undocumented, which has been so much more difficult and challenging. I was brought to this country as a young child, and raised here by a hardworking single mother who devoted her life to making lives better for my siblings and me. It was with her determination and support that I was able to go to college, pay for tuition without any financial assistance, and earn a bachelor’s degree in English from Cal State Fullerton. Since graduation I have been unable, due to my immigration status, to use my skills to give back to this country that has given me so much. President Obama’s program and this fund will really help change lives—clearing the way of obstacles for others like me who are eager (Dreamers continues page 12)

Louise Slaughter

Rep. Louise Slaughter House of Representatives, 25th District

By Ove Overmyer While October brings the heavy onslaught of negative ads and spin, unlike any other time of the election season, voters should accept the responsibility of knowing where candidates stand on the issues that are important to them and their families.

The responsible thing to do is factcheck candidates’ behavior and voting records, which would dispel some of the half-truths and misperceptions about the politicians who are asking for our vote.

After all, some of them stretch the truth and all of them talk a good game. But when it comes time to vote on November 6, we should be judging them on policy, their voting record and what they do -- not what they promise or say in their political ads.

This is especially true for a race that would decide the next Congressional candidate who would represent Monroe County residents in the House of Representatives (25th District) for the next legislative session. This is a newly redrawn district, in part due to declining population statistics provided by the U.S. Census in 2010.

Whether you are a Conservative, Republican or Democrat, no one doubts the fact that Louise McIntosh Slaughter is one of the most powerful women in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2009, Congresswoman Slaughter achieved a significant level of leadership as the Chairwoman of the influential House Committee on Rules, making her the first woman in history to hold this position.

She has been described by many reporters from the Beltway media circle as one representative who has the downright homespun charm that warms your heart and, at the same time, the ability to deliver a left hook that would knock you off your feet. Rep. Slaughter is additionally the Democratic Chair of two very prominent congressional caucuses: the Congressional Arts Caucus and the former Co-chair of the Congressional Women’s Caucus.

Her constituents know her to be a strong proponent of progressive causes and a fighter for equal opportunity and the employment concerns of Western New York. She has earned a stellar reputation for her dedication to constituent service, unlike her congressional opponent County Executive Maggie Brooks.

Over her storied career, Louise Slaughter has consistently fought for America’s working families and is not afraid to stand up to Republicans in Congress. She

was the original champion of the recently passed STOCK Act, which makes insider trading by members of Congress illegal and ensures that no member of Congress is above the law.

She is also a tireless advocate for women. Slaughter was a founding member of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, which helped create and pass the Violence Against Women Act, and fought hard to ensure that protections for women were included in health care reform.

In an exclusive interview with The Empty Closet, Slaughter said, “I’ve fought for equal rights for all American citizens throughout my career, and the struggle for LGBT equality is one of the most important civil rights battles of the 21st century.

I’m proud to live in a state with marriage equality, and I look forward to the day where everyone in America is free to marry the person they love. But marriage equality is not the end-all and be-all of LGBT rights. We still need to put an end to discrimination, bullying and other forms of intolerance that target LGBT Americans, and I’m proud to take on that fight.”

Unlike her conservative opponent Maggie Brooks, Slaughter has a voting record that supports equality. She voted for the repeal of DADT, cosponsored legislation to repeal DOMA, and voted for more funding and stricter sentencing for hate crimes.

On the other hand, County Executive Maggie Brooks, in a move that shocked all New Yorkers, spent tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars to file an appeal to the court case referred to as Martinez v.

County of Monroe.

This ruling was a judgment of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, which established that a same-sex marriage performed in another state must be recognized by the state of New York. It was decided on February 1, 2008. This was the first court decision that an outof-state same-sex marriage must be recognized by a state. On May 6, 2008, the New York Court of Appeals – the State’s highest court – dismissed Maggie Brooks’ application for leave to appeal.

This was the first of many actions that

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The Brooks campaign did not return calls from The Empty Closet requesting an interview. publicly put Maggie Brooks on the side of radically extreme conservative lawmakers to the detriment of the common good of Monroe County residents.

It must be stated that The Empty Closet reached out to the County Executive several times for an interview but our calls were not returned.

Louise Slaughter has been rated 100 percent by the Human Rights Campaign, indicating a strong pro-gay-rights stance.

On Sept. 17, HRC stated, “We are proud to endorse Louise based on her support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. Congresswoman Slaughter has been a champion of equality, scoring 100% on the most recent HRC Congressional Scorecard.”

Some other votes and public statements that give insight to her character reveal that she supports ENDA, which would prohibit employment discrimination for gays and lesbians.

In a nutshell, Louise is a strong supporter of equality and has been before it became fashionable to do so. She believes same sex partners have a right to marry and voted against the Defense Of Marriage Act (DOMA) in 1996. She also voted against proposed constitutional amendments in 2004 and 2006 that would have defined marriage as between a man and a woman. And, back in 2007, Slaughter co-sponsored the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and the bill that provided benefits to domestic partners of federal employees.

The total population of the 25th Congressional District is 707,717 (Source: LATFOR). According to the Monroe County Board of Elections as of September 4, 2012, there are 165,486 registered Democrats and 124,879 Republicans in the newly redrawn 25th Congressional District. The district covers all towns in Monroe County except four: Hamlin, Rush, Wheatland and Mendon.

Additionally, there are 94,110 registered voters not affiliated with any political party in this 25th District. There are also 18,404 Independence Party registrants, 7,391 Conservatives, 1,361 Working Families Party and 918 Green Party registrants. ■

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october 2012 • number 461 • gay alliance of the genesee valley • the empty closet

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the empty closet • the gay alliance of the genesee valley • number 461 • october 2012

Making the Scene

OUT & EQUAL’S September Second Thursdays Networking event took place at Pier 45, Charlotte. Photos: Jeff Mills

My Own Private Rochester: Maur DeLaney

By Susan Jordan Maur DeLaney, genderqueer and founder of Genesee Valley Gender Variants (GV2), is originally from Buffalo.

He moved to Rochester in 2000. GV2 celebrated its first anniversary on Sept. 6.

Maur says of the group, “It’s a good place to network and get to know folks who don’t fall into standard gender boxes.

I really like seeing people come into their own. It’s fulfilling to see the confidence they gain, plus just having that sense of a secure community and a place to fit in.”

The group, with an average attendance of around 15, meets at Equal=Grounds on Thursdays from 7-9 p.m.; often meetings run a little longer as members socialize.

Many members are also part of Rochester Trans Group. Maur said, “There’s a lot of overlap with RTG. That group is more structured and support, while GV2 is more social and informal.”

Maur’s favorite local event is probably the Pride Parade. He said, “I really enjoy marching in the Parade. I have since 2005, before I came into my own with my gender identity. That was around 2009, when I really put the language together. The different pronouns (some trans and genderqueer people use ‘ze’ and ‘ hir’) can be very affirming if they feel right to somebody.”

Maur also enjoys ImageOut, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month. He comments, “You get to see

Maur DeLaney lobbied for GENDA at the Pride Agenda’s Equality and Justice Day in May. Photo: Beth Helsdon

films that you couldn’t see elsewhere.”

As for local LGBT groups, Maur said, “GV2 is my baby but I also enjoy the Rochester Women’s Community Chorus.

I took a break for a semester but am still singing with them and proud to be an alto!”

He said that RWCC has accepted him as female enough to be part of the

Equal=Grounds,” he said. “I like to call it ‘my living room’ – they’re that kind of community place.

Any given day I can wander in.”

Maur’s own living room is getting increasingly busy.

“My 13-year-old son has just moved in with me,” he said, “and is going to SOTA. My partner is moving in with me too – so September was an exciting month for me!

We’re re-uniting the family.”

Maur at home in his Maplewood neighborhood on a rainy day. Photo: Susan Jordan Maur lives in the Maplewood neighborhood, on the west women’s chorus. While some trans people side of the river. “I love the fact that in are completely committed to being one my neighborhood, I can walk to the end gender, genderqueer folks often feel comof my street and there’s the Genesee River fortable with an identity including both gorge. I can walk to the Lower Falls in 20 genders. minutes. In the other direction I can come When he has time for fun and going to a ramp leading to a footbridge and then out, Maur likes dancing at Vertex on up to the zoo. The area is so wild that I Chestnut St. His favorite restaurants are can see hawks, Great Blue Herons, wild Open Face on South Ave., Han Nooturkeys, vultures, etc. I also love going to dle Bar on Monroe, Golden Port Dim Durand Eastman beach to watch the sunSum on East Ave., and the Gate House rise or sunset.” ■ in Village Gate. “My regular hangout is

october 2012 • number 461 • gay alliance of the genesee valley • the empty closet

THE WHITE PARTY, a glamorous fundraiser for AIDS Care, happened on Sept. 8 at the Century Club. The all-volunteer event was chaired by Lisa Cove. Proceeds will benefit AIDS Care’s research program. Photos: Jeff Cougler

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national and international (Dreamers continued from page 6) to make a difference and now have the opportunity.”

Said NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell, “With extraordinary courage, creativity, and tenacity, LGBT Dreamers have been at the forefront of this movement for basic fairness and equality.

When President Obama rose above politics to do the right thing for these brave young people we were moved, grateful, and wanted to help. We need these hardworking, talented youth to build a stronger future, and they need and deserve a chance to stop living in fear and on the margins. But the reality is that most of these young people will not have a chance to apply because of the cost. This fund is at the core of what our movement is about—standing together and making a difference in the lives of people who are part of our diverse community.”

Added L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center Chief of Staff Darrel Cummings: “These young people, like everyone else, are entitled to a life free of discrimination and full of hope. It’s gratifying and heartwarming that so many organizations and individuals have stepped forward to support those who need and deserve it.”

The Liberty Hill Foundation is overseeing the administration of the fund, which includes processing the online applications, vetting all applications, and disseminating the funds.

NIH analysis estimates effective PrEP dosing Several large clinical trials have demonstrated that a daily oral dose of one or two antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV infection can prevent infection in an approach known as pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP. The level of protection, however, depends on taking the drugs regularly.

For instance, the landmark iPrEx study found that overall, men who have sex with men who received a daily dose of tenofovir plus emtricitabine (Truvada) had a 44 percent lower risk of HIV infection compared with those who received a daily placebo pill. But for the subset of participants who had detectable drug in their blood — indicating that they were actually taking Truvada regularly — the risk of HIV infection was 92 percent less than for the placebo group.

Led by study chair Robert M. Grant, M.D., of the Gladstone Institute of Virology and Immunology, the iPrEx team recently set out to estimate what drug concentration in blood cells was associated with a 90 percent reduction in HIV infection risk, and how many Truvada doses per week would achieve that concentration. The research was funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the Nation-

the empty closet • the gay alliance of the genesee valley • number 461 • october 2012 al Institute of Mental Health, the National Center for Research Resources and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, all part of the National Institutes of Health.

The scientists examined data from the iPrEx study to determine the concentrations of tenofovir diphosphate, the active form of tenofovir, associated with different levels of protection from HIV acquisition. They focused on tenofovir diphosphate because it is believed to be the most important component of Truvada for PrEP. The researchers also conducted a small study to determine the blood concentrations of tenofovir diphosphate that resulted from taking a Truvada pill two, four and seven days per week.

Through their analyses, the scientists found that to achieve the 90 percent risk reduction in HIV acquisition, participants needed to take Truvada at least four days per week (which would achieve a concentration of roughly 16 x 10-15 moles of tenofovir diphosphate per million blood cells). The researchers also estimated that taking Truvada daily would lead to a 99 percent reduction in HIV infection risk.

The authors caution that the findings of this study, which are relevant to men who have sex with men (the iPrEx study population), may not be applicable to other populations, such as heterosexuals.

This is because the minimum protective drug concentration in the blood and the number of tablets per week required to achieve that concentration in target tissues may differ depending on the route and frequency of exposure to HIV. This study was funded by NIH grants R21 MH085598, UO1 AI084735, RO1 AI062333, UO1 AI064002 and UL1 RR024131.

ARTICLE: Anderson et al. Emtricitabine-tenofovir concentrations and pre-exposure prophylaxis efficacy in men who have sex with men. Science Translational Medicine.

DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3004006 (2012)

Play producer may serve prison term in Uganda David Cecil, the producer of Uganda’s first gay-themed play “The River and The Mountain”, which had a short run in August in Kampala, is being threatened with a jail term for staging the play.

Cecil appeared at a hearing on Sept.

13, and was taken into custody, the AP reports: David Cecil appeared in court Thursday, Sept. 13, charged with “disobeying lawful orders” from the Uganda Media Council, which says he staged “The River and the Mountain” in Uganda’s capital last month despite orders to the contrary.

Cecil’s lawyer, Francis Onyango, said his client was not released on bail because his passport, wanted by the magistrate, had been confiscated by the police.

A bail hearing is next week. Cecil faces a two-year prison term if convicted for “disobeying legal orders”. Uganda activ-

ists are speaking out, the AFP reports: “Such acts go against the constitutional provisions of freedom of expression and assembly,” said Clare Byarugaba, a coordinator at gay rights group the Ugandan Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law. “These charges are ungrounded and only serve to propel further the State of Uganda’s anti-gay campaigns,” she said.

Ugandan officials, however, said the arrest was justified and warned that more people involved with the performance could face prosecution if the play is staged again.

“We have already put a directive to police that whoever is taking part in the play and especially those Ugandans who are paid to take part must stop or else they will be inviting the long arm of the law,” said Simon Lokodo, Uganda’s ethics and integrity minister.

Read more: http://www.towleroad. com/#ixzz26RyLSqym

time in the country a marriage equality law would pass through voter referendum. “We are urging Marylanders,” said Coates, “to vote ‘Yes’ on Question 6, and to make sure all couples and their families are treated fairly and equally under the law.” According to Coates, the Rev. Al Sharpton, President and CEO of the National Action Network, will join the group of prominent African-American pastors from Maryland and around the country attending and speaking at the event.

Says Coates, “The impression that all African-American pastors are fundamentally opposed to the idea of marriage equality is wrong. This event will display just a small cohort of influential AfricanAmerican clergy voices who support the issue of civil marriage protection for gay and lesbian couples.”

African-American pastors back Maryland marriage equalitybill On Sept. 21 a coalition of prominent African-American pastors and clergy from around the country held a press conference at the National Press Club to announce their support for marriage equality legislation, and in particular, the Civil Marriage Protection Act in Maryland.

The group urged Marylanders to vote “Yes” on Question 6 of the Maryland ballot referendum.

According to the group’s convener, the Rev. Delman Coates, Senior Pastor of the Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in Clinton, MD, “The group of pastors that will assemble have a range of personal religious views and church practices as it relates to same sex marriage. Some perform same sex marriages and others do not. And yet, we stand united in the conviction that the role of the state is to protect the equal rights of all its citizens and should not codify discrimination as a matter of law and public policy.”

In February of this year, the Maryland State General Assembly passed the Civil Marriage Act that allows same sex couples to receive a civil marriage license. The law explicitly exempts religious institutions and clergy who do not affirm or perform same sex marriages if it is inconsistent with their beliefs and practices. According to Rev. Todd Yeary, Senior Pastor of the Douglas Memorial Community Church in Baltimore, “I can fully support the Civil Marriage Protection Act because it in no way forces any church to acknowledge or perform same sex marriages if it is incompatible with its beliefs. This is about protecting all families and ensuring that we have a society where everyone is treated equally as a matter of law without the imposition of religious dogma.”

This November, Maryland voters will be asked in a ballot referendum whether to support the Civil Marriage Protection Act. If passed, this would be the first

Vikings’ Chris Kluwe stands up for LGBT marriage equality “Every time you propagate the message that being gay is to be less than human, that same sex marriage cannot be as filled with love and laughter and tears as heterosexual marriage, that gays don’t deserve to pass a legacy on to their family, you quicken that howling storm and sweep away a tiny bit more humanity from the world, drive one more child to contemplating the cold razor’s bite, or the yawning abyss of the overdose because they simply cannot deal with the unceasing assault upon their psyche.

“Well I, for one, will not stand for it.

“I will not stand for a world that demeans those it finds ‘different’ or ‘gross’.

I will not stand for an ideology that promotes slavish adherence to a single arbitrary standard, that sacrifices children on the altar of oppression and control. I will not stand for one more RED TINGED MUSHROOM CLOUD second of people thinking that they have the right to live someone else’s life for them, for the complete lack of empathy so often shown in our society. I stand for gay marriage. I stand for the end of segregation. I stand for a woman’s right to vote. I stand for equality under the law, for treating others how I want to be treated, for the fundamental human right to live a happy life free of tyranny. I stand for my children.”

- Minnesota Vikings kicker Chris Kluwe, writing for the Pioneer Press.

Chicago prosecutor stabbed while defending gay men from attacks A Cook County prosecutor who has not been identified was sent to the hospital after being stabbed in Chicago’s Lincoln Park while defending two men from an anti-gay attack, the Sun-Times reports: The 32-year-old employee of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office was walking by himself along the lakefront when he saw two people approach two apparently gay men and verbally assault them, state’s attorney’s office spokeswoman Sally Daly said.

(Chicago continues page 15)

october 2012 • number 461 • gay alliance of the genesee valley • the empty closet

Opinion TWO Calls On Chick-fil-A To Publicly Announce Divorce From Anti-Gay Groups

By Wayne Besen, Truth Wins Out Truth Wins Out called on Chickfil-A executives to very publicly announce its alleged divorce from antigay organizations and confirm its new pledge not to fund homophobic political groups though its Winshape Foundation. This is important because when TWO attended the Values Voter Summit in Washington, “Chick-fil-A” had become a code phrase for anti-gay activists’ disapproval of LGBT equality.

Chick-fil-A is now viewed by the extreme right as its Alamo -- a defiant fortress against corporate America’s widespread embrace of LGBT equality. It is a big victory if the company is no longer holding the banner of intolerance and is back in the business of poultry instead of anti-gay politics.

