Empty Closet March, 2014

The Empty Closet

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F o l l o w u s o n Fa c e b o o k at E m p t y C l o s e t N e w s • F o l l o w u s at w w w.t w i t t e r . c o m / E m p t yC l o s e t N e w s

The late Tony Mascioli.

Gay Alliance receives $200,000 bequest

By Susan Jordan The Gay Alliance has received a bequest of $200,000 from the late Tony Mascioli.

Other recipients of Mr. Mascioli’s generosity include WXXI, the Rundel Library and SUNY Brockport.

Mr. Mascioli requested that the recipients work together to help increase visibility of LGBT issues in Rochester.

Gay Alliance Executive Director Scott Fearing said, “It was a kind and generous gift which will help ensure the future stability of this 40-year-old organization. Our conversations with the other parties have been very fruitful and interesting, and I think will help to create interesting possibilities for the community. The gift has prompted the Gay Alliance Board of Directors

a publication of the gay alliance to formalize a Legacy Circle of donors who have included the Gay Alliance in their estate planning. For further information on the Legacy Circle, contact me at scottf@gayalliance.org.”

Evelyn Bailey of the Shoulders To Stand On history project commented, “Tony first and foremost was a businessman. He invested his money in organizations and people he believed would make a difference and bring the LGBT community greater visibility. His legacy is much more than dollars and cents. His spirit, his passion, his belief in being openly gay, will provide the community with shoulders to stand on for many years in the future.”

Mascioli’s executor Richard Sarkis said, “Tony Mascioli had been to over 120 countries and I always remember him saying, ‘World travel opens the mind, renews the spirit and rewards the palate!’ In his youth he ran away from Rochester because in those days you had to be so closeted, and ran to New York City, but as he got older he recognized what a gem Rochester was. He loved the architecture, and the Gay Alliance, the Library, WXXI and SUNY Brockport. His talks with Evelyn Bailey led him to appreciate our local LGBT history.” ■

New York LGBT Health Month focuses on access to care March is LGBT Health Month—a month focused on promoting health and wellness among LGBT individuals and families while raising awareness of health disparities facing LGBT communities. Notably, New York State is the only state in the nation that has an entire month dedicated to LGBT health. This year’s LGBT Health Month theme is “Get Healthy, LGBTQ NY!” Sponsored by the New York State LGBT Health and Human Services Network, a program of the Pride Agenda Foundation, LGBT Health Month was first launched in 2010, in partnership with other LGBT communities around New York State.

The Network is made up of over 50 LGBT-specific and LGBTsupportive nonprofit organizations that provide care to LGBT New Yorkers and their families.

In Western New York, organizations like Trillium Health, the Gay Alliance, the MOCHA Center, and Gay and Lesbian Youth Services of Western New York form part of the Network,

THANK YOU The Gay Alliance appreciates the continuing partnership of businesses within our community who support our mission and vision.

Platinum Level

Partnerships continue page 2

Vinnie and Vicki Cup winners Michael Lill, Christopher Hennelly, Kasha Davis and Samantha Vega. Photo: Lorraine WoernerMcGowan. More photos p. 11.

Gay Alliance presents Vinnie, Vicki Cups at donor event at WXXI

By Susan Jordan The Gay Alliance held a party for donors at WXXI studios on Feb. 4, to show appreciation for their support.

Mayor Lovely Warren was present. She thanked Evelyn Bailey for the Shoulders To Stand On documentary and said, “I appreciate the sacrifices made by people who are part of that film.” She added that she would like to continue to build the tradition of partnership with the LGBTQ community. “My doors are always open,” she said.

Gay Alliance Board President David Zona and Executive Director Scott Fearing welcomed the crowd of around 80 people and presented the Vinnie Cup, for the man or men who have made the greatest contribution to the LGBTQ community in the past year, to Pride

march 2014

2013 organizers Michael Lill and Christopher Hennelly.

The Vicki Award went to Kasha Davis (Ed Popil) and Samantha Vega (Sam Brett) for their work as Pride MCs. Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Elman won the raffle for tickets to “Kinky Boots” on Broadway. ■

“Spooners” is one of the films ImageOut will screen March 25 at The Cinema for LGBT Health Month. See Calendar on page 19.

programming will center around the Jewish Community Center’s production of “The Normal Heart” by Larry Kramer, about the rise of the HIV-AIDS crisis in New York City between 1981 and 1984 and how the LGBT community advocated for its own health.

“The Normal Heart” will have a run of eight shows over three weeks, Saturday, March 8 through Sunday, March 23.

Talk backs are scheduled after five of the performances, with topics ranging from “HIV in 2014,” “Next Act-Up: Activism and Rights in 2014,” and “Connecting LGBT Communities.”

Participating groups include the Gay Alliance, Trillium Health (lead sponsor of “The Normal Heart”), the MOCHA Center, the Victory Alliance, Empire State Pride Agenda, New York Civil Liberties Union, Gay Student Alliance Coalition, and HCR Home Care.

Other LGBT Health Month events include film screenings

by Image Out, networking for LGBT health at The Bachelor Forum, and a performance by the Gay Men’s Chorus.

The full calendar of LGBT Health Month events can be found at www.trilliumhealthny.org/lgbthealthmonth. For more information contact Erik Libey, Trillium Health’s Associate Director of LBGT Health Initiatives, at 585-210-4192 or elibey@TrilliumHealthNY.org.

We hope to see you “out”! ■

addressing the continuum of needs facing the LGBT communities.

It is through this network that LGBT Health Month is observed statewide via a series of events that brings attention to the unique health care needs of LGBT communities. Research conducted by Trillium Health through focus group and online surveys in 2012 and 2013 found that 20 percent of respondents reported having had at least one negative experience within a healthcare setting due to their LGBT identity. Nearly 10 percent lacked a primary care provider, and for those that had one, 18 percent reported that they were not “out” to their provider.

LGBT individuals are also disproportionately uninsured, so the focus this year is on improving access to care. March is the last month for open enrollment through the New York State of Health insurance marketplace, and uninsured individuals are encouraged to explore their options. Certified application counselors are available to assist at Trillium Health (contact Shannon Kelly at 210-4143 or insurance@trilliumhealthny. org) and the MOCHA Center.

For LGBT Health Month 2014, member organizations of the Rochester LGBT Health Coalition will once again offer programming around the city that includes education, entertainment, and community building. Much of the month’s

Inside

Darienne Lake is on RuPaul..... page 27

photo: Mathu Anderson

number 476

Editorials....................................... 2 Local/State News........................ 3 National/International News..... 4 Interview: Stephaun Blahnik............ 6 Businesses.................................13 Health..........................................15 LGBTQ Living: City life...............17 Shoulders To Stand On ...........21 Columnists ................................22 Community ................................25 Entertainment: Darienne............27 Gay Alliance: Creating Change..30 Calendar.....................................34 Classifieds..................................34 Comics................................ 34, 35 The Gay Alliance is publisher of the Empty Closet, New York State’s oldest LgbtQ newspaper.

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the empty closet • the gay alliance • number 476 • march 2014

Gay Alliance Board of Trustees

Perspectives The Empty Closet Editor Susan Jordan

Religious freedom or intolerance?

The Right’s favorite justification for their anti-gay political agenda is that it’s all about “religious freedom.”

No. It’s all about intolerance.

On Feb. 20, Arizona passed a law legalizing discrimination on the grounds of religious freedom. This would not be acceptable even if it made sense in terms of Christianity. But of course Jesus Christ never mentioned homosexuality, much less ordered a crusade against it.

His message was about love and compassion. No qualifications.

Not “love one another – except when the other is gay.”

But the way the Teapublicans talk, you would think that homophobia was the central tenet of Christianity. Prejudice against those who love and desire their own gender has existed for centuries. That does not make homophobic hate central to the Christian religion, or acceptable today – just as centuries when anti-Semitism and racism were accepted by Christians do not make those things acceptable or justifiable now.

Bigotry does not equal religious freedom. Hatred is not a family value. Hate is exactly what Jesus condemned – and exactly what the radical right encourages today, despite their hypocritical denials.

In Shreveport, Louisiana in January, a homophobic City Councilman, Ron Webb,

decided to challenge a pro-gay ordinance on the grounds of religious freedom. A brave trans woman stood up at the hearing and held out a stone, suggesting that Webb “cast the first stone” at her.

As most will recall, Jesus stood up to a hate-filled mob ready to stone a woman to death and said, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” The mob backed down.

Ron Webb also backed down and withdrew his objection to the ordinance.

We don’t know what sins Ron Webb feels he is guilty of in his personal life. But in his role as City Councilman he publicly demonstrated the sin of pride.

Many conservative extremists and politicized clergy devote their professional lives to trying to take away LGBTQ people’s civil rights and destroy their families. They are in effect saying, “Look at ME! I am superior to these sinful perverts! I have the right to condemn gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, trans people or whoever is on my p.c. hate list. I am BETTER than the people I disapprove of – they are not human.”

If that isn’t the sin of pride, what would be?

Religious freedom is the freedom to worship as we believe we should, without interference by the state. No one is preventing these anti-gay churches and denominations from worshipping, or from stating their views on morality and society from the pulpit!

But freedom, according to our Constitution, also includes freedom from coercive religious intolerance – from theocracy like the Taliban’s.

Religious freedom does not include the right to oppress entire groups of people, to demonize and dehumanize them, to destroy their families, to commit or condone hate violence, to force your religious beliefs on anybody, or to make society discriminate against minorities.

Calling bigotry “religious freedom” is just another politically motivated, homophobic lie. ■

David Zona, President, Jessica Muratore, Vice-President, W. Bruce Gorman, Secretary, Peter Mohr, Treasurer, Jason Barnecut, Chris Hilderbrant, Emily Jones, Jeff Lambert, Jeff Markarian, Steve Santacroce, William Schaefer, Chris Woodworth

Gay Alliance Executive Director Scott Fearing

The other side of the Gay Alliance I know you are used to me going on and on about the power and importance of community in this space. But this month I want to talk about the other side of the work that we do at the Gay Alliance.

Obviously it is still work about the LGBTQ Community, but these are the services we provide not to the LGBTQ community members, but about our community members – the message we send to the rest of Rochester and WNY. From its earliest days the Gay Alliance has provided workshops filled with truthful and honest information about the LGBTQ communities to the broader Rochester community. In 1973, the University of Rochester students who founded the Gay Liberation Front went into classrooms to represent the LGBTQ communities.

This was done to counter the myths and stereotypes that were so prevalent at a time when LGBTQ people rarely stepped out of the closet in any setting outside of their home or a bar.

It was this type of outreach that provided the steam to drive the many changes that our communities have witnessed in the past 40 years.

Through our ReachOUT efforts, our Education and Training team delivers about 200 workshops each year, speaking to over 3,000 people! In

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each of these sessions we present information and we honestly answer questions. Our goal is always to touch the hearts and the minds of the participants.

We encourage social change by engaging with people no matter where they are in their process of understanding.

People are often surprised to hear that there is still a need for such training sessions. A lot of people remain ignorant about LGBTQ issues; however most of these are not stupid people. They often have LGBTQ friends, coworkers and even family members, but they still have questions about LGBTQ identity that they have never asked.

We provide education in workplaces, from consultations with top management to a casual lunch and learn conversation.

We also provide multi-hour workshops with the HR department, sometimes in response to a situation or problem. We regularly help work teams prepare for the gender transition of a fellow employee.

We work with schools from K-to-College. We help to educate teachers about the best ways to include LGBTQ families in their classrooms and to develop LGBTQ inclusive curriculum. We help educators devise strategies to interrupt and end bullying, while we help school counselors provide care to those who have been bullied. We have even worked with athletic department staff who suddenly have “out” athletes on their teams and are unsure how to proceed.

The Gay Alliance Safe-Zone training, long a popular program in our area, has developed a national reputation. Our outstanding reputation and strong evaluations got us a contract to provide LGBT SafeZone training to the Community Colleges of California.

We are the local champions of LGBTQ life and culture. We provide service to our communities and about our communities.

We are the place to turn to for all things LGBTQ in western NY and beyond. ■ 03/14

Address City/State/Zip Phone E-mail Membership Levels: ❏ $30-99 Advocate ❏ $100 Champion ❏ $1,000-4,999 Triangle Club ❏ $5,000+ Stonewall ❏ Check enclosed 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.

Benefits: 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 St., Suite 500, Rochester, NY 14605. Home delivery of the Empty Closet is free with your annual membership.

Gay Alliance partnerships continued from page 1

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Barefoot Wine Hedonist Artisan Chocolate John’s Tex Mex

bronze Level Ameriprise Canandaigua National Bank & Trust Corning Inc. Equal Grounds Coffee House Harter Secrest and Emery LLP ImageOut Jaegermeister Kittleberger Florist and Gifts Labor Federation Macy’s New York Life Out and Equal NY Finger Lakes Outlandish Sky Vodka St. John Fisher Tompkins Enterprises Victory Alliance Wegmans Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP

champion Level Mass Mutual of Buffalo Park Avenue Merchants Association Pride @Work Third Presbyterian Church The Woolbright Group HCR Home Care

march 2014 • number 476 • the gay alliance • the empty closet

NewsFronts Local and State

#StopAHB. Share with your faith leaders, civic leaders, friends, and family. Make sure they join with you in speaking out against homophobia.

Twitter accounts for the Ugandan government: Prime Minister @AmamaMbabazi; Ugandan Parliament @Parliament_UG; President Museveni’s Office @StateHouseUg Twitter accounts for U.S. officials: Secretary of State John Kerry @JohnKerry; U.S. ambassador to Uganda @Scott_DeLisi

De Blasio will fund NYC homeless youth shelters

Resisting the Uganda hate law at the Gay Alliance on Feb. 10, the Global Day of Action. L-R: Maurice Tomlinson, Anne Tischer, Rev. Tom Decker, Tony Rizzo, Scott Fearing and Dennis Pratt. Photo: Susan Jordan

Global Day of Action protests Uganda’s vicious anti-gay law

By Susan Jordan Uganda’s long-anticipated anti-gay law, which mandates life in prison for “aggravated homosexuality,” was signed by President Yoweri Museveni on Feb. 24.

A Global Day of Action on Feb. 10 protested this violation of all accepted standards of human rights, which has been promoted for many years by rightwing evangelicals from the U.S. Professional bigot Scott Lively, for instance, is being sued by Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) in Massachusetts for crimes against humanity.

Protests took place in Kenya (with protestors wearing rainbow face masks), Norway, Ireland, Iceland and other countries on Feb. 10, as well as NYC, Washington D.C. and Topeka, Kansas.

In Rochester, a local coalition consisting of Pride at Work AFL CIO, the Gay Alliance, Open Arms MCC and Out & Equal held an event at the Gay Alliance office.

Maurice Tomlinson, attorney and international human rights activist, told The Empty Closet, “These events are taking place everywhere around the world today, including in Kampala, the capital of Uganda. We’re urging the president not to sign because this bill is already leading to horrendous persecution and torture.

“At Open Arms we are concerned about one of our congregants who is a member of Sexual Minorities Uganda. All members of the group are already known to police and will be liable to be taken by police as soon as the bill becomes law, and sentenced to life in prison.

“The fact is, once the bill is signed, gay people will be arrested and everyone who knows a gay person will have 24 hours to turn them in before being arrested themselves.”

Tomlinson said that although the bill no longer has language about execution, the law could be

re-interpreted so that the death penalty could be enforced as well.

He added, “Personally, I have been to Ugandan prisons, and there is no respect for due process, no right to counsel – well, in theory there is – but that is disregarded.”

Tomlinson feels that governments worldwide are not doing enough – or even anything – to halt the repression in Uganda.

“The UK has actually increased its aid to Uganda – so this (global protest) has to be a grassroots movement to put pressure on OUR governments to intervene.”

He said that the U.S. government needs resources and political cooperation from the current Ugandan government, making the State Department unwilling to intercede in the gross human rights violations now underway.

MCC calls for action Metropolitan Community Church Moderator the Reverend Dr. Nancy Wilson issued the following statement: “Metropolitan Community Churches was founded on the dignity of all human beings, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, and we must act when the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex (LGBTI) people are at risk anywhere in the world.

“Today, I call on all members of MCC to heed the Global Call to Action issued by the Ugandan LGBTI community. Reach out to local and global civic and religious leaders, and urge them to take a stand against laws that make sexual minorities a target for discrimination and persecution.

“As United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon stated…, “We must all raise our voices against attacks on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex people. We must oppose the arrests, imprisonments, and discriminatory restrictions they face.

“Contact President Museveni and urge him to repeal the AHB. Urge President Obama and Secretary of State Kerry to use their power to stop the systematic persecution of Uganda’s LGBT community and its allies.”

For Twitter, use the hashtag

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On Feb. 12 New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio unveiled his first budget in a $73.5B expenditure plan that includes new funding to aid the city’s large population of homeless LGBT youth.

“This is a progressive administration. Our budget will be a progressive budget,” de Blasio said.

The budget includes restoring $8.3 million in 2014 for homeless services that was slashed by the Bloomberg administration as well as allocating millions more. The city would also add $4.3 million for community-based mental health funding and other health agency reduction, as well as adding $1.3 million in spending for LGBTQ youth and runaway prevention.

Public Advocate Letitia James said she was encouraged by the increased funding for social services. “Mayor de Blasio’s progressive budgetary approach is a departure from the last 12 years of budget dances that put firehouses, municipal workers, and crucial services on the chopping block,” James said.

The Empire State Pride Agenda reacts “Delivering on his campaign promise to address the crisis of runaway and homeless youth – which disproportionately impacts the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community – the proposed budget adds 75 shelter beds at $1.3 million in 2014 and $2.4 million next year.

The work of partner organizations in the Campaign for Youth Shelter and the Ali Forney Center underscores the urgent need for more beds for our most vulnerable. We urge the City Council to adopt this budget and consider how much more is still needed, until every young person has a warm bed in which to start and end their day.”

An estimated 40 percent of New York City’s homeless youth identify as LGBT.

Ryan White’s mother to speak here on March 7 Jeanne White-Ginder, mother of the late Ryan White, will speak at Catholic Charities Community Services (CCCS) third annual Breakfast with Friends on Friday, March 7, from 7:309 a.m. at Irondequoit Country Club, 4045 East Ave., 14618.

Ryan Wayne White, born a hemophiliac in 1971, became infected with HIV from a contaminated blood treatment. He was diagnosed in December of 1984 and given six months to live. Doctors said he posed no risk to other students, but AIDS was poorly understood at the

received by March 1 (to Heather Rickett, hrickett@dor.org or 585339-9800, ext. 378). For more information, please visit www. cccsrochester.org.

De Blasio won’t march in St. Patrick’s Day parade

The late Ryan White. Photo: Delip Mentha

time, and when White tried to return to school, many parents and teachers in Kokomo, Indiana rallied against his attendance.

A lengthy legal battle with the school system ensued, and media coverage of the case made White into a national celebrity and spokesman for AIDS research and public education.

White was finally allowed back at his Kokomo school, but was deeply unhappy and had few friends. The school required him to eat with disposable utensils and use separate bathrooms, and waived his requirement to enroll in a gym class. Threats continued. When a bullet was fired through the Whites’ living room window, the family moved to Cicero, Indiana, where Ryan was welcomed into the school system.

Speaking before the President’s Commission on the HIV Epidemic in 1988, White emphasized his differing experiences in Kokomo and Cicero as an example of the power and importance of AIDS education.

Surprising his doctors, White lived five years longer than predicted, but died in April 1990, one month before his high school graduation. The U.S. Congress passed a major piece of AIDS legislation, the Ryan White CARE (Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency) Act, shortly after his death. The Act has been reauthorized four times since then, and fills gaps in care not covered by other sources. It targets those who do not have sufficient health care coverage or financial resources for coping with HIV disease, and is the largest provider of services for people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States.

“I look forward very much to speaking in Rochester,” says White-Ginder, who travels around the world bringing attention to her son’s struggle and to HIV/AIDS-related issues. “Catholic Charities Community Services does valuable work in the area, and I’m honored to be a part of this event.”

“We’re thrilled to bring Jeanne White-Ginder here,” adds CCCS Executive Director Lori VanAuken. “The Ryan White CARE Act, which is an integral piece of President Obama’s National HIV/AIDS Strategy, allows us to offer a variety of supportive services to our 550 individuals who are living with HIV/ AIDS, and to their families. We are privileged to work with our consumers in managing their illness so that they can live healthy lives and share their talents with our community.”

Anchor Ginny Ryan from 13 WHAM News will once again emcee, and a continental breakfast is included. The “friendraiser” is free and open to the public, but RSVPs must be

NYC Mayor Bill De Blasio says he’ll continue a personal boycott of the St. Patrick’s Day parade because of its “exclusion of some individuals in the city,” Politicker reports: Said De Blasio, “No I am not planning on marching in the parade, I haven’t in the past in my capacity as a public official,” he added. “I will be participating in a number of other events to honor the Irish heritage of this city … But I simply disagree with the organizer of that parade in their exclusion of some individuals in the city.”

The mayor says, however, that he won’t stop uniformed city workers from doing so: “I believe that uniformed city workers have a right to participate if they choose to. And I respect that right.”

The parade bars the participation of LGBTQ groups.

Gay City News had called on the mayor to ban uniformed workers from marching in an open letter signed by many LGBT rights organizations: “The presence of uniformed police and firefighters in such a procession sends a clear signal to LGBTQ New Yorkers that these personnel, who are charged with serving and protecting all New Yorkers, do not respect the lives or safety of LGBT people. It confirms the practice of the NYPD and FDNY at times of targeting certain communities for discrimination. What’s more, it betrays the current work of high level government agencies and human rights advocates working internationally against the current wave of extreme anti-LGBTQ legislation and discriminatory practices occurring in countries such as Nigeria, Uganda, and Russia.”

Indeed, legal precedent on this matter, in Pappas v. Giuliani, 290 F.3d 143 (2d Cir. 2002), says: “The effectiveness of a city’s police department depends importantly on the respect and trust of the community and on the perception in the community that it enforces the law fairly, even-handedly, and without bias.