According to reports, Chicago Alderman Proco “Joe” Moreno has struck a deal with Chick-fil-A that will allow the chain to open in his ward, after months of controversy that started with anti-gay comments made by the restaurant’s chief operating officer, Dan Cathy. According to Moreno and The Civil Rights Agenda (TCR A), the company will no longer donate money to anti-gay organizations and has issued a memo about respectful treatment of LGBT employees and customers.

Recently, Chick-fil-A’s Cathy cre-

ated a furor when he claimed that those who support marriage equality for same sex couples are “inviting God’s judgment on our nation.” The comments caused several mayors of major cities, such as Boston, Chicago, and Washington, DC to express their contempt for the food chain.

The issue reached its apogee when polarizing political figures, such as Mike Huckabee and Sarah Palin, sponsored Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day. While the corporation had a single day of huge sales, the controversy badly tarnished the brand and turned the product radioactive in America’s major metropolitan regions.

This controversy extends beyond Cathy’s comments and includes his more than $5 million in donations to anti-gay organizations such as The Family Research Council. His Winshape Foundation has also contributed to Exodus International, which has worked in the past to help people “pray away the gay.”

The only way for Chick-fil-A to save the long-term viability of its brand is to publicly declare its divorce from antigay extremists. Today’s announcement that it won’t be funding flagrantly anti-gay organizations is a good start and we hope to see more of a commitment to fairness in the future. ■ Editor’s Note: The Human Rights Campaign announced on Sept. 20 that Chick-fil-A is still making donations to anti gay groups (such as the Marriage and Family Foundation) despite what Alderman Moreno was told. See article on page 5.

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the empty closet • the gay alliance of the genesee valley • number 461 • october 2012

Halloween History Hanging with the Hag

By Susan Jordan Where did Halloween come from?

All Hallows Eve or Hallow E’en was originally Gaelic Samhain (pronounced “sowin”) – the fire festival marking the death of the year, celebrated by the ancient Celts and perhaps by pre-Indo-European agricultural peoples who occupied Europe in the Neolithic Age and built the great stone circles, such as Stonehenge, and associated passage graves.

The English site called Silbury Hill, the largest pyramid in Europe, was erected c. 3000 BCE by these people, perhaps as a Harvest Festival Hill; no burials have been found there. Excavations have revealed deposits of hazel nuts, which ripen in the fall, suggesting some kind of late fall ritual.

Fall was also important to pastoralists, whose herds moved from summer to winter pastures in fall and back again in spring. Samhain and Beltain (May Eve) were “Moving Days” when livestock were driven between two sacred fires to ensure their health in the coming year.

Celtic scholar Anne Ross writes that the earliest waves of Indo-European Celts absorbed many of the beliefs and customs of the Neolithic pre-Indo European peoples they encountered during their long journey from the Asian steppes to Switzerland, where they are first identifiable in the early Iron Age as Celts, inhabiting salt mine areas like Hallstadt, and then spreading through western Europe and parts of Asia Minor.

Celts invaded Greek and Roman-held territories and dominated much of Europe until Julius Caesar’s wars against the Gauls in France and the British Celtic tribes.

Successive waves of Teutonic (Frankish/ Norse/Anglo Saxon) immigrants from the East finally drove the Celts into the countries associated with them today – the far western and northern areas of Britain, the country of Ireland, and Brittany in western France.

Ancient peoples, whether hunter/gatherers, pastoralists or farmers, saw the seasons as an eternal cycle. There were four Quarter fire feasts in the Iron Age Celtic religion: the winter and summer solstices and the fall and spring equinoxes. There also were Cross-Quarter fire feasts: Samhain/Halloween on Oct. 31-Nov. 1; Beltain, the Feast of Spring, April 30-May 1; Lughnasad or Lammas, the Harvest feast (Aug. 1-2) and Candlemas, called Imbolc by the Celts, the feast of Light, on Feb. 1-2.

The monthly cycle of the moon and women’s bodies was important from earliest times. The three stages of the moon, crescent, full and waning, were associated with the Triple Goddess: the Maiden or Birth Virgin (crescent), the Midsummer Queen (full) and the Winter Hag (waning). Three Fates are present in all European folklores and three is still the magic number. Nine (3 x 3), the number of months of human gestation, was also sacred – there were Greece’s Nine Muses and the Nine Maidens who attended the Arthurian witch/queen/priestess/goddess Morgan le Fay (Mor-rig-aine, “Great High Queen,” le Fay/Fae, “the Fate”).

Ancient lunar enchantment created the image of the witch flying her broomstick across the full moon.

In the 19th century, many Celtic people from Ireland and Scotland were exiled by the oppression of English landlords: the Scottish Highland “clearances” and the Irish potato famine caused millions of Celts to emigrate to Canada and the U.S., bringing their folk customs, tales and beliefs with them. By the late 19th century, Halloween was a popular holiday for all Americans.

“The ancient Lady will fall from her high place.” ~ Nostradamus, 16th century Where did Jack O’Lanterns come from?

In Europe, turnips were hollowed out and had faces carved on them, and candles were placed inside. In North America, native pumpkins replaced turnips.

Tales were told of Will o’ the Wisp, a mischievous nocturnal spirit who carried lights and lured unwary travelers into bogs. He was sometimes called Jack (or she was called Peg) O’Lantern.

Why are witches associated with Halloween?

Powerful females have been seen as evil since male-centered Christianity replaced pre-Christian religions and demonized polytheistic rival faiths.

Magic, like science, technology and art, is a neutral force that can be used for good or evil. “Sorcerers” or destructive magicians in some animistic religions today are those who use magic to harm and gain control over others, while “good” witches heal and do good deeds with magic; however, they need to understand how sorcery works in order to combat it. Patriarchy defined all female-centered spirituality, religion and magic as destructive sorcery – even when it was used to bless children, crops, herds or fishing fleets, as the church still does today.

Since pre-Christian religions, especially from non-literate cultures like that of the Celtic Druids, were erased from His-Story, we don’t know much about them other than that they were local and polytheistic and profoundly connected to the seasonal cycles of Nature. Heroes and gods were seen as aspects of the Lady – the macho hero called Hercules in Rome was Herakles in Greek, meaning “glory of Hera,” the Great Goddess later reduced to the status of “wife” of patriarchal Zeus.

It seems likely that the Faeries of European myth originated as the pre-Indo European and early Celtic dieties and elemental spirits, and their mortal incarnations, who were often fate-priestesses and queens. “Faery” comes from the Latin word Fata, “Fate”.

The Faeries/Fae (or People of Peace, as they preferred to be known) had three Queens and a “Seelie Court” (Seelie meaning “harvest,” or “blessed,” possibly the source of Sil-bury Hill), which represented the Life Force. Their opponents were the “Unseelie Court,” which represented death and winter. The two groups battled at the change of seasons: the Unseelie Court won at Halloween, and the Seelie Court won in the spring, so that life could return to the earth.

The Hag (Gaelic cailleach), a blueskinned Giantess, represented Winter and

the death of the year at Samhain and she ruled the burial mounds – but she was also the goddess of wisdom with a magical life-giving Cauldron; a midwife and healer; protector of children, young animals and the wilderness, and the Life Force that brings rebirth to the world in spring. The Hag’s connection with wilderness and wild animals suggests an origin in Paleolithic hunter/gatherer days, which could make the Hag the earliest deity revered by human beings. A mediaeval Welsh myth describes three Hags armed with tridents who inhabit a forest where they guard sacred wells and protect the wild animals.

In Asia Minor and Greece, the primeval Hag evolved as Artemis/Diana, the Anatolian/Greek/Roman goddess of hunting and the wilderness. Artemis/ Diana, once associated with the Amazons (possibly pre-Indo European peoples of the Black Sea area), and the central deity of Ephesus in Anatolia, became the mediaeval goddess of the “witches” after pre-Christian spirituality had to go underground. According to disapproving Christian texts, witchy women rode by night in Diana’s name. Hekate of the Crossroads was her Crone form.

In spring the Celtic Hag threw down her Distaff and turned into a megalithic stone, or the beautiful Maiden herself.

Patriarchy disrupted the Natural cycle of the seasons and replaced the eternal spiral of death/rebirth with a straight line leading from Creation to Judgment.

Old women were often burned as witches, while all non-Christian deities were defined as demons, leading to centuries of violent repression in Europe, and wherever else Europeans went to conquer and enslave non-Christian populations.

Many of the women executed as witches between c. 1350 and 1750 were not even pagans or heirs to Wisewoman traditions; wealthy women could be accused of witchcraft in order to steal their property, while attractive young women could be accused and then raped, before being hanged or burned alive.

Pagan feasts were re-designated as Christian holy days (the pagan feast of the dead became All Hallows or All Souls) and the Goddess went underground and was secretly revered in various aspects, such as the many cults of the Black Virgin throughout Europe. In folklore she becomes the Faery Godmother and all Web-sters and Spin-sters (“-ster” meaning “Sister”) who weave the web of Life.

Why are black cats, bats and owls connected with Halloween?

All are associated with Night and the

Moon, and were aspects of the Triple Goddess. Other animals associated with her in pagan religion have not made it into the 21st century Halloween pantheon.

One frightening form of the Celtic Death Goddess was the White Sow (Welsh Hen Wen), which is why to this day many sailors will not say the word “pig” at sea.

Where do we get the custom of Trick or Treating?

Traditionally, children dressed in straw, with faces painted black or white as “ghosts,” would go from house to house at Samhain asking for food. Ghosts were believed to be free to return to the mortal world as ghastly guests on certain sacred nights, especially Halloween, the death of the year. They could be appeased by offerings. Fate-Priestesses also rode by night and were left offerings by those seeking blessings. Pagan rituals became a game for children, and the forbidden memories of the ancient past survived as poetry, folktales and dreams.

Halloween also became, and remains, a favorite holiday for gay people, who enjoyed the freedom to assume a different gender in times when gays had to hide their identy for fear of death. Many traditional festivals involved cross-dressing and reversal of the “normal” order of things – for instance, servants would pretend to be masters and vice versa. After the sacred days had passed, the usual rigid gender roles and class hierarchy would be restored.

Sources: The Language of the Goddess by Marija Gimbutas The White Goddess by Robert Graves The Greek Myths by Robert Graves The Cult of the Black Virgin by Ean Begg Black Athena and Black Athena Writes Back by Paul Bernal Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler The Silbury Treasure by Michael Dames Themis by Jane Harrison Woman and Nature: The Roaring Inside Her by Susan Griffin Pagan Celtic Myth by Anne Ross Witches, Druids and King Arthur by Ronald Hutton Lesbian Nation by Monique Wittig ■

Annotated Halloween Reading List The Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris. Telepathic barmaid in small-town Louisiana hangs out with vampires, werewolves, witches, faeries, elves, demons, goblins, maenads, etc. Funny, scary, well written and pro-gay. Very different storyline from “True Blood”.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. The classic 19th century horror novel, written by Mary Shelley in competition with her husband the poet Percy Shelley, their buddy the poet Lord Byron and another friend. A very different experience from the many, many Frankenstein movies run into the ground by Hollywood.

The Holmes/Dracula File by Fred Saberhagen. Sherlock meets Vlad… If you can’t get through Bram Stoker’s 19th century opus, try this 20th century spin off, told from Dracula’s point of view.

(He’s really a nice guy….)

The Serpent and the Rainbow by Wade Davis. Non-fiction; an anthropological study of the REAL zombie tradition in Haiti. It’s not at all what you think – and neither is Voodoo (Vodun).

Find out why you shouldn’t eat blowfish (puffer) sushi. ■

october 2012 • number 461 • gay alliance of the genesee valley • the empty closet

national and international (Chicago from page 12) The prosecutor yelled at the men to stop in an attempt to prevent a physical attack, Daly said. The attackers then physically attacked him.

They slashed or stabbed the prosecutor multiple times, including cutting his face, right side and arms, Daly said. Police said the victim was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center with “non-lifethreatening injuries.” He remained there Friday afternoon and State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez visited him at the hospital, Daly said.

“He did lose a lot of blood,” Daly said.

“He is in pain but thankfully is going to be OK.” The prosecutor works in the juvenile justice bureau. A police investigation is underway and an arrest has been made.

Read more: http://www.towleroad. com/2012/09/cook-county-prosecutorstabbed-defending-couple-from-antigay-attack-in-chicagos-lincoln-park. html#ixzz26pPI6fGG

Hundreds rally for marriage equality in Maine on Sept. 10 With just weeks to go before the election, Maine supporters of marriage equality are gearing up for a ballot measure that would bring it to their state, and rallied in Portland Sept. 10.

Hundreds turned out, WCSH reports: “The goal was to fire up supporters and shine some attention on the issue.

While supporters say things are looking good for their cause right now, they know their opponents have not yet taken their best shot at convincing voters to say no on One. On hand to support the effort were Portland’s Mayor, a couple of city councilors, members of the clergy, and a same sex couple from Freeport that’s been together for 18 years.”

Read more: http://www.towleroad. com/#ixzz26AQK1KKm

GOP senators want to ban gay weddings on military bases Two GOP Senators on Sept. 11 introduced a bill that would ban military bases from hosting same-sex weddings.

U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe hasn’t given up his resistance to the acceptance of gays and lesbians in the military or same-sex marriage. Inhofe and fellow Republican Roger Wicker of Mississippi introduced a measure that would ban same-sex marriages on military bases and protect military chaplains from “pressure” to perform such ceremonies.

The two senators described the Military Religious Freedom Act as an effort to enforce the Defense of Marriage Act, known as DOMA, on the Defense Department in the wake of the December 2010 repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which ended the official ban on gay men and lesbians serving openly in the military. “President Obama and his administration are dismissing their responsibility to uphold the law of the land by unilaterally deeming DOMA unworthy of enforcement,” Inhofe said.

Military chaplains, of course, are already completely free to refuse to perform any ceremony for any reason.

Nebraska hate groups petition to keep bias “Pro-family” and Tea Party-aligned groups in Nebraska are doing their best to do away with any LGBT non-discrimination ordinances that are passed in the state, Aksarbent reports: In May, after Omaha adopted an LGBT anti-bias ordinance, the Lincoln City Council did the same, on a 5-0 vote with the two Republican councilmen

abstaining. The Nebraska Family Council and Family First of Nebraska immediately gathered 2500 petitions to halt implementation of the law, requiring the city council to either let the ordinance die or put it on the ballot. Petitions were gathered at every Catholic church in Lincoln and four times the required number of signatures were collected.

Last week, a petition request with the City of Omaha to put the city’s anti-bias law to a popular vote was filed by a group calling itself the Omaha Liberty Project. The organization includes a board member of the Nebraska Family Council, William Femi Awodele; its leader is a local Tea Party activist, Patrick Bonnett, owner of Encore Financial Services, Inc. of Omaha.

Omaha legal officials are reviewing the proposed petition. If it is approved and attracts enough signatures, the council will have the option to enact or reject a petition-led proposal within 30 days of receiving it. Should the council not enact the proposal, it would go to a public vote during the next scheduled city election.

Read more: http://www.towleroad. com/#ixzz26pOmD0LN

Tammy Baldwin takes lead in Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin now has a threepoint lead over her GOP challenger in the battle to win one of Wisconsin’s Senate seats, according to a poll sponsored by a Democratic political action committee.

The Democracy for America poll, which queried nearly 1,000 people the week of Sept. 10-14, showed Baldwin leading Tommy Thompson, a former Republican governor of Wisconsin. The poll also showed Thompson’s favorability numbers dropping, with 53 percent of voters reporting a negative view of him.

Should Baldwin win in November, she would be the first openly LGBT person to serve in the U.S. Senate.

-The Advocate

Romney to lesbian: “I didn’t know you had families” In a Boston Globe article last month, Julie Goodridge, one of the plaintiffs in the landmark 2004 Massachusetts gay marriage case, described a meeting she and the other plaintiffs had in 2004 with then-Governor Mitt Romney, who had endorsed a constitutional ban on samesex marriage.

Goodridge spoke about the meeting in a video over the summer for the “Mitt Gets Worse” campaign, but the Boston article goes much deeper into Romney’s complete lack of empathy, and Romney’s other interactions with LGBT groups and people during his time as governor.

Here’s how Goodridge’s meeting went: “I didn’t know you had families,” remarked Romney to the group, according to Wilson.

The offhanded remark underscored that Romney, the governor of the first state prepared to grant same-sex marriage, hadn’t taken the time to look at what the landmark case was really about. By this point the plaintiff’s stories had been widely covered by national media — in particular, Julie Goodridge’s heartrending tale of how her then-partner, Hillary, was denied hospital visitation following the precarious birth of daughter Annie.

It was the ignorance of these facts — and Romney’s inaccurate, insensitive answer to her parting question, that pushed Julie Goodridge to her breaking point.

“I looked him in the eye as we were leaving,” recalls Goodridge. “And I said, ‘Governor Romney, tell me — what would you suggest I say to my eight-yearold daughter about why her mommy and her ma can’t get married because you, the governor of her state, are going to block our marriage?’”

His response, according to Goodridge: “I don’t really care what you tell your adopted daughter. Why don’t you just tell

her the same thing you’ve been telling her the last eight years.”

Romney’s retort enraged a speechless Goodridge; he didn’t care, and by referring to her biological daughter as “adopted,” it was clear he hadn’t even been listening. By the time she was back in the hallway, she was reduced to tears.

“I really kind of lost it,” says Goodridge.

“I’ve never stood before someone who had no capacity for empathy. It went behind flat affect. It was a complete lack of ability or motivation to understand other people.”

While Goodridge cried, Romney brought the press into his office to give his take on the meeting.

He described it as, “Pleasant.”