If the police department treats a segment of the population of any race, religion, gender, national origin, or sexual preference, etc., with contempt, so that the particular minority comes to regard the police as oppressor rather than protector, respect for law enforcement is eroded and the ability of the police to do its work in that community is impaired.”

Read more: http://www.towleroad.com/#ixzz2sNqgju2e Empire State Pride Agenda’s Executive Director Nathan M. Schaefer stated, “We commend Mayor de Blasio’s public refusal to march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on the grounds that the organizers are prohibiting participants from any outward displays of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) pride.

As New York’s LGBT advocacy organization, we’re proud to stand behind a Mayor who holds inclusivity and diversity as pillars (DeBlasio continues page 6)

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the empty closet • the gay alliance • number 476 • march 2014

NewsFronts national and international “Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their families experience discrimination in every part and at every step of the judicial process -- from law enforcement, to courts, to prisons. This weekend’s very significant announcement means that same-sex married couples and their families must be treated equally in every program administered by the federal Department of Justice across the entire country. This is very good news for the advancement of equality. We applaud Attorney General Holder for his bold leadership for loving couples and for LGBT people on a range of issues, “ stated Rea Carey, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund.

Scotland gives final approval to marriage equality bill On Feb. 4 Scotland gave final approval to a bill that allows same-sex couples to marry.

England and Wales passed the freedom to marry in July 2013, and marriages begin there this month, leaving Northern Ireland as the only region in the United Kingdom where same-sex couples cannot yet marry.

Evan Wolfson, founder and president of Freedom to Marry, released the following statement: “With the freedom to marry bill clearing its final hurdle in Scotland today, same-sex couples can finally share in the freedom to marry alongside their neighbors in England and Wales. Today’s win comes after a rich and extensive debate, and after an overwhelming victory in the parliamentary vote. With same-sex couples able to share in the freedom to marry in 18 countries on five continents, Freedom to Marry will continue pressing our campaign to win marriage nationwide here in the United States.”

There are currently sixteen countries that have the freedom to marry for samesex couples nationwide, as well as two that have regional or court-directed provisions enabling same-sex couples to share in the freedom to marry.

Photo: A rainbow appeared over Edinburgh as the Scottish parliament passed the marriage bill!

Eric Holder: same sex couples now have full federal rights On Feb. 8 Attorney General Eric Holder spoke at the Human Rights Campaign’s annual gala at New York City’s Waldorf-Astoria, where he announced that the Justice Department would issue a memorandum outlining “full federal equality” for married same-sex couples on Feb. 10.

Same-sex couples will be afforded the right to decline to give testimony in court that might violate marital privilege; will be eligible to file for bankruptcy jointly and will be subject to domestic support obligations such as alimony debts.

Same-sex couples will also be entitled to visitation and correspondence rights with spouses in federal prisons.

The federal government will also recognize same-sex couples for key benefit programs like the Radiation Exposure Compensation Program and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, Holder said.

Challenge to Texas marriage ban goes before federal court A lawsuit challenging Texas’ ban on gay marriage went before a federal judge in San Antonio for the first time on Feb. 12, the AP reports: U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia is expected to decide whether to temporarily block the law, approved by voters in 2005, until a trial can be held in the couples’ case. Similar lawsuits have been filed in 22 other states, but the Texas lawsuit is the first of its kind in the region covered by the southern and deeply conservative 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, where the case will likely end up...

The suit was filed in November. The AP adds: ...Wednesday’s hearing combines two cases, one from Mark Phariss and Victor Holmes who filed a federal civil rights lawsuit complaining that Texas’ ban unconstitutionally denies them the fundamental right to marry because of their sexual orientation. The other lawsuit was filed by Cleopatra De Leon and Nicole Dimetman, who argue that Texas officials are violating their rights and those of their 2-year-old child by not recognizing their marriage license from Massachusetts.

Lone Star Q reports: …Same-sex marriage is legal in 17 states and the District of Colombia, and dozens of similar federal lawsuits are pending across the U.S. But the Texas case, known as De Leon v. Perry, is among the first to go to court in the Deep South.

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has vowed to defend the state’s ban.

Garcia is a Clinton-appointed judge.

We’ll see if he follows other judges who have recently ruled that banning samesex marriage violates the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment.

Lone Star Q adds: If Garcia grants the injunction, it’s likely his decision will be stayed and immediately appealed to the conservative 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals

by Republican Attorney General Greg Abbott. Experts say it’s unlikely there would be any window for same-sex marriages to occur.

Read more: http://www.towleroad. com/#ixzz2t7IpcvyU

It’s not a choice: Researchers say they have found genetic link to homosexuality Via the Guardian: A study of gay men in the US (Chicago) has found fresh evidence that male sexual orientation is influenced by genes.

Scientists tested the DNA of 400 gay men and found that genes on at least two chromosomes affected whether a man was gay

or straight.

A region of the X chromosome called Xq28 had some impact on men’s sexual behavior – though scientists have no idea which of the many genes in the region are involved, nor how many lie elsewhere in the genome. Another stretch of DNA on chromosome 8 also played a role in male sexual orientation – though again the precise mechanism is unclear. Researchers have speculated in the past that genes linked to homosexuality in men may have survived evolution because they happened to make women who carried them more fertile. This may be the case for genes in the Xq28 region, as the X chromosome is passed down to men exclusively from their mothers.

Via the Telegraph: Dr. Bailey said: “Sexual orientation has nothing to do with choice. Our findings suggest there may be genes at play – we found evidence for two sets that affect whether a man is gay or straight. But it is not completely determinative; there are certainly other environmental factors involved.” The study shows that there are genes involved in male sexual orientation.

“Although this could one day lead to a pre-natal test for male sexual orientation, it would not be very accurate, as there are other factors that can influence the outcome.”

Dr Alan Sanders, associate Professor of Psychiatry at Northwestern University, who led the study said that it was it was an ‘oversimplification’ to suggest there was a ‘gay gene.’ “We don’t think genetics is the whole story. It’s not. We have a gene that contributes to homosexuality but you could say it is linked to heterosexuality. It is the variation.”

School suspends Fla. student for defending bullied gay student

By Andrew Potts on gaystarnews.com A Florida high school student was suspended for 10 days in February for protecting a gay student from a bully who was attacking him.

Mark Betterson was suspended under East Lee County High School’s mandatory suspension policy for anyone involved in a fight, despite the fact he was stepping in to protect openly gay Jonathan Colon from being assaulted by 18-year-old James Griffin – another student at the school.

Griffin called Colon a series of antigay slurs and threw a carton of milk in his face before punching him in the head and the back of the head in the incident on Feb. 6.

That’s when Betterson decided he needed to step in and do something. “If I didn’t jump into it, it would have got serious,” Betterson told WFTX Fox4, “It would have been worse than what he got.

“Jonathan was just going to stand there and get beat up … if I didn’t jump into it. I was just trying to break up the whole thing because it’s not fair for somebody to get beat up for something that he is. That’s not really called for.”

Betterson said he had only gotten physical when Griffin had begun throwing punches at him too. “He swung at me and was like you can get it too so we got into a fight,” Betterson said.

Betterson said he understood the school’s policy but thought that 10 days suspension was unfair when all he was trying to do was protect another student.

“I understand [it’s] because how the school policy is, but to be suspended for 10 days, I don’t understand. I’m not going to stand there and watch somebody get bullied.”

Betterson said, despite his suspension, he wouldn’t hesitate to intervene to protect someone from bullying again.

Betterson is on East Lee County High School’s football team and Colon and he were not previously friends. Colon told WINK News that he was blown away by Betterson’s actions and organized a protest at the school in support of him.

“I was protected by someone who had no reason to protect me,” Colon said.

“We have nothing in common – he’s on the football team and I’m the flamboyant gay boy.”

Betterson appealed the length of his suspension.

Police charged Griffin with battery after reviewing security camera footage of the incident.

- See more at: http://www. gaystarnews.com/article/floridateen-who-stood-gay-student-suspended10-days100214#sthash.LSD4UjNA.dpuf

Nigerian mob beats gay men, forces them to flee for their lives

By Tris Reid-Smith on gaystarnews.com A mob beat gay men with sticks spiked with nails, tried to burn down their homes and forced them to flee their village in Nigeria.

The attacks in the previously peaceful community of Gishiri, in the capital city of Abuja, come after a month of growing tension between LGBTI people and other villagers.

An LGBTI community leader has come to GSN to describe how a gang smashed in the doors to their shared homes, dragged gay men in the street and even beat one man in front of the police station while officers looked on.

The gang was initially looking for one gay man, believed to be aged between 19 and 21 years old, but ended up targeting others, hunting them in house-to-house raids.

Now a senior police officer in the region has given the LGBTI population of the village 48 hours to flee.

It all comes after Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan said he would sign the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Bill in January, some of the world’s most draconian anti-gay legislation, backd by U.S. conservatives.

Our source told us Gishiri had previously been a popular place for LGBTI people to live – a peaceful community where LGBTI people generally lived openly and harmoniously alongside straights, even drinking together and attending the same parties.

But on 17 January, the local LGBTI leader, who we are not naming for his own protection, was warned by a friend of a threat to gay people in the village.

He told us: ‘I was told the State Security Service were going to raid the village and arrest people, check their phones, check their houses so they have evidence they are gays.’

As a result, he advised the LGBTI population to flee. But when the security service didn’t act, they returned home.

However, they found the atmosphere changed, with other villagers shunning them and refusing to acknowledge them in public.

Then on 11 February, he says he heard about a new threat. Possibly sparked by the brother of the young gay man in his late teens or early 20s, the villagers were saying they would take action against the local LGBTI community.

A particular target was the Girls Hostel, where the young man was said to be living.

The house, and the building next to it, was lived in by a number of gay people, staying both long and short-term.

Our contact was at the house, discussing the problem, when the mob arrived at midnight. They knocked loudly on the door, and when those inside refused to answer, they smashed down the wooden outer door, he told us.

They couldn’t penetrate the steel inner door, however, but knocked a small hole in the clay wall to look in.

The attackers then dispersed and the people inside the house fled to seek shelter with friends, including ‘straight allies’.

But the gay residents returned to the properties on 12 February, our source says.

The gangs gathered again and one gay man, returning from work, was set upon in the street. The mob forced him to the ground, kicked him and beat him with

march 2014 • number 476 • the gay alliance • the empty closet sticks studded with nails. He sustained serious injuries to his legs, body, arms and head. Friends spilled out from the shared gay house to save him and were also attacked.

The LGBTI community then gathered to discuss whether they would hand over the young man the mob wanted.

Our source was against him being given to them. But the youth said he would agree to be delivered to the villagers to bring peace to his friends, provided they would only beat him, not kill him.

He was handed over but his begging made the mob agree to leave him alone, and he fled to safety.

However, the attacks began again later last night, with villagers going house-tohouse, bashing in doors and dragging out suspected gay residents and attacking them.

The youth was found and beaten and dragged off to the police station who arrested him, apparently for his own protection. The man who had been beaten earlier was also targeted again. He ran to the police station but the gang caught him outside and attacked.

Our contact told us: ‘They allowed the beating to last for a while outside the police station. The police then stopped it but there was no caution, no arrests.’

Another source in the village reports 12 people were attacked and indicates the mob was about 40 people strong.

It is believed four gay men were taken into custody and eventually moved to Mabushi district police station where they were interrogated about their sexuality in a derogatory way. However a senior officer there intervened, reportedly telling the Gishiri police they should have intervened earlier for the men’s safety. The same officer gave the LGBTI people 48 hours to leave Gishiri for their own safety, providing them with an emergency number in the mean time.

The GSN source reports: ‘While that was happening, the villagers were going to houses painting “homosexuals must leave” on the walls.’

They also poured kerosene on the gay people’s houses and were only stopped from lighting it by the intervention of two women.

Our contact suggests the gang had wished to burn down the properties to disguise the fact they had stolen a sewing machine, plasma TV, phones and possibly other things from them. He added: ‘I am probably in danger but not in the way they [the other gay men] are. It is wrong.

If someone has offended the law, you don’t take the law into your hands. You can not do jungle justice.’

Nigerian LGBTI activist Bisi Alimi told GSN: ‘The increasing attacks and witch-hunting of LGBTI people in Nigeria is now proving the silence of the international community is not golden anymore.

‘Nigerian LGBTI people are now living in constant fear for their lives, properties and loved ones.

‘The attack in Abuja among others is a direct effect of the state’s deliberate action to criminalize a very helpless and vulnerable population. We are calling on the United Nations, United States, the British Government, EU, Commonwealth and the Africa Union to take a stand in the defense of vulnerable LGBTI people in Nigeria.’

- See more at: http://www. gaystarnews.com/article/nigerian-mob-beat-gays-spiked-sticks-forcethem-flee-homes130214#sthash. sPjJ38VF.dpuf

NFL draft prospect Michael Sam comes out University of Missouri football star Michael Sam came out on Feb. 10. As an NFL draft prospect, Sam may become the first openly gay active player in the pro football.

Coaches at the University of Missouri divided players into small groups at a preseason football practice last year for a team-building exercise. One by one, play-

ers were asked to talk about themselves — where they grew up, why they chose Missouri and what others might not know about them. As Michael Sam, a defensive lineman, began to speak, he balled up a piece of paper in his hands.

“I’m gay,” he said. With that, Mr. Sam set himself on a path to become the first publicly gay player in the National Football League. “I looked in their eyes, and they just started shaking their heads — like, finally, he came out,” Mr. Sam said Feb. 9 in an interview with The New York Times, the first time he spoke publicly about his sexual orientation.

Sam was forecast to be drafted in the early rounds and says he came out because he knew rumors were circulating. Some of his teammates knew he had been dating a member of the Missouri swim team.

Sam was a defensive end for Mizzou Tigers of the University of Missouri. He graduated in December and is currently a highly-touted prospect in the National Football League (NFL) draft. He becomes the first publicly gay athlete in any of the Big 4 sports drafts. In interviews with The New York Times and ESPN, the football player stated: “I am an openly, proud gay man.”

In December 2013, The Associated Press named him the SEC’s Defensive Player of the Year. He was also selected as one of ten unanimous first-team allAmericans. He led the SEC in both sacks and tackles-for-loss and resides in the top 10 nationally in Division I in those categories.

He is originally from Hitchcock, Texas. Sports journalist Cyd Zeigler stated to GLAAD: “Every NFL draft expert has Sam being selected in the first to fifth round of this year’s NFL draft.”

Before his announcement, Michael Sam’s publicist Howard Bragman introduced to him to athletes including openly gay former NFL players Dave Kopay and Wade Davis Jr., openly gay NBA player Jason Collins, openly gay former Major League Baseball player Billy Bean, as well as outspoken straight allies and former NFL players Brendan Ayanbadejo and Chris Kluwe. This is the fifth professional athlete that Bragman has taken out of the closet, along with more than a dozen celebrities.

Athlete Ally reacts via press release: “Michael has shown great courage in taking this step and not only do we support him, we are incredibly grateful. His decision to welcome us all into his world as he embarks upon a professional NFL career is an honorable one. This moment will resonate in a unique and important way for countless people, particularly LGBT youth,” said Super Bowl champion and human rights activist Brendon Ayanbadejo, who is a member of the Athlete Ally Board of Directors.

Hudson Taylor, Founder and Executive Director of Athlete Ally said: “With Michael Sam’s brave step, he emboldens LGBT athletes and straight allies everywhere. We are in the midst of incredible transformation in American professional sports. In a very short period of time, athletics has gone from being known as ‘the last closet in America’ to being in a position to lead on this issue. This is the power of sports.”

The NFL has issued a statement: “We admire Michael Sam’s honesty and courage. Michael is a football player. Any player with ability and determination can succeed in the NFL. We look forward to welcoming and supporting Michael Sam in 2014.”

-JoeMyGod.com Hundreds of Mizzou supporters blocked a Westboro Church protest when Sam appeared at his old school.

Nevada withdraws from marriage equality challenge lawsuit The State of Nevada has withdrawn its brief in the case of Sevcik v. Sandoval -- the landmark marriage equality case in (Nevada continues page 12)

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Interview

Stephaun Blahnik

By Susan Jordan Stephaun E. Wallace (Blahnik), is an activist, HIV/AIDS and organizational development consultant, social/ behavioral researcher, and political/ social issues junkie with over 14 years experience in the field of public health (HIV/AIDS) and over 23 years experience in community mobilization and advocacy work. He currently serves as a project manager with the Legacy Project, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and as the chairman/president of the House of Blahnik, Inc. He lives in Atlanta and Seattle.

Stephaun attended the 2014 National African American MSM Leadership Conference on HIV/AIDS and Other Health Disparities hosted by NAESM, Inc. It took place in Orlando, Florida from January 16-19. This was the 11th year of this conference. Stephaun answered some questions from The Empty Closet.

Empty Closet: What were the highlights of the conference for you -- what did you take away with you and what information was most useful?

Stephaun Blahnik: The theme of this year’s conference was “Black is, Black Ain’t: Celebrating Our Blackness

by Living Healthy”; which explores the idea that Black gay men should celebrate our Blackness by living healthy and by enjoying a fulfilling life.

The conference was a great opportunity to meet other advocates, researchers, and community leaders who are doing amazing work around the country in service of Black men who have

the empty closet • the gay alliance • number 476 • march 2014 sex with men. This is the only National conference for and by Black gay men.

I was a primary presenter in one workshop, providing an overview of the research and programs of the Legacy Project of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center based in Seattle, Wa. In another workshop I was a co-presenter, where we provided an overview of an HIV prevention focused youth center and program in Pittsburgh, Pa called Project Silk, which is connected to the University of Pittsburgh.

The sessions I attended were chock full of great information covering a range of topics including; HIV prevention programming among House/ Ball communities, self-love and trust, biomedical HIV prevention strategies (i.e. PrEP and vaccines), and even a topic on creating healthy relationships.

There were tons more workshops, but I couldn’t of course attend them all.

Another highlight for me was being able to catch up and network with colleagues that I had not seen in a while, and meet new people in order to learn about their backgrounds and current work projects. In my main workshop, where I sought to present an overview of the Legacy Project’s initiatives and to do a brief overview of clinical research, the conversation paused on the topic of PrEP as it pertains to community education and uptake.

In that discussion, the workshop participants really expounded on the subject of PrEP and implementation science, ecological and environmental barriers for uptake in Black MSM communities, as well as attitudes and perceptions about the medical field/ industry and promotion of PrEP by Gilead (the pharmaceutical company that developed the drug). Though I did not get to complete my workshop as intended, the conversation that occurred was so rich and full of engagement by the participants, I believe it was worth it to continue.

EC: Were there any surprises -- new information?

SB: I stay pretty closely connected to multiple areas and topics involving Black MSM, so I can’t say that any of the information that was presented to me was new information. I can say, however, that the divergent needs and concerns of the House/Ball community continue to be overlooked by HIV prevention providers, and it is clear (even before the presentations that occurred at this conference) that there is a significant need on the part of providers to invest in this community in a way that demonstrates value and reciprocity.

This of course can also be said about providers who serve LGBT communities in general. Simply providing HIV testing, discussion groups and other programming elements are not sufficient steps to impact the environment that Black MSM experience to reduce the incidence of HIV within this population. It will require an intentional examination of the ecological fabric of these communities, and an investment by providers, researchers and funders to support culturally appropriate and relevant intervention into the lives and experiences of Black MSM at that level.

In order to see real change in the communities in which we serve, if our desire is to see real change, we have to take a step back from doing the work from a place of “crisis”, begin to look at the bigger picture, and considering engaging in approaches that are inclusive of behavioral theories including the ecological systems theory.

For more information about NAESM and the annual MSM Leadership conference, go to: www.naesm.org.

For more information about the Legacy Project, go to: www.hanc.info or www.fhcrc.org.

For more information about Project Silk, go to: www.projectsilk.org For more information about the House of Blahnik, Inc. go to: www. houseofblahnik.org ■

local and state (DeBlasio continued from page 3) of his leadership.

“Mayor de Blasio’s statement today sends a strong message to New York City and beyond that it’s not OK to exclude any one group just because of who they are, and that no entity, religious or otherwise, should discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.

“New York City has long celebrated the myriad and colorful intersectionalities of our identities, and we’re a great city for that very reason. No LGBT New Yorker should be denied the opportunity to fly the colors of the Irish and Rainbow flags simultaneously, to proudly represent all aspects of our city’s heritage.”

The president of Ireland has also declined to march in the NYC parade, due to the exclusion of Irish gays. LGBT participants are always a feature of the Dublin parade.

NYS Health Dep’t endorses Truvada for HIV prevention The New York state Department of Health has officially endorsed daily use of the Gilead medication Truvada for the prevention of HIV infection.

After months of anticipation, the Health Department’s AIDS Institute in January released thorough clinical guidelines for pre-exposure prophylaxis, commonly known as PrEP, which is a daily dose of HIV medication that people who are HIV-negative but at-risk of contracting the virus can take to drastically reduce their chance of infection. The drug, known by its prescription name Truvada, can reduce the chance of infection by as much as 73 percent, according to studies funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

However, the AIDS Institute stressed that PrEP alone was not enough to prevent new infections. “PrEP should not be offered as a sole intervention for HIV prevention. PrEP should only be prescribed as part of a comprehensive prevention plan,” the report says.

Preventive use of Truvada, while supported by most HIV/AIDS groups including ACT UP and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, remains controversial. In particular, the Los Angeles based AIDS Healthcare Foundation has long battled against the preventive use of Truvada. In July 2012, when the drug was first approved for daily preventive use, the AHF accused both Gilead and the FDA of “negligence bordering the equivalence of malpractice which will sadly result in new infections, drug resistance and serious side effects among many, many people.”

Last August the AHF declared victory in their Freedom of Information Act request which sought proof that Gilead colluded with the FDA on “what to say to get their

unfavorable drug trial results spun in such a way that the FDA deemed them sufficient to approve the drug.”

Truvada retails at an annual cost of up to $14,000 and its use as a preventive is not yet covered by all insurance plans.

The guideline from the state recommends that AIDS groups focus on identifying the most high-risk persons who would benefit from its daily use.

ESPA Spring Dinner on May 17 needs sponsors, table captains The Empire State Pride Agenda’s annual Spring Dinner will take place on Saturday, May 17, at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. ESPA members and friends gather to celebrate the work and accomplishments of Western New York’s vibrant LGBTQ and ally community.