Read more: http://www.towleroad. com/#ixzz26GGFDFKg

Maine marriage equality race is close Two new polls show the race for marriage equality in Maine is tightening, the Press Herald reports: Public Policy Polling released results Sept. 20 that show 52 percent of likely voters support the proposal, 44 percent oppose it and 4 percent are undecided. Also Sept. 20, the Maine People’s Resource Center released a poll that shows 53 percent support, 43 percent oppose and 4 percent are undecided on Question 1 on the Nov. 6 ballot.

“Our experience in polling gay marriage is that if people say they’re undecided, it usually means they’re opposed to it,” said Dean Debnam, president of Public Policy Polling, in a prepared statement.

“Despite the 8-point lead for passage, this should be seen as a very close race.”

Jim Melcher, a political science professor at the University of Maine at Farmington, agreed with Debnam.

“There’s a lot of ‘I’m kind of for it but I’m a little uneasy too,’” he said.

The National Organization for Marriage smells blood, the AP reports: The Washington, D.C.-based group transferred $250,000 Thursday to the Protect Marriage Maine political action committee, which is spearheading the campaign against the ballot initiative, said campaign manager Frank Schubert.

Schubert said the Maine election has national implications because the state could become the first where same-sex marriage is legalized in a popular vote.

“It is a critical race for the survival of the institution of marriage in this country,” Schubert said. “It’s a race that the entire nation is looking at and will have an impact far beyond the borders of Maine.”...

Opponents in Maine thus far have raised only $100,000 to $200,000, Schubert said, while same-sex marriage supporters have said they expect to raise and spend $5 million or more.

Read more: http://www.towleroad. com/#ixzz276s1WmnU

Texas purges “undead” voters; may not have time to re-register Courthouse News Service reports: The Texas Secretary of State is purging people from the voting rolls after informing them that they are “potentially deceased,” after secretly, and illegally, giving herself the power to do so, four undead men claim in court.

Lead plaintiff Michael E. Moore sued Secretary of State Hope Andrade, in Travis County Court. Moore and Andrew

15 Young also sued Travis County Voting Registrar. The two other plaintiffs, from two other counties, sued only Andrade.

All four say they received notices that they were “potentially deceased” and that their voter registration was subject to “cancellation.” These notices were apparently on a form prescribed by defendant Andrade.

Texans wrongly named as dead must still re-register to vote. Thousands of soaffected voters may not make the 30-day advance deadline for the November election. Which is the GOP’s plan.

Fla. GOP to unseat judges who blocked minority voter suppression More dirty work as Republicans try to take away the right to vote from anyone who might not vote Republican.

Florida’s Republican Party declared on Sept. 21 that they will work to unseat the state Supreme Court justices who blocked Gov. Rick Scott’s plan to suppress minority voting.

The party announced late Friday that its board voted unanimously to oppose the retention of Supreme Court Justices Fred Lewis, Barbara Pariente and Peggy Quince, who were all appointed by Democratic former Gov. Lawton Chiles and who have ruled against several major priorities of Republican Gov. Rick Scott’s administration.

If the justices are not retained, Scott would appoint replacements. The move was an unusual one for the state party and has put attention on the retention of Supreme Court justices.

A grassroots group called Restore Justice 2012 is also opposing the justices. No justice has been removed from the court in the 40 years since the state adopted a system where justices are appointed by the governor and then face “merit retention” votes every six years. There had previously been competitive elections, but that system was thought to be too political.

A group called Defend Justice From Politics is backing the judges: “…Justices Lewis, Pariente and Quince don’t deserve these attacks. They have consistently upheld the Florida Constitution, defended the rights of Florida citizens, and ruled in case after case in a fair and impartial manner. Even if that meant standing up to powerful special interests.

Don’t let partisan politicians and special interests take over our Supreme Court in a blatant political power grab.”

French marriage equality is on the way A draft version of France’s same-sex marriage bill will be presented to President Francois Hollande on Oct. 31.

Newspapers are screaming that the bill bans the words “mother and father.”

The draft law states that “marriage is a union of two people, of different or the same gender.” It says all references to “mothers and fathers” in the civil code – which enshrines French law – will be swapped for simply “parents”. The law would also give equal adoption rights to homosexual and heterosexual couples.

Justice Minister Christiane Taubira told France’s Catholic newspaper La Croix, “Who is to say that a heterosexual couple will bring a child up better than a homosexual couple, that they will guarantee the best conditions for the child’s development?”

-JoeMyGod.com ■

St. Mary’s Catholic Church 15 St. Mary’s Place 585-232-7140 www.stmarysrochester.org Liturgies: Saturday: 4pm; Sunday: 10:30am

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the empty closet • the gay alliance of the genesee valley • number 461 • october 2012

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the empty closet • the gay alliance of the genesee valley • number 461 • october 2012

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Samantha Vega serves up some sizzle at the Winfield Grill – a three-time participant in the annual Gay Alliance DinesOUT event and founding member of our Golden Fork Club.

On Tuesday, October 23, local restaurants will be participating in the third Gay Alliance DinesOUT Fundraiser.

Local restaurants have agreed to donate a portion of their food sales from this day to the Gay Alliance as an expression of their support for the LGBT communities.

This year we are asking the restaurants to participate for lunch and/or dinner and to pledge 25-50 percent of their food sales. Those that pledge at the 50 percent level will be featured as members of the DinesOUT Golden Fork Club.

Extrapolated data from the U.S. Census indicates that Rochester has an approximately 60 percent higher proportion of LGBT households than the national average, and the Gay Alliance hopes this event will help to show local business owners our community power as they support us.

This event is designed to bring new faces through the doors of the participating restaurants to help increase LGBT and ally visibility.

october 2012 • number 461 • gay alliance of the genesee valley • the empty closet

Shoulders to Stand On Follow Up: Shoulders Responsible For HPA Collection Going To The Smithsonian Current American AIDS Crisis

By Evelyn Bailey John Noble, Pat Finnerty and Tim Tompkins, all present at the August 2, 2012 news conference announcing the Smithsonian’s acceptance of the Helping People With AIDS (HPA) Collection, were instrumental in making this happen.

John Noble, former City of Rochester Archivist for 25 years before retiring, was the person who wrote the grants that funded the Gay Alliance efforts to document and preserve LGBT Rochester History. John’s involvement in local politics is well known. In 1977, John wrote a grant for approximately $30,000 under the Comprehensive Employment Training Act (CETA). This caused an uproar in the community which highlighted its significance as the first federally funded grant given to a gay organization in New York.

Thirty five years later, John’s grant writing expertise continues to provide funding for the Gay Alliance’s work.

Pat Finnerty, Archival Consultant hired under the 2011 – 2012 NYS Documentary Heritage Archives Grant, contacted the Smithsonian Archives Center searching for permanent repositories for 15 record collections. Pat initiated contact with Franklin Robinson, Archives Specialist at the Smithsonian Archives Center of the National Museum of American History. She prepared the record collection for shipping.

Pat’s competence and expertise made placement of 15 record collections in permanent repositories possible. Pat’s skills would be an asset to any organization, agency, group or individual with records needing to be documented and preserved.

Tim Tompkins, the keeper of the HPA record collection, was willing to participate in the Gay Alliance’s Historical Documentation and Preservation Project by releasing the HPA Collection to the Gay Alliance for placement in a permanent repository. Tim helped organize the 15th Annual Dining for Dollars – A Starry, Starry Nite at the Strong Museum in 2000. In 2003, Tim chaired the HPA Board. By 2003, AIDs no longer held the death sting of the ‘80’s.

AIDs was a chronic disease. The need for HPA diminished. Members of the HPA Board, with Tim as Chair, decided it was time to dissolve the organization. Tim followed through with that decision and in January, 2004 the last official meeting of HPA was held and all of the HPA accounts were closed out. The fight against AIDs did not stop, but had become less urgent.

For the next seven years, Tim kept the records including a book of minutes from 1986 to the present. Now the HPA Collection is a part of the Smithsonian’s AIDS collection.

Today, the focus is on AIDS education. From the beginning of the epidemic in the ‘80s, the community has supported any effort to educate, research and help victims of HIV. Tim has held fundraisers for research, education programs, advocacy organizations, direct care, and supportive services of all types for the Rochester lgbt community.

Current statistics indicate the battle is far from over. Thirty-one years after the start of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States, the country’s infection rates have not gone down in a decade. Carl Schmid, the deputy executive director of the AIDS Institute, based in Washington states, “When people think of AIDS today, most probably don’t realize that AIDS is still in a crisis mode in (the United States).”

Statistics show the United States has 1.2 million people living with HIV/AIDS

more than ever before. Nearly 20 percent. some 200,000, don’t even know they are infected. Only half of those U.S. citizens who know they are infected are on medications. The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that between 1995 and 2009 the public perception of the importance of HIV/AIDS declined massively – from 44 to just six percent. Today 40 percent of new HIV infections in the United States are among those under 29 years old, and primarily in the gay and African-American communities. The implications for Rochester are clear. There is much work yet to be done! ■

Shoulders To Stand On documentary premieres at ImageOut on Tues., Oct. 9, at 7pm Dryden Theatre George Eastman House.

History Corner Early Influences on Gay Liberation in New York Six Nations (“Iroquois”) October 1988: the US Congress passed Concurrent Resolution 331 to recognize the influence of the Iroquois Constitution upon the US Constitution and Bill of Rights. Declaration of Independence and the Constitution show a merging of two concepts, that of God (The Great Spirit) and freedom and individualism. A concept peculiar and unique to the “Iroquois,” who are really the Six Nations or Haudenosaunee (People of the Longhouse).

The Six Nations are a “melting pot” or confederacy – as is Upstate New York with Rochester being the crossroads between the east and the new frontiers to the west and south. (The Friends of Ganondagan are planning a day trip to the home of suffrage leader Matilda Joslyn Gage this month to learn about the influence of Iroquois women leaders on feminism – see article on page 6.)

Erie Canal 1817 – 1825 Within 15 years of the Canal’s opening, New York was the busiest port in America.

With the exception of Binghamton and Elmira, every major city in New York falls along the trade route established by the Erie Canal, from New York City to Albany, through Schenectady, Utica and Syracuse, to Rochester and Buffalo. Minimum of 27 cities. Nearly 80 percent of upstate New York’s population lives within a 25 minute drive of the Erie Canal.

The Erie Canal established a bond between the east and the west.

We cannot underestimate the tremendous significance of the Erie Canal in the exchange of ideas, the relocation of individuals, establishment of new business, the integration of cultures, and the inclusiveness of society.

First Wave of Feminism 1846-1920 Suffragist Movement led by Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott and Matilda Joslyn Gage.

Equality was the hallmark of these women. The roots of liberation grew deeper in the upstate New York region providing strength and courage to future movements.

Abolitionist Movement 1819 – 1865 1831: William Lloyd Garrison begins publishing the “Liberator”, a weekly paper that advocates the complete abolition of slavery.

1848: Frederick Douglass published abolitionist newspaper “North Star” in Rochester, NY. The motto of the “North Star” really captures the essence of liberation movements present and to come, especially in Downstate and Upstate New York.

Motto: Right is of no Sex. Truth is of no Color. God is the Father of us all, and we are all brethren. ■

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the empty closet • the gay alliance of the genesee valley • number 461 • october 2012

Columnists The opinions of columnists, editorial writers and other contributing writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the collective attitude of the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley or The Empty Closet.

Growing Up The Boy From Another Planet

By Eric Bellmann We’re sitting having coffee inside a cafe and mindlessly I ask J. how old his father is. 54.

Yikes. Then I mutter more to myself than to him, “I’m old enough to be

your grandfather.”

And indeed I am. Once I could reflect that I was old enough to be some guy’s father. Time does gallop along.

Once, a long time ago when I was still working, a closeted colleague observed, “You seem to like young men.” To which I replied, more or less sliding past the snide innuendo, “Well, nearly everyone is younger than me.” For a long time, no matter what crowd I was in, I was the youngest. Has that ever changed!

All that is beside the point.

I like J. For a very short time he posed for some of my drawing, but his time here came to a close; he moved off to Graduate School. J. was a great student in many ways. He asked questions. He wanted to know when I knew I was gay. That was the first of many conversations about my orientation.

He had a classmate who had outed himself on Facebook, so having a gay friend/acquaintance was not a novelty. As our conversations deepened and I confided my life in recovery, J. had more questions.

Was addiction a disease? He thought not.

Just weakness in his view. To my amazement when next we met he reported he had gone online and read all about addiction. His opinion had changed. And that was one of the best things about J. He was curious, open minded, a good listener and rather removed from judgment.

I mentioned in passing that I had joined the nearby Unitarian Church. J., raised Catholic, regarded himself as an Atheist. Wow. Me, too. Although I consider myself a Buddhist, that is more an approach to daily living than a concern for an afterlife. J. meditated, too. Mostly to chill out. He’d learned about meditation from a high school teacher. And so it went.

Could there be a glitch? Indeed. J. had become an Atheist, rejecting both Catholicism and his family’s Republican convictions, when he embraced Libertarianism.

Ayn Rand and “Atlas Shrugged” had convinced him. The old man shuddered.

I have not read “Atlas Shrugged”. I did see the movie version of her novel, “The Fountainhead”. I am a Movie Queen: hey, it starred Patricia Neal. But I had read about Rand and I believed she was an idiot. Time for the old man to hush. From school in Chicago, J. forwarded links to videos of Gary Johnson, the former Governor of New Mexico, (and now the Libertarian candidate for President) and they were appealing. What to do?

What to do is to know that some things are none of my business. The coolest things about making friends after a while is to embrace someone with different ideas, different points of view, especially if the broader values are compatible.

J. is a nice guy, polite, responsive, curious, decent.

This last visit, his first extended one after a year away, when we are talking over coffee, J. reveals that he doesn’t much care for dogs. He likes cats. Could I ask

for more? There are three in his family home and one is named Doctor Death!

J.’s mother, a devout Catholic (and homophobe -- she takes her religion very seriously, a source of some pain for J.) refuses to call the cat by that name. Instead, she calls him “Doc.” Again, none of my business.

When J. and I are ready for a second cup of coffee I spot a stack of Empty Closet newspapers. My column began in 1989, 23 years ago, which happens to be J.’s age exactly. The current column is a rather tame one about Gay Pride in New York City, so I give J. a copy. He asks if I have experienced discrimination for being out.

That may have been likely in my work life which, over two decades, prized conventional values more than the recent concern for diversity. Truth be told, how would I know? By choosing to write using my own name I may have paid a price within my own community. A gay man I ran into a couple of months ago called my columns “endless whining”. Another friend said he told people I was a crazy old queen. Despite all that, I hoped whatever honesty I could muster was my contribution to an understanding of gay people. It probably wouldn’t occur to J. in his fledging awareness, that the gay community is fractious, capable of internal spats.

What remains is that I am a window J. is willing to look into. And he is a gift I hadn’t expected and which I treasure.

What I like about our conversations is that it is about ideas and experiences and how attitudes grow from them and how those attitudes can change. I think I’m lucky.

Email: elbcad@rit.edu

Cleaning My Closet Condensed Time

By Meredith Elizabeth Reiniger Balmy weather. Shopping day.

A mundane task.

I drive down the road.

The commencement of Autumn Transformations catches my attention. How quickly the green will leave the trees, exposing bark bones. Soon remnants of vibrant colors will fade to black. Before long, Earth Goddess will scatter countless shades of brown.

Meanwhile, the task at hand. The event. Grocery shopping is more than peach pinching and pumpkin thumping.

It is prime time people watching.

Such as those two carefree teenaged people. One listens. The other talks. Her arms flutter to the tune of her conversation. I observe her tiny butt, tucked into her tiny shorts, as she bubbles into the wonder-filled world of Wegmans.

Her long legs are slender and spotless.

Does she know that she too will wrinkle, shrink, bulge and droop? No, of course not. Just as I can barely believe that I was once young, I am sure that she is constitutionally unable to believe in her own aging.

Ah life. I and my reusable bags amble toward hybrid tomatoes and heirloom potatoes.

In the condiment aisle, I pass a trigger that detonates a panic attack. It is Dijon, not ballpark mustard. My heartbeat quickens. The explosion in my brain resurfaces hurtful words I had never expected to hear from my best friend.

The words are loud. The words are

excruciating. As piercing in the present as they were when they first altered my reality weeks ago.

For more than a month, deception and truth, equally devastating, have infiltrated every pore in my body, every space in my house. A crowd of fears is fed by “what ifs” and thousands of “whys.” Doubts compressed into one terrible day endlessly repeat in my head.

No, no, not now. No tears, I beg my eyes. Focus on the grocery list… the lettuce, the tomatoes, green beans, I tell my mind. Neither obeys. The force of my broken heart wins. Frantically I search for a corner, any place where I can hide my unseemly grief. Ironically it is the row of first aid products that offers an unpopulated place. But no bottled remedy, no expedient salve.

A different aisle perhaps. Maybe there is a scouring powder that erases words from any surface. A hair spray that holds everything in place. A salvation shampoo for the split ends of a damaged relationship.

The intense blackness in the middle of my chest shoves wrenching sobs to the surface.

“Clean up on aisle seven.” If only.

Time to escape. I lean on the grocery cart, shift my face into neutral, and travel to check-out. The young cashier asks brightly, “Did you find everything you need?”

On my way home I pass a house where a family has planted two dozen ten-inch Blue Spruce. Scarcely trees. I imagine that the happy couple who dug all those little holes believes in a long future for their family and their baby trees.

In my gray-haired head I calculate… about three thousand inches to go before the spruce reaches its full 250 foot height.

How many inches in a year equal how many years?

As I pull into my driveway, my muscles tense. I feel the loss. Once upon a time, an elderly Ash lived at the edge of thirty acres of woods. Recently its root system was compromised when all its neighboring trees were ripped out.

Before the storm, it was a solitary, topheavy, one hundred foot tall tree. Yesterday a microburst brought the tree down in an instant. How many years of growth lay sprawled across the shrub barrier, the asphalt, the flowering bushes, our new post and rail fence? Today even the sawdust from the chain saws is gone.