The Pride Agenda will recognize longtime local activist Evelyn Bailey with the Community Service Award this year.

Evelyn is an educator, political activist and historian who has led the LGBT movement with posts at many different community organizations and initiatives.

Most recently, Evelyn’s commitment to record the history and progress of our community turned into a decade-long project to chronicle Rochester’s LGBT history, which inspired the 2013 documentary Shoulders to Stand On. Become a Sponsor and/or Table Captain of the Spring Dinner and join members of the LGBTQ communities, local businesses and supportive organizations in honoring Evelyn and her great achievements on behalf of all of us in Rochester!

ESPA says “To be acknowledged as a Sponsor and/or Table Captain in the invitation, we must receive your confirmation by Wednesday, March 26. Please visit www.prideagenda.org/springdinner to sign up today or call the Pride Agenda at (212) 627-0305.” ■

march 2014 • number 476 • the gay alliance • the empty closet

Enjoy a deliciously supportive meal. Visit these restaurants on Tuesday, March 11 and they will donate an impressive 50% of their sales to support the Gay Alliance.

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The Beale New Orleans Grill & Bar - (585) 271-4650. Right at the corner of South Avenue and Gregory Street sits The Beale New Orleans Grill and Bar. The Beale is one of those rare gems that offers both authentically southern and Cajun food, along with live music and great drink specials. Live music can be heard wafting down South Avenue every Friday and Saturday night – and without any cover fee!

Lady Dee samples the delicacies at John’s Tex Mex. Photo: Lorraine Woerner-McGowan

Equal=Grounds Coffeehouse Equal = Grounds – (585) 256-2362.

On the corner of South Avenue and Caroline Street sits Equal = Grounds.

Sporting a great lounge full of deep sofas and settees, Equal = Grounds offers its coffee addicts a great variety of roasts, cuts and flavors. A venerable friend to the LGBT community, Equal = Grounds also offers great sandwiches, pastries and salads and supplies its patrons with shelves of books and board games!

Tap and Mallet - (585) 473-0503.

381 Gregory St, Rochester, NY 14620.

A pillar in the in the trendy South Wedge gayborhood the Tap and Mallet has the most impressive collection of beer tap lines in the city. The menu includes a variety of treats from burgers to fish and chips and wide selection of vegan friendly fare. Many come for the beer but are equally thrilled with the food. Open 11:30am-2am.

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The Bachelor Forum – (585) 2716930. What can be said about the Forum that has not been said already?

Also located within the Neighborhood of the Arts district at 670 University Avenue, The Bachelor Forum is Rochester’s oldest-running gay owned and operated bar, with recent and attractive renovations. Open from 2pm-2am seven days a week, The Bachelor Forum allows passage to all those over 21 years of age.

Boulder Coffee – (585) 454-7140: (585) 697-0235: (585) 232-5282: (585) 697-0236. Located at multiple locations throughout the city, Boulder Coffee is known for their great coffee, freshly made paninis, wraps and sandwiches, live music, open-mic nights, beers, wines and spirits, and ever-changing collection of artwork from local artists.

Head for 100 Alexander, 739 Park Ave., 1 Public Market, or 960 Genesee Street.

Boulder Coffee is a proud and dedicated supporter of Rochester’s LGBT community!

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an

Char Steak & Lounge – (585) 2417100. In the heart of Rochester’s Neighborhood of the Arts district sits Char Steak & Lounge, located within The Strathallan Hotel. Char provides us with a distinctly unique combination of both steakhouse and lounge. A stylish ambiance paired with wood-fired steaks and even gourmet desserts created onpremises, Char Steak & Lounge will live up to your great expectations – and then some!

The Avenue Pub – (585) 244-4960.

Located at 522 Monroe Ave. is one of Rochester’s oldest gay bars, steeped in tradition and steadfast in its support of the LGBT community. Open MondaySaturday from 4pm-2am, and Sundays from 12pm-2am, The Avenue Pub can be easily located by its colorful rainbow awning. Come on Fridays for their famous fish fry, served every Friday yearround. Wednesday night food specials during the summer months include fried steaks.

ith

al t h e g ay

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The Revelry – (585) 340-6454. In Rochester’s Neighborhood of the Arts district, at 1290 University Avenue there is The Revelry, which truly gives its diners the red carpet treatment. Available for lunch and dinners from Tuesday-Sunday, Sunday brunch is also served from 11:30am - 2:30pm giving one a wide berth for a quality banquet. The Revelry is a proud participant in Rochester’s LGBT DinesOUT event.

Brickwood Grill - (585) 730-8230.

Go to 250 Monroe Avenue and you will be greeted warmly by The Brickwood Grill. Serving lunch and dinner daily, along with brunch on Sundays, The Brickwood Grill supports the Rochester community by using healthy local foods in their delicious dishes. Whether it’s to enjoy the game on one of their gigantic plasma screens, or to sit and relax in the warming sun on their patio, Rochester’s LGBT community will find something that catches their eye – and appetite!

The Otter Lodge – (585) 442-8790. If you’re looking for a great place to watch the game and eat some lip-smacking food, look no further than The Otter Lodge, 1776 Monroe Ave., catering to Rochester’s hungry public since 1997.

Bartender Zan states, “We have always been supportive of the LGBT community, open and friendly to all walks of life… humans and otters alike.” From their famous Otter Wings, to their steaming sandwiches served directly from gridiron to your plate, The Otter Lodge has you covered – and in your very own choice of sauce!

Joey B’s – (585) 377-9030. If fine dining is what you’re in the market for, then Joey B’s should be on the top of your list. Specializing in exquisite dishes, Joey B’s serves your selection to your very own place setting starting at 5pm Monday-Thursday, and 5:30 pm Friday-Sunday. Looking for a more private affair?

Reserve your private or business party any time until 4pm Monday-Saturday.

And don’t forget Joey B’s table service brunches, Sundays from 10am-2 pm.

Located at 400 Packett’s Landing in an this idyllic canal-side setting, Joey B’s warmly welcomes Rochester’s LGBT community, and recommends one place a reservation in advance.

John’s Tex-Mex - (585) 232-5830. A staple of Rochester’s South Wedge district, John’s Tex-Mex can be found at 489 South Ave., offering a great selection of Mexican inspired dishes. Wash these down with a beer from their enviable variety of craft American and Mexican beers. Your only difficulty will be choosing what to order!

Jine’s Restaurant - (585) 461-1280.

Jine’s at 658 Park Avenue is one of Rochester’s historic eatery fixtures.

Available for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week, there is never a wrong time to go to Jine’s. An avid supporter of Rochester’s LGBT community, Jine’s can always be found to be full of happy customers, happy smells and happy wallets.

The Frog Pond - (585) 271-1970.

Located at 652 Park Avenue, The Frog Pond is a great place to stop by for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner or all four! Current owner Elle Papademetriou reports, “The Frog Pond proudly supports the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley and the LGBT community of Rochester!” Come see what’s leaping on this lily pad today!

Marshall Street Bar & Grill – (585)325-2191. There’s a great place at the corner of Monroe Avenue and Marshall Street. Don’t let the great selection of wines, spirits and beers fool you; Marshall Street Bar & Grill has great food specials every day and welcomes Rochester’s LGBT community. Come reserve a space for your private party, business gathering, or birthday celebration! Don’t feel like leaving the house? Marshall Street Bar & Grill caters as well!

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the empty closet • the gay alliance • number 476 • march 2014

Making the Scene

A STEAMPUNK AFFAIRE: 250 people attended the Gay Alliance’s Red Ball on Feb. 8 at the Diplomat Banquet Center. Photos: Jill Frier

My Own Private Rochester: Jordan Allen

By Susan Jordan Jordan Allen, 23, was born in Boston and moved 13 times; she arrived in Rochester a year and a half ago. She is a part time student and health professional, and is looking for work in a hospital setting. She coaches the varsity lacrosse team, Greased Lightning, at Arcadia and Olympia.

Jordan played division lacrosse in college -- American University in D.C. She has coached lacrosse since high school. She held an administrative post with Special Olympics, but then moved to Washington to help her family. As of Feb. 22, however, she has returned to the Rochester area to be with her fiancee; they live in Irondequoit and plan to be married on Aug. 17.

Jordan said, “When I first moved to Rochester, I wanted

to get involved with the community, and was a Gay Alliance office volunteer. Scott (Fearing) put me in touch with Jeannie (Gainsburg), and I have worked with the Speaker’s Bureau and Safe Zone. I enjoy volunteering very much.”

Jordan feels that everyone she has met in Rochester has been very friendly and nice.

“I really enjoy taking pictures, and, coming to Rochester and not knowing very much about it, I’ve found the architecture here amazing, especially up and down University Ave. I fell in love with the statues (by Tom Otterness) in front of the Memorial Art Gallery.”

The artists’ space at Anderson Alley, and Village Gate next door, are among her favorite places. “I’ve met very interesting people there,” she said.

Both of Jordan’s parents went to Syracuse for college, and she is a big fan of the Orange, lacrosse as well as basketball. She has always taken

her girls’ teams to see local college lacrosse games, since she feels they can learn a lot.

Last summer Jordan attended her very first Pride in Rochester and was impressed. “I’ve lived a lot of places,” she said, “but I had never been to Pride before.”

Her favorite hangouts include Magnolia Café on Park Ave., famous as President Obama’s lunch stop last year, and Chocolate and Wine on University Ave. “We found it on Groupon and it’s very good,” she commented.

“I also like little hang-out places like Genesee Brew House, that are unique to Rochester, and also Starry Nights on University.”

An ideal Saturday night for Jordan and her friends would be dinner out and, she adds, “We’d probably end up at 140 Alex. I like to have a good time!”

Rochester appeals to her “because of the art and the history – the Eastman House and Susan B. Anthony House.

There’s a lot to do here and I enjoy it!” ■

Jordan Allen with the Otterness sculpture in front of the Memorial Art Gallery. Photo: Susan Jordan

march 2014 • number 476 • the gay alliance • the empty closet

DONOR EVENT: Vinnie Cup winner Christopher Hennelly with Emily Jones at the Gay Alliance’s party for donors on Feb. 7 at WXXI. Photo: Lorraine Woerner-McGowan Photos above and below: Lorraine Woerner-McGowan

Scott Fearing and Mayor Lovely Warren. Photo: Jill Frier

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Elman (above, with Scott Fearing) won the raffle for tickets to “Kinky Boots.”

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national and international (Nevada from page 5) Nevada that came under immense scrutiny for its likening of gay Nevadans to perverts and bigamists.

In a strong statement immediately following the submission of the brief, GetEQUAL Nevada had roundly denounced the language used by Attorney General Catherine Masto. In response to the Feb. 10 withdrawal of that brief, GetEQUAL Nevada issued the following statement: “While we applaud the Attorney General for hearing the voices of Nevadans who let her know -- loud and clear -that hatred and disrespect would not be tolerated in our state, we stand firm in demanding an apology for her past comments and have requested a face-to-face meeting between the Attorney General and LGBTQ community leaders immediately. Attorney General Masto clearly needs to have a better and clearer understanding of the lives of LGBTQ Nevadans, and we would be happy to ensure that such a meeting takes place to increase her understanding.”

Masto has now filed a motion with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, withdrawing her defense of the marriage equality lawsuit against the state.

Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval says he agrees with the move, saying it’s clear the state’s arguments supporting the ban are no longer defensible in court.

The decision means Nevada will not argue to uphold the state’s constitutional prohibition against same-sex marriage that voters passed in 2002. Eight same sex couple sued the state, arguing the law is unconstitutional. Nevada lawmakers last year took the first step toward repealing that law. If legislators approve Senate Joint Resolution 13 again next year, it would go to voters on the 2016 ballot.

Masto’s move comes due to last

the empty closet • the gay alliance • number 476 • march 2014 month’s ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court, which applied “heightened scrutiny” in an unrelated lawsuit about a gay man who was summarily dismissed from a jury because of his sexual orientation.

At the time, Lambda Legal promised that the ruling would be a “game changer” for other LGBT-related federal lawsuits.

Lambda Legal reacts “In the wake of the Ninth Circuit ruling in SmithKline Beecham v. Abbott Laboratories, the Governor has recognized that the writing is on the wall, and that arguments seeking to perpetuate discrimination are becoming extremely difficult to justify. Denying marriage to same-sex couples serves no legitimate state interest and is intended solely to perpetuate discrimination. As the Governor himself recognized, the heightened scrutiny standard that the Ninth Circuit’s SmithKline ruling now requires be applied to discriminatory classifications based on sexual orientation renders arguments supporting the marriage ban no longer tenable, and the Governor frankly made the only call he could.”

Appeals Court grants expedited hearing A federal appeals court has granted the Nevada Governor and Attorney General’s request to withdraw a brief defending the state’s ban on gay marriage and granted an expedited hearing in the case, Lambda Legal reports: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit today granted Lambda Legal’s request to expedite the hearing of Sevcik v. Sandoval, its lawsuit challenging Nevada’s discriminatory marriage ban.

The decision comes just two days after Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval sought leave to withdraw his brief defending the ban.

The Ninth Circuit also granted Gov. Sandoval’s request to withdraw his brief.

Lambda Legal Senior Attorney Tara Borelli said: The fact that the government defendants no longer are defending Nevada’s exclusion of same-sex couples from mar-

riage makes any delay in these loving and committed couples securing the relief they seek particularly intolerable. The wheels of justice are now on a much faster track.

Gov. Sandoval’s request and the earlier decision by Carson City Clerk-Recorder Alan Glover to withdraw his brief were motivated by the Ninth Circuit’s recent ruling in SmithKline Beecham v.

Abbott Laboratories that discriminatory classifications based upon sexual orientation must receive heightened scrutiny and should be presumed unconstitutional.

The heightened scrutiny standard is much tougher to meet and rendered the state of Nevada’s arguments in its original brief defending the marriage ban “no longer tenable in the Ninth Circuit,” as Nevada’s Attorney General conceded in a statement released in February.

The withdrawal of the two government defendants leaves only the Coalition for the Protection of Marriage, which the U.S. District Court had allowed to intervene, defending the marriage ban.

-Towleroad.com

North Carolina trans youth is elected Homecoming King Towleroad.com posted on Feb. 11, “Last week we reported that Blake Brockington, a 17-year-old transgender student at Charlotte, North Carolina’s East Mecklenburg High School was nominated for homecoming king.

“Brockington, who had a difficult childhood and coming out experience, hoped to win in order to set an example for other transgender youth.

“He will be able to do just that, for on Feb. 7 he won.”

WCNC reports: “Throughout my life I haven’t always been treated equally as a male, so I’ve always wanted this and everybody has told me I couldn’t do it. ‘You are a girl,’ even though I’ve always identified myself

Blake Brockington

as a male,” said Brockington.

There were 13 seniors vying for the coveted title as king. Brockington won, collecting the most money for the school’s chosen charity, Mothering Across Continents. It’s a non-profit organization that funds the building of schools in the Sudan.

Brockington is no stranger to adversity. He says he is living with foster parents because his father is unable to accept his gender identity.

Read more: http://www.towleroad. com/#ixzz2t1g5hMQ4

Idaho court rules gay parents may adopt partners’ children

By Andrew Potts on gaystarnews.com Darcy Drake Simpson will become the first lesbian to legally adopt her partner’s children in the US state of Idaho after a state Supreme Court bench ruled unanimously in favor of her right to adopt.

Drake Simpson has been co-parenting (Idaho continues page 14)

march 2014 • number 476 • the gay alliance • the empty closet

Businesses in the Community

PrintRoc

By Susan Jordan PrintRoc, Inc., a medium sized printing company located at 620 South Ave., is family-oriented in a big way. Two of the partners are husbands, and the third partner is the eldest of their grown sons. Dan McCarthy, Ron Schutt and their son, Jesse McCarthy, team up to make a very strong management team.

PrintRoc offers walk-in printing services and paper products, on top of being a premier mid-sized corporate commercial printer. If they don’t have it, they can get it and fast. Their retail hours were adjusted to meet the demand of the public: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, weekend hours by appointment.

PrintRoc stands out because the wide variety of products that they produce, from catalogs to banners, to boxes to wedding invitations.

Ron Schutt told The Empty Closet that Feb. 15 was the first anniversary of PrintRoc, which used to be Pinnacle Press. He was production manager there for 25 years, and bought and re-named the business a year ago. He said the biggest problem during the changeover was re-branding.

It was difficult changing Pinnacle to Print Roc, he said – even getting employees to realize “that’s how Pinnacle did things, but that’s not how we do things now – although I’m the same boss.”

The changes have been for the best.

Ron said, “We do much more marketing, and have added the retail store. We used to be corporate only. And we added wide format printing.” He and the other workers had to learn about ink jet printing, and digital printing as well, as opposed to their former offset printing.

“It’s not totally different,” Ron said,

“but we have shorter runs and quicker make-ready time, which our customers love. The marketing part is on Facebook and Twitter. We’re more community-centered than Pinnacle was. I volunteer for the Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus and my husband is on the board.”

PrintRoc’s owners are active members of the Business Association of the South Wedge and the Rochester Business Alliance, and donate to JCC, as well as doing most of their print jobs.

Ron feels that people who want to start their own business have to be flexible. “You need to change what you didn’t expect, including what your customers and employees want.”

Ron also re-organized the work schedule. “We switched to four 10-hour days, Mondays and Thursdays from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., and a second crew on Tuesdays and Fridays, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. It works out really well for production and makes things run more smoothly.”

PrintRoc’s building is 11,000 square feet. Ron says, “It’s amazing how quickly that space fills up!” Downstairs are the office, two presses and the distribution area, and upstairs is the bindery. The business employs two people in graphic design; one in marketing (Jesse) along with two part time sales people, one of whom is the previous owner; four in the full press room; two fulltime and three part time in the full bindery; two in digital printing – and as Ron says, “I do everything!”

Health insurance for so many is a problem because of the expense, but Ron, as a former employee himself, wanted to cover at least half of employees’ insurance costs.

Ron said, “I love everything about (the business). I’m here at 6 a.m. and don’t leave until 7 p.m. The time just flies by. I enjoy being the decision maker and learning all the new things, and how printing changes. The printing business is definitely changing. You upgrade, but carefully

13 – like getting an iPhone 3, which isn’t as nice as iPhone 5, but is still good.

“I make sure everything is running.

I have to know it all – or be prepared to find a partner or business or employee that does know about it.

“We do all kinds of jobs – from one to a million. We have a walk-in business and a corporate business. Right now we’re doing 50,000 barrel-shaped books for a customer in New Jersey, and they have another project that’s shaped like a bottle.”

Though Jesse, the newest member of the staff, had little experience with print, he did know people and business, and

Ron Schutt and Jesse McCarthy.

he learned much very quickly, working alongside his employees for months before taking to the office. He was the perfect fit for Marketing & Sales Manager. His customers love him and his employees and partners can see the huge difference that has overtaken the company since its transition from Pinnacle. Jesse has been instrumental in changing the look, not only physically but also on-line with the new website and social media. Jesse is a member of the Rochester Referral Network, and he knows just how important networking is for a business such as this.

The three partners own four properties in the city limits, including the facility at 620 South Ave. Hard work, good people and a community to stand with have brought this “family” business in the South Wedge to new heights. ■

Jesse, Ron, NYS Rep. Harry Bronson and Dan McCarthy.

14

national and international (Idaho from page 12) a 15-year-old son born to partner Rene Simpson during their 19-year relationship and a 13-year-old boy Rene Simpson adopted in 2001.

However, before now Drake Simpson had no parental rights over the children or legal responsibility for them.

Drake Simpson sought to adopt the children during the summer last year, but Ada County Magistrate Cathleen MacGregor Irby denied the adoption, saying that the couple had to be in a legally recognized union in order for Drake Simpson to adopt.

“This court concludes that the legislature’s intent in relation to adoptions is that the petitioner must be in a lawfully recognized union, i.e. married to

the empty closet • the gay alliance • number 476 • march 2014 the prospective adoptee’s parent, to have legal standing to file a petition to adopt that person’s biological or adopted child,” MacGregor Irby ruled in September.

The couple married in California last year but it was the wording of Idaho’s adoption law not their out-of state-marriage that persuaded the judges who found that MacGregor Irby had misapplied the law.

Justice Jim Jones wrote in the Supreme Court ruling that the law made clear ‘any person’ may adopt a child. “In sum, the magistrate’s interpretation of Idaho law is simply not supported by the plain text of the statute,” Jones wrote in the unanimous ruling.

“In light of the unambiguous language … that allows for ‘any adult person residing in and having residence in Idaho’ to adopt ‘any minor child,’ and because [it] contains no provisions that limit adoption to those who are married, Idaho’s adoption statutes plainly allow Jane Doe to

adopt John Doe and John Doe I.” Names in Idaho adoption hearings are kept anonymous, but the couple has gone public to help raise awareness around the issue. The ruling will potentially also make it easier for grandparents and other blood relatives to adopt children who have been removed from their parents or orphaned.

- See more at: http://www.gaystarnews. com/article/idaho-court-rules-gay-coupleadoption-legal130214#sthash.kFMyYMCl.dpuf

Federal judge rules Kentucky marriage ban unconstitutional On Feb. 12, Kentucky became the latest state to have its ban on marriage equality ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge, and the case will soon join others based in Utah, Nevada, Ohio and Oklahoma at the appellate level.

U.S. District Court Judge John G. Heyburn II ruled that Kentucky ’s marriage amendment violates the constitutional principal of equal protection and that the Commonwealth cannot refuse to recognize valid same-sex marriages conducted in other states. The judge, who was appointed to the bench by President George H. W. Bush, sided with four plaintiff couples who had legally married elsewhere before seeking state recognition in Kentucky.

Human Rights Campaign (HRC) President Chad Griffin issued the following statement: “Today, this nation took another bold step toward its fundamental constitutional principles of equal justice under the law. This amendment is unconstitutional, and we believe the only true solution to the injustice faced by these plaintiffs is full marriage equality. We hope all parties act swiftly and fairly to allow all loving and committed Kentucky couples the opportunity to marry in the state they call home.”

Gay scout is first to receive Eagle rank Pascal Tessier was blown away Feb. 10 when he became one of, if not the first, openly gay youths to receive his Eagle Scout ranking.

The resolution allowing gay scouts, which passed last May, went into effect on January 1, and many people believe that Tessier, a member of Troop 52 in Chevy Chase, MD, is the first to achieve the prestigious ranking while being completely open about his sexuality.

Becoming an Eagle Scout is no easy task, requiring twenty-one merit badges, a community service project, and a meeting with a board of review, and Tessier’s road was even more difficult to traverse.

The teenager spoke, and was open about, being gay to media last year while participating in a demonstration prior to the Boy Scouts of America’s vote regarding gay

members. The outcome was positive, but Tessier easily could have jeopardized his standing with the Scouts, who still will not allow openly gay adults to participate.

The Washington Post reports: “It’s just really amazing, and it honestly hasn’t really sunk in yet,” said Tessier, a senior at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School.

“We didn’t know if it was going to happen at all.”

Both Zach Wahls, outspoken executive director of Scouts for Equality, and Eric Andresen, father of Ryan Andresen, who was denied his Eagle Scout rank due to his sexual orientation just last year, commented on Tessier’s achievement.

“I don’t know of any other Scouts out there who have said, ‘I am gay and I defy BSA to kick me out’ — and Pascal has done that,” said Eric Andresen...

“The fact that Pascal is now able to get his award is directly because of what Ryan unfortunately went though,” Andresen said.

“We certainly think this is a day to celebrate,” Wahls said. “As we see more Pascal Tessiers coming up though the program, getting their Eagle Scouts, other scouting parents and other scouting leaders who might be a little more conservative will see there is nothing to be afraid of, that Pascal is a phenomenal young man and people like him make scouting better.”

Tessier and his mother, Tracie Felker, were overjoyed at the news, but hesitant about the limitations still placed on gay scouts. And for good reason: Tessier’s older brother, Lucien, is also an openly gay scout.

Even as he celebrated, Tessier was well aware of how the partial policy change could affect him. He will turn 18 in August. “It’s kind of a backhanded acceptance: We accept you for now,” he said. “It says to you you’re a monster of some sort.” …

Felker said the problem with the Boy Scout’s new policy is that it suggests something changes in her children once they hit 18. “What no one really wants to talk about is the suggestion that gay adults are (Scout continues page 16)

march 2014 • number 476 • the gay alliance • the empty closet

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Health Affordable Care Act expands coverage

By National LGBT Health Education Center and Center for American Progress The Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act (Affordable Care Act) is expected to expand insurance coverage to millions of Americans starting this year. Among those most in need of access to affordable health insurance and high-quality health services are LGBT people.

Research has shown that many LGBT Americans, particularly same-sex couples, transgender people, and those living with HIV, have difficulty accessing insurance and are disproportionately likely to lack coverage.

This brief explains how the Affordable Care Act will benefit LGBT Americans, particularly through better data collection, stronger nondiscrimination policies, a new essential health benefits standard and other insurance reforms, and coverage expansions. Part 1 provides an overview of the issues, while Part 2 discusses how America’s health centers, which are integral to efforts to enroll uninsured people, can deploy effective strategies for reaching LGBT people The Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act (Affordable Care Act) is expected to expand insurance coverage to millions of Americans starting in 2014. Among those most in need of access to affordable health insurance and high-quality health services are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. Research has shown that same-sex couples and their children are more likely to lack health insurance compared to families headed by heterosexual couples. For many, this is due to a lack of access to employer-sponsored coverage through a same-sex partner or spouse. Other LGBT people have been unable to find coverage due to a pre-existing condition such as HIV, or because they cannot find employment due to discrimination. For transgender people in particular, health insurance coverage related to gender transition or often any care at all is frequently difficult to obtain.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recognizes that the LGBT population experiences significant disparities in health and health care access, including disproportionately high rates of tobacco use and HIV infection, frequent encounters with violence and homelessness, and elevated rates of depression and suicide attempts, as well as reduced access to preventive health services. These disparities are rooted in a long history of discrimination in health care and overall societal bias against LGBT people.

March 31 is Affordable Care Act deadline It’s NY LGBT Health Month AND the last month for open enrollment through NY State of Health Marketplace. There is no better way to celebrate this month than exploring your health insurance options!

At Trillium Health, Certified Application Counselor Shannon Kelly will help you understand what the Affordable Care Act means for your health care. Beat the March 31 deadline and make an appointment today or get assistance exploring options if you remain uninsured or have a qualifying event.

The Affordable Care Act includes a lot of LGBT protections that are important to be aware of! Nobody within the Health Insurance Marketplaces, including employees and insurance companies offering plans for sale, is allowed to discriminate against LGBT people. It is illegal for an insurer to terminate or increase rates based on a pre-existing condition.

This means that insurers can’t treat you differently or charge you more if you have a

condition such as HIV or cancer. A transgender person can expect that your plan will cover the services you need as long as those services are covered for other people on your plan. Health services include preventive screenings such as mammograms, Pap tests, and prostate exams; hormone therapy; and mental health services.

Contact Shannon at 585-210-4143 or insurance@trilliumhealthny.org.

Drop-in Hours Tuesday Evenings 4-7pm at the Trillium Health Clinic Visit us on Facebook at: Affordable Care for the LGBT Community

Eating Disorders in the LGBT community

By NEDA (National Eating Disorders Association) Eating disorders disproportionately impact segments of the LGBT population.

Gay men are thought to only represent five percent of the total male population, but among men who have eating disorders, 42 percent identify as gay Elevated rates of binge-eating and purging by vomiting or laxative abuse was found for both males and females who identified as gay, lesbian or bisexual Research suggests that eating disorders disproportionately impact some segments of LGBT populations, though there is much research still to be done on the relationships between sexuality, gender identity, body image and eating disorders.

The myriad of unique struggles related to sexuality and gender expression, such as coming out and harassment in schools or the workplace, can impact experiences of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, trauma and developing unhealthy coping mechanisms such as substance abuse - all of which are common co-occurring conditions or contributing factors in the development of an eating disorder.

Why in the LGBTQ Community?

Potential factors that may interact with an LGBT person’s pre-disposition for developing an eating disorder may include, but are not limited to: Coming out: Fear of rejection/experience of rejections by friends, family and co-workers; Internalized negative messages/beliefs about oneself due to sexual orientation, non-normative gender expressions, or transgender identity; Experiences of violence (gay bashing), contributing to development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, which research shows sharply increases vulnerability to an eating disorder; Discrimination and/or being bullied; Discordance between one’s biological sex and gender identity; Body image ideals within some LGBT cultural contexts; LGBT people, in addition to experiencing unique contributing factors, may also face challenges for accessing treatment and support; Transgendered individuals may experience heightened body dissatisfaction and excessive concern with appearance due to the emphasis on estrangement from their bodies.

Key Statistics: While research indicates that lesbian women experience less body dissatisfaction overall, research shows that beginning as early as 12, gay, lesbian and bisexual teens may be at higher risk of binge-eating and purging than heterosexual peers.

Gay and bisexual boys report being significantly more likely to have fasted, vomited or taken laxatives or diet pills to control their weight in the last 30 days.

Gay males are seven times more likely to report binging and 12 times more likely to report purging than heterosexual males.

Females, identified as lesbian, bisexual or mostly heterosexual, are about twice as likely to report binge-eating at least once per month in the last year. Elevated rates of binge-eating and purging by vomiting or laxative abuse was found for both males and females who identified as gay, lesbian

or bisexual in comparison to their heterosexual peers.

15 percent of gay and bisexual males had a full or sub-threshold eating disorder at some point in their life, compared to 4.6 percent of heterosexual males.

Sources: Austin, S. Bryn, Sc.D.. 2004. Sexual Orientation, Weight Concerns, and Eating- Disordered Behaviors in Adolescent Girls and Boys. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, V43.

Carlat, D.J., Camargo, CA, & Herzog, DB, 1991. Eating disorders in males: a report of 135 patients. American Journal of Psychiatry, 148, 1991.

Center for Disease Control and Massachusetts Department of Education. 1999.

Massachusetts State Youth Risk Behavior Survey. National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (with National Coalition for the Homeless) Fear, Jennifer L., & Surgenor, Lois J. 1998. Eating Disorder in a Transgendered Patient:A Case Report. Int J Eat Disord 24: 449–452, 1998.

Feldman, M. B. and Meyer, I. H. (2007), Eating disorders in diverse lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations. Int. J. Eat. Disord., 40: 218–226.

Ray, Nicholas. 2007. Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth: An Epidemic of Homelessness. National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and National Coalition for the Homeless.

Waldron, Jennifer J., Semerjian, Tamar Z., Kauer, Kerrie. 2009. Doing ‘Drag’: Applying Queer- Feminist Theory to the Body Image and Eating Disorders across Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.

In The Hidden Faces of Eating Disorders, Edited by Justine J. Reel & Katherine A. Beals, (63-81).

What’s Your Diabetes IQ?

By HCR Home Care This is a good time to raise awareness about symptoms and risk factors and to recognize where to make changes to control the management of this complex disease.

Diabetes: An Overview After eating, most food is turned into blood glucose, or sugar. Insulin is a hormone that helps move the glucose out of the bloodstream into the cells throughout the body where the nutrient is needed. In Diabetes, the blood sugar builds up in the bloodstream due to the lack of or insufficient use of insulin.

There are three main types of Diabetes. Type 1: the body makes too little or no insulin; Type 2: the body’s ability to make insulin decreases over time and the cells are resistant to the insulin available; and Gestational Diabetes that occurs during pregnancy and may precede the devel-

opment of Type 2. Diabetes affects nearly 26 million people nationally, with over 71,000 adults in our area. If left uncontrolled, the high levels of blood glucose can lead to blindness, nerve damage, kidney failure, feet or leg amputation, and even stroke or heart attack.

“Equally important is nearly 79 million people in the US have pre-diabetes — elevated blood glucose levels that indicate the highest risk for developing Type 2,” according to the American Diabetes Association of Rochester. “This statistic can be changed; research has indicated that changes to diet and exercise can reduce your risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes by 58 percent.”

Knowing the Symptoms Symptoms of diabetes may vary based on the type. Examples are excessive thirst, extreme hunger, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, blurred vision, unusual fatigue, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, dry itchy skin, cuts or bruises which heal slowly, and frequent infections. Because it is critical to detect this disease in its early stage, it is important to let your health care provider know. They can test a sample of your blood after you have not eaten all night (otherwise known as “fasting”).

Because symptoms often go unrecognized, knowing common risk factors for diabetes is helpful in identifying people who should be tested for Type 2 Diabetes.

This includes people younger than 45 who are overweight and have one of the following risk factors: a family member with diabetes; are African-American, Hispanic/ Latino, Native American, Asian-American, or Pacific Islander; have high blood pressure or high cholesterol; gave birth to a baby weighing more than nine pounds; diagnosed with gestational diabetes; and/ or are physically inactive. All people aged 45 or older should be tested.

Healthy Living is Important!

Diabetes can be a difficult diagnosis to take, but proper diet and regular physical activities make Diabetes manageable. It is recommended to eat regular meals and snacks, limiting saturated fats and choosing healthy fruits and vegetables, which are high in fiber. Regular physical activity is also extremely important. If diet and exercise are not enough to reduce your blood glucose levels, medication – typically pills – can be prescribed. In some cases insulin shots may be required.

It is very important that you take personal responsibility for the treatment of your Diabetes, including regular check-ups with your health care provider.

Family members and friends also play a critical role helping diabetics stick to lifestyle choices and medication regimens.

People with Diabetes can enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle!

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national and international (Scout from page 14) child abusers, and that is infuriating,” she said.

“It’s impossible to believe that the creme de la creme of the Scouts, just because they turn 18, are no longer suitable to participate in the programs,” Felker said.

For now, though, Tessier sets an amazing example of what openness and honesty can achieve. A formal ceremony will be held for him and other Eagle Scout honorees in June. Congratulations, Pascal!

Read more: http://www.towleroad. com/#ixzz2t2TA8Ivi

Priest denies communion to lesbian at her mother’s funeral When Carol Parker’s partner was mentioned in her deceased mother’s obituary this December, the priest at their local Catholic church took notice and took action.

Parker and her partner, Josephine Martin, were members of Saint Columban Catholic Church for 12 years until the priest, Father Benjamin Kneib, denied them communion upon learning of their romantic partnership. Parker sang in the

the empty closet • the gay alliance • number 476 • march 2014 choir, and worked as a cantor and lector for the church, and both women were saddened by the church’s actions.

Fox News 4 reports: “He had called me the day of the rosary and said he wouldn’t be able to give us communion because of our same-sex relationship,” said Parker.

The couple says they will never step foot in the church again. Parker said it took away a final opportunity.

“It was very important to me, my last opportunity to worship here at the church with her,” Parker said...

“To be singing in the choir and be lectors, and everything, it’s all God. He just took it away in a second,” Martin said.

“I just really don’t understand where his heart is.”

Fox News 4 attempted to contact Father Kneib, but his secretary said “he did not wish to comment.” Parker and Martin have found a new place of worship where they are accepted. Parker has also found resilience in faith.

“My faith is strong enough that I wasn’t going to let this deter me to go to church,” she said.

Read more: http://www.towleroad. com/#ixzz2t2S9h2TU

Facebook adds 50 custom gender options, pronoun choices CNN reports: You don’t have to be strictly a man or a woman on Facebook anymore. In a nod to the “it’s complicated” sexual identities of many of its users, the social network on Feb. 13 added a third “custom” gender option for people’s profiles.

In addition to Male or Female, Facebook now lets U.S. users choose among some 50 additional options such as “transgender,” “cisgender,” “gender fluid,” “intersex” and “neither.” Users also now have the ability to choose the pronoun they’d like to be referred to publicly: he/

his, she/her, or the gender-neutral they/ their.

“When you come to Facebook to connect with the people, causes, and organizations you care about, we want you to feel comfortable being your true, authentic self,” Facebook said in a post on its Diversity page.

-JoeMyGod.com

Federal court rules marriage equality is legal in Virginia A federal court in Virginia has ruled that same-sex couples in the state will be allowed to marry and all same-sex couples legally married elsewhere will have their marriages recognized. However, marriages cannot yet take place since the ruling was suspended in anticipation of an appeal.

The ruling was announced late on Feb. 13. The order released around 10 p.m. stated the following: “The Court finds Va. Const. Art. I, § 15-A, Va. Code §§ 20-45.2, 20-45.3, and any other Virginia law that bars same-sex marriage or prohibits Virginia’s recognition of lawful same-sex marriages from other jurisdictions unconstitutional.

These laws deny Plaintiffs their rights to due process and equal protection guaranteed under the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution.”

District Federal Court Judge Arenda L. Wright Allen promised to rule quickly after hearing arguments in Norfolk in one of two challenges to Virginia’s ban. The case is Bostic v. Rainey, and the plaintiffs were represented by (Prop 8 lawyers) Ted Olson and David Boies and the American Foundation for Equal Rights.

The WaPo reports: “Gay and lesbian individuals share the same capacity as heterosexual individuals to form, preserve and celebrate loving, intimate and lasting relationships,” Wright Allen wrote. “Such relationships are created through the exercise of sacred, personal choices—choices, like the choices made by every other citizen, that must be free from unwarranted government interference.”

Wright Allen opened her decision with a quote from Mildred Loving, who was at the center of the Virginia case that the Supreme Court used in 1967 to strike down laws banning interracial marriage.

The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Virginia, Lambda Legal, and the law firm Jenner and Block filed a

separate case on behalf of two couples in Harrisonburg that was certified as a class action representing all same-sex couples in the state.

“This is a wonderful day for all loving and committed couples in Virginia who only ever wanted the same protections for their families as anyone else,” said Claire Guthrie Gastañaga, executive director of the ACLU of Virginia. “The court is right to strike down this sweeping and discriminatory ban. We congratulate the attorneys and their clients.”

The Norfolk lawsuit was originally filed in July and argued that, through the marriage bans, Virginia sent a purposeful message that lesbians, gay men, and their children are viewed as second-class citizens who are undeserving of the legal sanction, respect, protections, and support that heterosexuals and their families are able to enjoy through marriage.

“The steady march toward equality continues today with this historic decision,” said Joshua Block, staff attorney with the ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Project. “Support for the freedom to marry has seen an amazing increase in the past few years, and we will continue to work to ensure that all couples have access to the dignity and protection that only comes with marriage.”

The ruling does not affect the Harrisonburg class action case, which will continue in the federal district court for the Western District of Virginia. Attorneys in that case recently asked the judge for a quick ruling. That motion for summary judgment is still pending.

More information on the Harrisonburg case can be found at: http://www. aclu.org/lgbt-rights/harris-et-al-v-mcdonnell-et-a The opinion can be found at: legaltimes.typepad.com/files/edva-ssm-opinion.pdf HRC statement Human Rights Campaign (HRC) President and AFER co-founder and board member Chad Griffin issued the following statement: “Yet another court has upheld the fundamental idea that gay and lesbian Americans are entitled to full equality under the law. Nearly fifty years ago, another Virginia case struck down bans on interracial marriage across the country, and now this commonwealth brings renewed hope for an end to irrational barriers to marriage for loving and committed couples across the country.” ■

Glenn Zermeño, LCSW Individual, Couple & Group Psychotherapy LGBTQ Concerns, Youth & Adolescents, HIV/AIDS, Relationships, Dealing with Conflict, Effective Communication, Anxiety, Depression, Body Image, Self-Esteem 25 Canterbury Road, Suite 311 • Rochester, New York 14607 Phone: 917-309-7508 • Email: glenn.zermeno@gmail.com

march 2014 • number 476 • the gay alliance • the empty closet

LGBTQ Living

Sam Brett on Woodlawn St. Photos: Susan Jordan

Choosing City Life

By Susan Jordan LGBTQ people have traditionally chosen to leave their small towns and rural homes as soon as they could, in order to get away from homophobic gossip and harassment and lead lives of freedom in the gayborhoods of the big city – or as free as you could get in the closeted olden days.

Times have changed, and today many LGBTQ singles, couples and families live happily in suburbs and rural areas, although harassment can still happen there – and anywhere.

But many say they enjoy the excitement and endless opportunities of city living.

The Empty Closet talked to a gay man Sam Brett, a queer/ trans couple, KaeLyn Rich and Zach Waffle, and transwoman Shauna O’Toole, about their choice of city life.

Sam Brett Sam Brett (aka Samantha Vega) lives just off Monroe Ave. He said, “Ironically, I once lived near this area in Swillburg, then on Linden St. in the South Wedge, then moved to Pearl St. in the Park Ave. neighborhood, then to Rowley St. off Park Ave., and now to Woodlawn off Monroe. I don’t have a car—by choice – and I grew up in Venezuela with public transportation.”

Doesn’t he mind the hassles of getting around in winter?

“No, I love winter,” he said.

“I enjoy walking outside. So dealing with the elements at bus stops isn’t a problem. I do wish Rochester plowed the sidewalks though!”

Sam describes city life as “alive... community-oriented… convenient… dynamic!” He feels that city homeowners know all their neighbors and are friendly, with a real sense of community, although renters tend to be less committed to the neighborhood.

He enjoys getting around the city by bus. “Places I volunteer at are nearby and on bus lines.

I’ve got three gay bars within walking distance – 140 Alex is four blocks away from my house, the Pub is one block away, and I can make it to the Forum in 10 minutes.”

Even Tilt, the downtown club where he performs as Samantha on Thursdays and Saturdays, is easily accessible: “I can take a bus to Tilt, all the way! Buses also run to East Ave. Wegmans, there are a lot of restaurants, plus the RPO at the Eastman Theatre, any of the coffeehouses -- things are not inaccessible.

People just have to work on making it work – the bus isn’t going to run on your schedule!”

Is city life really better for LGBTQ people? Sam said, “I feel safe as a gay man. I know my neighbors and have a good relationship with my landlord, and there are a lot of self-identified gay people in my neighborhood, with rainbow flags on the porches.”

Sam summed up, “There’s always something going on.

Even though sometimes I choose to stay home, I can always go to a movie or bar or my gym downtown, even healthcare. I feel I have access to all the things I need.”

KaeLyn Rich and Zach Waffle KaeLyn Rich heads the Rochester chapter of the NYCLU, and her spouse Zach Waffle works for Wegmans in distribution. They married in Canada in 2011, just before marriage equality became legal here, and then had a New York ceremony in June 2011. They bought a c.

1920 house on Wilmington St. in Swillburg in spring 2012.

KaeLyn said, “When we first came to Rochester in 2006 we lived on Laburnam Crescent and

then other places in the Field St. area of Swillburg. We knew we wanted to buy either in Swillburg or Upper Monroe, because there are more single-family houses and these neighborhoods are not as gentrified as the South Wedge.

“A lot of people our age (early 30s) are buying here, and the next generation of families with kids is happening now.

“We love living in the city and when we saw this house was available, we made an offer the very day after it came on the market. We went from looking to buying in about 12 hours, and beat another offer by two hours.”

The house has gumwood trim, wood floors and attractive exposed beams in the living room/dining room ceiling (they may not be original) and the couple loves the window seat in the front room. A big plus was that the house had just been remodeled – neither KaeLyn nor Waffle have “handy” skills.

Both feel very safe. “It’s a pretty welcoming neighborhood,” KaeLyn said. “A gay male couple and a lesbian live nearby and people are very friendly. They assume we’re lesbian, and we’re not, but that’s fine.” KaeLyn identifies as cisgender and queer and Waffle is “on the fluid side of trans.”

What if any are the disadvantages of city living? KaeLyn said, “Noise would be my only thing – and also the lack of driveways.” (They do have one.)

Zach Waffle and KaeLyn Rich. Photo: Susan Jordan

17 Waffle said, “There’s the space issue -- the houses in the city are too close to each other.”

But generally, they say, “City living is for us.” KaeLyn said, “We’re five minutes away from everywhere we need to be. Most of our friends live in the city and I don’t see us moving to suburbia. We eat out a lot, so it’s nice to have restaurants nearby and we don’t have to make the trip from the suburbs. I’m on the board of ImageOut and Waffle has a season pass, so it’s convenient to be near that, and the other festivals. If we lived in the suburbs we wouldn’t do as much or be as active socially or in the community.”