I park next to my garden. Mostly dead flowers, burned by scorching sunshine.

Sun that shriveled the bean stalks, toasted the delicate lettuce leaves, wilted the arugula, and stunted the peppers.

Only skeletons remain in our tomato cages after sneaky pests, under cover of night, raided the tomato plants, devouring leaves and blossoms. Nothing to harvest.

I carry the groceries up the steps. I have to stop, to look at the railing that used to be wrapped in purples. My fantastic, flaunting, Purple Hyacinth had become a victim. I had been so thrilled that such beauty was totally edible… of course the beans and pods, but also leaves, vines, and roots. I had felt so farmer-ish when I placed those thoroughly go-green beans into the early spring soil. But when, when did the destruction start. If I had been more vigilant could I have stopped the damage?

What marauders were eating the elegant purple-veined leaves, the dainty lavender buds, the vibrant violet-colored blossoms? No more electric purple pods bursting with beans. Next spring compromised.

Utter despair. Enough already. I went into search-and-destroy mode. My fingers discovered, on the underside of my Adirondack chair, hoards of attractive red insects. Crayola red? Lipstick red? Satan red.

Armed and angry, I sprayed chemicals until the chair was dripping and that tribe of red things stopped scurrying. Moments later, I watched in horror as billions more heaped themselves into the dark crannies of our driftwood collection. What was

this evil contaminating my life?

Equipped with a jar, I captured the enemy, incarcerated them in our freezer. I needed to identify those stealthy strippers.

I sought counsel, searching for the name, a solution.

If only all my worries could be restrained in a jar. Detained in the freezer until I can summons them by name.

As if knowing them by name will give me the power to eradicate them.

MeredithElizabethReiniger@frontiernet.net

Faith Matters Escobar shocked “fag” is a slur

By Rev. Irene Monroe Homophobia is part and parcel of male professional sports. Gay epithets are so pervasive among players that they are sadly totally unaware of the weight and meaning of the terms.

“It didn’t have significance to the way that’s being interpreted right now,” Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Yunel Escobar stated through a Spanish interpreter.

“That’s not the significance that I put into it. That’s a word used often within teams. It’s a word without meaning, the way we use it.”

With the phrase “TU ERE MARICON” (sic) written in his eye-black, the phrase can be loosely translated as “You are a faggot” or “You’re a weak girl.”

Escobar, 29, is now suspended for three games for wearing eye-black displaying a homophobic slur written in Spanish during a game against the Boston Red Sox on September 15th.

Escobar, a native of Cuba, contests that the phrase is taken out of contest because used in his culture it is not intended to be offensive; it’s merely used as banter in their friendly repartee.

“I have friends who are gay. The person who decorates my house is gay, the person who cuts my hair is gay. I have various friends who are gay. Honestly, they haven’t felt as offended about this. They have just a different understanding in the Latin community of this word,” Escobar stated defending himself to the media.

Language is a representation of culture and if a culture is unaware of or anesthetized to the destructive use of homophobic epithets it re-inscribes and perpetuates ideas and assumptions about race, gender identity and sexual orientation. Consequently, these ideas and assumptions are transmitted from field houses to playing courts. And unfortunately, even accepted or explained away among some scholars.

“It is derogatory, but it’s not necessarily homophobic,” said Maria Cristina Cuervo, a professor of Spanish at the University of Toronto.

While Professor Cuervo agrees that the phrase is insulting, she doesn’t grasp, however, that if the phrase “TU ERE MARICON” goes unchecked or is not challenged it allows people within their culture to become unconscious and numb to the use and abuse of the power and currency of this homophobic epithet — and the power it still has to thwart the daily struggles of many of us to ameliorate LGBTQ relations.

Part of the problem contributing to the unconscious insensitivity to the phrase is the cultural construction of masculinity.

Hyper-masculinity in professional male sports cultures not only exploits women, but also unabashedly denigrates and goes after lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people. And they care little about its deleterious effects on all children — straight and gay.

For example, sports programs are a particular challenge when attempting to make schools, playgrounds, and locker rooms safe of our LGBTQ children.

LGBTQ athletes must constantly monitor how they are being perceived by teammates, coaches, endorsers and the

october 2012 • number 461 • gay alliance of the genesee valley • the empty closet media in order to avoid suspicion. They are expected to maintain a public silence and decorum so that their identity does not tarnish the rest of the team.

Sports can also provide innumerable opportunities to teach valuable life lessons and can be a powerful influence in addressing myriad social issues. And eliminating homophobia can be one of them.

The aggressive posturing and repudiation of LGBTQ people with gay slurs allows homophobic athletes to feel safe in the locker room by maintaining the myth that all the guys gathered on their team are heterosexual, and sexual attraction among them just does not exist.

This myth allows men like Escobar to enjoy the homo-social setting of the male locker room that creates male-bonding — and the physical and emotional intimacy that goes on among them displayed as slaps on the buttocks, hugging, and kissing on the cheeks in a homoerotic context — while such behavior outside of the locker would be easily labeled as gay.

In his book, Man in the Middle, John Amaechi, former NBA player who came out in 2007 after retirement, states, “The NBA locker room was the most flamboyant place I’ve ever been. Guys flaunted their perfect bodies. They bragged about sexual exploits. They primped in front of the mirror, applying cologne and hair gel by the bucketful. They tried on each other’s $10,000 suits, admired each other’s rings and necklaces. It was an intense camaraderie that felt completely natural to them.”

Today’s society awards celebrity status to professional athletes, and their popularity has reached unprecedented levels; their influences go far beyond the court and field.

So do these athletes, like Escobar, who’s from a different sports culture, have a responsibility to American fans?

Racism was addressed through sports when Jackie Robinson became the first black Major League Baseball player in 1947, and in 2007’s landmark Super Bowl with its two African American coaches. And so, too, homophobia can be addressed through sports.

Escobar’s vitriol, sadly, hurts more than just his team and career endorsements. It hurts the hundreds of young LGBTQ sports enthusiasts and athletes around the world who revere him.

A Few Bricks Short Don’t Forget To Vote!

By David Hull Facebook, Every year on the first Tuesday of November, also known as Election Day, I wake up early and enthusiastically pull the level for Democracy… and

then I go vote.

This year will be no different. I’m ready to vote. I’ve listened to the candi-

dates. I even got my photo ID ready if I need it. And I’ve made my decision of who I’m going to vote for.

I’ll give you three hints: I ain’t voting for the guy who has a car elevator in his garage. I ain’t voting for the guy whose wife has an Olympic champion dancing horse. I ain’t voting for the guy who strapped his dog, inside its crate, to the top of the car when he took the family on vacation.

And trust me; living in a rural, Republican area I’ve heard all the antiPresident Obama arguments – the President’s trying to take away our freedoms, the President’s trying to take away our guns, the President forced Obamacare on the nation and my personal favorite: the President’s a foreign-born Muslim without a real birth certificate.

But along with all those arguments, one very important point for me was never mentioned – the President’s NOT homophobic! I like a President who is comfortable with the LGBT community.

I’ve listened to both candidates talk, but I only needed one piece of information from Mitt Romney to know that I would never vote for him – and it wasn’t even that he wants to give more tax breaks to billionaires – it was that he promised if he was elected President he would make gay marriage illegal and reinstate the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy for the military.

Really, Mitt, that’s what you think will help our nation? Really? I thought it was terribly embarrassing for Romney when we all heard the story from his 1960s prep school days in Michigan when he roughed up the fellow student that he thought was acting “flamboyant” and cut off his long. It’s not that I’m frightened that Romney as President will cut my hair – my hairline is deeply receding and my husband is bald, so there is not much damage he could do to us – but I don’t want Romney as President creating any laws stopping people from acting “flamboyant.”

Especially when everyone knows I’m not flamboyant, I’m just “fabulous!”

I’ve also heard the arguments that Obama is taking away our freedoms – he’s making us buy health insurance, he’s trying to take our guns away, he’s trying to make our country government run and if he continues we’ll end up in financial ruin like Spain or Greece.

Okay, first of all, I think health insurance is a good idea and it should be available to everyone.

As for Obama taking away our guns – I’m all for gun control. If the Republicans are so in favor of everyone having guns, how come they didn’t allow anyone to carry firearms at the Republican National Convention? After all, isn’t it our right as Americans? I don’t know about you, but I think it’s a good idea to have a President who will allow the gays to get married, but make it more difficult for some psycho to get an automatic weapon!

And as for America entering financial ruin – does anyone remember the mess our old friend George W. left us in at the end of his Presidential term?

Could Obama really do any worse?

My favorite folks to talk to are the ones who haven’t made their mind up who they are going to vote for yet. How is that possible? It’s not like Obama and Romney’s vision of America are even close! I guess those folks who haven’t decided who they are voting for must be the same folks who don’t decide what they are going to have for lunch until they get up to the counter at McDonalds. “Do I want a chocolate shake or a vanilla shake in 2012 – I just can’t make up my mind.”

Regardless of which kind of shake you order … or who you vote for on Nov. 6, things are certainly going to be interesting for the next four years.

You can contact David at davidhull59@ aol.com

Inspiritual Recognizing and Releasing the Ghosts

By Rev. Dr. Sharon Jacobson This may not be about what you are thinking, but only you will know that as I have no idea what you are thinking. That is the very kind of ghost I am talking about.

I can think I know what you are thinking, but what I think only exists in my mind. What you think I am thinking only exists in your mind. It is as if we are surrounded by beings, which exist as we create them to exist.

They play a role and function in our minds. How I think about them, and how I relate to them, is about me. How they exist or do not exist in your mind is about you. Don Miguel Ruiz talked about these beings as ghosts that exist in our mind; it is as if there is a ghost town, which lives in our minds.

It is not that they are literally ghosts, in the sense of a paranormal spirit, or the cartoon character of Casper the friendly ghost. Rather they are perceptions of what one thinks they know or believe about a person or a situation.

The way I see or think about something may not be the same as the way someone else does. There is always something, which is a little distorted.

As suggested by Don Miguel Ruiz I looked at myself in the mirror. While I saw myself, what I saw varied dependent on what mirror in which I was looking at myself. Sometimes it was little things like my right hand appeared as my left and my left as my right. Even though I knew I was seeing things in reverse, it helped to remember that things are not always the way they seem.

So often we give these ghosts names

23 or identities like mother, father, sister, brother, friend, lover, etc. These words, however, are more like symbols. They are labels that we put on people, but it is not who they are. We seek to understand them as we seek to understand ourselves. However, who we see them as is not always how they see themselves.

When we interact with this person, we are interacting with our understanding of them and they are interacting with their understanding of us. Our emotional response is real. However, the source of our response is based on what we think we know about a person or situation. It is important for us to seek clarification so our sense of who a person is or what a situation is has greater clarity.

It is said the truth will set you free.

However, the journey to getting there is complex because we must come to recognize the lies and ghosts, which cloud our vision and understanding. Perhaps

their power and die. We examine the agreements we have made and we find the courage to break the agreements, which were made out of fear and not out of love.

We come to an understanding of our authentic self, when we find the courage to drive through the fog, to create new agreements for myself and be who I am truly am. We are all possessed by the teachings we were given as children and/or taught by society. To varying degrees, we have learned to work through them, release those we do not agree with, or no longer agree with, and find the courage to let them go. As one crosses all the challenges, confronts all one’s fears and challenges all the power sources one has allowed to control one’s life, then what becomes visible is the world we have created based on what we have agreed to, and not the mitote of the world around us. ■

The Avenue Pub 37 Year Landmark in the Gay Community

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(Columnists continued from page 23) that is why so many spiritual writings mention the need to focus on the clarity of one’s own mind and perception.

It is like driving. It is easier to see where we are going and how to react when the skies are clear then when we are driving under foggy conditions.

In Toltec Wisdom, there is recognition of what is called the fog. The fog is everything we have agreed to in our lives, the internal laws by which we have agreed to live, the lies we have told ourselves about what we can and cannot do, the self-judging of ourselves.

All of these fog our perception of others and ourselves. This fog in Toltec teachings is called mitote. It clouds us from seeing who others and we really are.

We remove the mitote in which these ghosts live by allowing things to die. We look at the decisions we have made in our lives out of fear, move through them, and allow them to lose

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october 2012 • number 461 • gay alliance of the genesee valley • the empty closet

Community Find the friends, fun, and common interests you’re looking for through the various groups listed here.

Butch Femme Connection The Rochester Butch-Femme Connection will have two supper events in October 2012.

On Saturday, Oct. 6, we will meet at Old Country Buffet in the Stone Ridge Plaza in Greece at 7 p.m. (plaza near corner of West Ridge Road and Stone Road).

On Saturday, Oct. 20 we will meet at The King & I Thai Restaurant on East Henrietta Road (Route 15A) in Henrietta at 7 p.m.

For further information on the Connection, contact Kerry/Max at (585) 2887208, emai DressyFemme@aol.com or check out our Facebook page http://www. facebook.com/bfconnection.

Dignity-Integrity D-I Rochester meets weekly at 5 p.m. at St. Luke’s and St. Simon’s Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St., corner of Broad St. We have the following services and activities for the month of October.

First Sunday: Episcopal Mass/Healing Service, with music; Second Sunday: Roman Catholic Liturgy of the Word, with music; Third Sunday: Quiet Episcopal Mass in the Chapel; Fourth Sunday: Evening Prayer, followed by a Potluck Supper.

October Pot Luck Theme: “Go Loco — or Local”. It is almost Halloween and time to get a little crazy using some of our great local foods to make your dish to pass! So dig through your cookbooks and see what you come up with and bring it along to share. No time to cook? Just bring yourself and a friend or two and join us for food and fun.

October is when we traditionally celebrate our anniversary. This year we are recalling the 36 years of service to the GLBTQI community and beyond. To start our 37th year, we are having a service and dinner on Sunday, Oct. 14. We’ll

start with the Roman Catholic Liturgy of the Word, then off to dinner at a yet to be identified local restaurant. Check the website for further details and call the hotline if you want to join us for dinner.

Further details can be found at our website (http://www.di-rochester.org/) or by calling the DI Hotline at 585-2345092.

JUST US GUYS Our September gathering afforded the opportunity to socialize, enjoy some good food and identify program subject matter for the remaining months of this year.

The group will continue to meet on the second Tuesday at AIDS Care. In addition, it was a time to reflect on the many events occurring during this past summer and hearing about who attended what.

The recent death of Peter Nickles, a fellow member, was acknowledged and our condolences are extended to Jim Lewis and family.

We look forward to welcoming Chris Barry as our guest speaker on Oct. 9. As many might know, Christopher Barry, MD, PhD, FACS is an Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Rochester Medical Center. He is based in the Division of Solid Organ Transplant and Hepatobiliary Surgery. He will be discussing giving the gift of life through organ donation. For those interested, Chris has an excellent 15-minute presentation on YouTube which can be found at ChrisBarry@TEDxFlourCity.

For more information about the October gathering, or to learn more about the group, contact Ron at 729-2259 or email rmatter1@rochester.rr.com

Out & Equal Out & Equal’s Second Thursday Networking event will take place on Thursday, Oct. 11, at ONE, 1 Ryan Alley, with food by Benedetto’s, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

On Tuesday, Oct. 23, the Rochester Riverside Convention Center will be hosting Out & Equal’s fourth quarter ERG Roundtable, “Best Practices for an Effective Employee Resource Group,” from 8-9:30 a.m., with registration and refreshments beginning at 7:30 a.m.

The Beyond group from Ernst & Young and John Curtis from GALAXe will talk about how to build and strengthen local enterprise resource groups, and also how to strive to bring the success of national groups to a regional sphere.

Key areas include management support, ally and member engagement, financially effective HR policies and community involvement.

To register, contact Chris Fisher at (585) 987-4661 or at christopher.fisher@ ey.com.

Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus The Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus is pleased to celebrate our 30th anniversary with a plethora of announcements this season.

On Sunday, Oct. 21, we will again be hosting our SpaGAYtti Dinner Fundraiser at Asbury First United Methodist Church, located at 1050 East Ave. Dinner will be served from 4-8 p.m. Cost is $12 for adults, and $6 for children 12 and under. Visit our website (www.thergmc. org) for more information and to purchase tickets.

We also will be holding our annual Holiday Concert Dec. 14 and 15, with this year’s theme being “Joyful and Triumphant!” We will be calling on 30 years of fantastic music, selecting only the best for this year’s performance. Tickets are on sale now on our website (www.thergmc. org) or by mail by sending a check payable to the Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus 121 North Fitzhugh St. Suite #325 Rochester, New York 14614-1214.

Coming this season, we are also joyful to announce that the RGMC will be releasing a special 30th anniversary CD. Released soon after the holiday concert, it will feature several fan favorite holiday songs. More details to come!

Rochester Trans Group On Saturday, Oct. 27, from 3–5:30 p.m., we will celebrate the Rochester Trans Group’s one-year anniversary!

We plan on inviting members of Rochester PFLAG (Parents, Family & Friends of Lesbians and Gays) and asking them to also invite members of other Upstate PFLAG chapters. We will also extend an invitation to our sister and brother groups of the Upstate New York Transgender Community (which currently consists of over 15 groups and organizations from Albany to Erie, Pa!).

We will show the video “Trans Basic” and then we will have a discussion on our Trans concerns and issues and then party!

On Saturday, Aug. 25 we had our regular meeting and the topic was “Learning new gender social clues, unlearning old ones”, which generated a lot of great discussion among the 14 people there about issues of what makes a male, what makes a female and how to successfully present yourself in your chosen gender. Or no gender, or gender variant, or gender queer or…

On Saturday, Sept. 8, a group from Rochester attended the “Meeting of the Groups Part II” held in Buffalo. Although the turnout was not what we experienced at this past April’s “Meeting of the Groups” in Rochester, everyone there had fun and learned quite a bit.