KaeLyn added, “We’re thinking of having kids in the next few years. I have a blog, queerfamilymatters.com, which isn’t just about us, but about queer families in general. So schools are a concern, but we wouldn’t feel bad about our kids going to the Field St. school.

But there are big problems with the city school district – schools are underfunded, there’s too much violence, etc. Mayor Warren, who we have supported since before the election, wants charter schools, but I think it’s a bad solution to the larger problems.”

At the moment, the couple only has animals – a cat, two guinea pigs and two rabbits.

They are indoor pets, but the house does have a small backyard, which, KaeLyn says, “We will have to do something with, eventually!”

“It’s not a problem going to the diners or stopping for a pizza,” she says. “I don’t worry about showing signs of affection.”

In her daily interactions she has discovered that most people are nonchalant about her trans identity. The Rochester Women’s Community Chorus, in particular, “has been wonderfully accepting. I’m just accepted as another woman in the chorus, with a rather deep voice,” Shauna says. “And it’s really become my family.”

Another bonus of urban life is access to public transportation and walkable neighborhoods. As a former science teacher, Shauna is deeply concerned about global climate change.

“Especially with CO 2 buildup in the atmosphere, I prefer mass transit from an ethical point of view.”

On the other hand, lacking the protection of a private car has its drawbacks. “In the bus we are stuck,” says Raquel via Facebook. “People do double takes.

Men and women alike mock in front of us like we can’t hear.”

Shauna recalls several unnerving incidents that occurred on the street, including one encounter downtown when a man stalked and harassed her.

Shauna had just finished performing in the Fringe Festival’s Human Library project “and was feeling really good, really excited, really upbeat, and then I heard this and suddenly I didn’t know if I was going to have to

Raquel Acevedo-Pagan and Shauna O’Toole. Photo: Eileen Fay

Shauna O’Toole

By Eileen Fay In 2011 Shauna Marie O’Toole arrived in Rochester from Newark, a small town in Wayne County. She had recently come out as a trans woman and found a new job with Wegmans, an accepting and supportive employer.

Although Shauna’s early years in Rochester were marked by instability – she moved eight times in 22 months and struggled to make ends meet – she has never regretted her decision to transition and find a new home.

Life as a trans* person anywhere carries significant challenges, but for Shauna, Rochester’s diversity has been a welcome relief after the isolation she experienced in the countryside. Now residing in the Swillburg/South Wedge area with fiancée Raquel Acevedo-Pagan, she is grateful for her friendly neighborhood.

fight for my life or not.”

To protect herself, Shauna practices situational awareness and does not go out alone at night. Still, she feels much safer in the city – with its mix of cultures, types, and identities – than she does in Small Town USA. Even so, Shauna sometimes misses Wayne County’s wide open spaces and observes that Rochester can be crowded, noisy, and the bus system inconvenient. The benefits of the city nevertheless outweigh its disadvantages, and Shauna intends to remain an urbanite.

“Right now here in the city, I can use the women’s room,” she states. “If I were to go to Henrietta, I could be arrested.”

Still, she is optimistic that acceptance will eventually spread across the region. One day, she believes, an LGBTQ individual will be welcome no matter where she or he chooses to live. ■

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the empty closet • the gay alliance • number 476 • march 2014

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march 2014 • number 476 • the gay alliance • the empty closet

Shoulders to Stand On Shoulders To Stand On: Gay Liberation Part 2

By Evelyn Bailey It is subject to interpretation as to what influence the Iroquois Nation had on our founding Fathers or on the US Consititution. One claim goes without question.

Both the Iroquois Nation’s constitution and the U.S. Constitution had as their goal for all members of the tribe and for all citizens of the United States the right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

It is this plank of Iroquois and American life that articulates and focuses the challenge to be free, without fear of loss of life, job, a place to live and the pursuit of happiness. This in fact is the hope and desire of all peoples. From the founding of our nation to present day, we have striven to make this a reality.

The right to be free as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender men and women was expressed in short and sometimes intense bursts throughout history. The influences shaping attitudes toward homosexuals are international as well as American in origin.

Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries “liberation” movements on many fronts created the critical mass necessary to bring the issue of gay liberation and homosexual life and culture to a level of visibility that would change the landscape politically, legislatively, medically, socially and economically. The visibility homosexuality gained was a two edged sword.

On the one hand the closet was less full, but on the other hand it became clear that prejudice, bigotry, and hatred of homosexuals and the homosexual culture was alive and well across the nation and the world.

We will look at some significant historical markers that shaped the struggle for freedom and equality.

In 1867, Karl Heinrich Ulrichs was the first self-proclaimed homosexual to speak out publicly for homosexual rights when he pleaded at the Congress of German Jurists in Munich for a resolution urging the repeal of anti-homosexual laws in Germany.

In 1870 Joseph and His Friend: A Story of Pennsylvania was published. This was possibly the first American novel about a homosexual relationship.

In 1895, the trial of Oscar Wilde brought the issue of homosexuality to the forefront in America. Oscar Wilde was prosecuted under the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885 for “gross indecency” and sentenced to two years hard labor in prison.

In 1897, Magnus Hirschfeld founded the Scientific Humanitarian Committee on May 14 to organize for homosexual rights in Germany and the repeal of Paragraph 175 which made homosexual acts between males a crime. Male homosexu-

als were in the forefront of gay liberation in the 1800s. They refused to be invisible, and took responsibility for their actions.

Here in America, in 1910, Emma Goldman, an anarchist known for her political activism, writing, and speeches, began speaking publicly in favor of homosexual rights. Magnus Hirschfeld wrote “she was the first and only woman, indeed the first and only American, to take up the defense of homosexual love before the general public.” Emma Goldman also developed new ways of incorporating gender politics into anarchism.

In 1926, The New York Times was the first major publication to use the word “homosexuality.” Also in that year, Chicago’s Society for Human Rights, an American homosexual rights organization, was established. Society founder Henry Gerber was inspired to create it by German Doctor Magnus Hirschfeld and his work with the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee. The Society for Human Rights was the first recognized gay rights organization in the United States.

It received its charter from the state of Illinois, and produced the first American publication for homosexuals, Friendship and Freedom. A few months after being chartered, the group ceased to exist in the wake of the arrest of several of the Society’s members.

In 1928, The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall was published in the UK and later in the United States. The Well of Loneliness sparked great legal controversy and brought the topic of homosexuality into public conversation in both England and America.

In the 1930s two spurts of gay liberation caught my eye. First Mona’s 440 Club, the first lesbian bar to open in San Francisco in 1936, was outrageous for the time. Mona’s waitresses and female performers wore tuxedos and it was said that patrons dressed their roles.

The second spurt occurred in !939.

Frances V. Rummell, an educator and a teacher of French at Stephens College, published an autobiography under the title Diana: A Strange Autobiography; it was the first explicitly lesbian autobiography in which two women end up happily together. This autobiography was published with a note saying, “The publishers wish it expressly understood that this is a true story, the first of its kind ever offered to the general reading public.”

In the 1950s visibility for homosexuals and the struggle for gay rights took center stage in the American psyche. Between 1950 and 1952 three events happened – almost simultaneously – the founding of the Mattachine Society, the Lavender Scare, and the identification of homosexuality as a diagnosable mental disorder in the DSM-1. These 3 events would shape American society’s attitudes toward homosexuality for generations to come.

Some of the residue from these times can be seen today in 2014.

The first of these was the founding in 1950 of the Mattachine Society. The Mattachine Society was one of the earliest homophile/homosexual organizations in the United States. Harry Hay and a group of Los Angeles male friends formed the group to protect and improve the rights of homosexuals. Because of concerns for secrecy and the founders’ leftist ideology, they adopted the cell organization being used by the Communist Party of the United States. In the anti-Communist atmosphere of the 1950s, the Society’s growing membership replaced the group’s early Communist model with a more traditional ameliorative civil-rights leadership style and agenda. Then, as branches formed in other cities, the Society splintered into regional groups by 1961.

A largely amicable split within the national Mattachine Society in 1952 resulted in a new organization called ONE, Inc. In January 1953 ONE, Inc. began publishing ONE Magazine, the first U.S. pro-gay publication, and sold it openly on the streets of Los Angeles. ONE admitted women and, together with Mattachine, provided vital help to the Daughters of Bilitis in the launching of that group’s magazine, The Ladder, in 1956. The Daughters of Bilitis was the counterpart lesbian organization to the Mattachine Society, and the two organizations worked together on some campaigns, although their approaches to visibility in the mass media differed considerably.

The primary goals of the Mattachine Society were to unify homosexuals isolated from their own kind; educate homosexuals and heterosexuals toward an ethical homosexual culture paralleling the cultures of the African American, Hispanic and Jewish peoples; lead the more socially conscious homosexual to provide leadership to the whole mass of social variants and assist gays who are victimized daily as a result of oppression.

Due to internal disagreements, the national organization disbanded in 1961.

During the 1960s, the various unaffiliated Mattachine Societies, especially the Mattachine Society in San Francisco and the Mattachine Society of New York, were among the foremost gay rights groups in the United States, but beginning in the middle 1960s and, especially, following the Stonewall riots of 1969, they began increasingly to be seen as too traditional, and not willing enough to be confrontational.

Like the divide that occurred within the black civil rights movement, the late 1960s and the 1970s brought a new generation of activists, many of whom felt that the gay rights movement needed to endorse a larger, more inclusive and more radical agenda – liberation rather than assimilation.

Shoulders to Stand On is proud to share with readers this brief history of the Mattachine Society. The Mattachine Society of the Niagara Frontier was one of the groups that spoke at the first Gay Liberation Front meeting at the University of

21 Rochester on October 3, 1970. Today in March 2014, Rochester continues to reap the benefits of the Mattachine Society’s contributions to the struggle for Gay Liberation in Rochester, NY. Remember the Shoulders we stand on and be proud.

In next month’s issue of the Empty Closet, Shoulders to Stand On will look at the other two events of the early ‘50s whose impact is still felt today. ■

History Corner March 1974 A Monthly Newspaper of the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley 812 Brown St. at West Main Rochester, NY 14611 (716) 436-7670 March, 1974 Number 37 Gay Alliance Meeting Schedule Sun 3 Mar: Business Meeting/Gay Town Meeting.

Sun 10 Mar : Gay And Alone. But Not Lonely! - Being a gay male may mean being alone but does it have to mean loneliness.

Sun 17 Mar: A Gay Coffee Happening.

Sun 24 Mar: Gay Male Love Relationships. Should we limit ourselves?

Tue 26 Mar: G.A.G.V. Coordinating Council Meets Sun 31 Mar: Personal Finances. A panel-group discussion with bankers, insurance salesman and a realtor.

Other events of interest: Sundays: cooking. Cooking Class.

Basic and specialty Every Wednesday: Gay Radio Program, “Green Thursdays” WCMP-PM, 96.5rthz, Wednesday midnight.

Other area gay groups include: Brockport Gay Freedom League meets Wednesdays at 2PM Rm. 222 of the Seymour College Union. The office is in room 227,Seymor College Union. Phone 395-2462 1-2 MWF, 11-12 Tu, Th, or write CW, Box 32, Pancher, NY 14452.

Binghamton Gay Liberation, Box 2000 Harpur College, SUNY Binghamton, NY 13901.

Cornell Gay Liberation meets Thursdays, 9:30 pm at Gay People’s Center, 410 College Ave., Ithaca, NY, 14850. (607) 256-3729.

Geneseo Gay Freedom Coalition.

Office: room 312 College Union. Open 7-10pm weekdays. Box 38, Student Union, Geneseo, NY 14454. (716) 245-5891.

Geneva Gay Lib, Wm Smith/Hobart, Geneva, NY Oswego Gays for Human Liberation meets 7:30 pm Mondays at Hewitt Union Building, Oswego State, Oswego NY. Potsdam/Canton Gay Community Organization. Potsdam University, Potsdam, NY Syracuse Gay Freedom League meets 7:30 pm Mondays at the Community House, 711 Comstock Ave. Box 34, Syracuse, NY 13201 Utica Gay Liberation Front: c/o Ronald Denning 613 Nichols St. Utica, NY 13501 ■

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the empty closet • the gay alliance • number 476 • march 2014

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 “I’ve Had A Good Life”

By Eric Bellmann Apparently I said that to one of the nurses. The very same nurse that at some point I called a bitch.

When I believed there was a serious possibility I might die, I very quickly added up the score and concluded that I was ready to meet my maker. My equanimity may have been before but most likely after I screamed at the nurse, calling her a bitch, and demanding another dose of morphine.

I woke up feeling constipated. No surprise. A sudden snow squall Saturday night sent me racing to the market for junk food. In the morning my stomach hurt. The usual trips to the bathroom did not result in the normally reliable relief. My stomach still hurt, if anything even more.

I’ll shovel the snow, damn snow, lousy winter. A little exercise should help.

Nope. Stomach now hurts a lot. I sit in a chair and think. Twenty minutes later I dial 911. Fifteen minutes later an ambulance pulls up. My first ambulance ride!

Kind of bumpy ride. I am grateful I’m no longer alone. This is my first trip to an Emergency Room!

The ambulance folk, whom I hardly pay attention to, strap me in and ask a lot of questions. Someone asks if I have any allergies. “Robin Williams” is my answer.

It doesn’t seem like it happened in the ambulance, maybe at the hospital but I think someone asked me if I had any pets and I told them about my imaginary cat, Dorothy Robinson. There are probably a number of reasons to strap a patient down.

In the hospital I don’t think I have ever recited my name and date of birth as many times as I did over the course of the next eight hours. Oh, did I mention that I am extremely frightened and the pain is excruciating?

I’m admitted around 8:45 and told the doctor comes on duty at nine. And so I get wheeled here and there; it’s like riding a toboggan in a goofy amusement park, down hallways, around corners, staring at ceiling tiles. And clutching my stomach, moaning that the pain is getting worse.

I’m shifted to a bed. My temperature is taken. The nurse is young and

pretty. The doctor arrives and asks a slew of questions. I know now the pain is in the lower left quadrant. He wants me to pee. I can’t. I am hooked up to an I.V. It doesn’t work in my left arm. It’s switched to my right arm. The doc asks more questions. What medicines am I taking? I indicate I expect shortly to go into nicotine withdrawal. He slaps a patch on my shoulder and asks if I prefer nicotine lozenges or gum. No judgment. He does a bedside ultrasound. I wish I could help him more.

A man comes in to explain the Cat Scan process. I get to drink a quart of pink liquid over an hour. Then this, then that. I am in process. I find that very reassuring. The I.V. is working. I can pee.

I cheerfully deliver a vial of liquid. I am compliant. I know something is wrong with me and I am terrified I will end up in surgery. I know more than one person who has ended up with a colostomy.

I don’t want that. The doctor agrees, “Nope, you don’t want that.” I’m not sure what I want. The pain has stopped.

So I stare at the ceiling and practice breathing, it’s what I know to do. Steady, slow deep breathing.

The morphine is working. At noon the pretty nurse leaves. A prettier nurse comes on duty. Well, not pretty, handsome. I spot a wedding ring. Did a ring ever deter me from flirting? He has high cheekbones, a shaved head, rather Slavic looking.

Off to the Cat Scan. More new people. One wheels me down winding corridors, two women explain the process, I move onto the machine’s bed. A committed smoker, I am not enthusiastic about my lungs being photographed. “Hold your breath”. Test done. A different person asks me my name, date of birth and wheels me back to what I now think of as my bed. I am told the results will be available in half an hour.

Action has picked up in Emergency. I see people hobble to various rooms. I get a roommate. She gets her head sewed up. I get another roommate. She just lies there while her companion diddles with his smart phone. I see patients across the hall.

The bitch comes in. Do I remember her, she asks? Apparently I had told her I once met Andy Warhol. I also told her that years ago I had dated a man, only once, who now is in the headlines presumed to have been party to a maybe heinous crime. I may have said a whole lot of things. “Didn’t you hear us laughing about you in the hall?” “I’m nearly deaf, I don’t hear much of anything!” It

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would seem my caretakers have found me charming.

She leans close, she smiles. “You’re not going to die. I want you to know that.”

“What do you know?” I shriek. “Kidney stones.” I start to cry. I tell her what lovely skin she has and does she have a nice doctor and who knows what else and I love her. She knows that.

It’s another hour before the doctor has the time to visit me, tell me I can soon check out. He draws a diagram showing me where the stone is lodged. I will have to strain my urine to catch the stone, then deliver it for assessment.

The handsome nurse delivers the strainer. He hangs out a while. I learn a lot about him. How this came to pass I don’t remember but at some point he tells me that he has three children and that one of them, a son, he lost to lupus at 21. I cry.

The downside of kidney stones is that they must pass. Pain comes from when they inch their way to the exit. When they decide to park and wait, the pain subsides. I have two more days of episodic pain before the astonishingly small specks plop into the stainer.

Three days later I go on line to nominate my two beloved nurses for outstanding service.

I post bits of my saga on Facebook.

Twenty or thirty people send warm condolences. Some from other countries, some I haven’t seen in years. Facebook is great. Two people write about their woes.

I thought this was about me. I have been restored. For several days I periodically stop and stare at the sky and marvel at lovely clouds.

A week later I hear a woman reflecting on how to live. She uses a phrase I understand: Let it be. Let it go. Let it in.

Email: elbcad@rit.edu

A Few Bricks Short All New For 2014!

By David Hull For February’s issue I accidentally submitted my “April Fool” column, which was to be for the April issue. Oops! I guess it was an early April fool on me! This column was supposed to be for February, so it’s a little late. And when April finally does roll around – please remember how the column in last month’s issue made you giggle. Thanks!

It’s a whole new year! Great, I was just getting used to writing 2013 on all my paperwork – now I’ll be a year behind again.

What has got me asking questions this year is not the usual “how can it possibly be 2014 when I can remember Prince’s hit song Party Like It’s 1999 when 1999 seemed like the distant future?” Heck, I can even remember when I first read George Orwell’s novel 1984 and it seemed

like it was set in the far-flung future. No wonder it’s getting harder and harder for me to convince folks I’m only in my mid-30s!

This New Year, what’s got me asking questions, is the new-fangled words and terms that I’m learning. I’m not even sure these words even existed in 2013!

The first term I’ve learned is “Distracted Walking.” Now I’ve heard of distracted driving and I understand that’s dangerous, but what is this about distracted walking? Apparently it happens to 53 percent of all Americans and I never even knew about it. Distracted walking is when a person is walking while texting on their cell phone and then accidentally walks into other objects, including benches, trash cans, trees, doorways and sometimes, even other people who are texting! Wow, that has got to be embarrassing!

Now, I’m not going to say that I’ve never been embarrassed by walking into a bench or a doorway, but that has always been caused by some cute guy with a nice butt who has distracted me – not by my stupid cell phone! I mean, who hasn’t stumbled once or twice while checking out a hottie’s rear view as he passes by?

I believe that may be called “Distracted Cruising” and although it could be considered dangerous, it’s a heck of a lot more fun than texting!

Another word that has me puzzled is “Affluenza”. Now I understand that this word has been around for a while and, by some, it is actually considered a real mental condition. Apparently, what happened recently is that some 16-year-old in Texas was driving drunk and he ran over and killed four pedestrians. In court the youth was sentenced to probation and had to go for therapy, but would serve no jail time because he suffered from Affluenza – the mindset that his family was rich and there were really no consequences for his actions. You see, he just didn’t understand that drunk driving and killing people was a bad thing because he suffers from the dreaded disease known as Affluenza.

So, now this youth has been sent to a chalet retreat in the mountains where he will receive counseling and be given time to think about what he has done while floating in the infinity pool after he gets done using the sauna. And they won’t even let him have a cell phone!

Okay, so if this is where our country is going in the New Year; let me tell you about some ailments I’ll be suffering from in 2014.

The first one is “Chubluenza”. That is the disease where my body craves pepperoni pizza, onion rings, tacos, French fries, Oreos and caramel mint chocolate chip frappuccinos with extra whip cream and that causes me to get chubby, but I don’t understand that all those junk foods will cause me to gain weight. And you can bet I’m going to discuss this awful disease, Chubluenza, with my doctor at my next check-up when I hear about how I haven’t lost any weight. Honestly, how

march 2014 • number 476 • the gay alliance • the empty closet could anyone not see the horrible way I’m suffering?

Due to my “Chubluenza”, I am also plagued by “Fartluenza”. Hey, I can’t eat all that greasy, fried food and not get gas!

I have a disorder, for goodness sake! Don’t judge me – I’m a victim!

I also suffer from “Bitchluenza,” so my husband, Bernie better stop complaining about my bad attitude and start acknowledging my debilitating ailment. I’m not purposely a bitch, sweetheart – I just have a disease! Perhaps Bernie could send me to a mountain chalet with an infinity pool and sauna to help me recover. I won’t even care if he takes away my cell phone – at least then my mother wouldn’t be able to call me!

And finally, I’m an unfortunate sufferer of “Spendluenza”. That’s right – I go to the mall and spend way too much money on scarves, shoes, cologne, scented candles, sweaters, DVDs, scarves (I said scarves twice because you can never have too many scarves) and other non-necessities of life because it makes me feel ohso-good. Why, I don’t know how VISA and MasterCard can even consider making me pay off those expensive credit card bills since I’m just the innocent victim of this horrible, devastating illness called “Spendluenza”.

Yes, these stories are disturbing. Don’t you want to do something? Please call now – only you can help this impoverished homosexual live his life to its fullest. For only $200 a month (in small, unmarked bills) you can help this sissy live a healthy, fulfilling life at a shopping mall near you. Please call today to make a pledge. You really can make a difference.

And, if you don’t call, the least you can do is pity me. Chubluenza, Fartluenza, Bitchluenza and Spendluenza. I have ailments, illnesses, diseases, syndromes even. I’d write more about this, but I want to go shopping at the mall and eat some fast food. Happy 2014!

Contact David at davidhull59@aol. com

Cleaning My Closet AMEN

By Meredith Elizabeth Reiniger Fire fighters have been booked.

Ditto EMS with defib and oxygen.

My yellow cake with almond custard filling and butter cream frosting has been ordered.

My seventy candles are being trucked in.

Hear me sing: happy (hopefully), (heaven help me) healthy, (OMG 70th) birthday to me.

I never actually planned to be seventy.

I never planned retirement. I never really planned much. It all just kept on coming at me. That proverbial one-day-at-a-time schedule.

And WHAM! Seventy years have

been used up, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health.

Leaving my Future noticeably shorter than my Past. A Past where summer vacations seemed endless. An ordered Past with reasonably pleasant demarcations.

Gifts twice a year. Twenty visits from the Tooth Fairy. Graduation from Madison High School (not a given on the maternal side). A college degree (a family expectation for sister, me, and our cousins).

What was next? A hasty ride on my Homophobic Hysteria Express. Two weeks after my B.A. I was awarded my Mrs. I was propelled into HappilyEver-After mythology: love (as it was in the beginning and shall be forever and ever) and marriage (the latter my gender role assignment: traditional DOMA, white-veil-and-lacy-train wedding, blissful house wife-ing, pickets and progeny).

Silver anniversary. (Although I know for a fact that my parents received only silverplate and anodized aluminum.)

Now, starting my eighth decade, I am keenly aware of clocks and calendars. I had seldom applied the relativity of time to my own life. So I was quite shocked to discover that my current days are considerably shorter than, let’s say, my days of mirth and madness. These days my hours are swift. I shower; eat one (this time-slot is available) or five meals; let my dog out; in and out; in (this time-slot is available); write; read; watch 11 o’clock news and two Jimmies, Fallon and Kimmel; then lo! & behold! twenty-four hours have been spent.

My stars! I have cashed in 25,550 days. Mind you, I am not ready to accept the flagrantly flawed, fashionable fantasy that “70 is the new… 60? 50? 40?” Ain’t so my little chickadees. Seventy is the old old. I am here to tell you that in a nanosecond really absolutely-incredibly old gets seriously ancient.

Yet seventy is serene, serviceable, satisfying. Filled with old and old friends.

Often, I go to lunch… for good food I don’t have to cook, to share Was and Is stories, and laughter. At our most recent Larry Lunch, I admitted that not only do I talk to my dog, he talks to me… out loud, in his funny voice. I love our conversations, I tell my group. Adding, my dog has a very good sense of humor. Then Jean, our elder at 88, said, “Well, that’s nothing. I talk to my microwave.”

My responsibility is to keep on living in the moment. With no end in sight.

Oh, rest assured I do know Death is eventual and inevitable. It is just that I am not privy to the exact date. It’s the ultimate lottery. First ball up: one day. Next: two years and the next: three decades. The last ball up: the shadow knows.

Yesterday I asked my friend to witness my signature. I explained… you are signing the U of R Medical School (275-2592) document to verify that I am donating my body for research. (Many of my kind friends are generous organ donors. 1-866-693-6669.)

So this younger-than-I womyn worried, “Oh, aren’t you afraid?” My answer:

No I am not afraid of dying. I am occasionally apprehensive about the path that leads to death. When I think about that path, I picture my mother’s face and hear her words when, standing next to her hospital bed and her morphine drip, I asked “How are you doing, Mommy?”

She answered: “I’m trying to die and it’s taking forever and a day.”

I suppose there is the possibility that crossing-over leads to idyllic cloud perching and divine harping. Or after-life is a state of being with awe-full wonders beyond mortal imagination. Or poof! on the bus, now off the bus. Whatever.

I have received death notices. In the beginning of my life, when I attended getting-christian school, I learned to pray at bedtime: “Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John bless this bed I lay upon. And if I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my Soul to take.” (I do have serious concerns about their frightening little children. But what do I expect from people who casually sang: rock-a-bye baby, on the tree top. When the wind blows, the cradle will rock. When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall. And down will come baby, cradle and all.) (Did they, perhaps, omit an “oops”?)

When I began to doubt the possibility of divine intervention, my early feminist stance, I tried substituting names of my dearly departed: “Mommy, Grandma Bea, Grandmother ONCH and Aunt Janie, bless this bed. . . .” At the time, it seemed to me that familial spirits were more reliable than some stranger’s saints of yore. Now a wise elder, I peacefully fall to sleep reviewing everyday miracles of my yet-another day.

Yes world, here I am, seventy and alive. A good start to a morning. I plan to live to be 111.32 years very old. Then one day I will sit in my garden chair, take a nap, and wake up dead. (Well, anyway, that’s the Cause of Death that I have signed-up for.)

Some people plan for their departure day. My Aunt Ruth Olive, never revealing her funeral plans to her children, had filled a folder with hymns and readings, but regularly she kept appearing at Minister Clyde’s door with yet another something new that she had read and thought worth including. Sister Leslie, 77, keeps updating her memorial service intentions.

I have a folder of suggestions labeled “Dead Meredith”.

Some people plan for their dead days.

Marge left a note for her daughter Claudia to find after her death: “Look up at the full moon each month and say ‘Hi Mom’ so I know you still think of me.”

Here’s my plan: Once dead, I anticipate my energy returning to my creationpower (way greater than I) at which point I will know all and be every thing, any time, any place, any way.

So when you miss me, smile at a wave of daffodils… or a splash of bathing brown birds… or a scurry of silly squirrels. Or a puddle. In case it is me. And hug a tree, just to be sure.

MeredithElizabethReiniger@gmail.com

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Conundrums I deeply honor the courageous Michael Sam

By Ove Overmyer While some pundits are questioning how an openly gay athlete would impact the world of professional football, the support for Michael Sam continues to pour in.

Think about this -- he will change the face of American sports when he gets drafted in a few weeks. Those who think there will be “a locker room problem” have never been in an NFL locker room.

The naysayers and doubters are going to get a real lesson in what it truly means to be a man of great character and substance -- all you have to do is watch him and what will take place in the world of sports in 2014. Right before our eyes, I believe the fight for equality and justice in all workplaces will accelerate at a rapid pace this year -- and rightfully so. I am so proud of this kid I can hardly contain myself. He will open doors for so many people-- doors they never knew existed.

A conservative Texas sports broadcaster recently said this to his audience: “I’m not always comfortable when a man tells me he’s gay -- I don’t understand his world but I do understand that he’s part of mine.”

This is the kind of commentary that we should be honoring, and not paying attention to the stupidity and ignorance of nameless NFL execs and ex-players just because they have the ability to say outrageous things. It does nothing to contribute to the greater understanding of this social construct.

So, here’s a tip for all you jock journalists and haters out there: think before you speak. Think before you ask “gotcha questions” or propagate pseudo-machismo machinations, because eventually they will come back to bite you in the ass. I am always reminded in times like this that haters and fools always end up on the wrong side of history.

I am also reminded by what iconic civil rights activist/poet Audre Lorde once said: “It is not our differences that divide us, it is our inability to recognize and accept and celebrate those differences.” Amen.

The fact is, folks, we’ve always been able to recognize our differences, but some of us refuse to let the hate go and do not have the compassion or intellect to see what makes us similar as human beings. More than ever, I want to believe that one day we will live in a world where a Michael Sam or any other openly gay athlete can wear a professional team jersey and be judged just as their straight counterparts are -- no more, no less.

I hope that one day Michael Sam will be known as just another great pro football player -- and all of America can celebrate him. He is off to a terrific start. I celebrate and support him - I hope you will too.

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the empty closet • the gay alliance • number 476 • march 2014

Trans*missions Damaging words

By Laine DeLaney Tranny. SheMale. He-She. The world is full of words and expressions that remind me that many (even some within the LGBT community) think that we should

not exist.

I realized this when I was attending the School of the Arts performance of “Shrek: the Musical”, and the expression “hot and tranny mess” was used.

I heard it and sat, shell-shocked, through the rest of the performance. The action on stage barely touched me as I was buried inside myself, remembering every time I had ever wanted to kill myself, remembering every time someone had made some offhand transphobic comment. Visions of messy suicide by firearm, of cleaner death through pharmaceuticals, every suicidal fantasy I’d ever had due to my dysphoria and fear of society played itself out again in my mind as the show progressed.

I tried writing a letter to the teacher who was directing the play. The reply that I received explained that the use of the word was inoffensive due to context, that the slur was necessary to the character and plot development of the play, and in any case that the play could not be altered in any way due to contract with Music Theatre International (I have been informed since by performers in the play that there indeed have been lines that have been omitted or added).

I thanked him for his response. What else could I do? What could I say to someone who hasn’t had the same experiences I have, to someone who hasn’t known a trans* person who has lost family, work, a home, or their life because of the bonedeep dysphoria that drives us to commit the

social sin of attempting to live the way that our every instinct tells us is correct?

For someone who hasn’t faced the fact that, like Shrek, we have to walk out every day into a world that is very openly hostile to our existence. Unlike Shrek we don’t possess the superhuman strength to defend ourselves against the pitchforks and torches.

How can I explain how damaging a word can be to someone who has never tried to balance the fear of violence from others that comes from being oneself with the fear of violence from within that comes from trying to be what others want?

I don’t know how to explain these things any more than I know how to explain how damaging the use of these words could be to those witnessing the musical. Maybe the students will grow up in a generation bereft of these toxic threats, where they can use words like that in a playful or empowered context. For now the voices (often voices of authority) that casually use dehumanizing language against us casually defend their tacit approval of social and physical violence against us while casually apologizing for being unable or unwilling to change a simple word.

There are none who are so well-armored that they cannot evade the right diction flung in the right direction, despite the claims of apologists that to be offended or harmed by words is a weakness that only those weak of character share. Mindful use of language is as much a responsibility as taking care that one’s driving does not put another in harm’s way. Let the apologists who trot out the straw-man of “Political Correctness” be damned; they have never experienced what we have (unless they have, and their hateful attitudes are defense mechanisms).

There is no way to prevent words from hurting when they do. They spring out of the mouths of bystanders like their co-conspirators: rude gazes and mocking laughter. They ambush us, being all the more harmful when they take us by surprise than when they are expected. We may not be able to prevent the harm they cause, but

we can do what we can to create awareness of it and cultivate allies who can do the same. Though it may occasionally fall on deaf ears, I don’t think people wish to bring harm to those around them. While a first explanation may fail, another may reinforce it.

Speak out against these kinds of words where you can. It will help to oppose them in the long run. More importantly, it will show others that you support their right to live and be themselves.

What’s Bothering Brandon?

Looking…for something better

By Brandon W. Brooks As I see (spoilers) Cordelia Foxx being crowned as the reigning Supreme, the moment is bittersweet.

I am happy that her evil mother and former Supreme Fiona Goode is no more; however my happiness is overshadowed by the fact that AHS Coven will never again grace television screens.

I try to find a new show with which to waste away these last few months of miserable weather. Downton Abbey is premiering on PBS, but obviously I’ve already watched the entire new season using the wicked internet. I could always watch the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, but I fear the sheer amount of cringing I may emote would leave me significantly wrinkled; I’ll settle for the paraphrased LGBT-oriented news coverage online.

I thus turn to a new show on HBO entitled “Looking,” which focuses on the lives of four up-and-coming young gay men (no lesbians or transgender individuals as of yet) in modern day San Francisco. Now, whenever there is a new television program proclaiming a “fresh new take” on LGBT men and women, I usually run the other way.

Perhaps it was my sleep-deprived brain, my overwhelming winter malaise, or perhaps even my perpetual hunger talking, but for some reason I actually gave this show a try.

Three separate tries to be exact.

The first episode had everything I was expecting; a young and smooth-faced (white) child laments how his awkward, alcohol-fueled attempts at courting (aka one-night stands) do not always turn out as planned. Meanwhile his two hairy, fauxboho “artist” friends move into an apartment together after a moment’s discussion, only to second-guess themselves later. A slightly older and mustached gentlemanfriend wonders if he should reconnect with his ex-methhead ex-lover who still owes him $8000, “borrowed” from years earlier.

Well then.

As the credits began to roll, I sat there at my computer in a state of disappointment and annoyance. I was disappointed that yet another chance to nationally showcase the LGBT community (or at least the LGBT youth community) in a positive and proactive light had been wasted. There were no lesbian, bi or trans individuals to be seen, continuing in the grand tradition of using only gay men as LGBT ambassadors for the straight viewer demographic.

What’s more, the gay male characters we follow do not exactly fall far from the promiscuity tree; the very first shot of the series is an awkward (consciously deadpan) midday cruise in the park, complete with holly and boxwood. There’s a threesome

involving the hairy faux-boho boys, almost immediately following their decision as a couple to move in together. I’m sure that will turn out just fine. And finally, we have our slightly-older-mustached man, a bit more quiet and sure of himself, contemplating whether or not he should rekindle the flames of a destructive and drug-fueled relationship (which also may have had some theft associated with it).

Yes, I was bothered.

The subsequent two episodes I watched only worked to reinforce this initial assessment. White park-cruising boy gets too drunk on a date and has a botched hookup with a *gasp* Latino boy. Half of the hairy, threesome-partaking “couple” is fired due to his nasty and lackadaisical work ethic, plain and simple, while the other half finally makes the difficult life decision to hang up that homemade unicorn painting.

How charming. Oh yeah, and Mr. Moustache meets his ex-lover/methhead guy and instantly regrets it, to our great surprise.

What’s truly aggravating about this series (so far, at least) is that the characters are meant to be taken as visions of the contemporary gay man only. He is young, he is hipster, and he is currently in-between jobs, as all West Coasters are apparently. There are a few minute glimpses and references to HIV and AIDS, albeit half-hearted, making me feel that at least this show isn’t trying to completely deny the existence and relevance of several generations of LGBT persons.

Then there is how sex is handled. There are no references or even feigned, afterschool-special-esque attempts to showcase condoms as in integral part of sexual intercourse. Executive producer David Marshall Grant has stated that he wanted “Looking” to showcase more the intimacy of homoerotic circumstances, rather than straightup gay sex. I get that, but since when is talking about one’s status not intimate?

Furthermore, Grant’s characters have an approach to sex that is slightly, if not altogether, hypocritical. Mr. Moustache is seen at one time complaining how he “knows sex isn’t the answer” when it comes to “trying to make the world go away.” Please forgive me if I vomit. If these teenage platitudes coming from the mouth of a forty-year-old man weren’t enough to make my head spin, what happened next certainly was. Mr. Moustache, in his infinite wisdom, decides the best place to exercise his newfound knowledge would be the bathhouse.

At this point I turned off my computer, and gave up. If this is what my life as a gay twenty-something is supposed to resemble, I was far off. These characters were both laughable and dangerously convincing at the same time. I say “dangerous” in reference to the fact that young viewers out there may think that this is an honest and accurate portrayal of adult gay life, that a destiny of lukewarm, entirely sexual relationships awaits them.

It is also dangerous to give young gay men the notion that wearing flannel tartans in your underwear while surfing the web for anonymous sex is the norm; well at least it isn’t in my world.

All said and done, “Looking” leaves one asking for more, much more. Not only does this show reinforce and exploit the idea that gay men live debauched, sex-driven, First World-bohemian lives, but to be frank it’s actually quite dull. Not much has happened in these first three episodes. Call it exposition; I’ll call it boring or not at all.

“Looking” will have you looking for something else.

Questions, comments or critique? Feel free to e-mail the author at: brandonb@gayalliance.org ■

march 2014 • number 476 • the gay alliance • the empty closet

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

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 March 2014.

1st Sunday: Episcopal Mass/Healing Service, with music.

2nd Sunday: Roman Catholic Liturgy of the Word, with music.

3rd Sunday: Quiet Episcopal Mass in the Chapel.

4th Sunday: Evening Prayer, followed by a Potluck Dinner!

5th Sunday: NO service on March 30.

Our Potluck theme for March is “Soup and Bread”. This is our traditional Lenten potluck theme. No time to cook or shop?

Just ask a friend or two and join us for food and fun!

News from the Pews: The February Winter Cabin Party on Saturday, February 15 was a great success! It was fun renewing acquaintances and making new friends.

Thanks to all who joined the fun! Keep your eye on the website or this column for upcoming events. Hope to see you there!

You can call the Hotline at 585-2345092 or check our website at www.dirochester.org/ for updates on services and activities.

EMPIRE BEARS Spring is coming, so they say. It’s been a long, cold winter, and we’re looking forward to spring.

It’s time to make your camping reservations. Do your spring cleaning; sweep out the bearcave. Come to a potluck with the

Bears on the second Saturday, March 8 in the GAGV meeting room on the 5th floor of the Aud Center.

Sunday, March 16 we’re going to the Maple Tree Inn in Short Track for pancakes with fresh maple syrup. The Bears were at Carrabba’s by Marketplace on the third Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 6. Becky works there now, so we are following our favorite waitress.

March 22 we’ll be at a big B-day party for a member. March 29, the Bears will be at the RGMC concert as they sing pop tunes with classical bits. We’ll be out at the movies and out to dinner other nights.

Check us out. WOOF!

Gay Games 2014 in Cleveland Join “Team Rochester” for a short information meeting on Wednesday, March 12, 7 p.m. at Equal Grounds. Discussion will include choosing a uniform design for our entry during the Opening Ceremonies on Saturday, Aug. 9.

Questions? Email thomaso510@mac. com.

From the Gay Games website, www. gg9cle.com: The 2014 Gay Games presented by the Cleveland Foundation is one of the biggest sports and cultural festivals in the world and comes to Cleveland/Akron, 9-16 August.

The Games are open to all adults -regardless of sexual orientation or athletic ability. With more than 35 sports (from darts to triathlon, bowling to softball) and two cultural events (band and chorus), there’s something for everybody.

Games Week is about more than sport with spectacular ceremonies, Festival Village, parties and more. Let’s show the world. Now is the time. GO ALL OUT. Register, volunteer, donate, sign up for e-newsletter, follow on Facebook and Twitter.

ROMANS About 20 members of the Rochester Male Naturists (ROMANS) attended the February meeting at a member’s home. It was a very cold single digit afternoon but members sat together cozily in front of the fireplace to mingle and talk.

Some members braved the cold to have a relaxing soak in the outdoor hot tub. Up coming events for Spring and Summer will include two more nude swims at Harro East (first weekend of March and April), some outdoor swim get togethers at a nude camp in the area, camping at Jones Pond, World Pride in Toronto and the Naked Fest organized by the Gay Naturist International (GNI) in Maryland on the first week of August.

This month a few ROMANS members will be on a gay cruise with a nude sunbathing deck sailing to a few Caribbean islands. The ROMANS is currently having a membership drive. Details about who we are and what we do can be found on our website at www.wnyromans.com.

ROMANS is a social club for gay and gay-friendly nudists over 21. You can contact the ROMANS at message line 585281-4964, E-mail wnyromans@yahoo. com or via regular mail at PO Box 92293, Rochester, N.Y. 14692.

Trans*Alliance of Greater Rochester In January, we had a support meeting facilitated by Maur DeLaney. After the group made its introductions and those who wished to related and discussed their personal stories, the topic of medical care

25 came up and was discussed for a good portion of the meeting.

Due to mixed experiences relating to handling transition with medical professionals in the area, it was decided that a list of truly trans* friendly medical professionals should be compiled. It was observed that in several cases a medical professional claiming to be “LGBT” friendly genuinely had issues treating trans* patients and aiding them in their medical transition.

A call was made for artwork by trans* people or relating to trans* themes for an upcoming show on the topic. More specific information will be provided relating to this as it becomes available.

In addition, the idea of having a secondary planning meeting during the month was raised and discussed; most present agreed that it would be a good idea, as it would enable the group to plan the regular meetings more efficiently but also set aside time to plan for special events.

Our March meeting will be a regular support meeting hosted by Laine DeLaney. New members and allies are welcome to come and share their stories or just listen as we discuss!

We meet in the Gay Alliance’s office on the fifth floor area located in the Auditorium Theatre, 875 E Main St. on the last Saturday of each month between 3–5:30 p.m. 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. Once in the door, walk down the hall to the main lobby, turn right just past the guard’s booth and the elevator will be right there, on the 5th floor just follow the signs to the meeting.

Also if you’re coming by bus get off at the Prince St. stop, walk up the sidewalk to the first set of doors (they have the number 875 in large letters over them). Once you’re in the lobby head toward the elevator and go up to the fifth floor and follow the signs.

Our website is: www.rnytg.org or on Facebook at: https://www.facebook. com/RochesterTransGroup. ■

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the empty closet • the gay alliance • number 476 • march 2014

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march 2014 • number 476 • the gay alliance • the empty closet

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Photo: Mathu Anderson

Arts & Entertainment

Miss Darienne Lake: “A thrill ride of twisted steel and sex appeal”

By Robby Morris For more than two decades, Miss Darienne Lake has been entertaining Rochester audiences with her sassy attitude and comedic touch. Now, as a contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race, she is poised to charm and delight audiences across the country.

Shortly before the start of the new season (which premiered on Feb. 24), Miss Lake took the time to share with me a little about herself, her drag career and her experience being a part of the popular reality TV competition that has brought the art of drag back into the mainstream.

Robby Morris: How long have you called Rochester home?

Darienne Lake: I moved to the western New York area when I was twelve from Long Island.

RM: Who is Darienne Lake?

DL: I was first “painted up” in August of 1990. Connie St. Helens and Kim Sierra thought I looked like Ricki Lake from Hairspray. They told me I should be her little sister,

Darienne Lake. The joke being that there is an amusement park named Darien Lake close to Rochester. Like the amusement park, I am two tons of fun. A pure thrill ride of twisted steel and sex appeal. You have to be *this high* to ride.

RM: Who are some of your influences and favorite performers?

DL: Growing up, I was obsessed with Dolly Parton in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. The rhinestones, sequins, beads and feathers were a cornucopia of glamour to my wondering eyes. Boy George was my first introduction into blurred gender lines. He was a creature of beauty and didn’t care what people thought of him. Then it wasn’t until RuPaul shot the art of drag into the stratosphere that I realized that there is a business in drag.

RM: Your combination of humor and glamour has made you a Rochester legend. What is it you want audiences to take away from your character and performances?

DL: Originally I wanted to just have fun with the crowd.

Entertain them, whether it be the dancing, drama, or comedy.