Steven MacMartin, an expert in internet security, gave a rather disturbing presentation on just how much information can be mined from the pictures that we all post and ways we can protect ourselves from on-line predators. We found out what a number of our Upstate groups have been doing since the last “Meeting of the Groups” – the Transgender Alli-

25 ance website, creating a mission statement and symbol for the Transgender Alliance, the Erie Pennsylvania Gala in November, the Syracuse group is trying to get a GENDA bill passed for their area and that over 15 groups now have a presence on the Transgender Alliance website which is transgenderalliance.com. Then about 20 of us headed to dinner and more conversation and coming up with more ideas! Stay tuned!

We know how hard it can be for you to feel anything good about yourself. We know how tough it can be to ask for help, or even how or where to find help with the many difficult issues and situations facing you every day. We know at times it all seems hopeless, that nothing will ever change or get better. Well, every one of our members has experienced these feelings and thoughts. The Rochester Trans Group (RTG) provides a safe, comfortable, and, most importantly, very supportive place in which to talk about what is going on in our lives, sharing ideas and advice on many different topics.

We want each and every one of our members, not just to survive as a trans man or woman or somewhere in between or neither, but to live a rich full life that celebrates being trans! We meet in the Gay Alliance’s Community Center located in the Auditorium Theatre, 875 E Main St. Parking is available in the back of the theatre off of Prince St and College Ave. Note: if there is a guard at the booth, just say you’re here for the Gay Alliance and they have instructions to let you in without paying the parking fee. Our website is: www.rnytg.org.

So plan on coming on Saturday, Oct. 27 and help us celebrate our one-year anniversary!

ROMANS ROchester MAle NaturistS (ROMANS) is a social organization of gay naturists who enjoy camaraderie in the nude.

We are gay, bi, and gay-friendly men over the age of twenty one. We are all sizes, big and small. We are single, partnered, married, and divorced. We are short and tall, wide and thin, quiet and outgoing. We are young and not so young, furry and smooth. ROMANS is an inclusive social group for all men who are gay-friendly, who love to laugh and learn, and who enjoy nude social activities.

Our fall schedule of events has begun.

Our monthly meeting will be on the 15th and will include dinner. Our monthly swims will begin again on Oct. 6 and follow the first Saturday of each month.

This is a good time to join the group for first timers. The group meets before the swims for dinner at a local restaurant, which will allow first timers to meet us fully dressed.

Visit the Romans web site where an application for membership and information about the club is available. http://www.wnyromans.com or e-mail:wnyromans@yahoo.com, call our message line at 585-281-4964 or write ROMANS, PO Box 92293, Rochester, NY 14692.

Team Rochester at Gay Games 2014 The next Gay Games will be held in Cleveland, maybe the closest the Gay Games will be to Rochester.

There are plenty of opportunities for participation in the 35 sports, some of which include golf, bowling, figure skating, track and field, volleyball, swimming and softball. An organization meeting for our Team Rochester will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 17, at 7 p.m. at the Bamba Bistro Restaurant, 282 Alexander St. Help us spread the word, so we as Team Rochester march enthusiastically into the stadium during the Opening Ceremonies. For more information, please contact: thomaso510@mac.com. ■

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the empty closet • the gay alliance of the genesee valley • number 461 • october 2012

Library & Archives The Gay Alliance Library has internet access available during library hours: Monday and Wednesday: 6-8pm The computers are part of our David Bohnett Cyber Center

The Gay Alliance is seeking a reliable, energetic self-starter to sell Empty Closet advertising for a generous commission. For more information, phone Susan Jordan at 244-9030 or e-mail: susanj@ gayalliance.org

E K MA

MONEY

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Arts & Entertainment viduals over the age of 65 for films shown during the Festival. A student discount continues this year and also offers $2 off most films shown during the Festival.

The Youth Project Film Series, featuring films for and about LGBT young people, is free to anyone under 21.

Quick-Response (QR) codes give festivalgoers access to ImageOut’s Mobile website. This website will have the entire program lineup, film descriptions, trailers, and other information to help those on the move take advantage of all the festival has to offer. Look for QR codes in the ImageOut printed program as well as at festival venues.

Mary Poppins flies into Rochester: a talk with “Mr. Banks” Cloudburst

By Susan Jordan Look – up in the sky! It’s… a magical governess with a flying parasol! Mary Poppins flies at the Auditorium Theatre from Oct. 9-14.

The New York Daily News called it “a roof-raising, toe-tapping, high-flying extravaganza!” With four productions currently running on three continents, Mary Poppins is one of the biggest stage musical successes in recent years to come out of London and New York. The Disney production features the irresistible story and unforgettable songs from one

Michael Dean Morgan

of the most popular Disney films of all time, plus brand-new dance numbers and astonishing stagecraft.

You may have seen Michael Dean Morgan (Mr. Banks) as the comic hornbill Zazu in The Lion King, or the neurotic clown fish Marlin in Disney’s Finding Nemo – The Musical. Michael’s greatest joy is to go-fly-a-kite with his own magical kids, Dean and Avery.

Michael recently answered some questions from The Empty Closet.

Did you read the Poppins books as a child, or see the Julie Andrews movie?

We all loved the movie growing up.

But I didn’t know that the books existed.

It seems most Americans I talk to didn’t know about the books. But I think this British movie is part of the American DNA. Everyone knows Mary Poppins and it spurs a deep connection to their childhood. I think that is why this show has (Mary Poppins continues page 28)

Keep the Lights On

ImageOut marks 20th anniversary with 78 films The 2012 ImageOut Film Festival, marking its 20th anniversary, runs from Oct. 5 to Oct. 14, and will feature 78 films shown in three venues in Rochester (The Little Theatre, The Dryden Theatre at George Eastman House, and The Hubbell Auditorium at the University of Rochester).

With annual attendance over 10,000, ImageOut continues to draw diverse audiences from the Upstate New York region and beyond. Single ticket prices will range from $7 to $15, with $2 in-person discounts for seniors 65 and older, and for students with valid ID. Tickets for the festival can be purchased online at www. imageout.org through Oct. 4.

This year’s Festival includes 10 New York State premieres, including Cannes Film Festival selection Beyond the Walls and the US mainland premiere of The Falls. Other highlights of this year’s Festival include Sundance film selections My Best Day, Keep The Lights On, and Mosquita Y Mari. Keep The Lights On is also a Berlin International Film Festival award winner, along with Call Me Kuchu. The North American Premiere of the New Zealand documentary film Intersextion features Rochester resident Jim Costich.

The ImageOut Youth Series this year has four feature length films and one short film program. All programs in this series are free to anyone under the age of 21.

Tickets can be obtained during advance ticket sales at in-person sales only and at the box office before each screening.

The 2012 ImageOut Opening Night Party will be at Tilt Night Club and Ultralounge (444 Central Ave., Friday, Oct. 5, 9 p.m.-1 a.m.). Admission is free for ImageOut members and anyone holding a ticket stub to the Opening Night

Screenings. There will be live entertainment from 9-11 p.m. with Frankie and Jewels Acoustically Speaking, followed

by Tilt’s world-class drag show hosted

by Samantha Vega and Kyla Minx, with music by DJ MightyMike, and with a special guest – Pandora Boxx!

For those just looking to chat, grab a drink, and enjoy appetizers, Tilt will have relaxed and funky areas reserved exclusively for ImageOut Patrons and Members to mingle with visiting special guests and stars. Tilt is an easy drive from The Little Theater and has free supervised parking.

Following the Friday Oct. 12, 9 p.m. screening of BearCity 2: The Proposal, The Bachelor Forum (670 University Ave.), will be hosting a BearCity 2 After-Party with drink specials and pizza from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m.

ImageOut’s Closing Night Party will be at The Memorial Art Gallery (500 University Ave., Saturday, Oct. 13, 10 p.m. – 1 a.m.). ImageOut fans will close out the landmark 20th anniversary Festival in style, roaring into the ‘20s with a Jazz-Age themed party. Patrons are encouraged to dress to impress as a 1920s flapper or gangster for a night of fun.

Complementary food will be catered

by Max at the Gallery, and there will be a cash bar. The cool tunes of Anne Mitchell Jazz will grace the M&T Bank Ballroom, while The Bausch and Lomb Parlor and the Vanden Brul Pavilion are open for conversations and celebration of the culmination of the 20th ImageOut film festival. There is ample free parking behind the Memorial Art Gallery.

Accessibility ImageOut remains committed to keeping the Festival accessible. Single ticket prices, prior to student or senior discount, will range from $7 to $15.

Discounts for In-Person Ticket Purchases: a $2 discount is available to indi-

ImageArt’s Twenty20 show says “Wish you were queer” As ImageOut Film Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary, ImageArt presents visual and literary arts events in support of the Festival’s mission to promote awareness, foster dialogue and build community. This year’s show is titled “Twenty20.”

Since 2000, ImageArt has organized exhibitions unique to Western New York, presenting the work of regional LGBTQ artists, facilitating open-mic readings and publishing catalogues promoting the work of presenting artists and poets.

From 2000-2010, the ImageArt Gallery Show featured artwork chosen by a jury of art professionals drawn from the regional community. Exhibitions have been hosted by a variety of Rochester’s art community venues, including the Little Theatre Cafe, Gateway Framing, Hungerford Gallery, Visual Studies Workshop, the Cascade Arts Center and Rochester Contemporary Arts Center. Last year ImageArt curated “rochesterLGBTQcollects,” showcasing a diverse array of over

70 works of art from 11 regional LGBT collectors.

In celebration of ImageOut’s 20-year anniversary, ImageArt is mounting an invitational exhibition of 20 artworks addressing LGBTQ themes selected from past award winners of ImageArt juried exhibitions. The show, which opened Sept. 29, concludes on Sunday, Oct. 20 as part of the ImageOut Film Festival.

Wish You Were Queer 3!

ImageArt presents its third annual benefit show and sale of original postcard-size artwork on paper by established, emerging, and aspiring artists. Artwork is displayed anonymously with the artist’s name revealed upon sale of the work.

All works are sold on a first-come, first served basis at $10 each. The exhibition and sale will be held at the Visual Studies Workshop in tandem with Twenty20.

All proceeds from the sale of cards will benefit the programming of ImageOut/ ImageArt. Visual Studies Workshop Bookstore Gallery is located at 31 Prince St. Exhibition Hours: Monday-Wednesday: closed.

Thursday: 5–8 p.m.; Friday–Sunday: 12–5 p.m. ■

28 (Mary Poppins from page 27) been so successful and Mary is so beloved today. We all get so excited to see her, Mary, become real on stage.

I even remember cleaning up the house with my brothers singing “Spoonful of Sugar.”

When did you decide you wanted to be an actor and how did your career evolve? What have some of the highlights been?

I started young, in school and church, but didn’t focus on acting as a career until I was leaving college. Could I take this hobby and turn it into a career? I guess I did.

But the journey was slow and steady.

Store-front theaters to small professional companies, getting better and wiser with each new challenge. I was luck to have a few mentors take a chance on me and give me a leg up. I think one reason actors get frustrated is that little of your success is in your own hands. Someone else needs to say “yes” for you to get a part. Slowly, and through many “thanks, but not you,” I got enough yes’s.

I decided to get my masters in Acting at UCI-Irvine in southern California.

(I should say they chose me). I moved to New York after school ending, found an agent and hit the pavement. New York was a much bigger pond. And were lots and lots of “not you.” But with each I learned.

My first larger job was on a new musical production of the film “Finding Nemo” that was being built for Walt Disney World. It was a great collaboration with mostly Broadway talent. From that point on, I was lucky enough to mark several other shows with Disney, including “Mary Poppins” and “The Lion King”.

What should Rochester audiences know about this production?

“Mary Poppins” the musical brings what we love and remember about the film and then adds more layers of fun.

More songs, more dancing, more characters. And that can be tricky. But the writers and directors of this production knew how to hold on to its essence while expanding it into a modern Broadway extravaganza.

Which actors/performers do you most admire and who has influenced you the most?

I’ve always enjoyed Alan Alda. He has this truth and sincerity which I really admire. I grew up watching MASH with its combination of heart and humor.

What would be your ideal role, or how would you ideally like your career to develop in the future?

Like all of us, an actor always wants to keep challenged and working. “Mary Poppins” has given me both.

I have always loved Sondheim musicals and would love to play Sweeney Todd. Don Quixote in “Man Of La Mancha” has always fascinated me with its mix of truth and theatricality.

What is the biggest challenge about playing Mr. Banks?

Honestly, the show is a joy and I could do it for years, and have. But what is most difficult is being away from the ones I love. We live on the road and are always moving. So I try and connect with my kids as much as I can.

ImageArt at Visual Studies seeks indie publications Visual Studies Workshop is hosting “Twenty20,” the 2012 ImageArt exhibition that will run during the 20th ImageOut Festival this month.

This year, VSW will have the bookstore part of the gallery space in opera-

the empty closet • the gay alliance of the genesee valley • number 461 • october 2012 tion throughout the run of the show.

The manager has asked for suggestions of independently produced publications (artist’s books, photo books, poetry, zines, etc.) by LGBTQ artists, poets and/ or publishers they could stock in support of ImageArt. The bookstore specializes in books by independent artists and writers who traditionally have difficulties finding distribution of their work.

Anyone who is interested in taking advantage of this opportunity is asked to contact Scott McCarney <smartbks@ rochester.rr.com) for more information.

ImageOut update: meet visiting guests The first group of visiting guests for the 2012 ImageOut Festival was announced on Sept. 21.

Richard LeMay (writer/producer/ director) and Benjamin Weaver (actor) will be on hand to answer questions following the Opening Night screening of “Naked As We Came” (more than 70 percent of the seats are sold, so act fast, ImageOut says).

Randall Walk (producer) and Dan Glenn (actor) will stick around for a Q&A after their beautiful and artful film “Joshua Tree, 1951” on Sunday night, Oct. 7.

Jennifer Leitham, a renowned Jazz Bassist, will be here for her film “I Stand Corrected” on Oct. 6.

For guest bios and further updates, check http://bit.ly/Sarr75

Turing (and his losing on it!), to it going missing and then being rediscovered and donated to the museum here. Of course, we’re also very proud that Bletchley Park adorns the ‘Mayfair’ square!”

Peter Griffin, Development Director EMEA, Winning Moves, added, “We hope fans of Turing across the globe will enjoy playing on this very special edition of Monopoly. Through play, they will find out more about Turing’s remarkable life and his crucial role shaping the society we enjoy today. As an ex-student of Kings College, where Turing himself studied, this was an honor to help develop.”

“In the Life” news show ceases production After 20 years in production, In The Life Media (ITLM) announces that December 2012 will mark the last broadcast of In The Life.

Though legally dissolving the organization is a process that will continue into 2013, all regular ITLM operations will conclude with the final broadcast. At a time when LGBT people were virtually invisible in media, ITLM became the first to bring real stories, struggles and issues about the LGBT experience into living rooms across the country through its public television show, In The Life.

Beginning as a variety show in 1992, In The Life evolved into its current newsmagazine format throughout the years, becoming the most honored and respected source for LGBT journalism along the way.

Alec Mapa performs in Corning Oct. 27

Gay scientist honored with Google Monopoly Thanks in part to Google, Alan Turing, widely considered to be the father of computer science and artificial intelligence, has been honored with a special version of Monopoly. Turing, who committed suicide in 1954 after being sentenced to chemical castration for being gay, would have been 100 years old this year.

The board’s London landmarks, and its Community and Chance cards, have been swapped for places and events important in Turing’s life. Players can move their pieces from his birthplace in Maida Vale to Hut 8 at Bletchley Park, where Turing deciphered the Nazis’ Enigma code, thus essentially winning WWII (castration was an interesting way of repaying him…).

Search giant Google has bought 1,000 of the sets and donated them to Bletchley Park to help raise funds. The board of the special edition is based on a hand-drawn variant of Monopoly created

by William Newman in 1950. William was the son of scientist Max Newman who was a key figure in Turing’s life.

The hand-drawn version was thought to have been lost but was rediscovered in 2011 and donated to the Bletchley Park museum soon after.

Bletchley Park Museum writes in a press release: “Bringing this board to life has been one of the most exciting and unique projects we’ve been involved with here, and we’re thrilled to see it finally available for others to enjoy,” said Iain Standen, CEO of the Bletchley Park Trust. “This edition really completes the fantastic story of the board, from it being played on by

A Night of Comedy with Alec Mapa, “America’s Gaysian Sweetheart,” takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27 (doors open at 7 p.m.) at Corning Museum of Glass auditorium, in Corning.

This show is free and open to the public. A 50/50 raffle will be held to support local GLBT community organizations.

Alec Mapa is a gay Filipino-American actor, comedian, and writer. He has performed on Broadway in M. Butterfly, appeared on a variety of TV shows, including NYPD Blue and Ugly Betty, and acted in several movies including Bright Lights, Big City. Parents should be advised that Alec’s performances occasionally contain adult content.

The event is sponsored by SPECTRA, Corning Incorporated’s group for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered employees (SPECTRA@corning.com).

FTM trans calendars can be pre-ordered Alex Haney, a native of Toronto, photographer, parent and self-identified Trans*man, has released the pre-order of calendars featuring female-to-male trans*individuals.

Alex has been documenting his social transition since coming out as trans; from his first binder video to his name change, all which can be seen in his vlog, Alexhanney100.

Alex has photographed vloggers in his hometown of Toronto, as well as here in the states. He has also set up a fundraiser for the photographed vloggers, who like Alex, find themselves struggling with transition expenses such as name changes and surgeries. For now the goal of the fundraiser is to reach $5,000 by Oct. 15, to cover the printing expenses of 200 calendars.

“Even if the calendar doesn’t reach its funding goal, it’s been an incredible experience,” Alex said. For a long-term goal, he plans to carry it annually – with new vloggers each time. Alex mentions he’d like to make a calendar of the transfeminine spectrum, “It’s not a community I’ve delved into very much yet, but I’m starting to more and more.”