Recently, a woman came up to me and said that when she was a

young teen, she saw me on stage and felt such a sense of pride seeing someone of my size, loving my body and myself. She left with such a changed perspective on her own life. Now I realize that there is so much more that someone can get from a performance.

RM: Rochester has always had an amazingly talented array of Drag performers. What are your thoughts on the Rochester scene and your fellow Queens?

DL: The Rochester queens learned that if we work together and support each other, we are only going to make more money for all of us. We bonded and became lifelong friends. In this city, you need something exciting to pull you away from your computer, phone, TV etc. We are there to give it to them!

RM: You’ve recently been gaining attention as a cast member of the new season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. When did you first become aware of the show and what made you audition?

DL: I’ve known about it since season one, but not being technologically savvy, I didn’t think it was a reality. After Pandora Boxx excelled in season two, I went to work on getting ready.

Right before season three casting, we lost drag legends Heather Skye and Naiomy Kane. They were two people who I would look to for help, and now they were gone. By season four, I sent my first audition tape in, but I wasn’t ready. Last year, I thought, “this might be it.” I was in the top five for the Facebook fan vote. This past year, with a great deal of research, polish, and perfection, I landed on season six.

RM: Cast members have described the experience of doing the show as simultaneously thrilling and nerve rattling.

What was your experience like?

DL: It is surreal. You look around and can’t believe you’re there. But soon you learn that if you don’t get your head together, you will wind up on a plane back home. It is mentally and physically challenging. Luckily, being a hairstylist, I’m used to being on my feet all day, but the heels take a toll on your entire body.

You have to be made of steel, but look like silk. But I made a promise to myself that I’d pass out before I quit!

RM: What is your take on this season’s cast?

DL: This cast will surprise you. Like superheroes, we all have different powers and are so closely matched. Some of the girls will bring looks and talents that have never been seen.

Not only will people watch, but they will re-watch to catch every frame. I’m so proud to be part of it.

RM: As someone who is not a size two, I’ve always felt that the show has been hit or miss with their portrayal of the curvier Queen. What are your feelings on this issue? Are you comfortable representing curvier Queens?

DL: My size is something I’ve dealt with my entire life. I’ve looked at my weight as a burden, curse, blessing and gimmick. At this stage of my life, my extra ( Darienne continues page 28)

Matt DeAngelis stars in “Once”

By Susan Jordan Matt DeAngelis (Švec) has been on Broadway, West End and the first national tour of Hair (Woof) and the first national tour of Green Day’s American Idiot. He’s humbled to be performing with this clan of wonderful people and musicians. He believes in optimism, kindness, marriage equality, Actors’ Equity Association and the Boston Red Sox! Twitter: @ Mattdeangelis22.

ONCE is the celebrated new musical based on the Academy Award-winning film. It tells the story of an Irish musician and a

Czech immigrant drawn together by their shared love of music.

Over the course of one fateful week, their unexpected friendship and collaboration evolves into a powerful but complicated romance, heightened by the raw emotion of the songs they create together. Brought to the stage by an award-winning team of visionary artists and featuring an ensemble cast of gifted actor/ musicians, ONCE is a musical celebration of life and love.

The Oscar winning independent Irish film ONCE was made for $150,000. Shot in 17 days, it went on to gross $20M worldwide becoming a critically acclaimed international smash. ( DeAngelis continues page 28)

City Ballet, Brian O’Neill collaborate on paintings of RCB dancers Rochester City Ballet and The Brian O’Neill Studio have announced a unique and exciting collaboration, which showcases RCB dancers in original oil paintings by O’Neill.

Many of these pieces will highlight Rochester’s rich and historical architectural landmarks with RCB dancers posed in settings such as The Memorial Art Gallery, The George Eastman House and the marble atrium of Rochester’s City Hall, while others will highlight our area’s natural beauty, with scenes of Lake Ontario, Highland Park, High Falls and Corbett’s Glenn. Others will focus on dancers in the studio immersed in their craft.

All of these paintings will be rendered in O’Neill’s signature realism style but will hang side by side with his looser Organic Abstractions to illustrate the ephemeral qualities of dance. The series will be showcased at The Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester for a one-month exhibition with an opening reception on April 4. The Brian O’Neill Studio will be donating 10 percent of the total show proceeds and 100 percent from the sale from one special piece to benefit Rochester City Ballet.

Filmmaker Brian Pienkoski of Pienkoski Storyteller is documenting the entire process of the collections creation. ■

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the empty closet • the gay alliance • number 476 • march 2014

Photo: Mathu Anderson

Travel ( Darienne continued from Page 27) skin is as important as the freckles on it. I know that nothing can stand in my way if I don’t let it. Bumblebees defy the laws of physics and fly, even though their wings are too small for their large bodies. I can be large AND sexy. I can be a model, a dancer and a bombshell.

RM: Fans of the show have a love/hate relationship with the judges’ panel. Sometimes their critiques can be controversial.

What was your experience working with Michelle Visage, Santino Rice and the guest judges?

DL: I remind myself that they are there to help polish the diamond. If I got out of my head and listened, I could learn. I also made sure they got where I was coming from. My point of view is just as important and I was going to stand up for my creations.

RM: I would be remiss in not asking you about the legend that is RuPaul. What was it like working with Ru? DL: RuPaul is quick, sharp and funny.

It’s easy to feel comfortable around her. But

most of all, she’s the boss. You know when it’s time to get to work.

RM: At the heart of this show is the contest. What would being America’s Next Drag Superstar mean to you?

DL: I want to be a voice for all of the people who haven’t developed into their fantasy. I want to show people that they can plant the seeds of greatness, nurture them, and become anything they desire AND make no apologies for it. We all have the right to the soil we stand on. Nobody is more worthy than you.

Being America’s Next Drag Superstar means that I can get my message out there.

No matter what your size, age or how many times you’ve failed, you can change lives, including your own.

For more Darienne Lake, join her at her Drag Race viewing party and Q&A at the Bachelor Forum Monday nights from 8-11 p.m. She can also be seen performing Friday nights at 140 Alex Bar & Grill at 10:30 p.m. and midnight. RuPaul’s Drag Race airs Monday nights at 9 p.m. on LOGO (Time Warner Digital Cable 179). ■

( Matt continued from Page 27) Matt DeAngelis answered some questions from The Empty Closet: What is your take on your character, Svec? What drives him? “He is loyal and protective but is very free and silly.”

What can audiences expect? “Once” is a musical love story, but does it include comedy or is it strictly drama? “It is a lighthearted semi comedic take on a real life love story. This is a very honest and true story about love, music and timing.”

Where is your hometown and at what point in your life did you decide to go into theatre? How did you prepare? “Just out-

side Boston Mass. I knew I wanted to do this when I was 8. I went to Boston Conservatory for theatre and moved to NYC in 2004.”

Do you consider yourself an actor or a singer, first and foremost? “The goal is to be an actor first. I grew up a singer but I’d like to think I’m well rounded… with dance being last.”

Which performers have inspired you the most? “Gavin Creel changed my life.

Working with him onstage made me a better actor and coworker and joining him and Broadway Impact’s quest for equality and gay rights made me a better person.” ■

Jason Klaum, Stylist 585.732.7676 90 Canal Street, Suite 308 Rochester 14608

kd lang comes out as a Broadway performer

By Merle Exit Normally, I would not write about a Broadway show which I have not seen.

Opportunities may not come as often with a show that rotates performers. Awardwinning Canadian singer k.d. lang took on Broadway Feb. 11, making her debut as the star vocalist in the Cotton Club musical After Midnight.

The Edmonton-born, Portland-based singer will continue in the New York musical celebrating Duke Ellington’s years at the famed Harlem nightclub through March 9.

Lang, 52, performs jazz standards such as Zaz Zuh Zaz, I Can’t Give You Anything But Love and Stormy Weather in the show, which stars Dulé Hill and features legendary bandleader and trumpeter Wynton Marsalis leading the Jazz at Lincoln Center All-Stars, a 17-piece band Multi-Platinum superstars Toni Braxton and Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds are the latest Grammy Award-winning artists set to join the roster of “Special Guest Star” vocalists in the new Broadway musical After Midnight. With an impressive 16 Grammy Awards between them, Braxton and Edmonds will join the company following k.d. lang, March 18, through Sunday, March 30. After Midnight is currently playing at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre (256 West 47th St.).

Directed and choreographed by Warren Carlyle, After Midnight opened to rave reviews on November 3, 2013. This evocative new musical takes the sexy, smoky glamour of the original Jazz Age

march 2014 • number 476 • the gay alliance • the empty closet

All-Stars, are a worldclass big band of 17 musicians hand-picked

by Wynton Marsalis.

Steeped in the tradition of The Duke Ellington Orchestra, The Jazz at Lincoln Center All-Stars celebrates jazz’s large-ensemble tradition in a way never-before-heard on Broadway. The Jazz at Lincoln Center AllStars include Mark Wynton Marsalis, kd lang and Tony Bennett.

Gross, Godwin Louis, Dan Block, Andy Farber and Kurt Bacher and catapults it into a whole new era of on woodwinds; Gregory Gisbert, Bruce heart-pounding, mind-blowing entertainHarris, Alphonso Horne and James Zolment for modern Broadway audiences. lar on trumpets; Wayne Goodman, Art Refracted through a contemporary lens, Baron and James Burton III on tromAfter Midnight celebrates Duke Ellingbones; Adam Birnbaum on a Steinway ton’s years at the Cotton Club using his piano; James Chirillo on guitar; Jennifer original arrangements and performed by Vincent on bass and Alvester Garnett on a world-class big band of 17 musicians drums. hand-picked by living jazz legend, WynAside from this, I must share that each ton Marsalis. The timeless tunes, set year Chicago hosts a Housewares Show against a narrative of Langston Hughes while New York City has a “sneak peek”. poetry, provide an authentic backdrop I do get products to review and this one for an array of cutting-edge performances has to top them all. It’s a clock that runs by 25 sensational vocalists and dancers, by tap water. Yes, plain tap water. No batincluding special guest stars, whose interteries or electricity. Have we been wasting pretations shatter everything you think you know about music, nightlife and energy for so many years or did someone Broadway. just discover this? Check the products out The featured Jazz at Lincoln Center on www.bedolwhatsnext.com. ■

29 140 Alex Bar and Grill The Gay Alliance and Todd Ranous present:

A fundraiser for the Gay Alliance Youth Program’s

’80s Zombie Prom March 30, 2pm - ?

140 Alex Bar and Grill Poison Waters will emcee the event.

Featured performers are Mercedes Sulay, Miss Gay Rochester 2014, Chastity Dee, Deelicious and Destiny Spice.

This event will mark the much awaited return of Mary and Rhoda to the stage at 140 Alex.

There will be food for sale, raffles and a 50/50 draw Minimum suggested donation $5 at the door.

Advance sale tickets will be available at the Gay Alliance & 140 Alex Bar and Grill.

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Gay alliance news for march 2014

the empty closet • the gay alliance • number 476 • march 2014

Gay Alliance education program gains national attention

Jeannie Gainsburg and Kellie Ronald in Houston at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Creating Change conference. Right: Jeannie meets the (cardboard) lesbian mayor of Houston.

Creating Change: Jeanne and Kellie do Houston

By Jeanne Gainsburg I felt so incredibly thankful that I had the opportunity to participate in the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s Creating Change Conference this past month in Houston, Texas.

I attended with my good friend Kellie Ronald, the Roc Pride Festival Co-Chair. I had only been to this conference once before and it was years ago.

I think what impressed me most was how the hosting hotel turned into a microcosm of LGBTQ awareness and respect.

Gender neutral restrooms were the norm. Women in bow ties and men in skirts abounded.

Gender neutral pronouns were heard as often as the more traditional “he” and “she.” And I’m proud to say that as a straight, cisgender ally, I felt much more welcome than I did years ago when I attended in Detroit.

I focused on attending workshops that I thought would be especially relevant to me in my new role as Education Director. The first day I attended a full day workshop entitled “The Black Institute: From the Civil Rights Movement to the LGBTEquality Movement” in the

hopes of improving my understanding of the intersectionality between LGBTQ identities and identities of race and ethnicity.

That evening Kellie and I attended the David Bohnett CyberCenter Reception to show our appreciation of their ongoing support to the Gay Alliance.

I had the opportunity to meet and get my picture taken with one of the first openly LGBTQ mayors in a major US city, Annise Parker, Mayor of Houston, but forgot my camera, and had to settle for a photo later on with the Annise Parker cutout.

Bummer!

On day two I attended a session entitled “Education for Liberation: The Wisdom is in the Room” on a group-centered approach to facilitation, as well as a session on “Re-envisioning and Strengthening Safe Zone Trainings.” That evening Kellie and I got to hear a speech

by Laverne Cox, activist and actress, most recently featured in the series “Orange is The New Black.” Laverne Cox is the first trans woman of color to have a leading role on a mainstream television show. Her speech, which mostly focused on the inequalities faced by trans women of color, was powerful and eloquent.

My last full day in Hous-

ton I attended “Being a White Ally: Examining White Privilege in Queer Campus Organizing,” which left me licking my privileged Caucasian middle class wounds. Ouch! It was a harsh reality check. I admit, it was probably not the way I would have taught the class, but it made me think long and hard about ways that we can make the Gay Alliance a safer and more welcoming place for people of color.

I also attended “Supporting Transgender & Gender Non-Conforming Students in Schools,” “Changing the Workplace… Steps to Solve the Broken Bargain,” “Effemiphobia in the Gay Community,” and finally “Fundraising: Getting Past the Fear of Asking,” where I learned, among other things, that before you ask your friends and family for money you should donate yourself to show that you believe in the cause.

So this year, my first Ride For Pride was from me!

Thanks to the David Bohnett Foundation, Scott Fearing and the Gay Alliance board for working so hard to ensure that I could attend this incredible conference. And thank you to Kellie Ronald for holding my hand when the plane got bumpy.

Gay Alliance Youth (Ages 13-20) Fabulous Fridays, 7-9pm, Open Arms MCC 707 E. Main Street, Rochester 14605

Youth

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!

Gay Alliance Youth Gender Identity Support Group (Ages 13-20) Thursdays, 5:30-6:30pm Gay Alliance Library (1st floor, off Prince St. lobby) 875 E. Main Street For more information: dawnb@gayalliance.org The Gay Alliance 875 E. Main Street, Fifth Floor (Auditorium Theater) Rochester, New York 14605 Phone: 585 244-8640

The Gay Alliance SafeZone Train-the-Trainer Certification Program has gained national attention on college campuses.

The California Community College Student Mental Health Program hired the Gay Alliance to provide this program to a number of the community colleges in California.

This past November Jeanne Gainsburg facilitated a full-day workshop at Cabrillo Community College in Aptos, Calif. and in January, Scott Fearing facilitated at Golden West College in Huntington Beach, Calif.

Other scheduled trainings will take place this spring at Shasta College in Redding, Calif., Niagara County Community College in New York, and Lehigh Carbon Community College in Pennsylvania.

This program creates confident, knowledgeable and effective SafeZone trainers who can develop sustainable SafeZone Programs on their college campuses and in their workplaces after we have left. If you are interested in finding out more about bringing us to your campus or workplace, please email education@gayalliance.org or call Jeanne at 585-244-8640 ext. 14.

Thank you to RIT students for creating our new meeting space

By Jeanne Gainsburg The Gay Alliance would like to thank Ryan Terry, Zach Bokuniewicz, Yulesh Patel, Paige Satterly, Dan Greer and Richard Loya for all the hard work and time that they put into helping us create our new meeting space on the fifth floor.

On Feb. 22, these wonderful students from RIT helped us break down cubicles, carry heavy items, store stuff, clean, etc. We now have a great space to use for group meetings and the cyber center, attached to our offices!

Thank you so very much for all your help! Thank you also to Carla Pennello, Residence Coordinator, for arranging this day for us. We look forward to working with you in the future!

Gay Alliance offers two panel presentations at the Rochester Erotic Arts Festival This year the Gay Alliance Speakers Bureau will be providing two educational panels at the Rochester Erotic Arts Festival (REAF).

On Friday, March 28 at 8 p.m., we will be offering our

Understanding the Power of Stereotypes (aka: Who’s Who Panel) and on Saturday, March 29 at 4:30 p.m. we will be running our Transgender Community Awareness: The Gender Spectrum panel.

REAF takes place this year at the Radisson Riverside Hotel at 120 E. Main St. The festival is an 18-and-over event. For more information, check out the Festival’s website at: http://www. rochestereroticartfest.org/

Anne Tischer.

Gay Alliance Volunteer-of-theMonth: Anne Tischer

Congratulations to Anne Tischer for being chosen as the Gay Alliance Volunteer-of-theMonth for March! Anne has been recognized as being instrumental in the passage of NY marriage equality.

Some of the many, many events that Anne has sponsored and coordinated (often with the help of her wife, Bess Watts) include Rochester’s first ever Gay History Fair; Several Gay Alliance “InQueery” classes from “Creative Float and Sign Making” to “Legal Protections Needed By Same-Sex Couples”; Monthly programming for Rochester PFLAG; The Nearly Wed Game” to increase awareness around marriage equality; “The Life & Times of Harvey Milk” film and discussion; “Life after DOMA” speaker’s panel and “The Trans World Today,” a community forum on trans* health concerns.

In 2009 when the annual Gay Alliance Sweetheart Ball was at risk of discontinuance, Anne and Todd Plank coordinated a “Family & Friends Valentine’s Day Dance” at Temple Sinai, and thereafter chaired the annual dance as the Gay Alliance signature event now called the “Red Ball”. This year’s “Steampunk” themed Red Ball was a huge success, largely due to Anne’s hard work!

Other ways that Anne has volunteered her time and energy to help make a difference include making “anti-violence” signs for a rally protesting the Reggae singer whose lyrics called for the death of gay people; organizing speakers who challenged

The Gay Alliance is a non-profit agency, dedicated to cultivating a healthy, inclusive environment where Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) people are safe, thriving, and enjoying equal rights. We are a coalition of individuals and groups working to empower LGBTQ people to affirm their identities and 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.

The Gay Alliance, 875 East Main Street, Rochester, New York 14605 Phone: (585) 244-8640 Fax: (585) 244-8246 Website: www.gayalliance.org E-mail: Info@gayalliance.org Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm Board President: David Zona Board Vice President: Jessica Muratore Acting Executive Director: Scott Fearing Education Director: Jeanne Gainsburg Database: Kat Wiggall Youth Intern: Dawn Balsis Bookkeeper: Christopher Hennelly The Empty Closet: Editor: Susan Jordan Graphic Designer: Jim Anderson E-mail: susanj@gayalliance.org Phone: (585) 244-9030 Fax: (585) 244-8246 Advertising: (585) 244-9030

march 2014 • number 476 • the gay alliance • the empty closet

Gay alliance news for march 2014

the anti-gay policies of the town of Greece School Board when a PFLAG mother needed Gay Alliance intervention on behalf of her bullied son; organizing a public response to the antigay slurs of a political candidate and to a Spencerport hate crime; contributing photos and articles to The Empty Closet, and presenting, as a Gay Alliance Speakers Bureau member, to college classes on “LGBT discrimination, policy and protest”, “effective activism” and “visibility and creating change.”

Anne is also actively involved with ESPA, Equality Rochester, Pride at Work AFL-CIO and Marriage Equality New York.

She states that she recognized that before direct political advocacy for LGBT equality could happen, community consciousness-raising was required. She kindly credits the Gay Alliance for the early education and mentoring that enabled her and her wife Bess Watts to confidently advocate for equal rights for LGBT people.

Anne, you are a treasure! The Gay Alliance staff and board is so very grateful for all that you have done for us over the year.

Meet Our Interns

By Jeanne Gainsburg This semester we are privileged to have three amazing interns working with us at the Gay Alliance. In an effort to introduce them to our readers, I asked each of them to briefly answer five questions: 1) What is something you love about the Gay Alliance?

2) What is something you don’t love about the Gay Alliance?

3) What will you be doing in 10 years?

4) Please share a favorite LGBTQ book or movie with us.

5) In the movie of your life, who would play you?

Lucky Ovalle.

Lucky Ovalle is a senior at SUNY Brockport majoring in Social Work with a concentration in Aging Studies. Here are zir’s responses: 1) I like that the Gay Alliance is committed to making the world a better place by starting within the community. I have become more versatile in a lot of my professional skills since I have started interning with the Gay Alliance.

2) I don’t like that the Gay Alliance does not have a steady income of a budget, like the HRC, to help make it flourish as much as possible in order to do all of the events and education possible in the community and beyond.

3) In ten years I hope to be working with an organization that still does LGBTQ advocacy and education, like The Trevor Project or Fenway Health in Boston, Massachusetts.

4) Wrestling with Desire by D.H. Starr is a book that is rich in detail, character, story and love. That was important to me as I began to find my identity in the LGBTQ community.

5) Ian Somerhalder. I indubitably enjoy his acting ability.

It seems to increase with each opportunity he is given.

Rowan Collins.

Dawn Balsis.

Dawn Balsis is working on her Masters in Social Work at Boston University. Here are her responses: 1) I love the commitment of everyone at the Gay Alliance to making the world a safe and welcoming place for everyone.

2) I wish more people knew about the Gay Alliance and the contributions that they make to our area.

3) In 10 years I hope to be working primarily with the adolescent population and helping them transition into adulthood.

4) My favorite LGBTQ movie is “But I’m a Cheerleader”.

5) I think in the story of my life Jennifer Lawrence should play me. We both say what is on our minds.

Rowan Collins is a senior at Nazareth College majoring in Psychology with a minor in Women and Gender Studies.

Here are his responses: 1) I like that there is so much emphasis on education and community building. I’ve had so many opportunities to grow as an individual and as a community member through the Gay Alliance.

2) I don’t like that the budget and statewide funding cuts keep the Gay Alliance from doing everything they want to make the world a better place.

3) In 10 years I hope to be working in LGBTQ activism and education, just like I am today but on a bigger scale (and hopefully not while juggling two other jobs and being a full-time student!)

4) Barbara Smith’s “The Truth That Never Hurts: Writ-

ings on Race, Gender, and Freedom” is one of my favorites. I grew up knowing Barbara and this book is an absolutely amazing read.

5) I think Nicholas Hoult would do a pretty good job. We don’t look extremely similar but he’s an incredible actor and I dig his style.

Thank you to Dawn, Lucky and Rowan for their commitment and all the time and energy they are giving to the Gay Alliance! You rock!

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Library & Archives Hours: Every Monday & Wednesday: 6-8pm 875 E. Main Street, (off Prince St. lobby) 1st Floor, 585.244.8640

Youth Update: Fabulous Friday features films!

By Dawn Balsis February was another fun month for our Fabulous Friday group. We made accessories for the Red Ball, which many of the youth attended. Movie night last month featured “Cry Baby,” directed by John Waters, who is openly gay and very funny.

We also had a fun and informative presentation from Sarah Keller who works as the Outreach Prevention and Education Coordinator for Chances and Changes. She gave the youth the 411 on healthy relationships and dating.

March is looking to be another great month for Fabulous Friday, meeting at Open Arms MCC, 707 E. Main St. 7-9pm. The big event in March is a screening of the movie “Fish Out of Water,” followed by a discussion of religion and the LGBTQ communities. “Fish Out of Water” is a great film about a young women’s quest, after coming out, to find out what religious scholars had to say about being LGBTQ in regards to the Bible.

In addition we have more fun things in the works. For updates please check us out on Facebook and Twitter (@GAGVYouth).

May 3 is our ninth annual Big Gay Prom. This year’s theme is “‘80s Zombie Prom”. If you want to be a part of planning, we will be meeting on March 5 and 19 at 4 p.m. in the Nopper Room on the fifth floor of the Auditorium Center, 875 E. Main St. down the hall from the Gay Alliance office. ■

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

SAGE members at the Red Ball: A Steampunk Affaire on Feb. 8.

Photo: Audet Price

SAGE calendar March 2.......... 3 pm. No Euchre. Euchre canceled till further notice.

March 4.......... 10:30 Yoga; 11:30 Lunch. Bring brown bag and beverage; 12:30: Recreational Music Making by Jeff.

March 6:......... 10:30 Yoga; 11:30 Lunch. Bring brown bag and beverage; 12:30 Game Day. March 11......... 10:30 Yoga; 11:30 Leaving for lunch at China Buffet, 376 Jefferson Rd. rsvp at center or call 585-857-9428 by March 6.

March 13......... 10:30 Yoga; 11:30 Lunch. Bring brown bag and beverage; 12:30 Euchre.

March 18......... 10:30 Yoga; 11:30 Lunch pot luck. Bring a dish to pass.

March 20........ 10:30 No yoga; Meet at Friendly’s, 2425 West Henrietta Rd. RSVP at center or 585-8579428 by March 18.

March 25........ 10:30 Yoga; 11:30 Lunch. Bring brown ...................... bag and beverage. 12:30 Game Day. March 27........ 10:30 Yoga; 11:30 Lunch. Bring brown bag and beverage. 12:30 Movie Day. Bring in your favorite movie to share.

Programs are subject to change without notice. It is your responsibility to drive or carpool to any of our out of center programming. Please check our website rainbowsage@gayalliance.org – then go to events and click on sage events. Center: Open Arms MCC, 707 E. Main St.

February 2014 Gay Alliance Speaking Events 2/4............Transgender Healthcare Panel at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry 2/5............LGBTQ 101 at Wegmans School of Pharmacy at St. John Fisher College 2/12..........Transgender Healthcare Panel at Wegmans School of Pharmacy at St. John Fisher College 2/21..........SpeakOut Training 2/22..........SpeakOut Training TBA..........LGBTQ Youth Issues at MCC Upward Bound Program Comments: “Thank you all so much for coming. You’re inspiring so many people. You were amazing and hilarious! We need more people like you guys in this world. You are making the world a better place.”

“They weren’t afraid to answer any weird questions.”

“After this presentation I’m thinking of looking into the profession of a gender specialist. Thank you for all the information!”

“You all made my day! I’ll keep you all in my heart and mind forever. Thank you so much for coming.”

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the empty closet • the gay alliance • number 476 • march 2014

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. Gay Alliance Youth Group info: pages 30-31.

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 Many monthly get togethers, some at Open Arms MCC 707 E. Main St. 875-9428; SAGE@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. 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:

Volunteer Legal Services Project (585) 232-3051; www.vlsprochester.org. 1 West Main St., Suite 500 Rochester, NY 14614. Free legal services for low-income HIV positive clients. No criminal cases. Appointments are scheduled at area medical provider locations or by calling 295-5708.

Trillium Health Trillium Health 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.

Satellite offices in Geneva and Bath. Trillium Health is also a leader in providing services and education to members of the LGBT community.

Contact Information: Website: www.trilliumhealthny.org. Main Office: 259 Monroe Ave., Rochester, NY 14607; Main Phone: 585-5457200, Health Services After Hours: 585-2583363; Case Management After Hours (Lifeline): 585-275-5151; 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 607-776-9166. The Health Outreach Project: 416 Central Ave., Rochester, NY 14605; 585-454-5556.

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.

The MOCHA Center of Rochester Our mission is to improve health and wellness in communities of color. 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 1 800 962-5063.

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 and Primary Care.

Provides Medical Case Management, Mental Health, Primary Care, HIV Counseling and Testing (using rapid testing) Hepatitis C rapid testing and services, Educational Presentations, and access to other Jordan Services. Prevention and Primary Care is a walk-in program; no appointment necessary. Office Hours are Monday thru Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call (585) 423-2872; fax (585) 423-2876. Website www.jordanhealth.org. For more information, call the Program Manager Charlie Lytle,(585) 423-2872.

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.

Trillium Health See www.trilliumhealthny.org

HCR Home Care

We provide a full multidisciplinary team consisting of nursing, social work, physical, occupational, and speech therapies as well as home health aides who have completed the eight-hour cultural competency program provided by the Gay Alliance. For more information, contact us at 585-272-1930 or visit us online at HCRhealth.com.

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

CNY Depression Bi-Polar Support The Depression Bi-Polar Support Alliance of Central New York Support Group Adult Group meets the third Thursday of every month from 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at SAGE Upstate, 431 E. Fayette St, Syracuse, NY 13202. The Youth Group meets the second Monday of every month from 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. at Transitions Living Services, 420 E. Genesee St., Syracuse, NY 13202.

TRANSGENDER

Trans*Alliance of Greater Rochester Social/educational group for gender variant people and friends. Last Saturday, 3-5pm, GAGV 5th floor, 875 E. Main St. 244-8640. www.rnytg.org Volunteer Legal Services Project (585) 232-3051; www.vlsprochester.org.1 West Main St. Suite 500, Rochester, NY 14614. Free legal services for low-income clients seeking a name change. Other legal services for low-income clients include family law issues, bankruptcy, unemployment insurance hearings, wills and advance directive documents for clients with serious illnesses.

Gay Alliance Youth Gender Identity Support Group Thursdays 5:30-6:30 GAGV Library, 1st floor, off Prince St. lobby 875 E. Main St., Ages 13-18. 244-8640 Genesee Valley Gender Variants Thurs. 7-9pm, Equal Grounds, 750 South Ave. GVGenderVariants@yahoogroups.com Guys Night Out Social group for transmen. Third Saturdays, 1pm, Equal Grounds, 750 South Ave. tguysnightout@gmail.com

Women

lesbians of color www.oursistacircle.com.

The first social networking site for lesbians of Black, Asian, African American, Latina, Native American, Pacific Islander, Chicano, Biracial & other lesbians of color, launched 2009. OurSistaCircle the first free social networking site to offer Skype mental health counseling. No nudity policy on member profiles. Currently 10,800 active members.

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.

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.

march 2014 • number 476 • the gay alliance • the empty closet

Ongoing Calendar Mondays

L.O.R.A. Coffee Social Weekly on Monday Nights, 7 pm. Equal=Grounds, 750 South Ave. Rochester. Family, Friends & Allies Welcome! Contact Person: Cathie Timian.

More info: www.loragroup.org. Events: https:// www.facebook.com/groups/L.O.R.A.14464/.

Email: info@loragroup.org LORA Late Bloomers Coming Out Group for Women 2nd & 4th Mondays of the Month. 7 pm, Private Location. Call for info! Contact Person: Wanda Martinez. Email: sanlorenzena@yahoo. com. Phone: 585.414.9164. More info: www. loragroup.org. Events: https://www.facebook. com/groups/L.O.R.A.14464/

Gay Alliance Library & Archives, David Bohnett Cyber Center. Every Mon./Wed. 6-8pm. First floor, 875 E. Main St. 244-8640

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.

Free syphilis testing Trillium Health, 259 Monroe Ave., 5-8pm. 4422220.

Rochester Historical Bowling Society 7:15pm, Mondays. Clover Lanes, 2750 Monroe Ave. (Group is full.)

HIV Positive Men’s Support group Every Monday, 5pm, Trillium Health 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.

Tuesdays

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.

The Social Grind 10am-12noon Equal Grounds 750 South Ave. Open to all members of the LGBT community.

E-mail: DHutch457@aol.com for info.

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. Trillium Health, 259 Monroe Ave. LORA Knitters Group 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of the Month. 7pm-9:30pm, Crossroads Coffee House, 752 S. Goodman St. Rochester. Contact Person: Kerry Cater Email: dressyfemme@aol.com. More Info: www.loragroup.org Events: https://www.facebook.com/ groups/L.O.R.A.14464/

Wednesdays Identity Group The Identity Group is for LGBT identified individuals who have a developmental disability diagnosis. The group meets Wednesdays 3-4 pm at ARC Health Services (2060 BrightonHenrietta Townline Rd. 14623). The goal of the group is to provide a safe space to discuss identity issues, share personal experiences and increase self-esteem. The group is facilitated

by Delaina Fico. LMSW. For more information, please contact Delaina Fico at dfico@arcmonroe.org or 585-271-0661 ext. 1552.

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, woody14619@yahoo.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.

Trillium Health, 259 Monroe Ave. Frontrunners/Frontwalkers 6pm, Eastman House parking lot. www.rochesterfrontrunners.org.

Gay Alliance Library & Archives, David Bohnett Cyber Center. Every Mon./Wed. 6-8pm. First floor, 875 E. Main St. 244-8640 Empire Bears Every Wednesday. 6pm dinner at The Wintonaire. www.empirebears.com

Thursdays

Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns 6:30pm, first Thursday. Ralph, 271-7649 Gay Alliance Youth Gender Identity Support Group Thursdays, 5:30-6:30, GAGV Library, 1st floor, off Prince St. lobby. 875 E. Main St. Ages 13-18. 244-8640.

The Social Grind 7:30-9:30pm Spot Coffee 200 East Ave. Open to all members of the LGBT community.

E-mail: DHutch457@aol.com for info.

Pride at Work First Thursdays, 5:30pm. 1354 Buffalo Road, Rochester 14624, 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 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, Trillium Health, 259 Monroe Ave. 442-2220 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 LORA - Buffalo Women’s Coffee Social Weekly on Thursday Nights, 6pm. Spot Coffee, 765 Elmwood, Buffalo. Contact Person: Barb Henderson Email: Morningstar5588@yahoo. com More Info: www.loragroup.org. Events: https://www.facebook.com/groups/buffaloles/

FRIDAYs

Gay Men's AA meeting Fridays, 7:30-8:30pm, Closed meeting.

Emmanuel Baptist Church, 815 Park Ave. Gay Alliance Youth Fridays, 7-9pm, Open Arms MCC, 707 E. Main St., 244-8640 GLBTQI Motorcycle Group Second Fridays, 5:30pm, Various locations.

RochesterGLBTIQbikers@yahoo.com; 4676456; bmdaniels@frontiernet.net.

LORA GaYmes Night Meets 4th Friday of the Month, 7-10pm, Equal Grounds Coffee House, 750 South Ave. Rochester. Contact Person: Christine O’Reilly. Email: irishfemmerochester@yahoo.com. Phone: 585.943.1320. More Info: www.loragroup.org.

Events: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ L.O.R.A.14464/ Crystal Meth Anonymous Immanuel Baptist Church, 815 Park Ave. at Brunswick. Meeting every Friday 4 pm in the basement.

SATURDAYs

Rochester Rams Bar Night Third Saturdays, 8pm-2am, Bachelor Forum, 670 University Ave. 271-6930 LGBT Family Pride Rochester Meets 2nd Saturday of the Month. 1-3 pm.

Crossroads Coffee House, 752 S. Goodman St.

Rochester. Contact Person: Christine O’Reilly.

Email: irishfemmerochester@yahoo.com.

Phone: 585.943.1320. More info: www.loragroup.org. Events: https://www.facebook. com/groups/L.O.R.A.14464/

Trans*Alliance of Greater Rochester Social/educational group for gender-variant people, friends. Last Saturdays, 3-5:30pm, GAGV fifth floor, 875 E. Main St. Frontrunners/Frontwalkers 9am, George Eastman House parking lot.www. rochesterfrontrunners.org.

Empire Bears Potluck 2nd Saturdays, GAGV, 875 E. Main, 5th floor, 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 GNO, social group for transmen, now meets on the second Saturday of the month, @ 1pm @ Equal Grounds, 750 South Ave. 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/

Sundays

Parents Families & Friends of Lesbians And Gays (PFLAG) For location: 244-8460; pflag@gayalliance.org.

Rochester General Assembly Sundays, Flying Squirrel Community Center, 285 Clarissa St. Crystal Meth Anonymous Immanuel Baptist Church, 815 Park Ave. at Brunswick. Meeting Sundays in the basement.

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 707 E. Main St. Rochester, 10:30am, 271-8478

Gay Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous St. Luke’s/St. Simon Cyrene Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St. 8pm, 232-6720, Weekly.

Closed meeting Men’s Cooking Group Third or fourth Sundays, 355-7664.

LORA Sunday Brunch 1st & 3rd Sunday of the Month, 11:30am 1:30pm. Jays Diner, 2612 W. Henrietta Rd., Rochester. Contact Person: Cathie Timian.

More info: www.loragroup.org. Events: https:// www.facebook.com/groups/L.O.R.A.14464/.

Email: info@loragroup.org Gutter Gals - Bowling 2nd & 4th Sundays, 6:30pm - 9:30pm. Bowl A Roll, 1560 Jefferson Rd. $5.70 for 2 games & $2.50 for shoes. For more info: http://www. facebook.com/groups/guttergals/Contact Person: Cathie: Email: ctimian@l-o-r-a.com; Phone: 585.313.3037

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Rochester AA/NA Meetings

Every week there are four regularly scheduled GLBTI AA and two inclusive 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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March SUNDAY 2

Dignity Integrity. Episcopal Mass/ Healing Service, with music. 5 pm at St. Luke’s and St. Simon’s Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St.

TUESDAY 4 Mardi Gras

WEDNESDAY 5

LGBT Health Month event: Spotlight Party. With Chastity Dee. 9 pm, 140 Alex Bar & Grill. Free HIV testing

by Trillium Health.

FRIDAY 7

Jeanne White-Grinder, mother of the late Ryan White, speaking at Catholic Charities Community Services (CCCS) third annual Breakfast with Friends 7:309 am, Irondequoit Country Club, 4045 East Ave. LGBT Health Month event: Ambush Rochester. Women’s Night Out.

SATURDAY 8

International Women’s Day. American Association of University Women (AAUW) presents IWD Award for Education to Evelyn Bailey of Shoulders To Stand On. 5-8 pm, AAUW Perkins Mansion, 494 East Ave. (Reservations ended Feb. 28.)

Empire Bears potluck, Gay Alliance, fifth floor, 875 E. Main St. LGBT Health Month event: The Normal Heart opening night. 8 pm, JCC, 1200 Edgewood Ave. Tickets: 461-2000; www.JCCCenterStage.org.

SUNDAY 9

Dignity Integrity. Roman Catholic Liturgy of the Word, with music. 5 pm at St. Luke’s and St. Simon’s Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St. The Normal Heart. 2 pm, JCC. Talk Back: “Connecting LGBT and Jewish Experience” (JCC, Gay Alliance).

the empty closet • the gay alliance • number 476 • march 2014

TUESDAY 11

LGBT Health Month event: Rochester GSA Coalition video screening of “How To Survive a Plague.” 6 pm, JCC. Gay Alliance DINES OUT. Support the Gay Alliance by dining out at any of the fine restaurants donating 50 percent of their proceeds today. For complete list of restaurants, see page 7.

WEDNESDAY 12

Gay Games Team Rochester. 7 pm, Equal=Grounds. thomaso510@mac.com.

THURSDAY 13

SERVICES

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.

Wedding Space and clergy services available. Celebrate your special day

SATURDAY 22

The Normal Heart. 8 pm, JCC. Post show bonus: concert preview by RGMC.

SUNDAY 23

Dignity Integrity. Evening Prayer, followed by potluck dinner. 5 pm at St. Luke’s and St. Simon’s Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St. The Normal Heart. 2 pm, JCC. Talk Back: “In” (Trillium, GSA Coalition, HCR).

MONDAY 24

Empty Closet deadline for April issue, 244-9030; susanj@gayalliance.org.

TUESDAY 25

FRIDAY 14

SATURDAY 15

The Normal Heart, 8 pm, JCC.

SUNDAY 16

Empire Bears to Maple Tree Inn in Short Track for pancakes with fresh maple syrup.

Dignity Integrity. Quiet Episcopal Mass in the Chapel. 5 pm at St. Luke’s and St. Simon’s Church, 17 S. Fitzhugh St. The Normal Heart. 2 pm, JCC. Talk Back: “The Next Act-UP: Activism & Rights in 2014.” (Empire State Pride Agenda; NYCLU).

LGBT Health Month event: Legislative Opportunities For LGBTQ New Yorkers In 2014: Empire State Pride Agenda Community Forum. 6:30 pm, Trillium Health.

LGBT Health Month event: ImageOut Film Night at the Cinema, 957 S. Clinton. Starts 6 pm.

FRIDAY 28

Rochester Erotic Arts Festival Gay Alliance panel: Understanding the Power of Stereotypes; 8 pm, Radisson Riverside Hotel, 120 E. Main St. 18-and-over event.

SATURDAY 29

Rochester Erotic Arts Festival Gay Alliance panel: Transgender Community Awareness: The Gender Spectrum, 4:30 pm, Radisson Riverside Hotel 120 E. Main St. 18-and-over.

Trans*Alliance of Greater Rochester. 3-5:30 pm, Gay Alliance office, fifth floor, 875 E. Main St. Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus Spring Concert. “Makeover.” 8 pm, Hochstein Performance Hall, 50 N. Plymouth Ave. Tickets available at OUTlandish, Equal=Grounds, Parkleigh, www. thergmc.org.

SUNDAY 30

Benefit for Gay Alliance Youth “’80s Zombie Prom”. 2 pm- ?, 140 Alex Bar & Grill. Emcee Poison Waters. Starring Miss Gay Rochester Mercedes Sulay, Chastity Dee, Destiny Spice, Deelicious special surprises. Minimum donation $5 at door.

Advance tickets at Gay Alliance & 140 Alex.

MONDAY 31

Deadline for open enrollment in Affordable Care Act through NY State of Health Marketplace. Contact Shannon Kelly at 585-210-4143 or insurance@trilliumhealthny.org. ■

WEDNESDAY 19

Flower City Pride Band Open House.

6-8pm Atonement Lutheran Church.

Come meet the local marching/pep band supporting the needs of Rochester’s LGBT community! All are welcome to meet the band and learn about upcoming opportunities and events. Food and refreshments. http://www.flowercitypride.com

THURSDAY 20

LGBT Health Month event: Neighborhood of the Arts Networking for LGBT Health. 5:30 pm, The Bachelor Forum, 670 University Ave. The Normal Heart. 7 pm, JCC. Talk Back: “Connecting LGBT Communities”.

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, New York 14605.

Paying by check: checks must be made out to Gay Alliance. 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.

Children’s Ministry thriving at Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church for toddlers to ‘tweens. Join us for vibrant, inclusive, progressive worship on Sundays at 10:30am. 740 Marshall Road off Chili Avenue. info@openarmsmcc.org; (585) 271-8478

Spring equinox

The Normal Heart. Out & Equal Second Thursdays, 5:30 pm at JCC, followed by performance 7 pm, Talk Back “HIV In 2014” (Trillium, MOCHA, Rochester Victory Alliance.)

Classifieds ANNOUNCEMENTS

THURSDAY 20

at Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church 740 Marshall Rd. off Chili Ave. info@openarmsmcc.org (585) 271-8478 Handyman: Simple repairs or full renovations, no job is too large or small. Carpentry, Plumbing, Electrical, Interior & Exterior. 35 years experience. Call Alan & Bill 585-204-0632 or cell 304-517-6832.

Martin Ippolito master electrician.

Electrical work, telephone jacks, cable TV, burglar alarm systems, paddle fans. 585266-6337.

Hate to paint or clean gutters? I have tall ladders! Dale’s Pleasure Painting and Gutter Cleaning has very reasonable rates for painting year round and gutter cleaning in spring or fall. 585-576-5042. Email dale.furlong@yahoo.com.

HOUSEMATES

Seeking employed housemate to share large suburban home. Off street parking, internet, cable, telephone, furnished private bedroom. Rent includes food (you cook or I cook or together). Call 266-4582.

ASK EM BY JUSTIN HUBBELL

march 2014 • number 476 • the gay alliance • the empty closet

The Empty Closet is published by the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley 875 E. Main Street, Suite 500 Rochester, New York 14605 © 2014, All rights reserved.

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Bed & Breakfast

Editor-in-Chief: Susan Jordan Staff Reporter: Ove Overmyer Graphic Design: Jim Anderson Ad Sales: Brandon Brooks (brandonb@gayalliance.org 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. 244-9030, susanj@gayalliance.org 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 gayrelated 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.

PFLAG meets the 3rd Sunday of each month Meetings are at Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church, 707 E. Main St., Rochester, NY 14605 from 1 to 3pm. Questions?

Call: 585-244-8640 and leave a message, or e-mail: pflag@gayalliance.org Join us!

(585) 880-1184

Located in Village Gate Square right next to Outlandish!

HOURS

Wednesday–Thursday 1-6pm Friday–Saturday 1-8pm Sunday 1-6pm

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the empty closet • the gay alliance • number 476 • march 2014