Pre-orders can be made at: www.indiegogo.com/youtubeftmcalendar.

LORA hosts Halloween dance on Oct. 27 It’s time to start thinking about your costume for the Super Gay Hallows Eve Dance, set for Oct. 27 at Golden Ponds Party House, 500 Long Pond Rd. The dance is sponsored by Outlandish and presented by LORA, as a benefit for the Second Annual Womyn’s Picnic and Festival.

Cocktails are served at 8 p.m. and dancing starts at 9 p.m., with music by DJ Tina Ann. There will be a cash bar, door prizes, a costume contest and a raffle.

Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door, and are available at Outlandish and Equal=Grounds.

“Pride & Groom” shows NY couple’s wedding In the premiere episode of Pride & Groom, which aired Sept. 21 on Here TV, newlyweds Paul Neenos, a teacher, and Mitchell Cook, a graduate student at Boston’s MIT, take viewers along as they prepare to walk down the aisle in holy matrimony.

The episode chronicles the ups and downs the couple faces, and discusses the historic significance that Neenos and Cook can get married in their home state of New York — a legislative victory secured just last year.

Read an interview with Neenos and Cook at TheAdvocate.com

Aretha, Barbra, Liza honor Marvin Hamlisch The career of the late Marvin Hamlisch, one of the most respected composers of the past half century, was celebrated by Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli, Aretha Franklin at a tribute event on Sept. 19 in New York, reports New York Times.

Franklin delivered a soulful version of “Nobody Does It Better” followed by the gospel song “Deep River.” Minnelli performed “If You Really Knew Me” from the musical They’re Playing Our Song, dedicating it to “a wonderful memory of a splendid, splendid friend.” Streisand shared an anecdote about meeting Hamlisch when he served as her rehearsal pianist for Funny Girl, and then received a standing ovation from the crowd for the surprising combination of her hit “The Way We Were” with “Through the Eyes of Love,” a song she hasn’t sung publicly.

The invitation-only event was held at Julliard School, the alma mater of Hamlisch, who is one of the few musicians to win every major entertainment award.

Other celebrities in the audience included Sarah Jessica Parker, Candice Bergen, Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Mike Nichols, Diane Sawyer, and senior presidential advisor Valerie Jarrett.

Catch three powerful women at Auditorium Theatre this month It’s a big month for megastars of music and laughter in Rochester – two openly lesbian, one straight – but all three amazing. Here’s your October checklist: COMEDY Oct. 5: Wanda Sykes, comedian.

MUSIC Oct. 27: Idina Menzel, Broadway star.

Oct. 28: Melissa Etheridge, rock star.

Tickets: Auditorium Theatre box office, rbtl.org, Ticketmaster 800-7453000. ■

october 2012 • number 461 • gay alliance of the genesee valley • the empty closet

Travel

The Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, NY.

Baseball HOF Introduction

By Merle Exit My memories of going to baseball games puts me at Yankee Stadium and seeing players such as Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Clete Boyer, Bobby Richardson, Moose Skowron, Whitey Ford and Yogi Berra. When I left The Bronx, baseball didn’t seem to be as much fun.

I recently had the opportunity to take a trip to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown for the 2012 inductions of Barry Larkin and Ron Santo, via a company called Sports Travel and Tours.

This HOF Weekend included two nights’ hotel accommodations at the Comfort Inn and Suites in Albany (free breakfast); round trip motor coach transfers to and from Cooperstown; membership in the National Baseball Hall of Fame; admission to the Induction Ceremony; a trip reception and dinner the first evening; plus a few souvenirs of which one was an engraved collectable mini bat.

Baseball fans came from afar to experience the weekend events. I made my way to Albany via Amtrak. I must say that the ride was quite comfortable as well as scenic. I find that you can now travel Amtrak with an E-ticket. Check it out on http:// www.amtrak.com/eticketing-your-ride-isjust-a-barcode-away There were two busloads. John Werner was the ever-knowledgeable tour guide on our bus as we were off Saturday morning to Cooperstown. Main Street, the main street, was crowded with baseball fans looking for souvenirs and autographs.

Many famed baseball players were signing at a cost. Many fans were happy enough

just to see and say “hi” to their heroes. I missed being able to chat with Yogi Berra.

The Baseball Hall of Fame was my first stop, but with too much to see, I focused on two exhibits: Diamond Dreams: Women In Baseball; and the old Yankee players. Across the street the post office was issuing stamps with the players who were being inducted. You could buy the stamps, or get one of those artistic envelopes with a canceled stamp.

Over at Doubleday Field an awards presentation took place in the afternoon.

Early evening brought the Hall of Fame Parade of Legends that featured the famed players, as they would each be seated in the back of a truck waving to the fans lining Main Street. Yogi Berra was not able to make an appearance but Whitey Ford did.

Sunday morning got us back to Cooperstown for the induction ceremony.

The sun was beaming (I forgot to wear my cap and sunscreen that Sports Travel and Tours provided) as each of the living legendary HOF players were introduced and seated. Yogi Berra was introduced and Willy Mays helped Yogi to his seat. Willy was the next to be acknowledged.

Sports Travel Tours offered a VIP package that got you reserved seats at the induction. If you weren’t seated close enough there were big screens to view instead. In fact there was much more to see on the screens involving each of their careers. It was then time for Barry Larkin and Ron Santo’s induction. Ron’s wife accepted the plaque.

Back on the bus, a few more souvenirs, and we’re at the hotel. Great job, John! You can check out the upcoming sports tours at www.sportstravelandtours.com. ■

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the empty closet • the gay alliance of the genesee valley • number 461 • october 2012

Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley The Gay Alliance plays a central role in advocating for the fair and equal treatment of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. www.gayalliance.org choose to call themselves) will meet twice a month on Thursday from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Parents, please join us this month in the Nopper Room at the Gay Alliance, fifth floor of the Auditorium Theater Building, just upstairs from the Community Center.

For dates, call me at 244-8640, ext. 19.

Driver Safety course is set for Nov. 5, 12 Robert Rogers, Gay Alliance volunteer of the month, with his son Cash.

Gay Alliance Volunteer-of-the-Month: Robert Rogers Congratulations to Robert Rogers for being chosen as the Gay Alliance Volunteer-of-the-Month.

Robert first got involved with the Gay Alliance in January 2011 when he attended our SpeakOUT workshop and began his training as a Gay Alliance Speakers Bureau member. Since that time he has presented at over 20 trainings and events!

Robert has a knack for sharing his story in a way that is extremely relatable and puts the audience at ease, making it very comfortable for them to ask questions. Robert is the speaker most likely to get hugs from participants following presentations.

In addition to his wonderful work as a speaker, Robert has taken on the management of the Gay Alliance on-line calendar, he offers information about the Gay Alliance and LGBT issues at local health fairs, he has become an assistant during our SpeakOUT Trainings, he coordinates volunteers at major Gay Alliance events and at Pride and he also is part of our support crew for Ride For Pride (the Gay Alliance bike ride fundraiser).

Thank you to Robert from the staff and board at the Gay Alliance for all of your hard work, energy and commitment.

You are a superstar!

Parents Booster Club forms at Gay Alliance

By Kelly Clark The Gay Alliance Youth Group is excited to partner with the Rochester PFLAG chapter to help us connect to parents in a different sort of way -- we’re building an old-fashioned booster club!

We figured, if it’s good enough for the hockey team then it’s good enough for us!

Parents are invited to meet together twice a month to socialize and dream up ways to support the programming your teens have come to love.

Bake sale -- you betchya! Buy snacks for the Center -- the kids will love you! Solicit door prizes for the Big Gay Prom -- righto!

Hold a car wash to support Youth Pride programming -- couldn’t think of a better way to spend a hot summer day! There are many great ways to help us help your teens!

Oh and did I mention socialize? This will be a great way to meet other parents who are just as eager to support their LGBT teens as you are.

The PFLAG/Gay Alliance Parents Booster Club (or whatever the group will

The Gay Alliance Rainbow SAGE Program will host the AARP Driver Safety Course for members of the LGBT communities (NYS approved training) Nov. 5 and 12, from noon to 3 p.m. each day.

Open to NYS licensed drivers of any age.

Most insurance companies provide a discount to drivers who complete this course.

Taught by Scott Fearing of Gay Alliance who is a certified AARP Safe Driving Instructor. $17 for AARP members and $19 for non-members; payment must be by check on the first day of the class. SPECIAL: All veterans can take the class for FREE in November! 244-8640 ext 20.

SpeakOUT Training: Successful LGBT Education coming up this November On Nov. 9 and 10, Scott Fearing, Gay Alliance Program Director and Jeanne Gainsburg, Gay Alliance Outreach Coordinator, will present their SpeakOUT Training.

On Friday, Nov. 9, the Training will run from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. and on Saturday, Nov. 10 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

The SpeakOUT Training is an experiential, dynamic training that results in personal and professional growth. Graduates of this training will have improved skills to effectively educate about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and their allies.

When LGBT issues are discussed in today’s society people often feel discomfort, anger, confusion, resentment or futility. To change systems of oppression, and the hearts and minds of individuals, it is critical that level-headed, productive and useful discussions occur. This training helps to inspire individuals to put fear and negativity behind them and to confront oppression, harassment and discrimination in useful and productive ways whenever and wherever it is found. SpeakOUT is professional development for your life.

Here is what SpeakOUT participants said about our last training: “The strengths were their enthusiasm and knowledge and shared insights on the LGBT subjects covered. This was so much more useful than I ever thought possible.”

“Created a great atmosphere for learning how to be kind in responding to statements that are hurting. Extremely well versed in all phases of subject matter. I will treasure and review and review the materials.”

“Interactive, personal balanced with professional development. It was a very well balanced training. The leaders were awesome and the group was diverse. It seems clear that each presenter was genuine and really knows their stuff. There was

OUT LOUD & PROUD: Scenes from Youth Summer Camp in the last week of August.

a flow and a comfort level that can only come from experience. It was great! Thank you!”

Don’t miss out on this special opportunity. SpeakOUT is open to and appropriate for everyone; all ages, all identities, all experiences. The training is $50 per person, which includes lunch and training manual. It will take place in the Gay Alliance Community Center (875 E. Main St. first floor). Scholarships are available. Information and a link to registration are at: http://www.gayalliance. org/speakout.html ■

On-line Resource The Gay Alliance On-Line Resource Directory (GARD) The online community tool providing local, statewide and national resources, 24/7 at www.GayAlliance.org.

on

D GAR

Gay Alliance Youth Program The Gay Alliance Youth program empowers today’s teens to meet today’s challenges! It provides a safe space to: Explore their identity, make friends, build community, gain life skills, become a leader and have fun!

Wed./Thursdays: 3:30-7:30pm Fridays: 7-9pm Coming Out/Being Out Support Group Thursdays 6:30-7:30pm (13-18 yrs old) Gender Identity Support Group Thursdays 6:30-7:30pm (13-18 yrs old) Remix Young Adult Support Group Fridays 5-6pm (18-20 yrs old) Gay Alliance Community Center Auditorium Theater Bldg, First Floor, 875 E. Main St, Rochester Phone: 585-244-8640 Check out our calendar for weekly programs descriptions and special events: www.gayalliance.org/events/ youth

Speaking Engagements August-September 8/9...... Transgender Issues in Social Work at GRC MSW Program 8/10.... Rochester’s Diverse and Continuing Struggles at RCSD 8/22.... SafeZone Training at SUNY Brockport 8/22.... Power of the Personal Story at Out Loud, Out Proud Youth Camp 8/24.... SafeZone Training at Eastman School of Music 9/11..... LGBT History: Rochester Roots of Liberation at the Gay Alliance 9/18.... LGBT History: The Stonewall Uprisings at the Gay Alliance 9/19.... SafeZone Training at Halpern Education Center 9/20.... LGBT Panel Presentation at the YWCA 9/25.... LGBT History: U of R Gay Liberation Front at the Gay Alliance 9/27.... Health Fair at St. John Fisher College Quotes from participants in August: “Very open, great communication, honest, intelligent. It was perfect. Thank you so much for your bravery and openness. You are wonderful.” “They’ve really ‘been there,’ so they were talking and engaging and not lecturing.” “I never heard that it’s OK to ‘mess up.’ Now I am not afraid to be more open and communicate more. It was wonderful!”

The Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley: is a non-profit agency, dedicated to cultivating a healthy, inclusive environment where lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-gender (LGBT) people are safe, thriving and enjoying equal rights. We are a coalition of individuals and groups working to empower LGBT people, to affirm their identities, and to create an atmosphere where the diversity of our community can thrive both collectively and separately. We educate and advocate for civil rights for all and for the eradication of homophobia. • Address: 875 East Main Street, Rochester, New York 14605 Hours: Mon.-Fri., 9 am-5 pm • Phone: (585) 244-8640 • Fax: (585) 244-8246 • Web: www.gayalliance.org Education and Outreach Director: Scott Fearing • Business Manager: Joanne Giuffrida • Director of Intergenerational Programs: Kelly Clark • Outreach: Jeanne Gainsburg The Empty Closet: Editor: Susan Jordan • Graphic Designer: Jim Anderson Phone: (585) 244-9030 • Fax: (585) 244-8246 • Advertising: (585) 244-9030 • E-mail: susanj@gayalliance.org

Rainbow SAGE news for October 2012

october 2012 • number 461 • gay alliance of the genesee valley • the empty closet

31

SAGE PAGE

Welcome to the New Rainbow SAGE Page in the EC!

We’ve taken our monthly newsletter and transferred it to the Empty Closet! This single move instantly expands our outreach from 130 copies to over 5000 in just one month! Now, more people than ever before have access to the great things that are happening for older LGBT adults at the Gay Alliance.

To ensure you receive your copy of the new SAGE Page in the EC, be sure to keep your yearly membership in the Gay Alliance current. When you become a Rainbow SAGE member of the Gay Alliance for just $30, the Empty Closet is mailed directly to your home. Not only do you get the same great Rainbow SAGE information you are used to, but you get the rest of the community news you have come to rely on from the EC. To become a member or to check to see if your membership is current, please call Kelly Clark at 585-244-8640 x19.

Powers Farm Market Outing is Oct. 16

Nothing says “Fall” like pumpkins, apples and hay rides. On Oct. 16, the Senior Center will venture to Powers Farm Market, 161 Marsh Road, to experience the best Fall has to offer, starting with an old fashioned hay ride (minimal fee required at time of ride) through their spooky, not scary, trail.

Their petting zoo will be open (allergy sufferers beware) and there to greet us will be chickens, deer, alpacas, and a miniature donkey.

Also, inside the farm market they have a glass display of bees making honey, baked goods (yum… fry cakes!), produce and gift items.

Finally our plans are to pick out our own pumpkins to decorate in the Center the following week (Oct. 22). We will also get apples to make into applesauce! (Oct. 23).

The only fees incurred will be for the hay ride, apples (if you choose) for $1.30/lb and pumpkins which start at $1 and go up.

Registration is required no later than Oct. 8 and can be done by emailing Ashley at ashleyp@ gayalliance.org, phoning 585-2448640 x31, or in person during Senior Center hours!

encounter during street outreach.

Do you have a few hours a week to volunteer to collect items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, soap and shampoo? Maybe you can help put the kits together or deliver them to the shelter?

This will be a general interest meeting for those who want to find out more about this new project on Monday, Oct. 15 at 11 a.m., Gay Alliance Community Center.

Billiards

THE RAGING GRANNIES will visit the SAGE Senior Center on Oct. 30.

The Raging Grannies are coming to the Senior Center on Oct. 30

We are very excited to announce The Raging Grannies have accepted our invitation to come perform Oct. 30 at 1 p.m. The Raging Grannies is a group of older women who promote peace, justice and social and economic equality through song and humor.

We would appreciate you letting us know if you plan to attend by 10/15 so we can set up accordingly and encourage you to tell a friend! So contact Ashley via email at ashleyp@gayalliance.org, phone 585-244-8640 x31, or in person during Senior Center hours! Videos of past performances can be seen on our website www.gayalliance.org.

Let’s go to the movies!

Come to the Senior Center October 15 and enjoy a cup of coffee with friends before we head over to the Dryden Theater, 900 East Ave., at 12:30 p.m. for their Senior Citizen Matinée offered free

of charge.

If you choose to come in the morning and do not wish to join us for the movie, then please be advised the Center will close at 12:30 p.m. The movie begins at 1 p.m. and goes until 3 p.m. The Theater DOES allow outside food and drink to be brought in, as the Eastman House Cafe and Gift shop will be closed. They open the Dryden Theater exclusively for the Senior Matinee, so keep that in mind and plan accordingly if you usually eat during that time.

Registration is required no later than October 8 and can be done by emailing Ashley at ashleyp@ gayalliance.org, phoning 585-2448640 x31, or in person during Senior Center hours!

NEW - Seniors Support Homeless Youth!

Center for Youth Volunteer Interest Meeting: The Senior Center is seeking volunteers to support homeless youth. The Center for Youth needs toiletry kits for youth in shelter as well as those they

Did you know that the Gay Alliance Community Center has a Billiards Table? Well in fact we do and we have recently redecorated the Center, dusted off the table and moved it front and center for all to enjoy!

The youth are having a great time with it – it’s become the first thing they go to when the Center opens for Youth Program hours.

It’s even more popular than the computers, if you can believe that!

Now it’s your turn to grab a cue and brush up on your pool skills.

Come on down to the Center Oct. 1 and show us your stuff! Start the day off with the Coffee Club at 11 a.m. and stay for Billiards at 1 p.m.

Thank you Brian Hurlburt!

Brian Hurlburt has served as an excellent Rainbow SAGE Newsletter Editor. His editions were always timely and funny. As he moves on to new volunteer opportunities, we would be remiss not to take the opportunity to publicly thank him for his service as Editor.

It is clear that Rainbow SAGE holds a special place in his heart.

Please be sure to give him a great big bear hug the next time you see him! ■

Gay Alliance Senior Center October Calendar The Senior Center is open to LGBT adults Monday & Tuesday 11am-3pm. Library Hours: Mondays 1-3pm.

October 1........ 1pm............Billiards October 2........ 1pm............Movie & popcorn October 8........ 1pm............Mental Health Association presentation October 9........ 11am..........Social Group & at 1pm... Name That Tune October 15...... 12:30pm.....Dryden Theater Meet-up October 16...... 12:30pm.....Powers Farm Market Hay Ride!

October 22...... 11am..........Pumpkin Decorating & at 1pm... Family Feud Game October 23...... 11am..........Making Applesauce October 29...... 1pm...........“Halloween” Themed Scrabble October 30...... 1pm............The Raging Grannies *Activities are subject to change. Gay Alliance Senior Center, 875 E, Main Street, 1st floor (585) 244-8640

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the empty closet • the gay alliance of the genesee valley • number 461 • october 2012

Resources Check our monthly and ongoing calendar as well as the community section for more groups and events. For further information, call the Gay Alliance at 244-8640 or visit: www.gayalliance.org. And send us your information.

BISEXUALITY resources

AMBI Los Angeles; American Institute of Bisexuality (Journal of Bisexuality); Bay Area Bisexual Network; Bi Café; Bi Definition: Milwaukee; BiNet USA; Bisexual Organizing Project (BOP); Biversity Boston; Boston Bisexual Women’s Network; ComBIne - Columbus, Ohio; Dallas/ Fort Worth Bi Net; Fenway Health’s Bi Health Program; Los Angeles Bi Task Force; New York Area Bisexual Network; Robyn Ochs’s site; Seattle Bisexual Women’s Network; The Bi Writers Association; The Bisexual Resource Center (email brc@biresource.net)

CULTURAL

Rochester Women’s Community Chorus 234-4441. (See Ongoing calendar).

Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus www.thergmc.org

deaf services

Advocacy for Abused Deaf Victims Mailing address: c/o ASADV, P.O. Box 20023, Rochester, NY 14602. 24-Hour Hotline: ASADVhope@gmail.com; VP: 866-936-8976; TTY/ FAX : 585-232-2854.

Lilac Rainbow Alliance for the Deaf (LRAD) Meets second Saturdays, 6-9pm. For location, information: rcoaster@rochester.rr.com Spectrum LGBTIQ & Straight Alliance RIT/NTID student group. <SpectrumComment@groups.facebook.com

Elders

Gay Alliance Rainbow Sage Senior Center Mon-Tues 11am-3pm, 875 E. Main St. first floor, 244-8640; kellyc@ gayalliance.org

family

CNY Fertility Center Integrative Fertility Care. Support meetings, webinars, workshops. Information: cbriel@cnyfertility.com; www.cnyhealingarts.com Rochester Gay Moms’ Group Support group for lesbian mommies and wannabe mommies in Rochester and surrounding areas. Subscribe: RochesterGayMoms-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

Lesbian & Gay Family Building Project Headquartered in Binghamton and with a presence throughout Upstate NY, the Project is dedicated to helping LGBTQ people achieve their goals of building and sustaining healthy families. Claudia Stallman, Project Director, 124 Front St., Binghamton, NY 13905; 607-7244308; e-mail: LesGayFamBldg@aol.com. Web: www.PrideAndJoyFamilies.org.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) PFLAG’s threefold mission: supporting parents and family members in coming out process; educating the community; advocating on behalf of LGBT family members. Regular meetings: Third Sunday of the month, Open Arms MCC, 740 Marshall Rd. 14624. 1-3pm. PFLAG@ gagv.us; 585-244-8640 x27.

Adoptive Parent Support Group Monthly potluck lunches. For information, location, call Shari, 350-2529.

Angel Food Ministry Box of fresh/frozen food for $30 in advance.

Menu changes monthly. For information and distribution sites, call 585 861-4815.

HIV/AIDS

Free testing for HIV exposure is available from New York State Department of Health: call Rochester Area Regional Hotline at (585) 423-8081, or 1 800 962-5063 for pay phones or calls outside Rochester. Deaf or hearing impaired people should call (585) 4238120 (TDD.) New Rapid HIV Testing now available in 30-40 minutes! Statewide information can be obtained by calling 1 800 541-AIDS. Other organizations which provide AIDS-related services are as follows:

AIDS Care AIDS Care is the leading provider of HIV/AIDS services in Rochester and the Finger Lakes.

On-site services include HIV testing and limited STD screenings, Primary and HIV Specialty Medical Care, Pharmacy, and many more. AIDS Care satellite offices in Geneva and Bath. AIDS Care is also a leader in providing services and education to members of the LGBT community.

Contact Information: Website: www.acRochester.org. Main Office: 259 Monroe Ave., Rochester, NY 14607; Main Phone: 585-545-7200, Health Services After Hours: 585-258-3363; Case Management After Hours (Lifeline): 585275-5151; Fax: 585-244-6456. Finger Lakes Office: 605 W. Washington St., Geneva, NY 14456, 315-781-6303. Southern Tier Office: 122 Liberty St. Box 624, Bath, NY 14810 607776-9166. The Health Outreach Project: 416 Central Ave., Rochester, NY 14605; 585-4545556.

Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley Referrals to physicians and service agencies.

(585) 244-8640; www.gayalliance.org.

Victory Alliance University of Rochester Medical Center. One of several research sites worldwide that comprise the HIV Vaccine Trials Network. Rochester site conducts research vaccine studies sponsored

by National Institutes of Health (NIH). 585-7562329; www.vaccineunit.org.

Threshold At The Community Place, 145 Parsells Ave., third floor, 585-454-7530. Provides confidential HIV, STD testing and General Health Care, ages 12-25. Sliding fee scale, no one denied, most insurances accepted. Mon., Wed., Fri. 9am-5pm; Tues., Thurs., 9am-7pm; Sat. 10am-2pm. www.ThresholdCenter.org Center for Health and Behavioral Training of Monroe County 853 Main St., Rochester 14611. Collaboration of Monroe County Health Department and U.R. Provides year-round training in prevention and management of STDs, HIV, TB and related issues, such as domestic violence and case management. (585)753-5382 v/tty.

Planned Parenthood of the Rochester/ Syracuse Region 114 University Ave., Rochester, NY 14605; Tollfree Helpline: 1 866 600-6886. Offers confidential HIV testing and information. When you make your appointment, be sure to ask about our sliding scale fees. No one is turned away for lack of ability to pay.

Rochester Area Task Force on AIDS A collection of agencies providing a multiplicity of resources and services to the upstate New York community. Their offices are located through the Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency, which also provides medical literature and newspaper clippings, as well as demographic and statistical data for use in developing health care services. (585) 461-3520.

MOCHA Center of Rochester Our mission is to improve health and wellness in communities of color through intervention and service, with emphasis on LGBTQ programming. Youth drop-in center, HIV testing, peer education, support groups, computer lab, referral services and more. 107 Liberty Pole Way (corner of Pleasant). (585) 420-1400.

Monroe County Health Department at 855 W. Main St., offers testing and counseling for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. (585) 753-5481.

Strong Memorial Hospital provides a complete range of HIV medical care, including access to experimental treatment protocols, and HIV testing. Also provides individual and group psychotherapy. Training of health care professionals also available. Infectious Disease Clinic, (585) 275-0526. Department of Psychiatry, (585) 275-3379. AIDS Training Project, (585) 275-5693.

Planned Parenthood of Rochester and Genesee Valley Offers testing and information (585) 546 2595.

Rural HIV testing Anonymous and confidential, in Allegany, Livingston, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne or Yates Counties, call 1 800 9625063.

Action Front Center (Action for a Better Community.) Provides HIV prevention education and case management services. Training and technical assistance to service providers. Resource library open to public. All services free and confidential. Multicultural and bilingual staff. 33 Chestnut St., second floor. Hours 8:30-5pm, Monday-Friday.

262-4330; fax 262-4572. Free anonymous HIV testing on walk-in basis, Tuesdays, Wednesdays 1-4pm, provided through NYSDOH. Thursdays 1-4pm at Aenon Baptist Church, 175 Genesee St. Anthony L. Jordan Health Center Prevention & Primary Care Program Provides Medical Case Management, Mental Health, Primary Care, HIV Counseling and Testing using the Orasure Rapid Test, Education presentations, and access to other Jordan services. Prevention & Primary Care is a walk-in program; no appointments necessary. Office hours: Mon.– Fri., 8:30am– 5 pm: extended hours on Monday until 8pm. (585) 423-2879; fax (585) 423-2876. Website: www.jordanhealth.org. For more information, call Program Director Patrick M. Trevor, (585) 423-2879.

CDC National STD and AIDS Hotline 1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) 24 hours a day. TTY service: 1-888-232-6348. E-mail address: cdcinfo@cdc.gov.

Fair Housing Enforcement Project of Monroe County 585-325-2500; 1-800-669-9777. Deals with housing discrimination on basis of race, orientation, HIV status, etc.

Public Interest Law Office of Rochester 80 St. Paul St., Suite 701. Free legal services to HIV positive persons, families. Spanish bilingual advocates available. All civil cases except divorce; no criminal cases. Ask to speak to someone in PILOR. 454-4060.

Evergreen Health Services, Buffalo Primary care, HIV and family care, HIV testing and counseling. (716) 847-0328 Westside Health Services Brown Square Health Center, 175 Lyell Ave. (254-6480); Woodward health Center, 480 Genesee St. (436-3040). HIV/AIDS services, support, more.

McCree McCuller Wellness Center at Unity Health’s Connection Clinic (585) 368-3200, 89 Genesee St., Bishop Kearney Bldg., 3rd floor. Full range of services, regardless of ability to pay. Caring, confidential and convenient.

Catholic Charities AIDS Services A multicultural and bi-lingual staff providing services to a diversity of people infected and affected with HIV. Coordinates HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS) short term emergency assistance with rent/mortgage/utility payments and limited subsidized housing. 1945 E. Ridge Rd., Suite 24, Rochester NY 14622. (585) 339-9800.

Huther Doyle 360 East Ave., Rochester 14604. Offers drug, alcohol prevention, education, treatment. Risk Reduction Plus Team offers services to HIV positive and those at risk through substance use. Programs include outreach, transitional case management, free cconfidential testing (OraQuick Rapid Testing). NYS Dep’t. of Health offers free on-site confidential and anonymous testing. (585)325-5100, M-F 8am-9pm, www. hutherdoyle.com.

Geneva Community Health 601 W. Washington St., Geneva. Provides HIV testing, HIV specialty and primary care for residents of Ontario and surrounding counties.

Mon.-Thurs. 9am-5pm; Fridays 9am-noon.

315-781-8448.

lgbt health

For a list of LGBT-friendly and competent health and human service providers in the Rochester and Finger Lakes area, visit the resource directory page(s) at www.everybodysgood.com.

Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley See www.gayalliance.org Resource Directory under “Health” for Gay Alliance referrals to physicians and service agencies.

TRANSGENDER

Rochester Trans Group Social/educational group for gender variant people and friends. Last Saturday, 3-5pm, GAGV Youth Center, first floor, 875 E. Main St. 244-8640. www.rnytg.org Gay Alliance Youth Gender Identity Thursdays, 6:30-7:30pm, Gay Alliance Community Center, 875 E. Main St. first floor.

Ages 13-18. 244-8640; kellyc@gayalliance.org Genesee Valley Gender Variants Thurs. 7-9pm, Equal Grounds, 750 South Ave. GVGenderVariants@yahoogroups.com Transgender online: Transenough.com; www.endtransdiscrimination.org; genderfork.com; www.transgendercare.com; International Foundation for Gender Education Gender Education and Advocacy http://www.gender.org/; FTM Information Network http://www.ftminfo.net/; Transgender at Work http://www.tgender.net; PFLAG Transgender Network http://community.pflag.org/ page.aspx?pid=380; TransActive http://www. transactiveonline.org; The Transitional Male http://www.thetransitionalmale.com/; National Center for Transgender Equality http://transequality.org/; New York Association for Gender Rights Advocacy http://www.nyagra.com/; Transgender Aging Network http://forge-forward.org/aging/; Transgender Law Center http://transgenderlawcenter.org; Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund http://transgenderlegal.org/; The Self Made Men http:// theselfmademen.webs.com/ (please send us your favorite sites/groups) Guys Night Out Social group for transmen. Third Saturdays, 1pm, Equal Grounds, 750 South Ave. tguysnightout@gmail.com

Women’s health

Highland Hospital Breast Imaging Center 500 Red Creek Drive, Rochester 14623; 585487-3300. Specializing in breast health, diagnostic breast imaging and treatment and mammography outreach and education.

Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester 840 University Ave.; 585-473-8177; www. bccr.org; email: info@bccr.org. Breast Cancer Coalition provides support services that include programs designed to help those coping with a recent breast cancer diagnosis and those coping with an advanced breast cancer diagnosis, such as the Advanced Breast Cancer Support Group to support women living with metastatic breast cancer. Information about breast cancer, lending library, a monthly educational program.

All BCCR programs, support services free.

Monroe County Women’s Health Partnership 111 Westfall Rd., Rochester NY 14692; (585) 274-6978. Comprehensive breast cancer screening services for uninsured and underinsured women.

Elizabeth Wende Breast Clinic 170 Sawgrass Drive. 442-8432. Dr. Wende Logan-Young and an all-woman staff provide mammograms.

Self Help for Women with Breast or Ovarian Cancer (SHARE) 1-866-53SHARE or 1-866-537-4273.

Alternatives for Battered Women 232-7353; TTY 232-1741. Shelter (women only), counseling. Lesbians, gay men welcome.

GAGV Anti Violence Referrals 585-244-8640 ext 19. For women and men.

Victim Resource Center of Wayne County Newark N.Y. Hotline 800-456-1172; office (315)331-1171; fax (315)331-1189.

Mary Magdalene House Women’s outreach center for HIV positive women and women at risk. 291 Lyell Ave. Open Mon-Fri. 6:30-9:30pm 458-5728.

Planned Parenthood of the Rochester/ Syracuse Region 114 University Ave., Rochester, NY 14605; Tollfree Helpline: 1-866-600-6886. Planned Parenthood has led the way in providing high quality, affordable reproductive health care since 1916. All services are confidential. Accept most insurances; including Medicaid. You may qualify for low- to no-cost family planning services. When you make your appointment, ask about our sliding scale fees. No one turned away for lack of ability to pay.

Women’s Resource Center YWCA, 175 N. Clinton Ave. 546-7740.

october 2012 • number 461 • gay alliance of the genesee valley • the empty closet

Ongoing Calendar Monday

Occupy Rochester M-F, 4-6 pm, at the Liberty Pole.

Born That Way Formerly 3rd Presbyterian LGBT Support Group.

First, 3rd Mondays, 7:30-9:30pm, 34 Meigs St. Carol, 482-3832 or Kaara, 654-7516.

Lilac Squares Gay Square Dance Group, Mondays, 7pm, 140 Alex Bar. To reserve space: 467-6456; bdaniels@frontiernet.net.

Free syphilis testing AIDS Care, 259 Monroe Ave., 5-8pm. 4422220.

Rainbow SAGE Senior Center, 11am-3pm, Gay Alliance Center, 875 E. Main St., 1st floor.

Rochester Historical Bowling Society 7:15pm, Mondays. Clover Lanes, 2750 Monroe Ave. (Group is full.)

HIV Positive Men’s Support group Every Monday, 5pm, AIDS Care Center for Positive Living, 259 Monroe Ave. Frontrunners/Frontwalkers Mondays, 6pm, George Eastman House parking lot. www.rochesterfrontrunners.org.

Steps Beyond Stems Crack Support Group, Mondays, 7-8pm, 289 Monroe Ave. Gay Alliance Library & Archives, David Bohnett Cyber Center Every Monday. 1-3pm; 6-8pm. First floor, 875 E. Main St. 244-8640.

Equality Rochester 2nd Mondays, 7-8:30 pm, Equal=Grounds.

426-0862; annetischer1@gmail.com

Tuesday

Just Us Guys Gay men of all ages. 2nd Tuesdays, 6:30pm, AIDS Care, 259 Monroe Ave. 223-2629 Charlie’s Group 2nd Tuesdays. Monthly peer-facilitated support group for married men who have sex with men.

Confidential, free. For time, place: email: charlie@gayalliance.org.

Rainbow SAGE Senior Center, 11am-3pm, Gay Alliance Center, 875 E. Main St., 1st floor.

MOCHA Youth Drop-In Tues.-Fri., 1-9pm, MOCHA Center, 107 Liberty Pole Way, 420-1400; 244-8640 MOCHA Hepatitis Clinic Free Hepatitis A & B vaccinations, third Tuesdays, 5:30-7pm, 107 Liberty Pole Way, 4201400 Women’s Community Chorus Rehearsals each Tuesday, 6:30-9pm, Downtown United Pres. Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh Street. 234-4441, www.therwcc.org Free HIV Testing 9am-7pm. AIDS Care, 259 Monroe Ave.

Wednesday U.R. Pride Network 7:30pm, Gamble Room in Rush Rhees Library. urpride@gmail.com

Rainbow SAGE Ruby Slippers Wednesdays, 5:45 pm, Callan-Harris Physical Therapy, 1328 Universty Ave. Gay Alliance Board of Directors Meets Third Wednesdays, 6pm, 875 E. Main St. 244-8640 New Freedom New Happiness AA Gay meeting, 7pm, Unitarian Church, 220 Winton Rd. Men and women. Open.

Support Group for Parents who have lost Children First, 3rd Wednesdays, 11am-12:30pm, Third Presbyterian Church, 4 Meigs St. Genesee Region Home Care. Free. 325-1880 COAP Come Out and Play. Wednesday game nights.

8-11 pm. Equal=Grounds, 750 South Ave. 7pm, paulkaseman@gmail.com.

Rochester Rams General Meeting 2nd Wednesdays, 7:30pm, Bachelor Forum, 670 University Ave. www.rochesterrams.com Brothers Keeper Support group for men over 30. Third Wednesdays, 5:30-7:30pm, MOCHA Center, 107 Liberty Pole Way. 420-1400 HIV+ Mixed Men’s Group Wednesdays, 11:30 am-12:30 pm.

AIDS Care, 259 Monroe Ave. Gay Alliance Youth Wednesdays, 3:30-7pm, Gay Alliance Youth Center, 875 E. Main St. Prince St. entrance, first floor. 244-8640 x 13.

Frontrunners/Frontwalkers 6pm, Eastman House parking lot. www.rochesterfrontrunners.org.

Gay Alliance Library & Archives, David Bohnett Cyber Center Every Wednesday. 6-8pm. First floor, 875 E. Main St. 244-8640.

Empire Bears Every Wednesday. 6pm dinner at The Wintonaire. www.empirebears.com

Thursday

Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns 6:30pm, first Thursday. Ralph, 271-7649 Queer Radical Reading Group First and third Thursdays, 7pm, Equal=Grounds, 750 South Ave. Pride at Work First Thursdays, 5:30pm. 167 Flanders St. off Thurston Rd. 426-0862.

GLOB&L (Gays & Lesbians of Bausch & Lomb).

Meets every third Thursday in Area 67 conference room at the Optic Center. Voice mail: 338-8977 Gay Alliance Youth Thursdays, 3:30-7pm, Gay Alliance Youth Center, 875 E. Main St. Prince St. entrance, first floor. 244-8640 x 13.

Coming Out Being Out Youth Support Group 6:30-7:30pm; ages 13-18 Gay Alliance Youth Center, 875 E. Main St. Prince St. entrance, first floor. 244-8640 x 13.

Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus Downtown United Presbyterian Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh St. 6:30-9pm, 423-0650 Free confidential walk-in HIV testing Every Thursday night, 5-8pm, AIDS Care, 259 Monroe Ave. 442-2220 Gay Alliance Youth Gender Identity Thursdays, 6:30-7pm, Ages 13-18, Gay Alliance Youth Center, 875 E. Main St., 1st floor (Prince St. entrance). 244-8640 ext 13.

Out & Equal Second Thursdays Social/business networking, 5:30-7:30pm.

Changing venues. E-mail: fingerlakes@outandequal.org Genesee Valley Gender Variants 7-9pm, Equal=Grounds, 750 South Ave. GV GenderVariants@yahoogroups.com

FRIDAY

Gay Men's AA meeting Fridays, 7:30-8:30pm, Closed meeting.

Emmanuel Baptist Church, 815 Park Ave. GLBTQI Motorcycle Group Second Fridays, 5:30pm, Various locations.

RochesterGLBTIQbikers@yahoo.com; 4676456; bmdaniels@frontiernet.net.

GAGV Remix Young Adult Support Group Ages 18-20. 5-6pm, 875 E. Main St. first floor.

Prince St. entrance, 244-8640, kellyc@ gayalliance.org L.O.R.A. Potluck & Games Night Fourth Fridays. GAGV Youth Center, 875 E. Main St., 1st floor 6-9:30pm, 585-313-3037; E-mail: info@l-o-r-a.com. http://www.facebook.com/L.O.R.A.14464; www.l-o-r-a.com Womyn’s Drum Circle Fourth Fridays. 6-9:30pm, GAGV Youth Center; E-mail: info@womynsdrumcircle.org; Website: www.womynsdrumcircle.org.

SATURDAY

Rochester Rams Bar Night Third Saturdays, 8pm-2am, Bachelor Forum, 670 University Ave. 271-6930 Rochester Trans Group Social/educational group for gender-variant people, friends. Last Saturdays, 3-5 pm, GAGV Youth Center, first floor, 875 E. Main St. Frontrunners/Frontwalkers 9am, George Eastman House parking lot.www. rochesterfrontrunners.org.

Empire Bears Potluck 2nd Saturdays, Youth Center, 875 E. Main, 1st floor, Prince St. entrance. 6:30pm greet; 7pm dinner. Bring dish to pass. www.empirebears.org.

Cross Dresser Support Group First Saturdays, 6-9pm, call for location: 251-2132; RCDNET@hotmail.com Guys Night Out Third Saturdays. Social group for transguys.

1pm, Equal=Grounds, 750 South Ave. tguysnightout@gmail.com.

Saturday Night Special Gay AA 7pm, Unitarian Church, 220 Winton Rd., S. Men and women. Open meeting.

Lilac Rainbow Alliance for the Deaf (LRAD) 2nd Saturdays, 6-9pm. rcoaster@rochester.rr.com Sophia’s Supper Club First and third Saturdays. http://www.inspiritual.biz/online-spiritual-evolution-gro/

Sunday

Parents Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) 3rd Sundays, 1-3pm. Open Arms MCC, 740 Marshall Rd. 244-8640 x 27; pflag@gayalliance.org.

Gay Alliance Library & Archives Sunday hours ended.

Rochester General Assembly Sundays, Flying Squirrel Community Center, 285 Clarissa St. Unity Fellowship Church Sundays, 1:30 pm, Lutheran Church of Peace, 125 Caroline St., 14620. 520-6188.

Dignity-Integrity 1st Sunday: 5pm Episcopal Eucharist with music; 2nd Sunday: 5pm Roman Catholic Liturgy of the Word with music; 3rd Sunday: 5pm Episcopal Eucharist (quiet); 4th Sunday: 5pm Prayers to start the week, followed by potluck supper.

Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church 740 Marshall Rd., Chili, 10:30am, 271-8478 Gay Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous St. Luke’s/St. Simon Cyrene Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St. 8:30pm, 232-6720, Weekly.

Closed meeting Rainbow SAGE First Sundays: Euchre Club, 3-6pm. Third Sundays, Potluck at First Universalist Church, 150 S. Clinton Ave., 4pm.

Men’s Cooking Group Third or fourth Sundays, 355-7664.

Civil Rights Front Every Tuesday, 5pm, Equal=Grounds, 750 South Ave. http://www.civilrightsfront.wordpress.com

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Rochester AA/NA Meetings Every week there are four regularly scheduled GLBTI AA and two NA meetings in Rochester.

Tuesdays

Narcotics Anonymous 6-7:30pm. AIDS and Recovery 1124 Culver Road (Covenant United Methodist Church) This is an NA meeting that is open to all addicts who have a desire to stop using. Although it is not specifically a gay-oriented meeting, it is welcoming to people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as to anyone who is affected by HIV and AIDS.

Wednesdays

New Freedom/New Happiness Group 7pm. First Unitarian Church, 220 S. Winton Rd. Bus riders: Take the last #18 University bus to 12 Corners. Use the stop just past the top of the hill at Hillside Ave. and before Highland Ave. Or take the #1 Park Ave. to the corner of East and Winton, then walk five minutes south (uphill) on Winton. This is an open discussion meeting. All issues – as they relate to our alcoholism/addiction and recovery – are fair game.

Fridays Gay Men’s 7:30pm. Immanuel Baptist Church, 815 Park Ave. • Closed meeting, restricted to alcoholics and addicts • Men’s meeting • Handicapped accessible This is a round-robin discussion meeting. If you are shy about meeting people or speaking up in a group, you will find this meeting particularly warm and inviting because everyone gets their turn to speak (or pass). As a result, this meeting often runs long, so plan on more than the usual hour.

Saturdays Saturday Night Special 7pm. First Unitarian Church, 220 S. Winton Rd. Bus riders: The #18 University Ave. bus does not go by the church on weekend evenings.

Take the #1 Park Ave. bus to the corner of East and Winton, then walk five minutes south (uphill) on Winton.

• Open meeting, all are welcome, “straight friendly” • Mixed men and women • Handicapped accessible, take elevator to basement Meeting begins with a speaker, followed by open discussion.

Sundays Step in the Right Direction 7:30-9pm. 1275 Spencerport Road (Trinity Alliance Church) This is an NA meeting that is open to all addicts who have a desire to stop using. Although it is not specifically a gay-oriented meeting, it is welcoming to people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Each week features a reading from NA literature, followed by discussion.

Rochester Gay Men 8pm. St. Luke/St. Simon’s Episcopal Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh Street. Bus riders use the Fitzhugh Street stop on Main Street at the County Office Building and walk south one block.

• Closed meeting, restricted to alcoholics and addicts • Men’s meeting • NOT handicapped accessible Meeting begins with a speaker, followed by open discussion.

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the empty closet • the gay alliance of the genesee valley • number 461 • october 2012

October 2012 FRIDAY 5

ImageOut opening night. “Cloudburst”, 7 pm, Little Theatre 1. “Naked as We Came,” 9:30 pm, Little Theatre 1.

Opening night party at Tilt Nightclub & Ultralounge, 444 Central Ave. 9 pm-1 am. Special guest Pandora Boxx!

SATURDAY 6

Butch Femme Connection dinner night. Meet at Old Country Buffet in the Stone Ridge Plaza in Greece at 7 pm.

Contact Kerry/Max at (585) 288-7208, email DressyFemme@aol.com or Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/ bfconnection.

ROMANS monthly dinner & swim.

First meeting of season. http://www. wnyromans.com or e-mail:wnyromans@ yahoo.com, message line at 585-281-4964 or write ROMANS, PO Box 92293, Rochester NY 14692.

Sunday 7

Dignity Integrity. Episcopal Mass/ Healing Service, with music. 5 pm at St. Luke’s and St. Simon’s Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St. http://www.di-rochester. org/) or DI Hotline at 585-234-5092.

ComeoutDancin’. “Swing Into Fall.”

First dance of the season Friends Meetinghouse, 84 Scio St. (entrance on Charlotte St. across from the East End Garage), 3-5pm. Admission $5. For more info contact comeoutdancin@gayalliance. org 585-244-8640.

Youth Group Open House. 4-6 pm, Gay Alliance Community Center, 875 E. Main St., first floor. Welcoming teachers, school administrators, community mem-

bers, anyone interested in the youth programming. 244-8640 ext. 19.

TUESDAY 9

Just Us Guys. Speaker: Dr. Christopher Barry. AIDS Care, 259 Monroe Ave. 6 pm, lower level break room. Ron at 7292259; rmatter1@rochester.rr.com.

ImageOut Shoulders to Stand On documentary preview. 7pm, Dryden Theatre of the George Eastman House.

THURSDAY 11

Coming Out Day. Empire State Pride Agenda Fall Dinner. NYC. ww.prideagenda.org Out & Equal’s 2nd Thursday Networking event, at ONE, 1 Ryan Alley, with food by Benedetto’s. 5:30-7:30 p.m.

FRIDAY 12

ImageOut. 9 pm, Little Theatre screening of “BearCity 2: The Proposal”.

The Bachelor Forum, 670 University Ave., hosts BearCity 2 After-Party with drink specials and pizza from 11 pm-2 am.

SATURDAY 13

ImageOut closing night. “Gayby” at Dryden Theatre of George Eastman House, 7:30 pm. Memorial Art Gallery (500 University Ave., 10 pm–1 am). JazzAge-themed party.

SUNDAY 14

Dignity Integrity. Roman Catholic Liturgy of the Word, with music followed by anniversary dinner at local restaurant. 5 pm at St. Luke’s and St. Simon’s Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St. http://www. di-rochester.org/ or DI Hotline at 585234-5092.

Classifieds Classified ads are $5 for the first 30 words; each additional 10 words is another $1. We do not bill for classifieds, so please send or bring ad and payment to: The Empty Closet, 875 E. Main Street, Suite 500, Rochester, NY 14605. Paying by check: checks must be made out to Gay Alliance or GAGV. The deadline is the 15th of the month, for the following month’s issue. We cannot accept ads over the phone. Pay when you place your ad. We will accept only ads accompanied by name and phone number. Neither will be published, but we must be able to confirm placement. The Empty Closet is not responsible for financial loss or physical injury that may result from any contact with an advertiser. Advertisers must use their own box number, voice mail, e-mail or personal address/phone number.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Couples! Participate in a study from the University of Rochester Relationships Lab! If you and your partner are dating, partnered, or married, and 18 or older, the UR Relationships Lab invites you both to participate in an online survey regarding the sexual activities that couples enjoy.

Receive optional feedback on how similar your preferences are, and how accurately you know what each other likes. Information: https://www.surveymk.com/ s/6M66QNT?c=gv Children’s Ministry thriving at Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church for ages 5 to 12. Join us for vibrant, inclusive, progressive worship on Sundays at 10:30 a.m., 740 Marshall Road off Chili Avenue. info@openarmsmcc. org; (585)271-8478

SERVICES

Wedding space and clergy services available. Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church 740 Marshall Rd. off Chili Ave. oamcc@frontiernet.net.

(585) 271-8478.

Rochester’s Best Man to Man Rubdown. Unwind with this degreed, employed, fit, friendly, healthy, Italian

GWM. Middle aged, 5’8”, 165 lbs., 32” waist, nonsmoker, d & d free, HIV negative. My 10-plus years experience guarantees your relaxation and satisfaction.

Hotel visit, in call in my home or out call in your residence. Reasonable rates. Discretion appreciated and practiced. Don’t delay, call me today at 585-773-2410 (cell) or 585-235-6688 (home) or e-mail me at: magichands@rochester.rr.com.

Hate to paint or clean gutters? I have tall ladders! Dale’s Pleasure Painting & Gutter Cleaning has very reasonable rates for painting year round and gutter cleaning in the spring or fall. 585-576-5042.

Email dale.furlong@yahoo.com.

Martin Ippolito master electrician.

Electrical work, telephone jacks, cable TV, burglar alarm systems, paddle fans.

585-266-6337.

World renowned weddings. 42 years performing same sex commitments, now marriages (it’s about time!). Nancy BB Meyer minister, God is Love-Animals are Angels ministry. 585-733-6213.

Piano lessons, all ages and levels.

Are you getting married? I’d love to play for your event. Contact Frank Verna III, (585)544-6799, frankmelisma@yahoo. com.

WEDNESDAY 17

ComeoutDancin’. Friends Meetinghouse, 84 Scio St. (entrance on Charlotte St. across from the East End Garage. 3-5pm.

Admission $5. For more info contact comeoutdancin@gayalliance.org 585-244-8640

SATURDAY 20

RuPaul’s All Stars Drag Race. Premiere, 9 pm, Logo. Featuring Rochester’s Pandora Boxx. Info, previews at LogoTV. com.

MONDAY 15

Empty Closet deadline. 244-9030; susanj@gayalliance.org.

Team Rochester planning meeting. 7 pm at Bamba Bistro Restaurant, 282 Alexander St. For more information, please contact: thomaso510@mac.com.

Day trip to home of Matilda Joslyn Gage. Sponsored by Friends of Ganondagan. Leave for Fayetteville 9:30 am; bus leaves from lower parking lot at Ganondagan State Historic Site (1441 State Rte. 444 in Victor), arrives at Gage Home approximately 11:15 am; returns to Ganondagan by 5 pm. Pre-registration required by Oct. 6. Information at www. ganondagan.org/programs/SistersInSpirit. html or call 585-742-1690 for complete information, registration form. Trip without transportation $50; meet at Gage Home by 11:30 am.

Butch Femme Connection supper night. Meet at The King & I Thai Restaurant on East Henrietta Road (Route 15A) in Henrietta at 7 pm. Contact Kerry/Max at (585) 288-7208, email DressyFemme@ aol.com or Facebook page http://www. facebook.com/bfconnection.

Sunday 21

Dignity Integrity. Quiet Episcopal Mass in the Chapel. 5 pm at St. Luke’s and St. Simon’s Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St. http://www.di-rochester.org/ or DI Hotline at 585-234-5092.

Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus SpaGAYti Dinner. Asbury First United Methodist Church, 1050 East Ave. 4-8 p.m. Cost $12 for adults, and $6 for children 12 and under. (www.thergmc.org) for more information and to purchase tickets.

MONDAY 22

TUESDAY 23

Gay Alliance DinesOUT. See page 20.

Out & Equal fourth quarter ERG Roundtable, “Best Practices for an Effective Employee Resource Group,” from 8-9:30 am, with registration and refreshments beginning at 7:30 am. Rochester Riverside Convention Center. To register, contact Chris Fisher at (585) 987-4661 or at christopher.fisher@ey.com.

Christian Faith and LGBT Experience fall lecture. Rev. Canon Dr. C. Denise Yarbrough on “The LGBT Experience in the Faith Community.” 7pm, Downtown Presbyterian Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh St. Free.

SATURDAY 27

Super Gay Hallows Dance Party.

Golden Ponds Party House, 500 Long Pond Rd. $10 advance; $15 at door. 8 pm cocktails, 9 pm dance. Benefits Womyn’s Picnic & Festival. Presented by LORA. Alex Mapa at Corning Museum of Glass Auditorium, Corning. 7:30pm, free.

Hosted by SPECTRA.

SUNDAY 28

Dignity Integrity. Evening Prayer, followed by a Potluck Supper. 5 pm at St. Luke’s and St. Simon’s Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St. http://www.di-rochester.org/ or DI Hotline at 585-234-5092.

Wednesday 31 Halloween.

october 2012 • number 461 • gay alliance of the genesee valley • the empty closet

Bed & Breakfast

PFLAG meets the 3rd Sunday of each month. Meetings are at Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church, 740 Marshall Road, Rochester 14624 from 1 to 3pm.

Join us!

Questions? Call: 585-244-8640 and leave a message, or e-mail: pflag@gayalliance.org

Seeking

sex

in the park?

Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church We offer a VIP Worship Vibrant Inclusive Progressive Sundays at 10:30

Experience the Unconditional Love of God 740 Marshall Road Rochester, New York 14624 585-271-8478

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the empty closet • the gay alliance of the genesee valley • number 461 • october 2012